Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!
I’m down in Southern CA and have been keeping very busy… eating, visiting family, eating, apartment hunting, eating, opening Christmas presents, eating… 🙂
I had a very loooong day at Disney’s California Adventure and I have to get some rest for Disneyland tomorrow… but I wanted to say Hi to everyone! I promise a better holiday update after the New Year when I’m back in the Bay.
To get ready for the holidays, we took Diesel to the groomer to get bathed, have his hair cut, his nails clipped, his teeth brushed… the works.
I then convinced Rob that Diesel *needed* to get his picture taken with Santa!
He’s normally really excited to meet new people but for some reason, he was totally afraid of Santa! He wanted to jump out of Santa’s lap the entire time but it’s still a cute picture. 😀
Just 2 more days of work for the year!
I realized I haven’t shared pictures of our Christmas tree! It’s the same as it’s been for years now but I love showing it off anyway…
The tree decorated in all its cream and gold glory. You’ll notice that I added a few small pink and purple glittery round ornaments. I’m branching out into other colors! They’re so cute and sparkly that I couldn’t resist when I saw them at KMart. They do look a little random since it doesn’t quite match the theme of the tree but it gives me an excuse to get some more ornaments during the after Christmas sales. 😀 [Please excuse the terrible off-center picture. We have JUNK all over the place and I tried to avoid capturing the messiness next to the pretty tree.]
My favorite ornament on the tree this year. It’s a yummy looking cupcake!
Fun fun. Oh! I also started receiving holiday cards! Thank you to Marianne, Sarah and Alie. 🙂 Yours are in the mail!
Ugh, I have been so lazy lately. (What’s new, right?) And today it’s raining like crazy so I’m doubly lazy. 😀
So… what have I been up to? Let’s do this in list form because it’s easier.
1. Last weekend I saw Bolt. It wasn’t the best animated film I’ve seen but definitely entertaining. Bolt was so cute! I loved his little face when he was begging for food. Awww. Although, is it just me, or does Bolt NOT look like a German Shepherd? Anyway. Rhino was pretty awesome too.
2. Ever since I got my iPhone (squee!), I’ve been a little obsessed with downloading Apps from the iTunes store. Some of my favorites are Yelp, Amazon, Style.com, Lightsaber, RhinoBall, Pop Quiz. 🙂 Anyone have any other recommendations? It’s so hard to wade through all the options on iTunes. Admittedly, I’m cheap so free is best but I’m willing to pay for good apps.
3. Last Sunday, Rob and I went to our friend Shirley’s birthday cooking party. Such an awesome idea! There were about 20 of us (I think) and we were split up into teams working on separate parts of the meal. Rob and I worked on the dessert, which was a tangerine souffle. We were in charge of chopping up the tangerines, making juice out of the oranges, and boiling it all together. The rest of our team was separating the eggs and prepping the baking ramekins. The end result was fantastic (the souffle was so light and fluffy) but honestly, I kinda think it took way too much time and effort. :/ Or it could be the whole laziness thing again. 😛 A couple of pics of us courtesy of the birthday girl!
Rob making juice from the oranges!
Me cutting up the tangerines.
4. As organized as I like to think I was for the wedding, post-wedding wrap-up has been a completely different story. A lot of the “stuff” used at our wedding is still in boxes at my dad’s house (like extra programs, signage, baskets, etc), some duplicate presents we received still haven’t been returned/exchanged, we haven’t finalized the photo selections for our album. And we haven’t started our Thank You cards. EEEEEEKKKKK. Well, I finally designed the cards and had them printed and now Rob and I are starting to write them… WOW. It’s going to take us a little while. :/
5. We went to Home Depot yesterday to get some moving boxes. I know we’re not moving until the end of January but knowing us and the amount of “stuff” we own, we figured we should get a head start. Since it’s raining today, we got started with our books and DVDs. We already have about 6 boxes full and we’re not done packing them yet. !!! What can I say? We love our DVDs. Too bad our apartment looks like a hurricane plowed right through it. There are piles everywhere.
Hmmm. I thought I had more to write about but I guess that’s it. I can’t believe Christmas is next week. Just 7 more days of work. WOOT.
Wow, December is whizzing right by. It’s already the 5th and I haven’t even posted about holiday cards yet!
So here it is… I’d love to send out holiday cards (international destinations too!) so if you’d like one from me, please leave me a comment and I’ll email you for your addess. 🙂
I haven’t mentioned it here because then it would be real. But yesterday I told my boss so it’s as real as it’s going to get…
Rob and I have decided to move back to Southern CA at the beginning of 2009 (we’re aiming for the end of January). It’s something we’ve talked about for years but were never quite ready to make the leap. Now that we’re married and want to put down roots it makes sense to do so closer to our families.
I’m excited for the fresh start but scared at the same time… leaving a place I’ve made my home for the past 10 years. Leaving my friends. Looking for a new job (ugh).
But those of you who know me well can probably guess that the thing I am most freaked out about is DRIVING. Seriously, it’s like my personal kryptonite. And there’s no way around it in Southern CA. I keep telling myself that I need to get over it but I just know it’s going to be easier said than done. What is wrong with me?! Wish me luck. I’m definitely going to need it.
Random. I read about Britney Spears’s concert tour next year and it was the weirdest thing to look for Southern CA tour dates. Anyone interested? 😛 I may have to drag Rob again.
Hope all who celebrate had a fabulous Thanksgiving! I know I did. We had a low key day in the city — first lunch at Victor and Susie’s (Rob’s brother and sister-in-law) and then for dinner we all headed over to the Laos for a huge FEAST. Turkey, corn pudding, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, pumpkin pie… OMG. ITWASSOGOOD.
Some other good things I did this weekend:
— Went to the Social Security office to officially change my name. CRAZINESS. But now I get to practice my new signature! It’s the little things…
— Hit the Black Friday sales. Wasn’t looking for anything in particular. Just wanted to check out the deals. Bought a bunch of DVDs for Christmas presents. And for myself too. Couldn’t help it!
— Went to Bakesale Betty’s in Oakland and picked up a chicken pot pie and strawberry shortcake for Friday dinner. SOYUMMY. The fried chicken sandwich (you can get it in salad form too) is awesome too. Check it out. Seriously.
— Walked Diesel around Fourth Street in Berkeley. Had the most amazing Meyer Lemon sorbet at Sketch. And visited my little slice of paper heaven, Paper Source.
— Made holiday sugar cookies with Rob.
— Bought and decorated our Christmas tree. Pictures to come.
Since I’m in the holiday spirit, I’m going to do this Christmas meme I found…
Welcome to the Christmas Edition of getting to know your friends!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
WRAPPING PAPER! By far. Part of the fun is actually wrapping the presents and then embellishing them with bows, ribbons, tags, etc.
2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real. I just love the smell of a real tree. Plus, the whole process of going out and picking the perfect tree is one of my favorite things to do.
3. When do you put up the tree?
The day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take your tree down?
I try to take it down the first weekend in January… but sometimes it’s later because I’m lazy.
5. Do you like egg nog?
No, although I am a little intrigued by the eggnog latte at Starbucks.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I feel like I always have a different answer for these types of questions because I have a terrible memory. I think it would probably be the Barbie dream house I got from my aunt when I was really young. Maybe 6?
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
No. We don’t have anywhere to put it even if we had one. My dad has one, though, and he always waits for me to come home on Christmas Eve so I can set it up for him.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
My dad. He’s one of those people who has everything he needs. And is super picky.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
My friends Robyn and Carmen because we send each other wishlists every year. So easy! I don’t have to guess and I know they’ll like anything I get.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail! I love getting letters in the mail and I love passing that feeling on to others.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Nothing really comes to mind… maybe clothes that weren’t my style or didn’t fit?
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
ELF! It’s the best!
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Arrozcaldo. Basically rice porridge. YUM. My family has it every year on Christmas Eve. We eat it a few hours after dinner while we’re waiting to open presents.
15. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear/white.
16. Favorite Christmas song?
Classic – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (pretty much any version). Pop – *NSync’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.” Hee.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
My dad and Rob’s parents all live in Southern CA so we always drive down there to spend the holidays with them.
18. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Nope, probably not. 😛
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Both! My family opens presents on Christmas Eve (we’re not a very patient bunch) and Rob’s family opens presents on Christmas morning.
20. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
The (rude) crowds. Too many people out and about grumbling about buying presents.
21. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I have a gold theme on the tree as I do every year.
22. What do you want for Christmas this year?
For Rob to take me to Disneyland! 😀
23. Who is most likely to post?
Sarah probably. I think she just might love Christmas more than I do!
That was fun. 🙂 Happy December everyone!
So yesterday Rob and I finally checked out a performance of the SF Hip Hop Dancefest. I’m a huge dance fan and I’ve wanted to check it out for the past few years but was always lazy (and cheap). We finally went this year and I enjoyed it! There was a good mix of “crews” — from crews that excel in “popping” and isolations to others that merge modern dance with hip hop.
We saw “Program A” and my favorites were:
Soul Sector!!! They were THE BEST. They were clean and synchronized and their choreography was fresh and fun. (For all you America’s Best Dance Crew fans, some of their members performed as Supreme Soul on the MTV show).
Sunset. Little kids (think 6-13)! Dancing! Adorable.
FORMALity. Another junior group (I think — maybe high school/college?). Super energetic and lively crew!
Breaksk8. I didn’t care for them much when they were on ABDC but I really liked them live. They made the roller-dancing look so easy.
After the performance, which was at the Palace of Fine Arts, we walked over to the Presidio to check out the Yoda fountain at the Letterman Digital Arts Center, which (I think) houses LucasArts, ILM, and Lucasfilm. Luckily, I found a map online so we (ok, ROB) were able to find Yoda pretty quickly. Check us out!
Behind the fountain is a lobby which had a large replica of Darth Vader. SO AWESOME. The building was closed, though, so we could only peer into the windows. We must have looked like big dorks. 😀
There was also a Starbucks on the campus which had this cool Yoda drawing on their chalkboard:
When we got home, we settled in to watch 24: Redemption. For the most part, I enjoyed the season 7 prequel/movie. But maybe that was because I was so starved for new 24?! I don’t really know. Regardless I thought it set up season 7 nicely and smoothly introduced the new players to the 24-verse.
2 Quick non-spoilery thoughts:
— Carly Pope (Sam) bugged BIG TIME. GUH. I can tell I’m going to be screaming at her through the TV. I hope she is evil so I can justify my HATE.
— Actually, I didn’t care for any of the new characters (President Taylor, Hodges, Sam, General Juma — the only “newbie” I like so far is Roger cause I think he is cute, heh :P). Instead, I’m looking forward to seeing my favorite 24 faces — Chloe, Bill, etc.
Anyway, JACK IS BACK! OH YES. 😀
Random — I’m not a HUGE fan of Beyonce but I love that Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) song. It’s so damn catchy.
Rob bought me an iphone! WOOT. I am so spoiled.
So over the weekend I got a digital perm. !!! It’s not a crazy, super curly perm… instead the curls are more wavy and loose and start towards the bottom of my hair. (A more technical description is here if you’re interested).
Before, if I wanted curly hair, I had to wake up an hour early in the morning to fully dry and curl my hair. It was such a pain. And then my wedding coordinator told me about the digital perm a few months ago. She had hers done at a salon in LA and it turned out beautifully. I’ve wanted to try it since I saw how great her hair looks but I was totally scared. I’ve never had any professional treatments done to my hair — no perms, straightening, coloring, etc. And I also didn’t know anyone in the Bay Area who’s had a digital perm so I had no clue which salons even offered it and that I could trust with my hair. I figured I would wait until I was in LA for Christmas and have it done there. THEN I saw my friend Shirley a few weeks back — she normally has straight hair — and her hair was wavy and GORGEOUS. Squeeeeeee. She filled me in on the details of her salon, I checked the reviews on Yelp, and I made an appointment.
The whole experience was great. Before Joe did anything, we discussed everything — how I cared for my hair, how I styled it day to day, what I wanted from the perm, etc. Then he got started — after trimming my hair a bit, he applied the solution, set my hair in rollers, hooked up the rollers to the ion emitting machine, applied more solution, rinsed and conditioned, then finally dried and styled my hair. Whew. All in all, it took about 3 hours. And I totally LOVE IT. It’s even more low maintenance than my normal straight hair. I just wash it, blow dry the roots for a few minutes, apply some curl enhancing cream and either “scrunch” the curls for a wavy look or twist them around my fingers for more defined curls. Easy peasy.
Some pics of my new hair!
From the back. This is how my hair looks right after styling it in the morning.
Fron the front. After a looooong day at work. The curls aren’t as defined but there’s still a nice wave to it. And BONUS: Diesel says Hello!
I’m definitely going to grow out my hair so the curls will eventually fall below my shoulders. YAY.
Rob recently taught Diesel how to “play dead” against The Force (you know, from Star Wars).
Check out Diesel’s new trick here.
OMGHEISSOCUTE. I love the way he just FLOPS on the ground. I’m so proud. 😀