Food, Lots of Food

Why is it when we go out to eat to one of our favorite restaurants we tend to over order and over stuff ourselves? A friend of mine said "Because we're stupid!" Isn't that the truth? So, I've been in Utah the past 10 days and while I've been here my little sister got engaged and I've taken them out to eat a few times. Last night they came up to Salt Lake (where I've been staying) and we went out to eat at one of the best Italian Restaurants Buca Di Beppo . The restaurant if you've never been is very much a family style place where you order a dish and its enough for a few people. Well the 3 of us kind of forgot that and we all ordered a dish. Haha! We were crying trying to eat the food we ordered way too much! But it was great because we had plenty of leftovers to take home with us! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner! No but seriously it was good food, good conversation, and a great memory to keep!

LOVE is in the AIR

Yes, it's true my little sister (Emma Naomi) is getting married! It just so happened that I had planned a trip to Utah and she got engaged while I was here. It really couldn't have been better timing and all since she is the only one on my side of the family in Utah. So, I felt pretty proud to be there with her to pick out THE WEDDING dress. For my wedding planning I didn't have any one with me to pick out the dress but I think I did pretty good if you ask myself. I do remember wishing I had someone there to bounce ides/thoughts off but oh well I made it. Monday and Tuesday we were able to get a lot planned and decided. We went to 4 different bridal stores and after the 1st place and 4th dress later we found THE ONE! But girls can never settled on going to 1 place we need to see them ALL!!! And that's just what we did but nothing compared to THE ONE! I couldn't be happier for my little sister, the baby of the clan! The wedding is set for August 15th in the San Diego Temple. Hahaha, you're probably wondering why a California Temple when the groom is from Colorado and the bride is from Virginia and all I have to say is "Baby gets whatever she wants!" Plus, she has always said she wanted to get married on the beach so I guess this is close enough (even though there are beaches in VA)!!! We love you Emma and couldn't be happier! Oh and I guess we love you too Calvin!!! Here is Emma in the fitting room after trying on only 4 dresses. Oh she has no clue what she got herself into!!! Just Kidding!(In picture: Lydia, Emma, and Calvin) Here is the lovely bride and groom back in September when I first met my soon to be brother-in-law in Provo.

Cherry Red

Romulo took me to Best Buy today to look at mini notebooks to see if I would like them (for school purpose). The size of the keyboard was the main factor for me. After trying every mini notebook and normal size laptops I found the one and who knew it would be a DELL (Inspiron mini 10"). "Dude I'm getting a Dell!" The coolest thing about my new mini notebook is the color: cherry red! The keyboard wasn't too much of an issue since the size of it is about 95% of a normal one. It has a built in webcam and mic and the weight is less than 3 lbs.

Oh Gus, Gus (from Cinderella)

I seriously don't know how or why I get myself into situations like this but I DO! On Friday we had our "move out cleaning inspection" for our San Ramon apartment. Romulo couldn't come with me so I was there by myself. I had the whole place clean and emptied (well except for a desk and our Christmas Tree). At 10am sharp Gus, the inspection guy, came to look it over. And here is a little of our conversation:

We introduce ourselves and he looks over at the desk/Christmas tree and I say:

"Sorry, I will have those two items out by the time our lease is up (which is Tuesday)."

Gus: "Oh, that's okay. Are you moving to Mexico?"

Me: Dirty look that says, (seriously I have no control over my facial expressions such a bad habit that I've always had) "What? No, Walnut Creek."

Gus goes on to tell me that he lived in Walnut Creek for 17 years and tells me all the great spots where they used to drag race with their low rider cars.

Me: Dirty look I'm sure that said: Like do I look like someone who drag races and who has a low rider car. Seriously, what? "Oh, that's neat."

After going through all the rooms and telling me that my apartment was probably one of the cleanest apartments he'd ever seen he tells me...

Gus: "Gracious Chica."

Me: "You're Wel-come."

Gus: "Bye Amiga."

And after that I closed the door and had to laugh about what that was all about.

Under the SEA

Yesterday Sissi, Ethan, and I went to the SF Aquarium of the Bay at Fisherman's Wharf. The tunnel was the best part because of the water surrounding you!

My Mother

"Mother's are so special, in a very special way" I love you Mom. I know I might be miles and miles away but my love for you is so much more. All last week I told myself "Lydia, you need to get a card in the mail." but with the packing and late night moving each night this week I totally forgot. So, I found myself Friday morning going to Long's Drug store to get a card. Then I walked over the UPS Store to get it over night. Well, that planned didn't work out because UPS wanted to charge me $88 big ones to get it there by Saturday after 3pm or for a steal $44 to be delivered by 9am! Um, I love my mom and I know she would appreciate the card by Mother's Day but she would hate me for spending that much for a card! HAHA! I told her this story and she said "Even if I was on my death bed I wouldn't want you to spend that much on me". That's my mom for you always thinking of others and never herself! I love you and sorry for the late card but one is on there way. I will call you! (I'm sitting on my mom's lap; picture missing little sisters Ellen and Emma.)

Safe and Sound

We made it! With the help of some guys from our Ward we were able to move all the big furniture to our new apartment. Thanks to all those women who let there husbands help us on a Saturday early afternoon. I know the weekends are very sacred but I truly appreciate it!

We're Moving

Not that far from where we are now but still we're packing and moving! We're moving to Walnut Creek this weekend and are super excited about it. I know on FACEBOOK I've mentioned a few times that I was sick of packing and well it's true I am. We've been here in CA for a year now and can't believe how fast time has flown. Nothing much is new with us besides I'm not working anymore but am getting excited about going back to school in the Fall. I'm going to attend Cal State East Bay and hope to get an Economics degree. (Cross your fingers that I will survive.)

And hopefully after the move and before my school starts up we can go back to Carmel and enjoy this beautiful beach. I can't believe it's real; its so pretty!

How are you dealing with the News?

Who here thinks that all the news coverage of this SWINE FLU is good to know but a little ridiculous? I mean once it hit the news everyone and their mother thought they had it. Why can't the news just inform us and everyone start to look out for it and not jump to conclusions? Okay, so I miss a few days without shaking hands with everyone I come in contact with and be mindful that if I cough or sneeze someone will most likely stare at me and turn away quickly from me. But still that doesn't mean I HAVE IT! (In case you were wondering I DON'T HAVE IT!) I don't mind, I don't need people in "my space" anyways. Anyways, in all seriousness I don't want to see people sick and I really don't want to see people die.
So, I GUESS yesterday there was 1 case (an elementary age boy) of the Swine Flu here in San Ramon and some people in our Stake (for Church) heard about it and instantly thought we needed to cancel Church. Well long story short our Stake President announced that Church would only be 1 hr and we would hold Sacrament meeting and if Priesthood holders wanted to keep their family home they could and hold the Sacrament in their homes. (This might sound bad but "Yeah, Church Vacation!")
Don't hate me or curse me for writing this post the way I did; I just wanted to put people in check with reality! And reality is there have been cases of the Swine Flu all over the US but doctors have been given the signs to look out for, tests to give, and there is medicine to treat it! So keep living your life and know that everything will be alright. Life is GOOD!

Dinner Gathering

Last night I was able to meet up with my co-workers from "the Cage". When I worked at Morgan Stanley I worked in a secured room that the 4/5 of us could only get into (well Managers I guess could come in too). So everyone that worked there called our office "The Cage". It was fun knowing that not everyone could come in and go as they pleased that they needed to talk to us through a window. I liked it! Well, the people that I worked with are AWESOME! I mean they are ones that keep you laughing and really mean what they say. Nothing was sugar coated in that room. Trust me! So, last night we all got together for dinner. And trust me food is a subject that is frequently discussed; more like analyzed. The 5 of us meet at E&O Trading Co; it serves Southeast Asian.
The food was amazing, the laughter was loud, and friendship was even sweeter. Thanks guys for the gathering. Next month, Allison's birthday bash. (People from left to right: Me, Frank, Dolores, Allison, & Elena...I love these people.)