So i’m officially 26 years old. EEEK!!!!

LOL! I still don’t feel like a fool blown “adult” but I guess when you tell someone “I’m 26″ they kinda expect you to be.. Right? Well if this is how it feels then great! I am ready for this birth year to be 100% better then the next!

I wanted to say THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who wished me a blessed 26th year..

Favorite moments from my 26th Celebration.
Sea•Roam•CommunityFood&Juice•HabanaOutpost•JohnnyUtah’s•Cribnic•JonB@BBKings•SweetRevenge•DunceHats•Taim•WashingtonSqPark•MyRooftop

Special thank to my core friends who took time out of their lives to make my weekend extra special Mackenzie.Ericka.Raquel.Meli.Drenita.Olinka.Monica.Louie.

I totally love you guys, xoxo!

Hi! I’m Raquel.  Just wanted to come on over here to wish my favorite lady a very happy and (equally important) fun 26th birthday.  I came to NYC to participate in her week long celebration and make sure I keep her up past her bedtime.  Since she lives here and I live…not here, as is inevitable, we tend to drift apart a little but each time we visit we pick up where we left off.  This trip we’ve bonded over good (and not so good) red velvet cake, long walks in the sweltering heat and episodes of Strange Sex.

This weekend we’re going on a road trip to D.C. where I’m sure we’ll only become closer over our love for Obama’s adorable smile and long walks in the sweltering heat on Capital Hill.  Can’t wait!

Happy birthday, my love.  I hope it’s been extra special.  Thanks for always being such a doll.  I love you!

Not many people are privileged to witness 99 years of life. I have been blessed because ALL of my grand parents have made it to at least their 90′s. Sadly my dad’s parents are no longer with us but Abuela Rita was 91 and Abuelo Bienvenido made it to 102 years young! Yes 102! *Blessed*

This past weekend we celebrated my moms Dad’s 99th Birthday!

Meet the Don…

Don Luis and his lady “La Doña” a.k.a Abuela   She’s 93.Vittles galore! Can you tell we’re spaniards? LOL!Cakes By Liz — Contact her she makes beautiful cakes! Oh I *LOVE* this one!And the whole fam with the g-parents. Can’t beat a dozen roses for 5 bucks! Gotta love Miami!I love this man with the Jerez Family…Dig in to the vittles!Auntie + UncleAuntie (Blonde with green eyes) + Mom (black hair + brown eyes) My *Fave* <3 ….61 years later and of course some laughs.. my fave part of this picture is the Don’s socks My heart! Totally Amazing!and my Twin..lol.. she likes to dress like me..

This was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time. There is NOTHING like family.

So this pretty lady arrived in the mail yesterday. Her name is Bella

It was a birthday gift from @lovealwaysboots who owns Bellas boyfriend Howie.

-yes i know, I name everything-

xoxo!

This cute little guy is Carlos.

I met the Chardon Family in their beautiful Miami Beach home and a sunny Sunday morning. They were bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Carlos was not shy at all and was a a pro at making eye contact with me. We became quick friends
Love this one!Look at those lashess!!Carlos wanted to show my his skills of holding both of his toes.

His room was filled with the cutest details.One of my faves!Mom thought he was sleepy, but I think the pout face is because he thought I wouldn’t take more pictures of him..

Custom painted! And he’s happy again!LOVVEEE!!!!Did I mention the Chardon’s have the cutest condo right off the bay??? — I was totally jealous!
and his eyes totally make me melt!

Thank you Chardon Family for being oOOo So Fabulous!

On this perfect friday I came to the park. See this is a novelty for me because I’m rarely “off” on a week day so I wanted to see what non-working people do on friday’s at the park. I got some vittles from goodburger “home of the goodburger”  and of course an iced coffee from Dunkin’s. I walked over to central park and popped a squat on a nice patch of grass right in-front of the playground by Columbus Circle and got comfortable. Burger was delish, I appreciated the fact that they understood the meaning of “very well done” little things like that make me so happy. Weather was divine, borderline a little nippy — in July!  Only in NY.  I put on my earphones and jammed to Drake’s new album.  Which is so good by the way…

Guilty confession, I was supposed to come to edit but that never happened. #dontjudgeme. I got to caught up in taking pictures, people watching, talking to my mom, texting, bopping my head, and simply just enjoying my DAY OFF!!

Hope your Friday was just as wonderful as mine.

Happy Jetting

I arrived to Orlando a couple of hours ago and my flight with @JetBlue was just fabulous. I even got and extra bag of snacks #dontjudgeme . Currently, I am  sitting on the couch enjoying some quality time with brother..I was tempted by his new iPhone4. So I ‘facetimed’ the only other person I could think of.. @Mirrs2

So I have to admit the new phone is pretty sweet and ‘fancy’… The whole concept of  iChating on a phone is so circa The Jetsons. Its sleek, screen is ubber sharp, and the keypad is finally user friendly. I really didn’t play with it much but from what I did experience, it caught my attention. I now have bullies like my brother @mirrs2 and @lovealwaysboots urging me to join #teamiPhone.

Though I do think the iPhone4 is swanky, I am not ready to give up my love affair with my blackberry.

Plus I just signed a 2 year contract. -lol-

Happy Friday!

Today is Louie’s Birthday.

Since he lives in the neighborhood Olinka and I decided to go surprise him.

We met at Make My Cake on 116 and Fredrick Douglas

The menu was intense.

But we decided on a slice of red velvet cake since its his fave.

We rang the door bell 1,000 times ( I guess that’s what takes the fun out of suprising someone)

And we sang an “in tune” Happy Birthday.

He Smiled.

The End.

Hope you had a great one friend!

My dad is not your conventional dad. He’s not into sports,tools,yard work,cars,big screen tv’s…

But he is:

The most intelligent, compassionate, hardworking, humble, God-fearing, say it like it is kinda man.

He is my Hero.

I know everyone says that about their dad but I really mean it about mine. I know that if I want the hard honest truth about something I can ask him, I know that if I am pursuing a dream he is my number one supporter. I know if I fail at something he is the first one to tell me to brush myself off and try again. My dad doesn’t complain, never boasts, always listens, gives whole heartedly, loves unconditionally, and is eternally loyal. My dad has taught me life’s greatest lessons by just being who he is. My dad is a human encyclopedia when it comes to nutrition and medicine (DoctorGenao.com ). My dad has always believed in me and has been my #1 supporter. My dad has always let me know that I am his “little girl”. My dad makes me laugh. My dad is a true embodiment to the phrase “they don’t make them like they used to.”

So on this Hallmark Holiday Dad I just wanted to tell you I love you, I appreciate you, and I am a better person because of you!

And my most favorite picture of my parents:

Hi Chloe.

Now yell me she is not the cutest