Rose Parade 2012

This year we made a last minute decision to check out the Rose Parade in Pasadena. I hadn't been to it since I was a little girl and I had never camped out right on the street before so it was a great new way to experience this event.

Even though we showed up a little late compared to all the other over-nighters we managed to secure a little bit of space right up front! Check out our awesome yellow and black borders courtesy of Carlos!

By this point it was getting pretty late, but I wasn't quite ready to go to sleep. Good thing we came prepared with our travel kit for mate!

The boys were excited for what was to come!

Chris took advantage of an incident with a motorcycle which a police officer stopped to take care of to strike a pose!

Who could that be? The cops will never know!

So happy my mom was able to join us!

Chris was anxious for the parade to start. He wanted to be front and center!

Where's Waldo...I mean, Chris?

Stealthy

Nothing like an old-timey bike to brighten up your morning!

I can't think of a better person than Kenny G to start the floats :)

It's a pony!

The most important people in the parade. The pooper scoopers!

When life gives you lemons... be careful or the aliens will steal them to make lemonade :/

Knights in shining armor galloping on their white stallions still do exist!

The Indonesia float was beautiful!

Wisconsin honey badgers don't give a shit!

Burbank

Los Angeles representing!

So awesome! I love that spotted horse.

The Paramount Studios float was one of my faves!

Bumble Bee!

USS Enterprise

Out of all the high school bands, this one was my favorite. They had style!

These were my mom's favorite :)

Girl Scouts

AIDS Walk Los Angeles 2011

It was such an amazing day today! I had the privilege of participating in the Los Angeles AIDS Walk for the second year. Our team has grown since last year and I'm grateful to be a part of it - as well as the group as a whole which was 30,000 strong!

Team Marie's Fight 2011

Everybody coming together and getting ready to walk!

My Team Marie's Fight shirt. Next year I'd like to get matching shirts made for the team.

This poodle came prepared for the long walk with his diaper :)

This mural on Melrose Ave made the perfect backdrop for a photo of this group of Payasos. A group of people who raise money for children's charities. Cool guys!

And this mural made the perfect backdrop for a photo of MY hunk ;)

These lovely ladies were awesome enough to be there to cheer us on and keep us pumped about walking the 10K

Posing for a photo with my honey as we got ready to turn down La Brea from Melrose

Team Marie's Fight representing!

Too Fat To Run...good thing it's a walk! ;)

Lucky for us there was a "paletero" to provide us with popsicle motivation for the last home stretch!

These are the coolest cheerleaders I've ever seen!

All in all this year's walk was a success. I'd like to thank all the people who sponsored me with a donation. You have helped to contribute to the more than $3,005,000 that was raised for AIDS Project Los Angeles and other local AIDS services. They will be able to provide urgently needed food, medical care, counseling, safe housing, and other services to the many thousands who depend on these programs. The funds will also help to enable them to continue their vital HIV prevention and advocacy work to stop the epidemic in its tracks. THANK YOU!

I look forward to next year's AIDS Walk as well as to the day when we will have beat this disease for good!

A Walk By The Beach

This year we decided to take it easy on labor day weekend. My mom invited my sweetheart and me over for lunch. After she treated us to an amazing lunch - which I unfortunately didn't think of taking a photo :( - we went for a walk by the beach.

I never get tired of seeing this

My sweetheart and me ♥

Chillin' in the orb

A better view of the orb

My lovely mother

Saint Monique

Team Marie's Fight

There are some people that come into your life and really make an impression that stays with you forever. Marie was one of those people for me. She was the mother of my three good friends, Michelle, Gene, and Steve. Marie was a tough lady with a big heart. Unfortunately in 2005 she lost her fight with AIDS.

In Loving Memory of

Marie Aide Barrionuevo

~RIP~

I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to lose my mother, but I can see the effect it has had on my friends and I can't help but think that there is something we can do. AIDS is a horrible disease that has taken mothers, fathers, friends, and loved ones away from this world and a solution must be found.

This October I will be participating in the Los Angeles AIDS Walk as part of Team Marie's Fight. The walk will take place in West Hollywood and I will be walking 10 kilometers along with my team and thousands of other people hoping to make a difference.

Since its inception in 1985, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has benefited AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), an AIDS service organization dedicated to: improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease; reducing the incidence of HIV infection; and advocating for fair and effective HIV–related public policy. AIDS Walk Los Angeles makes it possible for APLA to provide urgently needed food, dental care, safe housing, and much more to people with HIV/AIDS who also face poverty, hunger, and homelessness. APLA also runs the county’s largest network of HIV prevention programs to end the epidemic in Los Angeles.

Team Marie's Fight 2010

Last year I was able to help raise $600 for this cause. This year I am setting a personal fundraising goal of $1000. Help me to reach this goal by making a donation using the link below.

Sadly it is too late for Marie, but it is not too late to help make a difference. Join me in continuing Marie's Fight!