Taking Alice's Advice

Alice Chen hasn't steered me wrong too often in life. Ever since we REALLY met (REALLY meaning she finally figured out that I was Kate Wilson and not Angie Alquist), she has been one of my go-to people when I know advice, cheering up, or to laugh at some absurd tale about her life.
So...when she tells me that I need to relate some happy good times on my blog, I kindof think she might be right. As exciting as it is to read about me going in circles about "what to do next" I realize that there is a lot going on besides that big looming question. This blog is supposed to represent a lot about what I am thinking about and doing with my life. Right now it only represents one tiny tiny area.

So...there is other stuff going on. I think.

There is this whole cheeseless and alcoholess til nationals thing. PRETTY crazy for me to give up these two things.
I don't even know where to start with the WHY of this. People keep questioning me on it and reminding me about the good things that cheese has in it and looking puzzled that, of all things, cheese is the thing that 4 of us would give up for almost a month. I don't think any of us gave it up REALLY as a diet thing - none of us actually thought we would get a lot skinnier or run faster without cheese in our diet. I think it is more of a discipline thing. Just giving up something that we eat daily that we really really enjoy and love.
Some of my friends have cautioned me against giving up all of one thing and constantly remind me that it is better to do things in moderation. But, honestly, with cheese, it is pretty freaking hard to moderate. I sortof love it. So giving it up, at times, has been really difficult. Like this afternoon, when my aunt brought over a pizza, and, instead of eating it, I ate the same bbq that I had eaten the last 3 days (and really - probably - bbq isn't any healthier for me than cheese, but that is a whole different subject...). And choosing to not even GO to Little Star last weekend so that I wouldn't be tempted by their deliciousness.
So...all this leads to me to talking about the fun time I had last Friday night on my "free night."
I decided at the beginning of this whole thing that I would have one night where I could eat cheese and drink alcohol without feeling guilty about it. And, even though it wasn't SUPPOSED to be last Friday night, I am pretty happy with my decision. I mean - it is hard to turn down alcohol when your friend is the bartender and he is sending you drinks. and it is even harder to turn down cheese when RNM (the restaurant I was at with some girlfriends) serves my fave cheeseburgers and mac and cheese.
So, gorging myself on all sorts of things that i had forbidden myself to eat the last few weeks was part of the awesomeness. a big part. but the other great part was just hanging out with 3 friends. it is really lovely to go out with friends, chat about nothing (and also about some important, very serious stuff), have a few drinks, eat way too much food, and then be home by 10! i don't think i ever thought I would end up being close to the 3 girls I was out with on Friday night, but as we were sitting there, it was the first time that it really hit me that the 4 of us have actually become friends. and i was happy. and content. and enjoyed my cheese and alcohol immensely. and enjoyed the walk home afterwards in the chilly city and then the warmer east bay. it was a good night.