Better

I am happy to report that I am better today and less funk-y. Kevin came over last night and we ate my fav... spaghetti! I also made some collard greens and garlic bread. See picture below:

Yummy Yummy!

We watched the movie "Mary and Max" and had a really good evening. :) Movie is very cute... clay-mation style, but with kid AND adult content. Lots of laughs.

Today I sat by the pool in the afternoon and finished my book, really good and I highly recommend. I downloaded another one of her books (Emerald City- Jennifer Egan) on my Kindle to start tonight.

Anyway, now I'm having an Ugly Betty marathon (I love this show and wish it was still on) and waiting for Kevin to come over and eat leftovers. Then tomorrow I'm having breakfast with my parents in Manhattan Beach and then a BBQ over at my apartment with lots of good friends. Should be a fun Friday :)

That's all for me for now.

FUNK

Yes now I'm in a summer funk. Here are probably some of the reasons:

1. I was used to having a very organized and planned out schedule, anywhere from 8 to 17 hours a day and now I have absolutely NOTHING. No set time to wake-up, eat, intern, class, work, or be anywhere. It is a nice feeling on some days, but others (like yesterday and today) I am incredibly blah and restless. I make lists and keep things that I need to do written in my agenda, but it's still difficult. I definitely do not just sit around and watch TV... I've caught up on laundry, cleaned out my dresser and bookshelf, and now plan to move on to my desk then kitchen. However, just being absolutely and completely schedule-less is new/difficult.

2. I've been sOOoOoOooo bad about exercising since graduation. My friend Liz and I kept joking that July 1st would be our first day of a new workout schedule. But I have been feeling incredibly lazy and out of shape. Those 6 weeks after grad where my life was crazy, I just physically and mentally did not have the motivation. However yesterday I finally did get my booty out for a hike. It was a nice day (even though I forgot to tell anyone I was going, probably wasn't the safest scenario) and I needed the activity. Sore today, but for sure going to keep up with the exercise.

3. It's been super gloomy again! Damn you June gloom, go away!!!

4. I was used to talking to people/interacting with people (kids, supervisors, teachers, classmates, friends etc) all day, everyday, and I was always at the top of my game, giving 110% every hour of each day. I wore makeup, nice clothes, cute heels, and spent a good amount of time on my appearance. I needed to look and act the part of an intern/student every moment. Now I don't have anyone really to talk to or be around, I don't wear makeup, and I'm either in causal clothes, PJs or a bathing suit. Sometimes it's amazing and feels like a dream! But other times... well again, it's just different.

5. I guess overall I just haven't been feeling really confident or secure. I am stressing over every little thing, obsessing, over-analyzing every detail... from the way my apartment looks, to the way I look, to the way I've been interacting with Kevin and others. It's driving me crazy. I cannot ever turn my brain off and I haven't been sleeping much. I need to "not sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff" right?!

How does everyone else deal with stress? How do you just let go? PLEASE HELP ME!

So today I told myself I will try to be on a better page and get out of this funk. I had such a good weekend and once yesterday rolled around, I don't know I just lost all contentment. I know myself too, once I get in these funks, it can be really hard to get myself out and I cannot let that happen. I know this is going to be a roller coaster of a time due to adjustment issues, but I need to keep in a positive mind frame. I like change, but again it's just a little tough right now. Here are things to keep me motivated/happy today.

Pictures from my hike: Los Liones off on PCH and Sunset

I just sat and reflected on this bench for awhile once I made it to the top

I went to AMPM this morning across the street from my apartment and used my free coffee card (I get a lot of them, the guy who works there hooks it up). They even had a new flavor, white chocolate raspberry... one of my favs. DELISH!

And now I'm watching a Lifetime movie "Lying to Be Perfect" (story of my life?!, jk) with one of my favorite actresses, Poppy Montgomery

Today's plan... eat breakfast and finish my movie, clean out/organize my desk, hopefully sit by the pool for an hour to read and get some sun (if it comes out), exercise, and then going to make spaghetti for dinner because I've been craving it lately, comfort food I used to always eat as a little girl.

So that's me spilling my heart out today. Just a rough patch... but as my daddy always says, EGBOK (Everything's Gonna Be OK). :)

Summer!

The June gloom has finally lifted and it's officially summer... my first summer in years with no school, no interning, and no job (for now). The past few days have been amazing. Friday I spent the day by the pool and then Kevin and I drove to Anaheim, checked into our little motel, and headed to the House of Blues in Downtown Disney for the concert. After arriving and finding out the bands we wanted to see weren't going to play for a couple hours, we decided to take a little walk to find some cheap drinky drinks and dinner (Disney is obviously OUTRAGEOUSLY priced and as we joked "not the happiest place on Earth" because there are no stores that sell alcohol haha). We decided to go on a walking adventure and ended up at "Wonderland Market" and then a tiny Mexican place. Not that we are complete cheapos, but instead of spending a ton o money at the House of Blues, we bought some alchy at the market and drank it with our Mex food and on our way back to Downtown Disney (yeah yeah don't judge).

I love Disney!

We are soooo classy together... love ya babe

Authentic lil Mexican place (enchiladas were delish)

Gotta love the "Wonderland" theme

The concert was a blast... Strung Out and Face to Face were awesome! We had a great time and made it back to our little motel (in a cab) safe and sound.

After sleeping in, we drove on back and spent the day lazing around. We went to a little local Mexican market and grabbed some carne asada, then Kevin cooked it up on the BBQ. Yes we both loooooove Mexican and he's a fabulous griller/chef. The evening was spent eating outside and then watching movies (we were still recovering). Nice to relax together.

Sunday I sat by the pool and then we decided to invite some friends over to help eat the left-over carne asada, chips, and salsa. Turns out 5 people came over and we spent all evening out by the pool, grilling, drinking beers, and catching up since we haven't seen most of them in awhile (due to my crazy schedule). Unfortunately I didn't take any pics, oh well. After they left, Kevin and I ended the night sipping drinks in the hot tub. What a great overall weekend!

Then today the 2 girlfriends who came over last night joined me for a little pool time again. We sat out, worked on our tans, chit chatted (without our boys there wink wink), and did a little summer reading.

I AM LOVING THIS BOOK! I highly recommend it to everyone... I just can't put it down.

So that's my summer so far... not too shabby, eh?

Dinner Celebration

Last night I went to dinner with my parents and Kevin for a little "done with school forever" celebration (after spending the day shopping and then by my pool, which was heaven). We went to Fraiche, a top rated restaurant in the L.A. area. It was delish! We all ordered the same- pork loin with bacon, brussel sprouts, and something else that now I can't remember, along with cocktails. It was a lovely evening... thanks Papa and Momma for din din!

Now today I'm about to head down to the pool again (finally the June Gloom is lifting) and then this afternoon Kevin and I are headed to Anaheim... we are going to see his favorite band (now one of mine too) at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. We also rented a hotel so we can have a lot of fun and not have to drive all the way home. I'm really looking forward to a great evening!

Have a great Friday night! XOXO

It's Officially Over

Last night was my final day of graduate school... ever. It was a bittersweet feeling, I couldn't be more excited and happy, but at the same time I will miss the amazing, beautiful, and supportive women (my teacher and classmates) who got me through the past 6 months. We had a lovely celebration dinner after class at a local Italian restaurant.

Cheers to Professor Pollick, Liz, Lisa, Mirla, Danielle, Antonya, Ashley, and me!

These are the only other people who can truly relate to what I went through over the past 2 years and 2 months. Thank you ladies for everything. I love you all!

And after dinner I came home to a card and this little guy:

I love Kevin so much :)

Today I plan on doing some more organizing, shopping (I still have graduation gift cards to use) and relaxing/celebrating my accomplishment. Loved this picture from another blogger:

Then tonight is a special celebration dinner with my parents and boy. I am incredibly happy and proud of myself.

WILW

I'm lovin so many things on this Wednesday!

First and foremost, I'm lovin that today is my LAST DAY OF GRAD SCHOOL EVER! I have 3 presentations to sit through and then my teacher is taking us out to dinner and drinks at a local restaurant. The 7 of us girls in my class have spent the past 6 months together, pushing each other through thick and thin, and my teacher has been an amazing source of inspiration and support as well. I get to spend my days with a great group of women who I am going to miss very much. Tonight is going to be quite bittersweet... a wonderful celebration, but we will all be sad to say goodbye.

I'm also lovin that I am finally getting organized! I spent yesterday and soon today going through 2 years of grad school work, books, notes, etc. I'm throwing lots away and creating binders with everything all organized. I'm not used to this free-time during the day, so I am spending it being very productive. My apartment needs a make-over and some definite lovin since it has been neglected recently. I can't wait to have it all put back together!

Yes it's a work in progress... don't judge

I'm lovin that I was able to have lunch in the middle of the day on a Tuesday with my parents yesterday. We had a lovely time at Panera and then ran some errands after. I enjoyed getting a break from cleaning/organizing. Then I went over to their house to love on my puppy for awhile. I also love that for 3 days in a row I didn't have to get dressed up or wear any makeup (hence the picture).

She thinks she's a lap dog

I'm NOT lovin however the JUNE GLOOM and the lack of sunshine by my apartment... I'm ready to work on my tan!!!

I'm lovin that I can watch my TV shows during the day while sippin on coffee.

Yes this part of my blog is making me sound like some desperate housewife. I promise it won't last... I like to be busy and productive. I just want to enjoy a couple weeks of relaxation and then soon enough I'll be working and such again! I promised Kevin I wouldn't start checking out the gardeners (yet).

And finally I'm lovin that I woke up to this note... yesterday I wrote one to Kevin sayin, I love you and this is what I found on my desk this morning:

I'm a happy girl :)

Enjoy your Wednesdays! <3 Amy XOXO