Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

This post is long overdue, but nonetheless, still true.

I'm not sure how many of you have this seen this movie, but I enjoyed it for the most part, and in case you haven't, here's the break down:

Once upon a time there was a tiny island called Swallow Falls that was known for its sardines, until one day everyone realized just how nasty sardines taste. Ever since then, Swallow Falls was never the same. In comes our main character, Flint Lockwood.

For his entire childhood, all Flint wanted to do was become an inventor. He was a terrible inventor and never seemed to get anything right. Until one day, he had an idea that would change the town, to convert water into food! It's crazy, I know, but he made it work.

Then every day it would rain food, the mayor became really fat, the food began to mutate into larger portions, some crazy shit went down, this guy turned into a chicken, weird gunk was coming out everywhere, this chick got cut and then got really fat, the camera guy was from Guatemala and was also a doctor and then finally Flint saved the day! It was insane and I got a little confused and distracted halfway through (especially the part where one of the characters becomes a chicken, still don't know how that happened) but it was an entertaining movie.

Anyway! Back to the point of this blog...

One lovely Friday morning, I was taking my usual run around my neighborhood and stumbled upon something unusual: a meatball. There it was, in the middle of the sidewalk, baking in the morning sun. I couldn't believe what was in front of my eyes. It was starting to rain meatballs, just like in the movie! I guess it wasn't a fictional movie after all...

And here's the proof!

Okay, so it was only one meatball, but even still, how does it land in the middle of the sidewalk?

The Beach House

This is a subject that is very near and dear to my heart. I'll miss you Beach House!

Have you ever had a place to go with your friends for the summer? Not just a place, THE place? Our place was my family’s beach house in Capistrano Beach, California in Orange County.

The house was built on Beach Road, a private road in Southern California, in 1956. And ever since it was erected nothing has changed, even the furniture is original. For generations, children, college students, parents and even Catholic nuns got to experience a summer at the house.

After my grandfather, Graziano Campione died in 2005 the house was put up for sale. Fortunately, no one was interested in buying the house and I was able to utilize the house for maximum partying.

The party crew started small and once word got out, it grew to larger numbers. Whether they stayed for the whole week or just an afternoon, they were able to encounter something special with which to take away. What makes this place so incredible is how timeless it is. People who hung out at the house in the 60s will have the same experience as someone who goes there last week. There is only one TV in the house, horrible cell phone reception and no internet. It’s a getaway from the world while still being present. You can wake up every morning to see dolphins swimming in the surf, hang out in the sun all day and catch some waves. Eat when you’re hungry, sleep when you’re tired and drink when you’re thirsty. Time is not important while at the house, you’re on Beach Time.

Late in the afternoon you would play a game of wiffle or catch, and then after you watch the beautiful sun set over the Dana Point Harbor you might sit around the bon fire and roast marshmallows, play the guitar and bond over some drinks. The beach was yours for the taking; we had it all to ourselves. Once you’ve worn yourself out for the day you’d go to bed and wake up the next day and do it again.

This past summer was unfortunately the last time any of us will ever step foot in that house again. Once my grandparents died, it was in the hands of my father and his siblings and they put the house up on the market. The ultimate silver lining, the only positive to come out of the failing economy was preventing our house from being sold immediately, allowing us a brief respite from the inevitable. However, after 5 years of being on the market, someone decided the house would be theirs.

This news was crushing to me and my cousins, as well as the rest of the family and all of my friends. We always thought this house would be with us forever; to take our children there, for them to take their children there. Now we felt our hearts sink, like a family member had died

What hurts the most is what the new owner plans to do: knock down the house. This house was one of the original houses on Beach Road, it sits humbly between two two-story houses. Although it’s small, with its three bedrooms and three bathrooms, it’s able to fit many people comfortably and has a certain charm. It’s not a big imposing house owned by a flashy rich person, it’s a family beach house, perfect for lazy summer days by the beach. And now it’s the end of an era. The house we all knew and loved is gone, leaving behind old memories and future memories of which we dreamt of We will always remember our summers in Capo as the sun sets one last time over the house.

I don't want to lose this. Ever.

Chris Anthony's

I'm in love! I'm in love! I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!

That's right. I'm IN LOVE with Chris Anthony's Hair Salon in Chandler, AZ. I know you all have your favorite salon with your stylist that is "like your therapist", but no one will ever compare to Chris Frederico. Your "therapist" may help you vent your problems and be a good friend to talk with, but you won't get a great cut.

I originally went to Chris Anthony's this past Novemeber, and I was hooked. The entire experience was amazing. He starts off with a consult about what you want him to do to your hair. Whether you want a drastic change or a trim, he listens to what you have to say and describe how it will look. Whats really helpful, is his input. He lets you know what will work and won't do yourself justice. Next he performs a very relaxing shampoo and head massage which makes you forget all about your long day and plans that await you. It's like a mini spa escape. And trust me, you never want it to end.

Next, he does the cut. He really knows how to work the scissors and do whats best for you. Chris has had over 30 years of cutting hair, so he really knows what he's doing. While I was getting my hair cut, he pointed our mistakes that other salons had made on my hair. When it came to my layers, they were all a mess from the previous person cutting my hair. Chris showed me the mistakes that were made and how he plans to fix them. And boy did it make a difference!

After the cut was complete, Chris blow dried my hair and made it look and feel absolutely stunning! The shine was restored, my ends were cleaned up, and I had the va-va-volume that I had been asking for! My hair was very split at the end, dried out and falling flat because of my too long of layers. The floor was covered in my hair, which was a bit nerve wrecking at first until I looked in the mirror and saw that the length was still there!

I left the salon feeling so happy that my hair was finally under control and it was in good hands. I wanted to go out and tell the world about how AMAZING my experience with Chris was. For the first couple of hours after leaving the Chris Anthony's, all I wanted to do was talk about how great my hair was. It really made a difference to me and I felt the need to constantly blab.

If you're looking for a great salon, friendly and experience staff, great prices then Christ Anthony's is the place for you. Even if you're committed with your current hair stylist, you should give Chris Anthony's a chance. It's a great family owned business that makes you feel welcome and valued.

If you'd like to know more about Chris Anthony's Hair Salon, you can check out their website here. www.christanthonys.com

Print out this blog and receive 20% off your first time at Chris Anthony's!

Attack of the Feces!

This is an old article from a few years ago. My mom found the article in the "News of the Weird" section of the paper. While my older brother was on a mini vacation from med school, he came home for a visit. He bought a new desk and was cleaning out his old one and stumbled upon this article...

It's pretty hard to believe that this happened. Not only did this woman shit herself, but she tried to blame it on her students! And, the kicker...the investigators spent 200 hours on this case! 200 hours! Just think about what you could do with 200 hours. That's a little over 8 days, if you worked all day, every day. Absolutely ridiculous. I'm so embarrassed for this woman. And incredibly grossed out. But very humored.

I'm very thankful that I have yet to shit myself, and you should be too :)

Bye bye Blue!

For the past eight months I’ve been working as an intern at Blue Media. Originally when I was presented the opportunity to work here I was a bit hesitant, I wasn’t sure if it would be a good fit, and the fact that I wouldn’t be paid was a major turn off. However, because I didn’t have any other job opportunities, and I know internships are the way to go to get a my foot in the real world so I took the opportunity. Working at this company was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I’ve been very lucky with all of my jobs. Each job that I’ve had has opened up the door for me that would lead me into the next job. The people here have been so incredibly wonderful to work with and I will miss them all so very much. I’ll admit, some days were harder to wake up for than other, but at the end of the day I didn’t have a complaint. I’m very fortunate to have had this opportunity. I will really miss working with you guys!!

Thank you BlueMedia for everything, I had a great experience and a wonderful time being part of your team! I really enjoyed working with everyone and getting to know each and every one of you! You guys made me feel very welcome from the first day I started. This really is a great company to work for and to be a part of.

And thank you for my sweet parting gifts, I love them! :)

Happy Mother's Day!!

I just want to post to the whole world about how much I LOVE my mother! Thank you for everything you do for me Mom, I love you so much and appreciate it all! I know we have our differences and I feel that you may be a bit crazy, but I know it's only because you love me and are looking out for my best interests. You're the best mom I could ever ask for! Happy Mother's Day!!

Elephants!

This is my at the Phoenix Zoo last year with an elephant named Sheena. She is absolutely adorable! In case you didn't know, elephants are my favorite animal. Ever since I was a little girl I had a stuffed animal elephant and I took that thing everywhere with me! I still have him to this very day.

I recently saw this video that a friend of mine posted on Facebook and I snagged it from her. It is just too sweet not to watch. I think elephants are such fascinating animals on all levels (come on, they can paint for goodness sake!). I would love to have a mini elephant to have as a pet. Come on scientists, make it happen! You can do it with pigs, why not with elephants too?!

The video is just under three minutes and leaves you wanting more! Enjoy :)




Now who doesn't want one after watching this?!