Five Things
*got this from bebe.
5 Things You May Not Know About My Time in College
- During my first year at State, I cut class A LOT...after I found out they don't take attendance.
- I dreamed of being an astronomer...until I found out how much math was involved.
- I wanted to play pool like a bad ass...but I suck at geometry.
- I did assignments for other people...and got paid for it.
- The tattoo and smoking habit was my way of dealing with getting over scum-of-the-earth boyfriend at the time...no more lighting up here, but am seriously thinking of one more tatt.
5 Things You May Not Know About the Job/s I've Had
- My first paying job was at the church rectory when I was 14 years old. I got paid $3.10/hour.
- I took a one-day job assignment through a temp agency working at a Bebe Clothing factory putting price tags on clothes with a tag gun...for 12 hours straight.
- I LOVED working at Carlton Cards.
- I worked in the men's department at Macy's...for a week. Was put on the register without much training, didn't know jack about men's measurements, and got really tired of fixing the tie display and folding shirts. Promised myself I'd never work retail ever again.
- Had a job here in MN for approximately a month at a teacher store. Was part of the crew that set up the new store, did physical labor in carrying boxes, opening up shipments, etc. After the store opened for business, I was reminded of the promise mentioned above. After I busted my knee, I was outtie.
5 Things You May Not Know About My Online Life
- I used to go into chatrooms and talk sh*t...then leave.
- I visit friends' blogs daily...more than once.
- I've stopped IM-ing in order to focus on school.
- Online classes were cool at first, but now I'm just dying for them to be done.
- I always hope for "real mail" instead of getting forwards.
5 Things You May Not Know About Where I Live
- It's considered one of the rich areas of MN.
- The stars are beautifully plentiful at night.
- It's starting to smell like fertilizer from the neighboring farm areas...lovely really.
- More stores and outlets are being built nearby for more shopping...just another reason to come visit (hint! hint!).
- We're surrounded by tons of white people. (Okay...ya'll already knew that, didn't you?)
5 Things You May Not Know About My Home Life
- I am a stickler for neatness and cleanliness.
- I've really gotten used to NOT working...I know, call me a bum.
- We can't drink water from the fridge and end up buying cases of Aquafina.
- Friday is always my cleaning day.
- I'm always a day (or two) behind reading the newspaper.
5 Things You May Not Know That I Desperately Want
- perfect hair
- a mosquito-less summer
- to be debt-free
- the inspiration to write a book
- to live near the beach
5 Embarrassing Fannish Admissions I Have That You May Not Know
- I was a HUGE Leonardo DiCaprio fan before Titanic...and even moreso afterwards.
- I LOVE Dawson's Creek. (note present tense)
- I was a closet boy band fan...even went to an NSYNC concert!
- I was a member of the New Kids On The Block fan club.
- I still have a framed poster of Dylan from 90210.
5 Things You May Not Know What I Do On A Typical Day
- Have the same breakfast of toast and hot chocolate almost every single morning.
- Read from my "Word of the Day" calendar and try to commit the new word to memory.
- Listen to hubby play PS2 games.
- Clean, wash, tidy something or other in the house.
- Pray.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Monday, March 28, 2005
Spring has arrived!
The current temperature here in our parts of the woods is 64 degrees! I think that it's safe to assume that the winter weather is on its way out- and it's about damn time, too! Hubby and I were out and about earlier this afternoon and man, we actually had the a/c goin' in the car. It's not hot-hot just yet, but warm enough to put our jackets, scarves, beanies, and gloves away for the next 8 months. We actually saw this chick at Sam's Club donning a pink halter top with her black thongs jutting out from her way below the waist jeans. Let's just say that now that the weather has warmed up, the hootchie mamas are coming out to play, OKAY?! I know what hibernation can do, really I do, but this chicka is not ready to bust out in shorts anytime soon. As hubby would say, I'm the "house Pinay" and he's the "field Pinoy." In other words (and I'm almost embarrassed to admit this!), I am just about the whitest Pinay out here! I almost freaked myself out yesterday getting ready for church when I saw just how white my legs were. Geez. But in any case, one of my main goals this spring/summer season is to get me my color back. And if the temps keep rising from here on out, well, YAY! MnM is a happy camper!
Mini-Getaway
Last week, hubby and I spent time in the Mile High Clu-, er, um, City. Hubby had a business trip in Denver and I decided to accompany him. It was nice to get away from Minnesota, even if it was for a few days. The weather was a definite improvement compared to MN...for a city that gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year, well c'mon now! Although the temps did dip into the mid-30s, the sun did its job of warming you up. Denver is called the Mile High City because it's literally 5,280 feet above sea level. And you can feel it, too. If you've ever been in high elevation before, you know what I'm talking about when I say that your heart starts beating faster as it tries to pump more blood and your breathing becomes shallow. In fact, everytime hubby goes for business, he's constantly complaining about headaches and bloody noses. As for myself, it was all light-headedness. The last time I remember feeling this way was during our honeymoon in Maui. We headed up to Haleakala to watch the sunrise and that was more than double Denver's elevation. Hubby and I were climbing the steps to the observation tower and halfway up, we were both huffin' and puffin'! If you're not used to being that way up, you feel the difference. And boy oh boy did we feel the difference.
Rarified Air, DAM, and Jesus Lovers
Because hubby had to work all day, I was basically left to entertain myself. Our hotel was smack dab in the middle of downtown Denver, or "LoDo" as the local Denverites call it. LoDo is short for lower downtown. A block from our hotel is a strip called the 16th Street Mall. It's closed off to any other traffic except for a free trolley that travels up and down transporting tourists and workers to different spots along the way. One of the first things that you notice as you walk down this strip is the stench. Yup, the familiar disgusting stench of a downtown that includes putrid filled alleyways that reek of urine. It's bad enough I'm trying to catch my breath every so often and to get a wiff of the pungency is just nasty. This is also weird to admit, but it's been a while since I've seen any homeless people. Sure, there's homeless people in MN, but not as many as I've been used to seeing in downtown S.F. and sure not as many as in LoDo.
16th Street Mall is full of shops and restaurants that range from the Taco Hells and touristy souvenir stores to the upscale chi-chi I-can't-believe-those-pair-of-socks-cost-that-much stores. The city prides itself in the whole elevation thing. In a hotel magazine, it warns tourists to take precautions such as drinking plenty of water and wearing sunblock. I found it hilarious to see souvenir shops sporting shirts like, "Got Oxygen?" or "I really DID get high in Denver." There were a handful of sushi places that got us excited considering they're a rarity out here. There was also a restaurant called The Broker situated downstairs in a bank building that seated us in a vault! The ambience was pretty cool and for a lunch menu that serves $4 prime rib, $4 salmon, and $.75 caesar salads...well, that's pretty damn awesome. There was a Wolfgang Puck Cafe and a Coyote Ugly bar close by, but we didn't get to see either.
Here's the state capitol building.
Since I had a whole day to kill, I decided to visit the Denver Art Museum. It was about 7 blocks from our hotel and though it didn't seem too far, the whole lack of oxygen made it seem farther. I stopped off at the state capitol first. I heard that on the 15th step of the building, there is a marker to signify the 5,280 point. In fact, I hear that there are lots of other places around the city that mark the mile. To my disappointment, I didn't see any mark. Maybe they meant inside? I don't know, but it sure was tiring circling the entire building and searching for it. A couple blocks away are the museums: the state museum, the historical society museum, the contemporary art museum, and the Denver Art Museum. I can't remember the last time that I went to a museum without it being a field trip with 3rd graders. During the field trips, it's hard to really enjoy and soak everything in when you've got to worry about this kid or that. I thought it'd be nice to just take my time and stroll through each floor.
I hit the Asian exhibits first. To my disappointment, there was nothing on the Philippines except for ONE book on textiles in the reading area. Yes, I did browse the shelves and found nada. This is totally off the subject, but as I was reading up on Denver's demographics, Denver might as well as be Minnesota 'cuz there really ain't much diversity. Plus, to think that hubby and I almost moved there if it wasn't for MN. Anyways...
It did have an extensive collection of Tibetan art. One of the things that I found most fascinating was the "mandala" art. A mandala is a sand art with the most intricate details. There is a significance to the geometric shapes, pictures, symbols, and colors, but I probably wouldn't even know where to start explaining. From what I read, they are created to gain wisdom and to guide many to the path to enlightenment. The one that they had on display was done at the museum by three Tibetan monks. It took them two weeks to complete and was housed in a glass display. It is said that the monks chant and meditate to invoke the divine deities that reside within the mandala. It is also said to have some healing and purification to those who view it. The sand is a mixture of different colors, mostly coming from ground marble and in order to "fill in" the spaces, they have to use straws and wear masks so that their breaths do not disturb the art. In fact, the ones that make mandalas are said to be born with the gift. These people must study up on the art and practice so that it is perfect when one is made.
On my back from the museum and minding my own business, I was startled by this loud voice that yelled from the top of his lungs, "I'm in love! I'm in love and I want Denver to know!" Awwww, I thought to myself, someone has just proposed. I quickly thought about that commercial where this couple is in Italy (I think!) and he yells that he loves his woman. They show the birds scattering above the square and the woman trying to hush her man up. Then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a diamond ring...awww. Ya'll know which commercial I'm talking about? Anyways, the voice continues his declaration of love, "I'm in love! And his name is Jesus! I just want Denver to know that I'm crazy in love!" I could tell by his volume that he was quickly approaching me and when I turned back, I saw this guy with long hair and a long beard clutching to his chest what looked like a Bible. He didn't quite look homeless and honestly, I think he really just wanted people to know that he loved Jesus. As he continued yelling, people either stopped and stared, or completely ignored him. There were a few that openly mocked him, while one guy backed him up with an "Amen to that, my brother!"
Up in the sky, it's a....
Bird. Yes, a bird. But not just any ordinary feathered friend, a bald eagle!
Hubby and I were driving home the other day when suddenly this "bird" came into our vision. At first I had thought to myself, That's one fricken huge ass bird. But the next second, I knew...it was a bald eagle. A freakin' bald eagle! I mean, as high above as it was, it was close enough for us to clearly see the white head, the enormously huge wing span, its deadly talons, its beak, and its beady eyes. It was simply beautiful! We started trippin' hard and perhaps it was instinct, but we both started searching the skies for others. None. A few days after our sighting, I read in the paper that some bird watching society of some sort were requesting people to send their bald eagle sightings. Apparently, they are trying to locate bald eagle nests. Hubby and I pretty much dropped our jaws because we bet our money there is one in the vicinity. How cool is that?!
Boy oh boy...just another factoid to back up our theory of living out in the boonies...
Finally got my MN plates...yay. But hey, check out the kitchen in the background!
The current temperature here in our parts of the woods is 64 degrees! I think that it's safe to assume that the winter weather is on its way out- and it's about damn time, too! Hubby and I were out and about earlier this afternoon and man, we actually had the a/c goin' in the car. It's not hot-hot just yet, but warm enough to put our jackets, scarves, beanies, and gloves away for the next 8 months. We actually saw this chick at Sam's Club donning a pink halter top with her black thongs jutting out from her way below the waist jeans. Let's just say that now that the weather has warmed up, the hootchie mamas are coming out to play, OKAY?! I know what hibernation can do, really I do, but this chicka is not ready to bust out in shorts anytime soon. As hubby would say, I'm the "house Pinay" and he's the "field Pinoy." In other words (and I'm almost embarrassed to admit this!), I am just about the whitest Pinay out here! I almost freaked myself out yesterday getting ready for church when I saw just how white my legs were. Geez. But in any case, one of my main goals this spring/summer season is to get me my color back. And if the temps keep rising from here on out, well, YAY! MnM is a happy camper!
Mini-Getaway
Last week, hubby and I spent time in the Mile High Clu-, er, um, City. Hubby had a business trip in Denver and I decided to accompany him. It was nice to get away from Minnesota, even if it was for a few days. The weather was a definite improvement compared to MN...for a city that gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year, well c'mon now! Although the temps did dip into the mid-30s, the sun did its job of warming you up. Denver is called the Mile High City because it's literally 5,280 feet above sea level. And you can feel it, too. If you've ever been in high elevation before, you know what I'm talking about when I say that your heart starts beating faster as it tries to pump more blood and your breathing becomes shallow. In fact, everytime hubby goes for business, he's constantly complaining about headaches and bloody noses. As for myself, it was all light-headedness. The last time I remember feeling this way was during our honeymoon in Maui. We headed up to Haleakala to watch the sunrise and that was more than double Denver's elevation. Hubby and I were climbing the steps to the observation tower and halfway up, we were both huffin' and puffin'! If you're not used to being that way up, you feel the difference. And boy oh boy did we feel the difference.
Rarified Air, DAM, and Jesus Lovers
Because hubby had to work all day, I was basically left to entertain myself. Our hotel was smack dab in the middle of downtown Denver, or "LoDo" as the local Denverites call it. LoDo is short for lower downtown. A block from our hotel is a strip called the 16th Street Mall. It's closed off to any other traffic except for a free trolley that travels up and down transporting tourists and workers to different spots along the way. One of the first things that you notice as you walk down this strip is the stench. Yup, the familiar disgusting stench of a downtown that includes putrid filled alleyways that reek of urine. It's bad enough I'm trying to catch my breath every so often and to get a wiff of the pungency is just nasty. This is also weird to admit, but it's been a while since I've seen any homeless people. Sure, there's homeless people in MN, but not as many as I've been used to seeing in downtown S.F. and sure not as many as in LoDo.
16th Street Mall is full of shops and restaurants that range from the Taco Hells and touristy souvenir stores to the upscale chi-chi I-can't-believe-those-pair-of-socks-cost-that-much stores. The city prides itself in the whole elevation thing. In a hotel magazine, it warns tourists to take precautions such as drinking plenty of water and wearing sunblock. I found it hilarious to see souvenir shops sporting shirts like, "Got Oxygen?" or "I really DID get high in Denver." There were a handful of sushi places that got us excited considering they're a rarity out here. There was also a restaurant called The Broker situated downstairs in a bank building that seated us in a vault! The ambience was pretty cool and for a lunch menu that serves $4 prime rib, $4 salmon, and $.75 caesar salads...well, that's pretty damn awesome. There was a Wolfgang Puck Cafe and a Coyote Ugly bar close by, but we didn't get to see either.
Here's the state capitol building.
Since I had a whole day to kill, I decided to visit the Denver Art Museum. It was about 7 blocks from our hotel and though it didn't seem too far, the whole lack of oxygen made it seem farther. I stopped off at the state capitol first. I heard that on the 15th step of the building, there is a marker to signify the 5,280 point. In fact, I hear that there are lots of other places around the city that mark the mile. To my disappointment, I didn't see any mark. Maybe they meant inside? I don't know, but it sure was tiring circling the entire building and searching for it. A couple blocks away are the museums: the state museum, the historical society museum, the contemporary art museum, and the Denver Art Museum. I can't remember the last time that I went to a museum without it being a field trip with 3rd graders. During the field trips, it's hard to really enjoy and soak everything in when you've got to worry about this kid or that. I thought it'd be nice to just take my time and stroll through each floor.
I hit the Asian exhibits first. To my disappointment, there was nothing on the Philippines except for ONE book on textiles in the reading area. Yes, I did browse the shelves and found nada. This is totally off the subject, but as I was reading up on Denver's demographics, Denver might as well as be Minnesota 'cuz there really ain't much diversity. Plus, to think that hubby and I almost moved there if it wasn't for MN. Anyways...
It did have an extensive collection of Tibetan art. One of the things that I found most fascinating was the "mandala" art. A mandala is a sand art with the most intricate details. There is a significance to the geometric shapes, pictures, symbols, and colors, but I probably wouldn't even know where to start explaining. From what I read, they are created to gain wisdom and to guide many to the path to enlightenment. The one that they had on display was done at the museum by three Tibetan monks. It took them two weeks to complete and was housed in a glass display. It is said that the monks chant and meditate to invoke the divine deities that reside within the mandala. It is also said to have some healing and purification to those who view it. The sand is a mixture of different colors, mostly coming from ground marble and in order to "fill in" the spaces, they have to use straws and wear masks so that their breaths do not disturb the art. In fact, the ones that make mandalas are said to be born with the gift. These people must study up on the art and practice so that it is perfect when one is made.
On my back from the museum and minding my own business, I was startled by this loud voice that yelled from the top of his lungs, "I'm in love! I'm in love and I want Denver to know!" Awwww, I thought to myself, someone has just proposed. I quickly thought about that commercial where this couple is in Italy (I think!) and he yells that he loves his woman. They show the birds scattering above the square and the woman trying to hush her man up. Then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a diamond ring...awww. Ya'll know which commercial I'm talking about? Anyways, the voice continues his declaration of love, "I'm in love! And his name is Jesus! I just want Denver to know that I'm crazy in love!" I could tell by his volume that he was quickly approaching me and when I turned back, I saw this guy with long hair and a long beard clutching to his chest what looked like a Bible. He didn't quite look homeless and honestly, I think he really just wanted people to know that he loved Jesus. As he continued yelling, people either stopped and stared, or completely ignored him. There were a few that openly mocked him, while one guy backed him up with an "Amen to that, my brother!"
Up in the sky, it's a....
Bird. Yes, a bird. But not just any ordinary feathered friend, a bald eagle!
Hubby and I were driving home the other day when suddenly this "bird" came into our vision. At first I had thought to myself, That's one fricken huge ass bird. But the next second, I knew...it was a bald eagle. A freakin' bald eagle! I mean, as high above as it was, it was close enough for us to clearly see the white head, the enormously huge wing span, its deadly talons, its beak, and its beady eyes. It was simply beautiful! We started trippin' hard and perhaps it was instinct, but we both started searching the skies for others. None. A few days after our sighting, I read in the paper that some bird watching society of some sort were requesting people to send their bald eagle sightings. Apparently, they are trying to locate bald eagle nests. Hubby and I pretty much dropped our jaws because we bet our money there is one in the vicinity. How cool is that?!
Boy oh boy...just another factoid to back up our theory of living out in the boonies...
Finally got my MN plates...yay. But hey, check out the kitchen in the background!
Friday, March 18, 2005
Snowdrifts and Cabin Fever
The last major snowstorm of the winter has hit Minnesota...with a vengeance. We've been anticipating it for a few days now- "crippling snowstorm to hit the southern parts of Minnesota with accumulations of 10-13 inches of snow." For as long as this damned winter has been going on, I'll all for having a last storm of the season if it means that spring will quickly follow.
They weren't kidding about the accumulation. The snow has been relentless since the early morning hours and hasn't stopped since. In fact, there were moments that it was just getting fiercer and fiercer by the hour. Ya'll know what snowdrifts are? Snowdrifts can be huge accumulations of snow that build and build so quickly that it could literally act as a barrier. With the snow coming in sideways, our driveway is the prime spot for them. Snowdrifts are not cool.
For the entire week, I've been stuck in front of this laptop furiously trying to finish a project that was due two days ago. Yes, two days ago. I've got my excuse all lined up and ready to go, but I won't divulge and jinx myself. In any case, I've become accustomed to staying indoors for long periods of time. If I don't have work to do, there's always a good book to curl up with, a whole lot of DVDs that I could pop in, or the neverending load of laundry that needs washing. In essence, I've always got something to do here at home. Hubby, on the other hand, cannot be stuck indoors for too long until cabin fever hits.
It's always made me wonder why hubby's dose of cabin fever hit whenever we were having the worst weather. Take today for example. Nevermind that we're having a major snowstorm out. Nevermind that the snowplows haven't hit our neck of the woods yet...damn the townhome association! Nevermind that when the garage door went up that we were faced with a snowdrift that went higher than my waist! Hubby was determined. In order for him to get out, he had to shovel a path for the car. Poor hubby. I watched him from the upstairs window as he shoveled. As he would dump his shovel to the side, the wind would pick up and the snow would just fly in all directions. He even gave up at one time, mumbling that he wasn't going anywhere. It was just too much work. Thirty minutes later, hubby announces, "Screw it! I'm going to bust through that MF!" And so he did....all in the name of going to Best Buy. LOL!
The last major snowstorm of the winter has hit Minnesota...with a vengeance. We've been anticipating it for a few days now- "crippling snowstorm to hit the southern parts of Minnesota with accumulations of 10-13 inches of snow." For as long as this damned winter has been going on, I'll all for having a last storm of the season if it means that spring will quickly follow.
They weren't kidding about the accumulation. The snow has been relentless since the early morning hours and hasn't stopped since. In fact, there were moments that it was just getting fiercer and fiercer by the hour. Ya'll know what snowdrifts are? Snowdrifts can be huge accumulations of snow that build and build so quickly that it could literally act as a barrier. With the snow coming in sideways, our driveway is the prime spot for them. Snowdrifts are not cool.
For the entire week, I've been stuck in front of this laptop furiously trying to finish a project that was due two days ago. Yes, two days ago. I've got my excuse all lined up and ready to go, but I won't divulge and jinx myself. In any case, I've become accustomed to staying indoors for long periods of time. If I don't have work to do, there's always a good book to curl up with, a whole lot of DVDs that I could pop in, or the neverending load of laundry that needs washing. In essence, I've always got something to do here at home. Hubby, on the other hand, cannot be stuck indoors for too long until cabin fever hits.
It's always made me wonder why hubby's dose of cabin fever hit whenever we were having the worst weather. Take today for example. Nevermind that we're having a major snowstorm out. Nevermind that the snowplows haven't hit our neck of the woods yet...damn the townhome association! Nevermind that when the garage door went up that we were faced with a snowdrift that went higher than my waist! Hubby was determined. In order for him to get out, he had to shovel a path for the car. Poor hubby. I watched him from the upstairs window as he shoveled. As he would dump his shovel to the side, the wind would pick up and the snow would just fly in all directions. He even gave up at one time, mumbling that he wasn't going anywhere. It was just too much work. Thirty minutes later, hubby announces, "Screw it! I'm going to bust through that MF!" And so he did....all in the name of going to Best Buy. LOL!
Monday, March 14, 2005
Birthday Recap
Hubby had a quiet birthday weekend. We didn't do much, although we had discussed planning some sort of mini-celebration originally. We talked about maybe going out, maybe having a dinner here at the house, and maybe even drinking up a bit. The day itself was busy with us heading to church by noon. Hubby and the praise band planned a jam session before their usual practice. We should've known that when we said noon to expect everyone around 1:30pm-ish. Pinoy time for real.
After practice, we were still undecided as to what to do. I told hubby that it was up to him...it was his day after all. We ended up watching the movie "Hitch." I liked it! Cool, romantic comedy. If you haven't already, go see it. Makes for a cute date movie.
So what did I give hubby for his birthday? New Nike shox running shoes. Y'know him and shoes. Oh yah, I also gave him the promise not to nag him the entire day...NOT that I'm a huge nagger or anything. I just like to "remind" him of things he has to do. LOL!
Philippine Day
Next Sunday is Philippine Day. It's basically like a smaller scale Fiesta Islands. This will probably be the ONE and ONLY time when we get to see the most Pinoys/Pinays gathered in one place. Last year was cool, but I made the mistake of going with expectations that it was going to be bomb. I thought it would be bigger than it really was, but it's all good. I'll take what I can get.
Last year, hubby performed with a, no wait, THE only rondalla group here in MN. It just so happens that the pastor of our church, the pastor's father, and a couple of their old compadres make up this rondalla band...and they are bad ass. Since hubby was so interested, they invited him to play with them...in barong and all!
This year, the church praise band is going to play a couple of songs. The church praise band, coincidentally, is made up of a gang of super-multi-talented people. To my knowledge, none of them are schooled in music. They either took lessons here and there or, as they so humbly put it, "picked it up on their own." It's disgusting, really, to be surrounded by all this talent. I always knew that the musical ability that runs rampant in Filipino families skipped me over. Y'know how it is, there's always one in the family who could either sing or play the piano. I can't do either.
Anyways...the praise band consists of Pastor, a skilled guitarist, piano player, and vocalist; R, the keyboardist, vocalist, and probably soon-to-be music recorder; O'Neezy, the bomb bass player who can fill in for guitarist or drums if needed; Stp, the bad ass lead guitarist, who by the way, can play bass, drums, and keyboard, too; and on drums, my one and only hubby. Hubby, by the way, will also be providing vocals this coming Sunday. The band members are going to switch up a bit and do a musical chair thing while hubby and R harmonize. It's going to be tight! He's a tad nervous, but from what I heard at practice yesterday, they're going to sound awesome.
Remember that whole bit about musical ability in families? Well, it sure didn't skip hubby. Hubby plays the drums, guitar, bass, his sister plays the piano, kid #1 sings, kid #2 plays the piano by ear AND the drums, and plus he has a slew of cousins who make up the praise band in San Diego...all of them self-taught. I'm so disgustingly envious! Argh.
Stay tuned for pictures to come!
Hubby had a quiet birthday weekend. We didn't do much, although we had discussed planning some sort of mini-celebration originally. We talked about maybe going out, maybe having a dinner here at the house, and maybe even drinking up a bit. The day itself was busy with us heading to church by noon. Hubby and the praise band planned a jam session before their usual practice. We should've known that when we said noon to expect everyone around 1:30pm-ish. Pinoy time for real.
After practice, we were still undecided as to what to do. I told hubby that it was up to him...it was his day after all. We ended up watching the movie "Hitch." I liked it! Cool, romantic comedy. If you haven't already, go see it. Makes for a cute date movie.
So what did I give hubby for his birthday? New Nike shox running shoes. Y'know him and shoes. Oh yah, I also gave him the promise not to nag him the entire day...NOT that I'm a huge nagger or anything. I just like to "remind" him of things he has to do. LOL!
Philippine Day
Next Sunday is Philippine Day. It's basically like a smaller scale Fiesta Islands. This will probably be the ONE and ONLY time when we get to see the most Pinoys/Pinays gathered in one place. Last year was cool, but I made the mistake of going with expectations that it was going to be bomb. I thought it would be bigger than it really was, but it's all good. I'll take what I can get.
Last year, hubby performed with a, no wait, THE only rondalla group here in MN. It just so happens that the pastor of our church, the pastor's father, and a couple of their old compadres make up this rondalla band...and they are bad ass. Since hubby was so interested, they invited him to play with them...in barong and all!
This year, the church praise band is going to play a couple of songs. The church praise band, coincidentally, is made up of a gang of super-multi-talented people. To my knowledge, none of them are schooled in music. They either took lessons here and there or, as they so humbly put it, "picked it up on their own." It's disgusting, really, to be surrounded by all this talent. I always knew that the musical ability that runs rampant in Filipino families skipped me over. Y'know how it is, there's always one in the family who could either sing or play the piano. I can't do either.
Anyways...the praise band consists of Pastor, a skilled guitarist, piano player, and vocalist; R, the keyboardist, vocalist, and probably soon-to-be music recorder; O'Neezy, the bomb bass player who can fill in for guitarist or drums if needed; Stp, the bad ass lead guitarist, who by the way, can play bass, drums, and keyboard, too; and on drums, my one and only hubby. Hubby, by the way, will also be providing vocals this coming Sunday. The band members are going to switch up a bit and do a musical chair thing while hubby and R harmonize. It's going to be tight! He's a tad nervous, but from what I heard at practice yesterday, they're going to sound awesome.
Remember that whole bit about musical ability in families? Well, it sure didn't skip hubby. Hubby plays the drums, guitar, bass, his sister plays the piano, kid #1 sings, kid #2 plays the piano by ear AND the drums, and plus he has a slew of cousins who make up the praise band in San Diego...all of them self-taught. I'm so disgustingly envious! Argh.
Stay tuned for pictures to come!
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Friday, March 11, 2005
March Madness
It's been said that March is the snowiest month during winter out here in Minnesota. I thought that they were kidding because about a week ago, the temps soared up to the high 50's. The sun was out, jackets were tossed aside, people sported shorts and flip flops, and well, wow, I honestly thought that spring had arrived.
To everyone's dismay, we were struck with a 40+ degree drop in weather the following day. While natives went about their business, newbies like us just scratched our head. What happened?! Come back sun! Come back blue skies! Come back warm weather!
I woke up this morning to light snow flurries. It didn't seem to be sticking, but the way it was coming down looked like it was enough to cover up them dead brown of an eyesore grass. As I was working on my computer a tad bit later, the library suddenly brightened up. I checked outside and the sun was out. Nice. About another hour or so, I check outside again and all I see is a mixture of rain and snow coming in sideways. It snowed and stopped. It rained and stopped. The sun seemed to be fighting its way from behind the clouds, but lost in the end. Make up your damn mind, Mother Nature!
I just want winter to be over already. Maybe if I say it enough times, it'll happen. "Let winter be done and let spring come. Let winter be done and let spring come. Let winter be done and let spring come. Let winter be done and let spring come........"
It's been said that March is the snowiest month during winter out here in Minnesota. I thought that they were kidding because about a week ago, the temps soared up to the high 50's. The sun was out, jackets were tossed aside, people sported shorts and flip flops, and well, wow, I honestly thought that spring had arrived.
To everyone's dismay, we were struck with a 40+ degree drop in weather the following day. While natives went about their business, newbies like us just scratched our head. What happened?! Come back sun! Come back blue skies! Come back warm weather!
I woke up this morning to light snow flurries. It didn't seem to be sticking, but the way it was coming down looked like it was enough to cover up them dead brown of an eyesore grass. As I was working on my computer a tad bit later, the library suddenly brightened up. I checked outside and the sun was out. Nice. About another hour or so, I check outside again and all I see is a mixture of rain and snow coming in sideways. It snowed and stopped. It rained and stopped. The sun seemed to be fighting its way from behind the clouds, but lost in the end. Make up your damn mind, Mother Nature!
I just want winter to be over already. Maybe if I say it enough times, it'll happen. "Let winter be done and let spring come. Let winter be done and let spring come. Let winter be done and let spring come. Let winter be done and let spring come........"
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Take That!
Local government here in MN is proposing a bill that would require that written driver's license tests be administered only in English. As it stands now, it can be taken in English, Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Vietnamese, and Somali. Plus, those who don't speak English can bring an interpreter as long as he or she is a licensed driver. Senator Reiter, who is white, stated that "There are some places where folks may drive through a stop sign and I have to believe that they just don't read English." She is also the same senator who is trying to establish English as the primary language of Minnesota. In response to that, Senator Moua, who is Hmong, matter of factly stated, "There are plenty of people who whiz through stop signs- many of them look more like you than like me." Hah!
There are many incidents like these happening nationwide and perhaps it's because we're living here in the Midwest, but I feel that it's more prevalent that people of color have to voice, fight, and establish their rights in this predominantly white state. Instead of taking steps forward, people are taking two steps back putting blame on immigrants and people of color. Sometimes the anger and frustration is too much and it just builds. I'm reminded of all of the Asian American studies classes that I took back at SFState and the bitterness of what generations before me had to endure for their desire to seek a better life wells up inside. I've come to notice that white people, albeit not all of them, still have that superior attitude over people like me. It's as if they expect us to bow down to them and thank them for the supposed generosity that "their people" have graciously bestowed onto us or some shit like that. It's so tempting to want to give these fools a piece of my mind and bring them down from that high pedestal that they believe they so deserve to be on. It's ridiculously more tempting to want to slap these people silly and shake some sense into them. But why stoop to their level? People like that, those who are ignoramous and misguided, those who cannot muster the effort to open up their minds, those who cast their eyes upon those they feel are inferior, and those who are judgemental do not deserve a minute, no, a second of my time. People like that, no matter what nationality or race or creed, are so steadfast in their ways that I almost feel sorry for them. It's all bullshit to me and I pity the ignorant fools. (why did I sound like Mr. T just now?)
Okay...moving on!
Other Midwest News
In my last post, I wrote about the different crimes that, unsurprisingly, plague this part of the country. Among the things that I forgot to include was animal cruelty. Lately, the feline community has been making the headlines. Just across the border in Wisconsin, a hunter is proposing a bill to include cats on the shooting free for all block. He claims that if wild cats wander on his territory that he should have the right to "expel" them . Apparently, these wild cats are endangering the bird community. Sure, I understand the reasoning of trying to protect certain bird species and all, but should Wisconsinites be allowed to run up in their homes and grab their rifles and shoot away? If you can imagine, cat lovers are appalled.
Somewhere in MN, there is a colony of feral cats. According to the news, there are hundreds of cats living in the wild. (No wonder gun-happy Wisconsin hunter is irked!) There is a dedicated group who go out there on a daily basis to feed these cats and vet doctors are doing their share of neutering them so they won't mulitiply. Opponents of this have suggested that it might be easier to just kill them off. If you can imagine, cat lovers are even more appalled. It's just like how statewide hunters are suggesting that deer season be extended because of the overpopulation of white-tailed deer (think Bambi). It's their supposed solution to the problem. Add to that deer trafficking and it becomes a whole different story.
In yesterday's paper, a man was charged for putting his girlfriend's (um, ex-girlfriend now) cat in the oven and baking it. Yes, BAKING it! The woman woke up to the sounds of her cat screaming and miraculously, it survived. It somehow survived the 250-degree heat, lost its eyelids, the padding on its paws, and sufferend a severe burn on its stomach. Cat lovers, at this point, are having heart attacks.
Lastly, a couple of weeks ago, a woman found a dog on her porch whimpering because it had an arrow in its head. A freakin' arrow! Fortunately, it didn't penetrate
completely through its skull and doctors were able to safely remove it. The picture alone was enough to break my heart. Who would do such a thing?! I may not be an animal lover, but DAYAMN!
Whatever happened to just regular cow-tipping?
Local government here in MN is proposing a bill that would require that written driver's license tests be administered only in English. As it stands now, it can be taken in English, Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Vietnamese, and Somali. Plus, those who don't speak English can bring an interpreter as long as he or she is a licensed driver. Senator Reiter, who is white, stated that "There are some places where folks may drive through a stop sign and I have to believe that they just don't read English." She is also the same senator who is trying to establish English as the primary language of Minnesota. In response to that, Senator Moua, who is Hmong, matter of factly stated, "There are plenty of people who whiz through stop signs- many of them look more like you than like me." Hah!
There are many incidents like these happening nationwide and perhaps it's because we're living here in the Midwest, but I feel that it's more prevalent that people of color have to voice, fight, and establish their rights in this predominantly white state. Instead of taking steps forward, people are taking two steps back putting blame on immigrants and people of color. Sometimes the anger and frustration is too much and it just builds. I'm reminded of all of the Asian American studies classes that I took back at SFState and the bitterness of what generations before me had to endure for their desire to seek a better life wells up inside. I've come to notice that white people, albeit not all of them, still have that superior attitude over people like me. It's as if they expect us to bow down to them and thank them for the supposed generosity that "their people" have graciously bestowed onto us or some shit like that. It's so tempting to want to give these fools a piece of my mind and bring them down from that high pedestal that they believe they so deserve to be on. It's ridiculously more tempting to want to slap these people silly and shake some sense into them. But why stoop to their level? People like that, those who are ignoramous and misguided, those who cannot muster the effort to open up their minds, those who cast their eyes upon those they feel are inferior, and those who are judgemental do not deserve a minute, no, a second of my time. People like that, no matter what nationality or race or creed, are so steadfast in their ways that I almost feel sorry for them. It's all bullshit to me and I pity the ignorant fools. (why did I sound like Mr. T just now?)
Okay...moving on!
Other Midwest News
In my last post, I wrote about the different crimes that, unsurprisingly, plague this part of the country. Among the things that I forgot to include was animal cruelty. Lately, the feline community has been making the headlines. Just across the border in Wisconsin, a hunter is proposing a bill to include cats on the shooting free for all block. He claims that if wild cats wander on his territory that he should have the right to "expel" them . Apparently, these wild cats are endangering the bird community. Sure, I understand the reasoning of trying to protect certain bird species and all, but should Wisconsinites be allowed to run up in their homes and grab their rifles and shoot away? If you can imagine, cat lovers are appalled.
Somewhere in MN, there is a colony of feral cats. According to the news, there are hundreds of cats living in the wild. (No wonder gun-happy Wisconsin hunter is irked!) There is a dedicated group who go out there on a daily basis to feed these cats and vet doctors are doing their share of neutering them so they won't mulitiply. Opponents of this have suggested that it might be easier to just kill them off. If you can imagine, cat lovers are even more appalled. It's just like how statewide hunters are suggesting that deer season be extended because of the overpopulation of white-tailed deer (think Bambi). It's their supposed solution to the problem. Add to that deer trafficking and it becomes a whole different story.
In yesterday's paper, a man was charged for putting his girlfriend's (um, ex-girlfriend now) cat in the oven and baking it. Yes, BAKING it! The woman woke up to the sounds of her cat screaming and miraculously, it survived. It somehow survived the 250-degree heat, lost its eyelids, the padding on its paws, and sufferend a severe burn on its stomach. Cat lovers, at this point, are having heart attacks.
Lastly, a couple of weeks ago, a woman found a dog on her porch whimpering because it had an arrow in its head. A freakin' arrow! Fortunately, it didn't penetrate
completely through its skull and doctors were able to safely remove it. The picture alone was enough to break my heart. Who would do such a thing?! I may not be an animal lover, but DAYAMN!
Whatever happened to just regular cow-tipping?
Monday, March 07, 2005
Midwest Life
Life out here in Minnesota is just full of surprises. You never know who or what you're going to see or do or experience. For as long as I can remember, there's always been a certain stigma about the Midwest. It's the same reason why so many people move back here after busting out to the big cities so they could raise a family. And yes, I will admit that the way of life here is different. Folks out here continue to leave their doors unlocked, car windows rolled down, and hell, for all I know, keep a spare key to the house underneath the supposed inconspicuous faux rock. Aside from all of that nonsense (and from someone who still has The Club in her car), there are still those who, believe it or not, allow their children to run around like it's no thang. Kids are, by nature, very curious beings. Maybe it's just ME, but there's a huge difference in letting kids experience their surrounding environment and letting them get into everything and laughing it off how cute the kid can be. Maybe it's just me, but kids and sharp metal objects do not mix. It's freakin' common sense. I have seen toddlers in the mall running ahead while their parents continue to window shop, I have seen them climbing chairs, barriers, and sticking their lil' heads through bars to check out the action going on below. It's not cool. I can stand on my soap box and spout just how unacceptable that is, but I will just shake my head and keep my mouth shut. Hubby and I were at a stop light the other day and in the car right next to us, there was a small child sitting in the lap of a passenger in the front. Goodness gracious! Heaven forbid that an accident happens 'cuz my goodness, that kid would be the first to go!
I have found that Midwest life focuses on family. There's a big percentage of homeschooled children and more kids are involved in extracurriculars with parents just as involved. Everything seems more family-oriented out here. But it doesn't really matter if one lives in a big city or a suburb, there's always going to be shit going down. It's everywhere you go and it's inevitable. Sure, there are some places that may seem that crime is more likely to occur, but on the real, you can't escape it. But just because you can't escape it doesn't mean that we have to be paranoid. It's all about being aware and avoiding simple mistakes that could lead to something happening. Something as simple as locking your car door and not leaving any valuables out in the open. Someone who leaves a couple of brand new bags in the car creates the fruit of temptation for another....and if it so happens that those bags held the Sunday's church collection, well, what can I say? It wouldn't have happened had the simple act of bringing the bags into the house immediately took place. It's common sense people. Don't be traumatized- be smart.
Moving here from CA hasn't changed my simple routines. In fact, I probably have become even more cautious. I've mentioned just lush and green this state is...okay it's white at the moment, but ya'll know what I mean. There are so many trees and trails, bushes and bends and lakes that you just can't be too careful, y'know? Plus, take a couple of brown newcomers totally out of their element and moving into an all-white neighborhood. C'mon...we tend to stick out. I still lock the door and double check it, I still stash stuff that I bought in the trunk, and I never leave anything out. Reading the newspaper each day validates the fact that crime is everywhere...even here in the Midwest. Every single day, I read about burglaries, car thefts, identity theft (huge over here!), shoplifting, arson, crooked cops, child abductions, rape, domestic violence, drug busts (methamphetamines is a biggie over here!), and deer trafficking. Yes, you read it here first: deer trafficking. There was a special news report about the deaths of small children overdosing on pills because of the ease of getting into medication bottles. Again, if parents were watching their kids closer and/or putting meds somewhere inaccessible, tragedies such as these could be avoided.
In some small ways, MN does appear to be safer...to a degree. Just because I don't hear the police car chases in the middle of the night, sometimes I'd take that over the sound of nothingness. The silence here still creeps me out. It reminds me just how out of the way we are out here and that anything could still happen. The Midwest will continue to have the reputation for being the place to raise a family, but at the same time, they should steer way clear of the "It'll-never-happen-to-me" mentality.
And by the way, I will refrain from my conservative-puti-bashing today 'cuz well, folks a plenty over here need a lesson or two in expanding their horizons and opening up their minds...
Last Word
The second test that I took last Saturday was just as worse as the first. If it could at all be possible, I'd just Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind it and have March 5th completely erased from my memory. 'Twas a bad memory that I'd like to forget. 'Twas so bad that I had to brood for the rest of the evening...hey, I was entitled. Even though nothing more could be done about the test, there was simply nothing else that could brighten my day. While hubby was out, I popped in "Message in a Bottle," cried my eyes out, and called it a day. Sometimes a gal just needs to have a good cry.
Ah, and not to forget my misstep on the sidewalk injury. After closer inspection of my knuckles, it appears that entire chunks of skin are absent. First layer? Second layer? Shoot, whatever layer I took out when I fell hurts like a mutherf*cker! Hurts when I wash the dishes, hurts when I tie my shoes, hurts when I brush my teeth and comb my hair..hell, it hurts when I'm just sitting down minding my own business. My family and hubby know that I do not handle pain well at all, but if ya'll could've seen it and feel it now, ya'll would be a complaining wuss, too.
Life out here in Minnesota is just full of surprises. You never know who or what you're going to see or do or experience. For as long as I can remember, there's always been a certain stigma about the Midwest. It's the same reason why so many people move back here after busting out to the big cities so they could raise a family. And yes, I will admit that the way of life here is different. Folks out here continue to leave their doors unlocked, car windows rolled down, and hell, for all I know, keep a spare key to the house underneath the supposed inconspicuous faux rock. Aside from all of that nonsense (and from someone who still has The Club in her car), there are still those who, believe it or not, allow their children to run around like it's no thang. Kids are, by nature, very curious beings. Maybe it's just ME, but there's a huge difference in letting kids experience their surrounding environment and letting them get into everything and laughing it off how cute the kid can be. Maybe it's just me, but kids and sharp metal objects do not mix. It's freakin' common sense. I have seen toddlers in the mall running ahead while their parents continue to window shop, I have seen them climbing chairs, barriers, and sticking their lil' heads through bars to check out the action going on below. It's not cool. I can stand on my soap box and spout just how unacceptable that is, but I will just shake my head and keep my mouth shut. Hubby and I were at a stop light the other day and in the car right next to us, there was a small child sitting in the lap of a passenger in the front. Goodness gracious! Heaven forbid that an accident happens 'cuz my goodness, that kid would be the first to go!
I have found that Midwest life focuses on family. There's a big percentage of homeschooled children and more kids are involved in extracurriculars with parents just as involved. Everything seems more family-oriented out here. But it doesn't really matter if one lives in a big city or a suburb, there's always going to be shit going down. It's everywhere you go and it's inevitable. Sure, there are some places that may seem that crime is more likely to occur, but on the real, you can't escape it. But just because you can't escape it doesn't mean that we have to be paranoid. It's all about being aware and avoiding simple mistakes that could lead to something happening. Something as simple as locking your car door and not leaving any valuables out in the open. Someone who leaves a couple of brand new bags in the car creates the fruit of temptation for another....and if it so happens that those bags held the Sunday's church collection, well, what can I say? It wouldn't have happened had the simple act of bringing the bags into the house immediately took place. It's common sense people. Don't be traumatized- be smart.
Moving here from CA hasn't changed my simple routines. In fact, I probably have become even more cautious. I've mentioned just lush and green this state is...okay it's white at the moment, but ya'll know what I mean. There are so many trees and trails, bushes and bends and lakes that you just can't be too careful, y'know? Plus, take a couple of brown newcomers totally out of their element and moving into an all-white neighborhood. C'mon...we tend to stick out. I still lock the door and double check it, I still stash stuff that I bought in the trunk, and I never leave anything out. Reading the newspaper each day validates the fact that crime is everywhere...even here in the Midwest. Every single day, I read about burglaries, car thefts, identity theft (huge over here!), shoplifting, arson, crooked cops, child abductions, rape, domestic violence, drug busts (methamphetamines is a biggie over here!), and deer trafficking. Yes, you read it here first: deer trafficking. There was a special news report about the deaths of small children overdosing on pills because of the ease of getting into medication bottles. Again, if parents were watching their kids closer and/or putting meds somewhere inaccessible, tragedies such as these could be avoided.
In some small ways, MN does appear to be safer...to a degree. Just because I don't hear the police car chases in the middle of the night, sometimes I'd take that over the sound of nothingness. The silence here still creeps me out. It reminds me just how out of the way we are out here and that anything could still happen. The Midwest will continue to have the reputation for being the place to raise a family, but at the same time, they should steer way clear of the "It'll-never-happen-to-me" mentality.
And by the way, I will refrain from my conservative-puti-bashing today 'cuz well, folks a plenty over here need a lesson or two in expanding their horizons and opening up their minds...
Last Word
The second test that I took last Saturday was just as worse as the first. If it could at all be possible, I'd just Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind it and have March 5th completely erased from my memory. 'Twas a bad memory that I'd like to forget. 'Twas so bad that I had to brood for the rest of the evening...hey, I was entitled. Even though nothing more could be done about the test, there was simply nothing else that could brighten my day. While hubby was out, I popped in "Message in a Bottle," cried my eyes out, and called it a day. Sometimes a gal just needs to have a good cry.
Ah, and not to forget my misstep on the sidewalk injury. After closer inspection of my knuckles, it appears that entire chunks of skin are absent. First layer? Second layer? Shoot, whatever layer I took out when I fell hurts like a mutherf*cker! Hurts when I wash the dishes, hurts when I tie my shoes, hurts when I brush my teeth and comb my hair..hell, it hurts when I'm just sitting down minding my own business. My family and hubby know that I do not handle pain well at all, but if ya'll could've seen it and feel it now, ya'll would be a complaining wuss, too.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Not a Happy Camper
It's not even noon and I'm in one of the worst moods ever. Can I just bitch about the first half of the tests that I had to take today? In short, the test prep books did nothing for me. I felt like I was taking the freaking SATs all over again...it was horrible. Oh, and let's talk about bad omens for a sec. Blame the glazed over icy sidewalk and/or my inability to walk properly, but MnM has succeeded in scrubbin' once again. Hard. I wasn't even in a hurry. I was even careful to step over the chunks of ice that had formed on the sidewalk, too. Of course it was over before I even knew what happened. I didn't land on my backside like before; this time, gravity pulled me forward. As I picked myself up, the pain totally overrided any embarrassment I might've felt. My knuckles on my right hand looked like tenderized meat and my knees was pounding. At most, I skinned my right knee, but it made me feel like a little 8-year old all over again....or perhaps, it was more like that time I rode hubby's scooter and scrubbed BIG TIME, ripping two holes in my overalls, bleeding like there was no tomorrow from my knees and hands...and yes, I was 26 or 27 years old at the time...but I digress. Despite the pain and trickling blood (eww!), I managed to scuff up my boots and tear up my good jeans- dammit, not the jeans! Since I was there early, I found the restroom to clean up my knuckles 'cuz well, dangling skin is not at all attractive.
Remember how I had hoped that the test prep books might be harder than the actual thing? NOT!
I have one more test to go in a couple of hours. This one is all essay. Wish me luck...or better yet, hope that I don't scrub again on the way. Shiet.
It's not even noon and I'm in one of the worst moods ever. Can I just bitch about the first half of the tests that I had to take today? In short, the test prep books did nothing for me. I felt like I was taking the freaking SATs all over again...it was horrible. Oh, and let's talk about bad omens for a sec. Blame the glazed over icy sidewalk and/or my inability to walk properly, but MnM has succeeded in scrubbin' once again. Hard. I wasn't even in a hurry. I was even careful to step over the chunks of ice that had formed on the sidewalk, too. Of course it was over before I even knew what happened. I didn't land on my backside like before; this time, gravity pulled me forward. As I picked myself up, the pain totally overrided any embarrassment I might've felt. My knuckles on my right hand looked like tenderized meat and my knees was pounding. At most, I skinned my right knee, but it made me feel like a little 8-year old all over again....or perhaps, it was more like that time I rode hubby's scooter and scrubbed BIG TIME, ripping two holes in my overalls, bleeding like there was no tomorrow from my knees and hands...and yes, I was 26 or 27 years old at the time...but I digress. Despite the pain and trickling blood (eww!), I managed to scuff up my boots and tear up my good jeans- dammit, not the jeans! Since I was there early, I found the restroom to clean up my knuckles 'cuz well, dangling skin is not at all attractive.
Remember how I had hoped that the test prep books might be harder than the actual thing? NOT!
I have one more test to go in a couple of hours. This one is all essay. Wish me luck...or better yet, hope that I don't scrub again on the way. Shiet.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Things That Made My Day Today
* Waking up early after a good night's rest (an MnM rarity)
* Waking up to a sunny and bright day
* Eating three real meals at real decent times
(had some delish and oh, so yummy tonkatsu and mac salad for dinner!)
* Having a World's Finest Chocolate bar (always an MnM pleaser!)
* Working out for a good 30 minutes
(I don't care what people say, that balance ball is no joke!)
* Getting in a couple practice PRAXIS/MSAT tests
* Checking out the pics hubby posted on his blog...go see the Frosty the snowman we made at 2am!
* 1st day of MLB's spring training
** Finding out that the San Francisco Giants will be coming to MN to play the Twins!
** Discussing with hubby that without a doubt we will be at all three games!
* Finding out that the San Diego Padres come out right after the Giants...which means, an entire week of baseball games for us to attend! WERD!
So if ya'll were even thinking of visiting us this summer, come for the game and watch the Giants kick ass!
Things That Didn't Make My Day
* Cold ass weather. Sunny and bright, yes. Cold enough to freeze the snot in your nose? Most definitely.
* Practice PRAXIS/MSAT tests- didn't do too well on the multiple choice sections. Gave myself the allotted two hours...completed it with only 10 minutes to spare. Still hoping that the practice tests are way harder than the real thing. Hoping that there won't be questions about the laws of thermodynamics or the infamous and unanswerable classic of "2 trains leave the station at the same time, one going east and the other going west..." Hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that the odds of my guessing skills using the process of elimination will be in my favor this Saturday.
* University of Phoenix finance department- advisors do not know how to advise and will do anything to get my money. Wrote them a letter regarding my dissatisfaction and how unacceptable their actions are. In short, demanded better options for my situation and to figure out how to do their job better.
* Family heartaches- I just found out today that the mother of one of my oldest and dearest friends passed away yesterday. I knew that she was sick, but I had no idea that she was in and out of the hospital for the past two months. I'm thankful that she was able to spend time with her grandson and see him grow up and even though he may not remember her, he'll always have an angel watching over him. I wish that I could be there for the funeral to pay my last respects. Pray that the family will somehow find comfort in their hearts...
Hubby's uncle also passed away this Sunday. Hubby was hoping to attend the funeral up in Toronto, but the airfares are just sky high. This is the second death in his family in such a short period. I don't know what it is, but it seems like tragic events like these happen in threes. One of the hardest things about losing a loved one is not being able to be there to see them one last time...and of course being so far away, in our case MN, makes it even harder. There are never the right words to comfort the grieving, but the fact that they are in a better place, without sickness and free of pain and suffering, encourages me.
* Waking up early after a good night's rest (an MnM rarity)
* Waking up to a sunny and bright day
* Eating three real meals at real decent times
(had some delish and oh, so yummy tonkatsu and mac salad for dinner!)
* Having a World's Finest Chocolate bar (always an MnM pleaser!)
* Working out for a good 30 minutes
(I don't care what people say, that balance ball is no joke!)
* Getting in a couple practice PRAXIS/MSAT tests
* Checking out the pics hubby posted on his blog...go see the Frosty the snowman we made at 2am!
* 1st day of MLB's spring training
** Finding out that the San Francisco Giants will be coming to MN to play the Twins!
** Discussing with hubby that without a doubt we will be at all three games!
* Finding out that the San Diego Padres come out right after the Giants...which means, an entire week of baseball games for us to attend! WERD!
So if ya'll were even thinking of visiting us this summer, come for the game and watch the Giants kick ass!
Things That Didn't Make My Day
* Cold ass weather. Sunny and bright, yes. Cold enough to freeze the snot in your nose? Most definitely.
* Practice PRAXIS/MSAT tests- didn't do too well on the multiple choice sections. Gave myself the allotted two hours...completed it with only 10 minutes to spare. Still hoping that the practice tests are way harder than the real thing. Hoping that there won't be questions about the laws of thermodynamics or the infamous and unanswerable classic of "2 trains leave the station at the same time, one going east and the other going west..." Hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that the odds of my guessing skills using the process of elimination will be in my favor this Saturday.
* University of Phoenix finance department- advisors do not know how to advise and will do anything to get my money. Wrote them a letter regarding my dissatisfaction and how unacceptable their actions are. In short, demanded better options for my situation and to figure out how to do their job better.
* Family heartaches- I just found out today that the mother of one of my oldest and dearest friends passed away yesterday. I knew that she was sick, but I had no idea that she was in and out of the hospital for the past two months. I'm thankful that she was able to spend time with her grandson and see him grow up and even though he may not remember her, he'll always have an angel watching over him. I wish that I could be there for the funeral to pay my last respects. Pray that the family will somehow find comfort in their hearts...
Hubby's uncle also passed away this Sunday. Hubby was hoping to attend the funeral up in Toronto, but the airfares are just sky high. This is the second death in his family in such a short period. I don't know what it is, but it seems like tragic events like these happen in threes. One of the hardest things about losing a loved one is not being able to be there to see them one last time...and of course being so far away, in our case MN, makes it even harder. There are never the right words to comfort the grieving, but the fact that they are in a better place, without sickness and free of pain and suffering, encourages me.
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