LIFE LESSONS

Hello my fellow bloggers,

Hope this blog finds everyone well. I can’t believe what these fires have done! It seems lately its one natural disaster after another one. It’s a bit disheartening when thinking about 2012 and what the future might have in store for us. Still, I’d like to believe that maybe the world won’t end and instead good things will come. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose your entire life of things in just seconds. My heart goes out to all those affected by the fire.

This entire thing has made me realize just how lucky I am and how many things I have to be grateful for. I have a really amazing group of friends that have stuck by my side for over a decade now and have my back no matter what. What I love about friends is you choose them. If they suck, you can get rid of them. The friends I’ve had for the last ten years are the family I chose in Austin and have proven to be worthy. Family…well those I can’t choose, I’m stuck with  but they are amazing even though they drive me crazy, they are mine and got my back.

This year has been a year of change and lessons. I have found that lately, I just want to lead a simple life. Think positive, be positive and only interact with positive people. They say misery loves company and guess what, I’m done being miserable. People say I love drama. That I crave drama. Okay well maybe not people but some negative folks told me that. Well…while I love drama on my soap operas, I do not love drama in my life. Somehow because I’m a nice person it attracts all kinds of people, some of which have proven to only bring me drama then blame me for it. The only thing I’m left with is feeling betrayed, hurt and judged when all I’ve felt like is I’ve tried my best to be a good person given my own circumstances. So I’ve removed those who are living in misery out of my world and now a weights been lifted. Amen. “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” ~ Mother Teresa “If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.” ~ Mother Teresa I can forgive, but I won’t’ forget. Who quotes that??

I’ve been reading a book on Mother Teresa and something in there struck a chord. Start with your home and those around you, she says. You don’t need to go to a remote place to make a difference. Start with your own home and community. Also, you don’t need to make huge sacrifices or give money. Learn to contribute from the heart and not just the pocket. If nothing else, just spend a bit of time with those are lonely and alone. And of course, start in your own home. It’s made me stop and think about those people I love and are in my life that I need to pay more attention too. So turning a new leaf. If you get a random I” love you, lets hang out” text from me, now you know why…its cuz I love you and want to spend more time with ya  hehe. My time is valuable, so that’s saying a lot!

Something that has really hit a nerve in the last month or so is RESPECT. Why do people think its okay to disrespect someone? My time and my efforts are valuable, if you don’t appreciate it…here’s a phrase “ef off and ef out of my life”-LIA CHOWDHURY- My biggest pet peve is someone who purposefully doesn’t get back to you, return calls, call you once in a while ONLY IF they need something, or constantly bitch and whine and never bring anything positive to the table, and basically have a one sided relationship where you give and they take. But somehow, I become the target and the one to blame. Something as simple as If I call or text you, its cuz I care and want to do something, take a moment to give me some respect and return a text or call. Even if it’s just to say “hey appreciate the call/text but I’m busy, how about next week.” Show me the same respect I show you whether it’s a text or having your back. If you can’t do that, than please remove me from your life. "I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university." — Albert Einstein "When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are. When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be. " — Thomas S. Monson

Anyway….on a more important note, while I can sit here and blog and whine about the life lessons I learned, I have two friends that I would like to ask everyone to pray for. One is my friend Michael David who is showing amazing resilience while trying to recover from a terrible motorcycle accident. Please pray for his full recovery. And I’d like to shout out to my friend Kellen Chumley whose family was severely affected by the fire in Bastrop and lost their entire house and everything. If you’d like to help out and donate to either of my friends causes, please contact me at lazylia@gmail.com

Love you all…

“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.” UNKNOWN

-LIA-

What it would mean to have a dog?

Hello Bloggers,

It's been so long since I've written a blog, I figured its time to pick it up again. Today I watched the movie "Marley and Me". I heard a lot about it and everyone said I would cry. They were right.

For those of you who know me pretty well, then you know that I'm a very emotional person. Most of you think I'm not a dog person...but that's just not true. I admire dogs a lot. I find myself pretty fascinated by them. I will admit I wouldn't be able to handle a big one. After watching this movie, I found myself wanting a dog more than ever. Crazy considering Marley is a nightmare and the complete opposite type of dog I'd want to buy. But what appealed to me was this idea of having something waiting for me when I get home. This living thing that counts on me, loves me no matter what, let's you be that crazy person that talks to themselves without being judged and most importantly, they don't argue back and you don't have to use a contraceptive to prevent yourself from getting one!!! Okay, maybe they'll chew you stuff up and bark like crazy ...but not like I speak dog to get offended right? I love how dogs get protective and territorial over the people they care about. I mean, for me their just a dog....but I'm slowly starting to understand why people get so attached to them. I have a very addictive personality and I can get attached to things very easily...and even worse...I have a problem letting go of things I love. Because of this, I fear getting a dog.

So tell me, all you dog owners, is it worth the trouble you go through to care for a dog, to have one? Everyone keeps telling me I'd be a horrible dog owner or they give me their unsolicited advice on what type of dog they think would be good for me. I know deep inside, I'd be a great dog owner for the right dog. FOr those of you who've had me take care of you or care for you or love you in anyway...should know I'm a caretaker by nature. So...with all this being said...I think once things settle for me a bit financially I will be getting my first ever pet dog. The idea is exciting me a lot and I find myself researching all kinds of things from training to tricks. I can even see myself dressing my dog up LOL.

I think the dog I want is a pure bred perfect little yorkie girl dog. So if anyone sees any good deals, tips, warnings etc...please let me know.

Keep ya'll posted on this new possible adventure.

**my perfect dream dog**


Lia
--%@

30 and lovin it!!!

Well…just turned 30!! And it feels great! Lookin good, fellin good, and ready for the next chapter to be written in my life! Thanks to all my wonderful friends that came out Saturday! Sam and I are so lucky to have that many friends! Hula Hut and Plush were an absolute blast! Thank you to everyone who came and to those who went through the trouble of getting me a gift! It was absolutely not necessary but appreciated for sure!!! Today…I had PF changes for lunch with some friends…and then came to have cookies delivered on my desk from some other friends and now I feel like I’m going to explode! Tonight is CHee Zee for dinner and can’t wait to get all festive and warm feeling with good friends. I want to thank God for blessing me so much. I am very very thankful. I want to thank him for opening my eyes and giving me closure on what was necessary. I want to thank him for giving me strength daily in getting through the tough times. Most importantly I want to thank him for blessing me with a good life surrounded by people who love me dearly. Life is good…and I will do my best to appreciate everything I have. While things are super different this bday than last year…it has been quite the roller coaster. I can’t even imagine what 2011 has in store for me…but if I know God…he’s got a plan and it will definitely be exciting. To forgiveness, love and joy and most importantly new beginnings...….Happy holidays my friends…and Happy Happy New Years. Cheers! here's just a few pics :)

Bone Thuggin Halloween!

Wow, it’s been a colorful couple of weeks! First started of with Bone Thugs and harmony taken me and Adelle back to our childhood. I realized…two weeks of not working out…makes it difficult to dance without pain!!! We had a great time and great memories…then came Halloween.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! Since I was a kid, Halloween was a big holiday my mom loved to celebrate. She always dressed us up in 1st place prize costumes. I have ranged from being spicy Barbie, Indian princess, hawaiin girl, old lady, Cruella DeVille.. to….yes…SADAM HUSSAIN, yes… I know. It was funny at the time and I was ten and yes…my mustache was practically natural back then. This year…I had to go back to my favorite decade and be a brown Cindi Lauper.


I was sitting on Adelle’s porch and I realized the cloud was a in a crazy familiar shape! It was in the shape of the batman symbol for an emergency like in the movies. I called Adelle out there and she agreed! We were amazed. We also decided, tonight would be the night I meet my batman. LOL. We decided to go to zombie ball, but not as zombies. Adelle and I are rebels! Turns out…Batman was 1, under age…and 2 a lesbian. So that kind of killed my batman fantasy..but there is always next year. Eric and Jessie win for zombie costume . best i could do was create myself as a zombie on a website :) And the charmer for the night I have to say…is Bret Michaels. LOL. It was pretty hilarious.


This week I’m out in Cali for work and I have to say….its been great! I have a great boss! He is so understanding, empathetic and most importantly a very great boss. He is always trying to better my career and has been the first to give me opportunity to travel! I love San Jose. The mountains and fresh air here are so mind clearing. I really want to stay….something about being out of state just feels good. Tomorrow…back to reality…and back to routine…and back to work in my very annoying building that I no longer enjoy going to. Thankfully, my team and company is based out of Cali now..so I’m hoping for more trips in a future…and maybe just maybe..batman..will be in Cali.

I have a new brother!

The last two weeks have been pretty fun! Last Monday I got a call from On Location Casting saying they handpicked my face to be a featured extra in the movie “Bernie”. I was like really! Well here’s what entailed! I spent my entire Tuesday sitting next to the one and only Jack Black and Shirley McClain! It was a great experience! They even put me through hair and makeup which was awesome. I was one of the only 8 European diners in the scene and the one dressed in a sheek black dress. It was very exciting! They put cigarettes on my table and said…”we’d like you to be a smoker “ in order to give the full European scene…which I thought was hilarious. I didn’t get to take any pictures but the experience was amazing!

This last weekend I inherited a new brother! My sister finally got married after dating Gopal for 8 years. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother-in-law. The ceremony was beautiful. We had over 350+ guests and 90 of them stayed in the JW Marriott Resort where it was held. My mom made 90 baskets with snacks to give each of our hotel guests. It was pretty insane. Family flying in from all over the world for this event! It was 2 ceremonies and 1 long fun reception that had a photo booth, hookah lounge, open bar and music till 2am! What more could the guests ask for. My sister did a wonderful job planning and everyone said this was the best wedding they have ever attended including all my friends!


One of my best friends Robert Cooperman and I also performed the couple’s first dance. We sang the song “Lucky” and if I do say so myself…we kicked ass!!! My sister said it was the most confident and best performance she’s ever seen of mine in her life. I have to give credit to Robert, having such a great duet partner to sing with, I really did feed of his confidence. I sang a second song at the end of the reception that went very well as well!

My mom did fall ill after the wedding but thanks to the hospitality of JW Marriott care she is a lot better now.

In the midst of all the family and wedding chaos, I’d like to thank my friends Vanessa, Adelle, Jayson, Robert and Jaro for having my back and attending this wedding and sharing this special day with me and my family. You guys are really great friends and I’m so lucky to have friends like you!

To Dalia and Gopal….as I said in my toast…“A friend is one who knows who you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow.” This quote to me is Dalia and Gopal because before everything, Gopal and Dalia were friends and through friendship grew love. I want to tell you both how much I love you and truly wish you both a very happy life filled with continued friendship, love and most importantly a future where you two are one team who conquers to world together. If you ever need anything always know that I am here. Welcome to the family Gopal!

Fall Fun and Freedom....Freedom!! You got to give for what you take :)

Well…life is starting to pick up again and lots of fun things going on! I’m single, in shape, lookin good and feeling good…and let me tell ya the new found attention is great! I’ve been seeing all kinds of old friends, hittin up the happy hours and bbq’s and enjoying the beginning of Fall!

Fall is my FAVORITE SEASON! It puts me in the best mood and I love it. This week alone, I had a blast at Eric’s 29th BBQ bday, going to see Social Network tonight, went to 2 happy hours and had some very interesting calls and conversations with some old friends on how I need to really embrace being single at almost thirty. Ladies and Gents…I can truly say I’m so looking fwd to it. I am a HUGE sex and the city fan…and well let’s face it…they started all their fun in their 30’s! So thank you…for my freedom 

No more confusion about who I am, no more dating bad boys with confused hearts, no more changing hair colors and slamming jagers till I black out. The old problems are now someone else’s problems and that realization alone is awesome and gave me sense of relief! New food, new cultures, new experiences, NEW men . No …this new decade will be about really coming to my own, having a good time, traveling, doing art and most importantly I’m all about meeting new people, having new experiences that make me grow as a person. I want to embrace life and enjoy it to the fullest as if every day were my last.

I went through this phase not too long ago where I thought, I have enough friends and I really don’t want to socialize anymore or meet new people. That has totally changed. I’m back to my fun loving self, feeling good and all about meeting new people who will change the course of my life! My good friend Derek told me ….Lia..wear that black dress…with the belt…and go try something new you’ve never done before! LOL…Believe me…I am. I’m so excited to see what this season will bring. If so much can happen to me in the last year and year before…God only knows what this new year will bring ! I have Halloween to look forward too, possibly Vegas/New Orleans. A few friends big 30th bdays…everyone is turning 30 and most importantly…my friend is helping me plan my big bad grand 30th birthday! Get ready people, it’s been years since I’ve thrown a “Lia Party” and this will be one for the books. The New Year is approaching and I’ve already got 2 big trips planned and I can’t wait!

I want to thank those of you who have reached out to me recently and have expressed how much you care about me and want to stay in touch after all I’ve seen and gone through in the last 2 months. All I know is life is pretty good again and it’s because I have such a strong group of support from old friends and new ones I made in the last year. Thanks again everyone…and like George Michael says...."FREEDOM! FREEDOM! YOU GOT TO GIVE FOR WHAT YOU TAKE!" For real let the good times roll!!!!!!!!

and i won the lottery 5 times in the last two weeks...talk about good luck :)


Here's some old school Halloween pics for fun :)

The Fall Climb

Today I stepped outside…the fall has finally arrived. The cool breeze on my face felt so good and it was a reminder of how much I love the change of seasons. This is my favorite time of the year. It’s when I feel like the year is slowly coming to an end all I can do is take it in. It's time for the leaves to change colors and for me to start changing as well. I sat on my porch today thinking about what this year has brought to my life. Just like the seasons, it started off last fall…and made a full circle. I had so many memories that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life. I can truly say that this year has been an amazing year and while there were good and bad times, it happened for a reason. I realized that this is just another year, another chapter in my life. Just like the seasons, this year will come and go and another winter has will arrive. These memories will slowly fade and new memories will take its place.

Life is just moving and climbing towards a future that is unknown and I hope that I am on the right path. I hope I can take the memories and what I’ve learned and know that it has made me stronger. Last night I spent an evening with an old friend over dinner and wine and remembered how easy things fade and can be forgiven and forgotten over time if you let it. My faith has definitely been shaken, but I haven’t lost it. The beautiful fall weather I love so much reminded me of this. Though we have storms and horrible hot days when we feel like we are suffocating…the sun comes out with a cool breeze again. Just like today…the weather is gorgeous and cool and it feels so good to step outside. I’ve come to realize…things are feeling good and I’m moving forward. It’s not easy, but I hate to say it…”it is what it is” and things will NEVER be the same again. It’s been a tough year but I’m almost to the other side of it. I’m excited to see what this winter brings me…and I’m hoping it’s filled with fun, hope, good times and finally closure, so that I can start the new year fresh and begin this new path to my future.

This weekend I spent time with an old friend and we both realzied...we are too good and we are so young...let the good times begin...and let the past be the past.



I know this is cheesy…but I am not a Miley Cyrus fan at all…but her song the climb….is one I am living.


There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!