World Lupus Day

Today is world lupus day! Please wear purple or orange to support someone you know that has lupus. I wore purple today :) Here is a World Lupus Day fact: Lupus is a leading cause of kidney disease, stroke and premature cardiovascular disease in young women. Spread the word and help us raise awareness!

Here is a picture of my rashes from lupus (this is when I was going through a really bad flare)

World Lupus Day Fact: (I did not know the number was this high!) Approximately two-thirds of people with lupus will develop some type of skin complication. This often is in the form of a rash or sores, most of which will appear on sun-exposed areas, such as face, ears, neck, arms, and legs.

Here is another fact: Lupus can be expensive to manage and live with. A recent study found that the average annual cost to provide healthcare for a person with lupus was $12,643, and was nearly $21,000 when lost productivity on the job due to illness is included (source: LFA)

World Lupus Day Fact: Lupus is one of America's least recognized major diseases. While lupus is widespread, awareness and accurate knowledge about it is lacking. Let's change this!

So I am on a full treatment with steroids since I am experiencing a lupus flare. My rhuemy gave me a higher dose of steroids. I thought that I could hide from steroids. It was just in my dreams. I am so tired of taking pills every morning and night. I know that if I don't take them there will be consequences. I am hoping that I don't gain additional weight from the steroids. I am still trying to lose the weight gain from last time. The cycle never ends. On top of this my Doctor informs me that I may have kidney damage and that I need to get tests redone this Friday. If this is the case, she will have to change my medication regiment. I just want a break. I am so tired from all the doctor's appointment, blood tests, medications, fatigue.

I have to admit that within a day of taking the steroids my fatigue and throat soreness has improve tremendously. This is my cross to bare and I gladly accept it. I just hope that I may be able to help those less fortunate than I. Help me spread awareness about lupus! For more information about Lupus please visit the lupus foundation of america (lupus.org).

xoxo,
Kat

Dedication to My Mum

To My Mum,
Happy Mother's Day! I'm sorry this is the second Mother's Day that I have not been able to spend with you. I thank you for giving birth to me. I know that being a Mother is not always easy. I think that it is one of the hardest jobs in the world. I thank you for loving me and for making me become a better woman. I don't think I have told you this before, but you inspire me everyday. You are so selfless, that at times I wish you would stand up for yourself. You have sacrifice so much for me and my brother and sisters. I don't know how you do it. I am here if you ever need to "not be" strong. I am blessed to have a mother like you. Everyday I strive to make you proud. We may not see eye to eye on a lot of things, but that is the beauty of it. Thank you for being there for me whenever I needed you. I may get frustrated with you at times, but at the end of the day you are still my mother. I know you only WANT the best for me;however, your intentions may be misguide.

Mom we have been through so much together. My first steps, my first day of kindergarten, learning how to ride a bike, first communion, the terrible teens, learning how to drive a car, graduation, dropping me off at Berkeley, doctor's appointments, and hospital stays. What people say: A mother's love is unconditional. I know that you care but sometimes your words hurt more than anybody's else. I now understand that you would do anything to "FIND A CURE" for me. But you have to accept the fact that there is no cure. I know that it hurts you to see me in pain. I know that you are afraid that I may die sooner and maybe even before you. MOM, you have to set me free. I know that in your heart I will always be your little girl. However, you can not always protect me. I have told you that I am not afraid to die, but I am afraid of not being able to accomplish everything that I want to. I need to be able to LIVE and experience life.

Ever since I was a little girl I always strive to be more like you. I hope someday I can make you as proud of me as I am of you. My graduation a week from now is not just for me, it is for you too. The reason why I push myself so hard is because of your sacrifices. I wish I could have spent today celebrating what an awesome mother you are.

P.S. I Love You Mum. I can't wait to see you in about a week.

xoxo,
Kat

OMG I'm graduating!!!

Oh my god! I'm graduating in about a week and a half!!! I am so excited! I just got my sash the other day too. I am proud of myself for finishing school. I am so happy that I underestimated all the people that told my parents to let me quit school since I have "an illness." I was never going to quit. I can't wait to see my mom, dad, and sister. It sucks that since Berkeley is so far, no body else will be attending my graduation. Even my brother and my other sister is not attending my graduation. This is a huge milestone for me. I now have the daunting task of looking for a job.

It's bittersweet that I am graduating Cal while my sister Kim just got accepted into Cal as a biology major. I am so proud of her. However she does not share my same feelings. She does not want to go to Cal. She does not like Berkeley. She would rather go to San Diego. I will definitely visit Cal a lot if she goes here. Depending if I find a job up here, she may live with me her last year. We will just have to see if I get a job first.

xoxo,
Kat

Weakness

Banana cream pie @ Nations

Victorians in Castro

Do you have a weakness? I do. Banana cream pie is one of my all time weakness. I absolutely love banana cream pie. The silky smooth texture just melts in my mouth. It is one of my all time favorites. The nutty smell and freshly slice bananas is to die for. The cream is not too sweet, so I don't feel as bad after I eat it. I will eventually attempt to make this one of these days. I am crossing my fingers that it will turn out just as amazing!

I love old buildings that have history tied to them. I love these victorians house that I came across while I was in Castro last weekend. They remind me of my uncles and aunts home in Canada and Holland. The architecture is stunning with all of the little details. I wish I could have seen what it looked like from the inside.

xoxo,
Kat

Lime Bar

Bottomless Mimosas @ Lime Bar, SF

Sunday Brunch in the city with good company always make my day. I will definitely go back for my birthday! The atmosphere, music, and food was just perfect! On the weekend, Lime Bar is a hot spot for gay bar hopping. They always have really good music.

xoxo,
Kat

My Girls

Burgers and Margaritas!

A beautiful day in San Francisco with my loves.

I love my girls! I have such amazing friends especially Miki and Eugenie! We always manage to have fun without the drama. I will surely miss them. I can't wait for our reunion for Mardi Gras in New Orleans (one of these years)! It will be like old times. What I love about Miki is that she is so compassionate and easy to talk to. She is always ready to have a good time. I feel like I have known you forever. What I love about Eugenie is that she tells it like how it is and she is absolutely hilarious. I like that she keeps it real. These girls are truly beautiful inside and out. These girls are always there for me when I need them and vice versa. We may not talk for months due to each of our busy life, but when we do it is like time never passed. Life takes us in different directions; however, we will grow old together. I can see us reminiscing about our college days, boy problems, work, stress, etc. in the years to come. I love and miss you girls. I wish you only the best in what you do.

xoxo,
Kat