Thankful

This Thanksgiving was a new experience for me, that's for sure. I was feeling down in the dumps since I was so far away from my family and not able to fly back to Chicago to be with them, but I was fortunate that I did not have to be alone on Thanksgiving.

After putting up the Christmas Tree, Gerti was ready to fly back to Chicago, she hadn't curled up in her carrier since last year, but look where I found her! We both wanted to be with the family so badly!

Wednesday night Paul and I made a yummy dinner together, spaghetti carbonara. It was a HUGE and filling meal but very good for our first time making it. I think we both would do some things differently next time but it was a good first attempt for sure. Then I made 2 batches of cookies, Ginger Molasses and Pumpkin and Paul did laundry. We finished the night catching up to Weeds. Anyone watching this season of weeds? Paul and I have mixed feelings about it but last weeks episode was a winner, finally!

Hungry boy ready to eat! (mind you he had almost a whole bag of pretzels and cheese sticks before dinner, so by the time dinner came, he wasn't that hungry! so bad!)

Our delicious dinner! So rich and filling, but excited to try it again!

Thursday morning we got up early and got ready for the day. Before leaving the house Paul and I were able to video chat with my family. This was the first time he met everyone but my mom so while it was virtual, it was still great! Of course seeing my family via computer isn't the same, but thank goodness for technology. It was amazing seeing everyone. My brother always makes me laugh, and my whole family puts a huge smile on my face. Paul did just fine meeting everyone too and I am so excited to actually bring him to my parents house in Chicago so he can meet people in person!

From there we drove south to the Peninsula, where Paul grew up. He was suppose to have a water polo tournament but long story short, it didn't happen. He took me to his old High School, drove around town and took back roads to Redwood City, where his papa lives. We stopped by the first Starbucks he worked at, and wondered around for awhile. It was really beautiful. The trees were changing colors and it felt like a version of small town home. I was so excited that I was actually clapping in the car! It was a lovely start to the day. I forget what hometowns are like. It was amazing to hear stories of where he use to go, what he use to do and where he grew up! I can't wait to show him not only Chicago but Iowa, whew will that be an experience for him!

We made it to his dads house and there we helped his step mom and sister bake while we watched the end of the parade and then the dog show. And really by "helped" we sat and watched and nibbled on the goodies! Paul showed me around the house, showed me pictures and told me stories. It was lovely.

From there his sister, Paul and I loaded into my car and heading back towards SF (right outside SF) where we had Thanksgiving dinner with his papa's family. It was the first time I ever met his two aunts on that side of the family and a few of his cousins. It was a pleasant evening and we sat at the dinner table for hours. Dinner was great, and we pretty traditional, except we had rice! Never have I had rice at Thanksgiving :) Paul showed me around his Abuelita's (his dads mom) house where he lived for awhile with his papa and sister when his parents were divorced. The evening ended by 9 and that was good because we ate so much we were exhausted! We went home, slept it off and prepared for Thanksgiving #2.

On Friday we went to his Abuela and Abuelo (his mom's parents) house in Fremont (a little suburb south east of SF). Now this side of the family speaks primarily Spanish when they are together and are much louder and livelier than his dad's side, but it was a blast. His mom's side of the family is very loving towards me and I couldn't have appreciated it more. Music was playing, people were dancing, 20 conversations were going on at once, lots of eating and drinking, we brought the dog so he was running around like crazy, games were being played, it was just a great evening. The food was filling and full of fat in the best way possible. We had a great night. The evening ended with Cuban espresso and coffee (yes I had a double shot of Cuban espresso and a cup of Cuban Coffee and still was exhausted...the food was just that good!) I was able to talk to his Grandparents for awhile too when we were drinking our coffee and it was great to get to know them even better. Both of them don't speak English very often so they were giving me pointers on how to start learning how to speak Spanish. But never was there judgment that I don't speak their language, I think they just appreciated knowing that I want to learn, and I really do!

The family has welcomed me in with open arms and although Paul and I have come from 2 very different backgrounds it was so nice to feel at home even though my home is so far away.

So this Thanksgiving I am thankful for (this is a short list out of many many things I could say):

1. A family who loves me so much that I can honestly feel them with me even though I am 3,000 miles away. My family is the greatest and I am so lucky to have their love and support through everything I do.

2. A boy who I am very much in love with. Who treats me like a queen and would never have dreamed of letting me spending Thanksgiving alone so opened his family up to me. He spoils me and cares for me more than I ever thought I would want to be cared for and I am amazed by all he is. He is an unexpected treasure to say the least!

3. My dream job. Who would have thought a gypsy dancer would find a dance job that "pays the bills" and I love so much! I Can't believe I was able to find this job so quickly outside of college, but it is made for me and I love it! And to top it off, I work with some of my best friends in SF! How lucky am I?

4. A beautiful cat who brightens each and everyday. I love coming home to her and knowing that she loves me unconditionally! She is one of the most amazing creatures and I can't believe my mom bought her for me a on a random August afternoon in San Francisco, but wouldn't be the same without her!

5. I am truly and utterly thankful that in 2 weeks I will be on an airplane (with Gerti) to Chicago to see my best friends and family. Wow have I missed them all and I can't wait to give everyone a giant hug and I know I will cherish each and every moment I get with them. While I will miss Paul so much that its kinda hard to think about, I cannot wait to be back in the Midwest, to see snow (I hope) and to be with the people who know me best!


I failed to take pictures of our Thanksgiving...so bad of me, I know. Next year? And believe me, I am sure I will take plenty of photos come Christmas!!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

Welcome to my Christmas filled Room!

It has been a hard day today, well a hard week for that matter. This year marks the very first year of my whole 24 years that I have not been with my family for Thanksgiving. Now in our family the Christmas tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving and yes, I do believe that is the best day, but as tears filled my eyes today I realized that I needed the Christmas tree.


Now no tree could ever substitute my family, but it does make me feel a little better. Yesterday I received a Thanksgiving care package from my amazing mom which brightened my day and really started the whole need. The care package was filled with her amazing caramel corn, party mix, Christmas decor, Holiday book and a few other goodies. It brought tears to my eyes and the first bite of the caramel corn made me think of home.

I spent most of the day today looking for that cheap day before plane ticket to go home. I mean, wouldn't that have been great, but those $650+ tickets kept appearing and I continued to get more sad. So the only solution I came up with... decorate!

I am now sitting here with my holiday candles lite, the tree sparkling and White Christmas on the TV. It makes me so excited to be in Chicago for Christmas for two weeks, but until then, I will just imagine I am sitting with my family.


Luckily I don't have to be alone for Thanksgiving, wouldn't that be even worse! No, this year I have the chance to experience a whole new Thanksgiving, Cuban style. And actually, I will have 2 days of Thanksgiving. Paul's family has so graciously invited me to join them for their Holiday and not only do they celebrate very different than my very white midwest family, but its the first time in a very very very long time that I have shared a holiday with a special someone. Since his parents are divorced they go back and forth each year on who gets them on the actual day of Thanksgiving. This year Thanksgiving lands on his dad which is kind of a bummer. He is not as close to his dad and I am far from close to his dad as we haven't had much of a chance to get to know each other. Who knows, maybe this will be the chance to bond with his "papa" as he calls him. His mom's Thanksgiving on Friday though is going to be a blast I am sure, her last letter to me said it would be "a very non traditional meal with lots of loud music, dancing and family." His mom and I have had the chance to get to know each other a little more, and she even has been able to get to know my mom in SF and in Chicago. I am very thrilled to be spending time with her. Paul's sister is also very wonderful, she just turned 21 and is so great. According to Paul and his mom, Erika (his sister) is hard to impress/please and her and I get along wonderfully, therefore I have a good in there :)


Anyway, I just wanted to share my Christmas set up this year. I wish so badly I could be cuddling up with my family watching Christmas Vacation, eating lots of food and putting up our family Christmas Tree but I hope that this year is the only year I wont be spending with them.

Random Questionnaire

No reason really, just in the mood to fill out a questionnaire :)

If you could change your first name, what would it be and why?
I love my name and think it suites me so I don’t think I would change it.

Which animal best represents you?
This is a lame answer, and I had to leave it and come back because I was hoping to find a better one. But I would say right now, I am like a kitty. I need others on time-to-time bases. Enjoy being comforted and loved but have loaner moments where I just want to be myself. And high-energy times where I just want to run jump and express myself. Maybe this isn’t like all cats but this is defiantly like my Gerti, haha maybe she is the way she is because I’m the way I am?! Whatever the case, we are similar for sure.

If you could live in any city, where would it be?
Rome, really any city in Italy, but I LOVED Rome. I would love to live in New Orleans as well but I think that is more vacation like.

Which appeals to you more: the beach or the mountains?
The Beach, even though the sun hates me. I do miss visiting the Colorado Mountains every year but much prefer living near water.

Which cartoon character do you most identify with?
I don’t really…but currently I’d say I have been identified a few times as Velma for Scooby Doo. When I wear my glasses and sweaters especially. The science part is not so much me but I could deal with being compared to her. A little geeky/nerdy/ know it all…not that far off

If someone made a movie about your life, which actor would portray you?

Umm I would love if Zooey Deschanel did!

Which color M&M’s candy do you reach for first?

Since I don’t eat M&M’s I will go with Skittles and I go for the purple first.

What was your favorite childhood game?

A and I use to play “Fun club” it was a club we made up and played in her basement. We would dress up, have fake names (I was always “Baby” from Dirty Dancing haha!) But we would make up dances and play “Fun Club” for hours! So much fun!

How many people in the room do you know their first name?

Haha I am at work, so I know everyone’s name.

Which game show annoys you the most?

I don’t really watch TV TV (just internet TV) so I actually don’t know what game shows there are, so I don’t get annoyed.

If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be and what restaurant?

My mom at Azteca. I miss those days.

If someone did your portrait and had only one color to use, which color would it be?

Yellow or Orange Yellow. To those who can see aura, most usually say that those are my colors. Orange-Yellow: Creative, intelligent, detail oriented, perfectionist, scientific. YELLOW AURA COLOR: Relates to the spleen and life energy. It is the color of awakening, inspiration, intelligence and action shared, creative, playful, optimistic, easy-going.

What was the last movie you saw and why?

Paul and I watched “The Color Of Money” (it was the last movie that came on our netflix). It was such a Paul movie. The opening shot was of Pool, Whiskey, cigarettes and money! Right away we both laughed that the movie was made for him! I filled this out earlier, and tonight I watched "The September Issue," not too bad, I kinda liked it!

What show of the past would you like to see brought back to T.V. and why?

American Dreams. My mom and I would watch it together every week. And then when I went off to college I wouldn’t miss an episode and mom and I talked on the phone as soon as it was over! I LOVED that show, and it ended abruptly which was really sad. I have season 1 on DVD but can’t even find season 2 or 3 on DVD

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

There are two that I love & will always cherish. One came from my high school band teacher, Mr. A, it was after a production of West Side Story my freshman year, and Mr. A came up to me, hugged me and said that he “had never seen someone sparkle so much on stage and I was meant to perform.” I will never forget that moment.

The other is from Paul, it was really before I even knew him, might have even been one of the first conversations we ever had. Paul was working the register at Starbucks and when I approached the register he said so purely “ya know, you have the best smile I have ever seen, you make my day every time you walk in here.” That moment melted my heart and really was the start of it all. He said the other day that he remembers that day so clearly as well. I love it

If you were forced to sing karaoke, which song would it be?

I have a hard time believing I would be “forced” to sing karaoke, but I would probably sing “Don’t stop believing,” or “Proud Mary” haha I don’t know why but those two are the first that popped in my head! (Neither are really in my voice range…haha!)

What is the title of the last book you read?

Oh sad day, and embarrassing, as I haven’t read a book in over a month. I read “Snuff” in September…just picked up “Summer at Tiffany’s” it is good thus far.

When was the last time you said something negative about someone else?

Oh last night Paul and I had a little bit of a "bitch fest" about some things...haha...

Are you:

1. More like a Cadillac than a Volkswagen?
Volkswagen

2. More of a saver than a spender?
Spender

3. More like New York than Colorado?
New York

4. More yes than no?
Yes

5. More like a student or a teacher?
I would say both

6. More here or there?
A little of both

7. More religious than non-religious?
Non-religious

8. More like the present than the future?
Both, but more focused on present

9. More like a file cabinet than a liquor chest?
Hmm..not sure how to answer this one!

10. More intuitive than rational?
Yes I would say so…

11. More like a tortoise than a hare?
Defiantly more Hare

12. More like an electric typewriter than a quill pen?
Electric Typewriter, yes. Although I hand write notes to Paul every morning…its nice to write vs. type.

13. More like a gourmet restaurant than a McDonald's?
Maybe in the middle…A little Applebees?!

Meet Me On Monday (I just keep stealin Sarah's posts...thanks Sarah!)

Questions:

1. What is your favorite kind of pie?
2. Have you ever ran out of gas in the car you were driving?
3. How many languages do you speak?
4. Do you take daily vitamins?
5. What is your worst eating habit?


1. Key Lime & Pumpkin!

2. Knock on wood- no! I have come close to being there...but luckily grew up with a Grandfather who told me that when it got to a quarter tank you fill up! Thanks Grandpa!

3. English...wah wah...Since dating a Cuban, I am getting to the point where I want/need to start learning Spanish. Family gatherings aren't near as fun when you don't speak the language.

4. Nope...I should...but I drink Coffee which I learned in my nutrition class in college that if you take vitamins and drink coffee,the coffee just whips out the vitamins and does no good. I wont stop drinking the coffee so whats the point of taking the vitamins?

5. umm... I eat dinner too late...But the worse is that I will eat ice cream right before I go to sleep. Way bad, but oh so good! I also love potato chips, have cravings for taco bell, and love fried chicken! haha, basically most of my eating habits are bad.

Worth Reading

I saw this today and it melted my heart, specially because anyone who knows me knows that when the time comes to have kids, I would love nothing more than a fabulous gay boy! Read this blog posted by a mother of a fabulous 5 year old boy. I am so tired of all the hate...I wish people would realize that if everyone was alike, the world would be much more boring. Just wanted to share the story with others. I am sure if ya'all are on facebook you will see this, but thought I would share it here as well.

http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2010/11/02/my-son-is-gay/

Five Question Friday (posted by Sarah answered by me)

1. Do you believe in ghosts?
2. What's the best movie you've seen in the past month?
3. Do you have a mantra? A quote to live by? Or an overarching belief of what you strive to be?
4. What is your favorite guilty pleasure song?
5. What is your number one November goal?


1. Before moving to San Francisco, No. But since living here, yep I do. My first apartment in SF defiantly had ghost. The cat would run up and down the hall pushing her paws up against the wall as if she was trying to chase someone away. And the creepiest part of the whole thing. One night I was asleep on the couch and there was a knock on the door. It was the downstairs neighbors asking me if I could stop running around. Again, I was fast asleep, but downstairs she said it sounded like I was running up and down the hallway and tap dancing on in the kitchen! No one else was home, just me. So yep, I was living with ghosts, no doubt.

2. Inglorious Bastards, so so so good!

3. "Everything will be okay in the end, if its not okay, its not the end" AND "Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened"

4. Sarah you stole my answer :) I am totally in love with Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" when it comes on I stop whatever I am doing and sing along! It makes me super happy

5. Figure out Christmas gift/ make the gifts that I am going to make. Whew I have a lot of work a head of me!