Friendship Never Ends

The month of May is always special for me... actually for the 6 of us. For my sisterhood.

This past May 13th we celebrated 19 years of friendship, or better yet, being sisters.

Since our last reunion, we haven't yet been in the same room. The max is probably 4 out of 6. Now there are 4 of us in California, it's kinda nice for us Cali-Sisters, since we're only a drive away. 

We discussed about another reunion since last year to celebrate our 19th anniversary, and this time we decided to meet up in Scottsdale, AZ. It was road trips and a plane ride for all 6 of us... along with our significant others and kids (and a brother). The whole weekend was filled with joy, blessings, laughters,  catching up, crying babies, playing the Mafia game and horrible 90s Boyband karaoke. 

(photo c/o Vino/Rio)

From the oldest to the youngest: Jeje, Nia, Icha, Me, Dinda & Ocha

We all have withdrawals from this epic weekend and already in talks about our next reunion. I am completely blessed to have these 5 girls in my life. I am also glad that all of our significant others also get along so well. 

Phil 1:3-4

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Now, girls, let's plan our next trip so Dinda can be Mafia again, ok?

xoxo,

Rima

Oh How I Love Ethnic Weddings

I had some fun times over the weekend. Months ago Rob told me that we're going to a wedding of his co-worker. His co-worker is Lebanese/Iraqi, so I was like, "yay! A non-Indo wedding for a change!" With my cultural background, I'm used to going to ethnic weddings. Heck, I love going to weddings. HECK, I LOVE going to NON-SDA weddings!!!! Why? Unlimited bottles of wine! Serve me up!

The wedding was held at a beautiful gothic cathedral in Pasadena. I've never known that they have churches like that in California. I whispered to Rob, "dude, it's just like the cathedrals in Barcelona!" And suddenly we both miss Barcelona *le sigh*

Anyways, the wedding ceremony was simple and sweet. Mind you, quick too! 30 minute tops. I was impressed. That's how ceremonies should be, in my opinion. The couple in front of us said, "Wow. I'm impressed, usually Middle Eastern weddings are an hour and a half!" I said, "Oh Indonesians too!" Oh plus I semi-swooned when the groom's sibling sang "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri for the Candle Union. Why? That's our song for 2014. Yup we are cheesy like that. So automatically I sang... in silence. Didn't want to ruin the moment, ya know?

This is our pre-Wine faces.

The reception was held at this banquet restaurant in Glendale, which served us some amazing Middle Eastern food. The decor was simple yet beautiful because the banquet room alone was gorgeous! We were greeted with a table full of food. Mmm... grape leaves.

So while eating them appetizers, stuffing my face with hummus, we waited for the Bride & Groom to come. Then the DJ started the music and the bridal party came in... followed by the Bride & Groom... with a drum guy! YAAAAAASSSSS, the little Middle Eastern in my rejoices. Rob looked surprised and excited... this is his first Middle Eastern wedding. Then the Arabic songs start playing and the bridal party started to dance around the happy couple... and lifted them up on chairs. It was so fun. I couldn't help but shaking my booty. Well, we eventually got pulled and started dancing too around the couple. 

First dance was adorbs!

Then... the wedding got better. The bride is Hispanic. Hence... THERE WAS A MEXICAN BAND IN THE WEDDING! YAAAAAAASSSSSS... I was soooo excited. I told Rob, "ZOMG. I've been wanting to go to a Hispanic wedding! This is awesome!" Of course, more dancing to follow. #untzuntzuntz

shake it!

This is our Post-Wine faces.

Thank you Sam & Lili for inviting us to your beautiful wedding. I am so happy for both of you and may God continue to bless your new family with lots of love & happiness and babies. A Middle Eastern/Hispanic baby? I can't handle it. Too cute. And yes we should have a double date!

Oh and I did felt the presence of God thru the amount of love that was shown between both families. #canthandleit #itwasawesome

(sorry for the hashtags. #canthelpit)

xoxo,

Rima

12 Things: an Update

So I was just thinking the other day about my 12 things. Honestly I haven't been paying attention to this list. I've been too busy...  living. Then I went back to the list and was actually pretty glad that I have achieved some already! Woo.

Complete ProBaking 1 & 2 at The New School of Cooking
Enjoy Coachella 2014 with my friends & brother & The PillowMan
Travel abroad to somewhere new
Lower my debt by half or more
Do another 5K
Ride a Hot Air Balloon
Celebrate my 30th Birthday
Plan a weekend getaway with my Family (Chimichanga included)
No Social Media Sabbath/Saturday
Own a Le Creuset Dutch Oven & Make Boeuf Bourguignon & Coq Au Vin
Hang out with Kiki Peter because I miss her dearly (which means... Paris!)
Make my own Cheese

Not too bad, huh? #proud #imahustlerbaby #momoneymoproblems

So how are your goals? Got things off the list? Share!

xoxo,
Rima

Coachella (in pictures)

I'm still having Coachella withdrawals... so are my friends... well maybe except the Pillow. He's busy in Switzerland... but I'm pretty sure he is still listening Martin Garrix non-stop. Oh my love.

Looking at these pictures lets me reminisce the fun times I had during this 3-day festival. The actual festivity made me forget about the housing drama that occurred earlier on Day 1. I warn you, booking a house from Craigslist is a NO-NO. I was so naive to trust this fucker who scammed me. Anyways, long story short, we stayed at a nice hotel where we met Martin Garrix, clueless Rob met Zedd while checking in & Alessandra Ambrosio while enjoying the pool, we all enjoyed the noise of my brother's snoring, we killed 2 dozens of ramen noodle that was made with a Keurig machine, ate endless of PB&J and had the convenience of the shuttle bus in front of the hotel. I guess misfortunes can have a positive light to it... Except my bank account. Well then, Memories are Priceless.

Day 1

Saw/Listened: Aloe Blacc, AFI, Ellie Goulding, Chromeo, The Glitch Mob, Martin Garrix, Zedd, Outkast

 Aloe Blacc

Me and my bro. We haven't been to a music festival in a long time. The last time was probably Warped Tour years ago.

 Ellie Goulding

Giddy seeing Zedd.

Day 2

Saw/Listened: Kid Cudi, MGMT, Lorde, Sleigh Bells, Pharrell Williams, Muse

 Brotherly love?

 JAY Z!!!!!!!!!

Pharrell's show made me happy

 Day 3

Saw/Listened: Krewella, some DJ at the Do Lab, Calvin Harris, Beck, Duck Sauce

LOL. This was the aftermath from the jumping pose Rob did.

 The girls next to Gaby, my brother's girlfriend, were snorting coke and smoking weed out of an Apple. Sad. 

 Calvin Harris!

 Duck Sauce

Thank you for my lovies for coming along and enjoying Coachella with me. Till next year.

xoxo, Rima