The RICA & Chavela's

Don't worry, I didn't mix the two together. 

For the past month and a half, I've been studying for the most important test in my life...the RICA. I hate tests, they make me really anxious and I start panicking. BUT, I think I did a better job this time (yes, this is my second time taking this darn test). Pray for me, I find out the results in 3-4 weeks. 

So the first half of my day was doing some last minute studying and driving to San Jose. Once the test was over, I took off to go visit one of my most favorite people on Earth...Sara :)

I got to see her new place, it's quite cozy. Then, we had dinner at El Guapos Restaurant located in downtown Campbell. The food was great and I had my very first chavela; it's a very satisfying alcoholic beverage. I haven't seen my friend since Thanksgiving, so we sat there and talked for hours. I absolutely loved it. 

Afterwards, I saw a frozen yogurt shop across the street so you know I just had to go try it out. Can't miss out on frozen yogurt, no matter how full you are. While Sara and I were walking to her car, a random man with his buddies said, "Hi Ladies", (he looked at my frozen yogurt and then looked at me) and said, "can I have some?" My reaction was pretty quick, I'm actually pretty impressed with myself. I said, "no, it's all mine!" Haha. I think I might have scared the man a little or that might be the last time he uses that pick-up line on anyone. Can I have a little? He be trippin'. Don't mess with a girl and her frozen yogurt. 

Overall, my day might have started a little stressful but it definitely ended on a really good note. 

Sara, I love you. You have always made my life a little more on the adventurous side. You and our friendship are so special to me❤️

Here are some pictures from tonight's festivities. 

She's the best.

Yummy toppings!

P.S. I think our friendaversary is coming up. Almost 22 years of making memories together. How time flies by. 

I hope everyone had a pleasant Wednesday. It's almost Friday...

With love,

Alessandra

Happy List

Today was an off day. I wasn't feeling myself. But I don't want to think about that or keep being negative; so here are some things that have recently put a smile on my face.

1. The first thing I did when I came home from work was greet my three dog besties (since hubs is at work).

This is the best picture out of the 30 that was taken. 

2. Getting texts from my little brother and/ sister asking for my help or they need me to convince mom and dad to do something since according to them "they only listen to me"...I beg to differ. 

3. Kevin putting my hair behind my ear while we were sleeping last night and whispering, "I love you".

4. Students yelling, "Good-Bye, Mrs.Morris!" from wherever they are at. 

5. The artichoke and parmesan dip I found at save mart this past weekend. It's so bomb. I can't stop eating it.

6. Praying to Him.

7. My mom's "good night" texts sent to me and my brother. She also reminded us to drive careful tomorrow (today) because there will be fog. 

8. My fuzzy socks.

9. Honey with my black tea.

10. Where Dexter is currently laying. Yes, that's my lap. If you didn't know already, let me remind you, and I will always remind you, this NEVER happens.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

With love,

Alessandra

Sushi is our favorite.

It was date night tonight. It was 5 o' clock, I looked at Kevin and he looked at me and we both instantly thought...sushi.

Masumi Sushi Restaurant in Ripon is so bomb. I love how much meat they put into a roll. We are always happy customers leaving that place. 

Thank you for the yummy food, Masumi's!

Here are a few pictures from tonight. 

Waiting....

I couldn't wait to eat my food so here is a picture of me, minus the sushi. 

I love this man of mine. Thank you for the yummy dinner, mi Amor. Now...what Disney movie shall we watch?!?

Happy Friday, everyone!

With love,

Ale

Los Banos.

My husband hosted a fraternity event at our house this weekend so I decided to visit my family in good ol' Los Banos.

Los Banos will always feel like home to me.

Here are ten things that I loved about this weekend and about being home.

1. Mass at the Mission of San Juan Bautista. The day was so beautiful on Saturday. 

 

2. Talking to my parents on the car ride to our destination. We always have so much to say, we update each other about everything, and my parents always have their words of wisdom to share with each of us. 

3. Spending time with the family dog's: Canela, Jelly, and Pepper. 

4. Waking up to the smell of breakfast on Sunday morning and hearing my mom yell out, "Desayuno!" 

5. Watching Frozen with my family on Saturday night and hearing my dad sing "let it go". 

6. My parents addiction to Frozen's app version of CandyCrush. They didn't appreciate when I tried to do an intervention on them. 

7. Chinese Food.

8. My younger siblings watching Friends on Netflix. They are obsessed. 

9. Sister date. My mini-me updated me about life. Our conversations are sounding more "grown-up" nowadays. It hurts my heart a little, but I love how she tells me everything. 

10. Thank you to "Jerry" who works at the Starbucks near Target and who paid for our yummy beverages. I didn't realize that I only had 25 cents on my gold card until I got home. I will make sure to pass on your random act of kindness. 

Spending time with family is one of my favorite things to do and this weekend was much needed. 

Hope you all had some quality family time as well. 

With love,

Ale

I love my job.

It was Friday afternoon where I was reminded for the 143rd time why I decided to become a teacher. 

With the guidance from several teachers, we were able to prevent a fight from happening on a Friday afternoon. This is my first time experiencing something like this so it left quite an impression on me. I observed something that made me really sad and worried. I noticed that it was an adult that was trying to start something. A full grown man leading this group of young kids, ages 13-16. How can we have people that can influence our younger generations in such a deadly way? Thankfully, the teachers were able to stop anything from starting and our students were escorted to safety. 

I was able to speak to one of the students who I have a good rapport with. His words to me were "I was only trying to take care of so-and-so's back." I looked at him and said, "who cares about taking care of so-and-so's back, the only back you should be taking care of is yours." He looked at me and then stared at the ground. Then, I said something that might or might not have left an impression on this student. I said to him, "I see a future in you" and at that moment, he gave me a look I've never seen before. Not a bad look, just a look like he was in shock that I said that to him. Afterwards, he stayed quiet and he walked towards the office to wait for his guardian to pick him up. Before I left, I waved him goodbye and he waved back. 

I'm not sure if my interaction with this student did any good. But on my drive home, my thoughts were consumed by this moment. Just by judging the look he had on his face made me think that maybe I am one of the few people in his life that actually talks to him, listens to him, and cares. I might be wrong, I don't know. All I know is that it was a total Hilary Swank moment like in the movie Freedom Writers. But most importantly, it reminded me why I became a teacher. I hope I am able to have more moments like these and I hope I can (potentially) guide more students like the one in my story towards a path that doesn't have violence or hate.

With love,

Ale

Insomnia

This weekend, especially today (Sunday), my mind became filled with thoughts that made me anxious, worried, and sad. After a good cry and a talk to the Man upstairs, I started to feel better and I organized my closet (seeing my closet nice and organized makes me happy, just call me weird).

I know the weekend is over but I would still like to end it on a positive note. So here are 10 things that made me really happy this past week. 

1. Returning to work after a long and relaxing holiday break. My students make me really happy and it just so happens that I work with a great group of educators and working alongside them makes me happy.

2. Black tea with honey in the morning and before going to bed.

3. Husband starting his coaching job and seeing him practice with the high schoolers. Also, hearing the students calling him "Coach".

4. Dexter's purrs directed to me. (This never happens).

5. When my dogs smile at me. 

(See? Ignore Bambi, he's too focused on the treat. Perhaps the reason to why the others are smiling). 

6. Calling my family and having them all on speakerphone. 

7. Visiting my best friend and her boyfriend and watching a classic Disney movie with them.

8. Realizing that Friends, Lilo & Stitch, and El Dorado have been added on Netflix.

9. Reorganizing my closet.

10. The fog outside my window on Saturday morning.

Here is a picture that was taken during our evening walk today. It makes me happy.

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

With love,

Ale

Sacramento.

Today, I spent most of my day in Sacramento. One of my best friends needed help packing her stuff and things of that sort.

So I helped her pack and I think I might have enjoyed it more than she did. She hates packing and she shared her thoughts about packing several times today while in my head I was a little excited to be helping her. Is it weird that I find packing fun? 

Afterwards, we all went out for pizza in a small, little, hole-in-the-wall place in downtown Sacramento. I want to thank my friends for the yummy dinner and for having me try for the first time, pepperoni pizza with garlic. Oh my goodness, it was so good. I think I might order that from here on out. Oh and then we watched The Goofy Movie after dinner and for one hour and 20 minutes, I was 6 years old again.  

"Yo Stacy! Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, baby!" 

Probably one of the best scenes in the movie as well as the "Eye to Eye" song in the end (which I sadly know the dance moves to). 

Here's a couple pictures from tonight. 

Meet my friends' dogs. They are the best of friends. 

This is Charlotte, she has such a kind soul.

Meet Rhodey. I have a feeling he didn't want me to leave (that's my shoe he's touching). Such a huge puppy. Can't wait to see him grow.

I love you, woman. 

Hope you all had a safe, fun, and productive Saturday as I did! 

With love,

Ale

Our menu for tonight was...

ITALIAN! Our favorite.

Husband and I went to eat dinner at Bella Italia in Modesto. Kevin is part Italian so he's thrilled when ever we try a new Italian place. We recommend it, it's delizioso! Order the Chicken Parmesan, it melts in your mouth. 

Afterwards, we were craving some ice cream and we weren't in the mood for BR or Cold Stone. My actual words before finding this place were "Man, I wish we could find a place that makes their own ice cream" and BAM! it's like the Gods of the Ice Cream heard me. Right in the corner of McHenry and Bowen, there it was...Velvet Grill & Creamery. It was what we were looking for and let me tell ya, the ice cream was heavenly AND they gained two loyal customers. 

Yummy Oreo and cream for Husband and rocky road for me!

Husband attempting to take a "good picture"

Hope everyone had a fun Friday night!

With love,

Ale

My Husband.

He's the best, he truly is. I don't know how I ever got so lucky.

To my husband, if you ever read this:

I love how you cook the chicken just the way I like it. It's perfect every time. I promise, I am working on my cooking skills and one day my chicken will come out just as good, if not BETTER!

I love how you tell me you love me in the middle of the night when you are completely unconscious.

I love how you share the same dreams with me and talk about what the names of our future children will be. [P.S. Please don't be as picky with the girl names I am thinking about, you know the names I have in mind are beautiful...just agree with me already].

I love how we share the same love for Taco Bell and McDonald's. It's not like in the beginning of our relationship when we could eat fast food everyday and not gain a pound. It's starting to show a little on me...I guess this means we have to cut back....i'm just kidding. Let's get some tomorrow (;

I love that you practice your Español conmigo. Believe me when I say that you are pretty darn good at it.

I love that we share the same love for animals. People must think we're crazy when they hear about our three dogs and one cat. Also, thank you for not going nuts every time I bring a stray animal home. I am well aware that we cannot own another animal...at least not for now.

I love how my OCD cleaning craziness is finally starting to get you. I see how you are attempting to make the bed just like how I do it...you're almost getting it, keep practicing (;

I love how you got me into board games pretty much overnight. Just to name a few: Small World, Settlers of Catan, Smash up, Ticket to Ride, you should get them. Seriously.

I love how you wait for me at the door when I come home from work everyday and how you're ready for a beso. I like that you also have Dexter in your arms every time but I'm afraid he doesn't feel the same way you do. I can read his face and can almost hear "great, his woman friend has returned".

I love when you immediately know when I had a bad day and I love how your hugs make those bad thoughts and feelings go away.

I love how you bite your tongue and say yes when I ask you to watch a Disney movie with me. We watched Mary Poppins a couple nights ago and I knew you had it once we hit the 5th song but you still held me tight and watched me sing along to every song with your usual "the things I do for you" face.

These are only a few items that I can think of right now but you do so much more.

You make me so incredibly happy.

Back in 2009 when it all started. 

I love you, handsome.

Love, 

Ale

New Years Eve & New Years Day Festivities

My family and I and Kevin decided to spend New Years Eve at Disneyland and New Years Day at California Adventure and it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

The good part is that we were able to spend it together and I love spending time with my family. The first half of the day at Disneyland was good. We were able to go on all of our favorite rides and the lines were about 40 minutes wait time (not too bad but it was the very first thing we did), we were able to get a table for both the parade and the firework show for when the clock struck 12 (believe me, it was a big deal if you were lucky to find a table, let alone a spot on the ground). 

The not so good part was the freezing cold weather while we were there and of course, the pushing and shoving at the park, i guess that's included with your ticket. 

What made our trip was spending New Years Day at California Adventure Park, it was 10x better and it wasn't as cold as the night before AND we could actually see the path before us when we walked from place to place. It was awesome. 

Memories were made and for the most part, we all had a great time. I can't wait to see what adventures 2015 has for us (:

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from our family trip. 

My dad's face was of a 5 year old. He was thrilled to be there. 

You see...I told you. 

I can never get him to smile... =P 

Of course you can take a nap at Disneyland, at least my dad can... Lol.

We love Mickey Mouse. 

I love my family. 

I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful New Years and here's to many more adventures and blessings for 2015!

With love,

Ale