2011's 1st outing/adventure?

Well at least I see it as an adventure.

Today was Elder Schallenberger's 21st birthday. And what, do you ask, does a missionary do on his 21st birthday? We go to Dennys of course! And he gets a free grand slam! I see no other way to have a birthday breakfast. Our waiter was a total weirdo though. Now I think I can say this because we've had him before and I don't know but theres something about him. Like he tries to be sarcastic but it just comes out as sounding truthful and mean. I should maybe take a picture of him next time. 

*here's the birthday boy making phone calls

 

*a group shot. I somehow tried to look really good today but totally failed.

While at breakfast I told Schally that we were going to San Diego to see my Annie and he said we should go see the "Mormon Battalion" Museum. It was actually one of my goals to go see this sometime this year. I didn't want to bore Annie with that but then I thought maybe she would like it. Umm... I think I was wrong about that. But anyways back to my San Diego adventure. 

We got to Annie's a little too early. She wasn't expecting us for another 2 hours but since we were up early we headed out early. Inez showed up to take her to breakfast but decided that we should all go to Old Town. So off we went. And when we got there, what did I see?

It was a sign. Literally. It was my goal to go there. It was an adventure. At least in my book it is. Whether I was going to like it or not was another question.

We ate at a restaurant called "Fred's." When we walked up I saw this beauty looking up at me...

An Elvis sighting! I know, I'm crazy and a little off topic. But I had to share this beautiful piece of art and my love for the King. OK, I know I already ate but I was craving guacamole something bad! I never eat it because the hubs is allergic to avocados. He doesn't mind if I eat them but I can't eat them fast enough. So they go bad and then there's more money down the drain. So I got a side of guacamole and it didn't satisfy the craving but it would have to do. I know now that it needed a hint of lime but I guess its too late right? Right.

After the meal we headed off down the street to walk around and look at all the cool stuff that "Old Town" had to offer. Everything I saw reminded me of my mom. Oh if only I was a millionaire. 

While we waited for Inez to shop, Annie and I took the opportunity for photo ops. 

*Like I said, Shes AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!

After we parted ways with Inez, we walked.... and walked... and walked!!!! By the time we got to the museum, my calf was doing this weird twitchy/cramp thing. But anyways, WE MADE IT!!!!!

I'm gonna have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this. So awesome and insightful. I know, I know, cheesy Mormon activities but it was so awesome! And honestly I'm not just saying this. It started out with a movie (*which we missed all but the last 3 minutes.) Then there was a tour guide who did this cheesy but entertaining bit about us traveling from Nauvoo, Illinois to San Diego, California. We went into different rooms where there were films being played and "interactive" characters. I loved it. And at the end we got this souvenir photo to take home...

And after skimming over some artifacts, we got to go "gold panning."

OK, it wasn't real gold but a girl can dream right? I'm not too sure that Annie enjoyed herself as much as we did but I think she was humoring me. So needless to say that my feet were screaming by the end of our "Adventure" and we decided to head back to Annies place and relax. We asked each other questions and caught up on the missing parts of our lives. Today was such an awesome day. Adventures... watch out... because I will conquer you...

I love to see the Temple...

Tuesday was AMAZING! We went to the Temple in Redlands. I love going on Temple Trips! Its so amazing. The things we get to do and experience. You can just feel the Spirit. And you know you are doing something good. I didn't get many pics. I was too busy running around. And if anyone has seen my purse, they know it's practically a suitcase. I knew I should have just brought my satchel... Indiana Jones has one.. look it up.. haha! 

We were accompanied by our new friends Alyssa, Corinne and Taylor. These girls are too fun! And after the Temple I was dragged to In&Out. I would like to say that I am the only person on this earth that absolutely HATES In&Out. But I did get a shake and a protein burger. It sounded good at the time. Then we made the long trip home and had to rush the hubs to work. All in all a good night. Besides the fact that it was 1am when I finally settled into bed and I had to be up at 4. What a life.

*My goal is to visit as many Temples as humanly possible..

"Stupid American History"

2 books in one month!!! Is this possible? But I must say this was an easy read. Full of fun and interesting facts. I don't have much to say about this book besides that it was pretty hilarious and insightful. If you want a good laugh then pick this up. I believe I got this for free from amazon for my kindle. I'm going to try and read a book with a storyline  next time. I promise. But for now I have this. So read it or not. I think it was worth it.

Something that I only dreamed of..

Today was the day that I went to see my cousin Annie for the first time in 17 years. And of course I forgot the camera. (*next time I promise.) It was everything and more. Well actually in my over active imagination, I imagined something like one of those slow motion run and hugs like in the movies. But it didn't turn out that way. 

It started with me showing up to her little studio in San Diego. I was so nervous I couldn't even get out of the car. I brought the hubs for support. I finally got up the steps and down the hall to her place. I texted her and told her I was outside. As I got to her door, she texted me and said she wasn't home yet. Oh my gosh! You mean no slow run and hug? OK, I sat outside for a good 10 minutes by the time she pulled up with her sister Inez. One of my other beautiful cousins. Inez is older than us and I never really talked much to her as a child. At least I don't remember. Annie got out of the car and my friend was right. Its like not a day had gone by. I was so nervous though. What if she didn't like me? I mean, people change. But she gave me the longest and strongest hugs ever! I wanted to start crying but I didn't want to ruin the moment. She is so beautiful. I can't even describe how breathtaking she is. I just thought to myself... "I wish we would have grown up together."

Then came the beautiful Inez. She gave me a big hug. Again.. I shut down the water works. I also met the handsome Geo. What a cutie pie! And a chatterbox! I love to hear kids talk. I wish I could have recorded my brothers voice. I hope Inez records his. So precious. 

Well anyways, the girls took me to a nice Mexican restaurant called Miguels Cocina. Not like Miguels Jr. or anything. This food was to die for! Like no joke. We're gonna go again and for sure I will post a pic of that.

We went sight seeing around San Diego. Went over the Coronado bridge. Shared stories and ate ice cream. I saw a HUGE bookstore while we were driving. I hid my excitement but knew that we had to go back. It was like in an old movie theater. I have to go there!!! And yes of course I will take pictures. Dang I'm such a slacker. We ended the night early with promises of future get togethers. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for us. 

*By the way, sorry for the less than colorful blog posts. I'm still learning

My Mormon obsession..

So I was challenged today by my best friend Marty to write about my baptism. Well I thought I would go even further and tell you why I made the decision to join the "Church of Jesus Christ."

I have always had this weird obsession with the Mormon religion. I don't know if it was our Mormon neighbors that used to come over and try and convert my parents and gave us a "Book of Mormon" every Christmas or all the weird stuff I heard about Mormons. A bit of both maybe. Growing up I was told to never open the door to Mormon Missionaries or Jehovah Witnesses. This was so embedded in my mind that I even made a game out of it with my little brother, who is 17 years younger than I am. We would hear the door bell and I would tell him to hide and they would go away. And if he was really quiet and got them to go away then we won the game. I realize now that I should have never have done that and live in regret. I don't ever want my brother to grow up and judge people.

In high school I came in contact with a lot of kids from the church and asked questions but I guess they thought I was being rude. I did come off kind of rude and most of the time they thought I was joking with them. I would never have asked my parents because we were HARDCORE Catholics. I did what all good catholic girls did; baptism, first communion, and of course me being Mexican, having a quincenera. But to be honest, my parents were not even practicing catholics. We went to church on certain days. Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Easter and a few Sundays here and there. 

So for being so fanatic about Mormons, one would think that I would seek them out. Ask questions and maybe attend church. No Sir. Not me. I went through a few Christian religions in high school. I had an amazing relationship with God. We were bffs. But something happened. I can't explain it. It feels like the lines were cut. I didn't know how to get it back. I went to different churches up until I was 23. By this time I was married and my husband and I didn't know where we stood with God or religion in general. 

Now this is where Marty comes in. Marty and I knew each other from high school but never hung out until much later. I would make fun of him and tell him he was going to hell if he drank soda. But he knew that I was just joking with him and I loved him. Marty would always tell me I was a Mormon deep down inside because of the lifestyle I have led since I was 17. No drugs, no alcohol, no smoking. I told him it wasn't for me. That I was ok with being non-religious. But then I remembered all those crazy rumors. Then I got curious. I started asking questions. His reply was either "I'll ask my dad" or "You should ask a missionary." That wasn't good enough for me. And then one day Marty told me he was going on a mission and that he was going to meet with the missionaries. HELLO!!! I jumped at the chance to listen in on this meeting. Key word being "listen." I didn't want any questions or lessons being directed towards me at all. But I was so wrong. 

Let me introduce Elder Whimpey. The most amazing person that anyone could ever meet. The way he talks and takes everything in. He told me to ask him the most stupidest or offensive questions that I have ever had about the church. Oh I went there. There wasn't a rock unturned when I left from those lessons. There was no secret rituals or weird rules. Just pure honesty.

Elder Whimpey had many companions. I never got to actually get to know any of them; except Elder Fowler. Fowler came right before the hubs and I were baptized. Another amazing man. Now I could sit here and brag about the friendship that flourished between us all but as I continue to attend church and read the scriptures, I am learning more and more. And it feels good. The lines of communication are opening up again. Usually in church we give our testimony. And right now I can honestly testify to you that I know this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. And I know that there is a prophet on earth today (*which blows my mind.) Seriously, I urge anyone who has ever had any questions about the church, don't be afraid to open the door to those missionaries. Don't close the door in their faces. They are not a threat. I say all this in Jesus' name. Amen.

17 years ago..

So just recently I had come in contact with my cousin Annie. We were 8 years old the last time we saw each other. And the closest of close. I can't exactly explain what happened between our families, because I'm not too sure on the details. All I can remember was my aunt showing up to my house with a big black trash bag full of toys and 3 of my cousins sitting in her car waiting to leave. Non of which were Annie. I begged my mom to let me open the toys but she told me that they were not mine. So I would sit there and look up at the closet where the toys were placed and knew that Annie and the rest of my cousins were never going to receive those toys that my uncle had bought for them. I also knew that I would never see Annie ever again.

I often wondered what it would have been like if we grew up together. The things we would talk about. Boys, school, fashion, etc. I wish she was there to plan my 15th birthday party. Which up until recently didn't know that she was going to come but her mother intervened.  I wish she was there to call her and tell her that I had FINALLY met the man of my dreams or that he proposed to me and she would help me plan the wedding. So many things that we could have done. Maybe there would have been fights. Then make-ups. 

This Friday, the hubs and I are going to meet up with her. I'm going to be honest and say that I am AMAZINGLY nervous, excited and overwhelmed. I'm planning on what to wear, how to wear my make-up, how to wear my hear and what to talk about. A friend said to me today.. "Wouldn't it be funny if you saw each other and felt like not a day has gone by..." I wish. I will follow up on a post afterward. But for now, wish me luck.

"The Help"

OK, I have made a commitment to myself to read at least one book a month. Or in other words this is apart of my resolution. My friend Jen has a one up on me and reading 2 books a month. Something I don't have the urge or motivation to do.

I came upon this book while I was finishing up my clinicals for school. I was assigned to hand out trays of food to the residents and one of the women there had this book. They say don't judge a book by its cover. I know they are talking about people but I do judge books by their covers. I thought it was very pretty and when I asked what it was about, all she said was racism. How can a book with such a beautiful cover be about racism. I had to read it myself and seeing that the hubs got me a kindle for Christmas, I took the chance and got it. Let me tell you... this book is amazing! Its one of those books where you can feel like your there. OK, it is about racism. But its so much more than that. Its the story of 'black' maids and the people they take care of, the babies they raise and horrible way they are treated. And the 'white' woman that wants to change it. An on the edge kind of book. The ending though got me quite upset though. I wish it was different. I don't want to reveal too much. So if you want to see what I'm talking about then read this. I recommend it to everyone. Mostly women I guess but whatever floats your boat.

The INTERNET is back!!!!!

And I am super stoked! I thought I could live without it but I guess not. Which leads me to believe that number 2 on my New Years resolution will be hard... Go on more adventures. Now, I'm not the most fittest of people but I would like to be towards the end of the year. * Don't judge if I'm not though. I want to go hiking, I want to explore new camp sites, new trails, new places. Now, I know its still winter here in SoCal, so some of that stuff might have to wait but soon.. very soon. Another thing I would like to do is "lean" into veganism. I say this after I have devoured a cheeseburger. The fact is, I feel bad for the animals. I watched "Food,inc." and it just about broke my heart. From then on I decided to only eat "organic" meat. I guess a step up but if your like me and not a millionaire, then you know that organic chicken is about $18. And with my husbands salary, that is not gonna happen. I like certain vegan stuff. Like the coconut milk yogurt and tofu. I will try anything once I guess. I tried vegan lunch meats and cheese and I just about puked. Give me something good. Give me some good vegan recipes that I can try. Anyone have any suggestions?

Failed..

This is why I didn't want to start a blog. I knew I would fail at posting stuff all the time and making my blog look amazing. I'm like computer challenged. Right when I started my blog, the husband doesn't pay the internet bill. So here I am, at my moms house trying to maybe get someone to read about my uninteresting life. Literally, I don't live a fantastic life. And that is number 2 on my resolution. Do something interesting. Maybe not everyday but once a week. Have adventures. I don't have kids and I have failed to sign up for school again, so whats stopping me? Insecurities maybe? I wanna know for my millions and millions 0 readers... What do you want to do this year? Is it something AMAZING?!

THIS was on my New Years Resolution...

For the past year I have been contemplating starting a Blog. I'm a shy person and wasn't too sure if I wanted to post my life so the whole world could see it. But, with much support from friends and family, here I am. I'm a very simple person who likes simple things. I love blogs! I have my favorites. Things that I have noticed from my favorite blogs are things like crafts and kids... haha! I do or have neither. But it is on my to do list. I will be attempting more crafts this year. Also one of my new years resolutions. I am a housewife living in California. It sounds nice but Lake Elsinore isn't all its cracked up to be. I really hope you like my blog and be kind. I don't think I'm ready for harsh criticism on my first time around...