Pictures Of Things + Le Love List

January 23rd, 2015 - filed under: Furthermore » Feedback

lunch at flore

♥ Brunch with my two favorite guys at my very favorite LA eatery, Flore. ♥


Oh hey hey, guess what? As I write this (Thursday night) it’s MAH BIRFDAY! Wahoo!

And when this goes live (on Friday) I’ll be celebrating said birfday, with all my nearest and dearest at a big blow-out bash en mi casa. I haven’t had a real birthday party in years, and I’m so excited!

34 trips around the sun – it’s hard to believe. And man, I am so thankful to be just exactly where I am right now. I’d say each solar rotation just keeps getting better and better, with more clarity, more understanding, more opportunity to grow, greater achievement, expanding and deepening love, and honestly? MORE FUN (though Jeremy and Waits sure do have a lot to do with that)

I have so much to be grateful for. Like . . .


Waits at farmar

Adventuring with these two at the Farmer’s Market. And holy moly, these two! They are twinsies like whoa, kindred souls, two peas in a pod. Spirit squared!


herbs at the farmers market
Incredible herbs at the Far Mar.


Waits at BEERS
Waits has been begging to come to campus with me, to meet other real! scientists! and to see the labs. So I brought him to BEERS, the Friday-evening biology grad student gathering. He played cornhole like a champ, schooled a graduate student on diatoms, and pretty much charmed the pants off of everyone. As usual.


harvested oranges
We harvested oranges from our tree! LOTS. (And we got 2 quarts of juice from them.)


fur and feathers board game
Board games before bed. We love the animal friendly Fur & Feathers.


skateboarding lesson
And skateboarding lessons before work. These two, my gosh these two! ♥


brunch
Beautiful flowers and an incredible mocktail, back to that brunch at Flore.


pirate ride
And riding the Spinning Pirate Ship, later that night on the Santa Monica pier. Such an awesome day!

~~~

And now it’s time to exercise our gratitude muscles! With the one, the only, Le Love List!

Jeremy got me a skateboard for my birthday and ohmigod I AM SO EXCITED! And because he is him and because he knows me, he found an awesome woman-owned company to buy my board from, and it is fantastic and black and blue with hot pink wheels and the old-school shape that I love and I AM SO EXCITED! // Fresh flowers in winter. // I recently invoked social media to teach my students fluorescent microscopy. I was trying to explain one specific feature of the scope, and they just weren’t getting it . . . until I started talking about it in terms of Instagram filters! That’s when all their heads began nodding with understanding. Haha, whatever works, right? ‪#‎scienceteacher // Waits asked me, “Mommy, are you and Jeremy going to get married?” And I answered, “Hmmm … no, probably not. I don’t think so.” And he happily replied – “Oh good! So when I grow up, I can marry you, okay?” // Riding the roller coaster of grad school . . . trying to hang on and just enjoy the ride. // I never use my dishwasher. It’s basically a glorified tall butcher block cutting board, which is all I use it for. It’s stood empty for months, and then this week I realized that hello!? I can use it for storage! So I filled it with my cups and glass tupperware, cleared out a bunch of my cupboard space, and reorganized my whole kitchen. Ahhhh, so much tidier now! // And finally: Me. With the passing of my birthday, I can truly, and with [almost] absolute confidence, categorically state that I am pretty fucking awesome. Flawed for certain, hurt down deep, and with so much more to grow. But also . . . I am awesome. And it’s taken me a long time to be able to say that and really mean it. So, Happy Birthday to me. ♥

Alright my dears, now it’s your turn! Please tell me what you’re loving lately, and leave your list in the comments below, so that everyone can read and share in all the love around us!

And please, have a fantastic weekend!

♥ ♥ ♥

  • Samantha Ellwood

    Happy Birthday! And yay for birthday parties: I only have one every few years when I feel like it, and then it’s even more special.

    Love List: Margaritas . Game nights . Haircuts . Football . “Warm” 35 degree winter days . Oatmeal with apple, cinnamon and peanut butter (every morning) . Daily workouts . DIY projects (I haven’t done any for about a year, but I’m feeling the pull again!) . Trivia . The final season of the FX show Justified, which just premiered . Gluten free chocolate cupcakes from Trader Joe’s . The half-price bookstore . Brick streets .

    …and Waits’ face in that last picture above. :)

  • http://marketstreetvegan.com/ Amanda

    Happy birthday!

    I had my 34th on Wednesday, and I think I can relate to the
    admiring yourself, at last. I wouldn’t say I’ve arrived, but
    moving into my mid-30s and having to deal with some challenges has—at long fucking last—given me the sense that I’ve begun to unfold in a powerful, long-game kind of way.

    Party down, for sure. Sparkling wine on an oppressively rainy day is about to be on my love list.

  • lleverman

    Just one thing to say from an old gal – Have a beautiful and funtastic day.

  • http://thislittletaproot.blogspot.ca/ Emily

    Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoyed every moment! I strike 30 at the end of the months and hearing about your birthday joys has made me ever so slightly more excited about my own!

    http://thislittletaproot.blogspot.ca/

  • Stacey

    Happy Birthday! Any chance you’d be willing to share the name of that skateboard company?

  • Miet V

    Happy birthday! And YES, you are awesome!

  • Sarah C.

    Sounds like things are just awesome right now – and what better birthday present is there than that, eh? I had one of the big birthdays this past summer and it’s been so fun to experience the freedom that comes with it (it really does!) – the freedom to just say, this is who I am, where I am, and what I am, and I love that. Too bad it took me 40 years to get to this freedom, but better late than never, eh!

    This week I’m thankful for:
    - deadlines
    - the realization that I work best on deadlines and that THAT IS OK and doesn’t make me a less valuable scholar just because I need deadlines and pressure and adrenaline to do my best writing
    - coffee
    - getting past the flu and finally being healthy; let’s stay this way a while, ‘K body?
    - learning things from other people, having those great conversations where you learn things and expand your own thinking
    - chocolate

  • http://www.charleyfeltham.com/ Charley

    Happy, Happy Birthday Sayward! <3

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com/ Monika {windycityvegan}

    Happy birthday!

    This week at the top of my love list is that I did *not* get called on in class! I missed a day of class last week and was still playing catch up. // The Vegan Ladies Lunch some friends and I get together for every couple of months. We’re all pretty busy people, so I’m also thankful to my friend who started these lunches and keeps us at it. // The movie Frank, randomly singing one-liners from Frank, and my husband not thinking I’m crazy. (sometimes he even sings back) // The HiCAF line from Republic of Tea. // The show Black Mirror, 1. because it is good, and 2. because it’s pretty easy to squeeze in a single episode and therefore not feel like all I ever do is study study study.

    I hope you have a fantastic birthday weekend!

  • Alex Elser

    Happy birthday. Thank you for the constant inspiration to live with more gratitude, simplicity and honesty.

  • Liv Reiners

    Happy Birthday!

  • vegyogini

    YOU ARE AWESOME!

  • Rachel in Veganland

    Happy Birthday Sayward! I hope your party is a blast! I’ve been loving your LA pics and really just how joyful your posts have been of late. Your New Year intentions are definitely shining through! It’s very uplifting as I’m trying to survive that same roller coaster too. Whew, grad school. What a ride. But I’m grateful for it. In that vein, LOVE LIST TIME!

    Getting cardio back in my life (and trying to keep it there) // Rice milk, which I haven’t had in months, in my coffee // Reaping the benefits of my food packing and prep during the week. It’s so comforting to have a home cooked meal on those 10 hour days I’ve been pulling lately, and get home to something similar. // getting plenty of sleep! Much needed and so invigorating. // 65 degree weather in January.

  • Gina

    Très bon anniversaire! Lovely post, nice photos. Wishing you an interesting, stimulating and fulfilling coming year.

  • stephie137

    Happy birthday, dude! #34 is coming up in a couple of months for me, and I hear ya. I’m hitting my stride.

    LLL: getting up early to do crazy things with my friend, nieces, spending time one on one with each kiddo, work, new hair, leggings. It’s hard to choose.

  • Sonja

    Belated happ birthday! You are absolutely right: You are awesome!

  • Lesley Funk

    You are amazing Sayward. Happy birthday…

  • Patricia Jane Belle

    Happy Birthday Sayward! I hope that you’re having a great night and that this next year of your life story is a good one, though I’m sure it will be. (all about perspective right?)

    My Le Love List would go as follows: Having a trucker of an old lap top that survived my toddlers slippery hands and full glass of water. Time, hope, and the Southern CA sun can possibly fix anything. – Discovering a dormant passion for the history and on going story of my fellow Womenkind :) – Houseplants and the happiness that seeing them just living brings – and an old fear of failing morphing into a desire to avoid never trying.

    I really appreciate your blog and your willingness to share your story. It has been a beautiful inspiration to me, and others I’m sure. Thank You!

  • http://angieeatspeace.com/ Angie

    I love this list and how you included yourself in it! I hope you had the happiest of birthdays and wish you many blessings this year.

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Aww, thank you Samantha! And thanks for sharing the awesome Love List. ♥

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Hey, happy 34th to you! Go-go 1981 babies! =D

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thank you so much lady! Back at you too!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thanks Emily, and happy impending birthday!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Yes! It’s called Hoopla, and it was started by 2 female skaters to promote and encourage women in skating. =)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Aw, thank you Miet!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Yes! One of my favorite things about getting older (there are many) is the increased comfort in my own skin, and disinterest in other people’s perception of me. If I love me, and the people that I love love me, then that’s all that matters!

    Thanks for sharing the lovely Love List. I am a better-under-pressure person too, and really related to that revelation. ♥

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thanks so much beautiful lady!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Haha, oh man I relate so much to the first item on your Love List. Last week for my grad core class, the teacher sent out a paper for us to read with a note that said “I will be drawing a name out of a hat for one of you to lead the discussion on this paper” I was so scared! But not as scared as the [many] people who just didn’t show up. Ha!

    Very intrigued by this HiCAF line of which you speak . . .

    Cheers to you lady, hope you had a great weekend!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Aww, thank you so much Alex – and it is truly my pleasure!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thanks Liv!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Aww, THANK YOU! ♥ ♥ ♥

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Roller coaster is the very best metaphor for grad school. Never ending – UP and then DOWN and over and over. Hanging on for dear life!

    Love the Love List, hope you had a nice relaxing weekend!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thank you Gina!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thanks lady and happy impending birthday to you! Mid thirties is all about the stride, I think (hope!)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Aw, thanks Sonja!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thank you Leslie!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thank you Patricia, and thanks for sharing the awesome Love List! That’s a really good one!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thank you Angie. ♥

  • (AL)

    Belatedly but still heartfelt-ly, I want to send all good birthday wishes.

    And now my love list.

    Spaces where ostensibly disparate institutions and systems can coexist with each other in peace–trendy gimmicks with untamable creativity; normative tradition with radical activism; emotional nostalgia with intellectual critique; (and especially!) western medical science with magical alternative healing. Books. People. This earth. The incredible privilege of being well-cared-for when sick. Mail; the good old US Postal Service. Fun. Smiles. Spaces of trust. And I love that you are on your list, Sayward; I’m on mine, too: me.

  • Ashley

    Happy birthday Sayward! My fav item on your list is YOU! You’ve been inspiring me for years and I’m beaming at the happiness you have found because you definitely deserve it.

    Lately, belatedly, I am loving: our first major snowfall of the season, watching the views at my work change from bustling city to calm and frosted; a huge batch of chickpea noodle soup as big as my biggest pot eaten with crusty bread; coming home and talking for hours and hours about life and space and soul mates with my sweetheart.