Muy Delicioso

As a kid, I always enjoyed the simple pleasure of a pouch of Swiss Miss with little dehydrated marshmallows, microwaved with tap water to produce a steaming mug of hot chocolate. From time to time, however, when we had more than three minutes of patience pent up, my family would make Mexican hot chocolate, which is divine. Cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa combine to make one of my very favorite beverages. Whisking the milk and cocoa together over a low flame until it reaches a thick and frothy consistency is essential. Infused with strong spices and rich flavors, it is decadence in a coffee mug. Mmmmmm, so tasty and perfect for chilly weather.
Mexican hot chocolate makes me happy.

O Tannenbaum!

Every year, I count down the days until it is socially acceptable to hang all of my Christmas decorations. This is unquestionably my favorite season, and I get so excited to "deck the halls"! While my living quarters are quite limited, I still manage to make room for the essential decor. The Christmas tree is definitely the most fun to see erected and dripping with sparkling, glowing ornaments. While it is small and artificial, my tree is still a beauty and full of memories of past holiday seasons.

My Christmas tree makes me happy!

Strange and Wonderful Music

No detailed description necessary. Bagpipes are badass. They look cool. They sound cool.

Bagpipes make me happy.

A Little Good Humor

On an average day, I don't watch very much TV, but it seems that any time there is always one show on in syndication on some channel. I'm not dedicated enough to say that "Scrubs" is my favorite show, but it's without a doubt in the top three. No other show makes me laugh out loud more. I can't bring myself to pick a favorite character because they're all so freakin' hilarious. To boot, they manage to balance humor with the obligatory sappy moments paired with equally sappy music. I laugh, I cry, I get to enjoy Dr. Cox eye-candy. All in all, fabulous show.


"Scrubs" makes me happy.

Third Coast Sounds

Every Sunday morning I have a set routine. Wake up, brush teeth, feed Dayla, turn on KSYM as loud as it will go on my stereo and get ready for church. Every Sunday from 9-noon, the local San Antonio College radio station plays Beatles songs. I love it and there's no better way to start the week, I'm fully convinced.

And "Beatles Sunday Morning" isn't the only reason I love this station. They devote hours of airtime to offbeat and non-mainstream rock, bluegrass, tejano, jazz, techno, country, blues, and many more.

I love hearing a broad and unedited array of songs that won't ever be considered for Billboard. It's exciting for the SA music community, and there are often neat features of unheard local talent. Listen online at http://www.accd.edu/sAC/ksym/index.htm

I never know what I'm gonna get, and that makes me happy. For example the other night, they played the "Labyrinth" soundtrack in its entirety......and then again in Italian. God bless David Bowie and all the other musically inclined weirdos out there in the world.


KSYM 90.1 FM makes me happy.

One down...

Anyone who knows me at all knows I've never been much of a relationship girl. I'd never had interest in a commitment to a man that would lesson my ability to be completely selfish. That's the glory of being in your 20's right? You can do whatever you want, with whoever you want, whenever you want. I was happy living my life in that frame of mind until one year ago tomorrow. One year ago, I fell in love with a boy named Christopher Wayne Carter. Please excuse the sappiness that follows...


Chris and I met at a mutual friend's house in June 2007 and had a short conversation about our shared love of the Beach Boys. Back then, I had no idea he would have changed my life the way he has. After a long, exhausting game of cat and mouse, we finally sat down together on our first official date...March 15Th, 2008. We had a cliched, horribly awkward dinner and saw an extremely sappy movie. I loved every minute of it. At the end of the night, he leaned and whispered to me that he had been praying for God to bring someone special into his life, and he knew it had to be me. From that moment on, I was in. I must admit, I am more than a little embarrassed and surprised with myself for even taking note of this day, and being such a "girl", but it is what it is. I've always made fun of couples who celebrate their "anniversaries" when they're not even married, but now I'm one of the silly sentimental ones. Go figure.
On this day, I feel it's only necessary to share my thoughts of this wonderful person. While this blog is directed toward simple pleasures, Chris is definitely a leading contender for what makes me truly cherish life. He makes me happy. He makes me happy every single day.

He knows how to love me. Since I've had him, I've never had to open a car door for myself. He lets me dominate conversations because he knows I love the attention. He cooks delicious meals for me. He pets the back of my head and kisses my forehead when I'm upset. He understands that no matter how much I love him, DayLa still comes first. He just smiles and hugs me when I make an ass out of myself on a daily basis. He's not embarrassed when I wear stretchy pants in public. He dances with me in my living room whenever I've had too much red wine. He worships the Lord with me. He sings karaoke (although very reluctantly). He remembers everything I say, even when I don't. He encourages me to work out, but always turns his head when I reach for another cinnamon roll. He takes me to the park. He loves to see live music with me. He has the strangest sense of humor and always makes me laugh. He doesn't let my indecisiveness bother him. He knows that I'm crazy, and acclimates himself to my mood. He tells me I'm beautiful almost every day. He constantly pushes me to better my life and be happier. He allows me to be as free as I want, with no excuses necessary. He buys me stupid little gifts that he knows I'll like. He listens intently while I ramble about my critical views of worldly issues, religion, politics, and society. His family and friends treat me as if I were one of them. He loves to meet my family and friends. He inspires me to be kind, open minded, and remember my morality. He's (sometimes brutally) honest with me. He tells me he loves me every day, and I know he means it.










We are both starting new chapters in our lives soon, and are excited that we are given the chance to do it together. I don't know what the future holds for me, but this past year has been one that I hold dear and I'll never forget. I thank Chris for that.

My boyfriend makes me happy.

Lions and Tigers and Bears....

When Chris (the boy) finds that I'm having a bad week and taking it out on him, he generally does one of two things.... He either buys me flowers or takes me to the zoo to sit and watch the hippos. He opted for the latter this past week.
Hippos are quite possibly my favorite animal, and few things put a smile on my face faster than seeing them floating, blowing bubbles, and wiggling their tiny ears. We have two hippos at the San Antonio Zoo and they are lovely. A brand new "Africa Live" exhibit is currently under construction for all the big cats, elephants, giraffes, etc. Luckily the hippo tank was the first part done, and it's amazing. I admire them for their ability to be so deceptively precious and so ferocious at the same time. I hear they are one of the world's deadliest and most powerful creatures... Only more reason to respect them in my eyes. Jessica, my college roommate, used to always console me with , "Well, at least you didn't get eaten by a hippopotamus today," when I was melancholy and pouting. True.

My apartment is a short, lovely walk from the zoo, which helps with frequent visitation. And while I generally bee-line for the hippo exhibit, I always enjoy everything else the zoo offers. Monkeys are always a must, as well as the petting zoo, and the butterfly exhibit. Chris loves the Australian exhibit because there are wacky little birds that borderline attack you for nectar... he thinks it's cute...I'm not so sure.
The San Antonio Zoo makes me happy.