Monday, September 26, 2011
Scarlett - 6 months portraits
Here are some pictures of our Scooter we had taken this weekend. Enjoy!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
30 Before 30 - Horseback Riding
One of the big things on my 30 before 30 list was wanting to go horseback riding again. I've always had a fondness for horses and if I could, I would go back in time and become an equestrian. There's something so beautiful about horses that draws me. I've gone riding a few times in the past, but not for a long time.
As part of the 6th anniversary (Sept 18) of Jake and my engagement, he decided it would be a good idea to go back to Monterey to visit the spot where he proposed. On the way, he made reservations to go horseback riding on the beach by the dunes in Salinas. We arrived about 30 minutes early, and were riding with three people from England, so they were eager to try "Western Style" riding.
The guide's name was Butch and he brought all but one horse out from the trailer and they were all saddled and ready to go. Jake got matched with the tallest horse there, which was a chocolate brown male named Moose. I got a reddish/brown and white patched female named Angel. The three English people got Geronimo, Dakota and Buddy. The one horse that was left behind in the trailer was Dunny, who according to Butch was "the biggest troublemaker" and it was quite apparent that he was right considering the fit Dunny had when Butch closed the trailer door. I felt bad for poor Dunny, but it wasn't hot and there was a breeze, so I knew Dunny would be OK in the trailer.
Angel is the brown/white one on the far left. Moose is the brown one on the far right.
So we began down the trail and onto the beach. We were just walking at a decent pace, the waves of the Pacific Ocean reaching the horses' feet, and up to their ankles. It was really beautiful.
Then it happened...
I was 2nd in line after Butch on his horse, and I don't really remember what happened exactly. All I could remember was Angel moving really fast, holding onto the reins while watching the ground get closer and closer, and hearing Butch say "WHOA WHOA WHOA". Then I hit the sand. I guess a wave spooked Butch's horse, which spooked Angel. She turned and began to freak out, and threw me. I remember hitting the ground and thinking "Oh God, don't get stepped on" so I quickly got back up. I wasn't hurt since the sand gave me a soft landing, but my butt and back were wet from the wet sand and I was embarrased. Butch got Angel by the reins and brought her back to me. He asked if I was alright, I said yes. He said "Are you sure?" and I said "Yes. I would tell you if something was wrong". I was shaking from the adrenaline a little bit, but I was OK, and he said "OK, are you going to ride?" I said "Absolutely". So Butch knelt down so I could use his knee as a step stool and I got back onto Angel. I never felt threatened or like I was in danger. It was an accident and I understood that. Accidents happen. I was fine. Butch kept hinting at his fear that I would sue the stables for negligence, but I assured him that it was no one's fault, I knew that falling was a possibility, and I didn't blame anyone for what happened. I could tell he was still nervous, but I kept saying "It's no one's fault".
Notice the wet sand on my lower leg and jacket? But also notice I'm smiling???
We rode up the rest of the beach, onto a trail and back to the beach headed the other way. When we got back to the trailer, Dunny was still there, making noises as if to say "Well well well, look what the cat dragged in". It was pretty funny. Jake and I thanked Butch for the fun time and I again said "I'm not angry. It was an accident. It's no one's fault." I even wrote an email this morning thanking the owners for the nice time and assuring them that nothing bad was going to happen from my end and that I would recommend them to anyone.
So my first 30 before 30 activity is completed. And I'm still alive. :) But I would go riding again in a hot minute.
See? I made it! :)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
10 years ago...
I was a senior in high school, and my Dad was driving me to school. I was about a week away from taking my driver test. My Dad was about to turn the corner to drop me off when I got a call on my cell phone from my mom who was already at work.
"I want to make sure you're alright" she said.
"I'm fine, why?" I replied.
"Did you watch the news this morning at all?" she asked.
"No, I didn't have a chance to, why?" I asked back.
"A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center in New York."
"Oh, no I haven't heard anything, but I'm OK" I said.
"OK, well if you need anything, I'm here so give me a call. I love you" she said.
"I love you too Mom, I'll talk to you later."
I got onto campus, and a different energy than usual permeated the air. Something was horribly wrong, and I could feel it. I walked to a familiar hang out and a classmate was on the phone with his Dad, talking about what happened. "They think San Francisco is next" he told me. WHAT? What was going on? I got into my class early; I was a teacher's aide for the Photography class. He had the news going and that was the moment I first saw them. Both towers were standing tall above the New York skyline, dark smoke billowing from the tops like huge chimneys. I didn't understand, who would do this? America, my country that I am so in love with, was being attacked.
The class milled in slowly as the TV still played. That day, there was no going onto campus to work on projects, no students in the dark room to process images. The teacher made no demands to do any work. We all just sat together and watched. Towards the middle of class, the first tower fell. Shortly after, the second tower fell. My mouth dropped to the floor as I saw the buildings disappear into a massive cloud of dust, ash and death below. It was gone.
The teacher muted the TV and said "Class, I need your attention for a moment." We all turned his way to hear what he had to say.
"I don't know if you realize this, but we now live in a world where the World Trade Center no longer exists." Then it hit me.
I'd always had this idealistic view of my country. We were the beloved ones who did no wrong. No one could hate us so much to hurt us in such a way as that day. The rose colored glasses were ripped off my face. People hated us, somw so much to hurt us. The only reason the people did this the way they did is to just kill. Kill as many people as possible at one time to make a statement. Well, the statement was made. Point taken.
I didn't know how to react. I was just numb. I hadn't seen the planes go into the buildings, just the buildings themselves on fire and imploding. Through the rest of the day, there was no classwork, no lectures, no notes taken. It was all of us glued to the TVs, in disbelief that what had happened, happened. Then the end of my classes had come and my Dad was waiting to pick me up. As I sat in his truck on the ride home, I just stared into space. We stopped at the grocery store, and as I got out to follow him in, the tears came. They didn't stop. All my Dad could do was hold me in the parking lot of a grocery store. He said "I know. I know. I'm angry too."
That night my parents and I watched the news together and I got to see the planes go into the buildings for the first time. There were different angles of the impacts taken by different people. The one that hit me the most was a view from below of the 2nd plane. You could see the windows on the airliner plane. It hit me again. There were people on those planes who could see their deaths in front of them. I could imagine them praying, screaming, crying, holding each other. I could see them calling their loved ones to tell them they loved them one last time. It hit me again, and I cried uncontrollably. Our country was attacked, and it's innocent citizens were mass casualties of war.
Also during that day, I have a cousin who lives in New Jersey, but was working in Manhattan at the time. Her parents as well as the rest of the family were trying desperately to get a hold of her to make sure she was OK. She called us to let us know she was fine and had to take a ferry from Manhattan to New Jersey, and walk home to Hoboken. The whole journey took her about 7 hours if I remember correctly, but she saw everything happen from the roof of her office.
10 years later, the images still haunt me. I sometimes YouTube the videos to remind myself that what happened was real. Now I'm 27, married, have a 5 month old daughter and 3 cats. I had always wanted to go pay my respects in New York and visit Ground Zero. I feel I need to, still. I feel I need to go there to tell those that died that even though I wasn't there physically that day, that I think about them.
9/11/2001 - I will never forget.
"I want to make sure you're alright" she said.
"I'm fine, why?" I replied.
"Did you watch the news this morning at all?" she asked.
"No, I didn't have a chance to, why?" I asked back.
"A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center in New York."
"Oh, no I haven't heard anything, but I'm OK" I said.
"OK, well if you need anything, I'm here so give me a call. I love you" she said.
"I love you too Mom, I'll talk to you later."
I got onto campus, and a different energy than usual permeated the air. Something was horribly wrong, and I could feel it. I walked to a familiar hang out and a classmate was on the phone with his Dad, talking about what happened. "They think San Francisco is next" he told me. WHAT? What was going on? I got into my class early; I was a teacher's aide for the Photography class. He had the news going and that was the moment I first saw them. Both towers were standing tall above the New York skyline, dark smoke billowing from the tops like huge chimneys. I didn't understand, who would do this? America, my country that I am so in love with, was being attacked.
The class milled in slowly as the TV still played. That day, there was no going onto campus to work on projects, no students in the dark room to process images. The teacher made no demands to do any work. We all just sat together and watched. Towards the middle of class, the first tower fell. Shortly after, the second tower fell. My mouth dropped to the floor as I saw the buildings disappear into a massive cloud of dust, ash and death below. It was gone.
The teacher muted the TV and said "Class, I need your attention for a moment." We all turned his way to hear what he had to say.
"I don't know if you realize this, but we now live in a world where the World Trade Center no longer exists." Then it hit me.
I'd always had this idealistic view of my country. We were the beloved ones who did no wrong. No one could hate us so much to hurt us in such a way as that day. The rose colored glasses were ripped off my face. People hated us, somw so much to hurt us. The only reason the people did this the way they did is to just kill. Kill as many people as possible at one time to make a statement. Well, the statement was made. Point taken.
I didn't know how to react. I was just numb. I hadn't seen the planes go into the buildings, just the buildings themselves on fire and imploding. Through the rest of the day, there was no classwork, no lectures, no notes taken. It was all of us glued to the TVs, in disbelief that what had happened, happened. Then the end of my classes had come and my Dad was waiting to pick me up. As I sat in his truck on the ride home, I just stared into space. We stopped at the grocery store, and as I got out to follow him in, the tears came. They didn't stop. All my Dad could do was hold me in the parking lot of a grocery store. He said "I know. I know. I'm angry too."
That night my parents and I watched the news together and I got to see the planes go into the buildings for the first time. There were different angles of the impacts taken by different people. The one that hit me the most was a view from below of the 2nd plane. You could see the windows on the airliner plane. It hit me again. There were people on those planes who could see their deaths in front of them. I could imagine them praying, screaming, crying, holding each other. I could see them calling their loved ones to tell them they loved them one last time. It hit me again, and I cried uncontrollably. Our country was attacked, and it's innocent citizens were mass casualties of war.
Also during that day, I have a cousin who lives in New Jersey, but was working in Manhattan at the time. Her parents as well as the rest of the family were trying desperately to get a hold of her to make sure she was OK. She called us to let us know she was fine and had to take a ferry from Manhattan to New Jersey, and walk home to Hoboken. The whole journey took her about 7 hours if I remember correctly, but she saw everything happen from the roof of her office.
10 years later, the images still haunt me. I sometimes YouTube the videos to remind myself that what happened was real. Now I'm 27, married, have a 5 month old daughter and 3 cats. I had always wanted to go pay my respects in New York and visit Ground Zero. I feel I need to, still. I feel I need to go there to tell those that died that even though I wasn't there physically that day, that I think about them.
9/11/2001 - I will never forget.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Scarlett - 4 months old
Dear Scarlett,
Wow...these months are going by sooo fast! I can't believe you're already 4 months old! It seems just yesterday we packed your tiny little self into your car seat for the first time to bring you home.
We've been notified by your doctor (who LOVES you by the way) that you're teething. You're still in the beginning stages of it, which is good and yo've handled it well so far but I know there's WAY more to come. I guess I better buckle my seatbelt, huh? You've also been to Physical Therapy because you tend to favor your right side. Your Physical Therapist is in love with you and you had so much fun playing with her during your appointment. We got you some new toys to play with and you tend to like things that make noise like rattles.
We went camping a few weeks ago and it was definitely an experience with a small baby. You were such a good girl and handled being outside all the time very well. You handled the near freezing temperatures at night well too, you poor thing. It was also the first time you rode in your stroller without your carseat (just around the campsite) and you seemed to enjoy it for the most part.
You started sitting in your high chair like a big girl and Daddy and I have taken to including you in dinnertime by putting you in your chair while we eat. We put your toys on your tray so you have something to entertain you, but I want to make it so we always eat together. Grandma and Grandpa did that with me when I was young, and I loved it.
Tummy time was a little bit of a struggle at first, but you're becoming a lot more tolerant and are even lifting yourself up onto your elbows. You tend to get a little frustrated after a while, but I know that's OK. You're growing up so fast!
I look at you every day and am amazed that you're mine and Daddy's. Your little personality peeks out every single day and you're such a sweet baby. You love to giggle and smile and you definitely LOOOOOVE your Daddy.
You amaze me every day. We love you our gorgeous girl.
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
So, there's an explanation
So I know I've been MIA...but there's a REALLY good reason...I PROMISE.
Right now, I have two jobs. Let me explain...
I work for my MIL, and when I went into labor and had the baby, it was the middle of tax season, which is our main business. By the time it was time for me to come back to work, tax season was over and MIL wanted to keep our part-time tax preparer. So about a week before I was due back to work, MIL asked me what my plans were - to come back to work part time and work my way up to full time, or come back full time straight off the bat. I chose the latter. It was later revealed that she had decided there wasn't enough work for me to do, and that I would need to either just work part time until she deemed it necessary to increase my hours, or find another part time job. I instantly was given an email from a tax client who is the office manager at an engineering firm that is pretty local. Within two days of contacting her, I was hired. So now I have two jobs.
Now on top of that, at Job #1 (MIL's company), I got a BIG client that requires my presence at their office 2 days a week in the afternoons. So here's my weekly schedule:
Monday: Job #1 (8:30-12:45) then Job #2 (1-5)
Tuesday: Job #1 (8:30 - 1:45) then Job #1 Client (2-5)
Wednesday: Job #1 (8:30-12:45) then Job #2 (1-5)
Thursday: Job #1 (8:30-1:45) then Job #1 Client (2-5)
Friday: Job #1 (8:30-12:45) then Job #2 (1-5)
Now on tope of this, here was our weekends for the month of July:
4th of July weekend
9th/10th - My Dad's birthday weekend
16th/17th - went camping in Tahoe
23rd/24th - Scarlett's Baptism then our nephew's birthday party
As you can probably tell...I'm a wee bit EXHAUSTED!!! In the middle of working a crazy schedule, having a teething 4-month old, weekend obligations and trying to catch up on sleep, I havent had much time for blogging. I do apologize from the bottom of my heart...I really do.
I missed Scarlett's 4-month letter, which I hope to post soon. I also want to share pictures of her Baptism, so please bear with me. I love you all!
Right now, I have two jobs. Let me explain...
I work for my MIL, and when I went into labor and had the baby, it was the middle of tax season, which is our main business. By the time it was time for me to come back to work, tax season was over and MIL wanted to keep our part-time tax preparer. So about a week before I was due back to work, MIL asked me what my plans were - to come back to work part time and work my way up to full time, or come back full time straight off the bat. I chose the latter. It was later revealed that she had decided there wasn't enough work for me to do, and that I would need to either just work part time until she deemed it necessary to increase my hours, or find another part time job. I instantly was given an email from a tax client who is the office manager at an engineering firm that is pretty local. Within two days of contacting her, I was hired. So now I have two jobs.
Now on top of that, at Job #1 (MIL's company), I got a BIG client that requires my presence at their office 2 days a week in the afternoons. So here's my weekly schedule:
Monday: Job #1 (8:30-12:45) then Job #2 (1-5)
Tuesday: Job #1 (8:30 - 1:45) then Job #1 Client (2-5)
Wednesday: Job #1 (8:30-12:45) then Job #2 (1-5)
Thursday: Job #1 (8:30-1:45) then Job #1 Client (2-5)
Friday: Job #1 (8:30-12:45) then Job #2 (1-5)
Now on tope of this, here was our weekends for the month of July:
4th of July weekend
9th/10th - My Dad's birthday weekend
16th/17th - went camping in Tahoe
23rd/24th - Scarlett's Baptism then our nephew's birthday party
As you can probably tell...I'm a wee bit EXHAUSTED!!! In the middle of working a crazy schedule, having a teething 4-month old, weekend obligations and trying to catch up on sleep, I havent had much time for blogging. I do apologize from the bottom of my heart...I really do.
I missed Scarlett's 4-month letter, which I hope to post soon. I also want to share pictures of her Baptism, so please bear with me. I love you all!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
OK, here's the list
So I know I haven't been posting much (well let's face it, not at all really), but I have a GREAT explanation...I really do. I've got two jobs now and one job has me going to a client's office half days when I'm not working job #2...it's kind of complicated. That being said...
I've been thinking of compiling a "30 before 30" list. It's 30 things I'd like to do and experience before turning 30 years old. Some of them are easy-peasy. Some of them are REALLY outside my comfort zone. I'm hoping you will be here to see me document my progress. So here it goes:
LoLo's 30 Before 30
1. Learn Gaelic (not the entire language, just a few sentences)
2. Learn Portuguese (again, not the entire language)
3. Visit Pearl Harbor
4. Fly the trapeze
5. Participate in the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk
6. Stomp grapes
7. Get another tattoo
8. Learn to drive a stick-shift
9. Eat vegetarian for a month
10. Sing karaoke
11. Race go karts
12. Ride a mechanical bull
13. Take flying lessons
14. Learn to sew with a sewing machine
15. Take a cake decorating class
16. Learn to play the piano
17. Take ballroom dancing lessons
18. Lose 30 pounds
19. Take a metal jewelry class
20. Go on a helicopter tour of SF
21. Ride in a hot air balloon
22. Attend a Renaissance Faire
23. Hold a dinner party
24. Buy a new couch
25. Hike Mt. Tam
26. Visit the Lick Observatory
27. Drive a golf cart, and play the course with Jake
28. Go to Vegas
29. Go horseback riding again
30. Take Scarlett to Texas via an airplane
So there you have it. I will post this on the side of my blog, so I can track my progress. Here goes nothin' people.
I've been thinking of compiling a "30 before 30" list. It's 30 things I'd like to do and experience before turning 30 years old. Some of them are easy-peasy. Some of them are REALLY outside my comfort zone. I'm hoping you will be here to see me document my progress. So here it goes:
LoLo's 30 Before 30
1. Learn Gaelic (not the entire language, just a few sentences)
2. Learn Portuguese (again, not the entire language)
3. Visit Pearl Harbor
4. Fly the trapeze
5. Participate in the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk
6. Stomp grapes
7. Get another tattoo
8. Learn to drive a stick-shift
9. Eat vegetarian for a month
10. Sing karaoke
11. Race go karts
12. Ride a mechanical bull
13. Take flying lessons
14. Learn to sew with a sewing machine
15. Take a cake decorating class
16. Learn to play the piano
17. Take ballroom dancing lessons
18. Lose 30 pounds
19. Take a metal jewelry class
20. Go on a helicopter tour of SF
21. Ride in a hot air balloon
22. Attend a Renaissance Faire
23. Hold a dinner party
24. Buy a new couch
25. Hike Mt. Tam
26. Visit the Lick Observatory
27. Drive a golf cart, and play the course with Jake
28. Go to Vegas
29. Go horseback riding again
30. Take Scarlett to Texas via an airplane
So there you have it. I will post this on the side of my blog, so I can track my progress. Here goes nothin' people.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Scarlett - 3 months old
Dear Scarlett-
Wow, this month has been quite a ride. Right after your growth spurt, you had your first physical checkup with your doctor...but that checkup also came with shots. You were SO not a happy camper, but you took things like a trooper. You are one tough little cookie; speaking of which...
You have quite the temper. I think it's the Portuguese, Irish and German in you. When you are uncomfortable, or hungry and not getting your way when you want it, you put up quite a fuss. On one hand, I should've seen it coming because I'm stubborn as well. On the other, I didn't expect that aspect of your personality to pop up so soon. It's OK though, it just means you're more like your namesake than ever.
You're getting more into the groove of tummy time vs. before when you would just scream the whole time. Now you actually hold your head up for a few minutes and look at Daddy or I when we're down on the floor with you. You L-O-V-E your Daddy. You and he have this special bond that I'm so grateful for. You definitely have your father wrapped around your tiny finger, and it shows. That being said, it's the same with your Grandpa and Grandma. They LOVE you too, and it shows. Grandma is making sure your addiction to Hello Kitty is as deep as mine. :)
By the Grace of God, you've been sleeping through the night lately. I know now that I've said that out loud, those days will be gone for a while. You're currently on the down slope of your first cold and you've handled it like a true champ. It could've been a whole lot worse than it is, but I'm grateful that you got a "light" cold that seemed to only give you the sniffles.
You continue to amaze and surprise me every day with how much you're growing and how much the person that you are/will become is peeking out every day. I can't wait to find out what tomorrow will bring!
We love you our gorgeous girl!
Love,
Mommy
Wow, this month has been quite a ride. Right after your growth spurt, you had your first physical checkup with your doctor...but that checkup also came with shots. You were SO not a happy camper, but you took things like a trooper. You are one tough little cookie; speaking of which...
You have quite the temper. I think it's the Portuguese, Irish and German in you. When you are uncomfortable, or hungry and not getting your way when you want it, you put up quite a fuss. On one hand, I should've seen it coming because I'm stubborn as well. On the other, I didn't expect that aspect of your personality to pop up so soon. It's OK though, it just means you're more like your namesake than ever.
You're getting more into the groove of tummy time vs. before when you would just scream the whole time. Now you actually hold your head up for a few minutes and look at Daddy or I when we're down on the floor with you. You L-O-V-E your Daddy. You and he have this special bond that I'm so grateful for. You definitely have your father wrapped around your tiny finger, and it shows. That being said, it's the same with your Grandpa and Grandma. They LOVE you too, and it shows. Grandma is making sure your addiction to Hello Kitty is as deep as mine. :)
By the Grace of God, you've been sleeping through the night lately. I know now that I've said that out loud, those days will be gone for a while. You're currently on the down slope of your first cold and you've handled it like a true champ. It could've been a whole lot worse than it is, but I'm grateful that you got a "light" cold that seemed to only give you the sniffles.
You continue to amaze and surprise me every day with how much you're growing and how much the person that you are/will become is peeking out every day. I can't wait to find out what tomorrow will bring!
We love you our gorgeous girl!
Love,
Mommy
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