Starting 2012 with a clean slate

If you have been holding on to many unnecessary people, let them fools go.

If you have been clinging on to some old memories for too long, let the past go.

If you have been holding on to a bad partner hoping that they will change some day, let their go.

If you have been haunted and bound by past mistakes, it's time to let them go.

If you have been holding on to hate, regret or old grudges, let that drama go.

If you have been afraid and stopping yourself from being who you truly are for too long, let all that self-doubt go.

If you have been insecure of your abilities and afraid to take risks for too long, let go of the loser mentality.

It's time to let it all go and prepare your soul for a new life that is waiting for you in 2012

Welcome to the Jungle

12.21.2011
My boy turns 7...lucky number 7!
The original plan was a house party on the 17th...then realized that I had planned three parties back to back from the 16th (hosted our work Holiday shindig) & the 18th (Annual Nestie Baked Good Exchange). Thank goodness that Scooter's Jungle had an opening on a Wednesday that happened to be Russell's actual birthday and my day off!! And as t turned out was the best decision EVER! We invited his classmates and their parents & had a blast! We kept the menu simple & kid friendly...Pizza, Chicken Strips and mini Corndogs. I even made it a whole lot easier with the goodie bags...Angry Birds stuffed animals, Angry Bird Cookies and some other items. The kids loved it! And seeing the faces of the parents as the kids ripped open the goodie bags was classic! I could almost see the bubble on top of their head saying OMG!
More pics to come

To my dearest Anak

Dearest Rj,
About 7 years ago you entered our world and have been such a big source of joy in our hearts. From your colicky nights and now ever so curious and inquisitive mind you continue to amaze and challenge us in so many wonderful ways. I thank God everyday for the wonderful gift He gave your Papa and I...and that is you, Russell!
We love you so much and pray that you continue to be a wonderful person and make a difference in this world.
Love,
Mama

Starting a new Tradition

During one of our car ride conversations, Russell asked me if I knew about the Elf on the Shelf book. I honeslty had no idea what it was about so he continued to tell me the story in his own words. I was intrigued. Being a sucker for anything traditionally Christmas...we visited the nearest Barnes and Noble the very next day and searched for the book.

It came in a hard covered box and it contained the book and your very own Elf.

After reading the story to the kids, we named our Elf...

Before going to bed we made sure that we took off the stickers that hold the plastic cover in place and untied the twisty ties holding Fredey in place. Russell made a visual check on Fredey where I left him and he asked me if Fredey was on the shelf or off the shelf when I placed the book in the hallway. I told him Fredey was sitting on the shelf. Apparently when Russell checked on Fredey, he was NOT sitting on the shelf...OOOhhhh!

 Morning came and this is what I found in the hallway...an empty box....where did Fredey go.

Kids woke up early and found Fredey here...sitting next to the TV in my room, smiling and watching them....this could get a bit creepy...but the kids love it. Although Celeste keeps asking to hold Fredey and play with him.  And Russell keeps reminding her that kids can't touch him, other wise the Christmas Magic will disappear and Fredey will not be able to go back to Santa to report their activities.

I am a bit curious as to how long this will last and how many creative ways we will find Fredey at.

Our new Home...

It is beautiful...but no plumbing....
Its the house of George Mason, one of the main writters of The Declaration of Independence but refused to sign it because he did not fully support what it stated 100%...which led to George Washington excommunicating him as a friend. That is why we have by heard of him before.

On our way

To the airport...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours...2011

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Remembering

Remembering Hawaii 2011

Dreaming Big

Someday I hope to enjoy this at my own backyard. And drink Sea Salt Coffee

My baby girl turns 4

We celebrated her birthday last Saturday, although today is her actual birthday. Where does the time go...they do grow up fast. Now she tells me "the Octagon says Stop!" each time we see a stop sign. Not even 5 yet and already a back seat driver. And she has discovered that she has a singing voice & currently loves to dance and sing "I wanna live in America" from West Side story. Truly an entertainer of ours.

Its October again...

and do you know what that means? Someone is having a birthday in this home of ours and she will be turning 4!! How time flies ... she is already in PreK and has definitely come out of her shell.

A few weeks back I was proclaiming that this year I was just going to have Celeste celebrate her birthday in school - no big hoopla party like last years. As the days rolled by I kept fighting with myself about the whole idea of celebrating her birthday.
Until one day I got a very special package in the mail. It was Hello Kitty Cookies from a friend who is part of a fundraising for Autism. In exchange for monetary donation she will bake cookies. I took this opportunity to get my hands on her yummy cookies. When the package arrived I couldn't wait to open it but it was time to pick up the kids and do homework, make/eat/cleanup dinner...yada yada yada. Finally after everyone was bathed I got my chance and little Miss Celeste happened to be in my room.
As I opened the box, her eyes got really big and a huge grin came out of her little face as she screamed
"Hello Kitty Cookies!! I loooooooooove Hello Kitty!!"

And so I took these pictures

Just look at that happiness

She proceeded to sing as she got her paws on one

a little sad that it was almost gone

After seeing how her face lit up when we opened the box - a light bulb came up above my head.
We are going to have a Hello Kitty Party...but not all babyish like the one for her 2nd birthday.
After texting my 3 sisters near me one of them texted me this picture of a Hello Kitty Inspired Party

OH EM GHEE!!! How could I not do this? As it turned out this is from PaperGlitter one of my favorite ETSY vendors. As I checked out her blog I came across an entry in which she shared instructions in how to she put together this party for her daughter and instruction on how to do this Sweet Shoppe Stand. So I went and purchased her Sweet Shoppe File. Its definitely a sign.

So far this is what I've accomplished

Going back

Today I finally took the step to take action to get healthy & fit. After 2 months of looking and reading about Pure Barre I bit the bullet and signed up. And the new client special of unlimited classes for a month for only $100 wasn't too bad. Although I had a choice of just signing up for one class, I chose the unlimited one to commit myself to this change. I felt nervous to the point of nausea since it's been 10+ years since I last did any kind of a serious work out. It was challenging! I felt sweat go down my face, felt the limbs start to shake & the burn...oh the burn! I welcomed the cool down part of the workout with open arms. But the best part is the post work out high!
This could be the beginning of a new healthy habit.

Family Vacation: Hawaii 2011

Family Vacation: Hawaii 2011
6-17-2011
Happy 39th Birthday to me!
Spent the day traveling & finally arriving to a place I've only seen in my dreams-Hawaii!!
After deplaning Rj kept saying "I'm so hot!" - that's tropics weather for you. I just thought it was perfect.
Upon arrival to the baggage claim area- we were met by surprise Leis from my family. How awesome is that! Well THEY are awesome!
No wonder my brother kept saying/texting "keeps watchful eye for your names"...well there were 2 signs...one for the Leis & one for our transport to our home the next 7 days...Hilton Waikoloa Village.
After about 30 mins we enter Waikoloa - there's the Queen's market, some villas & King's Shop (high end stuff). Our resort is at the end of the road. After checking in, taking the tram to our tower, checking out the view & the room (Celeste already claimed the $15.95 Dolphin on the bed), freshening up we headed to Queen's shop to have dinner & buy milk at the local grocery shop. Of course you can never buy JUST milk...but first dinner. We chose to eat at Sansei's: had sushi and the usual stuff. Feeling a bit adventurous I wanted to try a new drink-so I had the Hawaiian Shaved Ice drink...nasty as cough medicine...I'm sticking to what I like...at least with the drinks.
During dinner Rj's slippers broke so we HAD to buy him new ones.As we left the restaurant we were met with rain...tropical rain...you know the wet & humid kind...the kind most people just walk through-but not us! We were shaking like leaves...hahaha! Ended up buying a hat for Celeste, new crocs for both kids (Rj's broke & Celeste's was just nasty looking & old), found a Hawaiian Hello Kitty ( of course I got it-it's my birthday) then headed off to the grocery store. With milk we got breakfast stuff, souvenir stuff (Rj is collecting keychains) and I found more Hello Kitty stuff!!
Returned to the resort & settled in for the night - by this time it was 1230am LA time & kids were exhausted - I did not hear one complaint from either one.
What a wonderful & memorable birthday it has been...more to come.

Sent from Mae's iPhone

Nurses are every day heroes 2011

 

May 11, 2011:  

Kaiser held their Nurses' Week Dinner held at DoubleTree Hotel in Torrance.

I was joined by many other nurses who have all been Angels in a patients' care. Tonight we were reminded that we have a purpose. Dr. Bertice Berry was our main speaker, sharing with us her stories about her first hand experience with nurses. She made us laugh and at times made us tear up but most of all she reminded us of our purpose-that the everyday things we do at work have a purpose. "It's a thankless job"- I've heard other nurses say, but its not. Even though our patients might not remember our specific names-they remember the care that was given to them during their lowest point of their health & that is thanks enough.

And Thank You Florence Nightingale for paving the way for us...Thank You

Happy New Year 2011

The past 2 weeks I've been on vacay mode and so glad for it. I was able to enjoy the Holidays with family-especially my kids & Ryan with no stress of having to go to work. Yeay!

So what did I do on the first day of the year...made Creme Brulee! Yup I surely did but it was from a box.  

( I've been thinking about the Creme Brulee from Bellagio and well I just had to try. )

all mixed up and ready to wait the 1 hour suggested time for the "skin" to form

Ready to be put in the oven for caramelizing the sugar

Looks burnt but still smelled good.

It came out a bit more mushy than what I remember from Bellagio Buffet. I think its because of the ramikin being too deep, only got cooled off in room temperature and maybe just maybe I used the wrong cup to measure the whipping cream in and might have added a little more than what's asked for. I put the second container in the fridge and see what it comes out to be later tonight.

 Happy New Year!