My mom leaves me notes in the fridge.

It’s not the most common place for the exchange of notes, but it’s actually quite effective. I never miss the notes. Usually, the notes relate to food I should eat, food I should take to SD and/or the temperature of the house (close the window, leave the windows open, turn the A/C off, etc.). She also usually draws smiley faces and they’re really cute because the face is really round and the eyes are squinting.

I visited my mom at church this past Saturday because she’s a Sunday School teacher for the nursery department. I’ve been hearing about her students ever since she started teaching about a month ago. She finds it so fascinating that these two-and-half-year-old to three-year-old kids have such unique personalities. I felt like I already knew them when I first met them on Saturday. They were so much fun and it was indeed so interesting to watch them all interact. One kid just observed all the other kids. I wondered what he thought. It was more fun watching my mom interact with the kids because she doesn’t talk to them like they’re kids. Overall, Saturday was a day of much laughter.
***
I saw a couple of white butterflies around the plants outside my mom’s place Sunday morning. I like butterflies and they made me smile. Then, I drove down the road and noticed there were white butterflies everywhere along the side of the road. I figured it was a Lake Elsinore thing. But, the whole way to church along the freeway, I saw these white butterflies flittering around so free and happy. Ok, maybe they weren’t happy, but I like to believe so. At one point, they were flying towards my car and I was simply amazed. I surprised myself with a giggle.
***
August is full of goodbyes. Heidi’s leaving for Korea. Kristine’s leaving for Michigan. Sharon’s leaving San Diego. I’ll still get to see her, but still… I will miss them all terribly.
***
It was one of those weekends when I was filled with gratitude. There’s so much to be thankful for.

Even walking to work today, I felt overwhelmed with wonder and gratitude.

quotes from pals

JJ:

• “I watched ‘Love Story’ when I was four years old at the drive-in and I was sitting there in the backseat all alone, grieving by myself.”
• A few people whistled at JJ at the gay pride parade – “At my age, any attention is good. Fuck it.”
• “One day, we’ll watch some news conference with the DA on TV, see the press room in the background and remember how we were up in that room talking shit.”

Jonathan

• "I just study all day in the back room with no light. I'm like a troll. A troll with a really good vocabulary."

Irene

• At Comic-Con: "Yeah, so guys will come up to me and tell me, 'you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen'. I awkwardly say 'thaaanks' and think 'you're weird'. They've probably only seen like two girls in their life, so the compliment isn't even legit."

Smiles of a Summer Night

Men are horrible, vain and conceited. They have hair all over their bodies.

I laughed.

And then the summer night smiled for the third time. For the sad, the depressed, the sleepless, the confused, the frightened, the lonely.

I felt wistful.

Pleasant San Francisco Moments

• the car ride from the airport to Mon's place when Andrew (Mon's roommate) and Pete (Mon's boyfriend) had a conversation without even understanding one another. It was absolutely hilarious. I was sitting in the front, so I could tell which word each person misheard. But, it didn't even matter because the conversation would continue. It was like they were speaking different languages, yet communicating. Absolutely hilarious.
• lying in bed while reading and hearing a gentle knock. "Your tea is ready," says Andrew. We had a pleasant morning drinking tea and talking. I watched him roll up his joints, he got stoned and turned on "That's Entertainment 2". I think it's great that he believes that Fred Astaire is a true baller.
  
• date night with Jenn. We had a nice time reflecting on life at a classy bar.
• people-watching at the Hustler Club. It was so interesting.
  
• meeting Johny (who really spells his name with one "N"!). He was great fun.
  
• exploring the Frida Kahlo exhibit at SFMOMA. Her work exudes sadness and beauty to me.
  
• lots of silly moments with Mon and the rats.
  
• walking around the city.

I simply enjoyed spending time with Mon. We laugh so much; I really appreciate that.

Oh, Nick

I told Nick what Charlotte said in response to his comment regarding my death tree (It's okay. I'm sure your paper will go in a lovely sketchbook. This warmed my heart), and here's what he said:

I guesssss.
Either that or what I was thinking was like toilet paper.

What am I going to do with this boy? He sort of reminds me of my past tutor kids. He'll ask me how to spell things, what certain words mean and I find myself responding to him the same way I used to with my tutor kids:

• Nick, look it up in a dictionary.
  
• I don't want to enable you.
  
• You're a bright kid Nick.
  

July Jubilee!

If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there

I can't wait for:

• playing with Mon.
  
• consuming lots of chocolate while drinking a glass of wine with Jen (Mon's friend/ex-roomie) as we talk about everything and nothing.
• watching fireworks on Friday.
• museums galore!
• fun picture-taking opportunities.
• visiting Mon at her new place of employment, the Hustler Club. That'll be interesting.

As soon as I get back on Monday, it's off to supervisor training for AmeriCorps in L.A. I look forward to learning, taking notes and a lot of free time by the pool. I hope I get everything I expect.

The following week, I'm off at Grief Recovery Training. Luckily, the DA is not going. Now, I only have to bear my soul with 10 other co-workers. Actually, I'm looking forward to the training and JJ thinks it'll be good for me. I believe him.

Yep, that's right. I'm out of the office for half of the month in July! It's pretty rad.