My 2013 In Review

It's funny how we think we are in charge of our lives just because we have a plan set in motion or something penciled in a calendar. We can be as meticulous as we want in selecting the path we have long believed will lead us to true love and happiness but life is unpredictable. And every once in a while we get slapped hard to remind us that we are not in charge of our dreams.

Education-- check.
Career-- check.
Dream car-- check.
Savings Account-- check.
Sister living within an hour away again-- check.
Friends-- check.
Family-- despite a loss, the rest of us remain pretty healthy, so check.
Love-- position available.

I'm still a control freak although I'm aware my power is limited to the petty things in life, like the cleanliness or neatness of my apartment, the design of my nails for the week, and my color-coded closet. No matter how much I Cut and Paste, Replace, or Delete the items on my list, God, fate, and the future already have a plan in store for me. This doesn't mean that I'm not going to do or see the things I want; I like to think I'm just getting ahead of myself sometimes. All I can do is trust that everything is the way it was pre-written for me, that I am meant to be here right now just as I am, on my way to having the life that will fulfill and complete me emotionally, physically, and mentally.

In the meantime, I'm just going to keep ridin' this wave, indulging in the beautiful things the world has to offer. You are more than welcome to join me...

 January

I rang in the new year in Santa Barbara

February

I was stranded at Camp David with this beautiful creature. A bus rolled over on HWY 38 and blocked my way home, thus forcing me to spend the night at Sophia's cabin and miss my first day of work in 2013. 

Ready for "The Truth About Love" concert.

My girl P!NK in all her glory. 



Celebrated Maria's birthday...

... on a freakin' hot air balloon!

March

Mi cumpleaños.

Maria and her family celebrated my birthday with me with a hike in Palm Springs at Agua Caliente Tahquitz Canyon. 

April

I guess this was a slow month :/

May


Celebrated my friend Lupe's birthday at a Gatsby Soiree at ProAbition

Hiked up to Sturtevant Falls in Arcadia.

Road trip to La Purisima Concepcion Mission

At the mission in Carmel. 

June

Celebrated Darcie's 30th birthday with nail polish, face masks, and Jacuzzis. 

First sister get-away weekend to Sonoma and Yosemite.

July

Girls Night Out at Morongo

Dragged Susanna with me... 

... to see Save Ferris at the OC Fair. 

First hike to Forest Falls with Sophia. 

August

Went to D23 where it was all things Mary Poppins.

At Corona Del Mar for the annual grunion run.

My first lap dance at Zelda's in Palm Springs.

September

Met Chris D'Elia at the Oddball Comedy Festival. 

At Forest Falls again because it's my new favorite hiking spot.

P!NK, at the Butch Walker concert. I touched her as I asked her to take a picture with me. 

At Crystal Cove beach.

At Mission San Juan Capistrano.

October

Hiked to Eaton Canyon Waterfall in Pasadena with la familia for Jackie's 30th birthday...

... and then we hit the town.

Took a picture with a wolf at Things That Go Bump in the Night at Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens in Claremont.

Jackie's idea for Halloween. 

November

Champagne brunch with my work out girls...because it can't always be all work and no play. 

Drove Jackie to Big Bear to find her zen. That was the week I tried Vietnamese, Japanese, and Indian food. 

Enjoyed the serenity of Joshua Tree. 

Family hike on Thanksgiving at Schabarum Park. 

December

Kanye West concert. I don't dislike him as much as I thought I did now. 

In San Diego with the Jackies.

Joshua Tree again.

Ice skating with my girls. 

Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?  Me looking at you during my hike at Monrovia Canyon Falls.

At Mission San Gabriel.

Ten-mile and six-hour round trip hike to Inspiration Point.

May your 2014 be filled with good times, love, health, and happiness!

Things My Sister and Other People Say

 

Tequila merchant at Agave Girls Tequila Tasting at the Vive Lounge in Pomona: "Añejo's been in the wood for eighteen months."

Me: (Giggle, giggle)

Me: "I like a kick in my tequila."

Jackie: "What are the other flavors?"

Flavored-tequila merchant: "You have beautiful eyes. Why don't you use them to look at the bottles?"

Me: (Thought only) She doesn't have her glasses, asshole.

Jackie, walking away: "...last I checked, they'd hired you to cater our ass..."

Jackie to Paquí tequila seller: "Does all tequila come from Jalisco?"

Me:    : /

Jackie to me, after bonding over reposado tequila with a guy: "He's the male version of Ugly Betty."

*          *          *          *          *          

Jackie: "I need to find my zen."

Me: "We found fall!"

Me: "What am I doing? I'm going to turn back!"

Jackie: "You're doing fine, you're doing fine."

Me: "The Weather Channel said it'd be 50 and sunny."

Me: "They didn't lie. It is sunny!"

Jackie: "Aw, these houses are made of... cabin!"

Me:    : /

Jackie: "Let's paint."

Me: "It's too cold. Our fingers will fall off."

Me to Jackie: "You know I'm going to be driving through that later."

Old lady to another in a Big Bear boutique shop: "Where is that place you get your nuts from?"

Me, as I take deep breaths driving down the mountain: "We're the only morons heading down. Indian food, winding road, plus fog is no bueno."
Jackie, carsick: "My esophagus is burning."

*          *          *          *          *

Jackie, walking behind me: (Laughing)

Me, turning around: (Searching for the funny thing)

Jackie: "So, you got that shirt on clearance?"

Girl walking with a group of friends who stopped to talk to Jackie: "Hi. We're doing a scavenger hunt with our church and I just wanted to tell you that Jesus loves you."

Me to Jackie, after the kids walked away: "Why doesn't Jesus love me?"