Dude, it's Monday.

*This picture makes me laugh!

*I always have THE BEST weekends with Levi! He's just so much fun and we laugh so much.  I just realized this morning, that yesterday was our monthly anniversary.  Lucky #13!  I love that man!

*So I'm into Walking Dead, now.  Sometimes, when I'm driving, I like to think about how I could survive a zombie apocalypse.  Yeah....it's really random, but you never know...it could come in handy, someday. {but I really hope not}

*I survived Day 1 of my sister not being in the office.  My motor mouth coworker and I didn't strangle each other.  Then again, we're still in the "honeymoon stage".  We've still got 5 more days together. Pray for me.

*Movies I can't wait to see: Bad Grandpa, Gravity & Thor.  

*My iPod that I've had since 2007, that had 11,000+ songs, died.  It just quit working.  I didn't drop it, and in fact, it was in really great shape!  I'm so bummed.  So I bought a used one (I didn't really care) and so far I only have 800 songs on my iTunes.  Sad, sad day.  I'm bummed that I lost so much music, but honestly, I wanted a new iPod.  My old one was engraved from an exbf.  However, I have to return the "new" one because it's acting weird and not downloading my 800 songs.  Lame.  I think I'll just myself a (real) new one, after all.  Happy Thanksgiving to myself.

*Ok, I'd go on with the randomosities, but I'm gonna go home now.  10 hours chained to my desk makes for a very long day. 

#pandalove

 Dude, I'm not gonna lie.... I WANT THIS!! 

I LOVED hugging it!! 

No one, over the age of 5, should look this happy to be hugging 

a stuffed panda!

But I was!!!!

I liked hugging it just as much I LOVE hugging Levi, in his panda costume. 

{I wonder what the odds are of him dressing up in his panda costume, on my birthday, so I can hug a panda?}

Week in review.

8/1 Thurs:  Went out to dinner with Levi & my folks.  It was a pleasant dinner and the lobster was DELISH! I don’t understand how some people don’t like seafood, not to mention lobster!  I love it!!  I don’t know if I could be friends with people that don’t like seafood.  That’s just odd to me.  It’s like not enjoying fresh air or something.  


8/2 Fri: SEA WORLD!!! SEA PANDAS!! {orca whales} I had a BLAST with Levi!  All of it was just SO. MUCH. FUN.!!! Plus it was tons of fun hangin’ outside, in gorgeous San Diego! Seriously, I love living here because it’s just so amazingly beautiful, all the time! People come here for their vacations and I’m so unbelievably LUCKY to live here!!! I LOVE it!!  We watched the Cirque de la Mer show and it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!  It was like a circus, over the waters of Mission Bay!!!  As always, I totally enjoy the underwater tube of Shark Encounter!  Turtle Reef was a new experience, as well as the Sea Lion & Otter show.  

My fave has always been the Shamu show, which is kinda cooler at night…but it’s definitely changed a lot since I was a kid.  Trainers no longer enter the waters, for safety reasons, which is totally understandable.  I wanted to see more tricks, but it’s ok.  Levi knew Sea World like the back of his hand, and introduced me to the Shamu tank, down below.  I NEVER knew of such a thing and probably could have spent the entire night just watching the “Sea Pandas” swimming around!!! It was the COOLEST thing ever!!! I was like little kid, with my face pressed up against the plexiglass!!! They were just sleeping, but even just watching them bob up and down, and slightly flip over was so fascinating!!!!  Next time I go back, I’m probably gonna spend an hour or three just watching them!  Seriously.  
We watched the evening firework show from Shamu stadium {if you do that, watch ‘em from the left side of the stage--too many trees otherwise}.  The fireworks reminded us of our engagement night at Disneyland, following their evening fireworks show.  I got a lil emotional remembering that special night.  I asked Levi if there was going to be another sparkly ring following the fireworks…he laughed.  A LOT.  Can’t blame a girl for trying ;) 

8/3 Sat:  It was my niece Novee’s second softball game.  She scored the only point for the team……with a HOME RUN!!!!!!!  HOW FRIGGIN AWESOME IS SHE?!?!??!  I couldn’t have been more proud of my niece!!!!  She hit it all the way to the back fence and then ran like the wind!!!  I was too ecstatic while cheering to take any photos!!!  MVP right here, baby!! I hope she’s enjoying playing Softball because she’s pretty dang great! She hits VERY well, throws farther and more accurately than anyone else on the team and is fearless when catching the ball!  Hmm….MVP today, National Womens Softball team for the 2024 Olympics tomorrow?  Ok ok…..maybe that’s a lil far reaching, but I’m glad that she’s not only cute, kind, & funny, but that she’s athletic & fearless! Love this girl!  

8/4 Sun: I skipped church on Sunday. It was such a gorgeous day and I honestly didn’t want to find myself sitting through a lengthy Fast & Testimony meeting.  I have a very difficult time sitting through long road stories & people rambling on and on instead of bearing a testimony of the gospel.  Instead, I spent a very relaxing day with Levi and it couldn’t have been more perfect!  

8/5 Mon: Had dinner with Levi and it was SCRUMPTIOUS!!!  Prime rib, crab legs and yams are the way to my heart!! Divine!!  I just love spending time with my sweetheart, especially 5 days in a row!  

8/6 Tues:  I went to the (church) ward Softball game and took photos.  Riddle me this; why the heck do the men get to have both Basketball & Softball…and then women get NOTHING?!?!?  That really pisses me off.  Why can’t Softball be co-ed??? And then women get Volleyball??   ANYWAYS,  I got some great shots and kinda ran into an old friend from Institute classes that we had together about 2.5 years ago.  He got married about 2 years ago, but it was a lil awkward because I kept looking over at him and he seemed as though he didn’t even want to say hi, basically acting like we never knew each other.  I didn’t want to make it awkward, since he’s married, so I just gave up trying to say hi.  I sent him a friendly email, via Facebook, and he quickly responded saying that he wasn’t sure it was me and didn’t want to look like a stalker, staring across the field.  I figured it out; I probably look WAAAAAAY different now from when he knew me.  I met him right after I shaved my head, and Tuesday night I had long, braided hair and I was wearing my glasses.  It would have been cool to chat, but what a difference hair & glasses make! 

8/7 Wed: Man, I DO NOT enjoy Optometrist appointments, especially when I have to get my eyes dilated!  Luckily, Levi took me to my appointment so I wasn’t stranded.  I couldn’t be more grateful for him.  I wasn’t wearing my glasses, since I brought some sunglasses along with me….which basically meant I was blinded by the sun and just blind in general.   It gave me some perspective into my Dad’s sightless life, and the trust you need to have in those who guide you.  I’ll blog more about that later.  Costco, thank you for your SUPER NICE optometrist, Chicken Bakes & Churros!! 

8/8 Thurs:  Last night, my friend sent me a text: Hey, so what’s the plan for your birthday?  I still can’t believe that my birthday’s NEXT MONTH!! I have no idea why I get so excited for my birthday, maybe I really am a kid at heart?!  Dude, I’m gonna be 33.  Ugh…. I like 32, or any other smaller number.  I think I get ecstatic over the idea of celebrating a birthday; mine, yours, anyones…it’s someone’s special day, so I think it’s a big deal!  I think people need to feel important, special and all around loved on their birthday.  I’m not saying that because mine is coming up, but I always try to do something great for loved ones.  I guess after having so many terrible birthdays growing up, I never want someone’s special day to go un-specialized!  :)   Before my friend’s text, I had started to think of my list of Thank You cards that I like to give out on my birthday.  That has become one of my most favorite birthday traditions! I seriously love it so much!  I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before, on my blog.  A couple years ago,  I wanted to express my heartfelt appreciation to those who made my life so spectacular, so I wrote Thank You cards and hand delivered them out on my birthday.  It caught all my friends off guard because they weren’t expecting to receive something on someone else’s birthday.  I think that’s why I also like doing it, it’s such a surprise.  Plus, I think people need to hear a good word or two, especially one of appreciation.  

Yep, that’s been my week….. Here’s looking to a lovely weekend!  

Wowzers!

To my best man and favorite panda....

Happy 6 Months!

Wowzers!

I feel SO incredibly lucky!

NYE!

*My youngest nephew, Kalanster, and his band performed at the House of Blues last night.  I was so proud of him.  I know he had a good time and they've come a long way.  Good for them!   

*Tonight's New Years Eve and my family & Levi are going out to dinner.  We're going to an ol' family fave.  It's pretty good Chinese food, but nothing like my beloved Wing Wah.

*Last night, on the way to Kalanster's gig, Levi & I were caught in the rain.  We were trying to locate Nicky Rottens, but ended up going to Panda Inn because of the rain AND it was A LOT closer.  I wouldn't have minded walking to find it, but barely getting over a cold and walking in the rain, doesn't make for a good combination.  I REALLY like Panda Inn.  Just walking in made me remember our Halloween date, when we ate there in our panda costumes.  Oh such a splendid evening, which makes me like Panda Inn more!  Besides, the food is SO good!! 

*I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty ecstatic to finally have my first NYE kiss at midnight.  It only took 32 years, but I'm excited.  

*Joz, my friend and previous Relief Society counselor-turned RS President, got her mission call to Florida.  I'm so excited for her.  I know that she will be a wonderful and uplifting missionary!! I will miss her greatly! 

*We went to watch Les Miserables.  I was a lil hesitant to see it because I had dreamed of finishing the book beforehand, but if its taken me a year and a half to try, I guess it would just be better to watch it.  Oh man, I wanted to cry.  Everything that Mr. Red had told me about it was true, it was beautiful...captivating and marvelous.  I loved it.  I wish there was more on the priest, because I loved reading about him, but Jean Valjean was magnificent.  I loved him.  All the songs make more sense and mean more now that I know the stories behind the songs.   I think the song I love the most is "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables".  When Marius sings it, you can just feel the loss and hurt in his voice--or maybe I can hear it more in the musical soundtrack.  I love that song, but I also love "Bring Him Home"!  So beautiful.  All in all, such a beautiful soundtrack! LOVE IT!!!!  I can't wait to finish the book now because I know there's so much to the story than what we saw in the movie.  

*Watching Les Mis made me miss Mr. Red.  I haven't seen him since my birthday and soon enough he'll be moving.  I miss our talks.  I miss hearing his enthusiasm for Les Mis.  Since Bugs has been extremely busy and I haven't seen her since summer, he's been the closest thing to a best friend.  I just miss having someone I can talk to about everything and anything, and knows my heart w/o any explanation.  I wish I knew what was going with Bugs.  Kinda sucks.  

*I'm excited for the new year.  I'm excited for a fresh start.  I've been thinking about a word/motto that I can focus on, for 2013.  There's some changes in my life that I need to make, things to improve and enrich my life.  I'm still deciding on my 'focus word', but whatever it is, I know it'll help better my {daily} life.  I'm optimistic on the good that this new year will bring.  

Bub @ LAX & Pandas at large!

As previously mentioned, my missionary had a 7 hour layover at LAX, so we drove up on Monday to hang out with him for a couple hours.  

It was so good to see him.  Man, I couldn't stop taking photos of him! I was just that excited to see him!

 He's changed, a bit, but for good.  He's a lil more mellow and quieter, which can come in handy as a missionary.  I missed hugging him so much!! Oh my Bub, I can't believe how fast time has surely flown by!! He's a grown man now!!!  22 more months til I get to see and hug him again.  I hope and pray that all will be well with him, in the Philippines!  Oh Bub ♥

This Halloween has been fantastically wonderful!! I couldn't have been more pleased to have spent it with Levi. He is so generous, kind and loving!!  Oh how I love this man dearly.  I ALWAYS have the best of times with him!

MY HALLOWEEN SURPRISE!! Loved it!!

This has been the most celebrated Halloween, ever in my life.  I owe it all to this man.  Oh I sure do love him dearly!!! Thank you Levi for being the BEST boyfriend ever! 

Panda Love!

When I was in the 2nd grade, my class took a field trip to the San Diego Zoo.  During that time, China had "loaned" two pandas to the SD Zoo.  Upon seeing them, I IMMEDIATELY fell in love with them!! They were unlike anything I had ever seen in my life!!!  They were oh so cute and adorable!!!  I was captivated by their playfulness and cuteness!! Seriously, I was in love....and have been ever since.
I've always wanted to hug a panda, just because my panda love brings back such nostalgic memories.  Besides, they still are so cute and I can't help oooh and awww when I see them!  Seriously, I turn into a kid! No joke!
Well, about a week ago, Levi had a thought of what he could be for Halloween.  After prodding him for a bit, he told me that he wanted to be a panda, for me, so I could finally hug one.  Oh man, my heart melted and it made me love him even more!!! Something I've always wanted and he was willing to help me out with it! Oh, that made my panda heart melt!  Not only did he buy himself a costume, but he was kind enough to buy me one as well.  We were a cute lil panda couple!

Not only did I hug one, but I got to dance with one as well.  We ended up going to a Halloween ball last night and it was so much fun.  Apparently, we weren't the only ones who loved pandas, because there were a whole lot of other people that love them too!  A lot of people came up to us to comment on our costumes, as well several more who wanted to take photos with us.  It was such a FUN night!! At times, it was unbearably hot under our panda heads, so we'd cool off outside or in the theatre part of the Hall of Champions.  All in all, I had the most fun just being with Levi.  I love laughing with hiam, and just being with him in general.  I have the best of times with him and I couldn't be more grateful!

The next generation of panda lovin'.  My niece loves them just as much as I do and I'm glad we have this lil love in common! :)

Friday: 5 Faves!

It's been a while since I've done a Friday 5 Faves...or was it Friday Fave 5?
Well, whatever it was called...here are FIVE of my FAVES on FRIDAY!

Let It Be Me - Ray LaMontagne

I seriously love this song. It's the type of song I want to cuddle to.  A song you listen to after a long and trying day.  Exactly the type of song I want to rest my head on Levi's chest to.  

The Friday Night Knitting Club 

I started this book last year, but have recently picked it back up .  I just love it!  Although I should be finishing the last 1,400 pages of Les Miserables before Dec. 10 and currently reading Ender's Game for my Nov. 4 book club, I just love this book!!  

Filippi's - Garlic Cheese Bread

I don't know if it was because we were starving after church, on Sunday....but man,that garlic cheese bread was like manna from heaven! I LOVE mozzarella cheese! And man oh man, it was totally delish on garlic bread! I think I blame my starvin' hunger to me loving this bread so much! 

I LOVE this picture!

I just love how happy we both look. I love the vibrant colors and this man is just so dang cute! It was such a fun date!!

Kristen Bell's Sloth Meltdown

I don't care how many times I watch this, I can't help but laugh and tear up just a little.  I know that I would act EXACTLY the same way if I were able to hug a panda!  And I love the fact that Kristen Bell is just as emotional as I am... I cry whether I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad or mad...and if I'm talking with a friend who's crying, then I start crying too.  Seriously, I cry all the time. {Poor Levi} 

Logan, The Ex & some birthday cake!

I'm suppose to hang out with Logan tomorrow.  I don't really want to.  He's been dying to show me his garden, since he grows several types of Plumeria and other tropical plants.  When I first started to get to know him, I thought it would be cool to see, however, he lives about 45 minutes north of me.  I'm not dying to drive all that way up there....and honestly, I'm just not feeling it, er, him.  After our first date, he went up to northern California for a week and got back early yesterday.  In all that time, we didn't talk once.  We exchanged a few text messages, but that was about it.  During our first date, I found out more about him....both good and bad.  Not necessarily bad, but it wasn't necessarily good.  He reminded me A LOT of my ex-fiance.  There was nothing good about that.  I just don't want a repeat of him.  He was so exhausting, on so many levels.  There wasn't anything thrilling that made me want to stay with him and it's not good that Logan is already reminding me of him.  Now it's the hard part of telling him that I'm not interested.


Hey! I've got an idea.... maybe I could tell him that it's my niece's birthday, I've gotta go gift shopping and don't know when we'll be celebrating it. :-/


By the way, my birthday's in exactly two months!!! YEAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
I wish this could be my birthday cake:  

or this...

And for breakfast, I'd make french toast out of this:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this video!!! It makes me want to hug a Panda even more!!