Breakfast for Dinner Anyone?

So some of you may know that I love love LOVE food-themed parties. Well, this year was no different. For my birthday party this year, I decided to have a Breakfast for Dinner theme. Best idea yet...though I can't take all the credit -- this one was my mom's idea. It was a good once since so many of my friends were just as excited about it as I was.

I asked everyone who came to either bring something homemade, a drink or an empty stomach. Overall, the party went exceedingly well despite my heart palpitations that I had prior. Every time I host a party, I'm always afraid people won't have fun or we will run out of food. This birthday party I invited 25 people and until the morning of -- 16 people RSVP'd. So I was freaking out that I wouldn't have enough room in my apartment for everyone. So I went frantically looking for chairs to add to the seating I had already. I did find some, thank goodness and to top it off -- they went right with the decor. (It's not like I wanted matching furniture like a married couple, but I didn't want something ugly either).

The day rolled around and I was still frantic -- this time about having enough food. I didn't want to be one of those people who tells their guests, "Well...there's a restaurant around the corner if you're still hungry."

Anyway, I bought A LOT. More than I needed since about seven people cancelled either because they were sick or got called into work/worked later. So now I have a lot of scrambled eggs....anyone want to come over and help me eat this?

Overall, the party was a smashing success. Everyone had a great time and I got to reconnect with some old friends (meaning the ones I met when I first moved here/college). I love hosting and will continue to do it cause it not only brings me joy but my friends as well. I know that God gave me the gift of hospitality and I pray that I will be willing to use it wherever I am!

Birthday Shenanigans

So I turned 27 on September 7, 2018. Crazy. I feel old...weird and old. Most of my friends here in Denver are older than me so I really shouldn't feel this way.

Even though my birthday wasn't until Friday, the shenanigans started on Labor Day where my friend, Nicole, took me to a nail salon to get manicures! I've never had a manicure done before. I'm not totally sure why but maybe because I just wasn't a girly girl. I painted my nails on occasion but never a manicure. While it was weird having someone slave over my hands for 45 minutes, I can see now why people like getting their nails done. It's very pretty and last awhile. The next time I do this, it will probably be for a special occasion.

Afterward, we went to lunch at a place called Cheddar's -- its a bit like an upscale Ruby Tuesday's in my opinion. It was great getting to know Nicole a little bit better. She was a potential roommate last time I was looking but didn't work out that way but I am glad we are able to be friends and hang out!

Then the day of my birthday came and I had no idea what was in store for me. Originally, Nicole and I were supposed to get manicures after work but she had a work event so we moved it to Monday, Labor Day. So walking into work that morning, I really only had a sliver of a clue of what I wanted to do after. Before I get to that, at work Tanya, a coworker, brought in a chocolate chip cookie cake and a Tres Leche cake with Oreos on top!! OHMYGOODNESS!! So scrumptious! Yoly, another coworker, her birthday is Saturday -- the day after mine -- so we celebrated together!

After I got home I Skyped with my parents, as usual, and then went to one of my favorite restaurants in Denver, Torchy's Tacos with two friends from church, Alissa and James. They are pretty much like family. After filling up our stomachs with tacos, we went to Paciugo in Lakewood. They sell gelato and James likes their gelato in coffee. Yummy! I also enjoy hanging out with them even though they are old...haha...ok older than me by about 10 years.

I will never stop thanking God for surrounding me with love every single day. I enjoy the company of the friends I have made at work, church and different groups I'm a part of. Thank you for all those who made my day special. May I continue to always be thankful.

PS I love that my mom still spoils me by mailing me a birthday cake every year ;)

Star Wars Night

This past Saturday, my friend Nicole and I went to the Star Wars Rockies baseball game!! Loved that they had the baseball team dress up in Star Wars characters and instead of Rockies against A's it was the Rebels against the Empire. Check out the pictures, you'll see what I mean.

In honor of Star Wars Night, they had free t-shirts with your ticket!!!

Hope you know who that is on the front of the shirt!! My roommate, who has only seen ONE Star Wars movie (courtesy of moi) knew who that is so...

I will admit I was getting sleepy by the 7th inning because I had gone to 258 Deaf Street festival that morning. However, the game was as exciting as baseball can be but we WON! Whenever there is a Star Wars theme, I'm there -- doesn't really matter where haha.

I'm glad that Nicole told me about it and that we could go together! Love that girl! Clearly, we were meant to be friends. GO ROCKIES!

Camping in Estes Park

The weekend of the 21st, I went camping with the Young/Not so Young Adults group from CCC (Colorado Community Church). Since living in Colorado, I've only gone camping with Aspen Camp and the Wulfs. It was nice to be with my new friends this time and in a new place. Estes Park is a touristy town with many, many campgrounds. I had lost count the amount of them by the time we arrived at ours just on a single street.

Estes Park also has the Rocky Mountain National Park that everyone and their grandma loves to visit. There were so many people, but it wasn't too crowded that we didn't have fun. We hiked up a trail to Dream Lake, which was beautiful! If it wasn't so hard to walk up to it, I'd probably hike it every day if I could. I had had a hard time breathing while walking up the steep part of the trail so I needed to stop more often than others did. Though three of my friends took the time to let me catch my breath on several occasions. The only thing I hate about Colorado (almost as much as the smell of pot) is the altitude. Even running around my neighborhood -- I can't run far without needing to stop. Granted, my knee also bothers me if I run too long. Stupid soccer injury!

We also went into town and did a little shopping! Got some t-shirts and also did some early Christmas shopping. So proud of myself. We, of course, had to stop for ice cream and then headed to the fudge shop. Man, do I love fudge. There had to be at least four ice cream/ fudge shops on the same block. How they all stay in business, I have no idea. 

The weekend was amazing and I am so glad I went. Met some new friends and got to spend some time with old ones. I love this group so much and am so glad that God led me to them.

Happy Independence Day!

I have always loved the beauty of fireworks against a coal black sky. While I try not to think about the money spent, it's a wonderful reminder of what we have in this country. The men and women who fought for our freedom of religion, speech, and way of life. This country has weathered storms and is still deeply divided, but I think (hope) we can still all come together and be grateful for what we have here in America. We do not have to deal with as much as Isreal of some countries in Africa. We have a lot to be thankful for.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Tacos, TAcos, TACOS!

So, you can probably guess where I was this past weekend. TACO FESTIVAL!

My new roommate, Jessica, came with me this year as well as my former roommate, Katie, and her boyfriend. There were at least 40 food trucks there if not more plus booths selling t-shirts and knick-knacks. Every kind of taco you could think of -- they offered it. While I prefer normal tacos, my roommate went and got herself a fish taco. SMH

While it was a hot day, it was a lot of fun sampling the variety of tacos there, playing corn-hole for prizes topping it off with a free pina colada at the end of the night. By the time we got home, we were exhausted but happily full of good food.