Oopsie Daisy!

A few nights ago I came home to this accident scene. As soon as I pulled around the corner and saw the bright yellow caution tape lining the stairwell of the apartment complex, I knew something was terribly wrong. I worried that there had been some kind of murder or terrible accident, and then I felt selfishly concerned about our apartment which lies just at the top of the stairs. I stepped out of my car and noticed the neighbors beside me where doing some car repairs. I looked at them hoping they might have something to say about all this. It was at that point that I put two and two together and realized that somehow that vehicle had something to do damage. I pointed at the staircase and then at the car, at which point they assured me that their son had in fact accidentally crashed his car up the staircase! Well, for all of you who have felt like a dork for falling up the stairs, you have now been out done. A week has gone by... the staircase is still a mess... It makes me laugh every time I pull up to the complex.

My Best Friend

Today I took my best friend Courtney out to lunch. It was such a treat to sit and enjoy a meal with her and take some time to catch up and reminisce. She has a sweet little baby named Luke, so it was quite a steal to get her all to myself for a few hours. We first met when we were only seven years old, where we lived a few miles away from each other atop Tiger Mountain in Washington... we were mountain girls! We have many memories of swimming at the pool, playing in the snow, riding bikes, taking care of horses, walking down the river, going to church dances, having sleepovers, talking about boys... and in fact, now that I mention it, I would love to put away the daily grind for a day or two and do any number of those activities. Kids really do know how to have fun, it's a natural instinct for them. Don't get me wrong, I still have fun, but the careless days of endless activities are scarce. It seems that now I have to have a plan, a purpose, and a wallet full of cash to have an adventure. Anyhow, I find it quite amazing that by chance, 15 years later, we've once again managed to land only a few miles apart, but this time in San Antonio, Texas! I am not sure how long we are going to be living here, but I am so grateful to be near her again. We definitely don't spend most of our time together like we once did, but I do cherish our few moments here and there that we have to visit with each other. She is such an amazing person, and I am forever grateful for her friendship and example. I can only hope that our futures will somehow keep us only a short bike ride away.

$1 Entertainment

Red Box is one of Mine and Brady's newest forms of entertainment. As of late we have been paying frequent visits to the local Walmart to "pick a flick". The enticing little Red Box kiosks are quite a fantastic concept if you ask me... you can't get much for a $1 these days. Because I have little to lose, I am often more adventurous with my movie selections. Last night I picked up "Last Chance Harvey", not sure what to expect of it. I ended up really enjoying it. It is a somewhat troubling and equally lovely production. What I liked most about it was that it emphasized life's priorities. What seemed to be so important to a man, his career, reputation, schedule, etc., was completely overshadowed by his love for his family and ultimate desire for happiness. The movie really made me appreciate my father, my family, and the happiness I enjoy on a daily basis. I would definitely recommend this movie. Go to a Red Box and check it out... you have little to lose!

Go to YouTube and watch the movie trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNT2MFVYARE

My Day in 6 Words

Cars in shop. Made good tips.

It's My Cup of Tea

There are certain things in life that bring us joy and comfort. For me this is a cup of tea. When I was a child my mother gave us herbal tea when we became ill or had a belly ache, but it wasn't until my High School years that I discovered its true appeal for myself. Since then not a day has gone by that I haven't sipped a mug or two. I keep a few tea bags in my purse, my pocket, and in my car so that I never leave the house without it. It has even come out through the dryer lint a few times, but it makes for a good clothes freshener. Brady and I have a cupboard full of a beautiful array of different herbal teas. We have teas from Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle, we have teas from Truby's Health Shop in Sandpoint, Idaho, We even have teas that were hand mixed for us at a specialty tea shop called Teavana here in San Antonio, TX. Our favorite kind of tea is Rooibos tea, it comes in many different flavors and is renowned for its abundant healthful properties. Tea has been used around the world for centuries to combat illness, delay aging, heal the skin, calm the nervous system and much more, but for me it is mostly for comfort and joy. A cup of tea at the end of a long day is that moment I have to soak in all that has happened throughout the day, a great way to wind down, and if I am lucky enough to have a tea party, it is a special opportunity to share some time with someone I love. Great things come from my cup of tea, and I it is a simple pleasure that I can always count on. Looking forward to many more great brews... this one is for you!

Tacos

Every night a sweet Mexican man named Jose-Juan sets up his little Taco stand, where he happily serves fresh Tacos to all the regular drive-by's, until about 3:00 am, as he dances to the rhythm of his favorite Salsa music he has playing in the background. I have ran past his little taqueria many times and it always makes me smile, but tonight after a long run, I grabbed my camera and headed back out in front of our apartment complex where he parks each night. I took a few pictures of the handcrafted sign he has perched out front, not sure if he would be bothered by the photos. Sure enough out he came, but with a smile on his face and an outreached hand. He quickly learned that I spoke Spanish and there we were, half hour later, talking about Salsa dancing, family, religion, work, and practicing English from the side of his stand as he warmed little corn tortillas and seasoned the carnitas. In the end I even agreed to help him with some of his signage because he doesn't have a computer. Jose-Juan really doesn't have much, his family is in Mexico, he can't speak a speck of English, and he works long hours for an income that to most of us seems menial, but Jose-Juan has a dream. A dream to be an American citizen and he his here working hard to make it a reality. We truly are lucky to be Americans... and lucky to have a great late night Taco stand up the road.

Comic Relief

I am sure most people have already seen this video, but in my opinion it never gets old. Brady and I pull it up and watch at least once a week for some good comic relief. It cracks me up every time and I still can't figure out exactly why it is so funny to me. Maybe it is the cute accent, or the way the baby laughs after he bites his brother? Not really sure, but I love it and it is one of the most viewed videos on YouTube... they probably never would have thought it would become such a hit. The family has even appeared on several talk shows regarding this precious clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM&feature=PlayList&p=290083FE3F0D9F49&index=40

Family Roundup

I have a pretty large family. There are a total of nine of us including my parents, and we range from age 5 to 50. Every once in a while I get this urge to connect with all of them and I go on a calling rampage. I start with the house and talk to whomever is home and then I get the scoop on where everyone else is so I can hunt them down. It takes a little effort and lots of phone tag at times, to actually converse with every single one of them, but with a few hours of dedication it can be done. I usually start by making sure my phone is fully charged, my earpiece in place, and my tennis laced up, then I set out for a long walk. Because it is usually at night, other walkers often think I am talking to myself, or they think I am talking to them, but with a smile and a wave I continue on my way. One by one, I check each family member off the list, and if I am lucky I might get two of them with one phone call. It is amazing how much can simultaneously be happening with one family. Tonight, Jacquie was out with her boyfriend, Maggie was babysitting with a friend, Lydia in Utah at Volleyball camp, Sara and Mom at a movie, Dad at the driving range with a church group, my brother Shon in Seattle cooking dinner with his wife, and my sister Sofia... well, somehow she seemed to be in the background of most of these conversations. It is amazing to know that each of those busy lives belongs to the same family, a family that I love and am so blessed to be a part of. I am going to rest well tonight... knowing that all of them are safe and happy.

Found Myself

Today was a great day. I slept in, went to the gym, and got the day off from work. I decided to play around a little with my camera. Brady got me an amazing camera for Christmas a few years ago, and I have yet to really learn how to use it. I figure that one of the best ways to learn is to practice, so today I went out on the streets of San Antonio and snapped a few shots. I came across this sign and couldn't resist. I have always been proud of my name because it was given to me in honor of my great grandmother Josephine from Mexico. I hope that she is proud to see me carrying on the family name.

La Musica

When you meet someone new they will often ask you several standard questions as they attempt to get a feel for who you are and what you enjoy. This often leads to, "what kind of music do you listen to?". I never really know how to answer that question. The music I like isn't usually found on popular radio stations, nor does it have a specific categorical label that I know of. All I know is that I like it and it sounds good to me. Here are a few of my current favorites.

A Reason to Blog

I suppose that one begins blogging when they feel compelled to share their experiences with many others. I never quite understood how people could be enthralled with the lives of others enough to actually follow their daily blog entries.  Then I noticed the tabloid section in the magazine isle and watched the daily news, only to come to terms that we are genuinely curious about peoples daily lives. 

I recently came across the Blogs of several of my friends and relatives and found there to be something very special about them. Reading through their comments and exploring their photos, in a sense, made me feel closer to them. In the fast paced world that we live in, it seems we often share only the biggest moments in life with those that we love. Maybe a wedding, a birthday, or a family reunion brings us together for an eventful and memorable celebration and then we're back to the daily grind... waiting for that next invitation. But what about all those little moments in between? The sweet moments that truly bring our hearts closer, the moments that separate friends from best friends, and if few people find our life to be interesting... we always have our Mothers!