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.

california dreamin'

Things that make me smile:
-airport greetings
-driving with Stephanie
-meeting new people and instantly laughing with them
-the fun, young life that Steph has in San Francisco
-THE CITY! I may or may not have fallen in love with SF
-wandering, photos, and PG
-walking miles and miles without realizing the distance
-polk street, the haight, and downtown
-good sushi, sake, and conversation
-being a cliche tourist...just for a little bit.
-perfectly-timed public transportation
-secretly laughing during crazy taxi rides
-meeting old friends in new places
-catching up, in general
-bringing groups together
-the castro, sf
-birthday parties & accompanying party hats
-friendly people, dancing, and hilarious pictures
-late night pizza, both nights
-brunch
-70 degrees in november.
-lingering hippie culture
-the golden gate bridge
-genius playlists
-seeing where a friend grew up
-finding a new favorite US city.

and i'm feelin good...

Things that make me smile:
-Lunch with Marta- what an inspiring and amazing woman
-mini-SGS reunions with friends I have not talked to in years.
-being inspired by these friends and the way their lives have gone
-my current realization of gratitude from the friend-base I have from home
-new and exciting people in my life
-feeling special and exciting to these new people
-girls nights at Masa. it had been forever.
-catch-up day (and ultimately laughing day) with matt
-lively, reminiscing dinners with again, the SG crew (a different group, though!)
-staying awake during movies
-volunteering, again. never ceases to make me smile.
-seeing friends settle into their own lives (love pooja & john's new place)
-supportive and understanding friends (lyd, you rock.)
-reconnecting, in general. (coffee with tashi/long emails with amanda/fun phone call with sarah jackson)
-family dinners. now weekly.
-secret-sharing & unexpectedly being open
-the insanity that is the connection between mack & me. our lives follow the same path!
-sunny friday mornings
-worldwide Logger pride
-pre-vacation anticipation

california, here i come!

halloweekend

Things that make me smile:
-Friday afternoons, excited drives back to Seattle
-grocery shopping (aka wine shopping) for the weekend with friends
-Trader Joe's pizza crust & our homemade pizza.
-girls nights
-interesting breakfast conversations
-Halloween costume preparations
-a break from the madness (lunch at Irwins)
-the big reveal with costumes. everybody looked so great!
-old friends, new friends, all together.
-"one day i saw...a great big bear"...always.
-dancing
-telling my friends how much I love them
-Jake's protection of 'his girls'
-funny memory recollection the morning after ("Beyonce's down again!")
-sunny walks, with friends and lots of laughing
-trick-or-treaters! (i am such a sucker for cute children.)
..
-randomly exciting Monday evenings
-seeing my drawings on my 'best buddy's wall :)
-homemade feasts
-Imaginiff


...being in my 20s!

leaves falling;things changing

Things that make me smile:
-lively Monday night dinners (margaritas, anybody?)
-subtle hints of uniting for a common cause. Loved seeing the purple on campus last week
-farewell dinners, though the aftermath is never a good time
-talking,talking,talking...and figuring things out
-rekindling old friendships
-meeting new people, in all kinds of settings : )
-hanging out with Lyd and Jake--we always laugh.
-wine-induced heart to hearts with Lydia
-carving and painting pumpkins
-seeing Nora! it had been a while.
-sleeping in. ahhh, so nice.
-homemade chocolate chip cookies
-the chatting that has picked up during Monday volunteering
-painting. so therapeutic
-fires in our cute fireplace
-Sonia & Derek
-Met lunches.
-interesting prospects :)

"that's f*cking magic"

Things that make me smile:
-the buzz of excitement in a venue before a concert
-meeting fellow audience members and hearing their concert-stories
-being arms length away from a stage
-LIVE MUSIC
-the Script
-screaming lyrics, in the fashion of a starstruck teenager
-Irish accents
-seeing the excitement on the band's faces when all of the audience in Seattle knew their special lyrics and music
-autographs and celebrity pictures. (can't help but love those!)
-post-concert high (going on 3 days now..?)


Lyd- what an amazing experience. :)

salty dog

Things that make me smile"
-Homecoming & Family Weekend: many, many great alums and families all around the most beautiful campus ever!
-My new regular and delicious dinners with Callie and Sonia
-drinking a boot at a German bar. What a fun and bonding experience.
-wearing a suit. feels pretty cool.
-beautiful fall days in Seattle (with no rain)
-car rides on those beautiful days (with good music & good friends)
-Fragrance lake- unbelievably glassy and quiet
-hiking!
-pumpkin bread
-late dinners.
-half-days off of work:)
-cafe-ing with Callie like the good old college days.

shake yo money maker

things that make me smile:
-seeing old friends after a long time
-airports, mostly when reunions are happening
-seeing other friends reunite after a long time. (i get butterflies FOR them!)
-good talks in the car
-callie's ridiculous sense of humor and the laugh that goes along with it
-sonia's velociraptor arms
-saturday mornings with friends
-drinking mate! new favorite thing.
-seattle sunny fall days. wow.
-molly moon's jaunts
-mackenzie and cecil meshing PERFECTLY with my college friends
-prank wars, part II
-party walks. (though skylar may not be a fan)
-UPS connections
-flip cup.
-sunday morning chats
-power-cleaning and feeling refreshed
-long and delicious homemade dinners
-comfy sweats

...this weekend.

with a little help from my friends...

Today's post is going to be a thankful one. Once again, I had a rough weekend.
These things made me smile despite it:
-constant messages from my Mom and sister
-strength from my Dad, even when he is at a low
-text messages from Caitie, Mackenzie, Lydia, and Skylar
-facebook love from Nora, Skylar, Lydia, Andy, Mackenzie, Sam,
-G-chat check-ins from Lily & Nicole
-encouraging messages from Kristina, even though she was having a rough work day
-distraction and conversation with Stephanie
-a handwritten note from Skylar
-a long and helpful message from Matthew, after my blabbering email to him
-similar, work-email blabbering to Lydia
-inquiries from Clay
-Monday night volunteering
-talking with Sonia
-a check-in text from Ajay
-a total of 3 hours on the phone with Mackenzie on Sunday
-a hilarious voice mail from Cecil
-Lauren, offering distractions and lots of laughter (thanks to Elisabeth & Madi, too)
-voice mails and emails from my aunt and uncle in D.C.
-simultaneous text messages from Kam & Mary Jo


Of course, this post is not meant to exclude anybody. There were several more things that made me smile. Instead this post is serving more as a reminder of what I have to be thankful for. And...it's a lot.

"cancer sucks!"

Things that make me smile:
-The Pierce County AIDS Walk
-Friends uniting for a cause
-The view of downtown Tacoma from the Glass Bridge
-Bollywood movies
-Good singing in the car
-The Mandolin Cafe
-Inspiration from the Susan G.Komen 3-Day for the Cure
-thousands of women, clad in pink, ready to conquer cancer
-meeting completely random people and bonding

"digest, ladies!"

Things that make me smile:
-Lauren and Brittany's full on guffaws
-Keeling over laughing on the side of the road
-Leavenworth: what a cute town!!
-Strategic eating
-Long (and personal!) conversations in public places, haha
-Tying loose ends
-Energy for the year to come
-Downtown Seattle on a sunny Sunday
-Whole Foods
-Tutta Bella. Yum.

Mid-Week Seattle Hangout

Things that make me smile:
-Driving with Lyd
-Shannon on full-speed chatter mode
-Dinner downtown
-Random Gas Works expeditions
-laughter and sharing of stories

necessary

Things that make me smile:
-singing
-texts from my sister
-remembering that people care
-unexpected card blog following!
-my friends who make me feel better (thanks, lyd & skylar)
-caramel apple cider. okay, okay...it can be fall :)
-my co-workers
-stephanie's mind/my mind = twins
-this campus

refresh

Things that make me smile:
-Friday afternoons
-surprise calls opening up new opportunities
-The Woodland Park Zoo
-nights out on the town with the single girls
-having fun, and not feeling bad about it
-laughter, memories, reconnecting
-sleeping in (it doesn't happen often!)
-the gym on a Sunday
-family style meals with friends
-successful weekends and a new found appreciation for the present
-long phone calls with skylar

"it's okay, we're on vacation"

Things that make me smile:
-packing for a vacation you can't wait for
-pre-vacation nights. it's like christmas eve for a child.
-landing, when you know you're about seeing loved ones
-those first reunion hugs, smiles, and sharing of stories
-the unbreakable bond between my London loves.
-our strange sense of humor
-talking to griffin in an indian accent
-griffin, kristina, and stephanie's laughter
-nancy & robert and their amazing beach-style home
-laguna beach. what a cute little town full of culture and great food
-being on the beach by the ocean. i want to live by the ocean one day.
-PG :)
-our inside jokes that grow in number throughout reunions, yet never cease to make us laugh
-how we're all laughing from the minute we wake up
-wearing bandanas and looking ridiculous
-delicious food. tacos, indian, waffles, thai, pinkberry, sprinkles, yum.
-hand-holding and hugging. lots of it.
-drunken, crazy adventures
-how we all feel the same way about our group


Things that don't make me smile:
-leaving them and the horribly foul mood that comes afterward.

the new zagers

Things that make me smile:
-seeing a friend after years
-bachelorette parties- there's something about the bond between girls when celebrating their girl friend that is really special
-the view from don armeni park...what a fabulous choice.
-wedding parties. especially this one.
-the support that comes from friends and family during a wedding
-the laughter that echoed through the bhattacharrya home the night before the wedding
-bonding with bridesmaids
-the most beautiful bride EVER
-tears, because of how moving the ceremony was
-dancing with friends -new and old
-seeing pooja and john have their first dance. you can tell they're in love.
-the feeling of content when it was all done.

Congratulations, Pooja & John!

lumberjack slams

things that make me smile:
-seeing my sister, laughing with my sister
-latah bistro with the family crews. (this time king/vish/trail/jackson!)
-laughter, CONTINUOUS laughter for hours on end with divs, mack, sarah, and matthew
-your team, especially the switching off of matthew
-mack's hilarious attempt at acting like she wanted matthew on her team
-downtown with mom & ajay
-my brothers
-the drive to pullman - it's actually pretty stunning!
-singing in the car, especially with mackenzie
-my seattle 4 loves
-watching friends with them
-hugging all of them.
-home on sundays

Things that don't make me smile?
-leaving home. especially as it is right now.

feeling hot, hot, hot

Things that make me smile:
-sunny Fridays on campus. They have made me smile for 5 years now.
-many friends in the same place.
-laughter that comes along with dancing like fools
-the new "jump on it" tradition
-coloring.
-just enjoying being with friends, not stressing about plans
-qwest field and the craziness of an nfl game
-that little pang of patriotism i get whenever the national anthem is sung
-screaming, just for the hell of it.
-surprises, especially family-related
-seeing my cousins
-laughing with my extended family about inside jokes that nobody else relates to
-advait's bent over, eye-squinting laughter
-sunshine, even when it's unbearable at times
-downtown Seattle with my mom
-catch-up phone calls with the jacksons
-listening to relaxing music and feeling content about a good weekend.

de-funk

Things that make me smile:
-successful staff retreats! i had so much fun.
-realizing what's wrong, and doing something about it
-going to the GYM. (or at least the feeling that comes afterward)
-successful interviews (at least i hope so!)
-new suits
-party preparations
-watching art shows while creating art with lyd
-impulse snack purchases
-the now obligatory bedtime story
-impromptu reunions with friends from high school
-laughing secretly at work

saying ayy-oh, gotta let go

Things that make me smile:
-hugs with friends after you've been seperated
-The Trail Family (I know I've said that before.)
-the supportive bond between Mack & Cecil and Mike & Ashley
-campfires and talks about how much we all love each other
-hearing stories about how my cards from years past have had an impact
-singing (screaming) in the car while driving to the lake
-friends that hold my hand when I get my stitches cleaned out
-friends moms that clean out my stitches
-Priest Lake.
-telepathic connection with Lydia and our emails :)
-dinners with Sonia
-knowing I am going to volunteer again soon
-speaking up about my own ideas

new new new beginnings

Things that make me smile:
-How helpful my mom was during/after surgery
-MOVING TO A NEW HOUSE
-Shopping with my mom
-Flowers from the office
-Laughter-induced cough attacks after a phone conversation with Mack
-Fei & Clay's hilarious friendship
-my new housemates and coming back to a lively place
-haircuts
-life right now.

spoklahoma

Things that make me smile:
-road trips with friends
-good music on road trips
-the view of Spokane as you drive down I-90
-my carefree, forever young home friends
-my house
-'your team'
-sneaking Franzia into Silverwood

hello, seattle

Things that make me smile:
-How open-minded of a city Seattle is
-the Pride parade..and all the smiles that come with it
-wandering around downtown Seattle
-Going for it and doing something completely out of character
-recognition...for the simple things
-supportive friends and good dinner chats
-release of pain

made in India

Things that make me smile:
-Bollywood movies with Nora (and Sonia!)
-My awesome Hindi music mix from Nora that keeps my morning commute at a high-energy level
-Constant blackberry emailing with my sister, who is in India right now
-Sister's blog

summer arrives

Things that make me smile:
-Safeco field, even though I'm not a huge baseball fan
-Talking about India with a friend
-the Fremont Summer Solstice parade and the happy, crazy energy that is around in Seattle during that day
-friendly neighbors
-nights out in Tacoma like the old days
-Karaoke
-IKEA
-down time to cook, do laundry, and clean. It's not common that I get to do that these days.

sunshine is here

Things that make me smile:
-the Saint George's graduation ceremony
-Lauren's 'horse' laugh
-art with friends
-my extended 'family' in Spokane
-the Trail family bonus room
-walks with my Dad and sister
-Mom-made dinners
-the thought of summer weather actually sticking around

may, may, go away

Things that make me smile:
-my dad when he's being goofy
-the similarities between my mom and her sister
-the 4 of us making things happen
-actual hang out time with my sister
-TRAIL FAMILY DINNERS (especially with wine)
-chit-chatting with kam
-packing with the trail fam
-sunshine and good music on the drive back to seattle
-3 day weekends

i could really use a wish right now

Things that make me smile:
-my incredibly supportive friends and extended family who stepped in to help during one of the hardest weekends of my life.
-the memories of all 6 of us as 1 family

yaegs and lou

Things that make me smile:
-the waterfront view from Old Town in Tacoma
-mid-week hangouts
-emails from Lydia at work

time flies

Things that make me smile:
-Owens Beach on a sunny day
-Lunches with Mack and Matt
-funny nights at Sonia's
-extra time with Lydia
-beach time with Clay
-listening to the Trail fam
-UPS Graduation
-The Jacksons
-When Gordon does the ever-so-slight eye roll
-the sense of content I had after this amazing weekend
and what's keeping me going:
-the knowledge of future reunions.

forever young

Things that make me smile:
-Late night chats and food at Sonia's. Can't wait to live there.

momma's day

Things that make me smile:
-downtown Spokane with my mom
-homecooked food
-LONG cozy naps in the papasan chair upstairs at home
-cute kids
-King/Trail/Vish meals
-my family

down under

Things that make me smile:
-Dinners that last for hours
-Giving somebody a card
-The occasional girls night indulgence (pedicures!)
-Compliments from the higher-ups
-the waterfront view in downtown Seattle

whew

Things that make me smile:
-that absolutely necessary glass of wine
-text messages that make me laugh out loud to myself like a loser.

may flowers

Things that make me smile:
-friends bonding when another friend needs them
-that there are lilacs at my new house
-watching trash tv with nora
-hanging out one-on-one with my homegirl, Mackenzie.

HAHAHAHAHA,etc,etc.

Things that make me smile:
-nightly AIM conversations with Matthew....going on 4 years now.

ree-you-nigh-ted

Things that make me smile:
-Road trips with friends
-Singing until you're hoarse
-Surprises
-BIG group reunions and the overwhelming sense of content that comes with them
-My funny friends

eye can see clearly now

Things that make me smile:
-Supportive friends in the unexpected health worry
-G-Chatting with Kristina throughout the work day. It's a little bit like we're together.

golden gardens

Things that make me smile:
- laying on the beach with Clay, followed by Jamba Juice
- hanging out with Mack, doing nothing at all, but laughing nonetheless
- post-run adrenaline
- the Fremont Sunday market
- summer dresses

over the rainbow

-Mackenzie's voice
-Supportive friends and family
-Insanely appropriate lyrics (haha)

call on yo brotha

Things that make me smile:
-group sing-alongs to 'Lean on Me'
-late night walks to campus
-picture walks with Lydia

threw my mashed potaters up against a wall

Things that make me smile:
-the fact that the perspectives crew is still hanging out
-playing 'your team' with Clay
-screaming and dancing to 'Since You've Been Gone' with friends at 2am (?) on a Friday night

the bread is burning

Things that make me smile:
-My sister.

23!

Things that make me smile:
-the meshing of old and new/er friends
-being around so many of my favorite people...all in one place!

Matt-enzie

Things that make me smile:
-Laughing until crying with Mack and Matt until 6 am

Woah, let it shine

Things that make me smile:
-unexpected winter sun in Seattle

Mr. and Mrs. Granillo

Things that make me smile:
-warmth and support between family and friends on the day of a wedding
-the view from the Columbia Tower Club
-Pachabel's Canon. Gets me every time.
-weddings in general

Congratulations, you two!

Claremont Birthday

Things that make me smile:
-unexpected conversation on airplanes
-my mom when she's hyper and excited
-the look on Divi's face when we surprised her
-the warm sun of Southern California
-reuniting with Luca
-girls night/morning
-meeting new and wonderful people

January 2010

I can't believe that it's February already.

Things that made me smile in January:
(in very vague descriptions)

-Sam's birthday celebration in Spokane
-hanging out with the family
-seeing Seattle/Tacoma friends for the first time in a month
-sharing India photos with friends
-Bollywood night with Clay and Nora
-LONDON REUNION 2010.
-Cordelia's visit to Seattle
-Caitie, Lily, Eddie, and Richie take on Seattle for a day
-meshing of old and new(er) friends
-job searching/goofing off with Sonia
-restarting school at AI
-the resurgence of Race to Balance
-catching up with Pooja
-dinner at El Camino with Nora
-painting a little owl for Clay and Adam's apartment
-purchasing Simon, the new goldfish
-runs to Gas Works and unexpected January sunshine
-text conversations with the entire Trail family
-visiting campus and the Admissions office
-helping Shannon and Lionel with wedding details
-Portland weekend of laughter and relaxation