Housewarming Registry: Really?!! What Do You Think?

My new home, sweet home!
(But not for another 2 weeks!) 

I frolicked into my beloved Sur la Table this weekend to pick up an automatic ice cream maker in red. A staff member there remembered me and asked how things were going. I told her that I had just purchased a new home, was in need of many items and that she'll be seeing more of me soon. The lovely staff member then suggested that I create a housewarming registry so that my friends and family can help me purchase the things I needed or wanted.

A very perplexed look crossed my face. Wedding and baby registry? OK. But a housewarming registry? When I think of housewarming presents I think of small plants, bottles of wine or some kind of food. Perhaps we no longer live in the simple good old days. 

As a typical Libra, I mulled over the idea of a housewarming registry as I gleefully perused the rest of Sur la Table. 

Pros:

1. Your friends and family probably want to buy you something and might not know what you need, what you already have, your color scheme, etc. You would be saving them time! 

2. If your friends and family know what you want, you won't end of up with plants you'll end up killing (maybe that's just me) or stuff you don't even want. 

3. Not having to deal with gifts you have no use for that will take up room in your basement/garage. 

4. I might never get married or have a baby. This might be my only chance at a registry! And who doesn't like getting stuff?

Cons:

1. Housewarming parties should be like Thanksgiving - you just show up, eat, drink and be merry.

2. Your friends may feel obligated to get you stuff they didn't think they'd have to get you in the first place. 

3. People with busy lives are taking time out to check out your new home and put up with you bragging about your new digs and talking incessantly about how your floor is hardwood, counters are granite, blah, blah, blah. Do they need to take more time out to bother with your registry?

4. This registry idea just simply sounds foreign. 

What do you think? Housewarming registry- yea or nay? 

This is not good bye, not even close

This is a letter to my best friend. I have not told him I have posted this. I hope he finds it after he has departed, maybe read it at an airport somewhere (the theatrical part of me also hopes there would be the acoustic version of "The Scientist" by Coldplay softly playing in the background).  Somethings are just too difficult to say. He is leaving America for an exciting position overseas. Everything fell into place for him so quickly, that he only had a week to pack up and move. Only a week to settle affairs. Only a week to say good bye to family and friends. It will take me longer than a week to process all this, but this will have to do for now.

To my best friend,

I will not say I can't believe this is all happening and so fast. I will not say that I can't imagine life without you. I will not say good bye to you.

I will say that I am beyond elated that you have been bestowed this great opportunity to live and work abroad. We use to sit around and talk about all the "what ifs" and my friend, one of the "what ifs" has become reality for you! I am also glad everything happened in a time of your life when you are not tied down by other obligations.

I will say that I can't imagine what my life would be like without having had you in it. We met when I was on the brink of adulthood, when I had not yet define who I was. I love the person I have grown to become and you have definitely had a major part in my transformation. Through the past years, you have been a dedicated friend, a strong support system, an honest mentor and so much more. You have seen my hideous side, the one that can be angry, judgmental, selfish and irrational. You have helped me reflect upon myself to correct those flaws. You have been the only person that I have allowed to see me completely raw and vulnerable. You have even seen me cry. Through the hard times, you have taught me to be confident and believe in myself. Through the hard times, you have always been there, even when I have taken my frustrations out on you and hurt you. I will forever be indebted to you for everything you have been to me and for everything you have done for me. Looking at the unfinished tapestry of my life, I can see where you have interlaced the warp and weft of yourself...I find these parts one of the most beautiful and they will never unravel.

I will say that I will miss you immensely. I have that feeling I get when I have misplaced something of great value - I know it is not lost, it is just out there somewhere. You and I both know the connection we have is strong enough to span both distance and time. Just know that no matter where you end up, even when you are half a world away and your sunrises are my sunsets, you will always have a home in my heart. Just know that I will love you until the day I am no longer capable of conscious thoughts and emotions (overly theatrical? definitely, but I don't know how else I could have put it).

My friend, until we meet again, I hope that Fortune smiles upon you and keeps you safe,

Phuong

Solution to My Quarter Life Crisis

According to the German philosopher Fredrich Nietzsche, "Out of chaos comes order," but in my case, out of chaos comes blogger! 


I am turning 25 years old next week and I have been jokingly claiming that I have been going through a quarter life crisis.  Upon further inspection, my claim is not that far from the truth.  I have graduated from college, started my first full time job, moved in with a boyfriend after 3 years of dating, quit my first job for a better one, broke up with my boyfriend, watched my friends either move away or get married, moved out of the loft I shared with my now ex-boyfriend, started living alone for the first time and recently started dating again...all within the last year and a half. 


I am a pharmacist, foodie, traveler, quarter life crisis survivor and avid pursuer of happiness who is currently residing in St. Louis, Missouri.  


"I blog, therefore I am," is going to be my little motto for my purpose of writing. Like Descartes, I want to think (and write) in order to examine my reality. I also want to share the journey of my pursuit of happiness...my living diary about food, travel, point of view on life, rants, dating, relationships and other topics of depth and humor. 


I hope to learn more about myself through writing and through reader feedback. I also hope to get fresh perspectives from people from different walks of life. Comment! Lend me your wisdom! Share your point of view! I hope to hear from you! 


Phuong