What I Learned from Losing Part of My Thumb

OK. - Not part of my thumb. Just some flesh. 
(But it got you to click, didn't it?)
I was however, engaged in an incident involving scissors, 2 well-intending small children, and a trip to Urgent Care. (where I cried like a baby while the beautiful, stylish Asian doctor who's probably my same age and has her whole life totally together and frizz-free, burned the shit out of cauterized the wound.)
The thumb is fine. It's in recovery.
(And by that I mean I made a splint out of gauze & bandaids and drank away the pain.)

The point of this post is not that I am accident prone, or that I have a low pain tolerance, or that sometimes weird shit happens (although it definitely does). 
The point of this is that I learned a lot from having half of my thumbprint cut off. 

I learned that I need to slow the fuck down. 
That I need to stop stressing about "perfecting" my life and enjoy the messiness that is the present. 
It's ok to have boxes that are still unpacked. 
It's ok to get in fights and express emotions.
It's o-fucking-k to not have written the next great American screenplay yet. 

Time is relative. Don't compete with anyone but yourself. Comparison is the thief of joy. 
All that kind of shiz.

I've been listening to a lot of Oprah Deepak Chopra lately, and it's been really helping me take a step back and accept calmness. To accept myself more and be open to the universe. (Insert crystal healing hippy joke here)

I've had an epiphany recently that I think appropriately applies to my current situation:

Hard does not equal bad. 

The same way leading an easy life doesn't necessarily make it a happy one, going through things that are hard doesn't mean that it's negative. 

My life has gotten significantly harder in the last 6 months. 

I make less money and have bigger bills. I don't know where I'm going half the time - both figuratively (I don't know what I'm doing) and literally (I don't know where shit is.) 
I've become a succulent mother. 

I get overwhelmed a lot. 

But that's not bad. It's just hard. 

And it's hard to do things that are scary, but that's what growth is. And that's good. 

I read a quote the other day that said "someone else would kill to have your worst day." 

And that's super true. There IS someone out there who would hear about my day of bank notifications, relationship stress and thumb blood and think "Must be nice." 
(I picture this person to be a strong, stoic mother of 3 in an impoverished country, but in reality it could be someone who passed by me at the grocery store while I was crying silently about the cost of tampons.) 

If you're willing to do things that are hard, it means you're passionate and determined to get somewhere. It means you're focused. It means you're pursuing your effing dreams. And that's not bad at all. 

Sometimes you have hard days that are actually shitty. And those are just the days that you buy a box of canned pink wine and watch 10 Things I Hate About You. Twice. 

And then you take a deep breath and know that everything can't get done today. Or tomorrow. And you cut yourself a break. (get it? Cut?) 

(Portrait of me by one of my unintentional attackers. Wine by Pampelonne. Drunk by me)

Also - you don't realize how much you use a thumb until it's incapacitated. You can all now take a moment to be impressed at my mad typing skills.  

Lessons from #GIRLBOSS

Last month I read Sophia Amoruso's new book, #GIRLBOSS, and loved it.
The fashion entrepreneur tells her story of going from dumpster-diving deviant to millionaire CEO of Nasty Gal clothing within 8 short years. 
She writes with gusto and makes anything seem possible if you work hard, follow your passion and believe in yourself. 
What is a GIRLBOSS? A GIRLBOSS means you're always striving to be the best. Boss is about an attitude, not a title. Being a GIRLBOSS means you're always pushing yourself further and that you're not afraid to stand out. 
All good stuff, no?
While many of the messages are fairly remedial (obviously you should be nice to the people you work with), they also serve as good reminders when you see them all laid out in print.
There was a lot of wisdom in the book ranging from obvious to poignant, and I took the time to mark some of my favorites to share with you. 
Here are some great lessons ranging from believing in yourself to believing in your outfit, all coming together to be a GIRLBOSS.

- Failure is your own invention.

- You belong wherever you want to belong. 

- It is she who listens to the rest of the world who fails, & it is she who has enough confidence to define success & failure for herself who succeeds. 

- No matter who you are in life, you'll save a lot of time by not worrying too much about what other people think about you.

- You are capable of leading an awesome life no matter where you fit or don't fit in. 

- Choose what fashion means to you.

- Embrace all the things that make you different.

- Don't get drunk on your own success.

- You have to be excited & passionate about your ideas to make them work. 

- Money looks better in the bank then on your feet. 

- Chase what works - let go of what doesn't. 

- A good idea is only good if there is a well thought out plan to make it a reality.

- Take risks. The risks are where the breakthrough happens. 

- Dream & never stop dreaming.

- Fake it till you make it.

- You may not nail it in the first try, & that's ok. Be open & keep your head up when something doesn't work out.

- You don't get what you don't ask for.

- Know when to shut up & when to speak up.

- Hire people better than you - challenge yourself. 

- Save 10% of every paycheck. 

- Be creative, no matter what you're doing. 

- Bet on yourself. 

- Know what you don't know.

- "Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle' ~ Abraham Lincoln

- Being the person who says "nothing is below me" makes you the person who stands out. 

- Keep your promises. 

- Be willing to put in the time. 

- Always have smart answers - even to dumb questions.

- Look up and around - if you're not finding something inspiring, you're not looking hard enough. 

- Dream Big- but know the first step to get to that dream will be a small one.

- Get excited about the mistakes you will make.

- You don't have to know exactly where you're going in order to get there. 

- 'When you don't dress like everyone else, you don't have to think like everyone else' ~ Iris Apfel

- Confidence is more attractive than anything you could put on your body.

- You create the world, blink by blink.

- Compete with yourself, not with others.

What tips do you think help make a GIRLBOSS?

10 Ways Coachella Changed My Life

How do you write about a life-changing event?

What do you say when you experience something so completely new and different and exhilarating you can't even deal?

I know it sounds dramatic, but after being home for a week from my first Coachella adventure, I'm still trying to figure it out. 

To say I loved it would be an understatement.
It would be more accurate to say I loved it so much that it imprinted on my being.

I feel how I imagine one would feel after being inducted into a Cult... but with less pig's blood shed. 

I want to go back. 
I want to see my festival friends and drink from coconuts and lay on the grass in the toasty California sun. 
I want to drink beer and dance like a maniac for hours on end and feel music so loud it's pulsating in my veins. 
I want to live in cut-offs and keds and a fanny-pack for all time and not feel weird about it. 

Sure the crowds kind of blow at times (there may have been an agoraphobic melt-down on my part during one specific trek to the restrooms where I almost drowned in humans), but then you all line up together to see your favorite bands, and you become a collective group, united in a love of music and art and everything good in the world, and it's truly transcendent. 

Of course I missed air conditioning, and Broad City, and a diet consisting of more than beer and sliders, but in Coachella-Land, none of that seems to matter.

Here are some of the ways Coachella changed my life:

1. It taught me to Live in the Moment

As much as I don't like to admit it, (I like to fancy myself a free spirit) I am a worrier and a planner and everything in between. Giving myself up to the moment is not always my strong point. But this experience has been a wake-up call to the amazingness that waits if you just live in the here and now. Vibrating with happiness, body paint, and synergy, this whole situation has reminded me how much fracking fun it is to stop worrying about the future and enjoy life as each experience happens. Whether it's discovering new music, meeting new people or renewing your love of food trucks, every minute brings the potential of something wonderful, and if you're too busy thinking ahead, you might miss it. 

2. It Renewed my Faith in Humanity 
There are a lot of people there. And it would be easy for that large a mass to turn in to something aggressive or scary, but instead it's uniting and lovely. There's limitless alcohol and limited altercations. Everyone introduces themselves and helps you, and you make friends. It's all people who treat each other with respect and are all there with the same goal to have a good time and enjoy something they love. You are surrounded by 90,000 people who are all there to be the best versions of themselves. And it's amazing. 

3. It Washed away my Insecurities
Within minutes of my arrival, I realized I would not be anywhere near the best dressed/thinnest/most attractive/most stylish/everything else person there. But instead of being depressing, it was freeing. It allowed me to stop caring so much because there are so many beautiful, wonderful, stylish people there, and because there's such a high number, the comparisons just kind of stop. There's people of every imaginable size, shape, ethnicity, lifestyle - everything. And throughout the weekend, everyone just starts to look the same - in a good way. You're all just there to have fun, and that's where the focus turns. 

4. It Taught me to Follow my Instincts 
There is so much happening there at all times, it can get a little overwhelming. I learned something that's incredibly valuable for festivals and real life equally: Throw out the agenda. It's a guideline. It's changeable. Headed to see a band but hear something cool coming from a different stage? Go check it out, you may find something amazing. (Hello, Austra!). Follow your instincts. That's what they're there for. Your plans are blueprints, not a foundation. Trust your gut and amazing things will follow. 

5. It Broke Down my Social Barriers 
As strange as it may seem, I can actually have a tendency to be pretty shy in big groups. But over the course of the festival, you all become a tribe, loyal to each other and open to making new friends of all kinds.  And even though I kindly turned down the copious amounts of drugs that were offered to me, it was still a sincere gesture that often led to interesting conversations about everything from music to relationships to theoretical questions and more. Trust people. Be the change you want to see. 

6. It emboldened me
From wearing shorts in public, to opening myself up to new bands/experiences/obstacles, this adventure has made me a braver and more courageous person. I've been filled with not only renewed vigor to attempt things that scare me, to make changes in my life, and to challenge myself to push myself and try new things, but a thirst for it.

7. It put me in touch with the outdoors
When you're outside for 4 straight days, you can't help but become more in-tuned with nature. We camped on site the whole time in this wonderful little shanty-town tent village. And when you're responsible for your own shelter, you really notice if it's windier or hotter and so forth, and you act accordingly. It also made me appreciate sunsets and outdoor smells and the rise in heat as the day wears on. You can lay down in the grass for hours and no one will bother you unless it's to make sure you're ok. It's Urban Camping at it's finest, and it's all pretty hippy-dippy, and very very cool. 

8. It made me realize I can do anything 
Freedom from society for a long weekend also means freedom from all the restraints and implications and fears that go along with it. I also got to see some of my favorite artists on the planet (Bryan Ferry, you GOD, you), and taught me to take risks, to create more work, and to put it out there for people to see. Living in this bizarre, artistically fueled but structureless world for a few days rid me of comparison-fever and reminded me of my love of creating and that I'm capable of accomplishing anything I want.  

9. It helped me separate from technology 
I'm a blogger. And internet addict. I spend A LOT of time with technology. Being out of the world of technology for four whole days (no internet or traditional power source, people) was something I thought would be challenging, but instead it was invigorating. I was more present, more aware of my surroundings, more friendly and social, more appreciative of everything I encountered. I didn't care what anyone else was doing, or suffer an ounce of FOMO. I just enjoyed my experience each day for what it was without being glued to my devices. 

10. It reminded me that life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself. 
We create the person we want to be. It's a choice. Whether it's me, or you, or the guy who wore pink platform boots and fairy wings all weekend. We get to wake up every day and decide how we want to live and behave and create. And that's scary and exhilarating all at the same time. The options in life are fucking limitless, and every day we're here we get to sculpt a path to who we want to be and what we want to do. 

I'm trying to maintain my Coachella lifestyle now that I've returned to humanity.

I've deleted the Facebook app from my phone, I'm brewing water in a tin pot we used for camping, I'm wearing those damn shorts in public.
I'm writing a bunch every day, listening to music even more than before, and developing plans blueprints for the future. 
Since we've been home, despite getting sick and going back to work and being re-immersed in the tasks and responsibilities of daily life, I'm still waking up with a renewed zest for life. I still feel like anything is possible and I'm so excited to explore it.
I've also begun researching Coachella pre-sale tickets for next year, and I can't effing wait. 

Thanks for letting me share. 

I can't wait to try and keep these changes present in my daily life. Have you ever experienced anything like this? Please share with me!

Things I Learned At Work Today

I love my job.
I get to dress up in costumes and sing and dance and make people smile and it's the best.
But sometimes we have really long days in a small room crammed together and we get a little bored backstage and a little loopy. 
Today was one of those days.

Here are some of the things I learned:

• Writer's Block is a BITCH
• Car tires are like feet, and that every time you hit a curb it's like stubbing a toe, and that eventually breaks your foot
• You Can't Always Get What You Want
• Just because a book is a best-seller doesn't mean it's for you
• Learn what's under your control, let go of the rest. 
• Slow internet is a BITCH
• DID YOU KNOW that in Uno, when you don't have a card to play, you only draw ONE??? I always thought it was draw until you get a playable one. Right?!? Wrong.
• I may have a compulsive need to be right...
• It is really fun to have musical friends and make up songs in 4 part harmony
• If you're wearing blue jeans with a hole in the butt and wearing navy underpants to hide it, make sure the underpants and hole line up
• People will make fun of you if you call them underpants
• It is not attractive to be jealous when the sister of your boyfriend's 8th grade girlfriend sits in the front row..
• Some people think it's acceptable to answer a phone call & have a whole conversation in the front row of a play. (In case you're one of those people - It's NOT.)
• As much as I try to pretend, a vegetable juice is NO replacement for pizza
• If I was industrious, here are the things I would make for St. Patricks Day: Irish Soda Bread Scones with Whiskey Butter, Irish Whiskey Affogato!, Chocolate Whiskey Cake, Irish Beer and Cheese Bread
• It takes a surprisingly short amount of time to do 150 legs lifts and 50 crunches
• It's surprisingly painful to do 150 leg lifts and 50 crunches
• ...Ok. I did 30 crunches. But it still hurt. 
• And sometimes when you're bored you create things like a character called The Wine Gremlin

10 Lessons I Learned From Friends

So No one told you life was gonna be this way?
(clap/clap/clap/clap)
Me neither. 
But luckily, throughout my life I've learned a LOT from friends. 
Not my friends. 
Friends the TV show.
(I promise I have a fairly stable grasp on reality.)

Over the ten year run, we saw the gang through better and worse, and watched them tackle a lot of timeless themes about life, love and friendship. 

Here are some of the important lessons I learned around the table at Central Perk. 

1. Don't Judge - No matter how weird Phoebe acted, or how simple Joey could be, the friends all completely accepted each other. Of course they would rib each other and take opportunities to mock (Chandler), but at the end of the day they welcomed each other's differences and embraced the little oddities and idiosyncrasies (Phoebe). Embrace your friends for who they are. See the best in them. Even when they want to play bagpipes at your wedding. 

2. Be Honest - Honesty is a pillar of every strong relationship, and even when the truth hurt, they were always fully honest with each other. (Except the time Monica and Chandler lied about an entire relationship for months on end.) The tough conversations sometimes need to be had, like when someone's voice has been dubbed in their own music video, or when you don't share your romantic feelings for one of your best friends. 

3. Support Each Other - Like the song says, I'll Be There For You, Cuz' You're There For Me Too. The friends are the most supportive-brinking-on-codependent group around. Support your loved ones in all of their endeavors, from modeling male lipstick to getting massages at a corporate company. 

4. Find an Apartment with Rent Control - There's no WAY the girls could've afforded that apartment as a chef and a waitress, even if it did belong to Monica's grandmother. Rent Control. Boom. 

5. Follow your passions - One thing I love about the characters is that even when times were at their roughest, everyone in the gang pursued their dreams. For Joey it was acting, Rachel found a career in fashion, Monica never gave up her dreams of being a chef, Phoebe pursued basically anything that struck her fancy, Ross made a career out of his love of dinosaurs, and in the later seasons Chandler left the job he hated to pursue one he cared about in advertising. No matter how hard it gets (and it will get hard), be true to your dreams and passions. 

6. Release your inner Child - Build that fort. Get a pink daisy-basket bike. Play Pac-Man until your hand turns into a claw.  Get corn-rows in Barbados. Let your Freak Flag FLY!

7. Always Be Loyal - The Friends are always loyal to each other. Leaving girlfriends who didn't get along with the group, abandoning romantic notions so as to not lose a friendship, being there for each other in the worst, most embarrassing or sad or difficult situations. Always stay loyal to your friends. 

8. Accept All Different Lifestyles and Personal Choices - From the beginning, the show always embraced alternative lifestyles - Carol & Susan's same-sex marriage, Phoebe's eccentric surrogacy for her brother, Chandler's drag queen father, Rachel and Ross having a baby out of wedlock, they even supported Ross' incredibly questionable decision to have a pet monkey...  

9. Be Yourself - Being true to yourself is one of the most important things in life, and there's no doubt that the group of six knew exactly who they were and acted accordingly. Whether it was Phoebe running like a maniac in Central Park or Monica & Ross performing their Routine on national TV, they were true to themselves. And that's rad. 

10. Get off the Plane - In other words, believe in True love. It does exist. 

Post Script: I may have an unhealthy obsession with this show...

What I Learned: From Doing Standup Comedy

Last week I did something I've been wanting to do and dreading for a long, long time - Stand Up Comedy.
I went to an Open Mic night at a bar in town, and had the amazing support of a bunch of friends of mine showing up to cheer me on.
I honestly don't think I've ever been that scared about a performance in my entire life. I am SO glad I did it and knocked down the massive mental block I've built around it. It was scary and exciting all at the same time. 
I hope I do it again at some point, but for now here's what I learned:

• The only thing to fear is fear itself
• BE FLEXIBLE
• "You are braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, and Smarter than you think." ~ Winnie the Pooh
• Take deep breaths
• You're your own harshest critic
• Comment and move on
• ALWAYS be writing things down - never let an idea slip away
• Get off the sidelines and into the game
• Don't make fun of anyone who's doing something you're too scared to do
• Comedy, like almost everything else in life, is totally subjective
• Steer into the Skid
• Believe in Yourself and Commit to your Material, no matter what medium!
• "Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious"
• NEVER tone down your intelligence to please a crowd - especially you, ladies
• It's ridiculous to expect to be amazing at something the first time you do it
• Try to dress in a way that makes you confident and happy all the time
• Not everything has to be a home run - just get on base
• It's necessary to have a sense of humor about yourself
• You can be clean and smart and still be funny
• Set expectations lower and you'll be less disappointed 
• You know you have really good friends when they wait 2 hours in the cold through a bunch of horrible comedy to see you perform for 5 minutes
• "With comedy, you have no place to go but more comedy, so you're never off the hook."
• Be yourself and say what you think
• The most successful moments in dealing with people are the relatable ones
• Ignore the hecklers of the world
• Don't ever apologize for your thoughts and ideas
• Trick people so the only person who know's you're afraid is you
• Seize that fucking day
• Don't judge your audience
• Don't judge yourself
• No matter how complimentary people are, NEVER accept shots of Scotch. 

What I Learned: From 'Behind The Candelabra'

Ok I don't know how many of you tuned in to HBO on Sunday night for the eagerly anticipated (by me at least) Behind the Candelabra, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Michael Douglas Ruled, Matt Damon was wonderful, and I was totally engrossed the whole glittery, twisted, bizarre, 2 hours. Here are some things I learned along the way:

• Palatial kitsch IS my style
• Tight pants are the best and men today need to embrace them
• I want to support the Austrian rhinestone industry
• Feathered hair is BACK
• You can be alone in a crowd
• Michael Douglas is incredible
• People see what they want to see
• I need to wear more rings
• Rob Lowe is a Martian. A weird, beautiful, hilarious martian.
• Never sacrifice who you are for someone else
• There's no such thing as too many sparkles
• Accept the possibilities of the good in others
• Kimonos are Klassy
• Don't get plastic surgery - especially to look like someone you know
• The only people who know what happens in a relationship are the people in it 
• Be kind
• Follow your passion
• Dont do drugs. Seriously. Just don't do it.
• Dream the impossible dream
• Love is strange
• Don't allow people to use you
• Don't use other people
• I am Pro Sparkly Speedos
• Talent sometimes arrives in very bizarre vehicles
• Steven Soderbergh is really into ambient sound
• I effing love biopics
• Everyone fears becoming unnecessary
• Too much of a good thing is wonderful

Thank you Liberace. You odd, odd person, you.

Tarreyn Travel Philosophies

As you know, I just returned from a long trip across the pond. 
When you travel that long, you learn some things, you forget some things, and you definitely develop a certain outlook on traveling.
Here are some finite philosophies I developed:

• Calories don't exist on Vacation
• Hostel Showers fall into the definite DON'T category
• You will never regret taking too many pictures
• Don't take too many pictures so that you're not in the moment
• Don't think about whether something is too "touristy" just think about if it's something YOU want to do
• There are very few things "you HAVE" to see - do things YOU want to do
• PACK. LIGHT. (Carryon's are the way to go)
• Do your best to attempt to speak the language of the country you're in
• Day Drink
• Allow yourself to sleep (Jet Lag's a bitch)
• Don't waste time standing in lines - there are too may back streets and surprises to discover
• Hangovers Happen. Don't give them the power to ruin a minute of your trip
• Try things you wouldn't normally do
• People Watch
• Pack more toothpaste than you think you'll need. Running out sucks.
• Strike a balance between lots of planning and allowing for spontaneity
• Always pack a swimsuit. Seriously. Even when you really don't think you'll need it
• Turn your phone off
• Traveling is stressful - be kind to yourself
• Don't buy souvenirs just for the sake of it. Find something that really means something and helps you remember your trip.
• HYDRATE
• CAFFEINATE
• Ladies always pack a LBD (little black dress), Gents always have a nice shirt
• Send postcards. They don't take that much time and people love receiving them
• Try not to stress too much about money. You can make more. Have the trip you really want.
• Do cheesy things
• When traveling with another person, fights will happen. It's all good. 
• Skype is amazing
• Bloody Mary's were invented for being on airplanes. Take advantage.
• Also take advantage of train dining cars
• Sometimes unfortunate events end up making the funniest/best memories
• Learn about the place you're visiting. It will make it so much more fun and interesting (Watching trip-themed movies is fun too)
• Stop and smell the flowers
• Eat EVERYTHING

What I Learned: From Beyonce's Documentary

OMG - Have you guys seen HBO's Beyonce Documentary?!
I just watched it, and I basically just want to be her friend.
And by friend, I mean BE Beyonce.

She is the epitome of girl power, combining femininity with strength and control.
While certain of the doc's more artistic elements felt a little questionable, I freaking loved the whole thing. Nobody is cooler than Beyonce.
Nobody.
She's a goddess and I love her.
Here's what I learned:

• Women rule the world
• Trust yourself
• Life is beautiful
• There's no such thing as too many sequins
• There's no such thing as hair too big
• Be confident
• Politeness & Business don't mix
• I need to own a yacht & a sequin tuxedo jacket. Pronto. 
• Everything happens for a reason
• Do things on your own terms
• Take time to appreciate everything
• Fight for what you believe in
• Record everything
• Create Constantly
• Pour yourself into your art
• Women need to help & respect each other & stick together
• Don't compromise 
• Work your ass off
• Rock diva nails & hoop earrings
• Experimenting helps you grow
• Experiment with your hair
• Every kind of relationship requires serious communication
• Jumpsuits jumpsuits jumpsuits!
• Bling bling bling!
• Beyonce & I have the same laptop
• Respect people's privacy
• There's nothing like good girlfriends
• More is more
• Wear curlers during labor
• Be meticulous
• Miracles exist
• Your family is your core
• Life is a puzzle
• Make Bold Fashion Choices
• Manage yourself
• Jay-Z is adorable
• You need to do what's right for YOU
• Always have a vision
• Follow your heart
• Know what you want & go for it
• I fucking LOVE Beyonce 

What I Learned: Judging a High School Acting Competition

Full disclosure: 
I was a TOTAL drama geek in High School.

I'll give you a moment to recover from the shock of that statement.

In spite of my geekdom, I was really lucky to have an incredibly talented and super cool drama teacher.
She's the kind who you thank in an Oscar speech and actually hope you run into in public.
I've been lucky to keep in touch with her over the years, and when she called me a week ago asking if Jake and I would be judges at the southern-state High School acting festival, I agreed without hesitation.

It was a big learning experience for me, especially considering I've been out of High School for (oh god) almost 8 years (woah.)

Here's What I Learned:

• Always be kind
• I hate Arthur miller
• My boyfriend is a stud (Which I already knew, but always fun to be reminded when he's squealed about)
• Musicals are food for the soul no matter how shitty the production quality is
• Despite their weird corporate right-wing ownership, Forever 21 has saved millions of American teenage girls from the fate of the weirdo that I suffered, and for that I am eternally grateful
• Fully commit to everything you agree to
• Think outside the box
• Some things never change
• No one should EVER pantomime without years of impeccable training. And maybe not even then.
• People are a product of their environment
• You never know what the future will bring
• Every single person who says that Arts funding should be cut should be FORCED to spend a day at a High School arts festival
• There is truly no such thing as objectivity
• It's kind of frightening who they let teach
• It's kind of frightening who they let procreate
• Take Risks
• Things have changed a lot since I was in HS
• I never thought I'd relate to Paula Abdul
• Never Say Never
• Stay in touch with people who are important to you
• Really listen and pay attention to people
• Caffeinate
• I'm so glad I'm not 16 anymore

What I Learned: On My Caribbean Vacation

I've been back for a couple days from our trip to the Caribbean, which was absolutely wonderful! We had an amazzzzinngg time exploring all the different islands and doing countless fun things. 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was that I got the opportunity to try SO many new things! Every day was an adventure filled with something new, whether it be trying tasty local food or driving a Jet Ski or dancing on the beach! From seeing so many new places, meeting so many different kinds of people, and trying so many new things, as you may imagine, I learned A LOT! Here is some of what I discovered:

• Try things that scare you
• NEVER press delete on a camera you're unfamiliar with
• NEVER press delete on a camera until you've backed up the memory card
• Anti-Frizz serum is INCREDIBLE
• Never lose curiosity about other cultures
• Don't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach
• DO NOT breathe through your nose when snorkeling
• Keep your eyes peeled at all times
• Buy a travel loofah
• The desire to explore is a universal trait
• Dramamine knocks you out
• Irish don't tan
• Appreciate everything you have
• Pirates were harsh mo fos
• You CAN survive without the internet or iPhones
• We are luckier than we know
• Airport restaurants can mess up even pizza
• Don't ever wish days away
• Paparazzi are super rude
• Jet Skiing is tricky business
• Pitch Perfect is the perfect airplane movie
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Be confident in your swimsuit
• Be confident in your fancy dress clothes
• Ask Questions!!!
• Sperrys are the best shoes ever
• Don't let a bad hair day turn into a bad day
• Tip well
• America is a wonderful country that I take for granted
• Pack Less
• You can learn and gain something from every situation
• Trust your instincts
• Research a place before you visit it
• Always pack a good hat
• Pace Yourself
• Nature gives you countless positive Ions. Breathe them in.
• Enjoy everything

What I Learned: Dog Sitting

Earlier in December, Jake went to Atlanta with his family, and they left their sweet little dog with me to watch for the weekend.

Now, let me tell you - I have never spent more than a few minutes alone with a dog in my entire life. By the second day, the dog had escaped my apartment twice... Let's just say I learned a lot - 

• There are lots of different ways to communicate
• You cannot control everything
• Always welcome your loved ones home with a lot of excitement
• Avoid snapping at people
• You can learn a lot about yourself through how someone/thing reacts to you 
• Sometimes the most unplanned experiences can be the most fun
• When you're home alone, not every single sound outside is a murderer 
• Controlling your temper and controlling your patience are strongly linked
• Dogs and little kids require really similar energy
• Express happiness and joy with your entire body
• Don't pretend to be anything but yourself
• You can't fully grasp the weight of a responsibility until you're experiencing it
• Loyalty is an invaluable trait
• Stretching feels so good
• Never pass up an opportunity to spend time doing something you love
• Reciprocate the attention your loved ones give you
• Never give up
• When you're having a bad day, most of the time you just need someone to talk to
• Enjoy simple things and don't take them for granted
• Dogs HATE carpet