July 23: National Refreshment Day

My birthday was a few days ago. Since I had three lovely days off in a row (this is the only time this will happen until September), I went to visit one of my dearest friends from Portland to spend my birthday with her. We spent my actual birthday on the Oregon coast. It was the perfect day except everyone else had the same idea we had so it was quite crowded. But that's okay.

I got to frolic in the waves. I'm quite good at that.

I got to eat ice cream.

And I got my beloved sea foam. Never had it? You are missing out. It's a chocolate covered crunchy, light, brittle like thing. Pretty much the best ever. I can only ever find it at the beach. Or at specialty candy shops. I live for that stuff. 

So we celebrated my birthday with my family when I got back. I went to my favorite local Mexican restaurant. Where I ordered the birthday special drink.

What is the birthday special drink? That's a really good question. It's about 5 shots worth of various liquors (I actually have no idea what they are.) Then it's mixed with coffee, two cherries, and a lot of whipped cream. Then it's lit on fire and transferred to another glass. It's quite dramatic. I mean, a flaming alcoholic coffee drink?

Yes please.

So this was my refreshment of the day.

I have a video but it's too big to upload here. You will just have to take my word for it.

I do have an awkward photo to share though.

July 18: National Toss Away the "Should Haves" and "Could Haves" and...MY BIRTHDAY

One of my absolute favorite books (and movies) is The Great Gatsby. Something about it, draws me to it. And the reason I like the movie (the new one anyways) is NOT just because Leonardo DiCaprio plays the part of Jay of Gatsby. (That might have a little something to do with it though. That man, he is beautiful).

My favorite line: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
- The Great Gatsby

This quote has intrigued me. And one day, it will be one of my tattoos. I know a lot of people have this tattoo, which is the only thing holding me back from getting one right now. I like to be different.

This quote reminds me that the past is important as it is often times is involved with what will happen in the future. And even if we are fighting to move forwards, there will be things holding us back. That's the boat fighting against the current. The future is trying to pull us back into the past. It's a never ending battle.

People always say to forget the past and move on into the future. But these two things, they can only exist with each other. In order to be a future, there has to be a past.

So I think it is important to learn from the past, and take that new knowledge into the future.

Now how does my semi-sane ramblings relate to today's post? Because today is about writing down things you "should have" or "could have" and throwing them away, and moving forwards. (But don't forget about them completely, they are things that make you, you.)

So I made a list of things I Should Have or Could Have Done

 
And then I crumpled it up and threw it out. (No, I am not going to let you see what I wrote.)

On a happier note, today was also my birthday! I spent the weekend in Portland with one of my dearest friends I have known since Kindergarten. We went to the beach.

The beach is my happy place.

And had an amazing mud pie ice cream treat.

And got in some puppy lovin' with this super sweet and rambunctious golden retriever pup, Poppy.

It was a good day to be alive.