Kingsvale and Napa, CA - Happy New Years!

Friday, December 31, 2010

Every year, I love to celebrate the New Year by having a really productive day and spending time with my family. On this morning, me and my two best friends Gabino and Danny drove to Kingsvale to go tubing for the day. This is something I had never done before and was excited to try it. Last year I took snowboarding lessons for the first time and realized that is definitely not the sport for me, I could barely stand up! Luckily tubing turned out to be much easier though the lift was broken and we had to walk up the hill each time we wanted to go down the slope. 

On the way home, we were hungry and unfortunately got a flat tire. I think this is my fifth or sixth flat tire for the year. I get them because there are always nails left on the road in front of my house. This time, we ran into a nail on the road. The wait wasn't too bad though since we called AAA and they made it there quickly, changed our tire and we were back on the road sooner than we expected. 

After our snow trip, we made our way back to Napa to spend the New Year with my family. We like to get together, play board games including Taboo, Spoons and Scattergories (we didn't get to that game this year though) of course yell, "Happy New Year" when the clock strikes midnight. 

This year was a bit different because after playing a few games, my family went over to the Red Hen Cantina to support my cousin Carl who was the DJ for their New Years Eve Bash. Almost the whole crowd was my family! My grandparents were there before we arrived and we spent most of the night dancing to the latest music. It was a lot of fun!

Here are a few pictures from the last day of the year...

Gabino and Danny in Kingsvale

Getting ready to go tubing

The lift was broken so we had to walk up the hill

Making a snowball

A little tired, hungry and ready to drive home. This was right before we got a flat tire on the way to eat. Luckily my AAA Membership saved the day and we were up and running sooner than we expected.

Celebrating the new year with my Tia Rosa

My cousin Yvette and I on New Year

Supporting my cousin Carl dj'ing at the Red Hen Cantina

My Grandpa and I on New Years Eve

Happy New Year!

Sarah

Napa, CA - Christmas Time!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday and I look forward to it every year. I always know when Christmas is coming because Starbucks uses their red Christmas cups and everyone starts playing holiday music. For the holidays I am usually all over the place visiting family, wrapping last minute gifts, playing "White Elephant", exchanging Secret Santa gifts and of course, sharing some great food and conversation. I love it!

Here are some quick photos from my holiday break...

The kids on my mom's side of the family! We take an annual picture in front of the tree.

Two of my favorite people in the world - my grandparents Pete and Antonia.

Gabino and I enjoying some great tamales!

My brother Ricky and the best secret santa gift - Pizza!

Painting faces on Christmas Eve at Gabino's house with Janice and Isaiah

I know he is not smiling but he was very happy to be a Tiger on Christmas

In San Francisco visiting my cousins Anessa and Clarissa

Happy Holidays!

Sarah

Vallejo, CA - Christmas Tree Lighting at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Saturday, December 18, 2010

All I have to say is - WHAT AN AMAZING DAY! This was such a great opportunity where I and the Miss Solano Team were able to be guests for Six Flag Discovery Kingdom's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony but before the event, we were escorted through the park to meet and greet animals.
I would really like to give a huge thank you to Kym McNicholas for setting this up for us! I had a great time. 

Below are some pictures from our day...

With our fresh fish, ready to feed the sea lion!

Getting ready to feed them!

Kym came face to face with a walrus! They are huge!

Getting a big kiss!

Kym McNicholas with Kai

My mom Ana and I with Kai

With Kym McNicholas and Kai, the friendly sea lion

Miss Solano's Outstanding Teen 2010 Yvette, Miss Solano 2010 Sarah and I

With our amazing Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Guide!

Singing "Jingle Bell Rock" before the Tree Lighting

Afterwards, I introduced Miss Solano 2010 Sarah and Miss Solano's Outstanding Teen 2010 Yvette!

Lighting the Christmas Tree!

A big thank you to Kym for setting up this opportunity for us!

Until next time!

Cheers,

Sarah

Novato, CA - Breakfast with the Miss Marin County Committee!

Breakfast at The Golden Egg in Downtown Novato

Saturday, December 18, 2010

This morning, we had a delicious breakfast with some of the members of my amazing committee with my parents and best friend Gabino. Even though it was bright and early (for a weekend), I had been looking forward to it all week! I absolutely love everyone that is a part of the Miss Marin County Scholarship Program and still have to pinch myself that I am their representative this year! They are a great team.

At this breakfast, we talked about the year, preparing for Miss California, community involvement and of course, what we were all going to eat!  In the picture above is Kym, Michele and Susan with my parents Ana and George, me and Gabino after having a great meal at The Golden Egg in downtown Novato.

Thank you for this great breakfast and company!

Love,

Sarah

Marinwood, CA - Facepainting at Winter Fest

Hi All!

Last month flew on by me and before I knew it, it had been forever since I have updated my blog. Even though today is January 16th, I am going to back track and create a post for each event that has occurred since the last time I have written.

December 17, 2010

On this Friday, I was invited to paint faces at the Marinwood Community Center at their Annual Winter Fest. It was a such a fun event and I had an amazing time meeting the many children who attended. Being that I had not painted faces in a while since working for Magic Princess where I use to be a performer where I face painted, balloon twisted, performed Magic and Puppet shows every weekend, I was a little nervous. What I love about kids though is not only are they enthusiastic but they are so forgiving and usually always love whatever it is that you paint. Ah, to be a kid! I love their outlook on life. After painting a few faces, I felt really comfortable again and had a great time chatting with all that attended.

Even though I don't think I have a picture of him, my favorite child that I met was Luca Sebastiani (that is his first and middle name). When I met him, he said, "I want to be an alien," and being that aliens are green, I had a fabulous time painting his entire face that color. I have to say, he looked pretty neat and he was very proud of his new alien look. During our face painting adventure, he told me, "my name is Luca, do YOU know how to spell that?" Lucky for me I spelled it correctly and was instantly "cool" in his book. He then told me that his name is "Luca Sebastiani" along with his last name that slipped my mind. He was so intelligent and fun to talk to. What a great person.

A big thank you to Luke Fretwell for inviting me to attend this wonderful event!

After face painting a princess!

A little boy being turned into a Pirate! Argh!

With a volunteer face painter at the Winter Fest!

Miss Oakland 2011

Today was my first opportunity to attend a local pageant as Miss Marin County 2011! It was also my 23rd birthday, but I really love the Miss Oakland Committee and would not miss this for the world.

 This was taken when I was on-stage speaking as a visiting titleholder.

 With my two of my wonderful committee members, Michele Moser, my executive director and Vera Hartsock. Thank you Michele for my birthday presents! I can't wait to use my new mug and drink the hot chocolate with marshmallows.

 Miss California 2010 Arianna Afsar was in attendance and sang a beautiful song during the show! Such an amazing and talented representative for our organization and I am so proud she is our Miss California. Watch her on January 15th on ABC when she competes for Miss America. We will be cheering her on at our Miss America Party!

 Sara Dadoo, the new Miss Alameda Cities Outstanding Teen 2011 with my cousin Yvette Hernandez, Miss Solano's Outstanding Teen 2010.

 Congratulations to Nanxi Liu, the new Miss Oakland 2011! She did an amazing job during the show and played a piece that she composed herself on the piano and it was great! Can't wait to get to know you better throughout our year as 2011 titleholders.

 Shelby Sinkler, Miss California's Outstanding Teen 2010 and I. So proud of her and all of her accomplishments and even more proud because she was my former teen when I was Miss Northern California Regional 2009!

At the end of the night before we were heading home. This is me with my cousin Yvette and one of my best friends Danny. Thank you for coming all the way from San Jose to spend my birthday weekend with me!

Great weekend!

Love,

Sarah

Mill Valley, CA - Winter Faire at the Greenwood School

Yesterday, I had the honor of being a "Wandering Angel" for the Greenwood School in Mill Valley for their Annual Winter Faire. When I arrived, they put me in full costume that included a white dress, blonde wig and of course, angel wings! For this event, I participated in their ribbon cutting ceremony and handed out "wishes" (pieces of paper with good fortunes) to children who attended the event. The only catch was that I could not talk as an angel. It was such a neat experience!

 Here I am at the beginning of the event welcoming everyone to the Winter Faire! This was right before I cut the ribbon to let everyone to the festivities inside of the school.

This was in full costume as an Angel and my first time as a blonde! 

At this time I handed out my first "wish" to a beautiful little girl who attended the Winter Faire.

Thanks to Ann for inviting me to participate in this wonderful event at the Greenwood School. I had a wonderful time!

Cheers,

Sarah