Love day recap

This year our Valentine's day was relaxing and fun.  This is the second Valentine's day we've spent together and if the past two are any indication of how our future Valentine's days will be, I'll be happy with that.  

We decided to reminisce on how we met and spend our Love day where we had our first date, at Marcus Midtown Cinemas.  What's cool about this movie theater is they have a cinedine area, waiters & waitresses that come and take your order and discreetly bring whatever you want to you.  I was starving after work and eager to chow down some food.  It wasn't the most healthy meal: Grilled cheese with tomatoes and bacon on the side with a side of fries, we had onion rings to share and he had a burger & fries.  So greasy and unhealthy, but for one night we chose to indulge! And we loved all of it.  Especially the fact that we chose a very NON-Valentinesey movie:  Safe House.   I really like Denzel and we figured everyone was watching The Vow.  We both came out enjoying that movie a lot.  After that we picked up a frozen cappuccino from Quiktrip and drove around talking story...fun times! 

A simple Valentine's day for a simple couple who enjoy movies, food, sweets, and working out.   I did watch The Vow last weekend and it was so sweet & lovely.  What I really appreciated about it is that it's a true story...so eventually I'm gonna get my guy to watch it...on redbox! And you should watch it too!

What did you do on Valentine's day? 

to Iphone? or not to Iphone?...

found this on google

It's finally time to face this question.  Whether I decide to be part of the iphone club or not.  My 2009 Blackberry pearl has been through it all.  I've been a good owner.  But...it may be almost time to retire my old friend.  The cons that are weighing heavily upon my consideration is: the data plan.  Paying more each month than I already do...
The questions... 
Is the extra cost of the data plan worth it?  Will I been using enough to be getting my money's worth or will I be spending more money because I'm using it too much?

The fabulousness that I covet... 
instagr.am --> Anyone and all those I know who are iphone lovers have this app!! To me, it is genius! for peeps like me who lack a camera but always have my phone on me would find this application quite handy! The editing you can do, the instant upload to blog or facebook?! oh gosh yes.  And perhaps I wouldn't have to be pestering my amazing boyfriend for his spiffy camera ;o)
Words with Friends--> Ever since I heard about this game I always wanted to play.  I started helping my sister with some words on this app last night and I was hooked! Talk about stimulating your brain!
face time--> being that I'm miles and an ocean away from my besties at home and one of my bests living on the west coast, face time would be a really spiffy way of communicating across the miles.  This probably would have been awesome this past summer when my BF and I were apart for 4 months too. 

via pinterest

 ^^ A blinging cell phone case.  I'd probably prefer a tiny bit less bling, perhaps golds and pearls, bows, and a touch of yellow & blue.  But I'd love to have a personalized, sparkly cell phone case. 

The fabulousness of having an iphone outweighs the cons, but does it?  Do you have an iphone?  What do you absolutely LOVE about it? What do you really dislike about it?  Are the extra costs worth it? 

Your thoughts would help me bunches as I figure out if I should join the iphone club.  All of your thoughts would be appreciated! Thank you =) 

My Boyfriend and Me.  One of my favorite photos of us.

 *On a side note.  Tomorrow makes one year from the day that my boyfriend and I met.  It is such a special and important day to me...and to him.  I just wanted to share this photo above and wish all of you a wonderful Valentine's day weekend! Even if you're single, Valentine's day is about every type of LOVE! Have fun, be safe, and may God bless all of you with Love, Laughter, and Smiles*

Thankfully Sweet Thursdays.

It's thursday and a part of me can't believe I've made it this far.  Yet, as I look back on the past few days, I realize how I have.  School. Work. Homework. Sleep.  Therapeutic pets: Catch, Iwan, and Gizmo. Remembering to put one step in front of the other.  Praying even more...thanking God for all the blessings I already have, the blessings to come, and the strength to continue to love deeply. 

Some of the things that get me through hardships are amazing quotes by amazing people.  Whether it's leading ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt or Anonymous people who end up saying something wise, I've always been intrigued by spiritual, touching, and moving quotes.  I started this obsession with shared wisdom probably in college and as I would read numerous books for my major and books, magazines, and articles for pleasure, the intrigue continued.  The fabulous finds were torn and kept in handy binders with clear sheet protectors, just in case I need to sift through wisdom to get through the day. 

Now, in 2012 and partly 2011, I've jumped on a Pinterest bandwagon thanks to my buddy Ashley.  As much as I love laying down and reading a good mag, it's nice to search through different "pins" on pinterest.  One of my absolute favorite boards is my words for your soul board.  They inspire me and push me and remind me to get back on track when I'm having a tough day.

Just like the words above, sometimes we all need a little reminder, to step back and take a deep breath, to get back on track, and to remember to love.  There are times we are all a little bit selfish, a little bit mean, and a little bit inconsiderate, we all have those days.  Yet, there are the times when we love deeply, love without expectation, and love without conditions.

And that's what I'm thankful for this thursday.  Remembering that we are not always perfect because really, only God is.  Remembering that when you truly love someone there are no conditions involved, no expectations involved, and no perfect fairytale.  You love because there are no words to describe it.  You love because it is a blessing to be able to open up and share your love and to be loved by someone else.  For me...it's my BF, my family, his family, and my besties I consider my family =) My friends and all I care about. 

Now, I wanna know, are any of you on pinterest?  What's your favorite pins to pin?  What's your favorite board?  Please share!

snow fallin & love.

Mahoney State park.  Taken by me on my love's camera.

I've been m.i.a. for about two weeks now, and for that, please forgive me.  That time away from blog world was interesting.  I had this urge to write to keep in "touch" with all of you...yet I also felt that I needed time away.  To experience what was going on.

Work has been tough.  It's one of those feelings where you know you are doing your best, but in someone else's eyes, you are just sub par.  Not enough.  You come to a breaking point where you realize that you deserve to be treated better and would choose that over money any day.   My amazing coworkers helped me through it all and I'm heading on in to work today.  Being nice is great and all, but being too nice could be interpreted as "easy to walk all over."  The latter is an experience all too familiar.   My boyfriend encouraged me to stand up for myself, and I plan to. Should the circumstances surface again.

Life has been a whirlwind.  My sister broke her leg.  Then her beloved dog died.  I decided to spend time with my sister and family that weekend.  To be there for her in a hardship and do what I can since she broke her leg.  I loved Elektra too, a german shephard that was sweet to everyone, the guinea pig, and the cat.  The next weekend I spent with the family again at the state park here.  It was nice to get away and wake up to winter wonderland.  It was so beautiful.  My niece and I went ice skating, her first time.  The joy and smiles my niece had were priceless.  I am so thankful for those moments.

Other than that...life has been a little roller coaster.  The hard part is feeling like you are on one page and believing that that is the same page as everyone else, then realizing you're not.  Being certain you reached an understanding;  A place where you can move forward and get back to happy.  Then realizing...perhaps it wasn't all understood. 

Then stress, frustration, irritation, and anger come along and causes you or them to say or do things that you probably wouldn't do.  Negativity is the worst.  It gets no one anywhere and drains you of the love and positivity you can give.  Over the years, I've learned and tried so very hard to apply in my life, that in order to completely love someone else, you must completely love yourself.  At this point, I believe that I'm there, and have been there for awhile now.  I am able to give my whole heart and self to my boyfriend because I love myself enough to do so.  And I love him dearly.   Right now, it's a tough time.  Along with doing what's best for what we have, for me, and for him, I have faith and trust in our relationship, the love we share, and what we want for each other.  God knows best.  And you know that yours truly has been praying!!!! For others of course and for guidance.  Giving God your worries helps a lot.  I truly believe, that if he brought you to it, he'll get you through it.

This all sounds a bit sad.  The silver lining is that the love we have will get through anything.  The love that I have for others will help my sister get through her healing process and losing Elektra.  The love we share with anyone really helps make the world around you a seem like it's blanketed in rose colors and flowers.

The moral of the story is: we must always remember to see through the eyes of love.  It will only make you stronger, wiser, and full of love.  And that's what we all want.

This is Iwan. 

He was my study buddy all through spring quarter last year and he spent the weekend with us at Mahoney park too.  He's sweet. He loves to cuddle but also bothers the cat.  He's a competition dog that will start competing again with a different owner.  We're gonna miss Iwan so much!!! and his hugs!

busy bee.

Hello there! I just wanted to take a break from my hectic week for a moment to write to all of you.  I've been so thankful this week for all the new readers that have been coming to my blog!! =) I've been meeting some great bloggy women out there and becoming inspired by all of you! This blog-world sure is fun & addicting! 

Some updates: I started volunteering at a great clinic for children with special needs.  I'm currently studying to attend Occupational Therapy School, so in an effort to gain more experience with OTs I'm shadowing and helping a couple of them at this clinic.  It's heart warming and touching spending time with these children and it makes me so happy to be able to give my time to them.  It's also a plus to be learning from these awesome Occupational Therapists. 

Two tests this week for school and it's been a little stressful.  Little things have been eating at me...perhaps poking me like a thorn...a bit annoying but I've been taking deep breaths to let it go =) one. step. at. a. time.  

Work has been a bit...crazy at times.  There's a possibility I could be adding more hours starting next week.  It's a good thing!! But...I'll have to come home and study like an over achiever chooses to do instead of yours truly, who would rather relax and watch movies or Home & Garden Television.  Who would have thought being responsible could be so...blah ?  I suppose blah is much better than the what it could be if I decided to slack on studying.  

Anyways, that's my wee bit of an update.  I've got another test today which I'm quite anxious about.  In an effort to calm myself and bring me a little happy, I've posted a picture of one of my favorite places.  Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld, hoping to bring you a little happy your way!  

Do you have a favorite place that brings you a little happy?  Where is it? 

Let's Pop It.

Have you ever been to Chicago?  The windy city? The city where Oprah had her show and where she lives sometimes?  It's a city with loads of history, awesome food, and plenty to do.  Here's my rundown on why this cool city makes my top 10 list of cities I love and look forward to visiting again and again... 

• Their Chicago dogs and deep dish pizzas are amazing! Really, if you go to Chicago you must try one of these or both, whatever pleases your tastes buds.  It's one of the things they're famous for, so why not?
• Navy Pier. Fun for the kiddies. Fun for the adults.  It's a win win. 
• They are home to one of the tallest sky scrapers in the world.  Go visit the Willis Tower (aka Sears) and stand in the overhanging glass box.  It's a trip!
• Saint Patrick's day in Chicago is worth partaking in at least once in your life time.  The river is green. Everyone is catching & throwing beads, it's like mardi gras but colder and with more green! 
• There's tons to do, see, and eat.  
• Chinatown.  It's pretty big. It has life size Chinese Zodiac statues which are great for photo ops.

Now, all of the above are fantastic reasons to love Chicago...but my  top reason for loving this city is... dun dun dun.... 

Garret Popcorn Chicago Mix!

Yup, this popcorn mix is da BOMB!  You can read my Yelp review here! My boyfriend's brother in law got a huge tin of this for Christmas and it just got me thinking of the happy yummyness I had while eating my sample bag of this mix I got from the coupon book from the bus tour we were on.  I am actually considering ordering a tin, to avoid too many handfuls from his.  So Chicago, I hope to visit you again soon, when it's warmer and I can spend more time at Navy pier or eating. 

If you have yet to read my earlier blogs, 2012 is the year of travel.  I'll be sure to write about my adventures of new cities and I'd love to hear your thoughts as well!

What is your favorite city?  What do you love most about it?  

smile.

Now that everyone is back into the grind and the new year festivities have subsided, the new year new experiences have already started to begin.  It's quite exciting and nerve racking at the same time.  Yet, small reminders of it being a new year get me back on track to what I'm trying to accomplish this year.

*deep breath*  It's a new year, it's time for happy, positive, and thoughts with love!

Changes have already begun and have got me even more thankful for the sweetness I've been blessed with.  The wonderful things we should all remind ourselves that we have been blessed.

• fam bam time.  The past two weeks have been busy busy with family time and food.  There have been so many great memories that have been created that it gives me that warm & fuzzy feeling each time I think about it. 
• the mysterious ways God works.  When you stop and think about how everything has somehow worked itself out...and trusting in God that he is there to guide you, truly amazing things happen!! It's crayziness! 
• Love & family.  Whatever you think family is to you, your besties, your immediate family, your extended family, your new family, your co-workers, family is family.  Family love is strong & special, it is forever, and no one gets left behind =) 

What do you love most about your family?  Have a wonderful & blessed week bloggers!

.:.:*:. CHEERS to 2012! :*:.:.

Hello 2012! It's nice to meet you.  It's only day two of 2012, so it's still quite early to tell if 2012 will  be sweeter than last year...but I'm certain it will be  filled with amazing experiences...like...

• traveling 
• more school 
• visiting home & my besties
• participating in the Nike San Francisco half marathon with Meghan

and those are just a few of the things I'm looking forward to this year...2011 was filled with numerous learning experiences and changes that have made my life sweeter than I could have ever imagined.  What I like most about celebrating the new year arriving is moving past any "excess" baggage from the past year.  Negative thoughts or feelings belong in the past...they are meant to push you forward to the person you are destined to be.  And once you allow yourself to let that go and learn from that experience, you are already better than before...And that is an amazing thing to celebrate!! 


Wishing all of you in blog-land and beyond a blessed and wonderful 2012! Be safe and smile often, this will ensure you happy new year =)