surprises.

Michael (brother) & I with the goofy glasses.

Worm rockin' the glasses. Doesn't he look like the Turtle in The Master of Disguise (that random movie starring Dana Carvey)?

The guys doing "The Steve Bergmann". Funny how the real Steve (second from right) isn't doing it!

The guys. L-R: Pete, Worm, Wilfredo, Steve, Richie, Jonathan

A few of the girls, L-R: Kim, me, Jen, Tracey

Richie, the glasses, the pornstache and a beer...what a combo!

Matt & Christy aka the birthday girl & her soon-to-be husband. They are the couple whose wedding I have on the same day I was going to attend the Yankee game. (Hopefully that doesn't sound regretful. Once in a lifetime event trumps the game!)

Us with Matt & Christy :)

Christy being "surprised" haha. Pretty darn sure she knew about it in advance! =P

This past Saturday, a friend of mine, Christy, celebrated her 30th birthday with a bunch of people at her house. It was a great time to be had by all. Even Jonathan, who was sick as a dog (and still is) enjoyed himself immensely. It's not every day everyone gets together like that. You're also probably wondering why everyone (including myself in that first picture) is wearing those glasses. I found them at work last week and completely forgot I had put them into my bag until a few days later. It alters the look of anyone who puts them on so I had fun with it at home with my family. The day of the party I decided to keep it in my bag just for the heck of it because I had a feeling I could have some fun with it at the party. There are more pictures if you want to check them out, on my Flickr.

www.flickr.com/photos/coffeeisgreen

I also dyed my hair drastically as you can see in that first photo. Last Wednesday I went to the hair salon that I've been going to since I was probably 13. For some reason, the blonde I asked for turned out to be some horrible orangey-yellow shade. It was almost comical. I knew that I had two parties coming up on Saturday (Christy's at night and little Ryan's in the afternoon). Thursday night, when no solution seemed to be in sight, I said to God: "I know I've been vain but please have mercy on me. I cannot go out in public like this!"

On Friday morning my mom text messaged me and said her co-worker/friend Justin was willing to fix my hair for me if I came in to the spa where she works that afternoon. Two and a half hours later, I was at the spa where Justin worked his magic. First he bleached it and then he added a beige blonde to my hair. Even though there was some orangey-yellow left, it wasn't too bad. Justin, as I later told him, was my hair hero. Major thanks to my mom for offering to do this for me. Aren't mothers the best?

There is still one more hair appointment tomorrow to correct it again. (Plus lighten my brows a bit.) I really lucked out here. Funny how God answers even the silliest of prayers.

Speaking of which (and by that I mean changing the topic completely, LOL) tonight Corbin Bleu begins his run as Usnavi in In the Heights. Should be a fun night, as Robyn and I will be in attendance.

all vacations come to an end.

myself & Robyn

L-R: Chris, me, Robyn

Retro Week is in full force on Facebook (in which everyone posts pictures of when they were young) so it inspired me to dig up these two photos. I think the first was in 1989 and the second somewhere between '90-'91. Funny how I remember how much I loved that shirt I was wearing in the second one and how sad I was when one of the buttons fell off.

This winter vacation, by the way, has been one of the best. I haven't been anywhere out of the ordinary or on a relaxing cruise, like my parents did, but it really has been so vacation like. I've spent every night since January 1st at the boyfriend's, so it really does feel like I'm on a vacation. How sad I am gonna be once school starts! Well, not too sad. Not gonna lie, I'm happy school is back in session next week. That only means one step closer to graduating! Bar nights, date nights, movie nights, baby days...each day brings something different. A week or so ago, I went out to Manor Oktoberfest for some good ol' German food with Anthony, Gina and Jonathan. Absolutely loved the food. No one can make bratwurst like my Opa but this place came in at a close second.

Today we are celebrating my Oma's 68th birthday. Here's to many more <3

hello, 2010!

pre-bar dinner, just the two of us. the food at Nick's Bistro (on Metro) was fantastic. Great service & atmosphere too.

Mom, Keiko, and Robyn @ The Whiskey Tavern, where we rang in the new year. My dad was home, asleep! Haha. Robyn (my sister) and Keiko have been friends since Kindergarten.

Me & Tiff. We met in the 6th grade and became closer in the 8th. One of those friends you know will be around forever :-D

Me & Mom :-)

Me & my brother, Chris. Very glad he came out as well. Also this photo is rare...because he hardly ever poses!

My mom wanted to get a round of shots for everyone so I suggested lemon drops. She was hooked! They are great, light shots to do. The sugar + lemon makes it even sweeter.

Kim, Vinnie (her boyfriend) and Mike...not sure what Mike is doing but it makes for a great photo!

Kim, Sara (she recently became engaged!) & myself.

These red velvet cupcakes were so good. I am not too big on frosting but the base itself was yummy.

The funny part is, the similar expressions we all have were not planned at all. I had a good laugh when I looked at this!

I spent 4 years in Times Square on New Year's Eve and let me tell you, I was SO glad to be inside a warm, toasty bar with people I love as opposed to freezing my ass off for hours outside. I recommend doing it at least once in your lifetime. But 4 times...is a bit too much.

Needless to say, that was a great start to the New Year. Upon reflecting on the past year, especially in the last entry, I feel like I focused too much on my relationship with Jonathan. But then I had to remind myself, while I had an amazing year otherwise, he was a huge part of last year that changed my life significantly. I met a lot of people (in '08) through him and that didn't change last year either. Between our trip to Disney World and other mini adventures, something was always happening. Hopefully that continues this year.

Also, I highly recommend checking out Audrey Kawasaki's gallery downtown in Manhattan. She will be at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery until the 9th. So if you are in NYC any time before then, it's worth a look. Tiff and I went on her opening and got to meet her. She is as sweet as can be. Plus, her artwork is stunning. You can find the gallery here.