Glamour Shots

On our California trip, I was also able to get together with my very good friends from my master's program, Faye and Judy. I love these guys! Remember these goofy shots that everybody took back in high school? Oh yeah, they're back in style now. While cruising at The Block in Orange, we ran into one of these photo studios, and what's funny is that we all looked at each other thinking, "Let's do it!"

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There was an array of accessories available. Like my electric guitar and old lady hat?

Aloha.

More mishmash.

Merry Christmas!

This was the first time that I've seen Judy as a married gal, and Faye is expecting a baby in June! I can't wait to see them again.

SCP with Cat

We couldn't see everyone who we wanted to see on our trip, but luckily we got to see my childhood friend, Cathleen. We met in the first grade at Blessed Sacrament School (at which parish Fernando and I got married!), and we became great friends immediately. Dinner at the kid-friendly Ruby's...and off to stroll at South Coast Plaza!

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I know this isn't much of a novelty for Southern Californians who frequent South Coast Plaza, but this gigantoid tree is awesome!

Paloma, me, Cathleen, and her 3-year-old cutie, Noah, in front of ye old tree.

Group pic!

The snowy mountain scene I never appreciated before I had a kid.

Noah loves it!

The Ruiz family in front of the said mountain.

What 3-year-old would not want to go on the carousel?

It was great seeing her - just when I needed a mommy friend. Thanks, Cathleen!

A Classic Dinner at Audrey's

Another happy get together! We were invited for dinner at my friend Audrey's house in Anaheim Hills. I met Audrey a few years ago while working in the marketing department of a third-party health insurance company. Even though she's retired, she's busy busy busy! We were lucky to also see Frances and Brandi, my other old co-workers.

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The lady, the legend...preparing din-din.

Frances is a natural with babies. She's also hi-lar-i-ous!

Brandi's a soon-to-be-bride. Here she is practicing for her near future. ;-)

Me and my little buddy.
This is the special book of guests that Audrey and Bob prepare. Every time a guest comes over for dinner, Bob takes a Polaroid shot of them. They have volumes of these books since 1980-something! Good thing he stocked up on Polaroid film since they've been discontinued.

I snuck a shot of the infamous map room. What is it, you say?

Indeed, these guys mark all the places they've traveled in the world. Hey, where's the red pin on Barcelona?

Bob shows Fer their travelogue of Spain, among the many other countries. These guys are world travelers for sure!

Thanks, Audrey and Bob, for having us. Until next time!

Sweet P's Party - Part Dos

I realized we don't have a whole lot of pictures from Paloma's party. Maybe that's because I was trying to put the nap-deprived guest of honor to sleep most of the time! Well here is the continuation of the photos from Part Uno. (Thanks, Kim and Linda, for the pics.)

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Kim gave Paloma this quacking duck that made her laugh!! Bad news: the duck is missing!

My cousin Armilyn with our girl.

Fer and Rob, Kim's husband.

Friends Kim, Chrissie, Linda and me.

Darlin' Leila, my cousin Lou's girl, admiring something high on the wall. Cutie!

Hope you had fun, little one!

14 Year High School Reunion

We're back in Barcelona. And I'm backblogged. Reeeeeeeewind!

At Mater Dei High School, I had a very tight group of Asian friends with whom I connected immediately after junior high. This is where Facebook has made some amazing things happen for me. It all happened two months ago when my very good friend, Linda, posted some old high school pictures, and soon after, a reunion was in the works! We met up two weeks ago.

These guys were so great to organize it around my homecoming here. Good times, indeed. We are! MD!

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Sophomore year, circa 1993. From left to right: Brenda, Ellaine, Aileen, Amy, Yours Truly, Linda, and our only guy, Ray.

Amy organized the whole shindig and was able to have the party catered at Ray's house. This is her with Chyna, her second child.

Amy's other two wacky kids, Bubba and Andrew.

Ellaine (our future immigration attorney) and Evan. I saw these guys when they visited us in Barcelona a few months ago.

It's never boring when Brenda's around. Comic relief, always!

Ray with Sweet P.

Another baby in the house! Aileen's second, Raiden, is only three months old.

Her first handsome little dreamboat, Reid.

Aileen's husband, Ryan, with a sleeping Raiden.

Baby buddies!

Me, Ray and Fer.

Catching up.

Brenda and her fiance, Todd.

Alliteration: Aileen, Ellaine, and Evan.

Mega group pic!

Paloma had fun!

Let's look at that old picture again.

Don't we all look exactly the same? I remember being in high school thinking past 30 was so old!

Thanks, guys! This made my trip really special!

Roger's Garden

The Ancheta clan headed over to Roger's Garden in Newport Beach on Saturday. What a stunning /out-of-our-budget place to buy decor and dress up your garden. This place is endless!

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These plants greeted us.

The gazebo.

Poinsettias are in season! My mom picked one up.

Mom, Fer and Paloma being entranced by the fountain.

Dad sets up his famed portrait shots.

Trains, trains, and more trains.

A soothing waterfall for some zen time.

More flowing water.

Can I have a million of these in our flower box outside our balcony? Only a mere $13/'shroom.

Purty pink.

Wreaths made of of succulents. How creative!

Indoor branches to hang decor.

Lovely tree with red sphere ornaments.

Paloma with gramps.

The Godfather / Uncle Moses / Funder of Paloma's higher education if he hits it rich.

Triple generation of gals.

A curious, smiling garden piece.

Prepping Sweet P for the Big Guy. (It's free! Thanks for the idea, Armilyn!) We'll put that up for another post closer to the season and when the blog hits a dry spell.