Monday, December 31, 2012

Angulo Christmas Video 2012

I mentioned in my Christmas post that I didn't take as many pictures this year because for one, pictures of people opening presents are very boring and two, I wanted to do a video instead. I want us all to be able to look back and see the kid's personalities and the fun times we had together. I used my digital camera to record little clips throughout the night, so not  the best quality and lighting was poor. I may look for a better video camera soon. This was my first time really trying iMovie. The whole video isn't great, but now I know what to look for when I'm recording. I think if I keep practicing I will be able to make flawless movies someday.  




Happy New Year's Eve


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Lunch & Crisp Air for Dessert


Two posts in one day, if you can’t tell, work is slow. It finally stopped snowing so I convinced myself to walk to lunch rather than drive because I’m sick of sitting on my ass. I stopped at Planned Parenthood for some contraceptives and was behind four other people. There was a very anxious girl who told the staff she was in a hurry and just needed pills. I sympathized because how hard is it to hand out pills and let people be on their way, but they said no, sit down and wait your turn. This girl was tapping her foot and tossing magazines around when they called me up. She grunted deeply because I came in after her but was helped before her. She was pacing so much that I moved over because I felt like she was going to push her way past me for attention. Goes to show you shouldn't get attitude with people if you want help.

I stopped at a recently opened restaurant called Woody’s BBQ. I was expecting a fast casual restaurant, but it was sit-down style. I ordered the lunch baby back ribs that included garlic bread and two sides for $8.99. With their good price, speedy service, and tasty food I'll likely go back.    


It's a chilly 27 degrees but very beautiful. I am so in love with the snow.  

Stormy Christmas

This Christmas was unlike any I've experienced so far. We did the usual Christmas Eve dinner at The Vigil's, Christmas Eve at the Angulo's, and Christmas morning at the Perea's. I've hardly understood why my parent's siblings can't come together anymore for Christmas, but I'm starting to see it among my own generation. I've always imagined that a bond between brothers and sisters could not be broken, but this season three of our siblings weren't fully present. I think it sucked, but I tried to stay focused on enjoying those who were there. I wish I could see what lessons we're supposed to be learning or the outcome of all of these emotions. Oh the joys of constantly changing and growing. One thing I've observed is talking about an issue is much more productive than going on for years assuming or ignoring it. Check back in years to see if I've changed my mind. 

I didn't take as many pictures as usual this year, instead I did video clips that I want to use to make a video of this Christmas. When I finish it I'll share it with you all.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas memories of 2012.
My youngest niece & nephew
Shredding meat for tamales
Christmas Eve at the Angulo's. The kids couldn't wait until midnight so we opened presents around 11 pm.

My mom and grandma Christmas morning
Hey look, my brother made it after all. We worked around his work release schedule so we did Christmas at 6 am.
Sledding
Jimmy & Leah
Angulo girls minus Leah who was mad at Janeece for taking her ball
With this last picture I just want to take the time to talk about how sweet my man is. We don't usually buy each other gifts, but he drew my name so he gave me my gift along with an expression that I deserve so much more. Then he woke up at 5:30 am on Christmas morning so we could get to my mom's to spend Christmas with my brother. Then after a nap we went back to my parent's house for dinner. I appreciate him being so funny and inappropriately entertaining. He even put up with our sit around the table family fights(discussions).

Monday, December 24, 2012

Holiday Get Together

I was glad that the seven of us were able to get together during the busy holidays. Even Jelem made it by taxi from the airport. I've been friends with these girls for at least six years. We became friends during the transition from teens to twenties. We were all going through new, tough experiences and I believe we were meant to find each other. We still try to get together every few months and catch up. I really needed this night, I'm never the talker, but they made me share and it's nice to continuously have their support. 









We did a white elephant gift exchange, snacked and had wine. It was a fun night that I didn't want to see end. I love all of you. 


Friday, December 21, 2012

Well today has been…


As Christmas creeps closer I get more and more excited but it seems like little things keep popping up to bring my mood down.

#1 Today my brother booked himself into jail to serve a 60 day sentence. It sucks, but honestly it could be worse. He gets work release so he won’t lose his job, it’s only 60 days, and it’s one step closer to getting his shit taken care of. It’s mostly a downer because my mom is “devastated,” especially because he won’t be around for Christmas. I don’t have kids, so maybe I can’t relate, but I think we should focus on showing him positive support, not making it about us or making him feel shittier than he already does. So there’s that.

#2 The bosses were a little annoyed with me and my co-worker for overlooking a mistake on a Schedule A we sent out. It’s a super easy fix, but the sales man is dramatic so we’re guessing that’s what stressed my boss out the most. Either way, I found it hard to get bitched at, then get together and exchange secret Santa gifts. I got exactly what I asked for, an Amazon gift card to buy Kindle books.

I pampered myself today thanks to an old classmate who posted on Facebook that her spa was in need of pedicure and manicure models. I was able to get a luxury manicure for 70% off. Tomorrow I have an appointment to get my hair trimmed and eyebrows waxed.







I’m glad it’s Friday. I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

No School For 3 Weeks


Last night was my first class free Tuesday since May. It was nice having dinner and catching a movie at Cinepoint 6 with my husband. It was date night at the theater so 2 tickets cost a total of $3. I can’t remember the last time I got to pick a movie, we watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It was okay, I really liked Emma Watson’s performance.

A lot of the time I’m set on the ultimate goal and forget to celebrate the small victories, so I want to take a minute to celebrate finishing my 2nd semester of graduate school and  getting all A’s. It is flying by and before we all know it my cohort and I will be graduating. Come on May 2014!

For the next three weeks off I look forward to:
Reading for fun
Going to the gym
Catching up on shows
Family time during the holidays

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Ms. Chauffeur

My husband finally returned from his 19 day getaway. I spent 5 of those days with him so the time didn't seem so long. It felt funny going to visit my own husband, kind of like dating where you don't get to see each other every day and you have to communicate by telephone, making the reunion sweet. Dating seems like it was long ago so it was a fun feeling. 

To keep that fun feeling I decided to role play and pick him up from the airport dressed as a chauffeur. I've always wanted someone to pick me up holding a sign with my name on it so I thought why not trying being on the other end of my fantasy. Not sure I really captured the look of chauffeur, but it was fun nonetheless. He had the biggest(maybe embarrassed) smile on his face and we just laughed. 



I also wanted the chance to wear these new boots I found at Kohl's for $16. 

Have I mentioned in my next life I want to be a cowgirl, a tough, rugged one?  




Friday, December 14, 2012

Decking The Halls

I got to decorate at two houses this year. 

The first place was in California where the kids picked out a real Christmas tree. I've never had a real tree before, so I had a lot of fun looking for the perfect one. The smells were amazing. Lani helped her uncle Jose set the tree up and Leah did the rest. Jimmy was very busy playing his DS, but he did help in the selection.










Second, was at my house. I kept it simple this year because I always feel like why do all of that work when no one see's it. The only reason I put up my tree is because my cat loves it. I added pictures of my loved ones to make it more personal and to remind me what Christmas is really about--LOVE. 


 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Jose's 26th Birthday in LA


For Jose’s 26th birthday we went to the Jazz vs. Lakers game at the Staples Center. We checked the rules online and it said no cameras so we left them in the car. We didn't want to get all the way to the door and then have to turn around and return them if they said no, so the pictures of the evening aren't the best quality.

Jose and his niece Lani
Jose and his cousin Bobby
The Jazz were up pretty much the whole time. I was thankful for this because it kept the others quiet enough. I always get nervous in the 4th quarter because they put Kobe in and he wraps up the game, but that didn't happen this time. Jazz came out victorious, 117-110. I think it would've made for a nicer birthday if the Lakers would've won, but I’m selfish and would rather not be taunted, so I’m glad they lost.
After the game we went out to look at the statues of talented athletes. Somehow, Jose and his partner in crime got “lost,” didn't know where we all went, so the most logical thing for them was to wander off and look for us at the outdoor ice skating rink. Bunch of bullshit if you ask me, but it was his birthday so I was ignoring my perception of appropriate behavior.


We called them to come back, but just got hung up on us. There is no reasoning with drunk people. We needed to go because there was school the next morning and kids needed to be picked up from babysitters. All of a sudden one of us said enough of this shit and threw down their hot dog and charged (seriously) after them. When the two wanders were found they also got their hot dogs knocked on the ground and were brought back to the car in less than 10 minutes. This was the funniest thing I've seen. I seriously wish I had the balls, but I care too much about my appearance to show my crazy side in public.
Eating our Street Dogs
We stopped at a Korean BBQ place that was pretty cool. I've never had a dining experience like it. They bring you different types of raw meat that you cook at your table. They had karaoke booths and huge TV screens playing Korean music videos. All of the artists in the videos were so pretty and 5 seemed to be the most common number of group members.


Overall it was a really fun birthday celebration. I hope my husband enjoyed it. 


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

My Mom Is So Helpful

My mom is a such a great lady. Today she picked me up from the airport, brought me back to Ogden so I could make it to class, then turned around to pick my dad up from the airport. I got home to a few comforting surprises. I'm sure there's more that I haven't noticed yet. 
Clean Fridge
Organized pantry
Empty laundry baskets and clean, folded sheets and towels. She also added some rope on the handles to make for easier carrying. 
The reason behind why she cleaned the pantry was because she saw a mouse. Here are a few pics she took of Mooch playing and having a staring contest with the little rodent. 



Thanks Mom for taking care of my cat, chauffeuring me to and from the airport, and tidying up.