My 8,765.81277 Days Birthday

Happy Wednesday friends! 

I’m usually not one to make a great deal out of things when it comes to things pertaining to my own life, and my birthday is the perfect example of that.  I never used to like telling people that it’s my birthday because I always ended up feeling strange afterwards.  However, being the face behind this blog, it sort of makes sense to announce that today I turn 24 years old! [Or young].  Twenty four, guys! 0_0″

Although I’m not 100% excited about being another year older, I am doing my best to embrace the fact that God has brought me into this marvelous universe on this very day, October 12, and that I am [hopefully] one year wiser.

Ahhh I feel better just thinking about that. 

I know that now is just the beginning to a series of adventures that are to come.  I know that God has wonderful plans for me and Greg, and as long as I trust Him in all of my ways, I will be one happy camper for as long as I live.  Looking back at so many fun and exciting events in my life, I can attest that He has never disappointed me.  Some of these experiences have been too fun, to say the least.  All of this encapsulates everything from building amazing relationships in “real life” and through the blogosphere.  The minute that I clicked the publish button on my first post, I knew that I was in for a ride.  Let’s see….let us recap, shall we?!  (Many of these are plain light-hearted posts, while some of them are posts of life-changing events)

• My very first post on this humble blog, when I didn’t even think anyone would read it!
• The first time I went to Urth Caffe  <–Uhhh yeah.  The importance of that day is totally subjective.  But hey, it has become one of my favorite cafes ever!!
• The season of many transitions
• The day I got engaged to my beloved and my best friend!!!
• I started to see another facet of God’s love
• I got my Canon DSLR
• Post on one of my most popular post workout snacks
• Protein Pancake recipe that’s really simple, but was a hit
• My sister’s life turned around for good
• I got Lasik–awesome decision  <–Feel free to ask me about Lasik if you have any questions at all!
• God’s reminder of true beauty
• My 1st blogger meet-up, and the birth of a beautiful friendship
• Alfajores de Maizena recipe:  got featured on Foodbuzz Daily Buzz
• Guest blogger Tina
• We found our wedding venue and the dress!

Phew…!  If you made it this far, you have the gift of being amazing and persevering, hahh!  These events are only a few examples in light of all the amazingness that goes on in my life.  Sure, there are plenty of times when situations become difficult, but there is nothing that I cannot do through Christ Jesus.  So….happy 24th to me?!!

Okay that’s a bit awkward.  *Shakes head.  Cue the crickets*

Yesterday, Greg took me to a restaurant in Venice, CA that I’ve been dying to try.  This little eatery–mind you, a very cool and fancy eatery–is located near the ocean in the LA area.  It is called Gjelina (I know, unique spelling)  It is pronounced [Jeh-lee-nah].

Gjelina offers sort of a fusion cuisine, where they serve everything from vegetarian dishes, to fancy schmancy appetizers, to perfectly portioned pasta and fish dishes.

Taking any kind of photos in this location is very challenging due to the extremely dim-lit atmosphere.   Also, I forgot to charge the batteries and ended up with this picture only.

The decorum in Gjelina is very simplistic and gave me a rustic type of feel.  For example, there are a few chandeliers that have fake candles, which make the chandeliers look like they are from the 1800s.

For appetizers, we opted for the Fig and Burrata Cheese dish.  It was amazing, and I’m thinking of remaking this at home.  Greg ordered the Crispy Snapper plate, and I got the Beet Pappardelle with Lamb Sausage.  Everything was so delicate and tasted like gourmet food.  We both highly recommend Gjelina.

Dessert featured Urth Caffe’s most-delicious-in-the-whole-wide-world pumpkin pie!  I died.

Today ended up being a pretty chill day around the Kim household, that is, until evening hit.  Then, we all got together around the dinner table to celebrate my 24th.

There was lots of traditional Korean soup and BBQ consumed by all of us.  Afterward, we had cake.  Lots of cake!

These are some of the most delicious cupcakes ever, and I have my sis and brother in law to thank for them.  They are lemon, pumpkin, red velvet, and banana cupcakes from Patty’s Cakes in Fullerton.  But wait, that’s not all.

We also had a Korean fruit cake and boy were we stuffed at the end of the night.

All in all, I am kind of in a “shock” mode that I am one year older.  Not only that, but this will be my last year as a single non-married gal.  In addition to that, it’s my last year being the baby in my family, and it will be my whole family’s last birthday while living together! When I look at everything in retrospect, however, the only thoughts that come to mind are that I am so grateful for God’s blessings and the people in my life.  I am infinitely blessed spiritually and physically, and my hope is that I will “seize the day” everyday.    Today marks my 24 years, which equals 8,765.81277 days.

Have a beautiful week and I’m so excited to hook up with this gal tomorrow, can’t wait!

PS:  A huge shout out to my amigos in Argentina!  Woowhooo!  They just started reading Fit for the Soul and that makes me all fuzzy inside, haha.

PPS:  Oh, and stay tuned for some awesome workout routines coming your way.

Grace & Peace and Seize the Day,

Ellie <33

Tagged as: 24th birthday, cake, cupcakes, family, friendship, Gjelina, God's blessings, gratitude, life is beautiful