Time is flying by so fast that it’s surreal. I recently celebrated my 27th birthday and it seemed like just yesterday I was 25. Was I even 26 for a whole year? Can I speak to a manager?!

I often crave pieces of time where I can just… BE. I want to be, in the moment. Be, in the laughter. Be, in the love. Be, in the company of friends where we lose track of time because we are not searching for the next moment. I don’t want to be focused on social media, or if that guy will call, or that document I left on my printer at work. I just want to indulge in the moment. For my birthday I wanted just that. I just wanted to spend effortless time with the people I love.

I had a birthday lunch and several birthday dinners with different friends and family (What can I say, my friends know I’m a foodie!). Each time was filled with laughter, love and silliness. Let me share some of the amazing food that was devoured with friends and family.

Left: Fajita style chicken tacos with Dominican rice and beans// Right: Empanada and Manduros.

I am a taco kind of girl. I love veggie and/or chicken tacos with a passion. Give me a side of rice, beans and manduros and I will love you forever. My mom and her husband took me to a Dominican spot here in town. I am a regular there but it was their first time and they loved it!

A few of my good friends and I went to The Cowfish for dinner and it was amazing. The Cowfish is a restaurant/bar that specializes in two of the best things in the world: sushi and burgers! I told the waiter that our table was a declared “judgement free zone” and proceeded to order edamame, a huge turkey burger, a sushi roll and a Coney Island Root Beer. Yes, my eyes were 50 times bigger than my stomach but who cares? I was the birthday girl. Everything was amazing and super delish. I easily fell in love with this restaurant. We ordered tons of food and drinks, played hide-and-seek with a floating spider (he almost won), had sing-alongs, and laughter with real tears. I’d say the dinner was a success.

I ordered edamame as an appetizer and ended up eating them solo (my friends did not care for these). Edamame are a great source of protein, iron and calcium by the way.

Left: Apple, Berry & Brie Turkey Burger// Right: The Queen City Roller sushi roll

“Dory, is that you?! ” -Me

I am so thankful to have such amazing, loving, supportive, beautiful and genuine friends and family by my side. I’m so happy I can just BE with you.

Stay Golden- xo D