Happy birthday, Mom

Happy birthday, Mom! To me, my mom wasn’t always considered cool but she totally is now. As I matured, I think she immatured. [My computer says it’s not a word but…] That might be the best way to state it. I used to think she was a bore and now I think she is hilarious, light hearted and a really good friend. She’s an awesome grandmother to Bella and I couldn’t thank her more for the help she’s given me. 

My top ten favorite things about my mom:

10. She’s a superb cook. Seriously. I didn’t realize until I had other people’s cooking. I feel so sorry for kids whose mother’s lack cooking skills. Thank God she passed those skills to me. Especially as much as I like eating and trying new things. [Because of her I am willing to try anything! Especially when it comes to food. Hello, I ate squid, sushi and fish as a child.]

9. She has style! Finally. I know sound shallow. JUDGE ME. I DON’T CARE. But she didn’t always have a sense of style. I wish I could post pictures but she might kill me. She would wear my dad’s clothes… really. Now she works at one of the trendiest places in her town and she WERKS it. She wears those six accessories every shift and loves it.

8. She’s devoted. Last January, she decided she wanted to start running. I literally laughed at her.
Not to be mean but we had always hated DESPISED LOATHED the thought of running. But after a year of slowly building up her stamina or whatever it is, she ran a 15k a few weeks ago! Wait, what? MY MOM? Yes, she did. I wish I were there to cheer her on because to me, that is a big deal.

7. She puts her children first. Growing up, I never realized the things my mom and dad would do for us. But since becoming a parent, I clearly see. They sacrificed so much for us. We went to private schools when we really didn’t have the money. She always made a big deal about our birthdays which is probably why I am so obsessed with them. We would have parties every single year until we were thirteen. Yep, all three of us and sometimes Jasmine when she lived with us. We might have had a crummy Christmas but we would have bomb birthdays. Haha.

6. She taught me to be myself, to be proud of who I am and stand up for what I believe in. She taught me how to see who my true friends are and how to be one. I see my mom and she’s not afraid to be herself. She says "neat-o mosquito" and laughs at her own jokes. She's proud of her janky DIY projects and gets overly excited to try new things.
 I love it.

5.  She’s actually kind of funny. I didn’t realize this until I actually started listening to her. Haha. Sorry, mom. Who knew? Sharon is actually funny? She’s funny without being funny. We were in the mall and some lady was rude and she goes “Well, that lady is a b-hole.”

LIKE WHAT?

You can say A-hole.

You can call her a B.

But B-hole?

No, mom.

NO.

SAYING BUTT HOLE IS OKAY.

4. She’s really thoughtful. She thinks of people and does things for them. She really is kind. She’ll listen to her friends’ problems and help her neighbors and even people at work. That’s big to me because I only do one of those three. Ha.

3.  She’s beginning to let loose and enjoy life. Before we moved to Georgia and even a few years after, I don’t believe she was really enjoying life. I see a big difference in her. I see her happier and doing more things with my brother and sister and even with Bella. She goes out to night club/bars with her friends.

 I DON’T EVEN DO THAT.

She's so happy [with the exception of the occasional co-worker] I don’t seem to see her too aggravated. Even with Lantz and Aiya. Or my dad for that matter. Now that I think of it, I haven't seen her mad at him in a looong time. She just let's the negative brush off of her. She refuses to let it effect her. I dig it.

2. She taught me how to be a good mom, I feel like I learned everything from my mom. I really can’t thank her enough. It’s something that was taught [whether directly, indirectly, intentionally or accidentally] and will be carried with me for the rest of my life. I learned how to respect and listen to my daughter, be present for my daughter, care for her and teach her values my parents instilled in me. 

1. She’s my mom and always will be. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADY!

Honesty is the Best Policy

Shit's about to get real. 

I'm not loving my move to New York. I moved to New York in the coldest time of the year.
It was an awesome welcome.
Forty degree weather. Snow within the first month.
 Living expenses are high up the ass. I'm telling you.

 Awesome. 

I'd like to pretend I'm happy here and loving every moment of it. But I'm not.

 I miss everything about Georgia.
Like the basics--my family and friends, having a job, having my own car, my own house.
Cooking what I want. Oh my God.
I miss cooking whatever I want, whenever I want.
I never realized how good of a cook I am until I had to eat other people's cooking.
Wait, was that rude?
Oops.
Oh, well. My blog.

[insert crying emoji here]

I really don't want to sound like Negative Nancy over here but, uh, this is not what I wanted. 

I wanted to be happy and having the time of my life here.

Yeah, yeah, I know I need to suck it up and go out and find something to do.

 I KNOW THAT! 

But in the mean time I'll just feel sorry for myself.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Better Late Than Never, Right?

Yes, I know what day it is. And yes I’m just now talking about my new year’s resolution. It's kind of a resolution.

 I want it to be a lifestyle.

Here’s where it all came from:

I saw a picture of me from last summer. I wasn’t fat or anything, just…not where I want to be. I decided I wanted a change in my body. The thing is, I don't need to lose weight. I just want to get toned but not 'Am I Really a Woman' or ‘See? I Work Out All the Time’ toned. I just want to gain muscle and tonage.
Is that a word?
It is now.

Here's my plan:

 

 I am not using a scale. Like I said, I don't need to lose weight, so there is no need to keep track of how much I lose. 

However,

I am using a tape measure. I want to see my progress by seeing inches disappear and muscle show.

WATER! This one is hard for me. I always forget because I’m not a thirsty person. 

My goal is to drink half my body weight in ounces every day. I really need to stay hydrated. Plus water is just plain good for you.

I’m taking multi vitamins, biotin and omega-3 vits. 

Every time I think of Omega 3 it reminds me of A Cinderella Story

Fiona: Is this the Norwegian salmon I asked for? Because I need my omega-3s. Sam: Only the best. Fiona: Mmm. I can tell. You know it costs a fortune to fly that stuff in from Norwegia

I am not going to the gym. Therefore I have no excuses. Gyms are too much of an inconvenience for me. It’s that simple.  

The routines I do are only using my body weight and can be completed at home. I used to find all of my work outs from Pinterest. I just mix four to six of them and get a satisfying work out.

But now, I have discovered Blogilates. It's free and omg does she work you out! She's motivational, adorable and fun! I absolutely loooove working out to her videos.

I'm eating mostly clean. I am cooking almost everything from scratch and having the "If I can't grow it in my backyard/can't raise it, think twice" mindset.

I am drinking green tea. Every day. There are so many health benefits from it and it's so easy to incorporate into your day!

I can sense the pride coming from my Obaachan in Japan.

Here's a little motivation for ya.

Aiya's 16th Birthday Weekend

Wait, it's Tuesday? I feel like this weekend went by way too fast! I feel like I was just hustlin' around the house to get ready for them! I wish they could have stayed longer. I miss them so much already.

Here's the breakdown:

FRIDAY: We went to the movies and saw Mama. It wasn't amazing but it was way better than I expected. And of course since we went on a Friday, there were tons of middle/high school kids there thinking they were cool and talking throughout the whole movie. If we could have gone another day, I would have. Oh..and I gave my mom a bomb ass haircut. She looks F-A-B.

SATURDAY: Took the train and got into the city around 10:00 am.

We had a good start but we figured we should stop for coffee.

So we did.

P.S. NYC has way too many cafes and coffee shops for tourists to choose.

We walked everywhere. Literally. We went from Grand Central to Soho to Little Italy to Chinatown to Madison Square Garden to Times Square. Holy shit. Saying it out loud makes us seem crazy but paying for cabs seems crazier.  

 Story Time:

We went to Little Italy and my overwhelmed little sister couldn't make up her mind as to where she wanted to eat. Place #1 the man talked to us for ten minutes about his grandmother, the fact there was an Italian chef in the kitchen and why we should eat there. We walk in just to turn around and leave. Then we heard him say, "UCK. YEW WASTED MY TIME!" woops. Place #2 We actually SAT DOWN. Like I took my coat off. And Aiya looked at the menu and goes, "They don't have shrimp pasta like the other place." So we ran out before someone else yelled at us. Finally we went to place #3. The one she really wanted. Did I mention the three places we went to were all next to one another? And we're in Little ITALY. Italians are known for mobs and being thugs. Why would we choose to upset them? Nothing like a little indecision and fear to spice up your life. 

Me and mommy at our final lunch destination

 

 

 Wondering why we didn't have breakfast at Tiffany's

 

 Side note: for those of you considering going to DASH, don't. It's small, overpriced and underwhelming.

 Chanel, however, was perfect.

'Merica

I know she had the time of her life in NYC. I think she soaked up every moment we were there. She loved being in Chanel, Dash and in Times Square. I'm so happy I got to spend it with her.

 

 Lucky for us, Union Square was having a mini farmer's market day. Unlucky for us, we didn't see anything we liked.

Isn't she the cutest?

I'm so happy I got to spend it with her.

SUNDAY: HER 16th BIRTHDAY! I make pancakes and bacon and decorated the downstairs. Then we went to the Palisades mall. It. Is. HUGE. Four stories huge. She loved it.

Then we went out to eat,

I know it's dark and blurry but whatev

came home and I made her a cake. I think she thought I forgot she mentioned red velvet because she was really surprised. But how could she think I would forget what cake she wanted? It's her birthday, of course I didn't forget!

Look at me being creative and gettin' my Pinterest on

 Then we just stayed up, opened presents and spent time together before they left us on Monday.

 Whew! That was just a blog summary of what we did this weekend. I'm still exhausted but I would do it all over again. I love hanging out with those two.

YAAAWN: boring kids' shows.

Children's shows are supposed to be one of two things:
 entertaining or educational.
 You hit the jackpot when they're both. 

Shows like Max and Ruby,
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy (with the exception of the random Beyonce episode),
Little Bear and Franklin
are just plain SNOOZEFESTS!

I don't understand how or why networks are still running episodes.

My stomach turns when Bella begs to watch Max and Ruby.
 Like, why?
Why would you want to watch a show about a seven year old bunny
who acts like a forty five year old mother?
Max says one word phrases and gets on his sister's nerves. 

Sorry for the random rant but Franklin is on and
I can't stand to watch another moment of
this pathetic, lifeless excuse for a show. 

EEEK!

My mom and sister are coming into town on Friday and I don't think I can express with words how excited I am to see them. I have missed familiarity so very much and my mom and sister are the perfect pair to remind me of what it looks like. 

We are going to the movies to see Mama, visit a mall that is too big for our own good and make a trip to NEW YORK CITY. I cannot wait for the city. Since it's my Aiya's first time, going everywhere is a must. Seriously, she wants to go everywhere. Such a small island but such big expectations. It will be amazing to experience this with her. Aiya is turning sixteen on Sunday so I want her birthday weekend to be perfect. I love birthdays but specialty birthdays are my fave. I'm making her favorite cake, red velvet, and taking her out to eat. She wants to wear some outfit she bought just for her birthday dinner so it has to be somewhere special. And Sharon. I've missed my mommy so much. I can't wait to hug her and just sit and talk with them.

 I CANNOT WAIT FOR THEM TO GET HERE!

I pinned it, I did it!--Infinity Scarf

I  have been so excited to use my sewing machine since I got it for Christmas. I finally went out and bought some fabric for my first few projects. The first project was my infinity scarf that I saw on Pinterest but is originally from here. It seemed easy and fool proof. Since this was my first project, I didn't want to overwhelm myself with fabric so I just bought one yard. I washed it, sewed it, and wore it. I adore this scarf  but I am not crazy about the material, but for $1.50 I can deal. I'll just go out and buy more now that I know how easy it is to make! I can't wait to make more. Plus, my mom and sister's birthdays are coming up so those may be potential gifts.

It's so repetitive...

...Annoying and cheesy and about to be said again...
 Happy New Year!

This year has been full of memories that have come and gone.
I feel like I haven't had a chance to completely absorb them.
 So, I guess that will be one of my resolutions.
 I will realize the true value of moments before they become memories. 

 I am so excited to start a new year and new traditions.
I am extremely excited for my mom and little sister to visit in a couple of weeks, celebrate Devon's twenty third birthday next month but most of all, I AM EXCITED TO USE MY SEWING MACHINE!
 I have "sew" many ideas I need to try.
Pun intended.
 I'm thrilled to be able to make items that would normally cost me money I don't have.
You know, like duvets to fit my every mood, table cloths for every season/holiday,
matching family coats...am I setting my expectations too high?

I want to attempt everything this year.
My sweet Bella will be three this summer and I'm not sure I will be able to handle it.
Where has time gone?
What happened to teaching her how to walk?
What happened to my little five pound newborn?
What happened to me being pregnant senior year?
 ...Um on second thought, maybe I can handle it.

Living in New York, there are so many places I want to see and experience.
I need to eat New York style pizza, Chinese food and bagels as much as possible.

 I want to go to Connecticut, Maine and maybe even Canada. How much are passports, eh?

 I also want to be the best mom I possibly can be.
Isabella is growing up so fast I can't keep up.
I need to make sure she is going to be a kind, inspiring and loving individual.
And most importantly, I want to love God more than I did last year.
My dad gave me his study material and I am so excited to learn.

Okay 2013, bring it. I think I'm ready.