My 18-year-old brother, Nik went to Australia a month ago to visit a childhood friend for a two weeks. It was his first big trip by himself and I was nervous about it (I am sooooo my fathers child). Well, he did more than just survive the trip…he thrived. He loved it there and surprise…surprise…he met a girl (I get it! Those accents!) and a two-week trip got extended into a three-week trip. Ah, young love. When he returned he couldn’t stop thinking about her…they talked every day…and he fell even harder. Ten days ago he came up with a crazy idea…he wanted to fly back and surprise her for Valentines Day. Seriously, my brother is such a romantic.
Problem is…he had no money for the ticket. Kind of a big problem, eh? So he came up with an even crazier idea- start a Go Fund Me page to raise the money for the ticket in seven days. I almost laughed. How would that be possible? Seven days? Well my brother proved the point that when you want something bad enough, anything is possible because he raised 1,200 dollars in six days. Mostly from his friends who donated anywhere from ten to fifty bucks. So sweet, huh?
Last night I dropped Nik off at LAX to embark on his Valentines Day adventure. When we were driving there…I looked over at him and thought…what a great guy. He’s such a loving, alive and adventurous soul. He puts himself out there. He’s brave not only in life but also with his heart and I couldn’t be more proud of the man he is becoming.
Happy Valentines Day, Nikster. Hope your adventure is everything you hoped. Your sister loves you.
My little brother turns 18 today, which is just crazy to me! Where did the time go? I feel like it was just yesterday that he came home from the hospital. I’m so proud of the man he’s becoming. He’s wickedly talented, driven and smart. He’s also the most kind-hearted guy in the world. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him next.
Love you, Nikster. Thanks for bringing me so much joy these last eighteen years!
When I was 12 years old, my mom dropped a bomb on me- I was going to become a sister. What? But I like being the only child I wanted to scream! Why didn’t anybody run this by me first?! Once I did come to terms with the fact that a baby was coming into my life and that sadly it wouldn’t be all about me anymore, I started to get excited!! A baby was coming to live with us! What a novelty. None of my friends were getting new babies in their families (it’s most definitely a perk to divorce and 2nd marriages) and I felt pretty special!!
I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. He was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen and I immediately fell in love with him. He was mine! He was my brother and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. My mother wanted to name him Harry- I thought that was a terrible idea. Harry?? I didn’t like the idea of having a brother named Harry (ugh the problems of a 12-year-old). It wasn’t in my plan so I told her I thought he should be named Nikolas because I thought he looked like a Nikolas. I must have been pretty convincing because I got my way. Enter in Nikolas….aka Nikster.
Over the last 17 years, Nik has gone from being my cute little brother with crazy gorgeous curls, who had crushes on my girlfriends and a thing for belly buttons, dinosaurs, airplanes and yugioh cards, to one of my best friends. Seriously, this kid is interesting- way more interesting than most 17 year olds. He’s so smart, creative, witty and funny. I am constantly wowed by him. Talk about talented- Nik is amazing with a camera. He’s been making films for years and most recently created his own youtube channel for his funny videos. One of them has over a million views! How crazy is that- my brother is a you tube star. But it’s not the numbers that impress me most but rather his drive. Nik is the most driven and talented kid I know.
I feel lucky to be his sister. My life is richer because of him. I think he knows that I would do anything for him. I would drive to the ends of the earth to make his dreams come true because I take being his sister very seriously.
I was in a crappy mood on Wednesday- I find it’s impossible to be positive ALL the time. I also find that it becomes exhausting to attempt to will myself out of my crappy mood and much easier to just accept what is. I also decided it best to save others from the pain of my company and take it as a sign that it was the perfect night to start my once a week artist dates…with myself. It was 4pm…hmmm what should I do with my night? Ah-ha! See the film “Beasts Of The Southern Wild” of course! I had been dying to see it for a few weeks but I hadn’t been able to find the time.
The plan went as follows…
First a yoga class (good for crappy moods), then sushi (even better for crappy moods especially when paired with a glass of white wine), & lastly, a movie (paired with salty popcorn).
Once I had decided on the plan, I immediately perked up. I’m taking myself on a date! I looked forward to spending a whole six hours just doing me. After my much-needed yoga class, I strolled over to a fancy sushi joint and sat proudly at the sushi bar (in my sweaty yoga clothes no less) and ordered away. I managed to take one photo (not much of a photo either) before my phone died. Doesn’t it make you feel like you were there with me??
I’m actually happy my phone died because it forced me to sit in peace without the distraction of facebook, twitter, blogs, texts, instagram and emails. Just me, my sushi and the fulfilling activity of people watching. I’m a seasoned people watcher. I loooooove to people watch. So much so that I have been known to have a staring problem. It can be a bit embarrassing for those with me. I instead remain blissfully unaware of how rude I am being and get totally engrossed in the task at hand…people watching. I watched a couple argue. I watched two girlfriends gossip about their day. I watched two servers flirt behind the counter. I watched a couple sit through their sushi on their cell phones and I watched a little boy spit a mouthful of sushi out on the table. Life happening all around me and in that moment I was so happy I didn’t have to engage in any of it. I was just doing me.
After dinner, I cozied up with a bag of popcorn in a dark theatre and lost myself in a beautiful film for two hours. Sometimes you see a film that makes you feel so much that you wonder what you have been feeling during all those other films. “Beasts Of The Southern Wild” was one of those films…it moved me.Thank God I was alone because I was sobbing.
I could tell you a million reasons to see the film but I feel like I’d ruin it for you. So instead I will share three of my favorite Hushpuppy (the name of the little girl in the film) quotes below because each of them made me feel inspired, connected and alive. I think I’m going to really like these artist’s dates with myself.
When I got home, I cuddled up to Brian and told him that I wanted to name our first-born Hushpuppy. Hushpuppy Glodney
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“I see that I am a little piece of a big, big universe, and that makes it right.”
“The whole universe depends on everything fitting together just right. If one piece busts, even the smallest piece… the whole universe will get busted.”
“When it all goes quiet behind my eyes, I see everything that made me flying around in invisible pieces.”
I moved movie night with my brother Nik to our house this week because I decided it would be nice to have him over for a cozy night in. We ate pizza (ok I ate a salad and they ate pizza), we strung lights on Bert 2 and watched Home Alone (Nik’s favorite holiday movie). It was heaven having my two favorite boys for a night! I am so blown away by the man my brother is becoming. He’s so smart, interesting, thoughtful, creative, brave and handsome. I am so grateful I get to be his sister.
I vividly remember the day he was born, I was 12 years old and I remember thinking- wow when he graduates high school, I will be 30! At the time this seemed like a million years away. Another lifetime really. I fantasized about what my life would look like when i went to his graduation and I was the magic age of 30. It’s nothing like my 12-year-old self thought it would be. I thought I would live in a house with a white picket fence, a husband, 2 kids and a golden retriever. My life looks nothing like that. It’s better.
I am a writer, blogger and host living in Los Angeles, CA with my husband Brian and French Bulldog Frank.
I started this blog in 2011 on the eve of my 29th birthday because I was feeling frustrated with the state of my life. In an inspired moment I compiled a list of 10 goals to accomplish in the 365 days leading up to my 30th birthday. Goals that I thought would bring me closer to the life I wanted-- and with that, 365 til 30 was born. That year was an incredible journey and truly changed my life. Since then, the blog has grown to include everything that happens after turning 30.
365til30.com 