i can make you happy, make your dreams come true

When the rain is blowing in your face,

And the whole world is on your case,

I could offer you a warm embrace

To make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear,

And there is no one there to dry your tears,

I could hold you for a million years

To make you feel my love.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet,

But I would never do you wrong.

I've known it from the moment that we met,

No doubt in my mind where you belong.

I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue,

I'd go crawling down the avenue.

No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do

To make you feel my love.

The storms are raging on the rolling sea

And on the highway of regret.

Though winds of change are blowing wild and free,

You ain't seen nothing like me yet.

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.

Nothing that I wouldn't do.

Go to the ends of the Earth for you,

To make you feel my love

-bob dylan

something in the way you move

Such a different sound for rihanna. I am loving it.

i want you to stay

if you dare come a little closer

Not really sure how to feel about it

Something in the way you move

Makes me feel like I can't live without you

It takes me all the way

I want you to stay

I feel like I say this too much. But I feel so blessed.

I can't fully explain it all. But it just feels like everything is working out the way it is supposed to. I know I am in the right place at the right time. It is extremely comforting. Sometimes when you let go of the stress, everything unfolds just the way it should. 

I got my job today. Such a gigantic weight off of my shoulders. Being picky about job opportunities really paid off. I am so excited to be a part of a new team. I cannot wait to learn and have new projects! 

I also just found out, from my new Employer, that I can go home after December 15th for the Holidays!!! Words cannot express how happy this makes me. I get to spend 3 quality weeks with my family and friends. I am bursting with excitement. 

Life is such a beautiful thing. Especially when you are living in one of the most beautiful places.

Today, I was able to track down the Hunger Games cast! They are currently on the island filming Catching Fire. We sat about 100 feet away from Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) swimming in the ocean away from the pod. So wild. 

Life keeps throwing me curve balls, but I love a challenge. 

And I have to say, my life is exceptional. 

just doing some beach yoga, no big deal.

xx

and she's climbing the stairway to heaven

tell your story in pictures.

xx

it's never too late to be grateful

This year was the FIRST year I have ever been away from my family over Thanksgiving.

It was the best it possibly could have been without all of my crazy Italians. Shared good food with my new friends here in Hawaii. We really went all out. My roommates and I made the pumpkin pies, I made the green bean casserole & candied yams, Amanda made the turkey, and Kaitlyn made the mashed potatoes. Stuffing, cranberry sauce, coconut cream pie, cherry pie, and apple pie were left to Andee & Ali. Peter and Abby brought the fruit salad, and the rest of the boys were assigned to bring apple cider (because, lets be honest... they were not going to cook as well as we did). 

It was so good. We basically had two large meals. We went to our ward's thanksgiving earlier in the day, and then had our own feast. 

Two Thanksgivings= a lot of calories. What better way to burn those calories than by doing an incredibly difficult hike....in the middle of the night. Yes, we hiked Stairway. It really did not seem as difficult on the way up, just stairs...very thin stairs, sometimes rickety, and a little bit slippery. On the way down I realized that some of the "stairs" we were climbing were more like ladders, and were completely vertical, never a good time to turn around and look down, especially when you have been up all night. 

The view was incredible. My body is still a bit sore. Totally worth it. 

Now, in my family, we have a tradition of going around the room to say what we are thankful for. Usually I think this is kind of silly, but there is so much that I am thankful for that I think it would be wrong not to take time to recognize them. 

Things I am thankful for:

1. My amazing and extremely supportive family (love you guys)!

1(and a half). My adorable nieces and nephews. I miss them everyday.

2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

3. Lifelong, TRUE, best friends. 

4. My education.

5. The University of Washington Huskies (even though sometimes my love for them can be a bit disappointing).

6. My chance to move to Hawaii.

7. Everyone I have met here in Hawaii who has welcomed me with open arms! 

8. My adopted family, the Wasden's.

9. My sitcom of a life.

10. My past, and the strength it has given me.

11. Job interviews!!!!

12. The beach and the ocean.

13. Singing & performing.

14. Having my car here in Hawaii.

15. My Patriarchal Blessing.

16. Good food. 

17. Football (see number 5).

18. Seattle, even though I have left you- you still have a special place in my heart!

19. DISNEYLAND, truly, truly, the happiest place on earth. Where I spent my childhood.

20. Dancing to good music.

21. Dishwashers (I miss them).

22. My personalized Erin Condren life planner! The best.

23. The Holidays. 

24. Live music.

25. Good advice.

26. Literature, old and new. (miss my English classes).

27. Writing.

28. Artwork.

29. Life experiences, good and bad. 

30. Laughter.

31. Leftover stuffing and green bean casserole (which I am not eating right now, in bed... because that would be gross.).

32. The rich cultural background on both sides of my family.

33. Traditions.

34. Starbucks, and the homey feeling it gives me (ahh, Seattle).

35. My Nordstrom credit card (the only way I am going to have something to wear for the Fall Ball next week, may as well call it my fairy godmother).

I could go on forever, but you get the idea.

Everything in my life has happened for a reason and it is all so clear to me now that I can look back and reflect. I can't even begin to tell you how blessed I am to have so many supportive family and friends who have literally CARRIED me through some of the hardest experiences. 
I am so grateful for them.

It is time for me to shower (or show-show, as we used to call it). I intend to post pictures later today of my adventures.

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

xx

today is the first day of my life

I don't care what they say
Cause I have seen when we run we make it rain
Let's keep going for miles
Playin under the stormy darkened skies
Can you be mine?

I feel so blessed. I have been so stressed out about finances and this week has been so good to me, all thanks to new friends and adopted families. I feel like everything is going to work out like it is meant to. And that particularly feeling has been a tough one for me to find.

It's hard to trust that everything is going to come around when you have anxiety problems (curse you stomach ulcers!!) & you continuously assume the worst. But Hawaii has been such an amazing and strengthening experience for me so far. I am very happy that I am staying. 

I could honestly stay here forever.

How appropriate that Thanksgiving is tomorrow.

I FEEL SO GRATEFUL!

I love my life here.

xx

and i will do it for you

you will never sleep alone,

I'll love you long after you've gone.

like a drum, baby don't stop beating.

xx

don't confuse classy with being a doormat

He's just not that into you.

"Hey--do you remember that movie when the girl waited around for the guy to ask her out, then made excuses when he didn't? Then she slept with him when they were both drunk, and basically just hung around until they were kind of dating? Then he cheated on her, but because she knew deep down inside that if she forgave him and kept her expectations low and was really agreeable, she'd get him in the end? He was drunk at the wedding, but they lived miserably ever after in an unsatisfying relationship that was built on a sh***y foundation? You don't ? That's because those movies don't get made, because that's not what love is like. People are inspired to do remarkable things to find and be with the one they love. Big movies are made about it, and every relationship you admire bursts with a greatness that you hope for in your own life. And the more you value yourself, the more chance you'll have of getting it. So read these excuses, have a laugh, and then...put them all to rest. You're worth it"

Yes. I am reading this book. Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo are hilarious. Though most of what they say in here is common sense, I still wish I would have read this book 10 years ago to save myself a little bit of the pain I had to endure for being young and naive. I will be making my future children read this (at an appropriate age, of course). 

Also, I have considered writing a book titled "SHE is just not that into you". I am not sure how many guys would be interested in reading it but I think it could be very helpful! ;-) Just joking, but really.

Few of my favorite quotes so far:

"don't spend your time on and give your heart to any guy who makes you wonder about anything related to his feelings for you."

"Don't confuse being classy with being a doormat. Classy is walking away with your head held high, graciously, and with dignity. Being a doormat is offering to drive him to the dentist for his root canal."

"A guy says he doesn't want to be with you. Sometimes that guy realizes he's made the biggest mistake of his life. And then sometimes he doesn't. Either way, either way, your only job is to move on with your life, and fast. He can always try to chase you down as you're running down the block. If he does, just remember that it will sound like this: "Let's get back together." "Let's go into counseling." "Let's try again." "I miss you. I made a mistake. I want to be with you." Here's what it won't sound like: "Will you walk my dog?" "Just calling to check in." "Want to see that movie?" "Will you go to Cousin George's wedding with me?"

I’ve tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn’t have ’cause
I’ve traveled all this way for something

xx

fathers, be good to your daughters

I am a daddy's girl.

And, I have the BEST Dad a girl could ever ask for.

I have never met a more patient person than my Father. I really can't remember him ever getting mad at me growing up.  Every time he was somewhat upset with me, he would sit down and talk with me in a cool and collected manner. 


He is a cool weird. My Dad loves to have fun. He has an unconventional sense of humor, which my whole family seems to have inherited. He has no trouble acting very silly. There is never a shortage of laughter in the Sanelli home. 


He is a sports fan. We bond over a good University of Washington football game. 


He loves my Mother. Both of my parents have set the bar so high for me. After 31 years of marriage, they are still in love. He sends her flowers, and opens her doors. They have date nights every Friday. Gives me hope. 


Disneyland is one of his favorite vacations. And since he is a planner, like myself, he has our whole d-land trip down to a science. We have to stay at the Grand Californian, eat at Blue Bayou, and get fast passes for Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and Splash before the park gets swarmed. It is an art form.


He is always straightforward and honest. Never have I ever met a man who matches my Dad in this regard. Honest, maybe. But the combination is rare. He is never afraid to say what he means and how he feels.


He and I have a lot of similar qualities. He has helped me become who I am today. Taught me how I should be treated, and he never forgets to say he loves me.

La Casita 2006

La Casita 2006 #2

La Casita 2006 #3

My first birthday!! In 2006....

Love him. He is the best.

My adorable parents.

Dad's (Gianni's) birthday last year!!

Two of my FAVORITE people!

So silly. We are so weird.

The whole gang. Say hello to family Christmas photo for our 2012 greeting card!

And this is what I was doing while writing this blog post. No sleep on the weekend= tired Nici.

Happy Birthday Dad.
Miss & love you.


xx