I'm doing it. I'm taking guitar lessons with the guitar my co-workers bought me for my birthday.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
heaven on earth
Lying on a giant beanbag with two more days of downtime ahead of me, belly full of Korean food, and a sleeping dog cuddled under each arm.
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
important meeting
The dogs were all about the meeting with our main relationship partner from outside counsel last week.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
holiday visitors
Boss dog is staying with us for a little over two weeks, which means more cuddles for me! Mentee staying with us for a few days next week.
Saturday, December 15, 2018
fresh start
When you use a new lip balm for the first time, and you almost don't want to, because it is so pristine.
Friday, December 14, 2018
oh what fun
Company holiday outing to go ice skating (my first time in maybe 25 years?) was a lot of silly fun, although it used muscles I don't recall having.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
drunk painting
Wine and painting cartoon pigs with women at work today. No great masterpieces, but fun nevertheless.
happy feet
Who knew that I'd become such a shoe addict? Comfortable shoes that make me happy every time I look at my feet (and also randomly resulted in new girl friends), yes, please! Now to convince myself to sell some off to keep my collection to a sane size...
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Thursday, December 6, 2018
dinner redux
Best work friend started his new job this week, but that didn't stop us from getting dinner twice. Miss him at work, but it's good to still see him.
Sunday, December 2, 2018
well rested
Over ten hours of sleep last night, the first long sleep in a while. Also, appreciating more than ever the value of keeping old and making new female friendships. Also also, the wonder of breathing through both nostrils still gets me at least once a week.
Friday, November 30, 2018
missed him
My work wife (who doesn't work with me anymore, and whom I text every day and see a couple times a month) came into work today for lunch and to hang out, and I just couldn't stop smiling, because we just laugh at all the same things. I miss him in the office, but it was good to see him there and remember our work vibe.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Monday, November 26, 2018
make me laugh
When Boyfriend makes me laugh, he really makes me laugh, whether it's through absurd IM conversations about a fake company we could start, or through violent dancing to Journey songs, he fully understands my love of everything absurd.
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Saturday, November 24, 2018
needed that
A few days in the city I love best with some of my favorite people, away from the smoke and the bubble world of the Valley. I decorated a Christmas tree for the first time in decades, drank lots of wine, and got a bit of a reset. Read a book on the plane ride back, met Boyfriend at the airport. Back in time to still have a full weekend before going back to work.
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Sunday, November 18, 2018
maybe next time
Work friend last minute invited us on a spur of the moment Thanksgiving in Mexico to escape the smoke, but we're both going to the east coast to freeze, instead. Pretty awesome idea, though, and hoping it works out another time.
out of dodge
This last month+ has been rough, to say the least. With Boyfriend going to Boston and my usual family Thanksgiving cancelled, I was debating what to do with myself, and when two friends said they'd take Henry, I decided to go to New York for a few days. Greatest city in the world, I'll see you soon, it's been over two years, and I miss you.
Friday, November 9, 2018
what you need
Sometimes, a few group texts are what you need to stay sane in the face of insanity.
Sometimes, an unexpected heart-to-heart with your CEO about your non-work lives, your future work lives, and your current work lives is what you need to recommit yourself to doing whatever needs to be done, even in the face of setbacks both at work and in the real world.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
nice save
Solo Saturdays in the office can be tough, mostly because the lights (and my monitor) turn off every ten minutes unless there is motion detected. Cue a young engineer who came in to do some work at just the right time, and when asked, promptly moved his workstation near my desk and walked around frequently, keeping the lights on while I was in the zone.
sunday funday
Sushi, friends, sun, sky, ocean, seals, tide pools, trees, and pizza. California doesn't give in to winter without a fight.
Friday, November 2, 2018
good friend
You know you're good friends when they decide to come over in an hour and you decide not to shower or change out of your pajamas.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
successful scramble
Managed to coordinate a few folks to scramble together a surprise birthday/promotion celebration for a friend at work on Friday: balloons, cake, candy, noisemakers, and flowers came together pretty damn quickly.
irl
Met a friend in real life for the first time. Drank a bottle of wine, ate some cheese, traded some clothes, and dropped off a bunch of clothes for donation. Not bad for a Sunday.
Yesterday, had maybe 16-18 people over to eat snacks, drink leftover booze from camp, and look at pictures (which we turned into a drinking game).
A good social weekend at home after a tough week at work.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
eating my feelings
It's been a rough couple of weeks at work, but a few coworkers cheered me up yesterday by accompanying me to get donut burgers, against their better judgment. Yum.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
love this place
No matter how crazy things get, it's all about the people, and my work crew is amazing, top to bottom.
Monday, October 8, 2018
great day recipe
Immediate gratification (bacon and maple syrup and coffee for breakfast). Future indulgence (sixteen tickets to see Hamilton next year). Usefulness (plowed through a big pile of work). Empathetic pleasure (seeing a friend happy when something went well). Dog (dog).
Sunday, October 7, 2018
velcro
Boss dog has decided to be a Velcro dog this weekend. If I'm in the living room, he's in the living room. If I'm in the kitchen, he's in the kitchen. If I'm in bed, he's in bed, preferably resting his chin on my leg or squishing his entire body up against me. My dogs have always done their own thing (partly due to how I raise them), but it's been super sweet, especially as I'm feeling a bit gloomy this weekend.
Friday, October 5, 2018
looking for good
Our government might be burning down, but I got maybe a dozen or so of my coworkers to play games and drink some of my cheap beer after work, and remember that they like each other, and I've got my boss's dog staying with me for the weekend with no real plans, so I foresee a lot of cuddling and making out with dogs on the couch, which is good for the soul.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
pranks = love
Got back to the office, and my desk had been completely punked, my badge deactivated and replaced with a funny one, and my website profile changed. I love my coworkers.
bonus time
Zurich BFFs stayed over for two nights after camp, and we got to hang out, talk a bit more than camp allowed, go out for dinner, get mani/pedis, and run some errands as if we just love normal lives together in the same place.
(And before camp, a college friend stayed over for a night, so we had some extra time, too.)
Monday, October 1, 2018
simply the best
Camp weekend was so much fun. I know the best people in the world. Dancing, singing, talking, laughing, playing games, doing activities, eating, drinking, just so much amazingness. My favorite part was seeing different friends meet each other and get along. It was so awesome.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
special delivery
First out of town friends (Seattle and Japan) arrived in town today, bearing a special delivery for me! Another friend will stay with us Thursday night, and camp is starting to get really real!!
early delivery
The made-to-order, ethical tops that I ordered a month ago arrived a day early, and they are so different than what I usually wear, but I'm going to rock them, especially since I can't buy any new clothes for at least six more months.
sunday crushed
Did seven errands on Sunday, spanning three cities, and seeing family and friends. Even managed to hustle a referral credit (and run into two former co-workers) when returning some shoes. So productive.
Saturday, September 22, 2018
worth the wait
Found out that two made-to-order tops that I ordered four weeks ago just shipped today, so I'll finally get to see if they're as perfect as I hoped! They're arriving just as I start my shopping fast, no new clothes purchases for 6-12 months, and lots of donations or sales, to clean everything out.
Thursday, September 20, 2018
meanwhile
A male stranger stopped me in the street yesterday to pay me an appearance-based compliment, despite the fact that I was wearing glasses and a ponytail, middle aged, and in deep suburbia. It was like I was in my 20s in Manhattan again, and just as it was then, it was simultaneously flattering and weird.
Saturday, September 15, 2018
saturday is best
A pretty chill Friday at work, capped off with a stunning sunset on the drive home. But today is Saturday, and Saturday is the best day. Had a 90 minute massage that turned into a 130 minute massage, then returned a bunch of stuff at three stores (I think my returns are almost done, just maybe three more items and I'm done for a long time, as I'm starting a shopping fast for the next 6-12 months). The rest of the weekend will be spent reading, preparing for camp, watching TV, and doing some yoga.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
a good weekend
Stayed home with the dogs yesterday to give Boyfriend some time with his friends, and got lots done for camp and to decide what to return from my last gasp of orders before going on a no-new-clothes fast for a year, in between reading and dancing around the house to 80's playlists. Today, went for soup dumplings, then went and returned a bunch of stuff at a few stores, only picking up a spare pair of my new favorite pajama pants (seriously the best for so many reasons), and some more face wipes while I do this no-washing-the-face thing until my brows are totally settled. Also, after all that anxiety and second guessing... the brows and eyeliner are amazing and I wish I had done it sooner! And I'm back on the yoga wagon, sort of. Two weekends in a row of two sessions in a weekend.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
the last gazpacho
Heirloom tomato season is waning, but we really did it up big this year: multiple BLTs, and a solid month of keeping the fridge constantly stocked with homemade gazpacho, which is so easy and so delicious. Till next year, heirloom tomatoes.
gimme a break
Three day holiday weekend with a day of working from home tacked onto either end -- not exactly a real vacation like I used to take before joining a startup, but it's always nice to wear pajamas for that many days in a row.
so soothing
I know nature sounds, lavender essential oil, and the color blue are supposed to be calming, but I think I lean towards the sound, smell, and sight of my dog as he sighs happily while napping.
perchance to dream
The "sleeping less as I get older" thing, combined with the "I'm already bad at sleeping" thing, makes that rare night of 9+ hours of easy sleep so sweet.
Friday, August 31, 2018
if it fits
This thing that I've been thinking about for several years happens to be available. In my size. So I'm getting it.
midlife stereotype
Turned 40, got tattoos. Eyeliner and eyebrows, so not your typical midlife crisis tattoos, but I can pretend... But actually, 40 is my favorite in quite a while so far...
Monday, August 27, 2018
breakthrough
27 years after I started wearing contacts, they finally have good daily disposables in my crazy prescription!! Also, my prescription continued its weird trend of getting slightly better each year. Also, I'm getting new glasses, sunglasses, and contacts!
Saturday, August 18, 2018
mellow yellow weekend
Lazy Saturday at home, and tomorrow going to see Crazy Rich Asians (how incredible a feeling it is that in this last year, we're finally finally finally finally finally finally seeing movies that aren't all about whypipo -- I get a bit choked up every time I see representation like this, and wonder what life will be like for kids growing up now, who get to see minorities doing things that used to only be for Caucasians).
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
surprise yays
Last minute invitation to a fancy work dinner where we ate good food and told all the old stories. And an unexpected trade of a pair of shoes I don't love for a pair of shoes I've been eyeing for a while.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
unexpected happies
Friday night with coworkers unexpectedly turned a bit crazy, in a throwback to my 20s, including the part where I woke up magically without a hangover. Saturday, got a morning smog check (hello, adulting), a birthday hair cut and color, a quick video call with my Zurich crew, yoga, and then dinner in Alameda with a former coworker and my best friend from kindergarten (whose husband is awesome, as it turns out). And now, a day to just read and stay in...
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
must love dogs
When your CEO casually donates to your birthday fundraiser for your dog's shelter, and you have to raise the fundraising goal because he already doubled it.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Sunday, August 5, 2018
big day
40!! Perfect day to finish off a great weekend. Friday, got to try a 50-year old whiskey at work, then went for lobster rolls with Boyfriend and college friends who were in town. Yesterday, went for soup dumplings with Boyfriend, a work buddy, and my friend that he's dating, then went out for cocktails and way too much dinner with one of my girl friends. Today, I lazed around a bit before doing a bit of yoga, taking care of Henry's weekly hygiene routine, and running a few errands (including lots of returns), timing them perfectly (this is so satisfying) to arrive at the spa with enough time to settle in and relax before my massage. Drank a glass of birthday champagne and read for a while before then indulging in 45 minutes of sauna, steam room, and cold showers, then scrubbed up and came home to eat a home cooked meal with Boyfriend.
This is just the beginning, and 40 is already looking pretty great.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
simple and delicious
Gazpacho, charcuterie, and cheese toast (finished with a broil) is the easiest delicious summer lunch.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
dog days
Picked up the CEO's dog (Henry's favorite work friend) this morning, headed straight to a dog party where there were eleven dogs (and Henry did really well), and getting ready for a nice afternoon nap and lots of good doggo time for the next few days.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
purge
Lots of new things from summer sales and a free Saturday, so it's time to do a full closet evaluation and purge with a 90s playlist blasting in the background. Oddly satisfying.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Friday, July 13, 2018
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
free
When the shoe company you're obsessed with slides into your DMs to ask if they can use your comment as a post, and you're flattered and happy, AND THEN they offer you a free pair of shoes as a thank you 😍
Seriously, everyone should try these ($20 off here).
Sunday, July 8, 2018
sunday surprise
Out of town cousin texted this morning that he's in town, and the stars aligned so that he, my sister and her girls, Boyfriend, and I were able to go eat lots of soup dumplings and then talk for a few hours. Then older niece took a bunch of my clothes and shoes that I had just culled from my closet this week, giving some of my old faves a second life.
Saturday, July 7, 2018
raid the pantry
Lunch today was made using what I had handy: mac and cheese with buttermilk and sriracha. Possibly better than normal milk, but I think I'll stick with cayenne for spice.
bacon lettuce tomato
Nothing says summer like a BLT with fresh California produce. Throw in some ripe avocado and the sriracha mayo that my mentee in prison made and gave me last time I was there, and it's a perfect summer dinner.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
nice choppers
At his physical last week, Henry's vet complimented his six year old teeth, saying they were as clean as a puppy's.
Monday, June 25, 2018
can't beat 'em
Ten years into my Californian era, I've caved and bought a pair of Birkenstocks. But they're not the ugliest ones. And I will not wear them with socks.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
summer lovin'
A roasting hot day in the suburbs means a sunny, gorgeous day in the city, timed just right to meet up with a childhood friend for boba, return and exchange some shoes, meet up with my sister, go over to her place for hand rolls, give my niece some funky sneakers, and get back home once it had cooled down. The perfect city Saturday.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
dog days
Yesterday was Henry's five year adoptaversary, and his sixth birthday (observed), so he got some extra sunbathing, an extremely foul-smelling salmon skin treat, and Vietnamese pork chopped up into his dinner. There is nothing easier than pleasing a dog.
Monday, June 18, 2018
catch and release
Having such a good time buying lots of things and returning most of them. Except for my new shoe obsession, which I'm mostly keeping..
tastes like summer
Safeway unexpectedly had saltwater taffy when I dropped by this weekend, which was a fun treat after an extremely efficient set of errands.
Friday, June 8, 2018
seeing the sun
After almost a year and a half of nonstop crazy hours at work, we're suddenly in a quiet spell, and I've seen the sun on weekdays more in the last month than I had in all the time before. The craziness can be fun, but so is seeing the sun.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
magic
As a TiVo user for almost 17 years, I've always loved the UX, but it's gotten even better now that they've added a button to perfectly skip entire commercial breaks with one press (as opposed to the secret 30-second skip Easter egg). Somewhere out there is a team of commercial lawyers who negotiated this with the networks, and for that I am so grateful.
stroopwafel
Mini chocolate covered stroopwafels are so much better than the original, full sized variety. And when you walk in to find one on your desk... That's just perfection.
what to wear
A few of us at work who often accidentally dress the same have now mapped out simple criteria for each day (today is hoodie day, bonus points for featuring the color maroon), and it is so simple and dorky, but it makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier and faster.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Saturday, May 26, 2018
effortless
Remembering our dives in Fiji last fall... I've felt that my time underwater has been easy and effortless for some time, but it was only on this trip, some 300+ dives in, that the time above water, getting geared up or down, that the rest of it has felt just as easy and effortless.
the good fight
Current politics are so discouraging, but reading #HomeToVote tweets from Irish diaspora going back to Ireland to repeal the abortion ban reminded me that progress is worth the pain.
defy the odds
Went back to prison on Thursday to see some of my guys graduate. It blows my mind how easy it is to relate to each other, and touches my heart that they remembered me after seven months. It was like seeing old friends, one of whom even gave me a bottle of the sauce he made, that we'd talked about last time. I brought a law school friend, and he was really amazed by the experience. I thought it was a happy, lighthearted visit, comparatively speaking, but my dreams that night made me continue some of the mental and emotional exercises, and it ended up being both heavy and illuminating after the fact.
Sunday, May 20, 2018
reading again
After an embarrassingly slow start to the year, May is turning into a good reading month. It may even end up being a ten booker.
back
Had a 1.75 hour massage today, always a good thing on a Sunday evening after running some errands on a Sunday afternoon. And I realized that somehow, some time in the last year, this one part of my lower left back that could never seem to let go, despite all the efforts of my massage therapists and chiropractor, started cracking and releasing for no apparent reason.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Saturday, May 12, 2018
me time
Boyfriend is doing family stuff on the East Coast, which means I get the whole bed and complete latitude on the social calendar. Korean BBQ with coworkers last night, Eurovision/lunch/dinner/Super Nintendo with friends today, reading/shopping/dinner with family tomorrow... Lots of selfish fun.
Saturday, May 5, 2018
going out
With warmer weather and longer days comes a decreased urge to hibernate, resulting in a night out with coworkers in the city last night, dinner with old coworkers tonight, and plans for next weekend already in the works.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
best fried rice
I'm not usually a big fried rice fan, but they had the best fried rice at work yesterday: duck, shrimp, pork, and plenty of cilantro.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Thursday, April 19, 2018
pack it up
Volunteer day at work, and we sorted, labeled, and packed almost 5,000 pounds of canned goods. Plus, we got new hoodies and went out for ice cream.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Monday, April 16, 2018
breaking it down
So in retrospect, it was a nearly perfect weekend, and it's because it had a bunch of different things: gorgeous weather, chill time with the dog and Boyfriend, books and TV, girl friends and gossip, double date cards and absurd musical instruments, returning things for refunds, overdue pedicure, incredible massage with unexpected foot crack, and steam room. Need to remember this secret formula for the future...
Sunday, April 15, 2018
world on fire
It's been a while since I've had this, the feeling of invincibility, that the world is burning with a secret fire that only I can see, that everything will work out because I want it to. I know it's a trick of the mind, but I love this trick so much.
oh yeah
I've gotten so accustomed to massage being a standalone indulgence that I forgot the additional perks of getting one in a spa: the steam room, the fluffy robe, the essential oils, the hot towels, the shower afterwards.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
fun fun fun
Sunny day, games and wine with girl friends, cards and dinner at home, binge watching a new show, returning things for a refund, pedicure and a book, and a massage -- it's looking like an awesome weekend.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
so fetching
When your dog, after almost five years of not caring, suddenly decides he really likes playing fetch, and runs himself ragged playing at work until he collapses into a long and cuddly nap.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
last minute dinner
A college friend was in town for meetings today, and we scored a good reservation on short notice and got to catch up for a couple hours.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
fourth time
I learn something new every time I go to prison. These guys get me right in the feels, telling me that they've talked about me and thought about me since the last time I was here, that they think I'm strong and that my strength inspires them, that they want me to meet their families...
Monday, April 2, 2018
just desserts
When you identified some shady behavior and flagged it to your former employer, and then find out the shady individual got fired. Stay Googley, Googlers.
fool
The key to a great prank is to have enough detail and backstops that you can push it past the point of disbelief until the person is so bought into the alternate reality you've created that they might not believe anything ever again.
Sunday, April 1, 2018
jesus christ
Jesus Christ Superstar on TV, and Judas rocked it. Love that show, and loved seeing all my music and theatre geek friends nerding out about it on Facebook, too. A nice break from the usual politics and inspirational quotes and awful recipes.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
badass
When you go guest lecture for your law school friend's seminar, and feel like you had no business doing so, but your friend tells you afterwards that one of the students met you last summer when he worked for your outside counsel, and both he and they thought you were a badass.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
easily impressed
Just blew Boyfriend's mind by using a Tide pen to erase blood stains that the dog tracked all over the couch.
friday night
Impromptu raid on a coworker's house, bringing six people, dinner, and drinks for an evening of cards and video games. That's my kind of Friday.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Sunday, March 11, 2018
pranks a lot
After a few months hiatus, just couldn't resist a few little goofs at work, and it just gives me life.
Friday, March 9, 2018
like butter
When you hit all the lights right so that even during rush hour, you make it into work in record time.
Monday, March 5, 2018
first day back
Back at work, and the first thing I see is a new snuggly dog bed that the CEO bought Henry because he's such a dog guy. Second thing I see is a mocha on my desk from my work wife. Third thing I see is my new manager, who ten years ago first hired me into Google. It's good to be back.
Saturday, March 3, 2018
exuberance
I don't think my dog has ever been as excited to see me as he was when I picked him up yesterday.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
three years later
Reservation tonight for what was our favorite place in Tokyo last time, and I'm all anticipation to see if it lives up to the memory.
Monday, February 26, 2018
glorious tokyo
Secret little seven person cocktail bar, uni soba, schoolchildren in tiny hats with giant backpacks, truffle rice, red bean pancakes, lotus root wrapped in bacon and fresh off the grill, seasonal pickles, tonkatsu with a choice of pig and cut, rich slurpy ramen... And we're only halfway through the trip.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
small world
Flew halfway around the world (in an almost empty first class cabin), only to run into a friend at the Tokyo airport. Weekend plans will ensue!
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
we got this
After a few hours of controlled panic, my co-worker and I realized that despite a bare bones transition, we've got this. We're not half bad, and with my favorite manager ever coming in, we're going to be awesome.
Sunday, February 11, 2018
one year in
Hung out with two girl friends that I met a year ago and had a hilarious four hours of wine, cheese, and immaturity.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Thursday, February 1, 2018
aww shucks
Creative director stopped me in the hallway and said that when he was interviewing, he looked at or team photos in the website and said that he had never seen a lawyer wearing a leather jacket in an official photo before, and that he thought it must be a different kind of company with the coolest legal team.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
friends in town
Friends in town for the next few days, lots of old jokes and catching up to do on recent developments. Good times.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
got my back
When your CEO trusts your judgment on some pretty big stuff, then offhandedly mentions a bunch of things he's doing to make your life better because he wants you to stick around.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
young people
Cambodian mentee stayed with us for a few days, and two girls who currently sing in my college choir stayed for the long weekend. Went to a concert with another choir friend, and got pulled up on stage to sing the signature song of the a cappella group and the Radcliffe alma mater and fight song. The nostalgia for college days was strong this month.
there is nothing
There is nothing quite like really liking the people you work with, especially when you like them enough to stay late to get some work and a lot of talking done.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Thursday, January 11, 2018
it's people
When your coworker in Ops brings you boba one day, your HR BFF brings you a morning hot chocolate another day, and you can have a whole range of serious and silly conversations with your other work friends, you know you're working with good people.