Girl Time, Fun Time

I hung out with two of my favorite gals last weekend. Susanna was a complete trooper when she agreed to come and see Save Ferris with me at the OC County Fair on Saturday. She had no idea who they were yet she didn't pull an MP by saying something whiny like, I don't like that music. She's always down to try new things.

We arrived and The Giant Horse display was strategically placed at the entrance. Only one dollar to see? Sure!

As we waited for the crowd to clear to get a good view of the supposed humongous animal, I told Susanna that I wanted to see the two-headed lady because I felt like we had traveled back in time to see things that belonged in the Guinness World Records. 

We came out laughing and there it was, next to The Giant Horse booth, The Giant Steer. Another dollar? No problem!

This guy did scare me. I placed my hand over my heart when I caught the first glimpse of it. The first thing that popped into my head was the legend I read to my students every year, Paul Bunyan. The steer was Babe. I wish the kids would've bee there. 

After handing out dollar bills, we strolled hunting for fair food. I had warned Susanna that I was serious about scarfing down authentic fair food. She wanted something fried but the sole image of oil dripping down her chin grossed her out. I told her I've had fried ice cream and then suggested a fried Oreo but we dropped the subject there. 

We are SO cute!

I wanted anything so I let Susanna choose. She hit the BBQ cart and ordered a Brisket Sandwich. I got this:

BBQ Ribs Basket with bread hiding in the wrapper.

Real girls get dirty. But sitting on a hay bale also contributed to that. I'm telling ya, we kept the concept of "fair" very real. We downed our food with Straw-ber-ritas-- yum!

Next, we walked the food. I was surprised to see a very little amount of kids but Susanna reminded me that we were no where near the rides and games. Still, there were a lot of adults, drinking. It felt like a grown-up fair, you know, where no one under 25 was allowed. Pretty cool.

Then we made our way to the amphitheater. I bought dessert there, a pink cotton candy. We found our seats and chatted until Save Ferris came on. 

So Save Ferris is a band my sister got me in into in high school. Although I will proudly state that I was an alternative rocker, this band fell under the ska category. Everyone in the audience was our age and some had brought their children. The singer, Monique Powell, made a crack about how it's been ten years since she'd seen us. The concert was full of tattooed punks and I felt right at home with my fellow rocker peeps. No teenagers or college students to steal the attention from great music. 

It was a full house. 

Doing her thang. 

Wardrobe change numbero deux.

Wardrobe change numero trois.

I wanted a funnel cake after the show but knew there was no room for it. So we got dizzy looking up at nasty twirling-backwards rides and called it a night. Which worked out well because Susanna had papers to write and I had a hike to look forward to the next day. 

The following afternoon, I found myself at my friend's Sophia's near Big Bear. She wanted to change up her workout by taking a hike. I needed to resume my exercise routine so it was kind of perfect. 

After grabbing an Adventure Pass (because one is not allowed to have adventures without permission), we headed to Forest Falls. My friend Lilia had taken be there before only to find it closed; it was too early in the season. July, though, seems to be good timing.

The hike itself was not long. But we wore our hiking boots anyway. Sophia, actually, broke them in that day and I think she loved them. 

Just as we started the climb to the water fall, we encountered three guys who warned us about the slippery walk. I worried but Sophia said they were wearing Nikes. There were others wearing Vans and chanclas. Does the following picture look appropriate for non-trekker shoes???

I don't think neither Sophia nor I knew how rocky this hike would be. It took effort and careful planning of foot placements to get to the top. We lost our breath once or twice. At one point I didn't think Sophia was going to make it up a boulder and I almost pushed her nalgas up. I banged my right knee on a log we had to climb over. I was so proud of the physical evidence of this trip on my body.

Looking great, amiga. 

The devil's log. 

Love this!

Pictures of pictures. What is the world coming to?

The beautiful falls.

You gots skillz, Sophia.

Real hikers wear hiking shoes.

After the hour to the top, we chilled on a large rock and ate fruit. It was so relaxing, chatting under the sun and the cool breeze. 

But hunger crept up eventually. Luckily, Sophia is a self-made chef. 

Chicken and avocado tostadas with lime juice. I craved those into Monday. Oh yeah, Sophia made watermelon and cucumber juice. So refreshing after that hike. 

I got to use the "special guest" glasses for my beer and water. 

Not wanting to overstay my welcome, I headed home exercised and fed. I also felt dirt on my face which called for a second shower. Ugh, water, what a waste of time. Unlike spending time with friends at concerts and hikes. 

Pooped.

Rrrrrum Punch

It was time for our semi-annual Girl's Night Out. Susanna drove me and another pal, Adriana, to Morongo to meet Maria and other friends. All I did was choose something cute yet reserved enough to leave some things to the imagination. I didn't let my hair down because A) it's hot and B) it's not long enough to curl or accomplish any other feminine hairdo; I believe personality plays a much bigger role than a mane (at least I hoped mine played in my favor).

Ignore the mess and focus on the deep blue something or another.
Earrings and bracelet: Compliments of Sophia per Macy's
Dress: Macy's clearance
Belt: I think it came with a shirt
Shoes: Jessica Simpson via DSW

Of course, Susanna, Adriana, and I arrived fashionably late but not as fashionably as red-carpet Maria. But it was all good. We dined at Serrano's where the complimentary bread was as good as the stuff from The Olive Garden and the chicken quesadilla a welcomed distraction from starvation. 

We ordered drinks--beer for Suz, a Long Island Iced Tea for Maria, and Mai Tais for Adriana and me. Susanna asked me what was in a Mai Tai and I said, let's ask. Pineapple juice, bla bla bla, rum. Got it. Maria requested a second round before dinner was over and the waiter took my drink before I was finished with it so I could just start anew. How thoughtful! Not. Since I was paying for that, I wanted to suck every dollar's worth out of it.

Just as we were paying, three more gals showed up to partake in the dancing portion of our night. But of course, we had to have proof that we were still young, beautiful, and desirable:

Because the three girls were behind on the drinking game, Maria, Susanna, Adriana, and I decided to let them catch up at the bar. To avoid any repercussions, I sipped on water. But I shouldn't have because the waitress came to inform us that "the gentlemen over there" had bought our first round of drinks. We all stretched our necks with pretty grateful smiles and tried very hard to speak with our eyes, "Keep them coming." One of the men stopped by before he left to tell us that we deserved those drinks because we are all beautiful and no one disagreed. 

To get back into the game, I ordered a Strawberry Daiquiri. Sussana inquired about the ingredients because she's allergic to Vodka like am I to onions but once again, the secret ingredient was rrrrrrrum. I put the drink to rest by tying a knot with the cherry stem.

You can start at the 1:00 mark to get to my point.

After an hour or two of belly-aching laughs accompanied by streams of mascara, four guys approached us. They were Army brats who wanted to buy us a round of shots. We were a little hesitant at first but caved in when one of them asked us for Patron Silver or Gold. Silver, one of us said.

We were having such a good time catching up we forgot we were supposed to be getting down on the dance floor. But the lounge we had so much fun at last year was replaced with more slot machines and there was a band playing at the Vibe club. So we continued hanging out instead and asked the guys to guess our ages. They knew they could get in trouble but one of them said he'd try his best. We were all supposedly in our late 20s but I was described as the youngest one in the group to which I responded, "Yes I am! Yes I am." Then Army guy predicted that I was 24 and again I said, "Yes I am! Yes I am!" Cute guys, just like my first graders.

Once Maria and Susanna made around $200 at the Blackjack table, it was time to return to our mundane lives. It was also 2:30am. 

P.S.

I don't want to leave out the other girls who were a part of my weekend. 

Congrats, Ivette, on baby girl #2! Miss ya, amiga.

Happy 24th Birthday, Liz!

Sisterly Weekend

At exactly this time (noon) one week ago, I was having Chinese food with my sister on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland. She suggested that I fly up a couple of weeks ago so we could spend quality time together since it may be the last time before she makes the move down south again for grad school. Mind you, we have never done such thing as adults. Since I came to UCR in the year 2000 and she took off to Berkeley the following year, the only times we are together is with our parents and family when she comes down to visit or on mini get-aways with my boyfriend. Jackie and I were long overdue for a vacation like this: Girls only, baby!

As soon as she found the flights for me and I booked them, I knew I wanted to go to wine country. Jackie's only request was to visit Yosemite before she left her beloved Bay Area for at least two years. A Living Social deal and hotel-reservation later, we had our 4-day weekend planned.

Of course, one assumes Napa when they think of wine. But Jackie found a deal we couldn't resist: a three-hour pedicab wine tour in Sonoma for two. Then I found out that there was a mission, the northernmost mission in the state, located there too and we were set. We headed to Sonoma on Thursday afternoon.



Wineries anyone?

Goofing off in the hotel room.

El Pueblo Inn had beautiful grounds, looked like you could go hiking in them. Also, a 24-hour Jacuzzi and pool. 

I look fat here and the eating fest hadn't even begun.

A stroll about the town.

The mission! This is my fourth one. Only 17 more to go!

Time to eat!

After checking out different spots, we settled on The Red Grape.

Choices, choices.

I had pesto pasta or another but Jackie's pizza was DELICIOUS! I want to go back just for that again.

Walking off the food in front of City Hall.

"One ticket, please."

Jackie wanted another drink.

I didn't want any more wine. So I searched for a tequila-based drink online and requested an Envy. 

I tied a knot before Jackie had time to bust out with her camera.

Me and City Hall at night. 

Jackie and City Hall.

Drinking makes one do silly things, like taking over the playground once all the children have gone to bed.

Wine/tequila/slide happy.

We concluded Day 1 by hitting the Jacuzzi. Jackie tried doing a couple of laps in the pool. But the most memorable part was the star-spangled sky. We identified the Big Dipper right away and that's when Jackie said that there's an app for that.

At 11am on Friday morning, we were ready for the wine tasting part of our trip! We were disappointed when John, our pedicab driver, told us that tasting fees weren't included, only the ride to the winery, chocolate, cheese, and wine tasting rooms. He comforted us when he said that he had 2-for-1 deals, though. He asked us if we wanted a picture in the cab and because we hadn't even gotten started, we said he could take one later. Well, we were so wine-happy that we forgot. It wasn't until Sunday that I reminded Jackie, We never took that picture in the pedicab. Oh well. Here's a picture of John as consolation.

Sebastiani, the oldest running winery in all of the West Coast. It survived legal operation during Prohibition because it supplied the mission ;)

Jackie burned her ass a few minutes before the picture was taken. I told her not to wear a dress. Little sisters, they never listen.

A painting of Sonoma inside Sebastiani.

Original equipment.

The Vintner's Calendar.

Mission carved into the barrel. I look like a barrel too...

John shared the history of the flags in Sonoma.

Cheese tasting. I brought back a piece of Colby.

Envolve tasting room.

I have to pause here for a second and explain how our stop to Walt at the end of our pedicab tour turned into a three-hour tasting affair. John told us he wouldn't be towing our chocolate and cheese anymore because his duty ended there. He walked us to Walt, a house-turned-wine-tasting facility, and left us in very good hands. After we chose the $20 tasting over the $10 one (so we could spend more time with the cuties, per Jackie's suggestion), Ezekiel, the worker, sat with us and began to explain the first wine. That led to the 180-minute conversation with him. We learned about his previous employment, his family, his music, and his knowledge of 90's TV trivia, like "What was the name of Shawn's teacher in Boy Meets World?" and "Who was the man who sold the house on Full House?" (I failed the questions despite being a fanatic of both shows). After following him behind the desk with a Nick Offerman look-alike to watch a scene from Three Men and A Little Lady on YouTube, I nudged Jackie in the back and told her it was time to soak up the wine with solid food. Ezekiel and Nick Offerman #2 said it wasn't closing time yet but it was for Jackie and me. Ezekiel told us the tastings were on him but I still gave him $20 as a tip for making us laugh while keeping it easy on the eyes.

Somehow, we made it to the park across the street and found a few benches that kept us from kissing the ground. Jackie passed out before even laying on the bench while I kept watch without choice. When I couldn't keep my lids from sticking together, I sat back too and took a nap. My mom would've been so proud, her two wino daughters passed out on a park bench.

I'm not as evil as Jackie, I don't have images of her.

When we were both calm and collected, we strolled the town one last time in search of food and souvenirs. The first was easy to find, the latter, not so much as everything closes at 5pm or 6pm.



Sad, sad drive back to Oakland. We didn't want to leave. We wanted to go in the Jacuzzi again.

Crossing a bridge.

Passing through it.

On Saturday, Day 3, Jackie drove her friend Ashley and me to Yosemite, a 3-4 hour drive, to make her wish come true.

Arriving...

We're here!

First stop.

We didn't know if there was only one waterfall or many.

Ashley and Jackie.

Jackie and me.

On our way to the falls (the word of the locals).

Getting closer.

Beautiful bridge.

Bffs.

Almost there!

Strike a pose. 

We arrived!

Courageous people look like ants on top of the rocks.

Spotted this girl sketching under the bridge while her boyfriend patiently waited for her. It looked awesome!

Taking a break.

If we would've known, we would've gone in.

Crazies jumping illegally off the bridge.

More crazies.

You'll find someone soon, don't get desperate.

With Ashley's glasses.

Although Tuxie wasn't invited to the trip, she passed out that night like Jackie and I did.

There weren't big plans for Day 4. I wanted to go to Berkeley and stock up on Cal gear for work-related purposes. But before that, I wanted to go to church. We had salsa lessons planned for the evening.

Although there is a Catholic church two blocks from Jackie's apartment, she took me to a non-denominational church she has attended with her friends. She likes it because the pastors don't give the Catholic-guilt. I'm willing to try anything, nowadays, as long as it brings me comfort and spirituality.

I appreciated the lecture but the big church-production thing wasn't for me. I want to give a Christian church a try next before becoming fully involved in Catholicism once again. (If my mom finds out where we went, she's going to disown us faster than God or La Virgen de Guadalupe). Then we grabbed lunch at BJ's before hitting up Berkeley.

You can bet I followed that sign...

...but I didn't find Channing Tatum in the Berkeley street fair.

After a quick car wash, we headed back to Jackie's apartment and changed into our dancing gear. Jackie has attended a salsa class with her friend several times before and thought it would be fun for us to try. Her friend didn't make it this time.

We arrived and there was a middle-aged man practicing last weeks' moves, I assume, in the mirror. There were about two couples and more single middle to mature-aged men on the floor. After the mermaid-looking instructor taught us our moves, we all stood in a big circle. When she said switch, us ladies had to switch from man to man. They were old, they were young, they were short, they were Asian, Indian, and White. After going around once, I was sweating despite the AC. I knew the men were perspiring more because I smelled them and their deodorant or body sprays. My hands felt dirty too from holding on to all of their hands. Jackie said we were welcome to stay for the next class but I was too hot to continue. Plus, the number of people in the second class tripled so I told Jackie that we should leave and she unquestionably agreed. These are my favorite quotes from some of the men that evening:

"I don't want you to leave yet."
"Are you from the United States?"
"Nice dress."
"I never thought I'd see you again."
And my favorite, "Are you ladies coming back?"

We practically ran out of the dance studio. We laughed as Jackie realized how much she missed her dancing partner friend. I told her to let him know how much she appreciated him. When she did, Jackie said she needed a margarita. After a substantial amount of research, we simply headed to Chevy's. Under a beautiful sunset, we sipped on watermelon margaritas while we shared a flautas plate.

My last night up north.

I don't think Jackie and I would've had as much fun had we taken said vacation years ago. It's not until recently that she and I have really become friends, something we had never been before. Now that we're mature, we can agree to disagree and accept each other for who we are without criticism; we weren't ready before. I wouldn't have described Jackie as lovable and giving 10 years ago. I mean, she spent ALL WEEKEND driving without a single complaint or moan like I most have likely would've. She withstood my OCD quirks and driving suggestions in a respectful manner. I am so glad that Jackie is free-spirited and unafraid because she takes me out of my comfort zone and makes me willing to try new things. I mean, she's very close to leaving the life she created and has sustained for eight years in the Bay Area to pursue her Master's degree at USC and I am very proud of her for that. I think I can call my sister my best friend for the very first time today. I'm so lucky to have her moving close to me again...

Thank you, Sis, for the wonderful memories. Let's make this the beginning...

 Oh yeah, happy 4th!