Will Ferrell + Kristen Wiig = Pure Genius.

Brilliance.

Stewie, on Relationships:

Brian and Stewie of the hit cartoon series, Family Guy.

Brian: So what happened?

Stewie: Well, you wanna know what I learned this week? Being a grown-up sucks. Women, Brian, what a royal pain in the ass. It's like, it's like, why can't you just hang out with guys, you know, just live with someone of your own sex, just do what you would do with women, but with your buddy? You know wha...why don't guys just do that?

Brian: They do. It's called being gay.

Stewie: Oh, that's what gay is? Oh, yeah, I could totally get into that.

Tall Nonfat Easy Ice Chai Tea Latte.

For those familiar with the hilarity of complicated Starbucks orders, the "147xxxx" blog is for you. It is such a treat to read the well-crafted posts posted on this blog, all of which are written by an anonymous Starbucks barista. The author is talented, funny and witty, not to mention wise. Her anecdotes about Starbucks customers, coupled with her own insight on relevant topics, make her blog original, unique and a joy to read. 

The Proverbial Mango Tree.

Ghana, March 2009.

In Ghana, there's a tradition that the people use when acquainting themselves with each other. Friends and family will gather together under a mango tree when they meet newcomers in order to get to know one another. One person begins and explains where they have been and where they are going; everyone else follows suit.

While in Ghana in March, our team got to participate in this tradition, and it was so incredible to reflect on where we had all been and where we all saw the paths of our lives heading. Everyone had unique stories, backgrounds, goals and dreams to share. 

In the busy, tiring and stressful moments of life, take time to pause and think about where you have been and where you want to go. Be thankful for the moments in the past that have shaped you, allowing you to move forward and achieve the goals that are set out before you. 

Dorothy Got it Right.

10 Muirfield Circle. The backyard. My favorite spot.

There's no place like home.

I am contentedly sitting inside my beautiful house in Wheaton, IL, contemplating how blessed I am to have a job that allows me to work from home, wherever my home might be on a given day (whether that's Santa Monica, Malibu, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago or Ghana). It's so nice to be home. I haven't been here since Christmastime. Home is the only place where I can truly relax; having had the privilege of exploring Wheaton throughout my teenage years, there's not much left in this city that I feel like I need to do. Instead, I can just be.

While at home, I can:

Spend delicious amounts of time with Mom and Dad.
Watch endless episodes of House and America's Next Top Model.
Have Starbucks waiting for me on the breakfast counter in the morning.
Enjoy home-cooked meals.
Spend evenings drinking Blue Moon beer or red wine by the outdoor fireplace, one of my most favorite places in the world.
Have friends stop by to catch up while sitting by the aforementioned fireplace.
Order (and consume) too much pizza from Taylor Street.
TiVo my favorite shows, a luxury not afforded to me at my great apartment in Santa Monica.
Sleep. A lot. Maybe too much.
Take trips to Target, Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Barnes & Noble.
Get a manicure and a hair cut.
Read long-lost books that have been re-discovered on my bookshelves, in addition to Mom's back issues of People and Self.

Hang out on the floral couch in the family room for far too long and not feel bad about it for one minute.
Reminisce about the good 'ole days at Wheaton Warrenville South High School.
Know how blessed I am by evaluating where I've been and where I'm going.

Chicago in the fall. Sitting by the outdoor fireplace is amongst my favorite pastimes.

I Like Texas.

Well, from Dalhart to Del Rio
And out El Paso way
I've been doin' fine on Houston time
When the sun sets on the Copano Bay
From way up where the Red River flows
On down to the Rio Grande
I was born a little native Texan kid
And I'm proud to say that I am

Yeah, well, I like Texas
Ain't it fine here
I like to pick my guitar down at 'ole Gruene Hall
And drink that Miller Lite beer
Yeah, well, I like Texas
Man, there ain't no doubt
Just listen to me 'cause I know what I'm talkin' about

Well, there's old dancehalls and little cafes
Where you can get a taste of the Lone Star state
You can strap on boots and have yourself a laugh or two
Well, there's no line dancing, just straight romancing
That Hill Country love is what I fancy
The streams running clear and the skies they are so blue

Yeah, well, I like Texas
Ain't it fine here
I like to pick my guitar down at 'ole Gruene Hall
And drink that Miller Lite beer
Yeah, well, I like Texas
Man, there ain't no doubt
Just listen to me 'cause I know what I'm talkin' about

Well, it's a two-day-old burrito
One lukewarm beer to go
On the Sunday side of a road trip weekend
And Lordy, I was feelin' so low
When somebody flipped on the jukebox, and I heard old Bob Wills say,
"Won't cha' stay all night, stay a little longer?"
So I held on another day.

Yeah, I like Texas.

Pat Green

The Reason for Journals.

Dwight Schrute and Michael Scott, of NBC's The Office.

Michael: Why do you have a diary?

Dwight (whispers conspiratorially): To keep secrets from my computer!

The Malibu Lumber Yard.

I am officially obsessed with the Malibu Lumber Yard. This area opened up recently in the Cross Creek Plaza. Originally, Cross Creek was a fantastic area that offered residents everything from numerous coffee shops (the small center provided patrons with the option of getting their daily caffeine fix from either Starbucks or Coffee Bean) and great hole-in-the-wall restaurants (places like the Mexican-themed Casa Escobar, the Italian-flavored Tra Di Noi and the one and only John's Garden, a delectable salad and sandwich spot) to clothing stores and celebrity hotspots, like Nobu, a popular and pricey sushi establishment.

Due to the neat state of the economy, shops were closing on a regular basis. The pet store, which was home to many Pepperdine students who filled the void of being unable to have dogs in their dorm rooms by playing with puppies on the store's grounds, shut down. Casa Escobar closed. Ben and Jerry's ceased to exist. The movie theater was at risk, and rumors spread that Marmalade, a chain restaurant that serves the best breakfast in town, was about to see its time in Malibu come to an end as well.

In the midst of this economic turmoil, something was brewing on the grounds of the former Malibu Lumber Yard. When I was a freshman at Pepperdine in 2004, the lumber yard was in full swing. It was essentially a huge hardware store where patrons could purchase building supplies and home improvement gadgets. It went out of business long before any of the present economic problems arose. The space had remained occupied by the lumber yard building itself but it was void of employees, products and shoppers.

The Malibu Lumber Yard project had been planned since the fall of 2007, yet it was uncertain as to what stores would fill the spaces being constructed on the premises. Because the inner courtyard was obstructed by the lumber yard's original walls, residents went about their daily business, unconcerned and undisturbed by what might be occupying the storefronts come 2009.

The grand opening for the space was held recently but I only stumbled upon this treasure trove yesterday. I guess I had no expectations for what the space might hold but I was blown away. The architecture and design are fabulous. The space is constructed using dark red and brown wood, remaining true to the lumber yard feel. Tall, oblong fish tanks filled with tropical plants and creatures are placed strategically throughout the space like statutes. Luscious-looking cream chaises line the porch in front of James Perse, an upscale clothing store.

The lumber yard aesthetic of the actual space perfectly complements the types of stores occupying the shops. JCrew is tucked into the corner and its interior is whitewashed and given a beachy feel, while Tory Burch is in the middle and its walls are screaming with neon colors. Theory, next to Tory Burch, has a toned-down storefront and practices minimalism, as the store itself almost looks like a warehouse. Crumbs is a delicious cupcake bakery across the way from Tory Burch and JCrew; not only does it offer delectable treats and tasty coffee beverages but it's sophisticated in its decorations as well.

Fittingly, there are many random yet perfect touches to the lumber yard. There is a Ping-Pong table available for patrons's use, located outside of James Perse, next to a row of beach cruisers. D'Amore's Pizza owners decided to send their delivery truck to post up outside of Crumbs, offering residents the opportunity to grab a slice of cheese or pepperoni before exploring the shops. Tables litter the deck, providing customers with the perfect place to sit and take in the scene.

Even the name itself is so great. Not only is the label an ode to the former space but it's such a tribute to the simplicity that encapsulates the personality of Malibu. Truly, the Malibu Lumber Yard is the town's gem. Hurry over and check it out yourself.

Commencement.

I know, I know. I graduated a year ago and therefore have almost no right to still be pondering the topic twelve months after the event itself. Except that I do because today, as I sat working at Coffee Bean (loving their lattes and free wireless internet) in Malibu, watching families scurry around town in preparation for the graduation ceremony that will take place at Pepperdine tomorrow, the other term used in place of graduation dawned on me: Commencement.

COMMENCEMENT.

Root word of commencement: commence.

In the online version of Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, the definition of commence is twofold:






1) To have or make a beginning.
2) To take a degree at a university.

The way that these two entirely different definitions intertwine is so beautiful to me. One year ago, commencement only signified an end to me. An end to a beautiful four years spent at the most perfect college in the country, and probably the world (hey, I'm allowed to be biased in my own blog), an end to living with the best friends I'll ever know, an end to enjoying the Malibu coast on a daily basis, an end to impromptu frozen yogurt and Lily's burritos runs, an end to an era at 28300 Rey de Copas Lane...an end. It was an end and only an end.

In retrospect, it is so obvious to me that commencement, at its core, signified a beginning. No wonder it's listed first in the definitions in the dictionary; at its root, commencement is first and foremost a fresh start, a new perspective, a bright adventure.

The photos on this post illustrate the journey I embarked upon after commencement. Initially, I was a graduate, an emotional wreck who didn't desire change but felt at peace with the experiences that undoubtedly were in store in the future. Six months later, after numerous attempts at finding the right career, I landed the most fitting job with the Touch A Life Foundation, and was blessed with the opportunity to travel the world, love on the beautiful children pictured above, use my talents and pursue my passions. One year after graduation, as depicted in the third picture, I found balance, peace and pure, unadulterated happiness. I found me.

I don't doubt that former Roman military and political leader Julius Caesar knew what he was talking about when he said, "Veni, vidi, vici" (later translated to "I came, I saw, I conquered"). But, no offense, big guy, I think I found my own version of that statement:

I COMMENCED.
I saw.
I conquered.

Memoirs of a Part-Time Reader.

I hope to have a library this extensive someday.

Well, happy May. (P.S. How is that possible, that it's May already?) Here's a shameless plug for the new blog I started a few days ago. I adore reading (maybe more than should be legally possible or socially acceptable) and wanted to start something where I could document my thoughts and critiques of the material I've read. I hope that whether you love reading or not, you can find something about the blog that you enjoy, or you can find a piece on the page that teaches you something new. Read on, members of the blogosphere. I know I will.