Better Late Than Never

This year I rang in my birthday snuggled on the couch with the mister because we were both sick with the flu.  Mine wasn't too bad, but his was just horrible.  Later that morning, we attended mass as a birthday tradition.  I always have to give thanks to the big guy for the many blessings that we often take for granted.  After mass and running an errand, we picked up the family to get lunch and do a little shopping.  Thank goodness that's all we did cos we were all pooped once we got home, but of course, that didn't stop Mister B. and I from venturing to out some more.

Pre-birthday lunch fishy faces

Missing Papa B. and the middle sister

After some more shopping, I came home to Mama B's pancit and we ate caaaaaaake!  The rest of the evening was spent at Mister B's place lounging in our pajamas in bed chugging on Theraflu and watching movies and YouTube.  

Since Mister B. and I didn't do dinner the night of my birthday, we went the following Friday during restaurant week.  We had dinner at Katsuya which is located in the Adaz Hotel, formerly know as the Ivy Hotel.  We enjoyed ourselves, the food and had dessert too, but this was our favorite dish of the evening...

...Seared Albacore with Garlic Soy Lemon Butter...with TRUFFLES!!! It's such a simple dish, but the truffles make it delectable.  We savored each bite, each truffle...umami heaven.  That's probably the only thing I would go back to Katsuya for.  I had high hopes for their Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, but it didn't compare to Nobu's.  

Although we had a little dessert, we had to go to Extraordinary to have our usual...you know because we were in the neighborhood.

It was low-key this year, but I enjoyed it nonetheless...not to mention, I got some pretty nice things too.

young, fine, and twenty-nine,

miss b.

Thoughts on a Year's Past

It's a new year and I have a cold.  It's OK though because I'm on winter break for a couple more days, so I don't mind resting and recuperating, especially since my 29th birthday is right around the corner.  29...I'll save that for another blog post!

2012 was a decent year and for the most part, the ebb and flow was smooth in all aspects {minus the ban of foie gras in California}.  My resolution for 2012 was to just take life and its goods and bads one day at a time.  I disregarded plans and just worked towards the goal of passing each Nursing class.  Yes, my life revolves around that.  I'm still continuing to work towards that goal and it's actually scary for me to say or rather type that I have 5 months left of it.  I'm getting anxious just thinking about it!  

I'm grateful for the people who remain in my life, the health and well being of my family and friends, the ability to travel, amazing foodsperiences, and overall stability.  I'm hopeful for a year of exciting experiences to come and that things will continue to be pretty damn good.  Honestly, there's really nothing I can complain about.  Life is grand and I'm thankful every day for the one in which I live.  So cheers/kampai/salud/salute to 2013 and to more growing, awareness, achievements, and adventures!  Whatever is in store for me, I'm going to take each thing one day at a time.

xoxo,

miss b.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from us to you!

With our warmest regards,

Ryan & Fancy

Snapshots: December 2012

Apparently, mister b. and I have been consumed with others things {school, work, holiday festivities/duties, and life in general} so it's been a while since we've been on here.  Gomenasai.

I have two more days before my two week winter break begins and I cannot wait!  Two whole weeks without assignments and deadlines to worry about -- I'm ecstatic!  I'll definitely be carpe-ing the diem during my last weeks in my twenty-great {28th} year of life.  Oye vey!

So, what have we been up to?  For those of you who don't follow us on our Instagram, here's a peek of what December has consisted of.

A majority of our Christmas shopping was done really early this year and online, but of course, there's still that one or two that we need to get this week and then, we'll be all good.  Less stress in the gift department this year, woo-hoo!

&&& we are currently working on a DIY project that we will soon be sharing on here {see first picture in picture}.  We will also be cooking and baking some rich and delicious goodies and hopefully, we'll be able to share them IF they turn out to our liking.

That pretty much sums up everything.  I hope that you {the few readers we have} are in good spirits and are cherishing your loved ones a little more and hugging them a little tighter.  Until the next blog, ciao!

xoxo,
miss b.

Thankful

{source}

For the past two years, I have posted "Thankful" posts on my old blog.  Looking back here and here, life has definitely progressed from those times of unhappiness, despair, and ill disposition.  I still do not have the world at my hands, but I still have the love and support of my family, friends, and mister b.  &&& for that, I am happy and grateful.  In addition, I am also thankful for...

...wisdom: collected over time by bruises, cuts, wounds of the heart, and pride...

...health: in the past few days, I have been reminded to care for it better in order for it to carry me further...

...friendships/relationships: the genuine reciprocity, sincere respect, and overall compassion that reaches new heights with each year...

...life: a never-ending unraveling mystery teaching me, molding me, and making me the person I am today

I hope each one of you has a happy one, filled with delicious food, fabulous conversations, and are in the company of those who matter most.  Remember to reflect, give thanks {not for genocide and land theft}, and remember that the gifts we are blessed with are not to be taken for granted.

xoxo,

miss b.

Congratulations 25ers!

Today, I happily attended Cohort 25's pinning ceremony at Green Gables Estate.  It was lovely to see familiar friendly faces and being present to congratulate them on their achievements!  One of my favorite moments was when a fellow student gave a speech and quoted one of my favorites from Conan O'Brien -- "If you work really hard and are kind, amazing things will happen."  I truly believe that.  &&& onto the pictures!

Again, congratulations to everyone and best wishes on all your endeavors!

xoxo,

miss b.

P.S. Please excuse the quality of some of the pictures, these were shared on Facebook and were already edited. :)

P.P.S. I need to get a new point and shoot.

6 Month Countdown or Breakdown?

My classmates from my original cohort will be completing their last Nursing class this week with their pinning ceremony to look forward to the following week.  As I sit here with no weekly journal or assignments to complete, I realize I have six months left of Nursing school.  Should I countdown or have a breakdown?

Two weeks ago during clinical, a LVN, also a student at a different college was quizzing my friend and I on Med Surg material because she had just taken her final for that class.  I, on the other hand took that class back in the beginning of the year, and I wasn't able to answer her questions.  My friend and I looked at each other with our "WTF" expressions.  I thought to myself, "I should know this stuff!"  Then on my drive home that afternoon, I rationalized all this.  Awful?  No!  Maybe.  Anyway...I am attending an accelerated 22 month program.  Material is studied to pass weekly quizzes, midterms, finals, and ATI.  After that, you get two days if you're lucky to unwind and then onto a new class it is.  Absorbing ALL the material throughout the entire 22 months is rare, except to the exceptional few who have photographic memories.  Will I be ready for the NCLEX after school?  Probably not.  But I will study my hardest to pass it when that time comes.

&&& something I've learned from some of the nurses I've worked with during clinicals is that the knowledge of heart rhythms, pathophysiologies, and everything else will come with time.  After all, a nurse's education doesn't stop after graduation.

xoxo,
miss b.

Better In Time

Break-ups are never easy, they're always hard, no matter the time of day, location, if you're on the receiving end or not. They suck.

Last night, the baby sister and I were doing our usual on a Wednesday night, laying on the couch watching One Tree Hill. She was laying on me asking me questions. Three years ago, we were doing the same exact thing, except we were in my room and I was the one balling and hurt while watching One Tree Hill because I swear to goodness all the episodes from season 5 were about me and the ex.

"When does the pain go away?" When you start not giving a damn for the other person. This is usually months after your gal pals tell you to rage and have fun. That's usually when you get your groove back and begin to eye fuck yourself and focus on how beautiful and fabulous you are. It definitely takes a while to get into the groove of living for yourself when you've been in a relationship, especially a LDR, but you'll get there. Trust.

"He wasn't good enough for you." Yes, your awesome friends are gonna tell you that. &&& yes, we know that to be true, but don't let that statement get to your head even though you know you're a good catch and you can't fathom why this shit is happening to you. Instead of thinking or saying he wasn't good enough for you, drop the "enough" because at the end of all this, you'll realize that he just wasn't good for you.

As cliche as it sounds, you'll be better in time. &&& trust me, you'll be much happier than before. &&& you know this because you've witness me at my worst and you're seeing me at my best to date. Just remember, life's too short to give all of your love to someone without being able to say, in your lifetime that you were able to love yourself first. It's a new and unfamiliar path, but it's a necessary one because everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that.

xoxo,

miss b.