Something More

Epidemics

Another scary side-effect of our society's expanding waistlines: a new research study published in the medical journal Pediatrics shows a (not all that surprising) link between mothers who are obese during pregnancy and increased rates of children being born with Austim spectrum disorders and other neurological disorders.

Seriously people, put down the soda, and the double cheeseburger, pick up some fruits and veggies, and MOVE!

Flourish!

Happy 117th Birthday Chi Omega!

Twister

Dallas/Fort Worth had 12 tornadoes yesterday....my old office had a really close call and during a video conference with us here on the Best Coast, they had to evacuate the conference room and gather in the storm shelter (aka the innermost hallway). A cancelled business trip kept me in San Diego this week, but storm chasing and dodging flying 18-wheelers on I-20 could've been fun!

 A shot of SMU's Dallas Hall during the storms.

(Photo by Luis Gonzalez)

Crystal Clear

Happy Bday Corral Pal!!

Today we celebrate the birth of one of the most amazing, unique, and fun-loving people I know....she was my first friend at SMU and God surely blessed me putting this girl in my life! Her wedding is just around the corner and while I'm devastated I can't be in Cowtown this weekend to participate in the bachelorette festivities, I'm eagerly counting down the days until I see this crazy, wonderful, smiling face next month!!!

 Top Golf adventures

 Just chillin' in the Prius, solo. Probably has the heat seaters on full blast even though it's about 78 degrees outside.

Red River Shootout tailgate 2010

Happy Birthday Shufy!! Love you and miss you TONS!

(I almost posted the videos of your Cali road-trip singing performance....I decided against it, but they may be making an appearance at the wedding...just a heads up!)

I Don't Wanna Be Mean, But....

9:30am, Saturday, Starbucks

What you don't see: the full makeup, that's a dress, not a skirt, and the large, pink, monogrammed canvas bag she was carrying. Potential explanations: She's going to In Cahoots tonight and won't have time to go home and change beforehand. She thought "Star"-bucks was a place aspiring movie stars (who want to do low budge porn) hang out. 

Most likely: She just got off the late shift at Cheetahs and is getting her studying done because she "only dances to put herself through school". 

I swear I'm not a terrible person.

Beauty

This was my view after work, on my walk/run

If you look really closely, you can see the dolphin fin! There was a pod of them playing in the water.

Simple little reminder...find your balance.

Spring!

This, to me, means Spring. 

For the first time since high school, I've been able to witness the planting (and soon blooming!) of the famous Flower Fields. It's not an exaggeration that this picture above basically captures what I see driving into work everyday. 

I think I'll be eating lunch outside more often in the near future!

Buzzkill

Seriously Hawaii? I should've been giddy checking in for my flight. #rude

Preach sista, preach!

Witty quote courtesy of my sorority sister CPot and her lawyerly friends.

It could start a revolution.

Monday, Thursday?

It's Monday, and I was having a serious case of them well before 7 this morning. But, it's also Thursday, because come Wednesday morning, this chica will be flying over the Pacific Ocean headed for the island paradise known as Hawaii.

Since I'll be sporting that always scary piece of clothing known as a bathing suit in 48 hours, I decided a trip to the gym this morning was a good idea. I had everything laid out and ready to go so when my alarm clock buzzed at 6am I could shuffle out to my car and make it to the 6:30 plyometrics class. Best laid plans right? Alarm goes off, I grab my stuff, get out the door and realize....I don't have my car keys. And yes, I locked the apartment door behind me. FAIL. Silver lining, remembered we have a spare hidden. Keys recovered, on the road and still might make class....as I realize I've driven past the exit, toward work. Exit, turn around, get to the gym, not in time for class, but still enough time for a round on both the stair climber and the treadmill. 

Truly though, I think it's more than a case of the Mondays; it's early onset vacation mindset. This weekend in California was GLORIOUS. I went to the beach AND the pool. I have (faint) tan lines! So gas is $5 and my paycheck is taxed at an absurd amount. My weekend looked like this, in March:

Now, I just have to get through "Thursday and Friday" with some semblance of focus.....

On repeat

Defining Privilege

I am not a political junky. I do not enjoy debating politics and policy with friends or foes. But with the upcoming election, and taking note of what our current President has (and hasn't) done in the last four years, articles such as this one from the Wall Street Journal are more important than ever. I find it more and more applicable to use the joke "It's easy to be a Democrat when you're not paying your own bills". Please take the time to thoughtfully consider all your political options this November, the future of our depends on it!

Jaunts

I've been a bit quiet recently...because I spent most of February on a plane. Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but considering I was in the Southwest terminal of San Diego airport 4 times in 13 days, it felt like it!

This month started with our company's biggest tradeshow of the year (another reason I've been a bit MIA, just a teeny bit of stress going on!) It was held in San Francisco this year which I loved; we stayed at a great hotel and I got to see tons of friends. I was TERRIBLE about taking pictures, but, good news, I finally got a new camera battery, so I have no excuses for not documenting upcoming events!

Team trip out to Alcatraz

A shot of "the Rock" from the boat over

Punch bowl at Hobson's on Haight/Ashbury

(The only Internet appropriate photo from my weekend with friends. s4prtying)

After a long but fun week in SF, I hopped on a plane due East for a little country fun with my bestest. Add another city/state to our list!

Hello NashVegas!

Oh, hey Mr. Dud-nay!

Bushwackers. Best.Drink.Ever.

Happy Birthday Valentine!

Waiting to go into Patterson House (for Pimm's!)

At the Stage on Broadway

Our cowgirl boots!

Typical NBN, getting a ride in a golf cart through the BNA airport

And back at home, enjoying some of the simpler things:

SiriusXM Tribute to Whitney Houston #heartbreakhotel

Starting the weekend off right with a hike through Torrey Pines. Yes, it's February.

What People Think....

Ok, this Facebook trend needs to stop, as most Facebook trends, it's gotten way out of hand. But, this one is pretty close to accurate, so I had to share it.

(Except people from my hometown usually thought I went to San Marcos University which I know they were not picturing as a luxury hotel suite)

Let's Get Kooky

I ran my first 5k this weekend! The city of Cardiff decided to honor the infamous Cardiff Kook with an annual 5k and 10k race along the coast. It was the first annual race so I decided to make it my first 5k. I was definitely a little bit apprehensive, anyone who knows me knows I am NOT a runner. But, I definitely ran more than I walked and actually did a better time than I had originally anticipated.

It helped that I had a running buddy and I made a mix of pump up songs timed out to when I thought I might need some extra pep. (I crossed the finish line to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'). 

Leah and I pre-race (with a roomie photo bomb)

Me at home, with my post-race medal

The Cardiff Kook

Single Bridezillas

Very interesting article. I think those of us in our 20s and 30s, married, engaged or single, can relate in some way to this post (whether you're thinking of someone else or yourself as you read this!)

"Sociologists say that for successful women, there's another factor pushing them to prematurely plan their weddings: Because women of the Echo Boomer and Y generation don't need to marry for financial security, they've hyper-romanticized the institution. It's essentially become a nonprofit venture, aimed at a greater, far more elusive good: happiness. In fact, 51 percent of college-educated women believe married people are happier than singles. Women without college degrees are less likely to buy into that sentiment."

Jet Set Dreams

If nothing else, this blog has documented my love of travel. My Pintrest boards do the same. In 2011, I boarded a plane at least once in 10 out of the 12 months of the year. 2012 is gearing up to be very similar: two trips in February, one in March, two in April, two in June and a few more are in the planning stages. While travel, for work or pleasure, can be stressful or tiring, I love it. Give me a flight delay over time at the office any day. I chalk this up to my chronic case of Wanderlust; if I don't have a trip booked, I honestly start to feel anxious, almost trapped. Thankfully, that hasn't been the case in quite awhile (I'd like to thank many of my friends who've gotten married in the last five years, heavily contributing to my active travel schedule).

So if you're thinking about a cool trip and want a travel buddy or you are going off to live in a new place and are open to visitors, holla atcha girl!

D-Town Props

My alma mater was ranked No. 8 by the Princeton Review as being one of the best college towns, and I wholeheartedly agree!! 

SMU was amazing place to go to school: you had the vibrancy of the city just a few freeway exits away, but spent most of your days nestled in a safe, clean, quiet suburban area. I always told friends and family that there was literally nothing better than walking along the Boulevard on a clear, sunny day....seriously, it almost rivals the beach. Almost.

This California girl will always feel at home walking in her cowboy boots!

Inspired

I've been a terrible blogger. I could chalk it up to my crazy work schedule or the fact that I've taken on some new projects that are keeping me busy in all my free time, but truly, I haven't felt inspired in awhile. Well, I realized that was my own darn fault, considering I live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world and have a plethora of amazing things and people at my fingertips.

So last night, I made sure I was watching as SoCal native, aka the Flying Tomato, took to the snow at the X Games.

Shaun White is a legend in our area; I remember hearing his name whispered during lunch hours as the kid that my friend's brother's friend knew who was being sponsored for snowboarding...at the unprecedented age of 11. It's pretty cool to see him dominating the sport so completely still. If the Double McTwist 1260 doesn't inspire you, I don't know what to tell you!

Resoluteness

I am not one for New Year's Resolutions. If there is something you want to change, do it and do it now, is my opinion. That being said, when I came across this list of 20 New Year's Resolutions for 20-Somethings by Jessie Rosen, I found myself nodding along in quite a few places!

So here is to 2012 being a happier, more informed, more enjoyable year than ever before!

20 New Year’s Resolutions For 20-Somethings

Jan. 2, 2012

By Jessie Rosen

1. Before you status update, Tweet, Tumble or Instagram, pause and say to yourself, “is it entirely necessary that I share this morsel of thought with my entire social network?”and if the answer is not, “yes, I absolutely must,” then step away from the Internet.
2. Know which candidate you’re going to vote for in the upcoming presidential election, and know why.
3. Enough with the 14-day juice cleanses. If you want to lose a little weight quickly, eat less and exercise like crazy. If you want to lose a lot of weight slowly, do whatever Jennifer Hudson did.
4. If you really like the person you’re hooking up with and would like them to be your boyfriend/ girlfriend, find a way to tell them, and hope for the best. If you don’t and wouldn’t, stop.
5. Find a way to save approximately 300 dollars and spend it on a flight to see a friend or family member who lives far away.
6. Please stop liking the Kardashians, all of them. It’s not helping anyone, least of all the Kardashians.
7. Spend less than or equal to the money you earn each month.
8. Wear clothes that fit you, especially to work.
9. Call someone on the phone at least once a week, and speak to him or her for at least ten minutes.
10. Start preparing now to get over the fact that Facebook is probably going to change again in six months. You’re not going to deactivate your account. You don’t know how.
11. Wait 30 seconds before you look up a fact you can’t remember on your phone, and try to remember it using your brain. This is what the olden days were like.
12. Replace one terrible reality show you’re currently watching with one wonderful scripted show currently available on television.  Swap suggestion: Real Housewives of Anywhere for HBO’s Enlightened.
13. Try that food you think you don’t like but have never actually tried, unless it’s brussels sprouts. They really don’t need any more attention.
14. Cut one person out of your life who you truly do not like and add one person who you truly do. Note: not on Facebook, on Earth.
15. If you’re still blacking out regularly, you should stop.
16. Volunteer once over the next 90 days.  You’ll feel really good about it, and probably end up volunteering again over the next 275.
17.  Tell someone who you love that you love them on a more regular basis. To their face, not in a text.
18. Back up your entire online life onto an external hard drive, especially your photos.
19. Crap or get off the pot. This applies to whatever thing you’re not doing that you should just sack up and do already.
20.  And in the eternal words of Tom Haverford, “TREAT YO SELF!”