50th Wedding Anniversary

It was such an honor to celebrate Eddie's parents' wedding anniversary this past weekend. We celebrated at St. Patrick's Cathedral where celebrities like Mariah Carey got married. The cathedral was under construction, which obstructed the architectural beauty, but it didn't take anything away from the beautiful sight of 400 couples renewing their vows. Big Ed's toast was well put as he thanked everyone for joining in the celebration and shared his wish that everyone at the table can celebrate their 50th with their respective partners. How touching and inspirational! Thanks to Monica and Jason for their hospitality and the Arirang birthday song will continue to ring in our ears.

Giant bagels or regular sized bagels if you're from NY. The cinnamon raisin was out of bounds good.

A beautiful family photo opp. Eddie, Mary Ann, Eddie Sr., Patricia, Michelle, Monica, Sister Genevieve

Couldn't help snapping a shot of my engagement ring. Love it.

Us on a bus. Eddie being silly.

The whole gang.

We got suite level tickets, which was pretty sweet. I am the first to eat sushi at a baseball game with Eddie.

The bride and groom!

Vegas

On a May day, we headed for our 5 hour drive to Vegas. Some highlights included a Boyz to Men concert - they were incredible and sounded just as good as they did back then, the Million Dollar Quartet, and a cabana by the pool. Lowlights included a buffet - never again according to Eddie. It was meh, but the best meal we had was at a Chinese restaurant at the Bellagio. No big wins, but still had a great time with my fiancé.

Eddie insisted I take a pic with Hello Kitty. I think he just likes to see me looking silly.

Our own cabana

Boyz to Men close up - we sat in the third row. I even got a rose handed to me.

Updated Training Schedule - America's Finest City

Starting Date	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri
6/1/2013	6 miles	off or cross train	35 min easy	50 min easy	off or cross train	45 min - tempo	off or cross train
6/8/2013	7 miles	off or cross train	35 min easy	50 min easy	off or cross train	45 min - tempo	off or cross train
6/15/2013	7 miles	off or cross train	35 min easy	50 min easy	off or cross train	45 min - tempo	off or cross train
6/22/2013	8 miles	off or cross train	30 min easy	40 min - hills	off or cross train	40 min - tempo	off or cross train
6/29/2013	9 miles	off or cross train	35 min easy	55 min - 6-7 60/60's or hills	off or cross train	50 min - tempo	off or cross train
7/6/2013	9 miles	off or cross train	35 min easy	50 min easy	off or cross train	45 min - tempo	off or cross train
7/13/2013	10 miles	off or cross train	35 min easy	55 min - 6-7 60/60's or hills	off or cross train	50 min - tempo	off or cross train
7/20/2013	11 miles	off or cross train	30 min easy	45 min - 6-8 30/30's or hills	off or cross train	45 min - tempo	off or cross train
7/27/2013	12 miles	off or cross train	35 min easy	50 min - 8-10 30/30's or hills	off or cross train	45 min - tempo	off or cross train
8/3/2013	9 miles	off or cross train	35 min easy	50 min easy	off or cross train	45 min - tempo	off or cross train
8/10/2013	6 miles	off	35 min easy	45 min easy	off	30 min easy	off
8/18/2014	off	AFC Half Marathon

A PR in the OC

Eddie scored a PR at the OC with a 2:04 time. I was so proud him! Next time, he'll shoot for under 2! Despite a 1 month bout with bronchitis and then dropping a board on my toe, I managed to complete the half in 2:43. Speaking for myself, I can't wait till our next half. As for Eddie, he's welcoming a deserved break from training. It was a beautiful course and we could not have asked for a better weather. Below are some pics from my recent trip to mother-daughter trip to Seattle, WA. We stopped by my Uncle's dance studio and ate our way through Pike's market. Here's our take on the OC Half.

Pros

• Start location right outside our hotel
• Great free tech shirt
• Beautiful course with some fun variations including some rolling hills
• Plenty of water and Gatorade
• Short drive from San Diego
• Free hotel shuttle from the finish
• Big festival at the end - too bad it was so cold
• Plenty of room to run - no need to elbow your neighbor

Cons

• Long waits to exit the parking lot at the finish
• Luke warm greetings from the expo volunteers and vendors
• Small medals - the 5k medal looked better
• So-so OC branded gear at the expo
• Long waits for bag check
• Cold weather following the race
• Lack of freebies at the expo and goody bag
• So-so expo with crowded aisles

Our 5th Half Marathon!!!

What a view after trekking up a hill

View from our Room

Uncle Jim, Mom, and Me at his dance studio

 

Tulips at Pike's Market

Mom and Me serving as greeters at my Uncle's Salsa Party

Strangest dog I've ever eaten, but it was good.

An Engagement at Pelican Hill

Eddie surprised me with a trip to a mystery destination last month. Once I discovered we were going to Newport Beach, he pretended to take a wrong turn into the Pelican Hill Resort where we he had already made arrangements. The property was immaculate and the service impeccable. On a chilly night with no one else in sight, Eddie proposed underneath the rotunda. The evening was capped off with a bottle of champagne that Eddie had bought earlier - yet another surprise. In a word, perfect!



Sunset Ocean Views from the Rotunda Lawn at The Pelican Hill Resort