Sunday Funday: February 24

This weekend, I came to the realization that staying in my apartment all day is not best for me emotionally. This fact and an encouraging pep talk, has led to the decision to have Sunday Funday adventures. I love to venture when traveling to new cities, so living in a new city shouldn’t be an exception. So, every Sunday, I’m going to make it a goal to spend the day, or at least a portion of it, venturing to new places, getting to know the area and finding cool things to do; I am also making it a goal to go to yoga every Sunday morning as well as cook something fun. It will be the perfect way to end the previous week and start the new one. Plus, if you know me, you know how much I love the concept of Sunday Funday.

Here’s a recap of my Sunday Funday (pictures, recipes and links to places included):

I came home from yoga and made a simple recipe I found on Pinterest: Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich (http://pinterest.com/pin/204491639302624164/) I used cinnamon as the pin suggested and added a personal touch by including strawberries: 

After watching the second half of the Lakers game against Dallas (which my boys in purple & gold won!) I went to go check out a local coffee shop in Downtown Las Vegas: The Beat Coffeehouse. Both a coffee shop and record store, this is a great place to spend afternoons listening to records and sipping good coffee. After 7pm, a selection of beer and wine becomes available. Food is served all day. 

Another awesome feature of this local favorite is that it is part of Emergency Arts, a “creative collective.” With two floors of creative spaces, I like to classify it as a gallery full of galleries. 

Since I didn’t discover the galleries until I was on my way out, I will definitely be back to explore each space; there were rooms I could see myself sitting in or walking through for hours. 

After Mass (my mother would be proud,) I headed home to cook dinner and watch the Oscars (first time I’m not in LA for this… weird.) Cooking for one and using what I have in my fridge has become a fun creative challenge. I get inspired from Pinterest, but also like coming-up with things myself. Tonight I made a meal inspired by the California Roll: a salmon burger (instead of crab meat) topped with cucumber, avocado and balsamic vinaigrette (since I don’t have soy sauce, which is fine because I’ve never been a fan of soy sauce minus the few exceptions I use it for.) I put it on top of edamame beans to tie in the sushi restaurant feel. 

I’d say it was a pretty successful fun day out and I already have plans for the next Sunday Funday adventure. 

My First Week in Vegas

I am officially a Las Vegas resident. 

It’s been a week since I left home in SoCal to move to Sin City, but it’s felt normal to be here since I exited the freeway and turned left (away from The Strip.)

I was very blessed to have found a fully furnished apartment whose owner would give me a three-month lease on the very first day of my apartment search. And even more blessed and thankful to have a mother who spent three very long days helping me find an apartment, getting me moved in, stocking my fridge and even taking me to get my nails done. I have to admit that I got a little emotional Thursday night when she left, but it’s only a four-hour drive home if I ever get a little homesick. Plus, I’ll be home in three weeks and my awesome parents have already prepared a care package their putting in the mail tomorrow.

After spending most of my Friday on the couch watching reality TV and napping, I spent the rest of the weekend in work mode, which justifies why my clothes are still in a suitcase. Have no fear though, I did manage to make time to find the nearest Nordstrom and Teavana (#priorities;) (Mom made sure I knew where all the nearest grocery stores, Target, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, churches and Filipino restaurants were before she left.)

Working with such a passionate and dedicated team makes it all worthwhile. Additionally, I am already enjoying working on all the exciting things happening at Aurelian Marketing Group and with Life Is Beautiful Festival. (To keep up with all the latest news, make sure to like Aurelian on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @aurelianMG) You should also like Life is Beautiful Festival on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @LIB_Festival…. I know, shameless plug, but you won’t regret it.)

I know it’s just the beginning, but I am very hopeful about everything – living in Las Vegas, working for an amazing company and learning to be on my own. Fingers crossed. 

Now to attempt to not fall asleep on the couch (which I haven’t been able to do since my first night at the apartment,) and start my day early at the gym…