:: LIFE:: My! My! How the Time Flies!

Funny thing happens when someone with self-diagnosed ADD starts a blog...  Something else usually comes along and demands whatever attention is left in the reserve.  And so I find myself here: attempting to resuscitate my blog after two years and eight months of being in a social coma.  Whether it was my blog of myself in the actual coma is debatable, so let's forgo the technicalities and move on what really matters.

What the hell have I been up to since my last post, you ask?  If you're completely new to :: a girl in the life :: and/or didn't know a thing about me two and half years ago, I recommend catching up by reading my first post.  Though many of the details have drastically changed since then, the voice is still a surprisingly accurate depiction of who I am today.  I say "surprisingly" because I feel as though every year of my 20s has been rife with personal transformation and revolution.  All good, of course, even if the means to get to this point hasn't always been fun.  But I'm pleased to find that I'm still the same ol' girl at heart.

Now as far as those details though...

I am happy to announce that shortly after I stopped posting the last time around, I did, in fact, make the move from my parents' house in San Jose to the amazing city of San Francisco, where I have a cozy studio apartment all to myself.  Although small, it's in a beautiful 1900s building with that undeniable San Francisco charm, and I'm in the same neighborhood as the historical Painted Ladies (yep, that's my a view from my block).  A couple of the major selling points for me were the two walk-in closets.  Unfortunately, my wardrobe and shoes still prove to produce containment challenges.  It might have something to do with that pesky shopping problem and the ever-growing inventory, but I really think people just need to be making closets bigger.

The most recent big life change is that I'm newly unemployed.  I had been working for an amazing company for the last two and half years, where unfortunately things started to go awry for my department and I was laid off.  To sum it up, I'll just say this: politics, egos, shady practices, egos, pathetic managers, EGOS, and pusses.  I'm not a "yes man," or someone who let's slackers get away with shenanigans, so I wasn't surprised when the news was delivered.  While I loved what I did and most of the people I worked with, my job had become a major downer and was sapping my energy in more areas of my life than I had realized.  So it was really the best thing that could have happened, and I am SO enjoying my free time.  Hence, my blog revival!

Last but not least, I am single again.  Again, shortly after that last post, my ex and I called it quits as a result of being in a long distance relationship and generally just being on different pages.  It was a rough period for me, and I went through so many phases during the first few months.  I found some ways to distract myself, which led to some interesting experiences... But all it all, I've learned a lot about myself and relationships in general and I have my ex to thank for being a major contribution to my personal growth.  He's still living in Texas so we don't ever see each other, but we communicate occasionally and I would definitely consider him a friend.

So here I am today, with a total freedom and a world of possibilities in front of me.  It's funny how sometimes the things that are out of our control or that are not as we planned are the things that end up having the biggest, positive impact on our lives.  I've found that to be a major trend in my life, and somehow I've always managed to come out doing better than before.  I recently came across this print, which I immediately ordered because I felt it pretty much hit the nail on the head.  I'm filled with nothing but excitement as we kick off the new year and I get to discover what challenges await me!

Stay tuned while I tune up :: a girl in the life :: and begin to deliver, yet again, some little bits from this girl's life, along with things that I find inspirational, fun and fabulous from others.  Happy New Year!

:: LIFE :: Hey La, Hey La, My Boyfriend's Back!

I am on Cloud 9 today because my boyfriend just returned home from a three-month internship in Texas --woo hoo!  I was actually lucky enough to take two trips out there to visit him -- which was an interesting experience, if anyone's familiar with The Woodlands, TX -- so it's really only been five weeks since we last saw each other.  But still, it was five LOOOOONG weeks...

His return home just keeps getting better though!  He just got an apartment in San Francisco with some of his buds, which means I get to go up to SF even more now :).  Although I must say that as I drove through Berkeley (where he has been living on campus while he finishes up his graduate degree) on my way home I started to get all sentimental.  I'd never been there until I met Conor, but it's such a cute little place with so many eateries I still want to try.  We'll just have to plan a couple date nights on the other side of the Bay Bridge from now on.  At this point, I'd rather be in San Francisco and just visit Berkeley than have it the other way around.  Not that this mitigates my living situation; I know I'm not moving (yet!).  And I'm not one of those girlfriends who claims she doesn't live with her boyfriend but stays there 5 nights out of the week bugging the crap out of his roommates, so I'll still be in San Jose a majority of the time I imagine.
Still, it's all very exciting to finally have him back and be able to visit him in the city that I love so dearly.  Life is pretty good right now... *contented sigh*

:: LIFE :: Meet My Main Players

Now that you've already met my little kitty, Belle, I better introduce you to some very important people whose names may also come up more than once.  Here is a little bit about the main players in this girl's life:

Erin, a.k.a. Big Sister
Currently preggo with my future niece/nephew (they're being selfishly old fashioned about finding out), she is a budding interior designer living in Newport Beach.  She and fiance, T.J., have two incredible little pups and a fantastic new house, which I make myself very comfortable in when I'm visiting my old stomping grounds.

 Sarah, a.k.a. Sensibly Sassy

One of my best friends of 13 years and an avid blogger.  Recently received her graduate degree in Counseling Psychology and is the go-to for really good advice.  She cares for her English bulldog, Frank, with long-time boyfriend Jon.

Erin, a.k.a. The Doc
Another Erin and another of my best friends of 13 years.  Currently knee-deep in deconstructing a cadaver, she is immersed in her studies and on her way to earning her white coat in Physical Therapy.  I live vicariously through her, as she has an apartment in the city and gets to dissect bodies on a weekly basis.

Serina, a.k.a. The Rockenest Chick Ever

The fourth little lady of our 13-year, four-pronged friendship.  Super talented in the art of beautifying, and quite the beautiful chameleon herself. The proud owner of a freshly inked half sleeve, she's the gal to call when you need your hair did.



Leah, a.k.a. Long-lost Twin
Friend of just over two years, but a soul that I feel like I've known forever.  The list of commonalities is ridiculous, and I'm pretty sure we've been asked the sister question once or twice.  About to be wedded to her awesome fiance, Ryan, and I couldn't be happier for the two of them.

Jen, a.k.a. Wing Woman

Friends with my sister long before we bonded over booze and boys.  Taught me the ropes of the dating scene, as I was a little, uhhh, challenged in that area.  Keeps me up to date on the delicious, trashy gossip that seeps from the wounds of Hollywood.

Conor, a.k.a. The Boyfriend

Ridiculously charming with an Irish accent that's equal parts sexy and amusing (um, it's pronounced ga-RAHJ).  Addicted to South Park (as seen to the left in a depiction of himself as one of the show's characters), but is smart as a whip.  Picked out my Christmas present all by himself and I didn't even have to return anything.



I don't know where I'd be without these people in my life.  Whether I've know them my whole life or just five short months, I know I'm a better person for having them around.  What can I say?  I'm one lucky girl!