We all spent a fun and beautiful weekend in Cambria, California…that started with a mini adventure/road trip with Irms. After filling up the tank, I decided to check my tire pressure and found a large screw in the rear, driver’s-side tire. So, it was a slight detour to the tire shop to get a new tire and then a race against the clock to make it to Cambria in time for the rehearsal dinner. Luckily I made it, just in time to check-in, change out of my “driving clothes” and get to the restaurant. Thankfully, Cambria is a nice, small town and it took me no time at all to make it to the restaurant.

The next morning I went over to Mel’s suite to get ready and get my hair did. Stacie and I went on a little trek to get the bridal party some coffee and breakfast. I highly recommend making your own pigs in a blanket or breakfast tacos as it allowed us to eat and get ready at the same time AND it was easy to bring back to the room…one plate stacked high with pancakes, and the other with sausage

It was a very beautiful and touching ceremony that I unfortunately do not have any pix of , being in the wedding and all. But Irms has some great pictures on her blog (irmy.wordpress.com). Mel’s lil sis Jennifer did my eye make-up that almost got ruined as John and Mel recited their self-written vows to one another, and as our friend Kris blessed their union.

We enjoyed a fabulous lunch on the lawn and danced to our hearts content. I think that’s how the bridal party ALL got so sunburned

It was definitely a memorable weekend. And I’ll be ever so humbled to have been asked to witness that moment for 2 of my really good friends.

The beginning and end of a memorable, adventurous, fun, loving, laughing weekend…

But here’s a little sneak peek…(photo by Irma Pamplona)

Lunch Bunch photo (minus baby LV…aka Laurem)

According to the experts (and by that I mean John K.), T-3 is when the ground power transition takes place and the Shuttle’s fuel cells transition to internal power. Up to this point, ground power had augmented the fuel cells. Then, 5 seconds later, the main engine nozzles are gimballed through a pre-programmed series of maneuvers to confirm their readiness.
Now that’s in space-geek speak…but in applying to my life…it is 3 days until my good friends Melissa and John become husband and wife. We will bid adieu to Mel B. and say hello to Mmm K.

{The pictures above are a re-post from the blog below…Wedding Bells}

{P.S. My vertigo is gone! Thanks for all the prayers and well-wishes! Now on to the wedding!}

I have no idea how I got it, or when it will go away. And from what I hear that’s pretty much how goes. I am grateful that the spinning has stopped and has become more of a gentle rocking sensation. So, I’ll just continue to take my meds and ride out the wave…I just hope I get my land-legs back soon, especially before I start traveling this summer. I’m not sure how this all works on airplanes (yipes).

In 10 days, my good friends Melissa and John will be gettin’ hitched. Under the “guidance” of our friend Kris, they will promise to love, honor, cherish…and all that good stuff…’til death parts them.

In honor of the abiding love and friendship their share with each other, their friends, and family…here are a few of the pictures we took at Leo Carillo.

I have attended weddings for some of my bestest and long-time friends, but this will be the first wedding where 2 of my friends are marrying each other. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people  in my life and am so glad that they found each other. I am honored that I get to stand with them (as a bridesmaid) and witness as they pledge their love and recite their self-written vows. (PS…who wants in on the Crying Pool? Most of us are pretty sure John will be the first.   But, I’ll probably be bawlin’ too. Thank goodness for water-proof mascara.)

*[I wonder if any of those people think it's ironic/funny that I became a Literature major and now an Editor?]

Although, many people contributed to my upbringing (like Lola – my maternal grandmother & Pop – my stepdad), for the most part I was raised by a single mom, and a lot of our day-to-day life was spent…just the two of us. Me and my Mom rode the bus. Me and my Mom went to the park. Me and my Mom went to the aquarium. Me and my Mom had ice cream. Me and my Mom played cards. Me and my Mom danced hula. Me and my Mom made pancakes. Me and my Mom left our hearts in our city by the bay. And on and on, so much so that one time my great aunt (Didi) told me “Me and my Mom, Me and my Mom, I’m tired of hearing Me and my Mom”. 

So in honor of my Mom and I hitting another major milestone together on March 4th…here is one of my favorite pictures of …Me…and my Mom.

(This was from my 6th birthday party that we had in the Philippines in June )

So here’s to 365 days infinite chances and 365 days of growth and advances!

(1 year old. Do the Nor Cal peeps recognize Golden Gate Park? And, no I was not born with a cone-head…I was a C-section baby. You can ask my Mom. While you’re at it, you can ask her about the coat.)

Back in October, I posted a few pictures from my Halloween/Dia de los Muertos trip to Olvera St. (with my friend Irma). Here are the rest of the photos from that excursion…

Mucha Lucha! (hee hee)

Irma and I stopped to play with the puppets…she only wanted her feet in the picture.

Here’s an older take on the same picture…a bit of a Seventies tint…gotta love Photoshop.

I love this picture of the prints they have for sale. Talk about running the gamut…Hollywood, religious icons (both Catholic and Aztec), iconic paintings/artists.

Other goodies for sale…

These next two photos (same picture…different effects) remind me of Amma and Papa’s front porch, and Lexi and Brother as babies (when they were about a year old).

I bought one of these cool fishies for my kitchen. Afterall what’s a kitchen without a little kitch…and what’s a trip to Olvera St. without a pic of some huaraches, Aztec gods, and a churro?

Irma made a great photo buddy and model…

And of course we needed a picture of Grover. No outting with Irma would be complete unless…

Hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane (it had been years since I’d been to Olvera St). Now I’m off to work on a special project for my friends Melissa and John.

Hopefully, I can keep up with my semi-resolution to post more often.

So, I ended up making Asian Noodle Salad (ala Pioneer Woman) and then, Irma and I made Monkey Munch (ala Jon & Kate Plus 8 ) – not pictured.

Here’s the recipe for the salad:

The recipe is really easy…just requires a lot of chopping and prep work:

The dressing is really yummy and gets its heat from the ginger and the jalapeno. And I love the flavor of sesame oil:

The final product is dee-lish. Don’t mind my slightly off color picture and the fact that I forgot to wipe the edge of the bowl off  (professional style).

The evening was mostly about food and fun with friends

I hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween (especially my peeps in SC, where today is a “sacred” day )

And Happy Dia De Los Muertos (…is “happy” the correct greeting?…oh well)

Will post more about my recent Olvera Street visit at a later date.