Sometimes I Get A Good Feeling

And just like that, we're heading into the final stretch of the year. December is a sweet reminder that we save the best for last. December is the most wonderful time of the year filled with blessings, happiness, magic and joy as we forget our troubles and wrap our bodies and minds in the glorious holiday season.

The holiday season, of course, begins with Thanksgiving and an annual short but always fabulous trip home. My 4 days in California were filled to the brim and left nothing but a sweet taste in my heart and soul. Surrounded by good people and good times, I was able to see old friends, best friends, high school kids, Valentinos, Rossis and Buckleys from far and near while spending countless hours in the hot tub soaking in the family gossip. My first Thanksgiving with actual turkey (in 6 years) along with the dreadful 3 hour time difference, left me exhausted each night as a I sank into California dreams stowed in my childhood bedroom.

Each visit home, I find my relationships altering and growing in the most fascinating of ways. With my parents, it continues to blossom into some magical and near utopian. They're my best friends, we're equals, we share secrets and advice, we laugh, we cry, we're honest and even take our stress on the world out on each other (not always a good thing but we grow from this too). At the end of the day, I have nothing but pure love and respect for them and aspire to be even an ounce of a person that they are. The inspiration from family continues on to my incredible siblings. From married life to college life, running miles and creating miracles, these individuals continue to be my heroes. Filled with a determination to succeed and blinded by any of life's challenges, these fellows take life head on and greet each day with endless laughter. Thousands of miles away, it's hard to believe I am anything like them but I hope some of their wonder and sparkle trails to the east.

It is, of course, always hard to leave the sunny, golden state. SFO, so sterile and concrete, is hard to arrive at and turn my back on my roots. Somehow, though, every time, I get back on that plane. I head east to this life I've created and I greet it with a smile. Passenger pick-up always awaits the love of my life (how spoiled am I that boyfriend always gets me!!!) and Boston, without hesitation or question, opens her arms yet again.

As we head into this final chapter of the year, I am reminded of the magic and wonder this season provides. Family, friends, cheer and bliss, there are so many things to be thankful for. Eagerly I await our trip to NYC for Christmas in full swing, holiday parties and Yankee swaps, another lovely holiday with boyfriend's family and did I mention it's been in the 60's and actually, dare I say, warmer than California? However, the snow can fall whenever it pleases as I will stay warm in the comfort of this euphoric celebration.

(Some dolls at our Family Turkey Trot! 5k/10k aka shredding machines)

Delightful Obsessions

Technically I think the term, state or feeling of obsess, obsessed or obsession contains quite the negative connotation. Its notorious definition seems to be an undesired emotion filled with sinful behavior. Well, sorry to all the dictionary sites I googled, but I am currently obsessed with all fully desired emotions and thoughts that lack nothing but fabulousness.

My current sinless obsessions... shall begin with the golden fall that has spread across Boston like warm butter on gluten-free bread seeping into New England's pores. I am struck by the beauty as I take my morning walks to the train and often stop to snap pictures for I fear the masterpiece could blow away over night. Thanks for the life changing app Instagram (special little shout out to Kevin & Nicole) I have taken some of the most magical and breathing photos of my life. Filled with crisply bright leaves that you can almost hear crinkle as the camera pulls in its deepest shades. Sunrises that bleed purple and form a orange lush halo over the city as I ride the T across the Charles. I probably look like a tourist but I am simply obsessed.

Although I am fully aware this blissful season and radiant colors will soon disappear, I am obsessed with the season and magic that follows. November 1st kicked off the Starbucks red holiday cups (but I totally got a sneak peek because that's what you get when you go every single day and make besties with the baristas...) and that was simply the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year. I'd like to say I wait until Thanksgiving before I bust out the jingles but ever since I started living where it snows, I changed my holiday routine. Whatever comes first- snow or November- the jingles shall commence. That being said, after a Halloween snow dusting, I am obsessed with Michael Buble's Christmas album and suddenly the world is just that much better. Soon to come are snowmen and mistletoe, snowflakes and wreaths and the warming of hearts as we ride into Christmas night.

We're going out of order... but I'm obsessed with the fact that in just TWO weeks I'll be in California with the entire fam and the besties that are too far for comfort. I can smell the turkey, roasted veggies and pumpkin pie from my little Boston apartment and I can fear the 8am Turkey Trot that dreadfully follows the infamous Novato High reunion at the local bars but there is nothing that will stop be from making it back and indulging in every moment. Even though the pictures I order from the wedding just arrived today, July seems forever ago and I need my dose of California and all her wonder.

My final current obsession... One Tree Hill. I used to watch the show with my college roomie Erika (who BTW is engaged!!!) and then we stopped watching when the drama was so intense I actually had dreams about the characters... but Netflix has all the episodes so really what's a girl gonna do. I need to see what happens to Peyton, Lucas, Nathan and Haliey! And let me tell you (I'm on season 7 so really I've just been plowing through) I love being taken away to this imaginary place where my problems cease to exist and I swear Nathan looks like Kevin. (Oh side note- this might be one of those bad obsessions the websites were telling me about...)

So there we have it- I am living in obsession. From the colors, to the sounds, the feelings and the future, they're all positively overwhelming sensations that wrap me warm at night. May I keep my positive vibes high as the temperature drops below satisfaction and the vanilla twilight covers my delicious fall world. But until then, another round of soy pumpkin spiced lattes on me.