Good Bye San Francisco...

My days are now filled with Diaper Cakes and potty breaks (And no, they are not mine).
Even if I was a Middle Sister of another mister I still wouldn't recognize myself. The days of strolling through art museums by day and wine bars and who knows what else in San Francisco by night are absolutely gone. I miss Polk street where I use to live and Union Street where I worked and all the bars, restaurants and taxis at your fingertips. I miss not having to worry about DUI's and everyone having a great time. Most of all I miss having Napa and Sonoma as my neighbors. Its been two years since I moved and I visit often but its still not the same as living there. Now being a "visitor" of San Francisco it feels like an itch I just can't quite scratch all the way. Not quite satisfying but enough for the moment.

But I am the one who decided to move back home. I decided I wanted to be with my family again. The city was getting to me. I was done having only myself to be concerned with and plus the boys suck there. I was tired and done with the party that never ends. I wanted to be Aunty T-T. I wanted an active role in my nephew's life. I missed out on most of Big Sis's wedding preparation and fun and that is one of the greatest things about having sisters, experiencing those special moments that we talk about forever- weddings and births and I missed most of it.
But I must say be careful what you wish for because I got everything I wished for and more. I did get to witness the birth of my 2nd nephew since I've moved back which was amazing BUT I now also make Diaper Cakes, have Barney and Friends on my Tivo, and I attend more baby showers and Elmo parties than I do Happy Hour. I dream of Diaper Genies where I once dreamed of Gucci and Prada.
Middle Sister and the City no more.
There are moments where I do miss being where my artsy stylish ways were appreciated. Not so much around here. Sandals and machine washable clothes are now the norm.

I left San Francisco while I still loved it. That is the only way to go. I left before it jaded me and took away all the spark I still had left for life, love and happiness because city life can do that to you if you stay too long. If I had the opportunity to move back I still might. My heart is still there as much as it is here now. The adjustment from City life to Suburban life was very hard but now looking back I have never felt more fulfilled than I do now and the ironic thing is I have less than I did before and as far as life goes and what to do next I am more in the "middle" than ever. But a good friend of mine said its much better to be in the "middle" in SoCal where the sun always shine and the beaches are around the corner than freezing cold San Francisco. Kudos to that. I love you San Francisco but I think I will stay here for awhile.

Its a Family Affair

There is no such thing as a small gathering in my family. Everything we do always includes a cousin or two or five. And words such as "Private" and "Intimate" do not exist in our vocabulary. We will always know what you did last summer or last night and even a minute ago. You can bet that even our cousin in Cambodia will know about your bowel movements and whats in your bank accounts before you do.
Our In Case of Emergency number should really be listed as a 1-800 Call My Whole Family type phone number because that's really who you will reach if God forbid anything happens to one of us. Its completely annoying most of the time but comforting when it truly is a case of emergency situation. You will never be alone in such stressful, scary cases but before you shut your eyes and say goodnight you can bet your socks that one of our cousins in Cambodia and their co-workers will hear about your colon and your past gyno exam. Why? Because they are all NOSY disguised as "caring" for your well being :)

Little Sis had to go to the emergency room due to excruciating pain in her abdomen. The good news is that Little Sis was never alone during this scary time but the bad news is she was NEVER alone even if she wanted to be because unfortunately everything IS a Family Affair. So as she answered those personal questions that doctors do love to ask you can bet your socks again that her family was there and more alert than a triple shot of espresso waiting to hear her answers (yep, now we really know what she did last summer...) The good news is that it was just her Sisters in the room and even better news is that she is gonna be fine.
The only bad news is the medical bill that will NOT be a family affair and the only time where we will be given our "personal space".

Gym Day

I saw Jesus at the gym today.

Well actually calm down Jesus fans, it was more like his modern day twin brother. He was on the elliptical doing his thing as happy as can be. It made me smile. If God was one of us...as the song goes... what would He do at the gym? (apparently the Elliptical). It would have been cool if I was running the treadmill next to Jesus because then it would have been me and Jesus running side by side in great stride :)
But I almost feel like it was a sign. Like I was doing the right thing going to the gym today (because I must confess its been awhile). That God is with me. That I better not cheat my workout and do two more crunches before I sneak out cause Jesus is in the house and he is watching!
Hmm...I wonder if his membership is free...
I am always looking for a sign. I am always believing everything is a sign. I believe seeing Jesus's modern day twin brother on the elliptical today is definitely one but I am still pondering what it could possibly be as I sip my Chardonnay...
It is 4pm and yes, this is what I do.

Middle Sister Meets Boy...

He's not a middle child but he seems to appreciate this one. Despite what my monk has said about me not having a good year I still can't help but hope that he's wrong. That maybe, just maybe there is Santa Claus. And maybe the Holy water shower is working...

He is a breathe of fresh air for me. He makes my unemployment days feel not so unemployed. He appreciates that I color outside of the lines and respects my love affair with Charles
(actually I have to confess I've been spending more time with my Napa boys lately because I find them less wine-y and more delicious)
Not many people get me and I don't think he gets me either but I love that he tries. He says he likes me. I smile at hearing that. But for how long I keep thinking? My Big Sis says that is the flaw of me dating so much. Too many bad dates and heartbreaks has got me so uptight and paranoid that apparently I have a wall up longer than the Great Wall of China. Even he thought so. Sorry China. I've climbed that wall and it is not fun. I don't want to be that girl. But for now I do hope that he has good hiking boots because I really do like him...

But since meeting this sweet boy one great thing that has come out of it if nothing else is that it has given a reason for my sisters and I to get together to do what sisters do best- assisting in selecting the perfect date outfit. On a normal day the 3 of us don't have much in common but fashion always brings us together. But as far as dating tips goes-my little sister is only beginning and my older sister is done dating so in this situation I find myself not stuck in the middle but actually on my own.

Charles

I have to confess:
In life there is no guarantee that the people who are in your life now will always be in your life or the ones you love will love you back but since meeting Mr. Shaw he has taught me to take each day with a full glass.

He is everything I could ever ask for.
Since meeting Charles my life has changed completely. There is no going back.
Charles always knows how to put a smile on my face and make a bad day go away.
He just gets me without me ever having to say a word. We share a language that only a person of a certain grape can understand.
Another great thing about Charles is that he never argues and can never really disappoint me....but if he does become unruly I can always just put a cork in it!
But the best part of all is that Charles just gets even better over time like my man George Clooney.
Meet my first love, my only love, Charles Shaw :)

Holy Water, Holy... (crap)

I am not gonna lie, this hasn't been my best year. So to much of my mother's concern for my well being and future (more like my love life) she encourages me to go see our monk and get blessed with holy water yet again. Yes, this is my 2nd time this year, 3rd time in a year and half to be exact. Third time better be the charm. My monk not only gives blessings, he also has the gift of predicting my future so of course I also learned my fate and was requested to come back next year for another blessing. Enough said.
If I was suicidal seeing my monk that day wouldn't have been a great idea. But I have to say it is funny how we came to the temple with hope and faith and left the temple sort of disappointed and wet because this time I wasn't just sprinkled with holy water, I was showered with it.
My mother really wants me to find a great man that will take care of me. I would like to meet a guy that will just love me for me. My sis thinks I am a snob because I only like one type of guy. I like my coffee with soy milk and no sugar. That's just the way it is. I'd rather be alone than settle for less. No holy water will change that. And my little sis has no opinion about the state of my love life but she is handling her own through an online fortune teller. I love her.

In a nut shell

My weekend:
I saw the movie Miss Potter (a sorta biography of the author of the childrens' book Peter Rabbit). I have decided I am Miss Potter.

I took my 3 year old nephew to the Orange County Fair. When we pulled up in the parking lot he thought we were at Disney Land. I explained that we are not but he was truly convinced I took him to Disney Land-hey whatever makes him happy. This Disney Land is much cheaper and closer. Fed him all the sugar and returned him to his mother :0)
Aunty T-T, that is me.

Spent a day in LA. Put my Interior Architecture and Design degree to work and helped a friend furnish his condo. Discovered he is my twin. Had Escorgot and Cappaccio at a fab french restaurant. Learned that beer and Escargot does not mix. Realized I am living in the wrong city. Love L.A.

Re-arranged my home office/studio again in attempt to find the right arrangement that will enable me to focus and study for the test in August. So far it hasn't work. But the room looks great. Instead I had some red wine that I opened almost a week ago on the balcony. I never let any wine go to waste. So what if it was opened a week ago? There are starving children out there! And now its Monday.