Life Lessons at 27

I've wanted to do a birthday post similar to last year's wonderful little post about life lessons I have learned now that I have recently turned 27.  (Yes it's a delayed post but work has been super busy and I think I have had a cold for most of said week.)

1.  Never, ever be afraid to tell the people who mean the most to you how important they are to you.  Unfortunately nothing in this life is guaranteed and I think one of the most important things is to remember we need to embrace those who we love and remind them every day.

2. A night of sitting on the floor, drinking and eating and gossiping with your friends is sometimes all a girl needs to let life worries disappear.

3.  Live for the experiences.  I have realized that I want to do everything.  I want to go to all the concerts.  I want to go to restaurants.  I want to go experience all the joys in life with my friends and no price tag (okay some price tags) will stop me.

4.  There is nothing more beautiful then watching your childhood best friend get married to the love of her life.  This includes watching your second dad cry when he walks into the hotel room and tears up when he sees her for the first time.  Or knowing that a special angel is smiling down on that girl he always thought of as his daughter as she became a Miller.

5.  People surprise you.  With a note, text message, visits, and hugs.  Kind words heal the soul and I don't if I could have survived 26 without the countless well wishes that many people in my life have sent me.

6. Yes, you can enjoy a beer from Luke Bryan's concert because of connections your friend has.

7.  Fresh flowers can liven up any room.

8.  It's a compliment when older gentlemen tell you there is not many people like you in the world.  For some reason I appreciate compliments from the older generation because they can tell what's really real.

9. NOTHING is better then a great outfit.  When you feel amazing, you feel invincible.

10.  Surround yourself with positive people.  People who will push you to be the best person you can be.  People who will support you.  People who will love you no matter what you have done, or no matter how much time has past since you have talked to them.  The people who love you regardless and want to see only the best for you.  Negativity takes it's toll on a person and if there is one thing I have learned, life is too short to let that affect you.

11.  Buzzfeed articles make the world go round.

12.  Jennifer Lawerence is a brilliant actress and a role model of our time.  Rarely do you hear her talking about a diet or exercising.  Instead you hear her talk about beers and eating and I really think she would fit right in with my friends.

13.  I was never one who disliked the number 13 or expected bad things on Friday the 13th.  I have since become a girl who can not stand that number and dread the day every month.

14. Inspirational quotes can make a tough day a little easier.  Do not judge anyone who may post many of them because you never know what they are going through.

15.  My father was one of the best people in my life.  The guy who would see me upset and give me a hug or try to crack some joke to get me to smile.  This world lost some of it's sparkle on May 13 2013 and I have been forever changed.  I'm a firm believer that my dad made sure to surround me with people who love me and try to get me to laugh even during the darkest days.  There has not been a day that has gone by where I don't miss my dad, but I hope he's with me every step of this crazy life and that he's proud of his little girl.

Happy belated birthday to me and hope everyone has a safe Superbowl Sunday.

A Thankful Post a Few Days Late

Thanksgiving was a few days ago.  If this is any preview for the holidays, they are going to suck big time.  But with family, and some wine, I think I can survive them.  Plus I have this huge plan for the month of December that might make me feel better this year.  I wanted to do big things last year and never followed through.  This year, I just might make it happen.

 Anyway, on Sunday I went to a Friendsgiving and we were instructed to write down 10 things that we were thankful for.  We laughed, we cried, we toasted.  But it was nice to sit with my closest friends and share what I am thankful for every day.

1. I'm thankful for my health.  I'm on an ever present roller coaster ride but this year, the ride hasn't been horrible.  And for the first time in years (knock on wood....) I have yet to end up in the hospital for any sorts of time except to visit my mother.

2. I'm thankful for patience.  While I have little patience most of the time, I haven't acted out in my many thoughts of screaming at mean people or annoying coworkers.

3.  Food, especially nachos.

4. Pictures to remind me of all the great memories.

5. And my family which includes the friends that have turned into family.  I have leaned a great deal on them in the recent years of my life but nothing compares to this year.  My mother and brother have been my rock.  My work friends and Milford family have seen ugly sides of me and still loved me regardless.  And every single person who has text messaged me, stopped by, called or reached out in some way, it means the world to me.  I lost one of the most important family members in my life this year, and I am especially thankful that I had him in my life for 26 years.

I'm a firm believer in constantly telling those around you how thankful you are for them daily.  It shouldn't just be a once in a year thing.  I think we should always tell those we love how much we love them, including tons of hugs every day.

Life Lessons at 26

Two years ago; a snapshot of a wonderful accomplishment

Since today is my 26th birthday, I decided that I should write some lessons that life has taught me.  Enjoy.

1. Nothing is better then receiving a hand written letter in the mailbox from a friend.  I not only love sending them, but getting them makes my whole day.

2. You can judge how good a restaurant is by their nachos.  If you don't agree with me, then you obviously have never tested this.

3.  Hospital visits can be stressful, but it's always important to try and be kind to those who are taking care of you.  Health care providers aren't going to be so nice to you if you are being an asshole.

4. Capture as many of life moments with a camera.  Being able to look back on all those amazing memories is something I truly love more then words.

5. Travel.  I have been to many states throughout the country and it's been such a wonderful experience every where I have gone.  The getting their part may be hectic (hello getting stuck in airports...) but the fun times I have had during those trips are priceless.

6.  On-line shopping is one of the greatest inventions of all time, but it can also be the devil.  There have been so many times that I have bought new clothes without having to deal with rude people at malls or stores.

7. Music makes my world go round and song lyrics can truly speak to the soul.  If you don't believe that a great song can change your whole mood, then you haven't been exposed to great music.

8.  Enjoy food.  If my stomach problems have taught me anything, it's always enjoy every aspect of a meal.  Even though I know I may be in pain a hour after eating my meal, if it's a good dish, then I will enjoy it. No matter what.

9.  It's completely okay to spend the day in sweat pants, snuggled with blankets, on the couch reading a good book.  I do this on a regular basis and I'm totally okay with being a bum.

10.  I'm also okay with reading my favorite books on a regular basis.  If I absolutely love a book, then I'm excited to go back and see my favorite characters.  In fact, 90% of the books on my book case I have read more then once, and I'm not ashamed of that.

11.  Life seems to be better in the summer time, as well as by the beach.  I think the warm weather wards off the bad energy that winter sometimes provides.  Case in point, I have never had stomach problems during the summer.  And whenever I'm over thinking a problem, if I go to the beach, then I feel completely renewed.

12.  Life will set you up with many obstacles, including many different medical problems.  As long as you try to keep your head up, and surround yourself with a good support system, then you will be able to overcome anything.  Also, even if you think you can't give blood, it's possible.  It's also possible for the girl who used to cry during any sort of shot can look at blood being taken and also give herself her own shots.

13.  It's also possible that as you grow up, you also become more emotional.  It's also possible that those emotions come out more often when you don't feel well.  Also possible to want to cry at the drop of the hat whenever someone is nice to you.  It's fine to be emotional.  Embrace it.

14. Singing on the top of your lungs to your favorite song is acceptable.  While dancing around your room, and having the music blaring.  This dancing/singing combination will let your worries slide away from you.  Dare you to try it.

15. Never be afraid to tell people how much you care about them.  Give them hugs.  High fives when they achieve something good.  Smile at strangers who did something nice to you. Say I love you.  People want to be cared about.  And smiles and hugs can change the world.

These life lessons may be general ideas to some people, or not very profound, but the fact remains they are a few of the things I truly believe in.  I always knew I was lucky to have such amazing people in my life, but you really know how many people are in your corner when some obstacles come your way.  I want to thank everyone who reads this, who has believed in me, who has given me a hug or words of encouragement, not only in the past 2 years but especially the past 26 years of my life. It means more to me then I think you will ever understand to have you all in my corner.

Happy birthday to me! Here's to many more to come.

Things I'm Thankful For

Part of what I love about the holidays is the time spent with my family.  Thanksgiving is always a great time to reflect on things that you are most thankful for, with most people sharing with those they love all the things they are thankful for.  

I had planned on sharing pictures here every day this week to show some of the people I am thankful for most in my life.  With all the ups and downs this life has given me these past few years, I am incredibly thankful for all the wonderful people in my life.  I have the biggest cheerleaders on my side whenever I start to feel down.  With all my health problems, I have realize that I am extremely lucky to have people willing to help me and my family whenever we are down.  

I am thankful that I was able to enjoy the holiday with my family and eat some delicious foods.  I am thankful that my flare up has gone away and that Natasha and Boris have not been bothering me too much.  I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends, and every single person who has helped me and my family in the past.  I'm thankful for my job, even if I want to rip my hair out sometimes when I'm there.  And I'm thankful for the roof over my head and all the wonderful things my parents have provided me throughout my life.

Olympic Fun with my Sisters <3

Sorry for the fomatting, I'm terrible with computers sometimes.

But here are a few pictures of some of my favorite people, that I am so thankful to have in my life.

La Familia

The Second Family at the Beach

Tenzina and Holly. Two of the girls who make me sane at work

Smiles & Laughs Always

Madison <3

Mandy <3

Brother and Sisters

The Replacement Jen

Nana with the Connecticut Grandkids

Since the beginning.

Some of my favorites.  Really just love this picture

My Girlfriends.

Things I'm Thankful For: Part 1

With Thanksgiving just days away, I decided to share pictures of the various people/things I'm thankful to have in my life.

These are the people that made such an impression for me in college, that I may have lost touch with this past year, but have gotten back in touch with these past few weeks.  I am so thankful for those friendships that will be there no matter

 I remember when we took this picture in the wind tunnel right before I graduated.  I'm pretty sure Alanna said you guys were my proud parents right after taking this.  I was so thankful to have girls like you push me to be the best person I could be throughout senior year and help shape me into the person I am today

To have a roommate my senior year who completely understood everything, boy was I lucky.  And even more lucky to be able to send you a simple text message about silly things now and you completely understand

 I am so glad I met you all those years ago during orientation.  We have been through quite the roller coaster Julia and I am lucky to be riding on this roller coaster with such an amazing friend.  Your emails always make me smile, and I can't imagine not having you in my life. <3

 While you may not have been an actual Husky, I always tie you with my college experience.  Six years and we are still friends, who take silly pictures of napping together after a wonderful spring weekend full of craziness.  One small visit from you can leave me with smiles for the rest of the week.

I never thought I would leave UCONN with another half like I did with you my dear, but I have.  I promise to come visit Boston soon so we both end up with fun stories now that we are entering the later parts of our twenties.  I am most thankful for our nights of just sitting around your coffee table just eating and catching up with life.  

I miss each of these girls so much now that I do not see them every day.  Friendship doesn't necessarily mean being in touch with each other every day.  It does mean being there for each other whenever you need them.  I am thankful to have these girls in my life to lift me up whenever this silly sickness kicks me in my ass.  And I'm also so extremely thankful to have reconnected with them during this whole terrible experience.