30th birthday dinner at C&0

So I had my birthday dinner at C&O with my high school friends, as we traditionally do. It is one of the marathon of food dates that I have in order to celebrate my 30th birthday. On Monday, 10/29, we are having dinner with my parents, and my sisters. I am also off that day, and Norm will meet me for lunch. On 11/04, Cheryl Pash will take me out to Daily Grill and on 11/11, Sherry and Andy are meeting us to celebrate our birthdays.

C&O was fun as I expected. That place is always realiable - the food is always delicious and the ambiance, just right. It was nice to see everyone again. I don't often see my friends, especially with everyone so busy.

Maria had gotten her old job back at Northtrop - she said she is happy, so I am happy for her. Jan wants to further her career as a Financial Analyst. Donna and John were jokingly telling us, that she was pregnant (ha! ha! very funny)

As for me, I am happy. For now, I am content. I am blessed with a good job and a company that is supportive of what I do and what I want to become. I am blessed with a wonderful husband who believes in me and who adores me, even when at times I don't deserve it. I am blessed with a family, who is sometimes flawed (who isn't?), but most times, love me with no conditions - that is all I ask for.

At 30, I have done many things that I look back on with fondness, memories worth smiling about, lessons learned (some with shame, others with pride). At 30, I look forward to a bright future with unknown possibilities. At 30, sky is still the limit, and that's great.

I yearn for things, sure, I yearn for things. I yearn for certain life changes that I can't purchase with money....the things I yearn, I can't get by jumping off a plane, getting a tatoo, or doing something crazy.

Those things I yearn, will come to me, and fill my heart, in due time. In due time....For now, I must patiently wait.

So Cal Fires....sad

Hot Santa Ana winds continued to gust in from the deserts at up to 65 mph (105 kph) on Tuesday and high wind warnings remained in effect for most of the region until Wednesday afternoon.

More than 300,000 acres have burned, an area about twice the size of Chicago, stretching fire crews and state emergency services to their limits. But federal authorities said the emergency response was well under control.

Our smart puppy...

http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/clickfrancia/?action=view&current=e509279e.flv

I am ready....

Bday Celebration at C&0

I always celebrate my birthday with my high school friends. I can't believe, we are all still friends after all these years. Somewhat, we are all still the same girls that met over a decade ago. There were changes, but we have morphed into a version of ourselves affected by time, circumstances and lessons learned.

Please join me for some yummy dinner, refreshing sangria, and a wonderful night out with friends, to celebrate my 30th birthday. Come hungry!

Where: C&O La Tratoria [there's 2 C&O's on the same street - go to the original C&O, which is closer to the beach]

When: October 27, 2007 (Saturday)
Website: http://cotrattoria.com/
Time; 6: 45 PM
Address: 31 Washington Boulevard, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, at the Venice Pier.

http://www.cotrattoria.com/

I love this place. I probably have been here two dozen times. There is something comforting about an old world restaurant, garlic bread, and waiters singing "That's Amore!"

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pieThat's amoreWhen the world seems to shine like you've had too much wineThat's amoreBells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-lingAnd you'll sing "Vita Bella"Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tayLike a gay tarantella

Turning 30..

Today, I am feeling gloomy amidst the tower of paperwork piled messily on top of my desk. I am turning 30 on the 29th - I wonder if that's the reason for the gloomy mood. I can't even believe I am saying that - I am turning 30.

Despite all the goals I had accomplished, or thought I was supposed to accomplish, I suddenly began to question prior decisions and worry about those I have yet to make. What if I made the wrong choices, which could all deviate the way my life was supposed to be?

With 30 staring me down, what road would I take next? At this milestone, was I truly where I wanted to be and doing what I wanted to do?

Saw this article on the internet.....Ten Things One Must Do Before Turning 30

1. Drive a wickedly cool car, even if you have to rent it. [I haven't done this]

2. Date against type. Better yet, date somebody "dangerous." [Done]

3. See the world. [Not Quite]

4. Live in a cool place. [Nope]

5. If you're going to drink a lot, do it when you're young. [DONE!]

6. Take risks with your job. [Nope!]

7. Do something physically adventurous. And do it OUTSIDE! [Done!]

8. Take your parents to dinner. [Done!]

9. Do volunteer work. [Done!]

10. Use this decade to go to extremes. Climb the tallest mountain you can find. Picnic at midnight. Learn to sail. Talk to strangers. Road trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Take a midnight drive to the beach -– then stick around for dawn. [Not yet]