I'm Engaged

On Friday, December 14 Ted asked me to marry him. It was the last day of work before I started my three week vacation. We were having a small Christmas Party at my house and Ted was already at my house preparing sushi before I returned home from work. Ted tells me that he bought me a "little something" for Christmas and he motioned toward a small decorated box under the tree. The week before he bought me an ornament so I was expecting another small but sweet gift.

He said that I could open it today or on Christmas and that it was up to me. I can't resist waiting to open gifts so I told him that I wanted to open it right then and there. I opened the red box and inside there was another box and inside that box was another. I finally got to the last box and it had candy in it. I looked at it dumbfounded so he quickly said that there was another box inside.

I removed the small, black, velvet box and it still did not hit me that he was about to propose. I thought they were earrings or a necklace. Ted said, "Before you open it up, I want to tell you something." I thought he was going to say, "It's not what you think it is." But instead he said, "I want you to know that I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

I had imagined this moment before countless times and I always pictures myself saying, "Yes!" loud and clear but instead I said "Really?" I was so surprised and shocked. He said, "Yes, really".
"Yes!!!" I said. We kissed and then I opened the velvet box and saw my beautiful ring. Ted picked it and I love that he chose it for me. I love it!!! Ted was planning on asking me on Christmas Eve, which I suspected. He had a hunch that I knew so he had an epiphany while he was cooking and thought that the day of our Christmas party would be a better day. He knew I would be surprised and it was also a great opportunity to tell all our friends in person. He decided that he would tell me that I could open the gift whenever I wanted to and the day I wanted to open it, would be the day that he would propose.
We called our parents immediately and they were overjoyed and took a quick picture of ourselves to remember that moment. When my friends arrived we told everyone individually and they all congratulated and embraced us. It was a great party. We played a White Elephant game and danced later in the night. It was a special night that I will remember forever.

My favorite songs for 2007

So here it is... My first list of favorite songs for the year. I have to thank my friend, Salina, who is a music aficionado for getting me to do this. 2007 was very good to me. I started the year in Belgium visiting my sister Tylene, went to Costa Rica for an all-girl's trip, visited Maui with Ted, went to Portland for an amazing wedding (Tiffany and Cory's), spent Thanksgiving in Florida with my parents so they could meet Ted. I also got a new job as an Assistant Principal, but most importantly... I met the love of my life: Ted. Along with him I have a new family and great friends. I also just got engaged and can't wait to start a new era in my life with him.

Back to music...These songs remind me of my life in 2007 and they are all songs that I adore. I hope that I will introduce you to some new artists whose work I admire and enjoy. Send me your list too. Happy New Year. May 2008 bring you lots of love, happiness, and health.


10. "Everything's Just Wonderful" Lily Allen Salina introduced me to this British singer. This song reminds me of the beginning of the year when I came back from visiting my sister in Belgium. The song is about how the media constantly bombards women with images of skinny models and how we buy into it. Ladies, let's be proud of our curves. Screw the diet!!!

9. "A Eme O" - Andrea Echeverri* I think of driving with Ted to the Joshua Tree concert and singing this song. Andrea Echeverri explains how since her baby was born she can now spell the word "Amorcito" and how her baby awakened a new love in her. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DrxmgK0Zv7UM

8. "Mujer Policia" Los Amigos Invisibles* Ted introduced me to this song. The band was one of our first common interests. I was very impressed that he knew who they were and he had tons of their songs on his Ipod. He put this song on one of the CDs he made me.We went to the Joshua Tree Music festival and met the band. They put on a great concert and the singer even had me sing the chorus to one of his songs. Check them out: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=3Duser.viewprofile&friendID==

7. "Lluvia Con Nieve" - Charanga New York* A classic latin groove mixed with jazz, that makes me get up and dance. The song consists of timbales, guiro, violins, flute, piano and conga drums. Very Nu Yorican. I was just dancing in my bedroom to it. I do some serious Boricua dancing with this song. Whepaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

6. *"El Cantante" Hector Lavoe A classic. Hector Lavoe's life was very tragic. He was involved in drugs and struggled with depression. In this song he sings about how people pay him to sing and how everyone thinks he has a great life but when the show ends he is like the average guy with laughter and pain in his life. His music: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=3Duser.viewprofile&friendID=

5. "los cerros" Maneja Beto A band from Texas who are unknown. I heard them on a podcast and feel in love with their sound and dragged Ted to see them live in LA. We actually got to meet them. Cool guys. This song reminds me of when we first started dating. Their music is a mix between cumbia, alternative K-Rockish, and rancheras. You won't be disappointed if
you like the Spanish Rock scene. Check them out http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=3Duser.viewprofile&friendID


4. "Bartender" (feat. Akon) T-Pain Every now and then, I want to step away from Spanish music and hear hip-hop. Just a fun club song to dance to.

3. "Acid" Ray Barretto Released in 1972, but one of my favorites for 2007, Ray Barreto mixes boogaloo, Latin soul, and jazz in "Acid". This is one of the greatest recordings from the history of New York Latin music.

2. "Yo Soy Asi" Los Amigos Invisibles This song has the best video. It's so funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DhDzDtLYNx-A I love the video so much that I put it on my myspace page. The band sings about how you you should act and be who you are without giving a shit about what other people
think. Hell yeah!!!!!!!

1. "Di Que Me Amas" - Alex Cuba Band This is Ted's and my song. We just love it. We would listen to it when we first started going out while drinking wine in my living room. It's #1 becauseI think of Ted every time I hear it Aaaaahhhhhhh