Merry Christmas, everyone! It's been a crazy few weeks. Work has been busy and the weekends even busier. Holiday parties, catching up with friends, family, & spending time with David has been keeping me pretty occupied.
I know this is right around the time where everyone starts to talk about their New Year's resolutions. This year, I am going to plan on making only 1 New Years resolution. That is to make goals for every month and do my best to complete all of them.
Only 1 week until 2012. How do I feel about 2011?
It went by really quickly. 24 was a good year. I got my first big-girl job and started really experiencing real-life independently. I'm excited to see what 2012 has to offer.
See you in the new year! :]
» Christmas 2011 ; 121511
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| [ Tree from Christmas 2010 ] |
I was able to experience some pretty big milestones in 2011. I found my first "big girl" job at PCNation, just a few months after I graduated from UIUC. I never dreamed I would be working for an ecommerce company. I started working there just after 2011 started so it's been almost a year since I've worked there as well.
Anyways, I don't feel like this year's Christmas is going to be that special. As the years go by, I realized how far from the true meaning of Christmas that this has turned into. I just want to spend time with my loved family members, spend some time with friends that I don't get to see, and just snuggle with David. :]
This weekend is the beginning of the holiday festivities for me, so I'm sure I'll have a few photo-filled posts soon. I can't wait til this week is over so I can start going to all of my holiday parties... yay!
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» Milwaukee, WI ; 121411
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| [ Downtown Chicago ; 02.2011 ] |
Living near Chicago, I've always held a fascination for smaller cities and I absolutely love quaint towns. I enjoy exploring through the smaller privately-held boutiques, family-run stores, and eating at non-franchised restaurants.
I know Milwaukee isn't that small of a town, but the few times I was able to visit, I fell in love with the small town feel in big city shoes. My first time there was on the weekend of my 24th birthday and MAN, it was cold! David and I got a chance to try out new restaurants, stay in a cozy hotel, and get many opportunities to drink at local distilleries/breweries.
Our 2nd time there, we went to some other places from our 1st visit that we enjoyed. We stayed at a grander hotel, enjoyed the warmer-ish weather, and didn't have to cram all of the activities into just two days. Please enjoy just a few pictures I took over the period of my 2 visits there.
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| [ Downtown Milwaukee ; 04.2011 ] |
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| [ Milwaukee Art Museum ; 2011 ] |
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| [ Milwaukee Art Museum ; 2011 ] |
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| [ Pfister Hotel ; 04.2011 ] |
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| [ Great Lakes Distillery ; 02.2011 ] |
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| [ Miller Brewery ; 02.2011 ] |
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| [ Devon Seafood Grill ; 04.2011 ] |
I can't wait to go back and visit these places and others, such as the Public Market again. I do want to go when the weather is even warmer so I can maybe catch a game. Cubs vs. Brewers? :] I loved walking in Downtown Milwaukee because it reminded me of Chicago, but with less hustle & bustle. Til next time...
» Alt Thai ; 121211
David and I went exploring in downtown Arlington Heights this past weekend and we decided to stop by Alt Thai. We were pleasantly surprised at how delicious everything was! A little bit expensive for Thai food, but the decor & atmosphere made up for it. We ordered some Sapporo to drink during the meal and some Thai Iced Coffee for our way home!
I ordered the Panang Curry, David ordered the Thai Basil Fried Rice, & we shared the Tom Kha soup. Everything was extremely tasty and the spices were met to our modifications. We like to ask for everything "extra spicy" but it is rare that a restaurant will actually do so. I definitely want to go back and try some of their other curries. They have some amazing beer [domestic & imported] specials on Sunday - Thursday so we'll definitely be back.
I ordered the Panang Curry, David ordered the Thai Basil Fried Rice, & we shared the Tom Kha soup. Everything was extremely tasty and the spices were met to our modifications. We like to ask for everything "extra spicy" but it is rare that a restaurant will actually do so. I definitely want to go back and try some of their other curries. They have some amazing beer [domestic & imported] specials on Sunday - Thursday so we'll definitely be back.
» First Snow of December 2011 ; 120911
Today, I walked out of my house to get to work and I saw snow on the ground! Snow has fallen a few times in this month, but today is the first time that it's actually settled & packed on the ground. Winter 2011 is here :] I just wanted to post some pictures of flowers since we're not going to see gorgeous flowers until next year when it's warmer. Happy Holidays, everyone!
» viva la sylvia's familia :]
This is a snapshot from my family's impromptu photo shoot from Thanksgiving 2011. That's my baby brother [most people think he's my older brother but I've got a little over 2 years on him], my mother, my daddy, & myself!
This group of lovely individuals are not people that I chose, but was chosen for me. I thank God everyday for their unwavering love and support. I am blessed to have such a strong family foundation and I hope that when I start my family, I'll be able to provide my children with the same stability that I grew up with.
<3
» December Goals ; 120111
Wow, can you believe it's already December? I've been so busy with work and hanging out with my family/friends that I didn't even get a chance to finish my November Goals post!
31. Donate my clothes. I really want to pare down my closet to the essentials and maybe just a few fun pieces.
30. Visit my brother's girlfriend in the hospital. She was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia and she's been a huge inspiration to me.
29. Lose a little bit more weight. I want to be around 120 pounds. Is that unrealistic?
28. Go to Maxwell Street Market with David on a Sunday. I loved going there during the wintertime.
27. Start a savings account.
26. Do some car shopping for David's new car.
25. Help out at the Praise & Prayer night at FK on 12/02 in preparation for the winter retreat. I can't believe I won't be serving at the youth retreats anymore. It's been a good 8 years though.. :]
24. Finish Christmas shopping!
23. Find a white or red lace dress.
22. Go to my company's holiday party on 12/17.
21. Find a white or cobalt blue blazer.
20. Find a faux fur vest.
19. Find a Fossil Re-Issue Weekender bag
18. Go downtown to the museums. Shedd Aquarium maybe?
17. Go on another snowboarding trip.
16. Find a mini Christmas tree to put up in my apartment. Also, maybe some lights for the balcony.. hmm..
15. I want another puppy!
14. Make a plan where I will pay off my credit cards in the next 3-5 years. I think I can do it in the earlier portion of that time frame, but I want to be realistic.
13. Take family pictures!
12. Visit the newest addition to the family - Margot Kellermann :]
11. Write & send all the Christmas cards before the 2nd weekend of December.
10. Keep up with the blog sale. I have a lot of people that are interested, but never get back to me lol...
9. Read at least 4 books. I have so many but I haven't had the time to sit down and read them.
8. Plan a trip to visit David's mom, brother, & sister in CA! Probably in Feb or March..
7. Have or go to an Ugly Christmas Sweater party
6. Have dinner with friends that I don't get to see that often
5. Try to make lemon raspberry bars.
4. Don't buy any more clothes that are of poor quality.
3. Start doing my QT's more.
2. Go to church.
1. Donate or volunteer at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, etc.
30. Visit my brother's girlfriend in the hospital. She was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia and she's been a huge inspiration to me.
29. Lose a little bit more weight. I want to be around 120 pounds. Is that unrealistic?
28. Go to Maxwell Street Market with David on a Sunday. I loved going there during the wintertime.
27. Start a savings account.
24. Finish Christmas shopping!
23. Find a white or red lace dress.
22. Go to my company's holiday party on 12/17.
21. Find a white or cobalt blue blazer.
20. Find a faux fur vest.
19. Find a Fossil Re-Issue Weekender bag
18. Go downtown to the museums. Shedd Aquarium maybe?
17. Go on another snowboarding trip.
16. Find a mini Christmas tree to put up in my apartment. Also, maybe some lights for the balcony.. hmm..
15. I want another puppy!
14. Make a plan where I will pay off my credit cards in the next 3-5 years. I think I can do it in the earlier portion of that time frame, but I want to be realistic.
12. Visit the newest addition to the family - Margot Kellermann :]
11. Write & send all the Christmas cards before the 2nd weekend of December.
10. Keep up with the blog sale. I have a lot of people that are interested, but never get back to me lol...
9. Read at least 4 books. I have so many but I haven't had the time to sit down and read them.
8. Plan a trip to visit David's mom, brother, & sister in CA! Probably in Feb or March..
7. Have or go to an Ugly Christmas Sweater party
6. Have dinner with friends that I don't get to see that often
5. Try to make lemon raspberry bars.
4. Don't buy any more clothes that are of poor quality.
3. Start doing my QT's more.
2. Go to church.
1. Donate or volunteer at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, etc.
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