I left my parents’ house last night carrying armfuls of toilet paper rolls; three bottles of salad dressing; two chairs; and a steak. #freelance writer. #shameless. #rentsyourethegreatest. Since #unemployment, these eyes haven’t seen the inside of a shopping mall. Since #freedom, daily trips to Starbucks were sacrificed to the chopping block. I’ve been good with … Continue reading
My sister Nina came out of the closet this summer. She dropped the bomb via text message: “BTW, I’m gay.” After Nina sent the texts, she stonewalled us for two days (no pun intended). She turned her phone off. Smart girl. None of us had suspected, and we had two days to process. She didn’t hear any of our immediate reactions. Let me … Continue reading
My quarter-century birthday is nine minutes away from its completion. I am now working on my 25th orbit around the sun. 9,125 days ago, my Mom went to the hospital. A quarter of my life is over. I have 25 birthdays under my belt and this may have been the best one. I spent my … Continue reading
My friends and I made a day trip to San Onofre State Park this summer to get some waves. San O lies about 30 minutes north of SD and is most famous for being home to the Trestles breaks. Trestles comprises of several surf spots that host some of the most important contests in the … Continue reading
Fifty Things I Love 1. Swings/swing sets; 2. The Black’s Beach trail (pictured); 3. Children’s novels; 4. My sister Nina’s selflessness; 5. Dancer’s pose; 6. My Mom’s heart, her laugh, her smile; 7. Reading; 8. A bath, book, and … Continue reading
It was in the 80’s today in America’s Finest City. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the air felt like a blanket wrapped around your skin. Standing on my grandmother’s deck, looking out at a grove of palm trees and SDSU’s bell tower to my left, I felt overwhelmed concurrently with the beauty … Continue reading
In my life, for whatever reason, my tribe has consisted of a few more boys than girls. I am three parts XX, one part XY. Being a bit of a tomboy has it’s perks and its pitfalls. For instance, my nails pretty much always look like shit. I have surfer feet. I have never seen “The Bachelor” which is inconvenient for “The Bachelor” parties. I hate baking. I cook nothing actually, not only because I know zero recipes, but also because I have no interest (this is a big thing, or so I am told by my male counterparts). Half the time I’m hanging out with guy friends, I’m in the water, on a ski mountain, or glued to a couch watching TV and these are not my most attractive moments, arguably. I know after hearing this, that you all are probably dying to propose tomorrow, but I’m not ready for that kind of commitment. Continue reading
![Why I Surf ] [ Why Surfers Surf](https://thesurferstokeproject.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/photo-108.jpg?w=160&h=120&crop=1 "Why I Surf ] [ Why Surfers Surf")
Why I Surf ] [ Why Surfers Surf Surfing reeled me in when I was eleven years old: hook, line, and sinker. The summer following fifth grade was coming to an end. At this time, my favorite after school activity was watching “Maury;” I was (as my Dad told me through a locked bathroom door) … Continue reading
My Happiness Commandments 1. Let it go 2. Live with intention 3. Be open 4. Be Natalie 5. Act the way I want to feel 6. Do it now 7. Love is all around 8. Choose not to take things personally 9. Baby steps 10. Rejoice in beauty 11. Be the fun 12. Deeds not … Continue reading
I myself have taught more people to surf (that scene from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” comes to mind) than I can count. There’s something special in seeing the person’s joy when they first stand up. But, my project is not ultimately about a person’s love of surfing. It’s about chasing a stoke-like feeling, happiness basically, and I believe the most powerful form of this comes through human connection. Continue reading
