Top 5 Things To Make Your Wedding Kickass

We are all sober

1.  Open bar obvi enough said- you want people to dance they need booze.
2.  Photo Booth- Seriously they are so much fun and they bring out the playfulness in everyone. Plus it's nice the guests get a little memento of the fun they had and the couple get a scrapbook for their own memories.
3. An intelligent DJ- A good Dj will take the time to learn everyone's name in the wedding party and the genre of music that will pump up the crowd. Sometimes this means changing and adjusting the set list on the fly aka doing your job and not just hitting play. If people are dancing he/she is a good DJ.
4. Food Selection- It's nice to have a broader selection then chicken or fish especially if you have people who have allergies or food preferences ( aka vegetarian here). Buffets are a fantastic way of letting people choose what and how much of something they want 1/2 a plate of mixed veggies yes please!
5. Something to Sign- Everyone wants to feel a part of your big day so if they can sign a picture, wine bottle, family tree, they feel included in the event guest books are seriously outdated use your creativity to make your wedding unique.

Being Home

They say you can never really come home again and I think to some extent that is true. Of course many things were different and yet so many things were the same. I've been loving surprising people who aren't expecting to see me!!! They first look and don't "notice" then their brain realizes they shouldn't being seeing you and then they freak out. It's so amusing! Especially the ladies at the bank and the teachers at my school. When Jac saw me she froze I could see her trying to process my presence in her speech sessions but it was a little to overwhelming for her. I really wanted to have a nice relaxing fire party but the cards seemed stacked against me with rain. When all the brush (a gallon of gasoline too) was gone it seemed hopeless I started chanting that the one spark would ignite and eventually it became a full fledged fire! Some wine and smores with the girls was the perfect way to relax after my stressful month leading up to coming home. Change has always been hard for me even when I know it's for the best but I think i'm handling it pretty well~S~

Flying Home

I got out of work right on time and was all packed to go. I had an awesome healthy diner with Kish and then it was just waiting the 2 hours till I needed to leave for LAX. I don't know it if was nerves but I felt so sick to my stomach even going as far as to purchase Pepto tablets ( 7 bucks for 30) at the airport for fear of actually having to vomit on the plane. The timing was perfect just enough time to check in, do security, buy water, and breath before boarding. We hadn't even taken off and I was asleep of course then woken up by take off. I was sitting next to a large man but I was so tired I tried not to care. There was a full yellow moon over LA and a orange yellow mist over the city. It was grey but somehow simultaneously eerie and magical looking. More sleep and awoke to see the hint of sunrise, sleep again, and then the full sunrise over Chicago. We landed at 5:35 boarding for the next flight 5:35---FUCK--- me running through 28 gates bridesmaid dress blowing in the wind I created and I basically ran. Made it! Then an entire row to myself and 2 straight hours of sleep. When we were landing I was blown away at how green MA was. A surprise pick up guest was in the car and he went wild on seeing me..Mahalo lol it was hilarious he was trying to jump hug and lick me all at once! It was so nice to see my father!

Almost Home

Maybe it's the fact that "Mac" by gigantic backpack has undertaken all my life changing trips with me that is making me think about how going to MA seems like an epic journey.  I spent the last 2 weeks in various states of frenzy, panic, excitement, and everything in between. I really don't know what to expect so I'm trying really hard not to expect anything! I think i'm nervous because things will be different of course unless nothings changed... I'm more curious if people think that I have changed. I certainly feel older, wiser, and maybe a little more together. The other day I forgot how old I was I literally was like "how old am I?" and I had to do the math is just seemed unimportant or something. I can't wait to see everyone I love and I just want it to be happy besides anything is more enjoyable then 7 days of work right??? Can't sleep too wound up

Public Painting and Men

My Thinking Pose

So Kish invited to me to to this event where a group of artists called Collective Ascetics does an exhibition once a month where everyone paints based on a common theme. Last night it was a tribute to Donna Summers with 2 paintings being created simultaneously. Each artist added in there own little something, their touch, their uniqueness. PT asked Kish and I if we were going to paint. My response was "I feel like painting with someone else's brushes is like using someone else's sex toys...too personal" to which PT replied "It's fine if they're clean." Muahah he got major points for that brilliant answer. He then assured me the brushes belong to the group and not one person- that I was okay with lol After some coaxing eventually we both painted. I added sparkle to the disco ball and Kish added endless summer letters along the bottom. It was super fun considering I haven't picked up a brush since I got here and have been in serious withdrawal mode from creativity and anything artistic. We had some drinks, food, and laughs. The entire time Kish and I were discussing men..in general and specifics. When we got home we continued the talk and began reading passages from the Art of Seduction mostly for laughs but for some interesting "pointers" as well. I've now decided because clearly I've mastered very little in that field that this will be the perfect in flight read on my trip back. Anyways the key to the evening was that you will only be treated as well as you treat yourself. When you let people treat you with anything less then you deserve you inevitably become it. Early that day I brought home a men's catalog from work and there was the hottest most put together "married" man in it I jokingly said this was my dream man. Then after the wine it resulted in this:

The whole thing became even more hilarious to add this "Never Give Up" Buddhist magnet to a random model picture. However as it hangs on our fridge it gives me a little daily reminder to not let anyone treat me in anyway that isn't 100% respectful and what I deserve.... Cheers to Never Giving UP! ~S~

I'm Bringing Sexy Back

          About 2 months ago now a random coworker I don't know very well said "Girl you're losing weight." I was shocked mumbled something "Like maybe a little." When I weighed myself I had lost about 8 pounds. It was just enough of a spark to really jump start me. See I had been chanting recently for the energy/desire to work out. I use to go to the gym with my Mom all the time an nature walks with Arianna so not having someone here made it seem even more tedious. Then one day the thought popped into my head "I want to go for a jog" and I did and it rocked. I'm getting stronger and can run further now since my whole neighborhood is like a giant grid it makes pacing staggering run walk pacing super easy. It's also a insane trip for the senses. There are so many types of flowers that as you run by it smells like some delicious bouquet is being waved in front of you. The slight breeze gives your face a cool rush yet you still feel the warm sun on your skin- I kinda love it. Today J's Mom whose been traveling around the US for the past month proclaimed "Shannon how have you been losing weight?" I was shocked she could tell it had only been a month since she last saw me...maybe it's that women intuition thing. I was delighted not because of loosing because I want to be healthy and live a long life. Speaking of bringing sexy back I thought i'd share something I think is kinda sexy

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Matt Bomer why are you gay??? Or Joe you were just as hot i real life as you are on screen don't you want to dance for me ;) There is almost to much man candy in this ensemble to deal with! Kish gave me this book to read the Art of Seduction and it's rocking my world.... beware MA you may see a whole new me in a few days ~S~

My First California Earthquake!

Before I moved to LA Alex asked me what I was so scared of ??? my answer: "Insurance and Earthquakes." When I was little I was fascinated at the idea of earthquakes because it was something I never had experienced. Last year in MA we actually had an earthquake it was such a bizarre surreal few moments in time for me. I was so confused and of course since I had no previous brain schema for it I had no idea what was happening. Afterwards a few minutes of processing when I realized what it was-I was in complete disbelief an earthquake in Massachusetts? So when I got here of course I was curious what one is actually suppose to do in the case one hits. Is it like the movies where you go in a doorway? do you cover your head? At work we go over various safety protocol in case of emergencies. If there's a fire we are suppose to help the customers exit and then go to CVS.... seriously if there is a REAL fire I doubt customer service is going to be on anybody's mind. So I asked about earthquakes and got a kind of brush off answer. Later alone I pressed on "What would happen if there was a big earthquake?" The reply was "Honestly we'd all die. This whole building will concave inward because of the structure." Great so I work in basically a death trap. It was only a matter of time before an earthquake came and I have to thank the universe I was A- not at work B- it was only so tiny enough to be exciting and only a wee bit scary. So Kish and I are sitting at the table chatting when the whole shakes we both stop and freeze. She says "what's that?" I reply "An earthquake!" "Really???" then the mini after shock hit. I know this phenomenon of mother nature can be devastating and deadly but I was excited- There are so many little things I wanted to expereince here and beleive it or not that was one of them. Now I have the tale of my first and in all likelihood not my last California earthquake ~S~