Friday, December 31, 2004

Bed Check

So I guess no Literati with the "magic Mike". haha. But I just remembered that last night my cat decided to give me a surprise mammogram. I was asleep, dreaming of hiding in a getaway car when this really horrible pain woke me and I realized it was all 12 pounds of catfoot-concentrated-weight on one boob. God, I imagine it's worse than getting punched in the face or something. Especially at this time of the month when it's the most tender and anyone who gets a foot from it gets a slap from me. Poor thing wanted some attention and all I could do was say "Sooty get off!" and pushed her off the bed. heehee. Sorry kitty.

Me.

For Old Long Ago

Well I've just found out something. But I guess I'll keep it to myself for now.

I have a new blog layout waiting in the wings but I guess I'll put it up later. Just too lazy and too unknowledgeable at copy and paste that I'll wait til the other one is awake and bug him about it. heh. The secret it to act like a girl and they do everything for you. Problem is you get too used to doing that that you no longer can do anything for yourself. Ah me.

So it's a new year's eve (or morning, rather). So many things have transpired this year. I can barely recall any of them. I confuse them with previous years. I hope the new year brings only good things but I guess you can't be selfish (and blind at that). You should take the bitter with the sweet and realize that it is not one or t'other. But either way I can still go about wishing you all a very happy new year and if not a "very happy" one then at least one in which you are content and satisfied with everything you do and receive and don't receive. Be good, all of you. I mean it.

Plans for today and tonight? Well I shall be cooking, then I'll take a nap since I have gotten myself used to going to bed early, and I want to be up for the ball dropping and the kissing session Rich and I will have. EW. No we don't and wont do that. heh. Ok maybe just a little. But perhaps my brother would like to play a game of Literati tonight? I'll call and see. heh. Don't forget the grapes, the noodles, wearing red, and the coins in your pocket. And don't forget that you have to jump up and down so that you'll grow in the coming year. haha. I jumped last year but still stayed at my height. It's funny but the superstitious ties all relate to one culture or another. The grapes are from some spanish influence (you know the 12 grapes at midnight to bring you luck in the 12 months), the noodles (for long life) and the wearing of red (for good luck/prosperity) all have asian influences (meaning chinese). The coins? I dunno. And the jumping is weird too. heh. I know in my household there's the old standard of everything being filled and at the ready. Like we always have to have a full pot of freshly cooked rice, the gas (car) is filled, we have plenty of food cooked, we have plenty of oil, vinegar, soy sauce, just everything is new or refilled. I guess it's just a way to start the new year off, so that on the day of you wont be yelling at someone for not buying soy sauce especially since everyone takes that day off. heh. And I guess so that it's the thought/superstition that you wont run out of anything during the year. Oh I gotta run.

Have a wonderful time all and have a great weekend too!
It's nice and warm out.

Me.
P.S. My nose bled this morning. That means two things: first, that's it's really dry out and the second is for me to know and you to find out. haha.


Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Packing, Moving, Mourning

It's been hectic here the past few weeks and it's not due to the Christmas cheer or the snow. In fact our Christmas has been abbreviated and the tree was taken down yesterday, along with the Christmas decorations around the house. It's all because we're getting ready for a realtor, open houses, photos of the inside of the house, and I'm just praying that the first person to see it will buy it up and we don't have to keep worrying about someone coming into the house, looking into the rooms and I have to worry about my cat.

I've been packing up all of my unnecessary things. Who knew I could amass boxes and boxes of books? I literally spent days just boxing up my books, compare this to two boxes of clothes (not even large boxes, mind you... and most of it was bulky robes and some bedsheets). Rich's mom looked in askance of my book fetish but she's not a reader so she wouldn't know. I looked in askance of her Norman Rockwell figurines but I don't say a word either. heh.

There's a melancholy feeling to all this packing. I don't know if it's because it's all done during a time (Christmas) when one should feel stable and permanent and "familied" or if I'm feeling a lot of the resistant vibes from Rich's mom, who packs under protest. I guess it's hard to pack and leave a house that you've lived in for over 30 years, and raised your family in. The real person excited and hopeful and delighted about this move is Rich's dad. He goes up to the various people in the house and tells them "14 weeks and 2 days" and walks away with a big grin on his face.

And even though I've disliked certain aspect about where we live (the people/snobs) (the extravagant prices for food) it would be hard not to mourn leaving it because I've had some wonderful times here as well. I really do like the way this town tries to preserve it's past and to keep it looking that way. I love our little, chic square and the clean, wholesome aspect about everything. It's as if someone were dying, someone with whom I didn't see eye to eye with but whose death would cause a dramatic change. So I spend the final days trying not to mourn yet, and enjoying the last few days here.

This is the fourth major "move" of my life. But since I'm mostly conscious for this one, I guess it's affecting me the most. The second one was from our apartment, where I lived for nearly 11 years of my life, and that didn't seem as drastic because we only moved 20 minutes away and most of it occurred while I was at school. We basically just got up and left. But this is different, there's a good chance I'd never see this place again and we're moving to a different climate, a different peoples, different place in the U.S. and I'm leaving a the house that I lived in for 6 and a half years of my life. Crucial years to the process known as "adulthood" where a lot of my experiences were never shared with my parents. Who knew I could accumulate so much stuff? I've lived here longer than the 3 nearly 4 years in our house in New York. Gah. Another long one. I gotta get going. Good thing I'm mostly packed. I could really just walk outta here with my laptop and cat and Rich and be perfectly happy though I would pout for a few days over not having my books. hehe.

I wouldn't know how to end it anyway.

Me.

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Update On Self

'ello, 'ello. Gosh I wish I was surrounded by English accented people. You know what I wish someone gave me for Christmas? Duh. A B&N gift card. haha. I can't spend the cash you give me. That's just inherently evil in my new New England frugality frame of mind. If I were in NY, I'd call it something else. heehee. shh.

I'm doing well. Waiting for that countdown to the new year which is going to bring so many changes. But it's not the excitement of a new year that's getting me anxious but rather the Twilight Zone Marathon they run every year on the sci-fi network. haha. It's tradition to wake up on New Year's day, sometime around 9 in the morning and settle down to watching the sci-fi network and being partially annoyed that the next day brought back the return of school and half anxious that I didn't finish those dumb packets they make you work on while you're on vacation. For God's sake, it's called "vacation". gah.

Oh that reminds me, we saw Napoleon Dynamite and I thought it was funny. I'm not sure it's for most people though. Yup, that's right, I'm special and you're not. I'm the only person who can get it's idiosyncracies and subtle humor. Gah. haha. Just kidding... and yet I'm not.

I wish they would stop making those bad (lame) scents to spray around your house. You know the cinnamon and apple spice doesn't smell like cinnamon and apples! I went and sprayed this year's fake tree with william sonoma's actual essence of pine and got a nose full of it and almost died choking on the stuff. Then the rest of the day I would get the occasional sniff of strong pine essence. Speaking of scents, I hate how today's perfumes smell like manufactured crap. Someone should make the scent called "fried chicken". Trust me ladies, you'd get more men attracted to you with that scent than the stuff they have now. I always gag when someone sprays too much body spray. God just because it says "body" spray doesn't mean you gotta bathe in it. By the way, Rich likes to wear the scent "masculine odor". haha. It has pheromones in it that drive me wild! haha.

Played Literati with Mike last night. I won the first two games. Thank God. I had to make up for the previous and devastating losses. He won the third game because he had 3 seven letter words waiting to bash my skull in with. Lucky bastard.

Speaking of bashing someone's skull in... Rich and I received the new version of the gameboard "Clue". Tell me you guys played it as children and that you loved it. I know I did. Why anyone would give me (24) and Rich (29) a Clue gameboard I just don't know. haha. Actually, I begged for it and his mom went and bought it for us. hahaha. It's soo cool. (I also asked for caramel popcorn but someone went and c-blocked me from that present). Getting back... the game is totally automated and you get these game pieces that you have to press on these little round disk and then the butler tells you crap. ahh I can't describe it, but we played two games during Christmas. So neat. Whoa this is getting long. Gotta run! Have a safe and warm day and rest of the week. Currently listening to Bob Seger's "Against the Wind". heh.

Oh and for Pete's sake people, new poll!

Me.


Sunday, December 26, 2004

Big Birthday Baby!!

Happy Birthday to my mom today! Yay! She's only a big ole 50 years old! Woo. I hope she doesn't experience some sorta mid-life crisis or anything... hmm. Well happy birthday and many happy returns!! have a great time at your lunch with Ate Mae. i hope you give her my Christmas present!!

Saturday, December 25, 2004

Here are some pics from our annual Christmas Party:


(My seatmates at table 5 the best table in the whole place. haha.)


(My brother dancing with Arlyne, laughing their heads off)


(I just love Aunty Louisa's face in this)

----------------------------------------------------------



I had a weird "ghostly" encounter when I was alone taking pictures of the tree. I had taken the first one and then felt this rush of air and just felt all prickly on the back of my neck, and just on a whim I took the next picture just to see. The following pictures are a before and after. (Only a few seconds apart... is it the flash or something more?)





Merry merry Christmas all! I hope you all got what you really wished for. I know I did.



Sooty wishes you a meowy Christmas too!


Night night,
Me.

Friday, December 24, 2004

New Poll all and some pics up tomorrow. Yay I finally got my plug!!

Merry Christmas all!

Thursday, December 23, 2004

My Sad, Sad Existence and Resolutions

I'm at the parking lot of our local supermarket and it's barely past 7 in the morning. My favorite time to go. I sit in my car just staring out the window and notice that I'm not alone and that the parking lot is getting filled. I watch the old ladies clutching at their purses, in their long trench coats, making their way into the friendly light of the automatic doorway. As I sit in my car I think "whoa, I'm living some sorta sad life, loving this alone time in my car, thinking that I must be the only person up since 4:30, waiting for a "decent" time to rummage around in the big lonely supermarket, then I see that my friends are also solitary old ladies who like to walk around the store in their carts and canes." And I think to myself, "that's me now when it should be me later". ha, if that makes any sense. Then I realize there's something sadder than that. Those "little lonely old ladies" aren't there to shop but are there to work, so I am alone in a big supermarket with the employees and the guy who runs the buffer on the floor.

Lovely day today. It was perfect little-New-England-town-by-the-sea kind of weather. Warm and foggy. I can imagine wearing galoshes/boots and rubber jumper and apron going clam digging or hauling in the fresh catch that the little dinky dinghy just brought in, with the sea spraying its salty mist into my face and making my hair tangle from its brackish assault.

Then this afternoon, I thought to myself "gee I wish mom didn't have to go through the trouble she does trying to type me up a text message." I'm sure it took her nearly ten minutes to type up that text for me when it was only a sentence. Then I thought, "gee I wish Mike could teach her the t9 feature and she'd get it" then I thought, "whoa don't go into that... you know when you wish for that stuff then you get to wishing more more more. Like I wish she knew how to use the internet and emails and ims, or for starters, learn how to use the tv/dvd/vcr combo that we have downstairs". Then that's when it hit me! I always write out a new year's resolution for myself but one should write one for others. Meaning I should make one in which I pass on some valuable skill or knowledge onto someone else. Something that would make their lives a little easier. Right? Something like "teach Mike how to make lasagna" or "train Soot to use the toilet instead of her litter box" haha. Something I know will benefit them. 'Cause you always think about "you, you, you" in the resolutions... well I do anyway, like "eat healthy" or "finish that book" etc. But if you help one person then they wont have to go through the terrible trouble of wasting 15 minutes of their lives trying to type up a message of "got your text. ty. love mom" all in caps. Hmm I'll get on that.

Okay I gotta run. Does anyone know why scallops look like one long, gelatinous tube? heh.
Tomorrow's Christmas Eve!!!! yay.

Me

p.s. if someone asked me what my favorite time was, I'd say "time to eat". haha

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Half-Bloods and Alien Theory

Oh my gosh! I almost died today... not literally and perhaps I should watch my language because that is not meant in that way at all. Right speech and all... anywho. I received an email telling me to fuggin' pre-order fuggin' book 6 of the Harry Potter series!! "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" fuggin' coming out in July!!! July fuggin' 16th. Oh fugg me! haha. I was rolling around on the floor huggin' myself. hehe weeee. wheeee. Only 7 more months to fuggin' go.

Another thought... listen to this theory and tell me what you think...
I'm totally convinced (in my self-centered way) that aliens come from the sky to take me to their spaceship to have a look at me under their version of a microscope. How else do we explain my constant nosebleeds as a child? Duh! It's the device they crammed up there to keep track of my progress.
What if a few millions of years ago there was a race of humanoids who lived on this earth, who achieved the capability of leaving this planet and settling elsewhere because of the impending threat of an asteroid that would destroy all living things. Then they left, established life somewhere else, an asteroid then hits Earth, killing the "bigger" creatures, thus making way for our own progression into this identity that we call "homo sapiens"? Therefore we are in some ways related to those aliens out there and they have come to visit us and help us to progress to where we are. How else do you explain the appearances of the pyramids in Egypt, and South America oh and Mexico etc. at the same time? And of course we wouldn't find traces of these humanoids because, well let's face it folks, we can barely find traces of past selves in the depths of the sand and soil. P.S. it's hard to find traces of dead grizzly bears in the wild (such as bones and things). There's no saying that there is no such thing as bigfoot as well. Please to excuse my conspiracy theories but think about it.

Oh speaking of conspiracy theories and the like... I just saw The Bourne Supremacy on dvd and I liked it. If you want some action, excitement and all that, then see it.
Night night all! Yay! Three days til Christmas... except for the Soobster and me, it's only two more days til Christmas. We've made it a tradition to celebrate the birth of Christ on the eve. Call it lack of patience, call it "feels more Christmas-sy on that day than it does on Christmas", call it what you like, just don't call me late for dinner. haha.

Me.

P.S. No one else can call him "Soob", "Soobee", "Soobster" or any variation of "Soobee" but me. Ya got that? You can call him Ate/Manang Rich. hehe.

Me. again


Tuesday, December 21, 2004

You've Got Mail

Yeah I was just watching CNBC? Some news program... and saw this guy on it who started this thing called "My Soldier" where people can register to become a soldier's pen pal (one stationed in Iraq). I thought it was a great idea since I was one for pen pals and stuff. Now, however, I don't have the time to do this but I figured someone out there would be interested. The guy who started it goes to Manhattanville, same as Leeny and when I did a search on google the first hit was a link from mville. If you're interested you can read about, register or just make a donation here. Oh man wouldn't that make someone's day? There are over 200,000 people registered. Merry Christmas!

Me.

Monday, December 20, 2004

Well Wishing

I just wanna give a big shout out to my mang... hehe. Happy Birthday Soobee!! Go Soobee, it's ya birf-day! Yay!! You're an oldie but a goodie. Cheeseee.

I finally managed to make it to the post office, through the icy roads and snowy conditions and I was totally surprised with a few Christmas Cards and a huge box from my cousin, Mae, (my Christmas present)!!! hahaha. Thanks for the Christmas card: Mom, Julie, Ryan's family, umm, Frances! haha. Yay. I almost slipped and fell but it was worth it. Made my day all. Thanks.

Umm... what else was there? Gah. Well I'm glad George made it home safe. Your parents must be so happy to have you home, for a little while. Oh yeah that reminds me... I can't believe that your mom won those items from the raffle! Sweet. And I can't believe my brother won yet another raffle. Pig! weee, weee. haha.

Oh and the big winner of the Ultimate Pizza Challenge (which needs to be renamed to "half-a$$ed pizza challenge") was Carlos' which is located right across the street from Mike's H.S., Roosevelt. We only did three pizza places, one from Catania's, located in the Tanglewood strip mall next to the cvs and right across the street from Nathan's. Then there was Euro Pizzeria which is across the street (the other side of Central Ave.) and of course Carlos'. The scores went (starting from the top) Carlos' (49/60 points), Euro Pizzeria (44/60), and Catania's (42/60). It was based on price (Carlos' the cheapest at 2.50 a pepperoni slice), size and amount of pepperonis (Carlos' was the biggest), flavor, service, and I think crust/texture. Mom joined in too and she liked Carlos' out of all of them. We'll either continue the pizza hunt next time I come around or else go through with the Ultimate Diner Challenge. haha.

Okay that's it for today. I gotta go read Julie's letter to me and take a long, hot shower. It's so cold outside!! Bundle up. Only 5 more days til Christmas! Have a great night!

Me.

Sunday, December 19, 2004

The Blurbs

Here are quick li'l anecdotes of my time in New York:

Nailman
While I was talking to my mom as she got her nails done at the nail salon, the guy who was painting her nails asks us if we were from Thailand and then told us that he went to Thailand once. Then the little old lady who owned the store said "oh, he has a girlfriend in Thailand" and so then the guy sheepishly shows us a picture of him with this woman in a low cut, sexy red dress. Then my mom says to me "oh you think those are implants?" and then the little old woman says to us "that's not a woman! That's a man! hahahaha" and mom turns to the guy and asks "so those are implants?" heh.

Tail of the Moaning Woman
While Mike was taking pictures of the children playing the piano at our annual Christmas party he thought he heard some woman behind him moaning. Then he turns around and sees the old man, wearing a grey suit, standing behind him and that's when Mike realized that the "moaning" sound was the old man farting. haha.

I'm Not Stupid, Stupid
While driving around with Mike and Mom, Mom said "oh that stupid driver" then apologizes to Mike for saying the "s" word. Ughh. "Sorry Mike, that just slipped out." Gahh

Certified Birth
So on the day I left Mom found a copy of my birth certificate and now I can get married in peace. Whew!!

Mister Lover Man
At the Christmas Party Arlyne, Julie and I were accosted by Aunty Louisa, who, playing matchmaker, introduced us to this man who was single and looking. Arlyne being the only one of us who was sweet enough to sit there and talk to him became the object of his "wooing". haha. I maliciously referred to him as Arlyne's "lovah" and he kept coming back to whisper sweet nothings to her only to be laughed at when he left. At the end of the night he, like any gentleman, thanked Arlyne for a wonderful time and said how wonderful it was to meet her. Ooh baby, "I'm in lab with a man nearly twice my age."

I Like It Better When It Hurts
Man something happened when I was in New York but I just don't know what because now I have this huuge bruise on my right waist side. Maybe Rich punched me on my side while I slept last night "that's what you get for leaving me". I finally had a chance to look at it this morning and it's purple. heh. Ow

Haste Makes Waste
Yeah so I forgot my laptop plug in NY in my rush to get back to Massachusetts. Dummy. Watch that "d" word! I need my mom to mail it to me but it's Sunday so I wont get it til sometime like Friday. ooh that makes me so mad!

Life In Mono
Here's Ryan's xanga. Click here!! Hope I spelled that right.

You're So Sweet
Thanks so much for the presents all. I am so happy! haha. I especially liked the presents Mike gave me. I shall cherish my Moses and Jesus action figures. haha. I peeked before Christmas time! Bad! Bad!

I will post the outcome of the Pizza Challenge tomorrow. Hope George got home safe and sound from his 8 hour drive! I'll try to post some pics some time when I finally receive my laptop plug. heh. Sorry. Have a wonderful rest of the week!! Only 6 days left til Christmas! Yay!!!

Me.

Friday, December 17, 2004

Bless My Homeland Forever

Then I always imagine saluting after that line. Yesterday I asked my mom if she remembered what that stuff was called and she asked dad and he said "I remember the guy would come around carrying these big canisters on his shoulders (so much for my hot dog cart memory) and he'd call out 'tahooo' 'tahooo'" and looking it up in the filipino food/cuisine glossary I read that 'taho' is a drink made of soybean curd and syrup. I think it gave me the shats... hahaha I guess it would come out that consistency if that's all you ate the whole day.

So no pizza challenge yesterday. Thinks were running a little hectic. But tonight, is the night... the big night! I'm a nervous wreck just because Mike and I are really in the program, no lie, Aunty Louisa told mom that we better be ready to go. I say "holy mother of g-d". We decided on what song to sing but we haven't perfected it and just too much going on. heh. But we'll pull through, we always do! Or I always do, anyway. Good thing Mike's got a good chunk of it. Don't be surprised if we pull out the guitar and all you see me do is strum along. haha. Okay I gotta learn to keep these short. Have a good day all and for some of you I'll see you tonight. You better cheer for us too! heehee.

Me.

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Thanks For The Memories

So I'm still in the middle of tidying my room up. It takes so long because I get caught up in the "memories". I sit there and read a journal from when I was 14 and think "oh my gosh, I'm so innocent" or "when was I that smart" or "god, close this up, I'm such a geek" or "what I total spaz I was". Then I found an old stratego board game from the 60's. Mike must have bought it and left it in my room. It's interesting for me because Rich and I bought a newer version of it a while ago and to see this authentic, older version is pretty neat. Like a child who's used to the PS2 seeing an atari game system or something even more ancient. It's just neat is all.

I know I'll just end up shoving everything into the drawers or something anyway but to pretend that I'm doing something noble makes me feel good. haha. I guess Mike and I will do half of the "ultimate pizza challenge" today. I'll have to write out the "scoring cards" so that we can give separate scores to crust, cheese, flavor, texture, size, amount of pepperoni, etc. Can anyone else come up with another category? Then we'll add up the scores and whoever has the highest will be crowned the unofficial ultimate pizza. haha. I wanted to try the California Pizza Kitchen, but when we passed it the other day it looked as if it were an actual restaurant that didn't do take out. I doubt they have plain ole pepperoni anyway.

Ah, but that reminds me. Okay let me just take you back a few. Picture it, Philippines summer of 1980. It's early morning, before the sun has a chance to bake you. It's already humid and there's a haze hanging about. Around the corner there's a faint tinkling of a familiar bell and from inside a little house comes my mom. She's pregnant, flagging down the man with the bell. He's pushing a little cart and she asks him for one of his wares. He reaches into his little thermal cart and pulls out a warm container full of this solid white mass on top of which he drizzles a syrup over. ha

Now, I grew up eating that stuff and to me it's just delicious. I don't know what it's called and when I asked my mom she had forgotten as well. She was under the assumption that it was good for me. It was full of protein and she was convinced that it would make me smart. heh. Well... remember the other day when we saw Aunty Febe at the Golden Village? During Thanksgiving we had gone there as well and I saw this huge container of this white stuff with these little brown syrupy things placed on top. The day we saw Febes (as mom calls her) I asked the woman at the counter if that stuff was sweet and she said "yes". But I didn't have the courage to buy it. Well... yesterday I went on a little trip and bought it! It was warm but I didn't open it til I got home. And I smelled it and it smelled exactly as it used to. I don't know what these chunks of white stuff were but they have the consistency of flan. I have an idea that I spent the afternoon eating tofu. When I was younger I asked mom what it was and she said it was like curds and whey. I envisioned myself as Miss Muppet on my tuppet... But anywho, I devoured half of the container and left the rest to my mom. It really doesn't taste like anything until you drizzle a little sugar syrup on it. I guess poo wouldn't taste so bad if I drizzled a little sugar syrup on it too. haha. Okay so ends this post.

Have a great day all!!
Me

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Continuation

So I've been yapping away with my mother. You would think that after 4 days of being here I would be done with yapping but I guess there's always something that's missed. Well when yapping's mixed with some good ole fashioned apple pie then you tend to talk a little longer. heh Anywho...

So I need to finish tidying up my room, which I will do in a little while, after this post. I also need to finish importing some songs from old cds I have and from the family's collection into my itunes. You will not believe how many songs we have. I started on Sunday and I'm still not done. I was totally excited that I had 2.4 days worth of songs in my collection and boasted to Rich about how many I had, then fell into a deep depression when he told me he had 4 days' worth of songs. eh.

Oh and I finally found the ever elusive "blue book" which actually says "clear book" on the front and still did not find my birth certificate. So I went to the source of my birth, my mother, and asked if she had it and she said "oh well isn't it in your blue book?" No it's not. But she told me wonderful news in the form of "don't worry, your dad has a copy. I know you need it to prove your age in getting a marriage license." Thank God. She also told me that she'd search her files but thankfully dad has a copy. Whew.

So that ends that. It's sooo cold outside. It's below freezing I think. We certainly cannot walk the track in this weather, even if the track is right in the sunshine. Trust me I know. Yesterday, even with two hoods on and a scarf my poor little ears were stinging, even after a few hours of being inside the warm house.

I will now go and cook something warm and comforting... perhaps some beef stew. I promised Mike I'd make him some. Since he's coming home tomorrow, I'll just say, "it's better the next day". mmm adobo and mongo beans. I'm drooling. hehe. hahaha.

Have a good day all! I've got things to do. Mayhaps I shall traverse to ye old market and buy some wormy apples.

Me.

I should just start calling these in because by the time I get here I eventually forget the words and ideas that were bursting to come free whilst I was in the midst of things. But the walk from my bedroom to the family room really does take a lot outta ya and here I am typing nonsense that has nothing to do with what I intended to say.

Hmm... let's give this a chance though... let me begin by saying that I spent most of the morning in my room cleaning it, or rather, tidying it, since my family believes it is now just a storage facility for their magazines and letters, boxes of water and discarded presents. My room is now the place where unwanted and unwrapped gifts go. I feel as if I've stumbled upon another dimension each time I enter it. ooh mom's home. brb.

Will write later. She's yapping away at me.

Me.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

in addition to the long one below...

i cannot believe Mike is winning raffles all of a sudden. He won his 20 gb ipod at school and now he won a george forman grill (the one with the cool blue bun warmer on top) at the Filipino Armed Forces raffle on saturday. Man I better beat him for this friday's raffle. haha. Come on lucky numbers! I want the money. Don't worry I didn't jinx ya, I knocked on wood! oh no that was fake wood! heh.

Me.

p.s. can anyone tell me what "lambing" means? I asked mom but she just gave me the example of "oh mom/dad can you get me blah blah"
Essay

Alright, who wrote the long essay on weight loss and mental health? Huh? I say "gee thanks" to you. Anywho... so I'm up, after a 10 hour sleep-a-thon. I was drifting off to sleep around 8 when sometime later my cellphone's incessant buzzing jolted me awake and I listened to it buzz itself right off the desk and pop open onto the floor. I know it opened because my room was suddenly filled with blue light. So in my semi-blindness I reach down and find the source of the light with my hand and lo and behold it is my brother, finally getting back to me with an answer to my question of "how was your exam?" He was shocked to find that I had been sleeping but we talked for a few. First off, his exam was fine and he has to write a paper for Thursday. Then he likes the no work-ness of pocky sticks as opposed to yan-yans. Why that came up was that I was at the Asian market and saw them displayed and wondered which Mike preferred. Didn't matter any way since I picked up both kinds.

Oh by the way, sorry that there isn't a new poll up... it's due to two things... slow dial up and I can't remember my password. So deal with it.

Okay back to topic. So while at the Asian mart I saw Aunty Phoebe (I wonder if that's how she spells her name and it's not "Feebee" or something) and she had in tow her youngest daughter. Now I almost said "hey Baby-Girl" because I know one of her two daughters has that nickname but luckily I listened to my inner mind who shouted "shut up! if you doubt what her name is then just say "hello" and be done with it" and so I said "hello". I learned that lesson earlier in the day (please reference Michelle's dry cleaners incident). Lucky for me I learn quickly... So then I had to cover that "almost embarrassing moment" by really having an embarrassing moment. Aunty Phoebe says "oh I heard the good news" and I said "oh thanks so much" and then she says "congratulations" and I'm like "oh... thanks so much again!" gee I can't even let her talk. But anyway so I confirmed my suspicions later that night when talking to Mike that her youngest daughter is not in fact nicknamed "babygirl" but rather it is her eldest daughter that holds that title. hmm.

I went on to tell Mike that I made bihon (rice noodles filled with veggies and chicken, pork and chinese sausages) and that the parents devoured it. He said "great, there wont be any left for me to eat when I get there" but I said "never fear for I shall save you some in bowls and write your name upon it!" He can have all the portions I didn't eat. Too bad though, because the apple pie is almost gone, and that's all mom's work. heh.

We decided that the ultimate pizza challenge will be held on the Thursday he gets back. We also decided that the $25 gift certificate mom received but let us have will go to a "family gift" of a new big big cooking pot. Mom's been dropping hints left and right for a really long time now and since it's her money might as well spend it on her. Yesterday she said to me "oh I've been really searching for one of those really big pots but I can't seem to find any," and then a minute later she says "oh don't forget you have that $25 g.c. that you and Mike can spend" and then she drove me past this store called something like "chef's gear" and pointed it out to me, "oh I've never been in there..." she must think that I am so dense. haha.

Okee I gotta go run a marathon. It really isn't to burn off the calories I just ate but rather to burn off the fat I made while I slept last night. That's why it's better to exercise first thing before you eat, so that you burn off the stores from the night before. Blah blah blah. I aint mental. But I am a fatty-bumba. (fatt-hi-boomba)

Love you lots. You know who I'm talking about.

Me.

Monday, December 13, 2004

Tipping the Scale

There's a reason why when on a diet I refuse to weigh myself and avoid all scales. It's because I'm a nut case and will actually go mental if I step on one. Therefore for the past few weeks I was careful not to step on the one in the weight room. However, I was relieved to know that when I stepped into my house in NY, we would definitely not have any scales around because we are not a weighing type of family. Then, as I walked into my room, my sanctuary, my place of rest, what awaits me on top of a box but a scale. Of course it would be. My parents used it to weigh the boxes of goodies they sent to the Philippines (Balikbayan boxes). Well I was immediately called to it and I gingerly lifted it up and set it down. Then instead of doing as my mind told me to do, which was "kick it beneath the bed dumbo" I slipped on top and weighed myself. Then that's when the lunacy kicked in. I said "oh no, that can't be right...it's all the clothes I have on. This is ten pounds of jeans I have on" and so every article of clothing came off with each weighing. But now that's not the craziest part. The craziest part is when I actually believe that my glasses are the cause of that extra two pounds and I rush to change so that I can run to the bathroom, wash my hands, pull off my glasses, put on my contacts, tie back my really heavy hair and run back to the room only to take off my clothes and stand on the scale. All that running must have made an impact as I stepped on. I am only 7 pounds from the goal weight. But my stay in New York will fix that! I will, when I return to Massachusetts, be 11 pounds from the goal weight. Aren't you all so proud of me? Thanks to the invention of the scale and super models all women can now believe that their bodies are the ugliest bodies ever made. Sigh. Good thing it's not like that for me! Right? hahahaha. Oh god I've gone crazy nut ball. Now I will use the track and pray that I burn off the calories from breakfast, dinner from last night and the previous carb attack I had over the weekend. Yay to good body image!
Have a good day all!!
Me

Sunday, December 12, 2004

And Away We Go

So it's off to New York for about a week. But don't worry... i'll be posting when i get there. I will have a new poll up at the end of the day as well!

Have a great week all! If you haven't gone shopping for loved ones yet, I suggest buying online. There wont be a hassle.

Me

Saturday, December 11, 2004

Muffs


Friday, December 10, 2004

Surprise Me

I was in the shower when I thought to myself, hmm, it would be really sweet if Rich got me a surprise present, something expensive, something I would never expect. It's true that Rich would get me a present that I was hoping for and spoke to him about and planned ahead of time with lots of research behind it, however I've never gotten anything as a "surprise", I think because he hates getting surprises. Then as the shampoo ran down my face and into my eyes I thought, god how would I react to a $1500 Louis Vuitton bag? I think my first thought would be "why did he buy me such an ugly bag?" then my next thought would be "i don't need a bag and what ever would I use this for?" then I would yell at him for spending so much for it. I am absolutely clueless when it comes to expensive handbags, only from what I see on tv, and shoes (I know the name blahniks and to tell the truth I wouldn't know the difference between them and payless shoes), no idea the difference between the "name brand" clothes and wal-mart and my engagement ring could be a cubic zirconia and I would never know the difference. Standing under the hot water and half-meditating and half-thoughts-running-through-my head I said, what I really want would be a nice pair of earmuffs. I really need a good pair. Black would be nice, because then I'd look as if I just let my ear hair grow free. Yeah, nice and warm. Then the hot water ran out and I really wished I had warm earmuffs. hehe.

Have a great night everyone.
Me
The New Wave

I used to be obsessed with watching the infomercials for the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie and dreamed of someday owning one of my own. And to tell the truth mom did give me the money to buy myself one a few Christmases ago but I had specifically told her to buy me one because I know my cheap-a$$ would only put the money to savings and not splurge on an appliance, especially one that was from an infomercial. However, as I sat in front of the tv this morning surfing around for my familiar Ron Popeil 30 minute slot, I came across my new favorite infomercial. Folks, I say "adieu" to Showtime whatsit and "bonjour" to the new wave of consumeration: da da da da The Brand New "Flavor Wave Oven" (Deluxe). It's Deluxe son. Oh my, you can place a frozen any-meat and it will cook it quickly with juicy, scrumptious results. Hooray! I was beginning to be able to mouth along to the whole of the Showtime show. "Set it and forget it!" Well guess what? It's forgotten. Hip hip hooray! Ride the wave!

Have a great day!

Me

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Joke Of The Day

Divorce

An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son Bob in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but your mother and I are divorcing. Forty-five years of misery is enough! I'm sick of her, and I'm sick of talking about this, so call your sister in Boston and tell her," and then hangs up.

The son frantically calls his sister, who goes nuts upon hearing the news.

She calls her father and yells, "You are not getting a divorce! Bob and I will be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a single thing, do you hear me?"

The father hangs up the phone, turns to his wife, and says, "It worked! The kids are coming for a visit, and they’re paying their own way!"

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This is funny to me because it's pretty true around this time of season. Especially if you have kids that like to filch offa ya.

Me.

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

All Under One Roof

I saw this documentary on the role filial obedience played in the lives of the peoples of China. It was strange yet familiar. The filial piety that a child showed to his parents and the piety one showed to ones ancestors runs deep in every family. They had several varying examples from the older generation and their required acts of devotion to their ancestors and their parents to those who place their parents in nursing homes. With each new generation there is a further step away from this duty. Of course they showed teenagers who rebel from this idea and want nothing to do with this filial dutifulness, and then there was this man who was forced, by this idea of "piety", to marry a peasant woman when he was in love with a city woman. On his wedding day he said "in all this wedding celebration I am the only one who is sad" but then he went on to say that his sadness did not matter in the whole of having happy parents and happy family in his marriage. They also said that your parents' happiness was what mattered and one felt this way toward them even after they died because they were the ones who gave you life.

I watched it and thought "wow how sad and horrifying" yet I know that I feel this extreme obligation to my parents and have also been brought up by this idea that my wants and needs came second to theirs. Now don't get me wrong, it's not as extreme as that but I do jump and ask how high when they say. Weird how they raised me this way... well okay, I guess it stems from being raised in a mulit-generational household. Man the first four years of your life really does make the deepest impressions, and yet I don't think Mike, who wasn't raised as I was, feels any sense of this. I like the idea of having the different generations living in one household, or as I did, my aunts and uncles lived next door and we were all enclosed in a "compound". One family celebrated a holiday and there were 30 people living all under one roof. One of them said something like we put aside any idea of "self" and always think about one another. There is no "I". I can see how that can cause some problems, especially as a teenager searching for an identity, but the idea of having so many people to turn to also has its merits. Okee, I gotta run.

Oh that reminds me. I saw the movie "Hero" with Jet Li. Never have I seen such a beautiful, luscious , eye-sensational movie. The story was ok.

Me.

P.S. m-w.com's word of the day is "epenthesis" and it's the addition or development of an extra letter or sound to a word. For example... do you know someone who says "ath-a-lete" in place of athlete? That's epenthesis. heehee.

Have a great day all!

Me

Sunday, December 05, 2004

BKNY

Yeah I just wanted to add one more thing to my list of Christmas gifts...
a spongebob squarepants watch from Burger King. If you go to bk.com you can view the five to choose from. The one I want is either "Squidward" or "Plankton" but any of them will do. Only 1.99 with any purchase of a value meal. Ooh ooh please!!! Oh my gosh some people are selling 'em on ebay for $20. I'd never sell mine! I'd keep it and treasure it. I stil have my big a$ talking simpsons watch with Bart on it. It flips between the time and the date now. I pressed the little button to change the time and accidentally broke it. I only wear it now for show and to hear the cool phrase "eat my shorts!"

Oh yeah the lemon pie and gingerbread...
Well the gingerbread was a hit with me and the rest of 'em. I kept scraping up the little bits stuck to the bottom and taking little tastes. heh. And I left a few bars of it for Rich's parents and while I put the Christmas tree decorations up the bread was being slowly filched and when I was done it was all gone! The lemon pie is another story. I took a slice of it and it just had this weird eggy flavor to it. ew. Rich thought it was decent and ate a couple of slices. His parents liked it though. I also made one other, simple pie, called a "peanut butter pie". I made it because it looked tasty on tv but also because I found that I would end up eating plain ole peanut butter for no reason at all but that it was there. So either I made it and shared with everyone or else I'd have a whole jar of peanut butter to myself, and me with peanut butter is dangerous. haha. I'm kidding! Although I was tempted to dip my fingers in and take a taste, which I never did! I don't even particularly care for peanut butter but it just calls to me to eat it. So strange. So I made that pie and had a bite and actually thought it was pretty good. Rich said it tasted like a "peanut butter cup" (like a reese's... I like to pronounce it reeseese unlike the common pronounciation of "rhesus" or "rhesis" rhymes with thesis).

Okay that's it for today. Gotta run now. Have a wondeful new week! Yay! Christmas is almost here! Oh mom will be out shopping today for a new gown for the Christmas party. I hope she finds something nice. heehee. Elegant and dazzling!

Me

Friday, December 03, 2004

An Epiphany

Hey all I just found out that the "12 days of Christmas" are not the days leading up to the big day of Jesus' birth but rather go from Christmas 'til January 5th. The Epiphany (also known as "Three Kings' Day") begins on January 6th.

Also, I've been worrying what to get Rich for his b-day. I have two of those to worry about every year. Him and my mother. They're both "close to Christmas" babies, meaning I have to buy a b-day present as well as a Christmas present all at the same time. Well it finally hit me and I think the "epiphany" occurred while I was just drifting into sleep last night... good thing I remembered it this morning. I said "a-ha" and rushed to order it and now I have nothing left to worry about. Yay! Thank you early-sandman-ephinany-bringer. I wont tell y'all what it is since it's supposed to be a surprise and he reads this so I don't wanna ruin it for him. hehe.

Also I will be making Lemon Pie and Gingerbread tomorrow. All new recipes and I hope they turn out well! Oh actual gingerbread! You know you slice it up and eat it (looks like toast but sweeter) not like the hard stuff you use to make gingerbread men.

Okee... I gotta run along. Yay Christmas!!!

Me.


Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Streaking

I really dislike the fact that we have only one bathroom. In reality there are two bathrooms but one is for our use and the other is for the others' needs. Problem with having only one bathroom is that it is under construction right at this moment (it's getting painted) so the blinds are off the window and when I sit down to the toilet and pee it feels as if the whole world can see me in my splendor. Someone can actually stand on the porch and peer into the bathroom and watch me do my business. So I can't stand around nakkey checking out each and every flaw without the morning rush hour traffic also being witness to them as well. heh. You know? I really love my body and would seriously go around the house butt-nakkey if permitted. I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all. I mean seriously, to me it's like looking at someone's naked arm. Ooh how incredibly exciting! (I meant that sarcastically). In the summertime we basically see everything anyway, right? To be totally nekked has no sexual meaning to me, it's my island native trying to come out. I really hate how on the discovery channel they've begun to blur out the natives' breasts when they didn't use to. By blurring it out they're implying that there's something wrong with it. I'd rather have them blur people with those piercings in their eyebrows and nose, cheeks and tongues and bellybutton. I find that more disturbing and unnatural. They should be blurring those guys with the plates/discs in their mouths than the womens' breasts. Ugh! What is wrong here? I guess the problem isn't with me but with other people. hahaha. That's what it always comes down to. I guess I wouldn't want my parents and brother seeing me walk around naked. Oh well. When I have my own house don't be too surprised...

Oh speaking of streaks... Ken Jennings has finally lost his! I actually saw it! I think it was the Seinfeld curse. haha. For more info on Ken please click here.

I've sewed a satchel for Rich, to place his presents into. It's not that big but it takes the place of a stocking. I'm actually quite proud of myself. The satchel is so cute. I was jealous that he had his own so I will have to sew myself one later. haha. I wish I knew how to work the gosh-darn sewing machine, I did once, but now... if I did these tasks would only take two minutes instead of a whole day. I will post pictures up later of my handiwork. I've also begun to wrap fake presents to place under the tree, which, at this moment is non-existent because they have to paint the living room.

There was something else I wanted to write...
Oh yeah. I saw the "Blind Swordsman" last night. I thought it was good. I even laughed at a couple of parts, but Rich disliked it. I think it was all that tap/steppers dancing at the end, just didn't go with it. And the whole eye thing was a tiny bit disturbing.
Hopefully we can watch Hero tonight. I really couldn't understand the message left to me in that leet language stuff. I mean l33t. heh.

By the way, I don't care that the present you got me won't be "romantic" and "sweet". If I need a pair of galoshes then I need a pair of galoshes! By the way, I wouldn't mind a nice waffle iron. mmm fresh homemade waffles. Oh and a mixer? hehe.

My Christmas List:


check it out, a real cast-iron, waffle iron. haha

I'd really like a cuisinart stand mixer but I can take a sunbeam one...

Oh and:




>

haha. Gotta run.

Have a great day folks!

Me