Lauren and I are both packing up to head to our respective destinations and it has really got me to thinking. We have already lived through the first quarter of 2015 and I feel like it has taught me a lot already. Here are some things worth noting:

There is no need to be in control of everything.

Cleanliness is great, but it’s not really a big deal when things are messy.

People that love you will do amazing things for you for no reason.

It is always better to talk to things out.

It makes you a better friend, sister, daughter, partner when you take accountability for your actions.

Sharing a small space is not so bad – it’s cozy.

People will surprise you with good things and bad – forgive them.

Everyone is not always on the same page at the same time.

Having no expectations is SO hard.

PACKING for 5 day team retreat to Nicaragua!

LOOKING for book recommendations. Anyone have any?

FEELING bummed that Lauren is headed back to the East Coast for a couple of months.

LISTENING to Terry Gross interview Louis CK on Fresh Air.

THINKING back on and appreciating a really nice impromptu goodbye dinner with friends last night.

DEFLATING the air mattress I’ve called home for the past four months.  So grateful to Farrell and Albert for letting me come stay with them.  It’s been so nice!

1) Louis C.K. on Why New York is better than L.A. (via Business Insider)  I don’t always love his humor but I do really enjoy Louis C.K.’s perspectives on life.  The whole NYC vs L.A. comparison is only a small part of this interview but makes for a good headline, I guess.  Really the two cities are so different, in my opinion, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to dwell on which place is better.  Anyway, a worthwhile read.  -Lauren

2) Children Find Their Moms (via Aplus) If you are looking for something to sweeten up your day, watching children finding their moms while they are blindfolded will do the trick. –Farrell

3) Lazy: A Manifesto (via Tim Ferriss Podcast) is a 15 minute audio clip of a chapter in Tim Kreider’s book, We Learn Nothing.  With humor, it speaks to our culture’s reliance on being so busy or too busy, almost as a status symbol.  Food for thought.  -Lauren

4) Call For Help (via This American Life) I can just barely imagine what it would be like to be in a serious emergency. This podcast is a collection of stories about people who were in need of serious help and what they went through during the process. –Farrell

5) 1.5 Million Missing Black Men (via NYTimes) This isn’t right.  We need to do better. –Lauren

6) What Finger Length Reveals about your Personality (via Sunny Skyz) In case you were wondering how the length of your fingers relates to who you are, this article is for you! –Farrell

I am still flying high from all of the amazing things that happened during my birthday week. I felt so loved and supported. I was also reminded of how wonderful all of my friends and family are. 30 is going to be a great year. I can already feel it! Here are some of the highlights that I can’t stop thinking about:

6 a.m. dance party with my mama that was busted by the cops.

Searching for rocks on the beach.

An amazing dinner with my family.

My sister’s wonderful birthday post to me.

How thoughtful my friends are.

Being surprised at a blow out salon in Beverly Hills.

All of my friends slowly arriving from the airport.

How loved and supported I felt.

All of Albert’s meals that he made for us.

How exciting it is to me when all of my people are together in one place.

How much time and planning everyone spent to make it happen.

I appreciate it all so much and feel like such a lucky girl.