TWO-THOUSAND & ELEVEN

I guess that the project I made up on my own is a little bit of every project that I've seen (so far).

For the next 365 days of the year, I've decided to share a picture focused on a person (or even a group of people) who've impacted my day and have given me a reason to smile. Because at the end of the day, I know that it's because of these people that I'm able to get through each day.

Day 195 & 196, July 14/15 - Rivera’s 

My family is quite the crazy one. We planned ahead that we’d watch the final Harry Potter together because it’s a summer tradition and this time, we decided to do the midnight premiere. My sister and I got to SF at 7am and we all took a nap before we officially started the day. We got ready and finalized our outifts, waited for Jae, then took the Muni to Powell. Picked up some pizza for food, then walked to Metreon. We got there at the right time! So, we waited from 4pm-9pm to get in the theater. They called us at around 9pm to go inside and we waited three more hours until the movie. Once it came on, the theater got quiet unless it was time to laugh/cry/etc. I love theaters that react ;) Gahd, Voldemort had me laughing. Plus, sitting next to Ate Danni is a guaranteed fun time. We stayed until the credits were over, walked to get picked up, then had a final photoshoot of all of us/houses/dueling. <3 Crazy family. Headed to bed by 4am.

Next day, I woke up by 11am. Ate breakfast, got ready for 230pm, but my parents didn’t even get there til later. KFC, then off to Serramonte. Decided to just eat at Crab Shack, then after we went to Ate Joejoe’s house. Bought ice cream and two dozens of donuts.. Fatass family. :’D Then, headed home around 1030pm.

Reason to smile: A very active two days with my family. Always something big has to be done with them every summer. <3

Day 194, July 13 - Bradley Allen Maas Espinoza 

It’s been three years since we’ve talked. He was probably the first guy who held such importance to me - well, besides my dad and family men of course. First and foremost, he was my first real guy best friend and boyfriend. But, high school separated us and we just went our own ways. Out of the thirty-one other classmates, he’s the one I rarely bump into. Until I saw him on Facebook, it’s funny how much he hasn’t really changed. It seems as though he’s the same gentleman, but troublemaker all in one.

Reason to smile: Funny how one old friend can bring up a million thoughts. But, being able to talk to this homie after so long was nice. It makes me feel like a little girl again, stuck in middle school, which reminds me of all the funny & happy moments at SBS. When in reality, I’m already looking into my last year of high school. =/ As cliche as this may sound, time really does fly by fast.

Day 193, July 12 - Eljae Mejia Nisperos  

I don’t feel like really elaborating on this one today.

Reason to smile: We both grew up. Ta-effin’-da! :)

Day 191, July 10 - Christine Puentes 

My day was spent mostly at home with the family. I watched the Harry Potter marathon until we headed over to Jessica’s. Once we got to Jessica’s, we just chilled until dinner time. Pad Thai, mmmm <3 After that all I really remember is sitting in the circle reminiscing about the ten years we’ve been together. Then, I played Apples to Apples with Jess, Michael, Sean, and Ryan. Later on, we just all played Charades with Taboo (sp?). I came home and I had myself one of the greatest conversations with Ms. Christine Puentes. :)

Reason to smile: It’s so weird on similar we are, yet so different. Love that girl.

Day 190, July 9 - Choir kids

I loooooved today :) Not only did I get to finally see my cousins after a gazillion years, but I felt like I was finally with the whole group of kids. See, we usually disperse into our usual groups and enjoy our gatherings divided. Somehow, tonight’s was different. We were playing Killer 2, then discussing our date together on the 30th (which I really do hope falls through <3). I love parties where you just play games and take yourselves away from technology & gossiping. After playing Killer 2, we tried Telephone to Questions Only to Signs. <3 I guess you just had to be there to understand what a great night it was.

Reason(s) to smile:
1. Duh, I was with my 2nd fam.
2. Every moment with them reminds me how blessed I am to call these individuals another family.
3. Desi found a new connection for me: Miss Pauline Gutierrez. <3 I think this is the first time we’ve actually found something to relate on, short limbs. It was quite amusing.
4. 30th 30th 30th.. Please make it happen, homies.
5. I love laughing, so this whole night just made me smile. :’)

Day 189, July 8 - My Girls 

I owe that Friday to my girls. <3 From it being my sister to my number one best friend to the sisters I’ve held to my heart for ten years. It’s always hard trying to figure out who are the ones really down for you, but I’m beyond blessed to have wonderful ladies in my life. I spent the first half of my day at the gym with my sister and then grabbing boba/a movie. We met up with Abs, then headed to my house before going to Pauline and Katrin’s birthday party :) All I really remember is just laughing so much with Erika, Abby, Felicia, Jess, and Cay.

Reason to smile:It was a good summer night, chilling in the gazebo with music playing.

Day 188, July 7 - Ben & Christine 

So, I wasn’t expecting to do anything besides hitting the gym until both of these niggas hit me up. It was slightly confusing since neither of them were communicating with watch other, in regards to the plan. But, I ended up picking up Christine and headed to my house. So, I rushed to shower and we headed to the whore’s house. We chilled and then things got frustrating -_- So, it was a bit awkward until he apologized for being a douche. Haha jk best. But, we went to get them food and I dropped them back off at Christine’s. :)

Reason to smile: Throughout summer, I have to say that it’s these two people that I’ve grown so much in a friendship with.

Day 187, July 6 - Erika’s Cotillion Court  

I had an early morning today -_____-” Thanks to the whore, chilled, then I was off to cotillion practice. I didn’t realize that I was following Hillary on the ride there and Nick/Christian hella popped up from the roof <3 I miss ze Callantas. So, we got there and we ended up chilling for awhile. I don’t even remember what happened a majority of the time, but I just remember laughing a lot. Then, there was playing old hand games with Nick, Erika, and Jomar. <3 Finishing the waltz, messing with Jason, Ronell being a darn whore, bonding with Hills & Nick, talking about dresses/photoshoot, and etc. I can’t wait to see what the final product ends up like. It already feels amazing. :’)

Reason to smile: I’ve only been in two cotillions, but I really love the group that Erika put together. We all mesh together and that’s something that you could only hope for when dealing with a court. Things can get pretty funny, but we still get our shit done. Yeeee :)

Day 186, July 5 - Christine’s Party People

I decided to skip yesterday.

Anywho, look at the people I spent my day with. <3 It was last minute, but I wanted to go because I’ve missed Christine, Kathleen, Rachel, Alison, and even Daniel. I went to the gym with sis, then after a small frustration we picked some salad up for lunch. Healthy life zoe! Ate, then rushed getting ready. Headed over to get my bangs trimmed. It’s something a bit different, but still feels the same. So, after I went to Rachel’s, waited for Daniel, then we picked up Kae. Ah, all the people I missed in one car. <3 Sat around and ate. Caught up with mamas, then we decided to go on the slip & slide. T’was cool. Changed, then ate. Talked & ended it off with cotillions. It was a really nice night.

Reason to smile: I like where I’m at right now. While we were in Christine’s room, we were discussing our favorite high school years and I’m so glad that I grew up and changed. I see myself as someone so different from last year and especially, freshman year. I’ve surrounded myself with loads of new people and kept a small amount of the old. It’s just been such a reflecting day.

Day 184, July 3 - My Nephews 

Well.. I’d have to say my night with the choir was a wonderful one as well, but I gotta give it to the boys who mean the world to me since I don’t even see them as much. :’)

They last minute decided to come over because they really wanted to swim and ironically, we were having the choir come over. I answer the door and I see my three favorite boys walking in with loads of energy & happiness. They were so excited to swim that they just got in there. So, I ended up swimming earlier than I anticipated just to take care of my nephews. <3 Especially, little Tad.. I held onto him a majority of the time. Oh my, he almost drowned until I jumped into save him. Ma baaaaaaaaaaaby :’( But, yeah. They even got along with the other boys in the choir. Then, I gave Lily my Hello Kitty plush doll. <3

Reason to smile: They are what I could hope for when I have kids, but for now I’m enjoying just being a Tita Ate to them. <3