Surrogate Family

Like many people across America, I was not able to reunite with my family for Thanksgiving dinner. Which was made even tougher this year than previous because my family was also celebrating my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary (nothing to bat an eye at). I am wildly proud of my grandparents for their unwavering dedication to one another and the example that they have provided throughout the years. I  truly wish I could have been there to celebrate with them. (And let's not forget all the unique family food traditions that we are all accustomed to.)

Fortunately, even though I was not with my family I had a place to go. My bestie from the westie always opens her home and graciously shares her family with me, which I could not be more grateful for. They welcomed me with open arms and shared stories, food and their company. I could not ask for more.

Since my phone is maxed out for some reason, it has been acting weird and won't let me take pictures. So I have been more intentional in taking photos with my camera camera instead of instagram posts or snap shots with my phone. Here are just a few photos that I took at my Thanksgiving with my surrogate family.

We call her the Queen of the Peanuts, and that's her doting gma in the background.

Gpa Vazquez, who was a professional trumpet player for 50+ years.

Momma Vazquez and Gma Vazquez, two funny and beautiful ladies.

This photo sums up how we all felt after stuffing ourselves.

I am so grateful for so many things... thankful that I have a family to miss, grateful for a surrogate family to borrow, and the day to day blessings and people that make up my life. I truly am blessed and thank G-d for all of His provisions and even the things that He purposefully withholds for my good.

I hope your holidays are wonderful and safe.

xoxo
r

Thankful: Colder Weather

Today, I am thankful for colder weather and the holiday season. Warm cozy blankets, spiced drinks, pumpkin flavors, peppermint, cinnamon, and layers of clothing. Aww, there is nothing like it. Granted the temperature change isn't as extreme as my seasonal changes used to be, but the air is still crisp and I  want to wrap up none the less. In order to transition to a more festive mood, my roommate and I bought Fresh Balsam and Toasted Marshmallow scents for our house. When I walk through the door there is this fantastic evergreen aroma with a twinge vanilla-y sweet scent.

We haven't gotten too carried away like decorating for Christmas or anything, but just enough to feel the change of seasons. n__n

I've really been on an Earl Grey kick lately. Mmm too good.

PS I am ultra stoked because I just ordered 26 prints of my photography and custom sized mat boards, so that I may display a body of work I have been working on for sometime now. The photos are from my travels in Haiti and I will be displaying them and selling my work at a Haiti Expo that my friend is hosting. My prints should arrive on Wednesday... I love receiving mail as it is...I am not sure I can wait. More on this later.

PSS Today I will join ISF (International Student Friendship) to Old Town Pasadena where we will explore, window shop, eat and ice skate. This is one of my favorite events we do with ISF and I can't wait to introduce International students and visiting scholars to some of our traditions.


xoxo,
r

Family Time

First thing's first... I promised I would post a picture of my hair. Since my hair was first colored the wrong shade, we had washed it out a little too soon and there was a bit of discoloration so last night before I left Kansas my mom's friend came over and we put the lighter color on top of the previous color. So this after picture was taken today so you can have the most updated view.

As I previously mentioned, I am no longer in Kansas. It was a wonderful trip celebrating Thanksgiving and I had some real quality time with my family.  I was even able to successfully surprise some of my family members at my arrival which was exciting. Here's a recap in iphone photos.

Sara and I had the same flight! I got some reading in. Got my hurr did. Had gelato, bowled and went to my first Jayhawks game with my dad, Jeff, Viv and Remy. Had donuts with momma, had Indian food with Natalie and Clay. Clay made Thanksgiving breakfast which was adorable. Had two Thanksgiving dinners. Decorated a real Evergreen tree for Christmas. Went to the Mayor's Christmas tree lighting with the fam. Add quality family time, Downton Abbey, Noodles and Co. and so much more in between.

It was wonderful seeing my family and being able to spend time with my Aunt Kim and Uncle Tim from Florida.

Now back to the lovely daily grind. n__n

NATIVE

The last couple of years I have spent my Thanksgiving Celebration here in Los Angeles, sharing turkey and mashed potatoes with about 100 international students. Usually when thinking of the first Thanksgiving I associate more with the Pilgrims rather than the Native Americans because I am as white as they come. Though I guess in this situation, I feel like the native sharing my culture with someone new. It's always exciting for me to share something new with someone even if it is something simple or ordinary to me, it brings new life to the situation. I can share stories of Thanksgivings of the past and talk about family traditions, while hearing about their lives and their traditions.

This year we are doing things a bit differently, we are celebrating Thanksgiving with our international friends early, today in fact, and will be able to visit our families for the actual holiday. I feel like I get the best of both worlds. What's even more exciting is that not all my family knows I will be coming and I hope to surprise them (and for once, I hope my family isn't reading this because it would most definitely spoil the surprise.)

So stay tuned for International Thanksgiving updates and Kansas updates and all sorts of updates.

Hope all is going well with you.

xoxo
r

This is the promotional flyer I made for our event today.