29th Birthday and Getting Engaged

Thats right, it happened!  On the morning of my 29th birthday Charlie popped the big question, "yo tengo una pregunta para tu?" is what my birthday card read.  Because it was early in the morning I was a little confused and it took me a second to translate the card.

But let me go back a little bit. My birthday fell on a Saturday this year and that happened to be a Saturday that Charlie was suppose to work.  I was under the impression he would be going to work, I wasn't too bummed because I had a case that I was working on for a class that was very time consuming and difficult.  I thought I would use the day to work on it then when he got home we would celebrate with Kitty and my Dad at the hockey game (little did i know).  Generally Charlie is up before 6 to go to work but Saturday's he get to sleep in till about 6:45, his alarm went off and he got up as he usually did and I thought he had left.  I couldn't really fall back asleep so at about 7:15 I walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water and was startled to hear him say "What are you doing awake go back in the room!"  I was really confused about why he was here and yelling at me on my birthday!  I went back in the room and he came and got me a few minutes later saying he didn't want me to see my presents etc.  I walked out to the Psillos tradition of money and treats hanging from streamers.

Then he handed me a homemade card that read in Spanish

"yo tengo una pregunta para tu?"

Still kind of dazed and surprised that he had taken the day off I was having brain farting in my translation and said I might need to get my phone to figure out what this says.  Finally a few seconds later it clicked and I said it out loud.   He then got on one knee and asked me to marry him.  

After getting over the initial excitement and shock we went and got champagne and bagels to celebrate.  He said that if I hadn't woken up (throwing off his plan) he was going to have all of the breakfast set up and ready when i got  up and possibly put the ring in the bagel bag.  I really surprised I'm with waking up early hahah.  But he said once I was up he just wanted to do it. He said the the had been nervous for a few days but I really couldn't even tell.

The whole day flew by and i really was reveling in it! The best birthday present I could have asked for.  Needless to say no school work got done but I was ok with that.  There were bigger things happening :)

In the evening we headed to watch the San Diego Gulls.  The team was recently re-established and man they are pretty good!  We had gone to another game a few months earlier for Charlie's birthday and mentioned to my Dad in passing that would be a great present.  As usual, Jiri went above and beyond getting us a box with a waiter service and food.  It was delicious and so much fun.

After the game we came back to the house for champagne and birthday cake.  

I loved my birthday cake.  Thank you Dad.

I feel so grateful to my family and soon to be husband for making me feel special.

I love you Charlie!

Brother Sister Bonding in Palm Springs

Over the winter break, just after New Years, Pavel and I took a mini vacation to Palm Springs.  We both had never been and took the Groupon opportunity to stay there and explore a few nights!

We had a really great time!

We did a tram to to Mt Jacinto which was pretty cool.  You had an awesome view of the windmill farms and the mountains.  Pavel & I knew there would be snow there so that added a little adventure to the experience.  We wanted to hike but I didn't have the right shoes so it limited some of our exploring but we still were able to get in the obligatory snow angel and snow man.

View from the tram 

 I might get in trouble for posting these ones.. :)

 Selfies from the top of the mountain

 We did a lot of walking around the town, eating at different places, shopping and exploring the numerous galleries.  It is a real artsy town.  

We went to a modern art museum and saw some really amazing pieces.  This glass one was one of our favorites.

 This was the view we had from the hotel.  I didn't get any pictures of the hotel itself but it was rather "retro."  We weren't complaining though, it was quite, clean and rather modern which the Palm Springs flare design.

 

It was a great trip! 

Christmas Parties & 1/2 Way to an M.B.A.

This weekend marked the beginning of my winter break, also meaning that I am about halfway to receiving my Masters in Business Administration.  Boy did I work my tail off to get this far and I see now I really wasn't sure what I had signed up for when choosing to do an accelerated program.  But, I am still here and succeeding!  I was really looking forward to this break, the last few months have been a whirlwind of non-stop studying, exams, projects, presentations etc.  If felt like I was always having a midterm or final and had little time for much else.

The first weekend of my break we actually had two separate Christmas parties.  It was a great way to start off the break!  The first one was an ugly sweater party in Pacific Beach and I was able to see friends from high school.

I am bummed that I didn't get a photo of Charlie in his "ugly sweater" but maybe I can convince him to wear it again.  It had little kittens in stalkings all over it..Pretty funny. 

The next night we went to another party hosted by our friends Matt & Alyssa who have just shared the news that they are recently expecting!  We are excited that they have moved so close to us (just about a 5 minute drive) so we will be seeing them more.  

They also have a great place that is decorated very true to their personalities. 

The picture is a little dark but we have Charlie, Matt & Adam. 

Charlie & I 

Sunday morning Charlie took me out to breakfast at one of our favorite spots, The Menu. 

I have been acclimating to having free time again!  It is so strange to have that pressure gone suddenly.  I have been able to workout again, start reading recreationally and of course, BLOG!

Thanksgiving

We had a pretty mellow Thanksgiving.  Lots of good food & drink as usual.  I was just so relieved to have a few days off of school.

Kitty & Dad did a lot of the cooking.  Jana brought a few things and Charlie and I brought appetizers.  Other then that the parents did everything else which we very much appreciate!

Pavel & I

You can see in the background that Jana was schooling Charlie on how to carve the turkey. :)

Unfortunately this was the only picture I took of the meal/table. 

As always, very thankful for this guy!

Rosarito Beach, Baja California

 A few months ago, my cousin, his now finance, and a few of her friends, Charlie & I, purchased a package deal for the Rosarito Beach Hotel which included champagne breakfasts, massages, and two nights in a suite. Originally we were planning to go the weekend of Thanksgiving but ended up going the weekend before.  It was an excellent precursor to the few days off for the holiday.

We had so much fun!  This was Ryan's first time in Mexico.  Our suites were beautiful, I couldn't believe what a great deal we had yet again stumbled on.

The first evening we were there we ventured around town, eating some street tacos and settling to have dinner at a very authentic seafood restaurant.  Charlie and I had bacon wrapped shrimp, some unknown fish soup, with a few shots of Don Julio y cervezas!

The next day we all headed to the beach, found a restaurant right on the sand, and ordered a bucket of beers.  Hours later we had purchased some local commodities, swam in the ocean, played football, eaten chips and guacamole and feeling all around EXCELLENT!

View from our patio

All of us walking around and getting into trouble :)

We were all so excited!  

Ryan, Kim, Myself & Charlie

I have a feeling we will be back here before we know it!