This Special Day

 | 08.17 |

The day this earth was blessed with a sensational man…

A man who happens to be my daddy, and I can’t even begin to express just how blessed I am for this reason. I have been a family girl since birth — from vacations, to sporting events to school functions, you name it. My family was always in attendance and I felt complete knowing my parents devoted themselves completely to mine and my sister’s desires as young girls and now, as adults. I find that my family is my backbone, my comfort and the driving forces behind every life decision I make. But I’d be lying if I said one man’s influence didn’t factor in the most.

I have always been a daddy’s girl…I mean, I played softball for crying out loud. But besides my taking on my dad’s favorite sport even as a female, I looked, and continue to look, to my dad for everything. He has been a huge factor in so many major life decisions and more importantly, the small decisions that I consistently run into. I know in my heart that I wouldn’t have any of the positive traits I have accumulated had he not been there as he was, and is, now.

He pushes me to be the best I can possibly be while still making me feel like a million bucks if I don’t exactly achieve what was anticipated. He has cheered me on in every aspect of every organization I have been part of. I hear his voice in my head, saying the same uplifting words of wisdom I have heard since my youngest of years, when encouragement is exactly what I need. I look to him when I’m broken, when I’m happy and when I just need a friend. As I tear up writing about his sincere impact on my life, I am welcome my an overwhelming sense of admiration, gratitude and love for this amazing man who truly is my hero.

If you’re reading this, daddy, thank you for being you and for being the person that I have leaned on for 22 years now. I couldn’t have done any of it without you and know I have so much to look forward to because of the valuable lessons you have passed to me. You are the brightest light, the warmest of hearts and the most loving man I have ever come across, making me the luckiest (well, one of two) girl in the world to call you daddy. Happy birthday to you daddy! Just know this world has been a better place for the past 60 years you have graced it with your presence. And let’s face it, 60 never looked better 🙂 I love you to the moon and back, and back again, forever and always.

(your Little One)

Charmed Life

It’s amazing what time with a loved one can really do to your soul. I have been missing my family so so much, especially after realizing my time at home within the last year has added up to less than 3 weeks. It was perfect timing for a little visit. My lovely sister, Jaclyn, and her boyfriend, Jeff, came to visit me this last weekend. It was Jeff’s first time in SLO and Jaclyn’s first since I had turned 21, so it was obvious that 21 fun was necessary. First stop, wine tasting. To say I love wine tasting is a complete understatement. But hey, do you blame me? I do live in Central Coast wine country so it’s completely acceptable.

The beautiful and quaint Wolff Winery with my sister and best friend.

Sipping my favorite Merlot from Tolosa winery.

I can never get over just how beautiful the vineyards are in this city. I have been to Napa and was obviously impressed, but for such a small and unfamiliar setting like Edna Valley, the wineries are truly divine. The employees are genuine and share such great knowledge. And the wine, well it never fails to be incredible. I do think I have a new favorite. The Merlot at Tolosa…..YUM. I convinced Jeff and Jaclyn that this is the bottle to buy, and I like to think they agreed! It’s such a great activity to socialize and experience such great tastes in beautiful settings. I’m so very lucky to have this available to me just a few minutes away.

Our weekends continued with delicious food, a trip downtown to the bars, and the most amazing brewery tour at Firestone Walker brewery. I can’t believe this was my first experience, but I am so glad I spent it with two beer fanatics who appreciate the tastes and industry. After a private tour from a fraternity friend, we tasted a variety of different blends and had a gourmet bite to eat at the brewery’s own restaurant, The Taproom.

Tasting with my favorite couple.

Delicious turkey sandwich at The Taproom.

It was the perfect way to spend a long weekend. My sister is more like my other half, I feel complete when she is around. Her positive energy and true excitement for life is inspiring and something I wish to accomplish throughout my own life. She has this ability to take away all of my anxiety and worries just because I know she is around. I miss her already, and this mini vaca only makes me want to be at home for the holidays even more. I can’t wait to see my family and spend much-needed time like this away from my realities, just with the people I love most.

xx

I’m Coming Home

It’s about time that I am ACTUALLY free to post on my blog. These past few weeks have been quite the whirlwind. It seems like just yesterday I hopped on a jet headed back to my sunny California, then I realize it has almost been a month since life in NYC. I literally went straight from being an intern, New Yorker and business woman into a sorority girl, college student and wild 21-year old (sike). Although I have been so busy, I haven’t had many opportunities to miss New York. But I have been so so surprised by the number, nay the people, who have asked me about my adventure, always mentioning how my “pictures were incredible” or that they “wish to live my life” over this past summer. I’m talking people that I am not close with at all, even boys, and obviously my 200 sorority sisters. It feels great that so many people took interest and were fascinated by my experience. It is almost impossible to describe my summer – amazing? incredible? perfect? I could say it a million times and a million different ways, but nothing will ever begin to cover how lucky I was and how much New York really did change me for the better. Okay, now I miss it…

From photos of New York skylines and scenic views, I now give you my reality – sorority life. I am probably the luckiest girl in the world (among 200+) to have this group of women as my people. What started off a little rocky due to unfortunate incidents has now become the center of my college experience. These women are the most beautiful, intelligent, funny and fabulous women I have ever met. Not a day goes by that I don’t see them, talk to them, laugh with them and share everything there is to know about me with them. We are far from the stereotypical sorority and we pride ourselves on that. I couldn’t imagine college without these ladies and I am so proud to sport these letters for life.

These ladies are my go-to’s. I couldn’t be happier to be reunited with my soulmate, roomie and bestie, Dani, whom you already know from our adventure in the Big Apple together. And my Rachey – the Asian sarcastic with a hint of diva. Can’t wait for our single lady adventures in SLO this year! Those two brunette cuties would be my family from another family, my little, Ali and grand little, Malory. How I was so blessed to have such smart, driven, sweet girls in my Sigma Kappa family is something I truly cherish and I can’t wait for the next new addition in a few weeks!

Dani did a FABULOUS job at recruiting our new members for this year. A weekend filled with singing, dancing, girl flirting, smiling, pictures, food, and non-stop-laughing really did make my transition very easy. I’m so glad to be back where I belong amongst the people I love. I’m finally home.

xo