THE ADVENTUROUS WOMEN'S HEARTHSIDE SOIREE II

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER THE PAST 

AND CREATE NEW MEMORIES WITH FRIENDS

 

(L-R, T-B) Sandi, Jennifer H, Maria, Jennifer, MarJo, Suzanne,

Anita, Nancy, Mayra, Ana Bela, Leslie, Katrina

(NOTE: The original announcement posted on the Adventurous Women's site is reprinted at the end of this blog)

There's nothing more heartwarming than sharing a part of ourselves with friends by the fireside, with wine, food, and tales from our past.  So when Kelli organized the first Hearthside Soiree with this concept, I just had to RSVP right away; unfortunately, it was also the night of Manny Pacquiao's fight, and I had to cancel my RSVP.  (Pacquiao won.)  When I spoke to Kelli later about the soiree, she suggested that I should organize another one; so I did.  The result: MEMORABLE.  Kelli called it 'MAGICAL' based on the comments she had read and the photos she'd viewed.

Here is the comment (edited since) I wrote on the AW site the day after the event:

It was a night filled with great food, wine, camaraderie, and most of all, fantastic stories. There was not one person there that we did not get to know very well. Each one spoke about her uniqueness with respect to her life experience or history, character, career, and endeavors. Suzanne openly narrated her heart-wrenching life story. Anita talked about her humanitarian involvement in Haiti, Ana Bela spoke about coming to the US with just $65 in her pocket, but now an RN; Katrina shared how a background check for employment revealed that she is related to Hitler and a Japanese Kamikase, Sandi spoke about her past association with Barron Hilton as his yacht chef; Jennifer recited her own slam poetry and sang Acappella, impressing and captivating everyone;  and talked about her two published books. She also gave plenty of legal advice to the group about various issues.  The other Jennifer related her international gypsy life and how she's following UNESCO's Freedom Trail; Leslie shared many things to the group that I can't pinpoint which is most memorable, but her wall is definitely a conversation piece--a retrospective exhibit of her life in itself, as you can see from the pictures.  Okay. . .I know I'm missing someone or two.  I'll come back later and add more. Oh, me?  Well, I shared my obsessive fascination over live volcanoes and how I would want to skydive into a fiery cauldron when the time comes to join the carravan and reunite with my Creator.  I also talked about my humanitarian projects for the Aeta aboriginal tribes of the Philippines, which opened up a lively and hilarious discussion about the 'naked' or loin-clothed tribal people of the country as instigated by Ana Bela.  

~ ~ ~ o0o ~ ~ ~





 I love giving gifts (you should see me at Christmas Time), and I love books.  I never leave Borders or Barnes & Noble book stores empty-handed.  I love their bargain tables, so I picked up a few and included them with the door prizes drawing along with some of my framed art prints.  Everybody loves to receive gifts, so the they were a big hit. 

 

 

Everyone brought something for the potluck.  There was enough wine there that Leslie told us to take a bottle home with us after the party.  That was just great.  I made lumpias (egg rolls) and pansit (noodle dish).  I'm so glad everybody loved them. 

SOME OF THE COMMENTS POSTED BY THE LADIES 

ABOUT THE EVENT

sandi marvich Night to remember is for sure! The night was so much fun right from meeting Nancy on the way in to the incredible food - awesome lumpia! The stories were so fun to see what was similar in so many women from so many backgrounds. Sorry to have to leave before the end, but boy am I glad I made the time to come!

gypsyjennifer

Thanks so much to Maria and Leslie for a great evening. Was impressed with the stories and sharing. Interesting women.

 Anita We ate, we drank, we laughed, we learned, we discussed and bonded. I thank you ladies for making last night another testimonial to why I'm in this group. Such an amazing group of women!

 Diva Jewel I made it to the first one, but had a "doggy" emergency yesterday that kept me from joining in on this one... So jealous of everyone that was there! Hopefully there is a part 3 for me to be able to attend!

Leslie & Mike Tobias

Assistant Organizer

Thank you ladies for sharing your stories - Amazing how many of you have journeyed from distant and exotic locales to call San Diego home. 

 

Ana Bela

What a great soiree. WOW to Maria's generosity! Thanks Leslie and Mike for sharing your home. I met all these wonderful adventurous women with their great stories. Loved it!!! Thank you everyone!!! BTW food was delicious! 

Mayra

The food was yummy and the conversations lively and interesting. I can't wait for the next one! :) 

 Martina McVee I was there and enjoyed all the fun, fantastic food and wine, and all the great stories that were told during the soiree. Then I woke up. I was only dreaming. LOL. Based on all the comments I've read from the women that were present at the event, I feel bombed out for having missed it and not being able to tell my life story to the group. I didn't get back to SD till late last night. I was hoping I could make it. PLEASE HAVE ANOTHER ONE SOON.

sandi marvich

Whew! Martina, I was reading your post and going - Where was I that I don't remember her! I look forward to getting to meet you - especially you feeling "bombed out!"

From Kelli!
"Oh Maria!  It looks like your Soiree was a beautiful success.  I knew you would make it magical!
It really looks like the ladies are happy in their pictures.  You are a fabulous hostess. I am sorry to have missed it, I am wrestling with the flu and losing right now.  It is kicking my butt - but I know it can't last forever!  I am looking forward to doing it again!  Warmly,
Kelli"
 

Thank you ladies for all the wonderful comments.  The pleasure was all mine.  You made the evening a memorable one for me.  Can't wait for the next one.

Love and hugs,

Maria

~~~~o0o~~~~

HERE'S THE ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

DETAILING THE EVENT 

Maria Panlilio (Assistant Organizer) added this Meetup on Feb 17, 2011

“The first soiree organized by Kelli was so memorable we just have to do it again. There's nothing more heartwarming than sharing a part of ourselves by the fire, with wine, food, friends, and tales from our past. Come and create new memories with us.”

How to find us: The venue is close to the Qualcomm Stadium. Please contact Leslie at 858-576-4191, or Maria at 619-791-9711 for any question.

HEARTHSIDE SOIREE - PART II

First of all, I'd like to thank Leslie Tobias for volunteering to be my coordinator for this event.  In addition, she (and her wonderful husband--Mike) offered their home in San Diego for the venue, which is centrally located and easy to find.

DETAILS:

What?  Hearthside Soiree - Part II
When?  Saturday, March 5, 2011 @5:00 PM
Where? Leslie's home and garden in San Diego very near Qualcomm Stadium (There's no event scheduled that day at the stadium so we don't have to worry about the traffic).

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Potluck.  Please bring appetizers, main dishes, desserts and drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages).  Although Mike won't be joining us for the party, he will cook some favorite Filipino foods (he's half Filipino).  I will make the egg rolls ("lumpia"), and a noodle dish ("pansit). 

Please inform us of your potluck contribution.

Theme.  As in the original soiree, the theme is to share tales from our past -- anything you'd want to share -- family, love and relationships, friends, jobs, dreams, fantasies - anything.  You may fabricate a story, if you wish.  The group will vote if your story is "True" or "Fiction".  It's not mandatory that you tell a story. . .just have a great time listening to others tell theirs.  A "Token of Appreciation" will be gifted to the best stories.  Time will be limited to a maximum of 3 minutes per story-teller. 

Door Prizes. Everybody loves winning gifts, right?  So, yes, we'll give them away.  (We won't be soliciting gifts from anyone.)  

NOTE FROM MARIA AND LESLIE

We are thinking about doing this soiree on a quarterly basis--one for every season. 

For the summer event, we would like to include spouses and boyfriends, if any. 

And, of course, AW members may invite any friend she wants.