New Year's Eve Celebration

This year, BF and I didn't go out with a "big bang." We almost did go to Giant...but in light of us being sick for forever and a day, feeling too old for massive crowds in cold weather conditions, spending a lot for Christmas (and not wanting to spend more on Giant tickets), and CBnR staying home to watch Godson and Faux Godson, BF and I joined in Bro and FBIL's plans. :)

The day was quite relaxing. BF capitalized on his last opportunity to meet one of his 2007 resolutions of bowling 200. Six games and one ring finger blister later, he relayed with much disappointment that this would be a 2008 resolution. We came home and chilled until FBIL and Bro came over with delicious pizza and mojos! We watched an episode of Dexter (can't wait for the next season!) and then they left. For the next hour, we primped and prepped for our NYE par-tay at Lynnie's. I made a successful batch of brownies** and then they picked us up around 9PM.

**I am clearly not the brownie maker in this relationship, ever since I made a batch -- years ago -- that "tasted like feet." The culprit ingredient? I substituted... olive oil for vegetable oil. I have never been able to live this down! Thankfully, Christy felt for me...she can't live down the time when she made meatloaf...and substituted iceberg lettuce for celery!

We started getting our drink on right when we got in...and we ate some more! There was a nice spread of appetizers in addition to Bro and FBIL making delicious empanadas. Christy joined us around 10 and brought a ridiculous amount of fried chicken. We chilled, talked, and recapped about how our year went. Around 11:50PM, we started Creative Hour...everyone started drawing, coloring, or folding origami! Most of us drew the one thing or scene that we "always" drew when we were little. So of course I drew my random collage: tree, clouds, "m" birds, rabbit, bird, house, and Farmer Bob. Sadly, it really does look exactly like it did when I drew them as a 4 to 7 year-old! (Even more sad was that at that age range, I wanted to be an artist when I grew up!)

Bro had a little origami session going at one end of the table so he taught FBIL how to fold tulips and Christy how to fold a camera. I told them how when we were little, we used to draw "photos" and stick them in our "cameras" and take pictures. What happened after sent everyone over the edge -- Bro and Christy cut out pictures from magazines and took pictures of everyone. It was awesomely cheesy and hilarious. :)

Sometime in between, we counted down with KROQ for the last 10 seconds of 2007. Happy new year wishes, hugs, and kisses went around. Although only some of us had a good 2007, the general consensus was that 2008 will be better. It will be a good year.

We continued on with our Creative Hour (I think the ETOH had a big influence on Creative Hour beginning and continuing on), and I plugged away at a jigsaw puzzle for about 2 hours. I absolutely love doing puzzles and can sit for hours. I got a lot of, "how do you do it?" and really, the only thing I could think of is that I must have autistic tendencies (by proxy). I can find a piece and envision/know that it's the interlocking piece between two others. If I could, I would do puzzles all the time.

Random: BF keeps asking if I miss my kiddos and which are my favorite. I have a couple favorites, but my 320s take the cake. He constantly asks if I have a favorite 320...and I really don't. I love all five of them. Although I am not looking forward to working again, I am looking forward to seeing my kiddos, 320 or "regular special ed."

Shoot, I did tell one of my favorite regular SPED kiddos that one of my new year's resolution would be to be better prepared with therapy techniques and materials -- in his case, it means reading a book on how to remediate a lateral lisp. I better get going...

Happy new year!

Friends Forever

Remember back to elementary school when you'd sign yearbooks, "FF"? I wonder how many I've written "FF" but didn't remain in contact with...and those whom I have never promised FF but really do remain FF. (That sounds like the penultimate paragraph to a Friendship forward.)

Tonight, an old friend IM'd me. We go waaaay back. Like to JH. Actually, let me rewind. Last night, I was IM'g another old friend (going waaaay back to the summer fresh out of HS). I was telling him how crazy JH kids are nowadays, which prompted me to reflect on how I was in JH. I thought about 97, my 2nd "boyfriend." I thought long and hard about whether we really did anything -- like even hold hands. I couldn't remember anything scandalous (by 1990 standards)...which is probably why 97 and I laugh about us even calling each other BF/GF. It was truly a pure and innocent crush.

Well, years come and go and as I've always been, I don't keep in touch (very well) with people.

Tonight, 97 IM'd me, after several years of no contact, and we got to chatting about the past, present, and future. For the record, he corrected that we did do something in JH. He said, "Yah, we hugged ONCE." And it was on the day we "broke up." LOL

After a short session of IMing, he proposed that I call him up (since I didn't sound so promising about every meeting up with him...call me asocial!). Dude, I felt like I was in JH again. I was all nervous, moreso b/c we hadn't spoken in years (and I just don't like talking on the phone!). On the other hand, I know myself. I may not like answering the phone or picking up the phone to call someone, but once I am in a telephone conversation with a friend, I so enjoy it.

So, 97 and I talked for about an hour, just catching up. I truly feel like we are FF, despite not keeping in constant touch. I've always felt that my best friends are those with whom I can just pick up where we last left off. And that's how it is with 97. It was great talking to him and catching up.

After giving him a brief synopsis of my life since we last chatted, he said one thing that really captured the essence of my life at this very moment -- I have stability in my life.

And it's a wonderful thing.

4th of July

I've been asking BF about 4th of July plans since last week b/c I love BBQs and fireworks. Since we just got a grill, he said, "no promises, but if anything, we can just grill here." So at first, the party was just gonna be us two, but then we invited a few homies (who invited a few homies). Turns out that today was the biggest gathering at Chez C&C, yet! :)

We were so delighted that everyone showed up. First was FBM and BF's Godson, then bro, Rose, & Lynnielove, then bro's friend and adorable 2 y/o son, and last but definitely not least, BSILF and hubby! They stayed the latest, which was nice; after a frenzied day of hosting, it was relaxing to end on an intimate setting with great friends. It was a great day of laughter and yummy food. I even grilled mushrooms, white corn, and drumsticks for nostalgic and appetite-satiating purposes.

By the end of the evening, BF and I were pooped! We ended our evening doing our typical 4th of July viewing of fireworks from our balcony. Unlike last year, we barely caught sight of 3 firework fanfares (vs. 5 last year). There is something nice and peaceful in us two viewing fireworks from the privacy of our balcony...and then walking 3 steps to get back home.

All in all, my bro said, "you pulled off a very successful BBQ." I could definitely get used to hosting more parties/BBQs. :) I've been watching a lot of TV and those s'more commercials are definitely taking a toll on me...!

A Ladies' Nite In

I can't remember the last time I saw my 2 GFs, but I know it's been a while (especially since this is the first time I am "introducing" them on this blog). I met both GFs during orientation of freshman year at college, when we were a bunch of lost souls taking the first step towards individualization. It wasn't until a quarter later that I began developing a friendship with BGF (since we had sOoOo many classes together) and then the following year with JuneBug. After living together for ~2.5 years, we quickly developed wonderful friendships living, partying, crying, laughing, and stressing together.

Tonight, we had a glam reunion at Chez Chanel. A bottle of wine and a faux Mediterranean dinner later, we caught up on the last year until it was time for the ladies to head out. I had no idea until tonight that the three of us feel that our sophomore year (the one year that all 3 of us lived together) was the best year (a.k.a. "the funnest year"). We'll just leave it at that... ;)

It's truly amazing -- and fun -- to see how much we've gone through and to see where we're at now. More than once, GFs and I concurred that it's amazing that we are still alive (and normal). (I mean, Jungle Juice; wth is that made of?) JuneBug obtained her MPH after we lived together post-college, and now she has completed her 2nd year of med school. BGF, hubby, and 2 doggies are moving into their new house in September, and when the time is right, they will have children. As for BF and I, (depending on 100 conditions and factors) we have big plans for next year...!