Norma "Normita" R.'s Profile

My love of El Dorado started a few months ago- some friends and I decided to go out on a Wednesday night for kicks! I thought that this place was going to be downtown so was braced for the d-town feel but nope, this dive bar is chill and awesome! The drinks are amongst the best I've had! They peel the lemon slices for your drinks and add fresh lemon juice- the Jalisco daisy is my favorite drink there- a not super sweet margaritasque slushy of deliciousness... I have gone back two other times and had a blast both times- their specialty drinks (which includes the Jalisco Daisy) are $9 dollars but they are double shot drinks that don't even taste like alcohol-- careful or you might drink yourself into oblivion without realizing it!!!! Plus points for the cute bartender there! Oh and one of the nights I went they had old school hip hop mixed in with new hip hop- perfect combo!!! GO THERE NOW!!!

We had a blast while we were here! Our first night in Maine, my hotel roomie Winnie andI had sushi and made friends with the waitress, she told us to hit up Bubba's that friday night for 80's night! Oh man, it was awesome! The only thing that sucked was that I thought I had dressed passably 80's- black and white polka dot mini skirt, platforms, and a side pony tail,but nope! It was not enough! However, I understood why, because once I walked in with the crew, I saw that in Portland, Maine, people take 80's dancing VERY SERIOUSLY! :) haha! People were decked out in spandex, leg warmers, lace, neon shorts, the whole bit! The music was awesome that night- 80's music, with hip hop remixed into them!!! HECK YES!!!!!

Pizza so good, I'd do anything for it, almost!!!! WE were ravenous after a looong day, before our healthcare action in Augusta, Maine the next day! The organizer for Maine People's Alliance, recommended this little shop across the street from the office, and I fell in love!!!! Slices of awesomeness!!! basil tomato and zucchini with potato!!! I mean who does this? it was SOOOOO DELICIOUS! They also had perfect tasting pink lemonade that was not too tart or overwhelmingly sweet- honestly, I know its just pizza, but it was probably one of the best things I had in Portland Maine!!

Ahh, White Heart- how much fun were you?? LOTS!! I came out to Portland a couple of weeks ago, to organize for Healthcare Reform with the Maine People's Alliance, during the nights, we hit the town! One of our last nights, we hit up White Heart and had a blast!!! Maine is mostly white and our crowd of Minorities always stood out, it was fun to walk into bars and have people do double takes! The music was decent, and the dancing crowd was pretty odd- a mix of people that really really didn't know how to dance, but didn't give a damn and danced anyway!! It was sooo ridicioulously awesome, I also found it hysterical that when I asked for my staple dance music "raunchy, bad hip hop" the dj gave me a clueless look and tried, but putting on an Usher song and some new poppy song. Yes, my staple dance music is bad hip hop, especially after I have had a few! All in all, a rock star place, with good yummy drinks- cranberry/vodka please!

I had been contemplating a tattoo forever! I finally found the perfect thing I wanted a few months ago! I knew that the tattoo had to be a) meaningful and b) in the right place. Using the initial design for Ollin- the aztec symbol for movement,  I redid part of the design and then made it more decorative and pretty. I decided to go with Tower tattoo after I saw my friends tattoo, and loved the style, she told me she had gotten it here. When I went in to Adam, he told me that the tattoo might have too much detail, but he would mess with it. About 20 minutes later, he had a really great version of it, which included all of what I had wanted, just slightly simplified. I don't know what other people were talking about, Adam was super friendly and funny. He initially quoted 130 or so. When he realized It was my first tattoo he made some jokes but then told me I would be fine,  to just breathe normally and relax. Thats just what I did, and an hour later, I had my tattoo, just like I wanted. It was on the inside of my right wrist and wrapped around to the top. He then told me it would just be a 100 since he took less time than he though- YAY! I totally recommend Adam, he rocks!

F*cken good food. Its all either vegetarian or vegan but don't let that stop you, meat eaters!!! My friend and I were out here doing some research from San Deezy. Right before we left our hotel to find some food, I did a quick perusal of restaurants around the area and came across Avanti. It was perfect for what we were looking for: healthy, and delicious, everything we had there was both! The Riviera pizza its so good, it'll make you slap someone!! The olive and cheese Salad with miso dressing, also amazing! She and I split both and to top it off, vegan, raspberry chocolate cake and an almond chocolate cake/tartlet thing, which were stellar!!! Seriously, one of the best meals I have ever had, I am coming back with the boyfriend, and any possible time that I can escape down to Newport! :) YUM! Seriously, if you like haven't gotten in the car and are driving there now, do it!

Last quarter I developed an obsession for Cafe Calabria! was Invited to study here by a friend, I loved it! They have tons of electrical outlets underneath the tables opposite from the counter, which is where I spend my time, good lighting, giant windows that let sunlight in, great customer service, the baristas- are super sweet and have a ton of regulars come in and chat them up. Great coffee, great tea, and yummy baked selections!!!! Free wi-fi and the fact that it is in North Park, round this out to be one of my favorite coffee shops in San Diego! :) The only negative, they close at 3pm :( Parking can be a doozy, since there is a 2 hr parking max, but park on one of the side neighborhood streets and you are set!

I love coffee shops with old furniture, and a relaxed atmosphere! They have good baked goodies, and their coffee and teas are decent too! The only negatives, is that there always seems to be some sort of odd, loud voiced fellow or lady intent on letting the entire coffee shop know their conversation be it in person with another customer or via cell phone--- the lighting gets a little dim in some parts, but overall, Twiggs is pretty good for a study session or some reading for fun! Free wi-fi as well, woot woot! Oh and its in the awesome neighborhood of University Heights :)

I live in Hillcrest and this place is worth driving too! :) Especially on particularly hot days, its perfect!  I always get an iced genmai tea and I've had their cookies, good stuff! :) Not a coffee conossieur or else I'd tell you all about it, coffee shops for me get points for their service, and if I am able to study at them. The only bad thing is this obnoxious "regular" at the coffee shop who when she has a phone conversation, the entire 5 mile radius around pointbreak can hear her! other than that its worth it to be across the street from the ocean in a super chill place! WOOT WOOT! Ocean view, ocean breeze while I'm studying- perfect. If its a getting into the water sorta day, its easy to play in the water, wash up and come relax in here! This place is all about location, location, location!

The first time I went to a specialty running store, I went to Snails Pace in Fountain Valley after my doctor told me that I needed specific shoes for running and pronto or else my knees were going to just fall off on the side of the road on one of my long runs. Up until then I had always just bought any random pair of seemingly good running shoes from like Big 5 or something but I had been experiencing pain in my knees, that paired with my doctors warning led me to Snails Pace.

I loved their attention and expertise. They looked at my old pair and then brought out 3 or 4 pairs of shoes, they had me run in them to see how I was running.  After I decided on the pair of Saucony Grid-somethings, I have never gone and tried another pair, these have tons of cushion and are perfect for me. My running life was saved by their service and these shoes, now anytime I go into a running store (now that I live in San Deezy-its Roadrunner sports), I just say I want a pair exactly like these-- and they bring them out and I am on my happy way! :) YEAH!