Tag: Christmas

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 73)

December 23rd, 2011 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), creative play 24 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we talk about Christmas.


Youtube Link

I’ve never been a big fan of Christmas but I made positive changes this year. I even made Christmas cookies. It’s kind of fun to see my photo album in December of last year had NO Christmas related photos. This year’s December album ONLY has Christmas related photos.


2.

As part of my Do-It-Yourself December, I made cookies last week! Brandi helped me with piping. You see how far I had come after icing 57 cookies with her.



3.


I drove into Houston Wednesday night to make my Thursday morning appointment at the car body shop. My bumper isn’t fully on and after having a very scary episode driving with it flapping against my tire last month, I thought it’s time I just fix the problem permanently and replace the bumper. I had no idea how long it was going to take (I guessed a day) or how much it would cost (300?). I was so off! They will have my car the entire time I’m in Houston, which is Thursday to Monday and it’s going to cost me 600!

It hurts a lot. Out 600 dollars and no transportation? Luckily, the people I planned on seeing are willing to bear Houston traffic to come get me and drop me off again.


4.

One such friend is Cindy. We exchanged tiny gifts. I kept telling her how my gift was super tiny (literally! I got her mini business cards). She kept telling me, “don’t worry, my gift for you is tiny too.” I don’t think either of us knew the other meant it very literally.

She handed me a blue ball with a note that said:

It was the most fun I’ve ever had unwrapping a gift. She wrapped my entire gift in crepe paper and as I unraveled, one by one tiny little gifts with notes explaining why she thought I was awesome popped out.



5.


I don’t know if you know this about me, but I love me some journals, especially themed journals. I’m really going to start writing in that tiny journal Cindy gifted me. I’ll even share with you my first entry. I can limit each entry to 140 characters!


6.

Last night, I found an old frame in my Houston bedroom and in the spirit of making something everyday for my Do-It-Yourself December, I stuck in pretty paper, stickered the front, and made a Menu Plan wipe board. I don’t have any of my paints with me, but I think when I get back into Austin, I’ll paint out the days of the week. The marker quality in the photo is sub par because I used a decade old Crayola marker instead of an actual dry erase marker.

Now Alan will always know what’s for dinner. Yes, that’s actually the week’s plan once I get back. He’s on his own for most of this coming week.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ unwrapping Cindy’s present ♥ overdue sit down and chat time with Naz ♥ overdue sit down and chat time with Cindy ♥ Mom’s pho ♥ buttery food ♥ my friends picking me up and driving me around in traffic ♥ mom fixing the sewing machine I thought I broke ♥ having an emergency fund to yet again bail me out of car troubles ♥ funny text messages with Brittany ♥ picture texts from Alan of Bob ♥ seeing Christmas lights with Alan and Bob ♥ glitter tattoos ♥ bone marrow


Wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday!

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas on 37th Street

December 21st, 2011 · · Austin, Bob, holidays, still-frames 15 comments - Tags: , ,










For more Wordless Wednesdays from others, click here.

Girls’ Night In with Holiday Twist

December 5th, 2011 · · holidays, pursuit of happiness 22 comments - Tags: ,

Thanks to Duncan Hines for sponsoring my writing. There’s no limit to the baking possibilities, so grab your favorite Duncan Hines mix and Comstock or Wilderness fruit fillings and Bake On! www.duncanhines.com.


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It’s that time of year, friends. I’ve recently explained in my last Totes Awesome Channel vlog why I’m not a big fan of Christmas. My parents worked on holidays and I grew up with it not being that big of deal and also quite lonely since everyone else was with his or her families. I guess the sullenness just carried with me through the years. My friends would clap their hands in glee and go a little bonkers with their holiday decorating and I would just crinkle my nose at them and bite my tongue.

This year I decided to adopt a more positive outlook about this season. I hate that I was such a grump! I’m usually a positive person and being a sourpuss just isn’t me. I’m going to give in to this “magical” season. I’m going to open up my heart.

So what have I done so far to cultivate a more positive outlook? Well I bought my first set of Christmas lights, pulled out the few winter snow globes I own (gifts), dangled a couple of stockings on door knobs, and then called a few girls over to have a girl’s night in over brownies, hot chocolate, a bottle of Moscato, and Love Actually. Love Actually is the best Christmas movie ever! Even scrooges like my former self could not help but be charmed by that movie.

Cradling a mug of hot chocolate and chatting with my friends under the glow of Christmas lights warmed my cold heart. (I managed to find marshmallows that were shaped as little snowmen!) The brownies offered a lingering fragrance as well as decadent snack. I can see myself making this my first holiday tradition.

Who knows, maybe next year I’ll get a tree!


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Remember to check out Duncan Hines’ website www.duncanhines.com to find some great recipes for your holiday get-together! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.

Happy Holidays! :)

December 21st, 2010 · · holidays 4 comments - Tags:


photo credit

I’m going home to Houston tomorrow til Sunday. Wishing you a lovely holiday with your loved ones. I don’t have internet at my parents’ home but may bum some wireless from some friends. Regardless, you’ll definitely hear from me when I get back to Austin on Sunday. Time to pack and sneak in a last snuggle with my dude before heading off tomorrow.

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 29)

November 26th, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), holidays, lists, National Blog Posting Month '10, resolutions 2010, savory, the not so single life, wanderlust 4 comments - Tags: , , ,


1.

Create your own visited map of the United States here.

One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to visit a new state. Well, we’re entering December and I haven’t done one lick of traveling this year. Abysmal since I vacationed twice in 2009 despite being unemployed for 5 months (Bestie gifted me her miles to visit her for one of those trips, but still!). One thing that impedes traveling by car in Texas is that you can drive a full day and still be in Texas. When Cindy emailed me about possibly helping her spend some vacation days, I immediately recruited her as a road trip buddy. We mulled over New Mexico or Oklahoma. Oklahoma won out because the two of us have horrendous sense of direction and it’s just a straight shot to Oklahoma from Interstate 35. Also, it’s a 6 hour drive as opposed to 9 hours. We’ll be road-tripping to Oklahoma on December 10- 13. Can’t wait!


2.

It’s also decided we’re going to eat and drink at Pops. Located on Route 66 and has 500 soda pop flavors. I am EXCITED!


3.

I told you in last week’s 7 quick takes, how I was late in the game in discovering This American Life. Well, my last night in Austin, Kim sent me a TAL episode about break ups and we listened to it simultaneously while online. It morphed into this virtual date of listening to sad break up songs just because. It felt very much like that Celine Dion’s All By Myself scene from Bridget Jone’s Diary. Except better because it was with a friend and was more funny than sad.

Me:
Seriously, where’s the wine?

Kim:
Oooh girl, it’s not even a wine song. It’s a tequila song.


4.

Tomorrow, I’m meeting up with the Kim for food and movie. I’m not sure where we’re eating yet but we’re watching Love & Other Drugs. Kim sent me a teaser interview that I surprisingly enjoyed. Anne Hathaway is adorable and my notion that Jake’s gay is wearing off.

Also, Kim told me that in another interview, they asked Jake what his favorite love song is. His answer: Willow’s Whip My Hair. A crush seed has been planted from that answer alone.


5.

I was under the impression that Texas trees do not do that pretty orange autumn thing and typically, they don’t. But this pretty tree stands outside my apartment. It’s kind of orangey right? I’m counting it.

Anyway, it’s a pretty view that greets me when I walk out of my apartment.


6.

Because I do not have internet access in Houston, I totally wrote yesterday’s blog post, today’s blog post, and tomorrow’s blog post ahead on Wednesday and scheduled them out. Magic!


7.

I met up with Alan on Wednesday before the work day to do our see you after the holidays hugs and kisses when he surprised me with an early Christmas gift. :) He upgraded my camera.


Question: What is on your Christmas wish list?

Ten on Tuesdays (vol 4) The Holidays

November 23rd, 2010 · · holidays, National Blog Posting Month '10, Ten on Tuesday 9 comments - Tags: , , ,

1. What are your plans for the holidays? Do you travel at Thanksgiving? If you celebrate Christmas, do you travel then, too?

For both Thanksgiving and Christmas, I drive 2.5 hours if there’s no traffic from Austin to Houston. My plans during the holidays usually entail waiting around all day and evening on the actual days of Thanksgiving and Christmas til my parents close down their shop. After which, we have a late quiet meal. The days surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas I spend fluttering between friends. I am so happy around this time because of the out of town visitors coming home for the holidays and the Houston friends I do not get to see that often during the year if at all.

2. How do you make the plans for the holidays? If you have a significant other, how do you decide which family to visit?

He goes to his hometown and I go to mine. We exchange gifts before or after.

3. Do you have your Thanksgiving meal at lunch or later in the day?

Late late late. Like 9pm late.

4. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

Our family Thanksgiving traditions are modest. Just a quiet meal late in the night. I have a personal tradition where I send out Thanksgiving cards to my loved ones counting the ways I am thankful for them. This year I’ve only sent one half of them. The other batch needs to be written and get sent out late. Ooops. Story: Once I sent out a Thanksgiving card to Jon in New York around Thanksgiving and somehow he received it in his mailbox in July the next year.

5. After a big meal, do you lounge around or get up and take a walk?

Usually I try to walk it off and rub my tummy, if I can. Sometimes I overdo it so much that all that can be done is to lay down and groan.

6. Do you shop on “Black Friday” or do you avoid it?

I have a couple of years ago to get a camera. Meh :) Black Friday. Meh.

7. When do you usually finish your Christmas shopping?

There’s always that one person I’m stuck on that has me running around up to Christmas Eve. I used to buy year round for the people in my life but then I got paranoid that it was jinxing the relationship. Seriously. I once bought this girl an inflatable cowboy because she was obsessed with cowboys and would have enjoyed it. Then we stopped being friends. Ha. After toting that bad boy around for years waiting for the next person who lovesss cowboys to come into my life, I gave up and gave it a temporary home at Goodwill. Twice, I’ve made photo books and friendships disintegrated while the books were in shipping. My closest friends requested I stop giving photo books.

This year, I’ve started and hope to be done as soon as possible. Any idea what to get a 10 year old niece I really didn’t even know about til this year?

8. Do you and your significant other exchange gifts? If there a budget?

He tends to spend a lot on me generally. Spendy meals often. Holidays and birthdays are the occasions I try to keep up with him and almost almost match him.

9. When do you decorate for the holidays?

I’m not a big fan of Christmas so in my own apartment, I’ll whip out my two holiday snow globes I was gifted, a few stockings and that’s about it. They’re all out already. I usually bring them out when it starts to get cold in November. Though, we’re back to eighty degrees this week.

10. Do you go “all out” with the decor or keep it simple?

I do not go all out. Last year I lived with Brandi and she is a HUGE Christmas fanatic. Our apartment looked like a paper winter wonderland. See below a picture of our fireplace last year.

Also my two holiday snow globes. The full extent of my decorating!

Pick a question, answer a question!

Why I Dislike Christmas

November 14th, 2010 · · holidays, Houston, love, memory, National Blog Posting Month '10 10 comments - Tags: , ,

Growing up, I’ve always hated Christmas. As long as I can remember, my parents worked Christmas Day and they still do. As I matured, I’ve come to really love and appreciate them for working everyday of the year. I understand they did it for us and for the family. However, it makes the actual day of Christmas quite lonely. Last Christmas wasn’t so bad because I met up with Bestie (who visits from New England for the holidays) for some hot pot. This year, it looks like we’re doing it again, which is wonderful. It makes the holiday less lonely.


Bestie and Me, Christmas Day 2009

Generally, I love October through February. October, marks the beginning of the holidays. Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday because I really love celebrating gratitude. Also pumpkin makes an appearance in comfort cuisine in the fall. Mmm pumpkin. Mostly, what really makes October through December so wonderful is the people. Most of my closest friends have moved out of state or are in Houston. The out of towners come to Houston for the holidays since their parents are still rooted. I come home to Houston more to see the parents and it feels wonderful to be physically surrounded by your friends. As we grow older and start popping out babies, I know these friends will fly home to Houston less. :(

Finally, the euphoria lasts through February because February houses my favorite holiday. Valentine’s day!

P.S. This blog post was inspired by Stephany’s 11th confession on her latest blog entry.


Question: What is your favorite family Christmas tradition?

2009 in Review

December 31st, 2009 · · Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, Birthdays, holidays, Houston, lists, love, memory, misadventures, music, new thing(s) of the week, Personal Finance, savory, still-frames, the grind, the not so single life 17 comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In comparison to 2008, 2009 was awful! The one thing I can think of that 2009 had over 2008 was that I read more than double the books I read in 2008. I’m anticipating the fresh feel of a new year that is 2010. In the meantime, here’s a review of how my year has gone with heavier emphasis on my blessings verses my misfortunes.

Note: All links open in a new window.

January 2009


Celebrating New Year’s with the boyfriend

February 2009


Alan and I at the Killer’s Concert

March 2009


Rodeo, Austin, TX

April 2009


Selina’s Birthday

May


Celebrating Sae’s law school graduation

June 2009


Cindy and me at Grand Lux Cafe in Houston

July


Brandi and me on Fourth of July

August

  • The first two weeks of August, I tried to squeeze in as much time as I can with Alan because he was about to leave for Korea for up to 4.5 months.
  • Starting, August 16, I started counting days Alan was gone.
  • Kim came to visit the weekend of the 22nd and we saw Wicked.
  • I saw 500 Days of Summer three times this month, in theatre, of course. This is the first movie I’ve done that.
  • Jon visited from NYC.
  • I got a part-time, part-time (yes you read that right) job, thanks to Brittany dropping a good word for me.


Alan’s last night out with friends before going to Korea.

September

October

November


Having hot chocolate at Ren Fest.

December


After party in the car.

I’m a blessed girl. Instinctively, I’d tell you my 2009 was pretty awful but when I write it all out like this and focused on the good rather than the bad, I can see now I’m still quite lucky. Farewell, 2009.

Tell me how your year went. Or better yet, if you have a year in review entry, I’d love to read yours.

Dad got a Snuggie for Christmas…

December 25th, 2009 · · holidays, still-frames 5 comments - Tags: , ,

Happy Chrismukkah!!

December 25th, 2009 · · holidays, still-frames No comments - Tags: ,