la jolla outing

Over the last few months, we've driven into La Jolla but spent time in the shopping area if anything. I'll give you a hint, it starts with Lululemon. :) Well the weather here in beautiful San Diego got a bit warmer, so we ventured out to La Jolla once again, but spent time more along the water. It was a gorgeous day and there were a ton of people out, which was expected. We haven't taken Camille out to see the seals that are perched out in the Children's Pool, so we did just that.

Hence the name, it was originally an area for kids to wade in, but for a while now it's been a huge ongoing issue for the community- whether that area be for the kids or the seals. The seals seem very content where they are and really, "the ocean" is their home. And with plenty of beach north and south of the Children's Pool, why not just leave them where they are. That's where I stand... but I may not be privy to all the arguments out there. Not to worry though, I'm not as passionate as others when it comes to this controversy.
You can the seals behind us in the picture below.

(iPhone pic)

I'm glad that I brought my camera because it was a photographers dream kind-of-a-day. The water was an amazing blue hue, and the sky was clear. I'm far from a professional photographer, but I snapped some great shots of Camille while she climbed and played around a sizable tree. Cloie got some good shots in too, I only wish they could've been in the pictures together. It was awfully nice be out in the coastal open air after hours of being cooped up indoors.

(iPhone pic)

What will our next outing be...hmmmm?!

(Canon pic)

balboa park

Last weekend I got a last minute text from some old friends saying they wanted to hang out and since we had no plans the entire weekend, we had them over for a little football and it was a good time- especially for the girls. Other than that, my Saturday consisted of barre, taking Camille to dance and a trip to Trader Joe's. From noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday, I was depriving myself (and poor Camille) of much needed vitamin D and fresh air for an entire 24 hours! I didn't leave the house once, not even to grab the mail or take Cloie out to potty. This frigid weather has brought out the chicken in me, blame it on the weather. Brrrr...

By Sunday afternoon I was tired of  watching football and sitting in front of the TV, which resulted in a serious case of cabin fever. To help cure that, we all packed into the car and headed south to Balboa Park. Mind you, this is a San Diego landmark that is probably on all tourists' bucket list. And I take it for granted way too much and don't visit this place enough. There are so many new things to discover each time you visit, and how shameful is it that I was at Balboa Park for several races last year and didn't bother sticking around to enjoy the beauty and diversity of it. All the architecture, gardens, museums, walking trails and the people (!)...Balboa Park is such a wonderful place to escape to.

 

It seemed a lot of people had the same idea as us, and everyone we passed had a camera in their hand or strapped around their neck. It's no wonder there are so many weddings, family shoots, etc here at Balboa Park--- there are so many photo opportunities. We barely covered the park and decided to go back to the Spreckles Oregon Pavilion to sit and listen to the mini concert they were holding. Camille loved it there and we plan to come back again in the next few weeks, and also because we are finally going to purchase our San Diego Zoo passes.

 

This was quality time at a beautiful San Diego landmark and we look forward to coming back soon!

happy friday morning

Yippeee, it's Friday!

 

The past few weeks have been uneventful, but it's been back to the grind for Camille with school, soccer & dance...all started up last week. She looooves preschool, it's the best decision we've made for her. And even though I don't volunteer in the classroom often, nor am I able to pick her up, hearing her talk about her classmates more and more is my indication that she is becoming comfortable and getting to know her classmates a lot better.

 

Camille enjoys soccer but it's still a bit of a struggle getting those drills down, however we can't expect much from a three year old. Talk to her dad about that one, I'm okay with it.
She loves dance, especially because she made friends right away, and so glad we put her in again.

While we are mainly busy keeping CJ busy, I have managed to stay on track with barre classes, aka my "me time." It's so necessary and it keeps me in line with the rest of life's juggles.

Keeping up with one of my New Year resolutions to cook more is exhausting, yet more rewarding if anything. Last night I made a huge pot of sinigang and packed it in with veggies and hubs was happy! Our recent menu items have also included homemade pizza, pork chops, banana bread, snicker doodle cookies, spinach artichoke dip, casseroles, smoky chicken fried rice. It's a short list, but far more than what I'm accustomed to--- and hey, we are only half way through January!
That reminds me...I need to find the lid to my slow cooker.

 

I'm so excited for the long weekend, that will include a hair appointment, followed by a pizza dinner in uptown, furniture shopping, as well as "other" shopping, some barre classes, some cooking, relaxation, the zoo (finally getting those passes!) and much, much more! What's even better is the cold weather has let up, and we are expecting some fabulous temps!

 

Have a super great weekend!

something new....check!

We are barely into the third week of January and I'm happy to say that I already "tried something new." It's not to say that I will be stopping there though. I tried out an exercise class called piloxing, that has been on my radar for a while. They offer it at the barre studio I work out at and every time I would sign up online for my normal xtend barre class, the piloxing option is always so tempting to choose. 

 

Well last week I switched it up and signed up. There were only four gals in the class; plenty of space for me to screw up, yet a small amount of people to witness me make a fool of myself. One of the harder, yet also one of my favorite instructors was teaching the class, so I knew I was definitely going to get a good work out in. I thought I kept up pretty well for being a brand newbie, and I'm certain that if I had the gloves to complete the whole ensemble, I would be hurting even more. Yes, I was feeling it the next day!

 

I've been really good about attending classes 3-4 times a week the past 3 months. I can't even believe it myself. And just when I was starting to get into it, my three month member ship is coming to an end. Barre has grown on me and I think it is actually addicting...a pure adrenaline rush once the class is over. So will I be renewing? Most definitely, although I will be taking a two month break to focus on training for a March run. This is a run I haven't done yet; so another check for my resolution to "try something new!"

 

I'm on a roll. Ha ha!

2013...

You knew this post was coming, right? :)

 

As I reread my 2012 resolutions last night, I would say I didn't do too bad with sticking to that list. Yet, of those ten items, I was beginning to see that half of them are essentially everyday lifestyles. Shame on me!

 

This year I want to change things up and accomplish things that will allow me to think outside of the box AND allow me to better myself, my family, my surroundings...my world. So a few days into the New Year and after putting a lot of thought into it, here is my list.

 

BE (MORE) GREEN

recycle, reuse, conserve & preserve, whatever it may be

PROJECTS

come up with projects from tedious to creative and stick with it until the end

COOK MORE, TRY OUT RECIPES

this will allow us to cut down on eating out and more important, eat more healthy

READ MORE

repeat of last year, but I need to read more novels, short stories, news articles/stories, blogs and more books to Camille

 

SELF-MAINTENANCE

hair, nails, waxing (tmi), massages and any of those things that ladies need

TRY NEW THINGS, VISIT NEW PLACES, MEET MORE PEOPLE

I'm such a creature of habit, I need to branch out more

 

There you have it...what fun & exciting things do you have planned for the upcoming year?

...2012

2012 was a great year of memories to look back on and it only makes me look forward to the 2013 year. As I sit here and reflect on the past year, it's very easy to say that it was much better than the previous year. We came across a few struggles, but nothing that we could not and would not let get in the way of moving on. Life is too short and we need to live in the moment.

My goal a year ago was to keep a blog and *try* to post everyday. Of course, I fell waaaaay short of that but I did what I could. And who can blame me, I know you all have a life too. :) At least my sporadic blogging focused on some great highlights of 2012. 

Our winter trip to Mammoth in February with a big group of people helped kick off the year. 

We renewed our Disneyland passes and made many trips to see that smile on Camille's face. 

Plus she is still free, so we need to milk that as long as we can.

Birthdays come every year, but this year was the BIG year for my sis, my bro-in-law and my husband. The three of them turned 40 in March, July & August respectively and we celebrated big...at least for the OC-ers! Glen?...well he is so not being center of attention. 

This year was also a big year for G & C as they celebrated their 10 year anniversary and "forced" us to go to Vegas as they renewed their vows. 

A totally different trip to Vegas than it was before having a baby, but a fun trip nonetheless. 

My big girl started preschool last year and suddenly she was 5 years older. 

It's these very moments that make life bitter sweet. 

She loves it and seeing her happy is all I want.


My sis & Ro added to their family with a 3rd child, making it the 12th grandchild for my parents. What made it even better, it was a girl. 3 girls & 9 boys...Camille was thrilled.

Of the years we've been taking trips to the islands, we've always said we'd go to the Big Island and we never did for whatever reason. Last year we did and it was the best vacation. Ever. 

I want to go again...soon!

Runs & Xtend Barre sessions became a regular routine for me. While I didn't reach my weight goals, being active helped me feel healthier and stronger as the year passed. As I strive to reach weight goals year after year, I know I will never be a 100 lb. stick, nor would I care to be... I'm not a young twenty year old, and in my adult age I know what I want to consume and I know how I want to stay healthy & strong. Above all, I know what it takes to be happy. 

The holidays of 2012 came and went and it was the best one yet spending with family and friends. Before we know it, it will be back...and it will be even better. 

Goodbye 2012....great memories!!!

thankful

Year in and year out I find myself thankful for so many things in my life.

I have a wonderful husband who never holds me back from anything and he puts us, his girls, before anything.

My daughter and loyal dog are my pride and joy, I can't get enough of them.

The family I'm surrounded by are the best, most caring people I know.

And I have the best of friends that share in life's bliss and sorrows.

Eight years ago, I made a trip to NYC with my younger sister and my parents to spend Thanksgiving with my dad's brother (one of my favorite Uncles) and his family. At the time I was two months engaged and I was reeling. A month after being engaged, my dad was diagnosed with late stage prostate cancer. It was a dark time for the entire family, an unknown that we all had to face. But we all got on it and started him on treatment right away.
We all went on as a family and helped our dad and each other out.

That Thanksgiving was bitter sweet, to say the least.

I will never forget spending that time with my parents, who acted like they were in love all over again, while leaving all the problems and worries in SD and exploring another city. It was like the bad news from the prior month only strenghtened the 40 years of love they had for one another.
Angie and I took them into the city, rode the subway, shopped in China Town, visited Ground Zero, lunched in a little cafe, took a walk in Battery Park, and viewed the Statue of Liberty from there.

Spending that time in the city with them was the BEST.

We didn't have the traditional turkey meal at my Uncle's house that year. He & his wife cooked a hearty Filipino dish for the adults. As for the younger folks, my little cousins and others that celebrated with us, well we had the most unforgettable Thanksgiving meal...

White Castle burgers, we ordered 35 of them suckers - how great is that???

Here we are eight years later and while I'm thankful for so much, the one thing I am most thankful for is my brave & courageous Dad. Though he isn't the same person he was eight years ago, he has battled on and continues to live like there is no tomorrow. These days he doesn't say much- rather he observes and watches his children & grandchildren enjoy each other and life. Yet he really doesn't need to say much... he knows he has done his job as a husband, dad and grandfather.
And will continue to do so through his relentless strength.