friday's letters/catch up on life

I am the #1 worst blogger ever.

Dear Halloween, 

You treated me so well! Our pumpkins turned out great, and the decorating extravaganza that happened at boyfriend's work was amazing.  Themes I can remember included: angry birds, jaws, mario brothers, tron, toy story, the lorax, and a couple others... My two favorites were toy story (for the child in me) and jaws (because it was AMAZING) Sorry the jaws photos are so dark, you will just have to trust me, it was pretty awesome. Oh, and they totally made a boat.  

Dear Lion King, 

You were amazing.  I cried twice, got to hold a snake---twice, eat and drink for free, and watch some pretty amazing african dancers.  You were above and beyond what I could have ever hoped for.  Did I mention I got a lion hat AND an elephant mask? I may or may not have been the only adult to pick up a mask, and I proceeded to lose it just like a child.  

Dear Garry, 

Thanks for spoiling boyfriend and me last Sunday.  Food, drinks, a tour, and to see the best view of SF, it was such a wonderful day! 

Dear Greg and Jelena, 

Thanks for introducing us to Korean BBQ, it was AMAZING. I especially loved all the little sides. 

                                           

                                                                 

thursday thoughts

ONE

OMG it's almost Halloween.  I can't believe how fast time is flying.  When people ask me how long I have been here my instant thought is one month, but no, we are going on four months at the end of October. Crazy.

TWO

This is the first week where I have feel like I kind of know what I am doing/where my life is going.  I am no longer sitting at home everyday just job hunting.  Like I said in a previous post a life is not a job, a job is a part of your life.  It just so happens I am figuring the life part out first.  At least I am figuring something out right? 

THREE

New Girl and Glee aren't on this week.  What's up with that? 

FOUR

I am completely and utterly in love with this new app I just got yesterday.  It's called stylebook, and even though it will take sometime to set up, it's super useful.  You take pictures of your entire wardrobe and categorize it all, shoes, sweaters, blazers, trousers, jeans, shorts, even accessories.  Then you can put outfits together just like on polyvore, but now they are all YOUR clothes! You can categorize your outfits too, day looks, work, evening, vacation, and favorites. I am still taking pictures of my wardrobe, but in the long run it will be totally worth it. 

FIVE

My neighbors upstairs have an elephant.  I mean considering all the noise it's really the only explanation.  It seriously sounds like stomping and tons of things being knocked about. Initially I thought perhaps they are just moving in and making moving noises, but that was TWO WEEKS AGO.   

SIX 

Tonight at volleyball we are picking teams.  I am super nervous, and I keep getting terrible flash backs to junior high.  Wish me luck! 

i've been nominated?

Stacy over at just breathe has nominated me for a Liebster award.
Here are the answers to her questions plus  eleven more randoms about me...

Eleven things about me:

1. Babies make me SUPER nervous, and slightly uncomfortable.  I should probably get over this pretty quick because my bff, Sarah, is about to have one!! 

2. I am pretty sure I was a cat in a past life.  A nice, fat, lazy, and very loved indoor cat.  

3. I am going to miss the 4 seasons I had in Tx. 

4. I absolutely love to cook. 

5. I absolutely love to eat. 

6. I truly believe I have the two best parents and greatest family anyone could ever ask for.  

7. I am really, really good at multitasking. It's a very strange gift. 

8. I just started volunteering at Resource Generation, and I am SUPER excited about everything I am going to learn! 

9. I think my cat Tiny wants to be a chef.  She is always watching me cook, and she wants to smell everything.  It's pretty tough to keep her out of my kitchen.
10. I love to iron.
11. I really enjoy tequila with a splash of lime.

1. We all multi-task so what else are you doing while you're typing this blog? 

Bah a lot of things, planning meals for the weekend, defrosting chicken in the microwave, applying for admin. assistant jobs, starting beer chicken in the slow cooker, warming the last of the lamb stew for lunch, and shamefully watching gossip girl.

2. When you're sad do you listen to sad music or happy music? 

90s music, so I can sing along and dance around the apt.    

3. What would be your perfect night of TGIF (remember Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step, etc.)?  
Boy Meets World, love me some Shawn and Cory!

4. If money were no object what would your dream job be? 

I believe in dream jobs like I believe in soul mates, there isn't just one for everyone. I'll be happy finding a job I like.   

5. Why do you blog? And do your friends think you're weird? 

I focus better when I can get things off my mind, so it's a bit like a diary for me. My friends have always thought I was weird, blog or no blog. 

6. What is one of your strangest quirks?  (I will like you MORE for this the stranger it is)
Apparently, one of my eyes blinks without the other on occasion.  

7. What is your favorite HOLIDAY CANDLE scent?
I grew up with candles, so I don't have a favorite, in fact, I would rather live without them. 

8. List one of your guiltiest pleasures. 
TV---ugh totally obsessed. 

9. What is your favorite Pandora station?

90s pop, indie rock, OR glee.  A mixture of all three is quite nice actually. 

10. If a celebrity played you in a movie about your life, who would you pick?

Rachel McAdams.

11. More importantly, who would play the love of your life?

EASY Jake Gyllenhaal. Gorgeous. 

I do realize my font changed a couple times thru the blog, and for some reason I really don't care to fix it today.  Sorry if it bugs you! 

environments

Growing up in the south you learn that following a boy anywhere is like giving up on yourself and your independence, and if you do it without a ring you are just a dumb girl.  And as my friend/cousin reminded me on our 5 hour lunch the other day, coming to CA was not about following a boy.  It's about moving forward and taking a risk, making the hard decision to try something new, along with giving my boyfriend the chance to start his dream.  I could have very easily said no, I want to stay in TX, and boyfriend would have stayed with me. But people don't grow when they are just content with their lives, they grow when they push themselves out of their comfort zones and into new situations.  So to all of you who think I am crazy for following a boy out to CA, don't think of it that way anymore.  Think of it as me stepping out on my own for the first time and trying to find out who I can be.  I just so happen to have an extremely supportive boyfriend along for the ride. 

I also made a lovely little list of the reasons I should be proud of myself. Things I have been doing here in Cali that I never did nor would I have done in Tx. And it goes a little something like this:

1. Playing volleyball once a week (sometimes more) with new people each week 

2. Putting my life out on a blog for people to read

3. Jumping on BART and exploring the city

4. Making new friends

5. Job hunting

6. Cooking something new every week

7. Looking into going back to school in a couple years

8. Being the supportive but not totally dependent girlfriend

9. Being able to stay positive (most days) 

10. Signing up for volunteer opportunities

Happy Tuesday everyone! 

i'm still here

Yes, I am still here, and still blogging.  Quick week wrap up...California allergies suck and my parents were visiting last week.  I have the most wonderful parents in the world.  Not only did they stock us up on wine, help cook, buy us a floor lamp and all our other groceries, they reminded me why I should be proud of myself.
We ate together every night, went into the city a couple times to meet friends, went to the farmers market, and drank a wee bit of the wine they brought us. We had an amazing dinner with some friends, Greg and Jelena on Saturday night.  As soon as we walked in the door we were welcomed with vodka and appetizers (smoked salmon and caviar).  It was such a wonderful evening, and I hope it can be a reoccurring event.  I almost feel like Greg and Jelena have taken boyfriend and I under their wing.  They are always telling us about great things to do, see, and eat in the area. We are so lucky to have them as friends out here. Not to mention, they have the sweetest, most beautiful, and most well behaved baby in the world.  Granted, I have never really been around babies, so I probably don't know much, but Miss Olivia is like pure joy.  The dinner Jelena made was absolutely amazing, and I am hoping she will translate the recipe for me!

It was  such a wonderful week, and I think I would like it if my parents lived closer... Thanks again Mom and Dad!

friday's letters

Dear wine in the afternoon, 

You should probably happen more often, I mean seriously, it's not like I am working these days...

Dear readers, 

No, I am not a drunk. 

Dear Parents, 

I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE VISITING. AND THAT YOU BROUGHT ME MORE WINE!!!  

Dear Readers, 

Seriously, I don't drink that much, but you should probably all try Peachy Canyon's Zinfandel.  It will rock your world.  

Dear David Northam, 

I have figured absolutely nothing out since high school or college for that matter. And yes, I am a completely different person than I was in high school, but aren't we all? 

Dear banana chocolate cream pie, 

You are kind of like satan, super tempting, and then you wreak havoc on my body, inside and out. But to be completely honest, I will probably make you every 1-2 months. You are too good to give up. 

Dear Boyfriend, 

You must be a saint or something, because I am not so sure how you are still living with me(crazy girl). 

Thanks. 

Dear depressed version of Gillian, 

Here are the things you should be taking advantage of while you are unemployed/job hunting:

1. Working out

2. Exploring SF

3. COOKING EVERYTHING

4. Working out

5. Drawing

6. Volleyball

7. Working out

8. Wine in the afternoon

9. Venting on your blog

Dear New Girl, 

I am so glad you're back,  I haven't/won't delete any of your episodes this season, because you are fantastic on a day when I am super down.  I'M OFF THE GRID! 

Happy Friday Everyone!!! 

wonderful wednesday

Ugh, lately I have been loving/wanting way too much.  Number one on my list of loves are these black boots from Steve Madden.  The thing is, I own one pair of suede black boots, and now living in SF, suede just will not do! Plus, how cool are these?

I own one polka dot top (it doesn't seem to be enough) that my mother made me get back in high school, and boy am I thankful she did! But now I just want more, sweaters, scarves, and skirts all in polka dots! Sweaters and skirt from J.Crew and the scarf is from Old Navy. 

I started watching Dawson's Creek for the first time.  My parents did not let me watch it when I was younger, and definitely for good reason.  This show is a bit ridiculous (yes, I am still watching it).  I never knew anyone at 15 who talked/acted/solved problems like these kiddos.  Also, having sex at 15 is not what I want my future kids to be watching on tv.  Thanks mom and dad for keeping me a prude/young for as long as possible, I really appreciate it. Seriously, thank you.