#lifeupdate

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Hello everyone!  I just want to say thank you God for the best family and friends in the world. I need to remember that many things come and go but people is what matters the most.

Celebrations: It seems like it is a long while (probably a bit more than a week) since I last typed a blog post! Some updates: I got the stomach flu bug and now poor #thehubs has it. We celebrated his birthday and it was a lovely family dinner and of course #thehubs got a special birthday cake from a NYC bakery (literally his bday present). I highly recommend trying MILK BAR desserts if you are ever in Las Vegas or New York!

Gardening: Our garden is doing so well! Pictures to come–I keep forgetting. We planted some #coolapeños (heatless jalapeños with flavor), cucumbers, shishito peppers, zucchini, and mammoth jalapeños. #thehubs also netted some of our trees so the birds don’t ruin the fruit! We have fruit (in the early stages–but we will have apricots, cherries, pomegranates, and nectarines!).  I think I finally learned how to use our sprinkler system and am hoping this time the knowledge stays.

Job search: Friday afternoon I was informed that my contract ending soon is not going to be extended aka I won’t have a job. I was in shock. Then I cried. Then I was inspired to be my best. Ugh…it is a nightmare roller coaster of emotions because the circumstances at my current place of employment are complicated (and that is all I will say in order to be diplomatic and not burn bridges). Thank you to my wonderful family and my amazing husband and my coolio friends for putting me back together after every mini panic attack and for building me up. It is a huge blow to my confidence and obviously makes me question my abilities and skills (I already struggle with impostor syndrome). Also–I think I am the only Hispanic female pharmacist (and also the youngest) at my current position–just a random additional thought.

This brings me to another point: FINANCES. I am thankful my husband is a planner and that he is conscientious of making sure we do not live above our means because you never know when a rainy day will come.  Listen to Suze Orman!

 

My favorite skin/face/hand products

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Hello! Today I am writing a post because taking care of our skin is important! And that includes women, children, teens, and MEN! The hubs is very stubborn about skin care…but ultimately I have won him over to the good side. Here are some of my favorite products and why!

Things I look for in a product:

  • Non-comodogenic: this means it will not clog your pores
  • Fragrance-free/no fragrance added: Since I have pretty bad allergies and asthma triggered by certain scents and perfumes I’ve started to really pay attention to this more.
  • It is going to be hydrating.
  • I’m starting to become more concerned about some preservatives such as parabens.

Products:

  • Apricot Scrub (with 2% salicylic acid)
    • A great exfoliator
    • can have a drying effect because of the acne medication in it…but honestly this is pretty mild compared to what is out there
  • 10% benzoyl peroxide cream
    • I might use this once a month or less (because my face serum is amazing)
    • Careful because whatever you get it on it will bleach it
    • I use this when I see pimples starting and just dab some on with a qtip
  • facial moisturizer (lotion) with at least 30 SPF
    • You really don’t need much more SPF, anything more than 30 will only give you minimal additional UV ray protection (so don’t waste your money on 80 SPF)
  • Touch of C Face Serum (contains vitamin E & C)
    • screen-shot-2018-04-21-at-3-04-21-pm-e1524344829648.pngA little goes a long way, one bottle lasts me about 3 months
    • This heps me keep my skin clearer–less zits, even during menses
    • Contains jojoba oil and orange oil (so if you are allergic you may want to avoid!)
    • Contains sodium hyaluronate which is hydrating and has anti-aging properties
    • One of my classmates in pharmacy school developed this and she compounds it herself in a certified lab. She uses it on her face…so you know it only has the ingredients that are absolutely necessary.
  • Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream for Sensitive Skin
    • It is good for face and body
    • Has a thick consistency–so you may want to consider lotion
    • literally one of the creams that was developed and is used in some pharmacies to compound creams (it is a great base!)
    • Great for eczema because it is so hydrating

Morning ritual:

  1. Shower/wash face (about twice a week I use my apricot scrub to exfoliate)
  2. Pat face dry with cotton towel and apply about 3 drops of the face serum on hand then quickly rub them together and then apply to face and neckline–making sure to avoid eyebrows, lips, and eyes. Let dry.
  3. Sometimes, apply mascara/eyeshadow.
  4. Apply facial moisturizer with SPF about 2 pumps.

Evening ritual:

  1. Depending on amount of makeup I wore that day I either use makeup cleansing wipe (Costco is your best deal) and/or micellar cleansing water All-in-1/All-in-1 waterproof to remove it. Let my face dry.
  2. Apply my face serum. Let it dry.
  3. Apply my moisturizing cream.

memories of my dear friend Rafa

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Please forgive any grammatical errors as this was written in a very emotional state.

If you’ve looked at my social media or messaged me within the past week you know that last week one of my best friends from pharmacy school passed away unexpectedly. After 9 years of friendship where we shared food, drinks, long conversations, movie dates, secrets, opinions, memes, texts, emails, graduation, and other important life events, it was an utter shock to learn that I wouldn’t get to hug him again. My condolences to his family and girlfriend–I know they are still trying to process this.

Just like his loved ones, sometimes it isn’t horrible and then there are moments of terror, longing, and panic that wash over me. Somewhat predictable such as in the mornings when I wake up and hope it was all just an extremely realistic dream and it isn’t the case or in the evening right before trying to fall asleep. Somewhat unpredictable: in the middle of typing a work email, while drinking some coffee, or even while driving. This is a post that will keep growing with anecdotes and memories of Rafa. Maybe this will help us with our grief and maybe it won’t but I want to make sure that these memories of him are somewhere to be found. These are numbered for organizational purposes but do not relate to level of importance.

  1. Rafa and only one other friend have been through my worst relationship moments with me. After moving to Ohio and after a really bad breakup I would call Rafa in despair and he would always listen and talk with me–remind me that the best is yet to come–and calm my angst. It was never too late or too early or too much of the same. He was always patient.
  2. Rafa loved his family deeply. He often spoke about how he admired his mother for raising him and his sister and being a strong woman that carried on despite life circumstances. He often spoke about how proud he was of his father and his passion or teaching mathematics. And of course, he absolutely cherished his little sister Sofia. He talked about how proud she was of her and how smart and beautiful she was and how he just wanted to make sure she was always taken care of. He talked about going to Costco with her was something he always looked forward to. He talked about how he once spent considerable time with her while she was editing HGTV house hunter video footage.
  3. He told me about his girlfriend, Maggie, and how she was very smart and he knew she would one day be the boss of a company (CNO or CEO) and how he admired her. But she was OCD–and I remember making a comment to him that he needed someone direct, smart , disciplined. His response was to chuckle.
  4. I miss our Taco Tuesday meet ups at copper lounge where we always bought an unreasonable amount of tacos. I miss sitting in our corner booth and staying until 1 am on a weeknight just chatting. I regret not taking the time to meet up with him after copper lounge was remodeled–I would have liked to know what he thought of the new decor.
  5. I miss sitting on his large modular couch, along with Tre, and eating food picked up from Taqueria Mexico, and watching Parks and Recreation on his new TV (he was so proud of his TV).
  6. I used to make too much food for myself (mainly Mac n cheese) and take it to Rafa and watch old SNL when he was house sitting.
  7. We started going to Geeks Who Drinks at Oneill’s in Nob Hill on Wednesday nights when we were in pharmacy school. All people were invited however I made it a rule that Rafa had to be on my team to ensure we would not be last. We would almost always get green Chile cheese fries as an appetizer. This caught on quick and to this day it is popular amongst pharmacy students.
  8. He loved Parks and Rec. His favorite characters were April Ludgate and Jean-Ralphio.
    • Jean-Ralphio quotes:
      • “The judge gave me two ankle bracelets. Said it was the first time he ever had to do that. Ja boy’s a question on the bar exam!”
      • “I made my money the old-fashioned way. I got run over by a Lexus.”
      • “She’s the woooooo-orst!”
    • April Ludate

TO BE CONTINUED–If ANYONE would like to add anything please contact me to add or feel free to comment! ❤

 

 

 

 

I heart the BBBS Mentor 2.0 Program #lovemymentee #madesomecoolfriends

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I have been volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor 2.0 program since Fall 2017. Basically, it is a program where mentors get matched with high school students (ideally at 9th grade) and follow them throughout their entire high school career. The mentors communicate weekly via a web based platform with guided topics and also meet with their mentees in person events every 6-8 weeks. The goal is to increase graduation rates, improve confidence, and college readiness in students in low socioeconomic status. My student is smart and has worked so hard to get to where she is; though I have only been her mentor for her senior year I feel such a strong connection to her. Her tenacity is inspiring! I have not only had a great connection with my mentee but convinced #thehubs to join as a mentor and also made really smart, funny, and cool adult friends. We made friends with a nerdy fun couple: #disorganizedrefrigeratorguy and #coolhairmuensterlady. Also, I am on the graduation committee with two amazing women that I would totally hangout with even if we didn’t have to plan a party: #matchsupportgal and #fieryprotesterwoman. These people REALLY REALLY care and knowing that brings a smile to my face.

Shout out to these people for contributing towards the Mentor 2.0 graduation party! #mattblasingphotography    #DJTeach      #salsacutiefriend        #teddybearfather-in-law #fabhairstylist     #thehubs

***Obviously, hashtags (that I made up for them) have been used in place of names for privacy.

If you would like to contribute towards the MENTOR 2.0 Graduation Party please CLICK HERE…we hope to have most of the donations go towards scholarships!

 

Brunch: My favorite meal after dessert/coffee #hatersgonnahate #breakfastfitforkings

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Someone (me) woke up late and took her sweet time drinking single origin French-pressed coffee from Costa Rica (so fancy!) in the new and improved patio…so brunch was the first meal of the day. I like food and so does my husband, that is a fact. Below are some pictures of our delicious food at Matanza a cool bar (offering a wide selection of NM local craft beer and some wine) and restaurant in the Nob Hill area of town (good old Albuquerque). I would say that most of the time we decide to go there more for the delicious food (great red chile and VERY HOT green chile) than the alcohol. The photos may make us seem like we only eat fancy looking food but I promise we are NOT food snobs (I’m not ashamed to eat a frozen meal, fast food, or something that only looks semi-edible).  Honestly compared to other “boujee” brunch spots this is on the more affordable $$ end.

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On our walk from street parking to Matanza. So pretty!

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I was mesmerized by the beautiful flowers!

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I highly recommend this Raspberry Lemonade Mimosa!

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Breakfast burrito with: carne adovada, chorizo, egg, black beans, and chile on the side. If you get this you won’t regret it!

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These potatoes were so perfectly seasoned and crispy! The tenderloin (far right) was also tasty! The red Chile was so good that after I was finished with my breakfast I may have drank the rest of it!

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Will have to try the taco flights another time.

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Avocado cake with lemon frosting. A good cake for the beginning of Spring.

Baths are a simple luxury

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Baths are a luxury. When I lived in the dorms as a student I really missed having a bath to soothe away the grinds of the day. Even a small tub can be turned into a relaxing experience. Dim or turn off the lights, add some candles, Epsom salts or a fancy bath bomb, maybe some classical music or ambient sounds and you have a makeshift home spa experience.  Just make sure NOT to snort the bath salts! #bubblebathsareforchildren #saltbathsareforadults

These are some of my favorite products for the bath! #thehubsfoundthefancybathsaltsandbathbombs

  • Dr. Teal’s Epsom salts ($5 for 40+ oz bag): Even though it is technically marketed as foot soak, I love the peppermint scented salts and add them to my bath frequently. There is really no difference in the active ingredient.  A popular scent you will find in most stores is the lavender. They also carry unscented Epsom salts.
  • Mayfair Soap Foundry sea lily jasmine bath salts ($9 per 17 oz bottle): A little will go a long way with these and they smell heavenly.
  • Da BOMB Bath Fizzers ($7.50/bath bomb): They have unique scents and come with a surprise in the middle! Most recently mine came with a rainbow heart eraser. My favorite are the blueberry lemongrass BLING Bomb and the pineapple PARTY Bomb. If you would like to save some money you can purchase WHOOPS bombs from their website for about $4 a piece…these may not have a surprise inside or may have some minor aesthetic that doesn’t deem it perfect but still has the same quality ingredients. Another great reason to purchase this product is because it is an idea that stemmed from two young girls now in there teens! #womenentrepeneurs #businessisbooming #madeintheUSA

Now for the rest of the ambience. I found these cute candles at cost plus world market.  My rule is NO glass for candle holders (safety first) thus the candles come in stone/ceramic holders. I also transfer the Epsom salts from the not so attractive bag to this glass (the exception to the rule) bottle with swing cap (you can get at any craft store).  Tada!

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Backyard triumphs

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My baby trees in the backyard (planted last year) are flowering! This is such an exciting event in our household especially since I just gave up on tending to my succulents. Growing up, I remember visiting my abuelita, Sara, in her home in Juarez and always having pomegranates fresh from the front yard trees. I also remember visiting my father’s family orchards and picking apples (reminiscent of golden delicious apples). I’ve always wanted a backyard with fruit trees and I am so lucky that my husband agreed to have several fruit trees (I wanted 10 but we agreed to 4).

Marriage hint for home/yard decor:  Always ask for more but be willing to settle for less. #JK #sortoftrue

If I remember correctly we have a peach, nectarine, pomegranate and apricot tree…but I wouldn’t bet money on that being 100% correct. Another great reason to have trees is so that they can eventually provide some privacy on the side of your yard!

 Photo Credits: #thehubs

 

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