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!!!

Don't Have to Face It On Your Own

Far too often, one can hide themselves for fear of total exposure. Fear of being exposed for being so imperfect it hurts. Yet, the key to healing lies not in continued guilt, but rather connection with a Savior that accepted us with full knowledge of our past and future scars. This song has most recently compelled me to remember the freedom I have in Christ.

What is it you have been trying far too long to face solo?

Year in Review

Focus. Focus. And one more for good measure, focus. This is going to be my parting mantra for 2009 and heading into 2010. This year God-willing, I want to stay focused not on what the world thinks is important, but what I know in my heart God has called importance to. To be less about me and more about Him and serving as a reflection of Christ to others. (I feel like there should be a Hallelujah in there somewhere). With that said, here's my recap of 2009...

This is a rendition from a post I found through Shutter Sisters.

The #best09 Prompts

Trip- What was your best trip in 2009? Duh. Kaua'i was a very rugged and simultaneously serene family vacation. We ate like Hawaii royalty every morning with french toast, guava juice, french toast, omelets, and yes french toast again. This trip is sooh to blame for my obsession with dried mangoes. To sum Kaua'i up, roosters, rainforest, roosters, mosquitoes, roosters, must-see plantation train tour, roosters, Bubba's Burgers and killer milkshakes, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, roosters, Marriott water slide, roosters, Fern's Grotto, tiki torches lit nightly, roosters, and my beloved mangoes.

Restaurant moment- Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind? I'd have to say that it's a toss up between the breakfast french toast in Kaua'i with the dinner buffet that we had on the last night. My family and I experienced an gastronomical delight of massive proportions, that I'm still trying to work off. The sheer selection of pastries had me practically going into a food coma. Everything stands out in my memory, but probably the mini eclairs that were melt in your mouth sinful!

Article-What's an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious'd and reference throughout the year. Blank on this one. But please share if there's some amazing article I failed to come across this "09 year.

Book- What book - fiction or non - touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies? Without a doubt, Margart Feinberg's Sacred Echoes and Organic God deeply spoke to me. I started it because of a church group that was doing a study.

Blog find of the year- That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year. Shutter Sisters and Bianca Juarez's, In the Name of Love.

Moment of peace-An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there? My peace this year came not just in solitude, but in community-my growth group helped to bring me this complete sense of peace through laughter and support. Thanks chicas! Much love!

Challenge Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you? By far, finishing my master's project on First-Generation College Students and Integrative Approaches to Reducing Street (sounds super academic, huh?) There were major highs and lows of writing such an intense paper, but through God's grace, His mercy covered my mood swings and I did make it to graduation day to accept my Master of Arts in Counseling (not the MFT sort, more like academic counseling serving students..but I digress).

Album of the year-What's rocking your world? Two Words. Addison Road. Enough Said.

The best place- coffee shop? A pub? A retreat center? A cubicle? A nook? Any pew at church, it provides a sense of safety and retreat that freezes time.

New food- You're now in love with Lebanese food and you didn't even know what it was in January of this year. Empanadas and Pupusas. Something about them just makes my mouth water. Then again most food makes my mouth water.

Tea of the year- I can taste my favorite tea right now. What's yours? I got hooked on TJ's green blueberry tea this year. It's my cup of coffee.

Word or phrase- A word that encapsulates your year. "2009 was _____." Heart-opening.

Shop- Online or offline, where did you spend most of your mad money this year? What can I say? Forever 21 is a girl's best friend, no matter the budget.

Car ride- What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove there? Who were you with? Nada on this one too.

New person- She came into your life and turned it upside down. He went out of his way to provide incredible customer service. Who is your unsung hero of 2009? No sappiness, but family who support me and my dreams in whatever, shade or shape they come in. Gracias mi familia!

Learning experience- What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you? I've learned that daily living for me requires constant surrender of my worries and dreams. Since it is only in this surrender that God can really work in my life...when I finally let my grip of it go.

Gift- What's a gift you gave yourself this year that has kept on giving? More of a gift given to me. A graduation gift that captures every priceless moment.

Laugh- What was your biggest belly laugh of the year? "Buddha Baby" challenging me to a straight-up stare down contest and winning!

Resolution you wish you'd stuck with. (You know, there's always next year...) Eating less sugar.

Thank God for this year of eye-opening, pull at my heartstrings moments and for abundant blessings to many to name.

What have been some of your '09 bests and dreams for '10? Feel free to share and give me some ideas for 2010! ;)

Peace Out '09, it's been a ride for sure.

Verse of the Week

This week's verse that has resonated with me has been Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." It is far too easy to become distracted with everyday circumstances, but this verse reminds me that I can let go of feeling like I have to be in control of every little thing. Because in the end, it's ultimately in God's hands anyway and He has far more awe-inspiring plans for my life than I could ever imagine on my own.

Location Wishlist

I know that if I write down my ideal photoshoot locations, then I'll be more likely to actually put some effort into making it happen. Here's a list of the "ideals" and I'll definitely add to the list periodically.

• Train stations and the classic "track" shot
• Farmhouse and Barn-I can already hear Reba in the background...
• Basketball Court and someone slam dunking
• A field of Sunflowers
• Emeryville Warehouses
• Baseball Stadium
• Empty Indoor Parking Garage-sounds strange, but I've seen some great shots here before
• Graffitied Walls -my ultimate favorite!
• Airport

Study Hall: Post-Processing Software

I always get super jazzed when I find a website that is informative and sooo easy to follow. One day on one of my searches, I came across Patty Reiser from This Digital Life. I sent her a question about presets using Photoshop Elements because this is what I have to work with right now. She kindly and ever so quickly sent me a reply back with the most savvy suggestions. Thanks to Patty and her Tuesday Tutorials, I am now a bit more informed on Photoshop, Lightroom, and Watermarks. Thanks Patty!

Photographer Spotlight: Jules Bianchi

It all started with scouring over photographer websites for my sister's wedding three years ago. My mom and I kept coming across photographers that had good work, but nothing that really stood out UNTIL we came across Jules Bianchi. Long story short, we all met and her funky, original, and spectacular style stood out and we were all sold. Jules and Joy ended up shooting my sister's wedding and ever since then we've been two of her top blog fans. So much so, that when Jules had her new studio grand opening-Jules Bianchi Photograhy Bay Area Studios, guess who showed up to support? Yep, my sister and I were there and can say that we have first-hand experience with the JoyCam...don't be jealous.