2009 Year in Review

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you enjoyed it with the ones you love the most!

I was supposed to post this before the year was over, 2009 that is, talk about procrastination. Anyway, here goes...

So, I was watching The Martha Stewart Show about two weeks ago and she had a segment called Baking and Rapping with Snoop Dogg. It was quite entertaining to say the least. They were making brownies with green sprinkles! Coincidence? I don't think so.

Later on in the show someone from Yahoo! came on and revealed the Top 10 search queries for their 2009 Year in Review. The list consisted of everything from pop culture, celebrity gossip, and of course politics. It was no surprise that Michael Jackson was #1 on the list!

Anyway, after watching the show I started thinking about my year in review...What events changed my life? What stayed the same? What kind of searching have I done within myself? You know, those questions we all tend to ask ourselves at the end of each year...

This lead me to mentally make my own Year in Review! However; instead of making a list of my Internet search queries, I developed a list of my highlights for 2009! Don't get me wrong, although my list is not extensive, I am very grateful for everything that happened in 09. The following are the big events that changed my life forever!

1. Getting Pregnant and Being Pregnant: And I'm still pregnant so far. We found out on May 2, 2009. We made our announcement to our families on Mother's Day! It was an unexpected surprise for the both of us. It was funny actually. I randomly took a home pregnancy test before attending a my Cousin Mike's Birthday Shindig and Fight Night (Pacquiao vs. Hatton) - I wanted to have a few drinks but I wanted to make sure I wasn't pregnant or anything so I took the test, expecting it to be negative. I didn't even tell Ryan about it. The interesting thing is that we were just discussing what kind of car we wanted to get when we did have a baby among other things. Anyway, I peed on the stick, set it down, and while finishing my business I watched as the "+" sign formed. I was amazed, excited and speechless. I pulled up my pants, washed my hands and ran to Ryan. I said guess what...I must have been glowing with excitement because apparently he thought we had won the lottery. I said no, revealed the pregnancy test from behind me and he says, "what does this mean?" and I say, "we're pregnant!" I had always thought about how I would react and I never thought I'd be walking and pacing around the house like a chicken with it's head cut off. I was overwhelmed with joy, I had so many questions, I wanted to tell my family, I didn't want to tell them, I was so happy and I still am. I thank God for giving us the opportunity to start our own family and for trusting Ryan and I with a little life that came from our love! We decided together that we were going to let nature take its course in late 2008. When people asked when we were going to have kids, I would always be the first to speak up and say, "oh in 3-5 years." I never gave Ryan a chance to say anything and we just never sat down and had a real conversation about it. I always assumed we were on the same page. I wanted to have a career and be financially stable. He in fact wanted a child as he was approaching his 30's soon. I realized this one day in November 2008...I could tell he wanted to start a family. We finally talked about it and made the decision that we would. We tried in the sense that we stopped all forms of protection...no ovulation calendars here...I wanted it to happen naturally and it did, five months later! Now, nine months later I am about to give birth to our first child...our baby girl, Alana Rae! I cannot wait!
   
2. Abuelita's Homecoming: This was a difficult time for me and my family. I remember the morning my sister called...they were trying to keep it from me because I was only few weeks pregnant but she was on speaker phone. My sister started talking and I immediately knew something was wrong. When the words Abuelita and hospital were used in the same sentence I started crying and something told me it was not going to be good. I got ready praying that everything was going to be okay, but in my heart knowing that she was already gone. I had the song, The Climb by Miley Cyrus stuck in my head on the ride to the hospital. I cried as Ryan held my hand and comforted me. We got to the hospital and I could see my family sitting on the bench outside...it is still difficult for me to write this as I remember it so clearly...we walked up to them and as I got closer, my dad grabbed me, held me tight and said the words I did not want to ever hear, "she's gone." All I remember is breaking down into massive tears, almost falling, kicking and screaming like a child throwing a tantrum saying and thinking NO! At first I was upset that they didn't tell me sooner. Then I realized they were just looking out for me and the baby. I was able to go in and see her...but it was so surreal. She was so strong, I never thought she'd die. Surely she was going to make it to see her first great grandchild. That wasn't the case and she knew already because when I gave her her card on Mother's Day that read, " Feliz Dia de los Madres Visa Abuelita" meaning Happy Mother's Day Great Grandma in Spanish, she said, "we'll see if I get to know the baby." I told her, not to talk like that. I have to admit that the first thing I thought of when I saw my pregnancy test turn positive was who's life will be taken to make room for my baby. I'm not usually superstitious, but I've noticed the patterns of life and death. When one life ends another begins and vice versa. This was definitely the most difficult event this year for me. Although I know she will live on through us, I just wish she were here with us. God has given me peace and I know she is walking the streets of gold along side Him.
   
3. Graduating with my Masters Degree: I almost didn't even attempt to do this until I got laid off from my job early in 2008 right after we purchased our condo. This was more of a personal goal for me rather than a professional goal. Education is important to me and I always wanted to obtain a Masters Degree. It's never too late to achieve your goals no matter how big, small, or expensive. Anyway, I received my Master of Arts in Strategic Communication. Every time Ryan sees my writing he says that my degree came in handy! I hope he's right! I really need that piece of paper to work in my favor this year when applying for a new job. Some people tell me I'm a professional student. It used to bother me, but now I say, "so what...what happened to knowledge being power?" Just because I have a degree doesn't make me better...but it might give me an advantage over someone who doesn't. I simply enjoy learning.
   
4. My first experience in the East Coast: This was an interesting trip to say the least. Ryan and I have vowed to take at least one big trip a year and 2009 happened to be a trip to Virginia and Washington, D.C. We originally went for Cousin Bryan's wedding, but we also used the time to celebrate our 3 year anniversary. We spent a lot of time with family and we got to do some site seeing. Ryan also showed me his old stomping grounds - his high school, his first job and the old house he used to live in. At first I thought we could move there, but then I realized when we came home that there is absolutely nothing like San Diego! We are so blessed to be natives!
   
5. Celebrating 3 years of marriage and 9 years of dating: Yes, we are happily married! I can't believe it's already been three years and then nine years altogether. They say time flies when you're having fun. Aint that the truth! WOW - is all I can say. I married my best friend. Ryan is truly God's gift to me. I can't ask for anything or anyone more! We celebrated locally and had a staycation/babymoon in Point Loma. We both treated each other to Cohen Restaurants, no theme, just a coincidence. We stayed at the Island Palm in Shelter Island, enjoyed Cold Stone ice cream, apple cider and chocolate covered strawberries! We also walked around the Cabrillo National Monument and The Point Loma Lighthouse...it was actually my first time there after being a native all my life. Ryan was pretty excited to take me there for the first time...it was so cute and it kind of felt like a first date! We kept it simple and really focused on what was important - US!
   

All in all, I am grateful for everything that happened in 2009. Everything lead me and Ryan to where we are today...I love my life. I love my family. I love my friends. I love 2010 already! Here's to another decade!

May the Lord Bless you all this coming year! I'm excited for what is in store...

New Beginnings

It's been a while since I've last posted a blog here or anywhere else for that matter. It's been a difficult year with the loss of my Abuelita. However it's also been an exciting year going through our first pregnancy. I have to admit, I wish I had blogged about it...but for some reason I did not have the energy or the drive. Not that I was not happy about being pregnant, but because there was so much going on.

For those of you who have experienced being pregnant and are already mothers, you may or may not agree with me. But as they say, "every pregnancy is different...there are no two that are alike."

Well, I am now happily in my 35th week of pregnancy; and Ryan and I are very much excited for the anticipated arrival of our beautiful baby girl! Yes, GIRL! Her name is Alana Rae Quisumbing! Although I am excited to give birth to her, I will be a bit saddened that she will no longer be in my belly! I love feeling her move around in there. Pregnancy truly is an amazing experience and I thank God for trusting me with this child. It's been a wonderful journey with ups and downs, but mostly ups!

When Ryan reads to her and talks to her she moves around even more. She is already, Daddy's Little Girl! And even though I haven't been blogging publicly about my pregnancy I have been trying to keep a journal of things I want my daughter to know. It's a work in progress and I will most likely continue to write in it when she is born and as she grows.

I feel so overwhelmed with joy and with things that need to be done. But overall, this has been a great experience. Above is a photo of Ryan, myself and our growing baby taken at 30 weeks. It is one of our favorites as it depicts our emotions towards our unborn child, Alana Rae!

Everyday, we thank the Lord for entrusting us with another life. We consider ourselves truly blessed! I will be honest, it has been a bit scary at times thinking about the future...How our child will have to live in this cruel world. Are we financially stable enough to raise this child? Who will take care of her when I go back to work? How am I going to fit that through this (ladies you know what I'm talking about? Etc...There are so many questions and not nearly enough answers. The only thing we have been able to do is to trust and rely solely on God for his guidance and support. I know he will never allow us to go through anything we cannot handle...where there is a will, there is a way.

My prayer for you...is that each and every one of you will be able to experience the joy of motherhood and fatherhood one day soon! It is the best feeling and this is just the beginning for us.

Cheers, to New Beginnings!

Peace, Remember Me This Way!

Euology: Para mi Abuelita

As the oldest of her four grandchildren, I am honored to stand before you and speak about my Abuelita, Theresa Ocampo Bellina. Although this has been a difficult time for me and my family, I am at peace knowing she is with our Lord and Savior, for 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

As most of us have experienced, grandparents are special people who spoil you rotten and scold their children for scolding you. My Abuelita was special alright, but she didn't necessarily soil me rotten or scold my mom for scolding me. In fact, she knew what was best for me and instead she told me every time she could to take care of my parents and respect them because they are the only parent's I have. Instead of spoiling me rotten with material things, she prayed for me daily, told me amazing stories that sometimes I thought were made up just to scare me, she made me laugh, and most of all loved me with all she had. She helped raise me, she comforted me when my parents would leave for work, she cooked these cute miniature meals for me and she cared for me, always. I loved watching my Abuelita sing and dance; it was her favorite thing to do. Along with watching novelas, spending time with family and praying. She was always full of surprises and as you may have seen in our phots, she was very playful with all of us.

I always saw my Abuelita as strong woman who feared God more than anyone I knew. In fact, she was so strong; she was watering her grass the night before she passed. She had so much courage and a very forgiving heart. Although my mother took great care of her, Abuelita still liked to be an independent woman. I am sorry today for taking advantage of any time I had with her. Because her mother passed away in her 90's I thought I had more time with her, it just goes to show that tomorrow is never certain and that we should show and tell our loved ones how much they mean to us every day. For some reason, I always felt Abuelita would never leave us, physically. Deep down inside I know she will never leave, as she lives in me and in all the lives she has touched. The Dream on Earth is that a man is not truly gone, until he is forgotten. She will live on through each and every one of us here today.

I am so thankful for the memories I shared with Abuelita from my childhood, to my teen and tween years, and to adulthood. I was so thankful and blessed to have her watch me get married. Most of you know she didn't like leaving her house unless it was for church on Sunday; but she wasn't going to miss my wedding for the world. My last memory of her, and I think she planned this, was when I told her she was going to be a Vis Abuelita, a Great Grandmother on Mother's Day a few weeks ago. She was so happy, she started to cry and said, "We'll see if I get to know the baby." Every time she spoke this way. I told her not to say those things...when all the while, she was just trying to prepare us...for the natural cycle of life.

Now, I know, no matter what I say or do, Abuelita will not physically appear. No matter how hard or how much I cry I will not hear her sweet voice or see her beautiful smile; however crying does help to ease the pain I've been feeling since she left us. All in all we must remember that every cloud has its silver lining, a ray of hope and sunshine for every difficult time in our lives. I've always known that God will never put us through anything we cannot handle. For me to expect Abuelita to live forever on earth would be selfish. I always knew this day would come, yet I never thought it would come so soon. I will always remember the stories Abuelita shared with me, the lessons she taught me, the love she gave me and I will gladly pass on her legacy to my own children and family.

Abuelita, Gracias por todo, Dios te bendig y te quiero mucho. Nosotros estamos rescando por ti.

GAME OVER! REALLY?

I love this shirt - because I have a sense of humor! I actually bought it for Ryan before we got married! He's received so many compliments on this shirt. Everyone always stops him and asks, "where did you get that?" The answer: Target!

Anyway, totally not the purpose of this post. Although this is a cute shirt, I don't agree with the message completely. It can be seen in two perspectives - a man's and a woman's:

1. Woman: The GAME is NOT over, it's just beginning
2. Man: Really GAME is OVER - no other women but the one I got!

As a woman, I will go with the woman's point of view listed above; and add that - playing GAMES are somewhat over.

The groom needs to turn his frown upside down, because he has a lot to look forward to. There is so much to marriage than I ever could have imagined. It's such an amazing experience and I am so blessed to have met and married the love of my life.

So, back to the shirt. It's great for $hits and giggles as my friend would say, but as for it speaking the truth - not so much. Because marriage really is the beginning of a new life together. Maybe the games don't stop, but they are new and that can be exciting.

And to all the men out there who say the GAME is OVER...I know deep down inside you don't really believe that - at least not in a negative context. You're just trying to impress the guys! It's okay to be proud of your marriage and your beautiful wife!

GAME ON!

You & Me {Against the World}

I have been trying to find this song for the longest time and I can't believe I finally came across it at 2am! Ryan put this song on a CD mix a long time ago for me and I just haven't been able to put my finger on the title until today -- after some Google and Soul searching.

I loved this song because it was so funny and so, so true at the time he had played it for me. Yes, it's a bit graphic, and NO I was not a prostitute, and NO I did NOT hit every man I knew...but the lines that got me were in the chorus/hook:

"So if the world was to believe that what we share weren't meant to be
Then it would be just you and me against the world
And if our friends and family if our friends and family
Cant bear to see us both happy
Then it will be just you and me against the world"

This hook inspired me to frame a photo from this "photo shoot" with the caption of, you guessed it, "YOU AND ME AGAINST THE WORLD!" That frame still sits at his desk at work to this day! When we took this photo we weren't even technically dating. I was working at Star Shots - back then the happening place to be and got hooked up all the time. Anyway, we look so you and so skinny - what happened?

At any rate, I can't believe I finally found this song...this used to be one of our jams back in our dating days - yes those dating days...pictured above! Enjoy!

You & Me, Musiq Soulchild

Verse 1:
I never thought on the first night
You would bare what you hold so dear to life
And share with me all your innermost fantasies baby
And afterwards in my arms you cried
Had me feeling some kind of way on the inside
Then I knew it was going to be me and you

Hook:
So if the world was to believe that what we share weren't meant to be
Then it would be just you and me against the world
And if our friends and family if our friends and family
Cant bear to see us both happy
Then it will be just you and me against the world, yeah

Verse 2:
Now I'm not the kind that kiss and tell
But my man said that he really knows you well
But I don't care cause I wanna know you form my damn self
And even if my sister said you scandalous
Said that you re known to go from one man to the next
But I don't care what she say
Cause you re going to forever be my lady

Hook:
I wouldn't care if you were a prostitute
And that you hit every man that you ever knew

You see it wouldn't make a difference if that was way before me and you
And you don't ever have to worry about me
As long as you keep it real
Whatever is on your mind
You speak on how you feel
Stay truthful to me
Never lie to me
And don't ever keep no secrets
No matter whatever, whatever no
Girl you know what I mean

They could say what they want
But it will never change my views
Cause they ll never know you the way that I know you
See I'm trying to share the rest of my whole life with you
And if we got to be alone, so be it baby
If they cant understand our love
Then we don't need them baby
We can go against the whole world
Even our friends turn on us
Even our family turns on us
That's alright
Cause as long as we got each other baby
Then we can make it baby
Through whatever

Taking out the Rug

Just wanted to share a photo of the HUSBY (Ryan) taking out the carpet. He was such a good sport about he and it made it look super easy! However I think he got a little bothered during this 'photo shoot!'

He has officially earned himself another title, HANDYMAN! I'm so proud of him!

Our Plumbing Plummetted!

This weekend has been very interesting...first with our walk around town without getting winded; and then with our 'Plumbing Plummeting!' We've learned so much about our Home Owner's Association (HOA), our insurance coverage, and the local plumbers.

We woke up or came home -- I can't remember -- to our bathroom sink overflowing with water onto our carpeted floor...I know who carpets the bathroom? But this is how we purchased the condo and we didn't have enough funds at the time to upgrade. Now, our bathroom has a deadly stench and we had to sleep in the guest room on my old futon bed. Ryan was not too happy about that. But at least we had another place to sleep as to not inhale the molding now growing on our bathroom floor!

I attempted to clear out the cabinets and make a diagnosis, but Ryan was not having it. So we called Mr. Plumber (no crack in tact - thank God!) who said he would arrived between 4pm and 6pm. I hate when any company gives you a windowed time frame of arrival because they almost always end up coming towards the later...so you end up waiting for what seems like for-ever! So, guess what time he arrives...at 5:55pm! He seems like a nice guy, he refuses to check anything because we are a condo complex and suggests that this may be a situation to bring to our HOA. Ryan and I already had a feeling that plumbing was not covered by HOA, but we gave it a try anyway. Fortunately, Mr. Plumber did not charge us for the house call!

HOA! Not a surprise at all when they hung up on Ryan as he was trying to explain the situation! The receptionist or answering service...whoever she was just started to transfer him assuming she knew who he needed to speak to...instead, she "accidentally" hung up on him! He called back, to hear her say, "Oh, is this Ryan, someone should be calling you within the next hour!

Hour!?! I once was a receptionist and my sister still is, bless her heart, and you just NEVER assume you know who the person on the other line needs to speak with...it's just plain rude! Second, even if she was to transfer him, she should have taken down his phone number just in case they lost a connection (which they did, I mean how was Ryan supposed to know she actually did her job unless he had called back) -- she also should have asked if it was okay for her to connect him, tell him who she was connecting him to and then given Ryan a number to call just in for further assistance! This my friend is what a true receptionist with great customer service skills 'should have' done!

In the words of my BABE aka Cousin Shelly , "Where's your manager?"

Anyway, the tail end of this part of story is that someone did call from HOA. Low and behold, they are not responsible for any of the damage that occurred in our bathroom. So we checked our insurance. I swear, this is the kind of stuff one should read about at the time of purchasing a home...BUT there is so much to read...we would have fallen out of escrow by then! HAHA!

On to insurance coverage. Don't you just hate how you have to pay out to your insurance company every month or year, however you have it set up? Then, you have to pay a co-pay for when something something actually happens only to discover your insurance just doesn't cover it, at least to the extent that you'd like it to!

I know it seems as though I', taking a negative attitude towards this but I'm really just venting! I'm sure you or someone you know has gone through a similar situation. I know we'll get through this; it's just one of those days or should I say weekends! Ryan is off at Home Depot and I'm waiting for Rescue Rooter to come rescue us from this nightmare. He's scheduled to arrive between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Hmmm...it's 1:10pm, I think he'll be here at 2pm! What do you think?

I'll keep you posted on this adventure. Thanks for listening to me vent and for reading RyAngela Exposed!

Dinner for Two!

It's been really tight since the infamous 'economy' started going down stream. Let's look on the bright side...now we can have home cooked meals every day!

Ryan and I love shopping for groceries at Target, not all of them, but a lot of them. One of our favorite things to buy are the Tuna Steaks as seen in the photo on the left. They come in packs of two; and the steaks are small. I can barely finish mine and Ryan gets full off of his.

I usually cook the steaks in butter, soy sauce, salt, pepper and Mrs. Dash! They're really easy to cook and they don't take long to cook either. Eat them with a little asparagus or some steamed rice and you are good to go!

Next time you're at Target pick up a pack of Steak Tuna from the freezer section and try them out...instead of going out!

Mini Jeep Rhino Tour in Cabo

Watch this video to the very end....it's a bit long, but you'll find a Sandy Beach Surprise that will make you say OMG...Enjoy!

Carnival Cruise

I never had the chance to tell you about the cruise we took for our two year wedding anniversary. Yes, two years, I know...seems likes a short amount of time, but it seems like we've been together forever. It went by way too fast. When I say that last line, people often tell me that's a good sign...because we're having too much fun to care for the time that flies by!

Anyway, this was our very first cruise; we left on a Monday and returned on a Saturday morning. I booked our vacation straight through the Carnival Cruise Line and we stayed on the Carnival Elation. I had heard a lot of good reviews so I just had to check it out for myself.

We left from home (San Diego) and ventured off to Cabo San Lucas back up to Ensenada and then finally back home. We had a blast! More fun than we ever thought we would have. What is better than being stranded on a boat in the middle of the ocean with the one you love. Of course you're surrounded by a thousand other strangers, but that's beside the point!

A few things we learned for next time:

1. Bring some Dramamine - we got sea sick immediately after boarding and we didn't bring medicine because we figured the boat was big enough for us not to get sick, wrong. The feeling whore off after the first night though.
   
2. Don't pack too many clothes - I packed way too many outfits. There is a laundry facility available if you really need to wash clothes.
   
3. No need to bring towels - there are an abundance of them everywhere!
   
4. To save money, don't drink soda - it was an additional $6 per day per person
5. Do go on as many shore excursions as you can - we almost didn't book any, but we are so glad we did! You can book through the cruise line or on site at your destination
6. Take time to relax - I wanted to go to every little thing that was on the program and Ryan wanted to sleep in our cabin. I learned not to schedule too many things in one day...so just in case we didn't make it, I wouldn't be disappointed. We did get a couples massage though - highly recommend it.
7. HAVE FUN! - Enjoy your time together as a couple. Make a list of things you both want to do and compromise.

There are so many things we learned...don't be surprised if I start adding more items to this list or in another post. These are just the few that stood out.

Look out for more posts about our cruise and photos of our fun shore excursions!

Happy Travels and Happy Anniversary to anyone celebrating today!

A Valentine's Sweet Treat

I hope all of you love birds had a sweet treat for Valentine's Day! I had a great time. Last year Ryan surprised me with a dinner date at Roys Hawaiian Fusion in La Jolla...so this year, I surprised him with a dinner date at Roppongi in La Jolla. We love fine dining and it's so fun to get to dress up once in a while, at least for me.

Ryan loves sushi so this is essential why I brought him to Roppoingi since they are well known for their unique Asian cuisine and sushi bar. To my surprise Ryan didn't ordered sushi, at all, but it's okay. The important thing for me was that he enjoyed the location and had a great time. And he did!

So our own quick restaurant review..."the food was good and the service was great. for some reason I was not all that impressed with my meal, but it could be that i had really high expectations, especially for what we paid. we are willing to back, but this time we are definitely trying the sushi. the price for this date was $$$, be prepared. how can i forgot, the dessert pictured was also just okay, a chocolate molten cake with raspberry sorbet (taken by me with my new Cannon Rebel from ryan which I got for my bday just days ago...2/9)."

Anyway, so how can you ensure you have a Sweet Treat for Valentine's Day in 2010? Here are some tips you might find useful and keep in mind, a Sweet Treat can be anything to you if you know what I mean:

1. Book a reservation, NOW...just kidding, well somewhat. Seriously book as soon as possible because restaurants, hotels, and other romantic services book fast for Valentine's Day. Try opentable.com an online restaurant reservation service. I recently started using them and it's way easy to use. They even offer special promotions and invitations.
2. Before your reserve a location, if you have not been there do some research. Read the reviews and ask your circle of friends if they've ever been there or done that. The responses you receive will help you make a decision.
   
3. Gentlemen, almost every woman loves flowers...if anything they don't mind receiving them at work in front of all their friends! hint...hint...Ryan did this last year when Valentine's Day fell on a weekday, it's so sweet and you know he got his treat!
4. Ladies, this is a special day for the men too. In fact, I take that back, it's a special day for the both of you. And we all know you've got to give and receive. This is the time to gear up in your best Victoria's Secret apparel. Your men will appreciate the thought you put into this part of the evening every time!
   

So, you might think that Valentine's Day is a bit over rated and I on certain levels agree. We should all show our love and gratitude every day. However; take advantage of Valentine's Day to step up your game and do things you wouldn't or couldn't normally do for your significant other.

For more exciting tips check out Valentine's Day Tips.

p.s. if you've been proposed to this Valentine's Day don't forget to check out my website at Elegance is Easy to "experience easy planning for your elegant event."