What the funk?

*I've been having a funky stomach week.  No bueno. 

*We've been watching Parenthood on Netflix lately.  Totally dig this show! I always enjoy movies/shows that display different family dynamics.  There's something so interesting in seeing how families interact and deal with their own challenges and triumphs.

*Chuy was talking to us about Vans carrying some new Star Wars shoes.  I'm not the biggest fan of them, I barely started getting into it, but man oh man... I want these shoes! Oh how I love Vans slip-on shoes!

 

*The Del Mar Fair (aka: San Diego County Fair) starts this weekend! OH MAN, I'm pretty stoked! I think this is a really great way to start off the summer! I can't wait!! Plus, Levi just makes it a million times more fun! I'm glad he enjoys the Australian Battered Potatoes, but most especially that he's cool with me looking around at all the photo & art exhibits.

 

*Work has been pretty okay this week. I continue to be grateful for my team.  I enjoy working with Roxy, Chuy & Tina.  I'm so glad that Mamacita works there too! I just wish she was in my department, too.  Although, it's been pretty good this week, man oh man, I can't wait for the weekend!

 

*Other than that... I hope I kick this stomach funk because I've got a fair to go to this weekend!  Oh yeah...today's Thursday and my sweetheart got me some Pizza-Hut tonight. Man I love when Thursdays include pizza.....that's the cherry on top of a Thursday!

Sept 2013, Week 3.

Week in review....

*My niece Novee had a choir concert on Monday.  Oh man, I was so stoked for her.  I think her lil 7th grate girls choir did pretty well for their first performance.  There were 4 choirs, and 3 of them sang Disney songs.  I will admit that since our engagement, I get chocked up whenever I hear Disney songs.  It brings me back to that most perfect June 2 weekend. 

*My cousin (actually, my cousin's son who's my age) came from Australia with his lady love.  I haven't seen my cousin Timothy since for about 26 years.   

Then...

Now...

I couldn't have been more grateful for Facebook, in which it's brought me closer to far away cousins...and even cousins I've yet to meet in real life.  We had a great time at Filippi's Pizza, since he wanted to try the pizza place I always visit and rave about.  His girlfriend was sweet and way funny.  It was a very enjoyable evening!  

*My very dear sweet adopted Mom came into town a day after my birthday, and we were finally able to meet up on Wednesday.  

I'm so truly grateful for this woman! For my birthday, she gave me a cute apron (which I love because it makes me think of her, while in the kitchen) and a box full of FHE ideas for my future family!  Mama McK is so superb and phenomenal!! I love her dearly.  We enjoyed a nice dinner at Phil's BBQ, but then talked out front on their uncomfortable benches for a while.  She gave me some great motherly advice and wisdom.  She fills my heart and life with such love and I hope that I can be a Mom like her, someday.  As much as I love her, thoughts of my own Mom came to mind Wednesday night.  I've been so blessed with such great mother figures in my life!

*Thursday & Friday.... work and work and work.... although, today my nephew Kalanster spent the day in the office with my sister and I.  Dude, I so love this kid!! He is hilarious as hell!  I just crack up the whole time... but man, it makes me miss his brothers.  I miss having all those boys under one roof, but I'm grateful for the time I get to spend with my youngest nephew and my niece.  They're growing up so quickly.

*As for this weekend.... Levi's moving (a couple miles away from his current address).  I'm way excited for him!  Aaaaaand that's about it.  That's life in this 3rd week of September.  

Good, Bad & Ugly: Weekend Edition.

Good: Had such an awesome weekend with Levi.  I love nothing more than just spending time with him.  I was able to have a "Ladies Day" with my niece & sister.  Ate at the new Filippi's restaurant here in town.  We also hit up Oasis Ice Cream, because honestly, that's the BEST ice cream here in town! There's just something so lovely about spending time with female relatives. I enjoyed a dinner party at Ame's and it was fun hangin' with the Peebs {some PB ward member friends}.  Plus my Young Womens Volleyball team won BOTH of their games on Saturday! Oh I felt like the proudest Mama ever!  They were excited and I think that was a terrific way to start their Vball season! Can't wait for their next game this coming Saturday.

Bad: I missed going to my ward on Sunday, thus missing Ame's talk.  I was rather disappointed about that.  Then I was even more upset that I was an hour late to the dinner party.  Don't even get me started on the overflowed toilet....FML moment, for sure.

Ugly:  Got into an argument with my Mom, late Saturday night/Sunday morning.  It's just so emotionally and mentally exhausting.  After a late night of arguing and hurtful words that were exchanged, I had no desire to go to church that next morning.  

On the up and up...

Yesterday, I woke up thinking it was Friday.  I was immediately happy, giddy and excited that I would be seeing Levi, because we had made Friday night date plans!!  Till it dawned on me that it wasn't Friday, but in fact just Thursday.  Man, I was so bummed! Such a let down.  It felt like the day seemed even longer.  When I woke up this morning, I couldn't wait for the day to pass quickly and to get my optometrist appoint over with cause I would soon be seeing Levi.
However.... it wasn't smooth sailing today....
-Found out from my Facebook newsfeed, from a conversation between my nephew's fiancee and her friend, that he's getting married on June 21.  Yet again, just like his engagement, I had to find out about his life on Facebook. Well then again, her grandma didn't know about the upcoming wedding until that same Fb conversation.  It's so nice that they're old enough to get married, but not mature enough to inform family members--like his own Mom. Wow....
-Got in a huge argument with my parents.  Hurtful things were said and to be honest, it was emotionally draining. 
-Skipped out on my optometrist appointment, because my eyes were red from crying and rubbing them.  To be honest, the optometrist that I go to is a jerk and I didn't want to give him something else to ream me about. 
But in the end, just like the rainy, grey weather of today, the day/evening got better!
**My friend Tui, who's Tongan & Japanese, received her mission call today to the Japan Sendai mission.  She'll be entering the MTC on April 24.  She called me up to personally tell me and thank me for making her feel so welcomed in the CVYSA ward when she started attending right after high school.  That really touched my heart that amongst all the calls she made today, she felt prompted to call me and to thank me.  I teared up.  I'm so happy for her!  She's going to be a terrific missionary!
**Filippi's Pizza Grotto, is opening a location here in Imperial Beach! OH YEAAAAAH!!! Man, I LOOOOOVE their pizza! Seriously, it fills the Pie Pizzeria hole that I have in my heart. 
**I had a fabulous date night with my sweetheart.  Just being with him was more than I could have asked for today.  It was perfect.  We went to Aroma Thai and had yellow curry w/ chicken and broccoli and chicken in peanut sauce. DELICIOUS!!!! Oh man, I LOOOOOOVED it!!  Then we stopped in at Oasis Ice Cream Parlor where it has THE BEST ice cream in the world! Seriously, I LOVE this place! I had coconut & watermelon and it was DIVINE!! It's like eating a real frozen watermelon and coconut! I have no desire to go to Cold Stone, with Oasis around!! Levi had banana and rocky road and man, it was super yummy!!!!! Gosh, I love this place too much!  Afterwards we went to see Identity Thief and man, I totally LAUGHED OUT LOUD!!!!  I have always enjoyed Melissa McCarthy because she will forever be Sookie St. James, in my mind. It was just a spectacular evening with my sweetheart.  He's the best, he really is!  Oh my lucky stars, I'm so blessed.

A letter to Filippi.

Dear Filippi,

I don't know who you are, but your pizza is AMAZING.  It's one of my most favorite places to eat pizza here in San Diego.  I've been to 4 of your different locations, but I surely enjoy the Little Italy location the most.  The food just tastes a lot better there.  I love your pizza! I love the amount of cheese that's on all of your pizzas, it's the perfect amount!  Plus, your Antipasto salad is just scrumptious!  Probably one of my most favorite salads to eat!

We also enjoyed our server, Colleen.  She was the best server I've ever had, at your restaurant.  Her service was wonderful and we truly appreciated her cookie recommendations.  The thing I love the most, about your Little Italy location, is the front store, deli & bakery.  I always wanted to try your cookies, but the lines was way too long and it was way too cramped to stand in.  Thankfully, it was a lil less crowded and we were in a mood to try your cookies.  My sister loves your marzipan cookies, while I savored your Italian wedding cookies. All in all, your cookies were delectable! All these years I didn't know what I was missing!!  Never again will I leave your fine establishment without snagging me some cookies!  

Thanks again for your delicious pizza, hospitable service and tasty cookies.  I'll definitely be coming back soon!

-Ehu.

A Birthday Rendezvous

I've had the most lovely birthday week, EVER.!!!
It was just fantastically enjoyable!  I loved every single bit of it!!  
After my birthday dinner with Mr. Red & Hermanita, I had a little rendezvous at the beach, with Ely.  We hung out at the beach, walked the pier and talked til about 3:30am.  Yeah, I know that's late, but we had SO much to talk about.  I enjoyed EVERY single second of it.  He was FUNNY!! Oh man, it hurt my stomach to laugh!  I wanted to know him better, and felt the same about me too.  He was VERY reciprocal on all levels--something that had been lacking with TheBaker.  If I rubbed his hand, he'd curl his fingers around my hand.  As a very physically affectionate person, I greatly appreciate his reciprocation on that matter.  In fact, it was Ely that made the first move and was ever so sweet about it!  
We walked the beach the next 3 nights and talked to no end.  On Thursday, I had received some terrible news of a friend's baby and was so sad over it....as well as other stressful news about school.  I just wanted a really good guy hug....and he was there to provide it.  He just held me as a wave of emotion washed over me.  Have I mentioned that he's 6'1 and a pretty big guy, so I loved the way I felt small in his arms.  He didn't know what to say to console me,  but he didn't feel awkward around my tears.  
We went out Friday night and it was blissful wonderful!  He was the perfect gentleman! It's been a long time since a man opened ALL my doors.   He knows his role as a man and DOES IT!! After dinner down at the Coronado Ferry Landing, we walked on the boardwalk, then watched the fireworks from the Padres game.  So spectacular!  I have NEVER enjoyed the ferry landing as much as I did, that night. 
I really like him and he's SOOOOO cute!! Seriously, probably the cutest, most adorable guy I've ever been out with.  It's hard now, because I've got school I need to focus on and he's trying to find a job {he recently moved down from Nevada}, so our schedules are a lil packed.  Today, he asked if I'd like to go grocery shopping with him about 30 minutes away....so I went.  SO. MUCH. FUN.!!!  We had lunch first and then roamed the aisles of Target.  I just enjoy being with him because he's just so dang funny.  

Birthday recap quickie!



So this is the dress I made late into the night and finished 1.5 hours before I needed to wear it. 

(Never again!!)

There wasn't any Viking, so I had the Chocolate Bread Pudding!

DELISH!!

All the ladies who came!

And this is WiseGuy....it was like a Polygamous Mormon date.

On my actual birthday, I wanted to have Bronx Pizza!

Love this guy!

Hermanita!



It was a pretty great birthday. I also went out to lunch with my parents.  We went to Meijo Sushi and the Kamakaze sushi was THE BEST!!!  My sister and I went to get pedicures before she flew up north to SacTown. It was soooooooo relaxing!! I had a wonderful day full of love from so many dear friends.  I also ended the night on a pretty high note....oh yeah, I got my birthday wish! ;)

Weekend Recap: April 14 - April 16

*This is my nephew, Bub. He's going on a mission to......

*Can't believe how fast time flies! I can't believe he's already old enough to go on a mission! WOW!
*This has been such a crazy great weekend! I'm so glad to have Bub in town!
*We went to Bronx Pizza on Monday, to celebrate Bronx's anniversary. We scored free teachers and SUPER delicious pizza! YUMMY! We had an hour to kill in line, so we took photos....

*And then we ended up at the Mormon Battalion Center. FUN TIMES!!

I don't know what more to say other than, it's been a blast! Well I gotta get showered and head over to hang out with Bub! Man, I love my nephews & niece! I'm so blessed!

The Official August 19, 2011 post.

* I'm obsessed with Adele's "Someone Like You" song!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

*Had pizza tonight...oh man, I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE pizza!!!

*Tomorrow I've got a double/blind date. I'm setting up two friends tomorrow. I think they'll be a fun match! Plus my date is my good friend, so I know we'll have fun anyways.  I can't wait!

*I'm at my friend's Reed's house and found a book, "The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book".  Oh man, I love & miss that man! He was so wise and intelligent! Makes me miss Pres. Hinckley as well..... :(

*I feel the next couple weeks are going to fly by.  For once, I don't want my birthday to get here. I want it to go as slowly as possible!!

*Yet, in the same breath, I'm excited for the night before my birthday to get here.... I've got a date.  I'm pretty stoked for it! :)

*Things aren't kosher between my Mom & I.  There's obvious tension and I don't know what to do.   I mean, I could serve her, because that is what I've done in the past in order to love someone.  I just wish I had a better relationship with my Mom.  I wish I even had a relationship with her.  It's been non-existant these last couple of years.   Makes me a lil sad, but it is what it is... This has been a long time coming, unfortunately.

*Hmm....  I really can't wait until tomorrow night! Seriously, I'm giddy excited! Oh man.... fun times ahead!


*"Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."  That's how I feel about a certain friend.  I think some friends come and stay and then there are friends that come and go.  It's been a true pleasure knowing this friend.  I will miss him dearly but I will always be grateful that he was my friend. I wish him well.  

Taking "crazy" to a whole new level.....

Two things....

1. I'm doing Lent this year. I figured since I would be experiencing a Passover dinner on April 19, why not try something else as well. I've always heard about Lent from my Catholic friends, so I figured I'd try it because I think it's good to experience new things. One of the two things that I'm giving up is pizza. I LOOOOOOVE PIZZA. Everyone who knows me, knows I love pizza. The other thing I'm giving up is on a personal level. I'm excited for Lent. Which also means fish on Fridays. I'm cool with fish, I'll just have to remember. This is all new to me. Speaking of fish.....

2. "Jonah TheFish" has his own Facebook account now. I know, I think I'm crazy now. I did it as a joke with a friend, but now I think it's just hilarious. It's funny because "his" friends will even write on his FB wall. So that also goes to show that I'm not the only crazy one around here....

HAPPY ASH WEDNESDAY!! :)

Cinco.

5 Faves for Friday.....

1. Jack Johnson.....he makes life so much better. I'm so thankful for his music. I once met this guy who had never heard of the greatness of Jack, it made me so sad for him. I love Jack, he makes a bad day good and a good day better. "Waking up too early, Maybe we can sleep in, I'll make you banana pancakes...".

2. My Sister, Bec..... She makes my life better. I couldn't have been blessed with a more caring, loving, kind and trusting person in my life. I love our 'girl talk' moments and just hangin' out with her. She has a good and warm heart. Anyone would be so lucky to call her a friend. I'm tremendously blessed to call her my friend and sister. ♥

3. Friends....Can you imagine what like would be like without friends?? I mean, really, it'd be like a rosebush without roses. They make life sweeter amongst the thorns of life. I'm lucky to have the friends that I have in my life. They enrich my life so much, each and everyone of them, no matter the distance. I love them all dearly.

4. The Crushed Ice Machine @ Costco.....seriously, I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!!! As I type this, my mouth is already watering. Plus I need some pizza today!!! OH YUM!!

5. Mr.Red........although we haven't known each other very long, I'm so grateful for his friendship. I'm thankful that I can tell him ANYTHING & EVERYTHING and he never treats me any differently. He doesn't make me feel lame or stupid for some of the crazy/random things I've thrown his way. He's a very trustworthy person and in my book, that means the world to me. Of all the friendships that I've made this past year, his is the one I treasure most.

Friday Night = Date Night

Man.....

I'm going on a first date tonight.

Me = Nervous

I shouldn't be. But I always am.

It always feels like an interview/interrogation....just depending on how nervous I get.

Either way.... I'm nervous.

But "Big J" is a really nice guy, makes me laugh and well, he knows how much I LOOOOOVE pizza, so he invited me out for pizza. :)

I love pizza.

Too bad I don't love first dates as much as pizza....that would come in handy tonight.