Saturday Recap

It's taken me a few days to write this, but here we go!

Since February (it seems like), Rudy and I have spent our Saturdays at birthday parties/dinners/nighttime events. I love seeing all my friends, especially since we're all grown up and busy bees.

We went to Verdugo Park in Burbank for Diana's baby shower. Diana and I have known each other for about 8 years now. We met in college and became sorority sisters. I hadn't seen her in over 3 years and now she's pregnant! I went with Rudy and my sorority little sis Jennifer. We also got to meet her husband Eric, and I must say, he is absolutely awesome! He came up to us and introduced himself and when we were leaving, said "not before I give you guys a hug," went to quickly drop off some cake to guests, and came back to hug us. He was so nice and I think they're just great together! I am so happy for them! They are going to be awesome parents. I can't wait to see the baby. The little man is due in June!

 With Diana and Jen.

 The mommy to be with the delicious cake.

Aren't these adorable? These were the party favors. 

For dinner, Rudy and I went to Palmero's Restaurant for my friend Tara's birthday. We were roommates for 3 years in college. We've known each other for 9 years now! Happy birthday Tara! 

What an awesome Saturday! I had so much fun with great people!

Spring Swap

I signed up for a Spring Swap through another blog. I love getting mail/packages, as well as sending them out, so I was super excited about this.

My swap partner was Ruth at Bloggin' it out. I was excited to get her goodies together. I got my package on Monday. I didn't even know if was waiting for me outside until Rudy came at night. The carriers that deliver the package have a habit of not ringing the doorbell and leaving it behind the post. 

I love all my goodies.

I love cupcakes and Ruth got me a cupcake trinket case, cupcake apron, and easter towel. I love everything. So cute!

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!

I love stamps!!

I absolutely love stamps. 

Yup, postage stamps. 

When I was younger, I would always ask my parents to buy me the cool Disney stamps, and one of my absolutely favorites.....Lucille Ball. 

I would use about half on the sheet, but now I know not to do that. Lol. 

I went to the post office today because a postal worker had told me last month that a new stamp for Chinese New Year was coming out towards the end of the month. I was excited to see that they had it because new ones go fast.

They postal worker and I started chatting it up about collecting stamps and he showed me a catalog of the new ones coming out this year (the people in line probably thought we were crazy). I love sending and receiving snail mail and want to put the cooler looking stamps on them (I know, major nerd). 

When I got home, I went on the USPS website to see what was coming out this year and when. Here are a few of the ones that I'm super excited about and will have to get:

Release date: February 10th.

This one is just so cool looking. This one didn't say the release date, so it might be sold online only.

I absolutely loved him in "To Kill a Mockingbird." What an awesome actor. Release date: April 28th.

These are so cute. They remind me of my pledge sis Lehua for some reason. Release date: May 19th.

I think I'm gonna have to get 2 sheets of these. Love it!! Release date: August 19th. 

You can look at the rest at http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2010/pr10_125.htm?from=home_newsandannounce&page=StampProgram2011Debut. 

So excited for these stamps!!!!

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!!

Stylish Blogger Award

Molly at Down the Rabbit Hole has given me my very first blogger award. Please take the time visit her blog and read about her life. I love reading her posts. :)

Here are the rules that go along with the award:

1.Thank and link back to the person who awarded you the award.
2.Share 7 things about yourself.
3.Award 15 other bloggers.
4.Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

7 things about me....

1.  I absolutely LOVE teaching. Love it till no end. I have wanted to become a teacher since I was in 4th grade and have never looked back. I can't wait until the day comes when I am back in the classroom. It breaks my heart that I don't have one now, but am trying my best not to think about it and knows this is how it is for now. I think kindergarten is the grade for me. The little kiddies have won my heart over. :)

2.  I cannot swim to save my life..not even float. My college roommates tried to teach me once, but I just kept freaking out and sinking. Yes....I know.

3.  I don't buy anything at full price unless I absolutely have to (like a present or last minute item I need). I like to get more for my money and getting it for a discount/on sale is even better!

4.  I cannot eat spicy foods. No way, no how.

5.  When I was younger, I was a HUGE fan of the Backstreet Boys. Like HARDCORE. I collected everything they had....stickers, books, posters, stationary, you name it. When I moved, I looked through all my stuff and saw one of those Burger King soda cups I had saved that had them on it when they had a promotion. I bought all the teeny bopper magazines with their posters in them. My favorite was Nick. I still love their music. And I will admit, when I found out they were going to be on "Oprah," I was excited. Lol, don't judge me. 

6.  I enjoy baking/cooking when I can, but for some reason, after it's done, I don't really care to eat it. I'm not sure why. My mom's like that, too, so I probably got that from her.

 7.  I love breakfast foods. I can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, brunch, linner..anytime. It's my absolute favorite. 

Instead of 15, I will be awarding 8 people whose blogs I really enjoy reading and are more personal. So here we go: 

Life as I know it

live,love,fashion

Living With The Travel Bug

Lunie Bin

the GIRL and BOY

Rue Stew

...lost in life...

Inspired Mess