High Tea at the Four Seasons

Sunday I had brunch with my friend, Melissa, in Harvard Square at Leo's Diner. After that we walked around and window shopped and then drove down Mass. Ave and stopped at Marathon Sports. We had a good time catching up.

I walked to Harvard Square and it was a beautiful walk! I really love the houses in the New England area. So much so, that I took some pictures of interesting houses. The first two houses were across the street from eachother.
This house is actually owned by Yo Yo Ma (also one of my dream houses):
I had to take this "Halloween" house! If it was dark I'd be running from this house!

Melissa drove me back to Christy's. I had to change for High Tea at the Four Seasons. Christy and I drove separately from Tracy and Elan. The Boston Marathon was today so Sunday was crowded, but we managed to get a spot in the Commons parking garage.

Our server, Alex, gave us excellent service once we were seated. Because it was a special occasion, he served us special (non-alcoholic) drinks and served a delicious creme brulee.

The creme brule was in addition to various finger sandwiches, pastries, scones and desserts:

I decided on the crimson berry tea and it was delicious (and I'm not a big tea drinker). Of course, I loaded it up with tons of honey and I used a rock candy stirrer. ;-) Here's the bride and her maids (well, one matron and 2 maids)?

Elan's Bridal Shower

Elan's shower was on Saturday morning. I arrived early to put up the sign and help put the food out and any other little things that needed to get done. Tracy's place was so adorable.
I had extra invitation pages, so I fashioned a sign that said "C-O-N-G-R-A-T-S":

Here I am with the bride:

Christy was in charge of the games and she did a great job!
Here is Tracy (the other bridesmaid) and Elan:

Everyone seemed to have a good time, and Elan said she definitely did! I was very happy with the result. :-)

Christy's and Errands

I arrived at Christy's and met her new 6 month old twin boys, Ivan and Alexander. They are cuties! The next day, Christy and I took the boys to run errands. We went to David's Bridal so that Christy could try on bride's maids dresses. We went to lunch at Cheesecake Factory and then went to the rest of the mall where I was able to find a few things for myself.

We had to rush to Brookline to pick up the cake and then rush back so that Christy could feed the boys. The traffic was crazy so Christy was a bit apprehensive since the boys needed to be fed. By the time we got back we were exhausted! We just chilled out the rest of the night.

Trip to Boston April 2009

Wednesday I took a half day so that I could take the 2:57pm flight from LAX to Denver and then on to Boston. I arrived at 1am to Logan airport and took a cab directly to the Park Plaza Hotel for that night.

I had a hard time getting to sleep so I had to endure Housewives of New Jersey and the Millionaire Matchmaker. I was finally sleepy at 3am, but I figured I had asked for a wakeup call for 9:30 so at least it would be 6 1/2 hours. Of course, I wasn't expecting that housecleaning would try to open my door at 8:30! I don't even believe I responded intelligibly!

I woke up at 9:30 as planned and then got ready for the day. At 10:26am another maid (or was it the same one?) knocked on my door again asking adamantly when I would be leaving. My answer: "Is four minutes okay with you?" I was really irritated so I complained when I got to the front desk since I had called beforehand and the night before I confirmed that check out time was at noon, so it didn't make sense to me that I would be troubled at 8:30! The hotel didn't even apologize and only offered me a free breakfast after the woman at the desk asked for me to come back to make it better for me and my response was "Well, you aren't making it better for me right now."

I think I was more tired than anything else. I left the hotel, which is located in the Theatre District of Boston and I walked, with my bags through the Public Garden and the Commons, which set me in a better mood.

I used to walk through the PG and Commons every day when I worked at Liberty Mutual and I miss it.

Here are the Public Gardens:

The wind was a bit chilly but my walk warmed me up. Here is a view of the State Capitol building:

Here is a picture of my old church, Park Street:

I met up with my friend, Seona for lunch. Her building is located next to the "Pregnant" building. I just had to take a picture!
Seona and I ended up going to a sushi place for lunch:
We had a great time catching up!

From there I had to run to Macy's and get a shower gift since I didn't want to bring one on the plane. I splurged and had it gift wrapped. :-) From there I took the T to Harvard Square. Originally I was going to get picked up, but it was easier just to catch a cab. It was unbelievable because the cab driver didn't know where to go when I gave him the address! Ah well. Not everyone is an overachiever in their jobs, I guess.

Rest of Easter

After my walk, I quickly drove to my place to get ready for lunch with my dad. I picked him up and we drove to San Pedro's Ports'o'Call to Acapulco restaurant. It was a good lunch, although a mariachi band was playing and it made it difficult to hear at certain times. That's when I found out my dad despises Mexican music because it's all horn.

After lunch I dropped my dad off and drove to Palos Verdes to spend the rest of the day with the Steip's. Scotti and Rich let me stay with them while I was recuperating from surgery. Andy and Katie (their kids, my sister, Erika's siblings-in-law) were there, as well as Jenn Gunn, a friend of mine and Scotti's mentee. Scotti's been mentoring Jenn for several months.

The dinner was delicious. Scotti served traditional ham, cheesy potatoes, green beans and so much more. We were all greated to the table by a chocolate bunny!

After eating, everyone but Scotti and I were tired, so Scotti and I decided to go on a walk/hike. We didn't have to exert ourselves too much, but just enough that we felt pretty good.

Here's Scotti surrounded by mustard (so she tells me):Here is one of the many spectacular views we had during our walk:

After our walk everyone watched "Marley & Me" while having dessert. I had to work hard at not crying (again) while watching the movie, but I succeeded in not shedding a tear.

Walk Along Hermosa

After breakfast at OPH, I had about an hour and a half to kill so I headed over to the Vons parking lot. I parked there and walked down to Hermosa Pier and walked along Hermosa beach. I finally remembered to bring my camera so that I can post pictures.

Here is a picture of the view from the Vons parking lot:

The walk down to the pier is colorful as well. Here is Java Man, a popular coffee house/cafe. They have great sandwiches.
Here's Hermosa's Pier Avenue:

When I got to the beach, it amazed me that the usual Sunday volleyball players were set up and ready to spike the ball:

Here's the Beverly Hills, 90210 beach house. This is located at the very end of Hermosa Beach, before the steps up to Manhattan Beach. The entire stretch is called "The Strand." This is my turn around spot.


It was a beautiful day for a walk!

Easter Morning

Easter morning I got up at 4:30am to get ready for the 6am sunrise service that my church was putting on at Veteran's Park in Redondo Beach. I had never been to one and the B.A.S.I.C. group team decided to make it a group event.

I got there at about 5:45 and met up with Darcy to choose a spot to lay the blankets down. We had about 6 of us. The service was good, although it was definitely geered to unbelievers. The service started with worship.

Lisa, who is in my bible study, was in the dance troop that performed during the service. She was really good. I'd post the video I took, but it's pretty long. :-) Trust me, she was good. :-D

After service we headed to the Original Pancake House or OPH. There were tons of King's Harbor folks there! Nicole, Darcy, Lisa (Harden...not the dancer, Lisa), and Stephanie had a nice breakfast.

God is Able

Last Wednesday at my small group, we discussed how we sometimes don't believe God is able to answer our prayers or make the impossible possible. It was a deep discussion.

The next morning I read my Beth Moore "Breaking Free" devotional that was right about this topic. It is amazing how we were just talking about it and then I read this:

"God is not a man who lies, or the son of man who changes His mind. Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19

Can you think of a time when God proved unworthy of your confidence? If we think we've discovered unfaithfulness in God, I believe one of three things has happened: 1) we misinterpreted the promise, 2) we missed the answer, or 3) we gave up before God timed His response. We must simply keep believing Him, because unbelief is crippling, casting huge obstacles in the way of a victorious life. The steps we take forward with God, we take through faith. This doesn't mean He asks us to believe in our ability to exercise unwavering faith. He merely asks us to believe that He is able.

Nicole's Birthday Bash

My friend, Nicole, was out of town on her actual birthday so her roommate, Lisa, and I organized a birthday party for her at Buca di Beppos. We were able to reserve The Pope Room for dinner, which made the evening special, as it is a fun atmosphere of fun, family style dining.

We all had a good time! After dinner we popped over to Chicago for Ribs across the street to see Andy, my bro-in-law's brother, who is also friend's with Jenn Gunn, who was in our party. From there we went to Hermosa Beach's Pier Ave cafe The Lighthouse for dancing to '80s music. We had an awesome time!

Love INC Fundraiser

From left to right: Andy, Jenn, Scotti, Rich, Angie, Randy and Molly (who I just met).

Tonight I attended the Love INC (in the Name of Christ) annual dinner and fundraisesr. There was a silent auction with a lot of great stuff and I actually won one of them. :-)

I was sitting at the table of my sister's in-laws, including her brother-in-law, Andy. Jenn Gunn who is a board member is a friend and she was at the table along with my friend, Angie.

Me and Angie

Courage and God's Presence Through Struggles

Lately, courage has been a theme that has popped up in my spiritual life. Doing the right thing can be difficult when there is a lot to lose. First, I received a very poignant email from my friend, Seona, who I admire for her focus and devotion to Jesus.

Additionally, I read a devotional book called "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore most mornings and recently I came across this entry:

"Immediately Jesus spoke to them. "Have courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Matthew 14:27

When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples while walking on the water, the storm continued to rage. The point is not that we have nothing to fear, but that His presence is the basis for our courage. No, Christ does not always calm the storm immediately, but He is always willing to calm His child on the basis of His presence.

"Don't worry!" he says. "I know the winds are raging and the waves are high, but I am God over both. If I let them continue to swell, it's becasue I want you to see Me walk on water." We'll probably never learn to enjoy our storms, but we can learn to enjoy God's presence in the midst of them.

This devotional totally let me see my struggles in a different light! Although I may not like the struggles I have to face, I know that my God is with me throughout it, even if I don't feel his presence constantly. And at the end of the dark, long tunnel, I will see God as He truly is: My Creator, My Redeemer, and the Lord of my life. I know I will be in awe of the great work He has in store for me.

I love Beth Moore as she often points out the amazing things that are staring me in the face, but I don't see them!