Tag: christmas

Just a few days to Christmas

My holiday spirit was a little crushed when I learned I would be working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My family celebrates on the 24th, which is common for most Hispanics. So working Christmas Eve at first really hurt me. Also because normally by this time of the year I have made my own ornaments, made champurrado, started getting the things to help make tamales and preparing for the new year because of work I’m missing it.

I always wanted my life to be like a hallmark or lifetime movie. And while I am currently the overworked woman with a full time job that seems constantly to take away time spent with family, where is my knight in shining armor to help me remember what I’m missing? Because it seems to me my job is also getting in the way of my relationship. I no longer have a comfortable work-life balance. 

I’ve been trying to not be a Grinch and actually my friends helped me with that. My friend gifted me with homemade ornaments. Not only are they handmade ornaments, they are Harry Potter themed. She painted the Hufflepuff crest for me. I can’t begin to explain how much I love it.

I’m still super upset I won’t be going to see Christmas lights with the family. 

So I decided to share with you some of my absolutely favorite places to go look at lights. And all the places I missed this year. 

The Newport Beach Boat Parade

This year’s theme was “Jingle On the Waves.” I always like going on opening day. They have live entertainment, people put up booths and sell random items. It’s always fun and festive. I was super excited to hear the parade was back. I would have loved to go last year but it was canceled. I think some people still showed up but I didn’t risk it. 

Enchanted: Forest of Lights

Descanso Gardens are absolutely beautiful in the daytime. But at night, with what feels like a thousand lights it is simply magical. They are sold out until the 23 and are closed the 24th and 25th. I’ll be getting tickets for January. 

Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo

It’s a cul de sac where the majority of the houses have their Christmas lights. It’s so cute. You can either drive down or walk. I prefer to walk so I can take pictures. Before the pandemic people used to sell hot chocolate,popcorn and other treats in front of their houses. There was one house that sold these warm nuts that were covered in sweet stuff. I wanna say they were almonds or pecans but I don’t remember. 

Naples Canal christmas lights 

Along the Naples Canal there are houses and they are all decorated. It’s actually near where the Newport Beach boat parade is. That’s how I found out about it two years ago but I haven’t been back since. I recommend going on a weekday when it’s less crowded. It’s so relaxing but it gets really cold because you’re right by the water.

I am back!!!

I had a few things to deal with and a few things my brain still can’t process, but I’m back. 

I’m genuinely feeling a lot better, and it might be because I got most of my Christmas shopping done. Or because I decided to spend a little money on myself. I’m a big fan of treating yourself.

I found a Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker on sale and finally bought it. I have wanted one for years. I also got myself an early birthday gift while getting everyone’s Christmas gifts. Future Eryn is in for a treat. I say this because even though I knowingly fully purchased something, I usually forget what I buy or when I’m supposed to do something. Except I don’t think that’s possible this year. Since it’s not only a gift for myself but also my family. 

WE’RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!! 

I know I live in California, and going to Disney shouldn’t be all that crazy exciting, except it is. I love Disney, and it’s been years since I’ve been to Disneyland. This is also my boyfriend’s first time going to Disneyland. 

Aside from the trip, I don’t even count this as a gift. I had a hard time this year picking out gifts for my nieces. I spend so much on them throughout the year. By the time Christmas comes, they already have abundant toys and clothes. 

It always takes me a while to finally decide what I want to get. Because I always want my gifts to be the best. I know it’s mostly me overthinking, but I just want things to be perfect. Luckily this year will be a little easier; everyone is getting the same gift from me- a tracking number. 

I also got a Christmas miracle.  

I will appreciate it more than any physical gift. My biological father and I have never had a relationship. I’ve mentioned how he wasn’t there for most of my life a few times. I’ve been through all the stages with this. As a child, I was sad about it; as a teen, angry, and after living with him, I decided I couldn’t be mad or upset about something that would never change. I accepted he wasn’t going to be in my life.

 He’s been trying to make more effort in the last few years, and I was very hesitant to let him in my life. Mainly because we didn’t see eye to eye on a few things about my life. All I’ve wanted from him lately is to acknowledge that I’m not a child. I’m an adult and a hard-working one at that. 

I don’t know what changed, but he called me a few days ago. He apologized for many things, and while the call was awkward and uncomfortable, it meant a lot to me. 

It’s officially December; it’s time to start singing Christmas carols off-key, making holiday treats, stressing over last-minute gifts, and… the official start of Blogmas 2021!!!

I have so much new and improved content for you all! You already know how much I love Christmas, and each year, Blogmas helps me celebrate this beautiful holiday even more!

I can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner, I haven’t yet shopped for anything, and I’ve just started getting my decorations out. I guess I’m not as on the ball as many others are out there, but I’m also not as behind as last year. 

I did have a Christmas bucket list, but some of my December plans have already started to fall apart, so I’m not sure how much of my Christmas list ill be able to do. 

Looking back, I also didn’t have much hope to check off my fall list, and then October had to prove me wrong. 

My Christmas Checklist

• Send out Christmas Cards

I did this last year, too, and was surprised how many wanted cards. Please email if you want one, and I only have 100 this year instead of the outrageous amount I had last year.

• Look at Christmas lights
• Make hot chocolate from scratch 
• Holiday baking
• Cookie decorating
• Harry Potter marathon
• Make my 2021 ornament.
• Write my letter to Santa.
• Christmas movie marathon
• Do a random act of kindness
• Make a holiday craft
• Start planning 2022 goals

If you’re joining in on blogmas, don’t forget to share your post down below so we can come by and say hi.

I am very excited to be making this announcement that I will be doing Blogmas through December!

Last year I did Blogmas, and while it was an insane amount of work that included headaches, sleepless nights, and a lot of stress-eating, it was also so much fun!!

I was worried I wouldn’t be able to pull it off because 25 posts, one every single day, it’s a lot of work. But I pulled it off last year, thanks to my boyfriend and my friends. But most of all because of your help and encouragement. It was a success, and I really want to do it again this year!!

For those of you who didn’t follow my Blogmas the last year-get ready! I know every blogger does it differently. I post a different Christmas-themed post every day from December 1st to Christmas Day, and it’s definitely a lot.

A few tips for anyone participating in Blogmas. Preplanning makes everything easier. I use a to-do to stay organized and on top of all my posts. And the second probably the most crucial rule, enjoy it. Don’t worry if you miss a day or two. Blogmas is all about spreading the Christmas spirit and having fun.

If you are participating in Blogmas, please leave a link to your blog in the comments. I’d love to follow along and read others’ posts.

I have many posts planned, but I want to create content that YOU want to see! So leave a comment on the post, or shoot me an email letting me know what you’d most like to see. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Blogmas: bonus day!

What’s this another post? Just like the rest of you I wasn’t expecting a post today either.

Happy Boxing Day!

I recently learned that my mom lied and Boxing Day is not a day to clean up and box up old things. It was probably a ploy she cleverly used to get us to clean the house.

Yea I’m an idiot for still believing it as an adult but tell me it doesn’t make sense to clean before the new year. To start fresh. It makes more sense than spring cleaning.

2020 is just about over. I want 2021 to get off to the best start possible. But also I’m nervous about what 2021 will bring. Or maybe more accurately what will I bring into 2021.

Things I plan to leave in 2020 are:

• Unrealistic Expectations. It’s not a secret that I don’t think highly of myself. It was only recently when I started to think of my self worth. It’s kind of the reason I started this blog. My standards for myself kept growing and I never saw any improvement in myself. It wasn’t just what I did wasn’t enough but I wasn’t enough. even now I still don’t feel like I am enough. But I’m working on setting realistic expectations.
• Bitterness and Resentment. I lost a few friends this year. People who were takers attached to me. It felt like they would drain me but didn’t add anything to me. I plan to learn to let go. When you don’t know how to forgive and let things go hurt turns into bitterness and resentment. I don’t want carry feelings of resentment into my new season. If I want to move forward and not backward, I have to release what hurt me.
• Failure mindset. Things didn’t go as planned in 2020. Failure is not permanent. I can’t continue to let uncomfortable change, failure and disappointment control my life. Normally when things turn bad I become pessimistic. I tell myself all I’ll ever do is fail.

How I’m preparing for 2021.

• Reflecting on 2020. What did I do right? – Wrong?
• Clean my room. I’m so used to cleaning before the new year starts.
• Make goals. I want goals that are manageable and realistic. Goals I can actually accomplish.
• Make a vision board. I plan to map out my 2021 plans. I want to be a powerful manifestor.

Side note! I brought myself a advent Calendar today because there are also 25 days between Dec. 26 and Jan. 20, I plan to countdown to inauguration day 2021.

Let’s use the remaining days of 2020 to prep for a FANTASTIC 2021!