“Kids are pretty much just like tiny drunk adults”

Posted on by
Reply

http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/reasons-kids-are-pretty-much-just-tiny-drunk-adults

This is my third week of childcare and I honestly can’t believe how much fun I’m having. If I had realized that it was going to be this fun, well…moving on.

Things the kids have told me:

Rachel, age 6: “I don’t like you.”
me: “How come?”
Rachel: “Because I LOVE you!”

Ryan, age 3: “What’s that?”
me: “That’s my nail polish.”
Ryan: “Oh. I never get to wear any nail polish.” (what made it so funny was his sad little face)

Tyler, age 9: “Ughhhhhh.”
me: “What’s wrong?”
Tyler: “We only have 3 hours and 17 minutes left to play with you! We’re running out of time!”

Awwww…I’m completely enamored. Little Ryry likes to snuggle and the older boys love to cook and all six kids love to swim. Wow. What fun!!

In other news, 11 more days until I embark on a crazy journey to the east coast and then Israel. I am super excited!!!! And slightly anxious but I think that comes with the territory of being so excited ;-)

In other more random and disgusting news, do y’all know what a June bug is? If you don’t (which I didn’t because I don’t think they exist in Santa Cruz–where I’m from), they are these huge, gross bugs that die everywhere. Only in June.

Not huge I guess. My friend describes them as “miniature cockroaches that fly.” Uw. Anyway. They have graced my apartment with their presence, and I had to kill one at the kids’ house today. June bugs are kind of eerie and fascinating and just…gross. #sanjoseproblems

Okayyy I am going to sleep now. I hope the June bugs don’t bite…

‘Unemployed’

Posted on by
Reply

My last day at Hillel was May 31st. So, this was my first week of being ‘unemployed.’

This week was insane…and there was definitely a lot of working.

First, I’m still finishing some things up at Hillel. I am also staffing their Birthright trip (free 10 day trip to Israel for Jewish students ages 18-26!) in late June. So my Hillel chapter won’t officially close until July 11. And even then, I’ll still be around as a volunteer.

Second, I started nannying. That is how I will be making ends meet until late August. I will be nannying four days a week, and thankfully, I will be making around the same I did at Hillel. I will be nannying for two families–one of which I was nannying for before I started at Hillel. I’ve been babysitting for them for five years, so it’s really nice to be a part of their family again!

Third, I went on a trip! I visited my brother in Oroville, which is basically southern Chico. We swam in a lake, went on a 9 mile hike to see Feather Falls, which is comparable to Yosemite Falls, and went swimming above Feather Falls in a beautiful oasis. My brother also cooked us delicious, organic meals that I wish I was capable of making. Yeah, my cooking skills are being put to the test this summer.

siblings< This was at the lake!

Fourth, I got a new roommate! Her name is Carly! She is super sweet!! <3

It was a crazy eventful week, and this post doesn’t even cover half of it. I am brimming with happiness (and exhaustion, but mainly happiness)! Let’s hope next week is just as happy and maybe a tad bit less eventful. Sigh…I am so glad to be living out my adventure!!

Times are a’changing!

Posted on by
Reply

It has been exactly one month since I’ve written. Where to start? Hmmm…

The day of happy tears

May 10th was the craziest, happiest day ever. My amazing best friend, Stephanie, delivered a beautiful baby boy. Then she handed him over to his intended parents. Stephanie started the surrogacy process about a year and a half ago–and it is finally complete!

Steph let me be in the room during delivery…WOW. Just wow. So spiritual. I was crying happy tears even before the intended parents came in to hug and profusely thank Stephanie. There was not a dry eye in the room. Watching the intended parents hold the baby they’ve wished for for 5 years was just awesome. Words can’t describe their joy and happiness and relief and thankfulness.

If that weren’t enough, The Great Gatsby finally came out on May 10th! I had been impatiently waiting for it for over 4 months. And my anticipation was justified…I’ve already seen it 4 times in theaters! So so good! I love F. Scott Fitzgerald and seeing his work brought to life made me cry happy tears.

If that weren’t enough, May 10th was also my last Shabbat. Because I am leaving Hillel, we had a special Shabbat dinner to reminisce and say good-bye. Hearing everything that everyone had to say was tear-jerking, and I definitely cried some happy ones (and sad too).

I am leaving Hillel

That’s right, I’m leaving the place I’ve called home for the past two years of my life. Why? So many different reasons. Some include wanting to focus on my writing career, wanting to move to Santa Cruz, and feeling ready to move on.

I’m sad but I’m also so so excited. It’s time. And the next three months of my life are going to be one big adventure. I am so ready.

Barely Any Sex in the City

Three of my five subjects have settled down. And the other two are not dating currently. Hiatus?

The direction of this blog is a’changing too

I started this blog during a time in my life where I felt completely lost. And confused.

Now, despite the fact that I’m leaving my job and really have no idea where I will be or what I will be doing come August, I feel whole.

Why is this? I’m not quite sure. But here are some theories:

What I had before wasn’t enough. I really wanted more than a career and good relationships with friends and family. I wanted a home. I wanted a dog. And I really, really wanted a loving relationship.

I created a home. I rescued a dog. I dated a lot, and eventually came to terms with the fact that it wasn’t the right time for a relationship. Acceptance facilitates happiness, I think ;-)

I wasn’t doing the things I wanted to. I am crazy about my friends, but I wasn’t spending time with them. I had all of these little ideas, but had no time to execute them. I wanted to explore the bay area, but it never worked out. Where was my time going? I was working extra hours at Hillel and had a weekend teaching job to make ends meet. I was gardening (which is something I love but not something I love doing alone). I was training and fundraising for a half marathon (one of the most stressful periods of my life). Plus, I was housesitting all the time. I was spending copious amounts of time at other people’s homes, taking care of their lives.

Now I see my friends. all. of. the. time. I’ve been doing art projects and such. I’ve been driving around everywhere and seeing new places. It rocks my socks. Hell yeah. I want to do these things, then I do them, and then I’m happy.

Why did I make it so complicated before? Guilt?

I no longer feel bad. I am who I am. I can try to change myself all I want, but it will never work. I’m contemplative. I’m shy. I wink at people. I narrate my chores. I like to poke and tickle people and receive joy when I cause annoyance. I create melodramas because I’m so neurotic. Whatever. That’s just who I am. Deal with it. I deal with who you are.

Anyway.

I can leave this blog because I am no longer searching for the missing piece

OR

I can keep this blog because I like writing in it. Plus, I have a loyal following. I used to get 25 readers a week, now I get hundreds. I can’t just leave y’all hanging, can I?

Skydiving and Sleep Deprivation

Posted on by
Reply

I…went skydiving.

I can’t believe I actually did it.

I used to be so scared of heights that I’d become paralyzed, unable to move. And I would get a bloody nose from stress. And I would also sob uncontrollably.

But then, I just kind of got over my fear of heights. Like I got over my fear of needles. And my fear of blood. When I was 24, I just stopped being afraid of things. It’s kind of weird to be plagued by fear for 24 years and then just get over it.

Anyway. I was kind of nervous for a week beforehand (which contributed to my sleep deprivation) and REALLY nervous the day of. Like, really really nervous. My friends felt bad for me.

Then I got jump-suited and harnessed. I changed my shoes and put my hair up, trying not to lose it. We walked to the plane, and I was fine. We got in the plane and I was fine. We jumped out of the plane…and…well…yeah. That is the single most terrifying thing I have ever done. There is video evidence of my fear; so intense that it is heart wrenching to watch.

It’s stupid, but I believe what people tell me. And people told me it wouldn’t feel like falling.

?

IT FELT LIKE FALLING. If you don’t like that sensation–don’t go skydiving.

Enough with the dramatics. Once they pulled the parachute, I was 100% fine. More than fine. Floating back down to my little universe was extremely nice. It was beautiful and soothing and probably one of my favorite experiences. I was tingly and warm the entire float down. It was majestic.

***

Sleep deprivation. Ahhhhhh.

I am normally a really good sleeper. I sleep 8 hours, no issues. I go to bed around 12 and wake up around 8.

The last two weeks–no dice. I’m up until 1 or 2, and waking up 1 or 2 hours before my alarm clock. Which means I’ve been getting between 4-6 hours a night. For two weeks. Ouch.

Why? Ugh. Two big things I can’t really talk about yet.

The only reason I’m mentioning it at all is I probably won’t be writing as frequently, since my brain doesn’t really work when I’m this tired/stressed. Boo.

At least I’m not alone. Everyone in my life is unraveling a bit. School is ending, jobs are ending, babies are being born, decisions being made…just a lot of stuff and sleep deprivation for everybody.

Kind of exciting. Times are a’changing ;-)

Barely Any Sex in the City

Posted on by
Reply

Marco Polo

Where are we finding our dates in the first place?

There are three areas where you can find people:

1) routine life

At school. At work. At the gym. Walking your dog.

2) going out

While getting drinks or dancing. While at a concert or festival. While at a singles’ event.

3) the Internet

OkCupid. Plentyoffish. Match. eHarmony.

Where do we find ours?

Sam- the Internet
David- the Internet and routine life
Becky- going out and the Internet
Heather- routine life and the Internet
Chelsea- routine life

The above listed is by majority. Sam and Becky have dated people from routine life and Chelsea has used the Internet in the past.

Sam chooses the Internet because it’s convenient. And he likes to research people. And he’s lazy.

If David meets a cute girl, he’ll ask her out. But his more substantial dating experiences have come from the Internet. He also doesn’t like going out.

Becky loves to go out and she likes Internet dating–she thinks it’s a decent way to screen someone pre-date.

Heather used the Internet in the past and didn’t have very good luck. The people that she’s dated more recently have been people she’s met during routine life.

Chelsea also used the Internet in the past and didn’t have very good luck. She has discovered it’s easier to just date people that she knows from routine life.

_______________________________________________________________

I would go on to compare and contrast the pros and cons of each method, but I am much too biased and probably couldn’t give a fair assessment.

From what I gather, a lot of people in their mid to late twenties use all three methods pretty regularly. I just happen to have friends that don’t get out much ;-)

The Point of this Blog

Posted on by
Reply

is not to complain. Or to whine. Or to be pessimistic. Or to be negative.

The point of this blog is to figure out why people generally feel so lost in their 20s. And, for those of us in our 20s, this blog is to help expedite the process of finding ourselves. Maybe if I try enough new things, or read the right book, or magically gain some insight into this era of our lives…it will help somebody.

Maybe I’ve spent the last two years of my life having too many empathy-filled conversations with 20 year olds about how dissatisfied they are.

I don’t understand why there is such a stigma against honesty.

/end rant/

It’s a super intense, thought-filled, decision-rendering part of my life right now.

I’ve been coping in a new way. I have been doing a lot of art. It’s actually been meditative and therapeutic. This is very odd, considering art usually pisses me off. The ladies of Rosh Chodesh know this well!

Maybe next post I’ll show y’all what I’ve been working on ;-)

Barely Any Sex in the City

Posted on by
Reply

Dating and Facebook…Just Say No

–also known as Facebook Stalking–

Boys

Boys don’t care about Facebook as much/stalk as much as girls do. However, they do stalk ex’s more often than girls do.

Maybe it has something to do with this:

breaking-up-men-vs-women

Sam doesn’t refer to it as stalking, he refers to it as “checking in on.” And I suppose it is kind of like checking in on. Every so often he likes to see what his ex is up to and how they’re doing.

David is more guilty of stalking the ex’s. No stalking when he’s with them, but massive stalking when he’s not.

Girls 

Girls are Facebook creepers. Don’t add them or accept their friend request unless you feel comfortable knowing that you will be stalked and scrutinized.

The 50% Rule 

Chelsea and Heather use a 50% rule to help them navigate dating:

If 50% or more of his pictures are of him with alcohol and/or drunk…no.
If 50% or more of his pictures are with a bunch of girls…no.
If 50% or more of his pictures are of sports…no.

Heather even has a fourth 50% Rule-
If 50% or more of his pictures are of him traveling…no.
She doesn’t want to date someone who is out of town often or is constantly traveling.

Heather also has another Facebook rule–to never let her sister add her guy on Facebook. Without fail, within a month of her sister adding him, that’s it. They’re mysteriously broken up. It doesn’t even matter if Heather knew that they were Facebook friends or not.

Becky isn’t that much of a Facebook stalker unless she’s fighting with her guy. Then she’s on his page like white on rice. And generally she’s not Facebook friends with her suitors. This is smart.

The Relationship Status

Guys care about a girl’s status, but girls don’t really care about his. Girls care about their own relationship status since it isn’t official for most until Facebook says it is.

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to comment below ;-)

Random Information

Posted on by
2

I realized I’ve been skimping on the updates. So here’s a whole slew of them…

My Boat

I finally got to use it for the second time. Yay Laura! Now that the weather is nice, I’m hoping I’ll get to use it more frequently. Plus, it’s no longer dark when I get home from work. Yippie!! I want to take it on a bona fide adventure. But for that, I’ll need a willing participant and a free Saturday. Hmmm.

Garden Plot

I decided not to renew my garden plot. It’s just too time consuming. If I didn’t have friends, or if I wasn’t a gym junkie, or if I didn’t like to date occasionally…then I would probably have time. But as it stands, I have a heinously (love that word!) active social life. And I’m addicted to the gym.

Aaron and Personal Training

Our sessions went by fast, and I’m sad they’re over. But not sad enough to shell out the $300 something it was going to cost for the next level of training. Also, personal training is pretty time consuming. It’s 2 hours per session once you add in cardio, and you’re supposed to use previous work outs regularly…so it’s like 6 hours a week.

Honestly? I like the gym only because it’s fun. I like Zumba and running. I like loud music and endorphins. And…that’s pretty much it. I also don’t really need anything besides cardio anyway.

Time

I have become pretty stingy with my time. No garden, no personal training, and I’ve even been non-committal about making plans with people outside my circle of friends.

Why? I’m freakin’ 27. I don’t have copious amounts of time. I want to take my writing more seriously (which is why I’m actually blogging on time) and I want to take my relationships more seriously. I love the people in my life, and I want to see them more. Which relates to…

A Study on Happiness

I read a study on happiness that basically explains that after you’re making $20,000 a year or over, happiness becomes dependent on how much time you spend with your family and friends. The study also explains that we know and do this at the beginnings and endings of our lives but not in the middle.

First, I want to study happiness for a living. Second, from my observations about my life (and my friends’ and relatives’ lives) it’s true. So I obviously need to better prioritize my time.

Over-thinking 

My age and that happiness study have kept my mind pretty busy for the past month. I’m really trying to figure out what I want out of life and how I should go about obtaining it. I kind of thought that all the stuff I’ve tried over the past year would bring me closer to knowing–but I guess not. Oy.

At least I still have a reason to blog, eh? ;-)

Barely Any Sex in the City

Posted on by
Reply

(I would say No Sex in the City…but that’s not entirely true. And besides that, No Sex in the City is the title of a ‘save sex for marriage’ campaign. Hmm..)

Introduction

As promised, I am adding a dating segment to my blog. Since my blog is about finding the missing piece–it’s not all that random. It’s human nature to desire to share your life with someone.

On Tuesdays, I’ll be sharing stories and anecdotes from the dating misadventures of my close friends and I.

Cast of Characters 

Becky* is a fearless dater. She knows the ropes of online dating and the bar scene. She has been dating casually for the past year and a half.

Heather used to be a fearless dater, but as of late has become a serial monogamist. She also has a thing for younger guys.

Chelsea also has a thing for younger guys. As of late, she has become a serial dater.

Sam got out of his last serious relationship 6 months ago. He has casually dated a variety of girls since then, and has just entered into a bit of a dry spell.

David is a nice Catholic boy who claims he doesn’t enjoy dating. He got out of a long-term relationship 2 years ago and has been sporadically dating since then.

* names have been changed to protect identities

Sorry to be so vague in these descriptions, I just don’t want to give anyone away since their sex lives will be openly dissected on my blog ;-)

Stay tuned for next week’s post: Dating and Facebook…Just Say No

Embracing the Weirdness

Posted on by
5

I have been attempting normalcy my entire life.

Why? Normal people seem happier than weird people. They fit into society better. I’ve always been jealous of normal people.

If you’re one of those people that say, “There’s no such thing as normal” or “Everybody is weird” just stop reading. If you’re still reading, tell me who you are so I can point out to you who is normal and who is not so you can understand.

Anyway.

This year, I became acquainted with a whole bunch of normal people. What did I discover? They are even more unhappy than the weird people. And they also lie more. Maybe they’re less happy because they lie more, actually. Lying makes me miserable at least. Moving on.

Around a month ago, I was contentedly eating breakfast/pacing the kitchen (I’m an extreme morning person). It was cold, but it was the morning, so it was enjoyable. I was in this idyllic morning mood. As I shivered in my footie pajamas, I realized: Shit. I’m happy in the morning because I don’t have to hide my weirdness from anybody.

I can talk to Hef how I want to. I can wink at him 10 times in a row if I want to. I can pet my boat without strange looks from my roommate. I can inhale the fresh scent of adventure that my boat gives if I feel so inclined. I can sing ‘this is the song that never ends’ which gets stuck in my head twice a week upon awaking. I can also dance the hokey pokey which has been stuck in my head for a month now (wtf? I’m beginning to feel sorry for myself). Anyway. The point is, I can be myself.

WHY CAN’T I DO THIS AROUND OTHER PEOPLE?

Oh yeah. It’s freaking strange! I am freaking strange!!!

And I care an insane amount about what everyone else thinks.

I need to stop caring, and embrace the weirdness. Life is too short to pretend that I’m a normal human being.

So, cheers. Get ready for a whole bunch of my weirdness. I hope it’s not as disturbing as I think you’ll think it is ;-)

In any event…I’m toying around with adding a dating section to my blog that would go out on Tuesdays. This is such a terrible yet terrific idea. I would be blogging anonymously about 4 of my friend’s dating misadventures. I might throw some of mine in there as well. Dating in your 20s is…bad. And hilarious. And entertaining as all hell.

If five people confirm via the comment section below that I start a dating column…I just might.