They say it's your birthday...it's my birthday too!

This year's birthday festivities rank among the top five of all-time. The celebration kicked off on the 16th with a flight down to Puerto Rico to meet up with Andrew. He spent the previous week in Puerto Rico celebrating his birthday and visiting with his family. Not to mention getting a solid tan. Needless to say I was on a mission to get some color on my sun deprived skin. After what felt like a six month long winter I was ready for some beach time.

We stayed with family Thursday night and then made our way to the beach on Friday. The weather was perfect - sunny and hot with a slight breeze. And the water temperature was amazing! We relaxed and played in the sun all day - and topped it off with homemade empanadas and cervezas :)

(Me & Andrew on the beach in Puerto Rico)

We eventually made our way back to the hotel to shower and freshen up for dinner. As I looked in the mirror I couldn't help but smile - I looked a bit sun kissed :) As far as I was concerned our trip was a success! I could go back to New York a happy girl.

(View from our hotel room)

Saturday morning we made our way to his parent's house for some family bbq in celebration of Andrew's birthday. I felt like I was back home in California (minus the harsh humidity) - the multiple conversations at one time, the smell of beef on the bbq, and the latin music soundtrack in the background. It was a pleasant afternoon.


In my opinion, Sunday morning came too soon. After what felt like a six hour flight (thanks to yet another crying baby) we finally touched down in sunny New York! And with plenty of time to enjoy the rest of Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn. We did a mini celebratory birthday dinner in Park Slope and then took a stroll through Prospect Park. I've been dying to go there and the weather had yet to cooperate.

My actual birthday was pretty smooth. I went to work in the morning and got brownies. Talked with my mom and got birthday hugs and kisses from California. Then I went to my board meeting for the PR League and got mini cupcakes from Crumbs Bakery. And finally went out to dinner with Lucy and Andrew and got margaritas and all you can eat tacos at Mercadito! I went to bed with a smile on my face (and woke up with a headache).

To round out the birthday funness (I know it's not a real word, but seemed appropriate for this post) Lucy planned a fun-filled day with our friends at Central Park. The whole gang came out: John and Mike, Micheala and Shane, Angel, and Ro! We basked in the sun and played frisbee, catch and football. And naturally we had a couple undercover drinks on hand in the coolers. It was such a blast (except for the part when we got locked in the park - never thought that would happen)! Thank you Lucy!!!

Now that all the build-up of turning 29 has passed, I look towards the so-called big 3-0! But not before I reflect on how amazing of a life I have. I am surrounded by wonderful, kind hearted people, live in one of the most amazing cities in the world and am healthy and happy. What more could a girl ask for?

xoxo

Victoria

Home is where the heart is

After nine long months away from my friends and family, my vacation home finally arrived. After the whirlwind week of going out with our out of town guests I was looking forward to a nice nap on the plane ride home followed by more r&r after I landed. As luck would have it I got the seat in front of the designated crying baby.

I finally landed in Oakland, got the keys to my rental car and began the two and half hours drive to my mom's new place. My body was running solely on adrenaline and excitement to see my mother and dog (who I had to leave when I moved to NYC).

I have to admit there is nothing better than a hug from your mother. There's something comforting and reassuring about it. And even though my dog looked confused at first, I like to think the flood of kisses I got meant she missed me as much as I missed her.

It was nice to be home. And most of all to enjoy some home cooked Mexican food the first night home!

The next couple of days were spent in the Bay Area catching up with friends. Part of the trip home was to celebrate my best friend's accomplishment of receiving her master's degree. We spent the day in Napa touring the Castello di Amorosa winery. The castle was beautiful and the wine was delicious.

(Me & Jen)

Later that night I met up with some old friend in Walnut Creek. And what a night! We had our fair share of drinks and decided to walk down to one of our favorite bars because it was Thursday night....and that usually means The Spazmatics are there...but of course not this night. Instead we were forced to listen to a strange 90s cover band decked out in matching army fatigue shorts and basketball jerseys....I still don't get it. As the bar closed me and two of the boy made our way to get some late night Mexican food :) They know the way to a California girl's heart!

(Jeff, Me, Ross, Victor & Diane)

Friday night I got to catch up with a couple of my best girlfriends :) Lucy and I have been fortunate to meet some amazing women in New York, but nothing compares your friends back hoome. The ones who know all the dirt about you. I love them!

The rest of the trip home was spent relaxing and getting quality time in with mom. A quick trip to Reno over the weekend to watch my goddaughter play in a basketball tournament was a nice surprise. At least weather wise. Let me explain that I left rainy, dreary New York with high hopes of catching some sun while I was home. Not only was it raining in Califonia when I arrived BUT I was lucky enough to get SNOW in Reno. Seriously? Not cool.

(Me & Lexie in Reno)

Weather aside, the trip home was a much needed break from the constant sensory overload that is Manhattan. But, I will admit I did miss New York. Just a little bit.

Now I'm looking forward to my mini weekend trip to Puerto Rico :) I'm in desperate need of some sun.


::Victoria::

Girls, girls, girls!

No doubt you're singing the Motley Crue song to youself right now...I know I was when I was typing in the title of the post ;) Well, sorry to disappoint but this post has nothing to do with half naked girls or guys with long hair in spandex.

It's so much better - it's about our two girlfriends from Cali that came to visit and take NYC by storm with us. Our very own version of Sex and the City for a week! That's right, Dorothy and Carlita came to play for almost a week. And boy, did we play ;)

Where to start...so Lucy and I went to meet our friends at their hotel...in the middle of Times Square...aka, my idea of hell. We surprised them with a bottle of champagne and NYC 'survival bags' with key essentials, ie hand sanitizer and breath mints (for those celebrity run-ins). After a quick toast we were off to grab another cocktail and do some catching up. We decided to stay near the hotel since it was already late (or so Lucy and I thought). And man, the bar we ended up in was full of crazies. The waitress felt so bad that they kept coming up to our table that she bought us a round of shots!

(A round of 'redheaded sluts' - compliments of the waitress)

It should be noted that the girls planned this trip specifically for Spring/Summer to avoid the crappy weather that NYC can produce at times. So it was unfortunate that it rained most of the week while they were here. But we didn't let the rain 'dampen' our spirits...sorry, it had to be said.

Friday was our Sex and the City day. Lucy had to work in the morning so me, Dorothy and Carlita made our way uptown. We stopped in at Dylan's Candy Bar and Serendipity before landing at the Central Park boathouse for a light lunch. We met up with Lucy around 3 so we could all go on the SATC bus tour. The tour was a blast (and I'm not even a huge fan, I just catch the reruns). That night we decided on dinner at Butter down in Greenwich Village. Afterwards we took the girls over to the West Village for some late night jazz and ping pong challenge. I think we all got home around 430am. Same as the night before.

(Stop three on the SATC tour - photo op!)

Saturday we took the girls to brunch at Essex House because we love the envionment and the food is delicious. Afterwards, Dorothy, Carlita and Lucy headed uptown to catch a matinee on Broadway and I went home for a nap. Later that night we met up to watch Andrew's comedy show in the Lower East Side. The HIGHLIGHT of my night, hell my ENTIRE NYC experience was spotting Jake Gyllenhaal walking through the East Village!! So cute in person :) My heart melted. And I think he felt the same way ;)


Needless to say after two solid nights of staying out late and drinking Dorothy and Carlita were ready for some rest. We got them in a cab and made sure they were safe and then made our way uptown to a rooftop bar for a few more tequila shots. A girl's got needs :)

(View from up top)

Sunday was a blast! Yes, Lucy and I pulled ourselves together at a decent brunch hour. We picked the girls up and caught the train to Brooklyn. We had a delicious brunch at Bubby's - they make amazing spicy bloody marys!! After brunch we walked our butts across the Brooklyn Bridge and explored the financial district. We even caught the Staten Island Ferry so they could check out Lady Liberty.

(Playing around down under the Manhattan Bridge - we later walked across the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.)

After a failed attempt at dinner reservations we managed to recover with a cute restuarant in SoHo called The Mercer Kitchen. And after stating firmly (at least four times) that it was going to be an early night we closed the restaurant down and then made our way to a bar up the street for another round of cocktails. At that point Dorothy decided we needed to go to a rooftop bar. So we did :) And we popped a bottle of Cristal to celebrate! And eventually made it home around 4am (again).

(Enjoying the bubbly)

Monday we finally made time for some serious shopping...and there was only one place to take them...SoHo! I had a blast window shopping and helping Dorothy pick out goodies for her husband's upcoming birthday :) I eventually had to say goodbye so I could go home and pack my suitcase for the trip home the following day.

The ladies later met up at our apartment for a mini happy hour and then we made our way across town to The Cat Restaurant for our farewell dinner. The melted cheese appetizer thingy was great. But then again any melted cheese is pretty amazing.


I have to say the week was a success. I had so much fun and loved having two of my friends from back home here enjoying the city with us! I can't wait for round two ;)


~Victoria

First year under my belt

I'm happy to report that I have completed the first year of my master's program at NYU. I'm officially half way through! Hooray for me!! And not only did I complete the second semester after a solid round of irritating finals, but I managed to finish with a 3.925. Gotta say, I impressed myself.

The bonus was that as I scored an internship as the semester was wrapping up and before the start of summer. I know you're thinking, who cares? An internship? The bonus part is that it's a full-time paid internship.

On June 2nd I put on my intern hat and went to work. For the next three months I'm working at a start-up jewelry company called Chloe+Isabel handling the social media branding/marketing strategy execution. So far, so good. It's a hands on position and great experience to develop everything from scratch. I'm hoping I can take this experience and find a real paying job entering the fall semester.

*Fingers crossed*

Victoria

Yes, we're alive

First off, let me apologize (again) for our lack of blogging. I was on a roll and then school finals interfered. Yes, Lucy and I are in fact alive. I feel like there is so much to catch everyone up on (at least from my side of the blog) that I think it's best to try and break them up into separate blog posts. Wish me luck!

Victoria