:: current thought ::

:: our truest life is when we are in dreams awake. ::

henry david thoreau

Friday, February 27, 2009

Where in the World is Rachel Johnson.


Sometimes I feel like I'm in a perpetual state of traveling. I often times believe that I don't have an address; rather, my suitcase/airplane/hotel/boss's house/friend's place is my home. In 2009, I have already traveled to:
  • Nashville, TN
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Dallas, TX (three times)
  • Big Bear, CA
  • Tucson, AZ
  • Pleasanton, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Lake Tulloch, CA
And I have plans to go to:
  • Gomoa-Fetteh and Lake Volta, Ghana
  • New York, NY
  • Back to San Francisco, CA
  • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
  • Newport Beach, CA
  • Madrid, Spain
Sometimes, when I get tired of flying or sick due to germs caught on a plane or annoyed because of incompetent travelers surrounding me, I pause and take a moment to remember how incredibly blessed I am to zoom around to all of these exciting places, especially during this time of economic crisis. I love being busy; I never want to sit still. I'm always planning my next trip, and I live for weekend getaways. 

So catch me if you can.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Valentine's Day.


But really. I actually love Valentine's Day, whether or not I'm in a relationship, because it reminds me of how blessed I am to love and be loved by so many amazing people. I want to take time to let some of the amazing people in my life know why I love them:

Mom
Because I can tell you any and everything, and because you are my best friend.

Daddy
Because you are my voice of reason, and because you love me more than I deserve.

Andy Joe
Because your sense of humor brings balance into my life, and because you are always there to support me.

Pam Cope
Because you believe in me, and because you are my hero.

Karli Meg
Because you are my consistent source of the most perfect, God-inspired advice, and because I could not survive without your friendship.

Erin Marie Macdonald
Because you speak words of affirmation, encouragement and support into my life every day, and because you are truly my sister.

Erin Marie Chinen
Because you are more than my roommate: you are my beautiful, strong, talented iron.

Becca Marie
Because you are always there to listen to me and to either console me or laugh with me, and because you have the purest of hearts.

Kathryn Rose
Because you are simultaneously hilarious and wise, and because your friendship is irreplaceable.

Natalie Lynn
Because you inspire me, and because you remind me to always chase my dreams.

Krystal Lee
Because you are my very own personal therapist, and because your thoughtfulness means so much to me.

Christyn Wilkins
Because you are a role model for stability, even in times of change.

Megan Barnes
Because you bring a fresh perspective into every situation, and because your advice helps me to stay sane.

Jessica Martinson
Because no matter how much time passes between us, our friendship maintains a beautiful stability.

Rosanna Podesta
Because your friendship truly lights up my life.

Kristen Felicia
Because you are wise beyond your years.

Margaret Samuel
Because you get me.

Lindsay Jernigan
Because our souls are the same.

Ashleigh Ferguson
Because God ordained our summer in the PDC so as to create a lifelong friendship.

Jessica Wallace
Because you are the greatest intern (and an even greater friend).

Natalie Eastman
Because you are a breath of fresh air.

Emma Grace
Because your support and love in my life have meant more to me than you could ever know.

Chesed Lee
Because you are who I strive to be.

Michael Carter
Because God blessed me more than I deserve by providing me with a friend like you.

Brett Allan
Because, after all of our jokes are said and done, you mean the world to me.

Michael Robert
Because your friendship is constant and your character is consistently strong and reputable.

Matthew Bradshaw
Because you care deeply about keeping in touch, even if it means months of phone tag.

David Isaac
Because your hilarity brightens up my life, yet I always know I could come to you if I needed to discuss anything serious.

John T. Mammen
Because your knowledge, wisdom, advice and support have gotten me through the best and worst of times.

Geoffrey Baker
Because you motivate me to change the world.

Thomas Bush
Because you are genuine, down-to-earth, honest and refreshingly real, in addition to being my partner-in-crime.

David J. Pommer
Because you always let me third-wheel on dates with Ers, and because you are always willing to listen to me cry.

Andrew Blackmon
Because you are the other-brother-named-Andrew that I never had, and because I can trust you with anything.

Nicholas Michael
Because you are intelligent and wise while still possessing the ability to maintain an infinite wealth of knowledge regarding Will Ferrell quotes.

Christopher Neal
Because you never give up on our friendship.

Nicholas Mason
Because your friendship will never change, and because I know I can always count on you in times of need.

Joshua Wymyczak
Because I value your committed, loyal friendship more than you know.

Adam Shea
Because we are kindred spirits.

Matthew Hunter
Because I aim to have a heart as dedicated to service as yours.

Tanner Joyce
Because your presence never ceases to bring a smile to my face.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

My Hero.


I'm well aware of the fact that this Dave Barnes video is being posted completely out of season. Yes, I should have posted it in December but I happened to stumble across it again today (clearly, I've already seen it 329 times, most of those during the Christmas season) and I found myself literally laughing out loud. So regardless of the fact that I should be posting his Valentine's Day video, I just think this is his best, and it needs to have a presence on my blog somewhere.

But, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, here's another little treat from Dave himself. Click on the heart titled "February 4th" and be prepared for your life to be forever changed. 

If this music career doesn't work out for Dave Barnes, he undoubtedly has a future in comedy.

(Disclaimer: Blogspot has been sucking lately. Sorry, Mom, for the use of that word, but it's the only one that can accurately capture my frustration regarding the fact that I've been unable to post videos in the format in which I'd like to post them.)

Monday, February 2, 2009

Sticks and Stones.


Goodbye is the best way that I know / To forgive and still be letting go

Dave Barnes
"Sticks and Stones"

Super Bowl.

Wasn't it fun to finally watch a Super Bowl game that was competitive and full of surprises? The first half of the Cardinals vs. Steelers match-up yesterday was a bit slow but the second half was fantastic. Santonio Holmes' touchdown catch was the perfect depiction of poise and grace. His athleticism and the control he exercised over his body (planting those toes in the end zone takes concentration) defined the difference between college and professional football.

As a loyal Bears fan, I wasn't particularly concerned about who might win the game; I was more interested in watching 60 minutes of entertaining football/combat. That's what viewers got yesterday: A GAME. It's a good thing, too, considering that the commercials were nothing special. 

More important than the game (no offense, Cardinals/Steelers fans) was the time I got to spend with my fabulous friends. About 15 of my favorite people gathered at Erin, Megan and my lovely Santa Monica apartment to watch the game, consume too many snacks and just be together. I love having people over. Our apartment is big enough to hold a large-sized group of people but small enough to keep the setting intimate. Every evening, we witness the SaMo Glow (the bright, golden awesomeness as the sun is about to start setting) from our balcony. Eventually, the golden rays turn into brilliant sunsets, which we also can see from our apartment situated conveniently five floors off of the ground. I love being able to share in the coziness of my home with my great friends. Having us all together was the best part of the day, really. Not to mention the fact that an hourlong episode of "The Office" followed the Super Bowl. Though I'm an outdoorsy person at heart, there is no place I would have rather been yesterday than perched atop my couch, inside of my lovely apartment with friends I wouldn't trade for the world.