Everything Happens For A Reason

So much going on, I need to start being better about updating this more regularly!

Well, there is a first time for everything and I have officially disappointed Blane. I brought my guitar with me to PA a couple of weeks ago and thought he and I could play around and make songs and stuff. Well – I didn’t think through that exactly. Not only was he making requests that I could not step up to, he demanded I sing “the Tangled song” acapella. I didn’t see this coming. So I played the song on my phone so I could sing along. It hadn’t even begun yet and was still in the intro and he yells “Sing with your mouth Tia!” So we (I) continued to sing Tangled alllll weekend. Needless to say I am unfortunately sick of that song and still do not know his requested songs on my guitar well enough to bring it back to face him. It will go down in history as the first time I truly disappointed that boy. Lol.

I want to thank Hayley for keeping me busy all day at work  last Wednesday by having to continually peel an adhesive off my eyelid, as I supported her in her “I wonder what fake eyelashes would look like/feel like whim”. Hers actually looked really nice and natural. I was one swipe of eye shadow and set of fishnets away from working a pole. Why do I do whatever she says?

My graduation dinner was fun! Mom and Hayley came to support me and watched me get the clock I can’t read! But it LOOKS fancy and important!

Anyway, it was really nice to see my classmates again and loved being able to bring my favorite people together to meet. It reminded me how NOT in control I am of everything, regardless of the time and energy I put into maintaining a control I think I have. This is funny to write and probably funnier to read but… I feel like God really knows me. Like – of course he MADE me so he knows me, but I mean… he like KNOWWWWS me. He’s constantly putting these “coincidental” themes in my life and I LOVE recognizing them and then pointing out each time it rings true for any amount of time. Not only does it keep me entertained, but it’s really the only time I find myself truly giving in and listening like “Okay. I get it. Point made. I know what I’m supposed to do.” I can’t count how many times in the past couple weeks I’ve found myself thinking or heard myself saying “well everything happens for a reason and I know there’s something else going on here, so…” It comes with the weirdest peace and a few more patience than I normally have.

People keep leaving this little gems of knowledge or inspiration while we’re talking and they don’t even know they’re doing it, but they’re perfect and they stay with me and remind me everything around me happens for a reason.

I made a quick decision to go home to PA again for Memorial Day and I’m VERY glad I did. It was full of wonderful weather, great family moments, laughter, relaxation, birthday joy and staring at my beautiful nephews glow in the light of the bonfire.

It’s these spur-of-the-moment decisions in life that keep me giggling to myself about my control issues. I’m sure God’ giggling constantly too “there she goes again, thinking she knows the plan and making her own plans”… but it’s always a wonderful reminder that everything happens for a reason. It’s the unplanned moments that make the best memories in life and end up being worth whatever struggle big or small that may have preceded it.

The rest of the summer is going to fly by. I just have this feeling I need to make a concentrated effort this summer to take time to actually appreciate every aspect the summer has to offer and make the best of it. Hopefully this means I’ll take more pictures and document it better, but for now… I will add it to my list of things to do.

For those of you who know me better than I’d like to admit, you know how I love my lists. I have a list binder. Yup. A binder FULL of lists. Neurotic? Maybe. But full nonetheless. It’s what keeps me from doing my actual work at work but gets me through to the nights and weekends. Nothing makes me feel better than crossing stuff off a list. The sense of accomplishment, the sense of having “not been lazy if you took 2 things off your list today” and the realization that there is more to life than working and getting bogged down by others’. The lists keep me moving and on that note, here is another:

My Favorite Things:

1. My new lip gloss that smells like melon

2. GRADUATING

3. Driving Shauna’s car for a while– which I LOVED J

4. Discussing my horoscope daily with Renata

5. Spring cleaning and organizing

6. Grown-up sleepovers on school nights

7. Bonfires on summer nights

Regardless of how crazy things get and how swept up we all get in something that means a lot to us or even something that means a lot to someone we care about, it’s important that we take the time to ask ourselves for the bigger reason something could be happening. At the end of the day everything happens for a reason and sometimes, for us control freaks, there’s comfort in knowing you don’t have control.

Have a blessed week lovesJ

xo

Times They Are A Changing...

Perfect soundtrack to this post: Bob Dylan's see above.

The Red Sox game was a success! (For Hayley and I… NOT the Sox.) SO MUCH FUN! Hayl and I took a bunch of pictures, I mistook Glen Davis for someone I went to school with and Hayley offered a stranger some nuts. All in all it embodied most of time together: hysterically fun.

I always enjoy going home, not just for the obvious reason of getting to see my family but because I love the 12 hours reserved and set aside for me, my tunes, and my thoughts. I always feel so energized going home and getting a chance to re-connect with the things and people that helped make me, me.

Blane is officially 3! I cannot believe how old AND young he is! With Brooks around it reminds me of Blane being that small just yesterday and my wondering what his voice would sound like (for the record I am no longer curious… he uses it A LOT). But at the same time he acts so much older, I think he makes us all forget how young he is. He is so smart and funny already. We have inside jokes, handshakes, songs… it’s so easy to forget how young and innocent he is. I love watching him discover new things and learn new things and ask questions – not just for the sake of talking but because he actually remembers the answers and applies them. He already figured out the PERFECT way for me to do anything for him and give him whatever he wants: (Puts his hands on my cheeks) “Tia. My love you.” Done. Put a bow on it, stick a fork in it. I will give him ANYTHING. ANY TIME. ANY WHERE. Scrumptious!

Brooks – is… still in his drooling, crying, sleeping (not for long) phase, so there’s really not much to report on in that area.

Derek and I have found common ground – finally. I believe it stemmed from the mysterious disappearance of certain Superbowl scenes, which the heavens deleted in an effort to keep him alive. J

It was a great weekend with family and friends and it was much needed. Shout-out to Lindey for coming with me to what could have been awkward and turned into a VERY fun and eventful day. Including, but not limited to: a hit and run, sitting in the car for over an hour in the rain, forming a sub-party in the dining room and making friends in parking lots with my crazy hand gestures.

I also got to go to the Troy auction, which I always enjoy, even though this time I appeared to be one of the attractions… was it my outfit? My hair? I’m FROM there – not really sure why I looked so out of place- Either way, it’s like you get an inside look into a past time that is missing from every town that doesn’t hold one. I’m sure it could be a culture shock to out-of-towners, but it makes me feel like I’m home… even when I’m hiding from people I know… haha.

Back to Boston we go…

I was listening to one of my favorite songs ever “Change” by Blind Melon and it reminded me that it’s such an exciting time right now. A time for big changes and a time to evaluate the things that I wish to remain exactly the same. Change is always scary and I am not exempt from the fear or anxiety that comes with it. But sometimes, and it has been VERY few times, I can feel God telling me something and pointing me somewhere. I won’t bore everyone with all the signs, evidence and conversations, but He is definitely getting me ready to leave to the next thing I’m supposed to do and the next place I’m supposed to be. And above all fear and sadness and anxiety I may feel, I can’t help but be overcome with excitement over feeling so special that God is giving me a direction and remembering I need to remain quiet and patient (haha – good one huh?) enough to wait for the map and instructions that will soon follow.  It’s so poetic: spring turning into summer; weather changes, people changes, life changes, meeting new friends, saying goodbye to ghosts and celebrating new phases through marriage and births… everything is changing. I’m lucky to have people in my life that support the change and don’t question me or it, but just… love. Because it’s hard to find and if you would turn your attention to the list of lovers in the right-hand column… there they are.

Cue the Sound of Music…. Here are some of

My Favorite Things:

1. Driving with my windows down singing my favorite song

2. Getting back in touch with Javier (my guitar)

3. Watching people who do NOT know they are being watched

4. My new comforter or duvet for my home and garden-inclined friends

5. Swapping out my winter closet for my summer closet

I hope you find a little time today to thank God for a change in your life.

-XOXO

YOU’RE NOT GONNA BREAK MY SOO-OUULLLL

Shout out to Katy Perry for getting me through the final stretch of Grad school. Her song may or may not be about a man… but as far as I’m concerned - I would like a divorce from my Master’s program. However, I’ve committed myself, taken an oath in front of witnesses and dammit I will finish this unless death parts us.

I had a bit of a slip into a procrastination/avoidance hole or – crater… but I picked myself up (with the help of some encouraging words from Hayley, some threatening words from my mom, and a good ‘ole hug from Joyce) and found a groove - I hope (everyone knock on wood as you read this). Additional shout-out to Joyce for letting me use her office which is a magical, silent cave of productivity. Legit – got SO much done the past couple weeks that I am more than motivated to continue chipping away at the 100+ pages of writing I need to finish in order to graduate. (This is the cause of the blogging hiatus. I know how many of you have been disappointed with the lack of updates.)

Add to that all of the great things I keep looking forward to! A 3 day work week this week! Blane’s birthday and going home this weekend! (That should be interesting considering calves have been spending the night in my kitchen since March. I wonder what other strange things I will have to report on.) Spending time with friends during the beautiful weather! I almost went to a dark place this morning (sorry Charlotte) but smelled the fresh cut grass when I pulled onto campus this morning and felt that I could get through the next couple days without committing a crime.

You know who else won’t break my soul? The hoochie-mamas who think a little warm weather is the perfect excuse to dress like a stripper at SCHOOL! For the record if your skin is sticking out further than your jean shorts – you should NOT be wearing them. If you can’t walk without getting a wedgy – you shouldn’t be wearing it. If you have more than 3 different color straps showing between your tank top(s) and bra… it’s 2012 – buy a strapless or a clasp or one of the other 50 million products that help make straps unnecessary or invisible. We get it. You’re wearing a bra. Last comment on summer-wear: if you can feel a breeze somewhere, it means we can see it.

Now I don’t know much about fashion, etc. and I am still struggling with my own outfit choices (shout out to Hayley for intervening long ago) but I do know what it looks like to not have a friend who politely suggests you change before entering the public.

It may also be a good time to politely suggest to others in conversation how important it is to keep deodorant handy as it gets warmer. You just never know when that stuff will wear off… like in a crowded elevator, or small classroom… Butttt in keeping with the summer-y theme, I am very excited to break out my dresses this year. Once classes are over I plan on substituting class time with exercise time, which will hopefully make a difference in time for the important events I have coming upJ

I also decided to replace my traffic reports with a My Favorite Things segment. It’s not that people are driving better or aren’t as interesting – it’s just that my staring at these strange traffic incidents is going to cause me to be the star of my own traffic report…

This week my favorite things are:

1) Going to bed with the window open; letting the night bugs lull me to sleep

2) Smelling the fresh cut grass

3) The sunglasses that look better on me than on Charlotte (it’s okay we’ll find you new ones)

4) My new black pumps

5) Finding random things to craft with and add to my future nautical themed apartment

6) Having not smudged my nails after painting them for the first time EVER

Hayley and I are going to a Red Sox game tonight and if you don’t hear me mention her from here on out, it’s because she refuses to take pictures next to me and we broke up.

I hope you all take a little time today to let the sun kiss your beautiful facesJ

-XO-

Ketchup... because it's my favorite pun and condiment

My buddy Blane visited me with mom the other weekend. By far one of the funniest weekends I’ve had. Between his mispronunciation of Charrette and Hayree to his long story about how a Tiger bit him (thanks Charlotte) – he was the source of a ton of laughter. He was a good sport putting up with 4 women all weekend. Such a trooper.

 We all miss him so much already!

It was one of my favorite people in the entire world’s birthday this past week! Yup – Robert Downey Jr. celebrated his… oh waitttt nevermind. It was Hayley’s J Just kidding love. She graciously let Charlotte and I be a part of her celebration and we had a wonderful time at the Fat Cat (for out-of-towners… go ahead and laugh – their food/drinks are to die for but they DO have fat cats everywhere – I’m sure that was Charlotte’s favorite part).

Besides the small hiccup of Charlotte singing “Happy Birthday to Holly” it was good times per usual. (A.k.a she'll be lucky to be invited to her 26th). I bombarded her with birthday messages every hour because saying it once just isn’t enough… HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYL!!!!!! Love you-xo.

Well for all of those worried: the double trouble Tavares weekend was a success. Yup my dad and I managed to not get into too much trouble and got a lot done and even though it was a short amount of time - it was just long enough to:

• Make me realize no amount of gym time will make me fit enough to compete with him/walk where he walks.
• Have basically agreed/signed into stone that I would forever be cutting my own cheese from here on out.
• Have almost killed my cat by sleeping on top of the box spring and mattress she was under. Yup. Under.
• Bow to the skills of dad in his ability to back his dually into my hard-to-fit-a-Subaru-parking-space
• Get blown away (literally) by the gale force winds (that dad brought with him) while trying to carry a mattress. Mr. Lightweight didn’t help much.
• Play a prank on mom. She’s so easy.  

It was a great weekend full of life lessons.

*It has come to my attention that I don't take enough pictures. I once had a friend who took so many pictures I wanted to SCREAM and break her camera... but now - I realized how many photo-ops I miss in one day. This is my new goal for the week.

I guess this could be considered a traffic report:

This morning on my way to work, during my half hour, 30 mph, normally boring ride on I-93, I saw the greatest inspiration for a story line than I could have ever imagined. On the side of the road one after the other: a pink wig, a whip, a muscle shirt and a shoe. NO LIE folks. Pinky swear. Now what in the HELL happened there? The commute went by SO FAST after that that I didn’t get enough time to imagine all the scenarios that involved those items… I was going to list some here, but I’d like to keep this family-friendly. Plus – I gather your imagination will do most of the work for you. Thank you Wednesday-morning-blues-Gods.

Side note: I miss chicken noodle soup day in our caf. I don't even want to talk about it except to say... who the hell eats Mulligatawny soup or US Senate Bean Soup? Who even knows what it is??

I WISH I WAS LYING:

Soup Sensations
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle	Hearty Beef Vegetable	Split Pea with Ham	Mulligatawny	New England Clam Chowder
Vegetarian Black Bean	Cream of Broccoli	Curried Vegetable	Chunky Vegetable Orzo	US Senate Bean Soup

Simply based on this I need a new job. Anyone who knows of one should let me know immediately. (Chicken noodle soup availability isn't a requirement, just a perk).

I believe I had avoided my homework long enough.

May the rest of your Wednesday and week be full of inappropriateness.

xo.