The year is ending: My 2010 Highlights

Here is a list of my 2010 HIGHLIGHTS. Hard to believe another year has gone by but much was accomplished. I'm cheerful and optimistic to see what 2011 will bring for me =)

1. The welcoming of Manuelito Jr. Ortiz into my family at the beginning of the year. And all the baby's that followed including: Hannah "Banana" Jean Wong and Serena Eva Guzman!

2.Witnessing Landon Donovan's game-winning, tournament-saving goal in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in the US vs. Algeria match. This goal was felt across the US as fans cheered him on with LOVE and PASSION for the game. This was the exact game which lead the US to the Round of 16 and named the US winners of GROUP C, ahead of England!
(Later in the summer I got to see Donovan play live in a L.A. Galaxy vs. Real Madrid game at the Rosebowl in Pasadena, CA )

With only less than 3 minutes left on the clock past the 45 minute mark. Donovan makes the goal with Spanish commentator Andres Cantor commentating in the background:

For the next World Cup 2014 in Brazil, I will be 28 years old! Eek.

3. My snippet in the UK Daily Mail next to Manchester United and England Football player, Wayne Rooney. This was for my second VEGAS trip this year where I went to celebrate Amar's Bachelor Party with all our London Town friends. This was also right after the World Cup where England didn't do sooo well, more like a stinker, but nonetheless he was a cool chill-back Lad!

Photo from the VERY-WELL hidden Paparazzi at the Wynn Pool

4. The SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS winning the Pennant and being named the 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS, while I was half way across the globe from home in Amsterdam, the Netherlands!

When in Dam do as the Dutch. HEINY's all the way!

The venue: Players in the Red Light District

Timmy's excellent pitching that night of Game 5

Group shot.

Susy repping the very-fitting in Dam "Let Timmy Smoke" and me Wilson "Fear the Beard"

The pitch that sealed the deal and crowned us WORLD CHAMPS!

Celebratory shots. SOOOO ECSTATIC!

GIANTS fans in DAM

While back home, the Parade of the Year followed and I missed it. Still PROUD to be a San Franciscan and part of history!

5. Taking my 1st EUROTRIP and falling in love with Paris and Barcelona

PARIS

 Vespa riding in the streets of Paris

 Flashing Lights: La Tour Eiffel at night

 Very small but amazing architecture of the Notre Dame with the Seine River

 Celebrating my brother Raf's Birthday in Paris with Travie McCoy

Until we meet again, Paris Je t'aime, a la prochain

BARCELONA

 Playa Barceloneta

 Lunch along the beach with some great seafood @Xup Xup

 Barca Tag which can be seen all around the streets. "La Belleza es tu Cabeza, pero lo Bello no es tu Cabello"

 No vacation is complete without a visit to the beach

 Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia

 Antoni Gaudi's: Casa Batllo

6. Visiting Camp Nou in Barcelona for my first live FC Barcelona match vs. A.D. Ceuta and watching Football's golden boy: Lionel Messi play.

Camp Nou nice to finally meet

So happy to be in Barca's Stadium and their teams presence w/my roomie Kat

Barca's Golden Boot recipient: Lionel Messi

7. SKYDIVING for my 25th Birthday. Quarter Century.

8. Becoming an American =) After 22 long years in this country. 



Quarter Century Old!

Hello Blog and my fellow readers.

It's THANKSGIVING day 11.25.2010. and to those who don't know, MY BIRTHDAY! I am officially A Quarter Century Old. I have caught up to my friends and no longer a youngin' but a little closer to 30. EEEk... It doesn't really scare me I know I'm ready to take on another year.

As today is the day to show your appreciation and give thanks. I AM THANKFUL for my Family, Friends, my foes, haha yes those too, and the opportunity to be blessed with another year ahead. Which I know will be a promising one. As I have done in reaching the goals I had set forth for myself in 2010, the majority of them I've made happen. I know 25 will bring me bigger goals to accomplish. Including bigger travel plans, revisiting places that are dear to my heart here and far away, seeing my family who I don't see on the regular because of the distance that separates us. And maybe a shift of work, school, and city for the coming year. I have my gears rolling and everything just deserves patience and effective planning to make them happen.

#WhatI'mThankfulFor

1. I'm thankful to GOD for blessing me with another breathing year.
2. I'm thankful for my HEALTH. And not getting sick while travelling in Europe at the beginning of the month nor getting sick but ONCE throughout the year with a cold. 
3. I'm thankful for my FAMILY. Even though we have had our ups and downs I realized you have molded me into who I am today and I'm thankful for teaching me life's lessons. Thank You MAMI!
4. I'm thankful for my little SISTERS, who aren't so little anymore. You influence me everyday with your constant growth and remind me what it is to be YOUNG.
5. I'm thankful for my BIG BROTHER for always having my back and allowing me in your life as we grow-up together no matter what the situation is. I am grateful to have taken our first EUROTRIP together and I'm ready to plan the next!
6. I'm thankful for my BEST FRIEND for teaching me and reminding me constantly of my strengths and not letting me fall down when I don't believe I have any. 
7. I'm thankful for the constant support of my FRIENDS. The ones I can count on one hand who always reserve a small space of their heart to hear me out whenever I need advice and whenever I get the chance to offer you SMILES. 
8. I'm thankful for my JOB and the continuos growth I've experienced to help me find out where I want to head next. And to the many friendships I've created under that dome. 
9. I'm thankful for my dancing FEET as I have done enough justice in dancing this past year and will continue to do so as long as I live. 
10. I'm thankful to the SF GIANTS (Esp. Timmy, Posey, Wilson "The Beard," Uribe, Renteria) for bringing in the Trophy and title of WORLD CHAMPS to all your FANS here in the CITY BY THE BAY that I proudly love. BLACK & ORANGE! Let's do it again next year!

the list can go on...but above all I'm thankful for having this space as an outlet to share with you the rare times I get to write about me and my adventures. As I know they are a reminder to all I've accomplished and the things that amuse and interest me from fashion, shoes, food, travel. I'm inspired to continue writing as I see the world through the eyes of those on the internet, who share some of the same passions as me. THANK YOU today and EVERYDAY!

xoxo

-Melissa 

Hilly SF

Whenever there's SUNSHINE in SF that means put on your best gear and enjoy the outdoors because it's a rare occasion in this lovely city of mine. With so many national landmarks and beautiful architecture around us it doesn't hurt to be a tourist for a day.  It's nice to re-visit what makes SF one of the most visited cities in the US. So in celebration I played tourist for a day with all my siblings and my 2 year-old cousin, who is a little Tasmanian devil. Turned out to be a great family outing.

 

Lunchtime at La Boulange in N. Beach

Open Faced Turkey + Bacon Sandwich

Nicoise Salad

 

A visit to N. Beach is never complete without stopping for some GELATO

 

My cousin Linda ran to me when she spotted me at the corner of the intersection, it was sooo cute, something straight out of a movie moment caught right there =)

 

TEAM JACOB ALL THE WAY!

 

  

 (My Outfit for the day: Sheer H&M Blouse, Stripe Bandeau Bra Top, H&M Denim Shorts, Steve Madden Sandals, Betsey Johnson Cross-body bag (this bag has been with me everywhere/one of my best purchases ever.)

All Photos Credited to: K. Ortiz (My Photographer)

Blog I apologize

I've been M.I.A. once again from my blog. Sorry to those who follow me. I need to put more dedication into my blog and WRITING in general. In between trying to plan for my EURO TRIP this Fall 2010 and my daily responsibilities I have put my blog on the BACK BURNER...burn.... But here is to me biting my tongue, taking back my words and getting back to blogging.

Peace.

Mel

Barney's Warehouse Sale

My recent trip to the Barney's Warehouse Sale here in San Francisco. It was a very hit or miss kind of bargain shopping. I did find two pairs of shoes I really wanted to take home with me that day. But I instead opted out, since my wallet wouldn't be sooo happy and it wasn't much of a "Sale." I still got a cute DVF bathing suit + J Brand jeans. Which I got to wear out in LA this past weekend. =) 

I spontaneously bought an airplane ticket last minute to LA and "MADE IT HAPPEN!" The occasion was I went to go see Real Madrid vs. LA Galaxy international friendly game at the Rosebowl in Pasadena (Pictures to follow). It is a rare ocassion that International Futbol (not SOCCER) players come to the states, and I got to see the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xavi Alonso, Higuain, and Landon Donovan all on the same field. Fresh off their World Cup 2010 gig. As you can see I am big on Futbol and hot men like them. Hehe. Plus I got to lounge by the pool all weekend with my LA gals who I dearly missed a lot. I hadn't seen them since March I want to say. I realized I need to take more trips like these. Last minute affairs always make for some of the best memories and I always have a place to stay. I even surprised my bff Cecy, when I text her I'm in SoCal bitch! LOL. I always leave a little piece of me behind every time I visit LA LA Land =)

Excited to see what's in store

Unfortunately, they lacked in the handbag department

A. Wang Jacket. Preferred the shorter-version of this

Shoe section was a must

In love with these Lilac Louboutins

Sooo Hot and Comfy too! Dreaming til I get my first pair of Louboutins!

Co-Op Over the Knee Leather Boots

Felt sooo Edgy and Motorcycle-Chic wearing these!

Back View...It's rare I find shoes in my size!

Alaia Studded Booties. Too bad they weren't the right size =(

Gasp! These Fendi Heels (from my previous post) were just adorable, but none in my size! I still had to try them on!

At the checkout counter the guy checking bags joked, "My number is at the bottom of the receipt." LOL. Yeah sorry not interested buddy! Still made me laugh though. Hahaha

My purchases: (DVF Leopard Bikini + Henry Duarte for JBrand Jeans) Also pictured are some other recent purchases: (Topshop Wisteria Wedges + Miss Sixty "Harper" Boots) 

****UPDATE Now I wish I would've bought the Co-Op Over the Knee boots =(

Check them out here