Welcome to 31!

Did you know that statistically, 31 is the best year in a woman's life? My coworker told me this (while she is comfortably 27! Psh!) but you know what, I'll take it! (Knock on wood) but things are great, and I know this is a stretch, but I literally feel physically better ever since turning 31. Whether it's in my head or not, I don't even care.

I had a fabulous birthday, and how could I not because I had like 4 days of celebrations. First of all, my friends in Orange County threw me a party, and what's the next best thing after not going to Vegas for the first time in 10 years? Why, Vegas coming to me of course! I couldn't believe how thoughtful and sweet the whole thing was... down to the hosts buying a blackjack table felt top and one of them even dressing up like a Vegas dealer! I had a signature drink that involved ice cream and friends everywhere.

AJ's sister and I chambonging

Somehow the cat got involved lololol

We said he looked like a MarioKart in the battle
where you have the three balloons hahaha

That weekend was San Diego with everyone who normally going to Vegas, and I was surprised with a Harbor Bay Cruise, and then we got pretty wild at Pam's apartment before we went out to my favorite place ever - Bar Basic! The next morning we did brunch and wandered around Liberty Station for my first time ever. Verdict - pretty sweet!

The garnish is supposed to be a ship with sails

Shot ski!

AJ and Debs chambonging

Diego looking for the cat!
(Rob always teases him haha)

See the squirrel on the rock right under Doug's nose?
They were out in full force and no fear!

Then, on my actual birthday on Tuesday, AJ and I took the day off of work and went to Glen Ivy Hot Springs for the day where my friend Alyse met us. It. Was. Fabulous! The weather was perfect and warm and lots of drinks and I got my first facial ever. The day flewwwwww by, seriously. I was woken up with texts and had nice messages all day long.

I love my birthday, and I even love the stupid messages and emails I get, even from the dentist's office (and yes that happened!) And my coworker ordered and delivered this huge, unbelievably beautiful bouquet to my house too (she and I love Mariah Carey and listen to it in the office if you couldn't tell from that note). I seriously think it may be the most beautiful bouquet I've ever seen.

Love seeing my birthday on screens!

And I got some really sweet gifts too. One coworker got me yoga classes (amazing!) and friends got me lots of alcohol, and Raf and Rob got me a Game of Thrones coloring book and the Atlas Obscura for obscure places to visit in the world (and trust me, obscure is right!) and I even got a portable bluetooth karaoke mic!!! Why have I not used that yet??? AJ's mom got me spa gift certificates and his sister got me some fabulous gourmet lavender hot cocoa and some perfume. AJ's gift for me hasn't come in yet (ugh) but as he pointed out, my birthday can be stretched out!

I love my birthday, it's always so sad when it's over, but considering I'm now in the best year of my life, I suppose I should embrace it and get the most out of this lolololol!

Bomb.Com Sushi Lunch

However it's worked out, I've now been to 3 welcome lunches in my department, and everytime we go to Kitayama, and amazingly delicious sushi restaurant in Newport Beach. This past time, however, we got a mat room, so we had a room to ourselves with the table you sit on the floor around, take your shoes off, and look out over a beautiful zen garden. And the weather yesterday was truly sublime, so it made for a perfect experience, really.

After work I worked out, which I actually enjoyed (rare) and then I came home to a delivery from mah soul sista - baby pet masks! I have no idea what that means but look how cute!

Vitality Panda, Soothing Cat, Whitening Seal and Anti Wrinkle Pug. Loves it!

International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day. We have it amazing here in the U.S., but shit still happens. And it's not perfect here. Look at the wage gap, fluctuating women's rights, and especially bias to women's healthcare in the U.S. (Only developed country without paid maternity leave???? UNACCEPTABLE!) And this is a society that has it good (relatively speaking). At any rate, AJ, Anana and I are all wearing red today in support of it!

In other news, one of my pipe dreams came true and this past weekend, AJ and I bought a shoe dresser for me. It matches my Hemnes line dresser and is specifically for shoes. It looks so much classier, has cleared up space for us and just all around created a better flow in our bedroom!

And for no reason other than I am a crazy cat lady, here is a cute picture I took of Khaleesi. We can always hear critters very clearly scurrying across our wooden roof, and this was Khaleesi looking up at the sound.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a bomb.com work sushi lunch to attend!

Friday Funnn

Damn the Man, but Friday yesterday really sucked, work-wise. However, I did get some sweeeeeet pick-me-up perks.

First of all - MODEST MOUSE!!! Translation: I bought me and AJ tickets to see Modest Mouse in June. And not only that, but at the House of Blues - small venue - SO STOKED. They are a drop-everything-and-go band for me when they come to town, which has actually never really happened (at least that I knew about in time to buy tickets for) and the one time I saw them was at Coachella, when the people I was with her more interested in the Beer Garden so I was very conflicted and hated standing at the edge of the crowd during that show when I wanted to run into the center and enjoy it. So, this is giving me some motivation in life. Ha.

Secondly, I had had such a bad day I asked AJ if we could go out, so we met at Dave & Buster's for some beers and games, which was awesome, especially the DDR that AJ wouldn't sit and watch because he was too embarrassed of me and stood around the corner hahahaha! Also, we found a card with money on it and played like seven million games of SkeeBall. I know we probably should have tried to return it but what can I say, I had a horrible day and wasn't feeling very gracious and felt like the universe was just trying to help me out. What can I say, I'm human.

And now the craziest part of all on this wonderful Saturday morning as I have a coffee with Kahlua and a Bloody Mary next to me... I FOUND A FRIENDS EPISODE I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!! Not sure how that is even possible, but... The One With The Cooking Class... season 8, episode 21... had never seen it before! So talk about a treat, a brand new Friends episode! And 10 days til my bday!