Tuesday, May 31, 2011

could it be? IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! "how to curl your hair video"

heyyyyy!!! so it's done...this weekend i posted my "how to curl your hair" video. the video is a little lengthy, i really did cut out a lot of footage. i tried to keep it as short as possible, but i think i left enough to where you could learn as much as you could. i really do hope you learn at least 1 new trick.

the guy yelling in the background is my dad, he's watching one of the san jose sharks playoff games...we won that game.

big big big THANK YOU to my cousin kimmie for filming this video and being the first to try to edit and upload the video.

oh and yes, i do know the plural of "hair" is "hair." me saying "hairs" is a bit of an inside joke!!!

enjoy!!! rate and comment as you wish.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

well hello there...Melanie, is that you?

while looking in the mirror yesterday, i saw a glimpse of someone i once knew. if you follow my blogs or tweets, you know i've been on an "#OperationMelanie" hype. i'm determined to get back into shape and have come pretty far, but my goal is still a ways away.

having people tell you that you look like you've lost weight or fitting into clothes better has got to be the most rewarding feeling. it only means you are closer to your goal.

yesterday, was the first time that "III" actually looked at myself and was proud of how far i've come and where i'm going.

#OperationMelanie continues...

Thursday, May 26, 2011

more tanlines with barely any sun

woww i really worked myself out this week. on tuesday, i popped in the p90x plyometrics dvd and worked out at home. i was feeling sore on wednesday, but was determined to get some weight training in and worked on my bi, tris and some abs. today, i was definitely feeling the effects of both workouts with aches (good aches) in my quads, butt, bis, tris and abs...but i still wanted to get a workout in. my answer to a good workout, even with achy muscles, is a good swim. swimming is the only exercise that works out every muscle in your body. and although still putting work on your muscles, it allows for your muscles to relax a little. well it does for me at least.

my swim today was exhilarating. in my last swim workout, although good, it was a bit hard for me to even get a 100 done. i thought today would be that same, being that, even that swim workout was soooo long ago. i surprised myself. after a couple of 50s and maybe a 100 or two, i got into my groove and today was the the first time in so long that i felt like i could keep swimming forever. i wish i would've counted my laps or even looked at the time to see when i actually started, but i didn't. and the important thing is that i got out there and got a good workout in.

i slept with the salonpas patches i talked about in my b2b video last night and i will be sleeping with some on tonight. i'm know i'm going to be an achy mess tomorrow, but that's how you know you've done well. #OperationMelanie

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Bay 2 Breakers 2011 100th Anniversary Video

Yeayyy!!! Can you tell how much fun I'm having with my computer!! hahaha!! I finished my Bay 2 Breakers video as promised.

My Bay 2 Breakers race report can be found here.




my first youtube video is up!!!

well it's officially my 4th, but this is my first one that i'm in and i'm actually doing something. the others are funny videos of my family and friends doing dance central. it's basically my shecky's haul minus a hat that i bought, but you'll be seeing that hat in an upcoming trip..haha!!

but this is my very first video!!! first shooting, first editing and first everything!!! on my new computer (i used my flip to shoot it)!! oh how i love it! lol

Keeks - Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoyed the night as much as I did. And, I know we'll both enjoy our spa treatments. Most of all, thank you for shooting this for me.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

3 years and counting

someone asked me last night how many marathons/triathlons have i done. and to be honest with you, i haven't really kept track. i guess i could've counted my medals, but not all events give medals out. so if it weren't for my blog i wouldn't even know.

here are all the things i've done starting in 2008:

Louie Bonpua Tri - olympic distance
Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon
IronMan Louisville
Louie Bonpua Tri - sprint distance
Lavaman Tri - olympic distance
Bridge 2 Bridge 12k
Nike Women's Marathon 2009 - half
Rock n Roll Vegas - half
San Francisco Marathon - half
Susan G Komen 12k
Nike Women's Marathon 2010 - half
Bay 2 Breakers 12k

i can't believe it's already been 3 years since i've started on this crazy journey. if you would've asked me in high school or even college if i'd ever do any kind of events like this, i'd think you were crazy for asking me such a absurd question. but "look at me now...look at me now!" i can't imagine not doing at least 2 or 3 a year. i'm just lucky enough to have friends that are equally excited to see what the free tshirt is going to look like, and more excited to rock the medal (or tiffany's necklace) and take pictures with it when really all we really want to do is eat, shower and sleep.

to all my TNT teammates, Running Divas, and the boys who've joined us along the way...THANK YOU!!!

from work to play

last night i went to shecky's. and all girl event with lots of vendors to shop through. i'll actually do a post on it later. but you can check out their website in the meantime.

i came home from work and had little time before i had to head out the door again, so i had to do a quick switch-a-roo to make sure i was comfortable for the evening but still a little stylish for the event. i knew i was gonna get some walking in and doing it in 5 inch heels would not have made for a fun night!


work wear:
h&m blazer - under $50. you can't really tell from the picture, but it actually has skinny pinstripes and the lining is a blushy pink color

colorful leopard tank - i think this was only like $12 from a cheapy store called joppa. it's racerback and has ruffles on going down the back about halfway. really cute, but hard to get a picture of by myself. haha!

levis demi curve skinny jeans - i went to an event when i bought these, so i think i got 30% off. i don't know how much i paid

studded pumps - $36 these are featured in my "blazers...so sexy!" blog

play attire:
i switched out the blazer for a cognac colored leather jacket from arden b. i got this jacket for only $30 with a deal they were having.

and i switched out the heals for my favorite pair of toms, burlap, and folded up the jeans.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, May 16, 2011

Bay 2 Breakers 2011 100th Year Anniversary (rewrite)

(my original blog was erased =( so I tried to rewrite this as best as I could)

I decided that I would run Bay 2 Breakers again this year for their 100th year anniversary. So when they sent me the email for early registration, I DID! And, for the first time EVER they gave out medals...SCORREEEE!!!

I participated in B2B for the first time 2 years ago. But, as a first timer, I wanted to experience it San Francisco style by doing, as I like to call it, the "drunken walk." It just so happened that B2B was during a heatwave. I didn't even finish the measly 7.46 miles. Hahaha!! Pretty funny considering, by that time I already had a couple of half marathons and triathlons under my belt.

This year, the weather forecast called for RAIN! It was predicted that we would have a pretty miserable run considering it was supposed to rain the whole day. And, as I fell asleep to the sound of rain, I thought they were right. But, the weather gods blessed us with the best weather anyone could have asked for. It wasn't too hot and it wasn't too cold. I took my jacket off around mile 2 and around mile 5 - 6 it started to sprinkle. But, it only sprinkled for a few minutes and by that time I welcomed the mild sprinkle. Totally refreshing.

My goal for this 12k was to beat 1:30, yes even with the dreaded Hayes Street Hill. And, I am proud to say that I ran the WHOLE 12K, ALL 7.46 miles, INCLUDING ALL OF HAYES! I don't know my official chip time yet, and I didn't get to use my running app, but as I crossed the finish line, I noticed that the clock read 1:28:??, so I must have beat my goal! Yeayyy!!!

Another notch on my belt and another medal to add to the collection!



MY OFFICIAL TIME!


Please stay tuned for a video of some of the costumes that I got to see. But please be patient..

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Look Ma New Time!

Bay 2 Breakers sure did sneak up on me this year. I didn't realize it was sooo close. It's actually this coming Sunday. So, on Monday, I decided to run the lake. I didn't think anything of the run. As I started, I just thought to myself take it easy today, just take a good jogging pace around the lake.

The weather was nice and my pace was bit off to begin with, but as usual especially with endurance athletes (not that I am one), I was feel more warmed up around 2 miles in.

I surprised myself again with beating my time!! WOO HOO!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, May 9, 2011

Thank you!!

I just want to take this time to thank all of you who actually take time out of your lives to read my silly little blog. Whether it be b/c you wanna know where I got my feather extensions or my latest shopping deal or you wanna know about my running and triathlon sessions or maybe you just wanna check up on me...THANK YOU!!

My feather extension blog and my purse blog brought my stats up so much and since then the hits haven't stopped. So, please feel free to subscribe to my blog and let me know what you wanna see. Outfits, makeup, rants and rambles whatever it may be. I'm honestly thinking of blogging a little more of what goes on in that random head of mine, I kindda let it all loose on my twitter page, but I know not all of you can see that. We'll see what happens.

I will be filming my first youtube video this week. For those of you that have been on me...Yes FINALLYYYY!!! I know. For those of you that don't really know me, it's going to be a video on how to curl hair. It's been requested from me for a long time now and FINALLY it's gonna get done. Hopefully, you'll be able to learn a trick or two from me.

So guys, please don't be shy. Comment and request as you please. We'll see where this all goes, but you all have gotten me excited to do more...so again, THANK YOU!

Congratulations Sydney!

8 years ago a close friend of mine told me she was pregnant and shortly after she asked me to be a godmother. i nearly cried. although i knew i was one of few people she actually considered a friend and i had been there for almost every tear and "suta" incident, being asked to be a godparent is a great privilege and i was excited to say the least.

Sydney has grown to become an intelligent, spunky little woman. she was never really a baby. she always had personality and picked up on things quite fast. even when she was only 3 or 4, people would think she was older b/c her speech was like a 6 year old. when i returned home from college i got to take care of her while her mom was at work. i'm glad to say i took part in her rearing. she's now 8 and this past weekend received her First Communion. yeay!!!

her baptismal gown was past down to every female on her maternal side since her grandmother. and her first communion would hold the same tradition, she wore a traditional reconciliation gown that was past down to every female on her maternal side, which started with her mother's aunt. the veil was a simple tradition long veil, but it was a bit worn so, she wore the veil of her mother's other aunt.

Sydney, congratulations! I'm so happy I got to be a part of another milestone in your life. I'm excited for you future journeys. Nina loves you!





Tuesday, May 3, 2011

"and i'm back" -jay-z voice

This past weekend was a blast!!! I haven't had a vacation like that in FOREVER!!! This past weekend, the ladies and I ventured over to Vegas. I'll give you a quick run down of everything we did and little snippets here and there. The pictures should say more than enough after that.

Thursday:
We watched the Jabbawockeez and Deb and I got to meet them after the show. Ahhh, words can not explain how elated I was. We got hugs from everyone and we got to chat it up for a bit. Everyone was sooo nice and funny. I'd totally kick it with them if I ever got another chance. But, we got cut a little short b/c Phil didn't get to ask me for my number. hahaha!!!

Then we headed off to Haze at Aria. We were given a free table fully equipped with 2 free bottles of grey goose! Yesss!! The weekend was off to a good start.

ahhh!!! a david garibaldi peice!

me and deb after the show waiting to me the jabbawockeez

loved talking to them. but wish we got to really kick it.

the ladies before we entered haze
me and arlynn with our free bottle service

Friday:
Friday morning we got up and headed out to Liquid, Aria's pool party. We knew we had free passes, but didn't know that it included our own day bed and a free bottle of Skyy. I even had my own day bed for more than half of the day. Haha!! The cushions kept flying up b/c of the wind, so I was holding it down. Eventually some of the girls joined me and we had 2 beds for the majority of the day.

That night we headed to XS. I saw Anthony Randolph passing by, but didn't see him again after that. Janice didn't believe me at first, but saw him later that night and said I was right. And then we seen a crazy dance off between these girls dancing by the stripper pole. I don't even know how to explain. All I can say is the other big girls were jealous of the cute girl that actually really knew how to dance and were ganging up on her. I felt bad. And honestly, I really couldn't believe what was happening.

liquid @ aria

deb, me and arlynn heading out to liquid

entering XS




Saturday:
We woke up and went to Wet, MGM's pool party. We met a few people from LA. The girls were sweethearts. We hung out with them all day. They asked me if I was from Oakland. hahaha!! Sheena said it's because of how I was dressed, the feathers in my hair, and my swag! lol Ok, sure!

That night we had a table at Marquee. OMG! If you are going to Vegas anytime soon, which I know of at least 30 people heading out for the Pacquiao fight, YOU NEED TO HIT UP MARQUEE. It has three floors. The pool deck outside, has their own dj. The main room is on the second floor, labeled floor 5 at the stairs. Downstairs, labeled floor 4, is call "the Boombox" plays more of your top 40's, they call it the hiphop room. And, upstairs, they call "the Library" is like a lounge with pool tables.

entering wet

@ marquee

Sunday:
It was off to Wet again for the F*** Me I'm Famous Tour with DJ David Guetta.

And then it was off to Lavo. It's a pretty small spot compared to other Vegas clubs, but DJ Vice definitely played good music, so I was happy. I happily got my dance on. And the guys there were pretty funny.
F*** Me I'm Famous w/David Guetta

@ Lavo