Changeable.net

“Now it’s a great feeling when you find the right track to go with the day, and today, I have found the absolute perfect song.” -Definitely, Maybe

I might not have the perfect track for the day, but I do have the perfect movie and the perfect dinner for my first single V-day in a few years.

No, this is not a sad post.

I’ve had my fair share of great Valentine’s days, together with someone I cared deeply about, or somebody that I was on the edge of something new with.

I’ve also had the years where the night passed, just like any other. Nights when I was working… making coffee, driving the evening van service, calling people to give them surveys… Valentine’s days where I was in a relationship but did not get to see my significant other that day.

I’ve had a couple of years where I met up with my girls. Went to a movie, and/or dinner, and/or hung out at someone’s house, just loving on the ladies I love to love so much.

I had the year where I went and had a crazy Crazy CRAZY night out in response to my singleness. I still crack up AND cringe about it.

I think (though I’m not sure) that I’ve managed to avoid the year where I spent the evening crying my eyes out; I’d like to keep it that way.

But let’s talk about today.

Let February 14, 2012 mark the date that I began cooking with puff pastry. And the day when a student brought me a chocolate apple. The day I made macaroni and cheese bites and fancy pigs in a blanket and ate marinated mozzarella and enjoyed being a lazy fatty.

Life is good. And goodness knows that I’ve put in the work to earn an evening of self-love (don’t make this statement into a gross one).

Thanks for the texted concerns, loves! Some clarification:

Life is lovely!
I love listening to Hunger Games
The only thing that was BLOWING about last night was my weak girl-push ups.

Hurrah!

Ways my mom surprised me today:
-”I want an iPhone.”
-”Do you know who this woman is?” [pointing to a photo of Sarah Jessica Parker gracing a magazine cover] “I asked the doctor if I could take this magazine, because I was reading about her and she reminded me of you.”

Workouts I’m excited to try:
-The Bar Method Long Beach
-Crossfit Long Beach
-Donations-only yoga studio
-Free yoga on the beach

Adios 24hour Fitness! If only you actually offered classes… you know… 24 hours a day. Or at least early/late enough to accommodate my work schedule. I’m will be paying a lot more money to work out very soon, but I’m excited to get in killer shape. Ha, and if I fail at that, I guess I’ll be saying hello again to 24.

Perhaps I did not ring in the new year on quite the right note and hey, I may not have a voice right now (virus), but still–life is alright, isn’t it?

Exciting ‘business trips’ coming up for work–one to visit a small district in San Diego County and talk to them about what they’re doing to support teachers, and a high-profile convening in Arizona to discuss teacher effectiveness. I feel humbled and honored to be given these opportunities!

My new dog (name is still TBD) has brought me so much joy! I think that all of the time I used to spend being sad I now use to play with him and clean his pee up off of the floor. I think it’s safe to say that I get to keep him, so a name is certainly on the way! I’m taking him to the vet/humane society soon to get all taken care of, so once those bills are paid I’ll officially consider him mine. I love him love him love him. He’s so tiny and he has an equally tiny bed that he’ll drag around to be close to wherever I’m at. Washing dishes? He’ll be by the sink. Sitting down? He’ll bring it next to my chair. Also, he’s been spotted playing with spaghetti wrappers and a piece of corn husk tamale-wrapper–any dog who loves these two things is clearly in the right house.

I used a sick day yesterday to visit the doctor and nurse my voice, but still went in early to set things up for a sub. 8 o’clock came and went and my sub was running late, so I stayed with my kiddos, some who said (I kid you not) “noooooooo” when I whispered to them that I’d be out soon. I also got a strange amount of compliments on my appearance that day (beanie to hide my bed head, torn UCLA sweatshirt, leggings, and uggs… not to mention makeup left over from the day before). I must admit, I was hoping to be out before my students saw me because I felt like a BUM, so it was an unexpected ego-boost.

I’m so excited just thinking forward to the things coming up these next months, small and large. From movies I’m excited to see and books I’m hoping to read, to birthdays I’m excited to celebrate and Julie and Ryan’s wedding, to SNOW! Winter Camp (not that I actually know if I’m going) and Mammoth… and man… SPAIN! I have things to look forward to up through the beginning of April and that is fabulous.

2012 is brimming with promises of joy in the simple life as I spend time with friends, stick to my budget, save, and pay off my student loans.

My, how much life has changed since just one year ago.

I. am. so. thankful.

I cannot explain where I am going with my life; that puzzle is still just beginning to put itself together. I do feel life moving, swiftly; I’m riding a wave, floating toward some great unknown.

I am most thankful for this, that life is moving purposefully. I am exhausted but exhilarated.

Here we go:

My career. Opportunities for growth and leadership have been abundant this year. If you spoke to me as I prepared to return to work in January, and told me what would be accomplished by November, I would have laughed in your face. The working relationships that I’ve built are so valuable and I’m thankful to have found favor with so many people in my organization.

I am thankful for all of the people I’ve lived with this past year. Moving away from Harvard Heights was a hard decision, but I’m appreciative for all of the memories of that grand house and the grand women I shared life with. It blows my mind that I can now say I’ve lived with 20 people.

I am so grateful to be back in Long Beach. I’ve loved living with my parents so much, and I am very appreciative of the relationship we have. I looked forward to being here, and even so, it’s better than expected. I’m thankful to wake up to coffee, already brewing. I’m thankful to wake up to parents who are also starting their days off bright and early. I’m thankful for Fridays when I cannot help but smile as we all hit snooze and sleep in (meaning we get up after 5am rather than before). I’m thankful for Mexican food every night (long story) and vegetables to keep me healthy.

I am in love with my beautiful friends and so appreciative of my unique relationship with each one. I love inside jokes. I love Los Compadres, El Torito, The Farm, The Factory, Bacaro LA, Yard house, and Chili’s. I love silly stories. I love seeing my friend circles intersect wonderfully.

I am so thankful for my travels. When I was in elementary, middle, and high school, I never got to go on a vacation; we could not afford it. I dreamed about traveling like I do, but did not think it possible for me to ever explore our pretty little globe. Now, here I am. Tahoe, Wisconsin, Mammoth, Paris, Ojai, Cabo, New York. Traveling is a favorite pastime, and this past year was so good to me in that realm.

The break-up was hard, but I’m glad it happened. In retrospect, the last 6 months or so of relationship were… miserable. Yes, there were blissful moments, but it was far from being ideal. No, that’s not an insult to anybody other than the bastard known as the long-distance relationship itself. Anyway, I learned a lot, and I’m in a wonderful new phase of life. I am thankful to be single and dating. I’m still trying to figure it all out, but it’s been a fun process.

God provides, God takes away. He is good. I’m thankful for his provisions this year.