Tuesday, January 18, 2005


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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
The Florida Meatpackers Association gave the exhibit a thumbs up.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Me and El on a icey horse drawn carriage. Insane. more insane was the fact that it was warm outside when we all went to Epcot earlier and I wore shorts. Inside the exhibit it was a toasty 9 DEGREES. Luckily they gave us parkas to wear. Unluckily for me I looked like a flasher with mine on for all the small children to enjoy.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Ice cathedral.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
A giant colored ice slide for people to enjoy.

New Year's Eve / Birthday Bash for El


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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.


Yup El is a New Year's Eve baby. Speaking with friends and family recently on different occasions I realized how out of touch we are with everyone. So many things have happened with our barkada that before we knew it we all got so involved in everyday living that we never stay in touch as much as we'd like. Family illnesses, new births, masters degrees, career choices, and new homes pushed all of us apart even more. I decided that it was time to try and get together as best we could to toast off the past year and bring in the new one.

When was a better time than to have a small reunion than New Year's Eve and Eleanor's birthday? She certainly deserved it. El works doggedly and needed some time off to enjoy her holiday. I sent out an informal invitation around the country and tried my best to pull people away from their routine to fly out (or drive out) to Orlando for a get together.

Despite my best efforts, only less than half could break away to join in the festivities. Nevertheless, El had a great time and maybe some of these pictures will entice the crew for the next go around.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Birthday girl, El, and Dr. J.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
The scheduling was pretty hectic as I had El and all of our out-of-towners head over to Disney for the day while I prepped food and arranged the table. The decor was a beast unto itself and lucky for me my younger sister decided at the last minute to fly out for the party. I ran out to the airport to pick her up and immediately put her ass to work. Rachel came by a couple of hours later to help run errands and get the house cleaned up.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Thank god these weren't balloons!

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Some lucky gifts for the lucky guests.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Red decor with a heavy asian influence was the theme. It was all about bringing good fortune and luck for the upcoming year. Thai masks, red Japanese parasols, TONS of red Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling and even a gigantic paper dragon adorned our home. Later on we gave out little good luck items to the guests (little lucky cats, buddhas, geishas, ninjas, coins) and the paper lanterns.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.


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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Wines that El and I have enjoyed over the years and some bubbly were served alongside a plethora of good eats. The menu consisted of a lot brownbag features along with some new entries including: Crab Cakes with a Black Bean Salsa & Sour Cream, Chicken Chunk Salad on Wheat, Four Cheese Lasagna with Meat Sauce, Beef Tenderloin Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce And Pita Wedges, Greek Salad, Panko & Pistachio Encrusted Pacific Basa with ber Blanc Sauce, and Southwestern Chicken Eggrolls. Desserts and treats included Belgium Chocolates, fortune cookies, antipasto platter of Italian deli meats, fresh mozzarella, Roma Tomatoes and Greek and Morrocan Olives, Leche Flan with seasonal berries and the of course, a Vanilla and Strawberry cake drizzled in chocolate for the birthday girl.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.


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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
The birthday cake...mmm.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
The Cake Cutting Ceremony.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
El takes a few cheap shots at the host right after she opens her birthday gift.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Oh boy. Is Jen DRUNK?

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Jen's mood captured perfectly during the party. Here she is trying to learn how to open a wine bottle. It's all fun and games until somebody's eye gets poked out.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Birthday girl opening gifts.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Rick and Carl pounding more booze.