It's Cool To Cry

Last night I laughed to the point of hyperventilation, and sincerely cried and reflected on some of the most influential moments in my life. My dear friend hosted a last minute wine night where she introduced “40 Important Questions to Ask Your BFF” by Zooey Deschanel. I find the actress to be endearing but never joined her band of worshipers. Admittedly, when the game was announced and I refilled my glass and prepared for some extreme cheesiness. Boy, do I stand corrected….

For starters, I believe in investing in people and life long friendships. Last night I was in company of a girl I met during 2^nd grade Catechism classes, one from a third grade softball team, another from junior high, and several others I met freshmen year at Knott’s Berry Farm. (True story: theme parks are magical – I happen to know a certain 18 month old owes her existence to her parents meeting 12 years ago at one.) It is wild how those girls, along with a few others who weren’t able to be present, have helped shape my wonderful life. Perhaps I don’t say it enough, but I am incredibly thankful to all of you.

Back to the game, upon arrival each of us filled out a 40-part questionnaire, which spanned from such topics of the legitimacy of aliens and ghosts to times we regret, passions, and most prized possessions. We laughed over some of more humorous answers and cried over the ones that evoked memories of parent’s divorcing, missed chances, and the memory of a friend who would have been present.

            I am sharing all of this because too often we are “too busy” or “too tired” for the people who care the most about us. So take off your sweat pants, turn off Netflix, and ask someone who matters to dinner.

Lastly, here are some of the questions and my answers.

8. Have you ever considered running for President? No, and good for all of you.

9. If you could choose one thing you are most passionate about, what would it be and why? My marriage. Life is full of enough lackluster and mediocre components. I will always fight to ensure my love isn’t one of them. I fell in love with my husband almost immediately and harder than I was prepared for. I will always fight for us.

12. Are ghosts real? Yes, Boo. (Pause) Oh my gosh, I love Casper! “Kat, Can I keep you?”… It was really hard for us to stay on topic!

15. Are your feet the same size? Yes

16. What is saddest song you’ve ever heard? Skinny Love, by Bon Iver.

21. 100 cats or 3 baby sloths? 100 meows but all hypoallergenic breeds please. I love cats every much but I am also extremely allergic.

34. What is the most prized material possession you have and why? My middle name comes from my great grandmother Jane and my grandmother gave me a gold bracelet of hers as well as a piece of her luggage at a very young age. I remember immediately understanding their value and have safeguarded them for over 15 years. I felt privileged to wear that bracelet in my engagement pictures.

35. What is your most important memory? I have two. First, in elementary school I was sitting at the kitchen table and my mom walked in while on the phone with the school secretary explaining that her children were too sick to go to school. Once she hung up she announced we were going to Disneyland. Second, I’ve always been an insomniac and my dad use to allow me lay on his back while he watched his late night westerns and boxing movies. Consequently, I grew up wanting to be a boxer and even picked Jessie James as my ring name. The point is that I’ll never dream of saying “I want to give my children what I didn’t have” because my parents always made my siblings and I a priority.

Thanks for stopping by and to Blogger for not deleting my account due to inactivity. 

Europe

 

I just returned from a trip across the pond and feel as if I've been living life all wrong! The countries (Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Croatia), culture, pride, food, beaches, and architecture are a pure dream. Everything I deemed exquisite or heavenly are the everyday back drops and routines of that country. Could you image using a boat, ATV or jet-ski as your main method of transportation? Or living down the street from ruins of ancient cities, castles, and rivers you can drink from?

Honestly, it beats Los Angeles freeways and the Costco I live next to any day!

It was an unforgettable trip that has prompted me to begin planning out destinations for next summer. Matt and I hope to continue being adventurous, never stop dancing to "Come Fly Away With Me" by Frank Sinatra and see the world together.

Happy Anniversary

Matt,

 It amazes me that we have been husband and wife for 365 days (saying the "H" and "W" word still triggers instant butterflies).  I am proud to your wife (small flutters) and can't fathom my life absent of you and our cat children. I know 40 wedding anniversarys from now we'll be sitting on the porch of our home looking back on our relationship and all that we have been blessed with. We will tightly hold each others wrinkly hands while watching our children's children run and play in our yard. We will know that every struggle, tough day and sacrifice brought us to this perfect moment. 

Today, I am thankful for the adventure and excitement that I know will fill our journey to that day. You are my greatest joy, my endless romance and the rare loved that I had always hoped for. I love you now and always.

Mid-twenties

Spring Break, Mid-twenties Style:
(Editor's note: This is my electronic journal...It can get long and boring. I write because I want to remember all the little parts of my life.)

1. We Started a Garden...more like a few potted friends but a promising start none the less. My goal is to keep these friends alive because sadly, we have been placed on the DO NOT gift plant list! The black listing was well deserved after my last garden went from green and glorious to scarecrows and Death Valley creatures. Yes, it was crunchier, dryer and sadder than Aquanet styled hair.

(Our Situation reminds me the end of 28 days later-
Store Owner- Sir, I can't replace the plant because you killed it.  Gerhardt- It is sick or something. I gave it everything. I talked to it, I told it stories and I drew a sketch of it and put it on my refrigerator. Store Owner- Did you water it?)

 

2. Made a Meal Off of Pinterest. My addiction to that site is real. I can't sleep without a 30 minute session of surfing, finger cramping and pinning each night. I'm trying to work through this problem with a three step program: 1. Search, 2. Pin and 3. Execute!

 

3. Working out. I've completed 3 hikes and 1 very long bike ride. I wish I could be a gym rat but I too easily lose focus and get bored. I'm trying to be a healthier person and to intensify my quest I've given up soda and all vending machine snacks for Lent. It has ruined my Jack and Coke game but other than that I don't miss any of it.

 4. Painting With a Twist! I use to love painting as a kid and even had a piece published in a calendar. Last night my friend and I jumped on the opportunity to get our drink and paint on at a studio our friend from high school works at. We are now addicted and planning private parties with all our friends. Haha.

5. Realizing that I'm changing and growing up. I'm a very happy person with a very good life but this week I've been uncontrollably happy (like when you order french fries and 3 curly fries sneak in/teletubbies dancing on a hill kind of HAPPY!). I've had time to focus on myself, regroup and relax. I've had the time to cook for Matt and each dinner has felt like a mini date. I've had time to sit around my parent's kitchen table and laugh and joke with all my siblings. I don't think a day goes by where I don't speak or text with someone in the Mungia clan and it was nice to be with everyone under one roof.  I always tell people I'll never be able to say "I want to give kids what I didn't have" because my parent's worked so hard to provide for us and have raised 4 strong adults who really love and support each other (Love you Mom & Dad).

I am thankful for all I have. It has been a perfect week.

The Challenge

I'm on a journey. A journey I've taken many times, to reach a happier weight and state of mind. Over the past three years I've developed a pattern of dropping 25-30 pounds in three months. Maintaining that weight for two months and then allowing myself to gain it back. I'm currently at the stage where I enter "health nut mode" and I want to challenge myself to break the pattern. This won't be easy, after all, I consider whiskey a dear friend, cupcakes my drug and Netflix marathons a sport. I've decided to journal about it because I want to hold myself accountable. I want to read this in six months and either think "Woo hoo, I'm a winner" or "Bitch, you messed up. Go buy more sweatpants." Good or bad something will be learned.

I went on three hikes this week, only drank one beer and gave up all things that come out of a vending machine for Lent. Little wins people.
(Eaton Canyon, Pasadena, CA)

Pliny the Younger

When Facebook notified me of an invite titled "Pliny the Younger" at a nearby bar I assumed it was a band. My husband quickly educated me that it is actually a tasting of the 3rd best beer in the WORLD. I quickly agreed to go and found myself the following Saturday occupying spot 174 of 380 in a 3 hour line. Luckily, that spot was right in front of a Mexican restaurant and diagonale from my caffeine and cake pop making queen, Starbucks. There is nothing a breakfast burrito and a ball of cake can't fix, including cold concrete! We didn't anticipate the crowd but events like this cause all walks of life to emerge from their Hobbit and Harry Potter holes (not an exaggeration). 

 Time for my review! Let's be honest, it is hard measure excellence by taste because we all have different preferences. For myself, it was like nothing I ever tried and my taste buds danced. The weight of it is very light and almost felt soft in my mouth. It smells amazing with hints of citrus, pine and grapefruit. Compared to most IPAs it's on the easier side to drink and I highly suggest my lady friends not to fear it.

Another Saturday, another Adventure.

V-day

Matt and I are rounding up our first year of marriage. I've been told by many it would be the most difficult year we’ll ever experience but it has truly been that most beautiful of our relationship. I always knew that one day I’d fall in love and get married but never did I image the crazy-mad romance I share with him. When it comes to holidays we have unspoken guidelines. I can always anticipate a show stopping card, one serious age appropriate gift and another that it either childish or linked to a inside joke...who doesn't love jewelry and a hooded cat blanket? Our Valentines day consisted of sweet gifts and a fast food dinner purchased with coupons while in route to Disneyland for drinks & dessert. We stayed till the park closed and talked about our wishes for the future and how far we've come from our first date that took place there nearly five years ago. I'm blessed to have spent this day with my forever Valentine, I love you Matt.  

The Month of Love

I'm preparing my condo sweet condo for Valentines Day. My desire to celebrate everything may seem vexatious to some but glitter and romance runs strongly through my veins. I refuse to be too serious, routine or sober at anytime.

Cute Story: 
In kindergarten a boy who had a crush on me emptied his piggy bank in an envelope and put it in my construction paper heart bag during our class exchange. He approached me and said "I hope you like my Valentine. My mom is always happy when my dad gives her money." Since I was only 6 years old I didn't fully appreciate or understand the gesture but I will tell you, that boy is now a man happily married with multiple children.
 #someonegotitrightearlyon

 Condo happenings:

 

Wishlist (could or could not be hints to a certain someone):

Current love playlist:

1. Make It Wit Chu- Queens of The Stone Age

2. Pistol- Dustin Kensure (Wedding Jam)

3. Blue Jeans- Lana Del Rey (Lady Crush)

4. Somewhere Only We Know- Keane

5. Shiver- Cold Play

6. Come Fly Away With Me- Frank Sinatra 
7.  Your Song- Elton John (Long Time Fav)
 8. I Want to Hold Your Hand- The Beatles

Have a LOVELY weekend!

Melting Pot

On Friday I gathered with friends for a multi-cultural potluck where everyone brought a dish and beer or alcohol from their motherland. With all the exciting dishes I kept hearing about I began feeling like my "nothing new to anyone" Mexican food wasn't going to cut it. I decided to bring Mexican entertainment and picked up a little Minion pinata. One of the highlights of the night was watching my very liquored up friends try to break it. The other highlight was hearing about everyone's family history. I was impressed to hear about a grandma who was a spy during WWII, a colonel in the Revolutionary War and relations to Crazy House, Dukes and Lords.

Two interesting things about me:

I'm related to Miguel Hidalgo 

My family owned a cotton plantation during the Great Depression

 Aftermath

Me and my Polish/Irish date

Mexican beer, food and entertainment

Countries involved: Mexico, Ireland, Poland, Africa, Germany, Sweden and Italy

2013

Sometimes I roll out of bed and rather than changing I hide my pajamas under a second layer of clothes, tuck them into designer boots (gotta get my wins where I can) and go to school. I'm glad to announce that those days might be over and I'm going to try to get more use out of my beloved closet. With that said, I'm going to try, keyword: TRY to take some pictures and start documenting my life again. I've decided to kick this off by posting photos I found on my cell phone and doing a "According to my iPhone" 2013 year recap!

Travel.

Arizona is absolutely picturesque! I can't deny, I developed a little crush on this desert state. I look forward to putting many more miles on my car, boarding more planes and adding more stamps to my passport in the coming year.

Food, food and more food. 

Food is essential for survival but I'm not about eating the basics. Whenever we travel we seek out famous local bites, food challenges and places we've discovered on Food Network!

Places to write home about: 

Lucha Libre Taco Shop, San Diego, CA- Tap Me Out Taco

Gordon Ramsay BurGR, Las Vegas, NV- Hell's Kitchen Burger

Mantee, Studio City, CA- Kafta Kebab

Hard Rock, Punta Cana, DR- Simplest but most satisfying chicken salad sandwich EVER!

New York City!
This city is truly magical and exceeded all expectations. I had the honor experiencing an exclusive ground zero tour that has forever changed me. I biked the 6.1 mile route through Central Park and made a scene that one of the most grand hotels.

I left my stuffed animal/prized possession in my bed at The Plaza. I called the hotel and I explained he held equal value to my wedding ring and must be retrieved. I skipped lunch and headed to straight to the hotel. The Turkish President happened to be checking in the same time and the lobby was flooded with security. The baggage check was guarded by 5 secret service men who could barely contain their laughter when they followed me into the room and saw that next to their President's mountain of luggage laid one nearly lost and very loved penguin.

Lazy Mornings.

I am so thankful for the love I share with my husband. For the first time our schedules haven't collided and we can take our time waking up on the weekends, making breakfast and cuddling with our cat children.

Friends.

We have so many life long friends. Thanks for all the adventures, late nights, double dates, drunk dials, Snapchats, drinking rallies and memories yet to be made!

*Cards Against Humanity, play or die.

School.

I was admitted to a by invitation leadership program at Cal Poly. It feels so good to know that on my efforts in and outside of the classroom aren't going unnoticed. I just finished an insane 20 unit quarter and can't wait to graduate in Spring!

Family.

My family beats your family like Dallas creamed Buffalo in the 1992 Super Bowl (winks at Cowboys fan husband). Forget your best Vegas story and let us show you how to party! I love being apart of my huge and growing family.

Football.

The 49ers are the only team I have loyalty to. Whenever I get invited to see another professional sport I'll wear whatever shirt and cheer for whoever will score me a hotdog and a cold beer. Back to football, I won one of my fantasy leagues and came in second in the other! BOO-YA! I think this picture could be a foreshadowing of next weeks game:)

Snapchat.

My addiction of the year. She hates me. Enough said.

Disneyland.

Mickey is our homeboy. 

We had our first date here and have evolved into crazy Disney people (Well, at least me). We've walked Main St. more times than I can count and it truly is my favorite place for Friday night dates. We typically chomp down on churros and get on as many rides as possible while everyone else is mesmerized by the fireworks. We will be making our first trip to Disney World in February.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Gozdecki

Marriage.

Matt asked me the most romantic question that one can ask another and on May 3, 2013 I was so proud and excited to able to live my answer.

20 Units

Things I've learned/experienced while taking 20 units:

Your cup holders become a fast food graveyard 

Pizza is everywhere: events, classrooms, study groups, club meetings

You never turn down free pizza
Sometimes you cry, sometimes you cry a lot
Fun becomes a bag of M&Ms and a coupon for a free breakfast sandwich
You deface a poster of the food pyramid to give Caffeine proper recognition
You go to your friend's dorm at 9am, she's drinking a beer and you ask if there is more
 Occasionally you could be mistaken for a homeless person
You argue about beer bong like it's an Olympic sport
 Scoliosis comes with your 30 pound backpack
The strap on your backpack breaks the same day as your sandal (see line 4)

You get really excited when you look and feel like a girl:)

So much that you post a picture.

Halloween

Every Tuesday and Thursday I get out of class during the prime time for student arrivals. This greatly inflates the value of the slab of asphalt my car occupies. In the past it has afforded me rides to my car, scrantons and a gift card to Taco Bell with the remaining balance of $3.25.

On Thursday during my usual walk to my car I heard someone yell at me. I turned back to find a black Mercedes filled with Asian guys dressed as Pokemon. Side Note:I don't know how you say the word Pokemon but I really enjoy making it sound more ridiculous than it already is by emphasizing each syllable.  Any who.......The driver begged for me to allow him to drive me to my car since they were running insanely late. I simply replied, "You have too many Pokemon in your car" and continued on my way. The driver than began yelling at the guys in the backseat in what I believe was Chinese. The back door opened and if I have my characters right, Jigglypuff exited the car. I don't know why but I felt bad for Jiggypuff. The driver must have misunderstood the sad look on my  face as a sign of disapproval and began talking in Chinese again. Jigglypuff got back in the car and Pikachu who was sitting shotgun got out. At this point I felt obligated to take him up on his offer since he was willing to give me shotgun and sellout two of his friends. Poor Pikachu was left behind by student housing, did he make it to class on time? I'd like to think so.

MAGIC

Growing up all I ever wanted to do was paint, play dress-up and merchandise my belongings. I would beg my parent's to buy me vases, picture frames, feather pens and wall art that were completely odd, mismatching or damn right undesirable. I'd spend hours revamping them and merchandising my bedroom till each new outcast found a complementing friend or a place to shine. Needless to say, this was the beginning of my life long battle with hoarding and the realization that I wanted to be in the fashion industry. I promised myself after taking out my first school loan that I'd one day attend/work/buy at the Magic Trade Show and work in the California Market Center.....and this weekend that dream came true.

#studmuffin
#feelingaccomplishedandblessed

Along with my pictures here are a few highlights:

Watching a million trillion runway shows

Catching a glance at Darryl MDC McDaniels and Whitney Port

Watching the owner of American Apparel make a fool of himself (wish I could share)

Getting into some awesome industry parties

Learning, learning and more learning

Attending seminars and mixtures

Watching Lil' Jon perform with my best friends (correction: almost). No one should be in Vegas for four days and not expect to not fall asleep standing up:)

.....and this is what I've been up to.