Sunday, January 24, 2010

Part 3...

13. I love musicals, HATE the opera...

14. I claim I only like Tiffany, ect...but my dream ring is actually from Harry Winston ;)

15. I always hate on LV except for the Damier, but my dream is to get over the phobia (whatever it is...) and start rockin' some, regardless of the print ;)

16. I didn't apply to Harvard because I was afraid of being rejected.

17. I hate digital photo frames, country music, and tootisie rolls....(random, I know).

18. I DESPISE MEXICAN FOOD (HATE IT)

19. I love diamonds. Just love them. BUT I HATE COLORED GEMSTONES. HATE THEM and own not a single one...

20. My favorite thing to shop for is bath products...Origins, L'Occitane , Molton Brown, ect....I cannot get enough.

21. Most people take baths. I ONLY SIT IN THE SHOWER AND HAVE THE WATER HIT ME (most therapeutic.

22. I hate clubs/bars. When I go I have fun...but usually I regret it, and wish I had spent my time doing something else.

23. I LOVE TO READ BOOKS. I enjoy historical biographies...

24. I am very opinionated, loud, and have a tendency to curse like a sailor. This is bad, and I am working on it.

25. You already know I love my family and friends, but I don't have many of either, so ALL of them, I would die for. Especially my brother. No questions asked.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

25 things you probably don't know about me...Part 1

I am stealing this from my favorite blogger Teddi aka JGIWC. I am putting mine in 3 parts over the next few days ;)

1. I sleep with my childhood blanket and pillow every night, even when on vacation far and near. I took them with me through major heart surgeries and other medical events as well ;) They are my best friends...and are great at keeping secrets ;)

2. Despite my blog name, and love of all things from Tiffany, I did not go into my first store until I was 15 or 16. I thought I should not enter through their beautiful doors until I could actually afford to buy something there. Although many family members (and myself included) did support the store countless times (especially Mike with my Emerald Cut diamond E-Ring), I am against my preconceived notion. Tiffany is a museum. ALL SHOULD ENTER :)

3. If you love me, I usually like to weigh that love in jewelry...from Tiffany (I know, this so not politically correct, but it is my blog, right?)...

4. I have taken lessons as a child for just about everything: flute, guitar, piano, ice skating tennis, golf, baseball, sailing, tap, ballet, horseback riding (English saddle only!). The only one that stuck was golf ;)

5. I played golf very well for many years (league MVP, 1st team, ect) through HS. Some previous partners are now millionaire golfers on the LPGA (i.e. Paula Creamer, Christina Kim). Despite my success at it, I only enjoyed golf when playing at night, alone, at my favorite course. It gave me the opportunity to clear my mind, think, and enjoy the game without pressure or distractions (aka boys).

6. I like boys, a lot. However, I have NOT dated many at all, and can actually count on one hand the number of times I have been asked out :(

7. I am afraid of heights, yet love airports. I am afraid of flying (obviously) but the joy of seeing people come and go...melts me.

8. My favorite place in the world is not Disneyland, nor Tiffany...the true place remains a secret to all but me :)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Fool in the Rain




Southern California has been hit with a FANTASTIC STORM! I just LOVE it :) so much that I did enjoy a short trip to rainy Laguna to stare at the crashing waves and clear my head (so many thoughts are running through it right now...)

I wish it rained a bit more---then I discovered a few more storms are heading my way...

YIPPY. I feel like a fool in the rain ;)

Monday, January 18, 2010

The 3-Day Weekend...and Life's Lessons


“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”- Helen Keller


This "relaxing" 3-day weekend has been anything but...yet life-changing, it may be. It was full of personal challenges, hours of self-reflection, decisions, and most importantly life's lessons. I love stressful situations ;) so I suppose it was alright...

On a lighter note, some events included...the following play-by-play:

It started off with a friend's birthday at a club in Santa Monica. Unfortunately, a few drinks later, and I cannot recall the name. It was fun, and was with my Japanese Buddhist group of friends...they tend to bring out the best in me, but this time, they did help me let go of the stresses of life, if only for a few hours. Not sure if it was the "best" of me ;)

I then enjoyed a shopping trip to the outlets with Mike. Biggest discovery (aside from his new Hugo Boss suit)? J.Crew outlet was EMPTY. Literally, less than 100 items of clothes. Very sad, very sad indeed...this blog is technically about style...so you would think I would have been good enough to take pictures of the empty store, but alas, I was a bit too lazy, so you will just have to take my word for it.

With everything going on (stresses about relationships, moving, career, ect) I got a massage this evening at The Knot Shop. It was fantastic. My lovely masseuse is from France, and has been in the career for 20 years. She was amazing...until she proceeded to tell me my skin needs more water (WTF?), my body is the "most tense I have ever felt", and my chest is mis-aligned (thank you Cpt. Obvious, I had open heart surgery, my whole body is mis-aligned). Anyway, overall it was great...and I did feel temporarily de-stressed.

Tomorrow I have a few things to take care of, and errands (like getting my friend's b-day present re-shipped out!)...

Anyway, such is life ;) At least I had a 3-day weekend...and I should not forget whom I owe this weekend to...MLK Jr. To one of the greatest, most self-less men, who also taught many great life-lessons, and whose lesson on faith I need most of all now:

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Homerton College

This morning I was notified that I was officially accepted by a college at Cambridge (complex, but you get into the department, then the university, then a college---which is somewhat like a residential-type situation).

Read about it on my other blog :)

From California to Cambridge

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Sensitive...

“Tell me I'm clever, Tell me I'm kind, Tell me I'm talented, Tell me I'm cute, Tell me I'm sensitive, Graceful and wise, Tell me I'm perfect-- But tell me the truth.”-Shell Silverstein

When I was a very little girl, and a bit more carefree than I am today, my aunt gave me a beautiful book Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shell Silverstein. I have the book to this day. It is one of my favorites...and the wisdom that comes from childrens poetry confounds me.

On days like today, I think of who I was back then...the little girl who grasped her book. And when I think about who I think I am today, the only thing or attribute that appears most dominant is that I am sensitive.

I am overly sensitive.

Once someone has hurt my feelings (intentionally or not), I find they are not my friends any longer...I need to work on it. But, as I sit here at work thinking about a recent event that has caused my feelings to be hurt, I have realized that at this point in my life I am not mature enough, nor patient enough or wise enough to forgive, or let go. So, I say goodbye.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Apparently Maternal....

"To understand a mother's love, bear your own children."
-- Chinese Proverb


I never considered myself maternal. In fact, my parents would often joke that I would be the last person to have a child. Perhaps it is that I am selfish (an unwillingness to share my life), or perhaps selflessness (I mean, we all want to have a little cute being that loves us!). The physical thought of the process also was a massive barrier. The very idea of "carrying" a child for 9 months seemed...horrible.

But as I near my mid-20s...and the looming 25 right around the corner, I find myself surrounded by more and more friends having children. This doesn't mean I want to jump right in. I am NO MEANS ready for a kid. And as a planner, I can NOT have one at least until I finish Cambridge (which would make me 29 anyway!).

However, on Saturday, a beautiful little boy named Max was born to a friend. And I, for the first time in my life, held a newborn. Days old. And his little hand grasped my finger and my heart stopped. And even though I wasn't his mother, I had a glimpse of what motherhood would be like.

I held in my arms a new life...and realized, someday I actually hope I am fortunate enough to hold my own child...of course, in 4-5 years MINIMUM ;)

Pics of me and Max ;)



Engaging Minds?

Okay, Penn is well...Penn. For any alumn you know how they enjoy bragging a bit (but they are, after all, a great university). So I give props to my very good friend, and future doctor, who really wanted to go to the "Engaging Minds Lecture Series" at the Montage Beverly Hills with me. Some of the lectures were in his field (including the scientist who discovered stem cells) I even spoke with President Amy Gutman (genius of the university) as well as the Provost.

Of course prior, I dragged him to the very nearby Rodeo Dr. for a true Champagne brunch at a fantastic cafe overlooking Bvlgari ;) and then forced him into my most beloved Tiffany ;) Poor kid!

Here are pics....

It made me really excited I am going back for a PhD. I sat at a table with many accomplished leaders (doctors, lawyers, and even a former NY Times writer)...perhaps I am next?



Thursday, January 7, 2010

DEARLY WANTED! NOW MINE!

Fantastic Hunter Boots in Black Gloss in the SHORT version (heck, I am 4"11!). One a few left at Bloomingdales...

The best part? They are only $105 and would go GREAT in London :) So...Mike kindly got me the last pair before they sold out (good thing he discovered this!).

Perfect for my trip to London and Cambridge on February 6-11th!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Simplicity

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci

Despite a long break for the holidays, I spent much of it running around, spending time with friends and family, and of course, messing up my place. Life was NOT simple. So with the new year starting, I really wanted to devote some time to organizing my life.

Today I was able to:

1) Organize my closet
2) Stack pre-loved items for charity and friends to look through (heck, most are J.Crew)
3) Clean at least a little
4) Grocery shop
5) Organize my night stand to display all my products I use before bedtime...as well as light an Origins stress-relief candle (hmmm....)

Although work, relationships, and other matters may still be complicated or complex, I was at least able to simplify a few...

Pics to follow shortly!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

New Year

"I don't expect forgiveness, but I ask for it, anyway and hope you are a better person
than me"-Me


I never thought I would live to hear the day where I, of all people, plead. Or beg. Anyone, that knows me, really knows me, understands that to make me weak in the knees, or feel helpless, is unique, albeit, rare. And it isn't common for me to think I am wrong (I mean, I did get into Cambridge for a PhD, and when my self-esteem is slightly low, I remind myself that I also graduated UCLA at 19, finished two masters at 21 from Ivy Leagues...or played with Paula Creamer at golf since the age of 10). When these people come along, the people that challenge me to better than I dreamed I could be, or stimulate me, intellectually, I often struggle. I might shun them, I might pawn them off, I might make them hate me (not sure how many will understand-but heck, it is MY blog, after all!). I am good at making people dislike me when forced. I find it a coping mechanism for adapting to change, or dealing with inadequacies.

So for the New Year, I refuse, or pray, not to lose anymore friends, who really have my best interest at heart. I promise to accept them, love them, cherish them, and have them. Who couldn't use more great people around them?

If you are one I am bound to meet, welcome. If you are one I have, thank you. If you are one I have lost, I ask for forgiveness (and all the above in my quote!)...