Boston, Ames, Fair Trade Fanatics

She is alive and kickin. Meet Amy: she lives in Brookline, MA. Rides the subway to work, is BAMF-tious all day and is currently pursuing a masters in human reality-soon to be rights.

It was wonderful getting to see you Amy. Thank you so much for letting Alison and I stay at your place, which is totally a beaut in Boston. Dudes, y'all would have loved it. Boston activies: scurried around the city with ames, ate banana stuffed french toast and briefly met the boy. Conclusions: goofy sweat-seams to have captured Ames' heart-yes your warm soft heart we all know you have Amy!! Can't hide it from us. PS: boy is going to Colorado to meet the fam.....personally requesting multiple blog posts on this adventure.

Sadly my time in Boston with Ames was too short. I had to hurriedly leave for the Fair Trade world aka social justice headache. The conference was definitely an insight to a movement I have been quite involved in over the past several years, so I did enjoy seeing the inner-workings. You can catch some of my thoughts on the Conf at Mustardseedfairtrade.org's blog page. Presently, contemplating my exact involvement in the mvmt...

Last note before bed...I like Blake. I am sure this is of no surprise to any party here, but I thought I would officially put it out there for y'all...and I have very much enjoyed being so close to him-ha even though we are still three hours apart.

Oh and hoolies-me and you are starting a social media pr firm ps! Call me : ) I have us new jobs

Love you!!

A Picture Story

Coffee Chitchat

Old Man #1 with gray hair braided ponytail and cap-"Good Morning, how are you?"

Old Many #2 with gray einstein hair and willy beard- "Well other than being hungover as shit, I am doin ok. That vodka will dehydrate you."

Good Morning Girlies, I stopped into Epoch this morning for a latte and non-work doings, before actually workmaina. Epoch is a great place for working and drinking. They are open 24hrs and have an unsaid keep it down rule. I could have pictured us here a lot studying had we transplanted the Beaut MU to the Beaut UT.

A Texas whirlwind

The past two weeks have been a Texas whirlwind. From flying to H-town to drive with Blake to Liz's wedding, which was absolutely goreously perfect, to drive back to Austin with Blake and Mama-getting in at 2am. Then going to work on Monday to only drive to south Austin and stay the week at Barton Springs Resort than drive with Blake to Houston. Then finally a stop in New Braunfels to go floating and then back in Austin for work on Monday.

1. Definitely taking advantage of boss being out of town and not answering any of my emails &

2. My job able can easily be taken out-of-office

So, here are some of my favorite pics from the past two weeks

In H-town after Liz's wedding. I was working on a visually merchandising editorial and having major writers block, but I found the solution.

Driving to Barton Springs. This is Hill Country at its finest-sun setting with a mix of rain clouds and drizzle. I stopped off at a church and climbed up a hill to get a better view.

The Bestie is hitched. Man all kind good friends getting married this summer : ) Her wedding was absolutely goregous and perfect. Michael-le husband-broke him while up on stage. Liz comes out and his bottom lip quevers, really bottom lip queverege-how are is one not suppose to ball at that. This is Allison, Liz-le beautiful bride-and I in the bridalsweet before the wedding. Its been the three of us since 16, but now we have a Michael!!

Eastcrest Party. This is a pic from our first house party. The roommie and I cooked up a schload of food. This was the end of party vodka and pickle shots-its a russian thing. Aka these are also my couch surfing friends. Come play with us-we are fun!! haha

Thought you needed a pic from last post. This was me drinking and blogging, but in a I need a small glass of red wine to clear up my writers block way. Rather, its a "I'm gonna finish off this bottle of wine next to me and write to my girls" kinda way. Can't you feel the intensity.

Finally floating. It is official guys-I am TEXAN. I have floated "the river". It was a 12-pak of bud light lime worth of fun. Relaxing and Charming. The river was calm and occasional-woohoo- areas near the damns. Made some river firends and found lost of beer cans to toss at the end of the route. If you haven't floated-you must go. Its at least a once a summer activity.

I hope y'all enjoyed the pics cuz I know you can never have enough pictures of just ME. haha : )

Love you all and can't wait till I across your path....like I will be doing with AMES on September 9th!!-oh be jealous. Boston Boston. Love All.

New Loves

Disclaimer: I write this after several glasses of wine and a delicious dinner with perhaps a couple sour gummy worms thrown in there : )

New Loves

As I have grown into my twenties (in 2 yrs we will be in our mid-twneties *weird*) I have discovered several new loves. In life I do like it simple connected and slow. I love composting. I love cooking-baking to be exact. I love being social, something I thought I never would be as my nerdy anti-social jock high school self. I love social media-connecting with people and all new ways. I love reinventing-making the old and forgotten beautiful and cleaning out sorting out please more the better.

Its so interesting as we develop in life-and see our selves change or likes dislike loves desires... I can only imagine what they will be when I am 50...hmm loooking forward to it. I picture it best with me seeping whiskey on the rocks with julie and amy. Julie with something girlie yet quite classy and Amy with a gin we sharing beaut, men and work stories-mainly how we now have to deal with saggy wrinkly old men balls and us deciding to be cougars for life...haha I dont know what I just wrote. but I like it.

Mentioning loves....ok I have a secret to share...I am back to seeing blake. He has pulled me back in and I like it. I just can't shake the kid. He will forever make me laugh, his lips are still the best I have kissed and these days that is gettin to be a lot. He is so smart and for the first time in a long time he is letting him self love me all of me. He recognizes that for the reasons he loves was also the things he was trying to cut off-he was scared of , but he merely is embracing it.

Me I am not totally sure..with that love word, but I do as I always have enjoy being around so much, but I still have a cautious heart as I think I most def have the right too...so I think that is the reason for my continous dating...dudes I have been on way too many dates since I have been in austin. It is tiring me out. This week has been four different dates in one week...no thank you tired. But there is one guy who I really like. His name is Donald, but I think I may really only like him and be letting myself like because he moves to london at the end of september, so there are no complications...oh who knows love love love....I like loving non-suppose to love things like fresh scones not the actually kind haha.

I am so glad I got to see y'all at the wedding and we must plan our get together again soon. I am thinking a first weekend of october visit to como if anyone else is interested. And Ames I am comin to boston soon!! how does october 9th sound for me and a friend staying with you .... : )

Love

Handmade Expressions: Work Life

Inspired by Hooliee, here is a look at my work cubby. I wouldn't say office as no one really has one. We work in one of the business parks. Kinda similar to "The Office" where multiple companies work in one area. My boss, the owner of the company, the head designer and IT whiz mark work on a large table in the main room. The marketing team and sales team, both teams of 2, work in side rooms and me well I dabble away in a half Indian Castle and half what was once a conference room till came in.

Please say hi to Ruchi, she works every day up there weaving saries. She never stops. She taunts me when I become lazy and distracted and unable to produce. Next I would like to direct your eyes to the below pic. There you will see my prized window. It is a luxury to have God made light peer into your room.

My desk is a round table with multiple chairs and a phone that I don't actually use...yet. I just thought it looked more legit. haha. Usually, I have two computers going-le mac and dell. It works well for writing and researching. The mess of papers to my right is my conglomeration of ideas and research. I have a whole new respect for website creation from planning to implementation. There is sooooo much that goes into it that I never even new.

Oh and the coffee, it's Fair Trade direct from Guatemala, so plenty to drink. I love that part. We grind our own beans every day...Now to my view just outside my work cubby door-Welcome to the world and all its shit that surrounds Antarctica. The boxes are products and old signage we are taking to trade shows I believe.

The world map is in the main room. The bright yellow-green room to the left is marketing's room and to the right is the bathroom. Funny thing about that is there is a rack of towels in the bathroom, which are labeled by person. We don't use paper towels. Manish wants us to be as sustainable as we can. I think its cute and slightly...gross. Haha.

Well that's le work home. The people are great all quite sweet. Still trying to feel everyone out. It will probably take longer than usual as what I am working on doesn't directly involve me with the company. I'll keep ya updated as life at Handmade Expressions unfolds.

Can't wait to see you ladies in a couple of days!!! Oh and another post coming soon about my past weekend. It was quite entertaining, but I gotta get going on this whole work thing. Working from home today...love it.
and YOU!

just received the best b-day surprise from my new coworkers at Handmade Expressions, love it here!

Traded my TJs for Sprouts

Traded My TJs a.k.a. Trader Joes for Sprouts and I like it. TJs is a small grocer in Los Angeles that offers organic and local produce at a pocketbook friendly price. Sprouts is the Tejas version. Sprouts offers local farmer's market food in a well air conditioned visually pleasing mid-size space. I am finding-as I thought there would be-a lot of similarities between Austin and L.A.-Santa Monica. Though, what I find the most interesting is that Austinites believe they rival L.A. "offering more of the things you like without all the things you don't". Not sure if I believe Austin>LA; however, I look forward to offering up my two sense to this equation. I do have to say I am loving Austin thus far...

With one day down and at at least 95 more to go, I am sold. Austin, Texas is my Texas Treasure-my new Texas home. The city is vibrant, large, moving forward and socially minded. The people are warm, tatted and have stories to share. There is fashion and politics, recycling and unsigned artists. There are parties on bridges and moonlight bike rides. Best of all there is a love and pride of Texas that coexists with appreciating and respecting the world beyond the Lone Star State. I am home.

HOME is a couch surfing coach hosted by two housemates, a cat named Tuba that has been living here longer than any one else, a backyard for line drying and hamocking, an owner with a studio for violin lessons, variously painted walls, a magnolia tree in the front yard, a community shelf and fridge that closely resembles the Beaut as things seem to never leave and a bedroom and bathroom that are just for me. I think I am going to like it here.

Mom, Pops and I drove down Thursday night to move all my stuff in. We were welcomed by this beautiful site to your left as we crossed the river running through downtown Austin. When we arrived at the house, both my housemates were there to welcome me: Maryann, the Occidental (a L.A. school) graduate from Kirville, Texas who spent two years living in Switzerland and France after graduating college to work with the World Student Christian Federation and Menelaos a.k.a Mene. But not Mayonnaise!!-as my dad kept wanting to call him-oh dear lord please do not let my dad slip and accidentally call my new Grecian housemate Mayonnaise.

Mene is a some age I have yet to discover year old from Greece who studied computer engineering in the UK. After receiving his masters and working a couple jobs in the field he decided software solitude was not for him, so he packed his bags and began his journey. Mene has lived in China, Korea and various European countries, but most recently he spent time in Buenos Aires where he met his-as of two months ago-wife. Mene came to the United States because he wanted to be proven wrong. He hoped to discover that Americans were not their stereotype: rude, selfish and uninterested in others. In his opinion and to his delight, he was proven wrong over and over again. From Austin to Oregon to New York and to once more Austin he discovered welcoming individuals who taught him about life.

Cheers to you United States. I appreciate your hospitality to others.

With a new wife and permanent love of Austin, Mene is transitioning out of the Eclectic house and into a two bedroom home with his new wife where he hopes to discover the settled life. But, settled life is not quite within Mene's reach. The United States will have the final say on that. Mene is waiting for his green card to come through, so until then he passes time by taking free lance photo jobs, dumpster diving, biking and volunteering.

Dear United States,
Please swiftly process my new housemate papers with a green yes.
Thank You.
Your Concerned Law Abiding Citizen,
Samantha Harmon

In fact my other roommate Maryann may also be leaving in August. Today, she interviewed for a job in Budapest, Hungary with the organization she worked with in Geneva. Turns out my new home is a place of transition and interaction, enlightenment and warmth. I think I picked the perfect place for this young quester to dabble in quasi settled life-as Mene would call it. I look forward to watching my housemates' lives unfold in the month we have together and meeting more of their fabulously foreign friends.

I miss you girls and can not wait to see you at Alicia's wedding.
LOVE lots,
Sam

PS: Here are some pics from the couple weeks I was in the Big D and G-town.

The Generator, a 100% Fair Trade Coffee House in downtown Garland. Conscious Consumer plus 1 for Suburbia. The place is located at the square, the heart-or what's left of it-of downtown. Though, I believe there to be a surge coming. Hmmm...how does one acquire money they do not have to invest in property that everyone else believes to be dead. Any suggestions?

My Second Sewing Project. I would like to point out to you the matching horizontal lined seams, the extra long and roomy pockets and the gathered elastic waistband.












This is the back seat of a Mexican Restaurant in
Downtown Garland. I got all too excited about the seats. Liz was like "you are behaving like a tourist in your hometown" as I rushed over to take this pic of the seats. It is great to see unnecessary uses of the state flag again. I am home : )

Let Tejas Unfold!

Dear State Courts, Please legalize my relationship...

Excerpt from "Committed"-the follow-up to "Eat Pray Love" that got me thinking about a subject I have been quite luke-warm about.

"Think of it! Marriage is on the decline everywhere, all across the Western world. People are getting married later in life, if they are getting married at all, or they are producing children willy-nilly out of wedlock, or (like me) they are approaching the whole institution with ambivalence or even hostility. We don't trust marriage anymore, many of us straight folk. We don't get it. We're not at all convinced that we need it. We feel as though we can take it or leave it behind forever. All of which leaves poor old matrimony in the winds of cold modernity."

"But just when it seems like maybe all is lost marriage, just when matrimony is about to become as evolutionary expendable as pinkie toes and appendixes, just when it appears that the institution will wither slowly into obscurity due to a general lack of social interest, in come the gay couples, asking to be included! Indeed, pleading to be included! Indeed, fighting with all their might to be included in a custom which may be terrifically beneficial for society as a whole but which many-like me-find only suffocating and old-fashioned and irrelevant."

In the past when it came to the conversation of gay marriages I chose not to partake. I was torn between my belief in equality and civil rights for all and what I have been socially informed by mainly through my religious beliefs and community. But now, I am partaking.

I realized it is not my role to judge others or to tell someone they cannot marry but I can. When I don't even know if I want to enter into the institution of marriage. Why waste that right on me? Instead, give it someone who truly desires to express their love through marriage and wishes to legally solidify their relationship. As for the religious sanctity of marriage, again it is not my role to be the ultimate judge and thank God for that.

So now when a social activist asks me to sign his or her petition to legalize gay marriage I say please hand over that pen.

What do y'all think? Where do you stand on the subject?

PS: "Committed" is a great book and I really suggest reading it. The author really asks a lot of great questions about marriage.

Just got a lil more Texan

I have my first Texas home, the Eclectic House. When I read the Craigslist post I knew this was gonna be the place for me. Haha-here is an excerpt from the post

"The Roommates"

Menelaos: I am originally from Greece, but spent the last 11 years living and traveling in China, Argentina, and South America. I am photographer/photojournalist, and passionate about music. My number on addiction is skydiving. I dive several times a week.
I love meeting new people and hearing their stories and being in a house with other creative, open individuals.

Maryann: I went to school in LA, lived for two years in France and Switzerland, and love people, culture and good food. I work at a coffee shop. Yes, I wake up at the crack of dawn, but I like mornings and there is always coffee. I enjoy having a household open to good friends and international travelers with stories to share.

The Owner, Elise: I'm 36 years old, a violinist formerly with the symphony, and enjoy trees, dancing, cognitive psychology and good coffee. I'm very people oriented, and like laughing and good conversation.

These are my new people. I expect much intrigue. Well if all else fails, I only signed a 3 month lease then month to month after that which is perfect. I will have time to see how my new job goes and if I really will be settling down for a bit in Austin.

#1276558 why I love my mom: When we were meeting with the owner and maryanne and viewing the room, Elise, the owner, mentioned that they do Coach Surfing at the house. My mom was like "uhh what is that? After Elise explained it to my mama what coach surfing was for the rest of the weekend my mom kept tellin me how she was gonna surf coach at my new place. Oh really mom "surf coach"? Overall the place was quite quaint. It reminded me a lot of the beaut in that there was lots of character in the house.


My New Pink Room, come visit me : )

While the fam was in Austin we went to a couple different coffee places and so far SM is winning. Taste is comparable, but in the pretty Austin needs to pick it up.

Austin Coffee Santa Monica Coffee

I am excited to try out Austin's donation yoga place called Black Swan. It is a branch of the place I did yoga in Santa Monica. The sis and I tried out dallas's branch last night, Karmany Yoga. I really enjoyed the class because there was only 8 students vs 70 which I am use to. We got one on one attention. I learned there was a lot of poses I could be doing a lot better.

I am nervous-excited. Job starts soon and a new city....ahh, I hope I can do all this. Prayers are much welcomed. But till then it is craftime with the sis : )

Me and ash made winecorkboards yesterday

I love y'all!!

Papya Pineapple Cocount Pancakes

Brunch that is what I may miss most about LA. That was my breakfast this morning in La Jolla along with a Thai coffee, grilled zucchini and two properly poached eggs. Breakfast heaven.

Experiencing the consequences of homemade espresso consumption at 8:30 PM and a thirty minute nap at 9:25 PM. Much awakeness orbiting me. Currently, transferring awake brain activity to life doodling.

Well to update you on the main content of last time's posting...
I GOT THE JOB! You are looking at Handmade Expressions' NEW Special Projects Manager. As to what all my job will entail, I have no idea; but I am very excited/terrified, which I love. My official Los Angeles/Santa Monica departure date is May 27th putting me in the Big D on May 28th! :):( I have mixed emotions. I am thrilled to be starting a job, especially within the Fair Trade industry-WOOT-, but quite sad to leave my LA family/community/beautiful. I will DEFINITELY never forget this time of my life. Total transformation of self and embracege of life mmmmm just how I like it.

The journey must continue. Ya know heaven forbid I stay in one place for more than 5 months at a time ;) I am looking forward to exploring Austin and getting my own apartment. The fam and I are gonna take a mini Harmon vacay when I get back and go apartment shopping. It will be interesting. This will be the first time in a decade+ that all four Harmoners have traveled together to spend time with just all four other Harmoners+ hmmmm...will let you know how that goes. Prediction: surprisingly fun. Send me the sweet downtown Austin Apt vibes please, which means awesome place for y'all to come party!

My stint as a vegan retailer came to an end last week. There was no :):( feelings there just : ) Haha. I should have written more about my boss. She truly is a character. Amy I need your character development skillz. I'll at lest say this-she describes herself as vintage queen, listens only to AFI and like tunes and constantly looks like she is on a mission. In fact my favorite Boss Lady, Lindsey Packer, quote is "Blair this is mission critical!! The computer was accessed without my authorization (looks a me with an eye rolling glaze) and now I can not enter the system! Call me back. This is imminent to our business."

Reality: Our computer had been in the shop for the past two weeks. It was the beginning of the first full day of having the comp back. We obviously could operate without it. Not sure this was a "Mission Critical" status. As for the "authorization" policies, obviously I was not clearly briefed or I would not have broken the access codes. When I heard this, I was like WTF. All I did was turn the comp on when I opened shop. How was I suppose to know that we did not have the new password, therefore don't touch the comp. Mind reading was not in my militant training. Lol, I don't know she was def in her own world, but I didn't mind. Ya can't fight it. Just embrace the insane and vegan.

As for other journeys, I just got back from spending a couple days in San Diego with Ashleigh, helping her with some family things and parts buying. Ashleigh is preparing for her Pacific Northwest Journey with Eli in his Land cruiser. The goal is to drive through Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Montana and Wyoming, while stopping at small local farmers, off roading and finding wild mustangs. We shall see what evolves. I am super excited for them! Ashleigh is doing a blog/twitter of her travels with a focus on sustainable foods in prep for her job in D.C. Y'all should follow her. I am sure it will be quite titillating. But first for all of this to happen, me and Ashleigh have to construct a shelving unit for the FJCrusier. I predict eventual success. I will let you know how that goes oh and by shelving unit I mean a dresserish thing that has drawers with latches...@?#

...well thankfully espresso-nap is fading, so so shall I. Goodnight girlies. I will be back with more soon. There has been so much happening so fast!! I love you all. And umm Alicia house. You are crazy, but I wish you all the luck.

On-The-Go Nester

"Homeward bound, I wish i was homeward bound. Home where my thoughts are escapin. Home where my music's playin. Home where my love lies waitin silently for me."-Simon & Garfunkel

I'm obsessed. Dear world, why did you keep Simon from me for so long? He speaks to my heart. When listening I am automatically transported to a happy place: coffee shop, book, and honey vanilla latte with drizzly rainbow in the window or barefeet running through a hill of...no wait I picture us twirling in front of Jesse Hall. I absolutely love those pictures. aww look at me I'm a rainbow lovin hippie haha.

And speaking of Homeward bound...that will be me soon!! As I move into my fourth (if you include my TOMS apt) and final Los Angeles home, I see the end of my Cali stint,at least for now...(always open to possibilities ;)) After much job applying, playing, and beaching it is time for me to return to the land where the angels dance and God blessed with his own hands. Dear Texas, please expect my arrival around the end of may or beginning of June. Dear Julie, Much dancing to be caught up on.

Though my return will not be to Dallas, well hopefully not. Much is pending on a round two of a convo I had yesterday with a fair trade co. in Austin,Texas called Handmade Expressions. The owner came across my resume when I applied for their Marketing Manager opening. He recognized my passion and experience acquired thus far and though it was not enough to meet the MM requirements, he felt that I could be the ideal person for their special projects opening. ohh special projects that just sounds tintillating. The special project, I'll get to that in a sec but first I must say the owner, Manish, is a man after my own heart.

Manish aspires to influence consumer behaviour. He wants consumers-citizens to question businesses about their sustainable practices, to pursue products that are socio-eco conscious, to consume with thought. Lofty goals indeed, but right in line with mine. He seeks to build an educated and active consumer-citizen base.

This is the special project. This would be my challenge. I would be charged with the challenge to build an online community that cultivates consumer education and interaction-to create a social network where people can learn about Fair Trade, Sustainable business practices, can look up and rate shops, find products and events and several other things Manish quickly spit out during our conversation. Definitely a man with a vision and heart for fair trade and the mission this movement embodies.

Least to say, I will definitely be taking this challenge if/when it is officially offered to me. Mmmm I do love the difficult and lofty. Hi Texas here I come. PS: not to get ahead of myself, I still have to hash out so more things this coming Friday with Manish, so big Fair Trade Lone Star juju vibes for Sam please!!

I found this (below) from a post in March when I was really feeling like my life was up in the air and was trying to figure out what all my possibilities could be. It's funny #8 I wasn't going to add, but then I realized I was limiting my life by not including the unexpected. I was limiting it to what I knew, when it's really about what God knows.

March 20th
One of the following could evolve:
1. Receive a job in Los Angeles and can afford my own place, which I move into once Alek is back from Africa.
2. Move to D.C. for the summer or for full time pending on the offers I receive from potential employers-if I receive any at all-and live with Ashleigh
4. Invisible Children decides I am remarkable and hires me on as their Facility and Production Manager, which leads to me moving to Uganda
5. Take on another Part Time job to be able to actually live in a place where I pay rent and continue living in Santa Monica
6. Pack up the bags and head back to Texas
7.Live in San Diego with Ashleigh in her mom’s fiancé’s condo downtown while working 30hrs a wk then spending the rest developing our healthy fast food chain : )
8. A possibility that isn't even comprehensible

It is amazing how God can know what truly is right for you even you think you have found your dream job, dream opportunity. Thank you lord for knowing more than me-for knowing me better than me. Because I just get too confused and too overwhelmed all too often.

In other thoughts, it has been so much fun being girlie and stalky and having fun coffee boy crushes. I'm enjoying all the silly girlie boy-liking-ness I missed out in college. I am fully embracing my singlehood and I like it. Though I do wish the world, cough cough Lord, would bring coffee boy back in my life. Guys it was love at first sight. Me=swept off feet. He is my beautiful man. haha awww I wish yall were here to team stalk him with me. : ) I need to fully utilize your skillz Ames. But nonetheless, I am turning over my dream man-coffee boy-Shawn to fate. Fine no more intentional pushing him back in my life. lol.

Do please update girlies. I love hearin about the silly, mundane, everday crazies that exists in y'all's lives.

Much Love
Sam

Mud pie Mondays
"This little piggy went to the market. This little piggy went to Starbucks. This little piggy rallied on the street for animal rights. This little piggy stayed home and wrote her dissertation on social media and social movements, while this little piggy ran all the way home wheeeee. *tickle tickle*"

I think that's how the song goes or that is at least how I sang it to the two year old girl I watched on Monday. My friend Darian couldn't make a babysitting sessh, so I covered at the last moment. Figured I could use the extra cash since I didn't work on Easter Sunday. It was a little nerve racking at first...kids...what...baby what do I do with that for FIVE HOURS. But turns out it wasn't that terrible. Watched one episode of Barney-couldn't take anymore than that. **Dear Mom, I am sorry that as a five year old I was obsessed with that must be botoxed induced overly smiley purple dinosaur. And you had to sit through hours and hours and hours of clean-up songs** After purple torture, we colored and played cars. When the rain stopped, we made mud pies and swung. Then nap time. Glorious nap time. Though must say it all wasn't to terrible but def could not do it every day. The next day my friend Darian told me how shocked the mom was that Izzie-the girl-didn't cry when she left because she always cries. They said I have great energy, kid energy and Izzie synced it. uhhh thanks I think. But I guess that's good when that comes in the far far far far far far future.

Easter in LA
I went to church for the first time since I have been in LA on Easter Sunday. The church was called Ecclesia and was on Hollywood Blvd, which was kinda weird because I was just out there 8 hours earlier dancing. I loved the church though! The pastor was young, real and a great speaker. There was no southern baptist heaviness and traditionalness. Also, it was wonderful to see a crowd that looked like me. Young adults no overwhelming amount of high school and middle school kiddies or 50 and up parentals. And it was small, I do love me some small church. I hope to go back. It is just hard because I work Sundays 11-3pm main church going time and I know I was hired specifically for weekends. Hmmmm possibility to look into night church activities.

Over here on the west coast things have been rollin pretty normal. I am all moved into my new home for the next couple of weeks. Its quite quaint. Great view and great cottage cuddles via the golden retriever Mountain. He reminds me of my Travis. I miss him oh so much. BUT there is some very very very exciting news in the works. Last week I interviewed with my two top jobs a.k.a. Sam's dream jobs!! On Monday I had a 10 minute interview with Invisible Children for the Facility and Production Manager position in Uganda then on Friday HandCrafting Justice, an online fair trade retailer, called to briefly speak to be about the Operations and Marketing Manager position I applied for. Finally some bleeps on the job radar!!

Realtime Update:
IC-I should be hearing from IC today about whether I move forward in the process, which would entail an interview with most likely IC Business Ops VP and Missions Director then 2-3 people are selected to interview with the Ugandan Logistics team, so still a ways to go. BUT yesterday, I contacted Tiffany, HR Director who I interviewed with, to follow-up with her because I was supposed to be contacted this past Friday. Gotta say that was the most nerve racking thing I have ever done. I wanted to cry after I got off the phone. The convo went really well though, I stayed calm and got across what I wanted. It def isn't gonna hurt me. *fingers crossed for a very exciting call today*
HCJ-Maureen, the director who interviewed me Friday said she wanted to put me in the pool of candidates that the Board was gonna review. She didn't give me an exact timeline, so I'll probably contact them-email/phone haven't decided yet-at the end of this week or beginning of next. It would be amazing to work with them too!! HCJ is a small FT retailer with lots of room for improvements. I def wouldn't ever call their marketing or product selection uptodate, but no fear thats where I come in : )
They are like many FT companies all about the ethnic shit and ridding too much on that slide. There needs to be a move towards more than a cheesy/unique gift market and to providing substantial products customers need themselves not that they just give to others. **oh and Ams this position is in Queens. Yay for being closer to you. And Julie if I get this job, I think I am going to need you to teach me some of your self defense moves. I'll have to toughen up if I move to Queens, NY.

It is getting exciting guys. I have a feeling April and May are going to be quite interesting months...for all of us-especially since lil Miss Buttmunch will becoming Mrs. Buttmuch quite quite soon.

I love yall. Update Update I need some reads. I miss my weekly life columns.

Battle Plans

Planning: a scheme or method of acting, doing, proceeding, making, etc. developed in advance. Ex: Battle Plans

Battle plans that seems appropriate-thank you dictionary.com. I felt it necessary to seek out planning's definition as this word or action has become foreign to my vocabulary. My life is without plans or is it with hypothetical plans? I am not sure which.

I always knew I was one for living in the moment avoiding rigidity and structure, but never did I really think that would become actuality. So here I am living in a temporary home that expires March 31, deciding what I am going to do between the dates of April 1st-21st, April 22nd I move into temporary home number three till the 2nd week of June and after that who knows-in that time still so much more could change.

One of the following could evolve:
1. Receive a job in Los Angeles and can afford my own place, which I move into once Alek is back from Africa.
2. Move to D.C. for the summer or for full time pending on the offers I receive from potential employers-if I receive any at all-and live with Ashleigh
4. Invisible Children decides I am remarkable and hires me on as their Facility and Production Manager, which leads to me moving to Uganda
5. Take on another Part Time job to be able to actually live in a place where I pay rent and continue living in Santa Monica
6. Pack up the bags and head back to Texas

7.Live in San Diego with Ashleigh in her mom’s fiancé’s condo downtown while working 30hrs a wk then spending the rest developing our healthy fast food chain : )

8. A possibility that isn't even comprehensible

It all kinda blows my mind sometimes-especially when you realize my life-really all of ours-could change in one breadth. One inhale and one exhale. Though the amazingness and even more incomprehensible part is that I am not worried. With the powers-that are all the Lords-I know all will fall into place. Though, I may be able to only plan hours at a time or attempt to plan the coming week, there is peace. To be honest the first time I realized I couldn't really plan for the months to come, I had a slight panic attack and cry sessh with the mama, but since then it has been liberating. I see how I can only depend on the Lord knowing each day he will be there. He will provide. My job is to live. It is not to worry. It is not WORRY. Knowing that and believing that from toe to soul is freedom.

So with that freedom without that worry and with the love of the lord, I live. Here is what this living has been like for me the past couple weeks (there will be no death by blogging via Julie for me today!)

Sister Sizzle: Ashlyn came to Santa Monica for her Spring Break!! We played in Hollywood for our one snazzy night out, ate dinner at a small Spanish tapas place on main-delicious, drove to San Diego and stayed at Ashleigh's mama’s house, hot tubbed and ran at Torrey Pines, hiked up the Santa Monica Mountains, and strolled the beach. I had to work three hours everyday so Ash spent a lot time just roaming the beach. I think she got some good 'ole to herself thinkin time, so that was really good for her-somethin you def cant get in the dorms. She would never admit it but I know she really liked her introspective strolls. The week was quite relaxing and much less active and scandal creating than last time she came. whew. ; )

Can't say I didn't try and brainwash her into living with me for the summer though. That would be mind blowing to have Ash her with me all summer and I really think she would learn a lot about her self. The last thing (I believe) she needs to do is live in Garland and hang out with the same rascals she did last summer. The biggest roadblock in this is the mama. She really won't like the idea of both of her girls gone all summer....ok correction parentals already got in the way. *real time-just received text from the sis saying m and d did not agree with the plan and Ash really isn't a fighter so never mind doubt the sis will come* boo. Oh well that's her choice. She'll have to learn how badly she wants things and sometimes that what the parentals say or give permission to is good to know but you just gotta do what you truly believe is right for you.

Fair Trade Los Angeles: On Monday the day me and the sis got back from San Diego, I received a call from Kurt letting me know that Fair Trade (FT) LA was meeting to night at 7!! (Immediate excitement filled my head). As tired as we were, I made Ash throw on some fresh clothes and get back in the car. When we arrived we saw a group of about 10 people in varying ages from college to grandpa and grandma. It was fabulous! They welcomed the new peeps *me and ash* then begin their meeting with the focus on how to make Long Beach and Pasadena Fair Trade Towns and the website, which in my opinion mega sucks, but they have Kurt-comp whiz from usc-who is gonna fancy it up. I have lots of suggestive tweaks myself too, so FT coolness coming soon. Joan-the group leader-was very excited about me being there and the FT experience I have. No one in the group really plays on the retail side of the fair trade movement-woot specialty for me. At the end of the meeting Joan asked how I would liked to get involved??-bubbles with excitement-I said “with the community building process-through community educating with an emphasis on build FT LA's viral community”. Joan nodded in anticipating approval. Hopefully, I will be the one to establish FT LA's social media networks. I have been developing a plan all week. I am really excited about the network and community I have the potential of growing!!

Boards and Boys: The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here. With the sun out longer means more time to play, so Adam, Alek and I have gone skateboarding almost everyday. When we ride, I pretend we are some so cal skate gang weavin in and out of the crowds preparing to takeover Dogtown. Reality, we are just strollin down the 3^rd street promenade with me stragglin behind trying to stay on my board, but one day I shall ollie. These boys are my favorite. They take such good care of me. As for bandboy whom I mentioned last time, I have seen him a couple of times, usually him meeting us up while we are out after he gets down with a show. Though, Sunday her left for Australia ten days. Not sure if I will see him when he gets back. It is one of those things where we didn’t really hang out a lot before then there is this slightly long time of not speaking or seeing each other….so I don’t we will see, but all that aside it doesn’t really matter because I’ve already gotten something amazing out of our interaction. Interest!! This has been the first guy ever, since Blake who I can honestly say I was intrigued by or interested in…”liked” well not there yet…but I had the feeling of “hmmm wonder what could happen here”. Where before with every other guy whom I have interacted with both during college, after graduation and since California I have always knew they liked me much more and that I had fun with them but there was not a question, there was no mystery or intrigue because I already knew “I just wasn’t that into him”…hahaha. So turns out guys my heart does work (yay) and that there are guys out there who I enjoy talking to and enjoy kissing- very important. Thank you for this realization artsy fartsy bowtie bandboy.

Hello world my name is Sam and I am alive and I have a heart and it works and I am single and I am happy and I am on the verge of entrepreneurial conquest. Hi.

I can’t wait to see ya’ll girls again and Alicia’s wedding will be the most magical reunion, but please can we not make this a tradition. I just don’t think I can wait till another one of us gets married to see each other. I just have this hunch that would it would be much much much too long before we saw each other again. Unless…there is something someone is not blogging-AMY-*are you hiding a secret matrimonial lover affair from us?!?! That is what I will assume till you blog your lil heart out*

Love yall oh so much!! PS: yall should download dropbox, so we can share music. I got Athlete’s new album today and it is just magical.

Life in Sam's TOMS

And we all thought middle school was the awkward stage of life. Wrong. I believe it is between our ripe age of 22 and 24. People don't really tell you this because you are young and vibrant and the world is suppose to be at your feet, but that's whole lota matter to traverse for one new adult. Personally, I just seem to trip over, run into and loose all that is in my path. Not to stay that there isn't a sprinkle or down pour of fun and frills along the way, our earth has to survive, but the path is rough and mudslides always seem to come after the ran.

Learn learn learn. make mistakes. learn learn. forget an important lesson. crap. big learn learn again. Me at 22.

Ok so I am done with my metaphors, here's whats been going down:

Life-GOD-has revealed to me that actions have consequences and my heart has been dead bolted. Last Saturday was a very long day. After a night of mischief-bday celebrating-and boys-the good ole friend kind, I woke to find my car missing. Picture me in the rain slightly hungover and panicked because my car is definitely not where I left it. ugghhh. Least to say, I called the Santa Monica PD and found out they impounded it for blocking a drive way. I have no idea how I did that. So now I will be dropping $300 to get my car back hopefully today or tomorrow. This experience was exhausting, but revealing. I would say it is my first adult trouble I have had to handle by myself, but also not really by myself. I discovered I have friends, a community, in SM that have my back. That was a really great discovery.

Then after a day of emotional blah ( I was also dealing with Blake-ness again), I spent the night at Asheigh's apartment with her dog. Ash is out of town and her roommie was on a date. The night was actually perfect. I laid in bed, talked to and snuggled with her dog indie and watched movies. I dreamed about the future, played dress-up with her clothes and soaked in Sam. I haven't had a night like that in ages. I was by myself and it was OK. That night I recovered a piece of me. It is stunning how the lord can take my awkward life and make it beautiful; make it teaching.

Through everything with Blake and the mess I created with Justin, I know see the deadbolt, electrical gate and sniper team i strategically placed around my heart. No wonder boys leave me wounded. My organs are deadly. But the important part is, I see it and I want it down. I want to love and I want to let love in not strangle it when it comes close. I am excited and very very very scared of my feeling journey to come. It will take discipline and patience to not rush and blow through the journey. Rather, I hope to stroll and occasionally sprint through the grass and scale the mountains, but mainly stand still and watch the stars pass above my head.

Specifically to JOBS-I have freaking found my dream job. Please please please be praying and sending out the intreviewy vibes. The Job is with Invisible Children. I would be working with the MEND team in Uganda as the Facility and Production Manager. I would work with a small group of women in Uganda managing the production process-sourcing materials, maintain the equipment and production schedules. This is what I designed my major for. This is what I dreamt of doing while in college. *fingerscrossed* that the lord has this in my plan.

Boys, well there is one right now. I have attached a picture of him. I met him at the this trade show after party in SM. He is in the band Edward Sharpe and plays the trumpet and such. I do enjoy kissing him, which is surprising. Not sure what I think about him yet, but we've gone out once since the night I met him and I had fun. I'm suppose to see him tonight; I'll let you know how that goes. It's funny he is so different from me. When we went out he wanted to grab some food so I just suggested The Parlor not thinking anything about. When we walked in he was like "oh its a sports bar" Me: laughs-realizing I doubt he has ever been in one. He was a trooper though. I am doing good so far. I'm gonna try and take this one S L O W. My friend Alek gave me good advice "Sam you don't need to jump into anything. No need to rush." So that is what I am doing. No jumping, rather a light skip. I just don't think its in me to calmly walk. ; )


Meet band boy. His name is Stewart. He wears bowties, went to artsy school and likes to take pictures of delicious breakfasts. I like his crazy curly hair.

Alek's Office

-Started post on Monday-

Fighting the urge to dwell-that is dwell on the lack of preconceived non-movement in my life-I packed up and went to a little place on 2nd and Montana I like to call Alek’s Office. Here you can always find a French pressed coffee drinker, an ear to listen, a place to nap and a spot to bake. Today I chose baking and fresh pressed coffee mixed with tad bit of self loathing.

My friend Alek works from home and Darian, a former fellow unemployed liver, but now a newly hired remotely located worker, often set-up camp in Alek’s living room, while he attempts to work in his room. Its my new favorite to place to dream and distract. Its the best I can do if I can sit at Memorial Union Starbucks for three hours a day and stalk Ams and receive free Chais.

-Thursday-

Well the mental torture has subsided for now. Thank God. Pretty sure it was sweated out Tuesday night during yoga along with absolutely every other fluid in my body. Veetas aka Bear Grizles knows how to absolutely kill me. *Amy for some reason I feel you would really like him* He has a small studio that is packed with people. By the end your body is on fire, every limb is loose, and you are soaked in your own sweat and possibly your neighbors. I recommend sitting next to people you know. Going to yoga is my sanity saver for the week.

ok better jump of, I'll finish updating later. We just got a new order of Macbeth skate shoes and I gotta check 'em before boss gets in. oh I also took pics of the shop I'll post those later too.

Love yall

SAM

Partner in Crime

Say Hello to Mr. Wilson. This is my buddy. We spend our afternoons together lounging on my bed having lunch, napping, applying for jobs and contemplating my fair trade store.

He is a young vibrant stud who's current favorite hobby is trying to hump me, but I think we have finally come to an understanding.

LOVE Challenge:
1. FOOD-this lasted one week. haha. Its was a good but vegan is not for me, but my grocery shopping has become healthier but it was just too difficult to go out with friends and be vegan, It became more annoying than enjoyable.

2. SOUL-speaking to the lord more than I have in a very long time.

3. EARTH-driving a prius haha does that count and laying down plans for my fair trade store and research.

This has been an exciting struggle.

Speaking of my store, I will be talking to Christina Weaver soon. She is the brains behind the creation of Mustard Seed in CoMo and she is very excited about talking to me about everything that went into starting the store. Its getting exciting guys. I don't think I can ignore my passions anymore guys. !!!

Prays guys. I really would love for this process to start unrolling, I miss texas, I know what I love and am gettin ready to jump.

Also check out my temporary crib:
Perfect for Soul Searching.



Love you guys!!
Mr. Wilson loves you too

Finding Peace and Feeling

Finding peace and feeling for the first time in a long while

I will update y'all on my challenge but first Blake. We are no longer talking on the phone, which is such a freedom and for the first time in a very long long while I have come face to face with my feelings about him, life, dreams, etc

Below is an snipit of an email, I recently sent Blake and wanted to share it with y'all. Its where I am at. Its a struggle guys I sincerely missing him but I have found peace in letting my self feel that way but not having it become an obsession. I don't' know what life has in store for us, but for the first time I am willing to let life happen, let God figure that out. In the mean time, I am just gonna feel and let life happen.

Letting the universe have it...

1. You have my heart. You will forever be there and I mean that with the most sincerity.
2. I do believe presently not communicating is the right thing to do. It gives us (I know me for sure) time to think and feel without petty/selfish distractions/arguments.
3. I have learned a lot about me and relationships lately, the biggest is I don't like fighting and making small things a big deal, but I did that a lot with you and for that I am sincerely sorry.
4. You are (in all most present tenses) a great man.
5. Thank you for letting me be me. I know that has not been easy for you and it has hurt you in the past. But I also know that me being me is why you have loved me for so long and me losing that is one of scariest things to you. And you especially do not want to be the one to take that from me. I am extremely grateful for that Blake, so many men would have done all they could have to take that from a girl.
6. It is still my dream that one day me being me and you being you become us. I'm a stubborn optimistic dreamer, but you knew that. I haven't given up Blake.

I write this for you to read, not to begin some kind of dialogue. It brings me comfort knowing you have seen this. I am sure you will take this to heart. You are intentional and thoughtful, more than I ever gave you credit. If you choose to respond cool; if not just as cool.

Thank you Blake, for the time we had together, for the love we experienced, for life we learned about and continue to with each new day...

-Sam

Ok gotta go to work, but will provide love challenge update on the next post. I love you guys!!

Love My Body, Love My Soul, Love My Earth

In the honour of the month of LOVE, I am taking a loveful challenge. Due to recent enlightenments of my new boutique, which loves all things earth and animal friendly, and special gifts from God, I am devouting the month of Feburary to loving my body, loving my lord and loving my earth. (It helps that Feb. is also a short month, a good time for breaking bad habbits especially ones that invovle eating.)

The Challenge: Loving My Body, Loving My Lord, Loving My Earth

1. Happy Organs
After reading the Kind Diet by Alica Silverstone, I am intrigued to see the affects of cutting out meat and diary products from my body. For one month starting Monday Feburary 1st, I will not consume any animal products including diary. *Though due to nubiness and finances, I will not be cutting out fish from my diet and I will do my best to sustain from products that contain diary. However this experiment is directed more towards milks, cheeses, ice creams etc.* This means no chocolate or cheeses. My next period is going to suck. Also, I will incorporate running and yoga into my daily reigmen.

2. God's Gift
Its is by no means chance or luck that I got a part time job and a temporary place to stay right before I came back to LA. It is all GOD and it has taken me all too long to realize. During TOMS, I was excited and moving. I was distracted and thrilled by working, but I wasn't feeling. I wasn't using my heart. I wasn't listening. But by God's Gift and grace, I now have a place to listen, to FEEL and to slow down enough to realize what I wasn't doing and thought was okay. You can't put GOD off for 5 months because you have a kickass internship. Now I am speaking daily and will continue my devoution through Feburary and through.

Currently, I am doing a daily QT from the book, Grace for the Momment by Max Lucado. Its simple and perfect for my journey. Check it out.

3. Tree Hugger, now my favorite shirt will mean more than just a band
Making the daily activities of my life more earth conscious: activities, thoughts and dollar. Not sure to the extent of changes I shall make, but this will elvolve with my month I am sure.

I'll will keep you posted on month's long journey. I am certain there will be meaty lows and ice cream weakness, but I will survive* I think.

Feel free to join in or offer up some change some love for the month of FEB. in your life.

Aww and here is to last year's FEB and AMY's killer Vegas Extravaganza!! I love you and miss you guys oh so much.