Tonight, on ITV's Married in Croydon...

Things that make me smile:

this girl

this girl

this boy

all together again in San Francisco. Our reunions are simply the best.

Spaghetti-sotto

Things that make me smile:

This chef:

 

 and

                                                                  
   and these:

                                                  

and of course, topped off with a little:

I love family dinners. We missed you, Matt!

birthday surprise

Things that make me smile:

Kristina: OH MY GOD
you did NOT send me flowers
Me: :)

London, 2007

Happy Birthday, Kristina! Miss you so much!

au revoir, 2010.

New Years Eve in Seattle

View from home

Things that make me smile:
-friendships that have unexpectedly blossomed over the years and the coffee and catching up that come alongside them
-indian food, birthday celebrations, and a puget sound bond
-holiday luncheons and charlie brown piano playing
-feeling comfortable again with a tie that was very fragile just a year ago
-manicures. can't help it.
-meeting new people, hearing old stories, and feeling more connected
-spontaneous cab rides
-warm and cozy mornings
-interesting movies and even more interesting post-movie conversation. (black swan)
-christmas shopping, even in the madness of the season
-martinis, laughter, and faux-eclipses
-gingerbread houses
-unexpected extra holiday time
-airports, especially when you're heading home
-sleep in my very own bed.
-remembering things like my mom's ironed sheets and pillowcases.
-new traditions, when old ones must cease
-wine, laughing, and catching up
-the calm after a storm
-tears, when they are really necessary.
-christmas morning- a giddy feeling exists no matter how old you are
-driving, with all 3 of my siblings. it doesn't happen often.
-reconnecting with a parent, and acknowledging the connection that needs to be mended
-board games
-appreciating simple things, like sitting down for an hour with a cozy blanket.
-Bob. The memories of their house. The remnants of Lorraines love in the pink armchair and the Victorian paintings. The crystal in the window which speckled rainbows and intrigue for us as kids. His laughter and will to stay strong.
-shopping with mom downtown. the big christmas tree in riverpark square.
-new restaurants and accompanying memories
-the Indian in my parents that comes out from time to time. (think blueprint at italia trattoria)
-twigs with my girls. always, always, always. drinks, laughter, hugs.
-sleepovers at the trails-- i will never be too old for those!
-fires, games, and love
-being snowed in with friends and delicious food...and doing NOTHING all day.
-starbucks with the moms, cozy sleep afterward
-beautiful snow in the sunshine
-pizza and life lessons from dad
-the jacksons, their hearty laughs, and the growth in that laughter when we're all together
-spontaneous guests on my return to seattle!
-the instant click with my home friends and my seattle friends. you know you're lucky when you're surrounded by wonderful people who all get along.
-supportive friends
-post-party-prep and waiting for the guests
-getting ready with the girls
-big groups, flip cup, music, and dancing
-butterflies
-flowing champagne, bundled jackets, and screaming in the new year on the streets of seattle
-fireworks and new years kisses
-laughter, photo-viewing, and lounging the morning afterward
-jake's post-party high
-all-day-pajamas.
-that feeling of renewal that automatically comes with a new year
-long dinners and coffee and movies and friends
-antique stores!
-youtube videos. so. many. videos.
-seeing loved ones after leaving other loved ones
-family dinners with clay and marcos
-new years resolutions


bring it on, 2011.

there'll be holiday greetings, and gay happy meetings...

with baby bro in downtown Seattle

Things that make me smile:
-Holiday receptions, baskets, cookies...who knew working in an office brought on so many treats?!
-margaritas and laughter with old friends
-a strange confluence of life paths, even after being separated for a few years
-picking up people from the airport
-my mom's now almost permanent hyper state
-my baby brother, ajay
-good brunch + bringing people together + sharing of stories
-downtown seattle shopping
-being a seattle foodie
-turning in early. sometimes, it's nice to get a lot of sleep.
-bellevue square
-card stores. i can't express how happy those make me.
-long lunches and coffee, laughing at old pictures and funny memories
-aveda tea
-Elf
-new work computers
-the Office of University Relations staff-- what a fun group.
-giving a gift to somebody, especially somebody who really needs it.
-birthday excitement for my Ryther best buddy. followed by laughter and conversation without stopping.
-good food with lauren, and good dessert, too.
-emily smith. that girl cracks me up.
-long, hilarious conversations with mackenzie on my evening commute. especially when i am on a sugar high.
-having a new friend in my office!
-family dinners, of course.

it's the most wonderful time of the year

Things that make me smile:
-hearing a friend say they miss you.
-nordstrom cafe lunches with brittany
-mcmenamins ruby beer, laughter, and getting to know each other
-family dinners. matt, elliott, derek, sonia, me. the best. i really look forward to these dinners every week.
-theme parties- it's been so long since we've had one!
-pictures that accompany these parties
-bringing someone new to the friend group and not worrying about everybody meshing
-holding hands
-my insanely supportive friends
-girl talk
-u-village during the holidays
-anthropologie
-that friendship high i seem to get on the weekends
-cozy sweats, laughter, and of course...more girl talk
-taking a walk, with a friend, catching up.
-india reminiscing
-naps
-coffee dates with old friends.(so good to see madi!)
-drawing with my ryther best buddy
-warm couches
-long, weekly catch-up calls with mackenzie
-SURPRISE visits from anybody, especially my mom
-holiday treats and hugs in the office
-long dinners fillllled with conversation and insight (love lauren)
-my co-workers. i'm so, so fond of these people.
-met lunches with lyd, again
-getting dolled up, every once in a while
-cheese, wine, and chocolate. at the melting pot with one of my best friends.
-tacoma, at night. especially the glass bridge
-running in the rain, and laughing at the nonsense of it
-good champagne

thankful

Things that make me smile:
-Portland weekend, reconnecting & being girls.
-a brand new computer and working internet. YES!
-sonia's squeals of excitement
--

-being able to laugh after the most insane commute ever. (eight.hours.)
-a roommate who buys me dinner to greet me after that commute
-snow days. they're still as exciting, even when you're not a kid.
-trash tv. sometimes we all need to just enjoy it.
-being welcomed into another family's traditions.
-the wonderful bond between the ivancic sisters

--
-free wi-fi at the Sea-tac
-the Spokane Airport
-my mom's hyper mentality when all of us kids are home
-homemade Indian food. my god.
-the Trail mansion
-Thanksgiving set-up at the Trails. (Kam and Cecil's place cards!)
-goofing off with Kam
-piano playing and jokingly singing like opera stars
-crescent rolls & creamed corn
-pie. so much pie.
-Thanksgiving in general. Historically, not my favorite. Being thankful=definitely wonderful.
-making it work, though it's different this year.
-north side --> south side driving with the fam. always the best talks.
-my siblings. they're so good.
-my bed at home
-sleeping in and waking up at home to yummy smells and mom's laughter
-cards, of course.
-friends and friends's moms.
-downtown Spokane during the Holidays
-neighborly bonds
-late night, by-the-fire chats
-dad's excitement when we're around
-daddy day care. somehow is now a family tradition to watch that movie?
-the chair in the kids room in front of the tv
-the jacksons' house
-telephone pictionary
-being outrageously loud in a nice restaurant. only our friends.
-hugs, lots of them.
-when ajay sleeps in my room
-being in Spokane.