Happy Birthday to Me

Hola amigos. Well, today is my special day. I am now 29-years-old. It has been a very beautiful day so far. I received many phone calls from friends and family. My love, has showered me with compliments and teases.

My wonderful co-workers left me the greatest card ever. When I opened it, I was in tears. No! Not moochy tears, but happy tears of course. I laughed and laughed because it was the perfect card. I couldn't believe they actually found something that awesome. You are probably wondering what this great card says. If I tell you it won't seem that exciting, but I'll tell you anyway.

Before I tell you, I have to give you some background information. A couple of months ago, we had a gathering at my job for a colleague that was leaving the company. The menu consisted of Chinese cuisine. Well at the end of the meal, me and a couple of my coolest chica co-workers decided to open our fortune cookies. So before anyone read it out loud, I told everyone about a game I learned during my college years. Every fortune must end with the words in bed.

They all looked at me like I was crazy, but they decided to go ahead and see if it actually made sense like I had told them. So the first girl went and her fortune read "Don't be afraid to take that big step in bed."
After that one everyone laughed and read there fortunes with giggly appease. So I am now the girl who made Chinese fortune cookies dirty.

Well, when I opened my birthday card, I was surprised to see that the card had this in the front. "When NOT to add the words 'In Bed' to your fortune: You will grow closer to your family_ _ or You will achieve career success _ _ or You will meet hundreds of people_ _."

I loved it so much I had to blog about it. Rarely in my life, I have been given a card that made me laugh that much. It's definitely a keeper and all the inscriptions inside from the gals made it all the more special.

Well it is officially 4 days before I say "I do." I can't wait to marry the LOVE of my life. Next time I write, I will be a married woman.

As always, remember to take a zen moment and reflect.

"It is not age that defines you, but wisdom." Zen

Comicbook Love!

Hello amigos! Today, I thought I'd share a little bit of me and my amor's conversation, which serves as a case in point that men aren't always the best listeners. We were hanging out this weekend. All was well; we went roller blading, ate out, and then sat in our front porch to enjoy the day.

I had a moment of wow. You know the kind of moment that makes your heart race and your palms sweaty. It hit me like a ton of bricks that it really was only 1 month before our wedding. As I verbally expressed this quite panic, I expected him to agree and maybe join in with a comment. Instead, there was only silence. I turned over to look at him and he was in deep thought or rather day dreaming. "Hey", I said. "Did you hear me." He looked over and said, "Yeah, ahuh." Clearly he did not, but I smiled and kissed him on the forehead. My wow minute had ceased and a peaceful afternoon lay ahead.

Here is a comic I created to replicate that moment. Enjoy!!!

Don't forget to take time out and reflect with a zen moment!

"Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them"
....Zen Quotes by Alan Watts.

Bridal Bliss

Hola amigos. Well, I had a fantastic weekend. This weekend was my bridal shower! Yes! It was an awesome time with friends and family and gifts. There were lots of gifts and even though I chose most of them in my registry, it was exciting just opening them and revealing them. My maid of honor Tina, did a wonderful job. She hosted the gift unraveling and included prizes and even a trivia quiz about me.

The place looked amazing. There pretty twinkly lights everywhere and it was immersed in my favorite colors purple and lavender. My uncle headed the decorating operations and made sure all the details were just right. I even had my own chair, which also had twinkly lights. it was a Jack and Jill affair, so the men were invited, but us ladies had a little private time for ourselves too. ;)

There was one incident that could have been handled better (putting it lightly). I received a gift under my grandfather's name, which made me cry because he has been "deceased for a year now. The card was beautiful and the inscription said it was from my grandfather and grandmother. So naturally I thought the gift came from my grandmother.

I opened it carefully and was amazed to see a set of two beautiful rosaries. This would have come from my grandmother because she is deeply religious and prays the rosary every night before going to bed. Well everyone clapped and I even took a photo with her and the rosaries. After that emotional moment, we continued opening gifts. My maid of honor then decided to make an announcement. I could tell she was troubled about making it, because she said this could be said privately later, but my future mother-in-law responded "No go ahead."

It turns out that the gift made in my grandfather's name was done by her. Well everyone was a little taken back and I of course was confused. But I graciously thanked her and moved on to opening the next gift. Everyone seemed to move passed it and not another word was uttered about it until my maid-of-honor corned me later during the remainder of the party to apologize about it. I told her I knew she did everything she could to make that moment go smoother and I hugged her. You see my mother-in-law, for lack of a better word, is an attention seeker and would do anything to bring attention to herself - even bring a gift under my deceased grandfather's name and say it was told to her by him in a prayer to do that. Yes!!! If cookoo comes to mind then you are on the right track. But enough about her. She is another 20 page blog post.

Aside from that moment, I had a great time. My cake was gigantic. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. It had a miniature bride and groom on it, which was very cute.



Oh yes, my aunt did get me a gag gift. A penis necklace. Yup! It was hilarious and I wore it throughout the night. We danced, laughed, and even had a karaoke session which was a blast. I sang Freak on a Leash with my future brother in law.

My fiance got down to Michael Jackson's Rock with You. It was an awesome time and one that I will cherish forever.

Hope you enjoyed the pics. Well until next time, remember to take a zen moment and reflect.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
~ Mark Twain

Here I Am

Wow. The last time I posted was in August about 8 months ago. So much has happened. I didn't buy that beautiful condo that I fell in love with, but I did mange to buy my first home. Yes! I'm a homeowner. I'm still not use to saying that. It makes me feel like an adult. I know, I know. I'm 28 going on 29 in May; I have been considered an adult for quite some time. Yet, there is just something about owning a home that really makes you feel grown-up. People respond to me differently now. I have conversations about gas bills and the rising cost of electricity. I am now part of the home owners club where venting about rising taxes and interest rates is the main objective.

Don't get me wrong. I love owning my own home. Mi casa is a great place. I have so much more space and ideas for decorating/designing. But my pockets say, "Mamacita hold up. You are still getting married and have that wonderful mortgage to pay." So for now, home renovations have come to a halt. We did manage to redo our living room and added our own personal touches throughout the house. So we are content. It took a lot of work and sacrifices (mainly sleep).

We truly feel blessed and know that all the work was well worth it. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you the best part. I live across the street from my parents. Some of you are shuttering in dismay. Hold on now. It has been going good thus far. My fiance would agree with that statement. I know some of you are thinking of the show Everybody Loves Raymond. It's not like that at all. I hardly see my parents. Mom works nights and dad is a busy man. He is a singer and performs a lot. But it is a comfort to know they are close by. =)

Well, I have to say it feels good blogging again. Life is great!!! I honestly couldn't ask for more. I now have a new zen place.


Home sweet home!!!

Well until next time, don't forget to take a zen moment and reflect.


Zen is not some kind of excitement, but merely concentration on our usual everyday routine.
Shunkyu Suzuki