en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1460586 Comments by nikkiklecha http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/showdownwiththebogeyman/#IDComment101592827 Thank you, big mama! :) For what it's worth, I think you are doing exactly what you need to be doing and what you so, so rock at. You've inspired me and a community of women to share authentically and showed us we're not alone. And if at some point, you decide this has served it's purpose and it's time to move on, you have the strength to make that happen, too. It's worth it. It's all worth it. Hopefully, together, this gutsy tribe can shine so bright we send all our demons running! xx love Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:01:24 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/showdownwiththebogeyman/#IDComment101592827 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/showdownwiththebogeyman/#IDComment101592428 I am so glad! I do believe things come to you when you're ready and when you need to hear them. Solidarity, for sure - high five!! Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:55:52 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/showdownwiththebogeyman/#IDComment101592428 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/showdownwiththebogeyman/#IDComment101592332 Thank YOU for reading and relating! Man, we're at a weird age, but the possibilities AT this age, though overwhelming, are unprecedented. How lucky are we to live in this decade and have these options, and to have this time? Because we DO, we definitely do have time! You keep reminding me, and I'll keep reminding you! :) Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:54:39 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/showdownwiththebogeyman/#IDComment101592332 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/greys-anatomy-the-bachelorette-and-potluck-sunday/#IDComment101495139 I might just steal Potluck Sunday! My roommates & I used to have "Friends" nights, then "The Office" nights, and for a while, hosted a game night pretty regularly. It's a really wonderful way to connect and build yourself a family. Wish I'd been in Boulder on a Sunday to meet yours! :) Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:45:59 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/greys-anatomy-the-bachelorette-and-potluck-sunday/#IDComment101495139 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/theroad-trip-part-1/#IDComment101283081 I am so happy for you!!!! Sounds amazing. I'm sad that I missed our phone call; I know this trip is all-consuming (as is the one I'm on at the moment) but hopefully I will get to talk to you sometime soon. I love your dedication to all those elements of life that are important to you; it's so easy to lose them while traveling and I should take a cue from you & re-commit to my own. Have FUN! Let me know if you're in LA in October or Novemeber! xx Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:37:31 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/theroad-trip-part-1/#IDComment101283081 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/minimalism-fun-and-finding-a-connection/#IDComment101282348 I. LOVE. YOU. Seriously. You inspire me. And so does Kerouac - I strive for Satori. Sometimes you have to lose everything to gain anything. xx Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:29:53 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/minimalism-fun-and-finding-a-connection/#IDComment101282348 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/money-guilt-a-work-in-progress/#IDComment101281504 I hear ya. I feel ridiculously guilty with every dime I spend. I love to watch "How do I look?" and imagine I have $5000 to spend on myself, on a magical credit card I don't have to pay off... but in reality, I know I wouldn't enjoy it; I'd be one of the criers. It's a tough hurdle and I don't have any answers, but just know this: one day, you'll be a respected professor and you and your husband will be more than comfortable; you're on the right track. You don't have to worry so much - it will all be fine. xx Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:22:00 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/money-guilt-a-work-in-progress/#IDComment101281504 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100596763 Hee hee - I have some VERY incriminating photos and some crazy-ass friends to prove it. :) Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:32:04 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100596763 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100596688 Awww thank you so much!! xx Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:31:28 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100596688 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100545433 Ha ha! Yes! But your "ugly clothes" always looked so cute on you!!! :) You know, if I came into a plane ticket and another visa, I'd be there in a heartbeat! love you! Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:57:59 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100545433 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100545241 Thanks! Yeah, I remember seeing it for the first time, thinking "finally someone got it right." Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:56:32 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100545241 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100545046 I'm so glad to hear that - friends like family are one of the biggest blessings in life! Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:55:09 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/on-friends-or-vwhy-i-dont-look-like-zach-braff-2/#IDComment100545046 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/every-seven-years/#IDComment100257658 NICE! Seven years ago, I was graduating college, moving to London & struggling with a daily-heartbreaking long-distance relationship. I had no clue that life would take me to LA, the relationship wouldn't work, and that his roommates would turn out to be some of my best friends in the whole world. I had just started the hardest and most growth-filled chapter of my life. I've come a long way, baby, and so have you. Here's to 7 (plus) amazing, fulfilling, purposeful years ahead of both of us! (I'm actually lifting my beer to you, in JFK on a layover right now!) xx Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:47:11 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/every-seven-years/#IDComment100257658 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/friendship-reason-season-lif/#IDComment99774423 ...or maybe I'll come visit you in Argentina and we'll learn how to describe moon rocks in Spanish. :) Sun, 19 Sep 2010 16:19:21 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/friendship-reason-season-lif/#IDComment99774423 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/my-happy-places/#IDComment99773905 Lovely. I sometimes do the same thing, except instead of saying "happy place," I start singing (in my head) "repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy..." I know it's a little strange, but it makes me aware of how good life is in that moment. So I get it. :) Sun, 19 Sep 2010 16:13:56 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/my-happy-places/#IDComment99773905 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/goinghome/#IDComment99448145 It was a very nice dinner, thanks! Yeah, my brother and I are just now that's he's graduated college, starting to relate to each other outside of "what movies have you seen lately?" So I totally get it. It's tough but I hope you find the connection you need. :) Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:48:47 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/goinghome/#IDComment99448145 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/goinghome/#IDComment99447278 I think there is often a connection between our families, how we were raised, and struggles we may face in ourselves; therefore it's easy to lay blame. And sometimes deservedly so. But ultimately, we choose who we are, how we deal with obstacles, and what our relationship with our family is like, and blame is a backward-moving force. I've had to realize that myself, too. I'm so glad you've seen past that to heal yourself and give and accept your family's love. Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:45:07 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/goinghome/#IDComment99447278 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/self-love-is-the-best-love/#IDComment99445740 Wow. I agree with mbreau - you look beautiful post-chop. And, confession: I've always been jealous of african-american hair; I think the knots and braids and dreds and afros are so cool. My hair is stick straight and boring. Be proud of what you've got because the grass is always greener :) and you ARE beautiful just as you naturally are. Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:38:30 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/self-love-is-the-best-love/#IDComment99445740 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/tears-and-fears-and-feeling-proud/#IDComment99185524 dude! I am so with you on just about all of these. Cockroaches? Go screw. The Exorcist? Nightmares for a month. MRI machines? Never been, don't wanna. Commitment? HA. But, you have got to try scuba diving - it is amazing, amazing, incredible. And I'm so glad that your fear of airplanes hasn't stopped your love of travel; I know a few people that have let it get the best of them. And you know what? If you do build this business & then want to move on to something else, that's ok. No job or place ever has to be forever. ...at least that's what I'm telling myself... :) Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:01:50 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/tears-and-fears-and-feeling-proud/#IDComment99185524 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/goinghome/#IDComment99182344 Moms are amazing. I think that's the thing about family that makes them family - no matter what, they love you. You're born with their love and you will die with their love, and no distance or misunderstanding will ever really be able to change that. I'm glad you got something out of this post; thank you for reading. Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:53:07 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2010/09/goinghome/#IDComment99182344