Steven Sanchez, Jr.

Growing up, I didn’t have a rocking horse. I had a rocking cow. 

I talk about it in more detail in a previous post. My family came across this old photo, so I wanted to share.

I want another tattoo.

I also want this next one to be full of color.

I’ve been pondering the idea for some time and think I have some direction for it.

I would like a shoulder-piece. My right shoulder to be exact.

It is going to be a variation of an old design I had several years ago.

I want it to include these flags of my family’s heritage:

Also, possibly my last name.

My original design was to be a full back piece.

Come to think of it, I’ve had two back pieces now that I ended up not getting.

They were just too big.

This one will be condensed. Tastefully done. Beautiful.

Also, more important: Meaningful.

Here’s to saving up funds again.

Here’s to re-designing it.

Here’s to tattoos.

Yee!

So this Christmas break I was kind of bummed, for I didn’t have any kind of elaborate road trip planned like I did last year. (Last year, me and a few other friends took a week-long trip in attempts to drive all the way up to Canada. We only made it to Seattle because of the crazy snow storm that hit)

So this year, I knew I at least wanted to take a day trip. I made it happen. I gathered some friends, and we were off to San Jose. We ended up turning the trip into a two-day trip and stayed with my good friend Jon Nickel and his wife, Whitney. It was even more special because I hadn’t seen Jon since his wedding – back in September 2008.

So, for this post, I felt my blog could use some media. It has been a while. So here are a few pics from our trip.

The Mystery Spot! For $5 we got a 45-minute tour and some cheap thrills!

A fun picture from the Mystery Spot. I didn't realize until after our tour that I had left my camera on manual focus. I was bummed :/

The second half of day one. After the Mystery Spot, we went to the Tech Museum in San Jose. A robot took my picture and then drew my face! This museum is one of my favorites. I didn't take many pictures inside here though...

Here we enjoyed some pizza for dinner. Was really tasty. We were really hungry and ordered two larges for the four of us. We found that we didn't need that much food... oh well!

Sir Jon himself.

Here's Whitney. Apparently she didn't want to have her picture taken. It didn't help either, that I kept flashing them with my camera's flash just for fun.

Myself and Pia! Just relaxing after our first day.

Car picture! This was the beginning of day two.

We saw a pirate. He also didn't like being touched.

We rented bikes and rode around Monterey. We stopped here for a bit to take some pictures. It was really pretty.

After our bike ride, the girls felt like being "models". So we had a little fun and snapped some shots. There was a lady in the background who kept chuckling at us (not visible in the picture).

We were walking to the shore, and I was pointing and clicking my camera randomly. I liked this shot.

We had just arrived the place where we stayed to watch the sunset. We're pretty sure we were off the coast in Monterey somewhere. Not 100% sure, though.

Audrey was really hoping to find some creatures in the tidepools. She didn't find much, however she did find this little guy... that she eventually chucked back into the ocean.

We ended our second day of our trip watching the sunset at Monterey. It was a really pretty one.

I’ve been living in Fresno for four years now. I’ve been in southeast Fresno as I’ve been  a student at Fresno Pacific. There I’ve lived on campus and have become quite familiar with the area. I often take Butler Avenue to get to Peach Avenue. It is on Butler Avenue, just east of Winery that I often see an older man walking his dog.

Now this man, I don’t know his name. However I have seen him many times. He wears his windbreaker coat and beanie and walks his golden retriever. I assume they do this on a daily basis, for I have seen them countless times. Now this dog, I was able to see he was getting old. My freshman year, the dog walked at a slow pace. My sophomore year – at an even slower pace. My junior year, with a limp. And then, this morning. This morning was the first time I had seen them in a while. I was driving back to my place after church, and when I saw the man and his dog, my heart just sunk.

Today I saw the man walking, but this time his dog was not walking along side of him. Instead, the man was pulling his dog in a red wagon.

Seeing that today made me so sad, but so happy at the same time. I was able to see that lasting relationship between man and his dog.  That no matter what, the man and his dog would still go on their daily walk. That today was really a highlight and it has been on my mind a lot.

Now, there was one of those large medical-liners that was hanging over the edges of the wagon that the dog was sitting on. I don’t know if he had surgery, or simply can’t walk much at all any more. But yeah. Was just really heart-warming and I immediately knew that I wanted to share this story with you guys today.

Welp, it is Christmas-time again. This year came quicker than last, and I only anticipate them coming sooner and sooner as I get older. It was this evening that I actually stopped to take time and reflect a bit on some of my family’s traditions.

On Christmas Eve, my family (mom, dad, brother, sister, grandma) spends the afternoon at Grandma’s house. We sit around and eat on snacks. Then we go to mass, come back to Grandmas, enjoy some more goodies, and then open the presents from Grandma. When opening presents, we take turns opening them one at a time starting with the youngest person and working up to the oldest.

Come Christmas morning, Grandma comes over to my parents’ house and we open our stockings over here and the rest of the Christmas gifts. After the gifts are opened, Grandma goes back home and she starts preparing the food. On Christmas day, my aunts and uncles come over and we have a huge lunch. The grown-ups all sit around and talk, and the kids run around and play. Anymore, I find myself in the grown-ups category because my cousins are all half my age. *shrug*

Here is a list of our traditions that make our Christmases ours:

• A Christmas Story: Dad loves that movie. We watch it at least once each year.
• Snowballs, Poppycock, Caramel Corn, Fudge, Chex Mix, Cinnamon Candy: all goodies that are made in abundance each year.
• An orange, socks, shampoo, toothpaste: Gifts from Santa in our stockings at Grandma’s house.
• Cookies and a note for Santa: We have done it every year. I’m 21, and this year still plan on leaving Santa some cookies. And yes, I do expect to wake up to a plate with cookie crumbs, and a note back.
• Stockings: we go to bed with the stockings empty, hanging on the wall. We wake up with them filled and sitting on the couch waiting for us.
• Lounging: Our holidays consist of a lot of lounging around and just being with each other. It’s really relaxing, and now I can appreciate that – especially after the hectic semester I’ve had.

But yeah, that is pretty much what Christmas looks like with my family. We’re low-key, and we eat heartily. I’m okay with that. I’ve known others to have hectic, hectic Christmases, and others to have equally relaxing ones like ours. What does your Christmas look like?

Now that our Thanksgiving feast has come and gone, we are left with some delicious left overs. Thanksgiving is by far one of my favorite meals of the year. The day of, I enjoy everything as it is normally eaten – nothing mixed or done too crazy. The days after, however, is when I enjoy mixing things up.

This year, I had a new idea of how to eat Thanksgiving meal leftovers:  a quesadilla.

As with many of my concoctions, it is always hit and miss. I wasn’t sure how this quesadilla was going to some out, and I was nervous about the taste until I took my first bite. So, to make this bad boy of a quesadilla, here’s what I did:

• First, I picked my ingredients (flour tortilla, sweet potatoes, turkey, grated cheddar cheese)
• Then, I spread sweet potatoes over half of the tortilla.
• I placed it in a pan, then proceeded to sprinkle some cheddar cheese.
• Next, I put some chunks of turkey meat.
• Once the tortilla was warm enough and pliable, I folded it over.
• Then I heated the quesadilla, flipping occasionally, until both sides were crispy and light golden-brown.

Now was the moment of truth. I plated and cut the quesadilla in half. It was really hot and nice and cheesy. I took my first bite … and I liked it! However, one thing was missing. So, I threw in some good ol’ Tapatio sauce. That was the final touch it needed. I am always a fan of sweet potato and turkey mixed together. It is a great flavor combo — to me, at least. The cheese didn’t take away or add from these flavors much, but enhanced it really nicely. The Tapatio sauce was the flavor unifyer. To me, it helped create a well-rounded flavor and a quesadilla that was really good.

Here’s to unique food combinations!

I remember last year, I think I threw a little bit of everything into a bowl, heated it, and mixed it all up. It looked disgusting, but I think I liked that one! *shrug* Do you have any fun Thanksgiving leftover creations that you like to do?

Today, Sarah and I had our second wedding gig. Yes. We photograph weddings and we get paid for it. It is a sweet deal. It is also a ton of fun. This wedding was in Cambria and was at 11AM. However, we needed to be there at 8am. That meant leaving Riverdale/Lemoore at 5:30AM.

Blegh.

BUT, it wasn’t so bad. The ride up was rather quiet, for neither of us were completely awake. We finally arrived, and then immediately began clicking away. Sarah went with the bride while she got dressed (I’ll introduce you to the couple in just a second) and while Sarah was with the bride I was walking around, taking some detail photos of the place, decor, etc.  The weather in the morning was beautiful in Cambria, however it didn’t last long. This particular day it got up to 100-something degrees. But, again, it wasn’t so bad. The wedding was beautiful, the people were great, and it was a great atmosphere filled with love and happiness.

Now, allow me to introduce you to Jake and Adriana. I hadn’t met these guys until today, but they were a fun couple. We were all laughing the whole time and it was just really enjoyable taking pictures of them. Ha, they even put up with my quirks and silliness that comes through. I just really had a good time at this wedding (except for the getting sunburnt part, but it is already turning into a tan, so it’s not too bad).

But during the reception, I kind of had a moment. After Jake and Adriana’s first dance, they invited their parents and a few other couples on stage for a dance. It was then that I saw the beauty of life and the progression of life. We had a couple that just got married, then there was another young couple holding a baby, and then the two sets of parents dancing and smiling as they just saw their own children just got married. It was just kind of neat to see the generations right there in front of me. It really reminded me my life is constantly moving forward, and someday that will be me getting married, and then eventually having my own children,  and then eventually dancing at my child’s wedding. Was just a real eye opener. *nods* yeah.

And thenn, yeah here are just a few more photos. These next few don’t really need editing and kind of give you a feel for the atmosphere of the wedding. They’re not amazing or anything, but like I said, they give you a feel. I want to wait until I let the new bride and groom see their pictures before I show the rest of the world.

This morning, I was going to write on here, but before I began to do that, I found myself on Facebook. There, I found myself filling out one of those questionaires. I started it an hour ago and am now finished. So, today will be a ‘Get to know Steven’ day. I spent a lot of time answering those questions and I am going to repost the questions and my answers here. Happy Monday, and here are one hundred questions and answers about me!

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
My biggest scar is on my arm. I got it when I was only 8 months old. I was in my walker, hangin out in my mom’s beauty shop. I made my way to her work station and pulled the cord of the curling iron. Needless to say, it fell on my arm and left me with a 2nd degree burn that left a scar I’ve had my entire life.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Currently my room in Nashville, the walls are plain. I did have some of my photography up, but the frames kept falling (I was using putty, I didn’t wanna put holes in the wall). At home, my mom has some shelves with plants and some pictures on the walls. At school- usually my photography is hung on the walls.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
I think I’m a heavy breather. Occasional murmurs. Nothing too insane, though.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Every-freaking-thing. from classical to electronic/screamo. From country to punk. I”m extremely eclectic when it comes to music. And I love it. (currently listening to Yellowcard, before that was John Legend, and before that was the August Rush soundtrack)

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
It was 10 something in the morning.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
hmm.. right now I’m pretty stinkin content. I would have to say a big comfy chair. This wooden one is hurting my bum a bit.

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
Right now, I miss my grandma, family, and friends back home.

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
hrmm.. Bartholemew, my camera. my external hard drive (seriously, my life is on there), umm.. my phone. I feel really shallow saying these, but it’s true.

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5′ 8″ .. I’m short

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Nope. Haha as a kid, I loved crawling inside my toy chest. that thing was legit!

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Honestly, a bit. It’s not bad, I just am a little more on edge.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
Not gonna say names, but I was extremely frustrated and ticked off.

13. WHAT’S YOUR WORST FEAR?
This is tough. Nothing really jumped to mind, but death did. I don’t know if it is a fear, so much as me just not liking the idea of it. It just really freaks me out. :/

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR / EYE COLOR COMBINATION DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I’m not going to lie, I’m a sucker for blonde hair, blue eyed girls. But, there are definitely others that catch my eye. I don’t discriminate when it comes to pretty girls.

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING?
That’s too far down the road to think of right now. But when I do, it’s going to be light-hearted, slightly comedic, and extremely heart-felt.

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Both. depends on the time of day, I guess. I love coffee in the AM, but later in the day it’s too hot for coffee, so I’ll go with an energy drink.

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Hawaiian.

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A giant soft pretzel with salt and cheese. mmm.

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
I like black a lot. Also silver. and anything obnoxious.

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
Nope.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Can’t remember the first, but one that came to mind was a cd-mix that a friend burnt for me in h.s.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Why, yes I do.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
I think I am. Or at least my fingers are…

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
Hrmm. I really like Express. But I get my clothes from everywhere. If it looks nice, is affordable, and fits, I’ll buy it.

25. FAVORITE ACTORS / ACTRESSES?
Currently, Robert Downey Jr., and Jonny Depp, Sandra Bullock and Allyson Hannigan

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
Parents have a cat, Daisy, at home.

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
A white and gray cat. haha.

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
I think that it may happen, but I don’t think I’d confess it if I knew they were leaving.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED.
88

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
Both!

32. FAVORITE QUOTE?
I don’t know that I have a favorite…

33. FAVORITE PLACE?
The beach (which I miss dearly)

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
Yep – Mexico and Vietnam.

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Others’ suffering. candy. really good music.

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
I look at myself every day in the mirror… Gilbert Gottfried when I was in NY, and then out here in Nasvhille, I’ve seen pretty much all the current chart-topping artists.

37. FIRST JOB?
Simply Delicious Catering. But like, real job – Summer School teacher’s aid for a kindergarten class. Those children were so much fun. I had a lot of fun doing that. It was also neat to see that they were learning from what I was teaching them. It was really rewarding!

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
haha, oohhh yeah.

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOUL MATE?
… *thinking* … I think that there is a certain type of person that we are meant to be with. I don’t know if I completely agree that there is “The One”, though.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Chatting on MSN Messenger and drinking my vanilla latte.

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
I’ve had 5 or 6 surgeries. First one was when I was five years old. I would get these growths called polyps that would grow in my nasal passages. They would prevent me from breathing through my nose. I would have to have surgeries to remove them. I think it was about once a year that I would have the procedure done. I finally out-grew these polyps when I was in second or third grade.

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
Either my hair or my outfit.

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
From fifth grade through eighth grade. I even had head-gear and all.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
My next birthday isn’t until next march. I’ll be 22 (that’s weird to think about.. :/ … ) What would be *really* nice would be a new car. But realistically speaking – I would be happy with a nice dinner with good company and tons of laughter.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
I would like two kids – a boy and a girl. I would like my son to be first-born. He will have a unique name – one that none of the other kids will have. My daughter, who will be close in age, maybe 2 years difference, will have a pretty name. Maybe something like Felicity.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Nope. Not at all. My name is Steven Sanchez, Jr. Haha (sarcasm) I was named after my dad! I even don’t have a middle name – and neither does he!

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Girls that are too structured and don’t know how to let loose and enjoy themselves. The same girls that have their next twenty years of life planned and will only work towards ensuring what they have planned becomes a reality.

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKE(D) ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
If I can only say one thing, it would be Leadership.

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
The green bottle that smells good! I think it is Garnier Fructise?

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yeah, I do.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Roast beef!

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
Yeah – procrastination is a HUGE one. haha, since I’ve been spending a lot of time at the office (starbucks), eavesdropping on people’s conversations has become kinda bad too.

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
Actually, I’m finding that I kinda am. :/

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I’m pretty sure that I would. We would be best friends.

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
Haha. I’ll just say that I’m not completely against it.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Call me shallow, but I say yes.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
I don’t. I hold it in. But I am learning to let it go by talking things through! Or I’ve also tended to open a new word document and just type until it’s all out.

58. WOULD YOU RATHER GAIN 58 POUNDS OR LOSE 58 POUNDS?
Lose! fer shure

59. WHAT’S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
To live a happy and fun-filled life with few regrets!

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
My Tonka truck and my HotWheels cars!

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
7.. like everybody else? Or, like, individual numbers? I have 5 different numbers in my phone number…

62. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
I was a huge fan of Barney! But back in the day I denied it like crazy, haha.

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Psh. A lot.!

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Mmmm, both please!

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY / GIRL?
Somebody who is down for a good time, not afraid of random adventures, pretty, can laugh at just many things that I do, family oriented…

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Paco, Steve-o, Dirrty Sancho

67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER?
So many to choose from. How about you just let me be Superman!

68. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS?
I don’t watch TV, really haven’t since high school. But The Office is a good one that I managed to watch for a while. This summer I’ve caught up on all of the seasons of How I Met Your Mother. And, I really enjoy the Food Network.

69. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
Hm, tough as it is – be upfront and honest.

70. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
Yessir, indeed.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
Yeah, unless I take it with me somewhere..

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
New members informational meeting at Cross Point Church.

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
Hrm. Somewhere in California.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
I don’t really care…

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Still listening to Yellowcard.

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
Grande Vanilla Latte – it was tasty

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mommy, dearest.

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I’ve actually been working on figuring this out! I’ve narrowed it down to either their eyes or their hair.

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I’ve had a ton of spare time lately! In that time, I’ve found myself enjoying a lot of music, talking to a lot of people, and being creative/crafty. I made myself some wooden ear plugs, and learned how to make those hemp-like bracelet things.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
? .. I don’t know.

82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?
Late Spring / Early Summer.

83. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
I’m a huge fan of candy that changes the color of your mouth! But I realllly enjoy Blow Pops. In fact, I think I may buy a bag today!

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
I can say that I have and still do!

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Currently? Au Natural — dark brown. It’s been many colors in the past, though!

86. EYE COLOR?
Dark Brown

87. CLOTHES SIZE?
Large Shirt. 34×30 pants

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
I had it for the first time this summer, out here in Nashville: Chic Fil A, That place is tasty!

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Cracker Barrel! The food is sooooooo goood! I will miss that place dearly.

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
Love it! I’ve been wanting some so bad.  Who’s up for Wassabi when I get back??

91. WATCH TV TODAY?
Not yet I haven’t. Might end up watching some later today.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
I don’t know if I can pick only one. Pay Days are nice!

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
I have played the sax since 4th grade. I started learning bassoon for a while, but dropped it. Currently learning piano!

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
I don’t know what I am.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Both!

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
I’ll say relationships.

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
My latte that I drank this morning. Before that was when I ran to the grocery store last night – butter, beer, and biscuits.

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
Nope. I’m a dude.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Well, I’m not reading one – does my piano book count? It’s  by some Alfred dude. I’m looking at reading ‘The Dark Side of Leadership’ or something like that, though.

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE.
Haha. It is a life full of love. Interpret that how you may.

Today I am celebrating a small milestone in my life. On January 1, 2009 I made a decision to quit a habit that I had picked up in high school. I decided to quit smoking. Not many people actually knew I smoked. But, alas today marks 7 months that I have been cigarette free.

Now, I wasn’t a heavy smoker. At all. It was just a habit that I picked up and didn’t want anymore. I would smoke one pack about every 2-3 weeks. I had become a ‘social smoker’. It was something I began to do when I was out with others. It was with some of these people whom I smoked with that I had very heart-felt and deep conversations. Smoking was something that brought us together. Also, I would often enjoy a cigarette while driving. Especially during the summer, with the windows down and the music up. I’m not proud of this, but I’m not ashamed at the same time, either.

I feel that in moderation, it isn’t that bad of a thing. I feel the same way about alcohol. It has a way of bringing people together. But, again, it all comes down to moderation and not letting it take over you. It is when you become addicted, or rely on these substances that they become a problem. But that’s another story.

I’m not doing to much to celebrate this today – or not making this a big deal. (Maybe I’ll decide to have a beer later, who knows) I actually debated posting my story on here for a while, but now I am doing it. I wanted to put this out there to be a small inspiration any others who may be wanting to quit.  I simply quit. Cold turkey. Smoking was something I wanted to remove from my lifestyle. So, I did it.

There have been times when it was super tempting. But I was able to stay strong and fight the urge to smoke. I have friends that still smoke. I am not going to judge them or criticize them. This was a decision that I wanted to make. A change in my life that I felt needed to be done. I was able to do it, and if you’re struggling – hang in there. You can do it too!

*Cheers!* Here’s to 7 months of a cigarette-free life

Today I was watching the tele, and I skipped past a show on the Travel Channel. They were going through Vietnam. I got really excited when I saw the show on TV. I saw glimpses of the city that I remember from my visit during the summer of 2008. I spent three weeks there and travelled, pretty much, the entire country. We spent a week in Northern Vietnam, a week in Central Vietnam, and a week in Southern Vietnam. The show was centered in Hanoi.

Hanoi was where we spent our first week there. In Hanoi was where we took the picture here. This was a tomb of Ho Chi Minh’s body. He was a huge leader in Vietnam’s past. So, they have created this tomb to honor him. We had the privilege of going into the tomb and seeing the actual body. To me, it looked fake. The body was preserved way to well. But oh well. It’s the idea that counts, right?

Now, the food in Vietnam – it was so fresh and tasty. It consisted of a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fish was another big part of the diet. But this particular dish was one of our firsts in Hanoi. It was a simple, yet very refreshing cucumber and tomato salad. It was especially refreshing because it was super hot and humid in Vietnam.

We also got to visit a pottery village, where a ton of pottery is hand made, then exported or sold in local tourist shops. We even got to tour one of the pottery making buildings. This building was at least five, maybe seven, stories tall. Each floor had a different stage in the pottery’s life; molding, painting, drying, etc.

We visited Sapa, in Northern Vietnam. This area was beautiful, and the home of a lot of the Hmong people in Vietnam. They lived in these mountains/hills and we took a hike one day and got to see their lands first hand. The area was breath taking. It was just beautiful. This picture really doesn’t do much justice to it, but it was the easiest I could find among my 2,000+ other pictures from the trip.

Alas, and my favorite part of the trip: Ha Long Bay. This bay was beautiful. It was a bay, and in the bay were thousands of these limestone islands. We went out on this beautiful three-leveled boat for just our twenty person group. We had the whole thing to ourselves, and were treated first class. The sights were phenomenal and just the experience was so amazing. We spent one night out on the bay on this luxurious boat.

There was so much more we were able to see and do on this trip. It was an experience I am super glad to have had. It was my first trip to another country (I’ve been to Mexico, but we just walked around the border.. so I don’t really count it). This trip was many of my firsts, actually – the biggest one being the first time I had been on a plane. Yes. My first plane experience was a 13-hour flight. It wasn’t bad at all. I survived.

I could go on about this trip forever, but honestly don’t have the energy to do it right now. I’ve got a video uploaded on my Facebook that does a good job at summing up our trip. It is close to 15 minutes – so if you’ve got time to spare, go check it out there!