loving what you do

after a most lovely tea time at urth cafe yesterday, i decided to roam the streets with camera in hand. it was one of those days when there was absolutely no agenda. no to-do lists. a day unencumbered by pressures and responsibilities. as i was leaving urth, the valet gentleman caught my attention with his HUGE smile. i couldn't help but ask how he was doing. his reply: "i am so happy to be here. it is one of the most beautiful days." i was captivated.

the valet gentleman (robert) spent the next 15 minutes talking about his three jobs, all as a valet. while he described his job, all i could think about was robert's excitement. he was engaging. he was charming. he was happy to serve. during that 15-minute exchange, robert mentioned something that continues to have me thinking...

"all i want to do is make someone smile. people can come having the worst day, but for a moment, if i can make them forget about it by bringing a smile to their face, then i know i've done my job."


robert loves what he does. his job is more than a job. it's a vessel. it meets people in the present. robert has found meaning in his job...and uses it. as i continued my day, i wondered how many people can say they actually love what they do. how many people are excited when they describe their job? and how many people dig deeper to find meaning in the seemingly mundane? for robert, it is a smile. and, my oh my, did he make me smile :o)

flowers galore

my apartment is literally filled with LIFE. every single table/desk/stand has a vase filled with fresh flowers. i just couldn't help myself this morning at the market. if you know me, you know that fresh flowers are a must in my apartment...not a week goes by without some form of delightful bloom. and today clearly was no exception. i wish i could say there was a motif in my flower-choosing - that this bunch complements that bunch - but, no. no motif. no theme. no color scheme...

they're just fresh. and colorful. simple and precious in their own, individual way. they bring life to the apartment. and every time i open the front door or turn a corner, they somehow bring a huge smile to my face.

today's picks include: sunflowers, lilies, two types of chrysanthemums, gerber daisies, and another of which i'm not too familiar.

working woman

tomorrow is my first official day as a working woman. at 7 am, i will be in the labor and delivery unit at ronald reagan ucla medical center...working! how am i feeling right now? excited. nervous. anxious. and thankfully tired since i have to get ready for bed.

this is a new season of life. a blessed, new season. oh how i look forward to the days and nights of witnessing women become empowered as they give life. as they cultivate new bonds. and as they appreciate the natural beauty of la femme.

all i can say right now is this: bring it on!

je t'aime, paris

today is the two-year anniversary of when i fell in love. it was just as everyone says it is: unexpected. i honestly don't think a day goes by without thinking about how the butterflies were released in my stomach. the drama. the passion. the feeling that life will forever be changed. on august 16, 2008, i was in paris. and i fell in love...


the following is an email i sent to my family during my love affair, or rendezvous, if you will. consider it a portal of entry into my heart. imagine the emotion. and then multiply that by infinity, add a few thousand palpitations and a handful of love-struck dizzy spells...that is what it felt like.


August 16, 2008
Paris is my city, my dream that became a reality. I don't remember what I told you about the first day, so if I repeat anything, just go with it. After we met with Emma, she took us to the apartment. What a dream! It is owned by a French artist so you can imagine what a wonderfully artisitc place it is. It had beautiful French windows overlooking a courtyard, rustic wood floors, an iron spiral staircase, ecelctic furniture, and wooden beams spread along the ceiling. I could honestly go on forever describing this place, but I have so much more to write about...wait for the pictures. So after we got situated, Emma made a delicious curry, and we just sat around the dinner table the rest of the night, drinking wine and relaxing.

The first official day in Paris was a rather relaxing day. Emma's dad goes to the bakery every morning, as all French do. He brought home about 6 fresh baguettes, some fresh oj, and strawberry preserves. Yummy, oh yes. Then we were off for the day. We visited Notre Dame, but only took pictures of the outside since there were so many people waiting to get inside. I don't even know what exactly is in the inside, so I wasn't heartbroken by not going in. It was ominous, yet beautifully constructed, though. After that, we lingered over lunch at a sreetside cafe, where I ate another crepe...I could eat those every day. Then off for a leisurely stroll in the luxembourg gardens, where we people-watched and took pictures of kids playing with sailboats in the pond. You would think that we would be ready to do more exploring, but nope, we were ready for a nice nap back at the apartment. The rest of that day, we spent time at the apartment, drinking more wine and eating blueberry tarts.

Day three in Paris was our last day. That meant that we had TONS to see. So, Rilee and I started our day early. Before I write anything more, I must tell you that the weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was autumn weather, with those white clouds that I love, a crisp breeze, and hints of love love LOVE. Anyways, our first stop was the Louvre. We got there right when it opened so we could have a good look at the Mona Lisa. I took some pictures of her. It was great to see her, but to be honest, I'm still trying to understand her smile. What is it about that smile that captivates throngs of people? After seeing her, we went through more of the museum, but not through all of it...you could spend a good week in there. Took some great pictures outside near the glass pyramid. DaVinci Code, finally realized.

Our next destination was the Eiffel Tower. We went to a market and bought some food for our lunch picnic: baguette, turkey, apples, nectarines. Then we made our way to the heart of Paris. As we walked there, I felt this anticipation that I have never felt before in my life. I felt like someone had just told me that the one true love of my life was waiting for me just around the corner. That I would be touched from the inside, out. And it was true! The tower, in all of its mystery, peaked over some buildings, bidding me to lose all inhibitions. My heart sank to the ground...I was absolutely smitten. Rilee and I sat in some grass, broke out our picnic and ate with our esteemed guest...the Eiffel Tower. If someone can fall in love over and over again, I did.

After lunch, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe, another lovely symbol of Paris. Simply beautiful. A little chilled, we decided to rest in a sweet cafe called Miss Manon. And there I had my very first cappuccino with a chocolate tart. The tart was amazing of course, the foam of the cappuccino was delicious, but once I got to the end of the drink, I felt like I was biting into a raw coffee bean. But I drank it anyways, trying to maintain the composure of a true parisian.

Later, we went back to the apartment, visited with Emma and the family, and got ready for the rest of the evening. Around 9 pm, Rilee and I went out with Emma and Jill for some wine and a bit of food. And here we go...escargot. AMAZING! I loved it and would order it again and again. We had a great time talking, drinking and eating, until about 11 pm. Great...Rilee and I still had to see the Eiffel Tower at night. But Emma told us that the metro stops running at 12:15 am. It takes about 20 minutes to get there. So Rilee and I headed out for the metro, and of course we got lost. It didn't help that I drank wine. I was stumbling like a fool. We finally got directions, and started running. And as we ran, guess who I saw?! Sebastian, my dream turned into reality. It was incredible, everything I imagined. I didn't say a word, and Rilee looked back at me and said, "That's Sebastain, isn't it?" Yes it was. But we were on a mission for the Tower, and we couldn't stop. I would have, but Rilee insisted we continue on. At least I know Sebastian exists. I just know.

We finally made it to the metro, got off, ran like heck to the tower, and saw one of the most glorious sights. The tower glimmered blue against the black backdrop. Stunning! We had 5 minutes to take pictures and then we had to run back to the metro. And we made it..sweaty and all. But at least we saw it. I'm not too bummed about the limited time because I know I will be back soon.

That ended our last night. The next morning, we woke up, had our final breakfast at a cafe with Emma and Jill (almond croissants), and said our goodbyes. And I wore my flower skirt. So yes, I accomplished
everything I wanted...crepes, cappuccino, escargot, picnic by the tower, and flower skirt. Well, I have to go because I don't have anymore time left on this computer. Let me just say that my love is with you all, but my heart is in Paris. Oh my gosh, it really is. Ciao.

motorcycle diaries

last night, i had my first ride on a motorcycle! and it was AMAZING! liberating! absolutely glorious! the city lights couldn't have created a more perfect scene. the outside chill couldn't have been more refreshing. on the motorcycle, i was in another land. a foreign, yet familiar, land. i felt raw - like all of me was completely exposed. the motorcycle stripped me of all the structure and predictability in my life. i let my hair down. i held on tight. i breathed deeply, allowing my lungs to inhale every bit of spontaneity. on the bike, i couldn't help but giggle and smile...probably because i felt so incredibly free, and i'm not going to lie - sexy :)

decisions, decisions...with unexpected results

today i had a dilemma centered on treats (what' new?). there i was at huckleberry, trying to decide between chocolate truffle pudding and a passion-fruit mousse. the luscious dollop of whipped goodness atop the pudding screamed, "you won't regret this," while the orange sliver nestled in the mousse hollered, "hey, baby, it's summer." how's a girl to choose?

satisfyingly perplexed...my face must have said it all. the guy behind the counter asked to take my order, but of course, i couldn't give him an answer. i explained my dilemma. he gave me his preference (the passion-fruit mousse, which doesn't surprise me since he's a guy). then i lingered. and lingered. with much patience, the huckleberry guy asked if i ever tried their staple treat: the salted caramel. nope. salty-sweet has never been my thing. in fact, caramel has never tickled any of my fancies. out of much pity, i'm sure, huckleberry guy kindly sliced me a piece of the salted caramel...

oh my gosh! wow! geez! man oh man! seriously?!

buttery. smooth. silky. sweet with an ever so slight touch of salty. you better believe what i chose to take home! it was the perfect fix to my indecisiveness. very unexpected. and naughty. and oh so very nice!

to the pier

saturday mornings. just when you think the world is clenching every last 'z,' there's santa monica. every saturday morning (when possible), i lull out of bed, eat my breakfast, and run to the santa monica pier. from dodging fellow runners to hopping over dogs, i feel alive. awake. in a world far removed from the saturday lazies. aah! the smell of freshly brewed coffee, sipped by the Ladies of Leisure in the streetside cafes. ooh! the sight of roasted potatoes, enjoyed by the Old Men of 'Wood (my take on brentwood). and then i finally make it to the boardwalk...

for reasons unknown, a second wind invariably comes over me as soon as i reach ocean avenue. perhaps it's because i know my run is coming to an end. or maybe it's the anticipation of perusing the stands at the farmer's market. the ripe melons. the heirloom tomatoes. the gentleman who concocts a moisturizing lotion from a mixture of who-knows-what.

with my second wind, i feel so much more aware of my surroundings. this morning, for instance, i couldn't help but notice all of the exercise groups along the boardwalk. tae-bo. yoga. a running team. a pseudo-boot camp (or at least that's what it looked like to me). all of these people, coming together on a saturday morning to refresh themselves. to socialize. to disprove the notion that saturday mornings were meant to sleep until noon. nope. not in santa monica. not on the journey to the pier.