Remember how I told you I love Disneyland? Well there are several reason why, one of which is the magic and effort they put in to making memories and making it a trip every family will remember for the rest of their lives. Also, I use to work here, so I got to make the magic for the families and now that I have a family of my own, it pulls on my little heart strings.
This video was me trying to document us entering the park together as a family for the very first time. At this point, I was having a really hard time keeping myself together since I already lost it in the car when I saw the Matterhorn from the 5 freeway. This was Gian's first time to the park since he was 6/7 years old and our first day happened to me on the most magical day on the calendar.... February 29!!! Can you believe that?!?! Who could ask for anything better? I think the real kicker for me was when I saw those bloody pins that represent all I was feeling, and I lost it!
I wish I could tell you this was the last time I cried... nope! The third time {in less then 30 minutes} was on the way to the castle where we were going to take our family photo and I saw Snow White walking to her wishing well.... aaaaaaaaaand I galloped to her... yes, I ran! And YES that was caught on tape.... should I air that one too? I was, no joke, worse than any 4 year old. Once my sister, Brittany, reminded me that we were taking a photo and I didn't have time to run to Snow White I started to cry again. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME? All the magic was more than I could take... and to me Snow White is the most magical of them all. Our photographer was so sweet and didn't even judge me once! What a nice lady! Then I cried one last time when we were leaving the park on our last and final day... I cried the whole way down Main Street USA. Seriously, what 24.5 year old does that? So if you did your math right that is a grand total of 4 crying sessions from a grown married woman with a child in public.
Here is it.... I hope you find this as humorous as the rest of my family. For me, I cannot watch this because I start to cry all over again. There may or may not be something seriously wrong with me!
PS Is it wrong if I label this as .::Viral Friday::. I mean it is Friday, and it is a video... is that wrong?
Friday, March 9, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The R-Word
Today is National Stop the R-Word Day and I have been thinking about this topic for a long time, but it has always been hard for me to find the words to why I'm so passionate. My friends blog inspired me to write a post, to share with you my emotions, pains, passion and experiences around the use of the R-word and why it just isn't slang but indeed profanity.
I have a niece with Cri du Chat. To me she is a delightful bright and strong spirit. She is motivated and she loves, she is precious beyond words and to me I believe she is perfect. I have been thinking what it must be like for her, where her motivation comes from and why that darn cute little girl is always so happy, and it dawned on me, she believes she is normal, she believes she is perfect and she believe she can conquer any problem she faces. She also has awesome parents who keep pushing her to her fullest potential that leads her to believe all that I said above is true... and that's because it is true!
I know this because I saw my mom do it with me. When I was diagnosed with APD it was so severe that the doctor told my mom I would never learn to read or write or hold a job. My mom replied with shock, "What??!?!" The doctor then pointed to my ears and said, "You see she has low set ears, she will never learn" {which for the record, there is no link to low set ears to any form of disability}. My mom went into her car and cried. With rage she slammed her fist in to the stirring wheel and yelled out loud, "SHE WILL READ, SHE WILL WRITE, SHE WILL, SHE WILL!" Throughout the years, my mom would talk to tutors and teachers and other scholastic authorities and they would always use the word "disabled" or "disability." My mom couldn't take it and demanded they change the word to "ability to learn differently." My mom would say, "She is not disabled, she is fully able. And by using those words you are in fact drilling into her head, unconsciously, that she is not capable. We need to change the words that describe her differences."
In my mind I was normal. I never saw myself different than the kids around me, I never knew how hard I struggled, I never knew I was that much different. All I knew is that it was hard for me, and that I couldn't grasp the information like everyone else, that it wasn't easy, but by being with friends and family, I was able to have fun and play and use my imagination which in return created unmeasurable amounts of happiness and self esteem. I was able to blossom and grow according to my own timeline and no one else's, and if anyone said differently to me I could brush them off because it wasn't true. They were the ones who were wrong, they are the ones who had the problem.
I share this with you, because of two reasons 1). I see it with my niece and I saw it with another girl who had sever Autism, and with my guy friend who was paraplegic, and my other friend who had sever brain damage. All they wanted was to be viewed like everyone else, they wanted to have that play-date, they wanted people not to stare, they wanted to be on the same level as everyone else, which is where they thrived from and where their motivation was conceived. This is what kept them from ever believing they were different. 2.) When I was a young teenager I would use words such as "gay, retard, retarded and handicap" and it wasn't until my friend Chesie told me why it hurt her and other people. She corrected me every single time until I stopped using the word and I am so thankful to have a friend like her with those morals and standards to take a stand for what is right.
So the reason the words "retard" and "retarded" are not acceptable or considered profanity is because it is WRONG to limit a person due to their ability to do things differently. It is wrong to take a technical medical term to describe a negative situation or emotion. It is not just slang, it is not just a joke because our public broadcasting has censored the word to be not be used in TV shows or radio, and other people are taking a stand to let you know it hurts deeply when the R-word is used as a description to put down something or someone in a situation.
If you would like to join the fight then take this pledge and spread the word to end the word.
I have a niece with Cri du Chat. To me she is a delightful bright and strong spirit. She is motivated and she loves, she is precious beyond words and to me I believe she is perfect. I have been thinking what it must be like for her, where her motivation comes from and why that darn cute little girl is always so happy, and it dawned on me, she believes she is normal, she believes she is perfect and she believe she can conquer any problem she faces. She also has awesome parents who keep pushing her to her fullest potential that leads her to believe all that I said above is true... and that's because it is true!
I know this because I saw my mom do it with me. When I was diagnosed with APD it was so severe that the doctor told my mom I would never learn to read or write or hold a job. My mom replied with shock, "What??!?!" The doctor then pointed to my ears and said, "You see she has low set ears, she will never learn" {which for the record, there is no link to low set ears to any form of disability}. My mom went into her car and cried. With rage she slammed her fist in to the stirring wheel and yelled out loud, "SHE WILL READ, SHE WILL WRITE, SHE WILL, SHE WILL!" Throughout the years, my mom would talk to tutors and teachers and other scholastic authorities and they would always use the word "disabled" or "disability." My mom couldn't take it and demanded they change the word to "ability to learn differently." My mom would say, "She is not disabled, she is fully able. And by using those words you are in fact drilling into her head, unconsciously, that she is not capable. We need to change the words that describe her differences."
In my mind I was normal. I never saw myself different than the kids around me, I never knew how hard I struggled, I never knew I was that much different. All I knew is that it was hard for me, and that I couldn't grasp the information like everyone else, that it wasn't easy, but by being with friends and family, I was able to have fun and play and use my imagination which in return created unmeasurable amounts of happiness and self esteem. I was able to blossom and grow according to my own timeline and no one else's, and if anyone said differently to me I could brush them off because it wasn't true. They were the ones who were wrong, they are the ones who had the problem.
I share this with you, because of two reasons 1). I see it with my niece and I saw it with another girl who had sever Autism, and with my guy friend who was paraplegic, and my other friend who had sever brain damage. All they wanted was to be viewed like everyone else, they wanted to have that play-date, they wanted people not to stare, they wanted to be on the same level as everyone else, which is where they thrived from and where their motivation was conceived. This is what kept them from ever believing they were different. 2.) When I was a young teenager I would use words such as "gay, retard, retarded and handicap" and it wasn't until my friend Chesie told me why it hurt her and other people. She corrected me every single time until I stopped using the word and I am so thankful to have a friend like her with those morals and standards to take a stand for what is right.
So the reason the words "retard" and "retarded" are not acceptable or considered profanity is because it is WRONG to limit a person due to their ability to do things differently. It is wrong to take a technical medical term to describe a negative situation or emotion. It is not just slang, it is not just a joke because our public broadcasting has censored the word to be not be used in TV shows or radio, and other people are taking a stand to let you know it hurts deeply when the R-word is used as a description to put down something or someone in a situation.
If you would like to join the fight then take this pledge and spread the word to end the word.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
One More Day
This year we spent Leap Day at Disneyland. However, my parents planned this extravagant vacation in Newport Beach over four months ago. It wasn't until January that Disneyland announced that they would be open for 24 hours on February 29. Of course when I saw the preview for this I started to cry, then I cried harder knowing that we would be there on such a magical day {literally}.
I will not get into my love and passion for Disney {however you best believe that post will come within the next few days}, but I will give you the statistics of how busy that day got. Wednesday February 29, Disneyland opened it's gates at 6am to welcome families by standing down Main Street USA with huge Mickey hands high-fiving all the children who passed {don't you love how Disneyland goes out of their way to keep the magic alive, especially to those who go out of their way to be there on such a special day}. If I had known that, I might have pulled my lazy trash out of bed to be there and cry a little harder to see people display their appreciation and excitement! Wait, you did know I cried three times the first 30 minutes we were there right? Again I am saving that for another post....
Back on topic.... the gates were opened, the park was ready to greet people who were ready to party a whole 24 hours = 68,400 seconds aka 68,400 more memories. We all arrived around 10am, got our picture taken in front of the castle, and made it until midnight. Yep, that is right, we lasted a whole 14 hours!!! Our beloved and devoted husbands took the kids back to the hotel while us sisters continued to have a blast. We then met up with our husbands around 9pm. By the time we left the park, we thought we were going to be sleep walkers. We were pooped! As we left the park it only seemed to be getting busier. The streets were packed with overflowing cars. As we walked, I don't believe I saw one of them move... not even an inch.
Want to know how many people were there? A grand total of 106,000 people, 66,000 of those were annual pass holders {and in case you care, there are just about 900,000 annual pass holders so far this year}. Disneyland was expecting around 52-56 thousand guest, so as you can imagine they were totally understaffed. The lines were long, the rides broke down, but the churro stands stood strong and provided enough for all to partake! Yep I had 2.5 that day! For the record, Leap Day was the busiest it has been in the history of any holiday {minus the dates of December 25 - January 2} and I think it is fair to say that over 50% of those people were annual pass holders. However, the crowds did not start to pick up until about 7pm that night, so we were lucky and smart to have been there as early as we did.
So you think you are sad for missing one more day at the Happiest Place on Earth... well you should be!!! It was magical, fantastic, and we really did make that many more memories. Unless you hate crowds then don't beat yourself up... just don't plan to be there on any other Leap Day because according to these numbers I am guessing Disney will do this again!
I will not get into my love and passion for Disney {however you best believe that post will come within the next few days}, but I will give you the statistics of how busy that day got. Wednesday February 29, Disneyland opened it's gates at 6am to welcome families by standing down Main Street USA with huge Mickey hands high-fiving all the children who passed {don't you love how Disneyland goes out of their way to keep the magic alive, especially to those who go out of their way to be there on such a special day}. If I had known that, I might have pulled my lazy trash out of bed to be there and cry a little harder to see people display their appreciation and excitement! Wait, you did know I cried three times the first 30 minutes we were there right? Again I am saving that for another post....
Back on topic.... the gates were opened, the park was ready to greet people who were ready to party a whole 24 hours = 68,400 seconds aka 68,400 more memories. We all arrived around 10am, got our picture taken in front of the castle, and made it until midnight. Yep, that is right, we lasted a whole 14 hours!!! Our beloved and devoted husbands took the kids back to the hotel while us sisters continued to have a blast. We then met up with our husbands around 9pm. By the time we left the park, we thought we were going to be sleep walkers. We were pooped! As we left the park it only seemed to be getting busier. The streets were packed with overflowing cars. As we walked, I don't believe I saw one of them move... not even an inch.
Want to know how many people were there? A grand total of 106,000 people, 66,000 of those were annual pass holders {and in case you care, there are just about 900,000 annual pass holders so far this year}. Disneyland was expecting around 52-56 thousand guest, so as you can imagine they were totally understaffed. The lines were long, the rides broke down, but the churro stands stood strong and provided enough for all to partake! Yep I had 2.5 that day! For the record, Leap Day was the busiest it has been in the history of any holiday {minus the dates of December 25 - January 2} and I think it is fair to say that over 50% of those people were annual pass holders. However, the crowds did not start to pick up until about 7pm that night, so we were lucky and smart to have been there as early as we did.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Disney Housewives
.::Viral Friday::.
My friend that I used to work with at Disneyland shared this with me... which meant I had to hop on here to share it will all of you...and I am going to go ahead and count it as Viral Friday, but we won't worry about the dates and how today is Sunday and this was aired last night on a Saturday.... right?!?!
I hope you enjoy it as much as me. I was literally in tears!!!!
THANK YOU, COME AGAIN
"Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy"
Friday, February 24, 2012
LinSanity
Gian...G-ON...like 'G' + "ON"...like neon, but with a G. That's usually how I explain to people how to pronounce my name. Yo. So hopefully you've heard about this dude, Jeremy Lin, who plays for the New York Knicks. He's pretty awesome, good at basketball, and people have made up some ridiculously awesome phrases with his name...LinSanity, Linning, All I do is Lin Lin Lin, VaLinTines Day, Super Lin-tendo...the list is extensive. Oh yeah...and he's Asian. The dude graduated from Harvard. He plays Fruit Ninja like an Asian video gamer. He's friends with all the other "more recognizable" Asians on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr/Everything else. So the dude is pretty up there on the Asian scale...but the dude is a freaking baller. For real. Saw someone post this Jeremy Lin video last week.
I love how it combined his baller status with his Asian-ness in the most ridiculous way. If you've never heard of Jeremy Lin before, ask someone who watches SportsCenter about him. It's been crazy...and awesome.
Here's a video for a song that's been stuck in my head all week. Good song. I suggest turning up the volume on your computer/phone/tablet and enjoying the music...Fun. - We Are Young.
Good song huh? Listening to Fun. makes me miss listening to The Format...kind of like listening to Jack's Mannequin makes you miss listening to Something Corporate.
Here's one more video by OK Go...Needing/Getting.
These dudes really think through the process of making their music videos. Saw these dudes in a small segment on Sesame Street...it was pretty cool as well.
So there's your Viral Friday for the week. Hopefully you enjoyed these. Questions? Want to talk more about this stuff? Feel free to comment. Peace out.
I love how it combined his baller status with his Asian-ness in the most ridiculous way. If you've never heard of Jeremy Lin before, ask someone who watches SportsCenter about him. It's been crazy...and awesome.
Here's a video for a song that's been stuck in my head all week. Good song. I suggest turning up the volume on your computer/phone/tablet and enjoying the music...Fun. - We Are Young.
Good song huh? Listening to Fun. makes me miss listening to The Format...kind of like listening to Jack's Mannequin makes you miss listening to Something Corporate.
Here's one more video by OK Go...Needing/Getting.
These dudes really think through the process of making their music videos. Saw these dudes in a small segment on Sesame Street...it was pretty cool as well.
So there's your Viral Friday for the week. Hopefully you enjoyed these. Questions? Want to talk more about this stuff? Feel free to comment. Peace out.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Pectorals
WARNING: Viewers discretion is advised!!
Due to the topic, I felt like I should give a fair warning to those who are sensitive to bresticles. Here is the thing.... do you know this guy, Mark Long, from MTV, most currently on Battle of the Exes?
Him with the cast and obviously he is on the front row.
So there is no secret that this guy has a rockin' body. He works out! Well the other night as Gian and I were watching Battle of the Exes on MTV, I caught a glimpse of reality that made me feel jealous and yet utterly sad. I realized that this 40 something year old man has a better rack then me! No seriously!!!! I refuse to show you an image side by side to save me some credibility and to save me the last ounce of womanly pride I may now have.
Look at his pectorals. Look how they curve under and make a shadow.... ohh how I lack that!! I have never wanted fake boobs as much as I do right at this very moment.
Even if I try to flex or tape my ladies to the center, they never do this....
I can honestly tell you I have never coveted a man's chest the way I have with Mark Long because usually our chests are quiet similar.
No offense to Michael Cera, I love you to a million pieces, but we share the same body type! And because I love you, this should make you feel better.
So you see my problem right?!?! Mark Long has officially made both genders jealous of his very masculine body. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever be envious of so much testosterone. THANKS A LOT MARK!!!!
**Disclaimer: These photos are not made to be viewed in any form of sexiness and only made for the use of pointing out Mark Long has a better rack then 90% of the female population.**
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Bachelor Look-A-Like
I have never been a fan of The Bachelor. I have never seen a whole season, just a hand full of episodes. As each season starts, I don't think twice about it, until I see everyone's comments via Facebook and Twitter and then I regret the lack of interest I had and once again feel out of the loop. However, two weeks ago, I was at my sisters house. She forced me to watch her addiction and I must say I loooooooooooooooooved it!!!... but that is not to say that I haven't seen an episode since, even though I really want to!!!
While enjoying our little show, I shared an image to my mom and sister of who I think the bachelor looks like, and it's fair to say they almost laughed diet coke out their noses.
I apologize for the poor quality of these photos... this was done from my phone.
These have become our family's newest and favorite images. I promise you will never see Ben Flajnik the same!!! In case you are wondering who this cartoon character is, it is DW from my childhood show Author. They are anteaters! Don't they share a striking resemblance?
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Brown Sugar Buttercream
This butter cream was the most amazing frosting I have ever had!!! I would eat it by the spoonful if I hadn't made it myself to learn how much butter it takes to make buttercream.... but I freaking loooooooooove butter... remember my previous post?
Ingredients:
3 large egg whites {eggs at room temperature makes things so much better for baking}
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice {I did not use this and it still tasted great}
3 sticks of butter {YIKES!!!}
2 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
Directions:
*Bring sugar and water to a boil over medium heat
*Once sugar starts to starts to boil, bring heat to a medium-low. Start beating your egg whites with a whisk attachment on your electric mixer. Add lemon juice if desired. Beat until white make soft peaks.
*Be sure to look at your syrup frequently. Let cook until 238-242 degrees using a candy thermometer {I just let my syrup boil on a medium-low heat until my meringue was making soft peaks}. Once there, add hot syrup directing into beating egg whites and continue to beat for another 6 minutes so the meringue can cool down.
*Place your hand at the bottom of the bowl. If it is cool to the touch you can start adding the butter slowly with small slices or chunks. Beat for 6 minutes and then add vanilla and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
I used my frosting for cake bites {which was one box of yellow cake mix}. I would say it took about 90% of the frosting. I then dipped the cake bites in milk chocolate and butterscotch. This frosting would be magical for anything you make! Seriously, it was so good. I hope you enjoy it too!
Ingredients:
3 large egg whites {eggs at room temperature makes things so much better for baking}
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice {I did not use this and it still tasted great}
3 sticks of butter {YIKES!!!}
2 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
Directions:
*Bring sugar and water to a boil over medium heat
*Once sugar starts to starts to boil, bring heat to a medium-low. Start beating your egg whites with a whisk attachment on your electric mixer. Add lemon juice if desired. Beat until white make soft peaks.
*Be sure to look at your syrup frequently. Let cook until 238-242 degrees using a candy thermometer {I just let my syrup boil on a medium-low heat until my meringue was making soft peaks}. Once there, add hot syrup directing into beating egg whites and continue to beat for another 6 minutes so the meringue can cool down.
*Place your hand at the bottom of the bowl. If it is cool to the touch you can start adding the butter slowly with small slices or chunks. Beat for 6 minutes and then add vanilla and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
I used my frosting for cake bites {which was one box of yellow cake mix}. I would say it took about 90% of the frosting. I then dipped the cake bites in milk chocolate and butterscotch. This frosting would be magical for anything you make! Seriously, it was so good. I hope you enjoy it too!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Australian Voice Message
.::Viral Friday::.
ALOHA FRIDAY!!! Hope you are having a great day that will lead to a great weekend! Here is this weeks video...
Hahahhaah if only every school said how they really felt! "Press 6" was my favorite one. What was yours? Ohh, Did you hear about the private school here in the States doing drug tests for their students? I think it is brilliant!!! Call my crazy, but I think it's a nice way to hold teens accountable for their actions.
THANK YOU, COME AGAIN
"Press 6"
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Homemade Twix Bars
I found this recipe in one of my cook books. It was freaking awesome!!! The shortbread is soooooooooooo good. If you want a yummy treat that will haunt you for days, then this is the cookie bar you need to make!
Short Bread
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter {cut into small slices}
1 cup heaping all-purpose flour
1/4 cup heaping sugar
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 F/180 C
*Grease bottom of a 9" square cake pan
*In an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, mix all ingredients until they start to bind together
*Press into pan and level the top
*Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden
Caramel
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup heaping sugar
3 tbsp dark corn syrup {I used brown sugar - see notes below}
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
Directions:
*Place the butter, sugar, corn syrup {or brown sugar mixture}, and condensed milk in a heavy bottom pan
*Heat gently until the sugar has melted
*Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer 6-8 minutes, stirring, until very thick
*Pour over baked shortbread and let chill in refrigerator for 2hrs {I waited about 45mins}
Chocolate
7 oz of chocolate of your choice. I used milk chocolate.
Directions:
*Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave {follow directions on package}, then spread over the caramel
*Let chill in refrigerator for 2 hrs or until chocolate has hardened
Notes:
*Substituting corn syrup - 1/2 cup of firmly packed dark brown sugar and 1/8 cup water, mix together with spatula and follow as directed above. This will not give you a caramel coloring like the dark corn syrup would. DO NOT ADD ALL OF BROWN SUGAR TO THE RECIPE, this is just a substitute, only take 3 TBSP of this mixture to add into your carmel recipe.
*Be sure to not make the caramel or chocolate layers too thick. It is important to keep the ratio even between the three layers otherwise it can be overwhelming in appearance and taste.
*You can make some fun designs in the chocolate if you are feeling frisky!!
ENJOY!!
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