Randomness

Bye Bye Bloggy

2009-01-25T23:18:00.002-05:00

May You Rest In Peace...

I will no longer post blogs here. I will however close delete everything on here sometime soon. When I get a chance too... other than that... I have started a wordpress. Though I won't be sharing the link to it here. I WILL comment on others blogs whom I do read and let them know where my new bloggy is.

So for now... enjoy your wake Randomness. I'll be burying you soon enough.

Hard Hat Zone -Under Constructon...

2008-09-03T00:13:00.003-04:00

Hard Hat Zone

Under Construction

Sooo ok... I was toying with the idea of letting this blog rest in peace. Then I toyed with the idea of moving said blog, trying WordPress which I know many blogs I currently read use.

Sooo.... ok... for now... I will remodel... because there are times in life where I honestly see change as a good thing. Like I know sometimes, I just get this urge to get a hair cut. Honestly, it's an URGE. Like really... I kid you not. And I will then randomly come home... and my dear hubs will find my hair chopped off.

Likewise... this blog needs to be redone. Considering when I tried my hand at HTML the last time, I made an error. I think I can honestly do better. PLUS... I like this picture. It kinda is a bit more... I dunno... ME.

Soooooooooooo.... I will give this another go. I personally like this background... I just don't like the fact that I can't get any comments anymore. Not like I had a bunch to begin with... but hey.. I liked that I had an option.

Anywhoo... bear with me... and we'll see what comes up as a result of this change.

Update of Randomness...

2008-08-25T21:51:00.003-04:00

So, I have been remiss in my duties with my blog. Not like anyone reads it anymore. However I am thinking of maybe starting all over again... It's just... I've had this one for forever almost... well we'll see.

Beyond that... things are going well. I guess.

1. My son -Growing soooooo freakin fast. He's in the 90% for babies. Only 10% of babies his age are bigger than him and he's expected to be at least, and I say AT LEAST, 6 ft tall. That's what his doctor says at least. He's got teeth and is almost walking and I can barely even lift the kid without getting winded. But he's such a happy baby that my mother told me she'd smack the crap out of me if he grows up to be a total grumpy pain in the ass.

2. I was supposed to start school but I didn't. I'll have to wait. WHY? Oh my pain in the ass father in law aka FIL. He's eaten us out of house and home. Literally. No joke. I mean he really ate and still is eating... like EVERYTHING.

I am a happy eater. So is my son. Apparently, the FIL is just a freakin p-i-g. My hubs and I spend around 200-250 a month on groceries. I mean no joke. That's pretty good eh? And with a baby too! However in the last two weeks I have had to fork over $500 bucks on food alone. I mean really. Five. Freakin'. Hundred. Dollars. Are you kidding me??????????

And what? You probably say, "Let him pay for his share." What share? He's got like 15 bucks in his account thanks to his good for nothing son (my bro-in-law now my hubs). BIL stole from FIL and now his accounts are in chaos and he's living here. Crazeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

But the added expense of FIL in the household is seriously a total PITA (pain in the ass!). I would say it would be nice to pawn maybe a kidney or two from the FIL... he can survive with just one! But even that won't be worth much. Now I digress, due to him, I'm not in school. The son of a freakin......................................................... Sorry that was me breathing. Hoping to calm down some.

Let's move to another topic.

3. I can't think of another topic. Therefore, you're all going to get my first thought where I considered letting this blog rest in peace. Eh... who knows... it might survive to tell another tale. None the less, the kidlet is seriously waking up... I don't know why. But I have to make sure his butt stays in bed.

Doomed...

2008-08-07T05:42:00.001-04:00

Yes I'm doomed... I have a sign on my back...

Whatever... I hate when a perfect day gets ruined by a single phone call at night. Blast it all...

Yippee!!!

2008-06-11T21:23:00.002-04:00

So it took a little less than 2 months for me to get back to my normal size after giving birth to my son.

But REJOICE!!! I'm not only back to wearing SMALLs again, I'm back to wearing my favorite pair of jeans!

Today at the store I find a cute little pair of skorts (shorts underneath but it looks and has the appearance of a skirt) size 4. I was originally looking for a pair of size 6 but sad to say they had none. That infamous lightbulb then hit me. I was wearing a pair of size 6 jeans that happened to be really and I mean REALLY loose. Sooooo I decide to try on the size 4. And voila! They fit!!!!! And comfortably too.

Now my favorite pair of jeans, I hadn't been able to fit into since I was like 2 months pregnant. I got home and thought to myself... might as well give THEM a try. Hahahaha they fit too! Size 5 in juniors. My favorite. And they fit again!

REJOICE!

I Apparently Almost Died???

2008-05-19T01:12:00.003-04:00

I've been sick.

Like for this past week, I've done nothing much but be in bed -sick. I hate that kind of sick.

Anyhow, so last weekend starts. Starts off to be a nice one with my family. But for some odd reason I did a LOT and I mean a LOT of sleeping. My husband kept looking at me like a sloth. I'd glare at him. Leave him with the baby. Roll over and commence my sleeping. I'm a very good sleeper.

Until 2 pm hit and I was still tired and sleeping. Ah, the infamous light bulb! we all realized I was not feeling well. Sunday... Mother's day... MY day... I started to have difficulty swallowing. Not good. But I have come to realize this as a normal sign (unfortunately).

Cue the fade out into memory-ville.

You see, I was born with tonsillitis. While pregnant with me, my mom's tonsils got badly infected. She in fact, had to have them removed after giving birth to me. Hence, from day 1, my tonsils have literally been swollen. I grew up with doctors contemplating removing them. "But she's so young," they'd all say and I'd end up with antibiotics to take. It ended up being an annoying cycle that during my teenage years I said, "Screw it! They're not going to do a thing about it besides give me more antibiotics."

So my tonsils were infected... AGAIN... Come Tuesday I felt sick to the point that I actually go to the doctor's. Light-headed, dizzy, can't swallow a thing, can't talk. There, the nurse jams a Q-tip down my throat and literally blocks my air passage. THAT IS HOW BADLY SWOLLEN THESE BEASTS ARE. Stupid Q-tip blocks my oxygen.

Well... they refer me to an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) doctor who will discuss getting them OUT. And proceed to give me three injections. One a very potent penicillin, which feels like glue was being injected into me. One was a pain killer. And the third was an antibiotic.

Now I'm not squeamish. I handle needles and shots very well. But after all that crap, I got SO dizzy the nursing staff had me laying down and called Jon to pick me up. Even after I told them all I was FINE. They refused to let me do much of anything.

Well an hour or two later I'm no longer dizzy and those injections actually worked to the point that I was able to swallow my own spit without any pain. Yay! (But those injections were so freakin thick my hips hurt for like 4 days after that! I felt like an old woman. Sigh.)

So I think I'm on the verge of recovery. The next day I was even able to move about without dizziness or lightheaded-ness. But it was a TEASE! A TEASE I say!

Because on Thursday... Thursday was apparently my almost death day. I don't know what happened but I got worse.

I remember dragging myself out of bed to change the baby. Dragging myself to feed the baby. It was 75 degrees in the house and I felt like it was cold. Of course I realized I had a fever. Which sucked because my son kept trying to get my attention. All I know is, it was around 4:30 (because this show I watch always comes on at 4:30)... I fed the baby and set him down for his nap besides me. Even to this day he loves getting swaddled, so I swaddled him. (Also keeps him from rolling while he's sleeping I tell you what!) And I lay down too.

Now the next bit of stuff is well pretty much secondhand... I don't recall... well... like 99% of it.

Jon comes home about 5: 30 and hears the baby crying as loud as he could. Considering the baby is right next me, I wasn't moving an inch.

Jon says my name. No response. He says my name again. Still no response. He calls my name one more time. Nothing. Well he said he started shouting my name and got nothing out of me. He runs to my side of the bed and grabs me and I finally react but was totally incoherent and pathetically lethargic. He said I was burning up. He jammed a thermometer in my mouth and it read 102.7 degrees. Loverly isn't it? He said he forced me to take some fever reducers and then tried to have me drink more water but I kept refusing the water. He said he was on the verge of panic.

He then literally carries me into the bathroom (now this I do remember) and tries to get me into a tub of cold water where I screamed over and over while crying, "It's COLD! It's COLD!" Jon later told me that the water was really lukewarm but to me it felt ice cold. And I wasn't just crying but I was bawling like a little baby. I apparently was having none of that either. He then carries me to the bedroom and I pretty much pass out. He said he checked my temperature again though and it kept dropping after whatever he did.

All I know is I woke up around 10 pm that night the baby was already snug as a bug in his crib and Jon jumped to alert when he heard me moving. I was thankfully more coherent that time albeit exhausted and still not well.

But I'll remember this because Jon then says to me, "Don't ever scare me like that again! I thought you DIED. The baby was wailing and you didn't hear him. I was SHOUTING your name and you didn't... I was panicking, thinking I might have to take you to the ER, or I might have to give you an emergency tracheotomy. I kept checking your tonsils to make sure you could breathe. You wouldn't hydrate yourself, you wouldn't go in the tub. You looked like you were dead! I had to put my hand on your chest to see if you were still breathing... I thought I lost you."

I'm ok now. No more fever here, thank goodness. And I love my husband.

P.S. Damn tonsils!

Happy Mother's Day...

2008-05-11T18:54:00.002-04:00

to ME!!!

A very very Happy Mother's Day to ME!

Oh... and to my mom and my sister and my grandmothers, and EVERY Mom out there!

We kick butt!

Happy Mother's Day Moms!

I Figured It Was Time For a Change...

2008-05-08T15:41:00.001-04:00

Soo... we'll see how this goes... I don't really care for pink stars too much... but hey... I didn't have that much of a choice...

I Kill Trees...

2008-05-05T12:29:00.003-04:00

Now I don't go around wasting paper or any shiz like that. But I have come to realize... I still unfortunately kill trees. Poor, poor trees.

My son can poop once and I'll have to use how many wipes on his dirty litte butt. And I'll go through a whole containing of wipes without blinking an eye. Poor, poor trees.

Tissues too! Here's this snotty, drooling baby and a box of tissues will disappear as fast as you can say, "Crikey".

Sorry trees! But as a mom which should I care for more??? My son's butt? Or the amount of wipes I'm going through? It'll be his butt. It's only going to be baby soft for a short time in his life. So I say let him enjoy a smooth butt without rashes.

I promise to make sure my son plants a few seeds when he's old enough to realize that the seed goes in the ground and not in his mouth. (I would like to avoid any and all choking incidents as possible...) So you'll have to wait a few years.

My Very First Auction...

2008-04-27T16:11:00.003-04:00

Well... as the title reads, I went to my very first auction ever. Our church youth had a benefit auction so they can go to a camp in Colorado. A bunch of the members donated things, gift baskets, food and what not and invited the town to an auction annnnnnnnnnd I went.

As I arrived I was given luckly number 7 to make my purchases. They had asked this guy to be the auctioneer... they all said he was a pro at it. At first I thought they were all insane because when he was telling the crowd who he was he was talking soooooooooo slow, I could barely stay awake. But when he started the auction he then started talking so fast I could barely keep up.

Now what did I get away with???

Well...........

I got an applie pie. It was good stuff. I also got a few dishes including a 16 piece set decorated for Christmas.

Now... the most interesting things I got were as follows:

This 1950's Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash Camera with Flash for it's original purchase price of $1. Hahahahaha. Go me. I guess another man's junk is another person's treasure. I also got this really cool picinic basket with picnic blanket, tarp and silverware inside. And I got a framed copy of a signed picture of Babe Ruth (which my husband gave away to this kid who desperately wanted it but couldn't afford squat and looked longingly at the stupid thing... I'm annoyed at him because we just purchased the darn thing though at the same time I'm deeply impressed and moved with his generousity... those two emotions are warring with each other at the moment)........ and last but oh definitely not least... I got 7... hahaha lucky number 7 again... 7 girls.

Now before anyone goes freakin out! The church isn't selling slaves or girls for bad reasons or nothing... no... the youth were raising the money... therefore they were also offering certain services such as BABYSITTING, HOUSE CHORES, WASHING THE CAR, GARDENING/MOWING THE LAWN, and CLEANING. Each said they would do work for 4 hours and that was auctioned off.

Well... seeing as I have gotten to know quite a few of these girls... and seeing as these said girls adore my son... and seeing as I don't get to spend much time with Jon... and seeing as my family is all in Southern California... we got ourselves some babysitters. :)

So... for my very first auction... it was great... :)

Honestly... It's Just One of THOSE Times...

2008-04-26T14:03:00.003-04:00

So for the last few weeks I have been looking forward to today. For the first time ever... we got family pictures taken... and actually... now that I think about it... for the first time... someone actually took the picture of my husband, baby and me -together. We've had father-son pictures, mother-son... but never mom, dad and baby together. Hmmm just took us 5 months to do so.

Sooooo... the pictures were fine... really good actually. It was after when my husband realized how much it was that everything started to spoil. Ok, I take that back. It wasn't the pictures itself. It was this stupid picture CD. The studio offered us the sale of a picture CD containing all the pictures that were taken including enhancements, etc as well as the rights to make copies of such pictures. I originally thought the CD was cheaper than it was but when Jon found out the stupid thing cost 100 bucks he wasn't pleased. Like at all. Like he was over-reacting mad. Pissed. Steaming. Whatever!

The lady even told us we got a discount because of the package I got and the CD ended up being only $40. But did that make him happy? Of course not. He complained about it. And complained about it. Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd complained about it.

Now at first I felt bad. Like guilty bad. "Man I shouldn't have been so extravagant and gotten that CD." I was apologizing over and over. Then once he realized how I was feeling, he started to say, "But it's ok. If you're happy, I'm happy. It was just that CD. I mean we spent $40 on a CD. A picture CD."

Ok. Now I'm mad. I mean it's not like we spend $50 on a stupid video game for the 360 at all. Or $20 for a freakin DVD all the freakin time. Nooooo... but a picture CD... one containing the stupid pictures that I have been looking forward to since I found out I got pregnant???? Oh PARDON FREAKIN' ME! I mean these are the first family portraits we've ever taken. And I was looking forwards to these for the longest time. Why the crap did he have to be such a kill joy??? Add to that my son then throws a sh*t fit once we got home.

So sorry world. I just wanted stupid pictures! And sorry world for buying the stupid CD...

I might as well put the stupid CD in the computer and get my money's worth.

I Hate Pacifiers...

2008-04-24T06:20:00.004-04:00

Yes, it's really all in the title.

I hate, abhor, detest pacifiers.

Who ever came up with the word "binky" for a freakin' pacifier anyway??? I have never called a pacifier a "binky" and to be honest I refuse to. It's almost a pet peeve when I hear people say, "Do you want your 'binky'?" No. It's a pacifier. Pa-ci-fi-errrrrrrrrrr. When I hear "binky", it's like when my nieces were first learning to talk and that's what they called their "blanket" because they couldn't pronounce "blanket" so instead referred to it as "binky". Not pacifier.

If people want me to shorten the word "pacifier" or abbreviate it in anyway, (because you know four syllables is definitely waaaaaaaaaaaaay too long apparently) I'll say "paci". Why? Because it's a PACIFIER. You use it to PACIFY a baby. I don't give a "binky" to my child to "bink" him in any way shape or form.

Now, back to why I hate this tiny plastic object. "Babies have a natural sucking reflex when they are born." You are correct, sir! Buuuuuuut... babies are ALSO creatures of habit and do NOT like change. I mean -at al. Nada. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

So here is this baby. A creature of absolute comfort. And his "pacifier" brings him lots of comfort. I mean oodles and oodles of comfort. Awww. Sweetness. Now... try to take that pacifier away... and that sweetness automatically turns... well... sour.

And I fully blame the Soothie pacifiers. As much as I hate it, I acknowledge that it is the best freakin' pacifier ever. Why? Well, that was the pacifier they gave him at the hospital he was born in. It's like the epitome of pacifiers that doctors and nurses nation wide swear by it and parents have to then buy it because their kids want it. So when we got home, he refused ALL other pacifiers and only accepted the Soothie one. Well, I had no clue that I could buy those pacifiers at Wal-mart. So here I was thinking this was the only pacifier he would take and I had no clue where to get more. Now what happens? He loses it. Seeing as I had no clue where to buy more, I order it online and have it expressed to the house. For those 2 days, my son threw a perpetual fit, refusing any other pacifier, wanting only that stupid Soothie one. Then the very day they arrived, I find out they sold it at Wal-mart. Go figure.

But honestly... a pacifier for a baby can be like crack to an adult. It's baby crack. Why???? It can be soooooooooooooooooooooo darn addictive! My son refuses to go to sleep without it. Try putting him down for a nap without his Soothie pacifier. Damn that pacifier, it had to be sooo good. He'll thrash and thrash and search and search. I mean with the pacifier, he'll fall asleep within 15 minutes. Without the pacifier it'll take at least a full hour of hearing him cry until he is so exhausted he finally just falls asleep. Soooooooooooo, to try and break the habit of the pacifier aka "baby crack" we had to go cold turkey.

All I have to say is this. Damn that pacifier and damn you Soothie!!!

A Stray Magnet...

2008-04-15T04:40:00.003-04:00

So, I find that I have a habit of finding random stray animals. This little guy was just abandoned on the side of the road. Rescuers think that someone's dog might have had one too many pups because this guy was barely weaned. In fact he's still teething. (OMG... 2 teething mammals in the house!) Barely 3 1/2 lbs. He's a random mix of small dogs that the vet thinks he won't grow bigger than 6 or 7 lbs. So he's truly a Caden sized dog. Considering they're both babies, my son will now have a pet pup that will grow with him.

Sigh... that makes a total of 2 adults, 1 baby, 2 cats and now a pup... I swear, we're drawing the line now... Thank heavens I already potty-trained him. Now if only my son would potty-train as quickly.

He Gets His Revenge...

2008-03-26T19:57:00.003-04:00

My son ALWAYS gets his revenge.

I could have him do tummy time** for 15 minutes. (And he absolutely HATES tummy time with a capitol "H".) Then I will pick him up to soothe and comfort him and what? He throws up on me.

I could leave him alone for a minute to prepare a bottle that he's been HOWLING for. And when I present it to him he'll refuse it for a good 10 minutes.

I could give him a bath, get him powdered, lotioned and wiped down so he's all clean and smells nice. He'll then have a poopie diaper and spit up on his clean clothes.

Today however... I was trying to clip his tiny little nails. He's such a fidgety thing I have difficulty doing it and dislike it almost to the point of disliking clipping a kitten's sharp claws. Almost but not quite there... yet.

Why? Because of the fact that he refuses to hold still for a period longer than 5 seconds... unless he's sleeping... I have to hold his arm down and grasp his tiny little hand firmly so I can clip his little claws... -ah I mean... nails... clip his sharp little nails. And what does my stubborn hippo do???

He grabs and pulls my hair... then pulls me close. And sneezes... not once... but twice... one after another right in my face.

Oh... the joys of motherhood.

**For those of you who don't know... or simply can't get the meaning out of the words... "tummy time" is an exercise for infants where the parent places the child on his stomach to strengthen his neck, shoulder, and hip muscles, not to mention a few others but mainly those.

There's a BABY in the CAR... but Now My Son Has Fundage...

2008-03-25T06:01:00.006-04:00

So yeah, I probably should start at the beginning... Unlike when I called my best friend up thinking I had already told her the story from the very beginning... yeah my memory totally went astray as soon as the kiddo arrived and still has yet to return to me... If anyone finds it please let me know...

But I digress. Where was I? Right. See? The memory thing again. Anyway, I called my best friend up and left a message on her voice mail saying, "Hey, Caden and I are fine from the accident, so no worries. EMTs said he was good to go." Well she calls me the next day and I'm all talking to her as if she already knew what was going on. Poor thing, my befuddled mind befuddled her. All she could say was, "What?!"

So... as I was going to do... let me start at the beginning.

I was in California with the baby, right? Right. Mmm'kay moving on. Well my folks were dropping off said baby and I to the airport so we could get home to my dearly devoted husband. It was raining pretty heavily for Southern California. (Suprising I know, but Southern California does on occassion get bad weather.) It was also 5:30 in the morning, we had a 6:30 flight and I had already checked in the night before so I had my boarding passes and everything and was pretty much ready and good to go.

Well, right as my dad was stopped at a light RIGHT OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT, this woman rams us from behind. I was looking at my son at the time the impact happened, thank God he was safe and sound and barely moved unlike the rest of us in the car who unfortunately enjoyed the fun of whiplash. He was all snuggled in his snowsuit (ready for the flight and weather upon arriving at our destination) and tucked in his carrier carseat. (I LOVE CARSEATS! THOSE FIVE POINT HARNESSES ARE AWESOME! Parents who don't use carseats are freakin' morons.)

Now as I said, it was 5:30 in the freakin' morning. We were set to go home. And this woman happened to be rushing to catch her 6 am flight. While it was raining. And no she didn't check-in in advance. Yeah.... first thing I could say after impact was, "THERE'S A BABY IN THE CAR!"

My dad openned his door and repeated, "THERE'S A BABY IN THE CAR!"

The woman acknowledged and said she'd follow us. Upon parking, directly in front of my terminal mind you, my mother opens her door and repeats for the third time, "THERE'S A BABY IN THE CAR!"

Lesson 1. You shouldn't be rushing in the rain.
Lesson 2. You shouldn't be trying to catch a 6 am flight at 5:30 in the morning.
Lesson 3. THERE'S A BABY IN THE FRIGGIN' CAR.

The police were called. The EMTs checked out my son. He was ok. Happy-go-lucky. Just sleepy because his nap was interrupted by the accident when the sound of metal hitting metal woke him up and jerked his little head. But my son was still a trooper. Of course the police were super nice to us. I mean there was a baby in the car. Not so much to that woman though. She missed her flight altogether. Big surprise there.

Caden and I however, had police escort through security. Yeah, different eh? The police informed Continental that we were just in an accident. So what did Continental do? Bless them. The check-in guy himself went to my gate and told them my situation. Met me at security and carried all my stuff for me on to the plane. They had already started paging us as the last passengers for "final boarding call" and what not, but they still held departure back about 10 minutes so the baby and I could board the plane. Of course we were the last ones on the plane, and everyone was apparently waiting on us seeing as the captain made it known that they were waiting for the final passengers (sarcastic thanks!) and I was soooo embarrassed that I apologized to the people who were seated around me saying we were just in an accident right outside the airport. That woman did not even get an ounce of the same courtesy.

Well after that, it was all ok. I had a headache after awhile though. Not surprising since I was also flying across country with an infant. My mom's neck hurt some. My dad I think was too preoccupied with how everyone else was doing that he seemed fine at the time and even after too.

So in the end, my son got his settlement. Though I'd honestly prefer we had not gotten into that accident at all. I am pleased my son got some fundage out of it. We also decided to take his piggy bank to the bank too. Tiny little piggy bank. Only about 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide and 3 inches long. But it was full of change. I didn't realize how much change was in that tiny little thing. Sixty-four bucks in a tiny little piggy bank. Honestly, storing up change goes a long way apparently, considering we gave him all our spare coins.

Now my son has a bank account, but I won't be telling him about it until he's 18. Let him work for his money first. *^_^*

So at the tender age of 3 months old my son has apparently experienced quite a bit, maybe even more than some people in their twenties. He's had his first vacation at the age of 2 months. Enjoyed two trips to San Diego. Flown in 4 different airplanes. Gotten in his first and hopefully only (knocks on wood) car accident and lived to not remember a single thing it considering he's still a baby and all. And received mulah from said accident. It's almost a shame he won't remember a single thing.

Random PS of sorts - My best friend called a week after I talked to her about my random and awkward way of leaving behind only half a message and said she just got into an accident. Some idiot ran a stop sign and totaled her car. T-boned it on the passenger side. She's ok. Was a little banged up and had a big bruise on her knee from where the passenger door was push all the way in through impact. Happy she had no passenger for the moron to mash but yeah. She's fine.

Speaking of the cars though. My parents vehicle got an impressive dent on the back bumper. I didn't realize how safe a Honda Accord was. While that woman's vehicle was pretty much totaled with her hood bent like an accordian and her motor exposed to the rain. Serves some people right.

Honestly, some people should not get behind the wheel. What if there was a baby in the car???

A Picture Says A Thousand Words...

2008-03-14T23:36:00.001-04:00

Eh... it's something to do... and it takes my mind off other things... plus it's kinda just cool to look at...

the RULES:
- Answer the questions below
- Take each answer and search image on Photobucket
- Take any picture from the first page of results and post
- And you can't copy the persons answers who posted this before you

1. What is your name? I can't believe I found this...

2. Name the age you'll be on your next birthday. I also happen to like the show...

3. Name a place you'd like to travel to.

4. What is your favorite place to be?

5. What is your favorite object?

6. What is your favorite food? I'm getting hungry just looking at this picture...

7. What is your favorite color? Blue all the way...

8. What is your favorite animal? I want one...

9. What is your favorite activity? 'Nuff said...

10. Where were you born?

11. Where do you want to retire? Just someplace nice...

12. What is the name of a pet? They are...

and

13. What is your relationship status?

14. What is the name of your significant other?

15. What is a bad habit of yours?

16. What is the name of your best friend?

17. What are your plans for the weekend?

18. What is a goal you'd like to achieve in the next year?

19. What is your biggest fear?

20. Describe yourself in one word. I typed "random" and this came up... I say it fits...

An Ode to My Grandpa...

2008-03-12T23:34:00.002-04:00

My grandfather is dying. I have no doubt of it.

My mother told me that all he wanted was to see all his children together before he died. My aunt overheard him praying that his kids, grandkids, greatgrands all have long and happy lives. He's ready to die.

I am glad that I got to see him while I was in California. My last memory of him is a happy one. He was smiling and happy and thrilled that I finally had a child of my own and a son no less. He lived to see his youngest grandchild have a child of her own. He enjoyed seeing his great-grandson.

I am also glad that Caden was able to meet him too. Many people aren't even born in time to meet their great-grandparents.

Now my grandpa is an awesome fellow. He's no taller than 4 ft 10 inches. He loves dancing. And he had even tried his hand at being a hairstylist when I was 7 years old by giving me the worst hair-cut I've had in my life (to the surprise and dismay of the rest of my family). When he stayed with us, he would surprise me with a sweet treat when I came home from school or by getting me some fast food. He used to make me porridge or soup or hot chocolate all the time. I'm going to miss him.

I'm just sad that I won't even be able to be there when he does pass on. I love my grandpa.

In California...

2008-01-31T23:05:00.000-05:00

So here I am in California...

I literally carried my heavy son across the country that by the second day after my arrival my back was hurting. I swear, I will never travel with an infant again unless I at least have my husband with me. As crude as this sounds, it was difficult using the restroom while holding said infant. Sigh.

Anyway, my son is now getting spoiled rotten. Really he is. And I have no clue whether I should blame my sister or my parents more.

My sister is messing with his schedule. He had a good schedule going when we were home... of course that's 3 hours ahead of California but it's ok. I don't mind him going to bed early. However, my sister does. She kept him awake and kept him awake to the point where he was the most annoying grump on the planet.

Then my sister will play with him, which I don't mind except for the fact that she threw him in the air. Sigh. Then she tells him she's going to spoil him and spoil him and spoil him.

Now my parents... they LOVE and I mean LOVE carrying him. Which sucks because after a solid week of that he's now starting to expect being carried ALL the time. And when we get back home... it's just mommy and the baby and mommy isn't going to cart his cute little butt all over the place because he's getting heavy. But my dad for instance said, "Hey it's ok, let him cry for a bit." Then he hears the first tiny cry and he's alllllllll over the baby, picking him up and telling him that grandpa's there to the rescue!

My mom was carrying him... then she had him sit on my niece's lap and she started to walk away. The baby started to cry. Soooo she turned back towards him and he miraculously stopped crying waiting for her to pick him back up. Sigh... my son is a grandma's boy.

I beg and I beg my family not to spoil him too much... but it seems like an impossibility. So I tell my son, whether he understands it or not, "Enjoy this while you can because as soon as we get home it's all going to stop."

Random Update of Randomness...

2008-01-15T11:41:00.000-05:00

So more trains of thought...

Train 1 right now is carrying the thought, "I hate the common cold." Here's a squirming little bundle of joy with a stuffed up nose and the ONLY thing I can do is suck that mucus out.

I really wish babies were born knowing how to blow their noses. Instead I have come to realize that sucking it back in, is the only thing they instinctually know how to do when it comes to a stuffed up nose. Which of course is the opposite of what you want, because what better way to get well than to get that gunk out of your body and out of your system?

Therefore this cheerful mom gets to wrestle with the squirming bundle of joy that is human flesh, to try and get him to cooperate, so she can either spray or drop saline fluid into his nose softening the mucus and wetting his little nose. Then after dealing with the saline, this mom now has to use this bulb-like nose aspirator and suck that saline fluid back out, hoping that as she suctions that saline out, out will come mucus as well. All the while the little bundle of joy is squirming and fighting and growing to realize that when mom does something in one nostril, she'll try for the other one next.

Fie! Fie! On the cold...

Train 2 carries the thought, "California here I come!"

It's not that I miss California. I really don't. I still prefer where I'm at to Southern California any day. But during the pregnancy and even more AFTER, I realized how much I miss my family there as well as my friends.

So here I am on my way, toting said little bundle of joy, so he can meet the people that I so very much miss.

So I'm excited but at the same time, I'm bummed because my husband won't be able to go with us. It unfortunately still keeps me struggling with my postpartum. Here I am going to be surrounded by people who will be able to help me, but the most important person in my life will unable to be there.

Train 3 -"So many new mom's carry self-guilt."

Really, it's true. Afer talking to how many moms about my own postpartum I think I came to a reasonable theory. When a woman becomes a new mom, it's like she is expected (maybe by others or maybe by her own self) to be nothing but mom. It's almost like a woman loses her personal identity and henceforth becomes known as "Mom".

Then when a new mom wants to do something for herself, something she used to love doing, she then feels guilt that it's not about the baby. Other moms I've talked to said they felt guilty because they worked after a couple of months. Other moms felt guilty that they wanted to take a bath every now and then as a way to just relax.

Well... all I have to say to that is this: Just because a woman becomes a mother doesn't mean she loses who was in the first place. She just added another role to her life.

Train 4 is a happy train! I've gone back to my normal size!

That is right! I am proudly and happily wearing my old clothes again... only took about 7-8 weeks. But hey... it happened. :)

Starting Off 2008 With a War Against a New Mom's Arch Nemesis...-The Common Cold...

2008-01-09T12:34:00.001-05:00

Darn you Cold Virus! From the first instant I heard that tiny little sniffle come out of that tiny little nose, I knew. I knew that there would be a really tough battle ahead against an army of billions and billions of germs. I knew that I would be in for sleepless nights and days constantly surrounded by mucus.

I bought a warm steam humidifier (not a cold steam one because it creates moldy bacteria, not a hot one because it does the same thing and can cause burns and what not... but a warm one). I find myself using saline drops over and over and over, and suctioning the muscus and whatever gunk with a nasal aspirator out of a 2 month old's little nose. That in itself is a hard and arduous battle. Who ever thought that a tiny little baby would have so much snot in him?

Now, my son is sick with his second cold in his short little life, and I find that I too am sick (again) because of the fact that my son is sick (again)! Darn you Cold Virus!

Little babies are needy, clingy, little things when they get sick! And to top it off... he was just getting a nice little sleep schedule going where he actually would sleep through the night... and NOW! Because he's sick! He won't sleep at all! I find myself giving him a tiny bit of children's Benadryl just so he can get the sleep and rest he needs.

Darn you Cold Virus! You think you have won... just wait til his immune system gets stronger. Just wait til winter is over. This new mom may be frustrated, may be sleep deprived, may be exhausted, but it's nothing some Vicks Vaporub, a box of kleenex, some vitamin C, and a mixture of drugs like sudafed, dayquil, and midol can't cure!

My son will conquer your army of germs too! Just you wait... there will come a day when he isn't sniffling or coughing... there will come a day!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T18:01:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to you and yours... from me and mine!

Postpartum Continued...

2007-12-10T18:38:00.000-05:00

So... another confession...

I've been crying more than my baby has. Go figure.

I've been feeling desperate, hopeless, and so very alone.

I've got a doctor's appointment this Thursday to hopefully deal with what I'm currently going through. I've heard some women deal with postpartum for months on end. I really hope it doesn't last so long for me.

A Little Bit of Postpartum...

2007-11-28T18:25:00.001-05:00

A confession...

I've been having this mental struggle ever since the baby and I got home. And I've been finding it really difficult to keep a brave face.

When we took the baby home for the first time, it was a very difficult night for me. My husband had to go to work that night (he works the graveyard shift) and I was alone with the baby. I had just gotten out of the hospital myself. I was still recoving from the surgery. I still had really high blood pressure. And the pre-eclampsia hadn't left my system yet (to be honest it STILL hasn't left my system).

My doctor didn't want to release the baby and me because he didn't want to release ME. But I desperately wanted to go home. So he made a deal with me that I have a check up in three days, then another one a week after and another one 3 weeks after that, then he would let me go home. Well, I somewhat regret pushing for going home.

I was still supposed to be in bed rest myself. My husband was working. So I was left to take care of my son. I love my son. He's honestly so precious to me.

But it was DAMN hard to take care of him that night. I was still very weak myself.

And the next morning when my husband got home from work, he of course needed his rest too. He worked a 10 hour shift, then cleaned the house in preparation for my parents arrival. But that still left the care of the baby to me.

The next night was another struggle. My best friend was arriving from California the following morning. And my folks were arriving soon after in the afternoon. But I still had to get through the night.

I couldn't ask much more help from my husband. He was already so exhausted. He had even collapsed from exhaustion at work the night my folks arrived.

My incision hurt like hell, my blood pressure was soaring, I was sleep deprived and very tired, and still quite weak. I was sooooooo grateful when Maria and my folks came. They let this young tired couple rest and get the sleep they needed to rejuvinate and recover.

Well my husband has recovered. I have pretty much recovered myself. Not fully there, but definitely stronger than I was before.

But now that Maria's already gone home and my folks are to go home this Sunday, I'm scared. I'm scared I'm still not strong enough to take care of my own child. It's really a mental battle for me right now. But it's still a struggle nonetheless. It's like I'll be responsible for 80% of his care. Am I strong enough? I keep remembering the first two nights and how hard it was. Am I strong enough?

I have no support system here. The people I did know in West Virginia are all an hour away. So with the exception of my husband, I'm pretty much alone.

Happy Turkey Day!!!

2007-11-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to greet whoever reads this with a:

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

And to say what I am thankful for...

I'm thankful for my husband who is always there for me. Who is always strong, understanding and works hard to take care of our growing family.

I'm thankful for my new son, who is a true joy in my life. Even though he gave me a hard pregnancy and a difficult birth, every time he smiles I see this little person that is a part of both my husband and myself.

I'm thankful for my family, my parents, my sister and her family back in California. They are a great support and I really did miss them while I was pregnant. (Still glad my folks are here visiting the baby and me.)

I'm thankful for a best friend who flew all the way here from Southern Ca when I really needed someone to help me the most. That's what real friendship is all about.

I'm thankful for my other friends (both in Ca and here in WV) who kept asking how I was doing while I was pregnant, or tried to look out for me one way or another. Like, Jaclyn, Stacey, Shannon, Dana, Gina, Nicole and many others. You guys are awesome.

I thank God for people like you.

The Newest Member of the Family!!!

2007-11-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

I'd like to introduce my son, Caden. Born November 8th, at 11:52 pm. He weighed 7 lbs 13 oz. He was also 19 and 7/8 inches tall.He was a c-section baby. I once again went to my doctor's appointment. And he once again sent me to the main hospital triage to go through more lab work due to my extremely high blood pressure. And as usual my lab work always came back fine. My husband and I assumed we would be going home again but this time, the doctor came up to us and said, "We'll either be delivering tonight or tomorrow morning."
So two hours later, I was given wonderful drugs that took away any feeling as they were slicing into my belly. And a half an hour after that, I had my little boy. And five days later we were allowed to finally go home. (We were forced to stay in the hospital because they forced me to stay in hospital bed rest for 48 hours after delivery. I still had extremely high blood pressure and my doctor didn't want to send me home right away in case something happened to ME. So mom had to recupe in the hospital after surgery while baby simply enjoyed being coddled by all the nurses who just enjoyed taking care of him out of the other 20 baby's who were there.)
I'd put up the first picture we ever got of my son... but he was nude and probably wouldn't appreciate that when he gets a bit older. So I'll put up other cute and random "awww" pictures that will still embarrass him later.

Anyway, I had my first doctor's visit since coming home yesterday. They took out the staples that were on me. Apparently I have a better doctor than I realized. He stiched up EVERY layer he cut open while most doctors will only do half or every other. Hence my incision is healing very well and very quickly.

My parents also came all the way from California to visit. They arrived two days ago and are spoiling their first grandson. They barely allow me to breast feed because they want to enjoy feeding him themselves.

As to the baby, he had his first doctor's appointment TODAY. After only being around for a week, he grew to be a whopping 21 inches, and not only gained the weight that he lost after being born but more. He is now 8 lbs, 1 oz. So we have a growing, healthy, baby boy who will undoubtedly be spoiled by his grandparents who are staying with us for three weeks. :)

Daylight Savings...

2007-11-04T08:35:00.000-05:00

As much as I get to enjoy the times we Fall Back... I simply hate the moments we Spring Forward.

So someone tell me please... what is the purpose of Daylight Savings???

Half the world doesn't use it. We didn't always use it. Heck two out of the 50 states don't use it. And it does nothing but mess with our internal clocks. A pox on daylight savings... a pox I say.

The New Members of the Family... No I'm Not Talking About the Baby...

2007-11-02T17:53:00.000-04:00

This is Bones. The one of the little kittens we got yesterday. He's a friendly sort. Just stepped up to me and started nuzzling my hand. I knew he was coming home with me. He's only 8 weeks old. He's a needy little puss. Slept at my feet last night and kept waking me up nuzzling my face.

He's apparently camera shy.
Then he outgrew it really quickly.
This is Calypso aka Cali. My husband named her that because she's a "moody little freak". She was the one who randomly went up to him and started nuzzling his hand. Then when we next saw her she was frantically attacking this little cat toy and he was so entertained that he chose her. She is 10 weeks old.
Here she is pigging out.
And if you were wondering how big they were, there's a tissue box right next to Cali. The box is still bigger.

See? I'm getting better at this updating with pictures thing. I'm not procrastinating as much as I used to.

New Update...

2007-11-02T16:38:00.000-04:00

OOOOOOOOOOOOkay... so the amnio test sucked lol.

I layed on my back, which made it difficult to breathe. They put my belly on an ultrasound so they can always see the baby and make sure the needle doesn't get to him, and they give me a shot right in the abdomen and take some of the amniotic fluid. I'm always getting shots lately. I'm not scared of them, but honestly, it's like the hospital just keeps on taking my blood, the darn vampires.

So, the doctor administering the test is hopeful my child stays still. Yeah right. Like my child would just let some random person poke and prod at him and then stick a needle in his face without fighting back. So my son did fight back. Kicked and punched at the doctor and needle. And that doctor makes a silly comment, "Looks like he found a new toy to play with." What on earth is WRONG with him??? What kind of parent would count a "needle" as a toy?!

I tell you what. I'll put one of his kids in a bed of needles and tell them to enjoy their new toy.

Anyway, my child didn't like the procedure AT ALL. He was pretty fiesty in my belly for a good hour before he finally calmed down.

Beyond the needle adventure, the little guy's lungs aren't fully developed yet. My doctor said that's pretty normal since it usually happens between weeks 35 and 39.

So back to the first plan and deliver at week 39. Sigh, two more weeks. I have to bear the rash and the high blood pressure for only 2 more weeks. And at the same time, I'm still stuck in bed rest.

Well, to cheer me up, Jon adopted two kittens. (We had to give up the two kittens we rescued. We gave them to this lady who adores cats because our apartment wouldn't allow pets. But now that we have our own house... we can have all the pets we want. Dog will come later, most likely a year after the baby's born.) They are easy pets, more independent than pups and easier to train. Show them the litter box and the food and you're set. Plus it keeps my father in law company while Jon and I are dealing with all day doctor visits or eventually just taking care of and dealing with the baby.

So my little family is growing quite fast. Bambi in the front yard, two cats, and a soon a baby. Eh... c'est la vie.

Pregnancy Update and Other Stuff Too!!!

2007-10-31T18:15:00.000-04:00

Well... here's another update...

We finally moved all our stuff into our new house. The neighbor across the street from us raises chickens and has offered to sell us farm grown eggs... They are about a half a mile away. The neighbor behind us is a farmer and he lives about 2 miles away... still he gives us a great view of pasture/trees/and the sunset.

We have deer who like to chill in our front yard. It's pretty cool. I leave them food and late at night or early morning they come out and eat. Sometimes I see them and sometimes I miss them. But unless I'm starving to death, Bambi and his family will be forever safe in my front yard.

However due to the stress of moving and other random stress factors I was hospitalized for an evening and now am diagnosed with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Almost but not quite onto Pre-eclampsia (which is BAD... not like hypertension while pregnant isn't bad... but pre-eclampsia is worse... and then eclampsia itself is even worse than that). My feet/ankles were constantly swollen and the highest my blood pressure has been so far is 156/113. Now considering the fact that I've never had high blood pressure and always had low pressure for the majority of my life up until the last 3-4 weeks... 156/113 was a drastic change.

And if you are wondering what pre-eclampsia/eclampsia could do to me or the baby welllllllll... for the baby it could age the placenta sooner, which means the baby doesn't get all his nutrients/food that he needs. For me... it means I could go into seizures or convulsions and land into a coma... none of which is also good for the baby.

Soooooo I've been sentenced to bed rest until this baby is born. Not allowed to do anything more stressful than go to take a shower for 15 minutes. Which considering the fact that I just moved into a new place and would like to be unpacked and decorate... sucks. I am not one to just sit still. However sitting still or laying down on my left side is precisely what keeps my blood pressure down... so I have no choice.

I also got this rash called PUPPS which many pregnant women get. Good news it will go away. Bad news: it won't happen until after the baby's born and until then it'll just get worse. It itches and it's irritable and it makes it hard for me to stay still lol.

Anyway as a result of all these new and interesting complications my doctor is now planning on delivering the baby early. He really wanted it to happen on November 15, which is the date I wanted it to happen because it's my dad's birthday too. BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT... due to recent events, I wouldn't mind if I was induced tomorrow.

And I technically could be since there is a high possibility that I might. Tomorrow baby and I have another doctor's appointment. We first will take the amnio test to see if my little guy's lungs are fully developed. Then we'll see the doctor and then go for more lab work. Doctor said that if his lungs are already set... then he can be delivered even immediately after the test and be just fine. Considering that Caden will be at 37 weeks tomorrow... I think he'll be fine and be delivered by next week. And all I can say is... FINALLY. lol.

So... there you all go... that's how I'm doing. And seeing as I'm supposed to be in bed and instead I'm online surfing the web, posting, etc... I think I have to go and follow doctor's orders now. So later all. Time to go to bed... but first... time for a snack... and then bed...

None the less...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!

Random Challenge for the Day...

2007-10-09T20:22:00.000-04:00

I dare you all... try moving all your junk an hour and a half away while you are 8 months pregnant...

Then and only then... do you know how I feel...

Waiting... Always Waiting...

2007-09-27T23:23:00.000-04:00

I hate waiting... I REALLY hate waiting. It's like time will drag on and on and it will seem like forever and a day has passed but then you look at the clock and it's only been a minute.

Well, I'm ready to give birth. I really am. It's time for the hippo to get out. It's been 32 weeks people... 32 weeks today to be exact!... 32 bloomin' weeks... sigh...

Random Update...

2007-09-20T02:50:00.001-04:00

Ok... soooooooooooo I'll be moving... AGAIN...

This will be my 22nd move in my life. I am only 22 years old. The number of moves I've made have once again caught up with my years. Am I thrilled??? HECK no. But it has to be done. I'll get back to this in a minute...

First off, I quit my job. I just up and quit. Never have I ever, done that in my life. I've always given a two week notice and in some instances I've given a full month notice. But not here. Told them that was my last day. So long, farewell, goodbye. And it was one of the best decisions of my life.

Why did hardworking little ol' me just up and leave??? Because ever since my boss (now ex-boss) found out I was pregnant. Her attitude toward me changed drastically. She lied to me, manipulated me and others around me and all around took advantage of me.

Worse thing she did, she gave me an ultimatum saying that since I got pregnant my priorities changed and on top of that list was my unborn child. (DUH!) Therefore, she told me, that my baby was getting in the way of my job, and I ought to step down from management or lose my job. She then told me it was district who wanted this to happen. Can we say bullsh*t?

I find out later that what she told district was entirely different from what she told me. All district knew was that it was a decision she and I came to agree upon that I would step down. No no no. It was because of my baby. Because I was pregnant I wasn't performing the way she wanted, working the 50-60 hour weeks like I did before. So she forced me to step down. CAN WE ALL SAY "CIVIL SUIT"??? Or how about "descrimination"?

So I left. And after leaving... 6 people left in the three weeks after I did. And even more people are planning on leaving. They are now down to what? 12 people? When they need 30. My ex-boss used to love saying that "Karma's a b*tch". I put that on my resignation letter. *^_^*

Second... My husband got a better job anyway. This job also has great health insurance, that the company pays for and started for him and his entire family day 1 of the job. Didn't cost him a cent. This job however, happens to be farther away. Go figure eh? Hence the move.

Soooooooo... we bought a house. And in 2 weeks... we will closing on said house. I'm excited about getting my very own house especially at the age of 22... but I'm not happy about that move. I mean it this time, I won't move for another 25 years... if that.

Now... we have to hire movers. My husband can't move all our stuff by himself and I can't do any lifting. Basically worthless I know. But hey... life is growing in my belly... I may not be able to lift more than 15 lbs but I'm doing something waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond that.

So 22 moves in my 22 years. I just have to say... I'm glad we're movng BEFORE the baby gets here. I'd hate to move while having to deal with bottles and diapers and wailing. And if in 2 years or even 5, my husband says, "Hey, there's a bigger house on sale..." I will tell him HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECK NO!

Pregnancy Update

2007-09-06T01:22:00.001-04:00

Ok... so I haven't given a real update in a long time. I know, I know. Bad Carmel, bad bad Carmel.

I figure it's time to rememdy that and actually give a real update. Some people have been wondering about my baby and the pregnancy so here it is. :)

So counting down til the baby arrives. Just 7 more weeks and he'll be at full term (36 weeks) and can come at any time after that. I figure he'll be more stubborn and decide to stay the full 40 weeks rather than come earlier at 36 but as I told my doctor, if he's not out by week 39, I'll cut myself open if I have to, just so I can deliver him. I love my son, but he can't stay in my belly forever and honestly, it feels like forever now.

I mean, it's not like I'm not happy to be a future mom. I love it. I love it when the little guy moves and I feel the little kicks, punches and headbutts. However, when it happens constantly and in the middle of the night, it can get a tad bit frustrating.

For example, he woke me up once and it was 4 in the blasted morning. The buttcrack of dawn wasn't even peeking out yet. For some odd reason he was up and wide awake and taking his energy out on my insides. Well, I decided to play the touch game with him. I would touch a certain point on my belly and he would touch back. I'd move to another spot and he'd touch back there. On and on it went. And for an unborn child still growing in my belly, he certainly had a lot of energy because this touch game went on for almost an hour. ALMOST A FULL HOUR, until I finally called it quits and fell back a sleep from sheer exhaustion. At least he's already showing signs of playfulness and learning... seriously, he likes his little games like, "Press on Mommy's Bladder and See How Fast She Moves", "Put Foot in Mommy's Rib", or "Put Foot in Mommy's Lungs", or his current favorite "There's Not Much Room in Mommy's Belly, But I'm Sure I Can Still Do Some Flips". It's funny watching my belly when he moves. It's like watching an alien flick where a parasite plants itself in a human body and you see the parasite fight its way out while the person looks at their belly in horror. No, I'm not looking at my belly in horror nor is my child an alien species trying to fight its way out. It's just funny seeing this foot kick out and move across my belly.

Currently my average amount of sleep is roughly 4-6 hours a night. That does include interruptions due to random potty breaks and having my insides used as a veritable punching bag.

Anyway, he's grown. A lot. I mean a LOT. Doctor's thinking I will have to have a c-section because of how big it looks like he'll be. What can I say? My husband was born a month early and was 8 lbs 9 oz. His dad was a 10 lb baby and his brothers were 9 lbs a piece. It feels like I'm carrying a hippo. My cute little hippo.

This pregnancy has definitely been eventful though. First trimester I get the stomach flu twice (and that is horrible when you have the stomach flu AND morning sickness...) it really kicked my butt bigtime, a urinary tract infection aka UTI from not drinking enough water (lesson learned to all future pregnant women... drink up that water like rain in a desert), and major allergic reaction (which I've never had happen in my life) from the medicine I was taking for the UTI. Go first trimester! Total weight gained: 0 lbs.

Second trimester, I almost black out. And it's not the kind of black out where you just feint or pass out. No, this black out had a certain sequence of events: 1) my heart starts palpitating, 2) I'm finding it difficult to breathe, 3) my vision was going black and orange, and 4) my hearing was going away (I mean Jon was right next to me and shouting and it sounded like he was calling long distance). Thankfully he put me directly in line of the air conditioner, stopped by the 7-11 and got me something sweet to eat and drink. After sitting in the cool air, sipping a slurpee and eating a chocolate bar, my vision starts to clear and my hearing returns to normal as does my breathing and heart rate. Lesson learned? Don't do squats while you're pregnant and be sure to keep hydrated and don't let your blood sugar level drop too much.

What next? Same trimester, I make my first ever trip to the ER. I had this sharp stabbing pain in my side, which grew worse by the minute. Everyone at work told me it was my kidney. They were wrong, it was my galbladder. Bad, bad galbladder. Was in the ER for a good 4 hours. Not fun. Stabbing pain lasted for a good 2 1/2 days. Did I say bad galbladder yet?

Second trimester total weight gain? 21 lbs and it's ALL baby.

Right now, just waiting for this final trimester to be over and the baby to arrive. Both my father and my father in law keep asking when he's going to arrive even though I've told them over and over again when his due date was. It's not like asking me a million times when his due date is will make it come any faster. Trust me. I've tried that already. So once again... counting down and may God have mercy on me and make that time go by FAST. *^_^*

At This Moment...

2007-08-18T17:51:00.001-04:00

I would so kill someone right now at this moment... actually no... make that 3 people. Liars, thieves, backstabbers, worthless, pathetic, scum of the earth...

They'd steal from their own father... oh wait... they DID.

They want a fight, I'll give them one.

Pregnancy Pictures...

2007-07-19T22:35:00.000-04:00

So yeah... my belly button has already popped out... hehe... Soo.... how many more months is it until November?

Just in a Daze, Lost in My Thoughts...

2007-06-30T10:13:00.000-04:00

It seems like I have to fight for everything I need or want almost. It's just tiring.

Makes me doubt myself and even worse it makes me worry about my unborn child.

I know, I know, everyone hits a low point, but it seems like everytime I climb out of it, I end up sinking back in. Been fighting for how long now... there are times when I just want to curl up under my covers and sleep the rest of it away...

My baby is draining all the strength and energy I have. I don't really have much for anything else, much more the burdens that I carry.

It's a BOY!!!

2007-06-28T15:24:00.001-04:00

Hehehe... it's a boy...

Just 2 More Hours!!!

2007-06-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

We'll find out if the baby's a boy or a girl in just 2 more hours................ sigh... time just doesn't want to move quickly now....

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-17T16:25:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day!

...that is all... :)

xoxoxo Hugs & Kisses....

No Help for the Weary???

2007-06-14T21:08:00.000-04:00

This is just crap. There's a woman with an emergency in the emergency room and no one's helping her. Instead they refuse to help her at all.

No doctor/nurse in the ER is allowed to refuse service to anyone who has an emergency. No matter what.

Someone on MSNBC stated that's the US is in need of larger ER services because too many people will go to the ER for help. That's BS. The US is in need of better health care for it's citizens. Over 40 million without health care? And they wonder why the ER is always so full of people.

But that's still not the point. People just watched this woman die. No doctor, no nurse, not even the janitor who was cleaning the puke around her, or the people in the ER, tried to help her in any way shape or form. Only her boyfriend and a random person tried to call 911 and even they couldn't really do anything because she WAS ALREADY AT A HOSPITAL.

Just sickening... no one did squat to help...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19207050/

Rant of the Day...

2007-06-06T21:15:00.001-04:00

A Complaint About Me... of Sorts...

So... I was assisting a co-worker in the cafe. He had a long line of people and I was sent to help relieve him.

Well, person #1 buys a packet of cookies. Good for him. Well, the genius opens up this small packet of cookies, takes a BIG bite into it, THEN and only THEN, realizes that majority of the cookie is crumbs and not actual cookie.

While my busy co-worker and I were dealing with the ever growing line of people, genius over here, comes back and makes an annoucement: "I changed my mind about these cookies. It's nothing but crumbs, I'll take a new packet instead." Without so much as a by-your-leave, the dude just up and goes on his merry little way. Without so much as even a "Sure thing sir," or "Let us then do a proper exchange," nada. He just prances on.

Another woman just looks shocked and says, "He just walked away with new cookies."

Here I am, thinking, you have to take a huge bite into the pack you just opened to realize it's more crumb than cookie before you trade it off???? You couldn't feel it when you bought the stupid thing that it was more crumb than cookie???? And I simply state, "He just left it [the open pack of cookies] there."

Well, I turn to the next person in line (another winner I tell you what...) and he's outright glaring at me with such hatred and digust you could have sworn I killed a kid in front of him. I ask him how I could help him, and he says in a snotty way, "Forget about it," and storms off. I'm thinking, "What's his freakin' problem?" When I see this guy talking to another manager, pointing at me, WHILE glaring at me.

He can multi-task that much at least. He threw a major hissy fit in the front of the store.

He leaves the store, still glaring. Ok, sure. Whatever. Fine by me. I walk over to that manager and ask her what his problem was.

Apparently, I was the rudest thing since raoad rage was coined. And I quote, "She was rude and criticizing other customers because of a cookie." He apparently was loud enough to let the other associates know, and very active with his hands, to let other customers know he was complaining.

Well, that guy can kiss my butt and then move to Japan for all I care. The other woman, who was there the entire time, and saw the first guy walk out with cookies, actually gave me her phone number, said if he complained the store could call her. His actions were uncalled for and unappropriate and that I did nothing to warrant such actions from him. She would verify it.

Well to that guy I repeat, he can kiss my butt. What a total jerk.

But to that lady, for being fair and honest, thank God there are people like you in the world. I just wish we had more people minded like her.

Stupid Quotes By Stupid (Opps... I Mean Intelligently Challenged) Consumers...

2007-05-20T22:11:00.001-04:00

Ok... I've been meaning to do this for awhile... But now I've finally had the determination to finally put it up...

Honestly... it's great when people go into a bookstore in search for a book that opens their minds and makes them more interested in reading. But I have come to the conclusion that there are definitely people out there who really need to stay as far away from bookstores as possible.

Example 1:

Consumer: Hi. I'm looking for a book. I don't know the name of the author or the name of the book...

Associate: Do you know what the book is about?

Consumer: Actually I don't know if it even exists... I had a dream about it...

Associates: ...

(Cuz everyone knows we associates are psyhic and can figure out the title or author without any clues what's so ever.)

Example 2:

Consumer: Where is your non-fiction section?

Me: Everywhere but that corner of the store.

Consumer: Why? What's in that corner?

Me: Uh, fiction...

Example 3:

Consumer: I'm looking for this book.

Me: It's on our bestsellers, right behind you. In fact it's #1 this week.

Consumer: Where?

Me: Right behind you. Under #1.

Consumer: Where?

Me: (Walks right behind the customer. Taps the book right behind his head.) Right. Behind. You. Number. One.

Example 4:

Consumer: How much is my total?

(I give him his total.)

Consumer: Really? That much? Can you give me your employee discount?

Me: No, sir, I'm sorry but I can't do that.

Consumer: Are you serious? But I'm in a wheelchair?

Me: I'm sorry sir, but I am not authorized to just give out random discounts to anyone who wants them.

Consumer: But I'm in a wheelchair...

Me: Yes, I can see that quite clearly.

Example 5:

Consumer: Now I'm looking for books 4 and 5 in the series. Which one would those be?

Me: These two right here.

Consumer: How did you figure that out?

Me: It says it on the front and side of the book. Book 4 and Book 5.

Example 6:

Customers can never find a specific section in the store. That section oddly enough is the Travel Section. So I urge you all to find the travel section of your local bookstore. Because if you listened to our customers, it's as if we move the travel section of the store every week.

Consumer: Where's your travel section?

Me: Right by the giftcards.

Consumer: You guys always change your store. Last week it was over in the corner wasn't it?

Me: No. It's always been there.

Consumer: Now I shop here often. It wasn't always there!

Me: It's been there since last August and it hasn't moved yet.

Example 7:

Consumer: I don't know the name or the author but it was on the Oprah show the other day. You must know what it is...

Me: I'm sorry, but I don't watch Oprah.

Consumer: But you work at a bookstore... you have to watch Oprah.

Me: I'm sorry ma'am but watching Oprah isn't anywhere in my job description.

Consumer: But she promotes plenty of books...

Me: And we sell all of them.

Consumer: Is there a place in the store for where the books she promotes are??

Me: No. I'm sorry there isn't.

Consumer: Well, there should be...

Me: I'll be sure to tell corporate that ma'am.

Consumer: You do that... what kind of a bookstore doesn't have an area where Oprah's books are?

It Moved!

2007-05-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

Ok... so, I'm at the verge of ending my third month.

I have thus fair only gained 4 pounds. However due to the fact that I got the stomach flu last weekend, I lost 2 of those 4 pounds that I gained. So I'm down to just 2 pounds of actual weight gain. (Stupid stomach flu... it was only supposed to be a 24 hour bug... who suffers froma 24 hour bug for 4 freakin days????????)

They said that you don't always hear the heartbeat until the 3rd month, but we heard the baby's heartbeat in our first ultrasound when I was just in my 7th week.

Technically I'm in the middle of my 11th week right now (end of 3rd month and first trimester). People don't usually feel movements in the womb until sometime in the fourth month. But we felt the baby move yesterday. I was holding onto my belly yesterday wondering what the heck is going on in my uterus that I was feeling uncomfortable, and I felt the slightest, tiniest tap. I was so freakin' excited I told my husband I felt the baby move and he thought I was just teasing him (like he thought when I first told him I was pregnant!) and he put his hand on my belly, right where the womb is, and felt a slight little tap tap too. We then tried for the next 15 minutes to see if Jr. would give us another tap but to no avail. Seeing as baby is only the size of an apple right now, it decided it was too tired to entertain its parents. The lazy bum...

But anyway, I don't know if I shared this or not, but the baby's due November 22, 2007. (Of course that's the estimated due date so who knows.) But that's also Thanksgiving day.

And ***No... I will never get my child a turkey shaped cake. Talk about tackey. Egh...

Morning Sickness...

2007-04-13T20:12:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to say... morning sickness is kicking my butt...

Temples...

2007-03-28T23:26:00.000-04:00

Honestly, these temples were highly elaborate. This is a Taoist temple right on the coast. Jon was looking at the guardian of the temple walls.

The walls were also scuplted with random gods, dragon and man in form.
This was at a Buddhist temple more inland. This is the great dragon god. Basically no other god compares to the dragon one. Which is why the emperor always used the dragon as his symbol. If the dragon had 5 claws, it was a symbol for the emperor, who was pretty god-like to the people. Any dragon with less than 5 claws was pretty much a lesser being. Three claws is the usual for regular peasant folk.
Once again the dragon god which is bigger and badder than all the other gods in front of him. If you were up zoom up on this pic you'd see that there are multiple little statuettes in front of the dragon, those are random lesser gods. These are the three Buddhas. And you probably thought there was only 1. One is for business, one is for health and... ummm... I forgot what the third one is for... happiness I think? And of course... right next to it is the dragon god.
Now this... this is unique and quite interesting in my opinion. There are usually two lions guarding the temple, the father lion and the mother lion. Now... in each lions mouth is a giant concrete ball. Supposedly, if you were able to get the concrete ball out of the father lion's mouth, you'd be guaranteed wealth. So most people, being unable to get concrete ball out of concrete lion's mouth, will just reach for the ball and rub it for good luck. Being able to touch the ball alone is also supposed to be a blessing of good luck and fortune... Well... the one I am touching in this picture (that yes I did show twice because 1, I like the picture and 2, I have a point to make) is the mother lion aka the lioness guardian. Now... supposedly a lot of newly wedded couples will go to the mother lion and reach for the ball in her mouth hoping for a blessing for good fertility. Then according to the superstition, they end up with child shortly after. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a picture of me actually touching concrete ball in concrete mother lion's mouth.
Now, I'm pregnant.

Do I blame mother lion????

Heck no!

I just find it funny.

The Doctors Lie...

2007-03-22T22:27:00.000-04:00

The doctors lie when they say it's only 9 months...

It's not 9 months...

It's actually 10 months...

And morning sickness doesn't seem to be coming in the morning... but more like early late afternoon/early evening...

And yeah... I am pregnant. :) Just found out 20 minutes ago...

...and I almost fell in the freakin' toilet.

Teipei's Equivalent to Our Arlington Memorial...

2007-03-19T22:36:00.000-04:00

Don't ask me to tell you the name of this memorial... because 1. I'll butcher it, 2. I don't know it, and 3. Yes, at one point in time I knew it, but I forgot it 2 seconds after I heard it.

But this memorial is Taiwan's equivalent to our Arlington. That's how they compare it and those how they refer to it. They too respect the grounds, they too have a changing of the guard and someone stationed there 24/7/365, and they too have an unmarked grave with a nameless soldier respectfully buried there.
There is Taiwan's flag. And a security building... that I figured was used to house the guards who weren't on watch duty.
This is a security tower, they had one on each side of the memorial... though tourist are allowed to go on the first floor and admire the scenery... the second floor is reserved for guards only.

I must say, I've never seen a more elaborate security tower ever before.

The unmarked grave... enough said...

The changing of the guard...

The actual memorial itself... Those tablet thingies... are the gravestones. People would enter the doors and bow in respect to the soldiers who gave their lives.
My godmother right next to my mother...
And a mural depicting the war...

More pictures to come later...

Teipei Picture Update... See I Did Put Up Pictures!

2007-03-11T17:13:00.000-04:00

This was our first day in Teipei the capitol of Taiwan. My first time ever in Taiwan and Jon's first time ever in Asia.

So here he is, welcoming you to Asiaworld, where Asians dominate even though they normally stand a good foot shorter than the white population.

Asia happens to be the capitol of cellphones, bootlegs, and cheap products where they make things for approximately 6 cents and ship them over to the U.S. and sell them for about 50 bucks. So of course, while we were there... we went on a major shopping spree.

These were just a few random pictures we took.

You'd think that this bright red bear with all the hearts on it would be an advertisement for stuffed animals, or toys, or Valentine's day...

...but it wasn't.

It was just a couple of weeks before Christmas, there was no toy store in the vicinity. This giant bundle of stuffed love with the numbers on it, was an advertisement for a bank. Hence the quote, "We Share." I don't know... it was pretty interesting. How many banks do you know with that kind of marketing????

So, did you know that McDonalds won't open up a franchise unless there's 30,000 people within a certain radius?

Well try having 2 McDonalds on the same block.

Mickey D's in Teipei where the people barely understood our order. If you look at the cup, it's got the phrase "I'm lovin' it" in Tagalog, Chinese, Japanese, French and I forget what else.

Once again the bank marketing trick.

This time... it's a better picture...

It's got me in it...

P.S. We were annoying the bank... the giant bear thingy was actually on a podium that stood in the middle of a fountain. They were annoyed with us because we stood in the middle of the fountain.

Hey... it was drained... we didn't care.

This Angel was in front of the hotel we stayed at... we happened to have been the comic relief for the maitre d.

Hey... he just wanted to let the world know he CAN dance ya know...

McDonalds in Chinese... well... here's Toys R Us in Chinese.

I happen to enjoy the Toys R Us there better...

If you're looking for a specific toy, they always have one box open so you can figure out if you want to buy it or not.

Anyway, this set of pictures was just the random photos we took. Later I'll put up more. My camera has over 300 pics in it. So give me a break and some credit for putting these up.

Would You...

2007-03-10T18:22:00.000-05:00

Ok... Now...

I wouldn't want to have a dentist with bad teeth.

I wouldn't want to have a plastic surgeon that's ugly. (Not that I have a plastic surgeon... but you get the drift.)

I wouldn't want to have a smoker tell me to quit smoking. (Not that I even smoke.)

I wouldn't want to have an alcoholic tell me to stop drinking alcohol. (I'm not an alcoholoic.)

I wouldn't want to have a teacher who couldn't teach.

Therefore, why on earth would I want a really fat nurse/doctor tell me to watch my diet????????????

Would you?

Status Quo...

2007-03-10T18:20:00.000-05:00

Darn you blogspot! I was happy with the status quo and you had to force me to make the upgrade to keep using my blog! Darn you and darn you and darn you.

Yo-yo Debate...

2007-03-04T19:29:00.000-05:00

RANDOM FACT: YO-YOS ORIGINALLY WERE USED AS WEAPONS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Now, I just can't see it. When people do random tricks with yo-yos (like around the world, or the pendulum) it doesn't strike me as weaponry.

My buddy then decides to tell me that he could see how it was done. That if he bonked me with a yo-yo at the temple I'd get knocked out.

I preceded to then tell him that his aim had to be sure and precise and that his strike had to be THAT strong. Otherwise it would just really, really hurt. Yay, for the yo-yo weapon. Let me see if I can hit you in the groin now.

So we get into this debate. (Shame me for bringing the subject up in the first place.) He's totally adamant that it's a great weapon, and I'm totally adamant that it's a lame weapon but an interesting toy.

Nobody doubts that a Philippine kali stick makes a good weapon, but a yo-yo? C'mon.

Look at it this way: You go to Toys R Us, you can find yo-yos. You go to get a weapon at a weapons store, you don't find yo-yos.

The fact that they were used as weapons makes me understand better how we (as filipinos) were under Spanish rule for over 200 years. We probably tried to yo-yo them to death.

So next time you all are in a weapons store, be sure to ask them if they have any yo-yos in stock.

I'll be sure to write the editor of the book entitled "WEAPONS" and ask him why he didn't have any yo-yos in picture.

I'm Like A Rabbit... I Disappear and Re-appear at the Drop of a Hat...

2007-03-03T23:51:00.000-05:00

So my friends... after the most random visit from the mother-in-law... where we got a one day notice of her arrival... -my dear hubby and I decided: It's time to move.

We'd like to buy grandma's house and we plan to eventually. Just currently, she's not ready to leave. I can understand why though, that IS the house that she and her husband built together right before he died. I wouldn't want to leave it either. So for the mean time, we got ourselves a nice 2 bedroom apartment.

I have to say... this apartment is only 5 minutes away from where we both work so we don't have to commute 60 miles just to get to work everyday. It is also almost as big as the one I had in California, though to compensate it does have an attic, attics don't really exist in California appartments. And the best part is, we're only paying 450 a month on the place while saving a whole bunch on gas.

So we made a checklist on things we needed for the apartment (i.e., couch, bed, etc.) and things we wanted (i.e., cable, internet, etc.) and proceeded to get them.

Now we got the internet... great... we have 3 different computers. However... the three different computers didn't want to work. Two needed new ram (darn laptops) and the tower needed a driver to access the internet though the computer itself was accessible.

Now... we could get a driver by downloading it FROM the internet. But if you see my little problem here, I had the internet, I couldn't access it, so to access it, I needed the internet, which I couldn't access. Hence, I just bought a new computer. :)

If my husband wasn't going to bother finding a way to get ram or the drivers... I would just get a new computer and problem solved. But ladies and gents, who may or may not be with me anymore... THAT is why I wasn't online for the last month and a half.

Anyway, I have a lot of catching up to do (not including a lot of emails to read). So for now I bid you adieu. I have my own computer and THANK THE LORD ALMIGHTY as well as the local cable provider, in this apartment, I also have HIGH SPEED INTERNET. So no more dial up and my impatience with it... I'm back in civilization, baby.

Three Words...

2007-01-12T15:30:00.000-05:00

Mother-in-law...

She's currently in town and in the house.

Enough said.

Holiday Recap...

2007-01-04T14:52:00.000-05:00

Happy (belated) Holidays all! I hope you all had a memorable time with those you loved.

Our trip to California, Taipei, and the Philippines was definitely enjoyable. I got great trinkets and what not while there too. I will also have pictures posted (God bless the inventor of the digital camera)...

BUT even beyond that...

My new years resolution:

1. To keep up with my Random -umm... reads? journals? no... posts... My new years resolution is to keep up my Random posts. There are times a plenty when I thought of something during the year of 2006 where I thought, "Hmm, I'll have to keep this in mind for when I do my blog." And then I would procrastinate and end up with like 10 different topics to choose from and not doing ANY of the above.

2. Keep in better touch with friends and family who used to be near and are now far and those who stayed in the Philippines. I mean there are some people who I only get to see for 1 day every 2 years or so... definitely not enough time.

3. I always have this resolution... and for the most part I really do try... but to stop procrastinating... sigh... I always think I'll do it tomorrow... ok... I'll do it later... and then I end up just screwing myself over in the process of not getting what I needed done, done. Like for example, I had this rebate form that I had all filled out and junk and I kept telling myself I'd send it later. I told myself before my trip I'd send it while I was in California, then while in California I said I'd send it overseas while in Taipei or the Philippines. Yeah well the silly thing never got sent. Sigh.

Greetings from California!

2006-12-13T16:24:00.000-05:00

Hello folks... greetings from the West Coast... again. I really never thought I'd be here again so soon.

Random P.S. Happy Belated Birthday Amanda!!! I kept meaning to tell you that even before your birthday through myspace but by the time I was able to recall it was too late. So Happy Birthday (albeit belated). :)

I'm Leaving the Country...

2006-12-08T14:26:00.000-05:00

No literally... I'm leaving the country in like 6 days...

...but I'll be back after right after the new year.

My husband and I are going to Taipei (the heart of Taiwan) on the 14th of this month for 3 days and then heading to the Philippines (good ol' country of my birth) for the rest of our trip. Taiwan is new to me and Asia/the South Pacific is new to my husband in general.

This will be the first time I have spent Christmas in the Philippines since the Christmas of 1988. And I can't wait. I'm doing a little victory dance as we speak... it's sooo close.

**My parents have invited us to join them in this little adventure after originally invited me, then uninviting me, and then inviting me once again (we had an argument and then reconciled our differences). So in 4 days, I'll actually be returning to California -sigh- just so we all can hop on the plane together. I really do dislike LAX. Tis a shame that West Virginia doesn't really have international flights to the Philippines.

But the important thing about this trip is visiting my grandmother who I haven't seen in 3 years almost. This lovely lady will be 88 this upcoming May. And I want her to at least meet my new husband... cuz she promised she wouldn't be going anywhere until I at least have one kid. So I'm counting on her to do just THAT. She may not be as strong as she once was by she's strong still. This woman is one of my heroes.

So I'll be looking forward to a lot, and I do mean, a lot of filipino food. GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE -filipino food!!!!!!! You never realize how much you miss it until it goes away! Maybe I can hide a doggy bag full of filipino food in my carry-on and eat it on the plane ride back... savoring it.

Now, I have some packing to do, yes I know it's still like 4 days away, but this is exciting! I haven't been back home since 2002... just glad I now have a new camera to capture the moments. I just now have to make sure it doesn't get stolen. And by "it" I mean my brand new camera -sigh-.

This will be a nice little vacation from work as things have been hectic due to a nice little corporate visit. I know I was looking forward to a white Christmas... but I think I can hold off on that since this is a better opportunity. I mean... c'mon! Filipino food!

A POST-Thanksgiving Update...

2006-11-26T17:13:00.000-05:00

Okay all... so I lied... the pictures of the wedding won't be put up yet. Sorry... I tend to be really lazy... but I have good news which makes it all easier for me and therefore more reader friendly for you, whoever you all are. But I'll share the good news later...

For now... Thanksgiving was fantastic. I'm still full. Though I did all the cooking... I'm still full. :) But I have to say, belated as it may be, I'm grateful for a lot of things.

I have to say thank you to the friends who stood by me and checked up on me, you all know who you are since I say thank you to you most like EVERY chance I get, and just showed me love when others didn't. I'm thankful for all the opportunities I've been given when others don't get any at all. And I'm thankful for such a loving husband who has been my constant rock.

Now... secondly... Black Friday! Hahaha. This is sooo great. So I've been giving leave by my husband to "Go nuts!" Which I rarely ever do especially when it comes to shopping. "So go nuts Carmel... tis the season anyway, plus your birthday is right around the corner." ;-) I love the holidays.

So, I actually went to Walmart at 5 in the morning to do some Black Friday shopping. Crazy? So I've been told. But hey... Jon had to be at work at 5 anyway so why not? Walmart is close enough. Now... I assumed I would be there for a good hour at least... but I was in and out within 20 minutes, really just 20 minutes. And I didn't lose any limbs! Everyone kept trying to find parking that was close... ha! I parked in the first spot I found and walked. And then everyone grabbed a cart and tried to bring it all over the store with them. WHY??? Just why? I decided to just carry around whatever it was I purchased. It made my way sooooooooooo much easier. But I have to say 20 minutes in and out of Walmart right at the beginning of Black Friday shopping has got to be a record.

End result: I got myself a brand new digital camera. Kodak digital that came with a camera bag and printer and ink and paper, and I bought 2 1 GB memory cards separately. All in all market value is approx $360, excluding tax and at the cheapest place you can find it, I got it for around 200 bucks.

So the good news... hahaha it's almost my birthday! I'm going to hit the big 22. Which in reality does absolutely nothing for me. I could already buy smokes if I wanted to (but I don't, smell of smoke makes me gag, I couldn't be a smoker if I wanted to, which I don't)... I can look at porno if I wanted to (but I don't, not interested)... I can vote already if I wanted to (but I missed the elections by a month, go figure)... and I can drink if I wanted to (but I'm not really a drinker at all). So 22 gives me nothing new. I still can't rent a car. Oh well... it's still my birthday in about 6 days. ;-) I digress...

Anyway... what does this do for me? I got to go nuts... now I don't have to constantly develope film with my rebel and scan them or put them on cd, I can just upload them and be done with it.

So... after walmart we go to Target... and what else do I get??? All four seasons of 24 for 16 bucks a piece. Each season is like 55 bucks normally. Spent 64 dollars on four seasons that would have normally cost me $220. I love the holidays. Thanksgiving, my birthday and Christmas, then New Years. All of them mean family and food. :) The presents are really just a bonus. ;-) A nice bonus... but still just a bonus...

Picture Update... the kittens we rescued...

2006-11-13T17:32:00.000-05:00

Ok sooooooooooooooooooooo... I've been getting hassled lately... people have been wanting to see pictures apparently. Sooooooooooooooooo... with me getting tired of getting hassled... I decided to stop procrastinating and put up pictures. Sooooooooooooooo... people stop hassling me!

As always... much love! :) This is the boy cat we rescued in June, Madd Maxx (see the "M" on his forehead?). See how small he is? Now if you look at him, his head is bigger than the ball. His tail is bent (most likely it occurred in the womb) which is why he has a stubby tail.
They like to sleep on top of my blanket which I put there so it's within reach of the couch for my own personal use... sigh... and they liked to be right next to the chicken (it's one of those things you can put a hot pan on to cool off)... I have no clue why... but they liked that chicken (it's past tense because they beat up said chicken).
This is Miss Lilly (originally named Tiger Lilly but due to the random "M"s on their foreheads we felt it was appropriate that she have an "M" in her name too). She the shy one of the two.

See how Maxx's head fits in the bowl in that picture??? His head doesn't fit in that bowl anymore. They were a month and a half when we found them... now they're healthy and obnoxious 6 month old cats.

Wedding pictures will be posted within the week!

SUBJECT: Immigration...

2006-11-02T15:48:00.000-05:00

Ok... oddly enough the subject of immigration has been brought up a lot lately to me. At work, at home, and oddly enough via the internet too. So a part of me feels urged to actually bring this up in a blog... to be frank about it, to be honest about it.

Now no one can say I don't know what it is to be an immigrant -I was one.

No one can say I'm racist -I'm the leading minority where I live. Literally... I'm the ONLY minority here.

No one can say I've forgotten my roots -I still remember where I was born. I still remember coming to this country. I still remember my language. And I visit the place of my birth often and will actually do so this upcoming December as well.

So to say I'm a hypocrite is a bit beyond my limits of toleration.

So let me tell everyone, once and for all, my views on "immigration".

First off, I have no problems with immigration. If it's done legally. Key word here is "legally" as in following the rules and guidelines blah blah blah blah blah.

I was an immigrant. My entire family came to the United States from the Philippines. We were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity. But I tell you what, there are people out there, who wait for as long as 5-10 years to be given the chance to actually migrate to the United States. Then they come here and they appreciate it more. They work hard for what they want. They didn't try to just take it by illegal means.

Granted my family already knew the English language, but when the immigrants on Ellis Island came here in the early 1900's that's what their first priority was. To learn the language.

Those immigrants who passed through Ellis Island came here to make the U.S. their new home. They didn't try to wave their old home flags or demand that the U.S. acknowledge it. They didn't demand translations. They had kids who fought in wars. They became Americans.

If any American citizen decided to move to another country or travel abroad, do they expect everyone to know the English language??? I don't think so. They either have to hire a translator (which a lot of people can't afford to do) or they LEARN THE LANGUAGE.

No one can say that if you learn another language you're forgetting your roots. That's total BS. Learning other languages only enhances your skills and actually opens up more opportunities for you. I was taught two different languages from the day I was born, and growing up I came to learn more... but I never forgot what my first two were... so if anyone says I've forgotten my roots they are sorely mistaken.

Secondly, most immigrants come here to work. Yeah, yeah, a lot of illegals have come here to work too, but because they came here illegally, it's kinda makes it difficult for them to find work now doesn't it? So what do they end up doing? Oh yes, getting help... Through what? Oh right that thing most everyone deals with every April... -taxes. Sure, if you can get away with it, it's cheaper employment, but that only costs you on state taxes and takes away opportunity from the people who have a right to it.

I'm not against immigration folks. Before I became a citizen of this beautiful country, I had already come to realize that when immigrants come here legally, it makes it easier on everyone in general. Their primary agendas usually are: 1.) If you don't know the language already, learn it, 2.) find a place to live, 3.) find a job to pay for that place you now live in.

My encounters with illegal immigrants while in California however were not always fortunate. Witnessing an accident where the other guy had no insurance or even a liscense for that matter, being a part of a hiring process at a job fair where I was there to witness someone getting interviewed who had no clue about the English language and refused to talk unless someone translated and then finding out that he wasn't even elligible to work because he had no I.D. and no social security but he demanded the job anyway, and parents who interrupted my elementary school classes so they could randomly drop their kids off without first enrolling the students, and then not being able to understand English when the teacher tried to tell them they had to be enrolled first. So many of them expected rights and privileges without effort.

I know what it was to come to a new country and experience major culture shock. I know what it was to speak a different language at school than at home. But my parents and even my grandparents (albeit with an accent) know the English language. I respect the immigrants who came here legally following all the regulations and who not only learned the English language but actually made the United States their home away from home. They wanted to be Americans with American rights and privileges and WORKED for it.

So give me your tired and your poor and your huddled masses... just do it right.

100th Post Anniversary...

2006-10-31T21:56:00.000-05:00

So I've officially reached 100. Go me! Took me longer than usual for certain reasons that shall not be rehashed. But I've decided to use this 100th post to look back and appreciate where I am today and all the random things that surround me.

I know the past year was a tough one. It was struggles left and right. And to be honest I felt like I was just going through trial and tribulation and there was no relief in sight. But I thank God I'm where I'm at right now.

I have a job where for the first time in my life, I actually do NOT stress out.

Honestly, how many people can say that they have a full-time job and work MANY hours and yet NOT be stressed out??? And in retail of all places???

Haha. I find it funny.

When I first started at this current gig I was told it was the most stressful job in the planet. (I got told this by a recent high school graduate who never left the state.) But after my other jobs (working in retail at Downtown Disney, Anaheim, Ca, working as a personal assistant to a CEO in Newport Beach, working in Daycare with terrible twos and a director who doesn't handle stress well) this job is enjoyable.

I haven't encountered the stress that I have before at my previous jobs. It's great.

I work with something that's near and dear to my heart -Books. And I work with other people who happen to love books too. And after a month there I'm considered for a promotion already. ::Two thumbs way up.::

The biggest stress factor I have right now, is deciding on if I want to buy a house or just rent... I LOVE that... simple things for a simple person. Keep it simple and sweet and I'm content as a kitten with cream.

One way to make me jumping with happiness is if I was earning what I did in California. But even though I don't... I'm still filled with joy.

None the less a major **HINT HINT to my boss. *^_^* It would make my day. Haha.

Anyway... Happy Halloween people... Whether you celebrate it or not... don't eat too much sweets.

I'm Still Alive... I promise!

2006-10-30T18:45:00.000-05:00

Ok guys, sorry for not being here in well quite awhile. But as far as I am aware, I'm still alive and kicking. So I'm honestly doing alright.

I blame Jon's work schedule on my random disappearance from social networking. But thanks to all, especially Cherie, Matt, Amanda and Shannon for continually asking how I'm doing or where the heck I was. I apologize for not keeping up to date and in touch.

Anyway, Jon was asked for a 5 week period to work inventory with a shift from 6pm to 3 in the morning. Since he and I like to save on gas (since gas prices as we all know are still annoyingly high... anyone remember when it cost less than 20 bucks to fill up a tank??? sigh... good ol' days... but I digress) we commute together. Well I had to change my schedule at work too so I could accommodate his scheduling.

As a result, he and I became nocturnal creatures of the night. We slept through most of the day (which frustrated us a lot because that meant we could never get anything done that needed to get done during daylight hours) and we worked when the sun was down. And I don't care what anyone says about how easy it is to do, working at night it always seems like you're never getting enough sleep. And why? 'Cuz you're not getting the light that you need in the daytime. I swear there's got to be a theory on that somewhere.

I mean I do enjoy nights more often than I do days, and I did suffer from insomnia but still I never slept during the entire time the sun was up. Anyway, as of well... today, our schedules return to normal. THANK GOD! He was going crazy, I was going crazy, and well... oddly enough the cats were going crazy too. We had just gotten them trained to going to sleep at night, rather than running around keeping us awake and then bam we're up in the middle of the night keeping them awake!

So I'm still alive and well... and thanks again to all who checked up on me. I promise to do better next time my schedule is randomly switched on me ;-).

A Creeper in My Backyard...

2006-10-02T21:04:00.000-04:00

Okay... so we just got home from eating out and my husband decides to take a walk outside.

Sounds fine to me... no biggy... he does this often... and I'm just in the upstairs living room watching the news anyway.

Next thing I know he's storming back in the house and up the stairs and heads straight for the closet. I hear anger/annoyance in his voice as he talks to his grandmother. Then I hear him running back down the stairs and outside.

Sooooo... I'm wondering what on earth Jon's been up to since we were due to meet someone in town in like half an hour.

Next thing I know I see him back up the stairs holding the rifle in his hands.

What on earth are you doing with the rifle? Was the first thought to come to mind.

When he tells me, "There was some guy out there, hiding in the bushes just staring at the house."

WHAT?!?

Apparently, while Jon was going on his walk, he came upon this stranger just North of the house. So he tells me and his grandmother to keep an eye out and to make sure the doors are locked. Of course, his grandmother comes up with the question, "What if it was a neighbor?"

Well, neighbors who walk on the property tend to say "Hi" and "Hello" and to make it obvious that they are simply out on a walk on the 50+ acres of forestry we live in, plus we tend to know most of the neighbors since a lot of them are family anyway. This creeper was no neighbor, he was just hiding... and watching.

Honestly it's a good thing Jon had military training, that's how he was able to see the creeper hiding in the bushes, barely visible.

Jon had asked him who he was, and when the creeper gave no response but simply gave a look of panic at being found, my husband told him with a strong conviction, "If I come back out and find you here I'm going to shot you." Ample warning folks, he gave a good warning.

That's when Jon came back to the house and dug in the closet. Then went back outside, armed.

As he came back out, the creeper was running as fast as he could up the hill and Jon fired two warning shots by the creeper.

Jon was soo mad. Even if all the guy wanted to do was some thievery, it just isn't right that there are people who would do crap like that.

Anyway, we told the tennants to keep a look out and be careful. A friendly cop who hunts on neighboring farms said he would scope the area out. Jon also knows how to track and checked it out afterwards.

So to all the creepers out there, you've been forewarned... try anything foolish and you're likely to get shot.

YUCK!

2006-09-26T23:29:00.000-04:00

Soo... I've simply been reading blogs lately and haven't been doing any blogging of my own. And now I have a little catching up to do as there are quite a few stories and topics I have on my mind waiting to be entered into the blogosphere.

But first... you know those emails you get where they give you a warning so you ought to watch out that it doesn't happen to you? Welllllllllllll... I got one that really does make me sick to think of the possibilities.

Disclaimer: I don't know if it's true. I personally never verified it. But the idea that this does/could/is/or would happen is just soooooooooo wrong. It just worries me that this could actually happen to kids. I don't know...

McDonalds, Chuck E Cheese, Discovery Zone... Some of you might not be
parents, but you may have nieces, nephews, grandchildren or friends with
children. This will pertain to you too. As I read the following, my heart
sank. I cannot stress how important this is!This is very disturbing
news.
In addition to the following true story...One son lost his watch, and
was very upset. We dug and dug in those balls, trying to find the
watch.Instead, we found vomit, food, feces, and other stuff I do not want to
discuss. I went to the manager and raised hell. Come to find out, the ball
pit is only cleaned out once a month. I have doubts that it is even done
that often. My kids will never play in another ball pit.

Now read this:

PRETTY SCARY!!Hi. My name is Lauren Archer, my son Kevin and I lived in
Midland,TN. On October 2nd, 1999 I took my only son to McDonald's for his 3rd
birthday.After he finished lunch, I allowed him to play in the ball pit. When he
started whining later on, I asked him what was wrong, he pointed to the back of
his pull-up and simply said "Mommy, it hurts." I couldn't find anything wrong
with him at that time. I bathed him when we got home, and it was at that point
when I found a welt on his left buttock. Upon investigating, it seemed as if
there was something like a splinter under the welt. I made an appointment to see
the doctor the next day, but soonhe started vomiting and shaking, then his eyes
rolled back intohishead.From there, we went to the emergency room. He died later
that night. It turned out that the welt on his buttock was the tip of a hypodermic needle that had broken off inside. The autopsy revealed that Kevin had died from a heroine overdose. The next week, the police removed the balls from the ball pit. There was rotten food, several hypodermic needles: some full, some used; knives, half-eaten candy, diapers, feces, and the stench of urine.If a child is not safe in a child's play area then where? You can find the article on Kevin Archer in the October 10,1999 issue of the Midland Chronicle.

Don't think it's just McDonald's either or that this is something that just started. When my oldest son who is now 9 was small the area Burger King closed
their play area for awhile for "remodeling" because in another town there had
been an incident similar to the one described above that happen @ a Burger
King.A little boy had been playing in a ball pit & started complaining of
his legs hurting. He later died too. He was found to have snake bites all over
his legs & buttocks. When they cleaned the ball pit they found that there
was a copperhead nest in the ball pit. He had suffered numerous bites from a
very poisonous snake.

In Florida and other places on the East Coast a group of people are putting
HIV/AIDS infected and filled needles underneath gas pump handles, so when
someone reaches to pick it up and put gas in their car, they get stabbed with
it. 16 people have been a victim of this crime so far and 10 tested HIV
positive. Instead of posting that stupid crap about how your love life will suck
for years to come of you don't re-post, post this. It's important to inform
people, even if you don't drive, a family member might, and what if they were
next?

Current Event for the Day...

2006-09-23T20:58:00.000-04:00

Bin Laden dead? For this I need to see it to believe it. I'm not going to give a victory dance the that world's most wanted terrorist is dead. It's not even verified.

I don't know it just seems all to story-like. Isn't it easier to go about doing terrorist work if you were presumed dead anyway? Isn't it?

Find the body... then go tell me that he's dead.

Now Officially Small Town...

2006-09-18T20:27:00.000-04:00

After seeing what the Golden Delicious Apple Festival is all about ( I still don't know the difference between a Gold Delicious Apple and a regular apple)...

After seeing Main Street full of vendors, fair rides, food stands, cars and people (I've never seen town with people EVERYWHERE)...

After going to a play performed by amateurs (that's the nicest word I can come up with at the moment) about Native Americans in an outdoor amphetheater where the best part about the play is the set and props (really... the set and the props were excellent... the acting... well... I'll leave it alone...)...

After learning how to make apple butter (one of God's greatest gifts to the taste buds... I swear my personal pantry will never run out of apple butter)...

After MAKING the apple butter with hand picked apples (not store bought)...

After peeling apple after apple with a twenty-year old apple peeler made by the Amish (really it's an impressive apple peeler... quite ingenious... does all the work for you pretty much)...

And after being here for the start of fall able to see the change of seasons (the leaves are starting to change colors and I know it's going to be beautiful)...

After all that...

I am officially a small towner. *^_^*

P.S. I was introduced to apple butter just last October/November and I have to say...

APPLE BUTTER IS THE SHIZ-NIT! I am soooo sorry for anyone who hasn't tried the amazing taste of apple butter...

Difference Between Mormonism & Christianity: Part 3

2006-09-16T14:32:00.000-04:00

Someone randomly left a comment on Part 1 of the Differences Between Mormonism & Christianity.

And here is said comment:

Important distinction between Judaism, Christianity, and Mormon faith I've been taught has to do with God's intervention in the course of his relationship to humanity. First he comes down himself to set us straight....a few thousand years lapse and he comes down again as a man....the church that follows becomes corrupt, protestants branch out on all fronts basically its a mess. God comes down a third time in the form of an angel to translate the book of mormon and get us on course again. Mormons are about as much Christians as Christians are Jews.

Whoever you are... I don't know if you at least read Part 2 and more importantly the comments on that post before you made this comment in part 1.

The differences between Christians and Mormons are so drastic that they cannot just be called different denominations but different religions altogether.

The differences between Jews and Christians is on how they view the role of Jesus Christ. The Jews don't acknowledge Him as the Messiah propheseid in the Old Testament. The Christians believe He is the Messiah propheseid and not just the Messiah but the Son of God AND God incarnate. The Christians believe He is the scriptures fulfilled.

The reason why Mormons cannot be called Christian is for that reason alone. The Jesus Christ of the Bible is NOT the Jesus Christ of the Book of Mormon. The Jesus the Book of Mormon refers to is totally CONTRARY to the Bible.

Mormons say they believe in the Bible AND the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is contrary to the Bible. As I said before, one can't have both, one has to pick since both don't agree.

To put it plainly it's like one saying that a marble is red. Another person saying that the marble is blue. And then a third person comes up and says the marble is both.

The Mormon faith is the second and third person. Jesus is God incarnate as well as the Son of God (trinity) according to Christians and the Bible. Mormon doctrine says that Jesus is not God only the Son of God. But at the same time Mormon doctrine says they agree with the Bible.

I repeat, Jesus in the Book of Mormon is referred to as the Son of God not as God incarnate. The trinity does not exist.

Jesus Christ in the Bible not only said He is the Son of God but that He IS God too. Jesus Christ of the Bible also said that the next time He returns to earth He would take His kingdom with Him.

If He did return as the Book of Mormon says, then He didn't really take His kingdom now did He? The scripture then is not fulfilled and once again Book of Mormon is contrary to the Bible. Mormons believe in both books but the Book of Mormon contradicts with the Bible.

It doesn't fit. I don't know how to say it any simpler.

They are two entirely different people. Two different Christs. Two different religions.

My Heroes: We Remember... Sept. 11, 2001

2006-09-11T20:08:00.000-04:00

I know many people are remembering 9-11 and many people are still having difficulty thinking about it.

I know I can remember what happened like yesterday. Disneyland closed. Sent people home. School was put on pause as students and faculty just watched the news.

But this post isn't so much about remembering that event per se...

As it is... Thanking the people who deserve it.

To the many men and women who lost their lives trying to save someone else. They are my heroes.

To the men who fought against the terrorists to keep another plane from killing thousands more. They are my heroes.

To the fire fighters and rescue workers who helped out. They are my heroes.

I know there are many against the war... whether you are or aren't. There are thousands of men and women who have served and who continue to serve us and this country. Whether you agree with the war or not they too ought to be thanked. Many of them go unappreciated for all that they do. My husband was one of them.

And to the men and women who not only have served but have died... They are my heroes.

Thanks to all of the above. Thank you for all your efforts, hard work, and sacrifice.

We remember September 11, 2001.

Spider of the Day... The Wolf Spider

2006-09-08T13:59:00.000-04:00

Well seeing as how I got bitten by a friendly spider not too long ago and my foot was swollen like a cankle... I thought I would make everyone proud by showing a good deed towards the species that so rudely offended my foot.

I was in the cellar cleaning up and lo and behold I found this huge spider... and it happened to be near the same foot that got bitten before. Sigh. My poor foot. Spiders seem to be attracted to my left foot.

Now my first gut instinct was to kill the sorry little thing because of the fact that I am a tad bit paranoid of having the same limb or even another limb get swollen...

But instead... I caught it... put it in a jar... and showed it to the other members of the house for inspection...

Jon went to go release it back into the wild (which I now regret but I'll get to that in a bit).

And I went to go look up this friendly spider on the internet. (Matt you ought to be proud... I actually gave it a thorough look over so I can look it up online.) And I swear if it turned out to be a brown recluse or a hobo spider or something of that nature... I would have probably freaked out because I handled one of them instead of just killed it...

BUT...

Anyway... I bring to you... the WOLF SPIDER. (*Picture from top found at http://lancaster.unl.edu/enviro/Images/Insects/lycosa_hell4.jpg)

They are sometimes mistaken for tarantulas because they are so hairy... we certainly thought it looked like a smaller one at least.

They are nocturnal beings who tend to like basements, garages and cellars (like the one I was in)... because they tend to stick to the ground. They are poisonous but not lethally so. Thank God... so if I did get bitten all I would suffer is... sigh... some swelling and itching. Go figure.

And the reason why I regret Jon letting it go in the wild, is because I know the darn thing will come back.

During the fall (just as fall is now approaching right?) wolf spiders like to go indoors and find prey there. So I think this little bug will eventually find itself back in my quarters and my cats might either eat it or get bitten by it. But none the less... I have no doubt it'll return. Sigh... and as long as it stays away from my foot... Then I'll have no problem with it staying in the cellar.

Name Change... No longer a MISS but now a MRS...

2006-09-05T14:48:00.000-04:00

As of September 3, 2006, my name changed.

I am no longer a young MISS.

I am now a young MRS.

I took my vows.

I signed the paper.

My last name is now a different one.

To those of you who missed it or didn't know it was going to happen, don't worry.

The wedding in May is still ON.

Both his parents and my own will be there to watch us rededicate ourselves to each other.

We just wanted to have this small wedding now, for ourselves.

I just wanted the world to know... I am now a married woman.

The Account:

We had originally planned to get married by the justice of the peace. But the judge didn't feel like getting up out of bed to marry us. Oddly enough this worked out with his relatives plans and they all wanted to throw us a small surprise reception on Sunday. The Pastor's wife and the church congregation also didn't want us to get married in an unfeeling court but within the church.

So they threw us a wedding. They prepared it all. The flowers, the cake, the food at the reception. All I had to do was be there. It was touching and sweet. Especially since Jon and I didn't think anyone really cared whether we didn't it by the court or not. But they all wanted our first marriage to be a real albeit small wedding.

So even though we still had plans for a May wedding, they threw us a small one anyway. Saying we might as well do it right the first time. To all of them and all of you who knew in advance, I say thanks from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for making it so special and sweet.

Question of the Day: Jon Bennet

2006-08-28T14:58:00.000-04:00

Now... most everyone's blogs I have been reading about have to do with questions on the theory of evolution vs. creationism and the like.

I however, will take a different stroll and ask another question.

Ready?... You sure now?

What is it about Jon Bennet's murder that gives her so much publicity?

Now don't get me wrong. I feel for the kid, I really do. It's a shame that such a life had to end so soon and so violently. She was after all only 6 years old.

My food for though is simply this: There are sooo many other children who end up falling victim to crimes whether it be rape or murder or both.

And yet, how many of them (the other cases) do we really hear about?

When the girl was murdered 10 years ago she was ALL over the press. It was A LONG time before she was no longer on the cover page and it was an ever longer period of time before she was no longer talked about in the papers.

Now... 10 years later... she's on the news EVERY DAY.

I understand that it's an interesting case for investigators... but what about the OTHER children?

I really am curious folks. Why is it that we only hear about this one????? In 1996, Colorado had 180 murders and yet the only one the public knows of is this little girl.

So... WHY?

InFormal Complaint...

2006-08-27T16:12:00.000-04:00

I dislike the Kanawha County Record Clerks. I will say this because I plan on filing a complaint against the supervisor there.

Here's how the convo went.

Me- I would like a marriage license please.

Her- When did the marriage take place?

Me- No, I would like to get a new one, please.

Her- (Gives me a haughty look of incredulousness... totally dripping with sarcasm...) Well, where's the groom?

Me- No, I'm sorry but we don't want to get married HERE and by YOU, we want our pastor to do it.

Her- Do you currently reside in Kanawha County?

Me- No, but he and I have an out of state license.

Her- Well, you have to do it in the county you live in.

Me- I read the state laws online. It also said if I come from out of state I can get the license in any county I choose to.

Her- I don't care about what it says on the computer. State law said you have to go in the county you reside in.

Sooooo... I go to one of the other departments and ask them how long it takes to declare residency here in the state of West Virginia because in California it takes at least a year. Three gents tells me if you rent or buy you've just done so. Ok, well I've done neither as of yet.

I go back there... I try to ask someone else to help me... but this she-devil won't let ANYONE ELSE help me. I tell her I know the state laws. I can get a marriage license here. I don't have a place that is under my name. I can get a freakin' license. And she says... you brought your stuff to another county? Then you live there and not here. I don't care what the paper or computer says.

I wanted to strangle the bitter nasty woman. I call up the courthouse that I currently "reside" in and they tell me and I quote, "Yeah, those people at Kanawha are lazy bastards. They don't want to do ANYTHING. But we'll help you out if you simply come during our operating hours."

It's not that hard... sheesh... just gotta type up some words and print some paper out... et voila! There it is... that woman needs to learn a few things in life.

A Little Bit of Kindness Goes A LONG Way...

2006-08-22T23:56:00.000-04:00

Ok... so I got bitten... actually no, attacked is the correct word, attacked, by a spider at work yesterday. I'm not scared of spiders... but this one was just annoying:

It was pleasant to all of a sudden feel my foot in pain and then see this teeny-weenie little spider crawling up my pant leg. Turns out that teeny-weenie little spider had had a field day with my left foot and enjoyed a feast. FIVE BITES all in all. I was SO mad... I wanted to go kamikazi on this bug and spray bug killer everywhere to make sure it was dead, even if that meant me being near the poison. My foot was itching like mad ALL day long and it had random spurts of twanging pain.

I get home last night and well... my left foot (apparently my right foot is not good enough for a spider feast... only the left) is slightly pink and swollen. Everyone attributes it to allergies (I never had any before) and my scratching (which I have a tendency to do a lot when I get bitten by a bug... I have little self-control on the matter). Ok... we had bought some insect repellent and itch cream (I know.... I should have stocked up on this before it all happened but oh well... hindsight is 20/20) and so I rub the cream on my foot like it's cool... and I go to sleep...

I wake up... and my foot is unfortunately a bit more puffy than it was yesterday... I end up walking with a limp... but thankfully... my supervisor let me where my flip flops instead of my pumps so I could be a bit more comfortable... and I work the day with a constant vigil in case another blasted spider wanted to try and get another round of 5 bites...

Now... towards the end of the work day... I start to realize that the swelling... no matter how much benadryl (sp?) I take... isn't really going down... so I'm starting to get worried... like I need another worry added to my plate at the moment...

And I start to have such pleasant thoughts as, "What if it was poisonous?", "Will they amputate the foot?", "At least I'd get one of those handicap stickers", "Medical bill is not going to be cheap for this sucker", "I have a cankle", and "If I see another spider in this joint it will die a horrible death."

And I go to choir practice right after work and everyone enjoys the view of my swollen left foot. They all tell me where the nearest clinic is and how I can get help if I need/want it for medical aid.

But this one gent (papa bear type figure... not literally... but figuratively)... whom I do adore... escorted me and Jon to the ambulance center. He apparently knows the people there and he said they'd give me free advice on what to do about my foot. They tell me to soak it in a salt made for this purpose and take more benadryl. If in two days the swelling hasn't gone down or it gets worse... I need to see a doctor. So what does he do... he tells everyone that he'll get it... he was on his way to the store anyway so he'll get some of that salt... He presents to me a plastic bag... with that salt in it... AND an antibiotic cream that he says is good and should ease my pain and cut down the swelling.

I take the bag... so surprised by it... I was honestly touched by his kindness that in the middle of the public I start crying. I hate crying... even more I hate admit I cried. I know to a lot of people it didn't seem like much... but to me, it was just a little bit of kindness that went a LONG way.

It was just a small nicety... that reminded me that there are a bunch of good people out there who do care about others... It was simple generousity and touching too, I just had to talk about it.

ATMs... We're ADVANCING!

2006-08-20T20:50:00.000-04:00

On another note... when last I was in this little city in West Virginia last October/November... the closest ATM was 30 miles away...

Today, the closest ATM is now only 10 miles away... :) Civilization here IS advancing folks...

...it's just a shame that it's out-of-order... sigh...

Difference Between Christianity and Mormonism: Part 2

2006-08-20T20:30:00.000-04:00

Before I start... thanks Matt... I got the idea of doing parts from you... I felt I should at least give you the credit since I was being a copy-cat...

Now... to answer some questions...

When I talk about the major difference between the two... I don't mean "he said, she said" arguments. I understand that the different denominations in Christianity have their petty, little and sometimes/most times pointless tiffs...

So people are wondering why on earth Mormonism should not be included under the Christian umbrella... and the differences between Christianity and Mormonism simply be included in as one of those "petty, little and sometimes/most times pointless tiffs"...

As I said before... I'll say it again... it's not the practices that are different but the religion. When I make my arguments it's not... he said... she said... it's the doctrines. I compare the Bible to the Book of Mormon.

In Mormonism, they say they agree with the Bible AND the Book of Mormon. But if you read the Book of Mormon... it actually contradicts the Bible.

A does not equal B. You can't believe in both when one contradicts the other.

In the Bible... Jesus Christ not only claims to be the Son of God... He also claims to BE God incarnate. In the Book of Mormon... it says that Jesus is the Son of God and the two are soley and completely separate. So, a Mormon cannot agree with the Bible and at the same time agree with the Book of Mormon.

It's not just Christ-like attributes but the beliefs of who and what Christ is. Anyone can have Christ-like attributes like love and kindness... without even believing in Christ...

The other Christian denominations may have their "tiffs" but they ALL agree on... as I said before... those core beliefs. That is just one example... and I tried to explain more... where they really are quite opposite.

Christianity is and I quote, "Christian monotheism is Trinitarian monotheism, which holds that God is One, but made of three distinct "persons": the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

Mormonism is not a monotheistic religion. It's polytheistic... there is more than 1 deity.

The Differences Between Mormonism and Christianity: Part 1

2006-08-18T06:30:00.000-04:00

Now... I originally wanted to post about how my two adopted kittens are drug addicts... but the topic at hand is a more pressing issue...

First and foremost... a disclaimer... while I will be as objective as possible in my explaination... I still do not want my webpage to be simply a religious discussion... I enjoy the freedom to type whatever I feel like (mundane or not) ... and it gives me pleasure that it be about a variety of random things.

I was asked the question of why the church of the Latter-Day Saints should not be included under the Christian umbrella... first part I'll give the explanation about the material I was given using the points where the differences are key.

Now, I was given the "13 Articles of Faith" which Joseph Smith used to summarize his faith in Mormonism and asked why it shouldn't be under Christianty when the core beliefs seem so similar.

Ladies and Gents and the keyword here is "seems"...

1. The First Article: Joseph Smith said that they believed in three different God-heads. No mention of the trinity was ever included in that statement. One of the fundamental (yes, Matt, first time I used that word, eh?) Christian beliefs (or core beliefs) is that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, are three different entities and yet at the same time ONE.

*To those who don't understand the "trinity" it's like "three-in-one" objects that you buy one thing but it's really three... or H2O. Anyway... I digree...

Christians are monotheists, they believe in one deity, though three part. Latter-Day Saints do not, God the father, Son, and Holy Ghost are separate.

2. The Third Article: Christians believe that all one needs to be saved is to confess their sins and believe that Jesus, the Son of God, died for the sins of the world and rose again on the third day. Jesus did all the work 100% and all one has to do is believe. Salvation through "Faith".

Mormons feel that Jesus did die for the sins of the world, but a person must also do other things to achieve their salvation, example, they have to be baptized in the Mormon faith, and follow other Mormon doctrine. As was explained to me, by a Mormon friend, "It's like Jesus did 90% of the work, so all we need to do it about 10%." Salvation through "Works".

*Some people believe that Christians feel they need to be baptized to be saved too, that is not in accordance to their scripture, but some denominations adhere to it because they believe that one should do as Christ did, an example is the Catholic Church. But that's another post altogether.

Now... my time is unfortunately cut short... so I will continue to explain the differences at a latter date.

But before I do, here's a personal experience... A LDS had come by me while I was reading in the park and proceeded to ask me what I believed in. I told him I was a Christian, and he said, "Great, me too." Then after 10 minutes of conversing, he proceeded to tell me I was going to hell.

Ladies and Gents... even Mormons can see there's a difference.

Word of the Day... and Tip of the Century...

2006-08-14T21:20:00.000-04:00

Roaming around a place I'm not familiar with is usually the best way for me to get acquainted with the city. Anywho... that's how I happened across a Christian bookstore and decided to venture in... seeing as how I haven't found one in this next of the woods since I've been here.

Anyway... my finding the bookstore... nor the bookstore itself is why I make this post. It's the 15 seconds of events that happened immediately as soon as I stepped out of the store.

Three rednecks happened to walk by me and the last one happened to take look at me. Then he took an immediate second look. (I'm used to the second looks by now. It seems that after a while people finally get used to an Asian around these parts. Because ladies and gents... I'm not just a minority in the city I currently reside in... I am "THE" minority. But I digress...)

He gave the typical, "Hey... how you doin'?" And the look-over from top to bottom and back up again.

Then there was about a three second pause where all I could think was "I just came out of a Christian bookstore and I get hit on... by a redneck... of all times," before I did the first thing that came to mind.

I gave him a big fat honest to goodness smile and put my hands together, loudly said (almost to the point of shouting) in a very Asian accent that I don't have, "KONITCHIWA!", with an emphasis on the last syllable. And then bowed slightly (still smiling of course).

He looked startled and didn't know what to do. I simply got in my car, rolled down the windows and started to laugh. One of the redneck's friends said to him, "Dude, you are a dumb@ss." And I went on my merry way.

So tip of the century... if a person randomly hits on you at the most random time of day or series of events... pretend you don't speak English. Seriously... all it takes is one word :)... I'm sooo not Japanese... heck I don't even know if I spelled it right on the screen... but I sure did say it with relish.

Word of the Day... heck Word of the Month... "Konitchiwa!"

Someone Explain It to Me...

2006-07-30T04:00:00.000-04:00

Ok... so I wonder... if this makes ANY sense to anyone...

Here's the scenario...

A Company is looking for an employee. They need the position filled and they would like it as soon as possible...

And yet... it takes them 3 months or so to fill the position. Yes... that seems to fit the "ASAP" deal to a "T".

I understand that corporations take their time to look through applications and find a worthy candidate... but really... if you want the position filled and filled soon... does it really require 3 months time?

Wouldn't it be more efficient to fill it in as soon as possible... like maybe sooner than 3 months????

For heaven's sake...

I have no clue what's wrong with company's these days... but many of them seem to be in the habit of doing just that. For example... there's a shortage of state troopers... ok... yet it takes them HOW long to not train someone... but to first see if they are worth training? It takes roughly 6 months to see if a candidate is simply worth training... then it takes another 6 months to train the sucker so he could actually start working.... And then not even half of the people they had started training make it to the end and graduate...

I understand why the medical field deals with constant education and training... I mean a guy would be putting his life in the doctor's hands... but I don't see why other fields of employment are following along the path of medicine.

I mean to be a teller at a bank is ridiculous... it takes Bank of America... the nation's largest bank... also one of the best... at LEAST 2 months before THEY even hire a teller.

Now don't get me wrong... a bank SHOULD hire someone who can do basic math and is trustworthy around money... but does it really require 2 months to hire someone?

The police department at the local university... they'll take as long as 6 months to even let you know you've got you're first interview...

I'm sorry... I just think that if I was running a company or managing a team... I would find a more efficient way of hiring someone, especially if I knew we could use the man or woman. Why waste their time as well as your own...

The area of human resources could sorely use some improvement...

28 down... 22 more States to go through...

2006-07-11T02:52:00.000-04:00

In chronological order... I've seen...

1. Hawaii...
2. California...
3. Nevada...
4. Arizona...
5. New Jersey...
6. New York...
7. Pennsylvania...
8. Delaware...
9. Maryland...
10. Virginia...
11. New Mexico...
12. Colorado...
13. Utah...
14. Texas...
15. Louisiana...
16. Mississippi...
17. Washington...
18. Indiana...
19. Ohio...
20. West Virginia...

Now adding...

21. Oklahoma...
22. Missouri...
23. Illinois...
24. Kentucky...

Also...

25. North Carolina...
26. South Carolina...
27. Georgia...
28. Florida...

Hopefully... 29 will come up soon *^_^*...

Here We Are To the Rescue!!!

2006-06-29T21:58:00.000-04:00

Honestly, some people are just jerks. If I believed in karma I would probably relax a little bit knowing that some people would get what was coming to them. But since I don't I hope people do somehow end up learning their lesson one way or another.

Jon and I were on the road just this past Monday. And while on the road, Jon all of a sudden had the urge to go to the restroom. Now being in the middle of the woods with no civilization for miles in front of us or behind us, he went where the animals go... in the trees.

I, of course, had to have my laugh at Jon. Looking back and forth seeing if cars are coming, trying to hide himself. When he done he called me to get out of the car. I assumed he was mad at me, but lo and behold... two small kittens had popped their heads out of the closest bush.

They were shivering from the cold and wet from the rain. There was no one around and no mother cat. We figured they were just abandoned on the side of the road. So we decided to rescue them (even though we knew we were going to get scratches) and maybe bring them to the humane society.

Jon had easily lured on of the kittens with the meatball sub I had in the car. He had trouble with the second one. They were scared and didn't know if it was better to be in the car with us or out in the wild. They also looked quite malnourished and shaggy enough to confirm that they were indeed abandoned but only within the past 2-3 days. And they were only 1 1/2 months old.

Brother and sister (we found this out later when we tried to clip their SHARP claws... but I digress) with the brother constantly protecting his little sister who was too scared to do anything but shake. They were totally scrawny little things too. They just attacked whatever food I put in front of them.

But after that first day with us, we decided to keep the cats rather than take them to the humane society. Now they look healthier and totally happier too. They tend to follow Jon and myself around the house. They aren't scared of us anymore either. And they haven't shook from fear like they did when we first put them in our car, since that very first day.

Poo! And more poo! on the person who just left them there to die from starvation or get eaten alive. They are awesome little kittens. That person missed out.

"I Can't Get No Satisfaction"

2006-06-24T14:19:00.000-04:00

I find that I recalled one of my high school days when I was in a debate tournament. I was to give an impromtu speech where I drew a topic out of a hat and was given 5 minutes to prepare a 3 minute speech about that topic.

Lo and behold I drew out the phrase "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones.

My gut told me to roll with the saying itself and ignore anything else about it.

So I therefore talked about how no one seems to be able to get any satisfaction nowadays. I talked about how Pokemon (sorry that WAS the craze back then) was more an entity that takes money out of your pockets than anything else. Seeing as how a kid would end up getting one toy or one silly card and the next week he'll want another.

I talked about how Christmas became a freakin' shoppers fantasy. Gifts and gifts galore when a month after Christmas people forget what they were given and want something else new and shiny.

I talked about a married man who had one wife and ended up wanting another.

And if you look this is all true... a person will buy a new car... ahhh sweet satisfaction... then a newer model comes out and the satisfaction is replaced by a NEED to get the newer model.

BLAH!... that's what I say... BLAH!

Why did I end up recalling this speech? Probably because it became frustratingly unavoidable
for me in the past few months.

Blah!

Welcome Home... at last!

2006-06-12T15:47:00.000-04:00

After 10 months of toiling and just suffering from frustrations up the wazzoo... I'm finally home.

It took us a total of 33 hours to drive straight from California to W. Virginia with only a pit stop every two-three hours. But honestly... it's good to be at a place where I can finally settle down and call home. I've got two creeks on either side of the house and a waterfall in the background, trees to surround me, and the presence of deer in the morning.

It is great to be here.

20th Move... and I'm done...

For technologically challenged people... (like Bob)

2006-05-08T00:29:00.000-04:00

See Bob,

It's really easy to start a blog online. All you need to do is type what you want. Click "Publish Post" and then take a look at your post and voila!

(Sorry to anyone reading this... I was showing him how easy it was to blog.)

19 movements...

2006-05-05T00:45:00.000-04:00

As of tomorrow it will be 19 times in my life where I've moved from one house to another.

And pretty much a month after tomorrow that number will increase to 20.

I really hate moving... but number 20 should be the lucky one... AND most importantly the final one. Unfortunate that it had to be the most difficult move yet... (sigh... you people try moving all your furniture and crap across the country.)

The INTERNET!

2006-04-15T14:51:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm back... though my return will only be for a short while before I recess back into a break of once again being "free from the internet," unfortunately. I might as well let you all know of my progress...

I finally found myself a full time gig. As I work with infants and young toddlers however, I find myself continuously sick. Since I started working at this daycare, I've had pink-eye, one cold right after another, the flu, and two fevers. But I love my babies.

Oddly enough, my time there will be short anyway.

I will be staying with my adopted dad and his family for my last month here in California, before I move to West Virginia. Honestly, I can't wait for that to happen. Many people can think what they like about West Virginia, (that it's lonely, full of hicks/rednecks, and stupid people... is the usual thought) but I find the place beautiful. I know I will love the fact that I've got so much untamed land surrounding me and my nearest neighbor is like 2 miles away, and far enough to really bug the heck out of me. The people there are genuinely nice and never in a rush like everyone here. And if I'm worried about people being stupid, well I'm not afraid to home school my kids... not that I have any yet.

So a pox on anyone who has anything bad to say about WV. It's California I can't wait to get away from.

Until then, 2 more moves until I'm finally home.

Six More Weeks of Winter...

2006-02-02T23:43:00.000-05:00

The groundhog saw it's shawdow... you'd think by now it would know not to look...

Maybe it just likes winter... hybernation and all that jazz.

P.S. Happy 21st Birthday Melissa! Hope that shot at midnight served you well.

Curiousity Killed the Cat...

2006-01-29T21:10:00.000-05:00

I have to say I'm a naturally curious person... I like to ask questions and find various truths.

I sometimes wish I wasn't so curious... cuz sometimes the truth actually hurts.

Life without the Internet...

2006-01-29T17:14:00.000-05:00

For the last few months I've lived life without the internet. For the first few weeks it had been a struggle. The only times I had access to the internet was when I was at work or a friend's house and they let me do what I wanted or needed online. But I must say, it can be done ladies and gentlemen.

In this day and age most people can't survive without being able to turn the computer on and see what's online. AIM did not just become a phase but it's a certified form of communication between most people now that they even have access to it on cell phones. Email is now the new form of a letter. If you have access to the internet you don't even need to go to the grocery store to buy your groceries.

It's been weird for me. Most of my friends can attest I was an internet junkie. I pay most all my bills online... (I still do... and it's quite a pain in the rear considering I don't have internet access...) I do most of my international as well as national communication online too.

Most of my jobs I found online. So you must understand that me being without a job, and not having access to a vehicle or the internet makes it difficult for me to find one. Yet somehow, I made do. Somehow, I'm making do. We've become so dependent on the internet to find everything we need. We forget that only 10-20 years ago we did everything without it.

Happy New Year...

2006-01-02T16:23:00.000-05:00

I always liked the new year holiday. People make resolutions and are so intent on keeping them... though about 99% of people who make resolutions don't keep them. But for that one day or so, people tend to reflect. I, however, don't reflect as much as I do "realize".

In reflecting upon 2005, I've come to realize, I've have seriously done a lot of growing up. Not like I count myself immature... I mean most people say I may look young but I act like I'm so much older... but I digress... that's not the point. The changes that I've been through this year have put me in a situation where I can either make it or break it.

While many were telling me I was going to break, I realized they were more afraid I was going to make it, and make it without their help.

I realized I actually have so much to be grateful for. Many of my friends thought I was put in a tough spot, but there are so many others who go through worse than anything I have or will ever encounter. And many of them make it just fine. I'm pretty sure... I'll make it just fine too. I've got more on my side than I do working against me.

I realized that a lot of people are scared of change and don't realize that they're constantly changing. Someone once told me... "The only thing constant in this world besides death, is change." So expect it ladies and gents. Things are not only changing for me but they're looking up too.

Happy New Year 2006

Merry Christmas 2005...

2005-12-24T23:06:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all

and to all a Merry Christmas.

From me and mine to your and yours

...whoever you may be.

Random Picture Post of the Day...

2005-12-19T13:45:00.000-05:00

Just so freakin' random... I had to put it up...

My Apologies...

2005-12-16T12:41:00.000-05:00

I'm not really one who likes to hold anger in. And for the last few... I was about to say weeks but I should say months... I have.

Yes, Matt, thanks, I did actually feel better after venting like that.

But I feel better more so by the fact that I let my anger just go. Christmas is definitely not the best time to be angry... especially when it concerns family.

So I had two choices... be angry and let it grow, fester and embitter me... or I could just let it go.
I chose the latter.

Release the Anger... Let it EXPLODE!

2005-12-12T13:16:00.000-05:00

Yes I have to say I'm pretty fuckin' pissed off at the world right now.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen... I actually took off the restraints I put on myself and actually said "FUCK" on the internet. And I'll say it again, "FUCK FUCK FUCK."

Seriously, I'm tired and sick of people (who have no clue with what the hell is going on with me) giving me advice, or telling me I should do this or that, or I shouldn't do this.

If I want advice I'll ask for it. I already have people I go to for any advice I need. Don't play omniscient on me thinking I fuckin' don't have a clue. These people just annoy the hell out of me and I'm tired of playing nice and polite.

I'm angry that my car broke down on me. I'm angry at myself because I didn't look at my engine more. Fuckin' makes that difficult on me and my fiance who shares his vehicle with me.

I'm sick and tired of people telling me that I won't graduate college. Because you know what? I will. I will graduate. Maybe not next year as planned... but I will. So to those who think I won't... or want me to fail. You can just bite me.

I'm angry that my parents cut me off because I'm not doing exactly what they want.

I'm angry that my parents are hypocrites. Get a freakin' grip. I never was a bad kid. I never drank, never did drugs. So now all of a sudden, as a fuckin' adult I make my own damn choice that doesn't agree with the status quo, and they decide to freakin' cut me off and then talk Biblical on me????????????????? I, who know the Texts as well as they do? They actually tried to use it on me?

They freakin' frustrated the hell out of me during the months of October and November and they had the audacity to say that it was my fault that they frustrated me. So when my mother went out and told me that I was a total waste of her time, I gave her nothing but pain, I was a bad kid ( whatever), and a total manipulator, then attacked my siblings in the same manner of verbal abuse, yes, it was all my fault. It was my fault for being open and honest with her in the first place and trying to reach out.

Then after almost a month of not speaking to my mother and barely speaking to my father... my mother actually gets ahold of me and asks me why I was angry with her. She actually asks me! I tell her to wake up. She was there. She knows what she said. So she fuckin' actually says, "So, you're angry with me for telling you the truth?"

FUCK THAT! Damn, it's always nice to know how your mother really feels about you.

I know who I am. I am an intelligent young woman. I can make my own choices and learn from my own mistakes. I don't need a constant hand. So people... as my anger is now subsiding... I apologize if my language offended you. I don't normally use such phrases. Not like many people take a look at what I write anyway... I just needed to let the bottled up anger go so I don't explode on anyone who doesn't deserve it.

Official!

2005-11-29T13:47:00.000-05:00

Ok... I have officially moved into a new place. (That makes how many moves before I turn 21????)

And in THREE DAYS... THREE DAYS ladies and gentlemen, I will be turning 21. I don't make a big deal about my birthdays... but freakin' I'm turning 21.

Sometimes...

2005-11-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

It's really interesting... this situation that most couples end up getting themselves into (I do not exclude myself from this).

Women want things without having to ask for them.

Men are simply not telepathic.

So where do they go from there???

A compromise of sorts must be made. Each relationship involves compromise right?

Women need to understand that men cannot read their minds. Sometimes even the most obvious of hints doesn't work. It really is ok to simply just ask for what you want or need.

Men need to remember that women like/need to feel special. Sometimes it really is nice when men do something to show that without being asked... that's what makes them feel special.

While in West Virginia, my fiance's great uncle told us a story of how he was watching Dr. Phil with his wife and they heard advice that they wanted to put into action. Dr. Phil supposedly said to one man that when he wakes up he should first think of a way to make his wife feel special and vice versa for the wife to the husband. So my fiance's great uncle felt really special when three days in a row his wife woke up extra early to cook him a fantastic breakfast. On the fourth day he was disappointed to find no breakfast waiting for him, just his wife sipping coffee in the kitchen. She had looked at him and simply said it was time for him to reciprocate. After sharing that he and his wife then laughed and smiled at each other.

I shared that story because it was funny as heck when he shared it with us... nor am I a fan of Dr. Phil or advocating him in any way...

...but the advice however is well worth taking.

I can only do my best to take it to heart.

I love my fiance with all my heart. I've never outright shared my emotions on this thing. But I love him and know without a doubt he is the one for me. He is my hero.

Welcome Back... not really...

2005-11-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

Well, all... I'm back from the East Coast... and to be honest, I miss it already... freakin' California sucks.

I knew as soon as I arrived that I would love it there.

I had stepped off that plane and straight into the West Virginian air... and my lungs had to rejoice... "OH MY GOD... NO SMOG!!! ACTUAL CLEAN AIR!!!"

My lungs however weren't the only part of me having a field day, my eyes were totally enjoying the colors of the autumn fall as leaves were changing color. Reds, golds, browns, yellows, oranges and of course GREEN. It was beautiful.

Of course I was the only Asian around for a radius of 60 miles in the town where we were staying but everyone was hospitable and nice. It was just great...

I returned to LAX yesterday... and my lungs were crying, "What happened to the clean air???? Why am I now breathing in smog???" The airport was busy and full of people... as it always is. The freeways/highways are never empty. And people wonder why I would leave such a place as Southern California for West Virginia... well... if you knew me... you wouldn't really wonder. West Virginia... it's "Wild & Wonderful"... and I'm almost there.

P.S. In support and respect for our troops... "Ooo-rah"

Out of Sight, Out of Mind...

2005-10-22T13:36:00.000-04:00

Out of the "OC" and out of Southern California... for the weekend at least. Then I'll only have to return to that blasted place for a couple of days before I'm off and out again for a longer period than that. For 10 more glorious days I will be away from the hustle and bustle of "So Cal" and I will be relaxing and enjoying my time on the other side of the country.

-Side Note- The show the "OC" is nothing like the real Orange County. The "OC" isn't even filmed in Orange County. Go figure. So if and when another person finds I'm from the "OC" and then proceeds to ask me if the show is anything like place, I will shoot them down then go on with whatever it is I was originally doing.

Other than that, greetings from Berkeley, Nor Cal. (Gracias, Nicole!) School of liberals and drugs. Bay area, watch out, here I am.

Story of the Hour...

2005-10-19T19:20:00.000-04:00

I read this and found it hilarious... so I decided to post it here... why? cuz i can...

"I never quite figured out why the sexual urge of men and women differ so much. And I never have figured out the whole Venus and Mars thing. I have never figured out why men think with their head and women with their heart.

FOR EXAMPLE: One evening last week, my girlfriend and I were getting into bed.

Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says "I don't feel like it, I just want you to hold me."

I said "WHAT??!! What was that?!"

So she says the words that every boyfriend on the planet dreads to hear... "You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man." She responded to my puzzled look by saying, "Can't you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?"

Realizing that nothing was going to happen that night, I went to sleep.

The very next day I opted to take the day off of work to spend time with her. We went out to a nice lunch and then went shopping at a big, big unnamed department store. I walked around with her while she tried on several different very expensive outfits. She couldn't decide which one to take so I told her we'd just buy them all. She wanted new shoes to compliment her new clothes, so I said lets get a pair for each outfit. We went onto the jewelry department where she picked out a pair of diamond earrings. Let me tell you...she was so excited. She must have thought I was one wave short of a shipwreck. I started to think she was testing me because she asked for a tennis bracelet when she doesn't even know how to play tennis. I think I threw her for a loop when I said, "That's fine, honey." She was almost nearing sexual satisfaction from all of the excitement. Smiling with excited anticipation she finally said, "I think this is all
dear, let's go to the cashier."

I could hardly contain myself when I blurted out, "No honey, I don't feel like it."

Her face just went completely blank as her jaw dropped with a baffled WHAT?"

I then said "honey! I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while. You're just not in touch with my financial needs as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman." And just when she had this look like she was going to kill me, I added, "Why can't you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?"

Apparently I'm not having sex tonight either...."

Poor guy...

Just Watch It Move...

2005-10-17T15:24:00.000-04:00

Creative...

A Quick & Fun (and distracting) History Lesson (that I didn't learn in school...)

2005-10-13T14:10:00.000-04:00

History Lesson

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a ed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold."

(And people think I haven't learned anything in school... oh wait... they're right... school didn't teach me this...)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. they would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers int he pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old." (Yummy... right.)

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" nd re-use the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks ont he inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the groundand tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."

Some fun facts to distract me from everyday life... reading never hurt anybody...

It Never Ceases...

2005-10-12T16:37:00.000-04:00

Drama... drama... drama...

...is a simple life really that difficult to achieve? There's always one thing or other trying to get in my way. Complicating things that really shouldn't be complicated.

More and more thoughts keep piling up in my head. People don't stop adding more to my plate. It's getting to the point where I can't concentrate anymore.

Every time I get a breather, a moment to just relax and sit still, the moment I return, someone's got something to say. It's no wonder why I hate returning because the moment I do, the comfort, the safety I felt, goes away.

I realize it's not the matter that I've lost or forgotten myself as some people think. What's happened is that I'm so tired of trying to make everyone happy that I've made myself miserable in the process.

Then I get told it's not enough. Well... screw that...