So one time (Wednesday night) I was flipping through radio stations and randomly stopped on Z90, which is the local hip-hop/rap station. I don't listen to it much because it gets a little to gangster for my taste. But they were playing the best song of all 5 of my radio presets, so that's where I landed. I must have stopped listening once my song was over because I left it on that station. I hear a commercial not much longer for Danity Freaking Kane. Not only are they back together (last I heard, that was just a rumor) BUT THEY WERE ON TOUR! I texted Lime ASAP and told her we absolutely had to go.
Side story. Caroline and I met playing ball at PMar. Obviously all most of the girls became friends, but the thing Lime and I bonded over was our love for DK. On our long practice days our schedule was morning workouts from 6-7, morning break from 7-8, study hall from 8-9, and practice from 9:30-1:00. During that morning break, most of us girls would either go grab burritos or McDonald's, bring them back to campus and have tailgate parties while bumping Danity Kane in the parking lot before study hall. It was mine and Lime's soundtrack to our life at 17 years old during our freshman year of college.
Back to the main story. We didn't buy tickets that same night because Chels wanted to go but we needed to wait it out and see if anyone picked up her work shift. No dice. Whomp. So I bought mine and Lime's tickets Thursday morning and was pretty amped for that night.
We get to the place where the concert is being held (Humphrey's by the Bay) and had a couple of drinks before we chilled in our seats waiting for everything to get started. No "professional" cameras were allowed (not that I have one) so all we've got are iPhone photos. You're welcome :]
View from Humphrey's was a lot sweeter than it looks.
Pre-show best friend selfie with Lime!
After having to sit through 2 opening acts, it was time for the main event!
The 4 girls. Drea, Aubrey, Shannon, and Dawn. #sweetresolution.
Ahhhh. It was seriously the best thing ever. They did leave out some classic songs. And they went and announced that DK went from 5 members to 4 (leaving D. Woods behind) to 3 (Aundrea bailed) so now Danity Kane is a trio. That made me a little sad. But whatev. At least I got to see a majority of them. And it was incredibleeeeee. I'm still on such a high from the show!
And then there were 3. DK3. Aubrey, Dawn, and Shannon.
Sad faces after learning the news that they're now a trio.
They announced that they'd be at one more show in LA this weekend...and Lime and I seriously considered the trip for a quick second, but the existing plans we each have for the weekend trump the trip just a little. It's all good. This concert was just the start of a bomb.com weekend!
Hi Internet! I’m alive. Barely
kicking, but alive.
Let’s update you on my life…
School: Credential program
applications to SDSU and CSUSM have been submitted. There was lots of
rescheduling and juggling around but I have my interviews for all 3 programs scheduled.
I actually did one last week…kind of went meh, because they were short on time when
it was my group’s turn to interview so we all had to cut our responses short. Whomp.
Except for the fact that of the 3 programs, this is the one I really want to
get into. Oh well. Hopefully the timing for the other program interviews is
better managed.
Testing:I PASSED MY MULTIPLE
SUBJECT CSET! Which I’m totally stoked about because even though I studied,
like none of that material on my actual tests was mentioned in my study book or
practice tests. But I passed, so that’s all that matters. The next exam on my list
is an English CSET. If I get into the middle level program/teach middle school,
I’m going to be teaching an individual subject. I decided I’m probably most
qualified to teach English and would have the most fun with that over any other
subject. Doing the CSET over getting a subject matter authorization makes the
most sense to me because when I apply for jobs, a passed CSET is less objective
than a list of college courses I’ve taken.
Work: OMG. Let’s talk about my
office job real quick. Everyone kind of took vacation time throughout the last
2 weeks. So the office was already busy from the lack of people. But then I
started to get e-mails about dates for interviews for my programs that fell
among the same time everyone was gone. My boss was kind of overwhelmed with everything
and me being gone was not an option. Which sucked because these interviews kind
of needed to happen. So that’s where all the juggling, rescheduling, and being
an inconvenience to these programs came into play. It all worked out but I was
kind of stressing and upset over the situation for a while. I am totally loving
my second job at the Safari Park. It’s easy. I don’t have to follow up with
people, make phone calls, fill out paperwork., etc. Working with people my
age is fun. I have become one of those people that gets easily
excited about being around the animals. Hearing the lion roar in the mornings
is amazing. Watching the lemurs do their thing is so cool. The fact that I see
keepers take a camel for a walk and I’m less than 20 feet away from it is
incredible. The only downer is being on my feet alllllll day. I’m not used to
it, but I will be. I’m really happy with this place.
Weight Loss: Why is this not
something easy? There’s so much fatty goooood food. I’m trying to make it to
the gym as much as I can and watch what I eat, but with how crazy things are…it’s
a little difficult. I haven’t totally abandoned my goals, but priorities are
elsewhere right now. One way to make sure I’m still moving around is by pacing
around at the Safari Park. This week I decided to kick it up a notch and try to
reach my 12k steps goal by the time I clock out of work! Yesterday was the
first day, and I got it done!
Umm…that’s about it. How's your life going? Lots of good things happening? Let me know!
Yes, I made it out alive. Real life just gets in the way of blogging. Oops. Anyways....BASEBALL!
Opening Day Night. The tailgate/barhop started at 10:30 am...for a 5:00 pm game. We were ready to party. The season ticket crew plus a lame-o Dodger fan packed into a truck and headed towards downtown San Diego. We parked in the tailgate lot and used our pre-purchased parking ticket because planning ahead rocks. Cruised over to Bub's and met up with some friends for some breakfast and Mama's Peach Tea. And Fireball. And life size Connect 4. After that, we headed to Barleymash...because St. Germain Sangria. It was a little different than the time before, but still so good. After thattttt...Titled Kilt. More booze. After thatttttttt, back to the tailgate lot to meet up with more friends, close out the party and head into the game. Photos of the same 8 people in similar poses for your viewing pleasure:
I'm not a fan of repping your gang with peace signs in photos...Chels knows this, but it happens. And this is the look you get from me when it happens. Whatever. She gets a pass for it today A) Because everyone does it now just so I can get upset. I've learned that no real reaction (or vocal scolding for it) is the best reaction. B) Becauseit's Chelsea's birthday todayand she gets to do whatever she wants...within the law. Or without, as long as she doesn't get caught. Happy Birthday ChewSaw <3
We scored probably my most favorite Opening Day tee's, camouflage print and a Jerry Coleman star. Headed to our seats, watched the opening ceremonies, PLAY BALL! Wandered around the stadium, saw a tri tip sandwich sign, spent $10 on a sandwich, and was left very disappointed. Sat in front of 2 very annoying, sort of racist dudes. Padres took the lead and won the first game of the season. Headed back home in the most awkward ride home ever. Being nice to a veryyyy drunk girl who is in love with one of the dudes in the truck makes for some great jokes that will never get old. And that's it.
Did you go to Opening Day? Or any of the games played thus far this season? Do you plan to? You better! Because BASEBALL!
Also, a super sweet giveaway where you can use your winnings towards sweet stuff to wear to your next game! Make sure you check everyone who is part of it out and of course, make sure to enter! P.S. Guessing game time! I'm on the bottom left...can you guess what stadium my photo was taken at?! The winner gets nothing extra other than the satisfaction of knowing you get it right!
"Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means 'a whale's vagina.'" -Ron Burgundy
San Diego is a place I consider to be heaven on Earth. I am a born and raised San Diegan (San Diegoan?) and could never imagine leaving this wonderful city permanently. Erin at Two Thirds Hazel mentions in THIS POST that even though she's lived in NYC for a few years, she has yet to visit a lot of the great tourist attractions that surround her and she plans on changing that. I will too, in regards to San Diego. I've seen a good part of the beautiful city that is San Diego, but when it comes to the actual tourist attractions...I fail.
Why? San Diego is big. And the town I grew up in is kind of far from anything worth seeing in San Diego...according to those all these different "must see" lists. Other than that, life and other priorities like school, going to baseball games, concerts, and bars got in the way. So I've been inspired to create a (multi-part...because it's kind of late and I want to go to sleep) San Diego To Do List for myself of places or things I have heard so much about an never visited or done, or I visited/did these things wayyyy back when.
Petco Park Tour
Yep. I've been to Petco Park at least 60 times since it opened back in 2004. What I've never done is an official tour of the park. Other than my own drunken wandering, I have sort of gotten to do mini unofficial tours when we've been invited to the park for season ticket stuff and seen the club house, dug out, press box, underground restaurant, batting cages, super secret Sony (I think?) Club. It seems like a lot, but I feel like they're hiding a lot more stuff that I need to see! My friends and I have talked about doing a tour, but we've just never been able to make it happen. Hopefully it happens this season!
Balboa Park
This place is incredibly beautiful. And so big. It's a park, has museums, theaters, gardens...the list goes on and on. I've made quick stops to the outside parts of Balboa Park and driven by plenty of times, but never made it my sole destination. I really need to make some trips to see all the great things this place has to offer.
It's world famous. I visited as a kid and haven't been back since. The pandas are kind of a big deal and I know nothing about them. The San Diego Zoo is actually part of Balboa Park but I felt like it deserved its own bullet on my to do list. The great thing about adding this to my list is that now that I'm working at the Safari Park...I'm pretty sure I can get into the San Diego Zoo for free :] This visit is most def. happening this summer.
This is a place I've definitely been recently. Did some Day Of The Dead volunteering and have had dinner and drinks at a few of the restaurants here, but they've also got a park, museums, a haunted house, and a bunch of other points of interest worth seeing but never really spent time at. According to the internet, Old Town is supposedly the birthplace of California and what it was like back in 1850. A visit needs to happen ASAP since I'm kind of obsessed with California.
A super dope aircraft carrier. Or at least I think it's super dope. I've seen it from afar while driving around downtown San Diego but I've never visited it. The USS Midway is a museum where you can see military sleeping quarters, the engine room, jail, and so much more. Having not visited the USS Midway is kind of unAmerican. Oops.
Have you been to San Diego as a tourist? Any must see places I should add to part 2 of my list? Let me know!
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In other super exciting news...This Friday, I'm co-hosting a special MLB Opening Day edition of Fan Friday with pretty much my favorite blogger ever and baseball soulmate, Sarah over at Venus Trapped In Mars.Soooooo, if you're just as excited as we are for baseball to (un)officially start MAKE SURE YOU GRAB THE BUTTON AND LINK UP FRIDAY! [Ignore the fact that the button says April. This is happening March 28th!]
So when I first read that Jess over at Living On Sweet Tea was thinking about doing this link-up, I was super excited. Hopefully it spreads across the blog world and she does this like once a month...there's so much about San Diego that I'd love to share.
But for starters, let's talk about my 5 favorite bars (with specialty drinks) in San Diego. Because for the year and a half that I've been reading blogs, I've learned that bloggers love booze, so I'm hoping this is a good read for everyone :]
Better known as Bub's. This place rocks. It's mine and my friends favorite bar to go to before and after Padres games in Downtown San Diego. There are so many things we love about this place but what won me over is Mama's Peach Tea. It's a personal pitcher filled with honey jack, peach schnapps, iced tea, and pink lemonade. SO GOOD. Kind of looks like the drink on the right in that bottom left photo...but it doesn't have a beer can floating in it. I had to hunt on the internets to find an actual Mama's Peach Tea from this place, but didn't succeed. I'm a litte disappointed I didn't have a picture of my own showing off its amazingness. Regardless. It's great, and my favorite.
I had heard so many great things about this place, and couldn't wait to try it. The opportunity arose during the Yankees series that started off our 5 stop barhop pre-game before game 2 of the series. Went out for brunch with friends and just as we were finishing up, a server walked past our table carrying what looked like heaven in a glass. It's called the St. Germaine Champagne Sangria Carafe, which has St. Germaine elderflower liquor, white wine, peach liqueur, fresh fruit, and a hibiscus flower. Caroline and I both saw it, decided it'd be a great idea to split between the two of us, and boom...it was ordered. I have no regrets, it was soooo good. Again, I'm super lame and don't have pictures of my own of heaven in a glass, but the good people running barelymash's facebook have me covered...
I've only been to this place a handful of times, but it's a good one. There's a fire station around the corner and every time engine no. 4 wails by, the bartender rings a bell...and that means $4 fireball shots. It's a lot of fun. But I'm not here to talk about fireball, we're talking specialty drinks. And the one that tickles my fancy at this place is called Broken Butterfly, a glass full of goodness that is rum, lime juice, strawberry, and basil. So. Much. Yum. Blah, blah, blah...these aren't my pics. Thanks Yelp and FB.
On The Border I've been old enough to drink booze for 4 years. At least 60% of my drinking has taken place at OTB. It started off as being the place to put some down before and after slow pitch softball. Then Caroline and I picked up the third amigo of our trio, Chelsea durning an NBA playoff run...and life has never been the same. This is where I started drinking margaritas and never looked back. My favorite off their lineup is a watermelon margarita. I'm assuming it's tequila, margarita mix, and watermelon. Either way, it had changed my life. Significantly enough, that I once created a "summer of watermelon margaritas" FB photo album. I've met so many great people because of OTB, there's no way it couldn't be on my list. Honorable beverage mention goes out to the Mexican candy shot!
I've only been to this place twice, and had less than great experiences with the service each time, but the margaritas the size of your head made up for it...a little. They're called the mega margaritas and have a menu dedicated to mixings that you can fill this giant 32 oz. cup up with. My drink of choice each time was the Rosarito Pink Lemonade that's got tequila, triple sec, pink lemonade, orange juice, sweet and sour, and lime juice. Good stuff! I think a visit to this place in the near future needs to happen.
And...that's all I've got. My 5 favorite bars in San Diego whose specialty drinks I love. I'm not claiming to own any of the photos, or recipes, or whatever, but they were all too good not to share. Happy Thirsty Thursday all!
I'm kind of a bandwagon fan with these guys, because to be honest...when they suck, I write them off. I don't stop watching, I just watch with a chip on my shoulder. They've kind of turned things around the second half of the season so I'm back on the bandwagon.
This Sunday, we play the Tim Tebow Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos for the 3rd time this season but this time it's kind of a big deal because after sliding by in the Wild Card game, we're playing towards a Division Championship and ultimately a Super Bowl! It's exciting, and I'm anxious about it.
Let's mention bolo ties real quick. Why? Because they're all the rage in San Diego right now. Seriously. This article talks about places in San Diego selling out of them recently. Why? Because Phillip Rivers has rocked them in post game interviews a couple of times and they might be lucky charms.
Now it's a movement. How so? #BOLOUP has taken over our usual slogan that is #BOLTUP. Also, this other stuff kind of qualifies is as a movement...
Today is ACTUALLY #BOLOTieFriday
Our local country station, KSON has a theme song.
There also is was a parody twitter account. @PhilipsBolo. That's when you know a movement is real. Except, as of 6:44 pm PST, Thursday night, it's been deleted. *EDIT, it's back up!
If you've stuck around this long, I might as well tell you the quick story about why this bolo tie is a big deal and catching fire. One fan noticed Rivers wearing a Bolo Tie a few weeks ago and dropped one off at Chargers Park (Chargers training facility) for the QB and then next thing you know, the guy who made the Bolo Tie, Ted Williams, noticed Rivers wearing it in a post game interview! How cool is that?!! More details about it are on the Chargers website. He was honoring the fan that sent it to him! Good stuff! That's about all I've got. I love that the whole city is rallying around a silly bolo tie...but like the Bud Light commercials say..."it's only weird if it doesn't work." Let's go Chargers. Make a win happen this Sunday!
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 1st and 2nd 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!
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 :]
It’s fall! Well…sort of. Sunday
night was the first time since April that a chill rolled into my bedroom and I
had to sleep under the covers. San Diego doesn’t get too much change between
seasons, but hey, it’s something!
I absolutely love summer, but
there’s something about fall that makes everything feel so…cozy. Red and orange
color schemes have taken over Pinterest, people are losing their minds over
Pumpkin Spice Latte’s and Pumpkin M&M’s, and an outfit that consists of leggings,
and oversized sweater, boots, and a messy bun is acceptable again :]
Today’s post is kind of a random
compilation of things I love and look forward to doing this fall!
-Playoff Baseball.
Did anyone really expect anything
else to be at the top of this list? I’m pretty positive neither of my teams [Yankees
& Padres] will be playing in the fall classic this year, but it makes my
heart happy to know that I’ll be able to turn on the TV when I get home from
work or school and baseball will be on. Unfortunately the rivals of my favorite
teams did make it to October. That doesn’t mean I won’t be watching…I’ll just
be rooting for the Red Sox and Dodgers to not win!
-Apple Beer.
I learned about Apple Beer/Cider [whatever
it is] earlier this summer when I had it at a BBQ and liked it a lot. Since
then, I’ve had it here and there…but I plan on fully embracing it this fall. I
think one of the reasons I like it so much is because it reminds me of
Manzanita which is apple soda…a staple in Mexican households! It’s like the
grown-up boozier version of Manzanita! Both are worth checking out!
-Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate.
Pumpkin Spice Latte’s can take a
seat, my favorite seasonal drink from SBUX is the Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate!
Heavenly is probably the best word I can use to describe the way it tastes. I
don’t know enough coffee connoisseur approved adjectives to properly describe
it…just take my word for it, it’s damn good.
-Abuelita’s Hot Chocolate.
I you know, you knowwwwwww.
-Comfy Clothes.
If you’re looking for a fashion
blog…look elsewhere. I endorse leggings and sweats. I live in leggings. So I’m
happy that it’s we’re in the season where it’s acceptable to wear them again!
Oversized sweaters go well with leggings and adds to that comfort level. Put on
some calf length boots and throw your hair in a messy bun and you’re good to
go! Can’t forget about seats though! I have a large collection of sweats, they’re
one of my favorite things to wear…around the house, to run a quick errand, head
to school. Pretty much to do anything but go to work.
-Cinnamon Roll Crust Apple Pie.
I learned to make this like 2
years ago. It was pretty freaking delicious. Can’t wait to make it again :]
-Pumpkin Picking & Pumpkin
Fudge.
So I’m from a small country-ish town
in North San Diego county. It’s famous for its surrounding casinos…and that’s
about it. The only time traffic gets crazy is in October when pretty much all
of San Diego flocks here to pick pumpkins in the crazy awesome pumpkin patch
Bates Nut Farm has…better known to the locals as Nate’s Butt Farm :] Haha. I
actually haven’t picked pumpkins here for like 6 years, but I’m making it
happen this year! Bates has like 20 different flavors of homemade fudge in
their shop which is ridiculously rich and soooo good, but the best flavor is
Pumpkin fudge which they only roll out every fall!
-Dia De Los Muertos.
It’s a Mexican holiday that
honors and celebrates deceased relative and loved ones. I’m kind of infatuated
with sugar skull art, and if I ever get courageous enough to get a tattoo, the
first will definitely be a sugar skull and some roses. Old Town in San Diego
has done this cool event thing for the last few Dia De Los Muertos and I really want
to make it out this year!
Last But Certainly Not Least…
-SYTYCD Tour
One of my favorite things of the
summer is So You Think you Can Dance. One of my favorite things of the fall is seeing the top 10
contestants on tour doing my favorite dances of the season. Amy, Jasmine, Nico, and Tucker were some of my favorites, but my #1 of the season was Aaron. He's such an incredible dancer anddd I might
have fallen in love with him. I was so sure he was going to go
from not making the cut [again] during the green mile to winning the whole
competition. When they said Fik-Shun’s name as the winner, I immediately yelled
“SHUT. UP.” I couldn’t believe Aaron lost. It broke my heart and I am still not
over it. If I make to the tour this year, you can bet everything in your pocket that I will camp out for hours after the show for a shot to meet him!
<3
That’s it folks. Or at least
everything that came to mind when I made this list. What do you think of it?
What’s on your list? Anything missing that should be on mine?
P.S. I'm not one who uses the word "cozy" regularly...so don't judge me based on my use of it in today's blog. Ha.
P.S.S. I'm gonna mention that I don't own any of these images, all were stolen from google and pinterest...please don't sue me.
