The Polar Bear Club

today lauren and megan decided they wanted to run in the ocean so myself, britney, lauren, and megan did just that.  We galavanted.. well it didn't look as pretty as that ran with no grace all the way to the ocean from our house and dived right in.  Well first we were stopped by guys who said, "are you the polar bear club?"  Britney said.. "what? cause we're white?"  I am as white as a ghost right now so I could see that making sense.  Anyways, we ran right in.  Such an amazing feeling.   On the way back the same guys were there and said "Ladies, Ladies.. the polar bear club is a group of people in Alaska who go and run into the ocean in below freezing waters."  ohhhhh. now it makes sense.  So yes, I guess we were the Polar Bear Club for the day, because it was pretty cold!

Thats all I got for you guys :)  Missin' all my norcalers and israel girl.

Love, Always.

Hi Beautiful Women! 

Missing all of you SO much. Israel has been treating me very well. I live an actual day-to-day life here, which is bizarre and awesome all at the same time. I really wish I could share some escapades with you all, but nothing yet ("yet" being the key word). I hope life in the states is treating every amazingly. Hannie gave me an update on everyone last night over Skype, I loved hearing about how grown up everyone is - old farts! Just kidding. I would love to Skype more of you, so log on God Dammit. 

What I really signed on here to share was an e-mail I just received. It is something that most or all of you have probably read before, but it is worth reading again because it's so gosh darn CUTE. I love you all, remember that!

What LOVE means to a 4-8 year old...

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca- age 8
      "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

   "Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

   "Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7

 "Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily - age 8

 "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7 

   "If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,"

Nikka - age 6 

   "Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7

   "Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

 "During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8

 "My mommy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6

 "Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine-age 5

   "Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7

 "Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4

   "I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4

 "When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7

 "Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6

   "You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8

 And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry"
   

The Box

I finally got the ambition to attack the last of my unpacked boxes. I've been at the Nantasket cottage for weeks, ignoring the pile of boxes and trashbags filled with clothes spilling through my bedroom door. Sleeping in Ellen’s room downstairs and inching through the pile to grab a dress once a day, was getting a little old. 

I had torn through the last of them and realized that my memory box was no where to be found. I started running all over the house in a panic, checking every random spot I could think that I might have tucked it away. I rode my bike over to Bri's (where I'd been living for a couple weeks after we moved out of emerald apartment) and couldn't find it anywhere.

I literally had a pit in my stomach for days. I cried more times than I think I have in a year. I mourned the loss the pictures, notes, ticket stubs, birthday cards, fortunes from cookies, bar napkins and especially the things I wouldn't remember.That box had everything that have meant something to me over the past four years. All of your faces and names scattered across most of them.

A week later I was doing laundry in the garage and saw the edge of a box sticking out from the horrendous floral couch we had just moved out of the living room. I crawled over the couch and ripped it open. Right on top....there it was....my fucking memory box! 

I really wish someone had been there to witness my reaction, because it was an oscar worthy dramatic performance.

I held the box up in the air and started screaming and spinning it around, frolicking beneath it. Oh yes. Frolicking. 

I abandoned my laundry, ran inside my house and sat on the kitchen floor pouring over the contents of the box for the next two hours. I was so emotional and grateful to have everything back. I read every little note that all of you have ever written me, was literally kissing dusty pictures, and tearing up at birthday cards. Basically it took losing something to realize how much emotion I have invested in the little bits of my life you all have touched.

Okay....i'll take it down a couple notches and wrap this dramatic story up. 

I'm so happy living in Mission Beach with Ellen and Alexis. I live in a little attic room, but I'm loving it.

Had a little labor day bbq that was great, but missed everyone who wasnt here to come. Me and cass have been talking about planing a camping trip in the next month or so, halfway between nor cal and sd so we can all attend. 

Hope everyones lives are full and beautiful!

-Jade <3

Travels

TREES!! So a little snap shot of my drive through Oregon, isn't it insane to see this much green in one place? I can't describe how fresh the air was and how happy it made me to be surrounded by something so naturally beautiful. Part of the reason I have breathe deep on my tattoo is because so often I forget to do that! 
                                   

Cultus Lake where I stay with my cousin Emily the last week of July every year! This place is so special to me, I hope someday we can find a place like this for our reunions to really kick back and enjoy each others company away from the chaos that life sometimes brings. 

Last stop, SEATTLE for Seafair!! I've never seen so many happy humans! For them the sun was finally out and the only thing on the agenda was boats, beers, and blunts haha! My friend Elle, who I met in Barcelona, and I spent the days bobbing up and down in diapers (stepped into life jackets) all over lake Washington. 

 
 Officially back in San Diego to end the summer with an amazing Labor Day weekend!

MiSSING YOU ALL!

Hi dolls!  This isn't your typical blog post filled with words of wisdom or inspirational quotes, but I have just been thinking a lot lately about how amazing our college experience was.  As some of you know, I had a nice, long, hungover drive (by myself) home from Vegas today and was reminiscing about the last 4 years.  I don't acknowledge how lucky we all were often enough, and I hope reading this will allow you a few minutes to just think back... 

(no seriously, do it... let yourself reminisce.  it's good for the soul)  

Hundreds of memories are flooding to my mind right now, but I am trying to actually put myself in the mindset of some of the absurd situations we were in... I'm dying.  Everyone comes to college with expectations, fears, hopes, anxieties, fantasies.. whatever, but I don't think anyone can truly picture or be ready for how much they will be molded.  Each and every one of you helped shape the person I became, and I just wanted to thank you all for that.  Whether it was a song you showed me that will forever remind me of an amazing time, or taking care of me when I probably didn't even remember it the next day and didn't have the decency to thank you... it impacted me.  Maybe it's because I'm a little high, or that I have just been trying to gain a little more of a sense of self lately, but I wanted to let you all know I was thinking about what great friends you are and what great times we have all had!  

A little update if you are no longer in San Diego and we haven't been able to chat!  I was interning for Pura Vida bracelets this summer, and they ended up offering me a full-time job so that I could stay in San Diego.  I absolutely love it, and love everything they stand for.  Griffin and Paul are geniuses and I learn something new from them each and every day, which is nice to have in a work environment.  Ari and I are moving in with Michol and Taylor Jones since our lease is up, so that will be a new change.  It's a cute house and I feel like neither of us are ever even home, so the only downfall is the actual move.  UGH. 

Hope this puts a little smile of your faces, even if ya had a rough day, and that everyone will start using this more!  So much love for you all :)

- da GOatttt 

Hermie the Worm

Whoa, I have missed you lovely ladies SO much. And while you are all doing so many different, fun, unique, and "grown up" things, I have been a Senior Counselor at Camp Menorah with some of the cutest kids in the entire world. I have officially named my Kindergarten girls: "The Pretty Committee." Their mothers are not happy with how much sassy-ness they have been bringing home from camp, oops!

I have gotten to do awesome things this summer that I would not normally do like see Cars 3D, go to the Grammy Museum right in the heart of L.A. (please go, it's incredible!), Disneyland, Go-Kart racing, and even had the honors of going to a trampoline place on Thursday where I sprained my ankle. UGH. Yes, I am writing this while my ass has been forming a massive imprint in my bed. I'm praying it gets better by Saturday (I'm NOT missing HARD Summer Fest!!! - mainly to see some of you beautiful women).

The 5th and 6th graders are my group - such an awk age, I can't even explain. But we do stuff as a whole camp a lot so it doesn't really matter. My days are spent singing silly songs, saying the "Homotzee," and playing Ga-Ga (a ball game played at every Jewish camp). I am in charge of so much though, it's insane. I work the longest hours I have ever worked in my life and I'm never NOT exhausted. I go to work and leave feeling like I had spent the whole day at 24 Hour Fitness. But this by far, (I mean I'm comparing it to hostessing) is the most rewarding job. Yeah, the kids are privileged and all, but when their parents pick them up and pull you aside to say, "my kid never stops talking about you. You have to come babysit before summer ends and you HAVE to come back next summer," is literally the most heart-warming feeling. This summer has sped by like lighting, but I'm already really attached to these kids which makes this whole moving to Israel thing even harder than it was.

Yep, I leave in 25 days. FREAKING OUT.

I love you all. Since I have left SD, I can still say there is no better women in the world :)

Listen to this! And you can download:
Pumped Up Kicks (remixed by Grouplove & Captain)

I mean.....HOW CUTE?!

xo - Alana

Decisions

"if you are stuck trying to make a decision about something ask these questions: Is it true, is it good, and is it beautiful? This can be a filter to all of our life decisions."

A little quote I came across

Much love,
Han

90's Feel Good

When I think of my childhood, a few things come to mind: Usher, Justin Timberlake, Nsync and TLC. It isn't a secret that over the past few years electronic music has taken over the music industry, and even though I love it SO MUCH I can't help but reminisce about the 90's feel good music that shaped my childhood. Think about it for a second-- imagine the children growing up in this decade and what their childhood is like listening to electronic music, I can't imagine what that is like! When I think about Nsync, Mariah Carey, Usher, and TLC my heart warms up and I feel good inside. There is something about the beat and the lyrics that uplift my mood.

In the 8th grade I had my short term (2 week boyfriend) ask me out to this song. Yeah, it was a good memory and whenever I hear this song it takes me back to the feeling I had when he asked me to be his girlfriend.

Ok, last video. If I were to summarize my childhood with one song it would be Fantasy by Mariah Carey. This song was played at least one million times in my house, my car, the shower, etc. This song is THE SONG of the 90's. It's so good.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my little blast from the past. Take some time and reminisce about your favorite songs from your childhood and listen to them; see how it makes you feel. :)


Here are some favorites: Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink 182, Usher, JT, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, PDIDDY, Tupac, Notorious BIG, Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin, TLC, Limp Bizkit, POD, Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, All American Rejects, Destiny's Child, and so much MORE.


Ariana

Dont Judge, Love

I just read a little article on judgement that I would like to share with you all.  Judgement, criticism, and comparison is such an easy thing to do.  We often compare and focus on the 'falling short' or we compare.  Often times we are unaware that we are even doing it.  Many times you can catch yourself making a small judgement on the way someone is dressed, what they are doing, what they are eating, or how they are talking.  However, lately when a thought like this comes into my head and I realize that I am being judgemental I ask myself, why?  Why am I passing judgement on this person, why do I care?  Why am I right?  Who says one way is better then the next?  Do I want to be judged?  We can condition our brains to be non-judgemental and non-criticizing.  Every person has their own walk of life and every person does things differently.  Who am I or anyone to say which way is right?  All in all, noone has it right. So lets change the way we think.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a wonderful rest of their week. :)

Hanny Banany

THE THINGS YOU OWN END UP OWNING YOU

You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world. 

-Tyler Durden 

Fight Club's Tyler Durden is really speaking to me...Lately I been feeling like I don't own my stuff, but my stuff is owning me. Time to simplify, and get a little release. I think we could all use it. Remember if you haven't used it, wore it, or loved it in 6 months its time to toss it. 


Love&Light-
Lauren Haikara

HOLSTEE

LOVE this idea.  I have been waiting for the right way to start a blog, and this couldn't be a better collaboration.  I was stumbling for the first time in a while the other day and came across this website, holstee.com, and was truly inspired by their manifesto.

I think we can all relate in some way or another, at some point or another.  Miss you all, I hope everyone will take part in this blog because it truly is a great way to keep in touch... wherever we are in this crazy life!

-BHiLLY

Work Hard, Play Harder

Most of you already know this, I'm a workaholic. Not because I want to be, but because I need to be. Lately, it seems like every time I take a step forward something happens and I end up two steps behind and can't get to a stable place where I'd like to be. I have been getting really down about it because it is so frustrating to work so hard and then see that money be spent on things that aren't enjoyable. But today, I came to a realization--money is made to be spent; spent on things you have to spend it on, and also things you want to spend it on. This morning when Britney asked if I was going to go to the Opening Day at the Del Mar Racetrack I could think of a million reasons why I should save that 30 dollars and just say the most responsible answer: NO. But then, a moment of clarity presented itself and I thought I'm only 22 years old, I work not only to support myself but also to enjoy myself. It is summer time and I only have such little time left with the few people that are still here in this awesome city; I have to go. You can always make money, but you can never make time. Alana told me that and it has stuck in my head for so long; and for some reason it has recently affected most of the decisions that I make. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that a balanced life is the best life. So I will work hard AND play hard(maybe a little harder hehe) and that will equate to the most healthy of lifestyles. :)

Cheers,
Ariana

Day to day

Great idea Cass and Han. Brava!
I hope you all approve of the blog's facelift, but I will not be offended by any changes. I've been applying bits and pieces of Bob Dylan songs to my daily state of mind and I felt that this bit from The Times They are A-Changin' kind of hit the nail on the head.
Wherever we roam I know that our friendships will become stronger as we change and become more of ourselves.
I miss hearing the day-to-day's of everyone who's far away, so write the little stuff, I for one will appreciate it.
Anyways, enough of that, i'll go cry myself to sleep now :).

P.S. Here's a sparkling bit from day today....As I was following my boss to a tile distributer, texting up a storm, I rear ended her brand new Lexus. Oh yes. All blood drained from the upper half of my body, and my exact words would probably get this blog thrown off the internet. No damage to the car...but a huge dent on my ego/ability to show my face at work/view on texting & driving/blood pressure. I admit it. My name is Jade, and I am a BAD DRIVER!

-Ashamed Frances Jacobs

Self-Compassion

I am reading an amazing book right now called, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown.  There are some amazing lessons and pieces of advice in this book.  Today as I was reading on the beach, a piece really stuck out to me that I would like to share.

A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day.  A string of such moments can change the course of your life. -Christopher K. Germer

So be kind to yourself, be compassionate to yourself always.  When you mess up- it's okay, everyone does.  Embrace your imperfections.  Imperfections are not inadaquacies, instead they are reminders that we're all in this together.  Imperfectly, but together.  You are enough.  Don't be so hard on yourself or for that matter other people.  As, we are all human beings on this earth and are not perfect.  When you find yourself getting mad because someone is crossing the street to slow or the car in front of you is driving to slow (I did today), take a moment, take a breath, and ask yourself why is this upsetting you so much?  Relax.  Life is to short to tense up and let yourself get annoyed about things like this.  :)

-Hanny

And here we go again on our own...

Since we no longer can be together every waking moment :) let's use this blog to share random events and thoughts going on in our lives! Post an update every now and then of something that made you happy so we can all share the moment

<3 you all

Cass