My Girl's 25th

My best girl turned 25 last month, and as is customary with our 19 year relationship, I determined she needed a surprise birthday party. It had been 4 years since her last, so with the help of her boyfriend and fellow roommate, we launched Operation Summer Solstice (with an ounce of intelligence you can guess the party date.)

Ms. PhD, as she will be know in the anonymous online world, was having a bit of a problem as this mid-point number loomed at her, so I figured, what better way than to throw a child-themed birthday with adult twists?!?! My Little Pony seemed to be the clear winner since the line is still around these days, albeit much sassier than I remember. I pretty much purchased everything cheesy that Party America had to offer in that department and set to work. Her BF and I decided to do Roman Cucina food for obvious reasons and since it is delicious, and cupcakes from her favorite bakery, the scrumptiousness that is Sprinkles. It turns out that our child-turned-adult party had very juvenile elements with a seasoned spin (decadent pizza, gourmet cupcakes, beer that would have otherwise been Hawaiian punch, etc.). We also could not let the soiree be pinata-less, so enter the Backyardigans. I had never heard of this Nickelodeon staple, but Uniqua was purchased for the event and definitely was a hit.

I had a great time planning the party with Roberto and I think he enjoyed his first real intro to party planning too. Unfortunately he broke the cardinal rule, "thou shall not leave email box open for GF to see" but c'est la vie as they say! Ms. PhD was not surprised although VERY appreciative of the love and attention from her many circles of friends. It is one of my favorite things in the world to do treat my best pals like this-so look out, if you are in the INNER CIRCLE you could be next!

Peanut butter-choc chip cookies, Sprinkles, MLP hats, and Uniqua grace the table:

Roomie Co-Conspirator preparing Ms. PhD for Uniqua's demise
MLP tats-the next rage on LA Ink:


Happy 25th Friend!!!
Cheers to a lifetime more birthdays together =D

Blessed

I am blessed to have a loving fiance.
A doting family.
Amazingly wonderful friends.
A roof over my head.
Food on my plate.
And a job to help the world go round.


Sometimes these things are forgotten in the chaos that is life, and I just thought they deserved a little public declaration.

Tagged

My GiraffeGirl tagged me, so here goes:

Attached or single? Definitely attached, and almost able to qualify in a new tax category!
Best friend? Scott, Kerri, Ashley
Cake or pie? Red velvet CUPcakes
Day of choice? Saturday
Essential item? Chapstick or some form of gloss, without a doubt
Favorite color? Currently olive green
Gummy bears or worms? Sour worms!
Hometown? Anaheim
Ideal vacation? A western-European epic journey
January or July? Well they both have a holiday, so that's a plus. But I'd go July, I enjoy summer.
Kids? Nay
Life isn't complete without: Peanut butter
Marriage date? 9.7.08
Number of siblings? One sister
Oranges or apples? Apples. Gala or pink lady.
Phobias? Voldemort
Quote? "Your sequins are burning my retinas"-that TLC Miss America show
Reasons to smile? Health, family, friends, a job
Tag 3 people: KL, KM, and Scott-but he won't do it, however I don't know any other bloggers.
Unknown fact about me: I used to want to join the Babysitters Club after reading their books in elementary school
Vegetable? Spinach
Worst habit? Building people up
X-ray or ultrasounds? Both.
Your favorite food? Just like Joey--sandwiches of any and all variety
Zodiac sign? Cap

Fin.

Home Hunting

Is no fun. We have minimal requests:

-2 bed/2 bath
-townhome (ideally)
-washer/dryer included would be AWESOME
-refridgerator included would again, be AWESOME
-nice neighborhood-safe
-garage, and I would take detached
-some greenery or patio or garden passing off as a lawn
-not a mega complex
-food, dining, shops nearby

Are you out there home?

Seoul Food

One of the many perks of my job is the free food from different events on any given week. F-town has some mighty delicious establishments and all of my coworkers and I continually remark on our good fortune to be treated so often to the tasty fare. This past week, as per my usual duties as a consummate chamber hostess, was to welcome a new businesses to the city with the ever wonderful ribbon cutting ceremony.

It is always a treat when the business in question is a restaurant because my coworkers and I are more than obliged to be the food guinea pigs. This past week proved to be quite the example. We were treated like kings and queens to an authentic Korean tofu meal, complete with 30 minute blessing (in Korean), singing, praying, speeches, and a host of other official duties that I could better identify if I spoke Korean. Following the pomp and circumstance, the gracious hostess allowed everyone to actually order off the menu--not predetermined samples, but choose your own combo. So, I bravely chose a chicken teriyaki tofu combo and was satisfied. Until the appetizer arrived and my friends and I were graced by this delicacy:

Oh yes, a deep fried fish. I certainly was floored. Immediately I thought of My Boy and his travels to Africa and how he actually watched the entire process from his meals, beginning with selecting the meat, slaughtering the meat, cooking the meat, and finally enjoying the meat. I am more used steps 3-4, but hey, "when in Rome" as they say, so I dug in...and scored some bones in my teeth (truly I can't remember the last time I had bones in my fish.) I gave it a few good bites, and the actual meat part I had was good, but it was too messy to keep going.

Following our pre-poisson portion, we were brought lots of interesting things including kimchi, transluscent noodles, lasagna-like pillows, and a host of other things that were, well, interesting.
The steaming soup in the foreground is actually the tofu. It was the first time I had it and I really enjoyed it. The soup was a beef broth, so there were also chunks of beef with the tofu. My chicken teriyaki (I know, white girl forever) also came with this and some nice rice.

It was probably the most elaborate lunch I have ever had, and definitely not what I thought I'd be doing that Wednesday when I got up. It certainly put my yogurt/apple/cheese and crackers brown bag version to shame.

It's a Beautiful Day

This was quite a day, so please bear with the double post.

Finally a Member!

I could list many reasons as to why I am marrying The Boy, and probably categorize them at that same time, as there are so many. However, there is one, that would most certainly make it into the "miscellaneous" file. This particular reason is one that I have waited many long years for, forever in anticipation, and actually think he held off on proposing just to make me squirm.

As a child of a banker, I never "went to the bank" with my parents to handle any business since my mom worked there. After my first job out of high school, I opened my own account at the same place The Boy had one, since I figured he liked it and I trusted his decision. Life went on, paychecks were directly deposited, and I really never visited the establishment.

Fast forward a few years and The Boy drops a bomb on me. He is leaving the bovine institution. It felt like he was breaking up with me. And no, I am truly not being overdramatic--it was something that linked us and he was severing that sacred financial tie with me. I hemmed and hawed and he went forward to the exclusive, VIP, academics-by-blood-only place. Well shoot, I thought. The only relative I have that is a teacher is my aunt, but she's my mom's brother's wife, and those workers at the academic institution wouldn't take it. I was crushed. However, those worker bees made such an impression upon me. They were so kind hearted, and I think they felt bad that I couldn't join their exclusive club. I knew the only thing I could do was wait until The Boy and decided to make an honest woman of me.

Well friends, today was that joyous day. First of all, it was his graduation from Cal State's awesome university in the LBC! I am so proud. I took a half day from work to be there, and we had some extra time, so I thought, Erin-this is your moment! You have waited so long-let's get an account at the credit union! The Boy obliged, and off we went, camera in tow. The people in there are always so wonderful when you walk in. I have witnessed it when The Boy has taken out a car loan, has made any deposits and withdrawals, and they even helped me out while he was in Africa, as I needed to do some transactions for him and I did not share his name. My BFF and countless other friends I know absolutely rave about their customer service, and I just couldn't wait to be a customer.

The associate that helped us out was very sweet and indulged me in my exciting day. Truthfully I thought they may give me a "welcome to the credit union" certificate or something, but I did receive a non-noodle handshake so that was good enough for me.

So friends, in the next 4-6 business days I will receive my official card for my official account there, and after The Boy and I wed in September, I will be eligible to move my account from the bovine farm right on over! Dorky as it was, I am so glad he acceded me this small pleasure :)

Pomp & Circumstance

And lest we forget, The Boy's graduation! He walked with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science-Computer Engineering. I couldn't be more proud of my best friend and fiance. He has worked so unbelievable hard for this and put up with more imbecilic "professors" I am surprised he still has any wits about him. Way to go babe!

Kings Cross

My Kings:

LHS Prom King '01 and Future Husbandly King:

King of Middle Earth:

my heart be still...