Paws.Play.Repeat: Give Thanks!

I'm a TURKEY BABY! Another Thanksgiving has passed us and I have been blessed with another BIRTHDAY! Another finger to add to my count of two sets of hands + 6 =)

This birthday was a memorable one. I spent it this year doing the simple things that I love and sharing it with those closest to me over the long weekend. I had dinner at one of the newer San Francisco dining establishments, Boxing Room, with a group of 13 of my closest friends along with two other birthday gals: Laura and Susy. They serve their own Southern Food flair and I am now a fan. We munched on fried gator, oysters, gumbo and fried chicken! And since we were stuffed when it came time for desert I couldn't say if there beignets were on point! Instead I was surprised by my dear friend Sabrina who had baked my very-own mini homemade berry pie all just for me! This was such a lovely touch and I love you Sab for making my day that much more special. I totally wasn't expecting that halfway through figuring out the check. I got me some yummy pie with my very first birthday wish!

The next day on actual Thanksgiving, since I'm a Turkey baby, I not only ate Turkey both the Salvi and traditional American way. I also had Cake and Flan. My new favorite cake is the "Derby Cake" from Mazzetti's Bakery in Pacifica, CA. It has both a strawberry and banana filling with a layer of both Vanilla and Chocolate cake. It's the best of both worlds all in one cake. And because I special requested it, my brother's girlfriend Brenda and fellow November baby made me my very own flan. Which I am still enjoying my leftovers. Afterall, that's what comes after Thanksgiving dinner not only Black Friday. Which I didn't partake in, instead on the itinerary on my actual birthday was: get a haircut, pamper myself at the spa (had my first facial, yay!) along with my mom and sister Aless, and end the night doing my favorite past-time activity: Dancing! I saw Axwell from Swedish House Mafia spin at The Warfield, in what was a nice old theatre backdrop setting to this new explosion of House music. I shared the night with one of my favoritest persons in the whole wide world: my sister Aless who flew in for the holiday. Like someone had commented at the club, they said I was Eva Mendes and she was Penelope Cruz. LOL! I said, that might just be the first latina girls that came to mind that guy could name from the top of his head. Hehe. Though I always do get Eva Mendes as my celeb look-a-like. I gladly take it as a compliment, especially since she's dating my man, Ryan Gosling, what a lucky gal!

So in Thanksgiving fashion I say Give Thanks! Not only on this holiday but everyday. I want to say thanks to everyone who shared my birthday with me, each and every one of you. It didn't start off as my best birthday off the bat. Earlier in my day I was feeling overwhelmed to say the least and also worried. I guess that comes with all birthdays the older you get. It becomes a time of reflection and also recognition for yourself in figuring out who you are and where you're going. Yeah I had my moment, but that quickly went away as I sat down for dinner and gazed around at all these special people in my life come together to share this special moment with me. I finally felt content and at ease seeing everyone smile and in conversation ready to share a good hearty meal together. Not only that but I am happy to say this year has been the fastest year where my birthday wish came true! A couple of weeks ago my grandma in El Salvador had an accident and had been in the hospital awaiting surgery from a broken hip-bone. Ouch! I know. I can't fathom the pain and putting myself in her place, but I know she's a strong women! She's my favorite grandma who also helped raise me until I moved to the United States. I was dead worried about her health because of her old age and the fact that I couldn't be there with her at her side. But I am happy to report that her sugery went well and she's now in recovery. I'm a firm believer of birthday wishes and because of the outcome I am currently in a loving state of mind. I am determined to make this new year a memorable one as I continue on this journey of life and am itching to go visit my grandma and help her with her recovery. These events in life are huge reminders that we must make the best of our time here as we do not live forever. I leave you with this track from the Breaking Dawn soundtrack by married couple and musicians Angus and Julia Stone "Love Will Take You." I saw Breaking Dawn today for the 2nd time, yes I'm a fanatic. It was better the 2nd time around!

Off to bed. Xoxo