adventures in dating marriage: our stories

We were engaged! and now we're married!

2011-05-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, so---2009 came and went... and 2010 started off with a bang! We got engaged January 9th, 2010.
We were going to dinner to celebrate our birthdays and Joe popped the question. So after a year of extensive planning on my part--and Joe helped out too we were married April 30, 2011. Best day of our lives. And now--I begin this new chapter of my life trying to capture the first year of our life together...

A Whole Lotta--Everythang...

2009-05-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

So--the inevitable wedding, came and went. With that came a rehersal dinner, a small little after party, a lot of dancing--and some fun with friends and family. Not to mention, a lot of pictures.
But it was a beautiful wedding...gorgeous day and super hot. i'd like to give you a run down about the festivities and events leading up to the big day, but im just too lazy to post....they're coming soon.

Quick update on Joe and I---nope we're not next... (we got that question asked to us alot that day...) hehe..but like adults, we shook it off...that's it. =)

The Getty Center and Diddy Riese's (Westwood Village)

2009-05-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

Well hello! It's been awhile since I last posted---and since then, I've just been really busy with getting use to the new schedule. I don't have much down time now, to blog or check out other blogs, or even just to relax--really. Saturdays have been spent, doing all the things I use to do on weekdays, ie: laundry, dry cleaning, running errands and occasional mall visits, but today---I've carved out some specific blog time.

Last weekend Joe and I visited the Getty Center museum in LA. It was his first time there, and my millionth time. I just love it out there. Its so picturesque and beautiful. It was a really nice day when we went too---so that just made the views and the whole experience for him just that much more enjoyable. Every time I go, its like my first time. There's always a great new traveling exhibit, this time it was an exhibit on sculptures. Beautiful pieces from Rome and France---handcrafted with such care, grace and elegance. I love looking at such inspiring pieces. They were so old too! Talk about time well spent! Joe loved his first time at the getty! he loved the views, the art, but most of all the architecture. he couldn't stop talking about how he loved the buildings.

After a wonderful afternoon spent outside admiring beautiful works of such great masters, we made our way to westwood village for some dinner and dessert at diddy reise's.

Animal in LA, Easter 09 and My New Job!

2009-04-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

So this week has been crazy---and it's only Tuesday! How am I going to find time to blog when I'm so tired now, and it's only 8:15. Maybe today is an exception, because I got up at 4:30 and pondered whether or not to hit the gym in the morning versus in the afternoon. Needless to say, I hit the gym bright and early this morning---5:30am!!! That's the earliest I've hit the gym since high school! But that could be the reason why Im so tired.

Anyway, last week ended with a bang. Finished off my "spring break" with Joe, Cathy, her bf.. Vernon and another one of her former co-workers Becky at a restaurant in LA called Animal. It was delicious! I don't remember what we ordered but we ordered a lot and we did enjoy everything, including the dessert. Which I do remember was called Joe's Doughnuts. They were rolled in sugar and covered in caramel. Absolutely fantastic! They melted in my mouth they were so good. I think everyone agreed.

That was Saturday night. Sunday, was Easter--and that was spent this year with my family. My mom made ham, with the sauce that Joe loves so much. It's made with pineapple juice, brown sugar and then cut slices of pineapple. It's pretty scrumptious and sweet. So we had that with the ham, some potato salad, chips and salsa, with my sister's chicken enchiladas.....and then coffee cake. MMMMM! We were full. It was delicious. A perfect way to end a nice break and move into life in the real world....

That brings me to yesterday---Monday the 13th, my first day. It was everything that you would expect on a first day. My computer wasn't ready, I had to clean a really dirty cube, had no log on access, no internet, no phone, and then my boss shut my computer down to restart it, only to crap out. So---pretty much had to just sit and shadow the dude who sits between me and my boss. That wasn't very eventfull...today was different. I dusted and cleaned up---threw out, get this----old food that the person before me, left in her drawers. EWWWWW! GROSS! Im surprised no one smelled anything. SO GROSS! Seriously, the place was dusty and a mess. My eyes were burning from all the dust. Today was better, my computer is up and running, i have internet, a phone and its alot cleaner than it was when I came in on monday. SO YAY! Im very excited about what I design for them. I started a advertisement that'll be sent out sometime next week in Email form. I think if you sign up at sportchalet.com to be an action pass member, you get a bunch of emails that I design...promoting sales and events. You should totally do it, just to be able to see what I'm doing.....hahaha...

Till next time---CHEERS!

Yay for Spring!

2009-04-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Spring is said to represent new life, growth, rebirth....all things related to being clean and crisp. I think of spring cleaning, new sheets, fresh and crisp green salad..sometimes Vivaldi's four season's, Spring--of course is what I hear throughout my head...Needless to say---it's been spring since last month, and so much has changed since March 21st.

Michelle and Piotr got married, Carrie had her bridal shower, and I finally got a job..in between that, Joe and I had some time to spend together with my family and his family by going to David Thomas's and Joseph's open house and hangin out with Valerie after the bridal shower. It's been really busy....

Getting ready for my new job this Monday because its my first day. I've been choosing dental and vision plans as well as choosing a 401k plan and health plan. Also tryin to figure out how much I should contribute to these plans...UGH its been difficult. But all in all a nice change. Picking out first week outfits and planning my workout schedule along with buying new business attire has been so fun. I love getting prepared. Ive been envisioning this for a long time, and for it to seriously be happening around the corner, is so unbelievable.. I mean, I knew it was going to happen I just didn't realize it was really going to happen.....Crazy.

So change--its good. I feel like my life is changing for the good. Its like spring cleaning...starting fresh, starting new. Its like entering a really clean room for the first time, and jumping on the bed! =)

Anyway--these links, are pictures to the photos of our latest adventures...(Carrie's bridal shower and our LA Cultural Adventure)

Im hoping to still be able to blog every now and then, but don't count on daily posts like before. Just to forewarn you....I can't blog at work like i use to... hahahaha. CHEERS! Happy Spring! and Happy Easter!

Open House at CJ Morris Elementary

2009-04-02T12:57:00.001-07:00

So--I'm a proud Tita. (*Auntie in Tagalog) Both my nephews are excelling in school. Here are the pictures to prove it! Joe and I spent the evening with my family, visiting the boys' classrooms and seeing their hard work. I can't believe they're in First and Second grade already! Joe forgot how small things were in elementary school. He felt like a giant standing next to their desks and their tables....rightfully so--he's 6'2. Among the Ooh's and Ahh's between looking at their work and their classrooms---we managed to take a few candid shots at school....aren't they the cutest?!? you can check the rest of the photos out on flickr.

Auntie Em's Red Velvet

2009-03-25T15:08:00.001-07:00

IMG_0850, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

So a few weeks ago, my friend Cathy---introduced me to Auntie Em's Kitchen in Eagle Rock, and that very weekend Joe and I went. That day, we were too stuffed to try any of her famous pastries but we did take home a very thin chocolate chip cookie. Which was delicious!

Monday, Joe and I went to Auntie Em's again. This time, with a mission to not eat too much and save room each for our respective sweets. This time I wanted a Red Velvet cupcake, and Joe said he wanted a Lemon Bar and to take home a chocolate chip cookie. Needless to say our efforts weren't wasted. After having a much needed and satisfying breakfast---this time he ordered the Honey Orange French Toast and I ordered a veggie open faced sandwich, I ordered my cupcake and Joe just had room for a cookie. No Lemon Bar this time. =(

I ordered the Large red velvet and decided to share it with my friend Cathy. It doesn't look that big in the picture---but believe me, its HUGE! And to make it even more decadent, when we sliced it in half---there's about 2 inches of frosting on an already LARGE piece of cake. It's definitely delicious, but worth sharing. They come in 3 sizes...mini which you could probably eat in one bite, medium--good for one, and large---good for sharing.

Apparently the recipe for this particular cupcake was featured on Bobby Flay's Cupcake Throw Down, not too long ago. Here's the Link.
Cathy told me she (auntie em) really uses an ice cream scoop to scoop on the frosting for these cakes...MMMMMMMMM! This is why im fat!

My Business Cards!

2009-03-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know. This is supposed to be a blog about Joe and I, but I just couldn't help myself.I ordered my moo business cards about 3 weeks ago and they're finally here! All the way from London! Just look at how cute they are!

Auntie Em's Kitchen

2009-03-15T16:51:00.001-07:00

IMG_0722, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

IMG_0730, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

IMG_0731, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

If 2 weddings isn't enough, add just one more. My new friend at work, Cathy just got engaged to her long time bf Vernon. Congratulations to them! Well--in search of a caterer, she stumbled upon this gem in Eagle Rock and asked me to try it and let her know how it was. So, in the interest of friendship---I took Joe out there to good ol' Eagle Rock or Etown as he would call it, for some down home country cookin.

We headed west friday morning--for Auntie Em's kitchen. Nestled between a used car lot and some small businesses, there sits this diamond in the rough. Auntie Em's is a small eatery, with BIG taste!
We weren't expecting a crowd in such a small place, but there was. Outside seating was bare, because it was unusually cold in sunny southern California. We sat outside, and ordered....

I had the Orange-Honey French Toast with a Rasberry Lemonade and Joe had the Open faced egg and bacon sandwich with gruyere cheese...and the verdict?...

FANTASTIC! My french toast came with 3 well fried pieces of toast with tons of berries...(strawberries, blue berries and black berries) dusted with powdered sugar. Absolutely fantastic! It was absolutely the best french toast i'd ever had! MMMMMM! Joe's sandwich looked very good as well, but I couldn't have any because it had bacon in it. (i gave up meat for lent.) After such a big breakfast, and high hopes to have dessert, we opted for 2 super thin chocolate chip cookies....also very very good! Needless to say, the video pretty much sums up his review of this place....I would come back here in a heartbeat and recommend this place to anyone!

Status Update....

2009-03-10T10:12:00.001-07:00

So if you've been counting, its been over a month since I started trying to loose my behind in 09. =) I started the monday after superbowl sunday. And as of today 3-10-09, I have officially lost (drum roll please)----13 pounds! I feel good and feel slimmer for sure. Though, I don't think its very apparent i've lost any weight. Most people reactions when I tell them Im on a diet and that i've lost 13 pounds, aren't sure of whether or not I had that to loose. One of my friends was like, where did you hide those 13 pounds? I sure don't know, but where ever they were, I lost them! hahah...

Anyway--weddings, weddings, weddings....They seem to be consuming my life right now. Joe's too--but mine more for sure. Aside from making those bridal invites for Carrie, I also helped my cousin Michelle in assembling programs, candy give aways and table photo place cards....It was a busy weekend. But very fun and most of all--very creative! I absolutely had a great time! I do feel for my Auntie Bambi though, she still has a lot to finish putting together...

Saturday was spent doing all that is creative, and the Sunday Joe and I headed out to Old Town Pasadena, to pick up a few last minute paper items for Carrie's registered here inserts and then had a little mix up with our lunch/dinner plans---but headed back to Burbank to hangout in downtown. We ate at Granville--fine burgers and drinks and then spent the afternoon walking through downtown Burbank. It was a beautiful day.

We also did a little shopping---some shopping for the weddings we're invited to. Joe helped me pick out my shoes for Carrie's wedding. Here's a good look at it.

It's a really nice pair of shoes. Im so glad they fit really nicely and are comfortable. They fit nice and snug and I really fon't feel uncomfortable walking/standing in them. Dancing on the other hand, might cause some foot ache....but we'll see. I really wanted to have a pair of shoes to have to try on with the dress when I go in for a fitting this weekend. So they can get the alterations done according to the length with the shoes on.

Needless to say, we walked away with a pair of shoes for me, a dress to wear to Michelle's wedding, and Joe picked up a new polo shirt for work. It was a successful day of shopping!

Part two

2009-03-05T12:53:00.001-08:00

the whole set, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

heart_seals, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

thank you cards, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

IMG_0684, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

here are a few more images from the set of bridal shower invites, thank you cards and hang tags i handmade...=P

We're still alive...

2009-03-03T08:42:00.001-08:00

cut_outs, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

invite_a, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

invite_b, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

thank_yous, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

I know it's been ages since I last posted, but its only because we've both been so busy---work and work and then finding time to hang out and spend some quality time with each other. It's just been a crazy few weeks. I can't believe its March already! Where did February go?!?!

So here's the scoop---
At the end of last month, Joe's mom asked me if I could make Carrie's (his sister's) wedding shower invitations...This latest photo is of the finished product. I was so happy that she asked me to do this because its absolutely something I love doing! Sure there were some late nights--and a point where I almost stabbed myself with a box cutter, but that's not something Im already used to. Hahaha... It really is only because I was so wrapped up in the fun of it all. I loose track of time on projects like this. One minute its 7am...the next its 3:45. WTH? It's been crazy fun though. I get a rush when Im up late getting things done. It's like reliving the best year of college.... Ive loved every minute of this project! I just hope people see the effort, love and care to make them. They're like my babies. I did make 35 of them!

I DO...

2009-02-21T21:42:00.000-08:00

So this year is a kind of crazy year with weddings...with Joe and I being a part of and helping out at Carrie and Sean's and then helping out with my cousin Michelle's wedding. Both weddings are this year, Michelle's in March and Carrie's in May.

We've been so blessed to be able to be apart of each of these weddings, whether it be actually in the wedding party, or it be just helping out where we can---weddings bring families together and so far, I love how it's brought us closer to them. We're very fortunate to have such great families that its amazing how we mesh so well at each others' family. It's like we fit in...its great!

I've come to the realization lately, that marriage isn't too far away for me anymore. It use to seem like such a far out concept. Like--oh yeah, i'll get married--after college or after I find work...or after I move out or after i find the right person....So far I've completed and found two things..joe and i finished college. And as the single women I know gradually, continue to get engaged, the concept of marriage becomes more and more of a reality to me. Which doesn't scare me so much as it excites me.

I've been so blessed to have such a wonderful person as Joe in my life....should marriage be in the cards for us, I would be so lucky....

menbabe, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

My Valentine in '09

2009-02-16T09:24:00.000-08:00

So this past Saturday was Valentine's day. And Joe and I spent the last half of the day together exchanging small gifts and watching tv. We don't usually make a HUGE thing out of valentine's day but we do like to exchange small gifts and spend time together. I got him a book that he mentioned he liked---Mafia a complete history, by Jo Durden Smith. He got me a nice box of chocolates and a dvd of Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. Which was a great movie with Micheal Cera (*Super bad and Arrested Development...) That was Saturday. Then yesterday the 15th we watched the Wrestler and had dinner at Outback steakhouse. It was some much needed time spent together... I hope you're Valentine's day was as nice..

Remember when....

2009-01-28T13:48:00.000-08:00

I was going through some of my old social networking sights...friendster, myspace and facebook trying to condense the amount of pictures I have...

and I came across some really good old ones of me and Joe...this first one was the first night Jenny, Monica and I met Randy's new (then girlfriend..) now wife.. WOW how time has flown by! I think this might've even been before Jen's 2nd kid Jordan...

this next one is the first time I took Joe to the MOCA to see Ztrip...my favorite DJ. He had a blast! That was so much fun. Look how young we look. This must've been the first year we were together because we met up with my friend Mark that night who Joe had never met until then.. That night was so fun!

we sure do have a lot of pictures together....i'll keep posting the older ones..=P

Slanted Comedy

2009-01-26T16:58:00.000-08:00

So this passed Saturday, Joe and I went to the Improv in Brea, to see some comedians perform at the Slanted Comedy show. It was fantastic! If you ever get a chance to go, we (and I think i can speak for Joe) HIGHLY recommend going.

here are some short clips of the commedians we saw...

Edwin San Juan

Kevin Shae

Justin Rivera

Jo Koy

Jokes.com

Jo Koy - Wii

"Sometimes when we touch...

2009-01-22T08:15:00.000-08:00

the honesty's too much and i have to close my eyes and hide I wanna hold you til I die Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides..." you know that famous love song by dan hill? im so mushy sometimes....

so it had been up until yesterday almost a week and a half since Joe and I last saw each other. I know I know---sometimes Im weird. A week and a half? what am i cryin about? some people go weeks without seeing the person they love.. that is something i can't seem to wrap my head around.... But--seriously, we live our lives--we know that we can't see or be with each other ALL the time.... we just talk every day and every night---and usually in between. But there is something about seeing a person you love and being able to hold and touch them that makes things so much nicer--especially after a long time. I mean, I love that we talk all the time, and that we tell each other we love each other all the time....but there is something about being with, holding and being able to be right next to the person you love without saying anything. it just felt right. it's a comfortable silence..that isn't awkward or scary, but more of a calming silence. it just felt good to be there and just be together....

Merry Christmas to Me, the Pictures!

2009-01-16T08:12:00.001-08:00

getting ready to go, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

my very own hulk, i mean hunk!, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

souvenir tee!, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

my feet hurt!, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

what a great night!, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-01-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

I don't usually pick out the movies we watch in theaters together. Once in a while I'll request we see something, but usually we don't see it---because we're busy, or because of some other reason that gets in the way. Well last November, (08) a friend of mine from work, recommended I see Slumdog Millionaire. He said, it was really good and that I would love it. At that point I hadn't even heard of the greatness that is Slumdog Millionaire. So Christmas came and went, so did New Years and finally so did our birthdays. Even through those times, I had been hearing how good this movie was---and finally, last week Joe and I set out to watch it. It's a GREAT INDIE FLICK! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. Everything, from the way it was shot--the story, the love story---EVERYTHING! It was absolutely worth my time. I left the movie theatre feeling amazing...so happy that the story ended the way it did. I still feel wonderful about it, and its been over a week since I saw it. I loved it so much I sometimes contemplate seeing again...alone. Anyway since I saw it, it's won 4 golden globes! Now if that isn't a sign about how great this movie is, then I don't know what is....in short, its a great film! GO SEE IT!

Merry Christmas to me!

2009-01-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

So this Christmas, Joe got me a really nice book that I really wanted, but didn't want to fork over the dough to buy and in it came two tickets to see my super duper huge man crush---John Legend! WooHooo! Yippeeee! Yesterday was the show and we had an awesome time! Estelle was his opening act and we had the chance to see her this past summer at the House of Blues in Anaheim. She was FANTASTIC as well! We had a really good time! Pictures to come.....stay tuned!

Bring on the Diet...

2009-01-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

So---it's a new year....we're a year older and for me about 20-25 pounds heavier than what i would like to ideally weigh. Carrie and Sean's wedding is in t-minus 18 weeks...or a little over 4.5 months. Joe and I have decided along with the rest of his family to shed some pounds in efforts to "look good" and "feel good" for the big day. Im actually doing it to fit into the bridesmaid dress im wearing....the fitting for that is in a few weeks and Im in need of some serious advice to shed some poundage before I get all depressed with how the dress fits. I need to loose some serious weight....how am i going to do it? I weighed myself in yesterday, and I am at a whopping 145lbs! The heaviest I've EVER been! =( I know---excercise and a diet is what everyone is saying but isnt there anything out there that's quicker than that? Here I go with wanting a quick fix for a problem that probably only gets better by doing the work. I know, I know---I know what I have to do, but its definitely not what I want to do... What a way to start the year....should be exciting to see how we all do, how we all do it and how much we all actually loose....Even more interesting, would be how long we could all keep it off for. Wish us luck!

25 Signs We're Getting Old....

2009-01-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can’t smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 a.m . is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of “hook up” and “break up.”
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as “dressed up.”
10. You’re the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won’t turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don’t know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald’s leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer “pretty good shit.”
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. “I just can’t drink the way I used to” replaces “I’m never going to drink that much again.”
23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
25. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking “Oh shit what the hell!”

Well at least 7 things on this list are what I can relate too--that's less than half---that doesn't make me that old. hahah......

Another New Year another YEAR OLDER!

2009-01-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

So tomorrow is the first day of my 27th year on this earth. Shortly there after Joe will be celebrating his own 26th birthday....How funny it is that we are so close in birthdays...

Oh im getting old. We both are...Actually we ALL are....

All I can say is that I look forward to my 27th year...I have no choice but to embrace it. I am looking forward to what lies ahead for me this year. I don't know if you've heard but its gonna be the year of the caris! Big things are gonna happen for me this year....I KNOW IT! The lord has blessed me with 27 beautiful years on this earth, Im grateful for all of them and embrace this new one with more love than the last 26.

Here's to many more happy years!...

CHEERS and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T22:59:00.001-08:00

IMG_0412_retouched, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

may this new year bring joy, happiness, health, good fortune and prosperity! Happy 2009!

love,
joe & carissa

some photos from the night.....

playing the complete saga 2..., originally uploaded by misscaris20.

cake, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

Flashback: Halloween 2006

2008-12-30T22:51:00.001-08:00

PA210097, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

An oldie but a goodie. I came across some old pictures of joe and i from past years. This was at a halloween party at one of joe's co-workers.... i was a sexy harry potter girl and joe was joe dirt.....it's like sonny and cher---im like the yin to his yang.....hehehe.. we definitely had a good time...

IHOP more like IANTS!

2008-12-30T16:56:00.001-08:00

So today started off like any other day off from work....check my morning email...check facebook, myspace...send out resumes...blah blah...

Usually start the day off with a work out and if Joe is off, we go to the gym together...and possibly have breakfast.

Today, we do just that. Gym at 9:30..breakfast around 10. Today we decide to hit up our local iHop on Citrus. We go, we order...and we get drinks. I order an orange juice and joe orders a rootbeer....we chat, we sit we wait....but joe notices something in his drink.

Wait for it...guess what it is?

Not one ant,or two...but a good helping of ants in his drink! all over the cup...and on the straw! EWWWWW! needless to say we both lost our appetites for food at ihop and left.

Christmas 2k8

2008-12-30T14:29:00.001-08:00

yippeeeee, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

christmas caroling..., originally uploaded by misscaris20.

my new hair dryer!, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

are you video-ing us?, originally uploaded by misscaris20.

Merry Christmas to me! This Christmas like all years was FANTASTIC. Joe and I had a great time shopping, wrapping and spending time with both our families.... First half of Christmas eve was spent at Aunt Val's in Rancho and then the last half was spent at Grammie and Grandpa's in S. El Monte. We had a good time. First chatting it up with Wesman and then headed over to Dave and Barbara's for some tamale's, sugar cookie painting and some good ol' Christmas caroling.... It was a great day to celebrate the birth of our Lord...Merry Christmas!

RAIN, the sick-ies...and freelancing.

2008-12-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

Its been raining now, for what feels like for ever--but really only 2-3 days... I know though, how much Joe hates the rain. I don't hate it---though it makes things even more difficult like going to work---especially driving there. It isn't that much of a drag if you are home and are warm...Definitely somewhere i'd like to be right now. Joe is at home, sick--probably really warm and sleeping off what he says is "just being tired"....*sigh....

It's nearing the end of the semester here at PCC and I will be on vacation from work here until the beginning of the new year. I must say, it will be nice not having to drive here everyday--but I will surely miss the pay check. =( SIGH. Im looking to freelance for anyone, until this job starts up again in January. I have an interview this Thursday for a food packaging label company in Orange....We'll see how that goes. Let's just hope and pray that its the one for me. Because, it wouldn't be a better time for it to come when one job ends....
Wish me luck.

Chargers vs. Steelers

2008-12-15T20:15:00.001-08:00

A couple weekends ago, the Chargers played the Steelers and Joe and I went and saw the game with Sean and Carrie at Matt Denny's in Arcadia. Talk about competitive sibling rivalry....ha! GOOD TIMES!

Thanksgiving and the INO Christmas Party 08

2008-12-15T20:02:00.000-08:00

So I know, I've been lacking in the picture department...but this post is different. I actually have some recent, edited photos of Joe and I at Joe's company Christmas party...We had a great time, dancing, eating and mingle-ling...oh tis' the season for Christmas parties, good friendship and good food!

Let me just say, Thanksgiving was great! It came and went quickly... We spent it with our respective families...Me with my aunt and her friends running a 10k in the morning and then with Dave's family (aunt tina) for dinner in the evening....Joe with Carrie and Sean--Sean's mom in Dana Point (i think...). We had Thanksgiving together the day after at Joe's parents house...

Ripley's Believe It or Not, Chicken Dinner and Tokyo Table

2008-11-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to post anything new lately, because honestly---I haven't had time and I haven't really been taking pictures. As you can see from the last few posts, my camera has been MIA. But---just this past friday (the 21st) Joe and I both had the day off and we decided to hit up Ripley's Believe it or Not...but first, I made breakfast.

Yup--I made breakfast. What was on the menu? Crepés! mmmmmmm! Delicious! I must say for my first time at making them---they were pretty good. I didn't burn anything, and everything tasted good. Toppings were rasberry jam and cottage cheese, or freshly squeezed lemon juice and powdered sugar. My mouth waters just thinking about them. OF COURSE, i forgot to take pictures of my master pieces, so---you'll just have to trust that i made them and that they were fantastic.

Moving on to Ripley's. I didn't know that it was a museum of oddities. It was a little freaky. Largest hands, tallest man, widest mouth....bearded woman, shortest asian man.. it was all there. Joe found this museum funny, and at times i did, but for the most part i was a little freaked. needless to say it was a good time. I forgot to mention, that Joe and I were the only people in the museum next to the woman who we paid to get in and the man, cleaning the museum. It was a quiet visit... =) After Ripley's, (an hour or so later) we decide to hit up the wax museum across the street. So we head over and unlike ripley's parking lot there were a handful of cars in the parking lot. So, we start to get excited. Until--we reach the door. We are greeted with a sign that says, "Wax museum is closed and will NOT reopen." Immediately, we get sad. So why were all those cars in the parking lot? There was a starbucks in front of the old wax museum. So--what do we do next?

We head over to Knott's little shopping/eating area in front of the park. It was a nice day, and a nice day to be walking and shopping, and eating at that. We parked in the two hour slot and headed over to the shops and bakeries. We just gawked at cookies, baked goods and the like. It was around lunch time when we decided to eat lunch at Chicken Dinner. Oh Chicken Dinner! That was an experience. It was reallllly bad! but OH SO GOOD! (pictures to come)

We stuffed our faces at lunch and then went home and took naps! =) Because we had planned to eat with sean and carrie at a japanese place. We knew that going into lunch! YIKES! So--we slept...

Dinner with Sean and Carrie--always fun. You add my favorite food on the planet into the mix--and its' heaven. We ordered so much food. It was unreal. We all definitely left Tokyo Table pretty stuffed...Definitely a good place to eat though. Service was good and food was delicious...

until next time.

Halloween 08 and Pinks Hot Dogs

2008-11-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

So Friday was Halloween....it was a lazy Halloween this year. Just hung out and passed out candy to trick or treaters over at Joe's place. Earlier that day we went and saw Zack and Miri make a porno. Which is totally bad but totally funny. Yesterday, (sat. the 1st) we trek-d our way to LA and stood in line at Pinks hot dogs for about 45 minutes.. We get there, and of course the line is already long...we circled the block and found parking on the street. We made our way down the street and started the long wait...so we wait...and wait...and wait----(45 minutes later) We see the menu board! "what are you gonna get babe? I dunno what are you gonna get?" After about 10 minutes of changing our minds..we order. "i'll have a mild chicago dog with everything and an order of fries and I'll have the huell howswer dog and a polish spicy dog with just mustard and onions."...pheww. we did it. we paid... got some drinks..and finally sat down to try this piece of historic LA...and the verdict is....(drum roll please) its eh---ok i guess.

if you like it when your hot dogs snap when you bite into them (i personally don't) then this is the place for you. i sort of agree with the other million people who reviewed this place on yelp---its Historic LA so you have to try it at least once, but i would really rather hit up costco for a really good all beef hot dog and drink for 1.50. The choices of toppings here though---are enough to make you go crazy. chilli, onions, cheese, guac....everything! soooooo many choices!

Joe would say other wise. He loved it! He really loved the chilli on the huel howser dog. which is, two wienner dogs in one bun with two slices of cheese, chilli and onions. i have to agree with him though on the chilli. it was really good. the polish spicy dog he got, he said was a bit too spicy. he actually didn't finish it all. he couldn't do it with all that spice....

Overall, our Pinks hot dogs experience was worth the 45-60 minute wait and drive. I love LA and its abundance of choices of places to eat...its great!

Petrillos, Orignal Tommy's Shack, Hill Street Café and Fosselman's Ice Cream Parlour...

2008-10-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we hit up all those places to eat! Oh man. We're bad! First--Friday night, we hit up petrillo's italian restaurant in glendora to share a small pepperoni, sausage and black olive pizza...then on saturday, after we went to little temple to celebrate my dear friend linda's birthday, we hit up the original tommy's shack on beverly and rampart in the heart of historic filipino town! I got a chili-cheese burger and fries and joe got a double chili cheese burger and a coke! We ate sooooo fast and standing up that we kind of regretted not being able to enjoy all that is tommy's. today after feeling guilty about eating at the previous listed establishments we went to work out...and have breakfast! Joe's parents introduced us to our favorite breakfast place, hillstreet cafe in downtown glendora. its a small little place with good omlettes...i had a mushroom, ham and swiss cheese omelette and joe had some kind of french toast combo...SOOOO GOOD! then to top off the weekends eateries----we had ice cream at only the best place to have ice cream---fosselman's ice cream parlour in alhambra! its definitely a place we're excited about eating at again! this was a weekend full of food...i can't have anymore..im full!

Hangin with Rudy...

2008-10-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Joe and I spent some time with best friend, Rudy...good times at Dave and Buster's....

Dress Shopping and OKTOBERFEST 08

2008-10-03T13:19:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, I spent saturday with Carrie, her Mom and the rest of her bridesmaids looking and trying on dresses. We were successful in finding one, and we're all really happy with it. Here's what it looks like...We're all really excited for Carrie and Sean...just a few more months!

That same evening Carrie, Sean, Joe and I went to Oktoberfest to celebrate Sexy Chris's birthday...Here's a time lapse group of pictures of Joe drunk. He had a double shot and the rest is history! =)

Fair Fun 2008

2008-09-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

So we went. We ate. We conquered. Unfortunately, we didn't eat all that we planned. BUT we did have a lot. As I anxiously awaited leaving work at 12 so I could make it to Joe's by 12:30, I compiled a list of food that I wanted to "hit up." Cupcakes, cinnamon rolls,a jumbo corndog, an ear of grilled corn, and fried anything...Im proud to say, I crossed off jumbo corndog, grilled corn, and cupcakes. Joe and I planned not to eat all morning so we could be ready to hit the ground running when we got there. And we sure did! This year's fair was a ton of fun! We walked the expos, and through the vendor's. We took some silly pictures with food, and we ate more than we could fit into our stomachs. It was incredibly hot. So hot that I think it hindered the fried food we wanted to actually try. We figured that the oil and the heat really didn't mix well--we didn't want to feel gross and hot. So we opted for just one fried dish---Fried vegetables.(included, fried zuchinni, mushrooms,and artichokes) It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. We both agreed, that if it were served right off the stove, it would've been more enjoyable. But since it was served cold, it felt like the batter had been soaked in oil and everything had already obsorbed any flavor.
All in all---we both agreed that the grilled ear of corn was the best thing we ate all day. It was DELICIOUS! Sweet and salty all at the same time. We both doused our corn with mayo and sprinkled it with pepper. An awesome combo. As we close this year's experience at the fair, I am reminded that everything fried is not always that good. Till next year...

Pre- LA County Fair Day...

2008-09-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow's the big day. The day our mouths water, our stomachs growl and our eyes bulge out of our heads from shear excitement!....yup that's right- It's Fair time! Joe and I have made it a point to go to the fair for the past three years at least once. This year we are looking forward to it yet again. Oh the fried food! We've decided to try the newest addition to the crazy fried concoctions...fried White Castle Burgers! We're hoping our arteries won't need a jump start after.. I've already heard that they are grease filled. (yikes!) Oh the anticipation of all that grease could make my heart stop now.

We've adopted Sean and Carrie's rule of thumb while trying to figure out what to eat at the fair... "It has to be fried and or on a stick" if its not either you can't eat it. Im sure we'll stray away from that, or at least Joe will--I know he wants to have a hot link. Anyway-we'll stick to it for the most part. We're also planning to walk the exhibits and to make our rounds around the vendor park. They always sell the craziest things here. Stuff you really can't find anywhere else...Pictures and links from our adventure at the fair tomorrow coming soon.....

Summer 2008

2008-09-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

So I think this summer has been one of the best! Not because we're spending more time together, but because we've decided to go out side the box and do things we've never done together. I think we can attribute that to having the funds to be able to afford the things we do, but also not being in school and having the time to go. We finally, after years of planning but never following through---have gone to our first couple dodger games together!

We also can cross seeing Jack Johnson off our list of things to do. We had the opportunity to see Jack at UCLA at the end of his summer tour. It was amazing! We had a wonderful time. Its just too bad he didn't perform our song Better Together. So we've had a great summer...Jack was a good way to top things off.

oh what a month!

2008-09-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

September is a busy month for us. We have birthdays of friends and families at least one a week. That means, parties and events all month long. Here's a run down of how we spend September.

Sept. 1- Rudy's Birthday
Sept. 3- My sister's Bday
Sept. 7- Val's Birthday
Sept. 11- Sean's Birthday
Sept. 14- Carrie's Birthday
Sept. 17- David Thomas' Birthday
Sept. 18- Jean and Randy's Birthday
This is what we've done so far this month.

Started off with my sister's cake and ice cream....That's David Thomas giving me his "oops i ate cake without asking" face...

Then with David Thomas's first soccer game...Here he is in all his glory..=) Im such a proud Tita. He's so much older now. I can't believe he's playing soccer...

AND THEN---that's followed by sean and carrie's birthday celebration party palooza weekend the same day!

Wheeew! What a month and it's only the 16th! More fun is yet to be had! Till next time....