Hello all!
Yesterday was Christmas, my favorite holiday of the year. This has been the best one yet, and I loved the entire day!
I guess Christmas actually started Christmas Eve, when my family and I attended 9 'o clock mass. Mass before Chistmas day has been our tradition, and I really like it, because we get to praise the real meaning of Christmas before everybody actually opens the presents. After church, we went home and all of us got to open a present or two. I got an iPad (which I am writing on right now!), tons of makeup that I've been asking for, and a brand new Louis Vuitton purse!! I was SO not expecting a new purse! I'm incredibly happy with it. :D
By this time it was around Midnight, so after we opened a few presents, we went over to our friends, Angela and Denver's house (and their three girls, Avalon, Tristan, and Josilynn). They had food and some of their relatives over, and we got to watch everybody open presents around the tree. there were a lot of laughs, and it was a great time! :) We went home at around 2:30 AM!
The following morning, I woke up at 9 and got ready for my grandma's house. I put on a new dress that I got especially for the occasion, and used some of my brand new makeup. :) At around 10:30, we got all the presents and drove to the house. After all of my cousins arrived, we started handing out the presents. My favorite part was watching all of my younger cousins open their gifts. :D
After all the gifts were opened, we ate turkey and ham. Some more relatives arrived, and the uncles started a fire outside. I hung out with my two oldest cousins, Lauren and Allison. I spent most of the afternoon outside by the fire. My legs got really cold since I was only wearing leggings and flats!
Eventually, at 8 o' clock my family and I went home and relaxed. This has been such a wonderful holiday,and I hope you all had a great Christmas too!
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Just an Update :)
Hello all!
This is just a quick update, since I haven't posted in nearly 2 weeks. I'm in Texas right now, which if you've read my previous posts, I'm extremely excited about! My mom, brother and I arrived in San Antonio on the 12th. There were long flights (from Dubai to London was 8 hours, and from London to Dallas was 9.5 hours!), but the voyage was otherwise painless, despite missing a flight!
We spent the first several days just shopping and eating at all of our favorite fast food joints such as Chick-Fil-A or Bill Miller's BBQ. I got to update my wardrobe a bit with Forever 21, and I also managed to buy presents for my family and friends (I found the Naked Palette by Urban Decay which is sold out everywhere!! Shh!) We've also visited all of my cousins and uncles, which was probably my favorite part!
On the 17th, my dad arrived from Dubai. He had only two flights, although his main one from Dubai to Houston was 16 hours long! Again, we ate at more fast food places like Taco Cabana or Peter Piper's. My dad also helped shop for our male relatives.
Overall, I've been loving being here in Texas with family! It's just a wonderful experience, and I am overwhelmed by the amazing Christmas atmosphere. :)
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
This is just a quick update, since I haven't posted in nearly 2 weeks. I'm in Texas right now, which if you've read my previous posts, I'm extremely excited about! My mom, brother and I arrived in San Antonio on the 12th. There were long flights (from Dubai to London was 8 hours, and from London to Dallas was 9.5 hours!), but the voyage was otherwise painless, despite missing a flight!
We spent the first several days just shopping and eating at all of our favorite fast food joints such as Chick-Fil-A or Bill Miller's BBQ. I got to update my wardrobe a bit with Forever 21, and I also managed to buy presents for my family and friends (I found the Naked Palette by Urban Decay which is sold out everywhere!! Shh!) We've also visited all of my cousins and uncles, which was probably my favorite part!
On the 17th, my dad arrived from Dubai. He had only two flights, although his main one from Dubai to Houston was 16 hours long! Again, we ate at more fast food places like Taco Cabana or Peter Piper's. My dad also helped shop for our male relatives.
Overall, I've been loving being here in Texas with family! It's just a wonderful experience, and I am overwhelmed by the amazing Christmas atmosphere. :)
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
Thursday, December 9, 2010
How to Handle Awkward Situations
2 days until I go home! EEP! Especially since this is the holiday season, this means lots of family parties/ get-togethers. Unfortunately, not every social gathering is perfect. Somebody is bound to get into one awkward situation or another (but it's okay, we love our family anyways! :D). Never fear! I'm here to help you survive these embarrassing moments.
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
Scenario Number 1: Your creepy cousin Henry has been stalking you all night. You feel bad for him, so you go up to talk to him. It turns out to be a bad idea, as he begins staring at the floor and naming Pi to the hundredth place. You could:
A: Grin through it, and then go up to get a drink. Offer to get him something. Really, the poor guy doesn't have anybody to talk to, it's only fair.
B: Listen intently as he names them, and then help him when he misses the 134th place (What? Pi is amazing!)
C: Dunk his face in honey, throw feathers on him, point and laugh at his weirdness, "HAHA!! You're a chicken!!".
Scenario Number 2: Your great aunt Hilda hasn't seen you in five years. She asks you lots of questions, and you dutifully answer them until they start to get really personal. Then, she barks out loudly, "So, when are you going to get a boyfriend? You aren't getting any younger!" You can:
A: Politely respond that you don't have time for dating in your life right now. Then redirect the attention and ask about her 27 nieces.
B: Get all huffy and reply that you aren't comfortable talking about that. Walk away with your nose in the air.
C: Glare at her, then reply loudly, "Have you gained weight? A LOT OF WEIGHT?" Then give her a pamphlet on weight-loss programs.
Scenario Number 3: While talking to a distant relative, you make a comment about that lady next to the drinks wearing a horrible outfit. You start going on about how her pants are too tight, until she says, "That's my mom."
A: Apologize. That was really mean of you (but totally true!).
B: Laugh it off. "Just kidding! Too tight pants are the next new thing!" Walk away as fast as possible.
C: Confuse her entirely and shout, "HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT ABOUT YOUR MOTHER?!"
Scenario Number 4: Uh-oh. It looks like Uncle Gary had too much to drink tonight, and is stumbling around aimlessly. What will you do?
A: Make him sit down and ask if he has a ride home. No way are you letting this dude loose on the road!
B: Crack up as he talks nonsense to you while trying to walk around. Did he really just say, "Go pat the logs to bed! I'll be swarfin' up the keyboards yesterday!"
C: Put on loud music and tell him to dance. Record the video, and pass it around to your family the next day. Better yet, post it on YouTube! This will SO go viral! :D
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
Monday, December 6, 2010
My Favorite Holiday Foods!
One of the things I'm definitely looking forward to when I fly back home will be the food! Nomnomnom<3 Especially since it's the holiday season, ovens will be put into overdrive as dozens upon dozens of goodies will be baked. Everything from cookies, to empanadas, to tamales, to pies will come out of everybody's ovens. **drools** Some of my favorites include:
Empanadas: These are Mexican stuffed bread pastries, usually filled with mashed apple, pumpkin, or even pineapple. My favorites are apple empanadas (I'm not a fan of pumpkin- eek, please don't hate me!). Some empanadas can be also filled with meats, but I prefer the sweet kind. They're best served warm, with a glass of milk or a scoop of ice cream.
Tamales: This is a Mexican dish made with masa (a starchy dough) boiled, steamed, or baked inside a corn husk. Meat such as chicken, beef, or pork are stuffed inside the masa. The corn husk is removed, and the baked masa filled with meat is eaten. These are extremely delicious, especially in the morning.
Pecan pie: I suppose pecan pies could be eaten year round, but they are always seen much more often around the holidays. They will satisfy any sweet tooth, and always give me the satisfaction of feeling more Texan (Sandy Cheeks, anyone?).
Candy Canes: These aren't actually baked, but they are a staple of Christmas time candy. The traditional colors are white and red, though variations of other colors can be seen. They have a yummy peppermint taste that leaves my mouth feeling very cool.
Hot Chocolate: This drink warms me right up, though it isn't necessary here in Dubai yet :P, and has a wonderful chocolatey taste. My favorite kind at the moment is Nutella Hot Chocolate, which is made with around 1-2 spoonful(s) of Nutella per cup. (Nutella is a chocolate hazelnut spread that is delicious on crackers, with fruit, or by itself.) A mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and cinnamon is perfect for being cozy at home.
Bunuelos: This is another Mexican dish made with dough, sugar, and cinnamon. The dough is flattened like a tortilla, and is fried in oil. Then, it is covered in a layer of cinnamon and sugar. This is nom-alicious, because it is sweet and crispy.
Sugar Cookies: Again, these can be eaten year round, but they make their appearance more often during the holiday season. These are just cookies covered in sugar and cinnamon (can you tell I really like sugar and cinnamon?) and are great with a glass of milk or hot chocolate. I usually have more fun making these cookies than I do actually eating them. :D
Caldo: The word "caldo" means "soup", in Spanish. Here, I refer to a family recipe for a sort of chicken soup. It has chicken, rice, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and is usually made with chicken broth. It is typically eaten with lime and corn tortillas, and it is yummy during the cold winter months. This is my all-time favorite soup. <3
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
Empanadas: These are Mexican stuffed bread pastries, usually filled with mashed apple, pumpkin, or even pineapple. My favorites are apple empanadas (I'm not a fan of pumpkin- eek, please don't hate me!). Some empanadas can be also filled with meats, but I prefer the sweet kind. They're best served warm, with a glass of milk or a scoop of ice cream.
Tamales: This is a Mexican dish made with masa (a starchy dough) boiled, steamed, or baked inside a corn husk. Meat such as chicken, beef, or pork are stuffed inside the masa. The corn husk is removed, and the baked masa filled with meat is eaten. These are extremely delicious, especially in the morning.
Pecan pie: I suppose pecan pies could be eaten year round, but they are always seen much more often around the holidays. They will satisfy any sweet tooth, and always give me the satisfaction of feeling more Texan (Sandy Cheeks, anyone?).
Candy Canes: These aren't actually baked, but they are a staple of Christmas time candy. The traditional colors are white and red, though variations of other colors can be seen. They have a yummy peppermint taste that leaves my mouth feeling very cool.
Hot Chocolate: This drink warms me right up, though it isn't necessary here in Dubai yet :P, and has a wonderful chocolatey taste. My favorite kind at the moment is Nutella Hot Chocolate, which is made with around 1-2 spoonful(s) of Nutella per cup. (Nutella is a chocolate hazelnut spread that is delicious on crackers, with fruit, or by itself.) A mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and cinnamon is perfect for being cozy at home.
Bunuelos: This is another Mexican dish made with dough, sugar, and cinnamon. The dough is flattened like a tortilla, and is fried in oil. Then, it is covered in a layer of cinnamon and sugar. This is nom-alicious, because it is sweet and crispy.
Sugar Cookies: Again, these can be eaten year round, but they make their appearance more often during the holiday season. These are just cookies covered in sugar and cinnamon (can you tell I really like sugar and cinnamon?) and are great with a glass of milk or hot chocolate. I usually have more fun making these cookies than I do actually eating them. :D
Caldo: The word "caldo" means "soup", in Spanish. Here, I refer to a family recipe for a sort of chicken soup. It has chicken, rice, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and is usually made with chicken broth. It is typically eaten with lime and corn tortillas, and it is yummy during the cold winter months. This is my all-time favorite soup. <3
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Sparknotes!
Today, my article titled "What Your Favorite Candy Says About You" was published on a site called Sparknotes.com! :D Sparknotes is a popular website designed for teens (I think it is run by Barnes and Noble). It has lots of guides, called Sparknotes, that help teens like me understand classic books, like To Kill a Mockingbird, or The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. There's even an entire section devoted to Shakespeare's works. Generally, each section or chapter is explained an summarized in a way that is easy to understand (that way, you won't fail your Literature class).
I first discovered Sparknotes while trying to find help for a book I was reading last year, titled Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson. The Sparknotes really helped me understand what was going on, since most of the book was written in old, Scottish dialect that was very difficult for me to understand (I think my grade for that term wouldn't have been great without Sparknotes!). Then, I found the Sparklife community.
Every weekday, on Sparklife, around 8 to 14 new articles are posted. Some of these are written by people who actually work at Sparknotes, such as Auntie Sparknotes and her awesome advice column, Dan Bergstein and his hilarious series on Blogging Twilight, and Miss Marm and her writing advice. Others are written by contributors, and the posts can be themed around a certain event, such as the holiday season, which brings up: What to Buy your Frenemy for Christmas, or How to Handle Awkward Questions at Family Gatherings. Others are much more random, such as 10 Reasons Why I Hate Tomato Soup, or How to Survive Picture Day.
Back at the end of October, I had the idea of writing an article, about what your favorite candy says about you. There had been other posts based on the same idea, but instead using pen colors, nail polish colors, font types, soda, and even punctuation marks. It was Halloween, so why not candy?
First, I searched on Sparklife for any previous articles with the same idea (how embarrassing would it be to send in an article that had already been published?!). Luckily, nobody had written about it yet, and since it was Halloween, it was the perfect time to write it. I started writing without any guidance, not even an outline (bad, I know!) and within a day, I had my article. I edited for grammatical errors and such, but I didn't want it to seem too polished. The fun of reading Sparklife is that nothing is perfect, it's all very personal, casual and hilarious with a side of genius.
Without any second thoughts, I emailed my article along with my username to the Sparklife editors. It was about 3 weeks before I heard back, and by then, I had nearly forgotten about it. The email was short, and simple, basically telling me that they had accepted my article, and that it was going up the week of November 29, 2010.
I was so shocked, I really hadn't even expected an answer, since many people submit articles (I actually jumped around and fist pumped the air when I found out!). Yesterday, after eagerly waiting all week, my post went up (just click here!)!! :D I'm so honored to have had my article put up, along with the epic writing talents that go up everyday!
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Beauty Rules!
Yesterday, I received the book Beauty Rules, by Bobbi Brown, (which I hadn't originally planned on getting, I only wanted the book A Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking, but I wanted the free shipping from Amazon :D) and I have not been able to put it down!!
This specific book is directed at teens, and people in their 20s with all sorts of helpful tips and tricks on makeup, and just letting your inner beauty shine. The best part? Her models are *real* people, not uber tall, super skinny, perfect models (also, unlike many model photos, and ads, these pictures haven't been photoshopped). Bobbi shows us how to conceal blemishes and under eye circles, which lip/blush colors are best for your skin type, and so on and so forth. The way that she explains every single tip is anything but boring, and I love how her makeup looks are all very fresh, and natural.
I think that this is a great read (a fantabulous gift for teens, as well!), because it has amazing tips for anybody beginning with makeup, and even information that people who have used makeup for years may not know. The focus is mainly on looking your best, while also being very natural and not having crazy, or cake-y makeup. I've definitely seen my share of bad makeup, from heavy raccoon-eyeliner, to pancake foundation, to bright blue eyeshadow, to over-plucked eyebrows, to the dreaded lipliner-lipgloss combination (what's worse is, most of these were on the same lady! :P).
But this isn't just a makeup book. Bobbi talks a lot about having confidence, and being the best you can be. Beauty comes from within, sometimes literally (you are what you eat!). She's admitted to going to crazy tactics just to be the media's standard of "perfect" in her youth, such as tanning in the sun with tin foil, or ironing her hair with a clothes iron (she doesn't do any of this anymore, which I think is great, because she's a beautiful lady). Which brings me to another topic.
What is perfect? Those images that surround us everyday and are published by the media aren't real. They show standards of perfection that even models (who make up 2% of the world's population) themselves can't live up to. Everything, and I mean *everything* is photoshopped. Now, I understand using photoshop to get rid of red eye, or to crop something out, or even to cover up a pimple that just happened to plant itself straight on your forehead and was determined not to be covered by makeup.
But the photoshopping techniques used by advertisers go way further than that. Skin is not only perfect, but brightened to give a nice glow. Waistlines are cinched to give a feminine figure. Busts are perhaps fixed to be fuller. Hair is shinier, and more vibrant. Cellulite is removed from legs. Faces are contoured to be slimmer. Even eyes are photoshopped to be clearer. Just go on Youtube, and search for tutorials on how to do this, or look up before and after pictures of celebrities and you'll be amazed.
This is probably one of the reasons why I love this book so much. Nothing is photoshopped. Nothing is edited. These are real girls and women, using the only magic of makeup to feel more confident and beautiful, which is difficult to find nowadays. And I think that this book really deserves some praise.
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
This specific book is directed at teens, and people in their 20s with all sorts of helpful tips and tricks on makeup, and just letting your inner beauty shine. The best part? Her models are *real* people, not uber tall, super skinny, perfect models (also, unlike many model photos, and ads, these pictures haven't been photoshopped). Bobbi shows us how to conceal blemishes and under eye circles, which lip/blush colors are best for your skin type, and so on and so forth. The way that she explains every single tip is anything but boring, and I love how her makeup looks are all very fresh, and natural.
I think that this is a great read (a fantabulous gift for teens, as well!), because it has amazing tips for anybody beginning with makeup, and even information that people who have used makeup for years may not know. The focus is mainly on looking your best, while also being very natural and not having crazy, or cake-y makeup. I've definitely seen my share of bad makeup, from heavy raccoon-eyeliner, to pancake foundation, to bright blue eyeshadow, to over-plucked eyebrows, to the dreaded lipliner-lipgloss combination (what's worse is, most of these were on the same lady! :P).
But this isn't just a makeup book. Bobbi talks a lot about having confidence, and being the best you can be. Beauty comes from within, sometimes literally (you are what you eat!). She's admitted to going to crazy tactics just to be the media's standard of "perfect" in her youth, such as tanning in the sun with tin foil, or ironing her hair with a clothes iron (she doesn't do any of this anymore, which I think is great, because she's a beautiful lady). Which brings me to another topic.
What is perfect? Those images that surround us everyday and are published by the media aren't real. They show standards of perfection that even models (who make up 2% of the world's population) themselves can't live up to. Everything, and I mean *everything* is photoshopped. Now, I understand using photoshop to get rid of red eye, or to crop something out, or even to cover up a pimple that just happened to plant itself straight on your forehead and was determined not to be covered by makeup.
But the photoshopping techniques used by advertisers go way further than that. Skin is not only perfect, but brightened to give a nice glow. Waistlines are cinched to give a feminine figure. Busts are perhaps fixed to be fuller. Hair is shinier, and more vibrant. Cellulite is removed from legs. Faces are contoured to be slimmer. Even eyes are photoshopped to be clearer. Just go on Youtube, and search for tutorials on how to do this, or look up before and after pictures of celebrities and you'll be amazed.
This is probably one of the reasons why I love this book so much. Nothing is photoshopped. Nothing is edited. These are real girls and women, using the only magic of makeup to feel more confident and beautiful, which is difficult to find nowadays. And I think that this book really deserves some praise.
Until next time,
<3 Lucero
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Pumped Up for the Holiday Season!!
Christmas is coming up, so I felt it'd be appropriate to start my blog with a post entirely dedicated to my favorite holiday of the year (warning: a cheesy, happy blog is ahead. Prepare for the love!)
I am so excited to finally be going home for Christmas! Only 12 more days until we fly home! This will be the first Christmas in 5 years that I spend with my extended family. The past 4 Christmases were spent in Cyprus, and it just never felt right. Yes, there were presents and we decorated our tree and all that jazz. But festivity was not in the air. There just wasn't that holiday spirit that I love so much about Christmas, and the holiday season in general. Even here in Dubai, I sense that while there may be decorations up, there probably won't be that holiday joy that I remember so much. Pfft, it hasn't even gotten below 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) during the day yet!!
In Texas, around Christmas time, it's generally pretty crazy. Christmas music is constantly playing, everything is decorated with ornaments, gingerbread and candy canes are seen everywhere, there are great deals EVERYWHERE, and while there is certainly stress (so much pressure to get the "perfect" gift for everybody!) in the end, everybody is just happy to be surrounded with people they love. <3
This year, I'll be buying presents for my immediate family which is a first for me! In the past years, I've either made a gift myself, or not actually given anything at all (heehee). Last year, my brother and I sung Christmas carols for the family that we had practiced since mid-November. For my mom, I'm hoping to find the "Naked Eye Palette" by Urban Decay Cosmetics, though finding one may be a bit difficult, since that has been out of stock everywhere for a while. For my dad, I'd like to get him a pair of leather Converses, since he's been wanting a pair of Converse shoes for a long time. I think my little brother, Isaiah would like a Lego Star Wars set, but I think he'd enjoy anything Lego! :P And for my grandma, I'd like to get her a small purse that isn't too heavy or flashy, and will be easy to tote around.
For Christmas, I'd like a shrunken head, a tattoo, a van (preferably suspicious looking), a knife, and a pickled elf butt. Also, a chain with the name "Bruce" encrusted in it with rhinestones. BAHAHA! :D I joke, I joke. In reality, I'd like makeup, new clothes (I've outgrown a lot of my clothes), a purse, and books. If anything, I wouldn't mind gift cards to Forever 21, Ulta, or Barnes and Noble. But enough about me!
I just can't wait to sit around a Christmas tree with my family. 5 Christmases ago, which was the last Christmas I spent with family, I had 4 cousins, and this year I have 8! I want to see all of the little kids open their presents like it's the most exciting thing in the world, and drink hot chocolate, and wear chunky sweaters and scarves and gloves, and feel the magic of Christmas. :)
Till next time,
<3 Lucero
I am so excited to finally be going home for Christmas! Only 12 more days until we fly home! This will be the first Christmas in 5 years that I spend with my extended family. The past 4 Christmases were spent in Cyprus, and it just never felt right. Yes, there were presents and we decorated our tree and all that jazz. But festivity was not in the air. There just wasn't that holiday spirit that I love so much about Christmas, and the holiday season in general. Even here in Dubai, I sense that while there may be decorations up, there probably won't be that holiday joy that I remember so much. Pfft, it hasn't even gotten below 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) during the day yet!!
In Texas, around Christmas time, it's generally pretty crazy. Christmas music is constantly playing, everything is decorated with ornaments, gingerbread and candy canes are seen everywhere, there are great deals EVERYWHERE, and while there is certainly stress (so much pressure to get the "perfect" gift for everybody!) in the end, everybody is just happy to be surrounded with people they love. <3
This year, I'll be buying presents for my immediate family which is a first for me! In the past years, I've either made a gift myself, or not actually given anything at all (heehee). Last year, my brother and I sung Christmas carols for the family that we had practiced since mid-November. For my mom, I'm hoping to find the "Naked Eye Palette" by Urban Decay Cosmetics, though finding one may be a bit difficult, since that has been out of stock everywhere for a while. For my dad, I'd like to get him a pair of leather Converses, since he's been wanting a pair of Converse shoes for a long time. I think my little brother, Isaiah would like a Lego Star Wars set, but I think he'd enjoy anything Lego! :P And for my grandma, I'd like to get her a small purse that isn't too heavy or flashy, and will be easy to tote around.
For Christmas, I'd like a shrunken head, a tattoo, a van (preferably suspicious looking), a knife, and a pickled elf butt. Also, a chain with the name "Bruce" encrusted in it with rhinestones. BAHAHA! :D I joke, I joke. In reality, I'd like makeup, new clothes (I've outgrown a lot of my clothes), a purse, and books. If anything, I wouldn't mind gift cards to Forever 21, Ulta, or Barnes and Noble. But enough about me!
I just can't wait to sit around a Christmas tree with my family. 5 Christmases ago, which was the last Christmas I spent with family, I had 4 cousins, and this year I have 8! I want to see all of the little kids open their presents like it's the most exciting thing in the world, and drink hot chocolate, and wear chunky sweaters and scarves and gloves, and feel the magic of Christmas. :)
Till next time,
<3 Lucero
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