Christmas of 2010

Every year, since my aunt passed away, my family has hosted Christmas Eve at my house. This year my brother and I went to Target and purchased a bunch of things to decorate the house in order to surprise our mom and dad. Since I was baking the desserts, I decided to decorate the dessert table, while my brother decorated the fireplace and living room.

A bowl with ornaments, NOEL sign, two snowflake bowls with candy canes & hershey kisses, a candle [or two], a cheers plate, a snowman plate, and a cupcake tree holder; as well as a festive tablecloth. 

Desserts too!

Holly Cupcakes - Recipe on my Baking Blog 

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Cream Cheese Filling  

- Recipe on my Baking Blog

Grandma's Cookies - Secret Recipe

Pumpkin Roll

I have to say, I loved decorating my table, as well as baking most of what was on it. It was great to hear what people had to say about what I baked, mostly good things. However, I think the next time I make the Red Velvet Whoopie Pies, I'm not going to use cocoa powder. I've been told it was just too much chocolate. 

I feel like the morning dragged on, but once everyone got to my house, the night flew by. Everyone arrived by 6:00 P.M and were gone by 10:30/11:00 P.M. 

There were a few that stayed until about 1:00 A.M, and we were busy having a great time to even notice how late it was getting. 

Santa would be stopping by with presents soon, and my brother and I [still little kids at heart] wanted to get to bed and wake up and jump on our parents bed. 

I really rather just give presents to my parents and brother, instead of receiving any. However, I did receive gifts that can help me re-decorate my room, and I'm rather excited about that. My parents best present from my brother and I was a collage of professional pictures we had done of the both of us. They loved it so much they ended up crying!

Santa left Sal cowboy boots. He absolutely loved them, and put them on the minute he got them. Sal gave me a beautiful Skeleton Key necklace from ETSY and a Television, which was a huge upgrade from my older television.

I'd say this Christmas was rather successful, and memorable to say the least. 

Even my dog had a great christmas! ;]

21 on 22

I celebrated my 21st just last week and I have to admit, I did so with class ;]. No I did not end up hugging a toilet at the end of the night, nor did I wake up with a horrible hangover like some of my friends. I drank just enough to enjoy myself and the company I was with. 


The night prior to my actual birthday I went to dinner with some friends for my friend's birthday, since hers is the day before mine. Afterwards we went to a local bar, and I had a drink in my hand at 12:00 midnight. Well a shot first and then a drink, of course. I was lucky that some other friends decided to show up and I got to share my birthday morning with my closest friends, as well as friends I hadn't seen in awhile. 

My friend, being the birthday girl the night before, handed her crown over to me. It was quite odd though; I was a whole year older, and yet I felt as if I was still just a child. I didn't feel any older, but I did feel slightly as if I needed to start accomplishing more as my teen years were gone, and I was becoming an adult, slowly but surely. However, the week of my birthday I decided that no thoughts would enter my mind about the future or even the week after. I wanted to enjoy my time with my friends, as well as my family.

After the bar, we headed over to the diner. I didn't eat anything, considering I was too happy and giddy, as well as taking care of my friend hugging the toilet. Unlike most girls though, I didn't become a b*tch and leave her there [although that thought entered my mind], I decided to make a joke out of it and even tried to take pictures. However, my other friend, my angel on my shoulder, told me no. Come on though, how funny would that have been?

Unexpected pictures are the BEST.

The following day, on my actual birthday, I got my license changed to the big girl license [ha] and got ready for the night. I, along with a bunch of friends and my family, went to 3Forty Grill in Hoboken. Although it was rather chilly, I'd say we had a rather warm gathering in celebration of my birthday.

Flirtini & Me ;]

My Delicious Dinner.

My Dessert - Sad I asked for my own candle?

My Love 

My Friends & the Beautiful View of NYC

My Family

It's amazing to see how much I'm surrounded by love and passion. 

Afterwards I went to another bar, this time in hoboken. However, upon my arrival, sliding into the bench to sit, I was struck with ... A SPLINTER in my leg! I was in the bathroom for about an hour trying to get it out! Finally I gave up, but not until the boss of the bar got me tweezers, and Sal's friend got me tweezers as well. It was just no use. After ripping my stockings, making friends in the one stall bathroom, and in tears, I left the bathroom and took a long sip of my margarita. Sal's friend who had joined us, was so angry that the manager didn't offer to pick up the check or buy me a drink, at least, that he went up and talked to her. She eventually caved and got me another margarita. I mean it was the least she could do, I thought. I didn't ask to have the splinter in me and spend an hour in the bathroom.

Splinter PIcture.

I swear those things were making me happier as the night went on!

My new friend!

After the bar and several discussions later telling me that I didn't need to go to the ER, we went home. The next morning my neighbor who is a nurse came over and told me to put VICKS VAPOR RUB on it for 24 hours and cover it with a BandAid and it should draw the splinter out. So I did. A little splinter wasn't going to stop me from going out with my softball team though!

My girls

Shots !

 Softball Team... or at least the ones that matter!

I could not thank these individuals enough for celebrating my birthday with me, but who I really should be thanking is Salvatore. He has made me birthday so memorable. Without him I wouldn't have been able to go to the bar, a gorgeous, classy restaurant, another bar, and yet another bar. He paid for pretty much everything, besides a drink or two, in which my softball ladies and mom bought for me. It saddens me that my friends didn't buy me a drink or even suggest that they would. I mean it was my 21st birthday. However, I won't fret about little arguments like that, but I will always remember it. 

The following morning, my brother [bless his soul] was able to get the splinter out. 

The pin & the splinter [below it]. 

I'm almost positive we didn't get it all out, considering it seemed much longer when I was trying to get it out the first night, but I will not worry about it too much. I wanted to keep the splinter as a memento of my 21st birthday, but I lost it. Woops. At least I have a picture as proof! 

Overall, I had such an amazing week and I look forward to what my 21st year has to bring me!

A House Fit For Us

12.17.07. It honestly seems like just yesterday that Sal asked me to go out with him, while we were ice skating on a frozen baseball/soccer field. And yet, three years has passed already. Yesterday was our three year anniversary [wow]. We joke around saying that we're surprised we haven't killed each other yet; because we're honestly a lot to handle, and together we're even worse [haha]. We joke around way too much, and we're both stubborn as anything. So it's quite interesting to be around us. 

So, unlike our past anniversaries, which Sal has gone all out on each and every time, we decided to have a relaxing quiet night. I had work until 6 and Sal didn't get out of work until about 8ish. We went to Target with my brother and his girlfriend, who are home from college [ yippe!!!] and bought gingerbread houses to make. We wanted to have a contest to see who could make the better gingerbread house. I knew the night was going to be great, as soon as people started staring at us laughing so hard in Target.  It started off quite funny, and it only got funnier...

Considering there were two different houses in the box, I chose the one above.

While Sal chose the bigger one, with the broken tree.

Sal's gingerbread house still looks descent, but when he got out the whipped cream, I knew we were in for a good laugh. 

The whipped cream didn't just end up of the gingerbread house, but also on...

my brother...

his girlfriend & ....

Sal

I was actually the first one with whipped cream on the face, but since I had the camera, no pictures were taken. 

Yesterday wasn't about how much money was spent, or where we went, or even what clothes we were wearing, it was about being together, and bonding as individuals. Over these past three years, I've learned that you can't stop someone from being who he/she is, especially when those characteristics you were trying to stop, were the ones you fell in love with in the first place. Not only that but when you let loose a little, and not try to be so perfect all the time or have everything go your way, it night ends up exactly how you pictured it anyways, just with a lot less stress. 

I can't really explain to anyone how much this boy really means to me. Sure we fight, but what healthy couple doesn't? He's seriously my best friend, and I would have no idea who to tell all of my stories to. He's always there for me with open ears, whenever I need to talk, which could be for hours. I am so thankful I have him in my life. These past three years would not have been as joyous, fun, or exciting without him. 

I love you Sal.

Even if you can't make a gingerbread house... there's always room at mine :]

Fill In The Blank Friday _ 12.17.10

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a week. Finals are kicking my butt, kidding...  I'm doing really well, but the studying is keeping me away from my blog! Anyways, I always try to find time to do the Fill In the Blank Friday... so without further adieu here it is:

[Play Here]

1.   Giving is       what I look forward to during the holidays. I would much rather give than receive. I love seeing the faces of those I give the presents too. It's such a great feeling  .

2.  Receiving is   extremely nice; but if no one gave me anything for christmas I would not even be upset. My parents taught me that the holidays aren't about what's under the christmas tree, but rather the time spent with those you love. We've never been a family with money, so my brother and I don't really expect a lot, and we're totally fine with that  .

3.  The best gift I ever received was        a camera; I just love capturing memories on film. It's seriously something I look forward to doing at each holiday .

4.  The best gift I ever gave was    hmm that a tough one; probably getting all of my mom's old tapes of my brother and I when we were younger, and transferring them to DVDs, so she can watch them at any time.

5.  Something intangible that I wish I could receive is       time. I just feel like time is going by so fast, I just wish it would slow down so that I can enjoy everyone around me.

6.  Something intangible that I wish I could give is         hope; everyone deserves a little now a days, and I feel like with it, big things can happen in this world.    .

7.  The one gift I always wanted as a child, but never got was        a hamster; I begged my parents for one every year, but never got one :[    .

Have a great weekend!

Fill In The Blank Friday _ 12.10.10 - 100th POST !

This is my 100th post. Jeeze I need to start posting more, my life is a little more interesting than it seems I promise !

[Play Along]

1.   I wish       no one had to deal with the loss of loved ones   .

2.  Yesterday I   went to the hospital I'm going to volunteer at, specifically in the Child Life Department; had class, which consisted of eating homemade goodies & watching a movie; worked, and met a famous person ;] post to follow. oh and I studied, yippee  .

3.  Today I will       work & babysit; what a wonderful friday  .

4.  Tomorrow I will   babysit some more, and hopefully get some shopping in  .

5.  Maybe      I'll ace all my upcoming finals .

6.  Someday        I'll be a mommy & buy all the cute holiday outfits I drool over in the stores    .

7.  I love        the winter time, especially when it snows, drinking hot chocolate after making snow angels and having a snowball fight, and curling up on the couch by a fire    .

Hope Everyone Enjoys Their Weekend!

Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone: Book Review

I know, I know... I should've read this book a LONG time ago, but I was never really that interested in the Harry Potter series, until recently. Sal is a huge Harry Potter fan, of the movies that is. Therefore, every time a new movie came out, I was dragged to the movie theater to see it, sometimes even for the Midnight showing. So with each new movie, came new found interest in wanting to know more about this Harry Potter boy. The day after HP7 came out, I went and purchased the first book. I already had the second and third, don't ask me why I didn't have the first. It took me a couple of weeks to finish it, probably because of school and work, but I didn't want to put the book down, I wanted to know more about Harry's adventures. 


Synopsis According to Amazon.com: 

Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the nonmagic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley.

A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins.

My Review: 


This review is based on reading the book and then watching the movie. While the movie certainly allowed me to see things, instead of imagining it, it left a lot of parts out, such as the beginning of Harry Potter's days at the his aunt and uncle's house, Snape's room at underneath the school, and Harry and his friends giving the dragon to Ron's brother's friends, as well as many other small parts. 
First of all to find the book, I had to go to the young reader's section at Barne's and Noble, which made me hesitant and put off by this book. I figured that J.K Rowling's writing was geared to younger children, with little use of more difficult words. I was right, but that didn't make the book any less interesting or astounding. 
As I previously stated, I couldn't put the book down, I could see every move Harry made in my imagination, and felt nervous or frightened when Harry was in trouble. My favorite part was probably when Harry found out he was a Wizard, as well as the next parts in which he got his wand and all of the other essentials for Hogwarts. My least favorite part was the Quidditch Match, and I say this because I couldn't picture the game in my head. There was just too much going on and it was hard to keep track of. 
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting the kind of read that you can pair along with the movie. 


Sal and I will be reading each book, and when we both finish each one, we will watch the movie. Hopefully we'll be done by July, just in time for the second half of the last movie. 


My Rating: 5 stars. 

Fill In The Blank Friday _ 12.03.10

[Via]

1.   Holiday spirit       happens when that first chill is in the air, you have to light a fire, you hear the first christmas song on the radio, 25 days of Christmas begins on ABC FAMILY, and you can't stop smiling.

2.  The holidays are incomplete without    good food, christmas music, a fire in the fireplace, family, and snow .

3.  My favorite things to do around the holidays is        watch christmas movies, while drinking hot chocolate    .

4.  A holiday tradition my family and I have is    having christmas eve at our house, where friends and family can walk in and enjoy good food and friendly company. It used to be at my Aunt Glor's, but she passed away not too long ago, so my mom jumped right in and took over. 

5.  Holiday music is      something that I need to hear to hold me over until christmas gets here .

6.  This year, I'll be spending the holidays         at my house with friends and family  .

7.  Holiday wish list        cowboy boots, a watch, baking supplies, a trip to the city, and an enjoyable birthday/christmas day    .

If you'd like to play, head on over to The Little Things We Do

This gets me so excited for the holidays; I CANNOT WAIT ! 

He's a Good Time Cowboy Casanova

I went to see Carrie Underwood last month! My cousin bought tickets for us to go, for my birthday [even though my birthday isn't until December 22]! We had been wanting to go since August, and we finally got tickets. We could not believe it. I had a countdown going since September or October. 


Having not been to a concert since N'SYNC & Shania Twain, I didn't know what to expect. When we arrived we waited outside for about an hour. My excitement kept me warm, even though it was freezing outside. When we finally got in we quickly went to the bathroom, got our amazing CARRIE UNDERWOOD shirts, and got food. When we were escorted to our seats, we could not believe how close we were. Sure we knew we were in row 5 in the first upper level section, but it was clearly not what we were expecting - it was better!

[My cousin & I]

First up was Sons of Sylvia, followed by Billy Currington; both artists were great!

Sons of Sylvia ... who also performed with Carrie Underwood

Billy Currington was just amazing. He put on quite the performance.

Then ... Carrie ... Underwood !

The crowd went absolutely wild when she came on stage. They were screaming, as was I! When she started singing, everyone got up from their seats and started singing with her! Between the cowboy boots and hats, the beer, and the music, I felt like I was at a party! It was so memorable. I could absolutely, without a doubt go see her again and again. Her show, as well as her performance, were out of this world!

The pictures might not be clear, but my memories of the concert remains. 

Thank you cousin, for giving me such an unforgettable experience.