Tea Time

My mom has recently been introduced to going to tea, and loves it.  My aunt took her for the first time and she was hooked.  She planned a tea for August 4, as a way to celebrate many things and just an excuse to get family together.  All the girls on her side of the family were invited and attended.

For the Queens

We went to afternoon tea at Lovejoy's Tea House.  The tea house was very quaint and our waitress/hostess was amazing.  There were 8 of us, and we each ordered a different type of tea, and tried each others.  We had all sorts of other good stuff including salad, little sandwiches, fruit, scones, crumpets, and petite fours.  It was all delicious!

 Mmmmm

 We had a great time and laughed a lot!  It was fun being just the girls.

Me, My Mom, and My Sister

All the girls in the family.

We were living everyday, with a little spot of tea and some laughter!

My Buster-Posey-th (28th) Birthday

After running the Giant Race my last day of being 27, I could not have thought of a better way to start 28 then going to a Giants game, but I am getting a bit ahead of myself.

I woke up early on my 28th birthday and went straight to the gym.  I was going to train with Adam, my original trainer, who I had not seen since I moved from the bay area in November 2012.  I got there and we caught up a bit as we jumped into the workout.  Having not seen min in over 6 months he was amazed to see how much my body had changed, everything a little slimmer.  He put me through a hard workout.

Then I got to have tea with my health coach who has really just become a great friend.  We caught up and talked about everything under the sun.

That's when the day took an unexpected turn.  I spent the rest of the afternoon helping my mom pick-out granite for my grandparents.  It was not in the plan. but ended up being ok since I spent some one and one time with my mom.

Then I had the ultimate birthday meal - pizza and ice cream cake.  Yes, I still eat like a kid, no I don't care.  Everything tasted delicious, but honestly the next day did not make me feel so great.  It's amazing how your body will react to things once you start cleaning up your diet.

My mom decorated our mantle in Giants fashion.

After our late lunch, I got ready for the Giants game that night!  I had purchased a Buster Posey (#28) shirt to wear, in a kids size, I might add!  I was joined by my sister and 2 friends.  We drove up to the city, parked and walked into the stadium.  We had club level seats so we got to view all of the historical items and photographs.  We got some food and found our seats.

No Zoom.

The game was a good one and I saw all my favorites (and some of my not so favorites) play.  It got COLD, but we just bundled up some more.  The Giants won the game!

All bundled up!

It was a wonderful birthday spent with many of my favorite people.  If my birthday was any indication, this year is going to be the best yet!

28 will be GREAT!

Living life everyday, celebrating and going to Giants games!

The GIANT Race 2013

On month ago, on August 4, 2013, I celebrated my last day of being 27 by running the GIANT RACE.  This race is associated with the SF Giants and benefits Project Open Hand, an organization that provides healthy meals for the sick and elderly in the SF bay area. 

I ran the race last year in 37:29.  I was happy with the time, but wanted to beat it.  Last year I did not do any fundraising.  This year I set my goal at $500.

I started training and fundraising for the race in June.  I started training by running intervals - one minute at a run, one minute at a very slow walk.  I started fundraising by setting up my fundraising page.

I increased my training by running intervals every other day.  I increased the run pace, increased the walk pace, and increased the total time spent.  I increased my fundraising efforts by sending out an email to family and friends encouraging them to run with me or to donate on my fundraising page.

As my time dropped, my donations went on the rise.  But then I hit a bit of an obstacle.  My hip started hurting from the impact of running, so I temporarily had to switch to the elliptical, running on the treadmill only once a week.  I maintained my time, but was unable to decrease it.  Similarly, my fundraising stalled, so it was time for one last email as a reminder before the race.

Just a few days before the race, something relaxed in my hip and I was able to run again.  I also got several more donations, bringing me to a total of $525 raised, beating my goal!

On the day of the race, I was joined by 5 friends in running.  Oddly enough, each represented a different time period in my life - childhood, high school, college, law school, and post law school.  It was very cool to see my life represented in one group of people supporting me and encouraging me.

I ran the race using the interval technique and beat last year's time by 16 seconds!  Not as much as I wanted to shave off, but I beat last year, and that was the goal.

After the race we hung out on the field, got to explore the dugout, and took pictures with the 2 World Series trophies.

 Our Feet on the Field!  :)

In the Dugout! 

TROPHIES!!

Running this race and raising money for a good cause was a great way to start the last day of being 27!

Living everyday, supporting good causes!

An Indian Wedding

A good friend of mine, who happens to be Indian, got married at the end of July.  While the traditional Indian wedding lasts 7 days, she and her now husband shortened their to 3 days, combining things to make it more feasible for people to attend and enjoy themselves.

The first day was the Mendhi and Sangeet, or as I called it, the henna party.  It was a beautiful reception at a restaurant in Glendale for family and close friends.  The women were dressed in bright colors and decorated in sparkling and shining jewelry. 

The women were allowed and encouraged to have their hands hennaed with beautiful designs.  The women doing the designs did an amazing job.  Each was different, done expertly and quickly.  I loved mine!

My hand on the right, beautiful huh?!

 The Beautiful Bride!

Dinner was fabulous, a never ending cycle of food including different hummus, pastries, rice, potatoes, meat skewers, fruit platters, cookies, and much more.  There was talking and dancing and everyone had a great time.

The second day was a day of prayer.

The last day was the actual ceremony and reception.  It started at noon with the groom's entrance, and him being welcomed by the bride's mom.

 Riding in on a Segway

 A welcome hug

Then there was a break and small meal consisting of course of delicious food.  People chatted with excitement, waiting for the ceremony to start. 

Everyone was then ushered in to ceremony room.  The music started as the groom first walked down the aisle.  The bridesmaids and flower girls followed, and then came the beautiful bride.  She was dressed in traditional red and was glowing as she smiled into the crowd.

The ceremony was long, incorporating many traditional items, prayers, and actions.  Thankfully the bride and groom described everything in their program so guest were able to follow along. 

 Literally tying the knot

After the ceremony, there was a short break.  Then a cocktail reception with delicious appetizers and excited chatter.  Finally, the doors to the reception room opened and we were greeted with beautifully decorated and laid out tables.  The wedding party entered first, and then finally the bride and groom.  The bride had changed into white (American traditional).  They took their seats at the head of the room, overseeing the party.

The first dance and emotional speeches followed.  Smiles lit up around the room as the bride and groom were accurately described. 

Dinner was a buffet or traditional and delicious Indian foods.  I liked everything I tried (which is quite a rarity!) but my favorite thing was the Nan.  There were displays of desserts for the taking - little cupcakes, pies, mousses, tarts, and other sweet items.

Then there was endless dancing and partying!  When I left around 11, the party was still rocking.  It was so wonderful to see my friend utterly happy and enjoying her day with her new husband.  It was a treat to have experienced so many traditions unfamiliar to me.

 With the lovely bride on her wedding day!

Living life everyday, celebrating love and being introduced to new traditions and cultures!