Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mama-bear, I love you. You are extremely generous and loving. I admire how hard you work to make us all happy and to make sure we are taken care of. I hope you are spoiled rotten today. Happy birthday!

(Photo taken in Disneyland in 2010)

Powerful, Yet Peaceful

I love how powerful, yet peaceful this image is. 

How are you today? I'm fighting a cold, listening to some rainy day music on this very gray day, and catching up on some to-do items (I sure do love checking them off!). A good friend is taking me to dinner for my birthday tonight. Things are good for me and that feels really nice.

(Photo courtesy of A Well Traveled Woman)

It's My Birthday!

I don't normally brag, but Toot Toot! It's my birthday! I'm 26 years old today and I don't feel any different. Actually, as I write this I'm fighting a cold and feeling a little groggy. Ha!

As for as today's plans, Rob is taking me to dinner tonight. I haven't decided where I want to go yet. Do you have any recommendations for the San Jose area? What do you like to do to celebrate your birthday? Do you have any bday traditions?

p.s. I'm stoked to spend another year of my life with this dude. He's the best. 

(Photo taken in Sweden in 2012)

Daydreaming

I can't stop thinking about exploring a new place with my guy. Discovering street cafes, local music, and beautiful parks as we walk about a city. What city do I have in mind? One that requires a plane flight to get there. And that's all.

What are you daydreaming about today? 

(Photos taken in Ireland in 2011) 

New Year, No Resolutions

I don't like making New Year's resolutions. I never really have and I doubt that I ever will. I feel like when you make resolutions at the start of the year you feel so guilty and stressed if you haven't completed them by the end of the year. That pressure is what makes me dislike New Year's in general. I hate feeling like I need to "ring in the new year right!" or "finish the old year strong!" What if I just want to stay in my comfy clothes, watch a movie, and go to bed early? Does that mean that the following year is going to stink? Nope.

I don't want to seem like a complete scrooge. We do hang with friends, and we always have a good time. For example, last night we hung with a bunch of people for a fondue/ game night. I took on that Beer Cheddar cheese fondue and had no regrets. :) I just don't want to feel like the significance of an entire year rests on the shoulders of one night. If Rob and I don't have the perfect kiss, then that doesn't mean our marriage will be rocky, it just means that we missed the mark at that moment. If I don't have a killer party, it doesn't mean that the year is going to suck. It just means that it wasn't my best night.

I don't know, maybe I am just scroogy. How do you feel about New Year's and New Year's Eve?

(Photo taken at our friend's fondue/ game night last night)