The One Where It's Scary... But That's Okay

So last night, I left work and I was really tired and a little PMSy and kind of wanted to go home and just put my face directly into a lasagna, similar to something Garfield the cat would do...

But I had signed up for a late yoga class, so I forced myself to go. And I'm SO GLAD I did. First, there were these 4 8th grade boys in there with their moms who clearly had never done a second of yoga in their lives and so it was interesting to see how far I've come since I took my first yoga class a few years ago, because I'm sure I looked like they did (or worse). What's that called? Social downward comparison theory? Regardless, it works. I felt like a rockstar.

Then I felt like a DOUBLE rockstar because I DID A HANDSTAND! Assisted, but still. I was a little afraid I was going to kick my preg instructor in the face, but I didn't. And let me tell you something, realizing you can do a handstand kind of makes you feel invincible. 

I wanted to insert a cool picture representing how invincible I felt (since my personal photographer had the night off and was not there to document this handstand business) but if you google invincible, all you get are pictures from comic books and boats named Invincible. Use your imaginations.

Anyway, I was scared to try this handstand thing, because let's be honest - throwing your legs off the ground and relying on your arms to hold you up can be kind of scary when you haven't been lifting weights like a champ your entire life. BUT IT WORKED. And then my the instructor said she's teaching a whole workshop on inversions next Sunday. And my stomach clenched thinking about a whole 2 hours of that. But then I thought, "that is EXACTLY why I should sign up for it." So I did. 

And then when I was driving home, I started thinking about all the things I was scared to try, but once I did, I'm so glad that I did because now, I know that I hate it (unusual, but Pure Barre, I'm looking at you) or (more likely) I like/love it. 

Some examples that fall into the I Tried It and I Like/Love It Category:

1) Running. 

Shelly and me after our first half marathon

We've been over this, but just to rehash, I never ran. Ever. Then I started. And now I like it. Love is still a bit of a stretch. But running is firmly in my Like category.

2) Sushi.

I was afraid of raw fish. UNTIL I ATE IT and realized my life would be incomplete without this deliciousness. I'd be happy eating sushi twice a week. My bank account, however, would not be. 

3) Roller coasters.

The thought of voluntarily going on a machine that takes me upside down at ridiculous speeds?? Um, why? But again, THEN I TRIED IT and I realized the nausea you feel afterwards is a small price to pay for the adrenaline rush!!

4) Driving.

Let me explain... when I was about 8, we were visiting my aunt and she let me drive her super fancy pants Lexus golf cart (complete with A/C and tape deck thankyouverymuch) around her neighborhood. Well, at one point we made a U-Turn but instead of hitting the brake, I hit the gas and ended up almost driving us into a water meter. SCARRED FOR LIFE. Except really only like 8 years. I'll never forget getting into the car for the first time after I got my learner's permit with my dad and my heart literally felt like it was going to beat out of its chest. But we started slow. No U-Turns. And guess what... now I definitely Like driving. Usually too fast, but I have places to be, people!

5) Singing karaoke.

Killin' it in my birthday crown up in Big Bear

So, first, I have a pretty good voice, all right? Let's just get that out of the way. But back in 3rd grade (8 was apparently a rough year for me) my best friend at the time (who I am no longer friends with. She has since turned cray...) convinced me my voice was not very good and she was a better singer than me and I should just stop trying. I held onto that thought for YEARS. Pretty much all the way through college. In high school, I did choir, but nearly crapped myself before the audition, even though my song was really easy and I knew I was going to do fine. I NEVER tried out for solos and in college I refused to try out for the small jazz ensemble I would have LOVED to sing in because of her voice in the back of my head telling me I wasn't good enough. Never mind that I hadn't even spoken to her in over 5 years at this point... her voice still played in my head. Well. Then I met Amanda. And basically, she has taught me first, not to hide my light under a basket and second that someone's always going to be negative to you or about you. FORGET THEM. Do it anyway. Be fabulous. I sang karaoke for the first time with her (in the room... not her singing with me!) and even though I shook like a little newborn lamb, I did it. And then I was hooked. Now, I LOVE karaoke. I'll sing it dead sober. I'll sing it with a live band, with a karaoke track, whatever. I LOVE it.

So, as I've said previously, be scared. Do it anyway. You never know what you'll discover you like. What things have you tried that scared you but you're glad you tried it???

The One Where Carol Hankel Comes to Town

So I am fortunate enough to have a mom who is able to come visit me for random weekends and I'm also fortunate that this mother of mine enjoys doing fun stuff. This past weekend was full of Fun Times With Carol. She arrived on Friday and we went to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa... holy pure bliss. It was amazing. In case you are unfamiliar with the concept of a hot springs spa, just think of a place where your life is basically metaphorical fresh laundry and puppies. Except you get to float around in a pool all afternoon and can use as many towels as you want because there's always a fresh supply. I mean... heaven, right? Oh yeah, and this particular spa is located at the base of these mountains. 

Legit picture I took. Didn't have to Google for this one.

Ridiculously crappy pictures of our wine/frozen drinks... but they were good. Trust.

Don't let this picture fool you - the sun was out and it was glorious.

I noticed when we were changing that my mom and I had gotten matching manicures earlier in the week... obviously not on purpose. So I made her take a picture in the locker room with me. I'm glad she can roll with it and doesn't question my need to take photos of everything.

I mean... identical!

And then after all those tough spa times (lounging takes work, yo!) we met up with Amanda for dinner at Market Broiler, a seafood place, which was delicious. I'm glad I ignored the idiot on Yelp! who went there even though he was allergic to seafood. ... Are you kidding me? Why even write a review of the place, then!? Anyway, Amanda ordered this RIDICULOUS meal called Fisherman's Stew... it required a bib.

Her pile of seafood extras when she was done with it!

I know... it doesn't look like much, but it was tasty.

And then about halfway through our meal, I hear the girl sitting in the booth behind us tell the waiter (who was also our waiter) that her seafood pasta "Has too much fish in it" and asks if he can "take some of it out" ... Again, are you kidding me? You come to a seafood place, you order PASTA, and it still has too much seafood in it for you? Really? I don't even know you, and I hate you. 

And then OBVIOUSLY we had to order 2 desserts for the 3 of us.

When our waiter set them down, I touched his arm and said, "I'm sorry, I think there's too much fish in here. Can you take some of it out?" totally deadpan. And he was trying to hard not to laugh, which is always amusing to me. 

We went shopping on Saturday, which was fun... minus the iPhone saga. I'm going to confess to the internet how much of a dumbass I am, so hang on for the ride. I know, this is totally going against the image you have of me in your brain as someone who totally has it together 100% of the time (ha), but here's what happened. So my birthday present from my parents this year was a new iPhone - HOORAY! I have had an iPhone 4 for a couple years and the home button was starting not to work on it, plus the 5 is just so sleek, so I was very, very excited for this gift. So we go to the Apple store...

You can literally purchase this set for your kids to play with... HA!

And get the phone. I activate the new one, and put my old phone and the box my new phone came into in a plastic Apple store bag. We proceed to Macy's. I'm trying on clothes, come out of the fitting room, find my mom, and realize I have left the Apple bag somewhere. Heart stops beating briefly. Because even though it's my old phone in there, I'm convinced someone will still be able to get on there and get all my stuff off of there and steal my identity and then I'll be living in a cardboard box because I will no longer have a credit score and that's where my mind goes.

So I race around searching for the bag, but it is GONE. Like NSync circa 2001.

After about 20 minutes of looking, I have to concede that somebody has taken the bag. And nobody turned it into a sales counter, so they just took it because it had my phone in there and they wanted it. At least I didn't leave my M&M cookie in there, too... But seriously, I was also pissed because the box for my new phone had the new charger and headphones in there. As someone very wise once said, I hope they needed it more than I did. [asshole] And now I keep thinking "If only I hadn't taken the bag from the Apple store and just put the stuff into my purse! IF ONLY!" But you can't dwell on what could have happened, right? 

The rest of Saturday was fabulous. I bought my first ever dress from Banana Republic! And then it turns out my mom and I just really like to match each other because on Sunday I pull up to get her from her hotel and lo and behold... more matchy matchy times.

I was sad she had to leave on Sunday morning, but I'm going home this weekend for my sister's birthday/Memorial Day, so I'll get to see everyone again on Friday. I am SO EXCITED to give my sister her birthday gift. But I'm assuming she may read this, so you'll all have to wait to see what I ended up getting her. Let's just say it was difficult to find... 

The One Where It's My Birthday and I'll Karaoke If I Want To

Finally... the full birthday story. I apologize there are so many pictures. But what fun is a blog post without pics?! Also, I just want to say that I was BLOWN AWAY by how people helped me celebrate my birthday this year. I would have to say it's the best one yet. And I'm seriously grateful. I felt, and still feel, so LOVED! So... without further ado...

Went for a morning walk/jog. I love this trail.

It's the little things.

Calla's present box was too good not to re-post. 

My office went to Buca di Beppo for lunch. I LOVE their birthday song!!!

Monique and me!

Very nice. Todd and Rich. And a watermelon in the background.

Ben and I look happy... Monique looks... scary!!! ;)

Again, the cake.

Dinner started with draaanks, obvi.

Mikey: "I'm going to put my arm around you and look like your boyfriend."
Me: "All righty."

Mini Lady Liberty in Farrell's [Terrifying] Ice Cream

Mikey had a masquerade mask in the back of her car. Of course. So I tried to get it on this little pig in the front of Farrell's. That's my "I don't know what I'm doing" face.

He deserved a kiss!

My free birthday sundae. Thank god it was free because the whipped cream was disgusting!

You can see the terror in Mikey's eyes. Our waiter was mean to us, thinking he was being funny, but really he was just mean. 

Then the next day we drove up to Big Bear. With my GIANT pinata in the backseat!!! We named him Percy!

Moe was on the lookout.

I forgot to ring this bell, but it was available for use!

The following includes a nice variety of the decor in our super klassy cabin:

And obviously we had to use the immersion blender to make drinks with fresh strawberries in them.

Shelly, wearing Percy's head. Scary, but funny.

Dancing.

And that was the last picture I basically took on Friday night. No need to document the insanity/karaoke from the times at the bar... Use your imaginations!! Saturday night was spent lying on the couch, eating Jack In the Box, watching Married to Jonas and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. And Sunday was spent doing this:

I have to say, hands down, this was the BEST birthday I've had so far in my life. Percy was the best present ever. My friends are awesome. And I hope this post inspires you to buy your friend a birthday pinata next time you're not sure what to get someone. You're welcome for the gift idea. Also, I am trying to figure out how to get a hilarious video of us busting Percy open with our bat on here, but Blogger keeps telling me it's processing my video, but then it doesn't finish. Hhhhhh why is technology so annoying? Anyway, Happy Monday to you all!!