2012

10 hours. There are only ten measly hours left until twenty twelve is a slew of memories. Some I wish I could go back and relive. Others I’m glad are behind me, and will never have to be repeated. There were days where my head refused to meet my pillow, and other days where it wouldn’t leave. Two thousand twelve was fun, but it was also emotional, and it was hard. It was a year that I know I’ll look back on and ask myself why it had to play out the way it did. I know there were things that happened because the Lord needed them to work out that way, but others were by my own masochistic doing.

I lost myself this year. I forgot who I was and who I was supposed to be. I lacked proper judgment more than once. Okay, I lacked proper judgment most of this year, and by the time I had the common sense to get my act together, it seemed I had dove head first into what had felt like rock bottom. (I am forever thankful for the pep talks, ultimatums and kick in the butt, Rob. I know I dont show it and I'm really back and forth, but you are one of the reasons I'm getting better. So, thank you.)  There was a lot of self-doubt and self-loathing that had occurred. I knew that no aspect of my life had any sense of eternal happiness in it. The relationships throughout the year not built on a healthy foundation, and they were fast. Holy crap were they fast. I lost sight of the big picture, this year my mind set was about what was happening right then with no discretion or sense of how this would affect my future self. I forgot what it was like to feel God’s  love and feel his presence around me. Depression surfaced and lingered. But it was easier to put a smile on my face and push everything into the back of my mind, because if I didn’t think about it, everything that had happened, in my mind, actually didn’t. It was easier that way. My friend hadn’t died, I hadn’t been dumped twice in a four month period, I wasn’t completely alone.  None of that was real if I filed it away.

Two thousand twelve wasn’t all bad. There were patches of good, and things that had gone well. I gained friendships with an awesome amount of people this year. Some of those people haven’t left my side, despite my many stupid mistakes. There are people who have altered my life for good. Like those two hooligans that got me hooked on climbing. They introduced me to something that I have become so passionate about and can see myself doing for the rest of my life. I’ve learned a lot about myself from others in my life as well. I’ve been able to challenge who I am as a person and come just a couple steps closer to figuring out who I want to become. I graduated Hair School. That was one of the most draining and challenging experiences, ever. Ten hours of school a day for a year and a half straight is so brutal. But it tested me and I walked away from it with a skill I’ll have for the rest of my life, all thanks to some seriously awesome educators and fellow students.

Near the end of two thousand and twelve, the path reappeared, it’s a little far away, but I’m heading in the direction of it, and I’m getting there. It’s taking time, but its almost within reach. I’m rebuilding relationships and starting to do it right. I’ve been turning to Heavenly Father more often and in turn I feel him around me more. I still cycle through emotions. I still feel tinges of anger towards those that have hurt me, and I’m doing my best get over those. Which means some friendships are still trying to be rebuilt, but will take time. Some are relationships that I may not be ready to fix quite yet. I’m still trying to fix myself. But I’m excited for two thousand thirteen and what it has in store for me. I know a lot of this upcoming year with be focused on myself, and reverting to the kind of person I once was. Happy.

the times they are a-changin'

Thank goodness for the incoming of fall. Because with fall, comes change. Change of colors, change of temperature, change of grades, and a change of me. A change that involves really figuring out who I am. I have learned a ton about myself in the past few years, but I still constantly find out more.

Most recently I think I've learned that my inner strength still exists. I like to give off the "I don't give a fuh" attitude but in reality, I'm a stereotypical, over emotional girl. I get defensive, I get mad, I cry (more this summer than any one ever recorded in history) and I am a control freak. This last one rings truer than any of the other ones. If something happens that I can't control I scramble to find the fix it and put it back to how it was. I've come to realize that maybe, just maybe it was supposed to break and stay broken. Maybe there is something better for me, something that is never going to break.

But, for now, I'm content with not searching for that something better, and staying in the in between. In the middle of broken pieces and the indestructible. Because what I really need to do is just find myself before I can progress on to the latter.

I don't regret the broken pieces though. I still love them with my whole heart. But it's different. And they'll never be the same, no matter what I use to put them back together. And so the best thing is for those broken pieces to be okay with the fact that they don't make something anymore; just a pile of what used to be.

I think song lyrics define my life. Quotes and analogies too. And I've been listening to Stars a lot. (Highly recommended) Lyrically, they speak to me especially as of lately. One of the best lines I've heard;

"I'm not sorry I met you. I'm not sorry I met you. I'm not sorry there's nothing to save."

Kind of became my mantra lately. Living and taking every opportunity to find a lesson in even the darkest corners of your life, is the only way to be survive here. Because if you want to survive, you have to grow.

So here's to changing with the seasons and loving every second of this crazy adventure we like to call life.

Yours truly,
Beks

California Dreamin'

Oh man. Last week was quite the adventure. I got the opportunity to take a vacation. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS. I should really get out more... Where did my 10 hour car ride take me? California.  It was an adventure for sure. Here's what I learned in the last week:

• The fourth of July is really just one giant friend reunion
• The minute the sun goes down on the beach it gets cold.
• I am so pee shy in the ocean...
• Sand gets everywhere. (I mean everywhere people)
• There are still places that only take cash (dang it Scoops)
• Sometimes you have no idea where you're going to sleep until 45 minutes before you arrive.
• Theres no comfortable way to be big spoon
• Dole pineapple ice cream- so good. especially with a snocone
• No one looks graceful walking across the beach.
• People crawl into bed with you in the middle of the night and you can have no idea whatsoever
• Plans don't exist. Ever.
• In-n-Out is a thousand times better in California.
• Surfers. Thats all I have on that subject.
• People ballroom dance obnoxiously on the beach. (its true unfortunately)
• The best street fights are the drunken ones that happen 5ft in front of you.
• Getting lost in downtown Los Angeles is really really scary.
• Going a week without wearing underwear starts to feel normal after a week on the beach.
• Tanning oil, my first love.
• Makeup- overrated.
• No matter how much you love your friends, a week together will cause some annoyance at each other.
• Hide the best you can, your friends can still hear you crying.
• You need a team dad.
• Vacations don't always go how you plan (like I said, plans dont work)

Most important, I learned about myself.

I learned that if something you really care about breaks, do everything you can to fix it. After that, let be, it needs to heal itself. And if its meant to come back to you, it will. You may need to put some pieces back together, and it may not be the same as it was before. But if its back, cherish it. Learn from the mistakes that were made that broke it in the first place, and change your actions. Thats the only way to keep it back together. And if it cant be put back together, remember it when it was intact, and remember it for the happy times. The times when it felt good. Its going to hurt for a long time, but never forget to learn from it. 

Sorry for the Confucius.

Anyways, heres a few pictures courtesy of Hilary and Steph.

Yours Truly,

Beks

Missing persons.

Sometimes life decides to throw curveballs.


Twice in a month.

I'd usually be okay and keep a positive outlook, but


both are losses.

On June 7th at 6:45 p.m. I lost the one person that wouldn't sugar coat anything, or beat around the bush and did it in the most comical and loving way. For example;

Me: "Yeah, we are dating, I think..."
Al: "Dont beat around the bush, he's your boyfriend."

I never questioned his advice or demands. Its just not what you do. Boy do I miss him. I miss the funny jig he would dance. I miss being called a NERD! I miss the best hugs I've ever had. I miss the times in the middle of a conversation he would say, "I just love you. I'm glad we're friends." I miss the times he would set me straight and bring me back to reality. I miss his jokes about how he used to be gay, and then we became friends and he decided to be straight. I miss the effortlessness of his friendship and how hard he tried be a friend to everyone. I miss Alex.




I dont have a date for this one. I cant really pinpoint it.
I lost a person.

A person I care very much about. The person I was completely comfortable around. The person I would give an arm and a leg and probably my entire nail polish collection (thats very important to me) for.

I miss them.

I miss their sense of adventure. I miss their carefree attitude. I miss their arms around me. I miss their eyes. I miss hearing their heartbeat. I miss the deep conversations that always somehow turned into both of us cracking up. I miss talking about absolutely nothing. I miss peanut butter m&m's. I miss that face. I miss the feeling that I was no longer walking this path alone. I had a companion to walk with me and help me over bumps and help pick me back up. I miss failed dinners and gloopy alfredo. I miss kings cup. I miss documentaries. I miss rapping. I miss Skype. I miss crooked smiles. I miss my melting heart whenever it emerged. I miss comparing skin tones. I miss the smell of Aveda on someone else. I miss bare feet. I miss them.


Missing can only get me so far unfortunately. I wish I didn't have to. I wish that feeling didn't exist. I wish things always stayed the same if you were happy.

Then again, wishing can also only get me so far.

I'm sorry Alex, I think I broke my promise.

Boy, am I ready for happy things.

Yours Truly,
Beks

Scruffy beards and Radiohead

Once upon a time (that time being 3 months ago) I met a tall man with a big scruffy beard and a puffy jacket. Within the first five minutes of our meeting I was captivated. He was unlike an person I had ever met. Alex didnt care what others thought of him, and he wasnt afraid to be honest with anyone. Instantly I knew we would be friends for a long time.

Turns out I was correct, in a way. I started spending more and more time with him and all his friends. (I also started dating his sexy best friend. :)) So I had the privilege of getting to know Alex rather well. I knew that he had terminal cancer, but it never seemed like it. At least to me. We went climbing, hiking and to me, he was normal. The cancer was just something we joked about. It never seemed like a reality. Now it's becoming very real and I don't know how to react. My heart hurts and I don't want to lose such an incredible friend. I have had many long talks with him and it amazes me how accepting he is and how strong he's maintained for at least as long as I've known him.


So thank you Alex, for being my excusive boyfriend just in case anyone ever tried to mess, and for sharing the apple beer ;) I'm so blessed to have known you for even just a short period of time. I'm going to miss you friend.

Yours truly,
Breggle

15 reasons why I'm a little bit manly

After a long, stressful two weeks of paint fight mania, Dan, Stef, and myself decided that we really needed massages. At my appointment this morning, I had 90 minutes to ponder my life. At first I started thinking about everything I had to do this week. Then my massage therapist started scratching my head, which felt like heaven. I then came to the realization that every boyfriend I've had loved having their head scratched. And for the most part, I've dated manly guys. So naturally, I associated head scratching with being manly. Then the golden question popped up, "what else makes me like a man?" So here is my list of everything I do and think that makes me like a man. Believe it or not, but its not just the short hair.

15. TVs are important to me. The bigger the TV, the more I respect you. and yes, there is a huge difference between 1080 p and 720 p. Oh and blu ray forever.

14. I'll take guns and cars over love anyday. If I had to choose between an action packed shooting movie where Denzel Washington effs someone up, and some sappy love story, Denzel would win.

13. Beanies are life changing. I own at least 5 beanies and wear them at least 3 times a week. They look good on me.

12. Farting is still funny. But seriously, it is. If you fart in public, I'm usually the one in the back with the red face trying not to laugh.

11. BBQ is God's greatest invention. If I could eat steak, and hamburgers for the rest of my life- sure I wouldn't live long, but I'd be a happy camper. 

10. Sports are not boring. Downloading Scorecenter was one of my better decisions. I check it almost more than Facebook. And my job consists of always being on the Face.

9. Yes, I just called you dude. And you bet bro just came out of my mouth. Stemmed from Southern California toolbags, these two words are the basis of how I address someone. Sometimes, I even use them to begin a story. And not even my poor mother is immune to being dude.

8. Cars. I love cars more than most things on this earth. More than diet coke, and dammit, I love diet coke. One time I went car shopping with my dad (so he could get a new one, as usual) and I ended up in talking about the horsepower in a camaro vs. the horsepower in a challenger with his car guy for at least 20 minutes. I still stand by the camaro's 426 horses and 6.2L engine, by the way. 

7. My goal this summer was to learn to drive manual. Guess what suckas, mission accomplished. 

6. Call of Duty. I like it, and I'm getting pretty dang good at it. 

5. I really enjoy shooting guns. The perk to having a Dad on the police force is that you gain exposure to firearms early on. And you go to the shooting range for cheaper. And I get to look at all his guns. And after all the guns I've shot, I have two words, Sig Sauer.

4. The less I have to do to my hair, the better. Product, blowdry, the end.

3. Shopping is a pain in my butt. If I can order it online, I will in a heartbeat. The mall is packed with too many annoying people that get in my way. I'm all about going in, getting what I need, and getting the freak out of dodge.

2. I dont have tear ducts. Seriously. I dont cry. Crying is annoying. 

1. Whats a relationship? If there is one thing I've learned in my life, its not to get attached. If you decide to do so, get ready to get hurt. And pissed. So I've come up with a better plan. Just dont get invested. Toot and boot it if you must. I wont judge, because I do it too.

So after reading this... wanna go on a date? 

Sike.

im obsessed.

obsessed. obsessed. heck, that doesnt even begin to explain that. 

i cannot get enough of the girliest thing on earth. sparkles. 

i would die if i could find this dress. i neeeed it.

i needed to get that out of my system or i might have exploded.

yours truly,

beks

a seattle winter.

last week i went to seattle. this is what i did.

i was a busy busy bee.

and so happy about it.

I watched my 'sister' marry her best friend.

{shes not really my sister, but she might as well be} 

i was her bridesmaid.

my baby brother was my date {mostly because he was taller than me}

my mom and i were... 

i dont know why we decided these faces were a good idea.

i reunited with my favorite l.a. hipster in the world. 

we posed like the seattlites that we truly are.

isnt she so darling?!

i saw a tower of guitars and got to warp my voice. 

and finally, eighteen hours before i was set to leave, i witnessed one of the greatest, most magnificent things ever.

New Years Eve in right under the space needle. 

Nope, didnt get a New Years kiss. Although some old french guy offered.

According to someone I used to know thats "a taste of real culture."

...uhhh what?

It was so nice to be home for the holidays. I loved being surrounded by those that are closest to me. 

It was especially nice since I don't know when I'll be home next. {San Diego, or Denver might be in the very near future.}

yay life!

yours truly, 

beks