I leave for Mexico on Tuesday and won't be back until 6 days into the new year, so I figured I would offer up early what I figured out in 2008, the exit out of my twenties, my first full year back in Oregon.
Thanks again to all of my family and friends who made it a wonderful, interesting, challenging, thought provoking, exciting, and worth while 30th year of life.
In no particular order...
1) Rafting down the Clackamas river at nightfall is a terribly cold idea. Even if it is 90 degrees that day. Be patient and wait until the next day when the sun is back on the water again.
2) Snow is an evil monster. Please stay in the mountains next time.
3) The best part of Christmas is less about the presents and more about helping out those who truly need it.
4) The second best part is playing games until 2 am with your family, and beating them all at Yahtzee. Nevermind that I horribly lost the other games we played.
5) If your dad throws down “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” as the card for the ‘Song that best represents Sarah is…” it could be his passive aggressive way of saying, “I want more grand kids, preferably in the next decade.” Maybe I should get on that whole marriage track someday.
6) It will never make sense to me that God takes beautiful young mothers away.
7) I did too deserve my Garmin. Hell yes I did.
8) That said, I know I can actually find my way around most of the Portland/Salem Metro area now without Garmin. But, he’s still my best friend, in electronic device form, besides my new iPhone…that thing is pretty addictive.
9) Selfish doesn’t work for me. Neither does self centered. Neither does anyone with cats that aren't clean and cute.
10) It’s okay to cry tears of joy when your Beavs beat the number one team in the country, especially when you are at the game! And it’s okay to cry the next week when they get a bad call at the end and lose the game. And it is okay to cry even more when they blow the biggest game in forty years on their home turf during the Civ...oh man, I can’t go on…I think I am going to go cry now.
11) Selling ex-boyfriend jewelry is an excellent way to fund a trip to Mexico. Well, that, and good old fashioned hard work and overtime.
12) If your friends tell you that you ‘need’ to go to Vegas…you better go to Vegas. And you should probably go the next year too, and make it a point to win MVP again, or at least tie with Wes.
13) I am an Oregonian, tried and true. Anyone who tries to get me to move from this place again is probably going to have to fight most of my friends, and several of my family members, with sharp weapons. Be prepared to leave without me, because they will probably win.
14) I love working with teenagers.
15) I hate when they are on the run, let down by their parents, or in really tough spots in life.
16) I worry about ‘my teenagers’ too much.
17) Slumdog Millionaire is the best movie of my 30th year, hands down.
18) Being designated driver tends to be more fun than being the one driven. And no, peer pressure does not work on 30 year olds.
19) I have very amazing close friends. Really, they are kind of psychic, intuitive, compassionate, matter of fact, ready to kick my ass. I love them.
20) I also have a wonderful family. Not to sound all braggy and stuff, but they’re pretty awesome.
21) And yes, Bailey is still the best dog ever. High emotional needs, snoring, and shedding aside.
22) Not knowing your future niece’s name for 40 weeks while she is in utero can drive you insane. Thanks Tater Bug for being perfect in every way though. I am glad they decided to not name you Lexamin or Ducky.
23) Watching Obama’s acceptance speech and being excited to the point of jumping up and down is completely okay…especially after surviving eight years with that evil guy from Texas.
24) Speeding tickets and parking tickets suck. Especially when you get both for the first time ever in the same year.
25) Nothing really matters unless you want it to.
26) It’s important to see the ocean at least once a year. And even more important to not read too into the fortune that the weird machine on the bay spits out at you. And even most important to load up on as many calories as you can while you are there.
27) Exercise and physical activity kicks the hell out of every negative emotion.
28) Always stay true to yourself and make sure you say what you need to say. But try not to be an asshole too.
29) Going to bed before midnite, while probably good for me, just still seems impossible most nights.
30) Turning, and being 30 was nothing more than a number, and some extra laugh lines, and an excuse to have three parties…I didn’t mind 30 at all and look forward to 31...(and this year, if you want to come to the party and we forgot to put you on the invite, just remind me…it‘s in Portland for those of you down south who fear the bigger city…but it‘s for three of us and it'll be fun!).
Happy New Year everyone. I look forward to all that 2009 brings my way.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Snow Day ADD (And a Plug for Slumdog and Fitzsimmons)
It's a snowday, on the weekend, so I'm not too happy about it. It's put the kibosh on my family dinner, and I can't go anywhere. Oregon with snow is funny. I'm trying to embrace that a couple inches here is a combination of joy, photo ops, snowmen, and an excuse to stay home all day due to the shear terror of driving. But I'm kind of bored, and not stupid enough to go drive all over Portland, so I'm going to terrorize my blog with my ADD...
1) So my first piece of advice on this snowfilled evening is to go see Slumdog Millionaire. It was seriously the best movie I have seen in years. It evoked the same level of feeling in me that City of God and Crash did years ago. You have to see this movie. It actually just got nominated for four Golden Globes too. Even the children actors in this movie are amazing.
2) Speaking of Golden Globes, I am completely surprised that Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express got nods. It seems comedies never get any attention, but both were great in my opinion. Of course, Kate Winslet got two nods for Lord knows what, so they still have a lot of evolving to do. (Sorry Kate, I like you and all, but I just don't understand how you can be nominated for almost every role you play...maybe I am still bitter that stupid movie with you and Johnny Depp got nominations).
3) Tonight I put a jingle bell collar on my roommates dog. It's velvety and loud, but she growled at me when I tried to take it off. So now, it's still on, and it sounds like Santa Claus is huffing through our house with his reindeer.
4) My roommate and I are watching an old episode of Fresh Prince right now. The fashion was terrible...did we really dress like that?
5) I've always wanted to name a kid Atticus after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird. I would call him Atty for short. I've been told said child would probably disown me. I may still take a gamble and name a kid Atticus. I hope he is really cute so he can get past it. And no, I am not having 'Atticus' anytime soon.
6) There's this singer out who apparently has a few CD's already, but I'm just hearing about him. His name is William Fitzsimmons. Not a big fan of the facial hair, but it's the music that really matters in this case because I don't have to kiss him, or look at him for that matter. His music is fantastic...and if he shaved he may actually look alright too. He sounds a little like Iron & Wine if you like them.
7) Speaking of William Fitzsimmons...according to Wikipedia, his music has been featured in 'pivotal' scenes on Grey's Anatomy. Okay, okay, so, let me take this chance to say that I think the only reason Grey's is successful is because they play great music at all the so called 'pivotal' scenes. The acting on that show is absolute crap in my opinion. I've watched a couple episodes, and they never use the lame monotone acting to evoke feeling...it's always the really good music. So there, all you Grey's lovers can kick my ass...I hate that damn show and wish it, and all it's bad acting, would go away.
8) If Grey's doesn't go away, at least I get to for a while: I'm leaving the country at the end of December for eight days and I am really, REALLY excited. After a year of digging through myself, and what is, and is not me, 2008 ended up being a wonderful year. So, this is my reward and celebration for a year of hard work on so many levels. Going to a little town close to Puerto Vallarta where my hotel is literally inches from the ocean on a sunny and sandy beach. Can't wait.
9) Back to stalking the 'school and business closure' websites. Someone out there con Oregon into making it so I don't have to take a personal day because I can't get out of my driveway.
Night.
1) So my first piece of advice on this snowfilled evening is to go see Slumdog Millionaire. It was seriously the best movie I have seen in years. It evoked the same level of feeling in me that City of God and Crash did years ago. You have to see this movie. It actually just got nominated for four Golden Globes too. Even the children actors in this movie are amazing.
2) Speaking of Golden Globes, I am completely surprised that Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express got nods. It seems comedies never get any attention, but both were great in my opinion. Of course, Kate Winslet got two nods for Lord knows what, so they still have a lot of evolving to do. (Sorry Kate, I like you and all, but I just don't understand how you can be nominated for almost every role you play...maybe I am still bitter that stupid movie with you and Johnny Depp got nominations).
3) Tonight I put a jingle bell collar on my roommates dog. It's velvety and loud, but she growled at me when I tried to take it off. So now, it's still on, and it sounds like Santa Claus is huffing through our house with his reindeer.
4) My roommate and I are watching an old episode of Fresh Prince right now. The fashion was terrible...did we really dress like that?
5) I've always wanted to name a kid Atticus after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird. I would call him Atty for short. I've been told said child would probably disown me. I may still take a gamble and name a kid Atticus. I hope he is really cute so he can get past it. And no, I am not having 'Atticus' anytime soon.
6) There's this singer out who apparently has a few CD's already, but I'm just hearing about him. His name is William Fitzsimmons. Not a big fan of the facial hair, but it's the music that really matters in this case because I don't have to kiss him, or look at him for that matter. His music is fantastic...and if he shaved he may actually look alright too. He sounds a little like Iron & Wine if you like them.
7) Speaking of William Fitzsimmons...according to Wikipedia, his music has been featured in 'pivotal' scenes on Grey's Anatomy. Okay, okay, so, let me take this chance to say that I think the only reason Grey's is successful is because they play great music at all the so called 'pivotal' scenes. The acting on that show is absolute crap in my opinion. I've watched a couple episodes, and they never use the lame monotone acting to evoke feeling...it's always the really good music. So there, all you Grey's lovers can kick my ass...I hate that damn show and wish it, and all it's bad acting, would go away.
8) If Grey's doesn't go away, at least I get to for a while: I'm leaving the country at the end of December for eight days and I am really, REALLY excited. After a year of digging through myself, and what is, and is not me, 2008 ended up being a wonderful year. So, this is my reward and celebration for a year of hard work on so many levels. Going to a little town close to Puerto Vallarta where my hotel is literally inches from the ocean on a sunny and sandy beach. Can't wait.
9) Back to stalking the 'school and business closure' websites. Someone out there con Oregon into making it so I don't have to take a personal day because I can't get out of my driveway.
Night.
Monday, December 01, 2008
If I Die Before 111...
Well, I'm not dying. Sure, the Civil War loss over the weekend had me barely clinging onto life, but I survived.
A couple weeks ago at Sunday family dinner, we got to talking about what we want to happen to us when we die. I know, what a cheery conversation for a Sunday evening with the family. But, we decided, it is all pretty important stuff to have arranged if life takes a turn for the Heavens. While I am STILL convinced I will live to be 111 (the numbers represent my birthday...figured it's a good age, with me hitting an expiration around 2089), here are some things I'd like to ensure happen if...well, let's just not finish that sentence...
1) Donate my organs if you can...just not my whole body. Something about that just doesn't sit well with me. I'll let you know if I change my mind and want to give the whole thing...because then #2 won't apply anymore.
2) Don't bury me. I like being loud and think that putting me in the ground would be a disservice to my yelling on the wind in my afterlife. Cremate me, but don't make anyone responsible for trudging around with my ashes in an urn...throw them all over some pretty places instead, and maybe some off a bridge in Portland. Okay, if you want, you can melt some of my ashes into a Christmas ornament, plate, or something. Yeah, I am thinking 'WTF!?' too.
3) While cremating me will literally make me dust in the wind, DO NOT play Dust in the Wind at my memorial service. Some suggestions at this time would be Shiny Happy People by REM just to annoy the hell out of everyone and remind them of the fact that has been my theme song most of my life, Rainbow by G-Love and Jack Johnson, God Only Knows by the Beach Boys, and Happy Phantom by Tori Amos...because dammit, that's what I will be. I am partial to anything else that people want to play...but remember...if Dust in the Wind plays, I will haunt you all for the rest of your lives.
4) Remember I plan to die OLD, after a few cute kids and (preferably) one husband. In that case, they'd get all my stuff. If I leave early though, split all my stuff between my family and close friends, and then donate all my clothes and shoes to shelters for teenagers and women.
5) Donate to a cause you're passionate about instead of sending flowers. Then send my family a note about the awesome cause you decided to give money to. If I have kids, you can donate to their college fund, because college is going to cost a ton by the time I actually have kids and get them to college age.
6) If Bailey outlives me, make sure he goes somewhere where he can continue to be an indoor dog...he is a sensitive boy and just isn't a yard mutt. My dog also needs eighteen squeaky toys at all times, one treat on top of every meal, and to have a bed on the floor in your bedroom. He would probably like to add to this list, but for now, what I write is plenty.
7) Have a party, with a blue kool-aid fountain for Robin. Wear colors, laugh a lot, tell stories, and have a slide show, because, if anyone has noticed, I like pictures and slide shows quite a bit...I mean, you can have like four slideshows going...one for each wall.
8) This one sounds harsh, but make sure my dad, step-mom, siblings, and close friends oversee everything. If you've noticed the parent left out of this, thank you for not making me expand any further.
9) Be sad, but remember I have some good people waiting for me where ever I go. And you'll have a million pictures of me left to look at...ooh, lucky you.
10) Mostly, remember I have 81 years left to live if everything goes my way. Which, judging by the course of my life, things tend to be good almost all the time. And happy, healthy, skinny people live longer, so I should be okay.
Songs of the moment, but not to play when I die:
1) Amsterdam by Coldplay (really, this one is already depressing enough)
2) X-Ray Eyes and Scars and Stiches by Guster
3) Fall Into Me by Emerson Drive (I had a country moment this week)
4) Clockwork by Blackalicious
And a PS...two of my very close girlfriends are having babies in February and March and I think it is okay to publicly congratulate them now...so, congrats to Robin for a yet to be named baby boy around Valentine's Day and Gwyn for a lovely Violet arriving at the start of March. Both of you look SO beautiful pregnant, and I can't wait to have the new little bitties in our lives.
A couple weeks ago at Sunday family dinner, we got to talking about what we want to happen to us when we die. I know, what a cheery conversation for a Sunday evening with the family. But, we decided, it is all pretty important stuff to have arranged if life takes a turn for the Heavens. While I am STILL convinced I will live to be 111 (the numbers represent my birthday...figured it's a good age, with me hitting an expiration around 2089), here are some things I'd like to ensure happen if...well, let's just not finish that sentence...
1) Donate my organs if you can...just not my whole body. Something about that just doesn't sit well with me. I'll let you know if I change my mind and want to give the whole thing...because then #2 won't apply anymore.
2) Don't bury me. I like being loud and think that putting me in the ground would be a disservice to my yelling on the wind in my afterlife. Cremate me, but don't make anyone responsible for trudging around with my ashes in an urn...throw them all over some pretty places instead, and maybe some off a bridge in Portland. Okay, if you want, you can melt some of my ashes into a Christmas ornament, plate, or something. Yeah, I am thinking 'WTF!?' too.
3) While cremating me will literally make me dust in the wind, DO NOT play Dust in the Wind at my memorial service. Some suggestions at this time would be Shiny Happy People by REM just to annoy the hell out of everyone and remind them of the fact that has been my theme song most of my life, Rainbow by G-Love and Jack Johnson, God Only Knows by the Beach Boys, and Happy Phantom by Tori Amos...because dammit, that's what I will be. I am partial to anything else that people want to play...but remember...if Dust in the Wind plays, I will haunt you all for the rest of your lives.
4) Remember I plan to die OLD, after a few cute kids and (preferably) one husband. In that case, they'd get all my stuff. If I leave early though, split all my stuff between my family and close friends, and then donate all my clothes and shoes to shelters for teenagers and women.
5) Donate to a cause you're passionate about instead of sending flowers. Then send my family a note about the awesome cause you decided to give money to. If I have kids, you can donate to their college fund, because college is going to cost a ton by the time I actually have kids and get them to college age.
6) If Bailey outlives me, make sure he goes somewhere where he can continue to be an indoor dog...he is a sensitive boy and just isn't a yard mutt. My dog also needs eighteen squeaky toys at all times, one treat on top of every meal, and to have a bed on the floor in your bedroom. He would probably like to add to this list, but for now, what I write is plenty.
7) Have a party, with a blue kool-aid fountain for Robin. Wear colors, laugh a lot, tell stories, and have a slide show, because, if anyone has noticed, I like pictures and slide shows quite a bit...I mean, you can have like four slideshows going...one for each wall.
8) This one sounds harsh, but make sure my dad, step-mom, siblings, and close friends oversee everything. If you've noticed the parent left out of this, thank you for not making me expand any further.
9) Be sad, but remember I have some good people waiting for me where ever I go. And you'll have a million pictures of me left to look at...ooh, lucky you.
10) Mostly, remember I have 81 years left to live if everything goes my way. Which, judging by the course of my life, things tend to be good almost all the time. And happy, healthy, skinny people live longer, so I should be okay.
Songs of the moment, but not to play when I die:
1) Amsterdam by Coldplay (really, this one is already depressing enough)
2) X-Ray Eyes and Scars and Stiches by Guster
3) Fall Into Me by Emerson Drive (I had a country moment this week)
4) Clockwork by Blackalicious
And a PS...two of my very close girlfriends are having babies in February and March and I think it is okay to publicly congratulate them now...so, congrats to Robin for a yet to be named baby boy around Valentine's Day and Gwyn for a lovely Violet arriving at the start of March. Both of you look SO beautiful pregnant, and I can't wait to have the new little bitties in our lives.
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