Goal #43: Be in two places at once & Goal #97: Treat someone to Champagne Brunch

Both of these goals were completed quite a long time ago. And sadly I'm very late to blogging their completion. So instead of retelling the stories, today I'm bringing you the originals, blogged by my DZP partners in crime:

Goal #43: Be in two places at once, brought to you by Alex Jeanette

She also probably doesn't realize, that she blogged about this beauty twice. 

Yep little sis, see it for yourself: here and here

Goal #97: Treat someone to Champagne Brunch, brought to you by Madalyn Marie

You can find the details of this fun birthday day, here.

Goal #15: Take a cake decorating class

At my last birthday, in oh... February. Madalyn gave me a certificate for a cake decorating class. Perfect DZP gift from my BeeEff! Well, then our class got cancelled and I almost wasn't sure this goal was going to be completed, but then Duff's Cakemix happened and all was well in my DZP world.

It was... awesome! Not only was it reasonably priced, but the staff was friendly, everything was well organized and stocked with all the go-to tools for awesome cake decorating.

We had a blast. My fave creation was my L&C ode to the blog I love so much!

If you're ever thinking of trying something new or want an awesome gift for a friend, I highly suggest this place.

Goal #7: Kiss in the rain

 

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It looked nothing like this. Not that I'm complaining, oh nooo I am not complaining. This is how it went down...

Walking down the Vegas strip in the middle of too many people, all looking for the next bar to cool off at, drink until our hearts content and then off to the next watering hole. Suddenly there is a flash of lightening in the distance, followed by a very, very welcoming freshness in the air that brings an instant relief from the sweltering heat wave we've been enduring all day. And now, it's sprinkling.

Wait, is it sprinkling or did someone just spit on me? No, it's definitely sprinkling.

Oh my goodness, if this rain starts coming down I am so crossing this fucking goal off my list! Wait for it. Wait for it. Great, now I can't even feel the sprinkles. Dammit!! I really thought I was going to be able to do this finally.

WAIT, it's back! There's more! There's definitely MORE. D where are you?? Ok kiss me! Kiss me, right now. This is on my DZP list. Yes, I'm serious. *smooch* *smooch*

We're just about to rush into the next smoke-filled casino, gag, and now it's coming doowwwn.

STOP!

*mini make out sesh*

Okay, I did it. Phew, I did it. That was awesome. Let's do it again. Oh, no more rain. All well.

So where are we going next...

Goal #25: Watch the fountains at the Bellagio

Last month in celebration of so many things, I crossed this baby off my list with an amazing group of friends that I often refer to as my second family. In my fat-tuesday-drunken stooper-daze, I was in awe of the dancing water before me. Glad no one in my group denied me this virtue. Will never pass this up again.

In Remembrance

Happy 1st Birthday Rufus!

My baby boy turned one today!!

{thanks auntie alex for this photo}

 

Goodness gracious! When I look at this side-by-side comparison it's hard to believe (and remember) that we have had Rufus since he was such a small little pupster *said in a very annoying mommy-speak-to-puppy voice*. He was such a widdle guy, dark fur, floppy years. Now he's the schnauzer-salt-n-peppa, with his too-legit-goatee and some seriously pointy ears. He's still a cuddle bug and full of puppy energy. Bottom line, I love him.

How goes the Summer Olympics?

While I'm not watching as much as I'd like, I did spend most of my Saturday watching the Summer Olympics. So many great athletes! I seriously wish I could watch every second of it so I can catch moments like these...

What's your favorite part of the Summer Olympics?

Goal #94: Bake and decorate cupcakes for someone special & Goal #37: Host a family board game night

When my sister's birthday was approaching in March, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to cross this baking goal right off my list. She made her birthday request for red velvet and this was the first time that I actually took baking seriously. I even measured out the mix for each cup in an attempt to have the most perfect even cakes ever!! and look how amazing these babies look...

By the look on her face, I think she loved them!

Then I hit it with a one-two-punch and decided to throw a mini-family celebration with board game night. It was a blast. I hope to have many more of these fun nights. I'm happy the birthday girl had a blasty-blast!

Goal #8: Attend a live taping of a TV show

Sorry to say it's been a long time since this goal was completed and I'm finally getting around to sharing about it. These lovely ladies and I attended the live taping of...drum-roll-please...The Voice!

Photos provided by FB profiles: shans, me, shannon

It's an Erin sandwich on some Shannon bread!

Let me tell you how excited these three kats were to go to this taping - extremely! Why you ask? Because we anticipated seeing the judges' performances that day. Yes. I repeat. We were scheduled to watch the judges' performances, LIVE!

But to our broken hearts, there weren't any performances - at all. But we did get to see the hottie judges, and it was an experience. I'm glad these girls were able and willing bodies to come cross this off my list, even if it was a bust.

Now for the only photo to commemorate this experience:

Pre-show mojitos with matching dark nail colours!

Goal #38: Do something completely spontaneous!

Spontaneity is probably one of the top sought after qualities people aim to be in their daily lives. The structure of having a continuous routine can make people koo-koo and therefore have this desire to break away from the monotony and just do somethin' crazay!

That, is not what I did.

I didn't set this goal because I'm too rigid and structured. While some may argue that my planning side definitely can come out more often than my spontaneous side, I am by far one of the lesser rigid members of Orange County. And with completing this goal, spontaneity kicked structure's ass!

And this is what happened...

Back story #1: Life is fucking hard. Period. Everyone knows it, and believe me! I know I'm not the only one fighting. Everyone is struggling with something. We're all fighting through bumps in the road to achieve an over-arching goal... whether it be finding that perfect career, the blissful relationship, that adorably-put-together-home, the bestest friends, the sweetest and most supportive family and the cutest pets. We're all going through life to reach that perfect plateau.

Through that bumpy road, some of those bumps are big, some of those valleys are low, and it can feel so hard and borderline unbearable.

Some days I find myself having to talk myself out of bed. Push myself to be presentable and not just a lazy mess. I'm literally giving myself a pep talk in the shower on most days, and praying so hard for positivity to push me through the day.

I can proudly say I get the job done, and by the time I'm standing in front of the barista at Starbucks, my coworkers, friends, family, puppy, I have a smile on my face. I have a pep in my attitude. I have hope for the sun to shine, because I have found a state of mind where I really am, hopeful.

If I couldn't acheive this state of mind, I would find myself holed up under the covers never to come out. Believe this.

And so, the planning side of things: I've been searching for a quote that I wanted to get tattooed that basically said, "life is hard, but keep moving forward." Something to remind me to keep my head up even at my lowest of lowest points, and serve as a visual pep talk that takes only a single look.

I would come across a few little lines here and there, but nothing ever stuck. Then one day I saw a photo of a girl's side-tattoo of this poster and I was furious! While I'm all about unique-make-it-your-own tattoos - that's what they're for anyways, right? - but this chick defamed this poster by changing the font, changing the crown, *grrrrr* oh my goodness!! *clenched-fists* I instantly thought, how could you ruin such an already perfect design??

And that's when it hit me.

Why am I searching for that perfect quote, when this crown says everything I could ever want it to say and more. Thanks to that awful tattoo, I decided, this is what I want - when I'm ready.

Back story #2: The poster. Not many people even know the history behind the Keep Calm and Carry On posters, but here's the make-a-long-story-short story... During WW2 the British gov't designed a series of morale-boosting-propaganda posters and used them across the country to motivate and uplift the people during the testing times that were to lay ahead.

Here's a quick three minute video that gives you the background, plus how it came to be commercialized:



Now, where spontaneity rules all: I had a rather tough week last week, followed by receiving some piss-poor news on Monday that completely thrusted me in one of the crappiest valleys of emotions where even a smile was just not going to happen.

The following morning I was going through some of my favorite blogs, one of which being Fuck Yeah, Tattoos! and I decided this needs to happen, today! I called my tattoo guy Todd at Ace's High in Fullerton, CA and not to my surprise he was completely booked up! Although he promised to call me if anyone cancelled and an opening would spring up, I was immediately bummed out and my spark was starting to fizzle.

I decided to, Keep Calm and Carry On with my day. I went home and started a mass amount of laundry and then *BOOM!* fate must have been on my side because one of his appointments finished extra early, and I found myself trying to decide if I was going to get this tattoo or finish drying my six loads of wet laundry (not an exaggeration). Todd gave me a window to get my shit done and get my ass in there no later than 8:30pm and I was in just under the clock. Next thing I knew, the stencil was on, needles were preped and it was done 'n' done.

I couldn't be happier.

For me, this tattoo symbolizes my daily motivation, my three-second morning pep talk, and my instantaneous reminder that no matter how hard life gets, keep my head up, Keep Calm and Carry On, because there's a light at the end of this tunnel.

A Worthwile Cause, A Worthwile Blog

A long lost friend from high school is about to embark on an incredible journey. He's turning in his corporate card for a year of giving back. He wonders if he's crazy, but I think he's braver than all of us. Here's some of his first post documenting his decision to follow his dream:

I have been working since I was 16. For years I found myself chasing after the almighty dollar. I don't consider myself materialistic, I like nice things like any normal person, I prefer Mac over PC not because of what I can do with it, but because I just happen to think it looks cooler. Given the chance I will spend money for the sake of spending money because that is what society tells us is the normal thing to do. It's the norm I've been accustomed to since I acquired my first paycheck working part-time at a Mail-Boxes Etc while attending high school.

I should have gone to college, but the money was too good. I was making more money working in the corporate world, while friends of mine going to school were studying to eventually get the job I had.

Fast forward 10 years, and I find myself a 26 year old sitting in front of a computer, pouring my feelings out on this keyboard in search of a more fulfilling path. I've had good jobs, great jobs, crappy jobs and just jobs. I've learned a lot about myself and about the world.

After all this time I've noticed that no matter how philanthropic the company you work for swears it is, you never find yourself helping out on that side of the spectrum. You're stuck on the rat-race side, the side that has you screwing the little man, not helping him. When I think back to all my years working, I realize the only times I felt true satisfaction was when I participated in the volunteer and charity events sponsored or participated in by the powerful corporations I worked for. It was this knowledge I had been struggling with for a long time.

And just two days ago I had a dream.

See, I left my current job with the idea that I would start work at yet another very succesful corporation making a decent amount of money working, traveling and working some more. And it was then I realized I didn't want to do it all over again. Start a job I would love at first because of the stability and the financial security it gave me, only to hate myself years later for not being true to myself.

So I dreamt.

As crazy as it seems I declined the position I was offered, and instead began planning to pursue an undertaking beyond crazy, in my opinion. If it's crazy to me I can only imagine what those of you reading this will think.

I post this now, not to toot my proverbial horn, nor to make an attempt at seeming self-righteous with you guys. I respect all of you and the course your lives have taken. I appreciate all of your status updates and all the witty and sarcastic comments from time to time. I share this recent update to get your input and ideas. Because, God knows, I'm going to need it.

I have decided that beginning April 22, 2012 on Earth Day, I will challenge myself to participate in a volunteer/charity event daily for a full year. I have given myself a full month to prepare so as to allow a good amount of planning ahead of time, while allowing me some flexibility of last minute invitations or ideas from those of you who will be following me along. I'm not hoping for much, but hope that at least those of you who are my friends will care to see what's going on.

I can't wait to read of all the good Alvaro is going to be doing in this world. And I've officially decided that Goal #53 on my DZP list is going to be dedicated to Alvaro's cause. While I may not be prepared to take a year off to do all the amazing things I know he will be blessed with, I absolutely want to be apart of it.

Follow him. You won't regret it, A Worthwhile Cause.

Goal #65: Have a Color Me Mine sesh

DZP goals for my birthday = Awesome gifts!

This is Yvette. She is Danny's cousin, but most of all she is my friend, my family. This year she too offered to help me cross off one of my DZP goals from my lovely list! I rambled off a few choices and voila, Color Me Mine sesh for two!

How could I not choose something symbolic of my birthday? A peacock studded cupcake to hold my jewelry. I'm so excited to use it everyday.

And since Yvette is currently blissfully in love, it was no surprise when she made this adorable Valentines inspired piece.

Photos of the final pieces to come!

Thank you Yvette, for the fabulous birthday gift. I had such a good time hanging out, just us girls.

Goal #54: Eat at Pink's Hot Dogs

 And another one bites the dust!

One beautiful Saturday my sister asked me So what the heck do you want for your birthday? And I said, Hmmm, idk! Want to help me cross of something from my list? And of course she was IN!

So much so, she said You, me and Danny, my treat!

Hii, no complaints here! Even in blurr who can complain?

So off we went to Buena Park, CA where there is a PINK's at Knott's Berry Farm. Pretty awesome since we didn't have to hike all the way to Los Angeles for a hot dog. One thing to note, their menu is not as complete as the LA location, but you will get what you came for.

Our final order: one inferno dog, one planet hollywood dog, one chili dog, onion rings, fries and three sprites. I'm still full!

Thanks sis for helping me cross off one of my goals in honor of my 26th birthday! You're awesome!

thxthxthx: my birthday,

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Happy Love Day!

I hope your day is full of pleasant-love-filled-surprises!

{via}

Beyond Thankful

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And yesterday.

I now have a car, after not having one for a whole month.

Thankful for waking up and having some independence back.

Thankful for waking up and having loving parents.

Thankful for waking up and having the best sister ever.

Thankful for my loved ones, they truely care for me.

Beyond thankful.

DZP Resolutions: 7 Things X 2012

Day Zero Project has a new approach for your 2012 resolutions, 7 Things X 2012. They give you seven prompts to get you thinking, the next step is to define your goals and write them down.

Here are my seven ambitions for 2012:

1. Learn how to keep a plant alive
2. Start saving
3. Stop drinking
4. Take a vacation to the snow
5. Find a happy-medium
6. Try paddle boarding
7. Be more proactive

The fact that I have a brown thumb instead of a green thumb is really starting to annoy me. I want to try and get greener - if that's possible...........................Then I want to start saving because I've never been good at it. I always live in the present and although I want to keep it that way, I want to start becoming more aware of what the future may bring...............Which may be a little easier by not drinking as much. I don't plan to go without, maybe a glass of wine or champagne, try a few new beers to help my DZP goal, but no more excess................. And for once and for all I'd like to go to the damn snow. 2012 better bring me some snow time!................. All of this is in line with my search for a happy-medium in my day-to-day life. Finding a balance is important spiritually, financially and emotionally.. and its something I really need in my life right now..............................That balance of course will help me with my paddle boarding. I know I won't be able to make it apart of my routine, but I'd like to try it out a few times this 2012........... So cheers to a proactive attitude, inside and out. I'm very proactive when it comes to certain things, but I want that to permeate throughout my friendships - just because you haven't called me, doesn't mean I can't call you...... my family - I want to be more in-tuned with their lives and create better memories...... spiritually - I need to find a higher mind to be at peace...... myself - I need to take more time for myself and do things for me...... I truly believe if I constantly remind myself of these ambitions every day, 2012 will be a fruitful year for me.

I encourage you to try this approach to your 2012 resolutions.

Happy 1,110th Post!

In honor of my 1,100th post, I'm sharing my status with my Day Zero Project, what I've done, still need to do, am in-the-progress-of-completing, and what I've down right amended due to life changes. So let's see what I've done with myself, shall we?

Donezo!

(43) goals have been dusted!

1. Buy something from Etsy

4. Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find

5. Find out my blood type

6. Go horseback riding

8. Attend a live taping of a TV show

12. Get a tattoo

18. Take a hot air balloon ride

19. Host a "cookie bake-off"

21. Take a First Aid course

23. Get a full time job

26. Become CPR certified

27. Grow an herb garden

28. Eat sushi

29. Move out

31. Get a bikini wax

32. Own all of Chelsea Handler's books (4/4)*

33. Open a savings account

35. Start a holiday tradition

36. Jump into a body of water fully clothed

39. Improve my posture

40. Read 10 new books (10/10)

43. Be in two places at once

44. Buy a new pair of sunglasses

45. Try lobster

49. Kiss under the mistletoe

50. Attend a masquerade party

51. Go to the Griffith Observatory

58. Design & print official business cards through an official printer

64. Have a spa day with my sister

66. Forgive someone (and forget)

70. Go wine tasting

71. Reach 1001 posts on my blog

72. Get a gym pass

80. Spend a whole weekend without using the internet(or browser on my phone)

82. Acquire all the Sex and the City season DVDs (6/6)

85. Eat yummy food from a food truck

86. Completely unpack my apartment

90. Do the tambourine dance ON STAGE

93. Go fishing and bait my own line

95. Have a slumber party at my apartment, just me and my sissy

98. Accept a Dare, "I dare you to..."

99. Complete five 5k races (5/5)

101. Party on a yacht

That means I have (58) more goals to finish!! Makes me feel a tad bit unproductive, but at the same time I’m excited to get my butt into gear and check things off.

(11) In Progress

11. Fly a kite - kite has been acquired, now just to fly it...

14. Grow out my hair - still growing! Thinking it’s safe to cross this off, what do you think?

25. Get a passport - paperwork is complete, hoping I don't need to re-do them, just pay & submit!

34. Try 12 new dinner recipes (7/12) - I will share these recipes very soon!

38. Go to a Laker game - boss has season tix! PLEASE be a season!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!

41. Reach my goal weight - talk about a yo-yo! I will get my shit together to keep yo'ing down, down, down. Bottom line is, I'm losing and/or maintaining, not gaining, that's something.

48. Watch 26 movies I've never seen starting with each letter of the alphabet (23/26)

73. Complete my 100 Snapshot Challenge (56/100) - more than half way done!

74. Collect 50 postcards for every state (22/50) - boy'o'boy do I need to share an update on these babies soon!

87. Go on day/park adventures with Anthony (1/5) - can't believe we didn't finish this over the summer, shame on me!

91. Take pictures in a photo booth (4/5) - I can't even talk about how not happy I am I didn't get the last one for this when the fair was in town. Talk about disappointed!

(18) Recently amended goals*

I know it seems like a lot to amend - don't judge me! It's not that I made things easier on myself, I just decided some of these things trumped the old goals in the “what's-now-interesting-to-me” department.

9. Make an at-home face peel for a sister date*

10. Go to (a local) Ocktoberfest*

17. Keep in touch with Rufus' parents*

52. Visit the Stone Brewery in Escondido*

53. Volunteer for different organizations (0/3)*

59. Attend the Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival*

61. Spend a rainy day watching movies in my PJ's*

62. Design & send Christmas cards*

65. Have a Color Me Mine sesh*

68. Go to a shooting range*

76. Take the train somewhere fun*

83. Complete a 500-1000 piece puzzle*

84. Try 10 new beers (5/10)*

88. Make ice cream from scratch*

92. Go to Catalina for a weekend*

94. Bake & decorate cupcakes for someone special*

96. Eat at 50/50*

97. Go camping*

Nearly all of these (29) goals have been here since Day 1, so I just need to do the damn thang!

2. See a drive-in movie

3. Make a custom recipe book

7. Kiss in the rain

13. Make snow angels

15. Take a cake decorating class

16. Buy a lottery ticket

20. Complete 3 DIY projects for my apartment (0/3)

22. Decorate my patio

24. Visit a butterfly garden

30. Go to the midnight premiere of a movie

37. Learn to drive a motorcycle

42. Sew a quilt

46. Plant a tree

47. Have a snowball fight

54. Eat at Pink's Hot Dogs

55. Revisit San Francisco

56. Have a girls trip to Las Vegas

57. Visit Hearst Castle

60. Go to a zoo I've never been before

63. Visit a lighthouse with my mom

67. Visit my Grandmother's grave

69. Have a picnic date (0/5)

75. Find a personally inspirational quote & work it into a piece of art/home decor

77. Swing on a tire swing

78. Paint a set of 3 pictures to hang together

79. Learn 7 authentic Mexican recipes (0/7)

81. Have a psychic reading

89. Spend the night at a cabin

100. Go to Disneyland (Me, Danny, Alex & David)

Happy Turkey Day!

Gobble Gobble!

My turkey is sporting some awesome chanclas, paired with the beanie I can never pull off and his L&C inspired feathas! Now go create your own Google turkey and share it with your friends!

It's been a rough year for many of us, but I still have so much to be thankful for. Here are 25 things I'm thankful for at the age of 25...

family and support

friendship and love

my new puppy-love rufus

my honda

my fabulous job that genuinely makes me smile everyday

hard-core laugh attacks that bring me to tears

youtube nights

sister dates

spontaneous coffee dates

sarcasm, and moore sarcasm

beautiful babies and their chubster cheeks

sticking to traditions

self-discovery

maintaining connections via facebook, as cliché as it may be

homemade halloween costumes

sticky notes

friendly faces

blatant, needed and appreciated, honesty

trashy television

booth and brennan

reconnected friendships

gloomy clouds, with slight chance of rain

car-dance parties

sweet pandora

back to blogging

Be well. Be thankful.

Goal #19: Host a "cookie bake-off"

That's right people! I managed to get 10 seriously awesome friends in my very small kitchen / dining room for some cookie-making-fun! After attending a few of these fun parties with some past coworkers, with a snap! this goal made its way onto my list. So happy we finally were able to do it *satisfied smile*  

 

I can't be taken seriously at a time like this. 

All girls plus one awesome boy who brought the coolest Star Wars cookie cutters.

"And the best part is, I'm the only boy!" - Jay

 

The best part: every single one of my friends (with the exception of Madalyn and myself) had never been to a cookie bake-off, and they all LOVED it! I'm seeing many cookie-baking-frosting-fun in our future.