Creme brûlée. I love it. However I was bound to just having it at restaurants because of my fear for torches. I really really had a taste for it, so I was like ehhh, why not? So I searched the interwebs and found a recipe that sounded good, and had at it. Equipped with World Market Ramekins and a pen torch from a friend.. I set out on my journey. Continue reading
My first New Year’s Eve, out in the city… and it was exactly like this picture. A happy, glittery blur. I got to spend it with people I love and it was the most dancing I’ve done all year. It might have to do with the no dress code policy at Rock n Roll Hotel. Red chucks and a red dress guaranteed booty shaking and heel toeing all night. Continue reading
Yes, it is the end of the year, and you know what that means, resolutions and recaps. Not saying that you care about what I did this year, but everyone likes pictures and lessons learned right? This has been a tremendous year for me. So many big changes. I didn’t get to ease into “adulthood” but I was launched in, kicking and screaming. Many losses, and plenty of gains. My mom told me that even aged years are harder (I’m 26) and as I think about it, I do alternate good and bad years.
However I don’t like thinking about it that way. I don’t like thinking that things are destined to be a certain way and that I don’t have control over my life. I believe in a free will and a free spirit.
My year in pictures.
My beautiful mother, strong and smiling until her last breath. As soon as 2011 hit, my heart was tested. My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the lung. It has spread all over before she even noticed anything was wrong. After two bouts of emergency room stays, they broke it down to us. Three weeks to live. She told them that they couldn’t tell her what to do, and she’ll go when she’s ready. And thats exactly what she did, her strength, her determination and her spirit kept her with us for 3 more months. We celebrated our last mother’s day with her, and then she left us peacefully.
In order to keep myself from being depressed, from the sadness that just hit my life, I started writing for DCEventjunkie.com. Lisa sent me out to fabulous DC events, multiple times a week, so I got to enjoy myself, and share my adventures with you. Not to mention meet some well known individuals.
But after my mom passed. This is what happened…
And lots more traveling.
Redesign.
Bought my first home.
First tree, first Xmas.
I realized this year that I am a lot stronger than I give myself credit for. If I look back on everything that I’ve gone through, I am still here today, not giving up on life and taking control of my own and constantly try to move forward in a positive manner. I am thankful for the friends that have shown me love, compassion and who’ve gained my trust. Life changes us, and the gaining and losing of friends are part of the growing pains.
I am a fighter and I will PERSEVERE no matter what happens in life. I’m ready 2012. Bring it! Bulletproof.
Need more hot goodness for the cold? I tried this recipe from ShutterBean and it is AMAZ-ZA-ZING. You have to be careful, because I literally drank half a pitcher by myself. SOOO GOOD. Continue reading
Tattoos, a subject that could be quite controversial depending on where you are from. DC/Metro area, even though the city is home to go-go music, Wale and once held the title of Murder Capital…the predominant part of DC is the conservative and political suits. Having tattoos here versus having tattoos in San Diego is very different. Especially if you’re a career driven business professional such as myself. No one ever says tattoos could make or break you, they always say that it will break you, especially if you want to be taken seriously in business. Luckily for me, art and business mix, and people are lot more lenient on me if a tattoo peeps out because well, “she’s an artist.” Continue reading
My cousin Ginnie, turned 27 last week and we decided to take her out for a night on the town. Anything she wanted, or wanted to do Saturday was her choice. You can read about her night on her blog. We had a BLAST. I’m always happy when I get to eat. And we did a lot of it! Continue reading
I’ve heard of this before, but never tried it. Had no idea what was in it. Just knew that it was a warm holiday drink. Since the holidays are in full swing, I figured…why not?! Armed with my slow cooker cookbook, I tried to find a recipe that sounded good. (I like to do food math in my head before actually trying the recipe…like tasting it in my mind). After I found the similarities in all, I decided to just wing it and hope for the best. Continue reading
(Via Flickr)
So we did it! I found a place that had the lay out I liked, and just needed some things changed here and there. I wanted granite counters, all new appliances, I would have had to change out the carpet, get a digital thermostat, and changed the lighting in the kitchen. Now I just need to write a check and tell them my offering price and see if they accept. I was so nervous, I never wrote out a check for that much before. I started crying, poor Steve has to deal with me and the awkwardness that might have been. Continue reading
Yaaay! My first Christmas tree, my first Christmas in my first new home. There are a lot of new positive things in my life, to move me forward from my loss. I get excited to go home, turn off the lights and hang out in my home with the lit tree. Too much? Oh well. Continue reading
Now that I’ve been pre-approved (see previous adventure) I started looking for places in my price range. I narrowed it down to location, kitchen and number of bathrooms. I wanted to be close enough to work, so that I could go home for lunch if I needed, but also the kitchen had to be big enough for all my endeavors (I like to challenge myself with cooking). Plus 2 bathrooms sell better than 1 or 1.5 when I feel like moving again (a long time from now). Continue reading