So this is what happened….

It's about that time. The time to reflect back on everything that has happened this year, 2013 seemed like a rough one for everyone around me. Even though tragedies surrounded other family members and friends, God was still watching over my close loved ones because we all managed to stay healthy and survived "lucky 13." It's so cliche to write up a year in review, but I think we all do it mainly for ourselves so that we can record and reminisce on all our mini adventures.

So this is what happened….

• January I was able to visit San Diego for the first time. It wasn't the most ideal visits because it was cloudy and raining my entire time in "Sunny San Diego!"
• Uncle Franco sadly passed away in February. It was such a tragic and heartbreaking moment. It was a Friday, I was excited to get through the day and all of a sudden I receive a text from BJ and a missed call from Mom that Uncle Franco died of a heart attack. 
• March 14, 2013: I learned what the word cholecystectomy meant. Little did I know that the "minor" stomachaches that I was having in the previous months were leading to gallbladder disease. I woke up 3 nights in a row with really bad pains, the last night I woke up was so bad that I had to be taken to the ER. The ER doc was quick to diagnose me and the specialist I saw a few days later schedule me that same week for the removal of my gallbladder. It all happened so fast. 
• April was spent recovering. I wasn't able to do the G-town half Ironman, but Ate Mia was able to complete it for me. It was a good workout for her to prepare herself for the full Ironman a month later. If it wasn't for dad, I wouldn't have been able to run almost exactly a month later sans gallbladder. Mom also completed her first 10K!
• In May, lots of things happened. BJ and I finally decided it was time to open up a food truck, so we found and used FedEx truck online and started our Sticky's Chicken venture. Then Mom & Dad went to the Philippines and left me with an ailing brother. BJ was going through his own stresses and I had to just be there to help him through his "aches & pains." It's not fun watching people suffer in so much pain and you really can't do anything about it. Ate Mia also completed her first Ironman! She was the first woman I know personally to have ever completed such an epic race.
• Dad talked me into doing another marathon with him. So in June, we signed up for the Houston Marathon lottery and were picked. Happy Father's Day Dad! lol.
• My entire July was spent by randomly confessing old secrets and trying to make sense of it all. I am not one to easily share the secrets in my heart, because I fear unhappy endings. It was my first time to really put myself out there, and now looking back… I'm left with a piece of my heart chipped away, but no regrets. 
• August I had to suck it up, stay strong and simply move on. I truly learned that you can never tell who you will fall for or ever understand why. Thank goodness I had Cape Cod to look forward to and help me get through this month.
• Deven was brought into this world! September was a time to remember for my BFF.
• I was able to hire a friend and she started working full time in October. One of the best hires ever. Work was actually starting to become bearable. 
• I was just thankful that my family made it to November. By this time it seemed like there was a friend or family that passed every month.
• December…. here I am. The food truck is in it's last step, waiting for inspection. The family is outside sleeping in this cold house and I'm ready to find my new life… weather it be in Texas or in another state, I'm seriously ready to move on from my current state of mind.

And there it is….. that's what happened in 2013. 

Happy New Years to my few readers, let's make the new year memorable!!

My Darling

No one can choose who they fall for

Or when they fall, or how they fall, or why

I, well I fell for you and I must wait

It's only a matter of time...

Bye Felicia!

The only time I really cared for football was in high school. I was in the marching band, so we had no choice but to understand the game and cheer on the Pearland Oilers. Those were some memorable days. Life after high school, I went to one college football game. I never really got into it after that. 

When women start watching football, it's usually due to the fact that you're dating a man who has a passion for it. I remember one MNF sitting on the couch with my significant other trying to understand why we had to watch this when there were more important things to watch on a Monday night. Then I started to lose my Sundays. 

"Babe, (favorite team) is playing. I'll call you after this game.."

Are you kidding me?! I was hung up on so he can watch other MEN on the field trying not to kill each other over an odd shaped ball?!?! Then it turned into…

"We're going to watch 'the game' at _____ sports bar, are you coming?"

Wait, what?! I never understood it, I actually hated it. I hated the fact that for months at a time I was losing him to some stupid game at least once a week. UGH! BUT, like a good girlfriend, I just gave in and watched. I mean, I kind of understood how the game was played anyway. I figured if I wanted to spend time with him, it's best to just try and watch whatever game was going on instead of sit there jealous that the TV was getting more attention than me. 

A few football games later (and realizing who Tom Brady was), it hit me. I finally understood why this game was so exciting. It's not like basketball where you can have 4-5 consecutive games in a row, sometimes back to back. Or not like baseball whose seasons feel never-ending. Football is a lot more exciting than that! Any given Sunday, any team can win. Each team has ONE game ONCE a week. You only have ONE chance a week to play your heart out and with that on the line, how can it not be exciting…. absolutely ANYTHING can happen!! I understood the hype.

I'm a Texans fan. No matter what crazy losing streak we've had past and present, it just feels right to root for the home team. With this insane season coming to an end, I look forward to a new era. As fans to a losing team, it sucks and brings you down…. but damn when they are on a winning streak… that's a natural high you can't get anywhere else! 

I always told myself that I would never be one of those girls who do or like certain things because their boyfriend enjoys it. Well, I'm glad I gave in on this one. I will never forget how fun and exciting it was to see the Houston Rockets win back to back Championships. I can't wait for this to happen with the Texans!!

Coach Kubs, it was fun while it lasted. I hate to see anyone get fired, but I'm kind of glad you did. 

Here Come the Holidays

After Halloween, it's pretty much Christmas season already - at least all the stores make us think so. Then come the Holiday commercials after Thanksgiving. The poor Pilgrims and Indians almost don't have their holiday anymore.

As Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close and December peers her head around the corner, I can't help but to reflect on the year that has passed. So many tragedies around me and prayers needed by all this year. It feels as if God is telling us to unite, be strong and pray.

People will come and go in your life and sometimes they're gone forever. I've truly learned this year that you should always express yourself no matter the circumstances because you may never have that chance again. Life is an adventure, but it's also short. Don't live in a world of "what if's" because you'll be stuck in a world of regrets.

There's one more month of 2013, let's end the year on a strong note.

Moving On...

It takes some time

God knows how long

I know that I can forget you

As soon as my heart stops breaking'

Anticipating

As soon as forever is through

I'll be over you.

Stupid Toto song 😳

Helping Our Fellow Human Beings

We need to come together as human beings and pray for those in desperate need. Please come & support if you're looking for something to do Friday night. 

Event: Vigil for the Philippines 
Location: City Hall
901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Date: Friday, November 15th 2013
Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm

Followed by – mini Adobo Hoedown
Location: Dean's Downtown
316 Main
Houston, TX 77002
Time: 9:30pm - Close

As Lovers Go

"This is easy as lovers go, so don't complicate it by hesitating.

This is wonderful as loving goes.

This is tailor-made, what's the sense in waiting."

One of my pet peeves is indecision. There are things in life that you should take time to decide on, but sometimes when the feeling is right…. just go for it! Why hesitate? We live in a world of procrastination and we make ourselves believe that it's ok to put it off until tomorrow. What if tomorrow never happens? You might end up missing out on something amazing. 

Life is unpredictable and nothing is perfect. If we hesitate on decisions, especially with matters of the heart, we could end up living a long and unhappy life. If we aren't afraid to say "YES" every once in a while, it will open the door to discover new adventures. Hearts may be broken, but "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Delaying is a natural reaction to fearing the unknown, but the unknown is where you will always be if you don't take a leap of faith. 

"I said, 'I've got to be honest, I've been waiting for you all my life." 

All Day, Every Day

I don't need an entire month dedicated to being thankful, I'm thankful for every day that I wake up.

Something to be Proud of

I can't wait to share a piece of my family with the rest of the world!

You.

“Talking about someone who makes you happy actually makes you happy.” 

― Elizabeth Scott, Bloom

Don't let your dreams be dreams...

Everyone needs a little inspiration. Sometimes we all get too consumed with work, family and daily life dramas that we tend to forget our own personal aspirations. Here's a little reminder:

It's the Little Things in Life...

Despite the craziness of the last few days, He still finds a way to make me smile. Thank you Jesus for the small  & simple things in life.

IMY

Fate fell short this time, your smile fades in the summer...

Endless Summer Music

"It feels good to be the one that you want...

when all I want is you...."
                                       -- Never Fade

I'm a sucker for really good lyrics. Jack Johnson's new album is pretty amazing. Good ol' Jack is back. I wasn't a big fan of the last 2 albums, so I was a little hesitant about this one. The sound is so simple and the music is so relaxing. The album makes you feel like you're sitting with him on the beach around a fire. If you liked In Between Dreams, you'll definitely love this one! Listening to this brings me back to the summer when we would spend hours at the beach and then drive home listening  to Jack after an epic surf session. Miss those endless summer days. 

Vanities

Vanity of vanities, says Quohelth,
vanities of Vanaties! All things are vanity!
Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and yet to another who has not labored over it, he must leave property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune. For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? All his days sorry and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This is also vanity.

-- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

I went to Sunday Mass in Dickinson on Saturday. That was my first time at this church and apparently it's also a shrine. It's a small humble church with the interior that looked like it was built in the '70s. The church wasn't filled, but there was enough people that my brother and I had to look for open seating that was easily accessible (we were a few minutes late).

The priest had a beautiful Homily that truly hit the spot. He reminded us of the "vanities" in our lives that hold us back. He wasn't talking about materialistic items that we can touch and feel, but the vanities in our hearts and minds that keep us from God. He asked us to write down the things running through our minds that we need to "let go" of. It was a perfect mass, almost felt like God wanted me to be there to listen to the Priest. He couldn't have said it best.

I was reminded that all the current worry in my heart is needless and will just consume my entire being if I continue to hold on to it. All this mental burden is like the rope that ties down the hot air balloon to the ground. If you never let go of the rope, you will never be able to drift into space to see the beauty of the world from the sky. Don't hold pain, worry and stress in your life.... or you'll never be able to enjoy it.

Thank you God for reminding me once again to put my trust in you. I trust that you will take care of me in the next few months and all my prayers will be answered.

Music, The Universal Language

Have you ever listened to a song, and at the end of if you felt some type of emotion? Songs are very powerful ways of expressing how you feel. I've said it before, it's a damn good song if it reminds you of a horrible incident, yet you can still listen to it.

Sometimes when I feel a certain way, my music will reflect it. My running is a perfect example. If I feel relaxed and plan on running for miles on end, I can only listen to acoustics, easy melodies, and calm voices to get me in my zone. In retrospect, when I'm getting ready for a big night I can't help but listen to upbeat tempos that get me moving and excited for the evening.

I love songs with beautiful lyrics. A lot of the old songs have simple sounds, yet their words are amazing.

John Lennon's "Imagine" always makes me feel inspired.

What song inspires you?