Fun facts! Fun facts! [Published later than usual because it’s SPRING BREAK!]

1) I’m back in Orange County! But only for a few more hours. I’m heading to Vegas this afternoon for Joel’s wedding. So excited to see my 2nd family! 

2) I got to see Veer’s school before I left NorCal yesterday. He was snack captain!

3) Since I drove through LA on my way to OC last night, I stopped by Liz and Evan’s place where I was treated to some homemade sushi. They were prepping me for Japan since me and seafood don’t really get along too well. 

4) I get really confused when I drive on the freeways in SoCal now. In the Bay Area, you’re allowed to drive in the carpool lane during off hours without an additional passenger in the car. Down here, not so much. I wonder if opening up that lane during off-hours would reduce traffic at all. Probably not. 

5) Speaking of my drive yesterday, either 1) I drink more water than I used to or 2) my bladder shrunk. Because I had to stop 4 times to pee. Back in the old days, I was able to drive from LA to the South Bay without stopping at all. The struggle is real. 

Questions of the Day: 

• What is your go-to order at a Japanese restaurant?
• What are you looking forward to this weekend? 

The best part about a 3-day weekend is that it finishes off with a 4-day work week. Now, this can go one of two ways. It can be FANTASTIC because you are one step closer to Friday. OR it can be TERRIBLE because you have to squeeze ALL-the-things into 4 days. I’ll see how today goes and report back.

Saturday:

I woke up super early on Saturday (yet again) and walked the LG trail (yet again).

I know I’m weird, but I’m loving this weekly tradition/routine with myself.

When I got back to the apartment, BethyV and I did the unthinkable. We undressed Fir-Ell, wrapped him up, said our goodbyes, and tossed him in the dumpster.

He was a good Christmas tree. Rest in Peace, Fir-Ell Williams. We will miss you.

After our tearful goodbyes, we walked over to the grocery store to pick up some snacks for our wine tasting outing later in the day. We also got some supplies to make stuffed bellpeppers.

Am I the only one who is amazed at the structural art at the grocery store? Man, someone’s got some pretty impressive stacking skills.

After much deliberation over what salami and cheese to pair together, we all convened at our apartment around noon. To prep, we guzzled water, stretched a bit, and played some pump-up music. You know….all that normal grown-up stuff you do when you’re going to spend an afternoon wine tasting.

 

We started the day off at Burrell School Winery, which was surprisingly not as crowded as I thought it would be for being a Passport Day. We broke out the snacks (even before we tasted the first Chard) because, obviously, as an adult, we make responsible decisions by eating first.

After the snacks and tasting, we moved on to Regale Winery, which was right next door. I had always seen it from the patio of Burrell School, but had never been inside.

 

The view was absolutely stunning and the wine was deeee-licious. We spent a good chunk of time there just soaking in the views. And grapes.

 

We also broke out Snacks Part 2. Because we are so classy.

Our last stop was at Wrights Station. Our stop here reminded me why I bought the passport in the first place. Sure, I get to taste ALL the wines. But, I also get to discover parts of the South Bay that I never even knew existed! This winery was tucked away on a side street off Summit Road. I have driven up and down this road numerous times, but I never would have known it was there.

Absolutely stunning views. And, again, delicious wines.

Since we planned responsibly, we weren’t exhausted by the time we got home. So, Emily and I recharged for a bit (both our bodies and our cell phones) and then decided to go out to San Pedro Square in the evening.

We started off at the marketplace and then walked over to The Wagon Wheel. I wish I had taken a picture of my stamp. I always feel proud of the stamps I collect during a night out. It’s like a reminder that I can be cool sometimes. (I’m clearly a cool kid when I take pictures of my arm on my iPhone and then wave it around and scream “LOOK HOW FUN I AM”…)

Sunday:

Reality hits when you wake up on Sunday morning and you’re not feeling so hot or so cool or so fun. At all. But, don’t worry, Whole Foods makes it look like you’re still having quite the party.

Who needs coffee when you’ve got an After Party?

But we definitely needed a little more sustenance so we drove over to Bagel Guys Bakery, our new favorite bagel place, and got some breakfast sandwiches.

 

After that, I was on the road to see my little monkey who I haven’t seen in AGES. It only took about an hour to get there and, when I parked, he was eagerly waiting at the door for me.

 

He was either waiting for me or the presents I brought. Veer loves surprises.

 

After about a thousand kisses and hugs and squeezes, we bundled up so we could walk over to the park for some swings and slides time.

 

Best friends. Reunited. Once again.

The last time I was here, he was a bigger fan of the slides and a little hesitant about the swings. Things change so quickly when you’re a 3-year old.

 

Veer also went on his first mini hike. We cheered and applauded when he got to the top of the hill and he was SO excited that he got to do something that his papa did.

 

When the sun started to go down, we all walked back home and Veer had dinner and dessert before he passed out from exhaustion.

He went to bed around 6PM. His Bua went to bed around 7:30PM. Twinsies.

Monday:

Bhaiya and I made a trip to Starbucks and Jamba Juice. We love our green and orange straws.

We got back home and Bhaiya had to leave for work. So, Veer, Bhabhi, and I played a little Twister. It’s pretty crazy to me that I get to play all these games and have all these conversations with Veer now. He’s growing up SO FAST.

I got tired before he did. Obviously. So, he transitioned to painting.

I love that he wants to paint the sun blue and the stars green and the trees red. I almost intervened and said, “No way bro. Suns are yellow,” but who am I to squash a 3-year old’s creativity?

We played some more games and ran around and around and around the house (Veer loves running. And I love playing with him. And racking up steps on my Fitbit). And, by around 6:30, the munchkin was ready for bed. He read us a book about pigeons and bathtubs.

Yeah. HE read it. To US. When did that start happening?! Time needs to sloooooowwwwwwww down.

And, just like that, the weekend was over and I made my way back home.

I love the weekend.

Questions of the Day:

• Do you prefer swings or slides?
  
• Chocolate chip cookies or Oreos? 
• Baths or showers? 

(Last day to enter the Adora Calcium Supplements giveaway!! Submit your entries!)

Every time Sister and I are home together, we always go to the gym in Irvine. A little unusual since there is a 24-Hour Fitness in Fashion Island, which is 7-8 miles CLOSER than the Irvine one. But, Sister and I like to go to the one in Irvine because we run in to way too many people at the one closer to home. And then our workout suddenly becomes two hours because we spend half the time chit-chatting with other people.

I think Sister likes to go to the one in Irvine because it’s next to Panda Express, which has both Diet Pepsi and Pink Lemonade in their fountain-drink-machine-thing. (Sister doesn’t blog anymore, which is absurd. But when she did, she wrote a post about her concoction).

Anyway, the reason I’m diving into this long spiel is because, while we were there today, we also bought a bag of fortune cookies for my Nani, who likes to eat them with her chai. I grabbed one out of the bag on the ride home and did my usual fortune-cookie-eating routine of 1) breaking it like a wishbone, 2) eating half of the cookie, 3) reading the fortune, 4) eating the second half. Because if you don’t do it in that order, it won’t come true. Obviously.

I thought the fortune I got was pretty appropriate for my last day at home. I can’t believe the two weeks is up and, in a few hours, I’ll be back on a plane to San Jose. I have had such a wonderful time at home.

I came into this break thinking I would spend a solid 2-3 days catching up on things that I’m behind on at work but, truthfully, I did zero of it. I shut my brain off entirely and completely immersed myself in books, family, and friends.

I also thought I would use this break to eliminate sugars and get back on track to starting 2015 with a BANG! Truthfully, I indulged in all the baked goods and delicious holiday food!

I thought I would make a list of resolutions and set myself up for a “successful” 2015 before the clock struck midnight. Truthfully, I only came up with one resolution.

I thought I would fall asleep before midnight. Truthfully, I stayed up until 12:30 playing Bananagrams with the family. 

And lastly, I thought I could never love another human being the way I love my Veer. And then I met this one. Truthfully, these two babies make my heart explode with SO. MUCH. love and happiness and all that other mushy-gushy stuff.

I am so blessed. My family is my treasure. My family is my everything.

Questions of the Day:

• How do you eat your fortune cookie?
  
• Who was the first person you hugged in 2015? 

In a few hours, I’ll be on a plane BACK to San Jose.

Because, I [obviously] have to spend Christmas with this guy.

I can’t wait.

It is also my half birthday today. So please don’t hesitate to wish me on Facebook, Twitter, and/or any of the other social media options. I’m real big into half birthdays. Especially since mine falls on X-mas Eve.

And, just for shits and giggles:

 

Have I mentioned how much I love my California winters?

Merry X-Mas Eve! And a Happy Half Birthday to me! 🙂

Questions of the Day:

• Do you celebrate your half birthday?

• Where are you celebrating the holidays?