Thanksgiving 2014

This busy Thanksgiving weekend knocked me flat. But it was wonderful.

Thanksgiving looked a lot like last year, except with the addition of my beach ball belly, swollen feet, and 80 degree temperatures, and I was generally a little more tired this time around. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked - I mostly sat chatting with our guests, a cold drink in hand, and my feet elevated. But as this holiday weekend winds down, I am thinking about all the things I am grateful for right now. A husband who brings me multiple servings of mashed potatoes, rubs my feet, and sings to my belly. Parents I don't just love, but actually really like - my parents are our friends. A mother-in-law who injects stories and music into every gathering (and planned me the most amazing shower -- more on that soon). Silly Thanksgiving games, including turkey trivia and Thanskgiving Scattergories. The softest Australian Shepherd who snuggles up next to you, gives you kisses, and loves you unconditionally. A beautiful celebration of our baby and tons of wise parenting advice at my shower on Saturday. A visit from our hilarious Norwegian friend David. A bounty of leftover cheese and crackers. And pie. I don't have photos of all of these things, but they exist.

{matching!}

{after dinner chatting}

{games!}

Noted on a Friday

I had a disappointment this week, and I'm learning that's okay. As someone who likes to control how things play out, I find myself constantly (and irritatingly) challenged with lessons in flexibility and living in the present. Fact: Things will not always go as planned/hoped, but worrying what "could be" takes away the ability to see what should be, a.k.a. what actually IS. Life lessons in progress over here. Anyway, happy weekend. xo

Some little things that made my week...

Playing around on Instagram as you can see (not sure I'll stick with it). But loving all the Jacaranda this time of year.

Thursday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. I celebrated accordingly.

 Festive bloodys at Mother's Day brunch.

And this reminder.

Look Up

Have you seen this video? It's powerful - and in a much more eloquent way, describes what I was trying to say yesterday.

I've been thinking about establishing some rules for my iPhone and technology in general -- I just don't want to be a slave to my gadgets and the interwebs. Maybe no phone on Sundays, or social media in the evenings after 6? I think it's really important to be present. On that note, I am off to the dog park, and I'm leaving my phone behind. :)

Weekending, quick notes

Although there aren't photos to prove it, this was maybe the best weekend we've had lately. Last Thursday I was feeling anxious about having too much planned/being over-committed (I need downtime scheduled in, too), but from Friday - Sunday, we were on the move and in the end, we had a lot of fun and it made the weekend seem longer. Some highlights:

:: Some of my students were in a play, so it was fun to go see their talent and support them in their production of Balm In Gilead.

:: We pretended we were in Vietnam/France and went to Zion Market for their "Paris Baguette" pastries with friends. (Note to self: Friends report the coffee is amazing there. When we're back on the juice, I can't wait to try it. Pastries divine - like those we had in Paris.)

:: We partied at a BBQ on Saturday night.

:: I was a wee hungover Sunday and woke to the smell of bacon as Flav surprised me with breakfast - sweet!

:: We're sort of getting into Friday Night Lights and we binge-watched in pajamas Sunday morning - Flav is really into it - I'm sort of a fan. Reminds me of high school culture in El Centro.

:: We celebrated Jan's birthday with wine and delicious Thai food Sunday night.

Even though we were out late last night, I woke up this morning feeling oddly refreshed. Nothing got done at home this weekend, but who needs clean clothes, anyway?

{Sunday morning chef}

{paleo pancake breakfast a la Flav}

First Dates & Honeymoon

Happy St. Paddy's! I hope you're wearing green or plaid, or both (!) today. My corned beef and cabbage is bubbling on the stove, smelling like pure heaven, and we'll be feasting, sipping some stout, and watching The Departed as soon as Flav gets home. Slainte!

Today, 52 years ago, my parents went on their first date. They went out for pizza after a school St. Patrick's Day dance, and as the story goes, they sat down to eat and my mom said, "I just love pizza," to which my dad replied, "I just love you." On their first date! Can you believe that? Also, my mom said she wrote conversational topics on her hand, like the weather and favorite music, so that just in case there was an awkward silence, she'd have something to talk about. But the notes on her hand had all rubbed off by the time they got to dinner. Turns out, there were no awkward silences and this summer they've been married 50 years.

This past Saturday, March 15, was the anniversary of our first date. Fourteen years ago, Flavio and I cruised south of the border for drinks and dancing and it was not my finest moment; you can read the whole sleazy story here. So, Saturday, to celebrate our Dativersary, Flavio took me to Turmeric Thai (amazing!) in La Jolla. They let you bring in your own alcohol, so he brought Tiger Beer from Malaysia, and we reminisced about our honeymoon, to Malaysia, and many of the adventures we've had together as a couple. We ate, drank, and laughed. I love that you get to go through life with a partner. Marriage is a beautiful gift.

Some photos from our Malaysiamoon...

{Tiger beer, Indian food, Penang}

{flower carts in Melaka}

{fish pedicure - ticklish}

{pirates}

{Borneo}

{so nerdy}

{orangutan}

{Langkawi)

PS: I've been obsessively following the coverage on missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370. Tragic and eerie. What could have happened? I wonder if we'll ever know.. Sending love and healing energy to all affected.

Your Birth Order Personality

{the younger set of kids}

My eldest sister Barbie and I are conspiring to do something for our parents' 50th Anniversary this summer and after hearing from her this week, I got to thinking about birth order and personalities. I am one of seven children, but there is a ten year gap between the four older kids and me and my younger twin brothers. So, it's almost like we are two different families, or sets, with the same parents. As the youngest girl, but the oldest of the younger set, I sort of identify as a firstborn personality. Even though I'm only 13 months older than my brothers, my parents always put me in charge when we were growing up, so I was always the responsible one. Like Barbie (who really is the firstborn), I tend to be the organizer and while she is more the matriarch, I am sort of the secretary. I can see my other siblings' roles, too: we have a rebel, an entertainer, a peace-maker, a giver, and a baby. Family dynamics are so interesting!

For fun, I took this birth order personality quiz and it ranked me as a first born child's personality. I knew it!

Also, I might be the last person in America still watching Parenthood, but it's all about family dynamics, which is why I love it.

Noted on a Friday

Thanks for playing along with my Week o' Valentiney Nerdiness. I hope you do something happy today, either to celebrate yourself and your loved ones, or to make fun of the whole thing - whichever suits your fancy. I actually spent two long hours at the dentist today, which was not romantic, but I'm looking forward to a low-key night. We'll be celebrating with Chinese takeout and a House of Cards Season 2 marathon. I'm about to get going on making a batch of chocolate covered strawberries and we'll be popping those and champagne for dessert. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with the ones you love. xo

Here are a few little things that made my week...

A valentine from my bestest in Boston.

Baking my traditional red velvets for Flavio's work, and keeping one for me.

I am still missing coffee/caffeine, but I'm loving the motivational messages on my morning tea.

This AM surprise - V-Day loot and a dystopian novel by my favorite author. Sweet!

This festive polish - for lasting all week.

It's Complicated Valentine's Day cards

Did you see this HuffPo article on 21 Awkward Valentine's Day Cards For Your Confusing Modern Relationship? Some of them are hilarious...

Ha!

I still need to get Flavio's card.. I have grand plans of making a truly amazing one at home with glitter, watercolors, and warm fuzzies, but I may have to pop into Target after work and just buy one instead. We'll see.

Here's the Valentine I got him last year.

PS: I also really loved this infographic on How To Have A Happy Relationship

Valentine's Day Ideas

I admitted Sunday (and last year) that I love Valentine's Day. It makes me warm and fuzzy, but not in a romantic, overpriced dinners, Hallmark holiday sort of way. Rather, I see it as a more platonic day to spoil yourself and those you love. Flavio and I don't really do gifts, or anything too fancy, but we do exchange cards and celebrate with simplicity. We haven't quite worked out what we'll be doing this year, so I thought it would be fun to brainstorm ideas here, mainly based on past V-Day experiences, and then see what he wants to do.

Some ideas:

*Order your favorite takeout, have a floor picnic, and do a movie marathon. We did this last year, ordering Indian food, and watching the Princess Bride with red velvet cupcakes.

*Set a festive mood by decorating with these easy hearts on a string

*Make chocolate lava cakes and pair with some bubbly

*Treat yourself - new book, mani/pedi, or massage?

*Do a post-V-Day brunch and/or hike

*Go for an evening walk past an expensive restaurant and try to pick out the couples that are newly dating and thus awkward and uncomfortable. Thank your lucky stars you don't have to do that shit anymore. ;)

Weekending

We spent Saturday in Temecula at a friend's wedding, which was lovely. The groom is Flavio's childhood friend, so it was like a high school reunion for the guys. It was a love-filled night, with great food and lots of celebratory booze and in the midst of the party, a couple things occurred to me. (A) We are getting older - lots of people there, our age, have children who talk and play and entertain themselves. People kept asking whether we have kids and I just showed multiple photos of Guiri. :) I know I've said it before but it was a reminder: It's time start making some decisions about children, but this book is scaring me off.  Also, it shocked us all to realize it's been 18 years (!) since Flavio graduated from high school. Whoa. Yep, getting older. (B) Flavio gave a beautiful and heartfelt toast to the newlyweds and I couldn't have been more proud. There were multiple points in the night where I'd look over at him telling a story or a joke, and I'd be struck by how handsome he looked, and how funny everyone thought he was. Sometimes, in a crowd, you get to see your partner through other people's eyes, and realize how lucky you are.

Nothing too terribly exciting on this Sunday, actually, but it was nice. Flavio went to play paintball with his friends in the morning while I slept in and lazily nursed my hangover with eggs and a marathon of DC Cupcakes (so embarrassed to admit I love that terrible show). This afternoon, we went to the dog park, cooked this delicious chicken, and slowly got ready for the work week ahead.

Valentine's is a comin'! I'm excited. I think I might do a week of heart-filled goodness on the blog. I realize some people are skeptical, or hate the holiday, but maybe just play along. I promise I'll try not to trigger your gag reflex.

{tulips, Trader Joe's}

{wedding, end of the night}

{toast!}

Note to self: Ask good questions.

A friend sent me this article on The Questions That Will Save Your Relationships and I don't want to forget the message: Ask the right questions, get the right answers. As the author writes, "Love is specific, I think. It's an art. The more attention and time you give your questions, the more beautiful the answers become." Love.

PS: Our pillow talk

{Banner photo via}

Weekending, briefly

I'm back to a very busy first week of school, all is going well and I'm feeling some good energy from my classes. Some quick notes on the weekend before I forget (is it already Wednesday?!)...

Friday night our friend treated us to "Ballroom With A Twist" at the Symphony (pays to know people in high places:). Lots of salsa, samba, fun music and a crazy amount of talent. We even got to go to an after party with the stars. Super fun night!

Other weekend highlights included delicious breakfast at Snooze with our friend visiting from out of town, multiple evenings at the dog park - which has sort of become the center of our social world, some cooking and relaxing, and a trip to the movies to see Her. Have you seen it? The story is beautiful and sad and haunting and has the most gorgeous cinematography I think I've ever seen. I was worried it might be too sci-fi for me but I loved it and think this NYTimes review is spot on.

No pics from me, so I'll leave you with the dusty, dreamy beauty of Her.

Empathy

I'm not back in the classroom yet but since my hard drive got wiped out, I've been sifting through all my documents in an effort to re-create soft copies (backed up!), slowly piecing my classes back together. This afternoon I stumbled upon a worksheet that highlights this video, an animated short I showed my classes when we were talking about the difference between empathy and sympathy. It's an important lesson about not getting stuck in the sympathy trap, not trying to "silver line" everything for someone who is hurting, but instead being vulnerable enough to connect with something in yourself that knows their feeling. It's just 3 minutes and is funny, moving, and totally worth watching.

Weekending, Christmas!

As expected, Christmas was quiet but lovely this year. I am usually in charge of something - desserts, appetizers, cocktails, playlists - but I was a complete Christmas Eve guest, responsibility-free, which was sort of nice. The relaxation spilled over to my blog and as much as I missed being here, it was a good little break.

Flavio and I try to be minimalists about Christmas. There are no oceans of wrapping paper, no endless rounds of opening, no piles of presents. Just some small stocking stuffers and a couple of meaningful things each - a nice scarf here, a good book there - and then we always choose something we can do together - an experience. So this Christmas we planned and booked a trip to Playa del Carmen for April.  Yay! Our formula for Christmas fun: food, music, movies, and simplicity. For us, it's the way to go.

{Christmas morning light}

Christmas Eve we had posole dinner with Flavio's mom.  We watched hours of A Christmas Story, ate a ton, and the three of us toasted at midnight. There were the usual family quirks, but it was a cozy night and we were happy to be there. I was missing my family but then something huge occurred to me... Flavio and Guiri are my family! This realization gave me a bunch of warm fuzzies and I went forward enjoying the holiday, feeling happy for my parents that they were in Hawaii, adding my own Clinton energy to my newish little clan.

{giant pot o' posole}

{Christmas Eve}

{posole, lime}

Christmas day we woke up late, opened presents, made a big breakfast, and went to our annual Christmas day movie to see The Wolf of Wall Street - which reminded me of Goodfellas, but funnier. I loved it and thought Leo did an amazing job keeping us entertained for three hours. We finished off the day with a sunset trip to the dog park, Guiri looking festive in her Christmas scarf.

{Guiri's present}

{new toy}

{She loves sleeping, playing and hiding behind the tree..?? Haha!}

{dog park, Christmas day}

Each Christmas, we try to get a new ornament and it's one of my favorite traditions. Here's 2013's bauble - a porcelain santa bell. Isn't he sweet?

The week between Christmas and New Year's always feels like limbo, waiting for more holiday fun. Friends were out of town and Flavio had to work, so I entertained myself with a lot of at-home movies, cooking, long walks with Guiri, and some obsessive de-cluttering and organizing. Sometimes, nesting alone in our sunny house feels blissfully meditative.

{lounging}

Highlights of the weekend included a mystery date to The Haven for pizza, sightseeing downtown to visit the new Central Library (gorgeous!), library book reading, lunch with friends from out of town, dinner with Jan and Gary (our San Diego parents), and hours of our new TV obsession, Homeland. It's totally addictive and is partially filling the Breaking Bad-sized hole in my heart.

{top floor, Central Library}

{Coronado bridge, Central Library}

{The greatest gift is a passion for reading. Central Library}

{book, blanket}

{just in case there weren't enough Guiri pics in this post}

{Sunday night, Homeland, wine}

I get to see my best friend of 22 years tomorrow. Anchorman II, tooling around, and a lot of laughter all on the itinerary.