Good Bye Summer

Good bye summer. I have decided to post some old as well as new pictures of the many fun summer activities from the past and present. How I miss our family summer vacations and driving mom and dad nuts on the long road trips. Traveling has been kept to a minimum due to health, money, and becoming a working "adult" and not accumulating enough vacation time to do everything I want over the summer. But no fear, thanks to wonderful family and friends, it has been a very nice summer. Sorry, I didn't get a chance to post all the pictures with everyone I got to spend time with this summer, but don't worry, the next blog is all yours. Thank you all!

Colorado River/Grand Junction, Co. - The last time our entire family went on vacation together was 2006. I have been yearning to go rafting again and I was super sad when I didn't get a chance to do it over the summer...Nie, mark your calendar I am coming soon!


I got to spend time with Jess & Alex. You guys are wonderful. This is us at a concert last year...when 1/5 of my life became complete...you know Jess, you know!

Me and Lana (Aka: Susie and Lani, thanks to Terry) - I love how we can pick up the phone or have lunch and we pick up exactly where we left off...I remember way back when, when our summers were full of In N Out Burgers and staying up all night and laughing about who knows what?!? I know my parents must have thought at one point or another that we were crazy. Look how young we are in this picture (2005) ....Good times. Good times.

Me & Alissa - We go back pretty far...like 1st grade far. I am so proud of you! You are the best 6th grade teacher out there! Now, that you have your own home, you've got to learn how to use a lawn mower.

Ice Cream Cheesecake...note, please do not eat if you are lactose intolerant...Memito!

This is Wally the Worm. He is for my classroom (thanks Kierstin), and Guillermo wanted to try it out. I told him that his fingers were too big for the finger puppet and he was going to scare the children. Isn't Wally cute?

Summers should be full of Rite Aid Ice Cream and chipped bright pink nail polish...okay, not really, but that's my excuse for not going back to get a manicure.

Summers should also be spent eating plenty of corn dogs,hot dogs, iced drinks, etc. at the pier.

But most of all (as Guillermo is demonstrating) Summers should be spent soaking up the sun near the beach or poolside...how do you spend your summers?

Weddings, Great Food and a Back Alley Massage...

It has been a very busy weekend, with two beautiful weddings, lots of great food, and a back alley massage… Fr. Josiah gave the best extra credit assignment anyone could ask for, a trip to Pink’s Hot Dog Stand in Hollywood. While in the mist of traffic en route to Los Angeles, we decided to take a detour to China Town. As many of you know, I often complain about back pain (I slipped on ice at Forest Falls four years ago and landed on my tail bone). So as we are walking back to the car, I see a sign at the street corner that says 10 dollar massage! Okay, so who really follows a strange little lady towards the alley, not knowing where or what she’ll do to you…I do! But no fear, she was very nice and did a very adequate job if I must say. I even made Guillermo get one as well! The days that followed were filled with two spectacular wedding celebrations and plenty of great food. My childhood friend/neighbor Nia got married. I got to see Carrie and a lot of familiar faces. It was great. The next day Claudia and Carlos tied the knot!

If you ever wonder what a cheap massage room in China Town looks like...well, here you go!
The line for Pink's was out the door and around the corner of the building. They are open til 4:00 am on weekends, and apprently the line is always this long... As you can see, Guillermo is even reading the paper!

This is me, excited that I just ordered a Spicy Polish Chilli Dog with Onions and Jalapenos. Guillermo ordered an extra long Jalapeno Chilli Dog (with fries, onion rings, and lemonade).

Mmmm....

I thought the happy face on Guillermo's hot dog was cute.

We instantly had a major case of heartburn...The dogs were really spicy...no joke. We didn't even finish our food, and for anyone that knows us, food never goes to waste.

Me, Nia and Fong

Bride and Groom, Nia and Daniel

Bride and Groom, Claudia and Carlos.

S & G

B is for...

B…B is not only for Bear, but bond, the Bond that one builds over time with a friend. Bear passed over the weekend. During the last two weeks he made three hospital visits, not from his torn ACL, but for his anemia which caused him to suffer from Autoimmune Disease.

A part of me feels like I died too for Bear was not just a pet, he was a friend. So everything happens for a reason, and people come in and out of our lives at different times for different reasons. I think Bear came at a much needed time. For the last five years, Bear has played many roles and done a great job if I must say. Bear was a companion to my dad. He made dad laugh and smile randomly and slept by dad’s bedside on days he sensed dad was not well. Since Fong had moved out years before, Mary was entering high school and I was just beginning college, Bear became another child for my mom. She bathed him, combed his hair (which he loved), fed him, and yelled at him often when he did things he was not suppose to (like pee on her brand new carpet...I told her that he was trying to break it in for her). As you can tell, Bear kept my parents very occupied. For me, Bear was a constant friend during my years of college, he came my best friend, he never complained about things (though he never hesitated to turn his nose if it wasn’t his preference), he protected, he listened, and he loved.

For the last few weeks, I felt like I had been carrying the weight of the world, and this was the straw that broke my back. I often cry myself to sleep and burst out in tears for the lost of such a great friend... So please do not ask me about him unless you have a box of tissue handy.

Our first Christmas with Bear. Mickey and Bear with their reindeer antlers. Can you see the awkwardness between the two?

Bear loved to sleep in his bed.



One year Bear was a Brave Fire Fighter for Halloween.

He really was a ham. He loved the camera and his holiday outfits.

No more awkwardness. Bear loved everyone and gave great slobber kisses.

Bear in his tuxedo outfit.

So please people show man's best friend all the love and compassion that they deserve.

Advice for a Quick Pick Me Up

Advice to any gal that needs a quick pick me up : get your nails painted bright pink and rock out at a No Doubt Concert. After struggling to make it through the work and school week, deal with a sick dog, and with dad not feeling well - I desperately needed a pick me up.

With the company of K, I sat down for a nice foot massage and we had our nails painted pretty colors. I choose this bright pink color.

Guillermo says I take too many pictures. This is his "I ate way too much and too quick" face before the No Doubt Concert. Needless to say he had a major case of heartburn.

Carol and I had to take many picture attempts before getting just the right one.

Carol and Jason

It was an awesome show. I would love to see them again! I must say that the only bad things was attempting to leave the sold out show. It was awful...it was like herding 50,000+ cows from a grazing field and all we needed were the cow bells to hang from our necks!

Bear

Bear was born November 1, 2004. I got him that year for Christmas from my parents. Everyday that Fall begged and begged for a puppy. Every weekend I would take my parents with me to run errands and coincidently end up at Petco and the Animal Shelter. Earlier that year we had gone on our annual summer family vacation, only to come home and find that one of our dogs had "mysteriously" died while we were gone. I think that was one of the last times we let our neighbors dog sit.

Bear is a Welsh Corgi mix. He is everything a Corgi is suppose to be - highly intelligent, obeident, protective, wary of strangers (as some of you have witnessed), steady, loyal and loving.

I have a few more things to add to this list. Not only is Bear is also like the youngest child who craves attention, he is a friend to my dad, a nuisance to my mom and Mickey (Mickey is our 19 year old mixed terrier), annoying to most strangers and men (he is very protective), and he is Gangsta (keep reading for why I say he is Gangsta...)

No children for me, for this one dog is plenty to handle. So far this year he has paid the vet at least 7 visits (almost one visit a month), and i have paid the vet plenty of money as well $$$$$. One time they had to hook him up to an I-V, run blood test, and keep him over night....this time he has a torn ACLU?!?! Vet says he is to stay off of it for two weeks and if it does not get better he will need surgery. Ummm...what is he doing, rolling deep in Downtown Riverside or what?!? A torn ACL?!?! Man, this is one tough doggy...

Nonetheless he is my "Bearby." He stands on his two hind legs when he wants your attention, he loves chicken, and is always waiting for me at the front door when I get home.

This is Bear on the way to the vets...he has a torn ACL...

Bear at Christmas with Mary. He is such a mooch. He always wants to be the center of attention.
Bear is a friend, nuisance, and brother to Mickey...


Like many Corgis, Bear is very protective. Did you notice how he has his paw on the present?



Three Cheers for Bear..and hopefully no more Vet visits!

Half Way Over....

So today I came to the realization that not only is the summer half way over, but so is the year. I must say it has been a very eventful year/summer. I have been blessed to be surrounded with wonderful family and friends. Here is the short recap of events thus far:

* January 1st...turned 24... took a trip along the coast to Monterey...did lots of reflection...not looking forward to getting older... this is me at 24 with my sisters...

Hearst Castle



Guillermo was so sick on the road trip


*February...San Diego...Dad was in and out of the hospital...Aunt came to visit...Sister graduated from academy...i take a major paycut/demotion due to budget cuts...did i mention this all took place the same week?

*March...dad got a year older...jessica got a year older (had a blast in Torrance with you guys)...i take a pay raise... :)

*April...older sister turns a year older and misses her birthday present..but the show must go on and we had to see Britney Spears perform without her... She puts on a stellar performance!

*May...Mary graduated...Guillermo turned 27...got to catch up and have lunch with Alissa...had the opportunity to do several photo shoots.

*June...graduations, graduations, graduations...photo shoots...helping my sister move...got to catch up with Kierstin...dodgers games…had many fun escapades with Karol...discovered that Wing Stop's atomic buffalo wings will make you cry.

*July...Mom gets a year older...my Buggy breaks down and is garaged till further notice or till can get it a new engine...the transmission on the Prelude blows at the tops of a hill and I am forced to push it across a busy intersection...I spend way too much money on cars this month ($ 1,000 +)... Fear of upcoming budget cuts and losing my job is causing insomnia... Got to spend time with Jess and Alex...i got to see Beyonce in Concert, she is a stellar performer as well as singer...I gain at least five pounds off of greasy fried fair food and discover the biggest, longest Western Polish Hot Dog...Mary leaves for her summer internship...We finally get to meet Sarah…Yvette and Ryan get married...

I think we were in a food comatose by the end of the evening...



He likes noodles where ever we go...yumm...


..and his fresh fruit...

...now Mary only has half of a dorm room...

...did she underpack or over pack?...

Introducing: The Graffs!

...What a beautiful family...

...Cindi, Yvette & Me...

Til Next Time...Enjoy!

I give in

I have finally given into another social networking system. After avoiding it for a few years, saying that "myspace" is enough social networking for me, I have found that this blogging stuff is much easier to keep my family and friends updated. I mean it is a one stop shop. Photos and updates all on one page, what more could a blogger ask for?

Stayed tuned for more...