How to be the Luckiest Girl in the World

    
       So I often get annoyed when anyone on fb says " I'm the luckiest girl/guy in the world" example being "My best friend in the world just proposed to me I am the luckiest girl in the world" you know what I mean.... it can be obnoxious. What I don't like about that is that it implies that your happiness lies with and is controlled by someone else. As a Nichiren Buddhist I believe that only you yourself are in control of your own happiness. Everyday I chant and the rhythm of my chant connects to the mysticness of the universe and one of the prayers is to chant for protection (This will get less religious soon you just need back info promise). I do this everyday and can you give 3 key examples of how doing this has saved me from serious potential harm the 3rd story being the most recent/ reason for this post.

1) I was driving from MA to LA alone in a car filled with stuff. I wanted to go around this dessert loop called monument valley where there happens to be nothing for miles and no cell phone reception. As the sun set quickly I got nervous the blinding sun was in my face and I went into a very deep clay puddle. Before panic could ensue I chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo 3 times and a truck with towing gear came over the ridge. I hadn't seen a car in hours and the guy was from Cali it was amazing! He pulled me out and made it all away around just as it turned pitch black.

2) I got 3 calls from my roomate in a row when I was at work. She text me "I think your car is leaking oil." I said no is the the ac fluid it's fine but still checked it before I drive home. Luckily I did because had I driven even a foot that engine would have ceased there was 0 oil in it (the light never went on). I was stranded and the cleaning guy who only speaks spanish and the security guard created a plan to drive me to a gas station to buy 4 quarts of oil to make it home. The car leaked the enitre way and eventually was towed to a shop and was essentially fine minus a loose oil plug (or something like that). The thing is Kate never parked in the back because it's my spot that day she happened to stop by for a minute and knew I wasn't there but that "coincidence" saved me and my car a lot of trouble.

3) I had a plan to hike up to the Hollywood sign on Christmas because it was something that I always wanted to do but never seemed to have any time. So on a day when literally only movie theaters and chinesse food places are opened I concluded it was THE day to go. What I didn't realize is that from my friend's house where there is an hiking trail and which is visually very close to the sign that it is still several miles away because there is about 9 big curves that you keep coming upon. Once you're there are 2 paths one that goes behind the sign and one in front. Well of course I wanted the both and that took another hour now the sun was seeting quick and I was still about an hours hike away from my car. I saw some local people and asked if I could take this other trail instead they told me that trail was for Beachwood Canyon and that I was parked at Brentwood Canyon an entire other canyon away..... in these moments my head screams panic but my heart says you will be okay. So I put my headphones on and determined to make it back safetly chanting under my breath for safety. Then after a minute or so the family yelled "Brentwood girl brentwood girl do you want a ride?" See these people lived right at the hollywood sign and were on a leisurly "neighboorhood" evening stroll dog and all. So we left the trail and went on their street and they drove me. The sister of the guy was like don't worry he works for the mayer as a Mom herself she said "I would have been worried sick about you getting back safe all night." I chanted in my head the entire way there that my car would not be locked in there because the gate close at susnet and now it was well past it. I was thanking my lucky stars (weird saying) when it was open and they dropped me off.  I was such a frazzled mess.

Note the cool sunglasses

        Starving thirsty and exhausted I then went to Ralph's and home as I walked in my door I realized I didn't have my Fendi sunglasses. This is the only expensive designer item I have bought from Bloomingdales and even then I got it for 20%-20%-20% and $25 off making a 250 dollar pair of sunglasses significantly cheaper always with the intention of making them my new prescription sunglasses (my current frames cracked because they were 5 years old) I frickin panicked rushed back to Ralphs and they weren't there then I put some logical thought into I would have had to take them off my shirt to put a seat belt over my chest so they MUST be in that guys car. Well it was 7 by this time and I had movie plans plus I had to intention of trying to find a house or drive in the hills at dark.
      The next day I get dressed and after double checking every inch of my car with no luck decided to drive to the area in an attempt to re-find this house. If you have ever driven in the hills it's an extremely tight windey conglomerate like mess. It took 45 minutes but I finally found what I thought was their house. I knock on the door and lets just say it was not their house and I'm pretty sure the house of an actor. He informed me the only couple on the block was the house next door on the right- he thought I was insane but whatever if I have to go knock on the random doors of rich people to get my sunglasses back so be it. They wern't home but after talking to a guy doing work on the house I confirmed by vague descriptions it was indeed the family who helped me and I left a note on there door. It was a chance in hell but hey a girl has got to what a girl has got to do.

That's there house behind me and yes I was that excited to find it!

Note proximity to sign

     I chanted for a long while that somehow my glasses would be returned to me. Later that day I received an email from Dave saying "Hi Shannon: Unfortunately I didn't see your sunglasses in the car.  Should I come across them I will give you a call. Happy New Year.  -David" Must hold back tears was my thought. I finally had a new prescription I got when I was home and money from my godmother for Christmas. I then had a long chat with a friend which made happy/ realize that I shouldn't rely be so caught up on the material aspect of them. I was thankful to be safe and fortunate that I had been brought safely to my car  I had also thanked the universe for protecting me. In my heart I still had a feeling so I wrote David saying "David Thank you so much for the email. It wouldn't be such a big deal but they are the most expensive thing I've ever bought and was going to put a prescription in them this week :( If you do come across them let me even if its months from now haha! Have a fantastic new year" Because I wanted this rich guy to know how important they were to me and it wasn't like I could just get another pair but secretly hoping he would look again. I even posted on fb that was still time for a Christmas miracle.
    Now it was today and I was in limbo thinking of if I should re purchase the same pair since it's discount time or get a cheaper pair- I decided to wait. Today at 2:24 my phone rang with restricted on it I had a feeling in my gut it was David but I let it go to voicemail mostly because whatever he was going to say would probably result in me crying. Well needless to say he found them under the front seat! He's going away till Sunday but I can get them then. How aaaamazing is that? I didn't give up hope and I was sincere in my wish. Not only was I protected on Christmas but the universe also brought me back my sunnies- i'll admit it I jumped up and down and danced.
     So you may be asking yourself "Hey this post promised to tell me how to be the luckiest girl in the world" and well I will...... Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Chanting it will not necessarily get you exactly what what you want in the way you think you want it but will help you have the tools to tap into the mystic way the world works.  If you need any more proof just take a look at my life :) ~S~

Ps: Sunglasses are the only designer item that is also beneficial for your well being aka protecting your eyes which is very important in a land where it is sunny every day! 

A Touch of New England in LA

A recent trip to the grocery store had me in stitches..... In New England if you want decorative hay you go to the local farm pay 5 bucks and get a gigantic bail. In LA you go to the grocery and get this...

That's $8.99 for the little bail and $14.99 for the big! Besides price inflation it seems so silly to have hay wrapped in plastic with logos like it goes against the natural outdoorsy feel of hay. However I did manage to find one thing in LA that was even better then New England- the LA County Haunted Hey Ride! There are legit auditions to be one of the creatures on this thing and its in the middle of the woods and it's epic. On the choosen night we were graced with the presence of Elvira. I indulged in some hot cider and french fries. I tried to pretend it was a cool fall night as I was wrapped in a scarf, knit hat, jeans, sweater, and jacket for about 70 degrees... a bit overkill but a little imagination never hurt anyone. Let me add you're advised to wear ponchos on this voyage. The BEST part was when we were going up this hill and there were like 40 bent heads in this chapel I thought "Are they real? they can't be real? they would never pay 40 actors for this one scene." Well a demonic satan rose to the sky and with a flash summoned 40 live satanic worshipers with beady red eyes who chanted and hit sticks like maniacs it was awesomely terrifying. Other scenes included deranged elves, sexy dungeon mistresses, creep playhouse stuff etc. Outside there was a whole walkway of a backwards bone marry go round, cardboard cutouts, a side show, and Halloween snack cart. I could pretend it was New England where fall exists buy hey it's still sunny here a girl can't really complain about that!

What happen to those who don't follow the rules!

A giant walking scary thing!

Riding the bone merry go round

Classic Hollywood in a Modern World

Maureen Aruther 1967

When people think of "Hollywood" certain iconic images come to mind. Of course the sign, the walk of fame, red carpets etc.. I also like to think of classic Hollywood where stars arrived to premieres in Rolls Royces and wore evening gloves al la Grace Kelly. There is a certain air of sophistication, elegance, and charm during that era. Over the holidays I had the pleasure of meeting this amazing women Maureen Rouben. Now she is very old but still has a smile and spark that will blow you away. I spent about an hour, which in the retail world is an eternity, talking to her about acting and life (I was smitten). She said literally the most mind blowing thing about acting and reality that I can't for the life of me even remember a part of now. It was like I was so engaged in the moment and intrigued by her stories I forgot all about all the Christmas chaos around me. When I got home I immediately googled her but came up blank. Last week she came in again with her assistant we chatted a bit more and she told me how concerned she is for the state of the world. It was interesting to me because it's not something that comes up often at work but I asked her what's on her mind so she told me. She almost had tears in her eyes at how she feels the world is going in such a dangerous direction. I also added her and the assistant to my Client book because we have to have clients (people who visit us at least twice) and they had shopped with me back in December (score for keeping my job). Now this part sounds creepy but I was doing it out of my general curiosity about her. When they go in your book you can then see basic information about someone like their address. This time when I went home I just typed her name and the area she lives in. I found numerous articles about her husbands death which also is turned mentioned her career. Like any true actress Maureen Rouben is her real name but not her "stage" name duh!!! it's Maureen Arthur. Well once I had that I could finally learn things about her career (thanks IMDB) like that until the 90's she was a steady working actress and singer most know for her role in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Wow I was floored! Clearly from the moment I met her I was enchanted so I assumed she once was someone not to mention most 70 years olds aren't still shopping in my store with assistants. I find her to be completely inspiring she is so old (how can you say that nicely??!?!!?) but yet her feistyness and spirit are so young. She is an entertainer through and through and always ends up saying something that cracks me up. I thought about this classic hollywood starlet and how she fits into this modern world. Too old to work but still full of life, concerned about the affairs of the world even if she's so frail she can barley walk. This juxtaposition just bewilders me and I am truly in awe. I want to be that amazing and that engaging at 78 I want to have a smile that says i'm strong and mischievous and eyes that could tell a million stories. Today was the third time I saw her. I brought up that I had looked into her career, her face lit up, the hollywood smile came out, and she giggled. I saw the passion in her face the same look and feeling I have when I preform. For a minute I made her happy by bringing up her cherished past it was such an honest sincere moment. It may seem silly but I feel like she's impacted my life in some way I can't quite describe... maybe it's inspiration~S~