Oh, This Is Love

I just love Liza.

I loved her the moment she came into the world.

She was my playmate from the start.

Even when she didn't want to be.

We were very maternal together, from a very young age.

We were tied at the hip.

And every Halloween.

Especially after a performance.

Always, to this day.

Now It's Personal (Day Uno)

It's such a Friday today. The weather's all gloomy, everyone at work is all un-worky and I just took a nap under my desk, space heater and all. See?

Yesterday, I felt kinda...well, to use a very articulate term, blegh. After a discussion of sorts with someone I (generally) like a whole lot (well, it wasn't so much a discussion as much as it was me jabbering and waiting for a response, because I'm a girl and that's what I tend to do in these situations), I just got all boo-this-situation-sucks-and-now-I'm-sad.

Side note: I realize I am being kinda vague, but this is my first get personal post and I'm just getting my feet wet. Cool? Okay then.

I hate when my emotions get the best of me. I mean, I know that it's in women's genetic makeup to allow their emotional sides to overpower their rational sides (if any of you disagree with me, I respect your opinion but must stick to mine). I just don't like that whole vulnerable feeling that manages to sneak its way up on me more often than not.

I tried to change this trait of mine, but I've realized that it's part of who I am and therefore isn't going anywhere: I wear my heart on my sleeve. It can get me into some trouble, but I'd much rather express my feelings that suppress them. And while I understand that not everyone is like this, it's rough and sometimes frustrating when I am faced with someone who is the complete opposite. Different people make the world go round, but they also make Ali one flustered girl.

I wish I didn't care as much about certain people as I do. But again, can't really control that either.

Sigh.

Wow, that felt a lot better than I thought it would.

Shoes On a Wire

Thursday...almost to the weekend!

Work's been a bit hectic. Just lots of...well, work. But keeping busy's always a good thing to me. Remember that book I was telling you about? Well, I finished it in 2 days. I haven't done that since Harry Potter, which should tell you just how wonderful that book was. Read it now, thank me later. ;)

On a totally unrelated note, can someone please explain to me why people feel the need to do this?

I mean, I'm all for the practical jokes...the ha ha, I'm so funny because I do stupid things that piss you off. But this? To me, there's just no point in doing this. Not only are you down a pair of shoes, but you also have to deal with the frustration of seeing them just staring you down. Not okay.

I'm a little sad that Thursday nights no longer hold the excitement that they used to, since Grey's is on hiatus and all. Of course, I can always watch the season finale again (which I have...well, the end of it anyway), but it gets old pretty quickly. Any show suggestions for tonight? I'll gladly hear anyone out on anything.

Speaking of television, did anyone else laugh as hard as Liza and I did when that one guy on The Bachelorette said he got so excited, he peed in his bathing suit a little bit? We just died. That's the man Jillian should pick.

Coolest thing of the day (and possibly the month) below.

I found this over at The English Muse and just couldn't get over it. People are so creative sometimes, it blows my mind.

I've decided that I'm going to start attempting to get a bit more personal with this blog. Personal as in talking more about my life, since it is my blog afterall. This is easier said than done for me. I really do not like discussing myself, but I am going to try to step out of that comfort zone. Starting tomorrow.

For now, I'm off to finish up the remaining few hours of work, then meet 2 lovely ladies for dinner.

Hope all of your weeks are going well!

I'm In a New York State Of Mind

So here's a bit less lame of a post, chock full of pictures from my Memorial Day weekend in Nueva York (I'm from here, did you know that?). It felt really nice to be back at my second home and spend time with the grandma.

The 5 hour plane ride there (on Thursday) wasn't so bad, especially with a view like this.

Friday was spent with my grandma, just running errands and being together. Then I met my cousins, Caroline and Michelle (below). Which reminds me, allow me to digress for just a second.

My grandpa died when my father was 19. My grandma had already been divorced from him and then remarried her second husband about 35 years ago. I can't lie: he was not the friendliest man in the world, and many people were aware of this. He had two sons, one who remained present in my grandma's life and the other who did not. My grandma's husband passed away recently and ironically, this brought his second son back into the picture. This is such a blessing, especially because of his 2 girls who are (take a guess!) Caroline (12 years old) and Michelle (14).

Are we all caught up? Okay then.

We all got along swimmingly, as you can see.

Saturday was Jewish day. We all headed to the Bat Mitzvah service (as mentioned, a lovely 3 hour one). Grandma wasn't a fan of my outfit. She insisted on buying me "one of those peasant skirts and a pair of flats" but I told her I'd just look like a midget gypsy and that it would be a waste. So that idea was gone pretty quickly.

By the way, that woman is 86 years old. I know, nobody else can believe it either.

After the service (which was surprisingly not brutal), we had about 3 hours to recoup and get ready for the party that evening. The restaurant where it was held was so beautiful outside. The garden reminded me of a Midsummer Night's Dream.

Grandma liked this dress much more. I still don't really understand, oh well.

The party was so lovely. Not over the top, but not...under it either.

Lots of dancing, lots of food and lots of Hava Nagilah. Good times.

Sunday morning, I went out for breakfast with one of my oldest friends, Meredith. We've known each other since we were 4. She used to seriously bully me (but then again, I was a chubby girl with a boy haircut...I really can't blame her). It was so amazing catching up with her. I'm bummed I didn't get a picture. Tough life.

Then my grandma and I headed over to her stepson's and hung out with his family on their patio in the gorgeous weather, where we shmoozed and had mango tart. And because they're just so perfect, they gave me a beautiful lariat necklace for my birthday. I don't have a picture of it, but it looks more of less like this, minus the pearl.

Caroline got a hold of my camera and got a tad picture happy, but I'll spare you all of those. I'm just posting my favorite one with my new favorite ladies.

A sidenote: Caroline (left) is 12. Michelle (right) is 14. And I (middle) am 23. But I feel like had I not mentioned this, nobody would be able to tell. In other words, I look like I'm an adolescent. Lovely.

It really was just a relaxing trip that I definitely needed.

And now, back to work. Sigh...

Back to the Grind

Aaand I'm back!

New York was lovely, too short as always. Pictures to come, though I was lame and didn't take as many as I normally do. Maybe because the trip was too short.

As always.

What did you all do this weekend? Share share share!

-A

PS: I already know this post is lame. And for that, I apologize. Until I de-lame myself, enjoy this picture...

I know. I just died/squealed/aww'd too.

So Unimportant...

Got a little taggity tag from Living Life To The Pinkest. Woo hoo, love this one. Makes you appreciate the smaller things in life, so here we go.

Rules:

• Mention the person who tagged you (been there, done that).
  
• List 6 unimportant things that make you happy.

Just 6? Fine.

1. Easy security lines at the airport. Better yet, friendly security guys at the airport. On my way to New York this past Thursday, we had a hilarious man leading people to lines and singing, "NO water bottles! Move on up if you wanna...good cardio! Don't be scared! Shoes off!" It made what is usually a brutal experience a very entertaining one.
2. Coffee, preferably in the morning. Have I mentioned this already? Because I feel like I have, which would now make it an important thing to me. Oops.
3. Love Songs on the Kost with Karen Sharp. Oh boy, this woman just kills me. Her voice is so smooth (seriously) and she really works it, which makes me crack up every time. Plus, the dedications are just too good. Corny + kinda sweet = fantastic.
4. Watching Molly swim in the pool. Enough said.
5. Getting tagged in these lovely little things. Ain't no love like blog love!
6. Bright nail polish. Makes me feel like it's summer. Which it almost is, which also makes me happy. Whoops, that was 7. Forgive me.

Oh, fun stuff. Okay, passing this thing on to:

• dshan
• Dramatic Musings
• Life of a Valley Girl

Enjoy! Oh! And the Bat Mitzvah was good times. I'll probably end up posting pictures, but for now...just know that wine and cheesecake always make for a good time. Do we all agree?

A Ramble

There is nothing, I repeat nothing, better than a three hour Bat Mitzvah service. Nothing.

Can't you just smell the sarcasm?

As hard as this is to believe, I didn't get up once from my seat on my five hour flight yesterday. And I know that's bad for the body's circulation. So sitting in a synagogue for three hours straight can't be any better, right? So if I got up a few times in between, that would only be best for my physical (and mental) health, right?

Yeah! I thought so too.

In other news, I seriously want to be with this man.

You may know him as the MILF guy in American Pie. Or Harold in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. I find him very pretty. Anyone?

Reading a new book. I'm only a few pages into it and I already adore it.

The Septembers of Shiraz. Very, very eye-opening. Beautifully written. Incredible characters. I encourage you to read more about it here.

Today was very relaxed and lovely. Woke up at around 9:45 (6:45 my time, blah). Showered, ate and had a cup of coffee at the coffee shop (been going here since before I was born, I kid you not) with my grandma and her friends (an accurate pictorial description can be found here). After that, we went to Lord & Taylor, where my grandma thought she lost her cell and then found it in her pocket. Hung out at home while she got her hair cut, then went to dinner with my (new) cousins and Muriel (grandma's friend), then grabbed frozen yogurt afterwards (by the way, have you seen my first guide?). A very nice day, if I do say so myself. Which I just did.

Now, off to read my book and sleep for a few hours before waking up at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

I'm being dramatic, but you get my point.

Memorial Day Vacay

Well here I am, in New York. Home numero dos.

The flight was long (and will be even longer back, since that's the way the wind - literally - blows), the space was cramped and I looked like a one man band with my luggage, huge purse, laptop, coffee and bag of magazines. But I managed to arrive at Grandma's in one piece.

Just caught up on all the blogs and whoa, it's amazing how much you can miss by being out of the blogosphere for one day.

And I love it. I'm realizing more and more just how wonderful a community blogging truly is.

I had a minor freak out because my computer clock says it's 11:52 am and it's most definitely not. Then it occurred to me that I hadn't yet changed it. Oops.

Aside from a quick catching up session with my two best childhood girlfriends and a few drinks in the city with Ms. Mallory, this is a weekend chock full of fabulous older ladies and Judaism (I'm heading to a Bat Mitzvah tomorrow). Kind of like this.

L'chaim?

Entertaining

This post is dedicated to Kellie at Blogging Bloggerton. Why? Because a) I just love her and b) the poor thing is bored, and who better to spiffy up a bored day than me?

Oh please.

Nevertheless, I've received that extra push I needed to write. So there's that.

Entertaining stuff of the day (well, at least to me):

• Ever heard of ChaCha? She's (that is, if she is actually a she, or a human at all) this texter that responds to any question you have. I mean, if she knows just how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, then I guess she/he/it's gotta be good for something.
• This site just makes me happy. I blame Lizzy.
• Quick! Head on over to Sprinkles Cupcakes and yell "sugar rush" to any employee and get a free Red Velvet Cupcake! Today only! Thank me later!
• I heart this picture for so many reasons, but mainly because it's awkward. Get more awkwardness here.
• Speaking of which...yeah.

That's all I got.

All for you, KFell.

Home

I'll be here tomorrow.

(photo credit: redbubble)

Everything's Comin' Up Roses. Bachelorette Roses.

So.

The Bachelorette.

Let's talk.

A few pieces of information regarding moi and The Bachelorette:

1. I've never seen the show. Not once.
2. I never had any intention of seeing the show.
3. I work in reality television, which explains #2.
4. The idea of a woman picking her "soul mate" from a bunch of suitors who auditioned to be "the one" is just ridiculous to me. Preposterous even.

However, Monday nights are now empty as far as TV goes (The Secret Life of the American Teenager is over for now, laugh if you choose...can't say that I wouldn't). I was not living under a rock a few months ago, and therefore heard all the fuss about asshole Jason from The Bachelor and what a jerk he was. And my entire family is addicted to Dancing With the Stars, so I knew all about beautiful Melissa who bounced back as this amazing dancer after getting dumped for asshole Molly.

I mean, how could I not watch this season of The Bachelorette?

This was very exciting news to Liza, who has watched nearly every season. She finally has a partner to squeal and yell at the TV with (although I refuse to do any of that).

I'll just break it down, short and sweet.

• Jillian's cute. And entertaining, especially when she says "hands" like hans, "about" like aboot and eh.
• Some of the guys were cute too. I'm partial to Kiptyn, Mathue and Caleb.
  
• Foot Fetish Guy's gonna make some great TV.
• I enjoy the hokey-ness of it all. Also entertaining. Like Jillian.
  

So, in addition to joining Twitter, I have now become a Bachelorette...ette.

Who am I?

And what did you all think of the season premiere last night?

A Necklace, Picturegasms and Birthday Happiness

Happy Monday.

Is that an oxymoron?

Your thoughts, please.

Actually, this Monday could potentially be happy for anyone who heads on over to It's Unbeweavable! because this fabulous lady has teamed up with another fabulous lady and is giving away some beautiful jewelry!

That's my favorite design. (It definitely doesn't hurt that my name begins with an A either.)

So go ahead and comment on that post. You just might find yourself donning somethin' pretty!

Now, onto what I like to call picturegasms, aka pictures that just make you wanna, well...let's be all P.C. and say that they make me very happy.

This just looks like perfection to me. Anyone? Notice the conveniently placed bottle of wine...

Okay, do me a favor and ignore the fact that this woman is a toothpick and instead focus on how beautiful that paint color is. And the way this image is captured. Ugh, just gorgeous.

Like Taylor Swift, I enjoy that whole kissing in the rain thing (ever notice that she brings this topic up in a lot of her songs?). This picture just does it for me. As does this one.

Delicious.

(This batch of photos courtesy of lilies and grapes.)

Okay, how about some of my photos? Yeah? Okay then.

This past Saturday, I celebrated my birthday with some very dear friends.

Remember that time I mentioned that my family and I like to take pre-dinner pictures on special occasions? Well, yeah. Who are Liza and I to do anything differently?

We went to dinner at Mexicali, and I was just so happy with the turnout.

I'm not going to bother naming people here. I'll just go ahead and say that they're all just lovely human beings, because they are.

Liza and Lisette do one heck of a candid, don't they?

I don't think so either.

I dropped my camera before we left for dinner and realized the screen was black. I flipped out, until Chris took the matter into his own hands and fixed it. This was my reaction.

Then it was on to a couple bars. Ever had a margarita in a pineapple? I highly recommend it.

Might I also recommend drinking it with a few friends, then proceeding to eat the pineapple? It's good times.

This was the night that felt like a birthday. Which I suppose I ought to start getting used to, since I've already looked (seriously) and noticed that my birthday falls on a Thursday next year.

What? I never said I didn't plan ahead.

Hope everyone's having a great day!

A PSA

This picture is an accurate visual description of just how unbelievably scorching it is here in the valley.

The pros have the gall to say that it's only 86 degrees here. But they're lying. They've gotta be lying.

Thank you for your time.

I must now go stick my head in the freezer.

Friday Evening

I found this cute (and so very true) little saying at one of my favorite blogs, naturally nina. I really enjoy it. But I'm a quote girl, so I enjoy most of these types of things.

Meanwhile, in Ali's future husband news, well...I think this picture speaks for itself.

He's flirting with me. Just me. You do see this, don't you? I thought so.

I couldn't be more thankful for Friday. I'm in the mood to relax, and am just itching to watch the Grey's season finale. And yes, I'm fully aware that I might just be the only person who hasn't yet seen it.

I plan on getting my nails done, going to the gym and just enjoying what I hope to be a beautiful day before going out to celebrate my birthday. Ah, weekend.

What are you up to this weekend?

This is Me. Doing a Meme.

Found this fun little thing at Insomniac Lolita and thought, why not? It's Friday, I'm all caught up on work...and bored. Voila!

Disclaimer: Due to that last sentence, don't be surprised if you find yourselves coming across a few more posts than usual today. That's just the way it's going on this lovely little Friday.

• The perfect outfit : A bit more specificity here would help (occasion?). But the general perfect outfit would be a really good pair of jeans (a rare find), a cute summer top with lots of color and these Brian Atwood heels (swoon).
  

• The perfect meal : Anything from HealthyCa and a bottle of white. Cheesecake for dessert. Done and done.
  

• The perfect hangover cure : Coffee. Coffee, coffee, coffee.

• The perfect road trip : I've wanted to travel cross country for a while now. To be able to see all the states would just be the best. After that, I'd move on to Europe. Because money grows on trees.

• The perfect facial feature : Eyes. They reveal a lot.
  

• The perfect drink : Hm...that'd be a tie between a strawberry margarita and an apple martini. Don't make me choose!
  

• The perfect song : This one changes constantly for me. But right now, I'm going with "Ready" by Kelly Clarkson. It's sort of my anthem at the moment.

• The perfect sign of affection : Kissing. I'm cliche.
  

• The perfect afternoon : Go on a hike with Molly (and I don't hike, but I'm really wanting to get into it). Lunch outside with my journal. Bath. Cup of coffee while catching up with Drew. Read a book. Blog. Repeat.
  

• The perfect vacation : Europe.
  

• The perfect type of wedding : I can't even begin to think about a wedding where I'm the bride. Right now, the perfect wedding for me would be the one my friend Minnie's having in Israel.
  

• The perfect album : Madonna's The Immaculate Collection. Never, ever gets old.

• The perfect accent : Australian. Australian and I'm done for.
  

• The perfect date : Ordering in and watching a movie, preferably a hilarious one.
  

• The perfect weather : Sunny and slightly breezy. You know, so you don't get a lovely case of heatstroke...like you often do here in Los Angeles.
  

• The perfect party : You know...that kind with good friends, good food, good wine. I'm a simple girl, really.
  

• The perfect sport : (Watching) basketball
  

• The perfect thing to say : Again, some particulars would be just lovely here. But off the top of my head, I'll say that the words "no work today" are a symphony to my ears.

• The perfect day of the week : Friday. Weekend, happy, fun, sleep.

Ah, good times. I'll be back soon, I'm sure. Prepare yourselves.

From Foster Care to Fabulous

Friday! Yes.

I'm going on about 4.5 hours of sleep, but it could not have been more worth it. I drove down to Irvine with some girlfriends to see my good friend Pat's one man show. Now, a little history here.

Pat was the first person I met when I was moving into my dorm freshman year. I will never forget unpacking with my mom, a complete basket case (me, not her) because I was starting this new chapter in my life and was beyond scared. I heard a knock at my door, opened it up and saw this sweet faced guy smiling at me.

"Hi. I'm Pat and this is Maureen. We're going to get something to eat at the dining hall. Wanna come?" he asked.

Being the lame-o that I was, I politely declined and continued to wallow and unpack. But I don't think I'll ever forget that kind outreach.

Fast forward about a month, and Pat and I are inseparable. I learn about his insane life: born to drug addicted parents and in foster care at 14 years old, living on his own until he got to college. I could not stop thinking that Pat's story had to be told (and I definitely wasn't the only one). He said that one day, he would perform his life onstage in one way or another. I knew that dream would, in time, become a reality.

Since we were both Drama majors, Pat and I had all the same classes and woke up every morning to grab Starbucks (Caramel Macchiatos and reduced fat blueberry coffee cakes) before beginning our first one at 8 am. We each had our own rooms - mine a floor above his - as well as roommates, but insisted on sleeping together (oh, I forgot to mention he doesn't like my gender). We shared my car since he didn't have one. He came home with me, just to get away from school every now and then. It was a very happy marriage.

Of course, we moved out of the dorms sophomore year and into our respective apartments (across the street from one another). We then gradually began to have our own lives - Pat's more theatrically focused, mine more journalistic. Our social circles, while often overlapping, became a bit separate. And like many people who have grown together, we drifted. There were never any hard feelings whatsoever and we remained friends, but it certainly was not the same.

I graduated last year, while Pat remained in school for one more. Before last night, I had not been back to Irvine since summer school and had not seen Pat for months. And now here I was, about to watch his long awaited show called his life. Well, really there are 4 potential titles:

1. Patrick Burns: Actor. Pianist. Pimp.
2. Patrick Burns: From Foster Care to Fabulous (my personal favorite)
3. Patrick Burns: Hella Boujie
4. Patrick Burns: Shit Just Got Real

It was nothing short of inspiring to hear my friend retell the stories I knew so well. Being beaten up for being a "faggot" (that word hurts to even type) by his foster brothers, working at a ranch that housed more than 15 immigrant children, not feeling wanted by anyone until finally finding his place and identity at school. I couldn't help but think back to that innocent guy knocking on my door. To look at him play the piano, tell his stories and sing his songs was absolutely beautiful. And I am so proud to call him my friend.

Pat, if you're reading this...I love you.

A Birthday Realization

So yesterday was my birthday. And first off, I have to say thank you to everyone in the blogosphere who commented and wished me a happy birthday. Seriously, it made me feel so great. I've never gotten that many comments on a post, and I felt so, so lovely. So thank you a thousand times over! This community has become a sort of family to me, and I certainly felt the love yesterday.

Now, on a more blah note...haha. Not really, this is just more of me talking about how I felt yesterday about my birthday. And I think it says a lot about what's happening in my life at the moment.

I woke up yesterday morning for work. My dad was en route to the Vegas airport to come home, my sister was sleeping and my mom was already at work. I got dressed and went downstairs, where I was welcomed by an adorable little "Happy Birthday Ali" sign from my mom. Loved that. Had breakfast, got a Caramel Macchiato (which I haven't had in about 3 years) and a mug that I'd been eyeing for a few days now at Starbucks. Came to work, where - as usual - I stared at my computer for 7 hours in a freezing cold room with no natural light.

I'm sure you see what I'm getting at here: it just didn't feel at all like my birthday.

When it was time to go, I was out of the office like a bat out of hell and on my way to Cafe Bella Roma to meet my family for dinner. We had a really great time, and they loved the restaurant (which made me feel happy, since I decided to go there). Went home, opened presents and had cupcakes. It was such a wonderful night with the people I love the most.

At this point, you're probably thinking, okay Ali. So what the heck is the point of this post? What are you about to bitch about?

Well, I was sitting with my parents when all of a sudden, I just got into a funk. This fact alone is weird for me, since my birthday is never an ocassion I like to make a major deal out of. But thinking back on the day, I found myself bummed out that it didn't feel like a big deal at all.

"I know I sound like a spoiled brat, but today just felt...like any other day," I pouted.

"But Ali, this is how your birthday is when you're an adult."

And then my parents' words hit me like a ton of bricks (well, maybe not a ton...more like, say, a couple); that one word in particular: adult.

When I turned 21 a couple of years ago, my dorm friends and I road tripped it to San Diego. The weekend of my 22nd birthday last year, I jaunted over to Vegas with some girlfriends of mine.

Every birthday I've ever had has been as a kid. Whether I was a baby, a child or a student - elementary, high school or college - I was a kid. Birthdays were days to do whatever it was that you pleased. I had no legitimate obligations or people to obey. My birthday was my day, nobody else's.

Now? I'm an adult. Adults go to work on their birthdays. Adults are treated like anyone else on their birthdays. And adults are just that: adults. On their birthdays.

Like my mom told me last night, I'm transitioning. And I'm not always aware of this transition, but I certainly was during my realization last night.

That's not to say that I won't be celebrating with friends on Saturday, when I don't have to worry about work the next day and I'm surrounded by people who know and care that I was born on May 13, 1986.

But I'm now an adult. And now, I think I get that.

Maybe this "aha!" moment is a nice little birthday present to myself.

Writer's Workshop: Mixed Emotions

Choose any or more than one of the prompts. Write about it. Then go to Mama Kat at Mama's Losin' It and paste your blog URL into the Mister Linky that will be up...this way anyone can click on your name and head over to your place to see what you wrote.

The Prompts:

1.) Define goodness...joy...sorrow...and anger using pictures you've taken.

2.) Tomorrow I will do it differently. Here's how...

3.) Describe a 'sound' from your childhood. What was it? When did you hear it? What does it bring to mind?

4.) I remember when...

5.) Right now is the best time to start. What's your first step?

And with that, here's mine...prompt #1. I may not have written a whole lot, but I really liked this prompt.

Goodness: Times Square, NYC

Joy: Carrie Bradshaw's front stoop

Sorrow: the passing of Dina Goldstone, a bright life taken way too soon (more here)

Anger: Yes on 8 advocates (I fully support freedom of speech...I don't, however, support taking away people's rights as human beings who love)

A Lovely Birthday Splash

Well first and foremost, I'm 23 today! And while 23 is, in my opinion, a pretty anticlimactic number, it's still my birthday. So it's a happy day, I suppose.

It's also a happy day for this vampire.

Robert Pattinson and I...we're sort of meant to be, you see.

Anyway, on another note, I owe an award to some pretty great bloggers right now, so here we go.

The Splash Award (bestowed upon me by one of my favorites, Fidgeting Gidget) is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive and inspiring blogs. When you receive this award, you must:
-Put the logo on your blog/post.
-Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
-Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash Award.

I hereby nominate:

• Blogging Bloggerton
• Faith, Trust, & Pixie Dust
• gorgeous footsteps in the sand.
• Life of a Valley Girl
• love bird diaries
• i hate so much...
• My Inner Monoblog
• Relish
• Self-indulgent Ramblings

The One Lovely Blog Award (given to me by both Fidgeting Gidget and Miss Patty Ann)

-Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

-Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
*Note: Am I a weirdo for thinking that 15 blogs is a lot? I love these awards, and feel that they're awards for a reason. Feel free to tell me I'm a complete self-righteous nut job, but I'm going to nominate 5 blogs instead. Make it a little more special. I hope this is okay! And those blogs are:

• Year of My Fake Engagement
• The Adventures of Fidget Midget
• smile steady
• Skraps Of My Life
• Single in San Diego

More birthday-related posts later. Hope everyone is having a lovely day!

Mama's Day

At some point since we've lived in California, it's become somewhat of a tradition for my family to take pictures in the backyard before heading out to dinner for whatever occasion we're celebrating at the time. It's kind of weird, but it also just sort of happened - as most traditions do.

Mother's Day was no exception.

So in the spirit of tradition, right before heading out for a lovely meal at Fleming's (my mom was practically jumping around in anticipation of the prime rib that is only offered there on Sundays), we took pictures. Because that's apparently what we do.

Mom and her girls. Resemblances? Even at 23 (tomorrow!), I still can't tell.

Smooches for mama.

The parentals. They always pose the exact same way, but it works. Don't fix what isn't broken, I guess.

Emma and Molly had to get in on the action and show my mom just how much they appreciated her on Mother's Day too.

It was a really nice day. I generally hate the word nice, since it's just so vague and general and...blah. But it was; it was a nice day.