photos « & that's the way life goes<br /> my not-so fairytale

happy sunday

08-03-2010 by rialeilani

I had a kickass Sunday! And to be honest I woke up a nervous ball of energy because I knew I’d be seeing my family later in the day. (I’ll apologize now, this post is image heavy and a lil on the long winded side!)

Aerial yoga was AWESOME. It was full of accomplishments for our last class of this 8 week session. It is definitely mind blowing how much Sarah, Mandy and I have achieved. We have tons more strength and stamina than we had when we first started. Not only that but the difference even between last week and this week was stellar.

Sarah totally rocked the midair footlock and most of all she conquered her fear of the half cross and full iron cross. For the full iron cross she had to do it twice because I didn’t have my camera ready. She’s even smiling!

Mandy totally kicked the fabrics ass, look at her splits! (I stole this picture from Paul’s Facebook)

I, my friends, finally flipped upside down in the locust! We only did this trick once during the session and I almost had it. Yesterday I was determined to do it.

I also got pretty with pointing my toes, something I learned from Sarah

Look at the ghosties in this one!

And this was something new we did in warm ups. I’m not going to lie I freaked out and might have screamed a little bit taking my leg off the bar (I stole this picture from Paul’s facebook too)

This class was just totally awesome. I don’t even have the words to describe it. I love pushing myself and trying new things. I can’t wait for the next session to start and to initiate Jenni into the circus world! I know she’ll rock it!

In other news, Mae is having an awesome giveaway on her blog. It’s a Hana Elite 1″ flat iron hair straightener. It’s ok if you don’t enter, that means I have more chance of winning. I curled my hair this weekend with my flat iron it was so easy!

And lastly, I saw my grams yesterday. Of course we pretended like nothing ever happened. Like I said, she’s family so what am I going to do? I just know now not to let her in too much, because when I need someone, she’s no replacement for my Mom.

I would also like to mention that my cousin T is expecting her first baby in May and she is adorable. She’s so tiny! It was really nice to see her and her husband yesterday.

Tags: aerial yoga, hana elite flat iron category: photos, weekend | 14 comments »

a facebook story & brain fart

03-03-2010 by rialeilani

I’m clicking around Facebook thinking how I really don’t feel like blogging. Sure I have things I want to share. Like how I adore Jenni and we had a fabulous time at dinner last night, with the exception of a server who didn’t care to give us any attention and wanted to rush us out ASAP. Did we smell? I didn’t think so.

Or a bunch of us girls are going to see Alice in Wonderland and grab dinner next week. But I don’t feel very verbal.

Right, so now I’ve told you those things. But what made me write a post was where I ended up on Facebook.

A little backstory…

There is this guy that I stumbled across by accident awhile ago on someone I worked with in college’s page. I knew him when I was little, like 10. His grandma lived next door to my great aunt. We were penpals for a second when his family moved to Saudi Arabia. Yeah. Saudi Arabia. One summer he chased me around my aunt’s house with his trombone and I locked myself in the bathroom. We also played a game of Trivial Pursuit. He was smart for a kid his age and I guess I was too cuz I could hang.

Anyhow. Quite by accident I came across his music page. I was like no way it can’t be the same DL. (I would totally link to him but this is kind of my safe haven from IRL people. If you want to check it out email me/twitter me and I’ll send you the link.) It was. I sent him a quick message just saying something along the lines of you probably don’t remember but your grandma lived next door to my aunt blah blah blah. Honestly, I don’t think he remembered who I was but that’s cool. In certain areas I have a memory like an elephant (is that the saying?).

Wow this is taking a long time to tell. Hang in there ok?

So I’m clicking around Facebook this afternoon and I saw his page in my fan pages so I”m checking it out again along with his band pictures and I had the urge to pick up the phone and call my mom. What?! That doesn’t happen often but I kinda forgot for a milisecond that I can’t do that. I think she’d get a kick out looking at his artist page. He was an interesting dude. Hello, he lived in Saudi Arabia when he was like 11 and from what it says on his page he’s moved to many different places. Secretly, I think my mom hoped we would date sometime.

It’s just weird when things like that happen. It’s like I have a brain lapse and it’s kind of a pain (no pun intended) to have to face reality.

Way to make a short story long huh?

Tags: facebook category: girl thoughts, photos | 5 comments »

a valentines day in SD

23-02-2010 by rialeilani

Valentine’s Day started with the most perfect sunrise over the mountains. Yes we were up at sunrise, that is how we roll. No matter what we did we were up early every day!

We drove up to La Jolla and walked around a bit.

Wanting to jump in the car and just drive we decided just to see where we ended up. (I look thrilled, huh?)

Well we ended up at a mall in La Jolla because C had to pee. But it wasn’t quite 11am and the stores weren’t open. We looked for a rest room but ended up walking back out into the parking lot. Across the parking lot was a Crate and Barrel and I saw a couple come out. So we hurriedly made our way over there. We saw the workers standing at the door and we looked at each other like , are we ready to deal with salespeople? But by this time we both had to pee (lots of coffee will do that) so we sucked in a breath and pasted a smile on our face. As we walked in they told us to grab a registry gun and to help ourselves.

Help ourselves?

We had walked into an engagement promotion at Crate and Barrel. I slipped off my wedding band and left my engagement ring on (something I only wear when we go on vacation because normally it just gets in my way). I asked C to take his off but he didn’t believe me that all the people in there were engaged couples. As we mocked shopping we ran across mimosas, strawberries and chocolate, waffles, cupcakes, pancakes and more. It was awesome because we hadn’t yet had breakfast!

After we used the restroom and gotten some mimosas we were looking at furniture. I unnerved impressed C with my quick skills of fibbing our engagement and wedding date (as he kept his left hand in his pocket). When we left he was like I didn’t know you could lie like that! It was fun to pretend for awhile.

Afterward we headed into San Diego where we wondered around San Diego Harbor. C had wanted to join the navy so we bought tickets to the USS Midway.

Got some Valentine’s Day sushi, where C actually used his chopsticks (even if he cheated a little)

Checked out the Star of India

(C has cooler pictures of this on his camera)

Watched the sunset over the harbor

And back at the condo he was cracking me up while we ate the pizza we ordered

It was a really good day and classic C and M style. Low key and trying to avoid crowds of people.

Tags: la jolla, san diego, san diego harbor, uss midway category: photos, vacation | 11 comments »

clearly, we’re cool like that

19-02-2010 by rialeilani

Maybe we get along most of the time because he will pose for silly pictures with me. Too bad my camera was set at 800 ISP…why? No idea. And while he will play along for my amusement, asking more than once sometimes is a bad idea. Do-overs are only allowed sometimes. And really, except for the lousy exposure, the composition is pretty sweet. It wouldn’t have been the same the second time. Right? Just nod your head.

And if you care, that’s Scrubs on in the background.

Tags: random, san diego category: photos, vacation | 7 comments »

i survived tkd testing – 1st degree!

30-01-2010 by rialeilani

Surviving Taekwondo Testing 101

I get performance anxiety BAD. (you need an example?) Like I want to throw up or curl up into the fetal position and suck my thumb. Having gone through multiple testing sessions now I’ve learned some tricks on keeping the panic under control.

Deep Breaths – Since I was last to go at everything today I spent a lot of time sitting in lotus position inhaling and exhaling deeply

Observe – While lower belts are demonstrating their poomsaes I quietly whisper each move they are making

Focus – The kids are adorable and it’s amazing how much they learn in a matter of months

Zone the Fuck Out – C told me afterward that he wasn’t sure if even he (the extrovert) would be able to stand in front of all the Masters and parents/families that make up the audience. He also said that while I was standing in front of the Masters answering questions I looked like I was zoned out or stoned on Xanax. Whatever works kids, you better believe I’m going to do it.

I did have a slight mess up on the last poomsae* they asked me to perform, but after 150 pushups, 50 situps, 50 roundhouse kicks (50 each side) on my dad’s back, 5 instances of self defense, One-Steps* and question answering I’m not going to beat myself up over it.

All that was on top of the 2 hours of warm ups and combination kicks that I had done with the class.

My blackbelt will come from Korea, embroidered with my name with one gold strip on the tip to represent 1st dan. You bet you will see a picture! When I get the pictures from KW from her Canon Rebel I’ll be putting some up. C took a few but he didn’t change the setting and they didn’t come out very well.

And this happens to be a pretty good shot of my first tattoo I got on my 25th birthday in Honolulu.

{Malia is Maria in Hawaiian}

*I realize you have no idea what some of these things are, all you need to know is that it’s work. lol

Tags: hawaii, neurosis, omg i might panic, tattoo category: photos, tae kwon do | 12 comments »

the start of the decade

29-12-2009 by rialeilani

It hit me today that it’s almost 2010. Right, I know what you are thinking, ‘duh Ria!’

Thinking back 2000 was probably my best year yet. Collectively that is. 2000 contained a Millennium party, spring break in Hawaii, prom, high school graduation and the start of college.

All big things in a girls life. But when people say 2000, my first thought is Kik. The parties camping. The time where anything was possible. I was an ‘adult’. I was in limbo. Right of high school and waiting for college. It was 4 months of freedom. Before everything changed. Before I met douchebag, the boyfriend that corrupted my rosy world.

2000 = the best year of my life (so far)

So it really should be no surprise that when I actually realized that in a matter of days, it will be a decade ago…well I got sad. A lot sad. Like I want to sob all over the place sad. Well maybe that’s a little drastic. Maybe we get one year every decade that outdoes the rest. If this is true, than that means this decade has a some big shoes to fill!

New Years Eve ©rialeilani

Spring Break ©rialeilani

roadtrip! ©rialeilani

Prom ©rialeilani

Graduation ©rialeilani

my happy place ©rialeilani

sad because MM was leaving for CMU ©rialeilani

What are you looking forward to in the next decade? What will you miss?

Tags: memories category: girl thoughts, photos | 4 comments »

naked face!

28-12-2009 by rialeilani

Awhile ago Doniree did a post on naked face. I always wanted to do it myself and never got around to it. And since well, I’ve been off work since last Wednesday, I can’t say I don’t have time.

I thought this was a great idea because I went from never wearing makeup, to wearing mascara to wearing mascara, eyeliner and blush. I have a hard time sometimes trying to figure out why I even bother putting makeup on at all, I don’t really care what people think about my face. Well let’s be honest, I care, but I’m not the kind of girl that wants to try to hard, ya know what I’m saying? I finally just accepted that I feel better when I line my eyes and make my lashes fuller and really? That is all that matters.

So here it is, me with 2 day old hair…yes 2 days. Hey, I’m on vacation! Sans makeup, my precious blue or green eyeliner and mascara.

I may or may not have just cleaned the grossest bathroom ever.

We should definitely realize we are beautiful with or without our make up on

category: girl thoughts, photos | 9 comments »

#best09 – catching up!

07-12-2009 by rialeilani

I’m participating in Gwen Ball’s Best of 09!

December 5’s question:

Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?

I’m having a really hard time with this question. I had so many great nights in ‘09. I don’t go out that often but I usually have a good time no matter what. I’ve been to numerous Red Wing games and even a few in the finals. Halloween was a blast and I think the only time I might have ended up with my head in the toilet this year. Once a year is definitely enough for me.

I guess if I have to choose I’d say my low key birthday drinks with The Watson, The Sam, my Dad, LP and A. I had just dyed my hair for the first time that day and I had wore my brand spankin’ new shirt from Victoria’s Secret! (my dad had to leave early to meet with his friends psshhh )

A close second was when M came back to meet up with V3. These people are the best to work with. I couldn’t ask for cooler co-workers. I can’t even explain how close this night turned into having to find a hotel room to crash at. I’m excited for our December meet-up!

I look scared and K looks a little apprehensive. Just thinking about the laughing that night makes my stomach hurt.

December 6’s question:

Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?

Um conference? With what budget money lol? I don’t think I actually attended a conference or workshop. Does that make me lame? Do you want to take me with you next year so I don’t feel shame for myself? I feel so uneducated. LOL

What was your best conference/workshop this year? I’d love to hear what I’ve been missing the past 12 months!

December 7’s question:

That gem of a blog you can’t believe you didn’t know about until this year.

One that Sarah and Ginger Mandy just pointed out to me the other week. Fuck Yeah Detroit. We get a lot of slack living in the mitten. Detroit has been on the fattest city list and most dangerous. No one talks about the good things that come out of Detroit. No city is perfect. We’ve been hit hard. We will survive in one way or another. So make all the jokes you want about Detroit, but know there are some of us that can see its beauty, you just need to see it in the right lighting.

detroit

Tags: #best09 category: girl thoughts, photos | 4 comments »

a little betty crocker

by rialeilani

So you know how sometimes blogging can get dull and you are kind of in a slump with nothing to write. Um yeah, I guess I’m out of that funk because now I’m stressing because I have to many posts in my head and not enough time to write them! Ok, I won’t complain about that because I like it better than having nothing to write at all.

The past weekend (I’ll be starting on Thursday because I had Friday off W00T!)

Thursday…

I went out with The Watson after work with plans to go grab some dinner and make a 7pm showing of New Moon. 2 margaritas in we realized that it was after 7 so instead of hurrying we ordered another drink and decided to catch the later showing. She makes me laugh so hard that I don’t mind missing my workout because it’s like I did a 1,000 sit ups anyways. We got to the theater with plenty of time only to realize that I left my debit card at the restaurant. We had to go back and really I needed like 3 forms of identification to get my card back. Ok I’m might be exaggerating but really we were gone all of 10 mins and it took forever to get it back.

When we got back to the movie theater we still had some time so we decided to get popcorn even though neither of us was hungry. Um drunk? Yes, why yes I think we were. So we get popcorn and get back to the theater and it had already started! This is what we wanted to avoid! So it’s dark and we’re finding seats and we hear this thunk. The Watson was like, “i think that was my phone.” I lit my phone up to see if I can see it on the floor and I may have pulled her knee and was looking on the floor. Her response? “stop raping me’ OMG I could not stop laughing. I think I might have snorted. (ahem a couple times) Yeah…we were those annoying people in the movie. Sorry!

And all I’m going to say about the movie was that the middle was my part because that was where the most shirtlessness took place. The Watson is seriously one of my favorite people.

Friday…

C woke up with this searing pain down his arm so he didn’t go into work. I spent a lot of the day listening to him bitch. I finally bought my own copy of 30 day shred and then we went out for The Watson’s bday.

Seriously one of my favorite people.

I had 3 martinis so I was feeling good. You can tell because my face is red and my eyes look creepy lol

One of C and I just for good measure. He was a sport going out when he was in pain.

Saturday…

We hung the Christmas lights on the house. I would just like to say I don’t like being on the roof of the house. I could just see myself rolling off. I made a new homemade mac & cheese recipe from Real Simple after coming home from Target and the grocery store.

Sunday…

I did a lot of shopping…for myself! I was also fricking Betty Crocker! I made Sarah’s artichoke and spinach lasagna. OMG it was fucking awesome. I <3 her recipes! I also made brownies. Mmmmmm and watched The Holiday.

How was your weekend? Do you have a friend that you always have a good time with?

category: photos, weekend | 2 comments »

#best09 – book

04-12-2009 by rialeilani

I’m participating in Gwen Ball’s Best of 09!

Today’s question:

What book – fiction or non – touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson

I read this book in hours. Seriously hours I couldn’t put it down. I brought it up north with us and the first day we spent relaxing on the beach outside our rented cottage. The weather was warm and I had to keep telling C “stop talking to me I’m reading!’

DSCN0978

This picture was taken after I had finished the book, but it’s where I was when I was reading it. And ok, I might have taken a break to do this,

Tags: #best09, memories category: photos, vacation | 5 comments »

& that's the way life goes