I’m going to go in order here:

On Thursday (day before my birthday), Jaime flew in from Canada to come visit. Every time I see her is PHENOMENAL, so this was obviously was no exception.

While she was sleeping from jet lag and no sleep for a few days, there was a knock at the door. Turns out Brian had sent me a dozen roses and Happy Birthday balloons.

A few short hours later, Otto got here. Before he started the 6 hour drive from San Diego, he asked me if there was anything he could bring me. I told him since he couldn’t bring me an acai bowl from “Big Squeeze” (they make the best ones I ever tasted), my juicer would do.

(Side note: I just signed on for a place in Scottsdale for a few months. I know my last post wasn’t the most complimentary towards it, but I’ve been meeting some amazing people and ended up falling in love.)

Anyway - Otto got here with ALL MY STUFF from storage in San Diego. I thought I was going to have to fly back to get it, so that was SUPER-AMAZING.

Then he took me down to the van where he said he had another present for me. He took out a styrofoam cooler and when I opened it, there was 3 lbs of dry ice inside… and an acai bowl!

Afterwards, the three of us went out to dinner with Otto’s new friend Alex - a supercool snowboarding instructor.

As you can see, this stuff was all ridiculously phenomenal as is… but the next day (my birthday) topped it even more.

When I woke up, Otto told me to open a present he had mailed to me a week or so ago (I was waiting for my birthday to open it). When I opened it, it was a framed paper that he wrote up entitled “50 Things I Love About Rachel Rofe” (including a Bonus one :)). It was VERY sweet and just made the day start off wonderfully.

When I walked into my living room, I heard my phone ringing. When I went to go look at it, I saw Brian was calling. I knew he was very sick and couldn’t talk (or even really whisper), so I was surprised to hear from him. When I picked up, it was his girlfriend calling on behalf of him to say Happy Birthday.

After I hung up, I had several text messages, including one from Joshua who told me to check my screen door for “not one but two envelopes”. Since he lives right near his work, he had to drive out of his way to come here. I opened the envelopes and there was a beautiful card and a poem he wrote for me in another. It was really beautiful

My mom, sister, and brother called shortly after.

Jaime, Otto, and I all ended up going to breakfast at The Breakfast Club - a superyummy place to eat. We all kind of hung out for a bit, and then Jaime treated me to a 90 minute massage (which was PURE BLISS).

When I checked my email, I was bombarded (in a great way) by tons of Facebook “Happy Birthday” messages, twitter messages, and awesome digital cards (including a super-funny one from my trainer and his business partner, and my friend Martha :))

Later on in the day we went to Green (an AMAZING vegan restaurant that we all fell in love with and went to every day - Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Everything we tried (and we tried a lot!) was so delicious!

Jaime also gave me a really cool game that asks all sorts of profound questions… it’s meant to be for dinner parties or when you have new guests around. We had fun playing with it

After that, we headed out to party for a few hours in Old-Town Scottsdale. We went to a place Jaime and I went to a few years ago - Dirty Pretty - and just had fun listening to old songs and dancing.

Overall, the night ended phenomenally.

Yesterday (Saturday), the three of us hung out some more. We went back to Green, and then when Otto went to go visit his friend, Jaime and I had some “girl” time. We went clothes shopping and then to a bookstore (where Jaime proceeded to buy a mountain of books :)).

Today’s Sunday… I drove Jaime back to the airport this morning (BOO). Otto’s speaking at an event in Prescott, AZ, and he should be back in a few hours… and he leaves tomorrow (another BOO).

Boos aside though, it was a fantastic weekend and I’m so grateful for my amazing friends and family. I really couldn’t ask for a better weekend. When I recounted the events to Brian last night, he was flabbergasted at how much awesomeness took place. It’s true - acai bowls, poem, “50 Things I Love About Rachel Rofe”, a massage, friends flying in from Canada, 6 hour drives…

I’m a lucky girl

I ended up deciding to go on a new road trip. I know it sounds ridiculous, but one of the main reasons I wanted to do it was to go back to Half Price Books in Dallas. I LOVED that store on my last trip and met some incredible life-long friends while browsing.

There are a few locations for HFP, but the Dallas one is HUGE (it’s the main one) and just incredible.

I left on Monday, and for the most part, the trip has been phenomenal. There is SO MUCH beauty to check out on the drive from California to Scottsdale (where I got a place for a week so I could think/catch up on work/explore) and I was reveling in it the entire time.

I also got to listen to a few audiobooks (Caroline Myss’ Primal Nature - I don’t recommend that, and started Caroline Myss’ Energy Of Anatomy which seems a *lot* better), listen to great music, and just relax.

The place I got in Scottsdale is awesome. It’s actually an extended living place for executives, so there’s a refrigerator, a toaster, utensils and plates. I’m using the kitchen table as a desk and have my full setup - the 24 inch monitor, the MacBook Pro, and the PC. The coolest part is, I got some tips from Mark Anthony on how to use Priceline, and I ended up scoring the place for only $21/night, and it’s right in the heart of everything!!!

The drive was interesting for some other reasons too. As I just mentioned - I think I live in some of the most glorified parts of America. For example, in San Diego, even living in Pacific Beach (frat-party town), people are usually super-happy, laid back, and out for a good time.

Every time I see someone in passing, I smile at them. In much of SoCal and here in Scottsdale, people obligatorily fake smile back, but it doesn’t feel “real”.

When I stop at random areas in my journeys, I flash back to “average” America. I don’t say that at all to be elitist - it’s just a weird experience. I got off in El Centro, California on Monday and smiled at a few people, and they got these huuuge smiles on their faces, like I made their entire day. It almost feels much easier to make a difference there.

Scenery was a lot different, people seemed a lot more introverted, and there were a lot more unhealthy-looking people.

I know Eben Pagan mentioned (I think in Altitude) that sometimes he drives to the local Wal-Mart just to sit and listen to people, to get more of an idea of what the “average” American is like. I don’t blame him.

Although I generally feel grateful to live in fake “bubbles” of America (more pleasant to look at, more healthy food, more successful people), I appreciate getting to go to other places. It makes for a more well-rounded world view.

When I was bidding on Priceline, I didn’t get much say into where I’d stay. I just randomly got Scottsdale, and was psyched that it was so inexpensive for such a pricy place to live.

Jaime and I joked the last time we were here that this was almost a mini-L.A., maybe even more plastic. While I *love* the streets around here and how central it is to everything, I still believe that’s the truth. There’s even places that have big signs for “Walk-In Botox”.

I’m not complaining, just observing. What I mainly wanted to get out of this first stop I’ve gotten easily - the relaxation, the centering, and the feeling calm.

The only other thing I can report so far is the Master Cleanse.

Okay, I’m exaggerating. But it was nuts. I’ve done successful water fasts, eat mostly raw foods, and just got done with a cleanse… but this Master Cleanse was awful.

I made it through the day fine without eating (I made it inevitable that I’d succeed by having books around if I started thinking of wanting to eat, had the TV, etc…). At night though, things were nuts. I kept waking up with hot flashes, then cold flashes. This is TMI but - I also dry vomited throughout the night, and just felt generally awful.

I couldn’t stand up for more than a few seconds, had a small headache than went on and off, and felt ridiculously dizzy.

Jaime, Taj, and Caleb have all reported incredible things with it… but it’s definitely not for me, at least not on a road trip.

Anyway, I guess that’s it for now. Just wanted to get myself back in the groove of posting blogs.

I thought it could be cool, in the future, to maybe do 50 states in 50 weeks… spend a week in a new state each week… and blog about it. Seeing as I still don’t know where I want to go next, maybe that’ll be my next adventure.

Have a great day, and don’t forget to post at 5PositiveThings!

But thank you to everybody who left comments. I do read them and really appreciate them.

So… the last time I posted was back in May. Since then, lots of stuff has happened.

First, I launched a site called 5PositiveThings. It’s looking a little sparse now as we had to delete all the old posts in our upgrade, but I’m psyched about it and how many it has the potential to benefit.

Second, Otto and I were supposed to move to a place in La Jolla on August 1st. I wasn’t 100% on San Diego but LOVED the apartment. Anyway, the owner asked if we could hold out a week, so we got an extension on our current place. Yesterday (the 28th), after I called her, she decided she needed another month.

After driving around for a bit, we still couldn’t find anywhere we really loved…

And then this morning, we mutually decided that this was one sign on top of a few that we should probably just end our relationship and stay good friends. We both have a deep love for each other and a deep respect, but we’re not “in love”.

We’re both eerily calm about this, and will continue to do our offline business stuff together.

I’m back at the drawing board now - can grab a place here in San Diego, move in with Jaime for a month, move to Miami with Brian for a while, or get a place with Joanna (I’ve only talked to 3 people so far and all 3 had incredible options for me :)).

I’m thinking about staying in SoCal just so Otto has a support system too… but have also thought about Australia, Hawaii, and NYC. I’ll probably take the next month to think.

In other news, after going back and forth about being in the Internet Marketing industry, I’ve decided that I *AM* okay with it… as long as I’m promoting things I really believe in and nothing too hype-y sounding. I started re-building my list and things have been awesome so far.

I guess I’ll end here for now… am sure there’s more to talk about, but I’m happy to just make a post and update the site a bit!!

Don’t forget to post at 5PositiveThings :), and thanks for reading.

I’ll have to work on that - but I looove this “record a video” thing on Viddler!

P.S. I can’t wait for my cold to be over!!!

This one’s about my recent Reiki training. I know Reiki isn’t the most “widespread” type thing, but… guess I just don’t care.

The video’s not the best quality - not sure why - but it’s good enough, I think, so here it is:

I really love the practice because whenever I do it, it feels great. If I’m ever upset about something, by the time #10 rolls around, I can’t be unhappy anymore. It just isn’t possible.

Anyway… a few hours ago, I was super-stressed about some work stuff. Things had been going a LOT better with some things I was working on, but once I got home from a mastermind meeting today, everything seemed to just… not be great. I took a shower, I sang a bit, I wrote… and I thought I felt better… but when Otto got home and innocently asked if everything was okay, I got upset all over again. He sat, let me cry, and just listened. He couldn’t have handled it better, and I’m so so SO grateful for him… and inspired to write even more about what I’m grateful for.

So, here goes… 100 things I’m appreciative of:

1. TAJWAR ALEXANDER
2. Carrie Underwood - Cheesy maybe, but I’m listening as I type and it was the first thing I thought of. Her lyrics are just so uplifting, I can’t help but feel happy when I listen to them.
3. Jason Mraz’ “Life Is Wonderful” - awesome song.
4. And “Lucky” with Colbie Caillat - I love that one, too.
5. My near-daily conversations with Brian.
6. The fact that he laughs all the time!
7. The Hayhouse seminar I went to this weekend.
8. The AWESOME speech by Sonia Choquette
9. …and the book of hers I’m reading now, “Diary Of A Psychic”. I’ve read many of her others and I never fail to be in love with them.
10. The great text message I got from Mike Hill while I was there
11. And all the incredible people I surrounded myself with there!
12. Balboa Park, where I read a lot of the book today (that park is beyond amazing)
13. And there’s an awesome frozen yogurt place right near it - you go get yogurt, and then you pick your own toppings from a toppings bar near it… so freaking yummy…
14. I love that I haven’t wanted to over-indulge there! Everything in moderation.
15. When stressed today, I didn’t crave ice cream like I used to in the past. In fact, I craved a nice big SALAD!
16. Speaking of salads - hung out with an amazing couple of guys yesterday, David and Sean… super-healthy, incredible guys that I just LOVED being around.
17. And Sean cooked up tons of amazing raw and vegan salads that were insanely delicious
18. They gave Otto and I a care package when we went home
19. I thought it was awesome that Otto stopped everything he was doing to listen to me before, and just let me cry. He’s launching soon and very busy…
20. And I’m happy I let myself be vulnerable enough around him!
21. I love these lists, because I’m getting to be in such a super-good mood…
22. My new V.A. seems great!
23. …And some other people from odesk, too. I already have a few people on my team, but wanted to test out some more and I’ve been in love.
24. The ones I do have already - dude. The one guy just constantly thinks of new things to do, works super-hard… is SO knowledgeable… I’m so lucky for him…
25. I’m looking at my “293″ sign from the 5k I ran a few weeks ago. I love it!
26. I cleaned up the second bedroom/my office, emptied out 3 trash bags full of clothing, and decorated the room with really positive things. It feels great in here!
27. One of the things I have up is my list of feedback that I got from Toastmaster’s. Every time I spoke, people would give me individual feedback forms… I ended up making one “Master List” to save all the paper I was lugging, and it makes me feel so proud that I came so far… so I hung it up.
28. Another thing I have hung up is Otto’s business card. On his card, he has a list of his businesses. The last link he has on there is to my meditation site! How sweet is that?
29. I totally don’t want to be THAT girl, but… I have another Otto thing to be grateful for. On date night, we went and painted pottery. I picked a hot air balloon because I want to go over France with one, thought it’d be good inspiration… and we painted it together. Anyway, he painted “O.R. + R.R.” on there. Groan if you want, I’ll be swooning…
30. Another thing I have hung up is a woman named Kath’s phone number and address. She was a woman I met over in Dallas on one of my road trips. She was amazing, and I’m so lucky to have met her… the paper just reminds me of our great conversation.
31. Something else I hung up… a note that Valerie Waters sent me a little bit ago. I went to Philly for a few weeks and didn’t have my ValSlides. She sent me a free pair, to keep me going, and left a really sweet note too. She totally did NOT need to do that and I’m ridiculously appreciative (and by the way, her ValSlides are incredible).
32. Something else I have hung up… I went to my friend Mona and Gio’s a while ago, and when I got there, they gave me a “What’s Your Pleasure?” menu. It had different things I could choose from - different activities to do, different foods they’d give if I wanted, and different drinks. It was so sweet!
33. I have a note from my sister hung up too… she sent me an awesome “dreamcatcher” box when she was over in Arizona. =)
34. Also have a picture of us on my shelf from when we were in Cancun. I love that picture!
35. I’m on #35, and I haven’t paused at all. I love that my life makes it so easy to be grateful!
36. Bubble baths (I think I used some of the same ones in RCR, but I can’t help it… these things rock!)
37. The moonroof on my car… I love opening it, the windows, blasting music, and driving around
38. And my car period… so glad to have it back. I love it!
39. Looking at a business card from someone I met at a mastermind today. That was a great meeting!
40. And I got to see Dr. Mike and my friend Joanna… Joanna and I decided to do “Date Night” on Wednesdays, so we make sure to hang out more often. Psyyyyched!
41. We can also share clothes, now that I’m down to a size 8.
42. Red Carpet Ready
43. BOOKS! I took all my books out of the closet inside the hall and put them underneath my window here in the office (well.. the excess ones that didn’t fit in the bookshelf - I still have to buy another one - or two). I like looking at these though, books make me happy.
44. Ooo, Dr. Mike has a bunch of awesome books and said I could borrow whatever I wanted!! :D
45. Met some stellar people at the “W” hotel on Saturday night. One guy invited Otto and I to San Francisco for 4th of July, so we can sail under the fireworks then. Pretty rad!!
46. I think Otto and I are going on a Europe trip starting September, with some other marketers perhaps. That should be AWESOME.
47. And how can I not be grateful that I can go and do something like that, whenever I want? I LOVE not having to answer to anyone!
48. Got some more meditations back for my site. I’m loving them.
49. AND I sent some sneak peek meditations to an incredible lady I’m working with, and she was in love with them… AND the book that I had written for the site, too. The great feedback made me feel awesome.
50. Met a stellar publicist this weekend, she was giving me tips on publishing my book.
51. Looking at this foot cream on my desk… makes me feet nice and soft.
52. Pedicures!
54. And manicures, too.
54. Date nights
55. Broccoli (especially with slivered almonds and feta cheese! I may transition out of dairy soon, but for now, I’m enjoying it. :))
56. Alphabetical ordering my some of closest friends, starting with: Alison
57. Brian K
58. Brian M
59. Chadwick
60. Desi
61. Evan
62. Jaime
63. Jason
64. Jen
65. Laura
66. Otto
67. Rodney
68. Ryan
69. The fact that I didn’t do that to add onto the list or anything… I just really am super-appreciative for them. I could probably go to 500 things I was grateful for, if I wanted.
70. I looked at my cell to make sure I didn’t forget about anyone ;)… I didn’t, but was reminded of some new great friends that are sure to be super-close soon… Joanna and Jason, for sure.
71. Mona and Gio Am looking forward to hanging with them more, because they’re wonderful wonderful people!
72. The fact that I grossly overuse “amazing”, “incredible”, “stellar”, “fascinating”, and most frequently, “awesome”
73. Going on a cruise to Alaska with Jaime, Matthew, and his girlfriend soon. Will be SO FUN!!!
74. Going on a cruise with my mom soon too
75. My family!
76. Erin Pavlina
77. Steve Pavlina
78. I have a Gmail extension manager on Firefox, and it always tells me when I have new email. For some reason it isn’t working right now, and I’m pretty grateful for that, because I don’t need to be checking email anyway.
79. There’s sooo much to learn… it’s so exciting.
80. DUDE. Otto and I are doing evaluations on each other and our relationship soon. Who does that!?!? We’re psyched to continue making our relationship even better… I love it!!
81. The fact that the beach is a BLOCK from our house. At night we’ll go walking along it, it’s secluded and basically our beach… LOVE that… and during the day, it’s just so beautiful to watch…
82. I know I shouldn’t have them that often, but… acai bowls are mindboggingly delicious.
83. I’ll balance that out by saying I love my Valslides.
84. I have date night with Otto on Tuesdays, Joanna on Wednesdays, and Jaime on Thursdays. On one hand I hate making plans, on the other, it’s so rad to have so many people that I love and want to make sure I keep in my life on a daily basis.
85. I was debating between doing this as a blog post, or a blog post about how I go back and forth about being an IMer. I’m glad I went this route because it’s seriously like a drug. I recommend it to anyone!
86. Just turned my head and saw a mini VW bug (toy car) that I have hanging on my shelf. When I was a manager, the people I managed bought it for me and said I should drive that (I used to get in accidents a lot). It was a joke type thing, and I loved that I had such a good relationship with everyone I managed.
87. …and that I’ve gotten in pretty crazy accidents, and was protected every time.
88. Also have a bracelet on my shelf from one of my best friends… she made it for me back in 2nd grade. Every time I see it, my heart smiles.
89. My sister needed her own line (”family” just doesn’t encompass it well enough)
90. So does my brother
91. And my mom
92. And stepdad
93. Even though I don’t talk to him much, I’m grateful for my dad
94. Iron Mountain (so fun to hike up there!)
95. Belly dancing
96. Any dancing, really… makes me very happy. Even if I’m not so stellar at it.
97. Taking sewing classes with Joanna soon!
98. The fact that I have all bills paperless, so if I get mail, it’s only GOOD mail.
99. San Diego is really amazing.
100. Writing
101. The “Feel Good” playlist on my ipod
102. The “Workout” list, too
103. I’m going to go read for a little bit… but I find it absolutely spectacular that I’m at #102, finished this in less than half an hour, and haven’t even begun to feel at a loss for things to write about.

Life is good.

It’s always awesome to see old friends, and I got to see a ton this time.

I need to take my own pictures more often… I snagged these from Ralph from InSearchOfHeroes.com. I LOVE what he does!!

Jaime and me

Otto and I - I love this picture

Jaime, Jason, and me

Chris Brisson, Otto, Jason Moffatt

Hope it’s of some value, and let me know if there’s something else you want me to blog about. I like making videos!

Not too much else is going on here - signed a lease for a great place in San Diego… it’s a block away from the beach and AWESOME… moved in with Otto… and am working fervently on my new niche site.

P.S. I’m sorry the voice quality is so low!