my first hike - check!

If you told me 5 years ago that I'd actually be experiencing a hike, I'd call you crazy. I can't stand the thought of camping so I'm not much of an outdoors person. Over the last several years, my fitness and personal goals have changed a bit. I'd like to be able to say that I did something adventurous at least once in my life. {Maybe turning 30 this past January has something to do with it.} I made a goal to be more active and to participate in more active events.

So yes...I can sit here and tell you that I just went on my very first hike!

Four of my friends and I headed over to Mission Peak in fremont on Sunday and began our hike. I don't think I knew exactly what I was getting into because I was already sweating and huffing and puffing on the first incline. Soon after, we all could feel it in our thighs and calves. Hiking up to to the top would definitely NOT be easy. We finally got to the last stretch and that part was tough! It was a rockier terrain so it was a challenge just getting to the top.

As soon as we made it to the top safe and sound and stepped foot on the very top of the peak...it was exhilirating! Looking down at where we started to where we were standing at that moment felt like an amazing accomplishment.

Of course, I am paying for it today with a sore body. But hey - no pain, no gain!

wordless wednesday



{my first mud run!}

the last year of my 20's

Last Friday started the beginning of the last year of my 20's.

Gosh, I feel old. This time next year I'll be 30...and I feel like that's gonna come so fast. I still remember my 21st birthday like it was yesterday. Can we rewind time please?? They say "30's are the new 20's". I guess I'll soon find out. But in the meantime, I'll enjoy being 29 for the next 362 days...


And what better way to celebrate my birthday than with a nice dinner date with my son and boyfriend on Friday followed by a fun-filled day on Saturday, including a spa date with my BFF and being surrounded by my closest friends and family for dinner and drinks. I'm feeling incredibly blessed and happy!

i've been featured!!

Nothing's better than waking up on a Monday morning and finding out that you've been featured on one of the blogs you've grown to love.


Yes, I've been featured and I'm so excited and beyond honored!


Thank you to Lisa at Mompreneur Mogul!!


Her blog has become one of my favorites. Check her out and read about her Do Harm To None Blog Campaign. She is truly awesome and I appreciate her honorable mention...love her!!

can you name the 50 states?

It was a rainy Sunday morning and I was enjoying a Friends marathon on tv.

I was watching one of their Thanksgiving episodes and they were playing a game...Can You Name All 50 States In 6 minutes? I thought, I can do this...so easy! So I gave it a try.

I only got 41. I refuse to look online just yet to find out the ones I was missing. Can you tell which ones I missed?


California
Hawaii
Alaska
Nevada
Washington
Oregon 
New Mexico
Texas
Louisiana
Georgia
Florida
Iowa
Utah
Wyoming
Ohio
Montana
Minnesota
Colorado
Tennessee
N. Dakota
S. Dakota
N. Carolina
S. Carolina
New York
Delaware
Rhode Island
Wisconsin
Massachusetts
Michigan
Kansas
Arkansas
New Hampshire
Illinois
Oklahoma
Vermont
Virginia
Idaho
Pennsylvania
Indiana
New Jersey
Alabama

10 years gone by too fast

Last Saturday, I attended my 10 year high school reunion. Yikes, right? It still feels like yesterday when I was in high school. Where did the time go?


When I got the Facebook invitation for the reunion, I suddenly felt...old. Not only was I reminded that it's been that long since I was a high school student, but I was also reminded that I'm 2 years shy of the big 3-0 birthday. Great.


I was very reluctant to attend my reunion. For one thing, I'm already friends with the people I need and want to keep in touch with from high school...and we have Facebook already. Isn't that like a mini reunion right there? Well, I was somehow convinced to go and didn't even have to pay for my ticket since a dear friend offered to buy mine...including my best friend's ticket as well. So...why not?


It was an interesting night. It sorta felt like a dream...or more like twilight zone. I saw people that I didn't even know I went to high school with and some people who I didn't realize how much I missed. The best part? I was with some of my best girlfriends.

I do miss my high school days and sometimes wish I could do it all over again.


The all-night cramming before a big test.
Football and basketball games.
Cheerleading performances at the big rallies.
Cutting a class when I didn't finish an assignment that was due. {seriously, the ONLY time I ever cut school}
Running for Homecoming Queen.
Prom.
Gathering with my closest friends at lunch time.
Falling asleep in History class.
Senior portraits.
Senior trips.
The gossip. 
The drama.


What are your favorite high school memories?

sunday funday

Place: Sacramento, CA
Travel time: 2 hours
Weather: Absolutely perfect!


Now meet Rosalyn and Baby Will.

I love these two! Rosalyn and I have known each other for a long time and have built a wonderful friendship. We've shared the same career goals and dreams, taken the same classes {or attempted to}, poured our crying hearts out to each other, and best of all, laughed countless times till our tummies ached and our eyes were wet with tears. Our sons even share the same birthday month.


Since moving 2 hours away from each other after being used to living in the same city for years, our quality time session was overdue. My son and I visited her and Baby Will in their cute little home in Sacramento.

the boys tending to Baby Will's garden

water fountains + toddlers = trouble

on the way to lunch

train ride at Funderland Amusement Park

Baby Will and Dylan goofing around

It was a great day and Dylan and I had so much fun. Best way to end the day: my to-go coffee from Rosalyn to help me on my drive home.

my souvenir for the day, haha!

Isn't she THE best! Click here to check out her blog!

a gathering of friends

Mayweather vs. Ortiz


I'm not a huge fan of boxing nor do I think I ever will be.
But I am a fan of friends getting together with some yummy food and
good drinks.


Last night, we hosted a Fight Party at our place. Some of our closest friends came over.


We cooked.
We ate.
We drank.
We ate.
We laughed.
We caught up with each other.
We ATE!!!


Menu for the night:
chips & salsa
artichoke & jalapeno dip
spinach dip
shrimp lumpias
stuffed mushrooms
prosciutto-wrapped asparagus
seafood linguine
enchiladas
spanish rice
chicken
carne asada tacos
oreo cookie ice cream cake


Drinks:
Carlos Rossi Sangria
Sutter Home Moscato
Heineken beer
Jameson Whiskey
Capri-Sun for the little boys


I didn't watch much of the fight, but with the best food cooked by some great friends, it turned out to be a fun Saturday night!

Oh, and 2 little boys did their best at making a mess!

haircuts and vegas

What a long and busy day! I spent the day with my son, mom, and sister. We made the 30-45 minute drive to our hometown...mainly to visit one of my grandmas for her birthday...but also to run some errands and just spend some quality time together. Oh, we're going to San Diego next weekend for my cousin's wedding and my son was in desperate need of a haircut...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

On our way home the song "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston came on  the radio and it made me think of my last birthday trip to Vegas with my closest girl friends. Then I started thinking about our single days- before the boyfriends, babies, and weddings. It was such a carefree time in our lives. I miss the spontaneous trips to Vegas. I miss the late nights out. I miss our drunken conversations. I miss the dinners and happy hours. 

I think we're due for a get-together or GNO...