25th (ok, 2nd anniversary of...) Birthday Shenanigans!!!!

Hey Ya'll! 

Time is ripe for some happiness? Yeah? 

Well, my 2nd Anniversary of turning 25 was absolutely glorious.  (25 was a pretty killer year for me, so I'm sticking with it for awhile, deal with it) Now, I had a pretty normal birthDAY, went to work, did work things (let's just assume it was a productive work day, ok?).  But, the boy wanted to surprise me with my birthday present that night.  I'm relatively easy going in that sense, so I was excited. 

He started driving.  All of a sudden, I was notsomuch a fan of surprises anymore.  I'd been guiltlessly bugging him for the last 2 weeks about the gift.  I didn't get a peep out of him.  OR my mother.  Ahem. 

So we ended up at the mall.  Where I then received my birthday card finally.  Apparently, he and my mother had co-bought me an Apple Gift Card, so I could finally get an iPad - to play Angry Birds on a much larger screen than my phone.  Aren't they wonderful? (Don't worry, I've found other games to play on it too!)

So, yes. That's where I've been the past few days.  Head stuffed in that cute little machine.  

Moving on.  

We went out for sushi and drinks with 2 of my girlfriends from home, which was a sweet little gathering.  It had been awhile, and it's always good to catch up and have some girl time! Friday night, he made reservations at one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Mi Piaci.  It's fancy, but its fun to be fancy once in awhile!  Saturday, was just a beautiful day.  It ended up about 80-85 degrees, and sunny.  Is there more perfect weather? So, naturally, it was Mani/Pedi time.  Once that was out of the system (Seriously, if you're in Dallas, message me, twas one of the best pedicures I've ever had!), I wanted to head to the park with the pup.  

 

We went to Klyde Warren Park, which happens to be a park built over a major highway in Dallas.  Basically, it connects both up- and down-town.  It's amazing.  It has Food Trucks, a baby dog park, and so many activities.  I love it.  We then decided to walk through uptown (my old stomping grounds) and patio hop.  It was way too nice to sit inside anywhere in Dallas.  

Later Saturday, I got my first surprise party ever! The boy got my friends together, and we chowed on some delicious cow meat, and went two-steppin'! Listen guys, this guy took me dancing.  I think I'll keep him around.  There was so much redneck ridiculousness - I was in high heaven! 

Last but not least - Sunday was low key, saw a movie and not a whole lot else.  BUT I do have to make a point that we got to the mall early, and after a very long, and eventful weekend, we splurged.  

Guys. We sat in the massage chairs that sit in the middle of the walkways. $5 and 12.5 minutes of leg, back, shoulder and ass massaging? It may have been my favorite part of the weekend. That's why I felt the need to mention it.  Sometimes its fun to splurge on ridiculous things. Everybody wins.

Anyways. Longest post ever. I know. Blonde hair don't care. Onto the pictures:

Opened up the package to find my presents gift wrapped.  She knows me too well!

 Victoria's Secret Baseball gifts!

Card from my Ma

Quite possibly the cutest card in the world.  I had to blow on the candles for it to sing to me.

Sushi and Wine with my girls

I don't know how to photoshop double chins.  Deal with it AJ.

Got all these amazing cards in the mail -- the day after my birthday! (I love extending the day!)

Dressed up to go to my favorite place - Mi Piaci.  (Ok, I lied. This is after dinner. I forgot to take a picture, and made him put his nice dress shirt back on again. I'm a fraud!)

Best pasta in the world - Spaghettini Neri

The boy's diablo pasta.  The Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels were really fantastic (After my tongue regained feeling 10 minutes after tasting - so SPICY!)

 

Resting in the Shade at the park.  Someone was in heaven!

 Park, Sunshine, Cold beer.  This is the perfectest of perfect days.

 So happy.

 My dog thinks she's a human and deserves human seating. Obvs.

 Spin Art Dip and Craft beers, oh, and sunshine still? Yuuuuup.

You'd think it was her birthday....

Also, she loves beer.  She will do anything to get her hands on it. 

Thanks for skimming the post.  Next time will be shorter, and more worthy of reading.  BUT, it was fun, and I had to share the wonderfulness of some people in the world. It's the little bits that really make an argument for the good in this world. Friends and Family - they are what counts!

-AJ

Karaoke Staples

Hey Ya'll!

I'm feeling very inspired as of late.  Inspired in the sense that, I will forget all of my awesome and amazing ideas by tomorrow.  It was a good run. 

Onto tonight. This post was entirely inspired by the Thought Catalog.  It's my very favorite time wasting site.  I'm able to read 20-some age group inspired posts.  They are fairly relatable, while sometimes, not so much.  Wading through the nonsensical posts, and immature lists, I came across one, that caught my attention, in the current state of mind I'm in. 

I made 2 New Years Resolutions this year.  Generally, I find resolutions absolutely improbable, therefore, I absolutely make 1 beyond ridiculous but in my mind, reasonable, resolution.  The responsible resolution I made - was to run a 5k this year.  Now, whether I actually do it, or not, doesn't matter in the least to me.  If I do? Awesome.  I think it's a decent goal to work toward, but, am I going to behead myself and gouge my eyeballs if I don't? Not so much.  Maybe another time. (Sorry for the visual, I had to really paint a picture for you!) :)

My second resolution was to figure out exactly what Billy Joel is saying in "We Didn't Start the Fire" and sing it at a Karaoke bar (from memory!) by the end of the year.  This is one resolution, I very much intend to keep.  I'd like to be able to incorporate something interesting on my resume that sets me apart? Right? No? Blonde hair, don't care. I was pretty jazzed to make this resolution.

So, I'm incorporating both parts of this post.  My list of the Top 10 Songs I will absolutely sing with you at Karaoke (dependent on the number of G&T's consumed prior to the task).

1. Journey - Don't Stop Believin' (I know everybody does it, sorry I'm not sorry - you can sing along).

2. Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer (Again, don't care.  Also, I will change the lyrics)

3. Celine Dion - It's All Coming Back to Me Now (To my girls - this is for you) (Also, this is filled an over dramatic interpretive dance, get used to it)

4.Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girls  (Don't worry, it's guaranteed I'll change brown to blue)

 

5. Garth Brooks - Thunder Rolls  (Well, anything Garth Brooks - I'm looking at you Friends in Low Places)

6. Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (You know you do too)

7. Bonnie Raitt - Something to Talk About (Shout out to my Eball!)

8. Eminem ft Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie (Because I'm multi-talented and sing both parts of the duet)

9. Katy Perry ft Timbaland - If We Ever Meet Again (for this, I'll need a duet partner - for the effect, of course) (excuse my dance moves) (sorry I'm not sorry)

10. Spice Girls - Say You'll Be There (Actually, please sub ANY Spice Girls Song)

Obvious Bonus: Billy Joel - We Didn't Start The Fire

I wanted to put at least 15 on here, however, due to time constraints (totally listened to all of these - and danced) I had to stop somewhere.  I have a pretty general rule, that, as long as I can scream the lyrics, I'll include it in my playlist.  Nothing that takes too much skill...

Have your own dance party! Any you'd add on?

AJ

Dancing with Myself

I don't have a whole lot this week - due to an unfortunately avocado slicing incident. My palm was the only casualty. (If you're keeping track, the score is Cooking - 1 Alyssa - 1). Typing too long proves to be a difficult task and full of entirely too many spelling errors.  So, I'll leave you with the current song in my head (as it has been for the past week).  And let you do your own slide and snap dance! If you don't know what I'm talking about, you've clearly never seen me dance to oldies music. Sorry I'm not sorry. 

Also - if someone can fill me in on this Harlem Shake business, I'd appreciate it.  I don't care to take the time to try to listen to the song and see what this phenomenon is. (I felt the same way about Gagnam Style)  I've been about 4 months late on these dance trends lately.  It's made me feel insanely old and frankly, blonde hair don't care. (Except the pop culture fanatic inside me - I NEED TO UNDERSTAND!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuqHlv1YPe0 

Enjoy your St Patrick's Weekend!