i hope to connect with more family and make some new friends or re-connect with old ones 2 years ago

so far, I had one tea date last week, and one tonight. I’ve decided to make an effort to be social, to go out more, to actually invite someone to do something. Tea in the evening is easy, doesn’t take much planning, and can be scheduled with a degree of flexibility. What did we do before cell phones and texting??? Now I can make plans for the evening and firm up the time as the evening progresses, it’s wonderful! Also, I think it is important for me to get out of the house so to speak, more often. I love my alone time, but it really does help boost my mood and self confidence when I spend time with friends. It literally makes me feel better, about life, about myself, it’s therapeutic. So, I congratulate myself for making good progress in the the beginning of 2009, and with plans to continue casting out tea date invitations, as well as inviting friends to walk/hike with me, and hopefully finding a biking club to join to meet friends to mountain bike with. 4 years ago

My friends ended up having their flight cancelled, and so I got an invite to Christmas dinner :) 4 years ago

she’s agreed we might meet up for tea if our schedules work out! I”m excited, a little nervous, but I really want to get back on track with her and clear things between us, and it seems she does too.

as for R, she didn’t respond to me, and I’m letting her alone for now, I think she must be hurting, and I”m not the one who can console her…. It doesnt feel good to hurt someone close to me. But maybe now we can rebuild our friendship without her thinking we will get back together… 4 years ago

Had lunch with an old friend on Monday, have plans to see another friend on Sunday, had a conversation for an hour with my cousin over the weekend, talked to my great friend from college last night. Regularly emailing, mom, brother, and dad. All is well with the co-workers. Feeling more social. All is good. As the depression lifts, this is just me getting back to my old self. Thank God! It’s nice to see the perky me resurfacing. 4 years ago

to friends I’ve been out of touch with. realizing my depression has been holding me back. I keep waiting to feel better to reach out…but I think I need to reach out to help me feel better. I’m making an effort. 4 years ago

with my good friend, it’s great to talk, even though I feel blah, good friends still love me 4 years ago

from college. we ran into each other on facebook, turns out he had a huge crush on me in college, and never gave me any clues. He’s married with kids now, but he gives me so many compliments, I can’t help but eat it up. It’s also the safest form of flirting as it is harmless and going nowhere except that it soothes my bruised ego, which I am working on building up a bit. I also got a text today from a dear friend who I have been out of touch with for about four or five years. We had a falling out of sorts, then made peace, but never really talked that much, and now we will reconnect again. I never stopped loving her, I’m happy to have her back in my life again. 4 years ago

Whilst sitting at the computer updating my 43T tonight, I got a phone call from my aunt. I can’t even remember the last time I talked to her directly; it’s been years. It was so fun to touch base. We really should do it more often…

It’s also really, really interesting to see how positively skewed her perception of me still is after all these years. 5 years ago

I feel tired, and I feel embarrassed about my dysfunctional relationship and the fact that I still haven’t moved out. But, I need my friends support. I made a dinner date with mk for next week, and hopefully will hike or visit with aa this weekend. I also sent two emails this week to other friends I’ve been out of touch with. I need to keep consistently working at this to keep my support system. My coworkers at work are very supportive, and my family loves me unconditionally those things I am grateful for. 5 years ago

I haven’t seen him since last year! It will be good to go up for a visit. I’m also trying to get my mom to plan a trip with me…perhaps in March. have been calling my brother more often. But my close friendships have been neglected as I’ve been feeling in a low rut of sorts. I feel a bit at times that I don’t want to talk to my friends until I’m more cheerful or at least excited about something, but truly I shouldn’t wait that long. So, I will remind myself of this goal and try to reach out to my dear friends. 5 years ago

I just returned from a short trip where I was able to catch up with several old friends and colleagues I hadn’t seen in 3-4yrs. We did simple everyday things – eat, talk, drink, talk, laundry, talk, etc. – and it was wonderful!

It was certainly a welcome thing right before the holidays. Plus, sometimes you don’t really realize how much you’ve missed being around certain people until you get a chance to catch up with each other. 5 years ago

and am happy to message my friends and post my photos there for them to see. 5 years ago

This afternoon, I was standing in line at the supermarket kind of staring off into space. I must’ve had my “approachable face” on because an older man (mid-60s to 70) started chatting with me. It was kind of weird because he was initially trying to buy me me a cheap candy bar (3 for $1, woo) because he was excited about having a corporate credit card – and generally exhausted because he said he works 7 days/wk. Then he started daydreaming about being able to use his corporate card for buying airline tickets to someplace warm (i.e. warmer than San Diego) and asked me where I’d go if he could buy me a ticket. At first I said “anywhere you want to send me, I’ll go”, then I mentioned Hawaii when he pressed me on it; he thought of Vegas and a couple Caribbean islands. Then the conversation got weirder and a little humbling…

He asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I said I had no idea and turned the question around on him. Sandwiched in between a trivial wish and a dream of winning the lotto, he mentioned quietly that he just wanted his children to communicate with him but knew that wouldn’t happen. I was just the confidant for this wish – and, in all likelihood, the fleeting substitute for the children whose interaction he so craved (since I’m probably of the same general age group).

As my I picked up my bag of food and prepared to leave, I just looked him purposefully in the eye, smiled, and wished him a good day… What could I do other than honor his admission of loneliness?

I’m filing this interaction under the “Connect more with family and friends” goal to 1) serve as a reminder to act on this goal, and 2) illustrate that, no matter how periodically disconnected from my family I may feel, my family relationships really are pretty decent – and I need to be thankful for that.

I’ll definitely be thinking about this random man on Thanksgiving… 5 years ago

...to come from the catastrophic firestorm in San Diego County has been the pulling together of family/friends and the greater community. People’s true colors – and that of a community – really come out during a time of need.

I love San Diego. May this end soon. 5 years ago

Tonight I went to the “1st birthday party” for a friend/former coworker’s daughter (a first child). It was very special to be part of that milestone and to have that sense of connection – where it’s really evident that I care about my friend and his family, and that he cares to have me there as an extension of his family. Simple. Priceless. 5 years ago

For the first time in my life, I’ve been able to get my grandmother (i.e. my only grandparent) to talk about things like where she was born, where she grew up, what her father did for a living, where she learned a card game she’s been responsible for passing on to the entire family, etc. Baby steps, but it feels good.

I learned things even my mother never knew… 5 years ago

my good friend ck is in town, has been for a week. It has been great to see her! last night we had a ten person dinner at a great little italian place. so much fun. then today, met ck in the morning for tea, and several hours later finally met mk for an ice coffe in the afternoon and caught up. We ended up walking and shopping and talking for three hours! so wonderful. I love my friends, they are such wonderful people. I am blessed. And I am utterly reminded of how therapeutic it is for me to spend time around people that make me feel good about myself. gradually gaining courage to move forward in life and stop waiting for it to land in my lap. 5 years ago

ah, my lovely ladies all got together for dinner. ck is in from utah. aa finally had a break from work. love my friends! life’s challenges seem so insignificant when in the company of friends. 5 years ago

Next week I’ll fly up to mom’s and have a bit of a reunion with my aunts, uncles, and brother. And I’m also going to take a few days of the trip to drive down to Portland and see my friend who has three kids! So, it will be a festival of connection! Lovin it. 5 years ago

my cousin and her family came into town for ten days. it was soooo nice. we got to have dinner with them in the evenings after work, and I took two days off to spend time with them during the day. we went to the getty musuem, walked on the beach and just enjoyed each other’s company. now it is my turn to go visit them next time, in texas. 5 years ago

they have been staying close by, so I have been able to have dinner with them every night this week so far. it is so fun to be able to spend time with them. their kids are so precious and cute and full of life. this is a worthy goal, one that I intend to keep working on! 6 years ago

made a trip to see all three, it’s all good. but I am ready to go home, as there is a reason family can be difficult after a few days. but, still they love me, and I love them. it has been good, and this will continue to be a goal of mine. 6 years ago

i’ll be meeting my mom in hawaii at my aunt’s house. it’s beach and family time!!!!! do not let me complain, life is good. 6 years ago

Just got back from a long weekend to see my fried ck in Utah. Her and her husband were so sweet, they cooked for us, drove us around, and took us skiing two days. We also had a late night UNO marathon, and lot’s of relaxing and looking at the mountain views. I love my beloved friends!!!
Now, back to work tomorrow…....... 6 years ago

Had a great weekend away. Saw two of my favorite friends, who are so good for the soul. I feel understood and appreciated. But was also challenged. And all the continuous laughter was very therapeutic.

Then I had enough time to spend a day with my mom and brother, although it was a bit more dramatic than the time with my friends. 6 years ago

I went home, and even saw an old friend from high school. It feels good to keep in touch. 6 years ago

I emailed some pictures to some friends. And I have also recently called and caught up with two good friends. It is so great when we can pick right up where we left off. There is a girls weekend in the making for March, and hopefully a day trip up to Camarillo to see my yoga teacher friend. I do feel good when I talk to my friends, they remind me of my strengths and accomplishments, and they also provide lots of love and empathy as I try to answer the questions in my life. 6 years ago

By the end of my workday, I feel dull, overwhelmed and unable to call my friends. Then on the weekend I feel like I’m just barely able to catch up. But I want to feel connected to my friends and loved ones….........Does anyone else feel this way? I feel like I’m getting old….like everyone else has more energy than me. I’m sure this is distorted thinking…...Just thought blabbing 6 years ago

I have been doing this very well lately. I feel pulled to contact them…so I do. I trust my urges! 7 years ago