We're on our way...

to my favorite place on earth!  

Birthday Bliss

Now,  I'm not much for birthdays, to be totally honest with you.  Not that it isn't great to celebrate the day you were brought into this world, I just think its a bit of an odd day and I am never quite sure what to expect out of it.  

I will say now, having just said I'm not a fan of the birthday scene, that this birthday far exceeded any birthday I have ever had, other than the birthday I spent in France, where an eighty year old french woman that I lived with brought over her three best circus freak friends and along with my korean roommate (who spoke neither English or French) we celebrated my birth in a language I didn't understand over a rice dish that had full shrimp heads in it (eyes and feelers included) and as my gift I received a singing birthday card and an old plate from one of Madame Cros' shelves.  THAT was a good birthday... 

Anywho, 

This birthday was much more relaxing, and Ben, who can only be described as "awesome" in this post took me for a day of zen at , an holistic japanese spa located in the heart of the avenues.  Our zen adventure began with the traditional ofuro bath, as explained below:

In Japan, the bath serves as the path to well-being for both body and soul.  It is a place in which to gather one's thoughts and seek refuge from the tensions and stress of everyday life.  So it has been for a thousand years in Japan, and so it is still today at the Kura Door.

Experience the tradition of the Japanese Ofuro Bath.  Our bath attendant will guide you through this ritual journey as you experience the healing pleasures of Japanese tea and infused bathing waters.  Choose from a selection of soothing and detoxifying essential oil, herb, and natural sea salt blends to create your own inspired retreat.  Relax into the sound of soft music, the subtle fragrance of cedar, and the water's embrace.

If you are wondering, yes, it was amazing.  

Following the bath we stepped in for massages, where I fell asleep and woke myself up when I snorted(a little on the loud side) and gave the massage therapist a good laugh...  

Then came a yin facial, complete with hot towels around my feet, an arm and neck massage, and a humidifier that blew steam on my organic cream covered face the whole of the facial.  Now that, is birthday bliss.  

To top the day off, I had sushi with my best girlfriends and went and got myself measured for a road bike that I plan to purchase with the money my parents and grandparents gave me as a gift.  

A special shout out to my hub for a killer b-day, my chicas for the rad dinner and good laughs (Annie)  and to mis padres and abuelos for the dinero with which I can hopefully someday purchase my bicicleta.  Gracias a todos. Loves to all.  

In My Opinion...

It should only rain on designated days.  For example, it could rain on "So your job sucks" day, or "Having trouble finding what to wear? then stay in bed" day.  It could also rain on a day called " Let's pretend were in Scotland!" or  " I love Seattle" day.   I would like a day entitled:  "Go ahead and be lazy today, you deserve it."  Why yes I do, now pass me the popcorn.  

In my opinion, we should all have a one hour recess during the work day.  I know what you are thinking, "hey moron, we do, its called lunch", but that is not what I  am referring to here.  I'm talking about a true blue, run around the park like we're ten, monkey bars included, recess.  It should be mandatory.  Business parking lots and buildings should come equipped with a playground, complete with swing set, climbing wall (a little extensive for a normal playground, I know), teeter totter, monkey bars, merry go round...  

Wait.

I take back the merry go round.  Last time I was on one of those my head spun for hours, which lead to a temple pounding headache, loss of appetite and I'm pretty sure some brain damage. That was five years ago and I'll bet ya ten bucks Ben would say that it still affects me to date.  Yeah, forget the merry go round, but throw in all the rest.  

While we're on the topic, I feel strongly about the doughnut becoming its own food group.   We could serve it as part of our balanced diet, while swinging on the swing set in the parking lot.  Just don't have one while on the merry go round.  No one wants to see or be a part of that mess. 

Bikes, Babes and a Killer Year

This Saturday we celebrated the one year anniversary of our first date with our two awesome friends that set us up, Tyler and Dru.  We gassed up the mini bikes and headed out to Toelle to the Larry Miller Raceway for an all day white trash event including fast neon cars, farmer tans (or burns, as both Tyler and I got) and lots of campers full of ferrari t-shirts and foam beer coolers.  

We cruised around on our 50s, took in the sights, the food, and some good company brought to us in the form of Druby and TP.  It was a killer day, with some minor crashes (both Dru and I turfed it at least once) and good friends who pretty much made this entire blog possible!  Yay to Ty and Druby!  

The mini bikes we cruised all day

Ben's bike of course has a deck of cards on it and is all tricked out

Dru and I showing off our side saddle skills

love these boys

loading up the bikes in the back of Tyler's HUGE truck

Here we are just one year ago on our first date, set up by Tyler and Dru

and one year later:  The Curtis' 

I love my friends.  I love my hub.  Thanks guys for an awesome ride!!!!!!

I. Live. Everywhere.

I had an interesting conversation with a potential client this morning.  I'm not exactly sure how we got on the topic, but we began discussing travel and where we have lived etc. etc.  She was from West Virginia, but had spent many years "living" in other areas of the country.

 

At one point in the conversation, I told her about "living" in Peru for about a month, after which she corrected me by saying "Don't you mean, you visited Peru for a month?"  I corrected myself in my head, "Yeah, of course. I visited Peru".  

Then, I had a Dana moment.

What is the difference between living and visiting?  Do I have to have a home to live there?  Is there a specified time that qualifies you having lived in a particular location?

In my opinion, I live wherever I am at that moment. Therefore, I lived in Peru.  I lived, I breathed, I wandered, I touched, tasted, taught, listened.  I learned.  Yep, I lived in Peru.  Which also means I have lived in Barcelona, Venice, Rome, Geneva, Munich, London etc. etc.  I have lived in Sausalito by the Golden Gate Bridge, walked down Broadway in Manhattan, and I know I was living there at that moment.  Amazing.

Sometimes I live on a boat in Lake Powell.  I watch the smile of the sun reflect on my skin as it seeps up the elements.  

I live at the park with my dog under a tree and let her chase bubbles and tennis balls for hours.

I live on my back porch, eating cheese and strawberries as B and I watch the sunset just over our back fence.  I like to watch the horizon close its eyes for the night.

The point is, we live wherever we are at the moment, whether it be some exotic location or a stuffed chair in your own living room.  We live, we breathe, we feel, we move, we are.  

Where are you living... at this very moment? 

Benisms

So I thought for my first post I would share a simple held belief.

The world is full of stupid people - 

You know this is true.  I just say what others are afraid to say (or maybe they are nicer than I am).  

So I will say it again - The world is full of stupid people.  To clarify, these are the people who cut you off on the freeway, do crazy things in public, commit acts with no common sense.

But there is an additional belief - You can't hate stupid.  

It is not your fault they act they way they do.  It is not their fault they were born without common sense.  A person can learn math and english, but sense>?  That is a whole other story where you either have it or you don't.

The only thing you can control is you, your thoughts, and your actions.  The next time a "stupid" person does something that might make you rage - don't hate - let it slide.  Don't let your emotions get the best of you and ruin your day - just remember you can't hate stupid.

THE PONY ARRIVED!  Yes that's right, my wedding photos finally came!  And now, ladies and gents, feast your eyes on a plethora of photos from the Hale/Curtis Hawaii Wedding, 

March 18th, 2008:

Ben's homies that made it to the blessed event 

and my "radness to the maximus" friends

How about this ultra cheese fest coming out of the temple folks!  Everyone should have one of these photos, in my opinion...

And a hodge podge of some of the photos taken at the Laie Temple

The Hale Family

The Curtis Clan

And the Bridesmaids!  I worship these dresses, circus colors and everything!

More to come!