Dia De Reyes Tradition to End the Holidays

Posted on January 14, 2015 by phjiao

Hard to believe it is already January 13! The Dia de Reyes (Three Wise Men Day) party on January 6 usually marks the end of the holiday celebrations in our family. This year it fell on a Tuesday and what seemed closer to the New Year’s Eve weekend, so we celebrated it on January 10, which was the Saturday that followed. It is a fun gathering, with the traditional meal, cutting of rosca, piñata, children running around playing, and our own family tradition of passing out the Christmas stockings. It is a tradition my aunt started a few years ago and has grown to be the highlight of the party! All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren have a personalized stocking with our name which is hung on the wall to form a Christmas tree. Each year the family grows and we add more stockings to the wall. We take turns taking our stocking off the wall, from the eldest grandchild to the youngest, making jokes, bowing or saying a few words, and taking pictures as we collect our stockings. The younger children use a ladder decorated for the holidays to reach their stocking on the top of the tree (wall). We all take the candy filled stocking home & store them until the party next year when we bring them back (some stockings have been replaced over the years). There is a prize for the first grandchild to bring back the stocking during the holidays in preparation for the Dia de Reyes party.

This year, I didn’t take too many pictures because I was enjoying the moment and spending time with family, being present. It is bitter sweet to end the holidays….but other festivities follow in the coming months. With the large size of our family, we always have festivities to look forward to! As I have said many times, one of the biggest blessings in my life is the family I was born into! I am grateful for their unconditional love, it is priceless! Special thanks to my grandmother, the head of our family, who keeps us all united and organizes these gatherings! These family gatherings aren’t just about having fun, they are also about forming traditions and good memories of wonderful moments of happiness with family!

How do you end the Christmas holiday celebrations? Do you celebrate Dia de Reyes and cut a rosca?

Hugs,

Paola

PS – Picture from our Dia de Reyes party and the family holiday tradition I started.

Preparing for the piñata!

My stocking hangs at the bottom of the wall since I am the eldest granddaughter. My older brother is the first one to get a stocking, as he is the eldest grandchild. I have stored my stocking along with our holiday decorations for many years, this way I ensure I don’t misplace it. I bring it back for the Dia de Reyes party every year!

Simple 1-Step Treatment to Maintain Hair Moisturized & Healthy Looking

Posted on January 9, 2015 by phjiao

During the holidays, we often used the hair dryer, curler, straightener, and other appliances to style our hair. My hair is fine and the ends break easily, but I like to have long hair, so I use deep conditioners to keep my hair moisturized and looking healthy. I know there are multiple treatments out there, from the homemade ones, to the ones applied at a beauty salon. Today, I am going to share a deep conditioning treatment that is simple and practical. If you are like me, you are busy and don’t always have time to go sit in a beauty salon for a few hours. The hair treatments applied at beauty salons are highly recommendable and about every two months I get those treatments, but it usually combined with my hair cut appointment, so it doesn’t require a special visit to the salon.

Over the years, I have used multiple deep moisturizing treatments, from very expensive products to some prepared at home. A few months ago, I read about a treatment recommended in a magazine. This treatment has given me such good results, that I have purchased it to give as gifts to my mom & nieces. I like that the application is simple, so it fits into my busy lifestyle, and it is inexpensive, so it fits into my budget. The deep moisturizing treatment I’ve been using is Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist, it only costs $3, and comes in a purple 8 ounce bottle, which lasts multiple weeks. It is also easy to find since it is sold at most stores that carry beauty products, such as Target, Walmart, or CVS, so I don’t have to drive across town to a particular beauty supply specialty store like I used to do with other more expensive treatments. There are other moisturizing treatments available and they will likely give similar results, but I have yet to find another treatment at this price that gives such good results. The important thing is to use a treatment on a regular basis. Normally, I wash my hair four times per week. The first thing I do when I get into the shower is wash my hair with shampoo and rinse it, I squeeze the excess water from my hair & pat the ends dry with a towel (I place to towel on the top of the shower door beforehand, so it is close by when I need it). I apply the treatment on the ends of my hair (from the ears down) and put it up with a clip, avoiding it get wet. It is optional to wear a shower cap. I continue showering and am careful not to place my hair under the showerhead, leaving the treatment in my hair for at least 3 – 5 minutes. The last thing I do before I get out of the shower is rinse my hair with warm or cool water. I dry and style my hair as usual, using the same leave in conditioner and light argan oil that I have used for years.

My stylist and I have noticed that over time with this simple moisturizing step, my hair is healthier. And, I don’t need to spend a bundle or lots of time on a hair treatment.

In an ideal world, we would all have tons of time and money to go to a beauty salon to get deep conditioning treatments, but in my real world, I am glad to have found a product that fits into my busy schedule and also fits into my budget.

Do you use a deep conditioning treatment at home? Which one? Do you get treatments applied to your hair at a beauty salon? I’d love to hear your recommendations on hair products.

Hugs,

Paola

P.S. – Let’s stay connected on Facebook: Paola Hernandez-Jiao; Instagram paolahernandezjiao; Twitter @paolahernandezj

En ESPAÑOL después de fotografías.

Tratamiento Sencillo De Un Paso Para Mantener Tu Cabello Humectado y Luciendo Saludable

Durante las posadas estuvimos utilizando en nuestro cabello la secadora, pinsa, laceadora, y otros aparatos. Esto resulto en resecar las puntas de nuestro cabello. Mi cabello es fino y se quiebra facilmente, pero me gusta traerlo largo, asi que utilizo tratamientos de humectación profunda para mantenerlo luciendo saludable. Se que hay varios tratamientos, desde los caseros hasta los que se aplican en estética. Hoy les voy a compartir un tratamiento sencillo y práctico. Si son como yo, están ocupadas y aveces no pueden ir a sentarse horas en la estética. Los tratamientos en estéticas son recomendables y aproximadamente cada dos meses me hago esos tratamientos, casi siempre son durante la misma cita de corte de cabello.

Al paso de los años, he ultilizado varios tratamientos, desde productos caros, hasta los hechos en casa. Hace tiempo, leí de uno recomendado en una revista. Me ha dado tan buen resultado, que se lo he regalado a mi sobrina y mamá. Me gusta que la aplicación es práctica, así que se acomoda a mi estilo de vida, y es barato, así que se acomoda a mi presupuesto. El humectante profundo es Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist, cuesta $3, y el tubo dura varias semanas. Hay otros humectantes disponibles y dan resultados similares, lo importante es usarlos con regularidad. Normalmente, me lavo el cabello cuatro veces por semana. Lo primero que hago al entrar a la regadera es lavarme el cabello, me exprimo el exceso de agua del cabello, y uso una toalla para secar las puntas. Aplico el humectante en las puntas y recogo el cabello con un broche, evitando que se moje. Continuo bañándome, dejando el humectante 3 – 5 minutos. Lo último que hago antes de salirme de la regadera es enjuagarme el cabello con agua tibia. Mi estilista y yo hemos notado que con este paso sencillo, la salud de mi cabello ha mejorado. Y, no tengo que gastarme un dineral en tratamientos, ni dedicarle mucho tiempo.

¿Tu utilizas algún tratamiento humectante profundo para el cabello? Me saber de tus recomendaciones.

Un abrazo,

Paola

P.D – Hay que conectarnos en Faceboook Paola Hernandez-Jiao; Instagram paolahernandezjiao; Twitter @paolahernandezj.

Disney’s Into The Woods – A Holiday Must See Movie

Posted on December 27, 2014 by phjiao

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the movie screening of Disney’s Into The Woods. My friend, Nena, joined me and we made a fun evening of it! Into The Woods is a modern twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, it combines multiple stories and plots. In addition to the well-known fairy tales’ happily every after endings, the movie includes a further look into the consequences of the characters’ wishes. I liked seeing these because in real life we all know there are consequences to our actions, and these aren’t always includes in fairy tales. The movie is based on the Broadway musical with the same name and is brought onto the big screen magnificently well. I am a fan of Broadway musicals, but not so much of musicals in movies. Into The Woods is very well done as a musical movie. The songs are interpreted by the actors, which in itself is quite impressive. The lyrics are contagious and I found myself singing the main song, Into The Woods, after we left the theater and the day after. And, of course, there is a soundtrack available for those that are fans of movie soundtracks. It is a delightful movie, with comedy, special effects, and entertaining for the entire family! It has what I like to call, “the magic of Disney!” This is a good movie to go see with the kids over the holiday break!

The movie follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, all intertwined by a story involving a baker, his wife, and their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them. Starring in the film are Meryl Streep, as the Witch (she is amazing!); Emily Blunt, baker’s wife; Johnny Depp, the wolf; Anna Kendrick, Cinderella. It is directed by the director of the well-known musical, Chicago; and the producer of Wicked. The movie opened on Christmas Day and is rated PG. It has already been nominated for multiple Golden Globe awards!

You can find more details and view pictures on the movie’s website: Into The Woods.

Below is the trailer, so you can get a glimpse of the movie. I loved it! Hope you enjoy it too!

Have you seen the movie? Will you be going to see it over the holiday break?

Hugs….and happy holidays,
Paola

Paola

The cast at the premiere.

Date Night Movie – Exodus: Gods and Kings

Posted on December 16, 2014 by phjiao

As you know, I enjoy watching movies. When I heard there was going to be a screening for Exodus: Gods and Kings, I got excited and was looking forward to seeing the movie. I even watched the trailer a few times before the screening date. Since it is not a chick-flick, my hubby went with me. He is not a big movie goer, but in this case he viewed the trailer and decided this was a movie he wanted to see. We made a date night out of it by going to dinner at PF Chang’s and then heading across the street to the ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield UTC.

Exodus: Gods and Kings (PG-13), is directed by Ridley Scott (known for directing Gladiator, Prometheus, Alien, American Gangster) and stars Christian Bale (best known for The Dark Knight/Batman) as Moses. The movie is the story of Moses’ rise against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton), and how he leads 400,000 slaves on a journey of escape from Egypt. We watched the movie in 3D, the special effects are state of the art and quite amazing! It was nice to see other famous familiar faces in the cast, such as Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, and John Turturro.

Growing up, I had seen multiple versions of the story of Moses. This movie is the writers’ interpretation of the story. I was curious to see how they would bring the story to life. It was interesting to see how they depicted God, the scene with the Ten Commandments, the parting of the Red Sea, and the multiple plagues. The special effects did not disappoint: the scenes where the Nile was turned red, the locust infestation, the hailstones, and the toad torrents. The movie has scenes filled with action and beautiful costumes. Overall, I found the movie to be entertaining. As I mentioned, it is the writers’ interpretation of the story, so don’t expect it to be the exact same script as movies about Moses you have seen in the past.

According to the box office results, Exodus: Gods and Kings was number one on its opening weekend (just opened this past weekend on December 12), so many other movie goers must have also been looking forward to seeing it as much as I was!

Will you be going to see this movie? Or, did you see it and what did you think of it?

For more information, pictures, and to find a theater where it is playing, you can visit the movie’s official website: Exodus: Gods and Kings.

The trailer was my first peek into the movie, you can view it below.

Hugs,

Paola

Another poster from the movie.

Make Me Merry Morning With Frankie & Geena: At Westfield Plaza Bonita

Posted on November 26, 2014 by phjiao

Over the past seven years, I have been fortunate to be invited to participate at events at Westfield Mission Valley and Plaza Bonita. The Marketing Team at the shopping center organizes the best events! I am always glad to support them and their events! There will be two major events this holiday season at Continue reading →

Weekend Fun & Links: November is Here

Posted on November 7, 2014 by phjiao

November has begun and with daylight savings time, it is getting dark earlier. We are in California, and by 5:00pm, you can start seeing the sun setting. I went for two evening walks this week, one with my hubby and one with my friend, Lola. By 6:00pm, I felt like it was already 8:00pm! The weather has been warm in San Diego this week, but fall weather is being felt and we finally turned off our air conditioning at home. I actually added a blanket to the bed covers at night – only on my side though, the hubby doesn’t like using a blanket.

What do you have planned for the weekend? I am heading to watch my niece in a play. It’ll be a family outing, with my siblings, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. I am excited to see my niece perform, she is very talented! I am also going shopping with my niece, Natalia. We will buy a scrap book for her sister, my niece, Ana Paola. She had her Quinceañera last week and I took lots of fun pictures. I will print some pictures for her and give them to her as a gift with the scrap book. We’ll get together another day to assemble and decorate the scrap book. I think it will be a nice surprise! I will also try to go for a walk with Natalia (she will ride her bicycle), so I can get some exercise and we can chat! I love my nieces and spending time with them is one of my favorite things to do! Hope you have a nice weekend….here are some fun links from the web!

What are you up to this weekend?

Hugs,

Paola

– Thanksgiving is in a few weeks: 31 Essential Desserts for the Holiday (recipes included)

– Not sure which blush to wear this winter? Best Blush for Winter (according to Vogue Editors)

– Do you like Sriracha sauce? Now you can take it everywhere, even on a flight: Sriracha to Go Keychain Bottle, such a cool idea & it’s refillable!!! Now someone make a Mexican hot sauce or jalapeño version, please.

– Do you want to start to meditate? Learn how with Oprah & Deepak’s Free 21-Day Meditation Experience: Energy of Attraction. It’s an audio guided meditation you can do at home. I signed up! Did I mention, it’s free?

– Support a good cause. Attend the March of Dimes’ San Diego Signature Chefs & Master Mixologists Gala. Learn more about the March of Dimes on their site. In case you are wondering, like I was before I started volunteering with them five years ago, the March of Dimes provides programs for mothers and babies, and funding for research to support healthier babies.

– Have you seen this? You must see it! Saturday Night Live’s: Jim Carrey Spoof of Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln ads. Hilarious!!! It’s gotten more than 7 million views in one week!

– Ellen also did a spoof on the Matthew McConaughey Lincoln ads. Her spoof made me laugh out loud, especially the last line! Gotta love Ellen! Her version has gotten almost 5 million views!

– In case you haven’t seen them, here are links to the actual Matthew McConaughey Lincoln Ads: MKC Intro, Bull, & I Just Liked It

– If you love pets, you can support Black Tie CEO Club’s event: Diamonds Are Forever Fashion Contest, 100% of the proceeds go to help abandoned & abused dogs raises funds. The event will be held on November 18, at Aston Martin San Diego and sounds exciting, very glam & glitzy ! Tickets are only $20.

– Did you see Horrible Bosses? Well, Horrible Bosses 2 is coming out soon. I am looking forward to seeing the movie, should be funny! Here’s a link to the movie trailer.

Topshop Grand Opening in San Diego

Posted on November 6, 2014 by phjiao

Topshop Topman celebrated the Grand Opening of their stylish new store in San Diego! The store is located at Fashion Valley shopping center, on the first level, next to JcPenney. Topshop is located on first floor and Topman is on the underground level. I attended the Grand Opening and enjoyed seeing the on-trend items the store has, including clothing, coats, shoes, accessories, purses, and jewelry. There is casual and dressy fast-fashion attire. The Grand Opening included a goodie bag, exclusive giveaways, Topman gift cards, t-shirt printing, entertainment by a Local DJ on the decks, pop-up photo booth, and free gift for customers that spent $70. There were so many nice items to see that I took lots of pictures. Here are pictures from the Topshop Grand Opening. I will make a separate post in the coming days with pictures from the Topman store, my favorite womens shoes and jackets, and the accessories section.

Nordstrom is the exclusive stockist for Topshop in the USA and I have purchased clothing from this brand in the past. This is the first Topshop store in San Diego and the first one of its kind that I have visited. The prices are reasonable. The quality looked well-made. The prices and items are comparable to Zara and H&M (a bit higher than H&M for the casual attire). I will be back to do some shopping, it will be a shopping day with my sis for sure!

Have you been to Topshop or Topman? Do you have any Topshop clothing?

Hugs,

Paola

The goodie bag items.

Trick To Avoid Eating Candy Before Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2014 by phjiao

He did it again! My hubby bought lots of Halloween candy, more than we can give away to trick-or-treaters! He bought it a few weeks before Halloween and bought chocolates! Yes, chocolates! Not the hard candy which I won’t be tempted to eat, but milk chocolate…and some of my favorite types! Last year, I shared my tricks to avoid eating Halloween candy. The two main things I do is purchase candy I don’t like (hard candy) and secondly, give away the left over candy after Halloween. These tricks worked for me when I was single. Now that I am married, my hubby buys the candy a few weeks ahead of time and before I know it, there are multiple bags of delicious chocolate in the pantry! The chocolate seems to be calling my name!

Last year, my hubby did the same thing. What I did was have a few pieces of chocolate, but by Halloween we had eaten half the bag of Kit Kats. This year, I decided not to even open the bags. I had the urge many times, but I would walk away from the chocolates. What I did was leave the chocolates in the grocery bags and place them in a far corner of the pantry, on the bottom shelf. The corner that I see less often when I walk into the pantry. It worked because I forgot the chocolates were there. Every once in while, I’d see the bags and remember they were filled with delicious chocolates. But, I also knew that if I didn’t open the bags, I wouldn’t eat any of it. I didn’t completely deprive myself of chocolate (since I always keep chocolate in the pantry), I still had a few chocolate covered almonds when I had a craving for chocolate. But, I didn’t eat lots of chocolate candy bars! It is hard for me to just eat one candy bar and since the packets are snack size, I usually eat two or three, which pretty much adds up to a regular size candy bar.

For these pictures, I took the candy out of the pantry, afterwards I put it right back in the grocery bags and into the far corner of the pantry. I will probably eat some chocolate candy bars on Halloween night. After Halloween, I will give away the left over candy. If I don’t give it away, do you know what will happen? Yup! We will eat every last piece of it…..and not over six months, we will likely eat it within a few weeks.

Storing the candy out of sight in the far corner of the pantry and not opening the bags were the tricks I used this year, and they worked!

Do you eat the Halloween candy before Halloween night? Do you use any tricks to avoid eating too much candy before or after Halloween?

Hugs,

Paola

Hello my delicious chocolate friends!!!!!

Oh how I love thee!

Yikes, now that I see them, I am craving these chocolates!

So many chocolates….and some are my favorites: Almond Joy, Kit Kat, Reese’s, Hershey’s!

I can do this! I can take a picture with all these chocolates and not open the bags….and not eat any!

These are going right back into the grocery bags…..

And, into the back corner of the pantry….if I don’t see the chocolates, I won’t be tempted to eat them!

Tikker the “Happiness Watch”

Posted on October 30, 2014 by phjiao

If you are anything like me, you have a full schedule. We live busy lives and as a result, sometimes we look forward to the end of the day. Or, if it is an extremely stressful week, we hope the week goes by fast, looking forward for the arrival of the weekend. I have been there, in the past, when I would wake up and before I would get out of bed, say to myself, “it’s Wednesday, just three more days to go!” I was referring to three more workdays until the weekend arrived, and then I could catch up on sleep and relax a little. That was during stressful periods where I had too much to do at work and my workdays were twelve to fourteen hours long. It seemed like there weren’t enough hours in the day to complete all the work. At the same time, I felt fortunate to have a career I enjoyed, appreciative of the position I had, and to work with some nice people and be able to help non-profit organizations (and the people they helped).

Lately, I have been reflecting on my life and career. I am still trying to find what seems like the forever sought after “balance” between career and personal life. I am also at a different point of my life because I am married now and enjoy spending time with my husband. I look forward to coming home and making dinner for him (shocking for me since I didn’t cook much when I was single), and hearing about his day. I also enjoy learning about his interests and hobbies, and sharing in those experiences. I continue to spend time with family and friends, and particularly enjoy my walks and talks with my girlfriends and sis/sister-in-law! Time with my family is more limited now that I am married, particularly since we live about thirty minutes away, and I usually get together with them only on weekends. If I reflect on the past few years, my fondest thoughts are the time spent with family, friends, and in my career the time with my colleagues, as well as kind words from people I helped. Almost every thought includes moments of laughter or joy….and hugs from my nephews or nieces.

I saw the Tikker “Happiness Watch” in a catalog recently and it made me think about time and how precious everyday is. Using statistics and an algorithm you calculate your life expectancy and the watch gives you a countdown of how much time you have left, to LIVE! It made me wonder if I would have a different perspective on life if I was counting the days backwards. Subtracting each day as it ended. Would it give me a different appreciation of how I spent me day?

It reminded me of vacations, when I count down the days left, “three more days of vacation left to enjoy,” then, “two more days and finally one more day left.” It made me think of friends that have had life threatening cancer and how they must have felt when the doctor told them how long they had to live, if they didn’t beat the illness. It reminded me of the day, seven years ago, when I felt a lump in my breast and thought I had cancer. I remember my doctor immediately sent me to get a mammogram the next day (he is a wonderful doctor). He contacted me the day after to tell me it was breast tissue and not a malignant lump. Driving home after the initial appointment, before getting the mammogram, I remember feeling sadness and having flashes of not seeing my nieces grow up, graduate from college, or share their wedding day with them. Since I wasn’t married at the time and didn’t have children of my own, my nieces were the first one’s to come to mind. Luckily, I was fine and continue to enjoy seeing these beautiful girls grow up. In the past years and with the arrival of more nephews and a husband into my life, I have tried to live more in the moment. To enjoy each day and be present when I am with them. To put down my cell phone or laptop, and enjoy the time I spend with them.

The Tikker “Happiness Watch” also made me think of my grandmother and how she lives her life, to the fullest, enjoying everyday, sharing her love with family, and trying not to judge others. She continues to wake up early and do things, everyday! She spends time with family, and enjoys every gathering and party. She puts on lipstick and chooses a different outfit everyday, even if she is staying home all day. She gets dolled up for parties by shopping for special dresses, and goes to get her hair done and make-up applied. She continues to have lots to look forward to and says she doesn’t know how long she has left, but she will continue to give back by contributing to her family and community, and will enjoy her life! It made me wonder if she lives her life differently today that she is in her mid-eighties, than she did when she was seventy, sixty, or fifty. I will ask her this weekend when I see her!

The idea for this watch came from Fredrik Colting after the death of his father. The title for the watch says, “A wristwatch that counts down your life.” The description lists, “ Make every second count with the Tikker ‘Happiness Watch’ inspiring you to live your life to the fullest. Using statistics and personal health algorithm your average life expectancy is calculated. The countdown begins, from years to seconds. Tic-Toc. Whether deciding to spend time in the board room or on a surf board. Tic-Toc. It also gives you the correct time.” It sells for $79.99.

Would you buy this type of watch? I don’t think I’ll buy the watch, but will look for a clock with similar features. Perhaps, to place it in our bedroom, so I see it everyday. It may help give me a further appreciation for each day.

Would you live your life differently if you knew how long you had to live?

What do you think about having a “countdown of your life”?

So, let’s try to live in the moment. Enjoy the present and remember, our life is a count down and we won’t get to live today over again, let’s enjoy it! We won’t be here forever! It may sound like a cliché, but life is short and time does flies by quickly! Let’s try to make it a happy life! Tic-toc!

I did some research and the Tikker watch has received quite a bit of media coverage. You can read more about the Tikker “Happiness Watch” and it’s founder in Medical Design Technology Magazine. There also have a Tikker Facebook page & a website.

I also found a video regarding Tikker on Kickstarter. The caricature video made me chuckle! It may seem too direct or a bit eerie, but is also honest and tells us that we have choices on how we live our lives.

Hugs,

Paola

Weekend Fun & Links

Posted on October 4, 2014 by phjiao

The weekend has arrived! What are you up to? This week has been a busy one – with Fashion Week San Diego and I also went to the movie screening of Gone Girl, starring Ben Affleck. We really liked the movie, it’s suspenseful and has a good story line! I am looking forward to going to a friend’s birthday party and to my nieces Quinceañera this weekend! Can’t believe she is 15, how time flies! Love this little girl, who is now a teenager, it has been a honor to see her grow up. I am looking forward to many more years of seeing her accomplishments, being her proud auntie, and simply spending time with her! We are getting glammed up for her big party! It will be nice to see my aunts, grandmother, uncles, cousins, and the entire family!! I’ll share pics on my Facebook and Instagram. Hope you have wonderful weekend!! Here are a few links from the web: fashion, beauty, events, tips, and simply fun!

Hugs,

Paola

Have you or your children selected a Halloween costume yet? The top costumes for 2014.

Glad ombre hair is still in, it is less maintenance than doing my highlights often. Plus, my hair feels healthier!

Are you wearing pink this month? It’s breast cancer awareness month. Cute ideas on wearing more pink.

Want to dress up your pet like your baby? And, let your pet entertain the baby while wearing the costume? Watch this funny video.

Tips for looking refreshed, even if you don’t get a good night’s sleep.

Fashion Week San Diego continues until Sunday – you can still go, here are the details. I posted about the Runway Show here.

Like your daily cup of joe? Have you tried Cuban coffee? See how it’s made – video. I had it in Miami, it’s strong!

If you live in San Diego and like Dora and Friends, here’s an event you may want to attend – on Sunday, Oct 12.

He finally got married…..George Clooney. They looked so happy! Yay George & Amal!

Mana de San Diego is having their 2014 Latina Success Conference, Oct 11 – you can still register! I plan to attend. Hope to see you there!

The movie I saw this week: Gone Girl, starring Ben Affleck! A suspenseful, good movie! The ending was unexpected! In theaters now. I may suggest you see it with a girlfriend….see movie trailer and you may understand why, ha!

Westfield Plaza Bonita posted the Fiesta Mexicana pictures – they have events throughout the year, here’s a sample of how nice their events are! Most of the events are free (free admission)!

Fashion Week San Diego 2014: Part 1

Posted on October 3, 2014 by phjiao

Fashion Week San Diego is here! If you like fashion and beauty, this is the annual event to attend! The event is being held from September 29 – October 5. It includes five nights with runway shows, art, beauty, and on the sixth day there will be a Trunk Show and the Fashion Awards. The runway shows are being held September 30 – October 4, at the Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego. The Trunk Show and Fashion Awards will be held on October 5, at The Horton Grand Hotel & Theatre, in the Gaslamp area of downtown San Diego. The runway shows and Trunk Show/Awards are events open to the public and tickets can be purchased at the door. Ticket prices, event schedule, list of designers, and more information can be found on the Fashion Week San Diego website. You can still attend three more days of the event!

Lola joined me for two days of the runway shows. We enjoyed the event and seeing the latest trends. The designers are local and it is good to support local talent! It was nice to run into some familiar faces and designers I’ve met at past events! Here are pics from Day 2 – Part 1: Woven Together Runway Show (see link for list of designers). There were so many nice pieces that I took lots of pictures. I will divide the posts for Day 2 & Day 3. There was also a Haute Dog Runway Show benefiting the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, the doggies are adorable & available for adoption!

Hope you like the pics!

Have you been to Fashion Week San Diego this year or in the past? Do you know or wear items from local designers?

Hugs,

Paola

In this post – Designers: Lisa B Collection, Jessica Lynn, CW Couture, & Haute Dog Runway Show

Sending A Thank You Card

Posted on October 2, 2014 by phjiao

We all receive mail at home, mostly bills, insurance information, bank statements, and advertisements. Nothing too exciting, right? When I was single, I would check the mailbox once or twice per week. Now that I am married, that has changed because my hubby likes to check the mail everyday. I try to go through my mail daily to avoid it getting stacked on my night stand. Every once in while, I will receive a personalized envelope with my name handwritten on it. It is either an invitation, a just because card from a friend (my favorite), or a thank you card. Recently, I received two thank you cards from friends. It was nice!

I appreciate that they took the time to write the card and send it to me! It was so thoughtful. I try to follow the tradition of sending thank you cards when I receive gifts or when someone does something very nice for me, like hold a dinner party in my honor. Sending a thank you card is not only polite, it is also a nice gesture! We have all become so used to using e-mail or texting, that the tradition of sending hand written cards is less common. Sending a thank you card takes just a few minutes and will surely make the recipient smile when they open it. If they are like me, they will probably smile even before they open the envelope!

Thank you cards are easy to find at stationary stores, on-line, and at most grocery stores. I usually buy them in packets with multiple cards at Target, Papyrus, or Marshalls. I also buy larger, individual cards at Trader Joe’s or Target. The cards at Trader Joe’s only cost a dollar and some people may think they are simpler than more expensive cards sold at stationary stores, but I like the designs and cute messages on them. The quality of the paper is also nice. When it comes to thank you cards, it really is the thought that counts, not the price of the card. So, next time you want to thank a friend or loved one for doing something nice – not only send them an e-mail or text, perhaps also write them a thank you card & send it in the mail. I can assure you they will appreciate the thoughtfulness behind it!

When was the last time you sent a thank you card? And, the last time you received a thank you card?

Hugs,

Paola

The two thank you cards I recently received from friends.

Travel Diary: Hawaii Part 2

Posted on October 1, 2014 by phjiao

Here are a few more pics from our trip to Oahu, Hawaii. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, it is located right across from Waikiki Beach in the city center, which was wonderful because these was lots of options for things to do within walking distance, including multiple restaurants. The hotel offered various activities for guests and on our second night, we saw a luau. After the performance, we walked to Tikis Restaurant and enjoyed dinner on the balcony overseeing the ocean.

During our trip we did some sightseeing, but I was also able to get some R&R time! On one of the days, I spent the morning exploring the hotel and enjoyed some time in the jacuzzi, as well as reading by the pool. As a gift, I surprised my hubby with a massage at the Na Ho’ola Spa at the hotel.

Within the Hyatt are the Pualeilani Atrium Shops, a three-level shopping center, which had some nice stores. It made shopping for keepsakes and gifts we brought back for family convenient. My hubby also bought a nice Aloha shirt (Hawaiian shirt) at Rix Island Wear in Pualeilani. The hotel has an amazing open-air atrium. One of the guest activities is a guided tours of the atrium. They also have a number of beautiful parrots, which repeat the words guests say to them, it was cute! They reminded me of the parrot my grandmother had when we were growing up.

Hope you enjoy these pictures. In the next Travel Diary posts, I’ll include my visit to Ala Moana Center (the world’s largest open-air shopping center), the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (hotel where my sister’s family stays when they go to Hawaii), walk along the Waikiki beach, and our visit to the Aulani – Disney Resort & Spa!

In case you missed it, here is the link to the post from our first full day in Oahu, Travel Diary: Hawaii Part 1 – Flight Over Oahu.

Have you been to Hawaii? If yes, which island? Do you have any hotel or sightseeing recommendations?

Hugs,

Paola

PS – Our trips to Orlando & Germany.

The waterfall in the center of the Hyatt.

One of the beach views from the hotel. The location was wonderful, very central, and within walking distance of multiple shops and restaurants.

Waikiki Beach is located right across from the hotel. Look at the palm trees & clear water – breathtaking!

The Luau performance, presented by the Hyatt.

We enjoyed dinner at Tikis Grill & Bar.

I had a tuna tartar as a starter, hubby had a salad.

Hubby had steak as his entree, I had a salad.

The weather was a nice warm temperature, but more humid than San Diego. I spent most of the vacation with my hair styled back or up, and minimal (if any) make-up. The lei I am wearing, was one of the gifts we received when we checked-in at the hotel. It is made of kukui nut beads, which is the seed of the candlewood tree.

On most of the days, we had breakfast at the hotel. The buffet had a good variety of options.

Hawaiian papaya & pineapple! The sweetest ever! Delicious!

I also tried this fruit.

Hawaii has many visitors from Japan. There was signage in Japanese throughout the hotel. On the islands, there are lots of shops catering to Japanese travelers.

These ABC stores are everywhere in Waikiki! There were three in the hotel!

Weekend Fun & Links

Posted on September 29, 2014 by phjiao

Hope you had a nice week! Any highlights? This week I got to visit my sis and nephews mid-week, which was a treat! My nephew is on fall break from school, so their schedules are a bit more relaxed this week. They are adorable! Kids grow so fast, it seems each time I see them they are a few inches taller. One of them has a loose tooth. I am waiting for the “smile with a window” pic when it falls out 🙂

This weekend, I am looking forward to visiting my sis-in-law & nieces/nephew. We plan to go for a walk by the lake and catch up. I will also be volunteering for Mana de San Diego (a non-profit), at their exhibitor table at Westfield Plaza Bonita’s Mexican Fiesta event. It should be a great event, with mariachi, entertainment, prizes, & food! The Marketing Director, Javier Tirado, at Westfield Plaza Bonita does a wonderful job organizing events. He’s a pro, and his events are always fun and successful!

What are you up to this weekend? I’ll post pics from my weekend on Facebook & Instagram, if you’d like to see them there.

Here are some links from the web: fun, interesting, beauty, health, tips, and more! If you have links you suggest I include next week – send them in the comments or Facebook, include #weekendlinks.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Paola

Decorate pumpkins, without carving. / Decora calabazas sin cortarlas.

Want to take a cruise in the fall? Affordable cruises – compares cruise lines! / Cruceros a precios razonables.

If you are a fan (like me!): 50 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Sex And The City. / 50 Cosas que Probablemente No Sabías Sobre Sex And The City.

New Sally Hansen gel nail polish I want to try – does not require UV/LED light. May try to replace my current gel manicure procedure. / Nueva pintura de uñas de gel que quiero probar.

Great & simple way to organize beauty products – in mason jars. / Organiza productos de belleza en frascos.

If you like oatmeal (I do) – easy way to make it overnight. / Si te gusta la avena – manera sencilla de prepararla la noche anterior.

I have done this before: Why You Shouldn’t Drink Warm Bottled Water (if bottle was left in car in warm weather) / Por que no debes tomar agua en botellas que han estado expuestas al calor.

Staying Fit: Get the most out of your walk – simple tips. / Sacale mayor provecho a tu caminata.

Fall scented candle I’ve been enjoying at home. / Vela de otoño que estoy disfrutando en casa.

Interested in attending a good women’s conference? Mana de San Diego’s Conference, October 11. / Conferencia Mujeres de Exito de Mana de San Diego, 11 de octubre.

New movie I am looking forward to seeing, based on a book, stars Ben Affleck (cutie) / Película nueva que estoy anticipando ver, basada en un libro, estelarizada por Ben Affleck.

DVD movie I watched on Netflix Online – it was entertaining & funny (stars Jason Bateman & Mila Kunis) / Película en DVD Netflix que vi, entretenida y cómica.

For my Spanish reading friends, my latest column Vida y Estilo Latina in El Latino Newspaper / Mi columna Vida y Estilo Latina mas reciente en Periódico El Latino.

Trying A New Experience: Searsucker Restaurant

Posted on September 26, 2014 by phjiao

Every once in a while, my hubby and I will try a new restaurant. We were in Del Mar recently and decided to have dinner. We drove by Searsucker, and chose to eat there (it was a spontaneous decision). I had already been to the Searsucker restaurant in the Gaslamp in downtown San Diego and had a good experience. The restaurant is owned by Chef Brian Malarkey, a local celebrity chef, known for being a finalist on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and a mentor on ABC’s “The Taste.” I don’t watch cooking shows often, so I hadn’t heard of Malarkey until two years ago when we recorded some television commercials for ABC10 for the San Diego Foundation’s Show Your Love San Diego campaign. I produced the commercials and he appeared in them. A few months after, I went to an event at his Green Acre restaurant in Point Loma. The food was fresh and quite tasty.

According to his website, in the past four years, Malarkey has opened seven successful restaurants. In 2011, Searsucker was named by Time Magazine as the #2 hottest restaurant in the country! That is quite the accolade! Searsucker serves comfort food – new american class – food, as they call it. The prices are medium to high, at least for the portions served (that is what my hubby said & he never really mentions the prices at restaurants). I don’t mind small portions, as long as the food is tasty! I think the reason the price for dinner may increase is because sides have to be ordered separately.

Overall, we had a nice experience. My hubby said the seabass he ordered was tasty. His soup was ok, but the potatoes were burned (odd). I liked the vegetable root chips served with the tuna tartare I ordered. It was an appetizer, but I ordered it as my entrée (I do this often). The serving was smaller than most tartars at other restaurants. The cheddar puffers (bread) they serve are scrumptious!! You may have a hard time eating just one! The restaurant is nice and decor is casual/modern, the attire is casual, it seems to be family-friendly. The Gaslamp location was bustling and packed when I went, on a weekday evening, about a year ago. We were at the Del Mar location on a Sunday evening and it was not very busy. The service was good and our server was friendly.

Here are some pics from our visit to the Del Mar location, hope you like them!

If you want to try something new, you may consider Searsucker or one of the other Malarkey restaurants. If you go, let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you.

Hugs & bon appétit,

Paola

The entrance – there is ample free parking at the Del Mar location.

Lobby

Bar located inside the restaurant.

Indoor seating.

The menu (click for menu)

Tomato soup

The sea bass, with side order of potatoes.

The tuna tartar option – with pineapple and charred jalapeños, served with vegetable root chips.

The outdoor bar

Other option for seating at outdoor bar area.

Covered outdoor seating, with koi pond.

Travel Diary: Hawaii – Flight Around Oahu

Posted on September 24, 2014 by phjiao

Do you ever take pictures on vacations and then don’t get around to printing the pictures…..or in my case posting them? That is what happened to me with two recent trips we took: Hawaii & Boston. I think I also missed posting the pictures from our visit to Nancy, in France. With digital cameras, I tend to take hundreds of pictures. As a result, it takes me quite a bit of time to look through the pictures and select which ones to share with you, and then actually do the posting. I did mean to write a blog post with the pictures, but then life got in the way 🙂 You know how that goes.

Recently, a friend asked me why I didn’t post the pictures from Hawaii. When I told her, she replied, “you should still post them now.” It is not like the island or beach have changed, ha! So true! The pictures are recent! So, I’ll post the pictures from our trip to Hawaii.

Before this trip, I had never been to Hawaii. When I was single, I’d travel often with friends. When we would plan a vacation and Hawaii would come up as one of the options, we would end up choosing other locations like Europe, Miami, Cabo, or Northern California. I am not a lay on the beach all day, for multiple days, type of a person. Also, for some reason, to me Hawaii seemed like a romantic destination, which it is, but it is also a wonderful destination for a family vacation, surfing trip, or get-away with friends! And, there is a lot to see, historic locations, gorgeous landscapes, cultural venues, tourist locations, excellent shopping and top cuisine restaurants! And, of course some of the most beautiful beaches in the world…with warm water. Would I go back? Most definitely yes!

We visited the island of Oahu. The weather was warm and humid, but bearable, it reminded me of Miami weather. The first day, we checked in, had dinner, and explored the area around the hotel. We were staying right in front of the beach, but also on one of the main streets, with lots of other hotels, shops, and restaurants, so there was a lot to see – and lots of people! It was fun to walk around and see the shops.

As a hobby, my hubby is a pilot. One of our favorite things to do when we visit new cities is make (take) an aerial flight. This was a unique flight because it was around the entire island and in about an hour we flew around Oahu. It was amazing! We saw the landscape, beaches, farms, many homes, Pearl Harbor, tourist destinations, and Disney’s Aulani. I work with the Disneyland Resort folks and interview them a couple times per year. When Aulani was about to open, I did an interview and when we went to Oahu, I was very curious to see and visit Aulani. My hubby has a friend who lives on the island and he joined us for the flight. Between him and the co-pilot, they gave us aerial tour of the island.

Here are the pics – an aerial perspective of Oahu. Hope you like them!

Have you been to Hawaii? Did you like it?

Hugs,

Paola

PS – Travel Diary: Hawaii Part 2; Travel Diary: Hawaii Part 3 (Ala Mona Center & Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort), and Visiting Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa.

A quick pic before the flight – next to the plane.

An interesting little fact about Oahu is that private flights also use the same landing strip as major airline flights (we flew out on a small, private plane, on the same landing strip we arrived to the island on – while on a commercial airline flight). Usually, in larger cities, private planes are kept at smaller airports and use those landing strips, not the same landing strips as major airlines. So, in Oahu, we had to wait in line to depart after a huge plane, it was interesting.

You don’t see this type of landing strip everyday, water on both ends (sorry for the dark spots, this is the best shot I could get, the plane’s wing is visible in the right corners of the pic).

So green & tropical!

These homes were nestled among the landscape.

Farms.

This is one of my favorite aerial shots: I like how it represents the three perspectives of ocean, land, and open space – plus the way the sun is beaming through the clouds, and the visible waves in the right side.

Sky, land, & sea.

Nature at its best! Took my breathe away!

I was able to zoom into a catamaran that was sailing in the ocean, look at the clear water!

The Disneyland Resort – Aulani! An aerial perspective. We visited it while we were there, I’ll post those pics in one of the next Parts of the Hawaii Travel Diary. It has the Disney magic, captured in a resort, on its own private beach!

Pearl Harbor.

We landed .

Thoughtful Birthday Gifts

Posted on September 23, 2014 by phjiao

Every year, we receive gifts on our birthday. As the years have passed and I’ve entered different stages of my life, the way I celebrate my birthday has changed. This year, my hubby offered to organize a party for my birthday or take me on a trip. I chose the trip. That was his birthday gift to me – it was a very nice gift. My family and friends also celebrated my birthday with me – on separate occasions. They each gave me very nice and thoughtful gifts. They gave me gifts from my favorite stores and very personalized gifts. It amazed me how they remembered things I had mentioned throughout the year and got me those items as gifts!

Even though my birthday was a few months ago, I had my last celebration recently, with my friend Lizeth. We spent the day together by the beach, and she surprised me by taking me to dinner and giving me my gift. It has been a summer of birthday celebrations for me. First with my hubby. When I returned from the trip, we had a cake at work with my colleagues. A week later, with my sis and family. In July, with Lola and Martha. In August my aunts gave me some beautiful gifts. And, just recently with Lizeth. So, I got to celebrate all summer long! Yay!

People have asked me about the birthday gifts I’ve received. I share pictures of them below. I appreciate the gifts and the thoughtfulness behind each one of them touched me! It was nice to celebrate my birthday with family and my closest friends. I truly feel blessed.

Also, in case I didn’t thank you personally, thank you for the nice birthday wishes and messages! Hope you like the pics!

How did you celebrate your last birthday? Do you have a favorite birthday gift – of all time, including childhood?

Hugs,

Paola

The trip my hubby took me on was to Northern California. We started with a few days in beautiful Mount Shasta. We stayed in a cute cabin.

We even went hiking! It was our first hike together.

From Mount Shasta, drove to Napa and stayed at Calistoga Ranch, an amazing resort! Part of my gift was a spa day!

From Napa, we crossed over to Sonoma and ended the trip with lunch and a day of wine tasting at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery.

Some of the birthday cards were designed based on themes regarding my blog or the newspaper column I write for El Latino, and others had personalized messages for “sister” and “daughter”.

These were the gifts from my sis & nephews/brother-in-law.

Inside the bags were these nice boxes and the card!

A few months earlier I had complimented my sister on her Tory Burch earrings and told her I wanted to get a pair for myself. She remembered and bought them for me! What a nice touch! These have become my favorite earrings, along with the one’s Lola gave me, I wear them a few times each week!

And, of course she knows I love shoes, so she gave me a gift card from DSW!

Mom gave me this beautifully wrapped gift.

Inside was this multi-patterned scarf (mom knows I like wearing scarves), two bracelets, and a silver medallion.

It has been fun to wear the bracelet. I did not have anything similar.

The medallion is something I will wear for many years, it is a unique piece, love it!

Lola remembered I had mentioned I was running out of racks to organize my jewelry and gave me this beautifully crafted white lacquer jewelry box! She also tried to organize a dinner party for me, like she has done in past years, but between my trip and other friends’ vacation schedules, it was challenging to pin down a date. So, we decide go have sushi with Martha, just the girls, no men this year.

It is completely lined, has a mirror, the middle tray is removable for additional storage underneath, and it has an adorable key with a tassle.

Inside she included these Paloma Picasso earrings, which have become my favorite, along with the earrings my sister gave me.

And these one of a kind, hand made earnings, she said “because I know you don’t have any earrings in this style.” She is correct.

Birthday dinner with Lola and Martha (she took the pic).

My aunts Cynthia and Lorena gave me gifts from Mexicali in incredibly nice wrapped boxes.

My aunt Cynthia have me this one of a kind, hand made necklace from a boutique in Mexicali. This will look nice with a white top & jeans, or a dress! It will be fun to wear in the fall! She reads my blog and knows that I like unique necklaces.

My aunt Lorena remembered a compliment I have her on a small barrette she was wearing. I mentioned that I had a hard time finding small barretes that would stay in my hair, since my hair is fine. She gave me these pretty & small barrettes! Such a nice and personalized gift! I was touched that she remembered my comment.

Lizeth and I spent a casual day in Coronado, and she surprised me by treating me to dinner by the beach at the Hotel Del Coronado as part of my birthday gift! She had planned it all along!

Lizeth also gave me a gift card from Ann Taylor, she knows it is one of my favorite stores.

Weekend Fun & Links

Posted on September 22, 2014 by phjiao

This past week we had plans on a few nights, which made the week go by quite fast! Does this happen to you as well? The weather in San Diego was odd this week, we had a heat wave and storm, it was in the high 90s-low 100s. The warm weather made me want to jump into a pool! Did you cool off in a pool this week? Thankfully, the weather seems to be back to normal and pleasant again!

What are you up to this weekend? We went to see an outdoor movie with my family (pic on FB)! We also went out for dinner to one of our favorite restaurants! Saturday, I started to clear out a few items from my closet and did lots of reading. I have been busy and haven’t dedicated as much time as I’d like to finishing the books I am reading. I am learning about meditation and the psychology of happiness. I have been meditating with a yoga/meditation DVD I have at home . It helps me breathe deeply, reflect, and remind myself to be grateful – everyday!

Thank you for your comments on the blog and on Facebook! I appreciate your support more than you can imagine! I am trying to post more often and am glad you like the topics! On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, I share daily pictures, outings, and include links to blog posts, in case you also want connect there! I’d love to hear from you!

Hope you have a nice rest of your weekend! Here are a few links from the web: fashion, helpful tips, some make me want to workout more often, others are simply fun! Hope you like them!

Hugs,
Paola

Halloween decoration season has arrived – a few Halloween Decoration Ideas for your home or office. / Decoraciones de Halloween.

A women’s dream: Spinning Shoe Rack, love it! Efficient use of space! / ¡Organizador Giratorio para Zapatos, genial!

Five Looks for Spring 2015 from Fashion Week New York. I have been searching for a romper – glad it made the list! / Cinco Atuendos para la Primavera 2015 de New York Fashion Week.

So true: the friends every women needs. / Muy cierto: las amigas que toda mujer necesita.

Wardrobe fixes with simple items you have around the house. / Arreglos sencillos para tu atuendo con artículos para el hogar.

JLo released her new video Booty! Can she be in any better shape? Amazing body! / ¡JLo lanzo su video nuevo: Booty!

This will help our booty look better: 6 minute squat workout. / Ejercicios para gluteos en 6 minutos.

Dessert I highly recommend! / ¡Postre que les recomiendo!

New RedBox DVD release I want to see, sis saw it and she liked it: Think Like A Man Too / Estreno de DVD RedBox que quiero ver, a mi hermana le gusto la película: Think Like a Man Too

New releases on Netflix On Demand, saw these three movies over the weekend (click to watch trailers): Last Love (good story-line, brought tears to my eyes – in a good way, starring Michael Cane), Gambit (comedy, entertaining, got a few laughs, starring Cameron Diaz or Colin Firth), 3 Days to Kill (action film, didn’t really keep my attention, starring Kevin Costner). / Estrenos que vi en Netflix On Demand: Last Love (buena historia), Gambit (comedia, entretenida), 3 Days to Kill (acción, no mantuvo mi atención).

For my Spanish reading friends: I share my latest column in El Latino newspaper. / Para mis amigos que leen ESPAÑOL comparto mi columna mas reciente en Periódico El Latino.

Letting Go Of Your Favorite Items

Posted on September 19, 2014 by phjiao

We all have items that are our favorites? A particular pair of shoes, jeans, jacket, mug, the list can go on and on. I don’t get attached to material goods, but do have certain items that are my favorites. The 80/20 rule definitely applies to these items! In this case, a 99/1 rule applies to this item. I wear it 99.9% of the time, haha! Do you have a hard time doing away with these items, even though you know they have ran their course and are stating to look old or ragged?

That very special item is….this pair of slippers! My sister-in-law gave them to me last year as a Christmas gift. I really, really like these slippers! They are soooo comfortable! Even though I have a few other slippers, these are my favorite one’s and I wear them everyday! When I get home and kick off my heels, it feels so nice to put on my slippers! They are the first thing I put on in the morning! Plus, I like the little bows and the leopard print. I have washed them a few times, but am starting to come to the realization that the end of them is coming soon. They are starting to feel thinner at the bottom and this last time I washed them, the bows had a few strings coming out. I cut the strings immediately, haha!

Oh well, I’ll just enjoy them a few more weeks and then have to say goodbye to them. We’ve been through so many lazy Saturday mornings, late nights, a few winters,…. and relaxation time together! I will miss you slippers!

Can you relate? Which item do you have a hard time letting go of?

Hugs,

Paola

Getting Out of Our Comfort Zone

Posted on September 18, 2014 by phjiao

My hubby and I have been married for more than three years, it has gone by fast! Luckily, we have a good marriage and get along very well, he is my best friend and the love of my life. We both have busy schedules, but always try to find time to do things together. When we first got married, we went to the gym together. I’d get up at 4am to go to the gym with him, he’d workout with a trainer while I exercised on the treadmill and machines. We also played tennis and racquetball in the evenings, and every once in a while go for rides on our bicycles. Occasionally, my hubby played golf and I would accompany him. I’d walk the course (to get some exercise), watch him, sometimes drive the cart, then we’d have lunch or dinner together. We’ve been to some beautiful golf courses!

My hubby wanted me to start playing golf with him and even though that sport has never been of my interest, I agreed to learn. I hadn’t taken an interest in golf for multiple reasons: it takes many hours to play 9 or 18 holes, you spend the day in the sun (I already spend lots of hours in the sun due to work related events and try to avoid being out in the sun all day to reduce sun damage to my skin), it takes lots of hours or practice to get good at the sport and it may require lessons, you don’t burn as many calories or get a cardio workout as you do with other sports, and it is expensive. Having said all that, when my husband asked me to learn, I chose to learn because I knew it would be a way to spend time together doing something he enjoys. Don’t take me wrong, I think golf is an amazing sport that requires skill and discipline, and you get to play on beautiful courses!

We bought all the necessary golf items and clothing, even a hat for me! We went to hit balls a few times, but I never played on a course with him because I am not really good and we didn’t want to slow down other people playing with him or behind us.

Fast forward about two years and our schedules got hectic, my hubby had knee survey and got tennis elbow. He was unable exercise at the gym, play tennis, racquetball, or golf. His knee is recuperating and his elbow is doing better. He doesn’t like going for walks and hasn’t wanted to ride the bicycle, so we have tried to find other ways for him to exercise. I have been exercising with friends and started going to the gym in the evenings, but have reduced the time I spend at the gym because we no longer go together.

Recently, my comadre Marissa started to learn to play golf and her husband plays regularly. They invited us to join them for a day on the golf course. She is still learning and I told her I wasn’t very good. But, we didn’t care! We wanted to practice and have fun on the golf course with our husbands. We played late on a Sunday afternoon, we were the last foursome out and had the entire course to ourselves. That was good since we would have definitely slowed down the golfers behind us or just let them go ahead of us. Our husbands were understanding and giving us tips. We played 9 holes, had fun, lots of laughs, and enjoyed time with friends!

I went out of my comfort zone and played golf – played it very badly, but at least I gave it a try and had fun. By each hole Marissa and I were getting progressively better and by the end weren’t doing that bad. It made me want to get out on the putting green and go to a golf field to hit some balls to practice, learn, and improve my game.

My husband’s knee was hurting after we played golf that day, but he said he’d go golfing with me again soon. I’ll be back out on the golf course and get better every time 🙂

Getting out of our comfort zone and trying new things can be a good experience! We have nothing to lose, don’t avoid doing something just because you aren’t good at it or are embarrassed others will see you, practice and in time, you’ll get better! For all you know, you can open up an interest or passion in you which you weren’t aware existed! Just have fun with it!

When was the last time you tried a new sport? When was the last time you did something outside of your comfort zone?

Hugs,

Paola

The golf course is beautiful and the weather was perfect that afternoon!

With my comadre Marissa, we’ve been friends since college!

I hit a lucky shot, more than a hundred yards & made it onto the putting green, close to the hole (you can see hole about 12 feet to the right of my ball & about 5 feet in front of the orange ball). That was exciting!

Paola's Lifestyle

Life Experiences, Entertainment, Travel, Motherhood, Beauty, Fashion & More

Category Archives: Lifestyle

Dia De Reyes Tradition to End the Holidays

Simple 1-Step Treatment to Maintain Hair Moisturized & Healthy Looking

En ESPAÑOL después de fotografías.

Disney’s Into The Woods – A Holiday Must See Movie

Date Night Movie – Exodus: Gods and Kings

Make Me Merry Morning With Frankie & Geena: At Westfield Plaza Bonita

Weekend Fun & Links: November is Here

Topshop Grand Opening in San Diego

Trick To Avoid Eating Candy Before Halloween

Tikker the “Happiness Watch”

Weekend Fun & Links

Fashion Week San Diego 2014: Part 1

Sending A Thank You Card

Travel Diary: Hawaii Part 2

Weekend Fun & Links

Trying A New Experience: Searsucker Restaurant

Travel Diary: Hawaii – Flight Around Oahu

Thoughtful Birthday Gifts

Weekend Fun & Links

Letting Go Of Your Favorite Items

Getting Out of Our Comfort Zone