I really should be blogging more than once a week. It’s funny how, when I choose to write, I feel like I have so much to say and when I feel like I need to write, I draw a major blank! However, the last week has really been a lot of fun. This past weekend, some friends and I went out to Dodger’s Stadium for a sad, sad game of baseball against the SF Giants. We all had a great time together, but the game itself was a bit of a disappointment. It didn’t matter, though. I was grateful for time spent outdoors watching the good ‘ol American past time. Brittany and April (below) are two girls I met via mutual people we all knew from Auburn and we have become fast friends!

After the Dodger’s game, April, Brittany and I spent the rest of the day together. I guess I should note that I took Saturday “off,” so we headed to Pink Taco for delicious guacamole, some nachos and perhaps a Margarita or two. :P The rest of the weekend was fantastic! Sunday, Brittany and I made our way over to Beverly Hills for lunch at the famous Ivy Restaurant. I had not been there yet and I was going to Tommy Hilfiger on the next block for a fitting, so we said ‘why the heck not!?’

Uh. The $35 salad was the ‘why not.’

But…as I’m still being a tourist on occasion, I figured it’s just one of those things you have to do once. The ambiance was so gorgeous it kind of made up for it….

Kind of.

Brittany isn’t so bad, either. After the Ivy, we popped over to Tommy to see my friend, Meg, and pick out something for me to wear to the “To Tommy from Zooey” event that’s happening tonight. I got a beautiful dress and I can’t wait to show you guys! I’ll also be writing a piece for The Social Life, so when that is done, I will link you guys to that, too! Brittany is my date, so we should have a blast. After, I’m heading to meet with a manager who works in this crazy world of entertainment to pick his brain about my future. (Thanks, Shea!)

Speaking of my future, I’m excited about a meeting I had yesterday with a company that has an idea about a potential reality show involving me. Now! Reality scares me a little bit, but their idea sounds like SO. MUCH. FUN. and like it could be an opportunity to showcase my personality, which I feel certain could lead to future work in the realm that I am looking for. So…although it’s in a very early stage of conversation, I am hoping that it leads to something that could be great!

And speaking of being on television, I’m so stoked about my progress! Today was my weekly weigh in and although (again) I weigh more, my measurements have gone down as well as my body fat percentage! The pictures are never satisfying, but I guess it is what it is. Haha

I have to admit, even though I know muscle weighs more than fat (and weight going up means nothing), it still kind of sucks to watch that happen. However, I hope that if you’re following along, you can be inspired by watching my measurements go down. The thing I am MOST excited about, though, is that I lost 1.7% Body Fat in ONE WEEK! That’s actually kind of crazy. Generally, it’s normal to lose anywhere from 1%-3% in a single month. So, this makes me feel very accomplished. I have to admit, I haven’t been doing a whole lot of fancy cooking which is why I haven’t shared any recipes, but I have (Saturday aside) been eating super, duper, clean. Once I get back from NY this coming week, it’s my goal to whip up some serious chef-like creations. Most of my meals have been from Earth Bar here or made from simple ingredients in the house. For example, yesterday I posted a short video of me cooking: chicken and broccoli. Haha I ended up putting a half of an avocado with it for added deliciousness, but honestly, that’s as fancy as things have gotten this week. I’ve been eating so much broccoli I feel like I’m a kid again! Anyone who knows me knows I love broccoli. :D

I also love reading. However, I’m feeling a bit stuck with The Artisan Soul. I really loved the beginning of the book, but I do sort of feel like I have lost momentum. The last chapter I read was Image: Manifestation of the Imagination and there was one particular passage that spoke to me:

Everything we know about God is translated through the things God created. pg. 93

I often struggle with faith. Monday, as I read this on a beautiful beach, in the warmth of the sun, on the sinking sand and surrounded by the waves of the ocean, I thought “Oh, for sure. Look at this beautiful world we live in.” It’s easy to sit in that setting and be transformed by the beauty that surrounds you. However, as I ponder on that statement a bit longer I think… “Well, then why are there so many things imagined and created by man that are horrendous? Hurtful? Unfair?” Erwin says that God works through us by our imagination and it is up to create in His likeness. Often, though, people create in His name things that, to me, are unimaginable. This is something I have always struggled with, though. If God is working through each one of us, why is there so much pain and suffering in our world? Working with my platform has also been a huge hinderance in my relationship with God. How is it that we live in a world where children are robbed of their innocence and purity? It just seems that this passage can be taken is several different ways. If God created pedophiles, what does that say about Him? If God created terrorist? Politicians… :P

Okay, that was a cheap shot. Haha

Anyway, I’m going to plow through the rest of this book. I had the privilege of seeing the sermon on the next chapter, Craft: The Elegance of Workmanship, so I may find more inspiration there. Hope so! If you’re interested in podcasts or study guides for the book, you can find them here. Last week when I was at Midweek at Mosaic, I asked to be put in touch with a Bible Study or Book Club. I was really grateful to meet a fellow member of Mosaic, Sarah, through their Connections and she came to my house Sunday night for dinner. We spent some time talking about life, LA and, of course Mosaic. So, now, I look forward to finding more of a community there within their walls.

Now, though, I have to prepare my apartment for my first weekend of Air B and B rentals. :o I’m heading to NYC tomorrow night and arriving Friday morning, so I have a lot of laundry, cleaning and packing to do before I head to the airport in about 24 hours. Oh- that’s with this Tommy event tonight. Eek!

I also owe you some French. I have not been a very good student. Maybe my trip to NYC will make up for some lost time….?

Until then…

-M

Catching Up