I turned 30!

On November 14th I turned the big 3-0!! Because 30 is the last, big, milestone birthday I'll be having for a while (10 years?) I decided to go big. I forced 5 friends to go to Sayulita, Mexico (my favorite place)  with me for an entire week to ring in my new decade.

My birthday was on a Monday, but Sunday night at midnight we rang in my birthday with beers by our private pool and swimming and some super cute 3 and 0 sparklers Beth brought from home and the happy birthday song, of course!

Monday morning we made breakfast at the house (beans, rice, peppers & onions with runny eggs and Cotija and avocados on top and fried plantains on the side with coffee, yum!) and all ate together at our outdoor table. It was kind of cloudy that day but still really warm and I wanted to go to Secret Beach (AKA Playa Los Muertos) which is basically my favorite place that exists and I wanted to swim in the ocean and since it was my birthday everyone was on board with whatever I wanted to do which was the best. So, we grabbed some beers and towels and books walked to Secret Beach to spend a few hours playing in the waves, climbing rocks, reading books and buying more beers for 15 pesos from the pop-up beach bar.

^^Walking to the beach on my birthday^^

 ^^Me on my 30th birthday on a rock at Playa Los Muertos, Sayulita, Mexico^^

 ^^Pt. 2^^

^^Beth getting surprised by a giant wave^^

 ^^Josh in the ocean at secret beach^^

^^Holaaaaa! I'm on top of the world!^^

When Beth and I were swimming in the ocean at Secret Beach we kept seeing all these little bubbles in the water and we got totally freaked out. Turns out they were schools of little fish swimming up to us and then jumping out of the water to feed/try and eat us (obviously). It was borderline terrifying but also the funniest thing ever. We floated in the waves and laughed for like an hour and it was the best. It was exactly what I wanted to be doing on my 30th birthday.

When we started to get hungry the girls minus Katie (Me, Beth, Emily and Kylee) walked into town to The Real Fish Taco to get octopus tacos, margaritas and guacamole for lunch at my request.

^^Birthday Octopus Tacos, marg and guac^^

After lunch we went back to the house to hang out for a little while and then eventually shower and get ready for the evening. Before heading down to watch the sunset from the beach, all the ladies took a shot of tequila and Josh took a picture of our shot of tequila (thx Josh!!).

^^corralejo shots for the ladies on my bday^^

We rented a big, beautiful house for my birthday complete with a private pool(!!) which was so amazing. It was a block and a half from the beach too, which was great. Every evening while we were there we would grab beers from the fridge, walk down to the beach and watch the amazing sunsets. On the night of my birthday (which was also the night of the Super Moon!!) we walked down to watch the sunset and saw a crowd of people. We obviously walked over to investigate and we found that a nest of baby sea turtles had just hatched and were making their way to the ocean! BABY SEA TURTS AND I SHARED A BIRTHDAY BECUASE OF THE SUPERMOON AND IT WAS THE MOST MAGICAL THING! And because of the crowd of people surrounding them, none of them were eaten by birds and they all made it to the ocean and I feel like I have a v special connection with them. XO baby turts!

 ^^I was SO EXCITED to see the baby sea turtles^^

 ^^Go baby turts, go!^^

^^Look at how presh they are!^^

After all the baby sea turts made it to the ocean we settled in on a blanket to watch the sun set. Because it had been cloudy all day the sunset was gorgeous!

 ^^Transport me back here, please?^^

 ^^Sayulita birthday sunset^^

 ^^beach babe selfie (terrible)^^

 ^^Best friend, me, best friend in law^^

^^The Chicas!^^

After the beach there was more tequila and a speaker phone call to my parents (thanks for giving birth to me, but Katie has just poured me another shot of tequila, so I have to go, LOVEYOUBYE!!) and another tequila shot for the chicas!! And then there were street tacos that cost like $3 total for all 6 of us and were sooooo delicious (shot out to Kylee for taking us there) and more shots and this CRAZY "shot" that my "friends" got for me that was on fire and poured over a bunch of glasses that cascaded down into a bowl and the bartender threw this sand stuff at it which made it spark and the fire go crazy while everyone in Mexico sang happy birthday to me with the lights out in this random bar, and then I drank the shot through a straw and it was giant and hot and sooo strong and then I was drunk.

 ^^Shot #2 for the chicas^^

^^Birthday selfie with Beth^^

After we finished our amazing tacos and I finished my bowl of warm fire water we went to the swing bar to sit on swings and drink more (WHY?) and be warm outside in the middle of the night in November, because Mexico!! It was so good! Kylee also walked down the street and got us churros from the churro stand to share which was perfect. Fresh churros! Birthday goals, you guys!

^^Swing Bar^^ 

^^chicas on a swing^^ 

When we decided to move on from the swing bar, we said goodnight to Josh and Katie who were a little drunk and tired. Beth, Emily, Kylee and I then went to Don Pedros which was hosting a salsa night. Don Pedros was right on the beach which was great and when we got tired of watching the salsa dancing and taking a million terrible selfies we walked onto the sand and finished our beers next to the ocean.

^^Super sober, obvi^^

At that point we were all fairly sloshed and tired so we started walking home. Beth and I spotted a taco stand, so knowing it would help our hangovers the next day, we grabbed tacos to eat back at the house. Then, about 10 steps later, we drop the tacos on the street. Again, super sober. So we go back, get more tacos, eat them sitting on the ground on the side of the road, walk home, chug water, probably drunk text anyone who will pay attention to us since we finally have internet and pass the fuck out.

^^Street tacos on the street, which puts my birthday taco tally up to 3X!!^^

Miraculously my hangover the next day wasn't even terrible. Mexico, you so good to me! xo

It was everything I'd hoped and dreamed for my 30th birthday and I'm so thankful to all of the people who flew to a different country to celebrate with me for a whole week. Friend goals, birthday goals, and motherfucking life goals... am I right?!

Cheers to 30 years, babes!

Cheers to 28 Years!

^^Blurry birthday bar pic + dance moves^^

Well, I’m 28 now. I’m officially in my late 20s. That happened.

Last Friday was my birthday. Friday birthdays are awesome. Dustin made me a breakfast sandwich and had it waiting for me when I woke up, my boss Trisha and my coworker Becky took me to coffee, Dustin gave me treats to take to the office, I got flowers and cards and more treats, I ate a quesadilla with guacamole for lunch and I got to leave work a little early for some acupuncture.

Dustin and I had birthday dinner at Delancy which I’d been dying to try. Of course there was a wait, so we went to the adjoining cocktail bar, Essex, for a drink and some duck fat potatoes which I wanted to eat a million of. For dinner we shared a delicious sausage pizza with the brightest, tastiest tomato sauce. It was good.

After dinner we met some friends at Ed’s Kort Hause, which is this really dive-y bar on Phinney Ridge that smells weird and has a jukebox serves exotic meat burgers and it’s kind of amazing. I could say so many things about the owner/bartender, Ed, who served me a birthday shot of his “finest tequila” which tasted and smelled exactly like Monarch. Ew. We had a good time there, though. We always do (ex: Dustin and I stopped there for a drink the night of our first date, we celebrated NYE 2012-13 there, Ed Jr. once bought us drinks, etc.).

I spent a good amount of Saturday nursing a hangover. Cheers to getting older. Cheers to 28 years!

Birthday Week

It’s my birthday week! I might be the only person who has been celebrating my birthday week, but it’s been a good one so far, so I’m just going with it.

Saturday: my cousin Tad and his girlfriend Kelsey came up for a visit. I met them at their hotel downtown Seattle and we went to see the Gum Wall before wandering into Pike Brewing Company for a beer. We spent the rest of the evening watching some football with friends, catching up and talking about cats.

Sunday: I roasted a chicken:

And then I made Bhan Mis with the chicken I just roasted:

My Banh Mi recipe: 

• Crusty bread (I used baguette)
• Spread on some Sriracha mayo (I do 2 parts mayo to 1 part Sriracha – I don’t like spicy or mayo but this is my favorite, don’t skip on this part)
• Layer on some chicken,
• Pickled carrots,
• Red onion, and
• Cilantro.

So good!

I also made stock with the chicken carcass.  Pro tip: if you make stock in your crock pot, and you accidentally leave it on high for like 13 hours, the stock will be incredibly rich. I wasn’t disappointed.

Monday: Monday was super normal. I worked, I went to Zumba, you know, the usual.

Tuesday: I went to Katie’s house after work for dinner and we ended up booking flights to Ecuador(!!!!!!!!!) to visit Katie’s dad for Christmas! Happy early birthday to meeee!

Tuesday was a high this week for sure. There’s just something about draining your bank account on a flight (OMG I can’t believe I did that) that really puts you in a great mood.

Wednesday: I went to Zumba after work and my Zumba teacher made me the Zumba birthday princess. It was so fun. My neighbor/Zumba friend brought cupcakes too and we danced to Luke – It’s Your Birthday.

 
After Zumba I ran to Acupuncture (like straight from Zumba, ew). Have we talked about Acupuncture yet? It’s seriously like some sort of miracle cure for everything. Last night I was having some sinus issues + allergies for literally almost a year straight, so my Acupuncturist put needles straight in my face. I was legit cat status. But you know what, it helped.

^^red faced from my fitnesssss #dontjudgeme^^

Thursday: And then there is today. My last day of 27. Nothing amazing has happened yet, but Dustin is supposed to make me dinner tonight so there’s that!

I have dinner and drink plans tomorrow night and I’m looking forward to that, mostly because calories don’t count on your birthday. Or do they when you get into your late twenties and your metabolism starts slowing down? I’ll have to consult someone older than me and I’ll get back to you on that one! Ha. Also, late twenties… YIKES! I guess that’s happening tomorrow… Sooo…

Hood River for Marissa's Birthday

 

Two weekends ago I drove back to Hood River to celebrate Marissa's birthday. I missed it last year because I was studying for the bar/living at the law library/generally hating my life, and I promised her then that I would be there to celebrate this year.

I drove down on Saturday morning, which, by the way, is far less traffic-y than driving down on a Friday night. I would highly recommend it. When I got into town it was absolutely beautiful outside, so I decided to play third wheel and I tagged along with Josh and Sarah (and Kiva and Lala) on a min-adventure to Mosier to visit Josh's dad.

 Sarah and I in Mosier

 

 LaLa and I (OMG I made friends with a dog!)

 

After Mosier, the three of us headed back into Hood River, blasting some old school Nelly #sogood. We grabbed a quick bite to eat from Colby at Hajukin Cuisine (also #sogood) then headed to Dog River for a little birthday prefunk with the crew.

 

From back left: Tonya, Caroline, Marissa, Rachel, Florian, Phoebe, Josh S, Me, Sarah, Tall Paul and Dave (front and center)



 

Marissa wearing my birthday gift to her: JORTERALLS! I'm sort of obsessed and want some for myself now. #OOTD

 

The rest of the nigh included drinks at the pub, a dance party at Jack's (my favorite) where I successfully requested both "Hot in Here" (because I just couldn't get enough) and "Blurred Lines" and got to share a scorpion bowl with my friends.  

 

Caroline, Abby, Huggie, Beth and Florian sharing some Scorpion bowl at Jack's 

 

Then, to top it all off, after the bars closed, Huggie convinced a cab driver to take a van full of us through the Taco Bell Drive through, after which we devoured $36 worth of cheap tacos around the TREW house coffee table before Beth and I walked back to her place to sleep for a  few hours.

 

The next day a few of us did breakfast then Beth and I decided to go into Portland for a few hours of walking around NW 23rd St, shopping and some really delicious mac and cheese before I drove back to Seattle. 

 

It was a really quick, super fun Hood River trip and I can't wait to go back for the 4th of July!

on growing up

Yesterday I turned 26.

26 seems so much older than 25. Or maybe every year just seems so much older than the last these days.

On my last day of 25 I thought a lot about all of the personal milestones that I hit during my 25th year: I represented a client in court, I graduated law school, I studied for and took the bar, I moved in with Dustin, I got a grown-up job, etc. It was a big year for me. And now there's 26. What does 26 have in store? Surely not as many exciting things. I mean, how could it?

Hopefully during my 26th year I will get better at that whole ethics thing and pass that part of the bar, I would also like to gain some job-security. Microsoft is great, but being a contractor always comes with some uncertainties. Maybe in my 26th year I will get a full time Microsoft job. And become ethical. Those are my goals (bam!). But I don't know what else I have to look forward to this year. Maybe that's alright, though. A year to rest and get my life started after school, school, school for the past 20something years. It has all been sort of exhausting and exciting and maybe now I get to step back and take a deep breath. Is this what being an adult feels like?

To celebrate my first, adult birthday I worked all day with the exception of a bubble tea and cake break thanks to my co-workers. After work I went to dinner with Dustin at the best little French restaurant where I ordered Brussels sprouts and mushrooms and a glass of red wine. What kind of a meal is that? I mean... when Dustin asked me what I wanted for dinner I told him Brussels Sprouts, how grown-up-gross is that? But guys, it was amazing. So good. Then, to top off the night I went to bed at about 8:30. So that's that. Apparently I jumped straight from 25 to 70.

Cheers to another year!

Dustin’s Birthday

On Friday Dustin got some exciting news at work so we went out for congratulations/early birthday dinner. I love having a great sushi place just a block away. I’m not sure this living in the city thing will ever get old.

 
We spent the rest of the night watching last week’s SNL and hanging out on the couch.

Saturday was Dustin’s birthday so I made him bacon, hash browns and biscuits+gravy for breakfast. He wanted to relax for his birthday so we spent a lot of the day hanging out at the apartment, watching football (well, he watched football, I read magazines). I also made cupcakes and Dustin opened presents. I love birthdays.

In the evening, we ventured out for a little shopping and then came home before walking up the street for some Chinese food (Dustin’s favorite). When we got home I sang happy birthday and Dustin blew out his candles:

Today he left on a business trip #totesimportant #imisshimalready

I really love that guy.

Happy birthday, Dustin! I hope your day was as wonderful as mine.

No Sleep and Dinner and Craziness and Tot

Last night Dustin took me to dinner at the Palace Kitchen. It was good. We had goat cheese and lavender fondue and he had a whiskey and I had a vodka and he got the steak and I got a veggie plate. It was all very good.

After dinner we decided to walk to Lola, another Tom Douglas restaurant, for one more drink before heading home. I got the Lola martini, which I’ve had once before, and it’s like, the best martini I’ve ever had. I don’t know why it’s so good? It’s just a grey goose martini with a feta stuffed olive and a little bit of magic. PURE MAGIC!

After dinner we went back to Dustin’s and waited and waited until his mattress was finally delivered at like 10:30pm. I couldn’t sleep on it. It was SO uncomfortable. And hard or something. And not broken in yet. It’s the firmest tempurapedia mattress. And oh man, my body wasn’t happy. Neither was Dustin, because I kept moving and wiggling because I couldn’t get comfortable and my whole body hurt. So then I went to the couch to try and sleep and I couldn’t. So I laid there. And didn’t sleep on the couch. And didn’t sleep on the bed. And didn’t sleep at all last night. It was NOT a good night for me. Not that you care.

Also maybe I’m grumpy now?

Awesome. I’m an old grumpy woman. FML.

BUT, on a way WAY happier note: GUESS WHAT?!!? My cousin Katie’s water just broke. Tot is a day late (well technically he’s early, but whatever, TOT!). I’m so so excited for him to be born. New favorite cousin? Probably!

And ummm this is a little embarrassing, but I forgot that I had court today. At 1:30. How do I just FORGET that I have COURT? WTF Rebeka?

Oh man oh man. I’m going to take some melatonin and go to bed early early (in my own bed) tonight. I need to pull it together.

I also need some coffee. And a shower. And to get out from under my heat blanket. I LOVE MY HEAT BLANKET.

Seriously, crazy, grumpy old woman status.

The 25the Year

Today I'm 25.

My birthday has been like this: I went to my first class, contemplated doing McDs for lunch, didn't, then went to Zoka to study. I got some free birthday coffee from the barrista. It was good. I'm skipping my last class to go to dinner with Dustin (I feel kind of bad about the skip, but I haven't missed like any class this semester, minus the missed class when I got in my car accident, so it's whatever). We're going to Tom Douglas's Palace Kitchen. I've never been and I'm excited. We're going early (hence me skipping my class) because his new mattress is being delivered between 8 & 10pm tonight. What a random, stupid delivery time, right?

Anyway, here are some pictures from my birthday party (which was on Saturday night):

Sorority Sisters + Rochelle at the prefunk 

Dustin and I 

The No Boyz Allowed Club (ha): Brittan, Natalie, Me & Lisa at Leny's

XXOO everyone
+ thank you for all the birthday love! It means so so much to me!

the end of my youth

Today is the last day I’m 24. Tomorrow I turn 25, and I’ll be an adult. I don’t know why I feel like 25 is the beginning of adulthood. But it just seems like it is. My youth is over. The end is near. in less than 12 hours I’ll officially be old, or an adult, or something. To mark the occasion I’ve been doing some grown up things. I ironed my birthday shirt last night. Only adults iron things, right? Usually I just put stuff in the dryer, or use a blow dryer/flat iron to get wrinkles out. Because I’m classy, and young. Not for long. Also, I roasted a whole chicken on Friday night for Dustin and I. I also made brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes and stuffing. It was probably the best dinner I’ve ever made. Everything turned out really well. I was so proud of myself. Of my grown up self, I should say.

Then yesterday I took the leftover chicken and bones and things and made chicken noodle soup. Completely from scratch. Even the noodles. And it was effing delicious! Seriously guys, I was so proud of myself.

Anyway, enough about being a grown up. My friend Rochelle came to Seattle from Chiciago yesterday for my birthday (she’s a flight attendant so she goes where she wants when she wants, so cool). We hung out yesterday and went shopping at U Vill and got ready for my birthday party, then birthday partied it up. She left early this morning but it was a fun visit.

While we were in U Vill shopping yesterday, we stopped by Sephora and I got this amazing nail polish. Birthday sparkles anyone? I’m kind of obsessed. (confession, after this picture was taken I painted on like 5 more layers. my nails are SO sparkly now).

And, as I mentioned, I had a little birthday party last night at a bar near my house. I’ll post all the pictures later, but look what they gave me:

I was pretty excited about it.

Alright, I’m off to get ready for the day (yes it is 2:30pm and yes I did sleep in until noon today, cherishing the last of my youth and irresponsibility I suppose) and then force Dustin to go eat some Red Mill Burgers and Onion Rings and Milkshakes with me, because I’m a bottomless pit of hungover hunger today. RAWR!

XXOO

5 Random Friday Things

1. I’m going to attempt to make a whole, roasted chicken tonight. For the first time ever. It seems so grown up. You know? Roasting a whole chicken is something adults do. And I don’t often feel like an adult.

2. And I guess my grown up, chicken cooking task seems fitting seeing as I turn 25 Monday (so old). To celebrate I’m having a birthday party this weekend. Not a real birthday party (with hats and a cake and things). A hey, come to this bar and have a drink with me, kind of birthday party. And I’m excited. It’s at 9pm at Leny’s (on 56th), if you’re in Seattle (or elsewhere – my friend from Chicago will be there, so BAM) and you want to come. They serve steins (is that what they’re called? the giant mugs?) of beer. And it’s walking distance from my house. Double BAM!

2(a). I use too many parentheses.

3. It’s 11-11-11 today, in case you didn’t already know. Make a wish. I know I did.

4. My newest baby cousin, Tot (no, not his real name, even though it SHOULD be – I’m looking at you, Chip & Katie) is supposed to be born any day now. His dad, Chip (my first and favorite cousin) thought that he was going to be born today. Also Chip is a veteran, so it would have been perfect (I guess it could still happen). I think little Tot will be here on my birthday. And his actual due date is on Thursday, the 17th. No matter when he’s born, I can’t wait to meet him!

5. One more picture from Danielle’s wedding, because I’ve been sucking at posting pictures with my posts lately. Also I love this. What a perfect day!!

HBD Dustin

Yesterday was Dustin’s 32nd Birthday. So old. Ha, I kid. He spent most of his day traveling back from Virginia (he was there all week for work) but I picked him up from the airport at about 8:30pm with a bag of his favorite jalapeno chips and a card. We then went back to his (freshly cleaned) apartment so he could change and shower before heading out for birthday fun.

I had been cat-sitting battle cat, so when he got there this was waiting for him, yay:

We had dinner reservations at SeaStar (a raw seafood bar downtown) but had to pit-stop at Ben and Kate’s for a little birthday surprise.

The guys got Dustin a cruiser for his birthday. Amazing. They win at gift giving.

We ended up cancelling our dinner reservation and eating fish tacos at Ben’s, having a drink, then heading to the bar up on Phinney Ridge for some more drinks. The boys rode their bikes and I drove. I got there before them and had tequila shots waiting when they arrived.

We hung out at Prost (the same bar where Dustin and I spent NYE this year) and Dustin and I had a mini-photo-shoot. Yay:

 

It was a good time.

And don’t you love Dustin’s new birthday sweater (complete with awesome elbow pads = love)? And his friend love too?

Then Dustin and I walked to his house and ate some birthday cake (which I made, home-made-status. White cake with buttercream frosting and raspberry filling). It was a good end to the night. Except for when I got upset because he only gave me one bite of the piece then at the rest himself. Ha. I’m ridiculous sometimes.

Today Dustin and his friend Pickle (the guy in the green shirt) are off to Colorado for the University of Oregon football game. Hardcore. I can’t wait for him to be back for a few weeks on Sunday. It feels like he’s been gone non-stop lately. And also I really want to carve pumpkins, so he needs to get home ASAP so I can force him to do halloween things with me (like make candy corn infused vodka drinks and carve pumpkins).

Now I have to go get ready for my friend Sarah’s wedding! Yay!

I hope you all are having a great Friday!