8 Questions From Melissa

My blogging idol had an 8 question post on her blog the other day and then she wrote some of her own and tagged all of us girls from Seven Dames. So here are my answers to her questions.

1. If you could have an unlimited shoe budget or purse budget which one would you pick?

Shoes. Definitely shoes. I'm sometimes act like I have an unlimited budget on shoes. But that's not okay.

2. If you could change lives with one person for a day who would it be?

Tina Fey. I have a feeling she has a pretty amazing and fun life.

3. What is the one place you haven't been that you want to visit before you die?

Ireland. Gotta check out the roots!

4. What is your most unrealistic fear?

Whenever I'm in a large building like a theatre or sports stadium, I always look above me to see what would fall on me if the roof collapsed. Obviously, I'm not an optimist.

5. If you could compete in one Olympic sport, which one would you pick?

Figure skating. Duh. And let's be honest, Michelle Kwan would be my coach.

6. What was the last book you read and did you like it?

Our book club just finished The Namesake. It was really good!

7. What song best describes how you are feeling this moment?

As embarrassed as I am to admit this, it honestly is how I'm feeling: The Climb by Miley Cyrus. Focus on the lyrics people, not the trainwreck that delivers them.

8. Who is your rolemodel?

My mother!

eat.pray.love

i read the book by elizabeth gilbert probably 4 years ago. long before any of this hype about the movie and julia roberts. it was a book that the minute i closed the back cover, i knew that every woman needed to read it. and i was very vocal about that belief. and i still stand firm.

i saw the movie a couple of weeks ago. i was nervous because this book had a huge impact on me and i didn't want the movie adaptation to spoil that for me.

it didn't have the 'grit' that the book had. you didn't really see the low of the lows that elizabeth explains so beautifully, intimately and painfully in the book and i don't think you see the moment that she realizes the impact her journey has had on her.

as per usual, the movie is never as good as the book.

however, when i initially read the book i pulled a few quotes and wrote them in my quote book and was simply delighted that they used them, word for word, in the movie.

"to lose balance sometimes for love is part of living a balanced life"

"this is a good sign--having a broken heart. it means we tried for something"

but my favorite line from the entire book was not in the movie, but i love it so much i'm going to share it with you anyway. i think it is something that we tend to forget as we get wrapped up in life. so many people (myself included) have this false belief that happiness is something we are rewarded, but i think what elizabeth's priceless advice could change the way you live your life. it has mine.

happiness is the consequence of personal effort.

you fight for it

strive for it

and insist upon it.

are you fighting, striving and insisting upon your own happiness?

Chhhh...Changes!

Tomorrow is my last day at Lake City and 120th.

I've called that place 'my store' for nearly 3 years.

I was hired on April 7, 2007.

On January 3rd, 2010, I'm clocking out, leaving my keys and walking out for the last time.

And yes, I'll probably cry like a baby.

If you're a Grey's Anatomy fan, you should be ashamed if you did not know that Sara Ramirez is an amazing singer. Here is her in her TONY AWARD WINNING role. Also, if you watched the last disaster, I mean episode (Season 6, Episode 10) then you should know it was her singing Silent Night while Bailey yelled at her dad at the dinner table.

Editor's Note: Spamalot is a spoof on musicals, thus the

humor in her 'over-singing' a few of the

lines (like at 2:22 & 2:40)

I have amazingly talented friends. Seriously. Talented.

Insightful photographers.

Ridiculously intelligent.

Bilingual wonders.

Wonderful musicians.

Profound and thought provoking writers.

Amazingly athletic.

Unfailingly compassionate.

Being surrounded by people who have these amazing gifts makes me want to be better. Not 'better' at anything specific, just better. Better at everything I do in life. By using the gifts that God has given them, they have unwittingly challenged me to be a better version of myself.

I've never been someone that has been really talented at any one thing (I'm a fabulous parallel parker and I have nice handwriting, that about sums it up) but I've always loved enjoying the talents of my friends. So thank you. Thank you to all of you who have the tenacity to nurture your talents and the courage to share them with others.

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.”

Espresso Yourself

I want to start this post with the following statement: I love my job. Please remember this as you read through this post.

I love my job. That being said, working in a coffee shop has really made me miss one thing that I used to love: going to coffee with friends. I remember calling up a friend, suggesting a time and a place (usually a Starbucks) and then meeting said friend. And connecting. Catching up. Encouraging one another. Laughing. I can remember so many conversations I had over a cup of coffee that have enriched, encouraged and solidified so many of my friendships.

And now I work in a coffee shop, and as a result, I don't get together with my friends over coffee anymore. Or if I do, my stupid "coffee shop" manager goggles are on and I notice stupid things. Especially at other Starbucks. My thoughts are constantly "they need to do a lobby" or "eek, that RTD/E case needs some love" or "wow, someone needs to check in with that pastry case". I am a standards junkie, as well as a slave to Starbucks so it actually physically hurts my heart to go into random Starbucks and see them not doing things to standard.

And so I try to avoid going to coffee with friends at Starbucks because I am distracted like no other and that's just plain rude.

Today I went to the 'non-Starbucks Starbucks' here in Seattle. 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea. Not only did I have the best vanilla latte this girl has every had, but I was able to chat with my friends about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It felt really nice, a throwback to the days of trips to The Service Station or Rockwood Bakery in Spokane.

I really miss that natural connection friends have over coffee. I have a lot going floating around in my head these days and sometimes I think what I need is a friend, a tall vanilla extra foamy latte and the rest will take care of itself.

Little Drop of Thoughtfulness

Head on over to Seven Dames A Week to read my post entitled "A Little Drop of Thoughtfulness"