Brookfield Zoo Highlights Part 1

I am a total animal lover!  I talked my family into visiting the Brookfield Zoo while we were in Chicago.  This zoo spreads over 200 acres and is really awesome!

I am a lot shorter than a bear...but I am also taller than 4"...the picture lies LOL

This polar bear was awesome.  We got to see it eat marrow from a bone in the water...so neat!

Points to anyone who knows what this animal is.  I couldn't find a sign anywhere.

I love this rhino!  It looks so sweet :)

I am just gonna do a few pictures here and there so as not to overwhelm anyone!

Aloha Friday #41 - Movies

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog . Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

What movies are you have you seen or are you looking forward to seeing this summer?


So far I have seen Men in Black 3, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Avengers, Brave, That's My Boy, and Rock of Ages.  I am looking forward to seeing People Like Us, Ted, and Magic Mike (which are all coming out today!)

Losing Weight...For Real This Time

I am really determined to lose up to 20 pounds!  I watch everyone on facebook, on blogs, in real life lose weight, so there is no reason I can't also!

So far, I have just cut desserts out of my diet...I haven't really made any other changes.  I have already lost a few pounds, so I am optimistic!

I am also walking and going to yoga twice a week.  Wish me luck!  All pointers appreciated :)

Sakura Restaurant - My Birthday Dinner

My family treated me for Japanese food on my birthday / Father's Day.  We went to Sakura Restaurant in Mt. Prospect in Illinois.  It is a tea house.  We and our table were kind of in a pit in the ground.  It was really cool and the food was excellent!

The super spicy Julian roll!

This is a close up of the Julian.  It contains smoked salmon, avocado, cream cheese, spicy mayo, deep fried with spicy sauce on top!

The small tempura plate.

The deluxe tempura plate.

Onions wrapped in beef.  Yummy!  We also got asparagus wrapped in beef...even better!

This place was so good.  We were a litty iffy about going for sushi in Illinois but it was amazing.  I would totally go back there if everyone wanted to (we travel to Illinois often).

Trip to Seattle

I went to Seattle about a month ago during my blogging break.  It was my first trip there and I had such a good time that I forgot to take many pictures LOL

We went and watched the ferry sail.  That was neat.  On my next trip I want to actually go on the ferry though!

Pike's Place Market is amazing.  We had great sausage sandwiches there and the market is just awesome!

This is my friend's adorable son.  He was a delight!  He will probably be so big the next time I see him.

Have you ever been to Seattle?  If so, what should I do on my next trip there?

Aloha Friday #40 - I'm 29!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog . Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

I just turned 29 last week.  What is one thing I should do before I turn 30?


I would like to do some new things.  I lead a pretty tame life!

Santa Barbara Axxess Blogging...Year 3 #10 - Petrini's - Goleta

Petrini's is one of my dad's favorite restaurants so I try to humor him and go there occasionally LOL

I was pleasantly surprised this last trip though.  I loved my dinner!

This was my chicken ravioli.  It was amazing and fed me for two meals total!

My dad ordered a bacon cheeseburger.  Look at how huge that thing is!

My dad's cheeseburger was free with my Santa Barbara Axxess deal of buy 1 entree, get 1 free.  I love 2 for 1 deals!

Next time I humor him, I think I will be ordering the same thing LOL

Do you ever go out to places you don't love just to make others happy?

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

I'm back everyone!  And what better way to come back than with a giveaway!

This giveaway hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Uniquely Moi Books.  There are currently over 100 blogs participating!!!  The giveaway hop goes through June 26th so you have almost a week to enter.

I am giving away a $10 Amazon GC.  After you enter my giveaway, be sure to check out the linky below and enter all of the other giveaways!

Please please please only enter using Rafflecopter.  Blog comments will not count.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am sponsoring my own prize.