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!