My niece got her first bangs haircut. Although she looks a bit wedged in that pillow, isn't she absolutely adorable????
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
The Countdown Begins
Ok, folks, I've got two weekends to get my apartment packed up and ready for the movers. For those unaware, I'm moving out of the good ole Camden Midtown Apartments after a story-filled, 3-year stint at the end of this month. Seeing that my rent at my shoebox is going up about $200 and I already spend way too much for what I have as it is, I couldn't justify paying so much more for a 660 sq ft place no matter how good the location is or moving into a smaller unit at my complex for more than my current rent. Therefore, I've decided to take a hiatus from paying rent altogether and make a pilgrimage back to my country roots of Channelview to Chez Lantaco. I figure what better way to pay off the rest of my debt and rebuild my practically nonexistent savings. It's a tough decision (not to mention a stab at my pride) but probably the smartest thing since I prefer my next move to be into my very own casa rather than another apartment...jeez, this trying to be responsible thing really sucks! And anyway, seeing that this whole "temporarily living with the parents to get ahead" thing is a craze going on with a number of my friends, I figure I'm just participating in the latest fad...hehe.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Crazy in Alabama
This past weekend Matt and I flew into Birmingham, AL...yes, the little islander went to the heartland of cross burnings and church bombings (j/k). I actually think it's very beautiful out there with all the hills and mountains. One of my closest and dearest friends in the whole world Nathan officially entered his 30's on January 14th, so we flew out to celebrate.
The Trio celebrating Nate's 30th and his engagement announcement
Scott met us there along with a number of people I hadn't seen in ages. I loved seeing Nate's family again considering the last time they saw me I was still wearing my porn star highlights (as Nathan loved to call them). It was great getting to spend time with Scott as usual and FINALLY getting to meet Nathan's fiancee Susan who I had heard so much about - CONGRATS by the way on the engagement announcement! I'm so HAPPY for you two!!!!!
The lovely couple - Susan and Nathan
Matt and I take a break from the mix and mingle
Scott with the Panama City Beach Divas Ann and Kristin and Nathan's beautiful little sis Emily
A few things I learned on this trip:
-B'ham is f-ing colder than I remember
-Never get your hair shampooed and blow-dryed by a backwoods twink/Deliverence reject at a mall for a night on the town (I forgot my rolling brush/hairdryer combo and am not coordinated enough to use them as separate styling tools, so I had the bright idea of paying for someone to do it for me... bad idea!)
-Alabama barbecue at Johnny Ray's has beaten out many of the other barbecue establishments in ANY city that I've traveled...and that says A LOT!
-And, downtown Birmingham's homeless have even more tired pickup lines than those in Houston...lol
Also, I want to give a big thank you to Ann for the great pictures you see on this post!!!
And finally, I wanted to send a big CONGRATS to April and Lod...The two were married this past Saturday. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there to witness the beautiful event, but I'm extremely happy I got to speak to April on her wedding day to wish her the best! Lots of love and luck to you both!!!!
The Trio celebrating Nate's 30th and his engagement announcement
Scott met us there along with a number of people I hadn't seen in ages. I loved seeing Nate's family again considering the last time they saw me I was still wearing my porn star highlights (as Nathan loved to call them). It was great getting to spend time with Scott as usual and FINALLY getting to meet Nathan's fiancee Susan who I had heard so much about - CONGRATS by the way on the engagement announcement! I'm so HAPPY for you two!!!!!
The lovely couple - Susan and Nathan
Matt and I take a break from the mix and mingle
Scott with the Panama City Beach Divas Ann and Kristin and Nathan's beautiful little sis Emily
A few things I learned on this trip:
-B'ham is f-ing colder than I remember
-Never get your hair shampooed and blow-dryed by a backwoods twink/Deliverence reject at a mall for a night on the town (I forgot my rolling brush/hairdryer combo and am not coordinated enough to use them as separate styling tools, so I had the bright idea of paying for someone to do it for me... bad idea!)
-Alabama barbecue at Johnny Ray's has beaten out many of the other barbecue establishments in ANY city that I've traveled...and that says A LOT!
-And, downtown Birmingham's homeless have even more tired pickup lines than those in Houston...lol
Also, I want to give a big thank you to Ann for the great pictures you see on this post!!!
And finally, I wanted to send a big CONGRATS to April and Lod...The two were married this past Saturday. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there to witness the beautiful event, but I'm extremely happy I got to speak to April on her wedding day to wish her the best! Lots of love and luck to you both!!!!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Happy New Year!
Hello, all. I'm not very good at keeping up with this thing, I'm on post #2 and realize that these things will probably be few and far between. Who has time to post on these things everyday?!?!
Anyway, on to my NYE recap... I rang in 2006 in the lovely Land of Aloha in Waikiki with Paula, MJ, and Regan. It was fun, fun, fun!
We arrived into Honolulu on December 31st at around 4pm-ish - just enough time to either get rested up or psyched for the night's endevours. We stayed our first three nights at Ohana Royal Islander which was quite the hole...they were actually shutting their doors permanently the day we checked out on January 3rd (so maintenance wasn't a major priority)...rumor has it Trump is looking to buy on that older end of Waikiki that they're revitalizing. We'll see...
Hawaii Nightlife, here we come!!!
We went to this place called Fashion 45 for our new year's eve celebration, which apparently is THE place to be in Waikiki, or at least from what Paula heard over the radio. Good call with us being too lazy to stand in the long (somewhat more ghetto-ish clientele) line at Zanzabar. We had a blast with shots galore (seeing that it's my new year's resolution not to take any shots in 2006, I had to get my fill before midnight) and champagne!
Sunday we had absolutely nothing planned and had lunch at Duke's and lounged on Waikiki beach - actually relaxing on a vacation is so rare, don't you think? Monday was a bit more active. We got up early (still on Houston time), had breakfast, and headed for Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling. It was rainy, so our time there wasn't as pleasant as it could've been but the sun did decide to show itself about the time it was scheduled for our shuttle to pick us up...go figure! Paula and I ended the night sitting by the pool at the Outrigger Reef across from our crappy hotel that night discussing everything and anything.
Tuesday was even more active. We checked out of our hell hole early and checked into the Ohana Beachcomber. Much better!!! The view from our balcony was awesome!
Balcony view to the left of our hotel at sunset- Beautiful Waikiki Beach
Balcony view to the right of our hotel - Gorgeous, green mountains
We set out to hike Manoa Falls after having a phenomenal breakfast at Buzz's Steakhouse - portugese sausage...yummy! The trek was pretty muddy but worth it, and the plant life was extraordinary! Being in the concrete jungles of downtown and midtown Houston makes you forget how green everything can be. After the falls, we had lunch at the Ala Moana Shopping Center (aka the Galleria of Honolulu). Phew! We were all pretty worn out after that hike!
Manoa Falls
Wednesday, we had a rather quick hike up Diamond Head Crater. As usual, it was a spectacular view! Afterwards, we watched Vince Young and the 'Horns kick someTrojan ass! We met one of MJ's friends' friend Roland who was more than hospitable by taking us to a local sports bar called Eastside Bar and Grill by the university to watch the Rose Bowl. It was so happening that the Honolulu Advertiser (the local newspaper) was there taking pictures. According to Roland, MJ made it into two local newspapers. Man, talk about luck! After the the game, we headed for the airport for our red-eye flight back to H-Town. I could've stayed another week, but such is life!
Anyway, on to my NYE recap... I rang in 2006 in the lovely Land of Aloha in Waikiki with Paula, MJ, and Regan. It was fun, fun, fun!
We arrived into Honolulu on December 31st at around 4pm-ish - just enough time to either get rested up or psyched for the night's endevours. We stayed our first three nights at Ohana Royal Islander which was quite the hole...they were actually shutting their doors permanently the day we checked out on January 3rd (so maintenance wasn't a major priority)...rumor has it Trump is looking to buy on that older end of Waikiki that they're revitalizing. We'll see...
Hawaii Nightlife, here we come!!!
We went to this place called Fashion 45 for our new year's eve celebration, which apparently is THE place to be in Waikiki, or at least from what Paula heard over the radio. Good call with us being too lazy to stand in the long (somewhat more ghetto-ish clientele) line at Zanzabar. We had a blast with shots galore (seeing that it's my new year's resolution not to take any shots in 2006, I had to get my fill before midnight) and champagne!
Sunday we had absolutely nothing planned and had lunch at Duke's and lounged on Waikiki beach - actually relaxing on a vacation is so rare, don't you think? Monday was a bit more active. We got up early (still on Houston time), had breakfast, and headed for Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling. It was rainy, so our time there wasn't as pleasant as it could've been but the sun did decide to show itself about the time it was scheduled for our shuttle to pick us up...go figure! Paula and I ended the night sitting by the pool at the Outrigger Reef across from our crappy hotel that night discussing everything and anything.
Tuesday was even more active. We checked out of our hell hole early and checked into the Ohana Beachcomber. Much better!!! The view from our balcony was awesome!
Balcony view to the left of our hotel at sunset- Beautiful Waikiki Beach
Balcony view to the right of our hotel - Gorgeous, green mountains
We set out to hike Manoa Falls after having a phenomenal breakfast at Buzz's Steakhouse - portugese sausage...yummy! The trek was pretty muddy but worth it, and the plant life was extraordinary! Being in the concrete jungles of downtown and midtown Houston makes you forget how green everything can be. After the falls, we had lunch at the Ala Moana Shopping Center (aka the Galleria of Honolulu). Phew! We were all pretty worn out after that hike!
Manoa Falls
Wednesday, we had a rather quick hike up Diamond Head Crater. As usual, it was a spectacular view! Afterwards, we watched Vince Young and the 'Horns kick someTrojan ass! We met one of MJ's friends' friend Roland who was more than hospitable by taking us to a local sports bar called Eastside Bar and Grill by the university to watch the Rose Bowl. It was so happening that the Honolulu Advertiser (the local newspaper) was there taking pictures. According to Roland, MJ made it into two local newspapers. Man, talk about luck! After the the game, we headed for the airport for our red-eye flight back to H-Town. I could've stayed another week, but such is life!
The Crew at Diamond Head - note that I was too short to be seen from behind the sign and had to stand on the back of it...thus, the missing pair of feet...lol
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Let The Fun Begin
Well, this is it.... I've officially entered the blog community. I figure it was bound to happen seeing that everyone has said my life warrants the stuff of books, sitcoms, and/or comedic tragedies. I liken it more to a Spanish soap opera (telenovela- yes, my limited Spanish) - no one understands what's going on but it's always something strange and it's full of dramatics. However, I also know that there is no way that I can fully write the details of my life without suffering some form of recourse from my heathen friends for exposing their misdeeds/embarrassing moments or for incriminating myself in actions I would only be "alleged" to have participated should I never have chronicled them in my blog. So, in other words, this will probably be pretty boring seeing that I have to censor what I say. Hmmm... maybe I'll sensationalize a few things using "false names to protect the involved." What do you guys think? I should probably have some gimmick to keep this interesting. Suggestions?
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