2009 Memories.

So, in the midst of looking for a full-time job, I got distracted by the new Facebook application: "My Year in Photos". And as I started recreating one for myself, I started getting nostalgic and realized...damn...there is NO WAY I can capture all of the highlights of my year in just 16 pictures! And so...I blog!

To celebrate (and procrastinate) 2009.

Cheers to 2010!

My fondest memories of 2009 (attempted in chronological order). *ahem*:

• New York! Shake Shack!
• Chicago! Hot dog!
  
• Imbibing with Bo for the first time...ever! "Oh man...remember when we used to play with barbies?! Look..now we're drinkin together!"
• John Legend Concert. Thanks Helen for the bday gift <3>
• My 23rd Birthday at The Bubble.
• UC Berkeley LUNAFEST. $1,115 fundraised. 200+ in attendance.
• Many many trips to the Gender Equity Resource Center =).
• District Board meetings galore.
• "Bread! Drinks! Bread Drinks! Camille, Camille, Camille!"
• District Convention 2009 -- my final one.
• Tears from the bondiest d-board ever...Lots and lots and lots of tears. Deep down inside, I wasn't the biggest softy on that board! no way! *hem hem* ET? ;)
  
• Career Fair.
• Class of 09's graduation.
  
• Cheriz + Nitt = Chezitt <3>
• Helen has a Doc <3>
• Napa. Lots of picture posing. Love at First Bite.
• Random trip to Santa Cruz for wine tasting.
  
• SF Marathon 2009. 4 hours and 1 minute.
• Ngail Adventures. Beta Lounge. Adesso. Easy Lounge. Jupiters. Kitty's. Infusion. Thalassas. puff puff puff...oi!
  
• Road trip to Portland and Seattle.Voodoo Donuts. Truffle fries.
  
• Clif Bar. LUNA Bar. Clif Kid. Expo expo expo. Chop chop chop. "No. You won't grow boobs if you eat LUNA Bars."
• 4 Squares at Rockridge.
• Cover letters. Interviews. Rejection.
• Leslie's Birthday with Sam Bau.
• Mashed potatoes with Jess and Less followed by the ultimate T-Day dinner =).
  
• Bento in a Box convo sessions.
• Getting inducted as an official Kiwanian!
• Kiwanis DCON.
• San Diego night life with Rachel, Francis, and more...>.<
• Camp Cazadero. Bakery. River. Bridge. Kiwanis!
  
• OkC..
• Taking Cal Train for the first time down to Sunnyvale.
• Stella, The Granny Mobile Tanke dies =(.
• Bike falls off and gets run over by bus...
• New Honda Civic =D.
  
• Attempting to learn the guitar.
  
• Cooking cooking cooking. Bartending class!
  
• Alameda. Lots!
• Yelping and job hunting in coffeeshops galore.
  
• Yogurtland opens up next to campus. *gasp*!
• Peach mumbles "Cheese Pretzel!" in her sleep.
• Yelp, yelp, and more yelp.
• Christmas and Thanksgiving Dinner = muy delicioso.
• Tiki Lounge in the middle of December.
• Peach Nipitnorasate.
• One-on-one convo's with good friends...<3>

And many many more memories to be made =)

The One

I no longer know if 'The One' exists, but I do believe there is someone in this world that I can truly make happy and can fulfill all my desires...

And that person is me.

I am my #1.

Followed closely by my best friends and family.

Compliments

Digging deep into my philosophical brain and heart, I think I tend to compliment people a lot for 2 reasons:

1) It makes them feel good.

2) It makes me feel good to see that it makes them feel good.

Quite often I find that a majority of people don't take the time nor find the need to express their gratitude. Or maybe they just have some odd un-affectionate way of expressing it. But it bugs me when people take things for granted and neglect the beauty of those around them.

IE: Parents. Often, they get so busy tending to work that they're constantly telling you what to do rather than "good job" or "I'm proud of you". Or a boss who makes you grind 40+ hours a week without a single "keep up the great work!". Or a boyfriend who has glazed the fact that you've worked out all day or styled your hair differently neglecting to say "you look gorgeous today."

Perhaps I am just venting or wasn't hugged enough as a child.

One way or the other, I think making a point to compliment someone everyday is a great way to spread the love that is needed so much more in this dark world.

Whether you are complimenting..

...a friend, "Hey! You're such a great listener, and I'm glad I have you to talk to <3"
...a child, "Thanks for cleaning the dishes!"
...a stranger, "That coat looks ravishing on you!"
... or heck..even yourself!, "You look stunning today!"

I strongly believe it's totally a day-maker.

Life would be so much beautiful if we each strive to do so much more often. *nod*

Perhaps, we all could use a little Validation in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for my stomach that is able to digest everything that I put in it so very well, which allows me to enjoy food over and over again the next day and the next...annnnd the next.

Aside from that, personal shot outs for some of my favorite people who have kept me happy these last few weeks:

Cajita: LOL. You make me laugh. We're chatting right now, and you do. You and your brute honesty.

Raymundo: For your truly random texts at random times throughout the week, vent sessions, and constant cravings for George's Greek.

Danielle: For your wake-up texts, quirky emails, and gushy lovey-dovey self.

Jess: Because no matter how long it's been since the last time we've talked, you ALWAYS understand!

Leslie: Because you've always got my back, are so protective of my heart, and are always there for a good drinking session.

Helen: For being my emotional/relationship counselor and getting me excited about future "festivities".

Mak: Because even though you always say "get outta here!", you still let me back into your house and feed me with great food and music.

Bento: For being my #1 International Fan and always excited to get the latest news fresh off the press! You make me feel like my life is actually exciting! LOL.

Jenny: For always being so sweet, genuinely you, and such a great listener!

Peter Y: For always being so honest. And so funny while you're at it! You always make light of serious things. It works. Haha.

Joe Lee: For always smelling good. :)

Maddie: For making the funniest faces and screaming with Helen on the road to keep the drive up to Seattle that much more entertaining.

Alan: For being online and finally getting text.

May: Because you still inspire me after all these years.

Bo: Because you'd let me visit you in Chicago given any time or day. You're my run-t0 cousin.

Peach: Because well, duh, you're my sister and you're a pretty damn good one!

AND FINALLY...

Quote of the day (which I heard from the radio):

"Happiness is having something to look forward to."

And I look forward to talking and seeing each of you everyday <3

Haven't Met You Yet

For the day dreamers and hopeless romantic goofballs...just "Haven't Met You Yet"!

By Michael Buble

What I love most about this song is that the lyrics are kinda sad and very relate-able, but the beat itself is so happy and bubbly that you're like "Ok! You're right! Not today...but one day! Until then, la la la!" :) *jazz hands*!

...

I'm not surprised,
Not everything lasts,
I've broken my heart so many times I stopped keeping track.
Talk myself in,
I talk myself out,
I get all worked up,
Then I let myself down,

I tried so very hard not to loose it;
I came up with a million excuses,
I thought I thought of every possibility,

And I know some day that it’ll all turn out,
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out,
And I promise you kid that I give so much more than I get~ mmm.......
I just haven't met you yet.

Mmmmm ....

I might have to wait,
I’ll never give up,
I guess it's half timin', and the other half's luck,
Wherever you are,
Whenever it's right,
You'll come outta nowhere and into my life.

And I know that we can be so amazin',
And baby your love is gonna change me,
And now I can see every possibility, mmmmmm....

Somehow I know that it’ll all turn out,
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out,
And promise you kid, I'll give so much more than I get, mmmm....
I just haven't met you yet.

They say all’s fair
in love and war
But I won’t need to fight it,
we'll get it right an',
we'll be united

and I know that we can be so amazin',
And bein' in your life is gonna change me,
And now I can see every single possibility, mmmmmm

And someday I know it'll all turn out,
And I'll work to work it out,
Promise you kid I’ll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get.

Oh, you know it'll all turn out,
and you'll make me work so we can work to work it out,
And promise you kid to give so much more than I get, yeah
I just haven't met you yet.

I just haven't met you yet,
Oh, promise you kid,
To give so much more than I get.

I said love love love love love love love.....
I just haven't met you yet
Love love love .....
So doy day ay ay ay, ay ay yeah
I just haven't met you yet!

"Happy Thoughts"

I think it's time for a different approach to life.

To wake up thinking about what you DO have rather than what you DON'T have.

And so, I'm going to make more of a greater effort to wake up each morning and make a list of things -either by jotting them down or just saying them out loud to myself or something - to be grateful for, so here goes list #1:

1. My parents who continue to shelter me everyday
   
2. My mom who continues to cook the best Thai food ever.
   
3. My legs - that allow me to run.
4. A healthy body - that allows me to breathe and allow me to enjoy everything with all 5 senses to its very fullest.
5. Peach Nipitnorasate
6. The people in my life who make a good effort to keep in touch everyday no matter the distance -- you know who you are.
   
7. The internet/chat systems that allow for the above.
   
8. Latte art.
   
9. Cafes/library's.
10. My own room.
11. My own bed.
12. Autumn.
13. Good eats.
14. My aunt.
15. Music like Matt Nathanson and John Legend
16. The ability to love greatly, fall in love, and feel completely enamored over and over again.
    

And the list will continue to grow..day after day.

I wonder if there's a website/open forum where people can just go to -- to share their happiness with each other?

Happy Thursday =).

Matt Nathanson <3

Alright...so...I'm 2 years behind...but...if Matt Nathanson's "Some Mad Hope" could be embodied into one guy...I'd seriously be in love.

Gosh darn it -- is it possible to fall in love with a person through their music?! John Legend...I think you've met your match (in another realm of music!). This guy sings with a whole lotta great passion about LOVE.

I think it's safe to say that after listening to this album on repeat for the last week+, I've become a very satisfied fan! =)

----

Excerpt from Matt's Bio: http://www.mattnathanson.com/about
At the core of Nathanson's music are his lyrics -- deft turns of phrase that can alternately cut deep into the heart or heal it. That's evident throughout Some Mad Hope, a song cycle of sorts that chronicles the search for a genuine connection, touching on the sensually electric moments as well as the darker frustrations of sifting through the wreckage -- in hopes of finding redemption at the end of the day.

"I definitely think of the album as capturing the arc of a relationship," says the Boston native. "It starts out on a positive note and it goes to some really dark places. But after touching bottom, there's a sense of optimism in the end. Maybe coming from a realization that two people can be a team, not just two individuals who happen to be together."

...

"In a lot of ways, the album is about learning what a relationship really can be," he says. "Some people deal with that when they're 20, some people deal with it in their thirties and some people never do. -- writing and recording these songs genuinely left me with the feeling that, 'wow, this is a real step forward for me, both as an artist and as a person.'"
----------------------------

My fav's:

• "Come On Get Higher"
  
• "Still"
• "I Saw"
• "All We Are"
• "Falling Apart"
• "Car Crash"

Ah..who am I kidding? The whole album is great.