...Was Catch Up With My Best Friend

Krista and I have been friends since we were three years old. We have the type of friendship where months could go by at a time without us speaking with each other, but then once our schedules line up and we are in the same place, it is as if no time ever passed at all. In 21 years of knowing each other, I think only two summers have gone by where we haven't spent a long weekend out at her family's house in the Hampton's, complete with dinner parties and pool games, and more recently "Stephen Talk House," and bar hopping. This is one of my favorite traditions.

Ever since I left to go to high school in Connecticut, our plan was to graduate college and move back to Manhattan ASAP. Best roommates ever! Unfortunately, I ended up taking a victory lap (5th year) at the University of Michigan and Krista decided to move to Boston, which for me, a very serious Yankee fan, was out of the question. It took two more years before we were both back on the mainland and there was no better way to celebrate our NYC roots than by being tourists for a day.

We went to Sardi's for dinner where we proceeded to talk for two hours about everything from work to boys, old memories to future plans. Then we walked over to the Hirschfeld Theater to see the B'Way revival of HAIR. Everything was great and just made me really appreciate having such a great friendship.

My mom always tells me that while you grow up, fair-weather friends will fall by the wayside and you will realize one day that you really only have a handful of good friends that you can count on in an emergency, for a helping hand, or just for a good conversation. I used to think she was crazy, but as each year goes by I notice just how true it is--the motives behind some people being your friend will come out eventually.

The important thing is to recognize the people that you can rely on, the people that you learn from, the people that move you. It's not the people that you call upon that sometimes answer and sometimes respond when they feel like it, but the small group of trusted friends that are there as soon and as best as they can be. I believe that ridding yourself from toxic relationships (whether they are platonic or romantic) is a huge factor in stress relief and happiness. And yes, I know, easier said than done.

...Was Cook A (Semi) Elaborate Dinner w. My Roommate

There was one summer, it was the one between Freshman and Sophomore year of college, where I was going through yet another "transitional phase". Coming back from college for that first summer was difficult for most. Everything had changed. I felt like a guest in my own house, only some of my close high school friends were around, relationships that once were solid seemed strained. It was the first time I realized that, at the end of the day all you are left with is yourself. I had always depended on my friends for entertainment and never really learned how to enliven myself.

The first thing I turned to (well, after all 10 seasons of FRIENDS), was cooking. There is something so nice about putting a really good meal together. Not only is it healthy and (hopefully) tasty, but it is also one of those very unique activities where you don't have to be fully focused on what you're doing--unless your chopping things...I guess. But it is a time to think and reflect on the day while also feeling productive.

On the menu for tonight, "Grilled Salmon with Citrus Salsa Verde".

You can check it out here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/grilled-salmon-with-citrus-salsa-verde-recipe/index.html

OR you can just take a gander at some yummy pictures.

The salmon soaking in some apricot nectar. We were not able to find Agave nectar. I considered just getting some tequila, but alas.

Up next, we have our lovely and delicious citrus salsa verde. I'll tell you, peeling oranges out of their "membrane," without a paring knife and created 2 tablespoons of orange zest without a zester, proved to be the evening's biggest challenges.

And, drum roll please......the finished product! Yes, that is a "Diet Chocolate Fudge Soda" you see next to my plate, my guilty pleasure/health slip-up of the day. Keep an eye out for the "...Was cut Soda Out Of My Life," post hopefully coming sooner than later.

Until next time, stay positive...

...Was Start This Blog

Sometimes we all get stuck in a cycle of negativity. I have noticed this in myself more so in the past year than during any other time in my life. Almost two years out of college, I'm feeling like I cannot blame this on the "transition period," anymore. Or maybe I can. However, making excuses is just as bad as being negative.

There have been a number of different things this past year that have caused me a lot of stress, sadness and anxiety. A lot of time spent crying. A lot of time spent drinking and partying. Too much time spent dwelling on things I could not change and comparing myself to my peers. I have recently recognized how self-destructive all of this was. Instead of going out and doing, I was sitting around thinking, day-dreaming of the "shoulda', coulda', woulda's."

It was this Vlog posted by best selling author and leadership guru, Robin Sharma, that really helped me decide to start taking accountability for not only my actions, but for my thoughts and mindset as well:

The purpose of this blog is to help find and acknowledge the best part(s) of everyday. No matter how bad my day or your day is, just remember that we have 24 hours to improve on something, become a stronger person both physically and mentally, and break some of our most toxic habits. Starting now...