So the last few weeks have been a bit depressing, and just downround strange. I'm talking about the whole death of Michael Jackson. When I first heard about it, just like so many other people, I thought that it couldn't be true. However, I quickly found out that it was. For the first few days it just didn't seem real to me. I know that Michael Jackson was in no way super human, and I knew that oneday he would pass, however I never really put it into any form of reality. There are many people who could care less about this whole thing and that's fine. I, on the other hand, have been affected. One of my best/first memories as a child was when my ma played "Thriller" on the record player. I LOVED LOVED LOVED that song!!!! Not to mention that "The Making of Thriller" was my favorite movie. Still is actually. I watched it all the time as a child.
I feel that in these last several years I've definently strayed from Michael. In my mind i've always loved him and stood by him through all of the drama that his life was, however, I wasn't buying all his cds and been totally there. That makes me feel a little sad. I feel like he was such a good person aside from the fact that he's definently the best entertainer of all time, and I just want people to see that instead of making such harsh judgements about him. We need to become a much more positive country instead of the pessimism that clouds many peoples minds.
There was something that I had to do because of the strong feelings that i've been going through these last few weeks. I wanted to show my love for Michael by getting a tribute tattoo.
So, Michael Jackson, you've touched me in a way that nobody will ever again. Michael, I love you!!! Rest in Peace

And the Countdown Begins....

I am getting so excited as there are only 2 days now until my mom and I leave for our trip out east to Virginia!! Our reason for going, of course, is for my friend's wedding. However, it's also a 3 day weekend away from work and it's just always good to go on a trip away from it all for piece of mind, which is something that I really need. I feel like my life has become work work work, and i'm so needing this vaca.
Besides this trip happening it's me and Amir's one year anniversary which is another reason to celebrate. Hard to believe that a year has come and gone so quickly, as I feel it was just yesterday that we were on our way to Vegas.
Hope y'all have a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!

Summer Lovin

So i've been gone for a bit. There haven't been moments in my life lately worth writing, thus the hiatus. So the winter has come and thankfully gone. We have now been granted blooming trees, green grass and the occasional 70 degree sunny day. All of which are things that make me very happy these days. I've definently grown to love some of the simpler things that life has to offer: family, good friends, my dogs,good food and some warm weather. If that was all I was given i'd die happy.
I'm pretty excited for this summer to really get here because we've got some nice things planned. Things will get going a bit next week when mom and I head to Virginia for one of my good friend's wedding. They are both chefs and will be doing a lot of the cooking themselves which i'm looking forward to. Not to mention that they are also brewing their own beer! Never been to Virginia either so i'm looking forward to taking quite a few photos! The same weekend that they are getting married is me and Amir's 1 year anniversary so we'll e celebrating that upon our arrival on Sunday with some delicious Italian food. Then, of course, in July we are going to California again to chill for a few weeks in our beloved Los Angeles and San Francisco. I've been missing it since we left so i'm just counting the days until we get there. Soon after we get back from there will be Lollapolooza. I was real sad that we didn't get to go last year since the lineup was so amazing that I couldn't even think of not going this year. My bro was nice enough to buy me a ticket for my bday so he will be getting something equally amazing in return.
Below are some photos from a day with friends on Cinco de Mayo.

Making Plans

So, it looks and feels a little bit like i've been a slacker for not writing for such a long time. Not that much excitement really has been happening in my life worth writing about.
In the past week i've become inspired and motivated because I just booked me and Amir's reservations in California. We are gonna do the whole last summer vaca again minus Las Vegas. However, this time we will be starting our journey in Los Angeles and ending it all in San Francisco. I'm not sure what it is, but as soon as I book any kind of vacation I feel this sense of relief. I guess it's just nice knowing that i'm gonna get out of the routine for a few weeks and get to really live life a little bit. Here it feels like such a routine and i'm ready for something fun and exciting!! So now i'm stoked about July coming as soon as possible. I have a lot of saving to do before that, but i'm so motivated that I don't even care. I'm even taking the money that I haven't yet spent mom and dad gave me for clothes for Christmas and putting it toward the vaca. I call it being a "responsible adult". Even though, I think of going into Forever 21 and spending what I have I know that in July i'll be wishing that I had that extra money.
Besides our up and coming vaca and planning for that Amir and I have been contemplating whether we should move into a 2 bedroom place in our complex. It wouldn't be that much more money, however, the timing couldn't be worse. My friend is getting married in Virginia the weekend our lease ends so Amir will be here alone to move all our stuff, unless we can talk some of our friends into helping out. Also, the thought of moving again makes me cringe. I hate moving so much that I don't know if I can do it again so soon. So we're still trying to figure this one out, however, I have a feeling that we may just end up staying put.
All else is fine. Work's been real slow, but the weekends are starting to be booking up so i'm hoping this will continue. We shall see.
So til the next time!

On This Day Last Year

Last year today Heath Ledger passed away. I miss him!

Cookie Time

I just wanted to let it be known that it's Girl Scout Cookie time!! Went to the store tonight and there they were. So, find out where you can buy them, and get as many as possible because they are only around once a year. I remember when I was young living with the folks, we would be so many boxes and freeze them just so that they could be around for most of the year. Enjoy!

health and happiness

It's still a weird feeling to me that we are in 2009. Doesn't seem as though that long ago it was turning 2000, and everyone was afraid for whatever was supposed to be happening. I'm really hoping for a good year (probably just like everyone else).
I must say that 2008 was pretty good for me. It was the year that Amir and I had our awesome Vegas wedding, which is also where The A Team was reunited after 5 years apart. My massage therapist career also got into full force this year. And who wouldn't love a year that the "Sex and the City" movie came out?!
For this year, all that I hope is that Amir and I can live a happy life wherever we are. Our lease ends in May and we really have no idea where to go. I'm tired of not really knowing anybody out here in the burbs, but don't really want to move back to Chicago. The good thing is that wherever we are seems like home because as long as we're with the dogs all's well. I'm still holding on to the idea that oneday we will pack everything...start driving out west to California and never look back (except to visit the family, of course). Maybe oneday. This is one dream i'll never give up on. New York would also be amazing because we have so many friends that already live there. Anyway, as long as we are all healthy, it's all good. Anyway, I hope that everyone has a fabulous 2009, and also years to come.

love,
mel