Oldies

I found some old pictures on my computer last night and decided to share...... =)

Just Sad =(

I'm just sad today. I don't have anyone to talk to about it at the moment, so I'm going to blog about it instead. Yay for internet medium outlets?

I have to admit, I've always been the one who leaves. I've never experienced being the one left behind. The closest I came to that was when Summer left for Australia. But technically, I had already left her when I moved to PA. Hmmm...

Anyway, my best friend Janelle just moved to Florida today. I'm happy for her. She's going to have a lot of opportunities with Disney World. Heck, if I wasn't married, I'd be going too. Selfishly, I am sad. She is my only friend/family here... Ladies, you understand! You love your husband but you still just need that special girlfriend sometimes...

Part of the reason I was ok with moving back to CA (a state I honestly loath sometimes) was because I'd at least be with my BFF again. So, now I just feel sad and lost. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for those Disney World trips... and there's always Skype/text/e-mail/Facebook.... I guess I'm just a little more sad than the average friend because she was also my roommate. There's an empty space in our apartment now. I've never lived in California without her. So, it's just weird.

Seven years ago, I moved to CA with my best friend. Five years ago, I met my husband. Three years ago, we moved to PA. Last year, we moved back. And today, my best friend moved away.

SO... who wants to visit this lonely lady???!!!

I'm Running A Half Marathon... Say What?!

I was reading an article about something new Disney was doing when information about a Princess marathon caught my eye. The Disney Princess Half Marathon to be exact. The more I read in to it, the more I wanted to do it. Which, is simply crazy because I don't even run. Ever. But sometimes, once an idea gets in my head, I pretty much end up just doing it.

So, dun dah da dun, I'm running a half marathon in February!

I've already started training- which basically means I've actually started running... and boy, is it hard. In fact, it hurts. My shins were hurting and my lungs were hurting... Apparently I have to watch HOW I run and HOW I breathe. I didn't realize there was a technique!

Luckily for me, I've had lots of encouragement and support- which is a definite life saver. Try doing something you hate and see how long you last without people believing in you. Jan-Michael, Mele, Vanessa, Janelle, Summer, Amber, Mom and Dad are the first on the list that I hope will grow.

I'm keeping a separate blog about the run. You can read about the marathon, laugh at our training, or make a donation by visiting http://teambelieve2011.blogspot.com/. Believe it, we're doing it!

American Girl Looses Another Doll.... um, Employee

Janelle's last day at American Girl was last Sunday. Hard to believe she has been there for 4 years and didn't even know what American Girl was!

Jan-Michael and I, along with the help of Arevik, surprised Janelle with some balloons... which, by the way, were delivered by Samantha! The pictures are just priceless!!!



Because she was at work still and had to actually, um, work, we couldn't have a photo session with her. SO Samatha took Janelle's place and we took pictures of her around the store. They are just funny!


Janelle and Jan-Michael actually got a job in the cafe at the same time. Here they are for the last time together in the dining room! Bittersweet!

Surprise Date with Frankenstein

I had a wonderful idea to take Jan-Michael on a surprise date to see In The Heights at the Pantages Theatre. Well, I missed it. However, it was like it was meant to be because Young Frankenstein took it's place. If you know my husband, you know that this was a better choice anyway. So I secretly bought tickets and told him to dress up! He still had NO idea where we were going when we got in the car. And I think it threw him off that Lindsey and Janelle were coming too. He said he thought we were going to some premiere or something. haha! Obviously he finally figured it out as we pulled in to the Pantages parking lot and you could see Young Frankenstein pictures and signs everywhere. The funny thing is that the day after I bought the tickets, he saw a commercial for Young Frankenstein on TV and stated that he wanted to see it. =) =) =) haha!

Jan loved every part of Young Frankenstein (ok, minus the few F-bombs and some sexual innuendos). His favorite part was when Dracula came to buy real estate! He loved the sets, the backgrounds, the outfits... It was right up his alley. I think I was a little tired because I didn't seem to laugh as much. Of course, compared to Legally Blonde and Wicked, I guess it doesn't quite rank up for me. But it was still pretty cute.

I think we may start as series with the Pantages theatre. I have been missing touring Broadway shows! Some great ones are coming this season too, so you never know...

Atlantis

Have you ever worked at a company that had an office party... outside the office? Not a party for clients, or brokers, or managers only- a party for the employees!?!

The company I work for knows how to throw a party. Probably because they have a party planner on their payroll =p The theme was Atlantis and it was very "under the sea". Appetizers were served when you arrived, which was a table of goodies and a taco stand (the guy made 3 kinds of tacos too). There was a bartender and 3 gambling tables. We were all given $500 in chips and could play poker, black jack or roulette. Then a couple hours later, we were served dinner which was yummy kabobs, rice, hummus, grilled vegies, and lots of other goodies. After dinner was cake, pastries and champagne.


The best part about this party was the fact that we got to bring our significant others! So, Jan-Michael got to join me, and Siaki got to join Mele in meeting all our co-workers. After eating some yummy tacos and drinking some yummy drinks, we pretty much stayed at the roulette table. Not being a gambler, I wanted to learn how to play this fun looking wheel game. Luckily, the roulette dealer was really nice and showed everyone how to play. I think she enjoyed herself because we were all laughing a lot. It was a pretty fun game I have to admit. Vegas, here I come! haha! In the end, Jan-Michael ended up with the 2nd highest number of chips =) Of course, I gave him mine and ran off to take pictures haha. After the gambling was over, the people with the highest number of chips won a prize! So, Jan-Michael won a Jamba Juice gift card! Dinner was fun because we talked to some co-workers that I don't normally get a chance to talk to at work. Including a very funny, very intelligent 10 year old boy. He had our whole section laughing! After dinner, although we were stuffed, we joined our CEO at the cake and had a mini ceremony. The cake was so-so, but the chocolate cake balls were delicious!!

Normally when you think of going to a company party, you sort of roll your eyes and dread the day it comes. However, our party was so much fun we are still talking about it at the office! So, give those parties a shot... you might just have a good time =)

Picnics with Coworkers

First of all... it's 8/9/10! That's just cool...

One beautiful sunny weekend, we had a picnic in the park! My coworker Mele and I planned a fun picnic with our husbands and dogs! They live in the beautiful mountains and knew the perfect location for a fun picnic. The park was on a hillside with lots of green grass, clean bathrooms, shady ramadas, and even a vineyard! At first, Sparkles wasn't too fond of Rocky, but they soon became friends (much to my surprise). We had yummy food and breezy warm weather. Thank you Mele and Siaki for the wonderful picnic!





Old Republic, the company I work for, is in one of a cluster of three high rises in Pasadena. The building office has a picnic BBQ every year for it's three building's tenants. They set up tents in the courtyard, had a band playing, gave away prizes, and of course, had yummy BBQ food. It was pretty hot, but we enjoyed getting out of the office. Here are some of my co-workers =)

5th on the 55th! Disneyland and Dating Anniversary!

Two weeks ago, Disneyland turned 55! Janelle and I learned that the 55th was going to be a celebration with lots of things going on at Disneyland. Not as huge as the 50th, of course, which lasted almost 2 years.... but still, an anniversary party!

Janelle and I decided to get a big group together and make shirts. Our first idea was maps of Disneyland from different time eras. However, that was squashed when Zazzle cancelled our order because of "copy right issues". With only days to think of something new, we went to Michaels/Jo Ann's, bought differet colored solid shirts, some iron on 55's, and iron on transfer paper. We decided to print Walt Disney's opening speech on our shirts. Then everyone could decorate theirs however they wanted. Seems easy enough. The shirts ended up becoming a hassle and so much drama... the printer stopped working, someone printed them backwards, the iron was left at someone's house, the new transfer paper wouldn't come off... You name it, it happened. But in the end, it was worth the sweat and tears as we were approached repeatedly with "Where did you get your shirt!?!"


From left to right: Jan-Michael, me, Gene, Domonique, Brianna, Janelle, Lindsay, Teresa, Dianna, Nathan, Arevik... July 17, 2010 55th Crew!

The day started bright and early for Nathan, Janelle, Lindsay, Arevik, Jan-Michael, myself and Sparkles. In fact, we put in a WHOLE day of Disneyland fun- open to close. I haven't done that in a while... We dropped Sparkles off at the kennel's and immediately joined Nathan in line at the Disney Gallery event (see poster). This event was the first of many to come, however, the one that took the MOST time. Meanwhile, Lindsay and Arevik grabbed fast passes and went on rides while we inched forward in our line. Janelle and I decided, prior to entering the park, that we just wanted ONE thing to commemorate the 55th- a ceramic cup (replica of a 1960's paper cup used at Disneyland). As we got closer and closer to the Gallery doors, we were informed that the 1,955 edition size was sold out. However, after waiting an additional hour and a half (totaly of 3 1/2 hours), they were re-stocked and we were able to purchase the cups. I'm telling you this because we felt like we had won the Golden Ticket!! We held our bags like it was real treasure and carefully locked them away in our lockers! We got it! We got it!





To celebrate the 55th, Disneyland also had 55th birthday cupcakes and special park maps. Directly after obtaining our special 55th merchandise, we went hunting for the birthday cupcakes. To our surprise, they were already sold out! However, we found ONE that was slightly imperfect- there was NO 55th birthday topper. We decided to get it anyway. Of course the wonderful Cast Members asked the candy maker to add a Mickey Mouse topper. So we had a one of a kind cupcake! Too bad it tasted pretty gross!







There were two major events that day, 1)a dedication ceremony (just like opening day) 2)park wide "Happy Birthday" singing time. The dedication ceremony took place while we were in line at the Gallery, so Janelle and I ran over to videotape/take pictures. It was blazing hot, much like opening day. The played Walt's speech and a Cast Member talked about how he was one of the first kids to run across the draw bridge and in to Sleeping Beauty's castle. Kids were singing, characters ran out, doves were released, confetti went flying... it was pretty cute.

Later on was the scheduled singing of "happy birthday" to Disneyland. Nathan was participating in the singing, so he told us to wait for him in Town Square. What we didn't know was that Cast Members planned a secret surprise- a Flash Mob! After everyone sang happy birthday, Cast Members and
characters rushed in to the street and performed a dance! We actually found Nathan in all the chaos of fun! Then the characters stuck around to take pictures with everyone. Check out this photo that shows how crowded it was! You can play "Where's Waldo" and try to find the Disney characters!!















On this special day, Jan-Michael and I also celebrated our 5 year dating anniversary! Why not celebrate our 5th on the 55th?! Above is a picture from our first date. We decided to re-create the picture on the pier. What do you think!?! Check out the differences (besides us of course!). We broke away from the group and had a special World of Color reservation dinner at Wine Country Trattoria. It was a yummy 3 course meal. Because we did the dining experience, our World of Color tickets were in a special reserved area, so we didn't have to worry about getting there early. Jan-Michael finally got to see World of Color! There is one part where they play our wedding song "So Close", so it was pretty romantic =)



Afterwards, we met back up with the group and watched Fantasmic- thanks to Nathan who secured us seating with the director! SWEET! We then ran around and went on some rides (finally). So concludes our 55th adventure. I hope I helped you feel like you were there, celebrating with us!

P.S. We happened to be at Disneyland the SAME TIME as Holly, Jake and their adorable daughter, McKenzie! Doh, but I didn't take a picture! Thanks for meeting up with us Holly! It was SO FUN!