Another Year, Another Milestone

Every year around this time, on this day I contemplate the last year. Today is my birthday and I get more reflective than usual trying to remember where I was the year before. This special day was spent from morning to night with the attention of loved ones wrapped up in cards, fondue, and presents.

I cannot forget to mention that yesterday my sister took me for a day full of sweet surprises in the city by the bay. First up, we headed to the infamous Mama's on Washington Square. If you have never been, I highly recommend this quaint (only around 11 tables) but oh sooh cute breakfast nook that has been given such high accolades by Rachel Ray etc. We had to wait in line for about an hour, BUT totally worth it when I got the hot chocolate with piled on whipped cream and chocolate pastry followed by chocolate-cinnamon french toast (or we sensing a theme? ;) Afterward, we hiked the steepest of hills to work off our breakfast and ended up at a top secret "workout" spot. Location possibly disclosed if you ask...

After this "workout" my sister and I continued on for another strenous climb across the city. Word the wise, don't map out walking directions because they seriously lie and the "easy" route that is suggested is far from. After walking to our final secret spot, we came to Azalea's where my sweet hermana scheduled a mani/pedi (such a girly phrase) complimented by the coconut scent of the tropics...blue nails included. It was a relaxing end to such an exciting day and I'll remember how much loving time my sis put behind orchestrating it. Thanks Monie!

Ok...cut to my actual birthday.

Starbucks and crossword puzzles. Chocolate doughnuts with white sprinkles. Do we ever outgrow sprinkles? Vanilla Bean and blueberry scones, yep a birthday breakfast of champions. My ma took the day off to spend with my spoiled self and after such morning treats, we headed to go see Leap Year. Yes, I am a huge fan of chick flicks and not ashamed of it in the least. Sometimes, life is so full of the seriousness that a girl needs some corny, fairytale love story to snap her back into what it's like to dream again. At least this girl does and I loved every cheesy second of it.

Following our trip to Ireland, we headed to Skates on the Bay. I had never been and because I'm a nut for originality I have to try something/somewhere new on my b-day. Since it always rains on this day, today was no different. We drove into the Berkeley Marina area and saw around six crazy-butt windsurfers! I couldn't take my eyes off them. We walked into Skates and sat a table with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Berkeley Pier and water for miles. Even though it was a stormy day, there was still this sense of tranquility.

My ma and I narrowed it down to crab and artichoke dip. Scrumptious. Such a fun and accurate word for this delectable appetizer. Next up, I went Brazilian for the next hour while I sipped a Caipirinha drink.

The night ended with mom's famous philly cheesesteak sandwich by request. It was then topped off with chocolate fondue dipped with pound cake, strawberries, marshmallows, pretzels, and more. This was all celebrated with friends and family and nobody was more in glee than my grandmother who went back for not three or four servings, but more around five to seven...go grams! :) This day was awesome and it ended with an ever-addicting episode of the bachelor. Thank you to all my loved ones that make each year more blessed and more cherished as time goes on. Gracias por todos!!!

7 Months, But Who's Counting?

Okay, so I've been slightly absent for the last seven months. Why, you might ask? Well, maybe it was 1/2 cup inspiration from Julia & Julie or maybe it was small little sparks in the day that remind me how short life is and how much I want to appreciate each moment. So, in my Hallmark state of mind, I've decided to reunite with this old friend that is writing. The highlights today, would have to be a certain co-worker completely bringing back the running man or in her case running woman, like nobody I've seen. So, to make this first reunited and it feels so good post...short and sweet, I'll hasta luego on this note-We never know what the day holds, but we do know who holds the day.

Christmas with the Fam

So, this year I've been getting into taking pictures in order to gear up for my new camera in the near future. So, this Christmas was pretty mellow and included gingerbread houses, limited sweets, but popular carmel popcorn (by yours truly), grandma as the bank of Carmen (no envelopes needed this year), which all the grandchildren understand, new fashion trends by Wendy, the "funny" face pose, and lots more memories. Next year, God willing we need to pump it up more and have some sort of singing competition, pic contest, or pie eating something or other...

Beginning Season Highlights

Yes, it has been some time since I last blogged, but I guess I felt a resurge to do so again, so here I am. :) This Christmas season seems to have gone just as fast as it came. However, the highlights from December started with me finishing my final set of classes for my masters program! Yay!

Then we had a way overdue carnitas dinner at the Deplazes house. In attendence at this festive family gathering was the ever adorable Trenton, the newest addition to Danelle and Jesse's family. He was so adorable with his 'lil' skater tricks and the ooh so popular "papa" and "mimi." So, the night went on with the best tortillas, carnitas and ended with some amazing brownies from "Mimi" herself...what a treat. In between stuffing our mouths we reminised about Dan's campfire spooky stories that to this day still haunt me, Ray and Jim's new rooftop apartment that reminds me of Felicity's digs in N.Y.C....so jealous guys,and giggled over Trenton's "special" words like "frog." Hopefully, this will be the beginning of our annual Galvan-Deplazes carnitas dinner ready for December 18th, 2009. Can't Wait!

Oh yeah, totally salivated over Ray's Canon Rebel, which is totally going on my '09 list to be shared at a later time.