My Bean!!!!

There are few people that I consider to be ideal roommates. One of them is this individual:

Ok, so that picture is a couple of years old...well, about 20 years old. I should probably use this one instead:

Early this morning, my littlest sis flew up to the Northeast to finish up her last semester of college. This past week was her spring break, and since the rest of us lame-o adults had to work, she spent most of her break on an air mattress at my new apartment (which slowly deflated around 3:30-4am each morning, leaving her sleeping on a layer of plastic on my bedroom floor). This girl is a trooper.

And I've got to say it, just having her there made my days so much better.

Most people may know her for her ridiculously awesome talent (see the video below)


Or her awesome wit and sense of humor

What others may not know is she is also one of the sweetest, most patient people on the planet.
She has certainly put up with a lot from me, especially over the last few years since I moved back home. Now she had to share a car, which entailed juggling schedules, and being super flexible as we tried to make both of our work schedules mesh. (And most of the time they didn't.) I lost track of how many days she had to either go in early or wait long after her shift was over because our work schedules couldn't BE more opposite.

But as difficult as the past few years may have been, I am so grateful for the time we had together during her breaks from college. I was lucky to have lived with my other little sister when we were at college together, and it was such a fun bonding experience, I really wanted an experience like that with my littlest sister so that we could also form our own memories together. Having my littlest sister be my "roommate" (even if it was just at our house, or my apartment, or a certain bug-infested hovel that shall remain nameless...), has just proved to me what I learned years ago: my sisters are my favorite roommates of all time, and my best friends.

It's hard to believe she's on her last leg of her undergrad studies. It seems like only yesterday it was her winter break...and she was talking me down when I got stressed out and had a meltdown in the car due to very long weeks of dreaming along with a bunch of characters...trying to cheer me up with a grape Mello Yellow Zero (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!), and making me laugh with her re-enactments of SNL sketches or John Mulaney bits.

She always has a way to make me smile and cheer me up, especially when I'm feeling at my lowest. She is a listening ear and compassionate shoulder to lean on. She has wisdom and insight that is rare to find in someone as young as she is, and it seems that I'm usually the one going to her for advice. :) She can make an ordinary day feel like a day out of a super fun vacation. Not only is she beautiful outside and in, but she makes the world a more beautiful place with her smiles, laughter, and bright-sunny-you-have-to-believe spirit.

I am so very very blessed to have her as one of my very best friends (cue Disney song). I can't wait for the fun times ahead. I love you, Schmoopsie!! And I miss you.

30, Flirty, and Thriving

I turned 30 years old a couple of weeks ago. At first, I wasn't really looking forward to it. Despite the encouragement from well-wishers telling me, "30 is the new 20," "30 is just a number," and other positive statements, I lacked the oh-mi-gosh-my-birthday-is-coming-up-I-can't-wait excitement that I felt when I was younger. In the weeks leading up to my birthday, I even hesitated to make solid plans to celebrate, thinking that if I didn't make plans, maybe it wouldn't happen and I would keep being 29 (note to all, that doesn't work). Long story short -- too late -- leading up to my birthday I felt like this:

I really don't know why I was slightly freaking out. Maybe it was those thoughts in my head (thanks to the small minority in society that still thinks this way) telling me that if I was turning 30 I should be married with 2.5 kids instead of being single and living at home with my mom. Or maybe because I couldn't think of what exactly to do for my birthday. Being the overachiever that I am, I felt that I needed to do something REEEEEAAALLY epic for my 30th (where's Tori Spelling to be my party planner when I need her?!). Caribbean cruise, trip to Paris, surfing in Hawaii, time-traveling....all of them were out. If I were a different person, I'd probably get a tattoo or pierce something not on my face....but yeah, that wasn't going to happen.

What ended up happening was pretty cool - and further evidence that you never stop learning, no matter how old you get. In an appropriately-timed life lesson, despite my stressing to come up with the perfect celebration plans, my 30th turned out to be serendipitously amazing mostly on its own. Reiterating that life doesn't turn out how you plan - it turns out better. Here are just a few of the highlights, and, in my opinion, things that make for a pretty spectacular 30th birthday.

Flowers

The Friday before my birthday, I came home to a box of flowers from my bestest friend, Darcy.

She spoils me, 'cause, as she says, "Someone has to!"

Treats


The next day, this bundle of sweets was waiting on my doorstep from Joy, Joe, and Ruby.

The dialog bubble cookie came that way - how perfect is that?! Since all of my friends really are characters. ;)

Yeah, the contents of that basket are gone already.

Sparkles


A week before my birthday, my cousin and his wife were in town, and while we were doing some window shopping, I found a store that had a tiara section. My cousin's wife said that she thought I needed a tiara for my 30th, I agreed. This was their gift to me, and I used it well - I pretty much wore it all weekend. :)

The surest way to get excited for your birthday? Buy a tiara.

My mom surprised me with some more sparkles for my birthday that nearly brought me to tears and caused me to shake a little bit.

Diamond hug & kiss? Yes, please!

Hugh Jackman


Along with the beautiful necklace and other girly goodies, Mom also surprised me with my favorite leading man.

Obviously, I didn't get Hugh in the flesh, but, technically, I got Hugh - in the form of this

And this

Awesome musical number
My dad and I had a day of Disney fun to celebrate my birthday, including dinner at Germany, where we got to be a part of this.




So, to everyone that is nervous about an upcoming birthday, take heart. It turns out that all of my anxieties about it were all for nothing - it was actually one of the best birthdays ever. I am the luckiest girl in the world - and now, "30, flirty, and thriving."

A photographer in the family

I wanted to share the latest post from my dad's blog.  He came to Disney with me last Friday (and the Friday before, but that's another blog post....), and he took some of the prettiest pictures of the scenery around the parks (along with some great shots of the cutest little teacup!).  Dad has always had such a knack for photography - his pictures always make you feel like you're right there.



A Work in Progress...: Meeting Chip at Beauty and the Beast: Since I missed catching up with Chip a week ago Friday, I met Adele again this past Friday to give it another go. I wanted to leave St. Pe...

"Mom....Mom....Mom....Happy Birthday!!!"

One evening, my little sister's calling for my mom cracked me up.  All I can say is it resembled this:


(Except minus the laughing and running away once she answered!)

This past weekend we had plenty of opportunities to recreate the scene, as we spent the weekend together celebrating Mom's birthday!  I'm the kind of person who LOVES to celebrate birthdays.  To me, birthdays aren't just about getting older, they're about celebrating the joy that the birthday person brings to the world.  I love to do things that helps the birthday person feel as wonderful and special as they are.  So, what better way to do that then at Disney World! 

Mom wanted to have a special lunch and visit the parks, and we were blessed with a BEAUTIFUL day.  We parked at the Magic Kingdom, then traveled to the Grand Floridian for lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

So fancy, they don't have bottles of condiments on the table

Mom's salad with strawberries and cashews

Gina's Grand Sandwich (ham, turkey, bacon and a boursin cheese sauce on foccacia).

Mom and I both had the Grand Floridian Burger (topped with asparagus, lobster and hollandaise sauce) - for some reason I couldn't get the picture rotated....

 After lunch, we went to play at the Magic Kingdom - first stopping off to get a birthday button for Mom!

Mom with her birthday button!


We had so much fun!  And the birthday gods must have been smiling on us that day, 'cause we hardly had to wait in any lines.  We practically walked on Cinderella's Golden Carousel - which Mom had never been on. (how is that possible?)

Birthday Princess on the carousel!

Me and Gina

We went to Mickey's
Philharmagic next.  It was a good crowd - they clapped and everything.  (Have I mentioned yet in this post how much I love Disney?)

"Roads?  Where we're going we don't need roads!"

We were feeling pretty brave, so we headed over to the Teacups.....

Luckily, we didn't lose our lunches....but we got some great pictures!

(Gina took this shot of me just as the ride was coming to a stop.  I thought it was hilarious.  And hilariously unflattering.  But I think it captures the essence of what a spin on the teacups is like!)

We were ready for a little break, so we went to a little cafe Gina knew about at the Polynesian for some Dole Whip.  And while there, a little family of ducks waddled by.






Then, it was on to Disney's Hollywood Studios to ride the Tower of Terror, just in time before the park closed.

If only I'd bought the picture - Gina's face was uber-cool.

It had been a long day....

And yet, Mom still had the energy to go dancing!  She's amazing!

I pretty much have the greatest mother in the world. :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

What is the statute of limitations......

......on time between blog posts?

Since I don't know, I'm hoping that - if there IS one - I can slip this in under the wire. **Insert smiley face.**
I really don't know how I let so much time go by without a post, and the worst thing about it is....is really doesn't make any difference because I mainly do this blog for me.  And my dad.  (Hi, Daddy!)

Here are a few of the highlights from the past couple of months that I failed to mention - perhaps one of them will get a full blog post in the future....

1. Gina and I hit up Disney World

They now have Kermit and R2-D2 Mickey Ears.  How awesome is that??

We saw the Castle lit up.....

















And fell in love all over again with Donald Duck.  (Check out his cute winter outfit.)

 2. My obsession with "Despicable Me" and "Tangled" began

 You MUST see these movies!!

I really want a pet chameleon....
































And a boat ride like this......

And I wouldn't mind one of these.

3.  Reunited with Mick after 5 years!

 My uber-successful bestest bud took time out from rockin' Z104.3 FM for a little visit to Florida, and we had a chance to catch up (once I found my way through the maze of confusion that are the Florida roadways).
Hopefully we can get together again in LESS than 5 years - maybe for some spaghetti.
 
4.  All of the Gabriel siblings were together for Christmas for the first time in 5 years!

Joy, Joe, Mia, Me and Gina - it was the best Christmas ever!!!!

 
5. The annual trip to the Grand Floridian to see the Christmas decorations

As always, it was gorgeous!

Mom, Gina, Me, and Mia in front of the Grand Floridian Christmas Tree

6.  Daddy-Daughters Sushi Date (and "Tangled" again)

Sushi + "Tangled" = Super fun Daddy-Daughters Date. 
Seriously, what could be better??

No Unagi, but the Sweet Potato Roll was pretty darn good, too!

Gina and Daddy huddle to keep warm.  The restaurant had great food, but was FREEZING!!

7.  We made Dessert Sushi

Take some Rice Krispies Treats, Fruit By the Foot, Swedish Fish, and presto!  Dessert Sushi!  (Thanks to Gina for finding such a gem!)

 
8.. Gina and I hit up Disney again.....

And we met the characters from "Tangled"!!!!
(Yes, I waited in line for an hour and a half to meet them.  I am not ashamed.)

This is the best profile picture I've had since the one of me in the T-Rex's mouth.

And I got "Tangled" crayons and a coloring page.  Best. Day. Ever.

These are just a few of the highlights!  Hopefully I'll do better at keeping the good ol' blog up to date.  Especially for you, Dad. (**Insert winky smiley here.**)  TTFN.