Thanksgiving 2011!

Happy Thanksgiving BB readers!
I hope you haven't given up on me yet. Life has really taken over and I just haven't had to time to sit down and format a blog post. The good news is, I have a lot of things to share!
First up the 30 @ 30 Update: 

15) Finish the Harry Potter Series before watching the movies
I did it! I finished the Harry Potter Series and loved every single word. I now have an understanding of all the Harry Potter fanatics out there who fell in love with this novel. I know it's weird to say, but I imagined reading this series to my kids someday (If i am blessed with them). I still haven't watched the final movie, but I plan on fixing that very soon.

19) Study Hard
 Hard work and studying played a major factor of getting my acceptance into nursing school. However, I feel studying will always be a part of my life as a nurse. It's amazing how your studying habits can change when it's a life/death situation. My emergency medicine course has taught me this lesson early on. I plan on being a student of the health science for a good while, and I'm okay with that. 

22. Support a friends cause: 

I recently had two friends run a half marathon for a cause this year. My friend Danielle ran in London to help raise money for an orphanage in Thailand, and Laurel ran for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in San Francisco. I was so happy to contribute to both their causes, and  was so proud of them for completing their half marathon run.

This is not part of my 30@30 list, but my pallet shelving post has recently been featured on a German blog and I had to share! Thanks Antik & Natur for featuring my post.
http://www.antik-natur.de/blog/bauidee-palettenregal-3.html

Engagement photos are in!  Our beautiful/amazing photographer and friend Helin (Mooxie) completed our photos and we couldn't be more elated! Check out her touching blogpost and see more of our engagement photos by clicking the link below.
De La Mooxie Blog

Here is a preview on future post:
Our home is transforming: Back porch and bathroom remodel.
I'm going to introduce you all to my amazing wedding dress designer and give a brief wedding update.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU!
I'm so thankful that you made the time to stop by my little soapbox. 

Acceptance

On Monday I received the most amazing news in my e-mail inbox.
I was accepted into the pretty competitive CNM nursing program.
I've worked so hard to get to this point it almost seems surreal. Now I have to work even harder to do well in nursing school, and become a compassionate proficient nurse.
I can't wait to start this amazing and challenging journey.

Cheers!

Stay Tuned..

Hello BB readers,
I am so sorry for the lack of post lately. The Señor and I have been keeping busy with work, party planning and finals. We also celebrated our annual Turkanza party this past weekend. We had so much fun celebrating with our good friends and family it seems I decided to donate my voice to the party. Without a voice it looks like  I'll be writing a lot more. I look forward to catching up on the blog and all of your blog post if you have them.
Cheers amigos!
L

Dia de los Muertos 2011 Marigold Parade

This weekend was spent bracing for the cold weather and attending the annual Día de los Muertos Marigold Parade. The parade is held every year in one of my favorite neighborhoods here in Albuquerque called the South Valley. Some of you may know this neighborhood from the popular show Breaking Bad. The show films a lot of the scenes in this neighborhood. However, I know this neighborhood as a beautiful place in the fall time and a great place to get a bowl of menudo.The parade seemed bigger this year and was filled with folks dressed up in their muertos best. I always love seeing the niños/kids dressed up in their muertos outfits. They always seem great about staying in character.
My mother, sister and I got dressed up for the event and had a great time. We even went out to eat and stopped in a local neighborhood bakery to buy empanadas in our muertos get-ups. We did get a few stares and I think a few people snapped photos of us from a distance, but we didn't care.
Here is a few photos from the parade and a video of the Lowriders in the parade. The Lowriders are my madres favorite. You can hear her in the video saying "There ya go!!" when they bounce up in down. My madre is too cute!
I hope you all enjoyed honoring and remembering your loved ones who have passed. I know we did.

Feliz Día de los Muertos 2011

Cualli Tonalli!
Today we honor our ancestors for our amazing traditions and remember those friends and family who have passed on.
Día de los Muertos is more than just sugar skulls and face paint. It's a tradition and part of our unique culture. Please take the time to educate yourself on the holiday.
Here is a great link from the SMithsonia Latino Center to get started, and you can make your own altar.
http://latino.si.edu/DayoftheDead/
Feliz Día de los Muertos Bandida Blog readers!

Artwork by local artist Brandon Maldonado

November 1st

Happy November Everyone!
We are stoked for this month. We are looking forward to the kick off of lots of family and friend time, good eating, and TURKANZA!! 
This year our Turkanza party will be all about celebration.  Turkanza helps us celebrate birthdays, big events, and this year our engagement. We wouldn't be anything without our friends and family and Turkanza gives us a chance to say thanks and catch up with all our amigos! We can't wait to see everyone and have good conversation by the bonfire and stuff up on green chile turkey!

On a side note: I've included this photo of a praying mantis that was hanging out on our screen door. I thought for sure this guy was dead after coming out on a freezing ABQ morning and seeing him lifeless. Much to my surprise he was still kicking after I gently poked him with my foot. The praying mantis was moved to our sunny backyard and has been hanging out there ever since. Nothing like a little sunshine to save the day.

Cheers amigos!