Holiday Parties!!!

I love the holidays, Christmas is my favorite time of year. I have the best memories from Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family.

Already into the third week of December and so much has happened…Jose and I celebrated our One Year Wedding Anniversary and we had two Holiday Parties in one weekend. This past Friday we headed to Yucaipa to celebrate with some of my Alpha Phi sisters for the Alumni party. We had a great time chatting and did an ornament exchange, I ended up with a really cute ornament that fits perfect with my Christmas décor at home. Saturday we had my work’s Employee Association’s Holiday Party at Café Sevilla in Riverside. It was so much fun, open bar, great food and music to dance to all night. Next up is the Keromy’s Christmas party…We can’t wait!!!

Here are a few pictures from Café Sevilla.

One Year Wedding Anniversary!!

So this past weekend Jose and I celebrated our One year wedding anniversary. We just can't believe how quickly the year went it feels just like yesterday we got married. I guess that is a good sign to a fun marriage.

Well to celebrate our one year of married bliss Jose planned a night in San Louis Obispo at the Madonna Inn, one of the many places I have wanted to stay at. The down side was that I had to work Saturday morning and I had been sick with a nasty head cold of over a week, we almost cancelled the trip (hasn’t gone away).

We made the trip up the 101 freeway in great time and when we got to the Madonna Inn it was all deck out in Christmas décor, one plus to celebrating during the Holiday’s is all the decorations and cheer…it’s my favorite time of year!!! The people there were so nice and excited for our anniversary, they had a bottle of champagne for us in our room plus our great friends Kerry & Jeromy had another chilled bottle and flutes ready for us in our room. We had dinner at the Gold Rush Steak House which is such a lovely place; everything is pink (I mean pink) and gold plus heavily decorated for Christmas and live music playing all night. We had a great dinner and a night of finally spending time together.

We get so busy and with Jose traveling all the time we really don’t get to spend a lot of quality time together. But we make every effort to enjoy the time we do have together. By the way the Madonna Inn has the best breakfast I have had in a lone time. If you ever get a chance make it up there you should defiantly go. On our way down we stop in Solvang to check out the area and to eat, it is such a lovely place…Jose really enjoyed it. And to end the night I had the cake company who did our wedding cake recreate our topper so we could have our cake and drink the champagne we bought at our honeymoon.

It was a great One year wedding anniversary and we are so excited to celebrate many more to come.

http://www.madonnainn.com/index.php

October = Breast Cancer Month

Will every year I try and do something involving the support of breast cancer research. Back in late 2003 my grandmother past away from a rare form of breast cancer that she was diagnosed with in 2000. In 2000 they told her she had maybe 8 months to live after a series of experimental treatments and chemo she lived past those 8 months. Cancer has always been in my family as if another member of the family, I have known cancer for a very long time and with a strong family history it’s not leaving our family anytime soon. My Tia has been in remission of cancer for almost two years now and we just found out that my other Tia (my mom’s sister) has been diagnosed this past Monday, lucky it’s still in the early stages and now we move forward with the next step, treatment.

It’s hard to think about how you grow up with a member of your family living and dying with cancer and the numbers of family members increase with cancer, the chances of yourself being diagnosed increases as well. In a way you become numb to the cancer and the negativity that comes with it and you just move forward and support the members of your family in any way you can.

On October 18th, I walked at the Susan G. Koman Race for a Cure in Temecula with Jose and a new friend, an Alpha Phi from Chicago that is now living here locally, Thanks Erin for joining us. Knowing that my Tia is going to have to fight breast cancer, the race was different for me than in the past. Before it was about the memory of my grandmother and now it’s in memory of my grandmother and in support of my Tia’s that are fighting. During the walk I thought about the women I am walking for and the thousands that were walking for their family members, for themselves and for research. It is a very overwhelming feeling when you are surrounded by thousands of people in PINK!!

Sweet 16.....

Well a few weekends ago I helped my mom with my youngest sister’s sweet 16…yes I have a sister who is still in high school. I can’t believe she is already 16 and now is asking if she can drive my car…lets think this through a little…umm no (well not sure yet). Anyway she had a great party with a “Taco Chef” according to Jose, a candy bar, partying in the pool house and swimming in the pool. There were about 40 kids from her club swim team and high school. The POOL will for those of you who have been to my parents know the story behind the famous pool, my dad has been designing, digging and building this pool for the last 5 or so years and he finally finished his project September 23rd 2009 and he is so proud to show it off, actually we all are. It’s done and looks awesome. Here are a few pictures from the party and of the pool at my parents.

Setup before the party started

My youngest sister blowing out her candles

My sisters friends in the pool house

The Candy Bar i put together for her...

Dad's projects

The POOL!!!

The POOL pic #2

What a month...August!

So I have had a lot going on this summer and have totally left my blog on the sidelines. So I will do my best to update you all on what’s been going on in our life…it's been alot!

August was a really big month for us, we went to Mexico to visit the in-laws, our best bud and fellow Leo, Jeromy turned 30 (palm springs trip), Jose turned 30 (had a big party) and I snuck in turning 27…and I can’t believe we are already half way through September. Check out the posts below for all the details!!!

ENJOY!

The Birthday Parties –

Two guys turning 30…seems like the end of the world from what I hear. Jeromy and Jose both turned 30 within a 4 day period. So we celebrated for two weekends; one weekend we went to Palm Springs for Jeromy and the following weekend we had an MLB (Dodger) theme party for Jose. Check out the pics from the parties.

My family Fuertez - Hernandez side

The Diaz brothers

Did I mention we had a 35 foot obstacle course, it was so fun.

My birthday boy and his cake

The Keromy's and I

The taco stand...it was a hit!

The cake I did not make :)

Jose photos from when he was a kid.

The center pieces that I did make.

Now...the Palm Springs celebration for Jeromy!!

Us girls after a few to drinks...just a few, really.

Hanging out at the pool

The birthday boy "Jeromy" blowing out the cake :)

My best friend...Ms. Kerry!

Hope you enjoyed the photos!!!

Our Trip down South-

Every August we travel south to Mexico to a small town called Cenotillo, Yucatan which is about 3 hours inland from Cancun, Quintana Roo to celebrate the annual “Fiesta” for the town’s Saint and to visit his parents. The normal population for the town estimates less than 1,500 during the Fiesta there could be anywhere from 3,000 to 4,500 populating Cenotillo.

Going back to the town every year is like stepping into a different world, no one worries about time, you work for what you need and spend most of your time with family and friends. Cenotillo is a very rural area with no general store or restaurants that you would normally see in Cancun or Ensenada but a small store similar to what you find at a gas station, small food places that are ran out of people’s homes. You would not know it but they have best Chinese food ever, the biggest avocados (the size of footballs) and the best cheese. Most of the shopping done is in the capital Merida or Cancun but either way it’s over an hour’s drive. Some of the locals live in huts made of trees and palm fauns with dirt floors and with hammocks hanging inside for beds; it’s to hot and humid to sleep on a bed. Many do have small homes built of cinder blacks, concrete and wood. The food, I think it’s one of my favorite parts of visiting the town.

The food isn’t what many would consider to be Mexican food; it is a style of its own with influences from the local Mayan culture, as well as Caribbean, Mexican, European (French) and Middle Eastern cultures. Throughout the two week long fiesta; many who visit enjoy the corrida (bullfights), the bailes (dances), the harrana (traditional Mayan dance) and a carnival. Most of the fiesta takes place during the late afternoon till early morning, 4:00pm – 4:00am, usually the cooler hours of the day. All the dances are held in the center of the town known as the palacio, big band groups and DJ’s travel to each of the towns in the Yacatan to play. Each group brings its own stage, sound system and audio guy. Much of the entertainment starts at 12:00am or 1:00am and will end between the hours of 4:00am – 6:00am depending if the crowd is still dancing away.

The corridas also known in English as bullfights begin at 4:00pm (or when the sun is lower) every day throughout the fiesta. The corridas takes place in a temporary stadium, at first sight one may not want to enter especially knowing that it is only constructed for the fiesta and taken down after the party is over. The stadium is built of wood, palm fauns, rope, tarps and lattice and holds over 2,000 people, a few bulls, a lot of horse and a local band.

For most of the time spent in the town you never really pay to much attention to clock rather the sun…I love going every year, I enjoy my new extended family and how relaxed I feel when we come home. Plus it’s always nice to head down to Cancun when we want. I feel fortunate that I can visit such a place that not many get to experience.

Jose and I in Cancun

One of the houses on the same street as his parents

Band night

The Welcome sign

What a weekend...

What an eventful weekend…of course I forgot the camera or the batteries were dead. Anyway, Jose was gone all week but he was home for our Friday night date. Friday night has become a regular night for Jose and me to go out to our favorite sushi restaurant ZIP Fousion in Mira Loma and a movie (maybe) but every week I look forward to it especially when he is out of town. Being a newlywed and not being able to have your husband around gets to be trying but its okay I am handling it the best I can…I complain J/K.

Anyway back to the weekend, Saturday was busy; had to work for a few hours, got the nails did (so in need) and went to Hugo’s 30th birthday party (Jose’s cousin/friend/fraternity bro) helped with a little setup and hung out for a while. We had to leave early, one of my girlfriends; Andrea (wine party lady) from work was having a party bus for her birthday celebration so we had to head from San Berdo to Corona then to Chino and we made it right on time to head out to LA for club Mood. We had such a great time but were we drained when we finally got home. As for Sunday it was a day with the girls from work. We headed out to Fullerton for Tea at Spring Field Banquet. It was such a cute place, the tea was great and so was the food. They have an assortment of hats to choose from to wear during your tea time and of course we had to try like every hat on. We had so much fun with the hats we want to plan a day at the races so we can wear big hats…lame I know but so much fun and of course I already have one for the event. After tea we went to watch Harry Potter such a good movie but I hate the fact I am totally left hanging…I may have to read the last book but that’s a big maybe.

Well I hope everyone tried to stay cool during the HOT HOT weekend...

New posts!!

Keep on reading, I have two new post today!!

Summer Update

Well…it’s been forever since I have updated my blog and been able to write…a lot has gone on the last few months. We went to New York which was so much fun; Katie put together a great itinerary for us while we were there. It was perfect she had several options that we could do depending on the area we wanted to venture to. Plus we got to spend quality time with our best friends who live so far away. They were so nice to let us stay at their place for the 4 nights. Will here is the list of things we were able to see and do while in New York. The food was excellent every place we stopped. Plus I loved the part about not having to drive anywhere. (Check out my facebook for the photos)

We walked along Riverside Park – the Hudson River
Natural History Museum
Times Square
Statue of Liberty
Wall Street
Ground Zero
China Town
Little Italy (dinner & desert) – Dinner at Grattro Arazura(Great Martinis)
Brooklyn Bridge – we walked across it was so fun.
Central Park
Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)
Walk 5th Ave - The Plaza. FAO Swartz , the Apple Store, Tiffany’s, Trump Towers
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Rockefeller Center – went to the TOP OF THE ROCK, was the best view ever of the NYC skyline.
Macy’s – so much fun to go through all the levels and have a few beers at the BAR!
Empire State Building
Washington Square Park/NYU
Grand Central Station – we took a few pics like in the movies J
Dylan’s Candy Shop
Serendipity

At TOP OF THE ROCK
NYC Skyline in Central Park

Well when we came home I didn’t plan on being out from work for another week but I was. I ended up getting sick the day after we got home, not a cold, I felt as if my stomach was getting cut out of me the pain was so awful. At first I thought it was something I ate than I thought did I catch something while in NY, went to the doctors…he didn’t even know what was wrong exactly, he told me a few different things and he was hoping it wasn’t the last one…well it was. I ended up in the ER that Friday after memorial weekend and admitted for the weekend. I never had to stay in the hospital for more than a few hours; it was the worst time ever. Turns out I have ulcerative colitis, a genetic disorder in your colon which now increases the risk of having colon cancer. What does that mean well I have to take meds everyday for who knows how long between 4-8 pills and make sure I have a healthy immune system in order not to have the pain and be able to eat?

Poor Jose looked so worried for a bit, they didn’t know what was wrong until Saturday, then he thought it was funny to ask if he could return me to my parents since I came defective…I didn’t think it was to funny. So know I go have to meet with a specialist every 3 months and take a lot meds and try not to catch a cold (not an easy thing at my work).

Side note I am feeling a lot better!!!

Wine Party!!

This last Friday I hosted a Birthday party for my good friend Andrea from work for her 25th. We had a wine party, lots of wine, lots of food, and our favorite cupcakes from DOLCISSMO. The girls from work came over with their honeys and we had a good time gapping about work, life and our next outing. A bunch of us normally get together for a book club, some read the others like to meet up and have a good time. This weekend we are going for tea in orange county and then to a movie. Here are a few photos from the WINE PARTY!!

The girls, we try and get out at least once a week.
All the ladies from work!!

The Birthday Girl - Andrea!!

The next thing is our annual trip to Mexico, visiting the in-laws and going to Cancun. Plus Jose is turning 30!! So I am planning his party and then we have my birthday. So many more events coming up...August for sure is going to be busy!!

New York

Okay...so we are leaving in a few days to NYC...I am so excited. We leave this Wednesday after work.....so just to let you know the crazy day we are going to have the day we leave....Jose is going to be heading back from Oakland into Long Beach at 6:00pm?!?!? And our flight is at 9:00pm at LAX, So I am hoping we make it to the airport on time...plus I have to work that day. I am hoping that Jose and I can have everything ready to go this weekend. Of course Jose isn't worried but I am. I will be happy once we are on the plane on our way to NYC....

EARTH DAY 2009

So I haven’t really blogged much, I have been really busy with work and things at home. I had an event I was planning for on Earth Day 2009 at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park I built…well I managed the build of the park/and the volunteers, I feel as if I built it…anyway the event went really well. It was on Earth Day April 22, 2009 in Chino, CA. It was the Agency second Annual Earth Day Celebration. We had about 20 vendors participate in the event and 300 community members in attendance which double the amount from last year. The park has only been open about a year to the public so it is slowly building its recognition as Regional Park in the Inland Empire. The park consists of 22 acres that have been landscaped with a wide variety of California friendly® trees and grasses and features a state of the art irrigation management system. Some of the key components of the park are the community education elements that weave throughout the site. The park serves as a demonstration area for the community on improving water supply, storm water treatment and water efficiency. The park also has an education program that is taught by on-sight naturalists and the program covers CA science standards. So for any of you teachers out there that are looking for FREE field trips to the park let me know and I will get you setup. Here are a few photos from the event and the park….enjoy!!!

~Lucia Diaz

New York, New York!!!

Well its official Jose and I are going to NEW YORK!!!! I am super excited since one we have never been before. Plus we get to see our best friends, Katie and Shahab. We are going for Memorial weekend, five full days to site see and visit with are friends, plus we are staying with them at their apartment on the 31st floor in the city. So the countdown begins, along with the planning.

On another note we are also going to Mexico again this year, but we won’t be staying in Cancun again since we have been there more than a few times. We fly out August 6th 2009 and stay until August 13th 2009. We may go to Playa de Carmen for a few days but mostly we will be staying in Jose’s family hometown of Cenotillo, Yucatán. It’s a small town in the jungle that I love to visit every year. His parents moved there back in February of 2008, so it’s a chance to visit with them and enjoy the town’s annual festival. The festival is about a week long of parties, dances and carnival. We normally go for two weeks but since we aren’t going to Cancun we decided to get there before the festival and enjoy being there with his family.

Side note we also got our tickets for the DODGER OPENING GAME!!!! I will make sure to post pictures from the home game opener.

So far our plans for the summer are starting off well.

Dolcissimo

So there is a new cupcake shop that opened up at the Shoppes at Chino Hills called Dolcissimo. They have the cutest little bakery shop that all the girls at work have been talking about. So a few weeks ago my girlfriend Liz and I decided to try it out and we loved it. It is such a cut girly shop with lots of pink and brown with a cupcake bar on the side of the shop.

They have certain days when they only offer certain cupcakes called the Daily Flavor Menu plus they have baby cheesecakes, baby pies, cookies and cannolis. If you are ever in Chino Hills or traveling on the 71 freeway you should stop and visit and pick up a few cupcakes or mini cupcakes.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

To everyone in the blogger world Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Hopefully you are wearing green, of course I forgot until I was reminded when I walked in the door this morning to work :). Oh well I will live through all the pinches. Enjoy some green beer tonight!!!