Book Review: MWF Seeking BFF

I'm writing this book review, and I'm not even done with the book - that's how much I dig it. MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New BFF is nonfiction gold for 20-/30-something women who love having girlfriends. Don't believe me? Read below.

"When Rachel Bertsche first moves to Chicago, she’s thrilled to finally share a zip code, let alone an apartment, with her boyfriend. But shortly after getting married, Bertsche realizes that her new life is missing one thing: friends. Sure, she has plenty of BFFs—in New York and San Francisco and Boston and Washington, D.C. Still, in her adopted hometown, there’s no one to call at the last minute for girl talk over brunch or a reality-TV marathon over a bottle of wine. Taking matters into her own hands, Bertsche develops a plan: She’ll go on fifty-two friend-dates, one per week for a year, in hopes of meeting her new Best Friend Forever.

In her thought-provoking, uproarious memoir, Bertsche blends the story of her girl-dates (whom she meets everywhere from improv class to friend rental websites) with the latest social research to examine how difficult—and hilariously awkward—it is to make new friends as an adult. In a time when women will happily announce they need a man but are embarrassed to admit they need a BFF, Bertsche uncovers the reality that no matter how great your love life is, you’ve gotta have friends."

I bought this book on my kindle (my first actual kindle purchase!!) last week before I hopped on a plane to New Orleans for my law school bestie's, Pony's, wedding. After reading about it in several magazines, I knew I had to get my hands on it. After all, I know exactly how Rachel feels/felt. After law school, I found myself in an ah-mazing city (Austin - duh) lacking in the true friendship department. I had my other law school girl bestie, Jenny, and I had a couple of other friends I'd see semi-regularly. But the rest of the time, I found myself canceling plans with so-so friends with whom I felt little to no real connection. Quite frankly, I would have rather stayed home with Lola. So that's what I did.

Fast forward one year and a half, and I was not happy. I found myself constantly finding reasons to leave Austin, whether for the weekend or just the day, and sooner or later I found myself craving a different life altogether. Hello, NYC! 

Now my life is a series of social commitments, and I can hardly keep up. Reading this book, I find myself paying a lot more attention to my social calendar. Take yesterday, for example:

11:30 a.m. - Coffee shop catch-up avec my boys (Will and David) @ Grounded

2:00 p.m. - Brunch avec old boss/dear friend Megan @ Five Points

6:00 p.m. - Art journaling play date avec new friend/fellow art journaling enthusiast Tiffani @ her incredibly decorated apartment (more on this later - I am INSPIRED, y'all!) Psst - I was introduced to Tiffani via Valerie, another blog-y friend. Merci, Val!

In between was catching up with my roomie, another unexpected dear amie Annika. By the end of the day (around 12:30 a.m.), I realized I had been talking for about 12 hours straight. Phew! I was exhausted, but also feeling quite accomplished. All my conversations had been by choice, AND, more importantly, deeply satisfying on many levels. Throughout the course of the day, I had discussed, in no particular order: politics, interior design, goal-setting, boys, boys and more boys, hair color, fashion, self-confidence and affirmations, food... the list goes on and on. I wanted to whip out my iPhone and text Rachel about my successful day (that is, until I realized, we're not BFF's in real life - such a shame).

That is yet another reason I enjoy this book - because Rachel is totally and completely the kind of BFF I would want, so I can relate to her wants/needs/desires when it comes to bestfriendship. 

I highly recommend this book. It's funny, it's endearing, but it's also wicked smart and insightful. What more can you ask for from a BFF?

P.S. Also? I'm feeling so ridiculously, stupidly, blissfully grateful for the friendships in my life. How did I get so lucky? Note to self: Be a better friend in 2012.

 

Gratitude Journal

I haven't done this in awhile and need it now more than ever so here i go!

I'm grateful...

-that despite years and years of laying out in the sun and even tanning in a tanning bed (i know, i know.. terrible), i have zero sun damage on my face. (Had the BEST facial tonight and will never go elsewhere. If you're ever in Austin, make an appt @ milk + honey spa)

-that despite this awful economy, i still have a job and have a truly amazing boss. Oh and a kickass secretary/legal administrative assistant.

-that Lola's tummy trouble seems to have been a one-night fluke. :-)

-that my next couple of months are filled with fun events like a quick weekend trip to the beach with my Bestie, a bachelorette party and lingerie shower hosted by yours truly, a Memorial Day weekend in beautiful California, a big birthday bash, Easter weekend with my parents, and hopefully an entire weekend in Dallas devoted to friends + shopping. ;-)

-for my recently acquired 5'+ poster of Edward Cullen... currently posted on my bedroom. No. Lie. (in middle school it was Leonardo DiCaprio and in high school the Backstreet Boys)

-for this teasing brush that guarantees me some seriously big Texas hair. Holllaa!!!

Le Mood: Part Deux

Woke up exhausted, fat, with frizzy hair and with an equally foul mood. Breathe. Am trying to remember all the good things in my life and not let daily obstacles bring me down. Want to be like the little happy ball above! My suspicion about PMS being the culprit for the other night's breakdown was correct - so throw that into the list.

In an effort to remain positive and not scowl until 5:00 p.m. on Friday (when i can go HOME and VEG and SLEEP), i'm going to make a list of 10 things for which i am grateful. Voila - here i go!

1. My job. In this economy, i am UBER grateful for my ridiculously overpaid, relatively non-stressful job. And my totally cute, kind, patient, and sweet boss.

2. My tax return. Did my taxes (on my own for the first time!) over the weekend, and am excited to put that $$ towards debt. Hooray!

3. My Dad's silver ipod nano - With the recent disappearance of my hot pink nano, i am grateful that i stole my Dad's silver nano (that i bought him for Xmas a couple years back, and which, of course, he NEVER used) so that i am not completely devoid of music at work. Currently playing? Taylor Swift. (Don't hate.)

4. My awesome Mom (aka Momma Park) - She let me cry on the phone to her over a pair of lost shoes. Never once did she say i was being ridiculous or childish or spoiled (all of which i was DEF. being). Love her. (Oh and also b/c she brought me TONS of delicious Korean food and as a result, i've not had to worry about what to cook/buy for dinner at all this week.)

5. My dog, Lola - Because without her, i'd still be crying.

6. My blog readers, aka Y'ALL - Because everytime i get a sweet, empathetic, insightful, helpful, just plain awesome comment from you, my day automatically gets 10X better. Merci for being you.

7. Organic fuji apples and monterrey jack cheese - B/c they have served as my "afternoon snack" for the past few days, and they are delicious both individually and even more so when combined.

8. Twilight - B/c it's being released this Saturday and because Edward Cullen is totally dreamy. That is all.

9. William Fitzsimmons - B/c his music is incredibly soothing, albeit somewhat depressing, and helped me drift off to sleep last night.

10. My Bestie - Pony, if you're reading this, i love you. I miss you. I often wonder how i would've gotten through the past 3.5 years without you. Can't wait for our romantic beach rendez-vous. XOXOXOXOXOXO (p.s. i love that you read my blog now ;-) )