20 Year Reunion

The build-up for the big reunion went on for months.  Particularly so for me coming from so far away as airline tickets had to be booked and kids taken out of school.  Everything done so as to coincide our annual Californian holiday with my 20 year high school reunion.  My girlfriends and I pondered for ages over what sort of dresses we should wear to the big event.  Again I felt especially anxious because I don't even really know what is in fashion stateside, no doubt styles very different from my rural New Zealand wear.  We would all spend the whole weekend child free, booked into our 'flash' hotel in Los Gatos, indulging in copious amounts of champagne and Mexican food.  What mother wouldn't dream about it for months prior?  It was like a vacation during my vacation with all my best oldest girlfriends at my side to banter with.  48 hours of adult only chit chat.  The icing on the cake would be the main event.  A big party with people we haven't seen for 20 years.  What would everyone look like now?  Would it be awkward?  Would it be like time had never passed and we would carry on like old times?  First we had the prelude to the reunion.  Friday night at the bars in Los Gatos.  When was the last time we all did that?  Bloody ages ago!  You know what?  It was a blast.  How could C.B. Hannegan's still be so much fun?  All those old familiar faces, great conversations catching up mostly about children and spouses; everyone seemed exactly the same, maybe a new wrinkle here and there but personalities were still much the same.  It was a wonderful night with lots of talking and laughing.  Just as well because the reunion night turned out to be a bit of reminiscing and a lot of dancing, partying and carrying on.  Getting over the Friday night aftermath proved challenging.  A coffee from The Roasting Company followed by a very hot run to the dam and back for old times sake.  Who thought that was a good idea?  I more enjoyed lounging by the pool all day.  When it came time to get dressed for the big event, it felt just like senior ball; all the girls in the hotel room showering, makeup and hair sessions and dressing....and of course drinking more champagne.  With Melanie's parents picking us up and driving us to the reunion, it confirmed that times haven't changed that much at all.  The Elk's Club proved to be an absolutely brilliant venue!  Much thanks to all the ladies (and men) who organized the event...very well done.  Dono's mom up on the dj stand all night was classic!  Everyone seemed to be in great spirits and the whole thing was just so much damn fun, I couldn't have wished for a more successful reunion.  Perhaps a few awkward moments of not remembering names but all in all our class rocked it.  My only regret of the evening was that it went by so quickly and I didn't get a chance to really talk to everyone that I had hoped to.  It was more of brief 5 minute conversations here and there mixed with much cocktail buying, nibbling from the buffet table and of course letting loose on the dance floor.  Proof of the success of the evening were my photos.  I've never claimed to be a great photographer but my blurry reunion photos seemed to prove that point......AND that I was having the time of my life!

Friday night in the hotel getting ready to hit the town.

Mexican birthday dinner for Jen.  Not much food on the table but plenty of drinks.

Self portraits always end up as bad photos and here's proof.

C.B's patio, just getting started.

Pretty much my only good photo from the evening and we hadn't even left the hotel yet.

Guys and Gals, minus my guy :(

This is when the party started getting messy.

Kimmy and Tracy getting raunchy.

 

 

 

Segundo: the man who enjoyed the reunion the most!

Michelle says it all in one single gesture.

What wonderful memories.....until next time mes amis!

Presence

The iPhone 5 hitting the market recently has been huge news everywhere.  What's up with these people who camp overnight outside the shop just to be one of the first gadget nerds to get their hands on the newest iPhone?  Seriously folks, what is wrong with these people?  Why is everyone so obsessed with staying connected via mobile phone to the Internet and the cyber world...and their loved ones for that matter?  Do we really NEED to know where our spouses, friends and children are at every second of the day?  Growing up in the 70's and 80's, we weren't constantly telephoning, messaging or updating each other and we all got on just fine.  Do we really NEED to keep everyone up to date with exactly what we are doing at every second of the day?  Quite egocentric if you ask me.  Perhaps part of  what I am  talking about is more of mobile phone etiquette and the current social behaviors.  I was stunned on my recent trip to the States at how overly connected everyone was there.  Is anyone present in the moment at all anymore?  Certainly not from what I have observed.  You are having a conversation with someone and they are occasionally glancing at you, nodding their head while they text or check out a photo or tweet something.  How rude can you get?  Is it too much to ask that if you are on a social outing with a group of people that phones are put away so as to enable proper social interaction?  People are growing socially inept because it is easier to email or text than to actually speak to a person.  Don't get me wrong.   I'm just as guilty as the next guy of looking at Facebook one too many times a day and probably if I had a phone with the capabilities I might turn into an obsessive 'keeping connected' monster....but I choose not to because it just isn't necessary in my life. I could go on and on but I won't.  I'll just say.....
Be Present In Your Life!  Give your phone a break. Show respect to the people who are physically with you.  Enrich your relationships by giving people your undivided attention whilst you are in their company.  Technology is great but as with everything...use with moderation, right?

Happiness is........

When your husband finally succumbs to the fact that a loser cruiser people mover is actually much more practical for a family of 5 than an SUV.......

I love my new car!!!

Gigi's Dress-ups Party!

Gigi is finally 3 and what a wonderful party she had.  The dress-ups theme was a hit with all the little girlies and even some of the little spider-men that came along. 

Tui testing out the fairy tent

Whoopie pies and strawberry cake courtesy of......

Can you believe I bought these? 

All the dress-ups you could possible dream of.

The senorita herself; dress courtesy of Nana and Pa from the recent trip to Spain.

pass the parcel, American style (really bad)

Oh the anticipation of digging into a sparkly sprinkles cake.

She also had a party at preschool, lucky girl.

Here's the homemade chocolate cake to share with her friends at preschool.

She didn't think much of being the center of attention at school, she went very shy!