Father's Day Weekend

I really enjoyed this weekend with my family...

We went to the Padre Baseball game...

Went to Farmer's Market....

San Diego's 1st Annual OYSTER Festival...

Had a delicious italian dinner at Mamma Mia's....

Went to Little Italy for breakfast and the italian market...

Learned how to make dad's homemade italian meatballs...

Such a great weekend! Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Hobby

I need a hobby. A real hobby just for me. Besides walking which I have come to LOVE. And yoga and cycling which I would consider all part of my work out regimine. So I have been thinking about this A LOT. I have finaling found something I really want to try and I think I will like.... making quilts. I was thinking I could use the fabric from all of the clothes I go thru. I get rid of clothes all the time to make room for new ones. Anyways, we will see how this goes! Also, I have started cooking more which I am enjoying. I want to be able to cook like my dad and grandma. Probably NOT possible.

Lake Isabella

Grace and I finally moved in to our new place!!! We love it! Will post pics once we clean up a lil and Grace starts decorating!

...........

This weekend Grace and I drove up to visit mom and dad at our new home... but not new to us! We have been going there our whole lives to visit grandpa! This trip was a lot more fun then I ever remember!

We spent the weekend eating AMAZING food cooked by my dad, which everyone can only imagine! And we roasted marshellows for our smores in the backyard!

Mom and I went on a 2 hour walk, only down the pretty streets, Tammi's strict orders! =) Then girls spent some time laying out by the lake and mom and Grace actually got into the cold water!

WE CANT WAIT TO GO BACK!!!

Paid Vacations

Working on a salary is amazing and what makes it amazing is a couple of things...

Money goes into my account every other week.... and PAID vacations. Whose idea was this? IDK But thank you thank you thank you!

Last week I took Monday-Friday off of work and went to Mammoth to snowboard and play with friends! And the same amount of money will be in my account next week as though I was here working the whole time!

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, Mammoth was so much fun! Lots of powder and riding and relaxing!

I am trying to get my facebook back... still debating but at this point, I couldn't even get it back if I wanted because I cannot remember my password! And my password reminders go to my SDSU rohan account which I have never used in my life. So I continue to not have a FB but now it's not by choice.

Gunna be 24 next week. OLD.

Healthy, Delicious Soup

I made this soup last night and it sounds really healthy (And it is) but it is so full of flavor I couldn't stop eating it! And it's guilt free. Try it!

Broccoli Leek Soup
-this makes about 2 generous bowls

Ingreds:
-stock of leeks (2)
-bag of frozen broccoli florets
-garlic cloves (4 cloves for garlic lovers)
-1 can of chicken broth (I prefer low sodium, no msg, fat free)
-pepper to taste

Prepare the leeks by chopping up just the white parts length wise and soak in water to clean (very important). Saute garlic in olive oil for a short time, about a minute or 2 and then add leeks. Cook until leeks are tender. Microwave broccoli until tender. Add to leeks and then add chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Let cool off and then pour ingredients into blender and blend until liquified.

Add as much pepper as you want.

EAT as much as you want and feel no guilt!

Proud Sister

I am so lucky to live so close to my mom and dad. Only 2.5 short hours and I am home-sweet-home. I love it. This weekend Grace and I fist pumped all the way to Kenton Lane and had a wonderful weekend all together. Lots of delicious meals and relaxing.

The highlight was waking up bright and early for Grace's 2nd triatholon, which took place at UCLA. She is so atheletic it really impresses me. I love being healthy and fit, so I am 100% supportive of all involvement Grace has in physical exercise! As you all know, she has conquered the half-marathons, now she is taking over the TRI's! She finished in 1 hour and 31 minutes! She is amazing!

Snowboarding Season

I love the snow. I love this season, when I am lucky enough to spend my weekends in Mammoth riding my non-edge-catching board. It treats me good and keeps me safe. However, even when I ride powder, I still manage to return completely covered in bruises.... I dont know how, but it's amazing how black and blue I am right now.

What else is goin on in my life besides snowboarding... not much. A few quick updates:

I am trying to convince Grace to live with me. I am set on us finding a cute 2 bedroom 2 bath inbetween my work and her school. That way I can spend every free minute I have with her. I dont know why, but lately I have become obsessed with her. She is so hard not to love.  She is absolutely perfect in my eyes and I really have to try hard to not smother her with big-sisterness.

I reached my ideal weight... woohoo! After months and months of turning down my favorites things like pizza and chocolate... and getting my lazy butt to the gym everyday.... finallllllly.... it's that day, where I can lose it all and start over again next year. hahah jk, new goal: MAINTAIN. But I did it, and I feel great! Summer.... bring it!

Work is the same, meaning, I still go and I still love it. That's all you ever need to talk about someone's job in my opinion.

Oh the sad news.... The Abruzzo's are putting their home house, of 23 years on Kenton, up for sale. Now this is pretty much the only sad part about this, because my dad is retiring... woohoo, moving up with Orange Grandpa... woohoo, and we are still close and happy and healthy and the best family I could ever ask for... There are great memories in that house and we are ready for the next chapter and making new memories. Plus, dad gets to sleep in now and spend more time cooking for us hehe =)

Did I tell you I am back at school? Taking a Java class at UCSD. I am a dork, first conquered math, now programming! Don't laugh!

Irony

So I just read my last blog which was FOREVER ago (back in 2009) and it basically cracks me up because I must have deleted my facebook shortly after. Maybe I will go back to writing here. I think I would rather create a big family one for everyone to write on.... but will it work!?

I am going to try!

Update in my life: Starting back at school, UCSD, taking a Programming class in order to earn a certificate in C/C++. I find computer programming language fascinating... And it'll be valuable to my work!

I am traveling to DAYTON, OHIO the last week in January! It's about 20F there and snowing! I'm going for work though so I didn't really get to choose otherwise, let's be honest, I would be going to Italy or Hawaii or something.

POST-ENTRY: I ended up going to Eglin, Florida instead of Dayton, Ohio, last minute change! Wow, that was a surprise and totally worked out in my favor. I mean, snow-storm or white-sandy beaches? Love my life ;)

I also moved into very first OWN apartment 3 months ago! It's downtown and I love it! Come visit me!

That's all for now!

15K

So I haven't written on my blog for awhile because everyone I am talking to got a FACEBOOK. Soooo if any of you read this still then I will try to keep up with it but the truth is FB is where it's at, even though I am thinking of deleting mine!

Grace and I ran a half marathon yesterday and I am SORE!!! It was America's Finest City race and I ran the whole way!

Grace and I drove home after (I got the day off of work) and last night the 4 of us went to a yummy dinner, no boba, no cappucino, but coffee that tasted good on the pallet and 2 pazookis from BJ's! Then we went to a 1040pm showing of Harry Potter! It was good!!!!

Today is the BBQ at the Schoch's and Tammi and Cam will be there and Daniel before he goes back to school. Needless to say we are excited to see them all.

And tomorrow is Grace's 20th birthday!!!!!

Home Sweet Home

Enjoyed my weekend home with my parents! Really needed some home cooking and r&r. Saturday we went and had margheritas and planned my graduation party! Then went to Bristol farms and bought fresh veggies for dinner. We made scallops with mushroom polenta and watercress! Delicious and healthy! Mom and I worked out at the new gym, it is verrrry luxorious. Sunday we went to church, 9 oclock service so I got to sleep in a lil, and then made healthy breakfast burritos with homemade sangria!!! Then Mom helped me take my graduation pictures, took about 100 photos! Before I got back on the road we went back to the gym and got in a nice work out and sauna session! Great weekend!

Palm Desert

I spent the weekend in Palm Desert with my best friend, Megan! We spent the weekend laying by the pool, shopping, and eating yummy food! We also got pedicures! It was very relaxing and I really enjoyed having a girls' trip! We are going to try to make this a yearly tradition!

I also finished my book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey!

Hannah Montana

Grace, Mags, Michelle, and I saw Hannah Montana, the movie, on Friday night! It was really cute! =)

My car is in the shop to fix the AC since it is 90 in San Diego...HOTTT! I rented my first car, silver Honda Accord. Responsibilities=no fun!

Mom, Dad... wanna take me back??

I have the best sister in the world!

After work yesterday, I came home to a house full of Birthday decorations. Grace had covered my room in balloons and streamers and posters and the living room was set up for a mini birthday party! I felt so special! She is an amazing sister, I am very lucky!

Another surprise came from Mary Schoch. She is so nice, listen to this: Monday night at dinner I opened my birthday card from the Schoch's and inside was a gift card to Target! I was so happy, I told her that I was going to use it to buy a microwave for our house. Well, sitting at my back door last nite was a brand new microwave! Mary went out and bought it for me as an early graduation present. I am surrounded by wonderfully kind people.

I'M OFFICIALLY OLD, I THINK

23, yup, old! Wanna know how I know? Because I don't want to go out tonite, I want to go for a run and then read my book and go to sleep early! Well, I am going out anyways because I have amazing friends who wish to take me out to celebrate at my favorite bar, Typhoons!

I had an amazing weekend celebrating my birthday with my family! My mom and dad came down to San Diego and we had a very fun weekend! We went to a yummy dinner at Buster's in downtown! Sunday was Easter so we walked to church from my new house, then my mom, dad and Michelle went to a brunch at 679 Cafe which was a cute lil cottage house turned into a restaurant! It was delicious!

We spent a lot of the weekend shopping for a new bike! Finally, after careful reasearch, we ended up going to a bike shop on Mission Blvd. where they helped us pick out the perfect, yellow beach cruiser! I love it!!! I got a basket so that I can ride my bike to Trader Joe's and get my groceries! Thank you, Mom & Dad!

Later that beautiful day, after my parents had to hit the road, Savilla and I rode our bikes to the beach! It was so much fun!

Last night I was lucky enough to go out AGAIN for my birthday with a few MORE of my favorite people! Tammi and Mary and Kevin were in town and so we all went to my favorite Mexican restaurant, Fred's. It is only 5 blocks from my house and it has the best margheritas! My mom was also here, again, and so her and Grace, and Mags joined us!

My amazing friend, Heather, who I work with, treated me to a healthy lunch at our favorite salad place, Tender Greens. I had a veggie salad and it was so good!

Tonite, Tammi and my mom are making me homemade egg rolls! We thought after all of this eating out that we should have a nice healthy meal at home! I am so excited!

So it seems to sum up my birthday:

1. I have the BEST family and friends.
2. I have eaten A LOT in the past 4 days!
3. I am a very LUCKY, HAPPY birthday girl!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR HELPING MAKE THIS A GREAT 23RD BIRTHDAY THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER AND CHERISH!

Baseball Season

I swear I am a Dodger fan all-the-way (TO BE CLEAR)... but I really can't hate on the Padres since I live in SD now and I represent when I work for Miller Lite. Uniforms are way better this season! GO DODGERS!!!!!!! 2-1

Mammoth

I had a great time in Mammoth this weekend! I took my first day off of work, it was so nice! Here is a picture of Michelle & I getting ready to go out and snowboard!

We stay with our friends Peter and Travis who live there. I brought Apples to Apples and Jenga and that was really fun because I don't think I have ever seen a Jenga game last this long. The tower got really high!!!!

Winner's Circle

Just out at the local bar with my 2 girlfriends, Savilla & Jackie, having some drinks.... entered a contest with 3 prizes... all 3 of us WON! Basically, you were given a frozen t-shirt (and I'm talking rock-solid frozen) rolled up in a ball, and the first person to put the t-shirt on wins! Well Savilla won the first round, I won the second round and Jackie won the 3rd!



Savilla won a bike!

I won a snowboard! (pictured)

Jackie won a Yeagermeister machine!

HOW FUN!!!!!

.....OFF TO MAMMOTH FOR THE WEEKEND.....

Home Improvement

New address: 4830 Everts St., San Diego, CA 92109

I spent 2 hours Monday night putting together this new dresser for my new room! It had 15 parts and lots of screws and nails and other nick-nacks! But I did it, all by myself!

Yesterday was just "one of those days." Anyone care to hear about my crazy day? Well I woke up with a parking ticket! The 1st Wednesday of the month there is street sweeping on my new street. Well yesterday was the 1st Wednesday of the Month and the 1st of the Month at the same time and I just wasn't ready for it! Well I got into my car to go to work about 10 minutes after my ticket was written! GRRRR. Lesson learned and $40 deep. Then, on my lunch break I called ATT to cancel our cable at the old place for April 23, because Suzie (our other roomate) still lives there through the 24th. Well, as the ATT lady on the other line proceeded to complain to me about her computer being slow, I hear "Oh, sh*t" from her end. She forgot I said the 23rd and canceled it right away. I asked her to undo it because my roommate still lives there and needs cable, and the ATT lady said sorry there was nothing she could do and the cable/internet had been turned off. After arguing with her for the rest of my lunch break and then asking for a supervisor, which at that point she hung up on me! I was not happy! I called back after work and spoke with a supervisor and someone was supposed to call me back from the "back office" to fix the issue. Still no one has called and my roommate has no cable. =( To heck with them!

On a happier note, we found a friend-of-a-friend to move into the 3rd room temporarily until Kenny's lease is up on June 1. Yay! More info on the roomies coming soon.... and pics of our new place!

Last night, I ran to the beach after work. I sat with a lady, Karen, and her golden lab, Luna, and visited with her while we watched the sunset. She lives a couple blocks from us, and has lived in the area for 20 years! She is training her dog right now to be a therapy dog. It was nice to meet a new neighbor! She also referred me to a man called "Bird" who works at a local surf shop, and could teach me to surf (or maybe to fly)... I really want to learn [to surf] now that I live so close to the beach. =)

Enjoying my last couple weeks of being 22.... ahhhhh!

WEEZY Concert

Sunday I went to a lil Wayne concert in LA at the Gibson Amphitheater. It was so much fun! He is a hip-hop artist but is coming out with a rock debut album this summer. I didn't get home until late but it was worth it. I spent my 2nd night in the new house. Almost finished moving....

Moving to the Beach

Yes I drove this! And I wore my trucker hat too!

We are almost done moving! Friday we did all the big stuff.... today I went to Big Bear and snowboarded all morning, now I am back and finishing up my move to the beach!!!!!!!!!! It is 82 degrees here!

A day at work

Today at work I toured a Navy submarine. It was so cool! They have 160 on board, the beds are so small: 6 feet long and like 2 feet wide and 2 feet tall. They stick beds anywhere they have room, people sleep directly under the torpedoes! Also, no women aloud to work on a submarine! I found that shocking at first but after I saw the living quarters, could understand. There is very limited space and resources on a submarine. Out of 160 men, there are only 3 showers and 1 washer/dryer! Anyways, another fun day at the office! This picture on the left is the entrance, it is a straight vertical shoot of steps and it is scary and dangerous!

Tonite, Grace & I went to Rubio's for dinner and then saw I Love You, Man. It was really funny!!!!!! I enjoyed spending some time with my sis, she is so busy lately!

On another note, Grace and I are driving up to Dana Point tomorrow night to see White Grandma in the hospital, if anyone is there we will see you. See you tomorrow MOM.

Chef Kel & Chef Meez

Last night Michelle & I rode bikes to Vons & bought some groceries to make a delicious, healthy dinner. We basically bought every vegetable that looked delicious and threw it together with some whole grain penne and shrimp! We bought a $6 bottle of Chardonney (expensive bottle for us) and enjoyed ourselves after a long, hard day at work! ;)

I don't like Mondays

I had a nice relaxing Sunday... woke up and finished my book FINALLY! Went to church, really like this reading (Phoesians 2:4-10) I think? Went to Costco and purchased Twilight !!! I also bought 2 new books: Act like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey & The Last Summer (You & Me) by Ann Brashares. Did laundry, watched my new movie, went to the gym, made my lunch for work, and went to bed early! I got 8 hours of sleep! Off to work.... SHORT WEEK FOR ME =)

Science Fair

On a side project at my work I do outreach to help inspire and motivate young kids to pursue an education in a scientific field including science, technology, education, and math (STEM). Today was one of the many Saturdays I spend doing science experiments at local colleges for kids of all ages. I worked at a train booth demonstrating Newton's First Law: An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force. I also got to see some of the other booths at the Science Fair and here I am holding a snake:

Irish Blood here

Mom came down last night to see me & Grace. I got to show her some of the apartments Savilla & I are looking at renting in April! We are moving to the beach!

Today we met for lunch before she got back on the road. We ate the most delicious sandwiches and then we took a nice walk through a Point Loma neighborhood.

We have the best mama! Except she is Irish & isn't wearing any green! tsktsk!

Purple & Gold

Michelle & I at the Laker Game on Sunday! They beat the Mavericks! Soooo much fun! Our seats were 2nd row from the top! =)

I recommend the Camacho Nachos! My dad & I love them!!!!!!!!!

MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Best Friend's Wedding

Yesterday my best friend since 1st grade got hitched! It was a beautiful wedding and we had so much fun! Shauna and I surprised her with a dance from 8th grade dance production.... it was very funny! We danced to SOld! (Grundy County Auction) by John Michael Montgomery. We danced the whole night!

She really was the most beautiful bride!

I really enjoyed the weekend home, we also celebrated Kevin McDermott's 60th Birthday with a fun night of dinner and sangria!

The girls (and groom) got manis & pedis the day before! The moms brought us champagne to toast to the bride and groom!

March 12: The Official Birthdate of My Blog

I created this blog so that my friends and family could come on here and see how I spent my weekend or get the lastest update in my life! Of course this doesn't mean I won't call you and tell you if it is something personal like I changed my favorite color! I will post pictures or fun stories about exciting events in my life and everyone who is interested can stay in the "Kelly Loop."

I also thought I would post my reading list on here. When I finish a book I will add it to the list. Right now I am reading The Other Boleyn Girl. It is a very large book, and it is taking me awhile to read, but I really like it! All I want to do is read my book. I think I am losing friends because instead of going out for drinks I opt to stay home and read even if it is only 10 pages because I am so tired after work that I fall asleep before 9. The book is very erotic at times, it takes me my surprise. I don't even realize what is going on and then I am like, Ohhh crap what is he doing to her. It is quite funny. Anyways, I haven't seen the movie, and I don't remember 5th grade history like everyone else, SO NO, I do NOT remember who dies... don't tell me! I like to read books that have movies so I am excited to see the movie after I finish. It is free ONDEMAND this month so I have to hurry!

CHOW! (Explanation: Until recently I thought "CIAO" was spelled "CHOW" so now I say CHOW because I think it is funny.)

This gave me a laugh: