Life Rambles: Life Update & the Holidays

OH. MY. GOODNESS. I cannot believe it's been more than two weeks since I've last blogged! I didn't realize how wrapped up I've been with getting this new job, looking for houses, and preparing to move. In addition, it was all during Christmas time as well.

So, let me catch you up on what I've been up to since I last posted. I've been really busy with appointments regarding my new job and move. I met with two moving companies who each gave me an estimate on how much it would be to move all our stuff down to Visalia. Alejandro and I also made a day trip down to Visalia for my physical, appointment with HR, and to look at houses. We only had two to look at and loved the first house, but unfortunately, someone else had already applied and been approved. Since  we're in such a constricted time frame, we looked online for another house and chose one based off its listing; we never had the chance to look at it in person. We found out today that we got approved for it, so now, I'm busy with packing, talking to the moving company, and starting accounts for the electric, water, gas, and garbage companies. Will we ever be able to really settle in to our new home? I hope so!

Let's see...what else is new? Oh! I have made changes to my hair. I used to have really long, bronde (brown/blonde) hair. I wanted to get a trim to get rid of split ends, and my mom coincidentally texted me the day I thought about doing it. She wanted to get a trim too, so she invited me to go with her to the place she usually goes to. Since my hair stylist is no longer in business, and since it was only a trim I wanted, I thought, "Okay. This won't be too bad, right?" So, I went with my parents to Chinatown in Oakland, and my dad dropped off my mom and me. I told the lady, "I just want to trim off ends. Keep the length and just add in a few layers." I also showed her a picture as an example. Simple, right? Apparently not. She took off four inches and didn't layer the way I wanted. I was sooooo upset! I've been growing my hair out for two years, and I was really happy with where it was at. I feel like she chopped off six months. I mean, the good things is that hair grows back, but it was really upsetting. I wish she was honest with me and just told me she didn't know how to layer it the way I wanted it.

Other than that little mishap, everything has been great. I saw my BFF, Kass, again. That was a pretty fun day for us girls! When she picked me up, the first thing we wanted to do was eat. We decided to go to The Original Red Onion, which is where the locals go for really good burgers. We each ordered our own things and decided to share some bacon ranch fries. Yum! Afterward, we decided to go get our nails done together. This was actually our first time getting them done together. We always get our nails done on our own. I introduced her to the place I go to, and she was really happy with her nails. We were so full from lunch, though, that we started falling into a food coma during our manicures!  Haha! I did have a little scare during this time. While getting my nails done, I received a text from my dad that read, "Nerrie (my mom) is in the ER...The ambulance brought her from her work. So far vitals are okay. Just waiting for dr. Francis my coworker drove me to since Nerrie has the car." I was really scared and worried when I received the text. After talking to my dad, I was fine. I kept asking him if I should go out there; I even told Kass that I might have to call it a day after our manicures, which she totally understood. However, my dad told me not to come, because it was just vertigo and she was already on a valium IV. Thank goodness! I thought it was something worse. My mom's fine now, so that's good. Kass and I decided to continue with our planned day.

My nails

Kass' nails

Once we were all done getting our nails done, Kass said she wanted to get her eyebrows threaded. I told her about the place I go to, so we went there, but there were A LOT of people waiting. Since we also wanted to go to Ulta, we decided to go there first and just come back later. There were a few things that Kass wanted to pick up, and I just browsed around. I decided to look for a really pretty neutral brown lipstick. We were on a mission to find the perfect, neutral, brown lipstick! I was super picky and didn't really want a pink tone to it. I finally found two shades that I really liked from Maybelline (I'll post them in the future), and I've been obsessed with them! 

Christmas Eve is my grandma's birthday, so we definitely celebrated. In addition to celebrating grandma's birthday every year, we have a White Elephant gift exchange too. We had a different twist to it this year, though, by making it an ornament theme. My aunt, who's in charge of setting it up each year, told us to get creative. One person got really creative by blowing up a condom and decorating it to look like an ornament! It was hilarious! No one stole that one for sure!

Condom ornament

My grandma, the birthday girl!

My cousins, Max and Katie

On Christmas Day, my parents and I went to my dad's parents' house first. We got there around 12 noon and just chatted with one another. My grandparents and I caught up, since I hadn't seen them in about a year. My Uncle Noel, Auntie Deby, cousins Chaz and Chad, and their dog, Hachi arrived shortly after. I hadn't seen them in about a year either. We chatted some more, and they all went to church while my parents and I stayed at home with my grandma. Once they got out of mass, we all went over to my Uncle Noel's house, where we would all eat and exchange gifts.  My Uncle Carlo came by and dropped off my cousins Justine, Bella, and Dominic. Then he left to go get my Auntie Tisha and other cousin Charlize, who were still at home changing. We always poke fun at my Auntie Tisha, because she's never  on time! We all got to my Uncle Noel's house around 2 PM. My Uncle Carlo didn't show up with my Auntie Tisha and Charlize until 4 PM! And you know what? They live down the street! Haha! Well, we all ate, talked, and of course, took family photos before opening gifts.

My cousins Bella and Dominic

Christmas cake

Hachi, Chaz and Chad's dog (2-year-old Shih Tzu)

Family Christmas photo 2014

My cousins from my dad's side. I'm the oldest, but will soon be the shortest. Haha!

We always need one of these

Yesterday was my cousin, Mauricio's, sixth birthday. My aunt said we'd all gather at her place for dinner and drinks, but since it wasn't until 6 PM, Alejandro and I decided to take his nephew, Diego, out to the movies. We decided to watch Big Hero 6. We got there right when the previews started, and we got a large bin of popcorn (with butter, of course) and ICEE. Yum! We really enjoyed the movie, and were glad we watched it. After that, we went to a nearby taqueria, because Alejandro's mom wanted a burrito for dinner. Since she was at home, we got ordered to go. Everyone got food except for me, since I would be having dinner at my aunt's soon. While we waited for the food to come out, we went next door to GameStop and got two more Amiibos for Super Smash Bros. Wii U. We decided to pick up Diddy Kong and Luigi. We're still looking for Little Mac, but we may just have to get it online at an inflated price. :( Womp. 

Anyway, I left as soon as we got back to Alejandro's house. I headed over to my aunt's house and greeted everyone there. It was a pretty typical get together for us. My mom's side of the family as well as my aunt's husband's family gathered for dinner, sang to the birthday cake, ate cake, and watched him open presents. He had a Lego-themed party this year, and it was super cute. My aunt made a birthday cake that looked like a Lego piece, and she put chocolate Legos on top of Lego-colored cupcakes. 

Tonight, Alejandro and I will join Kass and her boyfriend Justin at her family's New Year's Eve party. Hope you all have fun and stay safe tonight!

In words, with love,

Vanessa Mae