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!

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.

CLGNY Conference

Monday, October 8th, 2010, I took a train with a couple of girls to NY. At 6:00 in the morning, the sky was still dark and there was a chill in the air. The train took us to Penn Station; we then needed to get on a subway for a couple of blocks until we reached NYU. Although my friend and I separated from the rest of the girls, because no one knew where they were going, we ended up getting to the Kimmel Center with a few minutes to spare. Signing in, I couldn't wait to get upstairs to enhance my knowledge about Child Life Specialists. Changing my major to Family & Child Studies with a concentration in Child Life Specialist was probably the best thing I've done in my college career. I am so intrigued with this profession. Not only do I get to make children smile, but I also get to make their hospital visit a little less traumatic, with the help of play :]


Once we took our seats at the table, breakfast was served. After going up for seconds, because the muffins were delicious, I wanted to walk around to each of the tables set up by different organizations. I asked my one friend to come with me, but she did not want to be bothered. I decided that I was going to make the best out of this day. I mean I was already up and I wasn't going to sleep anytime soon, even though I was extremely tired, so why not? I was there to learn, not to sit and watch everyone else absorb all the information. 

Afterwards, the guest speakers began. The first one discussed play and how important it is for ALL children to be a part of, especially when they're in the hospital. It helps them develop and grow. You better believe that I wrote down as much notes as possible.


We then had to separate based on the sessions we chose when we registered. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it... I didn't exactly choose the right way, but it's way too confusing to explain. There were several sessions, and I attended two. One was about other jobs one can get with a child life specialist certification and skills, while the other was a seminar on True Colors. 

They were both extremely interesting and I learned a good amount of information that I can take with me as  I search for jobs, and become employed in the future. 


We were then dismissed, but not before we received our certificate of attendance, and I snapped a few pictures of course, because even though it was raining, the view was beautiful. I love the city in the winter. 

another month flies by

Can you believe it? October is over and done with, not before an amazing weekend out with friends dressed as who ever we wanted to be. I think that's the best part of Halloween, dressing up as someone you're not. You're essentially being someone else for the day/night. It lets children's imaginations soar, and adult's imaginations to become alive again. 


Friday night I went to a club with my friend Amanda, for our friend's birthday! It was a costume party. Best costume would win a $1,000! An avatar won! She had blue makeup covering her entire body, and hair exactly like the girl in the movie. It was amazing to see such detail and precision that went into making her costume, it wasn't just bought at a halloween store. 

I ended up using a dress I had and being a Geisha girl. Now I don't usually wear makeup so this was a big thing for me! I have to admit, with the chopsticks in my hair and bright lipstick I looked exactly like one!

Amanda, my friend on the right, was KE$HA!

what?! Ke$ha arrested? haha

Gymnast, Lady GAGA, & a Police Officer ;]

After the club we went for a late night snack at where else? McDonalds! Unfortunately, I didn't get home until 3:30 in the morning, and with only 4 hours of sleep before work, I ended up doing homework & relaxing the rest of the day and night. I didn't end up going out to any party Saturday night. However, Sunday was actually Halloween and I was determined to go out no matter what. I slept a good amount and was ready to go. Before anything, I dressed my dog in her adorable costume for only $10.00 at Target! 

An ICE CREAM SUNDAE ! She absolutely hated it and refused to move when the banana was on her head, therefore, I didn't take her out trick or treating. 

I, however, did go trick or treating, with Amanda. I bought a $22.00 shirt at Hot Topic, $7.00 leggings at Kohl's that could always been worn again, a cape I found in the attic and was....

BATGIRL ! 

We ended up going trick or treating around towns, but it was difficult because everyone had there lights out early. We didn't get too much candy, but we got enough to last us a week or two, and who need more candy then that right?

I loved this Halloween, not only was I smart with my money, but I had a great time. 

I hope everyone else enjoyed their Halloween, just as much as I did.