Reflections on the year

 I find it important and beneficial to think about what I have been through this last year.  I am all about learning and to me if you don't see the purpose or understanding in an event, an experience, an incident, then it can be a wasted opportunity to grasp something new about yourself and the life your living.  This exercise helps me appreciate and remember, to practice graciousness even in times of frustration and melancholy.

There were times when being at my job here in New York were extremely defeating and depressing.  After too long of being surrounded by negativity and aggression it wears on you, at least it did me! Don't get me wrong, it was my choice to stay there, I did meet some great people and saved a decent amount of money which was my goal, but man oh man certain days were just very hard.  But, I imagine a lot of work environments are like that.  I decided one of my reasons for going to grad school is not to avoid days of difficulty or frustration but to at least feel my work was more purposeful and having some impact, oh ya and at least like what I am doing ! For the most part that is.. :)  I look back at my year there now and I understand how much I have grown, how I have developed a totally new skill and learned how to speak up for what I want. Living here has thickened my skin and in ways made me more confident and competent for my future jobs.

Being who I am, my life is definitely not all work, I find it a necessity of life to always make time for play!

                                                    Last year in January I went from this..

To this :)

PR

Doing this.

and this..

But shortly after our little island turned to an icicle

But then again, there were those who enjoyed it..

I also had the joy of seeing this a lot and actually learning my way around the city and subway.

I spent a lot of times and walks with two of my favorite guys.

I even had a sleepovers..

And then there were the PA trips.

Days of fishing.

Hunting treasures at the Poconos swap meet.

Taking it all in,

with this handsome man.

But then it would be back to work..

With the Princess of the Pipe

Don't be mistaken, there were some beach days.

Another great moment of the year was surprising my brother for his graduation.

It feels like not so long ago this was me.  It was surreal to see my kid brother graduate.

And so wonderful to celebrate with my family.

But again it was back to work..

We were also blessed with some visitors this year.

Like my cousin Ryan.

And a bunch of rugrats.

We also saw some monumental concerts I will never forget. Sixto Rodriguez, Mason Jennings and Wild Child (amazing Doors tribute band)

The year was also full of sporting events, specifically Islanders games and even a Yankee game (go METS & PADRES)

Also had my first Philly Cheese Steak

Thanks Bri!!

Then it was time to go fishing again...

With all of these DOOODES

Oh and time for another beach day.

Long Beach, NY

But it never failed, had to go back to work.

Thats how i felt about it..

Pretty (&) Bored

I also attended a few weddings this year, coast to coast.

I even got a little taste of my heritage this year

And celebrated our 8 year anniversary.

The beast and I looking at the changing leaves.

But then..

Well let me just say I wasn't the only one that wanted to leave work.

Finally Halloween came, and it was a time to be something different and play dress up.

Sometimes all of the playing made us tired 

and do silly things..

Then Thanksgiving flew in, and brought more happiness and good food.

Charlie and I even stuck in some educational things this year, like a trip to the Natural History Museum in NYC.

But it was kind of like playing..

Then it was time to celebrate Charlies 27th Birthday.

Some were more into the "dessert" then others..

And then in the blink of an eye it was Christmas.

Just looking through these pictures makes me appreciate the year I have had, through the ups and downs I have a lot of thanks to give, especially to Charlie's family for helping us prepare for the next part of our life.  But, I am not sad to say that moving back to San Diego in the end of January is very exciting news to me and feels very meant to be.  I have been fortunate in my life to consistently feel like, "this is where I am suppose to be."  Sometimes it took me time to see it and understand it but I find myself thinking that more often then not.

Of course I have to say I am also gracious for these folks..

And have missed them very much this last year!

In this upcoming year make sure that you make time for happiness, yourself, and telling/showing those who are important to you just how much you cherish them!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

a very Merry Christmas

We had a very quiet and nice Christmas in the Psillos house this year.  Hannah has been in TX so it was just Charlie, Danny, Rich, Kathy and myself on Christmas morning.  We all slept in (great start) and then Charlie and I exchanged the few gifts we had for each other.  We decided not to really get much for each other because at the end of January we are moving back to San Diego (future post) so the less stuff and more money saved the better.  He did however make me something I saw on pinterest a while ago and have been bugging him about.

I just thought it was the neatest thing and he made me two of them! Very excited to have a space to put them up in as well.

After we exchanged a few gifts Charlie made us breakfast and we just hung out for a bit.  At 2 we went to dinner at his Grandma Edith's home.  Charlie's Uncle and Aunt were visiting from Florida and their son Joe and his wife and son came so it was a perfect size dinner party.

Danny was extra happy to be surrounded by family and attention. 

But whenever we would take a picture he would just stare at me..

Hoping everyone had a very merry holiday!

Merry Christmas!

Charlie's 27th Birthday

Wednesday December 17th Charlie celebrated his 27th birthday.

As expected Charlie didn't have any outlandish requests for birthday celebrations or gifts.  He told me not to get him anything and that we could just go to dinner at a Mexican restaurant we like. He was telling me all of this around the time we wen to an Islanders game and I noticed they were playing New Jersey Devils on December 15th.  Well a lightbulb went off for me and I decided that would be a good way to celebrate (we realized we did it last year too on the day we went to the game! :).  Now this was a slightly selfish idea because I have been watching the Devils play since i was a kid. Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias were household names to me because they are Czech.  The tickets for the game were more expensive then what we usually pay but I decided I wanted to make it worth it and splurged on the good seats.  We were about 12 rows away from the glass.

It was a lot of fun!  The energy at hockey games is always upbeat, high paced and captivating to me but this one was especially good.  

I was good and actually remembered to take a picture of ourselves!  My Dad texted me who I rooted for, although i was wearing my Islanders sweatshirt I kind of wanted the Devils to win..I must not have been hoping that hard though because Islanders won it in a shoot out!

On Charlie's actually birthday we had a Wingz over Farmingdale dinner with ribs and, of course, wings.  This was Charlie's request.  His Mom suggested La Parma (family italian style dinner on the pricey side) but Charlie's taste buds were elsewhere.  He of course had the typical Psillos bday with streamers hung from the window with cute pictures, gift cards, candy and NAIL CLIPPERS! Very appropriate for Charlie..

As always, Kathy did good!!

Who needs a cake when you have ice pops?

Happy birthday Charlie!  We love the great person you are. 

Thanksgiving in San Diego

I knew I probably wouldn't be going home for Christmas so I made a point to go back for Thanksgiving.  I was able to find really cheap tickets to SD for Monday-Thursday.  I flew in Monday before noon and was greeted with a sunny sky, palm trees and warm air (75+).  I spent the day catching up, eating my favorite Dad prepared meal and going through things that I have been shipping home (more info on that later).  We would have our Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday at my Dad's house and instead of doing a traditional dinner with my Mom too we decided to go to the spa instead.  I have been going to Glen Ivy Spa since was a like 4 or 5.  It is in Temecula surrounded by mountains and palm trees.  It is outdoors with different pools, mineral baths and of course a mud pool where you rub mud all over yourself to cleanse your skin.  This place is like a mecca for my Mom and I.

 I don't have any pictures inside the spa because i know better then to bring my phone around pools..

It was so fun to see all the animals again too!

These two watching me eat a burrito..

Hercules

I woke up to this, the cat is in the back, Dalilah is nuzzled in the middle and then of course Hercules. 

My Mom and I after the spa day.

Kitty did a lot of preparing for this meal.  My Dad is traditionally the cook but he wants nothing to do with the Turkey and all the work a thanksgiving meal has so he made rolls, soup and green beans while Kitty prepared a pumpkin pie, turkey, stuffing, cranberry, and mashed potatoes.  The beautiful setting can be credited to my brother Pavel.  One day he will throw some awesome dinner parties.

We started off with some appetizers a few hours before.  My Dad bought all these delicious cheese's and salalmis.  This is a traditional looking spread in my house.

Especially with soccer in the background...

Then it was time for the main course.

Dinner was so good! Naturally and expectedly we stuffed ourselves to the point of no return.  

I have been feeling more and more like my Father's daughter.   From my mannerisms, interests, music tastes and personality I notice things about myself that I see in him.  So naturally this kind of stuff happens..

As a kid he always found things to put on his eyes like this, so rather then put away the napkin rings we found a better use for them.

Honestly, no shame. :)

This was probably one of the things I miss most, not only being with my Dad but witnessing his amazing abilities.  He recently bought a new guitar and was playing a little for me.  He has recently been composing some new pieces also.

It was a holiday i was very grateful for.