Hello Out There!

Went to my first derby bout last night, and can I just say that I'm even more in love with the idea than I ever was before?

The girls...they just kick SO much ass, it's awesome!

I looked over at Kyle and asked "Do you think I could really do that?"
He replied, "Of course, and I would be so proud of you."

So there it is, this girl is seriously getting her butt in gear...I'm going to have to work so hard, but honestly, at the very least I think I could make it into the Rat Lab (girls who make try-outs practice with the other girls in the Rat Lab until they're chosen by one of the official league teams).

I mean, I'm tough (when I want to be), I'm athletic (when I want to be)...I could totally be an awesome derby girl! I've got the equipment, now I just need to get really good at skating :)

No matter how intimidating the skating rink is this time, I'm going to get out there and just have fun. And if I fall on my ass repeatedly, well it's just good practice for later. And I'll think of it as character building.

Worst case scenario, I'm a horrible skater and my life carries on as normal as usual....best case scenario, I'm partaking in the awesome sport that is roller derby! :)

p.s. Re-animateher, Corre Camino, Anya Heels and Georgia O'grief ...you were so friggin awesome last night...I totally look up to you :)

This past week...

I flew home for the weekend (somehow we didn't miss our flight!)...
The 5th annual Baby Jesus party on Friday was a blast and a half...
I witnessed through watery happy eyes as my best friend became someone's loving wife...
I partied a little too hard at the amazing Shout House on 4th ave in celebration of the aforementioned marriage...
I had my last dinner at Sipz for a long while....I'll miss you vegan sushi :(
I finally lost an air hockey game, as well as a bet involving pies being thrown in my face...
I said goodbye to my dear sweet family possibly until next November...
It snowed in Seattle again, long and hard enough that Kyle and I threw snowballs with Dex, made a snowman named Dennis, and of course, made snow angels side by side :)

We forgot our camera, so I have to wait until Sahar finds the time to upload the San Diego related pictures...and video of me getting pied in the face, hah...so until then, here are some pictures from Kyle and I's snow-venture!

So Long, 2010

So, I've managed to forget to upload pictures from Christmas almost everyday this week, and to be honest, it's not gonna happen tonight either!

But can you blame me, tonight we'll bid farewell to 2010. All the happiness, love, laughter, tears, and sadness that the year was full of...you've been quite the emotional roller coaster!

Nonetheless, cheers to all the new friends, new experiences, new lessons, and new memories!

As for 2011...can I just say I hope you'll be a little more peaceful? That would just be so nice! a girl can dream, right?

So, here are my resolutions: don't laugh, m'kay?
  1. Continue to go to the gym regularly and work towards my health/appearance goals.
  2. Stay in better touch with my dear friends (get better at phone calls/video chats/emails/fb messages, etc)
  3. Look into agility training for Dexter (he'd have so much fun with it!)
  4. Spend more time with my hobbies (photography, crafts, sewing, roller skating, etc)
  5. Try a new recipe at least once a week
  6. Go hiking more often
  7. Travel somewhere new

That's all I have for now, maybe I'll update this before the night is through...

If we don't speak until after midnight, I hope this new year will bring you new happiness and peace :) 

Christmas

I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone!

Our week in San Diego went surprisingly smooth...no complications, no drama...it was really nice :)

I didn't get to spend too much time with friends since we're all so busy, but I almost saw everyone at least once! The majority of my week though was spent with family, which was really nice :) I probably spent too much money on people's presents, but it was worth it to see their delighted faces! Chris unfortunately couldn't make it down with Linda, he spent Christmas in San Louis Obispo with Grandma Julia.

Kyle and I did a lot of running around to see family! Christmas Eve we first did early dinner with his Mom, Kaleb, Auntie B & Uncle Bob & their kids. Then we went to my parent's house to spend time with family and friends. Tamales & Games were followed by our traditional trek to midnight Mass :) Christmas morning was spent with my family with lots of coffee, breakfast, and of course, present opening! Then we went to his Mommy's house and we opened presents, then went over to his Grandma's house where we did more presents and dinner. Afterwards, we once again went back to my parent's house, my mom made Persian food for Christmas day dinner :) Lots of food, games, and good times :)

For the majority of the week, it was as if everything was totally normal and fine...which was such a relief! It was an actual vacation!

I really didn't want to leave...but here I am, second day back in Seattle.

New Year's Eve is on Friday, and I have to confess that I am terrified of the upcoming new year. I mean, sure, there are quite a few things I'm looking forward to...but there are some inevitable things that are approaching quickly. My dad's health, for example, is looking worse and worse. Essentially we are at the end of the line here...my Dad's kidney can no longer function on its own, he goes to dialysis every other day for 4-6 hour sessions. He is exhausted all the time, he can't take more than 5-10 steps without having to stop because he's just so drained of energy. It's really hard to see him as he is...it's just terrifying thinking that he won't be with us much longer. My dad is an essential part to our family's foundation, and I don't know how we'll function without him. It's terrifying to think that it's incredibly likely my dad will pass away in this new year. I mean, the doctors don't even have a "game plan" at this point, sure they put him on the donor list, but the wait is about 5 years. But, honestly, even with dialysis every other day, my dad can't make it another 5 years.

Wow, this topic somehow got really heavy, I was trying to post something light, but I guess it'd be ridiculous to ignore everything but the light happy stuff...but anyway.

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for having had a peaceful, merry Christmas with the people that I love. Hope you had a Merry Christmas too, reader!

This past week...

To quickly summarize...

I finished my fall quarter classes
I watched The Black Swan (very good, and kept me on edge)

I made way too many cookies (sugar cookies, thumbprint pb & hershey kiss cookies, and gingerbread men)
I spent too much on people's Christmas presents (happens every year...hah)
I went to the gym a lot (it makes me feel good!)
I saw Carly for a little bit (I gave her some coffee to soothe her addiction, she gave me a bottle of wine)

Tonight, Kyle and I are packing for San Diego, because tomorrow right after I get off work, we'll be heading to the airport and making our way home :)

I'm really looking forward to seeing our families, and of course, our friends :)

Woo hoo!