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

Pumpkin Carving

I grew up in this small country-ish town in northern San Diego that is pretty much known for its Indian casino and Nate’s Butt Farm…during October. No lie, in the 15 years that I lived in Valley Center, I probably visited the butt farm a total of maybe 3 times. To everyone who isn’t familiar…it’s not really a butt farm, the place is called Bates Nut Farm. Nate’s Butt Farm is funnier though. Pumpkin picking is something I mentioned I wanted to get done back in that "Ahh Fall" post...and now, here we are :]

Anyways…I took my cousin to pick some pumpkins at Bates. That in itself could have been a mission. The pumpkin patch opens up for business late September and is pretty much a nightmare for all the locals who live in the area. Why? Because there is one way in and one way out. When ALL of San Diego county makes a trip to this small town, traffic piles up and it takes about 2-ish hours to get through at peak hours. I made sure to avoid this and showed up right as they opened, wandered a little, tried to find a huge pumpkin but failed, so settled for the small guys. Check it.

I made the princess do some hard labor.
Sorry for the back problems you'll have later in life.

The patch of big pumpkins. All were either lopsided or ugly. Whomp.

So we settled for some small guys from the piles of pumpkins.

"HAY RIDES!"

We got out of there before it got too busy, hit up the grocery store for some tools and stencils, and then headed home to carve! Umm…carving with a stencil was muchhhh harder than expected. I gave up after like 10 minutes and decided to freehand it. Whatev.

My finished product :]

No lie…pumpkin carving was hard. I struggled for like 15 minutes before I got the hang of it. I think I was over it the second I started because I was tired from hitting up the patch in the morning. But I liked the way it turned out. Definitely worth all the work.

I got myself an extra pumpkin because I was attending a pumpkin carving party with the girls a few days later. We got together, ate some chili, drank some wine, and watched pitch perfect. Ashley had never ever seen Pitch Perfect so we were scrambling finding somebody to go get it for us. We called Marcus but he wouldn’t because he was being lame. Chelsea should have grabbed it because she lost at “nose goes” but Ashley hubs ended up doing us the favor. Poor guy was probably in hell the whole night with Chelsea and I screaming at him while he was hiding. Here’s some pictures of that memorable night!

My pumpkin! Which was another free hand because
I didn't even want to pretend like I could use the stencils.

Top Left: Marty. Top Right: Ashley.
Bottom Left: Caroline. Bottom Right: Chelsea.

It turned out to be a fun little evening, definitely good to get a break and hang out with the girls instead of doing lame-o homework. What do you think of our pumpkins?  Are you pro stencil or anti stencil?

That’s all folks :] Have a great Wednesday!

Weekend Update: DALE!

What. A. Weekend. It was so much fun :]

Friday: I headed up to Anaheim to watch some Yankees baseball and hang out with Holley. The game was a stinker because the Yanks lost and Angels stadium no longer carries my favorite… a yard of margarita. I had to settle for the tiny ones from the bar. Watched a sweet post game fireworks show, I love fireworks!

Shout out to my super oily nose!

I'm sad we lost. She's happy they won. 

So pretty! 

After the game we headed to The OC, had some drinks, and played some ping pong. Also ran into a guy named Steve. He lived every baseball fan’s dream and went to all 162 game of the Yankees 2011 season. Scored a copy of his book. I can’t wait to read it!  

 

Saturday: Game 2. Got to the game early and “tailgated” except not really because there’s no booze allowed in the parking lot of the stadium. I poured my vodka sprite into my Rubio’s cup from lunch and got a lot of buzzed. Watch a horse cop (booze surveillance) get his panties in a bunch because the parking security told him he’s in the way of the cars and needs to move. “We’re doing official police business. I’m not just a guy with a badge and a gun who thinks he can do whatever he wants…” Yankees lost this second game, met up with friends that were in town for the game.   

More margaritas!

Our sweet seats we "upgraded" to :]

Headed to The OC again and our ping pong plans were postponed due to the UFC fight. Man that is a brutal sport. Didn't end up playing ping pong since the table was stashed away for the fight. Played some pool, but I had to cut the night short because I wasn't feeling well…migraine and tiredness are not a good mix.

Sunday: Woke up early and headed back to San Diego to catch my dad before he left to wish him a happy Father’s day but I missed him. Spent the morning shopping for a gift for him and somehow went from buying a card with Padres tickets for the following Sunday, to a digital camera, to a new grill. How did that happen?!! Lol.

Took off at night to meet up with Caroline and Chelsea for the Ke$ha/Pitbull show…which was interesting to say the least. Got there about an hour before show time and the tailgate lot was essentially empty. It was fun people watching Ke$ha’s crazy fans. Lots of glitter, eye shadow, lack of clothes, fur coats, and guyliner…among other nonsense...but to each their own. The opening band/crew was a bunch of Australian kids that were pretty much in training for Thunder From Down Under. Chelsea was the first to spot some baseball players…Casey Kelly who we've met before and Yonder Alonso from the Padres.

#tresamigos <3

Casey Kelly! Padres pitcher.

YONDER ALONSO! Padres 1st baseman.

The best way to describe Ke$ha’s show was a combination between a shit show and a tranny orgy. I didn’t realize how totally vulgar and inappropriate some of her music is. It was kind of sucky because there were kids in the audience. Didn't get very good pictures because I just had my phone, but they wouldn't do either show justice.

L-R: Bunny Rabbit, Ke$ha, Rooster.

CONFETTI CANNONS!

 Our reason for being there was Pitbull. LOVE his music. It is so fun to dance to. This was definitely one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. I didn’t sit once throughout his entire set. DALE! Ugh So much fun. I wish last night never ended.

LOVE HIM!

This Monday morning decided to bring me down from this weekend's could 9…woke up to a screw in my tire, which I just got only about a week ago. Blegh. Got it patched on my way to work...but still lame. 

Bring on the week!

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!   

Easter Sunday

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. My family and a lot of our friends get together at a lake/campground about an hour north called Lake Skinner and have such a fun filled day.

As with any celebration, there is always SO. MUCH. FOOD. Our potluck/buffet/whateveryouwannacallit consisted of carne asada, chicken, hot dogs, lots of pasta, salad, rice, beans, and a bunch of dessert…including my 1^st ever from scratch carrot cake cupcackes [recipe will be posted later this week!]

We do so much during the day and it usually pans out like this:

11:00-2:00 Grub on food. No pictures of that…it isn't very pretty.

2:00-3:00/4:00 Volleyball tournament.

Our net kept sliding down...duct tape to the rescue!

4:00-5:00 Potato sack races, Egg balance & dizzy bat, Three-legged race.

5:00-sunset Easter egg hunt, four and confetti egg bomb war!

our easter egg hunters!

sweet action shot!

minus her dodger jacket...super cute little girl

Such an awesome day! I always have so much fun. How was your easter?