tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21316128144826232772024-03-13T10:55:05.492-05:00Exposing PosiesElenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-87161455259484364202010-06-28T14:47:00.003-05:002010-06-28T15:01:54.300-05:00I heart Faces Week 26 "Pets" Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">Hello!! It's been a long, long time since my last blog, but I love this challenge! I heart faces is hosting a Pets challenge. I've been lucky enough to hang out with some pretty cute pups, including my own, which<a href="http://exposingposies.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-heart-faces-photo-challenge.html"> had some luck last year</a> with this challenge.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />So meet Outlaw. He's my sister's dog. He was just six weeks old in this picture and couldn't have been more adorable. He's now 2 years old and 20lbs heavier, but still adorable.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HbmPHbB8h4L_uZdlE3rZAB89J703VSX75-wwypvI4JqknFcf0811euj5X8ENeGjY4RXPIpVl2Qv3x_T02SlKZijp1Nhh5wGNfKmhhcDXq99tLVpZQRZTLzwdigAAae7hrP_Xu7Xlh90/s1600/2447391529_37cf06cab4_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HbmPHbB8h4L_uZdlE3rZAB89J703VSX75-wwypvI4JqknFcf0811euj5X8ENeGjY4RXPIpVl2Qv3x_T02SlKZijp1Nhh5wGNfKmhhcDXq99tLVpZQRZTLzwdigAAae7hrP_Xu7Xlh90/s320/2447391529_37cf06cab4_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487914672688150930" border="0" /></a><br />For more entries of cutie pets, click on the link below:<br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img src="http://new.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" /></a></center></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-59582313470289743372010-04-09T13:19:00.002-05:002010-04-09T13:21:36.412-05:00Ok so I watch American Idol...<div style="text-align: center;">And Glee and Real Housewives (all of them) and a bunch of other shows I don't really tell people about. My only comfort is YOU DO TOO!! I was really sad last week when Didi Benami was kicked off. I think her voice is amazing. And this should be her song. Which I will quickly learn on my guitar and play when no one is listening. =)<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/sflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="480" height="316" id="embed" align="middle"><br /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><br /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://wbads.vo.llnwd.net/o25/u/telepixtv/ellen/us/video/player/embed.swf"><br /><param name="flashVars" value="mediaKey=98f52a3e-8483-4d26-974d-77955dd51fa4&image=http://wbads.vo.llnwd.net/o25/u/telepixtv/ellen/us/video/2010-04/08/040810_didising_still.jpg&origin=embed"><br /><param name="quality" value="high"><br /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><br /><embed src="http://wbads.vo.llnwd.net/o25/u/telepixtv/ellen/us/video/player/embed.swf" flashvars="mediaKey=98f52a3e-8483-4d26-974d-77955dd51fa4&image=http://wbads.vo.llnwd.net/o25/u/telepixtv/ellen/us/video/2010-04/08/040810_didising_still.jpg&origin=embed" width="480" height="316" name="embed" align="middle" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /></object><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-87639086516459486782010-03-29T10:27:00.001-05:002010-03-29T10:28:33.568-05:00becuase I lazy and uber tired this morning<div style="text-align: center;">This week's I Heart Faces challenge can be found on Flickr. The challenge this week is Dramatic B&W. I love this picture of Emma and my dad. Btw, Emma is darling. Baby in a basket pictures coming soon.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/4390292252/">This week's entry. </a><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-30408765857123299872010-03-16T09:46:00.001-05:002010-03-16T09:48:56.097-05:00I heart faces weekly entry: All bundled up!<div style="text-align: center;">So here's my take on all bundled up. Actually, I left my jumpdrive at home but I really wanted to play so I searched through my flickr pictures until I found one that i thought worked. This was one of my favorite pictures from my 365 project. It makes me laugh everytime I look at it! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/3195306287/" title="112/365 by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/3195306287_46bc59a395.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="112/365" /></a><br /><br />For more Bundled up entries, click here:<br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" /></a></center><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-31143985062831904742010-03-11T09:01:00.005-06:002010-03-11T09:08:27.825-06:00Photo Restoration<div style="text-align: center;">ok I'm really excited about this. We're throwing a huge party for my grandparents at the end of the month and one of my duties was to get an 8X10 made of each of my aunts and uncles for their respective tables. Luckily all of them went to the local photographer in Port Lavaca for portraits when they graduated, and grandma had a copy of them all. Unfortunately, she didn't have a copy of my oldest uncle. His daughter scanned a photo from when he was 21 but the photo had definitely seen better days. My clone stamp and I went to work! I was so happy with the way it came out (as well as my cousin) that she sent me their wedding photo. Check out the before and afters. I'm very happy with them!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Before:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij22P6o_7QyFwUZuoaKjuoTUeRSDeNruprPulXqT0NmJnZhWq11Gmi8aIumXNoeFyituSVFSgIP9o3oB9cUFgnKcRFMBMz5vabcQp6x6B0OWQBHqikWOAFPHd_V1tAQqHk62dFRZUlYe8/s1600-h/Jesse+21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij22P6o_7QyFwUZuoaKjuoTUeRSDeNruprPulXqT0NmJnZhWq11Gmi8aIumXNoeFyituSVFSgIP9o3oB9cUFgnKcRFMBMz5vabcQp6x6B0OWQBHqikWOAFPHd_V1tAQqHk62dFRZUlYe8/s200/Jesse+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447392537097530226" border="0" /></a><br />After:<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">It looks a little different b/c I had to change the size for 8X10 </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCUvBC3JyQUDPTRsjkKWAh_PUz8g4vp6gZMCJUZU6ZfwP6bQZjNaRMyfjU4bQjlneqKO77tHrAT9ClLn6AnYZnxfzMJpgDfNL1byG_xRj3cnA2e5PYrenEXXHC1WENmuBJzxBMJAjo7U/s1600-h/Jesse+21+retouched.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCUvBC3JyQUDPTRsjkKWAh_PUz8g4vp6gZMCJUZU6ZfwP6bQZjNaRMyfjU4bQjlneqKO77tHrAT9ClLn6AnYZnxfzMJpgDfNL1byG_xRj3cnA2e5PYrenEXXHC1WENmuBJzxBMJAjo7U/s200/Jesse+21+retouched.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447392681951856210" border="0" /></a><br />Before:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLOEeh9EyccUar6k4jxUQyVijvGDZRmgAjH3gf_iy-_hM7dlfKXPt6vBHwOEUnwFuyAJXiL6nW71xDxLxaBbvk36IV8PEwaaRI-eAUjSN-1FbUwmgF_cUnd3SNc5Zqf-qptxq-qHdK6c/s1600-h/original.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLOEeh9EyccUar6k4jxUQyVijvGDZRmgAjH3gf_iy-_hM7dlfKXPt6vBHwOEUnwFuyAJXiL6nW71xDxLxaBbvk36IV8PEwaaRI-eAUjSN-1FbUwmgF_cUnd3SNc5Zqf-qptxq-qHdK6c/s200/original.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447392815958153362" border="0" /></a><br />After:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU60aagRj5QkAXHmp2KIx_eHbrBEUrYhRB9TuzYYcx-EB2855Ld67QYQT7re1V0Co8M37GHicDlDxrmIIgZ5_mxRI-7z3rqxxVzTjEzsGnUzqxsq0IS9MrA2zTRd4diT1IV6NgtvQKnZY/s1600-h/wedding+retouched.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU60aagRj5QkAXHmp2KIx_eHbrBEUrYhRB9TuzYYcx-EB2855Ld67QYQT7re1V0Co8M37GHicDlDxrmIIgZ5_mxRI-7z3rqxxVzTjEzsGnUzqxsq0IS9MrA2zTRd4diT1IV6NgtvQKnZY/s200/wedding+retouched.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447392900538569010" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-56933422232216020882010-02-28T22:08:00.004-06:002010-02-28T22:26:17.882-06:00and just like that...<div style="text-align: center;">the world is a seven pounds cuter.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />She's got 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 gorgeous blue eyes, and an amazingly full head of hair.<br /><br />Emma Jay Perez was born February 22, 2010 at 2:01pm. She is 7lbs 8oz, 20 inches long. I could go on and on about her cuteness and how much in love with this little girl I am, but I'll let her pictures do the talking. Obviously, more pictures to come. :)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef921758f64ec00000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef921758f64ec00000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/" alt="" border="0" /></a>Right outta the oven...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef921d9ab649e00000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef921d9ab649e00000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/" alt="" border="0" /></a>So sweet<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef9200e98041200000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef9200e98041200000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef92161a8e5f100000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef92161a8e5f100000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/" alt="" border="0" /></a>What a great moment--caught my dad's first meeting with Emma<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef920d526c56900000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef920d526c56900000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then a great grandmother meeting her 17th great-grandchild<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef92121b8e5c100000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 400px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc07b3127ccef92121b8e5c100000030O00AauGrhw2cNmQPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/" alt="" border="0" /></a>mother and daughter are doing great.<br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-57162677895423761402010-02-16T10:05:00.002-06:002010-02-16T10:21:13.627-06:00I heart faces weekly challenge: I wanna dance<div style="text-align: center;">I like these challenges because it gives me a chance to go back through the pictures I've taken and relive the experiences. I didn't realize I had so many dance pictures to choose from! This one made me smile the most. This was taken at the beautiful wedding of Deanna and Victor. The kids were hilarious and waaay better dancers than I'll ever be. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKVPGlaIwKbgouMFLTg1p0KE-Owa_3_vUdks8aB5oB7ExkWJbDTvbyaKGHXW7P-OxT19noG2ioleGVCH5J2u9n0xa3rPG8RD2bPjJR4YUX2vu5gtFGY0CnPP4G1dQw-2mflPX8BRvB-s/s1600-h/IMG_2144.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKVPGlaIwKbgouMFLTg1p0KE-Owa_3_vUdks8aB5oB7ExkWJbDTvbyaKGHXW7P-OxT19noG2ioleGVCH5J2u9n0xa3rPG8RD2bPjJR4YUX2vu5gtFGY0CnPP4G1dQw-2mflPX8BRvB-s/s320/IMG_2144.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438876967908661010" border="0" /></a>More I wanna Dance photos can be found by clicking on this link.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" /></a></center><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-87755207240408194492010-02-09T16:12:00.001-06:002010-02-09T16:15:00.419-06:00I heart faces photo challenge: Kisses week!<div style="text-align: center;">My favorite kissy kissy picture, the beautiful Claire and Charlie. <br /><br />Taken in Italy soon after their wedding in Ravello on the steps leading to the bathroom (hah I'm not sure what else was up there :) )<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/4024213460/" title="Italian wedding by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/4024213460_9e7431d022.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Italian wedding" /></a><br /><br />For more kissy kissy pictures, click on the link:<br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" /></a></center><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-23602450355246463992010-01-27T09:05:00.002-06:002010-01-27T09:08:25.458-06:00November 1, 1951-January 27, 2002<div style="text-align: center;">"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the<br />mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten<br />thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and<br />unspeakable love" -Washinton Irving<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/2980612806/" title="35/365 by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2980612806_ced8b3fb78.jpg" width="500" height="349" alt="35/365" /></a><br /><br />My best friend, my confidante, my mother. I miss you every single day. I'm happy you still show up in my dreams. It gives me peace to feel your spirit. Thank you for making me who I am today. <br />Love,<br />me.<br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-41095041980741579532010-01-26T14:59:00.002-06:002010-01-26T15:02:11.582-06:00I heart faces weekly challenge: Texture<div style="text-align: center;">I love texture. I think it really adds to the artistic part of the photo. This is a photo of Faith during her 12 month photos. Really, blue eyes? I love them!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNUt0At9s7SotJxDxusMVfBc9RqPmFoFFihXzmcUj4YQr5FAtKHNbEKfUuGcq0OFh5W7qVA8udCYqIyTIb9lwtMlu4FqY9yBlKRDkXIF9UBojNDmLyrTnj72-VybRKHSNtrxDxIYkziQ/s1600-h/4091893788_1e18a212ab_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNUt0At9s7SotJxDxusMVfBc9RqPmFoFFihXzmcUj4YQr5FAtKHNbEKfUuGcq0OFh5W7qVA8udCYqIyTIb9lwtMlu4FqY9yBlKRDkXIF9UBojNDmLyrTnj72-VybRKHSNtrxDxIYkziQ/s320/4091893788_1e18a212ab_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431156489890681426" border="0" /></a>Click here for more entries to the I Heart Faces Weekly Challenge:<br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" /></a></center><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-50440371734795297632010-01-26T14:06:00.005-06:002010-01-26T15:13:29.784-06:00Tuesday Ramblings<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Lesson Learned</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Never trust the person you once considered your friend but then she went and acted crazy and you defriended her and are just getting back to where she's tolerable. Trusting her to not say anything even after you say with emphasis PLEASE DO NOT SAY ANYTHING is stupid and won't happen. Jerk.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Lesson learned and pain caused</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />When you don't exercise for like a month and then all of a sudden decide it's a great idea, your legs WILL try to break off and not be a part of you anymore. At the very least, all your muscles will shake every time you walk up or down stairs and you can't catch your breath to save your life for about an hour. You know what my favorite part of working out is? I stink. Like, really. So if I have somewhere to be after I work out, I have to take a shower. It takes me a good hour or so though to get my body temperature down. So trying to put on makeup after I work out and shower is ridiculous.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Love</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I think the dvr is the best invention EVER. I can now fall asleep and not worry about who won jeopardy or that late night tennis match. I can just click record and catch it in the morning. I feel so free.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Adjustment</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Having an early bird boyfriend is nice b/c I eat breakfast more often on the weekends, but kind of sucks b/c we're both exhausted by 11pm. I know this schedule is better for me, I just miss my late late nights.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Awesomeness</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />My dog can hold it for a really, really long time. He's awesome.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Awkwardness</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />If there is any type of tape around me, I'm playing with it. I'll waste tape like crazy. No seriously, I just pulled two pieces of scotch tape off the roll and it's now sitting on my nose. I will not take a picture.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >More pain</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I just started a bet with my friends to work out 5 days a week. It's going to suck, but it's going to be awesome. This might pertain to number 2, as the bet started yesterday.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >More Love</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Hosting a baby shower is not easy work, but it kind of is. I truly appreciate all the help I've gotten from family and friends and am looking forward not only to the shower, but to meeting Baby Emma! I can't wait for her to get here!!! 3 short weeks left...<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Nearing the end of an era...</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />My career is very important to me, and I think once my hair with a bumpit in it hits the glass ceiling, it's time to move on. So watch out people, I'm putting in the bumpit.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />Not Awesomeness</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Has anyone ever tried the bumpit? What a piece of CRAP.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >And lastly, well said Mr. O Brian.<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>"All I ask of you is one thing:<br />please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism-<br /></em><em>it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.<br />Nobody in life gets exactly what they </em></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>thought they were going to get.<br /></em><em>But if you work really hard and you're kind,<br /></em></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>amazing things will happen.</em> "<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">- Conan O'Brien's farewell speech</span></div><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-10150972156947803342010-01-19T14:22:00.002-06:002010-01-19T14:25:23.873-06:00I heart faces challenge: we are family<div style="text-align: center;">I love this challenge. I get to post one of my favorite pictures!<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/4222829352/" title="Von Mindens by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4222829352_3bdfa81cf5.jpg" width="500" height="318" alt="Von Mindens" /></a></span><br /><br /><br />Click here for more entries<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" /></a></center><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-42952615989283480952010-01-11T15:57:00.002-06:002010-01-11T16:04:14.461-06:00I heart faces photo challenge: Best Face Photo<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I heart faces is looking for the best face photo taken between december 09 and january '10. I made a deal with a girl from back home that I'd take pictures of her and her family anytime they wanted to if she'd give me free haircuts. If you've ever shelled out $95 for TRIM, you'll realize, this is quite the deal. So here's my entry this week. This is Baby Busa. His eyes pierce me. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/4265752529/" title="Busa baby by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4265752529_be84f3406c.jpg" width="500" height="352" alt="Busa baby" /></a><br /><br /><br />Click here to view more entries!<br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" /></a></center></span><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-46597822110385051762010-01-05T09:46:00.003-06:002010-01-05T11:00:01.858-06:00i heart faces weekly challenge<div style="text-align: center;">In celebration of their one year anniversary, this week's challenge was to incorporate the i heart faces name into your photo. Wow. I was looking at some of the others and some of these people's shots are amazing! I did my best, unfortunately, I only have time to submit one photo. Good luck this week!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS937cGHwiYr7iVQpJvPKE8O_WJiqCf6JVVVAiyLVjZv5hMWo66xyky5nActHGEfXAK9uJTT7BazFHJXhXKGjuZpKob2kJ2vIfmQ-RGN_MuSnRltnxD0NSOiVta_nRLa0ExlBtW2behvE/s1600-h/3970819446_6aab4089a3_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS937cGHwiYr7iVQpJvPKE8O_WJiqCf6JVVVAiyLVjZv5hMWo66xyky5nActHGEfXAK9uJTT7BazFHJXhXKGjuZpKob2kJ2vIfmQ-RGN_MuSnRltnxD0NSOiVta_nRLa0ExlBtW2behvE/s400/3970819446_6aab4089a3_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423301056684793810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><i>I am submitting this photo into the I Heart Faces logo photo contest. By entering, I am granting I Heart Faces LLC permission to consider my photo for use in the marketing and promotion of their website</i></span><br /><br /><br />check out more of the entries here:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/smallbutton.jpg" /></a></center></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-7449321764626017342010-01-04T15:05:00.008-06:002010-01-04T15:26:19.320-06:00New Year, New Monday<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaSv8tihu2vFiCq8mn5ZMYM9QhudleBIdWuKTdOboerIRbYVg1GiF-moYTe7mewDrTpPaD7sPGJ71cyjt-WZPDm4sp2ITy68NyBxbkV884n-QacnrTqhuE3O6R1V2usXN4Fjl4Vqgt_w/s1600-h/IMG_3816.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaSv8tihu2vFiCq8mn5ZMYM9QhudleBIdWuKTdOboerIRbYVg1GiF-moYTe7mewDrTpPaD7sPGJ71cyjt-WZPDm4sp2ITy68NyBxbkV884n-QacnrTqhuE3O6R1V2usXN4Fjl4Vqgt_w/s400/IMG_3816.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422998228844967442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >“</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >And the most you can do is live inside that hope.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" > Not admire it from a distance, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >but live right in it, under its roof.</span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">”</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">— Barbara Kingsolver.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><blockquote><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 156);">Happy New Year! Hope everyone's holidays were enjoyable! I didn't take very many pictures this weekend, except I got a few shots of the most adorable family, the Von Mindens. The following questions I did for you, but I also plan to follow these statements for the rest of the year. 2010's the year of wonderfulness. 4 days in, so far so good!</span><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">look</span> at other people and not judge them immediately. They could be going through so much more than you ever have.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">accept</span> that I will probably never be able to keep a secret.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />3. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">learn</span> that differences are not a bad thing. Everyone is beautiful in their own amazing way.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />4. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">utilize</span> all your talents. God gave em to ya for a reason.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSkhWWHC5IEJ67BiuuOr0s7TambSBPhyzdkB8qq4VFwrO9eY-Lktdq0CDhJBCbeimZluEiBA0EfwNXZ29bqoWreicyTpLY4ba9-2aoVWapEhXyJsk-vvq8sSccsqI08PPvG9MAFc8ZFA/s1600-h/IMG_3810.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSkhWWHC5IEJ67BiuuOr0s7TambSBPhyzdkB8qq4VFwrO9eY-Lktdq0CDhJBCbeimZluEiBA0EfwNXZ29bqoWreicyTpLY4ba9-2aoVWapEhXyJsk-vvq8sSccsqI08PPvG9MAFc8ZFA/s400/IMG_3810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422998369281107378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">give</span> your heart to someone who truly deserves it.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">be</span> kind to others<span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span>but most importantly, yourself.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />7. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">practice</span> what you preach. Stand up for what you believe is beautiful and right. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />8. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">feel</span> everything life brings at you.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />9. I want you to choose</span> the best options for you. It might not be the *right* option, but at the time, for you, will be the best.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />10. I want you to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">tell</span> the world what a wonderful person you are, whether through your words or actions. Everyone needs to know!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6ca0OOk8Z9YSOjn-GXe3RYZToYQLQXe_yMuk7C8-mdG8NJ_gG-IBM-RCIxtzhJX5Wo1BbW5am9ADIx37s0C3yg1zqJTC_cap8WJkhj3m6VFGWIKBuVnkPxL30LxWCkSONke4mx4G8d0/s1600-h/IMG_3835.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6ca0OOk8Z9YSOjn-GXe3RYZToYQLQXe_yMuk7C8-mdG8NJ_gG-IBM-RCIxtzhJX5Wo1BbW5am9ADIx37s0C3yg1zqJTC_cap8WJkhj3m6VFGWIKBuVnkPxL30LxWCkSONke4mx4G8d0/s400/IMG_3835.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422998483190132722" border="0" /></a><br /></blockquote></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-16822336265046900372009-12-29T20:19:00.002-06:002009-12-29T21:00:21.615-06:00Monday Monday...<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><b><span style="font-size:large;"><span style="font-size:78%;">questions via <a href="http://seyma-erol.blogspot.com/2009/12/just-minute-in-december.html">Good Intention Equals Nothing</a></span><br />Listening to</span></b></i> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Q8FFckHYY">Knock You Down</a>. I think that's my song for 2009. Love it.<br /><br /><i style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><b><span style="font-size:large;">Watching</span></b></i><i> </i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsD0NpFSADM">500 Days of Summer. </a><br /><br /><i style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><b><span style="font-size:large;">Eating</span></b></i> hummus. lots and lots of hummus.<br /><br /><i style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><b><span style="font-size:large;">Looking Forward To</span></b></i> what the new year will bring. This one is ending quite nicely. <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:large;" ><i><b>Dreaming</b></i></span> of warmer weather<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:large;" ><b><i>Planning</i></b></span> my trip to Singapore, end of May. Can't wait to see K-Pat! <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:large;" ><b><i>Just Beginning</i></b></span> a new...thing. It feels like it's going to be around for a while. :)<br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-27178314826064319502009-12-29T12:28:00.002-06:002009-12-29T12:30:24.161-06:00she read my mind<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4192687298_f7ab9a1c8f_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 597px; height: 530px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4192687298_f7ab9a1c8f_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://notebookdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-have-question.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">via notebookdoodles</span></a><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-53773780231182162522009-12-28T15:40:00.006-06:002009-12-29T10:18:56.966-06:00I Heart faces photo challenge: Hilarious outtakes<div style="text-align: center;">Greetings! Hope everyone had a great holiday! Here is my contribution to the I heart faces photo challenge! This one was fun, and lucky for me, I snapped a picture of the nephew this weekend right as the other one made him laugh. Snot came shooting out of his nose. Disgusting, but hilarious. Enjoy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdYXOPCRuT_2_b-XhQl8aa0DQUrcotFem7cm0xgKS5M3-IKo43YDaOrdogRwbx7iU2GwqYZSgWutV65D9U0oe5ZfSf_aFApoe1la6576k0fNx-BE9Ysn1urazoi9pw-1hNAG8Ndjkv9M/s1600-h/IMG_3719.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdYXOPCRuT_2_b-XhQl8aa0DQUrcotFem7cm0xgKS5M3-IKo43YDaOrdogRwbx7iU2GwqYZSgWutV65D9U0oe5ZfSf_aFApoe1la6576k0fNx-BE9Ysn1urazoi9pw-1hNAG8Ndjkv9M/s400/IMG_3719.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420690478128217298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Baptism outtake:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/3881844759/" title="babies get tired too by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3881844759_ed57f4a909.jpg" alt="babies get tired too" width="500" height="343" /></a><br /><br />attempt at a family picture.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/3759895354/" title="I couldn't not post this picture by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3759895354_8d34c1e688.jpg" alt="I couldn't not post this picture" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><br />Check out more here:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2009/12/week-51-hilarious-outtakes-photo.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicinsld3roYs3x69alNN25NbGI-FH394xB6-vYNYdOGOphkboJVkQlO4GoBSTDSpKW4zb1hzq69TcjX2u2wVazdk-UUMEGsDH-0XkrJ0vKfKgEt_My_20VG1NFzPwtrTGnV4XyAuTZb8k/s320/button+-+photochallenge1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420693216757671826" border="0" /></a>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-19473527581099811832009-12-15T23:18:00.006-06:002009-12-16T13:58:55.055-06:00Things I've read this week you might find interestingThis is part of my "I really want to blog more" kick. The longest streak of blogging ever: 3.<br /><br />1. I can't stop watching this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHAshi4vdbg">cute little puppy</a>. Seriously, cutest thing ever.<br /><br />2. If <a href="http://www.nataliedee.com/archives/2009/Dec/?#650">this</a> is marriage, no thanks.<br /><br />3. I'll admit it. I love Glee. Wasn't the season finale awesome? <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/112693/glee-somebody-to-love#s-p4-sr-i1">My favorite</a> of all the episodes.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com//il_fullxfull.110585924.jpg">A future purchase</a> for Baby Emma. I'll wait a few months though. :)<br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/">The Big Picture</a> is going through it's top photos of 2009. They're worth looking at--amazing pictures from across the world.<br /><br />6. Feel-good movies I've seen lately that you should too: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2724005145/">The Blindside</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqKjVo-9qso">Invictus</a>. Both true stories, both excellently portrayed. You'll root for the good guys through both movies.<br /><br />7. <a href="http://icanread.tumblr.com/post/217286898">What I have to say</a> over and over in my head until May when this whole thesis junk is over!!<br /><br />8 . <a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/the-top-1000/">So far, so true</a>.<br /><br />9. It pains me to say, but my cravings for the crack chicken have ceased. I had a bad experience with Chipotle. My loyalty is slowly switching to the <a href="http://www.whichwich.com/">adjacent sandwich shop</a>. God bless you, turkey wich.<br /><br />10. I love the end of the year, when the <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/photogalleries/best-tiny-microscopic-life-pictures/index.html">best of photos</a> are named. Warning: Nerdiness alert.<br /><br />11. GREAT<a href="http://www.pifphoto.com/?p=1801"> textures</a> posted on Pay it Forward for the Christmas season. Love these.Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-78287732211593019372009-12-15T10:05:00.006-06:002009-12-15T11:01:08.615-06:00I think I want to blog more<div style="text-align: center;">I think I say that and do well for a couple weeks and then fall off the wagon. *maybe* this time I'm serious.<br /><br />I think I'm going to start entering the <a href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/">I heart faces</a> weekly photo contests. And for those of you with adorable kiddos, you should enter too! The contests are open to everyone and it's a lot of fun to look at the different entries. Check it out!<br /><br />Questions taken from a cute little blog I've been lurking on, <a href="http://seyma-erol.blogspot.com/">Good Intention Equals Nothing</a>:<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">1. When exactly is your birthday?<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">June 18, 1982</span><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">2. What is your biggest passion?<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I thought about this one for a while. But I think the answer is making people smile. There's nothing like seeing a good pair of teeth.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyY3UD350uuIcv21zihpao-zKaYbhYMxEIX5mn7XYst-i_HnJhqt2DpcPCpuyR1mJyO5-d485ZbJrUN0vOFqqIZFcCZGjqZ3GuxEAHcX6SC1n3XrhtT1EbdoS_EMBykZ0us7mbMLxVI8/s1600-h/elissa+smile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyY3UD350uuIcv21zihpao-zKaYbhYMxEIX5mn7XYst-i_HnJhqt2DpcPCpuyR1mJyO5-d485ZbJrUN0vOFqqIZFcCZGjqZ3GuxEAHcX6SC1n3XrhtT1EbdoS_EMBykZ0us7mbMLxVI8/s200/elissa+smile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415497124914719058" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">3. What are your expectations of the new year?<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">To get my masters in public health. After my advisor meeting yesterday, it's going to happen, as early as May, as late as August. But it's happening!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">4. If you were given the chance to get something you want most in your entire life, what would that be? Why?<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It would be more drive, more motivation, more passion. Why? Because procrastination sucks and having a little more drive, motivation, passion seems to be the secret to getting over the hump.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">5. How would you complete this sentence below:<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">- I'm <strike>fucking</strike> pissed off when...<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">People wallow (is that a word?) in the negative and don't see how absolutely gorgeous the world is around them.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFcoaMWkCVdXFDUl82dXKwdcBfr3V2wzXIqeX7F5C87B0w0ledFg9vMGenD-cp5rZ6hyphenhyphenWMjt7vGmY3Gr8csL5aW48CQNmbAPcDUhtyhSWYzXm8vmTcA072YLo46-Yj2oYxrSO2-Q2Qmg/s1600-h/tumblr_krtkroBcdd1qzr04eo1_400.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFcoaMWkCVdXFDUl82dXKwdcBfr3V2wzXIqeX7F5C87B0w0ledFg9vMGenD-cp5rZ6hyphenhyphenWMjt7vGmY3Gr8csL5aW48CQNmbAPcDUhtyhSWYzXm8vmTcA072YLo46-Yj2oYxrSO2-Q2Qmg/s320/tumblr_krtkroBcdd1qzr04eo1_400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415498184554009682" border="0" /></a><a href="http://icanread.tumblr.com/post/218175156"><span style="font-size:78%;">credit</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">6. What was the most interesting class you've ever taken?<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This is going to show my nerdiness, but I think it was Legal Aspects of Environmental Quality. It was my first "Matt Class" (Mr. Berkheiser taught almost all my favorite classes in college). It was the first class that really sold me on making my career what it is today.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">7. What is your favorite flower? Why?<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You would think posies, huh? hehe but it's not, my favorite flower is the yellow rose, in memory of my favorite person ever.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb_TYpwNf4e4cCjODQ6GafFg-Jfbtwua7N1q_5J4xG064v9o1e8esIfJG9T52wwiChLtFd20ltB0uU5AtjdinZDgOrBH24pCmceE0v7SSuJpVB6sDTuW7HHmHGI8ziFQVl44fkmXi5Hg/s1600-h/IMG_3016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb_TYpwNf4e4cCjODQ6GafFg-Jfbtwua7N1q_5J4xG064v9o1e8esIfJG9T52wwiChLtFd20ltB0uU5AtjdinZDgOrBH24pCmceE0v7SSuJpVB6sDTuW7HHmHGI8ziFQVl44fkmXi5Hg/s320/IMG_3016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415504011160733746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo taken at Regent's Park on my last Europe Trip<br /><br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">8. Would you still love or be friends with someone that did you wrong? Why?<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I can forgive, but I wouldn't trust them again. That might end the friendship.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;">9. Why do you blog?<br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Because why not? :)<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1o. How would you describe your philosophy in life, if you have one?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">focus on the good. The bad will happen, but accept it and move on. One of the last conversations with my favorite person ever, she said "it's okay to cry, but I'd rather see you smile." Words to live by people!!<br /></span></span></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-88690366870082779232009-12-14T08:21:00.006-06:002009-12-19T11:55:18.924-06:00I Heart Faces Photo Challenge: 9th place!<div style="text-align: center;">I've been a lurker for about a year now, but when I saw the Pet Week Challenge, I figured I'd give it a shot. I've said it a million times and I'll say it a million more: Rocko is the most awesome weenie dog in the entire world.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgQx0mDHL7N-6vxiwdaUcke3NAEJZokzB-X93jzluiOsKXDK3KIkHQjMHpH_kCtFP8PaoNWM63_VmSwpgQHaQs8ylCwakSldUJ2uCdiIml-cNkUMQ0AtbNGYGwXJUnk3fU_DbFhx9rus/s1600-h/3869096358_0c6a6a1099_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgQx0mDHL7N-6vxiwdaUcke3NAEJZokzB-X93jzluiOsKXDK3KIkHQjMHpH_kCtFP8PaoNWM63_VmSwpgQHaQs8ylCwakSldUJ2uCdiIml-cNkUMQ0AtbNGYGwXJUnk3fU_DbFhx9rus/s400/3869096358_0c6a6a1099_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415106355260465122" border="0" /></a>Congrats to all the other winners!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2009/12/pets-only-winning-photos.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 61px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiNhfW5nQIiQR02pABcgOg61I9iscvVf9_A2f50Y6cmB2v8qygSn-DEIPUJUsYNoySWibllDAtPjTeiV32QlGIA45nt0dNvB7c0eYVDqRTcAbwemUX65Q5CgKSdadJ_ix398wEadJnQw/s320/I_Heart_Faces_HM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417007185542648546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-34587424562857833302009-12-13T21:34:00.004-06:002009-12-14T08:13:08.282-06:00Elena attempts to bake<div style="text-align: center;">I made cake balls! They're much easier to make than I thought. I was inspired by <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas/">this post</a> by Bakerella. There's no way I'm that talented with frosting though to make cute little reindeer. So I figured, maybe I can pull off some christmas ornaments. Here's what happened.<br /><br />1. Bought all the ingredients yesterday while shopping at HEB. Unfortunately their sprinkle selection was not to my liking. Add to my list to buy sprinkles tomorrow at Target.<br /><br />2. 2nd Quarter of the Texans game, getting bored watching the Texans run all over the Seahawks, decide it's cake ball time. Mix all my ingredients and wait for the delicious smell to wander from my kitchen.<br /><br />3. Allow the cake to cool down, add a 1/4 cake at a time to mixing bowl and crumble to pieces until the entire cake is in the bowl. Mix in frosting. The smells at this point were almost unbearable. I confess, I saved myself a piece of cake. (=D)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/4183845872/" title="the beginning of cake balls! by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/4183845872_0cfc3458c5.jpg" alt="the beginning of cake balls!" width="500" height="341" /></a><br /><br />4. Cool mixture in refrigerator whilst gone on trip to target. Make a mental note to use whilst in everyday talk. At target, get sidetracked and buy all kinds of crap I don't need. Sounds about right. Finally remember what I'm there for and buy sprinkles.<br /><br />5. Back, prepared and ready to get on with these cake balls. my house still smells like chocolate cake and I'm getting hungrier and hungrier. Melt some white chocolate in a bowl and add the food coloring. Ok, what the crap did I do wrong? When I added the food coloring, it looked like a globby mess and wouldn't become liquid anymore? So I wasted HALF of my white chocolate candy coating making booger trash. Darnit.<br /><br />6. Next I use the rest of the white chocolate to cover as many cake balls as I can. I get 7 done. And my are they ugly. Bakerella I am not. I'm not even close. Like I could be the worst baker of all time. Feeling like a failure, I shove my creations back in the freezer and pout to randall's for more chocolate.<br /><br />7. About 10 balls in, I got the hang of it. I had a system of adding sprinkles and worked as fast as I can. I made 45 balls and only messed up 3. By mess up I mean broke in half while trying to cut off excess chocolate to make them look like cake balls not cake blobs.<br /><br />8. I chose the prettiest, roundest cake ball to show you what I did. I'm telling you, they're much tastier than they look. But I had 2. One covered in green booger chocolate and another that broke in my hand. I ate them 3 hours ago and I am JUST now coming off my sugar high. These things could be dangerous.<br /><br />I think I'll take them to work and pawn em off on the guys. =)<br /><br />When I was younger, aside from wanting to be a tornado chaser, I wanted to be a cake designer. I now realize why that dream never came true. I suck at baking.<br /><br />Happy holidays, y'all.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/4183083971/" title="my "they don't look anything like bakerella's" cake balls by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/4183083971_53e520379b.jpg" alt="my "they don't look anything like bakerella's" cake balls" width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/4183845268/" title="cake balls! by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/4183845268_05f06d7415.jpg" alt="cake balls!" width="500" height="421" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-24438722393522566072009-12-04T09:17:00.003-06:002009-12-04T09:48:15.048-06:00how 5 words can make your day...Sitting at my grandparents house talking to my aunts and my grandparents about my recent trip to Italy, I look over and see my grandpa with a smile ear to ear. Then I saw him lean over and whisper to my grandma in spanish "look how beautiful she is. " Then my grandma smiled.<br /><br />Aren't they the best?!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenap/3603952727/" title="grandma and grandpa by oh magada!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3603952727_8d7f8e441f.jpg" width="500" height="338" alt="grandma and grandpa" /></a>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-14470487876225458262009-11-15T21:50:00.007-06:002009-11-16T00:03:11.312-06:00Everything...no really, everything.<div style="text-align: center;"> Every time I have some free time I think, hey elena, you should post the blog about your fantastic vacation. oh wait! there's ice cream in the fridge! or hey elena how about posting about football season and how you're oh so proud of those awesome nephews? What? Colts vs. Patriots on Sunday night football?<br /><br />sigh.<br /><br />this is why my thesis isn't done. and my laundry.<br /><br />but this evening I curled my hair and tried a new recipe.<br /><br />So here's one big long post with everything in it, excluding pictures. I'll add pictures later. Maybe. haha<br /><br />1. Claire's wedding.<br />I loved every single thing about it. From the minute we got off the ridiculous winding road up the mountain to Ravello, it just felt beautiful. Her family was amazingly nice, and everyone knew the week was about making Claire and Charlie's wedding perfect. And so it was. Tuesday night we had a hen party where we asked all the ladies to join us at a local bar for some wine. I think everyone had a great time. Wednesday we took a chartered bus back down the mountain to go see Pompeii. Wow. Just, wow. We had a great tour guide who showed us the highlights. Very very cool. Wednesday night was the wedding dinner- not technically rehearsal dinner since there was no rehearsal and all the guests were invited--and it was all you can eat pizza. umm delicious. Great speeches, good wine, and a shot of limoncello to make you sleep better. Oh and Claire gave us bridesmaid gifts--I fell in love with the pearl necklace and ring she gave us. Since I was robbed 3 years ago and my pearl ring was stolen, i've been on the lookout for a new one. This one has such a flair to it--love love love it. Thursday was the big day. We packed up our things and went to the hotel where Claire was getting ready. I snapped some "before the real photographer" pictures, and we laughed and enjoyed the moments. I love in Mario the wedding coordinator's photos, he labeled the one of Claire, her mother, her sister and me as "a family photo." There was a short walk from the hotel to the Villa Eva, where the wedding was taking place. We passed several tourists who were oh so excited to be a part of Claire's day. The ceremony was just beautiful. When Charlie's sister shared a poem, there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd. The ring bearer, Charlie's nephew, was absolutely adorable. After the ceremony, the musicians led the way down to the Ravello square where we had champagne and toasted the newly married couple. We did the pictures, ate a ridiculously rich and wonderful meal, and the wedding party danced the night away until 4am. Like I said, the whole wedding was perfection.<br /><br />2. The rest of the trip.<br />I went back to Rome and spent a couple days by myself in Vatican City. I visited Pope John Paul II's tomb, which for me (and apparently a lot of other visitors), was a highlight. We weren't allowed to take pictures, but as soon as you got to that part of St. Peter's you could feel the energy change. People were praying to him, dropping off notes and flowers. It was just enough to make me think of the time we took a charter bus from Houston to Toronto, Canada to see him. That same energy from the crowd in Canada when JPII spoke was still there in St. Peters at his tomb. Amazing. I then went to London to spend the next week with Claire and Charlie. Poor Claire was sick but she was a trooper and took me out for sushi and a show (Avenue Q--anything that has a song called "everyone's a little bit racist" is a show for me). Charlie was great--we spent a day in Cambridge. I knew he was a great guy, but after that day I knew he was just perfect for Claire. We went punting (think sort of gondola ride in venice, but not really) and had fudge and played with our cameras. Good day. Wednesday I took a train through the chunnel! and went to Paris for the day. I saw just enough to realize I want to go back. Most of the sightseeing was done from the inside of a bus, aside from the champagne lunch on the 2nd deck of the Eiffel tower and the boat ride down the Seine. When I go back (notice I said WHEN), I must be in a relationship. It really is the most romantic city. All the lovey dovey bridges and art--it all felt like it needed to be seen with a significant other. And the Louvre? Worth every penny. Go see the art. Spend a day or two or three. It's wonderful. That's really the highlights of my trip. I'm sure there are many more stories, things I'm forgetting, but I think for this bullet, I'm done for now.<br /><br />3. Football<br />I missed the most games I've ever missed of these crazy nephews this year. I hardly took any pictures and I never saw them win. Was I a jinx? Maybe. The 7yr old finished his last year of pee wee football and is looking forward to terrorizing the junior league next year. The 10 yr old had a rough year. New coaches, new teammates, and it was really a struggle. Once he figured things out though, he was great. Those kids are great. I can't tell you how proud I am that they're growing up to be such good kids. Sure they have their attitude problems but at the end of the day, I can't wipe the smile off my face after hanging out with them. They crave energy, attention and love. By golly, they will always get that from me. I'm taking them to their first professional football game after Thanksgiving--Texans vs. Colts. I'm actually really excited to be with them as they experience their first trip to reliant stadium to see real live football players (including the incredibly awesome Payton Manning!) They're going to love it. <br /><br />4. What else was I behind on blogging about?<br />I can't remember. I cleaned my house from top to bottom this weekend and while it looks fantastic I know it won't stay that way for long. Plus I really hurt my back when I was scrubbing the tub. Take your own advice ergo lady.<br /><br />5. Lovey Dovey ok really stop it.<br />I said a few months ago that if anymore of my friends got engaged or married, I was going to scream. Wouldn't you know, Mike, Clay, Laurance, and Justine all got engaged or are getting married in the next coming months after I said that? Like I've always said, I'm so happy my friends have found their significant others but come on! Is it my turn yet? I know I know, you can't rush these things...but does anyone have <a href="http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/2smiley4u/y%20n%20r/ShemarMoore2.jpg">Shemar Moore</a>'s phone number? or <a href="http://jokerreport.typepad.com/blog/images/2007/10/25/demecoryans_2.jpg">Demeco Ryans?</a> or a decent looking guy who will accept the following requirements:<br />* take out the trash<br />*walk Rocko when I'm sick<br />*pay half my bills<br />*maintain my car<br />*must be able to cook, or be willing to clean, not necessarily both<br />*slightly smarter than me, or at least smarter in a different way.<br />*respect and love me for who i am and think that even though we make blue, it's a GOOD thing.<br />I really don't think it should be this complicated to find that guy.<br /><br />6. Coming Up Next<br />Saturday, the 21st- Clay's wedding. I can't believe Claybird is getting married. Mindboggling how much we've grown up since college...He got me through many chem tests by helping me study at the library. I'm excited for what his future holds.<br />20--something? When is Thanksgiving?<br />28th-Texans vs. Colts. Hopefully we'll see a good game.<br />December 1st: K-pat's birthday! I have to send her the BEST gift--something she'll never suspect! I need ideas!<br />December 5th: Faith's birthday. I can't believe that little girl is turning 1. She is soo adorable. Her blue eyes melt me.<br />December 10th: Keda, I won't say your age, but it's your b-day. I'm going to make you a bucket of devil's punch and a cake pan-sized pazookie. Deal? :) <br />dec. 25th: Christmas time already? Good lord. <br />Jan 2: Mike Drabs wedding! should be a boot scootin' good time! Seriously, I might wear my boots. <br />Jan 30th: Elena hosts her first baby shower. any tips? I'm not allowed to play "ridiculous games"<br /><br />Aaaaaand I'm done for now. I think between getting ready for baby and finishing my proposal before the end of the year, not to mention all the other work things and holidays, birthdays, and weddings packed in, it'll be a crazy next few months. I hope I have the strength to do it. I hope I can maintain my exercise schedule and work on developing a sleep schedule (that puts me to bed before midnight--not making it tonight as it's 11:57pm and i still have to walk Rocko). <br /><br />here we go!<br /></div>Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131612814482623277.post-33484358613054077312009-10-28T22:26:00.002-05:002009-10-29T00:03:04.855-05:00wow I'm behindProcrastination at its finest! I'm so good at this, I'm procrastinating the blog I made while I was procrastinating something else! AGH!<br /><br />Blogposts I still need to post:<br /><br />1. Italian Wedding-- At least I've posted the pictures on facebook, so i'm not *that* behind. But really, those pictures deserve stories. <br /><br />2. The rest of the trip, including my conversations with a very grumpy french woman and a hotel connoisseur who didn't put down her cigarette to type. so awesome.<br /><br />3. Football season. I missed 4 games this year, half the season. I feel terrible and I have very few pictures to show. Ugh. But the season ended well with a fun halloween party in our back yard. Post coming soon about the party, and i'm hoping to capture some great last games this weekend. <br /><br />4. I dunno, just need to get back on track, start the monday questions again or maybe i'll change it up and do the 3 things about me thursday? grateful wednesdays? Hmmm something. <br /><br /> And the posts will start.....another time. It's midnight and I'm tired. <br /><br />procrastinated yet again!Elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00243925920761151619noreply@blogger.com0