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Anyway, I got the internet working at home, so took advantage of it and call my mom (she's in Lima, Peru) we talked for more than an hour.
Then my good friend Celeste called to make sure we were still going out in the afternoon. I told her that my shower was going to take a little bit longer than usual this time because my hair was so tangled!! I don't know what's up with that. I have very straight hair and it never gets tangled.
Thanks to one of my best purchases I've done lately, a Fekkai shampoo, I got that mess solved in like a second.
So I dressed really casual, old jeans, sneakers and a cardigan and woke her up so we could get ready to hit the city...Washington Dc, in search of some fall foliage that would look nice in pictures = NO SUCH LUCK!
The freaking trees are still green!!.. and, on top of that, was cold as shit!
Because I refuse to unpack my winter garments, (I'm not happy we skipped fall), I had to bear the weather with a casual fall attire.. brrr is all I can say. But at least we finally got to the Jefferson Memorial and made sure we hadn't missed the fall foliage... yet ;)
One of the reasons I haven't unpacked my winter/fall clothes is that I was supposed to had organized my closet already, but with an upcoming trip (Las Vegas) I didn't want to deal with a messy room at my return.
On a bright side, Celeste, the critter and I finally got to Tara Thai for dinner. Food was good as usual, but the cashew chicken arrived cold to our table.
Now I'll just start searching for summer clothes laying around in order to pack for my trip to Las Vegas.
- Location:bedroom
- Mood:busy
- Music:in performance at the white house on the web
Today I skipped the morning routine and decided to sleep late... but the lovely roommate woke me up to ask me for a ride to the dearlership to pick up her car. I had already woken up, actually, but was undecided at that moment on whether to go for another round of sleep or finally get up. The phone call kind of decided my destiny.
Since we were out and about :), we decided to have lunch at Panera. Browsed the mall after the meal and went back home.
Two hours later it was time to go to the gym. A kickboxing class first, and zumba to follow.
The kickboxing class wasn't that bad, I can tell I still have my moves. Zumba on the other hand, still the same songs as sunday, but unfortunately I am unable to follow some steps, they go too quick sometimes. But I have to admit that it is fun when you get some steps memorized and you can "dance" to the rhythm.
After the gym, a stop at the cvs left me so worn out, I haven't had time to organize my bedroom :(
Hope tomorrow is a better day at organizing my room.
- Location:bedroom
- Mood:
happy - Music:Rachel Zoe project on tv
So, what brought me back to this place?
You all know my struggles with my many attempts to diet and losing weight. I get excited for a couple of weeks, and then... I give up!
But not this time (I SWEAR)
I was contemplating on going back to my kickboxing classes, but, as you've probably heard, recession got on my way... damn!
And so now I'm trying to survive on a very limited budget. But you know me, I am very resourceful, so a couple of weeks ago I came across a groupon deal to join a local gym for $15 for 30 days, and so I gave it a try.
What really draw my attention was the many classes that they offer, so I'm trying to go to the most classes I can.
Today I went to the zumba class. Sunday class is very crowded. really crowded. But I managed to find a spot in between a newbie like me and a pro. That class left me very tired, the pace is very intense and I don't know all the steps to the dancing going on. Hopefully I'll catch on.
Afterwards I went to the elliptical machine to burn 200 extra calories so I could eat a tiny, I repeat, tiny granola bar that has 100 calories. But my attempt to diet finished when a friend of mine called to have lunch at a peruvian chicken restaurant.
with soda included... that is not good for a diet, but I figured that chicken is protein, and when you go to the gym you need protein, don't you think?
- Location:condo internet
- Mood:
blah - Music:something from youtube
This came after I saw an episode of the Denise Richards reality show while trying to get up so I could go to work.
At work I ordered a chicken quesadilla, and when I got home that night, what I saw in the mirror was horrible. I blamed it on the quesadilla.
So the very next morning I decided to go on a strick pineapple diet. 3 days of lots of pineapple.
Day 1 and Day 3 I was so hungry, I felt I was going to die. Day 2 I was allowed to have tuna, so it wasn't that bad.
So yesterday and today I can have "normal" food. I did pretty good yesterday. Today I had chocolate cookies :(
But it's ok. I still think I'm making progress. I'm doing the pineapple diet again on sunday.
I love pineapple juice, but to try to make 1 pineapple last all day is hard if I make juice out of it. You only get 1 glass from 1 pineapple.
To give up soda is hard, but so far I'm doing good. The sweets is really hard on me, but I believe that if you have just a little bit everyday won't hurt you... thank god I have a strong will power and can make a bar of chocolate last for a long time if I decide to.
But I now one day I'll be laughing at this, when I'm back in shape.
In few days I'll be going to Foxwoods to go see Gloria in concert, and I now there will be a lot of yummy food involved. I hope I can make it through that weekend without gaining too much weight back.
- Location:bedroom
- Mood:busy
- Music:news on tv
Souvenirs sold at Bongo's Cuban Cafe
Once there, I have the chance to meet most of the other Gloria fans and take pictures.
It was a very fun afternoon, we had the whole restaurant to ourselves and of course we put our energy to good use. We took pictures around the entire restaurant, posed with the bongos near the bar, etc.
But first, I went to sign the Conga Bash poster that would be later sent to Gloria. I was so excited to have made it to the Conga Bash 10 years later!(I love this poster and wish I could buy it right now!)
I guess the idea of the poster was that Gloria was looking in the mirror like looking at the past Conga Bashes :)
the logo was "Que siga la tradicion"
After signing the poster, I went to the dance floor to browse the items that were going for the auction and raffle for a good cause... a donation for "The Gloria Estefan Foundation".
I had my eyes set on 2 items in particular :
A poster signed by Gloria (picture below) and a picture of Gloria and Emilio
And the auction, well, after my little trips everywhere and now that I'd just bought a couple of more tickets for concerts, my poor credit card is more than bleeding... I have no idea how I'm going to pay my credit card bills.
So for the party, we had a lunch buffet from Bongos, which had the staples of the cuban cuisine... Rice and Black beans, Platanos Maduros, BBQ chicken, Shrimp in a sauce that I can't remember the name (but very yummy btw), yuca al mojo de ajo, etc.
And for dessert: flan... and since after everybody had finished eating and was still plenty of dessert left, I went back and helped myself with the bread pudin, which was the other choice for dessert.
Both of them were very yummy. What else is new?
And to end it all : THE CUBAN COFFEE!!
After lunch we went back to the dance floor so we could have the raffle and auction started.
And like I said, I didn't win shit, so I decided to pose with the other item I had my hopes of winning...
With the Bongo's staff (and Pat)... ...and then posing with part of my gang on the patio of the restaurant.
Once the party was over, I went to Bayside for a little shopping. But I couldn't find the Nike store, I'm not sure if they closed it or I missed the store. I thought last time I was there I saw it.
Anyway, we finished the day by going for dinner to the 11th st Diner on Washington Ave.
Location of preference to finish the festivities, I've heard. Also the place where Gloria Estefan filmed her video "I see your smile". We shared some Gloria adventures with the waiter that always serve on the EsteFANS.
We talked about Gloria and he even had a badge for the Conga Bash and everything!
It was definitive a fun fun day!
- Location:hotel lobby
- Mood: happy
So today we started the Conga Bash celebration, and the first of the events was scheduled at 11am at EEI offices.
My day started really early, because even though I attempted to pack in advance for this trip, that didn't happen.
So I found myself with just a few hours to finish packing and maybe get some sleep.
I got home around 11:30pm and proceeded to have dinner (yes, that late), then checked my emails, and while browsing Gloria Estefan's websites I check regularly, I found out that the pre-sale for her upcoming concerts in CT was scheduled for today starting 8am !! #@!!!!
I got excited that she was actually going to give 3 more concerts this year and, at the same time, a little dissapointed that I was going to be missing the presale because I was schedule to land in Miami at around 8:30am!! NO FAIR!!
Arriving at the EEI tour with Gina and her friend Pat
So after half hour of sleep I ended up at the airport just in time to catch my 6am flight. I land in Miami around 8:35am and immediately proceeded to turn my computer on and look for an internet connection. At $5 per half hour of internet use, I finally bought just one pair of tickets front row for the friday concert and with the help of my friend Gina, I headed to the Cardozo Hotel in order to leave my bag and join the group to tour the EEI offices. She helped me by letting the organizers know that I was going to be arriving late and therefore will be missing "the registration".
OMG when I saw the back of her hair near the other fans, I almost fainted. I felt so nervous and sick that I was glad that I only had a small espresso and a little pastry for breakfast (so there was nothing to puke really.. ha ha ha) Then her staff sent us downstairs so we could meet her with more room to ourselves... and so I thought it was a cheap dirty trick, because Gloria was heading the opposite direction so I thought we were not going to be able to see her again, but to my surprise, when we got "downstairs" we found some food from her restaurant and some drinks for us (so sweet of her) and her posing for pictures with all the fans!!
And when my time for my picture came, I almost let her go without saying anything (again), but thankfully, I manage to say more than a couple of words, and at least told her that I was her longtime fan. Everything happened so fast and slow at the same time, that there might be some things that I forgot already, but this time was a big improvement from the last time I saw her.
I even asked her to show me her real height, and she was so gracious to take off her shoe and showed me :) and I AM taller than her, ha! She then blamed on my tennis shoes (yeah right!)
Oh and she said I smelled good (good thing I used the solid perfume before I left home, apparentely those pricey little solid perfumes last forever!!)
At the end, I might not have ended up with a better picture than last time, but at least I manage to kind of introduce myself in a more articulate way, and that, my dear friends, is a BIG improvement.
I love my GLORIA!!!!!
P.S. Almost forgot, we ended up the day with a delicious dinner at a VIP room in Larios and had a lot of fun just hanging around my fellow Conga friends.
Posing with Jean and Rich...
John and Chelsey are a riot... Chelsey was in charge of taking pictures of John, but she managed to dissappear in the moments John needed her the most!
And I found out John enjoyed my "mischievious" behaviour around EEI.. I might do some of the things I was joking about next time -if we have the chance to tour it again ;)
Love David too, he's just so sweet and funny.
Real pleasure to be around people that love Gloria as much as I do.
Suzy managed to deliver the mojitos without dropping anything!!!
- Location:Miami Beach, FL
- Mood: happy
- Music:Gloria Estefan playlist on ipod
So finally the night of the show arrived.
My day started a little too late. Since I forgot my cellphone at home, I had to rely on the shitty alarm clock at the hotel. So after a quick breakfast, I was off to the beach, to enjoy another wonderful day. Same 81 degree weather. And that prevented me to go shopping, which it was a good thing.
And before grabbing a towel from the pool area on my way to the beach, I wanted to check the water temperature first. So I went to the beach with no towel and since the water was much warmer than yesterday, I decided to go back to the hotel to get a couple of those pool towels.
The day was going ok, until it decided to rain for like half an hour, so I went back to the pool to wait until those black clouds were gone. After that I went back for my last stroll on the beach.
Then it was time to get to the Corteo show at the Bicentennial Park. I got there before 7pm, got a soda and some candy and went to find my seat.
And the show started a little after 8pm. The whole hour went faster than on Kooza's.
Then it came the intermission. And for the final part, it also felt like the time flew in there.
The show finished almost at 11pm and after that I bought a couple of souvenirs and went back to the hotel.
It was an amazing show. Mission accomplished!!!
Now, if I could get myself go back to DC without missing my flight on purpose :)
- Location:miami beach
- Mood:
exhausted - Music:lobby music
I'm here in Miami Beach, enjoying some nice warm weather for a change.
It got so cold in Washington Dc, that I planned this quick last trip to Miami so I don't get too depressed. And also to catch one of the last shows of Cirque du Soleil's "CORTEO", which is tomorrow.
So this morning, after like 2 hours of sleep, I decided to finally wake up and get ready to go to the airport wishing I could get into an earlier flight than the one I booked (for 3pm). And my wish got granted, because I got to the AA counter just when they were starting to board for the 7:15am flight, but that flight was so overbooked that I couldn't make it into that one, so they put me on standby for the 8:15am and I got in!
middle seat, of course, because this flight was as well overbooked, but at least I got into Miami 7 hours earlier than expected :)
The only thing that's been bothering me is that I forgot my cellphone at home, not that I really need it when I'm on vacation, but the thing is that I need to call my work on tuesday to make sure that I'll be working on thursday; and, therefore, will be making some money.
Money that I'm spending right now (in MIA). So I am here sitting at the lobby of the surfcomber, going through my cellphone bill in hopes that I'll find that number so I can call tomorrow.
The day at the beach was fun, although the water was a little too cold for me, I went for a swim.
After taking my shower, I relaxed so much watching a rerun episode of "Charmed", that I ended up taking another nap.
Then went for a walk through Lincoln Rd, where it was empty, hardly anybody doing shopping, not a lot of tourists. The decorations got my attention, so I decided to take that little picture, so I could have at least one picture of Day #1, ha ha.
And since this are tough times, I behaved and didn't buy anything in any of the stores, but it was hard to resist, everything is on sale!
Such good prices. But also I can't make my carry-on any bigger, or it won't make it into the plane with me.
I know, it's only like 2 days that I'll be here, because wednesday doesn't count, and I really don't know why my bag is so heavy on me, I didn't bring hardly any clothes with me.
I might go check the other stores on Collins tomorrow, before "Corteo"... I can't wait to go see the show!!!
- Location:Miami Beach
- Mood: happy
- Music:telestereo radio
So our washer died like 2 weeks ago (not even), and we've been acumulating dirty laundry ever since...
And today I was "invited" to join my roommates to go to church, then the laundromat.
After collecting my quaters all over my room, I went to my car to grab one of those mini size 5 load fabric softener from the trunk of my car.
Dumped my pre-sorted laundry (mostly work clothes) on my Victoria Secret laundry/sports bag, grabbed the liquid detergent, and put it in my roommate's trunk.
We made it to church really late, and the church was more than packed, but at least we made it and I guess that counts for something :)
As soon as that finished, we got to the laundromat, and after messing up with the washer door, I realized that the washer I chosed was too large, so I have to hide my clothes back to the bag and switch to the smaller washer (which was much cheaper, only $2.25) and took me a couple of minutes and some help from my friend Celeste to figure out how to load the detergent on it, then fed the machine all the coins I had then it started the washing.
In the meantime, me and Samanta (the 11 year old daughter) started to follow our washing cycles (and some of the other ppl too) and I swear, I saw that the machine next to my friend's had a white bra and a pair of white sneakers in the washing machine, together!!
ha ha ha that is weird.. people washing tennis shoes in a washing machine, with a bra in the same cycle.
I thought none of those items should be washed in a washing machine.
And then Samanta asked me if I was washing underwear as well, I said of course, I'm running low already, so she tried to see if she could spot it being washed, and I tried to cover the little round glass window so nobody could see my underwear, it was fun, and then we tried to kept count how many times we could see them go in front of the glass, and kept hoping that it wont be stuck in front of the window while the spinning cycle started... thank god it didn't happen.
As for the dryer, that is still working at home, so we decided to take our wet clothes back home to get them into our dryer... In part because it was going to get more expensive, but for me, then after you get your clothes out of the dryer, you have to fold them right away, in front of everybody, so I agreed to get them dried at home.
I just hope we get a new washer soon, like for xmas, because I don't know if I can keep going to these places, unloading my clothes in front of everybody...
- Location:home
- Mood: relaxed
- Music:telestereo radio
I had to wake up early this morning, because the Britney Spears concert presale started at 8am.
And I was in charge to buy the ticket for my friend Celeste as well... so I couldn't dissapoint her.
After opening like 10 windows to see which pair of tickets looked better, I had to settle for the ones on the main floor, only problem is that it doesn't show in the actual seating chart, so at this point I'm not even sure that we have assigned seats (even though its supposed to be seats 3 & 4), but they can't be bad seats, because were the most expensive ones... so I'm crossing my fingers :)
After that I decided to do a little taebo, and then buy some more stuff on the internet.
Then we had a nice late lunch, around 4pm my roommates and I had peruvian ceviche :)
We had asked a local peruvian chicken restaurant to make the ceviche for the "loyal" customers, and Beatriz (the owner) agreed to make it just for us. She usually makes other peruvian dishes especially for us, like "arroz con pollo & papa a la huancaina".
But this time she was offering ceviche, and we couldn't resist. And it was worth it.
Then I watched a little TV, and then went to my bedroom to play on the computer a little... when Celeste asked me if I was going to Texas de Brazil for the gathering... I wasn't planning on going, but another co-worker (Tim) was supposed to go, and since we really don't get to hang out with him that much, I agreed to get changed and go.
This was a TDB gathering for the concierge ppl that work at the nearby hotels, and even though I don't work at the front desk at this hotel, I supposed I was considered the plus one, I guess... ha ha
But when we got to the restaurant, there was only one girl in the private room, all by herself, so in a way it was good that I decided to go, to make it look more crowded.
So while we waited for our friend Tim to show up, we ordered some drinks.
My drink of choice? A caipirinha, of course!! to remember good old times when I visited Brazil :)
And I took this picture with my cellphone so I could send it to Tim, and hope to get him to show up faster to the restaurant.
We had a good time with Tim, and we kept eating the chorizos and meat and other stuff that the organizers had prepared for the "crowd".
But we had to settle for just 1 round of drinks, because we had some shopping to do after that, and my friend Celeste was already a little tipsy after her 1st caipirinha. Actually, she's the only one that had 2 drinks and by the end of her mojito she was kind of drunk.
I really couldn't eat that much after the ceviche, and did my best with the appetizers, but now I'm starting to feel that my jeans got tighter!
So I better call it a night.
- Location:home
- Music:inca spirit - elizabeth jenkins
