Why I love Trader Joe's...

Where else is there a place that every time you walk out door you feel better than you walked in? For me, that place is Trader Joe’s. It’s always an opportunity to explore taste, explore healthier options of life, and make acquaintances with just great people.

Tonight was no exception, and even more proof to my point. You see, as I was checking out with my groceries, I began to make conversation with the new TJ employee who was being helped by a season veteran. As jokes and laughs were shared, I brought up a question I had been pondering:

“By chance, is there any way I can buy some of the small hand baskets from you guys?” I continued and explained I teach and my Jr. Highers don’t have lockers… and I’d like an easy, stored under the worktable, solution for them to place their multiple books after they’ve lugged them to my class.

Shortly after this request, and my sharing that I intentionally want them to say Trader Joe’s and not just plain ones I could find at Target that I was told, “Pull around back…”

Yes ladies and gentlemen, my friendly, oh so helpful checkout girls were going to provide me with 12, awesomely complimentary hand baskets!

My smile beamed wide as I heard her words, and continued as I pulled my car around back. Once loaded in the car, I tried to find a way to say thank you – and every idea was returned with, “No worries,” or “You don’t need to.” Finally, the TJ girl said, “beer…good beer!” So, in gratitude for this oh-so-lovely gift, I shall return to Trader Joe’s in the next few days with a thank you card, and two six-packs of hometown San Diego beer.

At the end of this blog, it is my hope you take the time to trek into your local Trader Joes and share in conversation with some of best employees retail has to offer.

First Day of My Life...

Everyone wants love. Whether from family, friends, to a romantic interest, it’s something fun and filling to feel. And with romantic love, I’d reason to guess that many want just one story of love that’s worth telling for a lifetime.

As some of you may already know, I’d much rather watch a romantic comedy movie than any action-packed thriller or horror flick. With that in mind, I occasionally get sidetracked by thoughts of my future, love included. It’s then that songs enter mind and I begin reminiscing over lyrics that make me daydream a thousand thoughts.

One such song has an accompanying music video that moves me to incredible extremes. I encourage you, whether a fan of the group Bright Eyes or not… whether a fan of seeing love felt or love lost, to take three minutes to watch and see love that has found itself on the doorstep of those in the video.

To disclose, there are all types of people in the video – opposite sex, same sex… but I urge you to watch and see the small facial gestures and expressive thoughts as those in the video listen to the same song you’ll hear out loud.

Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life