Thanksgiving 2012

The holidays flew by this year with such a busy Fall. Here are our family pictures from Turkey Day at mom's in November. Ciara had recently turned 14 and grew a ton this year. She is almost as tall as me!

RWA final dinner

Here is a video of our final dinner when all my RWA college roommates from UC Irvine were in town last September. I love their precious kids - ! Good times - -

RWA Reunion 2012

In October we had the fine luck of having another college reunion with my best friends and college roommates. Heather brought her boys all the way from Oahu to visit and Jenn came down for 1 day with her son as well. (All names of kids not mentioned for privacy). Diana also had recently given birth to her 2nd daughter - it all just boggles the mind! The first day I spent with them at the wonderful Children's Museum downtown. I couldn't believe it when I looked up at one point and saw my mom and sister, Sara, buying tickets to enter with her 2 kids! What a treat! I work so much I hardly see anyone.. After the Museum we went to La Jolla Shores for sunset and immediately Heather's boys wanted to change into swim trunks (hey, they live in Hawaii - where the water is warm year round). They didn't let the cold San Diego waters deter them too much and some serious sandcastle-building continued followed by a delicious dinner at an Italian restaurant. The next day I had to work and missed the Great Pumpkin Patch that Jenn and her son also joined after arriving from the OC. By nighttime, my husband and I were at Di's house bbq'ing healthy vegetables and sipping wine. It was so fun with all the kids - reminded me of how loud and rambunctious our house was growing up with a family of 8. I had such a lovely time and cherish the moments we all get together. We've all been through a lot the last 5 years with kids, work, health, etc -- I love my RWA girls! click on slideshow below!

RWA reunion

Palm Springs Anniversary

This last weekend was our 3rd Wedding Anniversary and I surprised P by spontaneously buying a night at the swanky Riviera Hotel Resort and Spa in Palm Springs. Since December work has been incredibly busy between all my jobs and I work weekends - so I don't spend much time with my P. I have modeled on occasion in Palm Springs but have never spent the night there and P has only stopped by for lunch with me once on our way from Joshua Tree. So it was a new, little getaway for us. We did love the retro vibe of the place and it was decked out in my favorite tangerine orange and latina green. We got a cheap price for the Junior Mediterranean Suite and they even let us in early as we arrived 3 hours before check in. (Kudos to Ken at the front desk). It was a nice, relaxing time. The room was very comfortable, the bed was fabulously comfy, P got to watch his Fox News. We are not poolside people but we did venture out in the 105 heat late afternoon to lay in the shade (it has been years since I want to or try to tan). Our cabina boy messed up on our order and comped us our cocktail - which was unnecessary but nice. I tried reading and then taking a nap but gave up quickly and just people-watched. The truth is: P and I are no good at poolside vacations. ;) To begin with he doesn't love the desert like me or the heat and his Irish fair/ruddy complexion can burn easily. He used to surf when I first met him and played outdoor hockey that kept him tanner and accustomed to the sun back then but not any longer. Hee hee - we lasted only an hour outside and then retired back into our fresh, air-conditioned hipster room before venturing out to dinner and a nightcap at the Starlite Bar in the hotel.

On the way home the next day, my photographer husband of course opted to drive the long way back home - stopping to snap shots at Bombay Beach, Salton Sea in Imperial County. We love the area and have gone several times - but going midday at 110 degrees with no shade was pretty darn warm - even for mE. How we do love our long drives and roadtrips, listening to the 80s New Wave station on the Sirius satellite radio. It was short, but a lovely getaway. And just to celebrate our time together on our 3rd Anniversary was very nice and appreciated after the busy work year had. click below for a slideshow of pictures:

Palm Springs Anniversary

Arabian Regionals

Today I didn't work and was a little depressed that Patrick's flight in Dublin got delayed a day so he wasn't coming home today as planned - I miss him substantially after 12 days :( . My blessed sister Sara told me her kids were out of school (me, too!) and that we ought to check out the Regionals for the Arabian Horse professional competition circuit. It was held this year at The Del Mar Fairgrounds and we went for about 3 hours. Sara and I would have easily stayed longer but her kids eventually tired and she had to get them home.

It was so wonderful for both of us to talk to Olivia and point out so much for her to look for - and for us to reminisce back to our riding and competing days. Those who know me know I still have a huge regret not keeping up with the horses somehow. But what could I have done going to college and being a frugal professional performer my entire adult life?

Picture of me and my Arabian gelding, Torino at the Sunnyside Saddle Club local horse shows in Bonita we competed in for years. I was probably about 13 years old... circa 1987. The horses were truly beautiful. All of it is breathtaking and when the horses cantered and trotted near us in the arena I recognized the feel of those working muscles and legs pumping underneath me - - a powerhouse. The ground shaking...

I was reminded how the only time I competed in the "A" circuit (the highest circuit) was on my Aunt Elaine's Arabian mare, Dawn (I don't remember her full registered name now). I was probably about 11 years old and was elated to spend a week with my horsey Aunt and compete on her chestnut mare. I remember that we didn't have our Torino yet but I was already competing on our trainers' ponies at the local Saddle Club. But this was different - not just much more expensive but the National Circuit. When you compete at the Fairgrounds you actually keep your horse all day in the same track stables as the racehorses that run there during the summer race season. I remember it being very exciting for me as a child and huge fan of the "Black Stallion" Arabian book series to be there - especially doing an early morning warm up on the actual racetrack to get the nerves out of both horse and rider. It was just like the jockeys and Thoroughbreds do. I only placed 5th -- but it all came back to me today walking through the stables and warmup areas - usually unopened to the public.

It was a lovely day...

Runway Fun 12/2011

Idyllwild Cabin - Megan dances

Breakfast in Idyllwild 2012

Idyllwild 2012

Yes - you read the dates right: I have not published on here in months. My life, since the New Year, has been extremely busy. To the point of nary a day off and being exhausted. THAT SAID - - I did take a weekend off (my first since before Xmas) on April Fools weekend to do our annual camping trip with my best friend Di and her family (!) Whew HEW! I was ecstatic for so many reasons: I LOVE our trip together every year, I desperately needed to have some time off, I LOVE roadtrips with my husband and I love Nature! This year we did not camp in Joshua Tree as my dear friend is pregnant with her 2nd child. :) We opted to rent a nice cabin in Idyllwild, California where we could cook indoors and be more comfortable. (P was happy just to have cable!)

I had not been to this quaint town of Idyllwild since my junior year in college when my amazing choir did a weekend musical retreat there. Well, our cabin was cozy, with all amnemities. Warm, big King beds,a downstairs game room with pool table, darts and more. Games and cards. DVD with a bunch of movies (including kid ones). Cable. A stocked kitchen with plenty of things left over from previous renters - I believe we might have finished off some vodka bottle and Jim Bean for the men. he he he It was wonderful! We didn't do too much hiking - just 2 bigger ones and also a lot of window-shopping and walking around the main town (a few minutes' drive from our cabin). It was lovely. Sunny but brisk. Patrick made good, big breakfasts both mornings and John and I collaborated on some other meals. We ate fresh, good food, stayed up late playing card games and I felt relaxed and cheery around such wonderful, loving and funny, special people in my life! We are so blessed to have these times! Who knows next year if we go back to camping with new baby? Di and John did it the first year with Megan so I am sure they won't hesitate with another bambino! Click below for slideshow!

Idyllwild 2012

Model Mayhem

This was last spring at the first modeling fundraiser for designer Pilar Macchione to get to Couture Fashion Week in New York. Marcus wanted pictures of his amazing hair he did on me, and I am finally getting around to making this fun little ditty for him...

Location and Host: Marcus Hanish Salon, Downtown San Diego
Makeup: James Overstreet
Designer: Pilar Macchione
Photography: Leo Malevanchik, John Schell and Marcus' asst.
Models: Elsa, Courtney, Sarra, Kristina, Gemma, Cierra, Traelee, Emma, Alma, & Sarah.

2011 Highlights!

Happy New Year!!

I fear that the year has ended without my even having time to blog about some of that which I enjoyed the most throughout the year.

By way of my keeping the memories, I post a list here. Some have been blogged about already, others still have yet to be blogged.

I present the Highlights of 2011 for me:

1). I decided not to do the Ireland trip this year to see the in-laws, so my travel was limited to our amazing summer road trip beyond the Bay Area into Northern California and then to Yosemite National Park. (See Blog).




2). It was a short 2nd annual camping trip with best friend Diana and her family to Joshua Tree. Tremendously cold and windy April weather made us leave before the Saturday evening cold night came back. You just never know. I have camped there in April where is was perfect, or too hot - but this time was freezing and windy! Friday night was enough of a challenge so we left Saturday afternoon. We shall see what happens this year...





3). Concerts! P and I love music concerts! This year was a banner year with seeing some of my top fave New Wave bands (ok, I was invited to see "Glee" lipsync 85% of their concert as well, but that wasn't a highlight). First there was ABC again with P at the intimate Sunset Strip House of Blues (see blog).

Then for P's 45 bday I took him to Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music at the gorgeous outdoor Greek Theater also in LA.




Then there was my favorite band in the world - DURAN DURAN - with friends at Harrah's Casino in October - - under the stars on a warm night. A perfect setting!




http://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=13736
(Click the link and make sure to watch the video, fans!)
4). In my opinion the best musical ever written for many reasons is "Les Miserables". Over the summer the 25th-Anniversary National Tour played in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theater. I went with siblings and introduced Patrick and Ciara to it. It was questionably restaged (no revolving stage, no massive 2-piece adjoining barricade stage set, Javert's suicide scene no longer had the illusion of him jumping off the bridge.) But with all that said - it still is a tour de force and my family enjoyed it immensely!



4). Keeping in subject with musicals, Les Miz may be the overall best musical to me, but my favorite is still The Phantom of The Opera. It is also in it's 25th anniversary (*unbelievable* - when this show debuted whilst I was in High School it was hugely responsible for my pursuing an opera degree). At the Royal Albert Hall in London they restaged and filmed the anniversary performance to be seen for a short run in movie theaters internationally. With the best Christine I have ever seen and the fine, young, and sexy Ramin Karimloo singing the Phantom role, I still say that nothing will ever compare to the original Phantom: Michael Crawford. No pop star, young singer, super strong/belting/angry singer nor sexy Phantom has since captured the novel's true compassionate or romantic haracter of "Erick" like Michael Crawford. I thank God that we were fortunate-enough to see him 3 times perform the role in Los Angeles back in 1990-1991.

5). My precious orange tabby Gingerbread was a highlight this year as we had rescued him at Thanksgiving in 2010. But it was this year that I saw Gingy's personality establish as well as see him grow from a playful little kitten who made eye contact and stared at us and so wanted to friend grumpy old kitty Jordy (who was downright mean and awful to him for the first 7 months) until his sweetness captured Jordy's heart and they now play together - even if Jordy still isn't as affectionate to him as he is to Jordy. He has turned into a beautiful adult cat with his token half purr/meow that he does everytime he looks for us (me especially) or Jordy. That little vocalization he does is so sweet I can't even stand it. I love my Jordy, of course, he has been through the thick and thin with me and moved all over San Diego when I had to. But Ginger we rescued literally from death, starvation and exposure. It took both P and I to do it - and I raised him from only about a month old so I am proud when I point out how sweet and how unfazed he is. Not skittish like my old bear Jordy but just smart, great with the dogs (he even goes on walks with us down the street) and sweet with people, vets, kids. No scratching. I say a prayer with his adventurous ways that he come back every night to me. He prefers to be outside most of the time, or in the canyon with snakes, bobcats and coyotes but I couldn't or wouldn't stop him. He is happy. Patrick and Ciara think I favor him over all our pets, I don't - but he is just special because I I saved him under insane circumstances and really got to raise him and train him from the beginning. So I get a kick out of that. I tell P often, "He brings me such joy...!" P and Ciara refer to him as 'The Golden Boy' (who can do no wrong). *Editor's Note - it is not lost on me at all, that had I not married I would truly, officially be a Crazy Cat Lady. hehehe

6). Another highlight was the amazing modeling I did this year. I am very proud of myself to be literally holding my own walking and posing with girls this year as young as 11 next to me! I realize how blessed and how hard-working and deserving I am to work professionally and get a paycheck in this bad economy, especially. I am also aware of how many young girls envy my career. But I try to help them out as much as I can with advice. I must point out that I have paid my dues for 15 years modeling. And even longer than that with acting and singing. It takes time to build relationships and make contacts like I have done. None of it has come easy for this short, curvy model. But, as I tell the young girls, "Personality can take you far.."

One of my best jobs this year was shooting with my dear friend Kendra of Kendraweddings.com a few times. But specifically shooting 3 1/2 days in April at the glorious historic Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside. We were put up in gorgeous rooms, fed like kings and modeled many high end bridal gowns for Orange County Bride Magazine. I met wonderfully-talented people and even an America's Next Top Model on that job. Plus all my jobs with Kendra this year remain extra-special for the miracle that she is back in my life after about a 17-year absence. She is a wonderful friend! The fact that she is a fashion photographer and me a model after all these years is kismit! Stay tuned as The Mission Inn blog and pictures are very time-consuming but will be soon posted.


7). Another major highlight? Modeling in New York City. This is big. To model in NYC for any model is the biggest you can do in the USA. For me to do it at my age is almost inconceivable. For me to do it in a big show - New York Couture Fashion Week is even better. AND I got the honor of opening the show for my designer. Not. Too. Shabby.

Here is more footage from Diana Navarro hosting the interview. I wanted to remember for future reference what the backstage was like, the people involved and you can see the talent involved in the show besides the fashion! See me getting my hair straightened at :40 and walking at 2:30. It is nice they feature a lot of my designer Pilar Macchione!

8). Lastly, this year was the year (about March) where I had a big goal of getting my health and chronic back, hip and knee pain back in order. I told my sister just today how others may forget but not me nor my husband that just 2 years ago I was limping, and at times, bent over and crooked - in utter pain. Plus there was a several month period of no gym whatsoever that was very hard for me to do - not exercise. For me to be where I am today - past my goal weight after the Holidays of 117 (I hadn't been in about 6.4 years this thin), in shape and turning 40 this coming spring - well, shucks: I worked hard. I also thank my Spine Zone therapists. Our health is so important to us. I will never take it for granted. I haven't felt this good since before meeting Patrick. I am so pleased for this long road of recovery to have reached the light at the end of the tunnel in 2011.

Namaste! Adieu, 2011!