it is. written.

this is my favorite spot in my city.

i’ve spent many sunsets and a few sunrises gazing out into the expanse of the ocean and wondering…

i’ve wondered about:
jobs
family
friends
boys
and
love.

no matter what the issue, visiting this spot always makes me feel better. even if it was just the littlest, teeny, tiny bit on my worst, saddest, crappiest day… i’ve visited on my best days and my worst.

it’s my happy place and my thinking spot.

i thought about going here today. to soak up some negative ions (they make you happy, i swear it!), but went for a walk with a friend on a different beach a few miles down. and i’m glad i did. because she said something so lovely that i wouldn’t have heard otherwise. she said that my positive thinking and optimism in situations makes me an inspiration. i was overwhelmed with emotion and failed to properly express how touched i was (which is strange for me because i typically have zero trouble expressing how i feel). i wish i would have. it warmed my heart.

and then a few short hours later another friend told me that being around me made her feel like her again in a time when she felt like she was losing herself and that i ‘have a crazy way of effecting people for the positive’. i will not lie. this made me tear up. i am a not-so-secret sap and i got the warm fuzzies BIG TIME.

thank goodness it’s friday and thank goodness for truly great friends.

the ones who call to tell you they miss you, the ones who stop by to drop off dessert, the ones who send you boots, the ones who text you to tell you they wish they were with you, the ones who french braid your hair, the ones who you can road trip with, the ones who listen to you go on and on about the same boy that is probably getting more shirinergy than he deserves, the ones who agree that red nail polish makes you way bolder than your usual pink, the ones who pet your hair when you sleep, the ones who help you plan your outfits, the ones who you used to date and who now offer an ear and advice, the ones who started as family and became friends, the ones who let you puke on their pillow, the ones who help you see the writing on the wall, the ones who only tell two of their friends when you pee the bed (sober), the ones who call 5 times a day to stay updated on everything going on in your day even when they live across the country, the ones who arrange sleepovers so you can have quality time together, the ones you can tell anything to, the ones who tell you what you need to hear even when you don’t want to listen, the ones who make time in their busy lives, and for all the ones in my life.

i can’t express in words how lucky i feel to know these amazing people. you make my world better. thank you.

you’ve helped me through good times and great times. i’m happy to share my days with you all. i don’t have a clue what my life will bring, but…perhaps, it is written?

take that leap.

a bittersweet goodbye.

to one of my newest and dearest friends: your courage inspires me daily. enjoy your adventure. (and bring me back a pirate)

the year that taught me everything. and changed my world. for the better.

and to san diego: i’m headed north for the new year. for opportunity. for family. for me.

sdinla.

open heart: not always a bad thing.

this morning, i was paid a lovely compliment (by an even lovelier friend). something along the lines of: she’s inspired by how i’m so open (and continue to be) in situations where others may have shut down and closed off.

truth is: i’m not quite perfect. but i AM rather fabulous. and receiving positive reinforcement from someone you admire has a way of brightening your day. (a good workout and brisk mountain air never hurt either)

the irony of the situation is that she’s a factor in why i’m the way i am – it’s cyclical. we’ve had several eye-opening discussions about breaking old patterns. and i’m constantly working on being the best version of me i can be.

what i’ve learned is, there’s always a light on the horizon and as long as you keep an open heart (and mind), the universe will ‘grant’ your wishes. πŸ˜‰

thankful.

that i have the best friends a girl could dream of.

that i get to see all my favorite people in the same month as my birthday.

that 30 is far better (dare i say, amazing?!) than i had ever imagined.

and that it’s cold enough to wear boots daily.