Conductor

Its hard to believe this year is over. Tomorrow it will 2009. The beginning of a new year, a chance to set (new) goals, a chance to actually keep them. An opportunity to make amends, to bury the hatchet. A shot to change or touch the lives of others, to make a difference. This year, i will jump on the weight loss resolution 'wagon', like i have many years in the past. But this year, i have my own.

I have been assigned conductor, but i have no one on this wagon yet. Its open to anyone who wants to join.

This year, on my wagon, I will try to be a better person overall. I will try and be a better daughter, a better sister, a better friend, a better fiance, and soon, the best wife i can be. I will turn the other cheek, give the benefit of the doubt when the doubt is the only thing present, believe in peoples genuine intentions to do good. Continue to believe that every panhandler really needs it and that God is in that person. Show the people i love how much i really love them, be grateful for the smallest things in life, be grateful for them. Celebrate life. Celebrate the end of someones life. Live and love without fear. Remember that no one likes to be taken for granted, please and thank you are the magic words. No one lasts forever, every person in your life, every aunt, every cousin, your mom and your dad, sister, brother, they will all pass one day, do you want to live with the regret that you didn't do what you could to make the most of your time together?

I'm sorry if I've saddened you, sometimes, we need to stop and reflect on how we are living our lives. But don't worry, if you feel guilty of anything. You have a whole year to make it better. Tonight, when we yell "happy new year!" lets mean it.

So to all my readers out there (if any lol) Happy New You!

Coquito

I don't have an interesting story behind it, nor do i know if its traditionally used on certain days. All i know that its puerto rican and it is Gooooood. Last night Irma, my FMIL and I, after having a glass of wine, embarked on our adventure. I had never made coquito before so i was thrilled to learn how to make it.
I'm going to tell you whats in it, but i couldn't tell you how much of what because we hispanics, tend to not follow recipes, we see 'teaspoon' but we read 'chililin'. So here goes:

*Coconut milk: how much? depends on how big of a batch your trying to make
*Coconut cream: ditto
*Condensed milk: a lot. it gives the coquito its sweetness.
*Vanilla extract: un chililin
*Bacardi Rum: I know exactly how much i used (3.75 cups), it really doesn't count though, because we made a lot of coquito and it depends on how strong you want it. Generally you don't drink like a cup full of coquito, more like 3-4 oz
*Cinnamon: Use sparingly, and from a lesson learned; don't leave cinnamon stick in there, it ferments and the taste is beyond strong
*And i want to say we also added evaporated milk.

Mix.
Test.
Add Bacardi. Mix.
Test.
Add more condensed milk.
Add Bacardi. Mix
Test.
Add Bacardi.
Test.
Stop Laughing.
A little more bacardi. Test.
Stop Laughing and quietly, and as straight as possible, sit and enjoy a cup of coquito.
Good Times.

Booked

I bet you're wondering whether or not i was able to meet my goal of having the photographer, DJ, cake and flowers booked by the Christmas. Yes and No. Technically we didn't get all 4 listed above, but could we substitute the flowers for the guy's tuxes?!

We booked our DJ, photographer and cake. Well, we haven't really booked the cake because i don't feel comfortable sending the check via mail and the cake lady is out of town for the holidays. I haven't really looked around for other flower people, specially right now with holiday hours, people are closing early and on vacation. Juju did get started on researching limos, but since we have a whole football team we are going to need at least 3 limos. I'll let you know how that goes.

I feel a lot better now that we have a few more things taken care of. The girls will be ordering their dressed the third week of January. On the 7th, candy, pita (her lil sis)and I will go to the bridal shop to try on a different style we found. Nothing is decided though, we might still go with the original dress we found. who knows?

Feliz Navidad!

Sorry, i hit the SAP button. After a long day of making tamales, I ran to pick up bunuelos (Mexican Pastry) to take by abuelas & Irmas house. I ran home took a shower and got ready to make my first Christmas eve stop at abuelas, Jujus Grandma. We got there, and mingled as people continued to arrive. I wasn't there very long, back home they were waiting for me to eat Christmas eve dinner. I left my secret Santa gift with juju and headed back to my house.

I got home, ate and we did our traditional opening of the gifts at midnight. All the kids, with the exception of the littlest one who fell asleep around 11, ransacked the Christmas tree to find their presents. Cookie was a bit tired, so as soon as she opened her presents she fell asleep.

On Christmas day we tend to relax at home. Our celebrations and festivities are held on the 24th, which works out great because we usually go by Irma's house on the 25th.

At Irma's house we had dinner and drinks, we also played tri bond. Thanks to my super smart partner (Juju) we kicked butt.

Here we are looking happy as ever after winning by default.



This picture is so cute, Adriansito is teething, so he tends to dispose of excess saliva. Onto Juanitos head. He was also having a blast on his rocking chair. I attempted to sit in it, which i was able to just fine. Getting out was the problem, I stood up and it was stuck to my behind. They wedged me out. All was good.

I bet your wondering what we got for Christmas right?

None the less.... A walking couch!

Pasteles vs Tamales

Pasteles are the Puerto Rican version of Tamales, and vice versa. Traditionally, they are made for holidays or special occasions, due to the fact that they take more than a day and a half to complete.

The pasteles came first this year, juju's family (including an aunt and her kids) and i gathered at his house to begin the process. I'll try and explain it, but don't take my word, I've only been around twice when they are being made.

The 'dough' consist of a few fruits and vegetables, i think. **I was asked to make a correction. Pasteles contain no fruit, Platanos (Green Bananas) are considered vegetables, I deeply apologize for the misinformation**It has platanos, gineos, yuca and patato. You have to process all those ingredients together until it becomes the consistency of baby food, that in itself takes a while. Im not sure if its the platanos or the gineos that are extreme hard to open. Think of a banana, you know how you just 'fold' the top stem part and just peel? Well, these you literally have to take a knife to it, and they make your hands black due to sap residue from the tree they once called home.

The part that really takes its toll on you it cutting the meat. You have to cut the meat to about 1/3rd of an inch squared. Doesn't sound too bad right? But when you have to do it to 25+ pounds it sounds nearly impossible. The clock ticked away as Irma ( jujus aunt), Evelyn (My FMIL) and i cut the meat. It was late, everyone else was sleeping, and there we were, almost delusional, with sharp knifes. We cut the last piece of meat at a little before 3 am. We had to stop, we were endangering our fingers.

We still had to actually assemble the pasteles and cook them. That we did the next day with a bit more help. One person cut the foil, another added the dough and the meat, another person folded the aluminum closed, counted and stacked them.

Pasteles are delicious. But i see why they only make them once a year.



For the tamales the process is very similar. My family and i gather early on the 24th of December to begin to prepare the tamales we will have for dinner that same night. There is prep work that goes on behind the scenes a few days before the 24th, my mom prepares all the salsas that we will use to fill the tamales, hand kneads the corn dough, grates cheese, basically anything that will ensure that we are efficient as possible on the 24th.

Tamales are made out of corn dough and filled/stuffed with meat/salsa, cheese/salsa, plain, and even raisins and coconut. Once the dough is properly mixed and kneaded, we spread the dough on corn husks, and they move down the assembly line to be filled with the designated ingredients. The corn husks get removed before they are consumed, its funny though, when people don't know that you are supposed to remove the husk, and they try and eat with corn husk and all. Its quite a sight, seeing that corn husks are nearly impossible to bite through.


Victor and I spread the dough, the old fashioned, love filled way, while Gaby took the commercialized cold hearted way. Victor and i spread the dough onto the husk with the back of a spoon, sort of as you were making a PB&J sandwich. Gaby used a tortilla maker. We gave her a hard time about it.

Once they are ready to be cooked, they are steamed for about an hour.

Cookie watched from down below. There she is in her Ho!Ho!Ho! shirt and her favorite green blankie.


Notice how we all practiced GMP. Safety and Cleanliness first, even cookie had to wear a hairnet. Poor thing, my brother demanded she wear a 'bodynet'

Photos Anyone?

We booked our photographer! Eeek! We met with one of the photographers on Sunday. We were greeted by his adorable 1 year old son, wife and the fluffiest cocker spaniel i have ever seen. He was a looker (the dog), he was this rich chocolate brown with big brown eyes, not to mention he was very soft. But i digress.

We flipped through a few more sample books and asked 101 questions. Juju asked about the type of equipment he used, if i had gone by myself, he could have possibly shown me disposable cameras and i would have said "Where do i sign?" We opted out of an engagement session, which saved us a couple hundred dollars. Once all was said and done, including contract and deposit, Mark ( one of the photographers ) mentioned 2 words, Porter Cable, and Juju's eyes lit up like that of a kid on Christmas morning. They proceeded to discuss buffers and waxes and exchanged tips on detailing. I think that was Juju's highlight of the meeting. That's ok. I know how crazy he is about cars, specially when they are well taken care of.

We left and headed back home, where we were still in the process of making Pasteles. That (Pasteles making ) is worthy of its on blog. I'll be back.

Snow day!

This year, I invested in a good set of winter tires. Juju got winter tires as well. We were initially looking for an used SUV. We found what seemed to be a good deal on a Ford Expedition, only to later found out it had humidity/moisture in the engine. We really lucked out, we were ready to withdraw the money from the bank to pay for it, when a Ford mechanic took a look at it and told us to skip on it. So that was a no go. I know you think we are crazy, seeing that gas, up until a few weeks, ago was an arm and a leg. But Jujus car, being a rear wheel drive, wouldn't cut it for the winter. But now, with his snow tires on, it handles like an SUV. He even enjoys plowing his BMW through snow banks.

You see that little black blob there, to the right. That's my little Mazda. You can see its wheels, and that's about all you can see on it. I waited until it stopped snowing to go dig it out. I was just about done when a neighbor offered some help, and 5 minutes later I drove right through all the mounds of snow and parked it on the opposite side of the street, where i had literally shoveled the street to make myself a parking spot. I was proud of my shoveling. I wanted to mark my spot. I though of having cookie "claim" it, but i couldn't convince her to come outside.

And this is how cookie spent her snow day.

She wanted nothing to do with it. The colder it gets, the deeper she digs into my comforter. I'm afraid i might find her inside the mattress one of these days. I'll cross that bridge when i come to it though.

Tux

Here is a quick snap shot of juju trying on tuxedos. He looked oh so handsome! Everything he tried on was obviously too big, so it was only a vague representation of how good he is going to look on our wedding day!

I like the tennis shoes, it really makes a statement. "Im a stud, yet i like to get down"

We picked out all the details of what all the participants will be wearing. This is great, this is one less thing to worry about.

Slowly but surely

I have to say, we are making progress! I think i might have exaggerated the number of things that i wanted to have done before Christmas. Not because its not feasible, but because sometimes vendors don't have an immediate openings and with Christmas right around the corner we have shorter work weeks, holiday parties and vacation time to use!

I emailed our potential photographers and set up a meeting with them this Sunday. I'm positive we will sign our contract and leave a deposit then. Remember i said i felt that they were meant to be our photographers when i saw a picture of the priest that will marry Nick & I? WELL.... Here is another undeniable reason why they will be our photographers. One of them, works where i work! Isn't that crazy?! He is in logistics while I'm in the buying offices, but you get the point. The funny thing is that now that i think about it, I hear his name being paged all the time. I also came to the conclusion that it will be very convenient to have him bring our CD/DVD or any other completed project to work, then us having to drive out to his place and pick it up. I'm very excited to meet with them. One huge thing to cross off my list.

Our DJ, they are very well know in my area and i guess you can consider then one of the top DJs. Some might beg to differ, but i think their good. We are waiting to hear from our reception venue to figure out a few set up configurations before we book them. We want to make sure they know what we want and what is expected from them as well as what and where they will be working with. Other then that, they can be crossed off my list next.

Today we are going to try on tuxes. Juju will do more of the trying on, i will just watch. It really wasn't on our 'Goal List' to get done, but might as well huh?

Eat Cake!

I will say I'm a bit outraged about our cake. Nearly a thousand dollars. Really? Last time I checked flour was a couple bucks a pound. Yeah, yeah, fondant & frosting i get it. Don't get me wrong, wedding cakes are works of art. And from watching so many "amazing wedding cakes" on WETv, i learned that there is a lot of hard work and a lot heart that goes into each cake. Bakers take pride in their masterpieces, which they should, So i somewhat understand why they are so expensive, but i had to draw a diagram for my pocket.

I don't want to say I'm letting juju pick it, because it sounds bad, as if he cant do anything without my permission. That's not the case. I'm letting this be his baby, sort of like the invitations. He is big on cake, while i could really pass on it when ever its present. He found a few pictures of what he wants the cake to look like and we went to our first cake tasting. We went to a cake shop called Eat Cake, and that's just what we did. Its a small shop but has done tons and tons of cakes. She has created amazing wedding cakes and they are each so different from the last cake.

I have to tell you, she might have made me cross over to be a cake person. I thought her cakes were very tasty and her buttercream was rich. Oddly enough, me, who isn't crazy about cake, ate just about every last crumb of cake on my plate, then i ate Jujus cake too. It looked like a massacre (because of the raspberry filling) when i was done with both plates. We had no trouble deciding on what we liked. We discussed what we wanted the cake to look like and played with color combinations. We are going to 2 more cake tastings before we make our decision. I'll keep you posted.

Noodles & co?!?

I just have to blog briefly about this topic. The other day juju and I went to our local Noodles & co. I didn't think the '& co.' part was refering to boogers. We ordered our usuals, I got a green tea and juju got a sprechers rootbeer. We were half way throught our meals when I noticed there was something stuck to juju's bottle, right where the label usually goes. There it was, a dried, green, flaky, stuck booger. I pointed it out, just trying to gross him out, but upon further examination we both deterimed it was indeed a booger. Juju went up to show the clerk. He obviously got a new one.

Moral of the story: always check everything you come in contact with, you don't want to be the victim of a disgruntal employee!

The picture above is juju showing the clerk the booger on the bottle. I watched and laughed from a far. It's funny because before juju went up to complain I was giving him different ways to approach him, my favorite was for juju to go up to him and say 'excuse me, could you possible help me? My fiancé and I were debating. Does this look like a booger to you?'

He didn't use the line.

Tic Toc

The countdown has begun. 15 days left to book the DJ, Flowers, Photographer and Cake.

I have made some progress. We met with a florist who is working on a quote for us. Her style was a little bit more 'traditional' then what we were looking for, but i made sure i showed her tons of photos of what im looking for. I liked the fact that she works from home, so she is able to cut some of the middle man costs. What i didn't like, is that she just assumed we were going to have her service our wedding. She asked whether or not i was going to leave a deposit. And I'm going to be honest with you, i have a hard time saying no to people. (I just spent 15 minutes listening to some one go on and on about how i won a trip to Orlando Florida for 6 days and 5 nights. They had been calling me all day yesterday and today and today i decided i would finally answer and tell them i wasn't interested. 15 minutes later, i was on hold for the ticketing dept. I hung up.) So as she kept mentioning the deposit i did all the beating around the bush i could do and then Juju jumps in with a firm 'we want to keep our options open' and that was that. Way to go babe! Anyhow, i think we will end going with her, I just didn't like the somewhat pushy tactics she was using.

For the photographer, we know who we want. They are R&R Photography. We absolutely loved their work. The prices were a bit higher then what we were wanting to spend, but when you think about your wedding day all your really going to have left (tangible) is your pictures. Well yes, your dress too, but your not going to whip it out while entertaining your guests! Or am i? I'll try not to. What i liked about them the most is that they were upfront and honest. Their style was more of a photo journalistic approach and that was important to Juju. Their books and re print were by far the least expensive that we have seen around. They weren't trying to push a sale. Oh and if all that wanst enough, while flipping through one of their sample books we came across the priest who will be marrying Juju & I. Coincidence? I dont think so!

My future father in law called the DJ we want to use today and got us a quote. All Juju & I have to do is discuss a few option details and we can go sign the contract and leave the deposit.

So far so good.

Celebrate-Part 2

Remember I said we would actually go out for my birthday on Saturday? Well, initially i was excited to go out. But as the day progressed i started feeling lazy and it was cold out and i felt like staying home. Juju insisted that we go out and he said he would pick me up at 8:30. Ugh. Fine. So i sat at home watching 'The real housewives of Orange County' until about 8 or so, when i figured i would start getting ready. Whether i felt like going out or not, Juju would be here to pick me up.

It was supposed to be Mon & Cristina, Dulce & Mario (Dulce's bf) and Juju & I going out. Dulce and Mario were at a wedding earlier, so they would meet up with us later. And Juju said Mon & Cristina would meet us at his house, since we started driving towards his house after he picked me up. I was wearing my snow boots, since i had open toe shoes i figured i would just slip em on before i got out the car to avoid getting snow in my shoes.

Juju pulled into his house and said, I'll wait for you upstairs, he gave me a pair of socks and headed up. I put my shoes in the front of the house so they wouldn't be too cold once i put them back on. I heard juju close the door to the upstairs. I ran up the cold steps and opened the door.

SURPRISE!

There i was, barefoot, standing in our living room as Gaby & Jesse (her hubby), Dulce & Mario, My entire future family in law ( Evelyn, Nicolas & Sasha) and of course my AMAZING future husband popped out of random places. I didn't cry because i was so surprised, but as i talk about it now, I'm feeling overwhelmed by emotion. Everyone helped out to make it a great party. Gaby & Jesse and Dulce & Mario went over earlier to help set up and prepare appetizers. My entire future family in law spent the whole day cleaning, and rearranging the upstairs. They even made me a funfetti cake, (my favorite!)I couldn't believe it, I had absolutely NO idea! It really was a surprise! but now that i put all the events following up to me going upstairs, it all makes sense now. =-)

I think we filled the upstairs to capacity. Lets see, Gaby, Jesse, Dulce, Mario, Sasha, Victor, Leah, Mon, Cristina, Jay, Cristian, Jessica, Andray, Marco, Paty, Samantha & Jaime. Oh and Juju & I. I had so much fun. And i think everyone there too had a great time. Here are some pictures:

Here is juju & I. Everyone commented on what a great host he was!

This is me & our godson Andray. He didn't stay very long, although he did dance a few songs.

Cristina and I. I was glad her sister was able to watch Adriancito. I hope you had fun!

This is my sister in law Leah, my older brother Victor and I.

Here i am with my cousins Patty and Marco. Patty is Marco's wife. Matter of fact, they got married i think in august of 04. That was the first family function juju went to.

The one reppin' Florida is Jay and Mr.Nike is Christian, Andrays dad. I knew it became drafty at times, but the hat guys?! i think you exaggerate!

This is me and Juan. Juan is Mon's younger brother. His girlfriend Maria couldn't make it because she was working. Juan and Maria will both be in our wedding next may.

Some of you might remember Candy, lol, & her main squeeze, Mario and I.

Here is Gaby and Jesse. In real life he doesnt have a cone head. I dont know why he has one here. Hm?

So i think i have showed you all the fun pictures. And then tragedy strikes.

Everything is fun and games, until someone steps on someones feet, or they become M.I.A

Tragedy #1- Birthday girl gets hurt
Victor is about 10 years older then i am. He and Marco grew up together. So in trying to kick it old school, they put one some house music. So there they were break dancing. And when i say break dancing i mean the were trying to break dance. They had a little 'competition' going on and Gaby figured...Thats old school, let me show them how its done. So she got up and i joined her. I busted out with a brief robot...

Look at juju. He looks ashamed, like: Oh no she didn't! Yeap. I did.

So then they do a little hand and foot combo. Our turn. We did the running man, and then i thought to myself, What could i possibly do to "win"? So, although it seemed like a great idea at the time, i proceed to use my legs like a human 'Skipp It'. For those of you who remember the skipp it, thats the best way for me to describe my little move. So then i tell gaby to actually jump over my feet when they come by her.

Jump. And she lands on (not OVER) my feet.

This is one of those you live and learn situations. At my expense. We all had a good long laugh about this. I laughed so hard, my stomach hurt more then my actual feet. I dont recommend this for any of you out there. Never.

After a few moments of dramatizations by Mon, the party continued.

Tragedy #2- Guest goes M.I.A
Juju and i were dancing, when i turn to him and ask where mon & cristina were. I turn to find cristina on the couch. I waive. Where's mon? Hm. I thought he could be downstairs by Juju's parents since they had been down there earlier. I didn't think much about it and continued dancing for at least 3-4 more songs. A few minutes later Gaby came and told me she was tired and was ready to head out. So i went and got her coat, as well as Jesse's. Then Victor and Leah decided to leave as well, so i got them their coats too. They said good bye to everyone and i proceeded to walk them out. We walked down the stairs and i go to open the door. Open, and Lo & Behold there is one poor shivering mon. Oh my god! He had been out there for several minutes with out a coat on. He tried ringing the door bell, but we couldn't hear it over the music. He had his phone with him, but it was no good. Our music was too loud and no one could hear their phones either. I felt horrible.

I quickly pulled him in and helped his frail body up the stairs. Ok, ok, well maybe not FRAIL, but weakened to say the least. I tried to find anything and everything to put on top of him.

I took all the cushions from our couches to try to warm him up and Juju got a blanket from his room.


He was not a happy camper!



Cristina was able to warm him up a bit.

With all the commotion going on we totally forgot to cut my cake. So i did. They sang, i joined in, got scolded for singing my own birthday song and we all had a piece of cake. I made a wish before blowing out the votive candle we used in lieu of a birthday candle. I think my wish was for my foot not be fractured tomorrow. =-)

All in all, with or without tragedies, this was the best birthday ever. I am still so amazed at Juju's thoughtfulness. He ceases to amaze me. I truly have a wonderful, wonderful man! I knew 23 was going to be great ;-)

Clelebrate-Part 1

Since I worked late on Thursday, i really had no plans nor intentions of going out. I stopped at Jujus house after work to get a bite to eat since i had not eaten since 1. So he asked if i wanted to go out and have a few beers, but i wasn't too in the mood, plus my feet hurt, but he really wanted to take me out for a bit after working a 12 hour shift. Since I knew that anyone who i would celebrate my birthday with would have to be at work early the next day it was just juju, mon & I. Cristina couldn't join us so that sucked, no offense boys.

So off we go to The General, formerly known as Timers. The music was good, the place was a bit drafty and the bartender (chick) was off. And when i say off i mean she was like on something, perhaps prescription drugs. She instantly forgot what we ordered, left our drinks somewhere else and even "closed" our tab with someone else's credit card. Seriously. Sadly, she could have put the card holder in serious risk of identity theft. When juju told the bartender that wasn't our card she just took it back and gave us ours as if it was no big deal. So we left. I was asked where i wanted to go... and where did i say? VBar! Its located in the heart of our homosexual community. I will use the term gay because when people try to be politically correct about something its because they feel guilty of not liking that specific group. Plus I know people who are gay, and i love them, and they are just another pea in the pod in my eyes. A lot of time nicer then most people i come across. But i digress.
They had a live DJ playing some great music, the drinks were great and the overall atmosphere was pleasant. I have to say, i didn't know how Juju and Mon would react about going into Vbar, but they were in from the moment i suggested it, which was really nice of them both. Here are a few pictures of us at Vbar

I bet your wondering why the pictures look that way, well, messing around with the setting i discovered the option for soft snaps, where it actually changes the timing on the shutter to produce different effects. That's why it looks like we are standing still yet the world around us is moving at a rapid speed.

See, here i am with my drink, again, I'm enjoying the moment as 'the world turns'.

I have to say, out of all the pictures, this one of Mon is my favorite. It looks like he's have the BEST time of his life. Seriously, you'd think it was his birthday.


So after VBar closed we went to Omega. We had to eat something?! Mon told our waitress it was my birthday so she brought me a huge honking peace of chocolate cake, with a candle and all. At the end of the night, i was very happy Juju 'dragged' me out. I had a great time, and its only Thursday! (well, was) We'll most likely do something on Saturday night. Part 2 anyone?

It's My Birthday!

Today, 23 years ago, I was born.

This morning i was woken up by Dulce and Pita (her younger sister, Pita, deriving from Guadalupe; Lupe for short; Lupita out of love; and Pita for short. I like to call her pitation though!) so any how, they came over in the morning to give me some flowers, they were beautiful.
I though that was very thoughtful and sweet of them! I couldn't bring them to work though because they would die in the cold and i don't want to leave them here over the weekend either. So i left them at home.

At work, I was greeted by our traditional potluck birthday food day. This morning, I was contemplating bringing in cupcakes, you know how 7 year old bring them in for classmates on his or her birthday, but i was already running a bit behind schedule, so i decided not too. Perhaps next year.

My sister called with her Happy Birthday Monkey Donkey Zoo song. And my phone hasn't stopped ringing/texting since. Its nice to see such a turn out of well wishes. As you get older, you realize how much a sincere birthday wish means more to you then any barbie or my little pony. All the things that happened over the past year have only made me stronger, smarter, more caring and giving, and a better person over all. It seems like only yesterday i was 22 (lol). Seriously though, Juju and I met when we were 18 and we've grown a lot together, as individuals and as a couple. 22 was a good year (age) for me. I'm sure 23 will be even better.

My Soon to be Family...

In 169 days.

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

Come join me as I freak out. That's right, I have never hyperventilated before in my life, but here I am, with a brown paper GROCERY bag. I used to like watching my countdown, it is now in my desk drawer, taunting me from behind the hanging files...

Its funny when people ask "How are the wedding plans coming along?" I smile and say good. But then when they ask me what I still have to get done, and I begin to list all the things that we need to get done, I become nervous, short of breath, dizzy, faint.

I mean, juju and i have discussed what we want for certain things, we just have to actually do them. Ok, so here it is people. Before Christmas, (22 days away) I will have booked the following: Photographer, DJ, Florist & Cake. I am guilty of procrastinating, when i see the list of everything i have yet to do on 'paper' (monitor) I realize how much i really haven't done. I know it doesn't seem like a lot, and you think, 22 days?! what a breeze! I should have all that done, BUT I have been very busy lately.

So first thing is first... Contact vendors we are interested in. Make appointment. Review. Discuss. Book.

doesn't seem to hard? right?

Ladies and gentlemen... Winter!

Adriancito's Birthday!

Mon and Cristina's cutie patutie turns 1 today. And there is no better way for a one year old to celebrate his birthday than with a giant mouse! Chuck E. Cheese that is.
Here are a few pictures of his big day.
Here is Mon & Cristina... Proud Parents


Skii Ball anyone?


Here is Adriancito enjoying his birthday cupcake.

Finger Lickin' Gooood!

Happy Thanksgiving!

That's about all i have to say about that.
Who am i kidding? I'll be back later. =-)

Update:

I would just like to say that Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. (Flag day comes in a close second)I love the meaning of this holiday. Don't get me wrong, Jesus's birth is non less important, when its true meaning is still celebrated. Whats wrong with today's society is that Christmas has become commercialized, for the benefit of the retailers who profit from it. Thanksgiving, brings families together to celebrate the things they are grateful for, not material things, but like, the special people in your life, the clothes on your back, the food on your plate and roof over your head.

Sadly, sometimes people don't take the time to be truly thankful for what and who they have in their lives.

I think this world would be a nicer place if people would stop and think about how lucky they are to have everything that God has given to them. When we learn to not take things or people for granted we will truly see how much we really should be thankful for. I could sit here and list all the things that i am thankful for, but i wouldn't want your left overs to get cold. So i will make it brief: I am thankful for Love, Life, Family & Friends and all it encompasses.

T'was the night before thanksgiving...

And we were Chicago bound. It was just us girls (my sister Gaby, Cookie & I)and our mochas...

My uncle Leonardo was coming from PA for the thanksgiving weekend before returning back to his family in Mexico. He has been here since april, back when juju and I got engaged. We were to pick him up at the greyhound station around midnight, he and a few other people drove here and they were going to drop him off and we would pick up the road trip from there. Even though we had a GPS we still, somehow managed to take a few wrong turns. Shortly before arriving at the greyhound station my uncle called and said he would meet us at the oasis near Gurnee, IL, but since we were past Gurnee we agreed to meet at the O'Hare airport oasis.

We finally made it. Sweet success.

We packed his bags into my car and headed back home, but not before taking a few more wrong turns. We made a stop at Jalisco's for a 'quick' 3am bite. Yes, you read that right. 3 in the morning.

I felt bad for cookie, she couldn't quite get confortable. She tried falling asleep but Megan (the lady inside the GPS) spoke loudly. Sadly, i think we easily spent close to $10 dollars at the tollways. Seriously. I got on and off the freeway so many times! Sometimes, I feared that I would get the same person and they would call me out on the fact that i had just passed through their.

All in all we had a good & safe trip. We went to bed around 4:15 in the morning. In a few more hours, it would be time for thanksgiving dinner.