When Changing Plans is a Good Thing

Ron and I decided to move our weekend plans around and go on a brunch date a couple of weekends ago. We tried a new place (to us!) called Cafe Maji. I've been wanting to visit a place with this kind of interior for so long and even though it took us a year and a half to discover, this one is only 0.6 miles away from our house.

The drinks were amazing, however, the bulgogi quesadilla was a little meh. I'll try a sandwich or the banana nutella waffle next time. My iced espresso was super strong, I had to ask for milk--this is a good thing though! As you can see, presentation of everything was very pretty and did it's job of making the food appetizing. The free wifi is a plus even though we did not use it. We'll definitely be back!

And now some blog love:
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Linking up with:
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Ohana

After that post about my dogs being naughty I thought I'd share of my favorite things about our little monsters. At least once a month, my family (that includes my mom, sister and soon-to-be sister-in-law) visits these dogs and our pantry. The pantry part is a really good thing because we need a lot of help finishing everything I buy from the store. Hahaha!

Like Fox and Chippy's effect on me and Ron, they also entertain and are very effective stress relievers for my family. Fox especially, as he already knows the ways around my mom and mom the same because mom used to dog sit for us. Chippy entertains everyone by simply showing his tummy every time someone walks by him and lets anyone pick him up for some loving.

Both dogs are quirky around people and around each other and luckily, my family has picked up on almost everything these dogs are picky about. Ron and I feel like my family misses these two more than they miss us. Haha! They treat Fox and Chippy like they are their human grandsons/nephews and spoil them to bits. And I'm beyond happy that they do.

Is your doggy a part of your family too?

It's a Sparkly Season

Ron's cousin who works in Hawaii visited us last weekend for Thanksgiving. We have not taken someone around LA in a long time and although we almost failed in finding a Mexican restaurant in the eve of Thanksgiving because almost every place in town closed early, we had a pretty productive night despite them waiting for me to get home from school and and getting to the Farmers Market too late. Haha!

Top: H&M. Coat: Cotton On.

First place we took him to was the Grove. First place we took him to was the Grove. It was a win-win for everyone because 1) he's never been there, 2) stores were about to close so there was no chance we were able to shop and 3) Ron and I don't frequent this part of the city unless someone is in town.

Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving was a success! I did not prepare anything though so who am I to say that?! LOL I woke up with sore throat and a headache and was useless pretty much the whole day. Thank God for my sister and her fiance for helping Ron out. Ron went to a quick grocery store hopping trip during the morning to look for good stuff we can serve for lunch and dinner.

We also took some time to take family pictures during dinner. It was a little tough to keep the crowd focused when you have a dog who's in a humping mood. Hahaha! I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving! :)

Beach Day: La Jolla, CA

When my sister was in town, we spent her only weekend here in SoCal in San Diego. And as one of our cousins suggested, we hung out at La Jolla after we all got a massage. I already miss that weekend and how much time we spent relaxing. Quality time with family is always time well-spent.

The sky in these pictures are so deceptive, you'd think it was a cold day at the beach but I promise you, it was not. It was so hot and bright!

So we tested the water, it wasn't cold but there were so many slippery rocks that it did not feel safe to dive in and go far from the shore.

And then this thing I know would happen happened.

But don't worry, nobody got hurt...within the next 15 minutes. Haha!

Don't worry, she's fine. :p

Now here's my sister and her cool sunnies. 

 And then the sisters again thinking they're cool with their kuya Ron handing them the GoPro.

 "I need a GoPro."

My love. :)

<3

You will never guess why she was running towards me and Ron.

How Could You Not Want to Come Home to This?

Sometimes, when Ron calls me to let me know that he is on his way home, I get the dog excited for his daddy. On this one specific day, I cracked the door open so Fox can take a peek.

When I heard Ron's car rev up on its way to the subterranean garage, we walked out and waited in the patio. Fox was very serious about waiting for his daddy.

Then Ron saw us from afar and started yelling out Fox's name. The dog just went crazy barking, jumping, bending down, while vigorously wagging his tail.

To reciprocate the excitement, Ron bent down so Fox can give him kisses.

PS, I am proud to say that none of these pictures were edited. Yay for learning how to shoot in manual mode! :)

New Beginnings

Last week was a good week for changes and new beginnings and I like it a lot. As you might have noticed, I have been super quiet here as well as my favorite blogs. I haven't had the chance to stop, sit on the couch, put my feet up and read blogs. But all is well in this part of town. :)

1 - I started going to school again! The time off being unemployed definitely made me feel the need to have something I can spend my time on so school it is! I was so excited for my Business Law class...even though I got lost on my way to the campus. Luckily (nerdily), I have a copy of the Campus map and I ended up having to drive around the school to get to the part that I'm familiar with. I have two other classes Econ and another business class that I cannot remember the actual title. This is the first time I'm taking three classes in one sem because I have been employed full time for the past six years so wish me luck!

2 - I saw my little sister again after three years! She lives with our dad in Seattle and since there was some sort of rift, we have not been communicating with each other as well. LOL

3 - Because my little sister is in town last week and it was her birthday last Friday, my cousins and I got together. The last time we hung out with each other (three years ago) was with the "oldies" and we were not really able to talk with each other. This time was much more fun! Ron was surprised about how crazy my cousins and I get when we're together. Imagine six girls talking, laughing with and making fun of each other at the same time. Pepper in a few in-laws and an aunt --- it became a royal rumble. #crazierthananyfamilyshow

4 - I started a new job! Yes! It's parttime so I need to keep looking for a fulltime job but still, it's better than nothing and it will help prolong the end of my unemployment insurance...because the senate hasn't decided if they're going to extend unemployment insurance or not. :(

Life is good. I can't complain.

PS
Going to Seattle early tomorrow and I cannot wait. My sister, Epi, Ron and I have never taken a trip together where it's just us so we'll see how this goes. Also, there is a storm coming to SoCal on Thursday night and will be here till Saturday. Hopefully, our flight won't be affected!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom is the most unconventional mom in the world. I thought how she handled us was normal like how every mom in the world raise their kids. Little did I know, she is the coolest mom ever. Our friends would always rave about how our mom is super cool. When I got a little older and actually listened to my friends, I realized that she did let me have my first drink. How cool is that (for a teenage kid)?

We celebrated her birthday yesterday and had brunch at the Odyssey with the family. It was a great champagne-fueled time except for the super hot weather! O_o I was going to write something nice for her on here but we already wrote a special note for her with all our wishes and how much we love her. <3 

Reading our little notes for her.

Everyone, except for Ron. He was the photographer.

Because she said she didnt have a jewelry box, we got her this.

Mom and Kev: What's this?
Mom: Do I open it here?

Mom and Kev: Ooooh! A huge cellphone?! Hahaha

My Number One

Things got way busy here and I wasn't able to post yesterday about the #1 person I'm thankful for last year, so here I am making up for it on the first day of 2014. LOL In 2013, I am most thankful for my husband. He's been my partner in crime, my best friend, and also the weirdest person to have an argument with.

He is also Fox's favorite cuddle buddy and I'm sure this little guy is more than happy to have him as his doggie daddy. He loves him so much, I have an enormous amount of pictures of Fox giving Ron doggie kisses. LOL

I love you Ron! Here's to another year of adventures, goals and hopefully, vacations (because we skipped it way too many times last year. LOL)! :)

And to everyone...

Family

Today, I'd like to share how thankful I am for my family. I will never be this understanding and accepting if not for them. They taught me how to make the best out of the worst. There was a time when my mom kept saying, "Better than nothing." It annoyed me because she said it too many times but now that we have our own little family, I get what it really means.

via someecards

We did not grow up in a worldly fashion. We lived a simple life, with some luxury peppered in, thanks to our extremely generous relatives, and because of that, we are the easiest people to cheer up although I am possibly the grumpiest of us all. Ha!

It feels good to know that I have three other women who have my back on everything I do. Wait, there was a time when we had to turn out back on our mom because...we were teens. You know, that time in your life when you tell your mom that the "dirt" in your sister's uniform's pocket is just dirt from something but definitely not cigarettes. LOL Or that you do not know anything about what's going on your sister's life. Hahaha! Anyway, other than that time, I know that we now have each others' backs. ;) Love you mom!

via eCardmonkey

Now that we (technically) have siblings-in-law, a niece, and a nephew, the mental and emotional support I pull out of them is comforting. Even though my sister and her family are thousand of miles away, to know that she's there for me gives me a warm blankety feeling. Having my other sister a drive away is very convenient especially when I miss bothering someone (aka my sister and her girlfriend). And last but not the least, to have my mom now a FaceTime call away, is the best! We bother each other at least once everyday. There is always a new story to tell and we also share a lot of inside jokes. (Mom, I know you're reading this, where's the watch? Hahaha!)

I am so grateful to have a good relationship with everyone in our family, and that they have accepted Ron with open arms in our own little world. :)

Thank you, mom, ate Ria, and ate Jef. I love you three so so so so so much! <3

PS
No pictures of us because we have yet to reunite! The last time we were all together was 2006. We shall see each other soon though!