Saturday, January 17, 2009
Welcome Baby Frankie!
My mother & I had the priviledge of hosting a baby shower for a good friend of ours, Dominique, last Sunday at our home. It was planned by our dear friend and hair stylist, Stacy Singh. I have to say the shower went off without a hitch and everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously. I highly recommend both Dominiqe and Stacy for hair cuts, color, wedding make up, wedding party hair styling, waxing services, extensions, and eyelash extensions. I also recommend that you take a look at some of Stacy's work as an event planner! Enjoy!
I especially like that many of the decorations are re-usable for the new mommy!
I loved the centerpieces! Each table had a "winner" that got to take them home a the end of the day to plant the petite little flowers!
Mommy to be Dominique, along with her sister Danielle, and mother Mary Ann
The baby maker and her wonderful bubble backdrop! What a cute idea!
The mommy to be and her party planner, Stacy.
The mommy to be!
The opening game: Guess the number of cotton balls!
The adorable signature book and welcome sign!
The mommy to be and her mother listening to a letter from the new aunt.
The mommy to be, Danielle, and her mother Mary Ann.
Even guests joined in on the "bathtime and rubber duckies" theme!
"I LOVE HUGS"
Present time!
The beginning of many more smiles for baby Frankie!
I especially like that many of the decorations are re-usable for the new mommy!
I loved the centerpieces! Each table had a "winner" that got to take them home a the end of the day to plant the petite little flowers!
Mommy to be Dominique, along with her sister Danielle, and mother Mary Ann
The baby maker and her wonderful bubble backdrop! What a cute idea!
The mommy to be and her party planner, Stacy.
The mommy to be!
The opening game: Guess the number of cotton balls!
The adorable signature book and welcome sign!
The mommy to be and her mother listening to a letter from the new aunt.
The mommy to be, Danielle, and her mother Mary Ann.
Even guests joined in on the "bathtime and rubber duckies" theme!
"I LOVE HUGS"
Present time!
The beginning of many more smiles for baby Frankie!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Grab it and Do it!
RULES: There are 100 statements and you bold the ones you have done. Grab it and play for yourself!!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Married the love of your life
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (solar)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Ridden a horse
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been friends with someone for more than 10 years
65. Had a kiss that has lasted more than 5 minutes
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
Man is there a lot I still want to do!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Married the love of your life
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (solar)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Ridden a horse
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been friends with someone for more than 10 years
65. Had a kiss that has lasted more than 5 minutes
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
Man is there a lot I still want to do!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Something Healthy
The "Smealthy" Salad with brie, apples, grapes, nuts, and a balsalmic vinagrette
.Myself and a co-worker discovered a Monrovia gem today! On Shamrock, where ToGo's used to be is a new restaraunt called "Something Healthy." The name is innocent enough and because we are all on our New Year's Day diet plans we decided to check it out. Here's the scoop:
Almost evertything on the menu is $7.
Almost everything is extremely healthy.
Almost everything we tried was extremely delicious.
The long and the short of it is that everything we ate was healthy and yummy! I had what they called the "Smealthy Salad" (we think that stands for smart + healthy) and it was yummy! She had the Greek Sandwich on Sourdough and it came with a small green salad. She didn't enjoy the dressing but was satisfied enough from the sandwich that she skipped the salad altogether. We left talking about when we could go back and sample the rest of the menu!
On a side note, if you order a salad or sandwich you can add one of their delicious and fresh iced tea's for only $1! What a great find! A healthy and satisfying lunch for less than $9!!! I'm so excited! All that and it is walking distance from our office.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
--Rudyard Kipling
For some reason I found this poem more poignant in my life right now than any other I have read. Now granted, I don't want to be a man, however I think the meaning is the same. It's about being steadfast and an adult.
From my perspective, it encompasses all the things that I'm dealing with right now: relationships, co-workers, perseverance, and in some odd way the upcoming election.
May this little tidbit leave you with something to chew on and digest today. God bless.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Race for the Cure
There is one annual event that never ceases to amaze me: Race for the Cure.
I have been participating in Race for the Cure for 7 years now and my best estimate is that I've participated in about 10 of them from Los Angeles to Temecula and everywhere in between. I used to participate in them with my sorority sisters from Theta Omega of Zeta Tau Alpha, and after I graduated I started participating in them with two of my best friends: Cristina and Denise. Every year I wear a placard that tells people that I walk in celebration of my Grandmother. I am grateful that I don't have to wear any placards that say "In Memory Of..."
At one of my first Race for the Cure events at the Rose Bowl, I was participating as a volunteer at the Zeta Tau Alpha booth. At this booth, we supplied safety pins, markers, and placard bibs that said "I walk in memory of _________" (if you've lost someone to breast cancer or "I walk in celebration of ________" (if someone you know is a survivor). It was at this booth that I experienced something that I will never forget.
A man came up to the booth and picked up three bibs that said "I walk in memory of _________" and three markers. It was then that I saw the other two people with him: a young boy about 7 or 8 years old and a little girl that couldn't have been over 4. I kept it together as I began to watch them write. First I saw the toddler girl scribble something on the paper but I couldn't really read it. Next I looked at the boy and was able to discern that he had written "mommy" and finally I looked at the man's card which simply read "my wife."
It took everything in my not to burst into tears, but as the tears came into my eyes I started to look around. I looked at the thousands of people being affected by cancer. I looked at the sea of pink shirts that the breast cancer survivors wear every year. I saw the mass of white shirts of the participants. That's when I saw her. She called herself "the angel of hope" and a smile beamed from her face.
She wore a floor length pink satin prom dress and pink feather wings that had a span of at least three feet. On top of her bald head was a cropped hot pink wig (like the kind Britney Spears wore when she lost her mind). As if her prom dress and Nike's weren't striking enough, she had collected every pin and ribbon she could get her hands on over the years and placed them all over the pink satin. She was a walking beacon of hope, covering herself in support from head to toe. And what was covering her back and most of her skirt? Our placards. Many said "I walk in memory of _________" but the majority said "I walk in celebration of ______________." She is still my angel of hope.
I haven't seen any of those people again, but every year I see someone new.
I see women in pink wigs on their head.
I see women with pink hats on their head.
I see women with pink bandanas on their head.
I see women with no hair on their head.
I see dogs in pink tee shirts.
I see female survivors.
I see male survivors.
I see old survivors.
I see young survivors.
I see mothers.
I see daughters.
I see sisters.
I see friends.
Breast cancer, whether you want to admit it or not, is right next to you. If it hasn't found you or your loved one yet, consider yourself blessed. Your opportunities are everywhere to make a difference, and I encourage you to donate.
Susan G. Komen
Dove Chocolate
M&M's
Nike
New Balance
Sutter Home
Yoplait
and even the NFL
This is just a short list of organizations and companies that have products or ways for you to help with breast cancer awareness and research.
So thank you to everyone that came today, whether you walked with Team Ta-Ta's or you just volunteered or walked alone. You've made a difference.
Team Ta-Ta's 2008
I have been participating in Race for the Cure for 7 years now and my best estimate is that I've participated in about 10 of them from Los Angeles to Temecula and everywhere in between. I used to participate in them with my sorority sisters from Theta Omega of Zeta Tau Alpha, and after I graduated I started participating in them with two of my best friends: Cristina and Denise. Every year I wear a placard that tells people that I walk in celebration of my Grandmother. I am grateful that I don't have to wear any placards that say "In Memory Of..."
At one of my first Race for the Cure events at the Rose Bowl, I was participating as a volunteer at the Zeta Tau Alpha booth. At this booth, we supplied safety pins, markers, and placard bibs that said "I walk in memory of _________" (if you've lost someone to breast cancer or "I walk in celebration of ________" (if someone you know is a survivor). It was at this booth that I experienced something that I will never forget.
A man came up to the booth and picked up three bibs that said "I walk in memory of _________" and three markers. It was then that I saw the other two people with him: a young boy about 7 or 8 years old and a little girl that couldn't have been over 4. I kept it together as I began to watch them write. First I saw the toddler girl scribble something on the paper but I couldn't really read it. Next I looked at the boy and was able to discern that he had written "mommy" and finally I looked at the man's card which simply read "my wife."
It took everything in my not to burst into tears, but as the tears came into my eyes I started to look around. I looked at the thousands of people being affected by cancer. I looked at the sea of pink shirts that the breast cancer survivors wear every year. I saw the mass of white shirts of the participants. That's when I saw her. She called herself "the angel of hope" and a smile beamed from her face.
She wore a floor length pink satin prom dress and pink feather wings that had a span of at least three feet. On top of her bald head was a cropped hot pink wig (like the kind Britney Spears wore when she lost her mind). As if her prom dress and Nike's weren't striking enough, she had collected every pin and ribbon she could get her hands on over the years and placed them all over the pink satin. She was a walking beacon of hope, covering herself in support from head to toe. And what was covering her back and most of her skirt? Our placards. Many said "I walk in memory of _________" but the majority said "I walk in celebration of ______________." She is still my angel of hope.
I haven't seen any of those people again, but every year I see someone new.
I see women in pink wigs on their head.
I see women with pink hats on their head.
I see women with pink bandanas on their head.
I see women with no hair on their head.
I see dogs in pink tee shirts.
I see female survivors.
I see male survivors.
I see old survivors.
I see young survivors.
I see mothers.
I see daughters.
I see sisters.
I see friends.
Breast cancer, whether you want to admit it or not, is right next to you. If it hasn't found you or your loved one yet, consider yourself blessed. Your opportunities are everywhere to make a difference, and I encourage you to donate.
Susan G. Komen
Dove Chocolate
M&M's
Nike
New Balance
Sutter Home
Yoplait
and even the NFL
This is just a short list of organizations and companies that have products or ways for you to help with breast cancer awareness and research.
So thank you to everyone that came today, whether you walked with Team Ta-Ta's or you just volunteered or walked alone. You've made a difference.
Team Ta-Ta's 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Los Angeles County Fair
Well everyone! Long time no blog!
I wanted to let you know that tomorrow, Saturday, September 20th, I will be off to the LA County Fair for my fourth trip this year. I have to say that I am a bit of a fair addict and when it comes around, I simply cannot get enough.
Trip one was on opening day where I ran over solo after work. It was only $1 if you got in before 5pm, however La Verne police department ensured that I did not arrive before the cut off time by placing a sobriety and license check point about half a mile from the fair entrance. This meant that a usual 20 minute trip from Monrovia to the Fairplex turned into a 90 minute ordeal. Nevertheless, I arrived at the fair safely and met up with Mike and Chris after I saw my scrapbook pages on display. No ribbons this year, but you better believe that I'm out for something come 2009!
Trip two was last friday when I took a mental health day from work and Ms. Amanda Bailey and I headed over for 7 hours of sheer enjoyment. I have to say, because it was Amanda's first time I tried to cram way too much into the day. There was beer, then fried food, then barbeque, followed by shopping around the CalSpa area, a visit to the infamous Budweiser horses, a trip to the flower display, and of course the first race of the day at the famous race track. After that we headed over for some highly enjoyable beer tasting and we even bet on some horses! I've never bet on horse before, and I can probably say it'll be my last time also. I'm no good. I tried picking by odds, names, colors of their numbers...it doesn't matter. Then we topped off the day to a trip to see the Winter Wonderland and the classic Vespa booth, a quick trip to see the farm animals and we were off to rest our weary little heads!
Last night was my third trip, and although it was brief it was still a lot of fun. Don't forget, it's only $5 after 5pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Mike and I headed over for some food, a couple of beers and I finally got to taste some wines that I've been dying to try! Well unfortunately my "5 hour energy" drink wore off and Mike had to drive me home before I fell asleep on a bench by the Avalon!
Well I'm headed back tomorrow for some more fun and to see the great twenty-something year old, Ms. Jessica Simpson, perform. I even went out and bought her album so I would know some of the songs. It's too bad I don't think Dolly Parton will be there tomorrow to perform with her. I've never seen Dolly live and I think I would scream like a 13 year old at a Jonas Brothers concert.
So if you haven't yet gone, go. If you've only been once, go again. If you've been more than me, then tell me what your favorite part is.
I wanted to let you know that tomorrow, Saturday, September 20th, I will be off to the LA County Fair for my fourth trip this year. I have to say that I am a bit of a fair addict and when it comes around, I simply cannot get enough.
Trip one was on opening day where I ran over solo after work. It was only $1 if you got in before 5pm, however La Verne police department ensured that I did not arrive before the cut off time by placing a sobriety and license check point about half a mile from the fair entrance. This meant that a usual 20 minute trip from Monrovia to the Fairplex turned into a 90 minute ordeal. Nevertheless, I arrived at the fair safely and met up with Mike and Chris after I saw my scrapbook pages on display. No ribbons this year, but you better believe that I'm out for something come 2009!
Trip two was last friday when I took a mental health day from work and Ms. Amanda Bailey and I headed over for 7 hours of sheer enjoyment. I have to say, because it was Amanda's first time I tried to cram way too much into the day. There was beer, then fried food, then barbeque, followed by shopping around the CalSpa area, a visit to the infamous Budweiser horses, a trip to the flower display, and of course the first race of the day at the famous race track. After that we headed over for some highly enjoyable beer tasting and we even bet on some horses! I've never bet on horse before, and I can probably say it'll be my last time also. I'm no good. I tried picking by odds, names, colors of their numbers...it doesn't matter. Then we topped off the day to a trip to see the Winter Wonderland and the classic Vespa booth, a quick trip to see the farm animals and we were off to rest our weary little heads!
Last night was my third trip, and although it was brief it was still a lot of fun. Don't forget, it's only $5 after 5pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Mike and I headed over for some food, a couple of beers and I finally got to taste some wines that I've been dying to try! Well unfortunately my "5 hour energy" drink wore off and Mike had to drive me home before I fell asleep on a bench by the Avalon!
Well I'm headed back tomorrow for some more fun and to see the great twenty-something year old, Ms. Jessica Simpson, perform. I even went out and bought her album so I would know some of the songs. It's too bad I don't think Dolly Parton will be there tomorrow to perform with her. I've never seen Dolly live and I think I would scream like a 13 year old at a Jonas Brothers concert.
So if you haven't yet gone, go. If you've only been once, go again. If you've been more than me, then tell me what your favorite part is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)