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Fabulous Friday

January 3, 2014 by eatteachblog 3 Comments

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a great time celebrating. Me? I curled up on the couch and fell asleep by 10:30PM.

In my defense, the onesie was ridiculously comfortable.

So I just celebrated NYE according to EST. Don’t judge me.

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In other news, I’m heading back up to the bay tomorrow. Back to reality. So I spent the last few days catching up with a few friends.

On Wednesday, I got to see Sam, Bella, and Will. We grabbed lunch at Ruby’s (haven’t been there since high school!) and spent some time at the beach. The last time I saw the three of them was when we celebrated my birthday in Long Beach last year.

It’s crazy how much kids can grow in 6 months. Will is already talking a ridiculous amount.

Yesterday, I hung out with Randy and Kent. At Souplantation. Oh the memories.

And this morning I got to see Anh/Mullet (Mullet is his UniCamp name). I met Anh back in 2008 when we did a UniCamp session together. And, even though we rarely see each other, he remains a very special person in my life.

We grabbed coffee from Portola, sat down, and immediately jumped into some great conversation. Anh is well-known for his insightful thoughts and wise words. (Add a little alcohol in the mix and this guy can talk for hours. It’s the best).

Somehow I always walk away from our conversations feeling a little more content with life. He has a way of making people feel really great about who they are and what they do, but at the same time, pushing them to challenge themselves a little more than they would otherwise.

Discussing my 2014 goals with him was really beneficial. More on that in the next post. For now, I’m going to go enjoy my last night with the family.

Hope you all are having a fabulous Friday! 🙂

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What are your 2014 goals?

Top 13 Events of 2013

December 31, 2013 by eatteachblog 4 Comments

One of my favorite aspects of blogging is the ability to look back at old posts and remember the details, the events, the people in my life. Being able to review these posts and relive some of these great experiences is the main reason I started this blog.

I had so much fun writing this post because it allowed me to see how, in just one short year, so many special memories were created.

1) January 2013 – I went to Big Sur with two of my most favorite people in the world.

It was an unforgettable trip – completely removed and disconnected from distractions. I also discovered soy creamer on this trip and that’s been pretty life changing. Randy also discovered that some fireplaces require more than just a push of a button.

2) February 2013 – I experienced my first bike-riding-&-wine-tasting adventure in Healdsburg. That is definitely a trip worth repeating.

3) March 2013 – I got to experience Yosemite National Park with my 8th graders.

Over the course of the week, I fell in love with everything about the experience.

And it became one of my most favorite places in the world.

4) I was asked to be a bridesmaid for the very first time.

5) April 2013 – I went to San Antonio for the first time and got to attend my very first CEC conference.

I also got to see this little munchkin, which is always a plus.

6) Also in April 2013 – I went to DC for the very first time to visit Sister.

It was probably one of our (The Budhraja Family) favorite, most memorable trips we’ve ever taken.

7) May 2013 – I flew down to San Diego for Rachel’s bachelorette party. It was so great to celebrate Rachel and meet all of the special people in her life!

It was also the month we celebrated Rachel and Adam’s wedding, a beautiful, BEAUTIFUL couple.

8) June 2013 – I left my job at Cupertino Middle School to work at Rocketship.

It was a really difficult transition and I still miss my CMS family so much. However, I am really happy with my decision to work at Rocketship. It is a very good fit for me at this point in my life and I am thrilled to work with my little monsters.

9) June 2013 – I went to Vegas for Joy’s bachelorette party. Vegas is always a good time. This trip was no different. #foreveryoung

10) July 2013 – I flew out to the east coast again for my cousin, Anku’s, wedding. It was so much fun to welcome Nick to the family and so nice to see family members I haven’t seen in YEARS!

11) Also in July 2013 – I went to Hawaii for Andrew and Joy’s wedding.

In addition to wedding festivities, we did our own exploring on the island of Oahu.

Day 1 of Hawaii

Day 2 of Hawaii

Day 3 of Hawaii

Day 4 and 5 of Hawaii

Day 6 and 7 of Hawaii

Snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles was probably one of the top memories of 2013.

12) August 2013 – I met, moved in, and fell in love with my roomie. She makes my life so happy just by being in it.

13) September 2013 – I drove down to Pismo Beach to celebrate Kirstin and Brian getting married. Kirstin is one of the first friends I made at UCLA – she is one of my favorite people in the world and I feel so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to celebrate with everyone who loves her!

2013 was a great year. So many memories, so many experiences, so much love.

I can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for me! 🙂

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Your Turn: Let’s chat! 🙂

What are your two biggest highlights from 2013?

Beautiful SoCal Weather

December 31, 2013 by eatteachblog 1 Comment

Good morning, friends!

Yesterday I spent a lot of time outside enjoying the BEAUTIFUL SoCal weather. It is insane how gorgeous it is and I want to make sure I soak it up before I head out of here.

I woke up at 6AM to meet Chethan at Bolsa Chica Reserve in HB. Made a depressing detour to Starbucks where I found out that red cups are no longer. So sad. And even more depressing because my detour made me miss the sunrise.

But it was still pretty gorgeous by the time I got there.

I want to bring my dad here one day. I think he’d really enjoy it.

After our morning walk, I drove up to Echo Park to see Stephen. I definitely sat through some lovely downtown LA traffic that gave me a little taste of what I’m missing out on by living up north. We went to Brite Spot on Sunset for lunch.

Stephen ordered a breakfast burger.

I ordered a tofu hash.

And we shared a peanut butter chocolate pie. Which was phenomenal. I don’t usually like pie, but this thing was pretty magical.

After lunch, we took a walk to Echo Park and, along the way, stopped to admire a great view of downtown. I really miss LA – traffic and all.

Echo Park Lake went through a two-year rehabilitation project to help remedy pollution and be more sustainable for the community. I guess it recently opened up to the public in June. I never made my way to Echo Park before so I don’t know what it looked like (or smelled like) before, but it was so beautiful.

We walked around the lake and caught up on each other’s lives. It has been a year since I have seen him and I don’t get to talk to him as often as I’d like to. So having the afternoon to spend with him was really special.

One of my many goals for 2014 is to stay better connected with the people I love – Stephen included. Most of my closest friends live hundreds of miles away from me and, though it’s not easy to stay in touch, it’s really important to me that I do. I miss college – where all your friends were within walking distance from your dorm room. Why can’t real life be like that?

I’ve spent some time this week and this morning thinking about what I want 2014 to look like for me. Stephen and I talked about how creating goals, instead of resolutions, were probably more effective. I have a few goals in mind, but am still trying to find ways to track them throughout the course of the year. To hold me accountable and ensure that I am on track to meeting my goal by the end of the year.

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Your Turn: Let’s chat! 🙂

Goals or resolutions? What’s something you want accomplished in 2014?

Fun Facts Friday [12/27/13]

December 27, 2013 by eatteachblog 4 Comments

1) Holy moly. Can’t believe it’s already Friday. In just one short week, I’ll be back on a plane to NorCal. Crazy how quickly time flies when you’re having fun!

2) This is my view right now. It really never gets old.

3) I’m still obsessed with my Polar FT4. I bought one for Sister, but I think she struggles with technology for the most part because hers said she burned 7 calories in 1 hour of running and biking.

4) I’ve eaten Subway three times since I’ve been home (and I’ve been home less than a week). This family’s a Subway-loving family. Aside from Sister who goes through phases of sammy places. Right now, she’s on a Jersey Mike’s kick.

5) I’ve been loving all of these “back-in-our-day” stories that my parents and aunts and uncles keep sharing with me. My dad’s younger sister was in town for X-mas (they left this morning), but I got to hear all these great stories about my dad growing up. I mean, SO many people idolize their fathers. But I feel like I’m reminded how truly remarkable he really is each and every day. With each story I hear, it makes me so, so proud to call him mine.

That picture’s from last year when he came to visit me in NorCal when I first moved up there. He’s just such a cute papa and so childish at heart. I love him so much! 🙂

6) I’m in the process of writing down some resolutions/goals for the new year. I’m not always the best at following through with things – I think I just need to make it a little more goal-focused and measurable. And then find ways to hold myself accountable to each goal – whether it be through a person, a support group, or an actual end product. I have a good feeling about 2014.

7) Speaking of goals, Sister and I registered for the San Diego Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon last night! It’s happening! And I will.NOT.back.out. I don’t trust myself to prioritize the weekday runs – at least not initially – so I’m desperately looking up some training groups. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

6) I’m about to leave and drive up to LA with Ananth and Lynsey. We are going to visit Rachel and Adam at their not-so-new place that I haven’t seen yet! 🙂

Have a wonderful night!

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Share two fun facts about you this week!

Christmas 2013 Highlights

December 26, 2013 by eatteachblog 3 Comments

I can’t believe Christmas is over.

Sister and I were just talking about how the anticipation of Christmas is so much better than the actual day itself.

Now that it’s over, I’m just re-living the last couple of days through pictures:

Christmas in California means that you get to enjoy 80 degree weather.

With mimosas.

And Christmas trees on the beach.

And wine on the beach.

And manicures/pedicures outside in the backyard.

But aside from the weather and the cocktails, the past few days with the family has been so wonderful.

Since the cousins on my mom’s side are spread out all over the US, we have to settle for a Google Chat Secret Santa Hangout.

I got my brother-in-law (who lives in NY) a Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor and Sister got me a Polaroid Camera!

I’m so excited to start using it!

I also got a wine tumbler from my cousin on my dad’s side. It’s SO PERFECT for me. 1) I love straws. 2) I love wine.

I also got to hang out in my onesie. This may happen A LOT more often.

So comfortable.

But my favorite part of X-mas day, HANDS DOWN, was playing Heads Up with the family.

My dad and uncle were running around the living room and acting so silly. They had me cracking up all night. All the pictures were blurry because I could NOT stop laughing.

I’m obsessed with this game. I’m even more obsessed with the fact that the app records the people that are acting. Makes for some funny memories. Here’s a short clip of the family playing. It’s really only funny if you know my dad. Because acting brings out a WHOLE different side of him.

Now I’m off to go watch a Christmas movie with the family. I’m in denial.

Have a good night!!!

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How do you celebrate X-mas Day?

Bake Offs and Best Friends

December 23, 2013 by eatteachblog 5 Comments

Hello everyone! Hope your Monday is as fantastic as mine! (I know so many of you actually had to work today, so I apologize for shoving it in your face). Have I mentioned that I love the holidays? ~~Please don’t shove ME in the face for being obnoxious.~~

Today’s leisurely day consisted of working out, reading, and spending time with the fam.

I’m slightly in love with my Polar heart rate monitor and worked out TWICE today because I’m obsessed with using it. Hey, whatever works, right?

First time was on a morning run:

And the second time was at the gym doing a circuit training.

Plus I needed to sweat out the Moscow Mules + cookies from yesterday’s cookie tasting party.

Yesterday, Sister and I drove down to Carlsbad for the McDonell’s annual Bake-Off. It’s our third year being official tasters and, every year, I am reminded why the McDonell family is quite the special one. They are so full of Christmas spirit and have the wackiest, most ridiculous, but BEST holiday traditions I’ve ever seen!

The cookie bake-off isn’t really a wacky tradition. But the McDonell’s are so cute and competitive and the set-up is always so dramatic that it just makes everything so much more fun!

This year, I voted for Lauren’s (Megan’s younger sister) cookie. Hers was simple and had the one ingredient that always wins me over – chocolate. She made chocolate chip pretzel cookies. I was a fan.

Megan’s parents tallied up the final score…

…while everyone eagerly awaited the winner.

Megan’s cookie won (she made some form of gingerbread snaps, but chewier), and naturally, a victory speech was necessary.

I am so glad that Sister and I flew back to SoCal in time for the Bake Off. The McDonell’s are some of the most welcoming people I know and so much fun to be around!

After we left Carlsbad, we drove back up to Orange County to meet up with some friends from UCLA. We met at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa.

All of them ate dinner at the Yardhouse and I met up with them toward the end of dinner. Luckily, I was able to catch Rachel and Adam and Jeremy and Jackie before they had to head back to LA. It was SO good to see everyone since the last time we saw them was at Rachel and Adam’s wedding in May. It wasn’t too difficult of a goodbye since I’ll be seeing them again this weekend luckily!

After they left, a few of us walked over to Saddle Ranch for a drink (and some really loud entertainment by the bartender).

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – there’s no feeling like the one you get when you’re reunited with some of your best friends from college. The inside jokes never seem to get old. And the laughter never seems to die. I feel so lucky to have stumbled across these incredible people who, whether they like it or not, are my friends for LIFE.

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Who are you reuniting with this holiday season?

The Chinese Gods Are Watching

December 23, 2013 by eatteachblog 2 Comments

Good morning, friends!

I’m currently blogging from here:

With a view of this:

Life is not too shabby. I LOVE the holidays.

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Yesterday morning, I had a fortune cookie with my morning coffee (no, I do not actually eat Chinese food for breakfast. My grandma loves eating fortune cookies with her tea so we have a little stash of them for her).

Now, I’m pretty serious about my fortune cookies. I make sure I eat half, and only half, of the cookie before I read the fortune. Then, after reading the fortune, I can eat the other half. If I do it any other way, my life will be ruined. SO I make sure to stick to my system.

My fortune said:

Amen.

Now this isn’t anything new. I’m already well aware of the fact that exercising makes a person happier. But this little strip of paper was speaking to my soul. I feel pretty content about my life right now. I adore my job. I love my friends. I enjoy living in NorCal. Everything seems to be going well in all aspects of my life. And I think that, when I quit all the things, my life got a lot more manageable when I realized I didn’t have to pay for 25 bootcamps and 38 gym memberships to get a good workout in.

But, as the holidays got closer, my work days got longer, and I found every excuse in the book to skip the gym and sleep instead. Or skip the run and go out to dinner with friends. Truthfully, when you get home between 7 and 7:30 most days, the last thing you want to do is get your running shoes on.

So, I didn’t.

But it’s like the Chinese gods are watching over me and yelling at me because they know I’m being ridiculous.

So, I’ve been really consistent about sticking to a workout regime since winter break started (I know, it’s only been 3 days, but that’s something. Gimme a break). But I want it to be sustainable for when work starts back up in January. I need someone or something to ~~tell me to drop the wine~~ hold me accountable each week. So, Sister and I are going to sit down this week, look at our calendars, and register for a half marathon together. I registered for one two years ago, but backed out because I am a big wimp. But, this time, I’m determined to do it. The Chinese gods are watching.

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