I am grateful today...

a collection of three things that make my heart happy each and every day

[iamgratefultoday]

11.06.2014

Good Manicure

Comfort Food (aka Bryan's Bowl at Por Que No)

Talenti Gelato

[iamgratefultoday]

11.05.2014

PCC Choir

Celebrating Jon's Birthday

Live Music at The Gemini

[iamgratefultoday]

11.04.2014

Bo at Paper Source - thank you for inspiring me to get back to my gratitude practice after way too long of a hiatus. Your enthusiasm for positive and healthy living was the spark I needed. 

My friend Andrea and her album The Push and Pull (released today on iTunes) - I'm grateful for more inspiration today proving it's never too late to pursue your passion. I'm simply amazed by her talent, hard work and dedication...not to mention God's hand in it all. 

Fleece Sheets - as I'm snuggled up in bed reflecting and writing about my day, I can't help but think I'm very blessed to have a warm, cozy, fleece-lined bed. The. Best. Ever. 

[iamgratefultoday]

08.31.2014

God - the strangest (and most awesome) things have been happening in my life and it can only be the work of God. Again today, He reaffirms that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Because I am willing, I am being led by Him and the doors just keep opening. I am seriously in awe. Today, I randomly picked a new church to attend with the help of Google. After the service, I try to bail (in all honesty) only to be introduced to someone, who introduces me to someone, who introduces me to the pastor’s wife. We began talking, she asked me what I do for a living, I tell her I’m in marketing and advertising and currently interviewing. Turns out, her daughter (who happens to be at the service as well) works for one of the agencies I’m interviewing with this upcoming week. Oh, and the daughter lives in Seattle but works for the Portland agency remotely, so she was only at the service because of the holiday weekend. Coincidence? Maybe? Maybe not. After the service, the church was having a Labor Day weekend BBQ, so I attended that as well. I met the daughter, we hung out and totally hit it off. The BBQ ends with her giving me her contact info and saying that she’ll definitely put in a good word for me. Amazing! 

Dinner alone - tonight I realized how great it can be to dine alone. Especially when you stop pretending your phone is your dinner partner. I put down the device, looked around, was present and gave thanks. It was quite enjoyable. 

Recovery and inner strength - I had a very mature, healthy conversation with someone I care deeply about. I was still able to take responsible, loving care of myself during and after the call. It was positive. 

[iamgratefultoday]

08.30.2014

Rain showers - as I walked out the front door the smell of fresh rain was overwhelmingly wonderful. It was just enough rain to make everything look and feel brand new. 

"Something Nice" at the Tin Shed - best breakfast I’ve had in a long long while. Scrambled eggs, chicken-apple sausage and sweet potato brioche french toast topped with blueberries…need I say more?!?

You are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment - loving this book written by renowned Zen monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. Thank you Vince LaVecchia for the awesome recommendation. The timing of this book entering my life is impeccable…it would not have made any sense to me a year ago. Interesting how that works.

[iamgratefultoday]

08.29.2014

Penso’s farewell - so glad I could be at Instrument today to witness all the Penso love. After 4 and a half years of working there, he deserved every bit of praise on his last day. I’m so happy that he felt appreciated as a human being, employee and friend. He is simply the best! He truly cares and dedicates himself to the people and the work around him. I’m blessed to have him in my life as a friend. Much love. 

Interviews, interviews, interviews - happy, thankful, grateful, excited, nervous, etc. Lots of emotions around today’s events. Somehow by 6pm, I had three interviews with three different agencies scheduled for next week. Two on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Big, positive things are happening in my life and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. God, thank you for affirming that I’m right where I need to be. My confidence is boosted big time and that’s exactly what I need going into those interviews next week. Thank you!

Support peeps - I’m grateful that I’m not alone and that I have support in so many different places. I never have to do it (aka life) alone unless I choose to. I can get support, help, encouragement and understanding if I am open to it. It’s starts with ME being willing. 

[iamgratefultoday]

08.27.2014

Holding a friend's baby - there's nothing sweeter than holding a brand new baby. You get an instant perma-smile. It reminded me of holding my niece when she was that little...of new beginnings, a fresh start, innocence and purity. Baby Olivia was just as precious as can be. Then I thought, we were all that little at one time and even though we're not as cute as a baby (because apparently nothing is as cute as a baby according to my 7-year-old niece) we're still just as precious. Our lives are precious...they're a wonderful gift and should be used in the best, most positive ways possible. 

Dinner with friends - after a long day of being in front of the computer it was really nice to talk to people in real life. 

"Rolling with the punches" - you cannot control other people, places or things...you can only control how you respond. Today I remained calm, focused and positive. I knew that whatever will be, will be and I accepted the things out of my control as simply being a part of "the plan." Living with acceptance is so much easier and much more peaceful. I'm thankful for that realization. 

[iamgratefultoday]

08.26.2014

Lunch with John Brown

Confirmation of my phone interview date and time

My dear friend Kate recommending me to a digital agency executive

[iamgratefultoday]

08.23.2014

Wandering downtown

Manicures at home

Quiet time to myself

[iamgratefultoday]

08.22.2014

Feeling wanted - today a recruiter initiated contact with me and asked for a phone interview. The opportunity is awesome, the agency is awesome and somehow I didn't have to initiate the first contact. Just as I was strategizing on how to apply and with whom, I received an email from the agency's in-house recruiter. Was that a prayer being answered or what?? Wow! Thank you God for making that sooo much easier. You've opened the door and now I have to walk through it by doing the work to sell myself with effort, honesty and confidence. 

New friends - tonight I spent the evening laughing, sharing, drinking coffee and eating dessert with 10 people I've never met before. Another door was opened. So glad I decided to try something new. 

Good sleep - I'm so thankful to have slept through the entire night without waking up at all. My brain was at rest and I was at peace. This is truly a precious gift. 

[iamgratefultoday]

08.18.2014

LinkedIn

¿Por Que No?

Squarespace

[iamgratefultoday]

08.17.2014

Sofia Rose - so thankful for this special day...it marks 7 wonderful years of my beautiful niece, Sofia Rose, being in my life. What a gift she truly is to me, my family and so many others! She is a bright shining star with unlimited potential. I try to look at the world through her eyes and I get inspired. She brings out the best in me and I cherish the joy she has brought into my life each and every day since she was born. I love her like I've never loved anything in my whole life. She's my little angel...my firecracker, my beauty queen. Thank you God for creating her and the spark within her!

A 12-mile bike ride through the city - thank you to my friends Matt and Devon for pushing me to do something I didn't think my body was capable of doing. Turns out, I can ride 12-miles through a city that isn't flat. "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you." I'm grateful for being pushed and for being able. It was an incredible start to the day...biking along Portland's waterfront at 9am on a sunny Sunday morning is right up there with one of the most memorable experiences in the city to date. 

The "Sunrise Bowl" at Canteen - for fruity deliciousness in a bowl! Granola topped with blended blueberries, banana and fresh juiced fuji apples along with chopped hazelnuts and fresh berries. It was the perfect breakfast. 

[iamgratefultoday]

08.17.2014 // 12-mile bike ride reward breakfast…nom nom!!

[iamgratefultoday]

08.16.2014

Grand Marketplace and Rejuvenation - so thankful to have visited these two shops today. Wow! What a collection of vintage and antique goods! Super cool to see how they've been restored and creatively put to use again. Some for art, some for more practical purposes. Plus, a ton of stuff reminded me of my grandparents, which always makes me grateful. 

The Fremont Bridge - there's something about driving over this incredible structure with the Willamette river under you that's always indescribable. BUT doing it with your windows down, music blaring and the warm summer air ripping through your car gives it a whole new level of exhilaration and release. It was a beautiful thing. 

The Diode Gallery exhibit - thank you to my dear friend John Brown for being so damn smart and inspiring! (And thank you for inviting me to see your recent work.) It's awesome to see people who are truly excited to share their labor of love with you. And it's even better when there isn't a monetary reward for doing the work...just pure passion to create something cool for no particular reason. Just for the sake of blending technology and art and to collaborate with others. Nice work JB! :) "Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them." - Holstee Manifesto

[davidroads]

[iamgratefultoday]

08.15.2014

Target - for being my one-stop-shop time and time again. I can't express how much I love that store. 

Devon and Matt - my dear friends for allowing me to live with them temporarily while I look for a job and get settled back into Portland. What a gift they have given me...without their help this move wouldn't have been possible. (This is what true friendship is all about.)

Organization and normalcy - for getting me back to center. I spent the day unpacking, putting gadgets together, dropping stuff off at storage and organizing my life (to put it simply). Creating a space where I can have a new routine is just what I needed today. 

[iamgratefultoday]

08.13.2014

Blend Coffee Lounge - thank you for being introduced to me. I have a feeling we're going to become good friends. The "honeybadger" latte was exceptionally great and the oatmeal was heavenly (not your grandma's regular ol' oatmeal). Love it when I start my day at a great coffee shop! 

Good friends - coffee with friends, emails with friends, softball with friends and burgers n' beers with friends...my whole day was spent being present with people who make me smile. It was a fantastic day for that very reason!

Being back in Portland - I'm so grateful to be back in the city I love and adore. The energy, the vibe, the people, the creativity, the feeling I get when I'm here. I feel alive and purposeful. It feels really great to reconnect to this place and the people that live here.