Sup Playas?

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This is what my coworkers like to say to each other each morning. I can't complain with the fantastic lot of people I get to work with. And the really great boss. Man, it's so nice to have a boss who knows what the heck he's doing. Who woulda thunk?

So far, my job has been a bit tiring, as I am now an advisor for students across the nation, which requires many phone calls. The most amusing of which was a French man who tried to get my cell number. I aksed him, "Um, yeah....well...are you interested in school, though?"

He replied, "But of course! But youuuu can call me for non buzzzinez tings!"

The French will be French, even through the phone.

In other news, I may a little absent from the internet this week, and next week I go to New York. SAY WHATTTT?!? However, I'll make my regular appearance soon on all of your blogs! Until next time, playas.

Perfection is Overrated

Today is my first day at the new position, and I'm currently dealing with a slight knot of nervousness in the pit of my stomach. It's a nervousness caused from a string of what-ifs forming in my mind. You know, a list of silly things that are quite laughable: I want to say all the witty things, be the best employee and have the cutest outfit all in one go.

But the truth is I'll start out slightly awkward, probably hang up on students by accident and feel a bit inadequate at the start. I'm working on the idea of accepting my less-than-perfect nature, as opposed to fancying the idea of being the best, prettiest, smartest in the room--I swear, we're taught at a young age that we need to be the prettiest in the room, but maybe that's a post for another time.

So here's to celebrating the geek in all of us...may we learn to accept that mistakes make us ever-so-endearing, and that perfection is overrated!

Perfectly Acceptable Ashley

It's so very acceptable:

• to sing Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" to Churro while he just stares at me blankly. "You said you was high class, but that was just a lie!" I don't think Churro likes me insulting him very much.



• to proclaim, "Hey! They're playing the lesbian song!" when sitting in a cafe listening to a live singer strum the first chords of "Come to My Window." You know, cause Melissa Etheridge sang it. I'll never be politically correct.



• to say, "Complimenting a Mexican on his hot sauce collection is the way to his heart." I'll REALLY never be politically correct.



• to blame all my un-PC ways on South Park.

The Best Burger I've Ever Had. Period.

Look, I know I've only lived 27 years. But hey--that's a decent amount of time to taste a lot of burgers. When I heard about Slater's 50/50, and their famous half-beef, half-bacon burger (ground into the same patty), I knew it was my duty to try out such a fabulous combination!

My burger, which came with a fried egg, chipotle mayo and avocado mash. My conclusion: this is the food they serve in heaven (errrr, carnivore heaven).

And I get a beer? Well aren't I the luckiest girl in the world?

We also ordered sweet potato fries with a pumpkin dip...genius!

This seems to only be a Cali branch of burgers, but what a great representation of what the WEST COAST has to offer. I challenge you East Coasters and Southerners to show me something better! Oh, I may have just started the next civil war...

Slater's 50/50

Liberty Station

2750 Dewey Road Building 193
San Diego, CA 92106

Writing Out of Necessity

A lot of artists have been known to produce their greatest works while in sadness: Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Amy Winehouse...the list is endless of depressed virtuosos and the genius that came from their depression.

I suck at creating art in sadness. I feel unmotivated to do much of anything. I have "vented" out of anger and have felt catharsis through writing, but when I'm truly sad all I really feel like doing is disappearing into a couch.

Lately, I've been on the up and up. I've been smiling more, joking more and of course, creating more. Out of happiness comes my greatest work.

The other day, a coworker asked me my hobbies, to which I replied a list of the usual: travel, beach, books and food. And then I caught myself. I forgot to mention writing and this blog, which has become a huge part of my life through the good and bad. But that is because writing is no longer a "hobby" of mine, for hobbies are less significant; thus, writing has become a necessity. Saying that I wrote during the day is like saying I ate some food. I need both for sustenance and well-being.

Whether I'm writing less when sad, or writing more when happy, the point I'm not-so-gracefully trying to make is this: writing has become a way of life. I'm happy to have come to that realization, and I'll continue to run with it...er, write with it.

On Watching '50/50' and Becoming a Blubbering Mess

I knew 50/50 would strike a chord with me, as it's about the lead getting cancer. Several years back my Dad was diagnosed with lymphoma, and although he's found a treatment that works for him, it's never completely curable. (side note: one of the characters had lymphoma in the film, had the same name as my Dad, and AT THE SAME TIME of meeting this character, they played my Dad's favorite song in the background...WEIRD!).

But putting that aside, there's a lot to be said about the movie itself.

One, I will always have an ongoing love affair with Joseph Gordon Levitt. Duh. Not only for his half-dashing, half-awkward personality; but also, for his honest acting. Most of the movie didn't make me cry...maybe because I had been there, done that? The shots of the treatment room, hospital corridors and talks in doctors offices were old ghosts that have since stopped haunting me.

But the part that made me break dowwwwwn was Joseph's acting. I couldn't keep it in. He has that rawness about him that pierces your guts with a crossbow of truth. Joseph often takes roles that showcases the most heartbreaking moments in life--for this I applaud him.

And the script was great. Not overly mushy, but completely telling of what it's like to deal with cancer. One of my favorite lines was Joseph explaining to his therapist, "It's just bullshit. It's what everyone's been saying from the beginning, like, 'Oh well you'll feel better, don't worry and this will be fine,' and it's not."

Yes. The screenwriter, he gets it. He gets what it's like to either have cancer, or have a family member who has cancer. Because people do say that, like saying something so incredibly draining, sad and morose is "fine" will make it fine. It's NOT. Dealing with a major illness can be the most trying, painful thing a family can go through, and it's not always fine.

Of course, I'm zealous about realistic movies, so I won't blabber on about that. This movie is not for everyone. Furthermore, I have no need to watch it again. Once was enough, and it's certainly not even in my Top 20 favorite movies.

However, if you're looking for an honest, and sometimes humorous portrayal of the challenges and pain of cancer--this is your flick.

(photo credit)

Combating the Monday Blues

Sometimes Mondays are the worst. But there are a few things I've done today to fight the Nothing (Neverending Story...anyone? Anyone?). Here's my cheery list:

1. I looked at a baby. As in, I visited my good friend Jaclyn, who has just had her little babe. Seeing little Miguel instantly put a smile on my face--there's something about babies that reminds you of the goodness of life.

2. Drank some homemade juice. Jaclyn owns a deli, so through visiting her, I was treated to some fresh veggie juice: beets, broccoli, spinach, kale, parsley. I'm on an energy high right about now!

3. Drove in the sunshine. I had some time to drive around a little before heading to work, which always eases the wanderer's soul. Not to mention a little John Mayer in the mix. How could I not smile over the perfect combination of a slight breeze coinciding with some "City Love?" Sigh. Only John brings out the swoon in an otherwise unromantic girl.

4. Made a countdown. This is based off of the paper chains I used to make as a kid (to countdown to Christmas). Too lazy to cut up construction paper, a whiteboard will suffice:

Basically, I'm smiling today: Juice, babies, countdowns, John Mayer? My life is pretty sweet.

How do you make Mondays better?