This morning I had an unexpected brush with royalty. I intended to give myself extra time to get to my friend Jennifer's home for book club but I overslept and had just enough time to make the drive to her part of town. I am sure everyone knows, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Southern California for the weekend. Originally I didn't think it would affect me as long as I stayed in my bubble in the valley until I remembered I needed to drive through Hancock Park to get to Jennifer's house. They had mentioned on the news that there would be some street closures in the area near the British Consulate's home which is located in Hancock Park. As I drove through Hancock Park, I suddenly saw a motorcycle in the middle of the street just as I was coming up to an intersection with a traffic light. I suddenly saw a group of black SUVs driving past and realized I had just seen the Royal Newlyweds on their way to catch the helicopter that flew them to Santa Barbara for the Charity Polo Match. I couldn't have timed it any better if I'd tried! The traffic stop was very brief and I arrived to book club right on time :) .
Once I returned home, I finished watching Michael Jackson's This Is It. He truly was the King of Pop. I enjoyed seeing a more real, human side to MJ. It's hard to believe he's been gone for two years. Watching the documentary really made me sad for the musical genius that the world has lost.
Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday. I'm now off to game night to catch up with some friend's I haven't seen since the holidays.
Cheers!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Happy Friday, Happy July!
It's hard to believe that the first half of 2011 has come and gone. I'm really looking forward to the the next 6 months. Summer is my favorite time of year so I've been very happy for the past 10 days.
I took a Knife Skills 101 class at Cook LA and along with 6 strangers helped create a beautiful meal. The skills have already come in handy. I've since recreated the fruit salad and salsa we made in class.
To take advantage of the season's fruit I made ice cream with some of the baby donut peaches that are now growing in our back yard. They're super cute and tasty.
Tonight I decided to bake two treats I've been anxious to make since I saw the recipes on two of my favorite blogs. The brownies are courtesy of The Naptime Chef and the cookies are found on How Sweet It Is .
I took a Knife Skills 101 class at Cook LA and along with 6 strangers helped create a beautiful meal. The skills have already come in handy. I've since recreated the fruit salad and salsa we made in class.
To take advantage of the season's fruit I made ice cream with some of the baby donut peaches that are now growing in our back yard. They're super cute and tasty.
 |
| It was pretty hot so it started melting :( |
Tonight I decided to bake two treats I've been anxious to make since I saw the recipes on two of my favorite blogs. The brownies are courtesy of The Naptime Chef and the cookies are found on How Sweet It Is .
Friday, June 17, 2011
Mat Pilates
I tried Mat Pilates for the first time today courtesy of Grace Anatomy Pilates Studio and my local Lululemon Showroom. I was a excited to try Pilates but a bit worried I wouldn't like it because I tried doing a workout from a DVD years ago and didn't like it. I'm SO glad I took this class because it was a challenging but wonderful experience (I have a feeling I'm going to be pretty sore tomorrow). Glad to know I can add another type of workout to my regimen. Definitely a great way to kickstart my activity level after a year of improper training, and all around not taking good care of my fitness needs. Thanks Grace, Jolene, and Lululemon Sherman Oaks!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Shadow Yoga
Tonight I returned to my yoga practice. Today as the Shadow yoga class began at InYoga Center, I experienced something similar to when I return to running after periods of non-triaining ... I asked myself why did I stop practicing Yoga?! Not only has yoga been a source of peace but it is also a great compliment to my running. As someone who is extremely tight in the hips and calves (and highly prone to plantar fasciitis), yoga helps me ensure I get a deep stretch in all my tight spots at least once a week (when I maintain a regular and consistent practice). I am new to the practice of Shadow Yoga but I can appreciate the benefits the class description states it helps to release our "shadows" where we are blocked or stuck in emotional, energetic or behavioral patterns. Given the stress of the past 3 years and the angst that presently resides in me I am confident I selected the right class to restart my practice. We were told after class that another bonus of the class is a great night's sleep... now that is something I am looking forward to since I've been battling a nasty case of insomnia for some weeks now :( Can't say I enjoyed the the class because there were some difficult feelings that I worked through but I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked on those "shadows." I did enjoy catching catching up with friends before and after class. Looking forward for the next chance to release more negative energy and eventually one day be able to sit somewhat comfortably in the half lotus. *namaste*
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Make 2011 count!
Ever considered participating in a half or full marathon? Join the Largest Endurance Training Program while making a difference against the fight to end blood cancers.
Join me and members of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of Team in Training for the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Half and Full Marathon Preview Party! I finished this event last June and had a great time.
Hosted by: Hard Rock Cafe– 6801Hollywood Blvd. on Wednesday January 12th at 7:00PM
•program overview• complimentary h'ordeuvres• giveaways•discounted TNT registration • free parking•RSVP to Courtney.Gush@lls.org
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Lito
Abuelo is the Spanish translation for grandfather. Adding ito/a to a name is a form of showing affection towards someone in Latin American culture. "Lito" was my name for my maternal grandfather. There really are no words to truly express the special bond we shared ... I actually started writing this blog 3 months ago, on the anniversary of his death, but was too emotional to share my thoughts publicly (my emotions are still pretty raw but I now feel ready to share). I did speak to my parents about it, to help deal with the overwhelming sense of grief I experienced that day. I definitely think of Lito often and miss him everyday but I was caught off guard by the strength of my emotions ... realizing he's been gone for 17 years (half of my life). Time really does fly by.
Aside from my parents, Lito was my biggest fan and the glue that held our family together. He was such a huge part of my childhood and was by my side for many important and special moments growing up. He was in the hospital waiting room, anxiously waiting my arrival as my mom went into labor prematurely and was there for over 36 hours. He watched me take my first baby steps in his front yard and took pictures so my parents, who were at work, could have a keepsake of the moment. My 1st, 3rd, and 10th birthdays were celebrated at his house. The summer of my 2nd birthday, my parents decided to take a road trip to El Salvador. They had a brand new car at the time and Lito tagged along for the ride. Apparently, I was a great mini hostess offering Lito beers along the way. He was with us at Magic Mountain the day that my aversion to roller coasters was born. He was by my side for my first airplane ride as we flew cross country to spend part of the summer with his youngest brother, my uncle Jack, and his family in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Lito thought this would make a good present for my 11th birthday. Not only was it my first vacation, it was also my first time away from my parents; I don't think they would have allowed me to travel with anyone else. He was right... That was an amazing birthday gift! I visited our nation's capital, met extended family, and bought a Jem doll with leftover spending money ;)
By far, my favorite memory of him is dancing the waltz during my quinceanera. I had been patiently waiting for my 15th birthday since as long as I could remember. It was a day that my mom had visualized since the day I was born and Lito used to tell me that he looked forward to dancing the waltz with me on that day. Apparently, I was a tactless little girl because it seems I once told Lito he'd be dead by the time I turned 15. RUDE! I know. I'm embarrassed I ever uttered those words but in my defense I was little and it seemed like I would never reach my teen years. Thankfully, I was wrong and experienced a wonderful celebration dancing De Nina A Mujer with my Dad and a waltz with Lito. Unfortunately, there was another important family celebration going on that day... Lito's sister was celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary. We were sad to have missed such a momentous occasion and although I took for granted that fact that Lito would be there to share that waltz with me I realize it was a bittersweet moment for him because I'm sure he would have liked to have danced with his sister as well.
Lito moved in with us his last two years, which was great because looking back, I feel like I got bonus time with him. He used to love riding the bus so when I started attending public school he used to meet me after school to accompany me home. He and my parents worried about me since the first 10 years of my schooling had been in small parochial schools and they knew I had lived a pretty sheltered life. It gave Lito something to do and he felt good making sure I arrived home safely. Eventually, I asserted my independence and started riding the bus home with friends. Occasionally, I would run into Lito on the bus returning from errands on his way back home. Since he loved to travel, he spent nine months of his last year alive in El Salvador and Honduras visiting family and friends. Unfortunately, my parents and I did not know how sick my grandfather was at the time. He came home just in time for my high school graduation, I think he knew it meant a lot to me to have him there. He was so excited to learn I had been accepted at UCLA and would start college that fall. Because my graduation party had been the bigger deal that summer my 18th was quietly celebrated at home. We did go to dinner to celebrate my dad's birthday a week later. That would be the last time the four of us would celebrate something together. Just four weeks later, two weeks before my first day of classes at UCLA, Lito passed away from heart failure.
There are so many little things that remind me of him ... brewing my morning cup of coffee (he was an avid coffee drinker roasting beans from his tree), doves, a bottle of Michelob, chicharrones (his truly were the best!), and golf caps to name a few.
I know he would be very proud of the person I am today and many of the goals I have achieved.
Aside from my parents, Lito was my biggest fan and the glue that held our family together. He was such a huge part of my childhood and was by my side for many important and special moments growing up. He was in the hospital waiting room, anxiously waiting my arrival as my mom went into labor prematurely and was there for over 36 hours. He watched me take my first baby steps in his front yard and took pictures so my parents, who were at work, could have a keepsake of the moment. My 1st, 3rd, and 10th birthdays were celebrated at his house. The summer of my 2nd birthday, my parents decided to take a road trip to El Salvador. They had a brand new car at the time and Lito tagged along for the ride. Apparently, I was a great mini hostess offering Lito beers along the way. He was with us at Magic Mountain the day that my aversion to roller coasters was born. He was by my side for my first airplane ride as we flew cross country to spend part of the summer with his youngest brother, my uncle Jack, and his family in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Lito thought this would make a good present for my 11th birthday. Not only was it my first vacation, it was also my first time away from my parents; I don't think they would have allowed me to travel with anyone else. He was right... That was an amazing birthday gift! I visited our nation's capital, met extended family, and bought a Jem doll with leftover spending money ;)
By far, my favorite memory of him is dancing the waltz during my quinceanera. I had been patiently waiting for my 15th birthday since as long as I could remember. It was a day that my mom had visualized since the day I was born and Lito used to tell me that he looked forward to dancing the waltz with me on that day. Apparently, I was a tactless little girl because it seems I once told Lito he'd be dead by the time I turned 15. RUDE! I know. I'm embarrassed I ever uttered those words but in my defense I was little and it seemed like I would never reach my teen years. Thankfully, I was wrong and experienced a wonderful celebration dancing De Nina A Mujer with my Dad and a waltz with Lito. Unfortunately, there was another important family celebration going on that day... Lito's sister was celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary. We were sad to have missed such a momentous occasion and although I took for granted that fact that Lito would be there to share that waltz with me I realize it was a bittersweet moment for him because I'm sure he would have liked to have danced with his sister as well.
Lito moved in with us his last two years, which was great because looking back, I feel like I got bonus time with him. He used to love riding the bus so when I started attending public school he used to meet me after school to accompany me home. He and my parents worried about me since the first 10 years of my schooling had been in small parochial schools and they knew I had lived a pretty sheltered life. It gave Lito something to do and he felt good making sure I arrived home safely. Eventually, I asserted my independence and started riding the bus home with friends. Occasionally, I would run into Lito on the bus returning from errands on his way back home. Since he loved to travel, he spent nine months of his last year alive in El Salvador and Honduras visiting family and friends. Unfortunately, my parents and I did not know how sick my grandfather was at the time. He came home just in time for my high school graduation, I think he knew it meant a lot to me to have him there. He was so excited to learn I had been accepted at UCLA and would start college that fall. Because my graduation party had been the bigger deal that summer my 18th was quietly celebrated at home. We did go to dinner to celebrate my dad's birthday a week later. That would be the last time the four of us would celebrate something together. Just four weeks later, two weeks before my first day of classes at UCLA, Lito passed away from heart failure.
There are so many little things that remind me of him ... brewing my morning cup of coffee (he was an avid coffee drinker roasting beans from his tree), doves, a bottle of Michelob, chicharrones (his truly were the best!), and golf caps to name a few.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
National Running Day!
Yes, that's right it's National Running Day! Unfortunately, I didn't run today but since I work for a running store I did see our running group off for the Weekly Wednesday Run. I also celebrated by buying a new pair of shoes & pants and registering for the Inaugural RnR Los Angeles Half Marathon taking place in October. I'll be running on the course that I PR'd on 4 years ago. =)
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