Happy Birthday to Me!

So blessed and grateful for everything that has happened to me during this last birthday year.  :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday and I'm celebrating a very special one this year! Let's just say I'm old enough to drink, old enough to remember who shot J.R. on "Dallas" and Brandon and Brenda Walsh on "90210" (the original shows, not the new versions), yet I'm still too YOUNG to qualify for a senior discount or collect Social Security! ;-)

This past Sunday, my parents, my sister, my brother and one of my nieces (my oldest niece and her hubby, and my nephew couldn't make it since they live out-of-town and out-of-state) and I went out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. We had dinner at a nice restaurant, which is located about 20 minutes south of where I live. When we all finished our respective dinners, I was the only one who did not bring home any leftovers. At one point, the waiter shows us an array of desserts and we tell him that we won't be ordering any dessert tonight. Then about 5-10 minutes later, a few waiters and waitresses came to our table and brought me a cowboy hat to wear, and then sung "Happy Birthday" to me. They also brought me an ice cream sundae with one candle lit.

However, today on my actual birthday, my good friend "C" took me out to lunch. Then I had an errand to run and then celebrated a low-key dinner at home with my family, minus my niece, who had to work this evening.

I would just like to say that I'm very thankful for being able to celebrate another birthday. I'm also grateful for my health, the roof over my head, my friends and most of all my family. :-)

I hope this new milestone brings me many more opportunities and helps me get closer to accomplishing a few of my lifelong goals within the next year.

Happy Birthday...

To ME!! This is literally the last birthday I'll be celebrating because from here on out, it will all be downhill! Just kidding!

The months leading up to my birthday seemed to go by pretty fast. I had some good days, as well as some bad days that I don't wish to discuss. However, I will say this much...I'm so GRATEFUL for my good health, for having a roof over my head and for having a great family and a few good, close friends. :-)

I'm looking forward to counting down the next 365 days until my next birthday because the next one will be a memorable one!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, I survived another year! Between my last birthday and today, I found myself spending a lot of time traveling, which I had always hoped to do. I spent most of '08 and '09 traveling up and down California to go see my favorite music group, NKOTB. Thanks to them, I've gotten to meet a lot of new friends and have become addicted to Twitter! Coincidentally, I have been the happy recipient of two tweets by none other than the leader or 'charismatic one' himself, Donnie Wahlberg! He's just as much a sweetheart with a big heart, as is Jonathan Knight, who you all {yes, all three of you!} know I've been crushing on since I was 16 years old!

Earlier this year, I got promoted at my job. I was getting the run-around at work and waited three months until the paperwork finally went through...only for the promotion to be taken away at the beginning of July when the California budget crisis led me to take a major pay cut. :( At that moment in time, I told my supervisors that I was going to have to look for another job, which I am still looking for. Yes, it's THAT bad in California!

Around May, I got reacquainted with an 'old' crush. I got the nerve to stop by his place of business a few times, but never had a real conversation with him. Eventually, my heart got broken yet again a few months later when I saw him with his ex-girlfriend. I quickly moved on.

About two weeks ago, I took my parents to visit my mother's siblings and their families in Southern California and Baja CA. The last time we saw the family was three years ago when we attended my cousin's memorial service. I love visiting my extended family (and yes, I have many, many cousins), who I don't get to see very much. On the last day we were in Baja, my cousin Ben gave and said something to my parents that ultimately made me become an emotional wreck. So up until the time we left, he made fun of me because I was still crying! My Baja cousins ALWAYS make us feel welcomed when we go to visit them. I will blog more about my Baja trip in another blog.

A few months ago, I started experiencing more feelings of regret. I've felt that I haven't accomplished much in my life nor do I get the respect I deserve. I went back to college a few years ago, but am only taking a few classes here and there since I really need to work. I intend to continue with school and complete all the necessary classes so that I can eventually transfer one day, but it may take me a while longer.

I'm not sure what lies ahead for me, but I can only hope it's something good and for which I've worked hard for. My current motto is that I'm going to focus more time in making myself happy. I have yet to see what is out there for me. It may be a new job in another city or traveling. Whatever it is, there may be some challenges along the way, but I have faith that I'll overcome them.

Here is to another year of living with good health and happiness, and exploring all the possibilities that are yet to come!

Another Year Older & My Last Adventure for '08

Well, it's that time of year again when I can add another laugh line or wrinkle to my face. Yes, I celebrate another birthday! I can honestly say that this year has been like a roller coaster...I've had a few ups and downs. I had a little health scare in early August, but thank God it was just a false alarm. I was laid off in early January, which put me in a funk the next few months. Not long after did I hear a rumor that a certain 80's singing group, who I loved as a teen, was reuniting. Once the rumors were true, my life started getting a little better.


Speaking of that group, as you know, I was fortunate to have met them twice this year. Will it be 3rd times the charm come next week? Whatever is meant to happen will happen. Unfortunately, I don't have VIP tickets this time around, but I do have great seats! My friend M and I are headed to Southern California to see the last two shows: San Diego on Nov. 25th & LA on the 26th. We leave for LA on the 22nd, attend a special event {I'll fill you in on the details later} on the 23rd, and will then drive down to San Diego & stay with my niece on the 24th. My other niece is flying in on the 24th and she, her sister and I will be attending the SD show together, while my friends T & M will in the VIP section. My nieces have NEVER been to an NKOTB concert and I can't wait to tell them the surprise on the day of the show: our seats are right next to the B Stage! This is the rotating stage in back of the arena, where the guys will head to in the middle of the show and will perform a few songs. I'm going to do my best to catch Jonathan's attention again because, after all, his birthday is on the 29th! Finally, M & I drive back to LA on the 26th to see the guys for the last time this year. I'm going to be so sad when it's all over. Well, at least I have something to look forward to for next summer!

I really intend to enjoy myself during my little vacation/adventure. I'm going to meet up with a few other Blockhead friends--some from the Bay Area & others from So Cal--at both shows. Then hopefully on the last day we're in town, three LA friends and I are planning on getting together to celebrate our fabulous November birthdays! :) Hey, who knows. Maybe I'll run into Michael Vartan while I'm in LA. That would totally make my year!

Details to follow upon my return, on Thanksgiving Day. :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, today I celebrate another birthday. I really don't feel any different than before. I haven't noticed any new wrinkles, though I'm sure there's a gray hair or two hiding somewhere. :( I do know that I have lost a few pounds within the last week or so. It must be from all the STRESS that I've been dealing with lately.

On this birthday milestone, I'm making a few wishes and they are: To be happy, to have good health, to have luck in finding a permanent job, and to hopefully meet "Mr. Right"! :)