Packing for San Francisco!
Ji and I are visiting my soul sister, the gentle friend that I have known and loved for the past eight years. I think being an only child enforced the importance of friendships, and never have I gone through a stage in my life without a "best friend" by my side. Some of them I no longer keep in touch with, but I still think of how they have made growing up better, easier. Thuy and I have been apart for a little over one year, and often I wish she lived two streets over instead of across the country. But such is life, and I am grateful for my friend.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Thursday, January 09, 2014
It's my birthday...
… I do what I want!
I blurted that out around 9AM and it became the theme of my 32nd birthday. Steve rolled his eyes and chuckled in disbelief, "it's going to be a long day". For reasons not completely understood, it was one of my favorite birthdays I can remember. May have something to do with not working, not studying, not on call, but may also have something to do with the first birthday I spent with my husband (2011 we met shortly after my birthday, 2012 I was on call and we celebrated one day early, 2013 I was working and we went to the melting pot, barely able to stay awake on the drive home). Also, I loved all my Facebook posts from friends I haven't heard from in so long.
Dinner at the Optimist (http://theoptimistrestaurant.com) was amazing. It is now my official favorite restaurant in Atlanta, and not only for sentimental reasons. It is actually bright enough inside to take pictures without flash and STILL be able to see faces. There is a bustling energy inside, great open space, high industrial ceilings. The food was not too pretty, not too new, not too heavy, not too boring.
An update on my No Spending January thus far.
Things I passed up on -
1. Vanessa Bruno silk dress that is DIVINE (in color, cut, fabric, and what I imagine it will look like on me) and 70% off! This was a hard one to pass, and even made it to my shopping cart at one point. However the price (still about $500 and the few occasions that I might wear it) made me click delete. I have a feeling I will be thinking about this one.
2. Those knives, always those knives.
When I was too weak to say no -
1. Isabel Marant dogtooth print pants. Don't ask, I'm still not sure about this one. I am in need to more interesting pants and these I can even wear to work. Plus they're at a great price. Plus they can be returned if anything less than perfect.
Did I mention Net-A Porter emailed me an extra 20% off coupon? I have a feeling if my resolution has any chance of real success, there are websites that must be blocked and emails that must be unsubscribed. Sigh...
I blurted that out around 9AM and it became the theme of my 32nd birthday. Steve rolled his eyes and chuckled in disbelief, "it's going to be a long day". For reasons not completely understood, it was one of my favorite birthdays I can remember. May have something to do with not working, not studying, not on call, but may also have something to do with the first birthday I spent with my husband (2011 we met shortly after my birthday, 2012 I was on call and we celebrated one day early, 2013 I was working and we went to the melting pot, barely able to stay awake on the drive home). Also, I loved all my Facebook posts from friends I haven't heard from in so long.
Dinner at the Optimist (http://theoptimistrestaurant.com) was amazing. It is now my official favorite restaurant in Atlanta, and not only for sentimental reasons. It is actually bright enough inside to take pictures without flash and STILL be able to see faces. There is a bustling energy inside, great open space, high industrial ceilings. The food was not too pretty, not too new, not too heavy, not too boring.
An update on my No Spending January thus far.
Things I passed up on -
1. Vanessa Bruno silk dress that is DIVINE (in color, cut, fabric, and what I imagine it will look like on me) and 70% off! This was a hard one to pass, and even made it to my shopping cart at one point. However the price (still about $500 and the few occasions that I might wear it) made me click delete. I have a feeling I will be thinking about this one.
2. Those knives, always those knives.
When I was too weak to say no -
1. Isabel Marant dogtooth print pants. Don't ask, I'm still not sure about this one. I am in need to more interesting pants and these I can even wear to work. Plus they're at a great price. Plus they can be returned if anything less than perfect.
Did I mention Net-A Porter emailed me an extra 20% off coupon? I have a feeling if my resolution has any chance of real success, there are websites that must be blocked and emails that must be unsubscribed. Sigh...
Monday, January 06, 2014
New Years Resolutions
Six days into the new year - 2014 - I'm not doing so well. Inspired by Hollywood Housewife, No (frivolous/unnecessary/indulgent) Spending January officially busted after 4 days. Maybe it wasn't such a wise choice to start on a double birthday month - mine and my mother in law. Still… I'm not deterred. In fact, I will put both birthday presents under the "must have" bucket and get back on the wagon (this and this).
Some things are black and white. A new purse? Another pair of shoes? Another coat (not even thinking about it)? Definitely red zone. Groceries, light bulbs, gas, definitely green zone. Here are a few things in the grey zone. I stare at them in the store, biting my nails, walk away then come back (and if I'm good, walk away again). It's really quite pathetic.
1. Shun knife. After my last one broke (lesson learned, no more chopping chicken bones with my favorite knife), I definitely don't want to replace it with anything else. I'm not in a bind for knifes per say…
2. Decoration/furniture for the house. Maybe we should have a budget. This house really is a bottomless pit of spending. Items we (or just me) are desperately searching for is a desk chair, some paintings for the wall, bedroom set, couch for Steve's man cave, a desk for him, a chair/bench for the downstairs office… Like I said, bottomless pit (but a lovely one, really).
3. An SUV?????? Where does this fall when we are trying to save money??
On a more positive (and less materialistic) note, things I really wish for in the new year.
1. Health. It's not a secret we are getting old, and by we, I mean myself and my parents. The other day Steve and I watched About Time and it has me WEEPING. I am sentimental to a fault, and this movie touched on a sour sour note. If you have ever lost someone and wish just for one more minute (hour, day) with them, don't watch this movie in public. Anyways health is what I wish for for all my loved ones, first and foremost.
2. Gratitude. If I had more of this, then maybe my resolution to buy less things would be easier to follow. I need this in bold letters, written everywhere! I am thankful.
As I am feeling ever so optimistic in the beginning of this new year, it is only fitting to end this post with one of my favorite quotes.
Let us be merry while we may and have joy on our minds, for sorrow can catch us whenever it pleases.
- Sir Gawin and the Green Knight
Some things are black and white. A new purse? Another pair of shoes? Another coat (not even thinking about it)? Definitely red zone. Groceries, light bulbs, gas, definitely green zone. Here are a few things in the grey zone. I stare at them in the store, biting my nails, walk away then come back (and if I'm good, walk away again). It's really quite pathetic.
1. Shun knife. After my last one broke (lesson learned, no more chopping chicken bones with my favorite knife), I definitely don't want to replace it with anything else. I'm not in a bind for knifes per say…
2. Decoration/furniture for the house. Maybe we should have a budget. This house really is a bottomless pit of spending. Items we (or just me) are desperately searching for is a desk chair, some paintings for the wall, bedroom set, couch for Steve's man cave, a desk for him, a chair/bench for the downstairs office… Like I said, bottomless pit (but a lovely one, really).
3. An SUV?????? Where does this fall when we are trying to save money??
On a more positive (and less materialistic) note, things I really wish for in the new year.
1. Health. It's not a secret we are getting old, and by we, I mean myself and my parents. The other day Steve and I watched About Time and it has me WEEPING. I am sentimental to a fault, and this movie touched on a sour sour note. If you have ever lost someone and wish just for one more minute (hour, day) with them, don't watch this movie in public. Anyways health is what I wish for for all my loved ones, first and foremost.
2. Gratitude. If I had more of this, then maybe my resolution to buy less things would be easier to follow. I need this in bold letters, written everywhere! I am thankful.
As I am feeling ever so optimistic in the beginning of this new year, it is only fitting to end this post with one of my favorite quotes.
Let us be merry while we may and have joy on our minds, for sorrow can catch us whenever it pleases.
- Sir Gawin and the Green Knight
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