Let's Ring The Alarm!

To be excited for the New Year of 2011, is a complete understatement. I am beyond excited, and EXTREMELY anxious to start this new year off! With only one more day of 2010 to enjoy, I take this time to really look back at the year as a whole, and reminisce each piece of the puzzle that helped to make this past year what it was. Each memory is one that will be near and dear. Some of course, I would like to take a giant eraser and magically make them disappear, but at the same time, I appreciate those moments whole heartily as well. Those were the times I feel as though I grew the most. The hard times were the ones that made me enjoy and appreciate the happy and joyous ones 10X fold. So much has happened to me within this past year, it is amazing to think back at exactly how much has gone on...



Kanamster the Monster

 My family is still my family. Doing great, as always, and sticking together through it all as much as possible. We even received a wonderful new addition to our growing family, my nephew and God son, Kaname Joseph. I LOVE this lil monster to pieces and can't wait to watch him grow into this amazing person that I know he will be. This was probably the highlight of my year in 2010 as well.

This year, I also rustled up a little more respect for myself, by going in search of starting, not just a job, but the starting base of a career. Although the search continues, making that decision, and building up the courage of starting that search, was one of the best decisions I have made for myself this year. It was a message to me, and to others around me, that I am capable of much more than what I was presently within.



Me and my babylove <3

I have reached the 2 year land mark in my relationship with my love Kyle. If you knew anything about me before, you would already know that I was not the "relationship" type of girl. So being in a relationship for this length of time, must mean there is definitely something pretty special about him. Although it has only been 2 years, we have grown together so much already and I can say that I am very happy and very much in love with this amazing guy. I continue to look forward to more happy, mushy, lovey dovey years with him too.<3

As a whole, I would have to say that 2010 was a good year. I have myself, my family, my friends, my boyfriend, and most importantly God, to thank for that. Everyone helped me in contributing making the memories that were made this year. Now that 2010 is coming to a close, it is time to prepare for 2011. Leaving behind, yet never forgetting.

CHEERS!!! Now let's get ready to ring in the New Year!

Beautiful Droplets

How more beautiful could it be.

Cool, crisp, clean.

Sounds so soothing.

still

 Yet, the earth is moving.

Soaking in the life.

Drinking it in deep.

Nothing wasted.

Mother speaks softly.

Winds whispers lofting.

Continuous pour.

Leading straight for the core.

Back toward the surface.

Lift your head to the sky.

stop

listen...

As those beautiful droplets lie.



"It's practically here!"

It is finally that time of year. That most wonderful time that we hear about, and wait in anticipation for. The time where the weather is icy cold enough to wear those cozy mittens and wool hat. The time where there are tiny twinkling lights covering every house on your block. The time where it is a tradition to gather round an open fire and sip on that peppermint hot cocoa. The time where an evergreen is brought in your home, and embellished with brightly colored decorations and more twinkling lights. The time where all the stores are filled with the hustle and bustle of people purchasing that perfect gift, for that special somebody. The time where sounds and songs of joy, are sung and heard by all. The time where family and friends are brought together once again, to share the wonderful love and company that not all have the pleasure to enjoy. The time where we gather to celebrate a very special child being born on Christmas morn. It is that time of year, Christmas time is here! Now, the countdown has begun...

"It came without ribbons, it came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags... Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." - How The Grinch Stole Christmas

It's Life.. And It's Beautiful

I feel as though you must feel some pain and hurt, in order to start feeling and appreciating all the joy, beauty, and happiness that is within life. Picture when you were a kid. You would run, fall down, scrape your knees, and possibly begin to cry if you hurt them bad enough. Then your mom, a loved one, or someone taking care of you, would come and either give you a band aid, maybe kiss you on your forehead, or do something that would instantly make you feel so much better. Than you would be so happy, you would just go out and run around all over again. Life is such a precious thing. Something I know that we all hear often, is that the life we have we may be taking for granted sometimes. This may or may not be a true a statement for all, but sometimes in order for us to really appreciate it is when an event or situation has happened, forcing you to re examine what amazing blessings have been bestowed within your life.

This past week, a very dear friend had passed away. During the week of Thanksgiving, it was a very hard thing to believe and come to terms with the fact that anything, such as awful as a friends passing, could happen at any moment.. even during the holdiay season. My friends name is Sean Kelly. He was only 44 years old, and was returning home from an annual surf trip with some buddies from Mexico, when his plane had taken a dive into Newports waters. It was a shock, and a feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of me upon hearing the news. I cried. I cried for his family, I cried for his friends, and I cried mostly for his beautiful wife Laura. They were just starting their amazing journey together, and were in the middle of writing thier love story. I pain for her, and wish there were words of comfort at a time like this, so all I can continue to show and give for now is my love and friendship.

Sean was a mentor of mine, along side a group of many at my church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Hermosa Beach. The best way I can think to describe Sean, was like the cool older brother. He would joke with you, make you laugh, give some awesome advice, while telling it like it is. Although the past few years we didn't speak as often, he was still an awesome support along with his wife Laura. They were always at graduation parties, birthdays, weddings, and always down to go listen to a friends band, grab a drink, and have a good time. His love for the ocean was a great one, and he loved sharing that love with whomever was willing to embrace it along with him. Sean was a true example of what the phrase "living life to the fullest" meant. His love for his wife, his family, his friends, his church community, the ocean, and God was a true testament to the man he was and represented.

I would say a final common known quote, for living your life and living it well, but instead, I'll leave you with this...
You have a life, now go LIVE IT. Live it with integrity, with love, with hope, with faith, and much much more in which it may offer.

"Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand..."

Surf with the angels, Sean Kelly<3<3<3

For The Love Of Food

The saying goes, for men anyways, "The way to a man's heart, is through his stomach." True, very true. However, I also believe that men are not the only one's that are affected by the "love spell" of food. In fact, I am found to be caught under food's "love spell" every single day. I LOVE food! I love everything about it. The smells, the sights, the textures, the taste, I just love food; especially eating it. I also love to cook it. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a creative knack for cooking and am always looking for new ways to create scrumptious new dishes. Anything from savory to sweet, I find cooking to be a very wonderful creative outlet that I am slowly perfecting every time I enter the kitchen.

I would have to say my love and inspiration for cooking food, as well as eating it, has come from my mother. She is one of the best cooks that I know, and she is always willing to share her many cooking secrets with me. She treats the kitchen as a painter would with a blank canvas. Hardly uses a recipe, and cooks straight from the heart. You can definitely taste the love that was made with it in every bite that you take. I have learned from her that food comes out the best when you love to cook it, when you are being creative with it (but not going crazy now!), and are willing to practice. Practice does make perfect, or as perfect as it can get in an imperfect world. I always tell my boyfriend, "with me, you will never go hungry", and that is another reason I wanted to make sure I knew my way around the kitchen. I want to give my family the same wonderful tasting food that my mom had always given us.

If you're new to cooking, or are delving into it a little more, my advice would be to have fun with it! Let those creative juices just flow. I know I still have a ton of practice ahead of me, but I love it! Food Network and The Cooking Channel are awesome by the way if your looking for new ideas and such:)

All The Leaves Are Brown.. And The Sky Is Gray

Fall, autumn, the chill, the cool, the crisp... the change. Seasons have changed and the transition has been a beautiful one. Although it seems as though the weather is as indecisive as can be, it has been beautiful. Going from stifling hot, to curl up and cuddle cold. I love summer and the long sunny days, but I as well love fall and the cool, crisp, refreshing change that it has to offer to us. So much to look forward to as well. The pumpkin carving, the smells of cinnamon apple spices as they loft through the air of coffee shops, Carmel covered apples.. MMmmmmm, my favorite!

It's also the time to start getting out those comfy sweaters, and coats. Not quite the scarves yet, but almost. I love the beautiful fall leaves, as their shades tum from bright and vibrant greens, to warm and neutral yellows, oranges, reds, and browns; right before they begin to fall one by one from the trees. Another thing I love for the kid in me is when stepping on those fallen autumn leaves, just to hear the crunch that comes from them. Again, just enjoying the little things in life and taking the time to appreciate it all. Enjoy this season with me and try this cinnamon apple dessert:)

Ingredients:
3 granny smith apples
2 tbs. butter
1 tbs. cinnamon
3/4 cup of brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Vanilla bean ice cream
Powdered sugar (optional)

Melt butter in large pan on medium heat.
Slice apples into long thin slivers and set aside.
Combine cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.
Add sliced apples into mixture and mix until all apples are evenly coated.
Slowly add mixture to melted butter in heated pan and cook apples until they are tender and slightly caramelized for about 15-20mins, while stirring occasionally so sugar doesn't burn to bottom of pan..
If there is not enough moisture while cooking add a couple tbs. of water at a time as needed.
Apple mixture should start to appear as a sauce like topping.
Remove pan from heat when right consistency.
Scoop 1-2 scoops of vanilla bean ice cream, as desired, into serving bowl.
Add some warm apple mixture on top of ice cream, and sprinkle with powdered sugar... ENJOY!
PS... tastes amazing on top of pancakes, just add bananas for an extra little something to the mixture ;)

Roller Coaster

Roller coasters... I love roller coasters! With the rush of adrenaline that flows rapidly through your body. The speed that casues the wind to whip you in your face and hair. The constant twists and turns that jerk your body from side to side. The occasional complete flip upside down, and just dangling there for a second before you are brought right side up again. Finally, the long creeps to the very top, with the fast paced, heart throbbing drop that makes your stomach feel as though it went up inside your chest for a split second; and than you throw your arms and hands up in the air, and can't help but let out the loudest scream possible. Roller coasters and the thrill of them all, that makes me want to go back on again and again, just to relive the thrill. I love it!

Now the roller coaster of life, that is a whole other story. There are times you may have jumped on that roller coaster and there is no getting off at all. It's as though the ride is set on repeat, and you have no choice but just to hang on. This whole month has been a complete roller coaster, and has taught me many lessons. I have learned lessons of compassion, lessons of hardship, lessons of humility, lessons of love, lessons of beauty, and most importantly lessons of strength. I have come to know just how strong of a person I am. Despite the fear of the unknown, despite the outcome in the end. I know I am strong, and I am still standing tall with many thanks to God for placing such strength within me. Without these lessons, how would have I developed my strength and shown to myself that I encompass it. In the end it all just makes me smile.

The roller coaster of life may not always be fun, but it sure teaches you alot and I am one that is all for learning something new everyday. So excuse me now while I go and continue my ride, and enjoy the rest of this beautiful day, please do the same and never ignore any lessons that come by your way.

"Cause when push comes to shove, you taste what you're made of. You might bend til you break, cause it's all you can take. On your knees you look up, decide you've had enough. You get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off, than you stand..." -Rascal Flatts

"Family means nobody gets left behind.."

Family. Familia. Ohana. However you choose to say it, they are still family. I love my family and have always been a very family oriented type of person. My family is a very large bunch and I love them all. I feel so lucky and blessed to have such a great family, because I know not everybody has what I have. I bring up family because today, I woke up to the sounds of my family coming in and out of my house, scurrying around, placing some finishing touches on a birthday party for a cousin of mine. The party is not at our house, but we are helping with fruit platters and such, just offering up our helping hand wherever it may be needed. That is one thing I love most about my family, the fact of how we are always there to help one another when called upon. Even when not called upon, we always seem to let each other know that our hands are available if ever needed. One person in particular that showed the like of helping is my younger cousin Isabella. She offered to come over and help my mom put away groceries. A 9 year old little girl, that could easily say she'd rather go outside and play, wanted to help out her Tia Aurora instead. This just showed me that our acts of help toward each other has definitely rubbed off down to at least Isabella. Such a cute, and sweet little girl too.

Ohhhh, family, even when you don't want them around, they are still always there. They always seem to find those right buttons to push at those perfect moments as well. You know those moments, when you just need a moment away from it all to think, than one word is said. Just one, that may even just send you over the edge. They wouldn't be your family if they didn't push those perfect buttons either now would they? I find that no matter how much you may push them away, or how distant you make yourself, whenever you need them they are still there. In the end, despite it all, you laugh and end up saying to yourself how much you still love them. You feel happy that they are so welcoming and willing to accept you in always with open and loving arms no matter what the case may be. Simply because they are family. "Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind."- Lilo, Lilo and Stitch

I can't wait to have a family of my own someday. That day is definitely not today or anytime soon for that matter. But when that day comes, I know I'm going to love every bit of it. Family will make you laugh, they will make you cry, they will make you think, they will make you learn, they will make you angry, happy, sad, or even mad, and they definitely will make you love. Bottom line is that I love my family and always will.

CHEERS! Here's to family!

T.G.I. F. ... Enough Said

"Yaaawwwwnnnnn...." Waking up from a deep slumber and realizing that today is Friday is enough to place a smile on my face. Friday is like a Christmas Eve for the upcoming weekend. Even if one has to work on the weekend, when they are off, the fact that it is the weekend is just a nice feeling in itself. Friday is the day that is just telling you, "Hold on! Your at the home stretch to victory!" Victory from a long hard week of work, planning, strenuous thinking, studying, whatever it may be.. Friday never fails to let you know that your short break and reward to your week is just around the corner. It is a day letting you know that there is a whole 2 days ahead of fun to be had, drinks to be drank, friends to see, relaxation to be done, or whatever else that the weekend may have in store. For me, today, Friday means alot! Due to some unwanted stresses within my life, Friday today is letting me know, I'm almost there, and can actually take a break from it all for a short while. Even though the break is very short, I'm appreciative and will take it, and enjoy it for what it is worth.

T.G.I.F..... No not, "Thank goodness it's Friday!" More like, "Thank GOD, it's Friday!" Literally speaking. I am really thankful God has kept me going and has helped me make it to this day. I am thankful that God has placed such wonderful people in my life (my family, my friends, my boyfriend, and his family) to keep me pushing through and to keep that positive mind set that everything will be ok. I am thankful that God has allowed these unwanted stresses within my life. I am starting to look more at them not so much as stresses, but more so as learning lessons that are only building my inner strength and character. As a loved one texted me this morning, "Let go, and let God.." This actually meant a lot to me. It is time to let go, and things will fall as they should.

So in keeping with my theme to happiness, the day of the week that makes me happy is Friday. What day of the week makes you happy?

T.G.I.F!!!!! :)

The Neverending Persuit...

When asked the simple question, "What makes you happy?" a simple answer usually comes into play. When really taking the time to sit down and think what exactly it is that makes you happy, the answer isn't as simple as it once was. You slowly discover the long list and multitude of things that can and do make you happy. Is it your family? Your friends? A television show? A particular song? Your favorite homemade meal? Etc, etc, etc. Here is another question that you may not get asked very often.. when was the last time you made YOU happy?

Now, I've come up with this question because I've come to a point in my life when I really have been concentrating on what I want and what makes me happy. For so long I have been living under others expectations for me and the suggestions/advice of what could possibly make me happy. Not that I am not grateful for those suggestions and advice that was given, because it did help me most definitely along the way. In fact, I wouldn't be who I am today without that constant guidance. Now, I am just taking the time to just listen to my voice for a change. Still not neglecting the other voices around me though, because they are still constantly helping me along the way today. I am also discovering what truly makes me happy so that I may choose a career for my life that I will be able to say with an honest heart, "I love what I do, and it makes me happy." Truth of the matter is I know what I want to do, now it's just a matter of finding it.

With that all being said, back to the original question, "What makes me happy?" Well, a very long list of people, places, and things, make me very happy. Lately, I noticed I have neglected the little and simple happy things in life. Why? There are many excuses I can use. I'm too busy, I don't have time, I'll get to it later... I'm not saying that I am not happy, I'm very happy with my life that God has given to me, but I noticed I've neglected the little things in life that make me smile as well. So now, I have decided to go back to the basics. I've made a mental list of people, places, and things that warm my body, heart, and soul. These things make me smile and simply happy. I plan on trying to go through each one, and take the time to enjoy these simple pleasures of life. Why not? Come on, let's get happy!:)