Why I Love Surprises

Just got home from a spontaneous frozen yogurt run to the phenomenal Yogurtland (only thirty cents an ounce! Booyakashah!). Life is momentarily fantastic, even if I had a long day of hard work and hormonal imbalances. I paired my fro-yo with some homemade, flourless and sugarfree (yet still delectable!) apple crisp, and I even have leftovers for tomorrow. Thank you, frozen yogurt goddess. And this time, I didn't get a ticket, so hurray for that as well.

This morning during yoga, I had an epiphany. Well, considering Forest Gump sort of reached the same conclusion, I'll use his words to sum my thought process up: "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Well spoken, Forest.

What occurred to me in yoga, as I was sweating and contorting for ninety minutes, came to me because I have been irritated due to the feelings of instability I face in my life right now. These same feelings are even imitated on my mat, where my usually solid half moon and warrior three have been shakey and unsteady. On some days, I simply wish I had a road map, and could tell myself, "at this time next year, you will be at point B, earning x amount, and happy." Of course, I will find a way to be happy no matter what, but sometimes those unknowns weigh down on me. Then it occurred to me that life, as it turns out, is like a really great, extraordinarily well-conceived surprise party. Yes, life is like a box of chocolates, due to the assortment of nuts and random fillings from day to day. But life is also like a box of chocolates because it is a phenomenal gift! I love, love, love surprises, from romantic evenings to snail mail and packages to visitors to phone calls from old friends. And I believe that, if I can have patience, I will come to find that the surprises the coming day, week, month, and years have in store for me will amount to even more than I can dream of or hope for right now.

That was my happy shavasana revelation this morning. :) Win. Another surprise win? The album "Grace Potter & The Nocturnals." I heard one song at work ("Low Road") over and over, fell in love with it, and splurged on the $5.99 iTunes album tonight. The album is excellent, and I recommend you check it out for yourself.

Another win??? DONNER WON HOUSE WARS YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!! Now, while I realize that this most likely means little to those of you who did not attend CMU with me, this was a huge victory that made my little girly heart swell with pride, admiration, and love for everyone in the Big Blue this year and in the past. I was lucky enough to speak with about seven members of the "blue crew" this past Monday, and I sure as heck miss the incredible leaders Donner attracts each year. I am so proud of everyone who is carrying on the legacy of blue, and I have been living vicariously through your house pictures online (sorry to be creepy lol). Win, win, win (and the Carnegie Cup! Take THAT, you big mean Hill!)!

This past week continued to keep me running around frantically, and the next few days seem to have much of the same in store. As usual, I have overextended myself and have zero free time. However, the good news is that my bank account may soon start climbing back out of oblivion and into the green zone, which means I can actually contribute to my extremely neglected savings fund (or start a 401k!) sometime this year. Keep your fingers crossed. Work this week consisted of subbing and teaching yoga (and a boot camp/ yoga blend, which was a blast!), practicing yoga, finishing the menu board and A-frame for "Soda Pop's" restaurant in Hollywood, a modeling shoot for 365 Hangers, working at Zeke's (which is still a hazy future, as far as I know?), keeping an ear to the ground for other work opportunities, running errands, a negative general meeting with Mark Saks (casting director for "Medium" and "The Good Wife", among other great projects) - which is still a positive, in that I at least had the meeting, mailing out headshots and resumes as always, and other small assorted daily life tasks which seem minute but which quickly become overwhelming.

Some random thoughts...

Someone who lives near me - specifically, a young Asian, punky guy with long hair and a black bowler hat - drives a white hearse around as his car. It still unnerves me every time I drive home and spot this unconventional automobile parked under a shady tree or near a sleeping homeless person. I wonder if the owner has little air fresheners and hula dancers in the car? I would also be willing to bet most people avoid having an accident with his car like the plague. I know I would.

I really, really want a puppy, and I really, really want to go see my boy in St Louis. Cash flow, please increase to make my dreams come true! Thank you for being considerate of me in these matters.

There is a tall (6'3"?) black tranny who occasionally stands at the corner of Santa Monica and La Brea, near where I live, and talks to himself with total commitment and animation. The other day, a Hispanic guy passed by on his way somewhere, happened to quickly glance at this absurd sight, and the next thing you know, Miss Thang kicked an empty coke bottle at the passing stranger. While this was absolutely entertaining, it would seem that etiquette school passed our dear friend by.

My little sister bought her first car today... I feel old. I feel like we're turning into aunts, and having visions of us going on lunch dates or shopping runs. My little brother also begins his senior year of high school this week. Since when did life start flying by so quickly?

I made two new friends at work yesterday! One is a personal trainer and boot camp instructor, and the other does special effects and production. I met both guys at Zeke's, and am planning upcoming hikes, movie outings, and lunches now. Let's hope explicitly stating I have a boyfriend from the get-go gets the message across loud and clear, because it sure would be nice to have some friends in this city. My friend from Switzerland also made it back a few days ago, and I'm hoping to reconnect with him soon also. Now where are my ladies at? No offense guys, but I can't exactly have cookie dough and watch "Twenty-Seven Dresses" with you, at least not all the time. ;)

Even though having your debit card compromised is a pain, and the inconsiderate persons responsible for said pain should be forced to do hard labor, I got a much prettier replacement card in the mail today than my original card. Sometimes, big wins come in small packages, like envelopes from Wells Fargo. Who knew?

I am working my first shift as a server at the restaurant tomorrow (as a sub, but this is still exciting for aforementioned cash flow), and should probably get some sleep. Toodles, world. :) Keep on giving that gift. Keep the surprises coming, please!