getting ready for the new year

I have the entire week off of work which is completely exhilarating to me. I don't have many plans, just mainly drinking hot cocoa and doing some yoga. I just want to relax and replenish myself for the coming year ahead. 2010 was pretty eventful year for me. We are actually expecting our first baby in May of 2011. So right now I am half way there which is just crazy to me. 2011 is going to be filled with even more baby research, reading more books, shopping for baby clothes and baby furniture, and pretty much all things baby. My husband and I are beyond excited and can't wait to meet this little person. Tomorrow is actually the day we find out if baby is a boy or girl. So today and tomorrow afternoon will be filled with a lot of time distracting myself until my afternoon appointment. We just can't wait to find out!

Until then, I am going to be spending my time reflecting on 2010 and getting ready for 2011.

Los Angeles.... I love you

I don't know what it is about Southern California, but I just absolutely LOVE it. My first trip to California was in February 1988. I was sooo excited to see Hollywood and movie stars. We took the Amtrak train from Cleveland to Chicago then Chicago to Los Angeles. By far, the best trip I think a family could take. I was a very easy going kid and entertained myself for the whole trip. An active daydreamer my whole life, I think I starred out the window the entire trip and watched the beautiful American landscape pass me by. We traveled all throughout the Southwest and it felt like I was in a different world. We had a larger room with bunk beds and my mom and dad and me would play Go Fish and other little card games.

Since that trip in 1988, I have wanted to move there. Los Angeles is my favorite city and I think it will always be my favorite city. I know a lot of people who hate it and can complain for days about traffic and all that other stuff, but I love everything about it.

On sunny days like today here in Cleveland, it makes me miss L.A even more. I guess the sun makes me think of sunny California!! I'm by no means unhappy here in Cleveland, and I will most likely live here forever (unless my husband and I can persuade each other to move!). My family, small but lovely, predominately live here. I would miss my mom too much if I left...and my grandma, my little cousin, my aunt, my uncle, and so on. I truly enjoy their company and see them every week. I have no idea how some people move away from their families and only see them on holidays. Must be hard. Now tell me I would of said that when I was 17 and I would of laughed in your face! Amazing how time and age makes you treasure and appreciate all that you have.

I have traveled back to Los Angeles just about every year after that. Fortunately, I have family that live there so it gives me more of a point to get out there. I still have those moments where I just want to pack up and move out there. It's the sun. When I see sun, I think of L.A.

I still love you Cleveland. You are my home, my family....

Oh and back in 1988 when I was so excited about going to Hollywood, I did. And I saw the Hollywood sign and I remember seeing "rock stars" and one had a blue mohawk. I was in heaven.

random

I stop at my grandma's house every Wednesday after work. We sit at the kitchen table and chit chat about life. My aunt and my uncle live there too so they are always around. My aunt is always asking me if I want diet coke or cake (because there is always cake at their house) and my uncle chats with me about art and nature (he is a fantastic painter and self-taught).

Anyways, on to the point of my random post....today's conversation was all about haircuts and finding the right beauty shop. My grandma (who I endearingly refer to as "Gra Gra") was complaining about her recent haircut. We both complained about how sometimes hairstylists never get it right even when you give them a picture. Made me giggle because I have had some haircuts that made me want to put on a wig or wear ponytails for 6 months.

Yesterday I came across a quote from one of my favorite musician/poet, Jim Morrison. It totally worked with today's conversation with Gra Gra. Here it is....

Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts.
Jim Morrison (1943 - 1971)

So true.