vballphil

From Hollywood to "Italy" this past weekend

Posted on February 6, 2007December 20, 2012 by vballphil in Family, Friends, Fun, Italian Meal, West Hollywood

So, most people who know me know that it takes a lot these days to get me to go out on a Thursday night. Let alone to a party in West Hollywood. But I decided to be BRAVE (hahaha) and venture out. We ended up going to a party that my friend helped organize for a “cover” girl at Les Deux. The trio (Silke, Cheri, and me) hit the town again! And, for the most part, it rocked! There were a ton of B list actors there, with the occasional A- actor (Jonathan Silverman) wrapped into this outdoor/indoor club. But ya know, as long as I am with those two chicas…I am cool! :)!

Friday was a blur (which, for the most part I did not feel well) to me. Saturday rolled along and it was all about the Italian meal my step mom was preparing for Cheri’s belated Grad & b’day party. Woohoo! Yummy meatballs & gnocchi’s (one of my all time fave meals). Cheri’s HS friends, along with some other friends and our mommacita, joined in the festivities…and of course my sisters, Lori & Kara were there :)! Good food and good company!

And a couple side notes….my car hit 100,000 miles yesterday on the 405 North at El Camino….CRAZY! AND Kristen, my high school best friend, sent me a pic from our HS prom. Or should I say STRAIGHT CLASSIC (my new fave saying)!

Your life ever feel like a song? MINE DOES!

Posted on February 2, 2007 by vballphil in Uncategorized

Sometimes I hear a song that just fits me to “a tee”.

“Just Be” by Tiesto (a great song that I listen to when I just need to relax)
You can travel the world
But you can’t run away
From the person you are in your heart
You can be who you want to be
Make us believe in you
Keep all your light in the dark
If you’re searchin for truth
You must look in the mirror
And make sense of what you can see
Just be
Just be

They say learning to love yourself
Is the first step
That you take when you want to be real
Flying on planes to exotic locations
Won’t teach you
How you really feel
Face up to the fact
That you are who you are
Nothing can change that belief
Just be
Just be

’cause now I know
It’s not so far
To where I go
The hardest part
Is inside me
I need
To just be
Just be

Just be
Just be
Just be

I was lost
And I’m still lost
But I feel so much better

’cause now I know
It’s not so far
To were I go
The hardest part
Is inside me
I need
To just be
Just be

And a song that makes me smile (now that I am officially old…haha)
“Dangerous” by Da Buzz
I’m so dangerous…
I’m so dangerous…

I felt that I was old, writing in this room
It’s hard to understand, the things that I couldn’t change
Suddenly heaven decided to show me a new sensation
I change my direction I’m ready for action
I feel dangerous

I can take it, I can make it, I’m dangerous
Can’t you get it, you can’t beat it, I’m fabulous
I can take it, I can make it, I’m dangerous
Can’t you get it, you can’t beat it
Cus I’m so dangerous

All the things are gone, all the waste of time
Now I’m searching for, the glory of my soul
Suddenly heaven decided to show me a new sensation
I changed my direction, I’m ready for action
I feel dangerous

Ahh Ahh… Im so dangerous… Ahh Ahh…

It’s time to go, a taste of thrill
It’s time to show what’s in my face
Don’t look back, don’t be afraid
To volunteer could be the change
It’s time to live your life

I can take it, I can make it, I’m dangerous
Can’t you get it, you can’t beat it
Cus I’m so dangerous

Cheri’s Bday in Napa

Posted on January 22, 2007December 20, 2012 by vballphil in Cheri's Birthday, Friends, Fun, Napa

The trip to Napa was fun, but nothing like our day in the infamous Napa Valley! The day, to start of with, was as absolutely gorgeous. We decided to venture northward and had a mini plan in place. First stop, the Robert Mondavi Winery. Even though this was not a “destination” for us, it turned out to be Alezandra’s husbands’ fave wine. Here are the photos from that stop.

The next stop was the Peju Winery. This winery was more of a French atmosphere (while Mondavi was a Spanish atmosphere). It was really charming. Once inside I was in heaven…MUSTARDS! Hahahaha! I love mustard and they sold their mustards. I ended up with the sweet garlic and red pepper mustards. Who needed wine? I just completely content with my mustard! :)! Here are photos from that stop.

Next on the list was lunch at the V.Sattui Winery. You could tell that this was a very popular place for food and wine. They had a deli inside that was absolutely fabulous. But, due to the fact it was absolutely crazy in there and they weren’t making sandwiches that day we ventured across the street to Dean and Deluca. You can not go wrong in that store. Another fun fact about me is that I LOVE cheese and the cheeses available in both deli’s were absolutely amazing! Parmiano Reggiano chunks were around $140; PER CHUNK mind you. But YUMMO (as Rachel Ray would say).

After lunch we head up to the Schramsberg Winery. As we drove up north to this winery we passed one of the infamous Napa signs. You know we had to take a pic in front of it! The funnest part was running across HWY 29. And Cheri HAD to take photos of this…hilarious. After that we headed into the hills on the one lane/two way road to Schramsberg. This winery was breath-taking. The sad thing is we only got a chance to walk around. The last tour left right before we arrived…plus it is a reservation tour, which is good to know for the next time. I am so game to go through their cave system, etc! Here are some pics from this part of our journey.

After that we headed toward the Silverado Winery, but got sidetracked and ended up at the Mumm Winery. It was a great winery to end our day with too. The sunset over the hill in front of us during the champagne tasting and it was amazing.

Last but not least, we ended up eating at a restaurant named Hurley’s in Yountville. This town was so cute! I would definitely stay there next time! The service wasn’t great here, but my dish was awesome! Butternut squash with prosciutto & mandego cheese. So good! Hahaha!

And here are some more random photos from the weekend….enjoy!!!

The trip to Napa

Posted on January 20, 2007December 20, 2012 by vballphil in Cheri's Birthday, Fun, Napa

So Friday was the day we decided to drive to Napa, Ca for Cheri’s bday weekend. Her friend Alex, who lives in D.C., flew out on Thurs and drove up with us. Because of that we decided to do an extra bit of girl bonding and took the more scenic route. And talk about an amazing day to do that! We toasted the weekend in Paso Robles at a restaurant called Artisan. It was a modern restaurant with some ultra sheek food! And the wine wasn’t bad either :)!

From there we ventured further up the coast to San Fran. I always get chills driving into and out of that marvelous city. The vibe is always so amazing there. Plus it doesn’t hurt that the views are always heavenly! We actaully went into the city to go to Ghirardelli square for some chocolate strawberries! No seriously…who is going to say no to that???!!! All we could say was YUMMO (too much Rachel Ray on the brain)! From there we ventured over the infamous and awe inspiring Golden Gate bridge. To me that is a symbol of California. So bold, so beautiful, so amazing!

From there we headed to our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn-Napa. I would say that the drive through tht country was amazing, BUT it was dark :)! Once we got here we met up with Cheri’s two other friends, Lisa & Rinna. We decided to take a “light” dinner over at Fume, along with a couple glasses of wine. Another Yummo (seriously, I need to stop watching so much 30 Minute Meals)!

So now we are going to venture on a day filled with beauty, wine, and good times! Happy Birthday Cheri!!!

A Wonderful Day of TV Movies..

Posted on January 15, 2007December 20, 2012 by vballphil in Movies, Sunday Fun

So not much to report on this weekend..except the excellent movies that played on Sunday afternoon/evening! Hahaha! Hey, when two of my fave movies, Romancing the Stone & Robin Hood:Men in Tights, come on the same day…you know it is going to be a great evening!! Hahaha!
Here are some quotes from Robin…
Prince John: And why would the people listen to you?
Robin Hood: Because, unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent.
[referring to the then recent blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, in which Kevin Costner played the role with an American accent]

Blinkin: Oh, this never would have happened if your father was alive.
Robin Hood: He’s dead?
Blinkin: Yes.
Robin Hood: And my mother?
Blinkin: She died of pneumonia while – oh, you were away!
Robin Hood: And my brothers?
Blinkin: There were all killed by the plague.
Robin Hood: My dog, Pogo?
Blinkin: Run over by a carriage.
Robin Hood: My goldfish, Goldie?
Blinkin: Eaten by the cat.
Robin Hood: My cat?
Blinkin: Choked on the goldfish. Oh, it’s good to be home, ain’t it, Master Robin?

Little John: Let me introduce you to my best friend: Will Scarlet.
Scarlet: Scarlet’s my middle name. My full name is Will Scarlet O’Hara.
[pause]
Scarlet: We’re from Georgia.

Robin Hood: I lost. I lost? Wait a minute, I’m not supposed to lose. Let me see the script.

Robin Hood: I am Robin Hood, and these are my Merry Men!
Rabbi Tuckman: Faygeles?
Robin Hood: No, no. We’re straight. Just merry.

Here are some quotes from Romancing…

[Jack shows off his new, crocodile skin, boots, made from the crocodile he has killed]
Joan Wilder: I like the boots.
Jack Colton: Yeah, that poor old yellow-tailed guy… developed a fatal case of indigestion. He died right in my arms.
Joan Wilder: I can’t blame him. If I were to die there’s nowhere on earth I’d rather be.

Joan Wilder: You’re a mondo dismo!
Jack Colton: I’m… what am I? I’m what?
Joan Wilder: You’re a man who takes money from stranded women!

Jack Colton: Wait a minute, he’s after you. Who the hell are you?
Joan Wilder: Well, I’m a romance novelist.
Jack Colton: You’re what? What are you doing here?
Joan Wilder: I told you, my sister’s life depends on me.
Jack Colton: Ah, don’t give me that s*$#. I thought you were donating a kidney or something.

Good times this weekend…

Posted on January 8, 2007December 20, 2012 by vballphil in Fun, Sisters

So this weekend was an interesting weekend to say the least. From the adventures at the Gaslamp/Sacchi to my evening at Lolo house with the kids…Good & CRAZY times!!

So the weekend started out with 4 of my 5 sisters going out to an 80’s night at the Gaslamp. Pat, my brother in law, Silke, Lance (Kara’s boyfriend) and Jen joined in the festivities. And from the pics below…you will see that the night was definitely an interesting time! Enjoy!

Just a thought

Posted on January 4, 2007December 20, 2012 by vballphil in Drew Barrymore, Random Thoughts

So I just read an article about Drew Barrymore (I mean she is only my FAVE actress and all) and she stated this quote about her and her boyfriend and how they keep there relationship alive….”Right now I’m in a phase of ‘I’m not even your girlfriend. I’m your best friend who is madly in love with you'”. Talk about an amazing quote that just hits the core of you. In my opinion, that is how a relationship should be period.

I know this is a total random thought, but when you read something that just touches or effects you, you want to say something about it! And can we say YEA for Drew’s new movie with Hugh Grant that is coming out…

The eve of 2007…CRAZY!

Posted on December 30, 2006December 20, 2012 by vballphil in Just me

With only one day remaining of 2006, I can not only help and review my past year. This has been both a trying and amazing year for me. With my Disneyland pass, the constant travel on tour, and the new friends I made this year, I can not help but be thankful. And of course…my 30th bday was this year so you know it was an eventful year.

So next up is resolutions. Why do we make resolutions? To make our selves feel better? Well, instead of a resolution I am making goals for myself. The first goal is to get back into my playing shape. Now, this doesn’t mean lose 20 pounds or anything, but rather to get me mentally strong again about myself. If I can run 2 miles in the sand in less than 11 minutes then I wont care what I look like. Another goal is to be “incondescentally” happy. I know that this is a hard goal to set, but hey, why can’t I try!!

2007 looks to be an interesting year….with new stops, new friends, new experiences, and my 31st bday looming in the background, I know it will be interesting!!

My 30th bday…

Posted on December 19, 2006December 20, 2012 by vballphil in Birthday

So the day has come and past…I am officially 30 years old. Just saying it gives me the chills! Haha! But I must say, that between Glen Ivy & the Super Sexy Xmas Spectacular, I had an amazing day. First off, I was lucky enough to spend most of my day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona with my sisters (Lori, Cheri, & Lora), my mom, my friend Jamie, & my friend April. And let me tell you, if you need a day away from everything….GO! From the mud bath, to the saline pool, to the mineral bath, to the Grotto, etc…and just indulge yourself!!! The food rocked there too (an added side note).

That night we went to the Super Sexy Christmas Spectacular at the El Cid dinner theater in the Silver Lake District. Basically, we went to a ultra hot burlesque show that my sisters friend, Ashley, performed in. And can we say it rocked! So much fun! And to my suprise, my sis and her friend suprised me with a on stage appearance. At the end of their performance I was grabbed to go on stage for my birthday…talk about a cool thing for my 30th bday!

This was definitely a day I needed after my panic attacks throughout the past week. Who knows what this decade will hold for me. But one thing I do know is I have family and friends who will always be there for me…and I am grateful for this!

Here are some of the pictures from yesterday….

2006 AVCA in Omaha

Posted on December 18, 2006December 20, 2012 by vballphil in AVCA, Omaha, volleyball

So when you are thinking about traveling to Omaha, Nebraska try to be awake only at night (no offense Buffa). At night the downtown is absolutely gorgeous. However, in the day, it is another story. Whatever. I had to travel to Omaha for the 2006 AVCA Convention/NCAA Final Four to promote the AVP. And actually, it turned out pretty well. I got to bring 5 athletes (who all rocked) and got a bunch of free Crocs (SCORE)! Haha! Here are a few pics form the first night. I actually got to hang out with one of my closest friends from college at UTPA….Buffy, aka Buffa, who still turns heads in a room. :)!