Oh hey October

Our calendar is filling up quickly and its one of our favorite months,  October is here, yay!

Top 10 reasons why October is so awesome

1. Hello, do I have to say it, Dia de los Muertos, duh. Its like our fave. Hopefully this year we make it out to the celebration at Self Help Graphics . They're also hosting workshops where we can learn how to make sugar skulls and papel picado - which I've been wanting to do forever. Signing up stat.
   

   

   Dia de los Muertos 11/2/11 e.l.a.

2. I have a special date night planned, I'm going to get extra sweetheart points. Yay me. 
3. I'm taking this class at Papertales. I haven't actually ever joined a crop before so this should be fun. Although I haven't really started project life, I mean 2 days doesn't really count. Any class at Papertales is awesome and I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.
4. The weather should get cooler and hopefully I can make this. Betty Crocker lives inside me, I know this.
5. I'm going to the Arsenio Hall Show with my sweetheart. We're so cool. I hope we sit in the dog pound, haha.  Anything that reminds me of growing up in the 80's/90's is awesome and sharing it with my sweetheart, total bonus.
6. Report cards most likely go out this month and we can feel it in our bones that it will be one of the best ever, hopefully a celebration is in order. We do love a good celebration! Fingers crossed.
7. Fall decor - anything fall, pumpkin, scary chic, or just plain fun is awesome in my book. I can't wait to cut out paper bats and put them all over the house, I know a few people in particular that will just love it, (wink).
8. We get to wear costumes and act goofy and make instagram videos at Target. We're just fun.
   
   
9. Our first Improvcity zombie show. We are like Improvcity groupies. Whenever we sink our claws in something we hang on, first Scrabble, then trivia, now Improv.
   
   
10. More than anything, just because we'll be together. I know I need to stay home once in a while.  My house is a mess, my room is a disaster because I can't stay home long enough to wash my clothes or do anything but I love us! I'm living the good life, there is no slowing down - YOLO, haha.

Currently

Time: 10:02am
Location: #cubiclelife
Doing: Spreadsheets are my life, grrr
Listening: to This American Life podcast – episode “This week” so good, my fave
Wishing: that my phone would update to 4.1 so I could play with instagram video, hello cat videos :)
Eating: tiny pieces of the cake lady cake, trying to save it for an afternoon snack, yet I cannot resist
Drinking: water! No soda for me today.
Reading: emails and blog posts in my spare time. That’s how I roll.
Needing: a manicure, seriously. My nails feel neglected, I just know it.
Wanting: a vacation day to sleep in, go to the beach and eat lots of yummy food. Why is food such a theme in my life?
Crafting: I feel like my mojo slipped some. Where are you mojo? Come back!
Enjoying: fun adventures with my sweetheart and Samantha. We always seem to find ways to enjoy life. I love them so much.
Loving: my cats ;) haha. Just kidding. Well I do love my cats but I’m loving that the NKOTB concert countdown is about to begin, t-minus 9 days and counting...

Day Dreaming....

La Jolla Cove, CA - 2012

I want to go back here. We had so much  fun just relaxing. I love these kind of days. La Jolla, I hope you become my home away from home some day. Actually I wish you could become my home. This picture reminds me of one of the funnest most relaxing trips we've taken as a family. We had no agenda, just to enjoy the moment. We all said it was one of our best trips. Swimming at the beach, walking down the cove, eating Ghiradelli's whenever we could, walking around Gaslamp, sharing lemon bars at Gold Fish Pointe cafe, relaxing in the jacuzzi, playing board games in our room, lauging, lauging and laughing....

Insert Picture here

La Jolla Cove, Ca 2013

Can't Wait!

hmmm

I read this great quote today "where God leads, God provides." I really needed to read it, hear it, say it today. I'm having this never ending fight with myself and my decisions in life lately. Like my decision to leave Caltech and start a new job in a field I keep saying I want to be in. But then reality hit and I'm unsure if I made the right decision. But....where God leads..... So here I am. Still not feeling quite adjusted, going on almost 3 months. I know it takes time but patience is not my strong suit. Its kinda funny though because every time I feel like I'm ready to throw in the towel, something or someone helps me change my mind. Again, where God leads.... Today it was this quote, actually it was also someone I was talking to. I was listening more to their enthusiasm more than what they were saying. I want to be somewhere that has people like that. I know I can be that person. I know I can be more and maybe I'm the reason I keep contemplating my decisions. I know its partly me and my attitude.  I guess I'm just sitting on to the hope that someone notices that I can be great. But honestly how are they going to know that if I don't feel that way all the time. Its time for a change. I mean alot of change. Starting with a change in my attitude and a change in the value of me. As this turns into a Dear Diary entry, I keep thinking that I'm suppose to be here. I'm suppose to make the 1 1/2 hour drive (for now), I'm suppose to listen and learn from people that have worked in non profit for more than 20 years and I'm suppose to remember that I was lead here and.....where God leads, God provides.

This girl, my heart

I have so many dreams for you. Not my dreams of things I wish I had done but my dreams for you. Just happy dreams of success, fulfillment and well, happiness. If you only knew how beautiful you are, inside and out. If you only knew how smart you are (well you know you're smart but really put your brain to work.) I look at this picture and my heart melts. You have the most beautiful smile and your eyes are so bright. Even your hair, at this crazy moment, makes me smile because its so you.
I don't know if its because this is your last summer of innocence. I hate to say that but once you enter high school I know you will lose some of that. Its ok, I'm just a Mom that wants to keep my baby forever young. I'm hoping once you adjust to high school you'll realize that its not so bad and that you can pick your path. You can totally be who you want to be. You can be the nerd or the jock, you can be the ASB President if you want or Queen of the Debate team. But all of this will require work and a strong work ethic that today I know you struggle with. I know you'll get there. Please reach out for help, I'm here. Your Dad is here. Your grandparents are here. Your family is here. You are so lucky to have so many people in your life, people that care and will help guide you - take their advice whenever it comes.

I love you Rab. You can make all your dreams come true, just believe and work hard, actually worker harder.

YOU are so worth it.

The secret is to put some spit on it

The infamous words of Chiao "Mommy" Tan as she threads my needle. She is the sweetest and I love that although I met her over 4 years ago at Scrapbook Oasis and hardly see her, that I feel like I really know her. Thank you Instagram! Amy Tangerine and Kelly Purkey hosted another amazing class at Paper Tales in SD. I'm so happy I was able to attend, Paper Tales is my favorite store and well Amy and Kelly are some of my favorite creatives.

So I drove down to SD, by myself (tear). It felt so weird not to have one of my side kicks. But I'm a big girl and my two loves were busy but I made it in 2 hours flat  and arrived at 10am thanks to the midnight blur and my lead foot. It was relaxing and I had the B52s blaring all the way down and Earth, Wind and Fire to calm me down through the traffic back home. Anyways, I took two classes. Amy's first class was a mini book. I can't wait to fill the pages. I'm so happy I waited to get her new line. I hoped she would have a class at Paper Tales and I remember from last time that she is so generous with product that I probably can make 2 more mini books. So much stuff. There was a quick break for lunch so I snacked on hershey's kisses and mini cupcakes, I know I'm so healthy. Kelly and Amy tag teamed for the next class. It was a four page Project Life spread. Kelly taught us many techniques and ideas, it was super fun to use her stamps but the class flew by so I'll have to finish my pages another time. Hopefully this is the start of my project life. Amy then showed us how to include 4x6 cards in our project life. Exacto knife's required so I stood clear of that because I always seem to injure myself around those things. After two classes I was pooped out. I'm glad I didn't sign up for the third class since I had to drive home. But I made some new IG friends and took pics and signed project life cards from AT and KP. It was a great day, only to put the icing on the cake and get some yummy BBQ from Primo Market in Vista and give lots of kisses to my sweetheart. Mission Accomplished.

The next day, Sunday I celebrated Father's Day with my Dad and Sweetheart. My Dad's favorite things to do are go to the Goodwill and spend his budgeted six dollars and eat tacos and hamburgers. So we did just that. 

I'm so lucky to have these guys in my life, my sweetheart, my Dad and my bro (although he was missing in action this day). They love me unconditionally. They love me when I'm grumpy, demanding, procrastinating, sad, happy, goofy. They show me what it means to be a real father to your children, not just a title father. They show me what it means to put others first and to forgive. They help me realize that its ok to just enjoy the little things in life, you don't have to spend alot of money or travel around the world to be fulfilled. Sometimes you just need $23.95 to get tacos with your family to enjoy each other - laugh, cry and be happy. Happy Father's Day to the most important men in my life. I can't even imagine my life without you guys.

We still need real books

I was having a conversation with a colleague about a bookless library that is opening this summer in San Antonio. The library would be filled with e-readers that could be checked out with an arsenal of computers for reading and research. I'm not sure how many e-readers or computers will be available and although the concept is nice for some, I don't feel it will work for everyone. Not everyone will have access to an e-reader as many still can't afford one or don't see the benefits. There is a huge benefit to teaching children with real books. These are future researchers, teachers and scholars. How can you really learn without real books? I just don't get it. And do we think we're actually going to get the funding to put a bunch of these bookless libraries in the neighborhoods that need them? Its a nice idea but we should invest in more teachers and computers in the classroom. I'd hate to see the day when there is a world without books. It makes me sad. So here are some charming quotes to make me happy.

To Blessings....

There have been many blessings in my life. I'm the Mom to an awesome kid, sweetheart to the man of my dreams, daughter, sister, nina, auntie to a crazy but wonderful family and friend, amiga, chica to amazing people. I cherish the blessing of friendship. I have many, I'm lucky like that. But one in particular gave me more than just a wonderful friend/sister, it gave me more kids to love. Last night at Little Louie's graduation dinner, I kept thinking how quickly time flew. I remember the day we took this picture.

Little Louie, as he will probably always be called to me was being baptized. I had no idea at the time but I was suppose to be his Nina. I was the first choice. I knew I was loved like family and I was part of the tripod if you will, Me, Bren and Jessica. I just had no idea and honestly baptizing the babies was not on my radar. It was a difficult time in my life and I just didn't care about anything, OK, I cared about things but you know. A new baby and all the responsibilities that come with it was overwhelming me. I wish I could turn back time and change a few things but in my heart I'm his Nina. I've been there all his life, I think of him and his sister as family and Samantha does too. I know I'll be friends with his Mom for the rest of my days and I love that we have gotten so close during the last few years through our personal ups and downs, she's my BFC (Best Fake Comadre). For some its just a title but for me, I don't know. I just wish I had known. But anyways, I was there on that day. A scorching hot day in the already crowded Placita in Downtown LA, baptism vendors everywhere, families dressed in their going out clothes, babies crying, babies smiling, old school camera's clicking, families feeling blessed, babies being blessed, haha. Of course Baby Louie looks all dapper in his little suit. The ceremony flew by and then I don't remember. I just know I was there with my beautiful big eyed babygirl, happy to be there. And I know that today, he's my FGK, my Fake God Kid. I say we go back to Placita and do what we should have done the first time. Anyways. My hopes for him are the same as for my own child, a successful and happy life, one filled with love and fun adventures. My advice, Do well in school, "your" best, GO TO COLLEGE, find something you like to do everyday and pursue it as a career or find some way to implement it in your life, then give back the love and devotion that has been given to you. So we celebrated, Little Louie's promotion to 9th grade and I kept thinking, wow our babies are freshman. Little Louie's going to South Hills and Samantha is going to Keppel, my alma mater. I just can't believe it. I know I'm going to cry on her first day of high school. Time flies and I feel old but I'm ok with it.

And here we are with another adopted family and my FGK

10 on Tuesday

Oh snap. I haven't blogged in forever - Blogger has changed and gone cuckoo on me, I can't figure out how to get my pictures back. Oh well. Maybe I'm back in the game, maybe I'm not. But I have stuff to say today. In between work and lunch and finishing a graduation gift. Here is the simplified edition

10 on Tuesday

1. I'm so happy to be in love with this man.
   
   He makes me smile. Just the sound of his voice, the touch of his hand, the way he looks at me. I know mushy. But he's my penguin.
2. Things I want to do this summer - a mini summer manifesto (Snorkel in La Jolla with my sweetheart and rab, go to the beach at least twice a month, eat Randy's donuts after 2am as many times as possible - duh, make something nice for someone and watch them smile, and find a fun community service activity for the family)
3. Operation Get Jobaby Back In Shape needs to be in full swing by next week. No excuses....i hope. Rab and I are hoping to find some inspiration for health meals here.
4. If I could wear flip flops and summer dresses at work all day, I totally would. 
5. I counted my nail polish and I only have 18. Its much smaller than I thought. I hope to change that and add a few of these. So sparkly, so pretty.
6. Mobile car washes are such a brilliant idea for someone like me. Best service ever! I have no excuse now. I don't have a secret daily obsession like drinking starbucks in the morning so I'm telling myself I can afford a carwash once a month. Eating yogurtland once a week and shopping at Daiso Japan don't count. Can't wait for a clean car. Its the little things.
7. If anyone wants to buy me something, I'm totally making it easy here.
8. Our neighbors at work are always having fun. They have parties and decorate and have foot massages and yoga sessions. I mean, why am I not working there. I'm kinda jealous. I'm totally trying to wake my co-workers up but I guess it's gonna take time. Yesterday they had a "best decorated cubicle" contest. Wahhh! I would have been all over that.
9. It wouldn't be a fun 10 on Tuesday without a picture of one of my cats :) i just love them.
   
10. I'm hopeful to be meeting my instagram superfan, hehehe this weekend, here. 

Yay for 10 on Tuesday. Back in the blogging game, maybe.