Weekend Update: Some Busy Days Off

I always have weekends off...but since school started, they’ve for the most part been spent doing school work. I wasn’t completely caught up on school work, but I made an executive decision to have a little fun, and get the school work done at the end of the weekend.

Friday: Did a whole lot of nothing. Except for homework of course, which totally contradicts that first statement above. Oops.

Saturday: I got my hair cut and styled! And then headed Old Town, San Diego for a Day Of The Dead celebration, which was on my fall to-do list. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I needed to participate in this thing because a friend of mine who passed away last year really loved the celebration. If she were still here, she’d most certainly be there. But because she couldn’t, I was there for her. I actually was there as a volunteer and worked at the cemetery all day. I tried not to think about it much because it gives me the heebie jeebies a little.

Day Of The Dead: It’s a Mexican holiday celebrated November 1^st and 2^nd of each year where people celebrate the lives of their passed relatives, friends, and other loved ones. Although it is a Mexican holiday, people from all over the world of different races, colors, ethnicities, etc. are welcome to celebrate it. Some of the more notable things that come with celebrating Day of the Dead are sugar skulls, both the actual candy and face painting, marigolds…which are believed to bring the souls of the deceased back because of their strong aroma, and lastly the altars, which are sort of a shrine in honor of your loved one that includes the previously mentioned sugar skulls, marigolds, and anything else the person might have liked while they were alive, such as their favorite food, favorite music, beverage of choice, etc.

At the cemetery, there was a public altar where people were welcome to bring things for their loved ones. Some people brought photos, vodka, tequila, a big mac, nail polish, a cigar, etc. Below is a shot of the altar. There’s also some popsicle sticks that people could write their person’ name on. A few days after the event, the organizers burn all of the mementos provided as a memorial to everyone remembered.

Due to the abundance of candles in the cemetary at night...
I was given a fire extinguisher.
Marty reporting for fire duty!

After wearing make-up for 12 hours, the best feeling
ever was to be able to put my hands on my face! 

Sunday: Started off with a brunch with some Southern California bloggers! We went to Pacific Coast Grill in Cardiff and all enjoyed some good food and drinks, as well as the company of each other. Jill and Amanda did a great job organizing it all :] They provided us with some cute flowers and vases, as well as some amazingly beautiful necklaces. If any of my readers are Southern California bloggers, keep an eye out for the next event! It most likely will be wine or beer tasting!

The super cute table set up Amanda and Jill put together!

The sweeeet view!

Our pretty gifts from Jill & Amanda!
Stole this picture from Abby!

All of the beautiful girls in attendance!
Thanks Amanda Kathryn for the group photo!

TOP: Jill from Classy with a Kick, Raina from San Diego HR Mom, Abby from The Fabulous Life of a Natural Disaster, Amanda from Amanda Kathryn, Amanda from A Beautiful Mess, Adrienne from Pretty Chouette, Brianne from San Briego BOTTOM: Jessica from Wifesticated, Kailyn from Kailyn Marie, Marty from MartyWithTheParty

I made it home for dinner where my parents were having a small bbq for my grandpa who turns 88 years old today!

Life is so go go go lately, that I don’t even get a break on days off…but even if I did, I’m not sure how I’d handle it. Ha. How was your weekend? Any good stuff in your schedule?

OH! And last but not least…remember that bigs and littles thing I’m doing? Well my “big” Jess is hosting a giveaway and I’m totally part of it. It's my first one! Check it :] 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Class Of 2013!

Let’s talk about my first day of college ever. I went to the local community college, Palomar College (UCP!) The year was 2006 on a nice summer/fall Monday morning of September…or was it August? Anyways, my first class was softball practice at 10:00 am. I probably left at 8:45, thinking 1 hour and 15 minutes should plenty time to drive the 25 mile distance, and it was. I remember arriving with 30 minutes to spare but ran into trouble when I pulled into the parking lot…and couldn't find an open spot to save my life. After spending an hour going through all of the lots, I finally found an open space! But now I was at least 30 minutes late to class. I struggled to decide if I should go to class or not and after crying to 2 of my best friends over the phone and talking to my dad, I decided not to go. Yep, I did not go to my first class of my college career. Instead I went to the retired softball coach’s office to talk to him about missing class since I knew him personally and was the reason I had decided to go to Palomar and play ball. He told me the new coach was chill and to just talk to her about what happened and she’ll understand. At that very moment, the new coach had stepped into retired coaches office to talk about her first day and there I was, the chick that didn't go to practice. I had to explain myself and she understood…but I had to pay for it and run sprints the following day.

Fast forward 7 years, I graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies with a depth of study in Arts & Education on May 18,2013! 

Check out the grad pics:

Jumbo-tron action!

WOOOOOO!

martywiththeparty

with the parentals <3

grandma (mom's mom) and grandpa (dad's dad)

my family.

some besties!

school loves!

life long friends...and a photo bomber

with moniqueqee!

I seriously couldn't have done this without the support of my parents, family, friends, and work. It’s been a long time coming, but I finally did it!

I've still got a few classes, tests, and credential program to get through until I’m fully legit to become a teacher so here’s to the next 3 years!   

Loteria Art Show

Before I even start this post, I want to mention that I own no rights to any of the images on here, and do not intend on any copyright infringement against any of the original artists and simply want to show appreciation for the art I was able to see this weekend. Welp, that takes care of the legalese, right? Haha. 

Being Mexican [1/2 bean in my case] is so great. Delicious food.  Killer booze. Fun music. Beautiful dancing.  Stunning art.

A friend of mine posted this article of Facebook and immediately decided I needed to go to the first event mentioned: The HeART of Loteria. 

Loteria is Mexican bingo, but instead of drawing ping pong balls with the letter and number combination, it's a deck of cards with drawings such as "La Sirena" [the mermaid], "El Diablito" [the devil], "La Rosa" [the rose], and "El Barril" [the barrel], among others. 54 others.

This game is a staple in all Mexican families, and mine plays it when we get together every holiday. There's the dealer and every time they draw draw a card on your board, you mark it with a bean, penny, or any other kind of chip you have lying around. 

The bet is usually a quarter per game to cover the entire card. There's side bets for the getting all 4 corners, or a horizontal or vertical line for usually a dime. We're not big gamblers. haha. 

So after seeing this event on the SD City Beat, I kind of did my research and my excitement grew. I decided to take my mom and grandma since my mom's birthday is on the 19th and I'll be sitting in class instead of celebrating with her. 

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the show...

Cards Pictured Above: [El Pescado [the fish], La Sirena [the mermaid], El Gallo [the rooster], La Muerte [the death], El Camaron [the shrimp], La Dama [the lady] , El Negrito [the black man], La Luna [the moon], El Pajro [the bird], La Calavera [the skull], El Borracho [the drunk], El Sol [the sun], El Catrin [the dandy], El Apache [the apache], El Venado [the deer], El Diablito [the devil]. Can't zoom in enough to read the title or the artist's name. Oops.

Again, I can't read the title or the artist of the work...major fail on my part. Especially because this one is probably my favorite of the show. I'm pretty sure every single card in the deck is depicted in this one piece of work. It reminds me of the dogs playing poker picture that we all know and love. 

I absolutely LOVE living and being born and raised in California, and this painting tugs at my heart strings. West Coast represent <3 La Mano [the hand].

This one of La Sirena [the mermaid] is extremely bad ass...It's a wood burn. So much crazy detail. I can't imagine the patience and pressure of a steady hand that mastering something like would take! 

The two above were some of my other favorites. These are by Joni Nunez. LOVE them. Lately, I've had this slight obsession with the day of the dead sugar skulls and these paintings remind me of them! The left is La Sirena [the mermaid] and the right is La Muerte [the death]. I actually purchased a couple of prints by the artist before I entered the show. She had a booth out and bought some 8x10's. Check out her facebook and etsy shop. Lots of cool stuff!   

My purchases :]

Another one that strongly appealed to me due to my love of sports was the one below. Even moreso because it was San Diego area sports. El Caballo represented by the Chargers, El Perro represented by the Tijuana Xolos, El Azteca represented by the San Diego State Aztecs, and El Padre represented by the San Diego Padres. 

 A closer look...

Some other cool ones! 

Besides the art hanging on the walls, there was an artist doing body painting, another live artist painting on a HUGE piece of canvas, another guy painting portraits for tips, plus a grupo playing Mexican music, and Baile Folklorico.

Overall it was a super cool event, a little bit unorganized but they eventually got everything straightened out. Glad I checked it out!

30 DAY CHALLENGE: DAY 22

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I am thankful for so many things this year, including my amazing family who has gone through so much this year, hilarious friends, great job, a roof over my head in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, food to eat, my education, and an able body. I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Day 22 – A photo of your wedding/future wedding plans.

First of all, I want a vintage looking engagement. Friends, please show my future husband this photo.

And this is pretty much the wedding dress my heart is set on. So simple but beautiful. 

I want to have a country-ish wedding and OBVIOUSLY incorporate some baseball. 

I am so in love with these save the date tickets!

and these super cute wedding cake toppers

and this home plate guest book idea!

I've already come to terms that I will be a bridezilla since I'm usually a -zilla with everything else that I plan. I'm sorry for all of you that will be involved with the planning that will have to deal with me.

I think most of all, I just want it to be fun. 

One thing that absolutely MUST happen is the "Payaso del Rodeo". It's a Mexican line dance, and absolutely my favorite thing to do at parties :]