October 2012

Now that November is coming to an end, I am writing about what an awesome October I had. Yep, I'm pretty behind on my blogging. Better late than never though!

The month started off with a trip to Disneyland for Halloween. I wanted to go as an early birthday outing since I've never been during that time of the year. I absolutely love Halloween, so was super excited. Rudy and I had such an amazing time and got there early enough so that there was no line for It's a Small World. Finally! We had some dee-licious all-you-can-eat BBQ for dinner....holy moly! We ended the night with some fresh beignets. The nice lady behind the counter gave me a large order instead of the small that I ordered since I was celebrating my birthday. So sweet!

 

Forneris Farms is a fall fun outing that I found two years ago. They have a different corn maze every year and I really wanted to go again this year. We headed over there with our comfortable sneakers, bottled water, and light sweaters. Luckily Rudy is great at directions so kept track of where we were going throughout the maze (they have a little map). If we depended on me, we would've gone in circles. They have cute little CORNundrums that you can solve. There are fifteen throughout the whole maze and we found every single one! 

                                       Duck tape.                                               Corn dog.                                            Pumpkin patch.

On another one of the Saturdays, Rudy, my sister and I went to Cal Poly Pomona for a fall festival. It's an agricultural university, so they had a HUGE pumpkin patch. There were so many to choose from, but what usually buys it for us is the pumpkin's stem. We like the thick, curvy ones. We picked two nice pumpkins perfect for carving. They had Spookly the Square Pumpkin stuff there too, which I love! I even got the book, stuffed toy, and DVD. I was so happy to be able to find our perfect pumpkins at the patch!

For Halloween, we usually carve our pumpkins with things like Frankenstein, the Headless Horseman, and a haunted house, but this year I wanted to pick a theme. I looked online for some ideas and decided on a Monsters' Inc. theme with Sulley, Mike Wazowski, and Boo. I was so happy with how they turned out. I traced, my sister took out the seeds and gunk, and Rudy carved. We make a great team! The trick or treaters seemed to like them, too. 

This was probably one of the best Octobers I've ever had. We got to do so much fall-like activities and I had so much fun. I have to take advantage of my favorite season/month while it's here! 

Fall/October is here!!

Hooray!! My favorite season and month are here!! I absolutely love fall and October. 

The weather getting cooler, the leaves changing into warm colors, pumpkin flavored everything (I've already had Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte/frap 4 times since it's returned), and just the feel of the season. I can't wait to take out my scarves, mittens, and pea coats. 

And the beginning of fall means that Halloween is almost here! I love Halloween and looking at all the decorated houses and at all of the things at stores. I'm not a big fan of dressing up, but I really enjoy handing out candy to the kiddies. The cutest costumes I saw last year were a girl that was a little chef (with mini utensils) and a little boy dressed up as Mario from Super Mario Brothers. They had stuffed a pillow into his belly. They were probably 5 or 6 so it that made it even more adorable. I can't wait to start going to festivals and when it's time to get my pumpkins. It's going to be a busy month though, with baby showers and birthdays, so hopefully I'll get to experience as much as I can.

I turn the big 2-7 at the end of the month. I really can't believe another birthday is coming up. It feels like not long ago I turned 21. I can't wait for my birthday. What an awesome month it's going to be! 

Have a wonderful October/fall everyone!! 

Valentine's Days

I love Valentine's Day.

Not because the boyfriend and I get to be all lovey dovey (well of course that's a small part). I've loved it since I was a little kid. I enjoyed picking the cards at the store and writing each one out to my friends and teachers. I still gave out Valentines in high school and college. My freshman year, I bought heart shaped balloons for my roommates and treats. I love how the students get so excited exchanging their treats to one another. Even now, I send Valentines and make goodies because I enjoy it and I know it'll put a smile of the face of my loved ones.

I titled this post "Valentine's Days" with the extra "s" because for me, it felt like it started on the Thursday before, not Monday. I got a Valentine in the mail from one of my dearest friends, Jennifer. I was so excited, especially because it was unexpected and so personal. 

On Friday, I came home to a bouquet of roses from Rudy that were delivered. It was a total shocker since he usually brings them. He is just the sweetest. I had the biggest smile of my face. :-D

I got another Valentine card for Lei and Nach on Saturday. I love their cards!

Rudy and I also went out on Saturday on our full day date since we both work on Monday. We went to watch "The Green Hornet" (I gave it a 6.5, he gave it a 7.5 outta 10), got foot massages (definitely what I needed), and had dinner at a little Italian place nearby. 

We exchanged our little gifts and he got me an awesome waffle maker that makes heart shaped waffles. So Sunday morning, he made me waffles for breakfast. I love breakfast food!

 

On Monday, we took my sister along with us to dinner. We love her and wanted her to celebrate with us. We went to a fantastic hole in the wall Italian place the next city over and had some delicious food. They gave fantastic portions for a great price.

On Tuesday, I came home and these adorable things were sitting on my bed from my sister.

 I love sharing Valentine's Day with all my loved ones. :)

Gong Hay Fat Choy!!

Gong Hay Fat Choy!!

Happy Lunar New Year!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!

2011. The year of the rabbit. 

I love Chinese New Year. Not only because I get the red envelopes with money (lai see/um pow), but because of all the wonderful family gatherings, the family traditions, and beautiful decorations. 

It's a tradition that we clean the house from top to bottom, so we started at the middle of January. It's good to have a clean house to start the new year. Since Chinese New Year landed on Thursday this year (we had work), my mom wanted to celebrate it the Saturday before (last Saturday). We woke up at 5:30 in the morning and cooked the special soup we make every Chinese New Year and the fixings to go into the lettuce wraps. These two dishes have A LOT of ingredients so it wasn't easy. At 9:00, we head to the restaurant to pick up chicken, pork, and noodles. We pray to the gods and ancestors and ate at around 1:30 p.m. (we were starving by then, but I wasn't gonna eat till we were done with our duties). 

The next day, we went to my uncle's house to celebrate with my mom's side of the family. There was soooo much food (as usual) and I was stuffed.

Wednesday night (the actual start to CNY), we went to my grandma's house to celebrate with my dad's side. Of course, more food and lai see. 

So Chinese New Year consists of cleaning, eating, praying, lai see/um pow, eating, family, eating, and more eating. 

May your year be filled with prosperity, happiness, and good health for you and your family!

Holidays 2010

I know I'm a few weeks late, but wanted to blog about it anyhow. :)

My family and I celebrated Christmas at my aunt and uncle's house the eve of every year and I absolutely love it. They ordered amazing Filipino food and I was so stuffed. I love spending time with the family.

There's a block of houses a block away from my house that go all out for Christmas with their decorations. Since we've lived there, I've noticed that each year there are more and more houses with decorations. I think they're battling it out. Lol. The week of Christmas was full of rain so I was sad that we couldn't see all the cool decorations. Luckily no one took them down until a week after. They were all just amazing.

This one was Rudy's favorite.

This one was my favorite. I think especially because of the gingerbread house. AND it had Christmas music playing. I loved it! Rudy's had music playing, but I still liked this one better. 

These were the AWESOME presents Rudy got me. I absolutely loved these cartoons when I was younger. They don't make them like they used to. So awesome. :)

 Happy 2011 everybody!!

Weekend Recap

My weekend was so much fun. 

On Friday, Rudy and I made our first gingerbread house. It was so fun and turned out pretty good. 

Unfortunately the peppermints didn't stay on and started to melt. I love how the gingerbread house makes the house smell every time I walk in. I love it!

On Saturday I went to my little Jen's place for a holiday potluck. I had so much fun hanging out and playing games. Her place is so cute and homey, and I love her Christmas tree.

On Sunday, I went to my pledge sister Jennie's house with some of the girls for some tacos and beverages. I hadn't seen her in forever (it seems like) and miss her. She's in nursing school right now and I'm so proud of her (I know it's not easy). It was very sweet of her to make dinner for us during her break. And I always enjoy girl talk. Lol. 

It was such a fun and relaxing weekend. I just hope the rain stops in time for Christmas. 

Four more days!!!!! :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's here!! My favorite holiday is here! It seems like Halloween was just last week, so before we know it, Christmas will be here! All the decorations and holiday stuff at the stores excite me.

I have so much to be thankful for...

My family.

I really don't know where I would be without them. We've always been there to help, support, and love one another no matter what. I absolutely love our family gatherings.

The boyfriend.....Mr. Del Rio.

We've been together for over 3 years and I cannot imagine my life without him. We've been through the good and the bad, our struggles and celebrations, and just...everything. We've been there for each other through thick and thin. He's my other half. <3

My friends.

Ever since I was little, I was always know as the person/friend who was too nice. I've been through A LOT of totally crappy friends (yes, I know it's a part of life) and am so blessed to have kept the friends that truly want the best for me and who I always want in my life. I think that in your high school/college years, you meet all these new people and make so many friends, but it's in your mid to late 20s where you kinda figure out who your TRUE friends are (at least for me anyways). I am a very lucky girl to have the friends I do. 

My love of being a teacher.

It saddens me that I don't have my own classroom because of this retarded economy, but I feel lucky to have the 2 years that I did have at the school I was at, with the staff and students that were there. It makes me miss my kiddies so much more, but I am confident that they all will be successful students (the students in the pics are 2nd graders now). I know what when I get my own classroom again, I will be so grateful. I still have the support of the teachers/principal I worked with and I'm very lucky for that. I cannot wait for the day I get my own classroom again. I'm so ready!

Oh Thanksgiving....it's always good to think of the things you're thankful for. I have a lot to be thankful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! May you have a blessed day with your loved ones!