My Life In Boxes

When I left New York, I downsized from a small room's worth of crap to what now equals a car full of crap. I said buh-bye to all my of Craigslist furniture (good riddance), and I parted ways with a perfectly good TV for a fraction of what I paid for it (I'm still annoyed about that one if you hadn't guessed).

Beaten-down boxes barely held together with worn-out tape were sent back to Austin, and over-the-limit-but-I-didn't-get-charged-because-I-have-a-nice-smile-and-or-people-feel-sorry-for-me suitcases traveled with me back home. Here in Austin I've stored my treasures: Various art I've collected during the past few years (I can't wait for the gallery wall I've mentally pictured for a year to become a reality), random souvenirs Spiros and I've not been able to say no to, and relics from my past I won't be able to part with. Oh, and my beloved animal lamp from Berlin. Hope Spiros is cool with me decorating like a child! 

Then there are the clothes. I'm fairly certain my dresses procreated like rabbits while I was gone. Is that possible? I swear I didn't know I had that many navy J.Crew numbers. I've culled down the piles, though, tossing the pilling sweaters (muahah winter muahaha) and the work clothes I never wore even when I had a full time corporate job.

I'm still not sure if everything will fit in the back of the small SUV were driving out there, but fingers' crossed. (Oh and that 8' x 11' rug I impulsively thought we had to have from One Kings Lane will only make it more of a challenge; what is wrong with me, I have a problem!?)

But if all goes as planned, I will no longer be living out of suitcases within a month. I will finally be settled, and after an amazing vagabondish, nomadic year, I couldn't be more excited.

Here's Me, Way Over There's My Comfort Zone

I'm a total creature of habit, and I like to stick to what I know. But like every motivational, prettily designed quote you've pinned on your "Reach for the stars!" board on Pinterest, I'm here to tell you that you'll never expand your horizons if you do the same thing forever.

Trust me, I get it. For most of us, it's a thousand times harder to get outside of our comfort zones than it is to stay in our perfectly groomed little ruts. "But I love my rut!" you say. "It's cozy and it's almost fall and I can wear my slippers here and my cats, my thousands of imaginary cats, love it!"

Believe me, I've been there. It's enjoyable, until all of a sudden it hits you, "I'm stuck." Even if things are good, realizing your life is totally stagnant is suffocating. Shake things up! As the Ying Yang Twins preach, "Shake it like a salt shaker!" (Technically I think that song is about shaking yer butt, but the same principle applies here.)

Anyway, be open to change. Then start paying attention to opportunities that come your way. What sounds new and exciting, but within reach? What have you always wanted to try? What can you do to make yourself proud?

This has definitely been quite a year for me in terms of getting outside of my comfort zone. Here are a few things I've done (some with some gentle nudging from others) that have helped me gain confidence, get out of my rut, and given me fodder to brag about on the internet (i'm sorry).

1. Getting my SCUBA open water diving certification (one more lake dive to go!)
2. Took a catamaran sailing class in German (you're right, I don't speak German! but it was fun and made me get excited about sailing with Spiros in California)
3. Started "practicing" Bikram yoga (it sucks, but in a totally fulfilling sort of way)
4. Upped my skiing endurance and ability (I still hate moguls though, I'm not a masochist)

I also just bought a new, less protective Otterbox case for my iPhone, but I'm not sure that counts. That might have just been a mistake.  

What about you? Have you done anything you're proud of lately? Any new activities I should try? I've always secretly wanted to take an improv or standup comedy class, but I'm too scared. Does anyone want to move to California with me and sign up for one? It'll be fuuuun!

Dino Days Of Summer

"Hold on to your butts" - Ray Arnold, Jurassic Park

One of my favorite all time movies is Jurassic Park. It's one of those that if I stumble upon it while flipping through the channels, I can't not watch it. It's just so good, right?

It's also one of the first movies I remember Dolo taking me to as a child, back when I was a brat. Anyway, since then I've always had a love for dinosaurs, and so when I found out Dolo took my 11 year-old cousin to the dinosaur exhibit at the Houston Natural History Museum, I insisted we go too. (Because I am still a brat.)

This past weekend she obliged because she's the best grandma in the world. Here are a few pictures if you're interested (including important dino facts!).

Petting a Wooly Mammoth skeleton.

THERE WAS A SHARK WITH A MOUTH THAT BIG!!!!
So I guess Spiros should stop being a baby about great white sharks in the Pacific. 

Best grandma ever, making friends.

So at one point scientists tried to claim triceratops (one of the BEST dinosaurs) did not actually exist, throwing life as we knew it into a tail spin. But here one is so who knows what to believe.

These are Dolo's favorite, but since I HATE birds, they scare me more than anything.

And now to blow your mind with knowledge. You know how T-Rex has those tiny little baby arms? Like the really awkward ones for such a giant dino? Well, according to this museum, they were used for "gentle stroking and tickling during courtship and family bonding." HAHAHAHAHA. That is the least scary thing I've ever heard! I also learned that Jurassic Park totally lied to us about how to hide from a T-Rex. Apparently standing still does nothing - they would totally be able to smell you. 

So there you have it. Don't say you never learned anything reading this blog! Happy Friday!

Me 20 Years Ago

While my mom and I were in Houston this past weekend, my dad stumbled on some old home videos (as in VHS, and obv my parents still own a VCR). After a family dinner on Sunday night, we figured we might as well put them on for something to do.

I'll be honest, I might have a little bit of a reputation in my family. You see, I am the oldest. And because of this, some people might think I come off bossy. I mean, just because I let my younger brother and his wife know that I'd prefer for them to wait to have kids until I after I do, I get a bad rap! (Let's keep in mind how I never once made any hiss or fuss about them getting married before me! Literally I couldn't have been happier. (Or over-served, but whatever.)

Anyway, watching these memories was a nice reminder of what a capital-B Brat I was back in the day. In only an hour or so of watching, three prime 1993 examples jumped out:

1) Me playing basketball in the driveway. Missed shot, missed shot, missed shot. Finally got one in! "Do I get money for that?" Um, what? Did I live in a fantasy land where I was rewarded for every little thing? Good thing I've grown out of that entitled stage... 

2) Me opening presents at my birthday party. My mom loudly reminding me that screaming "YES! YES! YES!" after ripping through the paper is not the same thing as "Thank you!" (This scene was made worse because minutes earlier we'd seen my younger brother profusely "thank you very very much" each of his guests. Gah, perfect child.)

3) Me loitering behind my youngest brother (a wee toddler) as he's being interviewed by my uncle on the camera, only to yank his corn on the cob out of his chubby hand and proceed to make it my own snack. Worst.big.sister.ever.

Annnd this is how I looked. Probably no reason to be so bratty.

There you have it. In the almost 20 years since this video took place, I have only gotten taller and grown out my bangs. Other than that I am literally the same person. :/

Conversations With My Mother & Grandmother: Male Stripper Edition

I just got back from spending a wonderful weekend with my mom and grandma Dolo in Houston. After three months away, I have to say, I missed these crazy ladies.

As with any time the three of us get together, we had to figure out what movie(s) we were going to see. Considering this is the crew that forced Spiros to watch Old School the first time he came to visit, you never what what kind of high-brow flick we will pick.

Me: How about we see Magic Mike?
My mom: Oh I've already seen it.
Me: Really? How was it?
My mom: About how you'd think it would be - sleazy, but the dancing was phenomenal!! [Update: My mother would like for me to clarify that she does NOT like sleazy dancing]
Me: Oh yeah?
My mom: Seriously. I mean, lots of that "hunching" dancing [I assume she means "humping"], but Channing Tatum is really good. For a big man, he's so graceful! Did you know he used to be a stripper?
Me: Yeah...?
Dolo: I just hate male strippers. They really creep me out.

Considering either have an opinion on this subject had me and my cousin in a fit of giggles for an hour. I come from a long line of classy ladies, and I couldn't be prouder.

It's That Time Of Year!!!

No, I'm not going to rave about the start of fall because of sweaters and boots, pumpkin "flavors" and falling leaves. For starters, I'm spending the season in Austin and LA so there will be none of the above (well, maybe a pumpkin coffee or two). Plus cool weather generally turns into cold weather and I'm so over that. I want to burn my winter clothes in a giant bonfire while I dance around it shrieking "CALIFORNIA HERE I COME!!!" but I have a feeling that might not be totally wise? (Or sane.)

No, what I'm excited about is the return of my beloved TV friends. Because I live a sad life and TV is my best friend! (To my friends reading this, just kidding. You're my best friend!) But seriously, I love TV. And when I get to LA and other people love TV even more than me then I'm going to finally feel normal. Maybe. (Also I will feel pale and flat-chested, which I'm super looking forward to too.)

So now that shows are returning and new ones are just joining this world like little baby animals in the spring, let's discuss what everyone is really excited about. Because my second favorite thing to watching TV is talking about it with like-minded friends. (Kind of like politics, let's not debate, let's just celebrate...our sameness.) PLEASE?!

My boos.

Old friends:

• 30 Rock final series (I might have just teared up typing that)
• Parks & Recreation (if they kill this show, I will definitely tear up and/or die from devastation)
• Gossip Girl final series (I am going to have a VERY hard time if they make S and D get back together after we all know she dumped him and married RR in real life. I mean, hello unbelievable. Also, let's reminisce about how I once met RR's younger blonde wife numero uno in the bathroom. Yes, met is loosely used in this instance.)
• Parenthood (surprisingly addictive for a family-ish show) 
• New Girl (SCHMIDT, SCHMIDT, SCHMIDT!!!!)
• Happy Endings (I AM Penny)
• Revenge (I caught up on this this summer, and let me just tell you, IT CHANGED MY LIFE. Okay, life was kind of dull at that point, but this show is realllllllly good.)
• How I Met Your Mother (OMG just introduce the mother already. Or better yet, wouldn't it be hilarious if Ted just impregnated a ton of women along the way and finds out at the end of the show? Like, hey, here's your son! Maybe?)
• Modern Family (I mean, who doesn't love this show?)
• Up All Night (Although learning of the Will Arnett split - and reading whispers of a co-star affair - will make this harder to watch. DOES TRUE LOVE NOT EXIST!??)
• DOWNTON ABBEY (Technically it returns in the UK in September, but not in the US till December. I have a feeling our ol' friend The Internet might help us get around that.)

New friends:

• The Mindy Project (I already watched the pilot on Hulu. I liked what I saw, but then again I like Mindy. And also I've developed a new appreciation for Chris Messina.)

Wow. Clearly I will be busy (and/or have a problem). After listing it out, I realize it might be a wee bit of an adjustment for Spiros considering living together in Berlin took place in the summer without a TV. Hopefully he continues to love me when I refuse to make dinner because I'm "too busy with my programs."

What are you excited about? Are we TV compatible? Am I missing out on anything?? (You know, besides living a life of my own...)

Just Because I'm Away Doesn't Mean I Don't Think About You

Sorry for the absence, I’ve been recovering from what feels like time travel. One day I had breakfast with Spiros in Berlin and the next thing I knew, I was sitting in a teeny tiny Brooklyn restaurant with The BFF regurgitating three months’ worth of gossip over dinner.

It was weird. Good, but weird. Bittersweet, maybe?

Since I left New York in February, I have been back two other times, but only for a handful of days. This trip I was there over a week, long enough to fall back into my old New York routine. Long enough for me to catch up while simultaneously start missing my friends even more. Long enough to be glad with my decision to leave.

While that city will always hold a special place in my heart, being there and packing in a week full of amazing dinners, fun lunches, a jaunt to Philly, a concert, and a wedding reminded me how little I was doing of that when I actually lived there.

I went to work, I went to the gym, and I cooked dinner. Rinse and repeat. For all the struggle and hassle of paying an arm, a leg, and a kidney to share a shoebox (although it was great at the time!), I knew my happiness doing it was unsustainable. Being back reminded me how perfect a week can be there, but not every week there was perfect. Does that make sense?

Still, though, falling back into everything made it hard to say goodbye. My sweet friend Nicki, who I hadn't seen since Spiros and I crashed her honeymoon in Santorini, said that up until now, she has just been in denial about me moving. "I've seen you every three months since then, it felt like we had just been busy." That is kind of what I told myself, to be honest. 

But after spending the last seven months bouncing around, I can see a permanent place on the horizon. This forced me to realize I officially have to give up my identity as a “New Yorker.” When I asked Spiros about this, he was like, “Duh.” (I recently taught him that fine word.) I guess my nomad status made me feel like I could keep hold of it a little longer, even though I was technically gone. (I will never have to give up my identity as a Texan, though, obv. Birth places stick with you forever.) 

All in all, it was a perfect week, one that allowed me to catch up with so many of the great friends I was lucky enough to make when I lived there. Seeing them also reminded me how nervous I am about starting over in California. Hopefully the same will happen there. 

(Or maybe they can all just relocate to the West Coast? Not the worst idea! Call me in February, suckers :)