I was in a client meeting today and our system developers were vindicated.
As one of them put it, my thinking, my vision was also validated.
I'm feeling re-energized and enthusiastic for this project again.
Yay!!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Random tidbits
- Planning a baby shower for my cousin (the one that used to live with us). It's in 2 weeks and I have so much to do. I'm the primary on this one, which means most of the cost is on my shoulders, but it also means I get to do things my way. ;)
- Baby shower is the same day as M & C-los' engagement party. I tried to get them to push it back a week, but they refused (how rude!), so I can't fly up for it. :(
- I've gone out every weekend of 2009 - woo-hoo!!!
- Need to get my nails filled, trimmed, and a new design. It's a little hard to type with them right now.
- I'm such a lazy ass. I do nothing when I get home. Of course, I've been getting home rather late lately.
- My cousin has inspired me to read more as she's kicking butt with her New Year's resolution to read for fun. I have read 3 books this year and am on my 4th. Hopefully, I can get through my "to read" shelf before I buy more books.
- I need a man. I don't really want a relationship right now. I'm waaaayyyy too busy to deal with that, but I do need a man for the other benefits of being in a relationship. Fine, you want me to spell it out for you?!?!?! It's been too friggin' long since the last time I was intimately involved with someone and I NEED TO GET ME SOME!
- Thinking about buying a MAC even though I was able to get my laptop up and running again.
- Gave up buying new shoes and clothes for Lent. I know, right! I'm already sweating the BOGO sales at Payless....
Thursday, February 26, 2009
They're engaged!!!
M and C-los are engaged!!!
He popped the question while they were at dinner celebrating their 6 year anniversary.
Let's not forget the role I played in this y'all...I set them up. woo-hoo!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
He popped the question while they were at dinner celebrating their 6 year anniversary.
Let's not forget the role I played in this y'all...I set them up. woo-hoo!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
They've robbed me of my confidence
I know I suck. I haven't been posting like I should, like I have in the past.
Sorry.
If I tell you work has been crazy, stressful, pressure-filled, insane and every other bad adjective you can think of - would that make it all better?
No? Oh well, too bad. That's exactly why I haven't been blogging. I get home too late, or have work to do, or my brain is just mush I can't do anything that requires any thought process whatsoever. :(
Work has not been good. I am exhausted. I'm on the verge of cracking. I'm on the edge.
I need a vacation.
But that's not going to happen any time soon. :(
I was sitting on the bus this morning, on my way to work, when the following words popped into my head: They've robbed me of my confidence.
I guess subconsciously I've been thinking about my conversation with one of the development guys on Friday. He started asking me about confidence and then appeared to switch topics. In the end, it all came back to confidence.
He said to me, "I can see it in your eyes...but you don't speak up, you don't say you disagree."
All this nonsense that's going on, but I'm not supposed to know what's going on, has me second-guessing myself.
What the hell?!?!
I may not have confidence that someone will love me, will want to be with me.
But my work is the one thing I've always been confident about. I am the best at what I do, hands down.
A little cocky? Too bad. It's the truth.
But I haven't been the best recently. I've always owned up to my mistakes. My mistake these last couple of months has been allowing them to undermine me, not speaking up and second guessing myself because of them.
It has to stop. Right now.
Sorry.
If I tell you work has been crazy, stressful, pressure-filled, insane and every other bad adjective you can think of - would that make it all better?
No? Oh well, too bad. That's exactly why I haven't been blogging. I get home too late, or have work to do, or my brain is just mush I can't do anything that requires any thought process whatsoever. :(
Work has not been good. I am exhausted. I'm on the verge of cracking. I'm on the edge.
I need a vacation.
But that's not going to happen any time soon. :(
I was sitting on the bus this morning, on my way to work, when the following words popped into my head: They've robbed me of my confidence.
I guess subconsciously I've been thinking about my conversation with one of the development guys on Friday. He started asking me about confidence and then appeared to switch topics. In the end, it all came back to confidence.
He said to me, "I can see it in your eyes...but you don't speak up, you don't say you disagree."
All this nonsense that's going on, but I'm not supposed to know what's going on, has me second-guessing myself.
What the hell?!?!
I may not have confidence that someone will love me, will want to be with me.
But my work is the one thing I've always been confident about. I am the best at what I do, hands down.
A little cocky? Too bad. It's the truth.
But I haven't been the best recently. I've always owned up to my mistakes. My mistake these last couple of months has been allowing them to undermine me, not speaking up and second guessing myself because of them.
It has to stop. Right now.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
25 things about me
This list is circulating on Facebook. You're supposed to write 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about yourself. It took me forever to come up with the 25. I just didn't know what to write.
1. My mom says she had three only childs. There's 9 years between my older sister and I and 8 years between my little brother and I. Yes, I'm a middle child. Explains a lot, huh? My grandmother had 18 kids (twins twice! we're so scared), so my mom didn't want her kids to be on top of one another. We used to joke that she'd have another baby when my brother was 7. So glad she didn't.
2. I have three older siblings from my dad's first marriage in Mexico that I've never met or had any contact with. I'd like to meet them some day.
3. In 10th grade, I performed "If I Could" by Regina Belle for the Sophomore Talent Show. There were six acts and in the yearbook, I was the only one not pictured. I totally believe it was because of my competitive feud with the organizer of the event that was also on the yearbook staff. (I wouldn't say it was a feud. I never really knew why she didn't like me, but I carried on a mutual dislike for her because of it.)
4. My favorite music artist is Tori Amos. I began listening to her music because my crush was really into her. Little did I know I would relate to her music so much. I drove my roommate crazy listening to Tori, and yet, I still haven't seen her in concert. :(
5. I still have all my Barbie's from my childhood. I don't play with them. They're in a box on top of my closet. Someday my daughter will play with them.
6. I knew when I was 14 years old that I wanted to be a mom. As a result, I've been collecting books for my future kids since I was a teenager. I'm hoping to instill a love of reading in them. In the meantime, I'm also buying books for my nieces and Goddaugher and hope they will love to read as much as I do, even though I've been so lazy recently.
7. I live in flip flops. I hate wearing shoes, but I love shoes so much. I'm always shoe-shopping. I'll buy 2 or 3 pairs at a time. I have so many pairs of shoes; I refuse to count them though. I probably have a pair of flip flops for every regular pair of shoes I own.
8. I also LOVE handbags. For a few years, every single Christmas gift I received from my family were handbags. On Christmas Eve, I'd open up at least 5 gifts, all handbags. It became a running joke. They've thankfully stopped now. My handbag tastes have gotten too high for them, I think.
9. I'm a perfectionist workaholic. Completely anal about my data. I pride myself in my work and think it speaks for itself. I'm demanding of all that work for me, but I never demand more than I'm willing to do; since I'm willing to do all it takes, it ends up being quite a lot.
10. The first concert I ever went to was U2's Popmart Tour, June 21, 1997 at the LA Coliseum. I had to learn the names of all their albums and recite them in order on command for my sister. Sometimes she'd make me recite them backwards. I got to see them again October 29, 1997 in Minneapolis at the Metrodome.
11. I want to be a total soccer mom; completely devoted to her kids and husband.
12. Pink is not my favorite color. It's actually purple. I just happen to have a lot of pink clothes because the color looks good against my dark skin. I'm extremely picky about clothes in purple and tend not to buy many pieces, which is why I don't wear purple very much. It's still my favorite color. I can't help it if I look good in pink.
13. Don't ask me about the best Mexican restaurants. I don't pay attention when it comes to Mexican restaurants. Yes, I'll eat there, but I have the best Mexican restaurant in my kitchen and nothing beats it. And no, you can't come over, but if you're nice, I'll have mom make you some tamales at Christmas.
14. I was in love once as a teenager. You know, that sweet and innocent kind of love as only a teenager can experience. In my adult life I was almost in love once. Unfortunately, I set myself up for disappointment by setting my sights on guys that will never be able to give me what I want because I'm way beyond the "just having fun" stage; I'm ready to settle down. (Or so I think, who knows.)
15. My friend labeled me a serial crusher this week. I protest. It's been 3 months since I found out my last crush was unavailable and I hadn't been interested in anyone since then. And now that I'm crushing on someone 3 months later, I'm a serial crusher?!?!? I don't think so. Oh wait, I think I just got what she meant....nevermind.
16. My family calls me paparazzi. I take a million photos at family gatherings and have photos of my nieces from birth to now. My cousins used to joke that when the girls got older and wanted to see baby pictures, they'd send them to my house. I've always loved taking photos and I had to buy an external hard drive to store all my digital photos. My sister gave me an all-in-one printer/scanner/fax for Christmas, so I'm going through all my older photos now and scanning them.
17. I was born a month overdue. My mom had a cesarian to get me out because I was sitting up and choking on my umbilical cord. The doctors went in warning that only one of us would survive the cesarian. We both lived. When I was a baby, I stopped breathing. My mom frantically drove me to the hospital, cried and screamed for the doctors to help me even though they said there was nothing they could; I was dead. Then I started breathing again on my own. As a toddler, I had a very high fever in the hospital and again the doctors said there was nothing they could do to help me. I was put in a tub of ice to appease my mother and as she sat next to my motionless body, I patted her hand to let her know all would be ok. When I was four, after spending my entire life in and out of the hospital due to my asthma, I had a major attack that almost killed me. I remember waking up in a hospital bed days later surrounded by doctors. I never had an asthma attack after that and didn't need any medication for it. I've always felt there's a purpose to my life for surviving those four near-death experiences. I just wish I knew what it was.
18. I was named after my dad's favorite sister that died before I was born. Of course, that's only because my mom put her foot down, otherwise, my name would have been Ramona. :( I love my name, but people usually leave out the u, since I don't pronounce it in English. Or they spell my name as "Mora." Even worse. When I was 10, a boy spelled my name on a valentine card using 13 letters. :( I love the Spanish pronunciation, but unless you're a native Spanish speaker, I'm not going to let you pronounce it that way. I'm too picky about the u.
19. I always felt that if Enrique Iglesias met me, he'd know we were meant to be. Damn! that Anna Kournikova!
20. I get teased about my voice all the time. I sound like a little girl over the phone and former co-workers would speak with a lisp when imitating me because they said it sounded funnier.
21. I'm a crier. I cry during movies. I cry during tv shows. I cry reading books. I would appreciate it if my friends would stop making fun of me for being a sensitive and emotional person.
22. I just realized yesterday it's been almost 13 years since I met most of my college friends, 20 years since I've been friends with Ana (probably my longest friendship) and 25 years since I met Bertha in Mrs. Amyrauld's first grade class.
23. Most people that really know me laugh when I say I'm shy. They say I'm the farthest thing from it. It's because they've forgotten that when we first met, I never said a word. If I don't know someone very well, then I'm reserved and quiet. It takes some time for me to be really comfortable with people and open up.
24. With every year I get older and remain single, the more set in my ways I become. I'm growing increasingly selfish and cannot imagine how I'll be able to share my life with anyone. I love being independent and free to do what I want when I want. This worries me as I still want to have a family. I guess I should hurry up then. Too bad I'm completely committed to my career right now.
25. I don't have an ideal guy type. If you look back at everyone I've been interested, they possess very different traits. I like looking up at a tall guy, but I usually end up with the same height, or slightly shorter. I never thought I'd go for Latino guys, and that's exactly who I've been with. I'm strong-willed, stubborn as heck and moody. I'm the girl that doesn't need saving. So I need a guy that knows how to handle me. Knows when to let me lead, but knows when I need leading. I might not need to be saved, but I do need to feel taken care of and protected. I'm a feminist mixed in with 50's housewife. I want to be loved and cherished, but also need my own space. I fear losing myself in a relationship, and that's probably why I sabotage my personal life.
1. My mom says she had three only childs. There's 9 years between my older sister and I and 8 years between my little brother and I. Yes, I'm a middle child. Explains a lot, huh? My grandmother had 18 kids (twins twice! we're so scared), so my mom didn't want her kids to be on top of one another. We used to joke that she'd have another baby when my brother was 7. So glad she didn't.
2. I have three older siblings from my dad's first marriage in Mexico that I've never met or had any contact with. I'd like to meet them some day.
3. In 10th grade, I performed "If I Could" by Regina Belle for the Sophomore Talent Show. There were six acts and in the yearbook, I was the only one not pictured. I totally believe it was because of my competitive feud with the organizer of the event that was also on the yearbook staff. (I wouldn't say it was a feud. I never really knew why she didn't like me, but I carried on a mutual dislike for her because of it.)
4. My favorite music artist is Tori Amos. I began listening to her music because my crush was really into her. Little did I know I would relate to her music so much. I drove my roommate crazy listening to Tori, and yet, I still haven't seen her in concert. :(
5. I still have all my Barbie's from my childhood. I don't play with them. They're in a box on top of my closet. Someday my daughter will play with them.
6. I knew when I was 14 years old that I wanted to be a mom. As a result, I've been collecting books for my future kids since I was a teenager. I'm hoping to instill a love of reading in them. In the meantime, I'm also buying books for my nieces and Goddaugher and hope they will love to read as much as I do, even though I've been so lazy recently.
7. I live in flip flops. I hate wearing shoes, but I love shoes so much. I'm always shoe-shopping. I'll buy 2 or 3 pairs at a time. I have so many pairs of shoes; I refuse to count them though. I probably have a pair of flip flops for every regular pair of shoes I own.
8. I also LOVE handbags. For a few years, every single Christmas gift I received from my family were handbags. On Christmas Eve, I'd open up at least 5 gifts, all handbags. It became a running joke. They've thankfully stopped now. My handbag tastes have gotten too high for them, I think.
9. I'm a perfectionist workaholic. Completely anal about my data. I pride myself in my work and think it speaks for itself. I'm demanding of all that work for me, but I never demand more than I'm willing to do; since I'm willing to do all it takes, it ends up being quite a lot.
10. The first concert I ever went to was U2's Popmart Tour, June 21, 1997 at the LA Coliseum. I had to learn the names of all their albums and recite them in order on command for my sister. Sometimes she'd make me recite them backwards. I got to see them again October 29, 1997 in Minneapolis at the Metrodome.
11. I want to be a total soccer mom; completely devoted to her kids and husband.
12. Pink is not my favorite color. It's actually purple. I just happen to have a lot of pink clothes because the color looks good against my dark skin. I'm extremely picky about clothes in purple and tend not to buy many pieces, which is why I don't wear purple very much. It's still my favorite color. I can't help it if I look good in pink.
13. Don't ask me about the best Mexican restaurants. I don't pay attention when it comes to Mexican restaurants. Yes, I'll eat there, but I have the best Mexican restaurant in my kitchen and nothing beats it. And no, you can't come over, but if you're nice, I'll have mom make you some tamales at Christmas.
14. I was in love once as a teenager. You know, that sweet and innocent kind of love as only a teenager can experience. In my adult life I was almost in love once. Unfortunately, I set myself up for disappointment by setting my sights on guys that will never be able to give me what I want because I'm way beyond the "just having fun" stage; I'm ready to settle down. (Or so I think, who knows.)
15. My friend labeled me a serial crusher this week. I protest. It's been 3 months since I found out my last crush was unavailable and I hadn't been interested in anyone since then. And now that I'm crushing on someone 3 months later, I'm a serial crusher?!?!? I don't think so. Oh wait, I think I just got what she meant....nevermind.
16. My family calls me paparazzi. I take a million photos at family gatherings and have photos of my nieces from birth to now. My cousins used to joke that when the girls got older and wanted to see baby pictures, they'd send them to my house. I've always loved taking photos and I had to buy an external hard drive to store all my digital photos. My sister gave me an all-in-one printer/scanner/fax for Christmas, so I'm going through all my older photos now and scanning them.
17. I was born a month overdue. My mom had a cesarian to get me out because I was sitting up and choking on my umbilical cord. The doctors went in warning that only one of us would survive the cesarian. We both lived. When I was a baby, I stopped breathing. My mom frantically drove me to the hospital, cried and screamed for the doctors to help me even though they said there was nothing they could; I was dead. Then I started breathing again on my own. As a toddler, I had a very high fever in the hospital and again the doctors said there was nothing they could do to help me. I was put in a tub of ice to appease my mother and as she sat next to my motionless body, I patted her hand to let her know all would be ok. When I was four, after spending my entire life in and out of the hospital due to my asthma, I had a major attack that almost killed me. I remember waking up in a hospital bed days later surrounded by doctors. I never had an asthma attack after that and didn't need any medication for it. I've always felt there's a purpose to my life for surviving those four near-death experiences. I just wish I knew what it was.
18. I was named after my dad's favorite sister that died before I was born. Of course, that's only because my mom put her foot down, otherwise, my name would have been Ramona. :( I love my name, but people usually leave out the u, since I don't pronounce it in English. Or they spell my name as "Mora." Even worse. When I was 10, a boy spelled my name on a valentine card using 13 letters. :( I love the Spanish pronunciation, but unless you're a native Spanish speaker, I'm not going to let you pronounce it that way. I'm too picky about the u.
19. I always felt that if Enrique Iglesias met me, he'd know we were meant to be. Damn! that Anna Kournikova!
20. I get teased about my voice all the time. I sound like a little girl over the phone and former co-workers would speak with a lisp when imitating me because they said it sounded funnier.
21. I'm a crier. I cry during movies. I cry during tv shows. I cry reading books. I would appreciate it if my friends would stop making fun of me for being a sensitive and emotional person.
22. I just realized yesterday it's been almost 13 years since I met most of my college friends, 20 years since I've been friends with Ana (probably my longest friendship) and 25 years since I met Bertha in Mrs. Amyrauld's first grade class.
23. Most people that really know me laugh when I say I'm shy. They say I'm the farthest thing from it. It's because they've forgotten that when we first met, I never said a word. If I don't know someone very well, then I'm reserved and quiet. It takes some time for me to be really comfortable with people and open up.
24. With every year I get older and remain single, the more set in my ways I become. I'm growing increasingly selfish and cannot imagine how I'll be able to share my life with anyone. I love being independent and free to do what I want when I want. This worries me as I still want to have a family. I guess I should hurry up then. Too bad I'm completely committed to my career right now.
25. I don't have an ideal guy type. If you look back at everyone I've been interested, they possess very different traits. I like looking up at a tall guy, but I usually end up with the same height, or slightly shorter. I never thought I'd go for Latino guys, and that's exactly who I've been with. I'm strong-willed, stubborn as heck and moody. I'm the girl that doesn't need saving. So I need a guy that knows how to handle me. Knows when to let me lead, but knows when I need leading. I might not need to be saved, but I do need to feel taken care of and protected. I'm a feminist mixed in with 50's housewife. I want to be loved and cherished, but also need my own space. I fear losing myself in a relationship, and that's probably why I sabotage my personal life.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Na-Na Song
I'd like to point out that I have a very eclectic taste in music. Plus, I have a lot of soundtracks.
1. Put your iPod (or media player) - on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN, NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy this quiz as well as the person you got the note from.
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY?
Grew Up Fast
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Nothin' But A Good Time
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Hard-Headed Woman
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Through The Fire
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Pulling Our Weight
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Assi Dans La Fenetre De Ma Chambre
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Gnik Nus
WHAT IS 2+2?
Trynna Find A Way
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Sweet Dreams
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Lose Yourself
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Unabbreviated Love
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Still In Love
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
La Paga
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
So Many Ways
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Girls of Summer
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
What'll I Do
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
It Don't Hurt
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
L'amour De Moy
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Understand
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Changes
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Con Te Partiro
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Look What You've Done
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
That's Amore
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Witness
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Breathless
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Then I Kissed Her
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Stars & Butterflies
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Listen To Your Heart
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Hypnotize
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
The Na-Na Song
1. Put your iPod (or media player) - on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN, NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy this quiz as well as the person you got the note from.
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY?
Grew Up Fast
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Nothin' But A Good Time
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Hard-Headed Woman
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Through The Fire
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Pulling Our Weight
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Assi Dans La Fenetre De Ma Chambre
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Gnik Nus
WHAT IS 2+2?
Trynna Find A Way
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Sweet Dreams
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Lose Yourself
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Unabbreviated Love
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Still In Love
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
La Paga
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
So Many Ways
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Girls of Summer
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
What'll I Do
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
It Don't Hurt
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
L'amour De Moy
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Understand
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Changes
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Con Te Partiro
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Look What You've Done
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
That's Amore
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Witness
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Breathless
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Then I Kissed Her
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Stars & Butterflies
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Listen To Your Heart
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Hypnotize
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
The Na-Na Song
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Beautiful weather
We've been having beautiful weather. On Saturday, Uni and I headed down to Santa Monica; went to the beach, had a long delicious lunch at Bubba Gump's, watched "Bride Wars," and did a little shopping on the promenade.
This is classic Santa Monica.
Does this make me white?
A college friend read this list and was devastated to realize he really was white.
I read through the list and thought, "Hm, I really am white."
Taken from:
Stuff White People Like
I read through the list and thought, "Hm, I really am white."
Taken from:
Stuff White People Like
- #119 Sea Salt
- #118 Ugly Sweater Parties - I don't have sweaters like these, but I sure think Ugly Sweater Parties are fun. :)
- #117 Political Prisoners
- #116 Black Music that Black People Don’t Listen to Anymore
- #115 Promising to Learn a New Language - yes!
- #114 America
- #113 Halloween - not as much as when I was a kid, but I do enjoy it because of my nieces
- #112 Hummus - I'm not going to say if it's offered to me; and we once made hummus from scratch for a college project.
- #111 Pea Coats - YES!!
- #110 Frisbee Sports - not so much :(
- #109 The Onion
- #108 Appearing to Enjoy Classical Music - yes
- #107 Self Aware Hip Hop References - yes
- #106 Facebook - DEFINITELY
- #105 Unpaid Internships
- #104 Girls with Bangs - my hair doesn't cooperate with bangs, but I sure do think they're cute
- #103 Sweaters - only in the winter
- #102 Children’s Games as Adults - yes
- #101 Being Offended - uh-huh!
- #100 Bumper Stickers - though I don't actually put them on car (since I don't have one), but I do like buying them
- #99 Grammar - I'm always correcting people (even if I might be wrong)
- #98 The Ivy League
- #97 Scarves - nope
- #96 New Balance Shoes - yup, I remember when I bought my first pair; they look great with my jeans
- #95 Rugby
- #94 Free Healthcare
- #93 Music Piracy - I was totally into Napster when it came out. Strictly iTunes now. OK, I downloaded a bunch of songs via Limewire last year, but I've stopped and deleted and the program.
- #92 Book Deals - yes
- #91 San Francisco - it's growing on me with each visit, but I don't love it
- #90 Dinner Parties - yes, I wish I could host them or friends would do more of them
- #89 St. Patrick’s Day - I was more into it back in the day.
- #88 Having Gay Friends - I love my gay friends! and the gay boys seem to love me (wish the straight boys would love me)
- #87 Outdoor Performance Clothes
- #86 Shorts - when I was younger
- #85 The Wire - the guy is HOT! but I don't really watch it
- #84 T-Shirts -yup, i'm a t-shirt & jeans girl
- #83 Bad Memories of High School - I have a TON
- #82 Hating Corporations - I do hate Walmart
- #81 Graduate School - not for me
- #80 The Idea of Soccer - we're a soccer family, but I'm not really into any sports
- #79 Modern Furniture
- #78 Multilingual Children
- #77 Musical Comedy - yes!
- #76 Bottles of Water - I'm a water snob. There IS a difference. I haven't moved onto metal water bottles yet, though.
- #75 Threatening to Move to Canada - I wouldn't say Canada, exactly
- #74 Oscar Parties - duh! what's my field?
- #73 Gentrification
- #72 Study Abroad - I always wanted to, but never got around to it.
- #71 Being the only white person around - I'm the only "minority" amongst white people
- #70 Difficult Breakups
- #69 Mos Def - yes!
- #68 Michel Gondry - loved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; thought The Science of Sleep was a little strange, but I love Gael Garcia Bernal; wanted to see Be Kind Rewind
- #67 Standing Still at Concerts - yeah, I'm good just sitting there listening to the music
- #66 Divorce
- #65 Co-Ed Sports - not into sports myself
- #64 Recycling - you should see my office
- #63 Expensive Sandwiches - like i cook
- #62 Knowing What’s Best for Poor People
- #61 Bicycles - never learned to ride one; traumatized as a child :(
- #60 Toyota Prius
- #59 Natural Medicine - I read the description and agree with the argument
- #58 Japan
- #57 Juno - LOVED IT!
- #56 Lawyers - my sister's a lawyer & I grew up watching LA Law
- #55 Apologies - yup
- #54 Kitchen Gadgets - can't cook, but I love buying stuff for the kitchen
- #53 Dogs - yup, I'm a dog person
- #52 Sarah Silverman - ok, no.
- #51 Living by the Water
- #50 Irony - who doesn't enjoy irony
- #49 Vintage
- #48 Whole Foods and Grocery Co-ops - I'm sure if I could afford to shop there regularly, I would
- #47 Arts Degrees - where did I go to school and what was my major
- #46 The Sunday New York Times
- #45 Asian Fusion Food - yum!
- #44 Public Radio
- #43 Plays - I would like to see more plays
- #42 Sushi - I'm new to sushi, but man, do i love it
- #41 Indie Music
- #40 Apple Products - oh hell yes!
- #39 Netflix - yes!
- #38 Arrested Development
- #37 Renovations
- #36 Breakfast Places - love breakfast
- #35 The Daily Show/Colbert Report - I don't watch them regularly, but when I do, hi-la-ri-ous!
- #34 Architecture
- #33 Marijuana - nope
- #32 Vegan/Vegetarianism - oh hell no
- #31 Snowboarding - not for me
- #30 Wrigley Field
- #29 80s Night - YES!
- #28 Not having a TV - oh hell no
- #27 Marathons - as in tv/movie marathons, then yes. running? hell no
- #26 Manhattan (now Brooklyn too!) - never been
- #25 David Sedaris
- #24 Wine - nope, give me hard liquor
- #23 Microbreweries
- #22 Having Two Last Names
- #21 Writers Workshops - I've always wanted to do one
- #20 Being an expert on YOUR culture
- #19 Traveling - yes
- #18 Awareness
- #17 Hating their Parents - oh yeah, i definitely went through that phase
- #16 Gifted Children - I was gifted
- #15 Yoga - i've thought about it
- #14 Having Black Friends - I have Black friends, very good friends
- #13 Tea - mmm, vanilla chai
- #12 Non-Profit Organizations
- #11 Asian Girls - lost me here
- #10 Wes Anderson Movies - I've never seen any of his movies :(
- #9 Making you feel bad about not going outside - not really
- #8 Barack Obama
- #7 Diversity
- #6 Organic Food - nah
- #5 Farmer’s Markets - i love farmer's markets scenes in movies, but never really been to one
- #4 Assists - yes
- #3 Film Festivals - yes
- #2 Religions their parents don’t belong to - I don't believe in religion. I believe in spirituality and a higher being(s)
- #1 Coffee - Don't like coffee, but I love Starbuck's and Coffee Bean!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Addendum to 2008: A recap
2008 really was a year of reconnecting with friends.
I saw friends I hadn't seen in a few years; I saw friends I hadn't seen in almost a decade.
In addition to the trips I took, some friends made trips out here. Caroline came out from NY on business (twice, but I only got to see her once). It had been so loooonnnggg and it was great to see her. Hopefully I'll be able to make it out to NY later this year. :)
And of course, I got to spend time with Anners TWICE this year; lunch at Chili's and then, of course, the NKOTB concert at the Staples Center in October.
We, of course, cannot forget all the reconnecting that has been done with the help of facebook and myspace. 2008 must have seen a surge in computer purchases because more and more were joining myspace and facebook. I am completely addicted to facebook. I'm on ALL the time.
I've been back in touch with old high school and college friends, some I never thought I'd be back in touch again. All thanks to online social networks. Yay.
I saw friends I hadn't seen in a few years; I saw friends I hadn't seen in almost a decade.
In addition to the trips I took, some friends made trips out here. Caroline came out from NY on business (twice, but I only got to see her once). It had been so loooonnnggg and it was great to see her. Hopefully I'll be able to make it out to NY later this year. :)
And of course, I got to spend time with Anners TWICE this year; lunch at Chili's and then, of course, the NKOTB concert at the Staples Center in October.
We, of course, cannot forget all the reconnecting that has been done with the help of facebook and myspace. 2008 must have seen a surge in computer purchases because more and more were joining myspace and facebook. I am completely addicted to facebook. I'm on ALL the time.
I've been back in touch with old high school and college friends, some I never thought I'd be back in touch again. All thanks to online social networks. Yay.
Monday, January 5, 2009
2008: A recap
2008 was a year of change; of ups and downs; new beginnings and loss.
My heart still aches for my sweet Gaby. I can't think about her without tears coming to my eyes. Thinking of the events I will never experience with her makes me sob uncontrollably. I will never get to see her walk down the aisle on her wedding day. I will never get to hold her children in my arms. But it's the everyday life I will miss. I will never get to buy her anything or yell at her when she messes up. She is gone and while I'm left with memories of her, my heart has a hole in it and it will never be filled.
With loss, came new additions into the family as my cousin's marriage brought a new step-niece into the family as well as a new baby niece, Lilyanne.
The year began with a trip to snowy and cold Idaho to visit friends. Not only were fun times had, but the trip resulted in an unexpected job opportunity, setting the tone for the rest of the year. While it was a wonderful opportunity and more than I could ever have expected, it didn't come without it's negative points. Changing positions from one company to another wreaked havoc in my personal life, as well as my professional life. Friendships changed; and I can't help wondering if some friendships were completely fake and circumstantial.
This year, distance played a big role in my relationships. I traveled to Idaho twice to spend time with my best friend at a time I needed her most. My life was in complete and utter chaos. I needed comfort and relaxation and who better to get it from than the person that knows me so well she can finish my sentences and know what I'm thinking without having to say it.
When I changed company's and thus work locations, it brought me closer to one of my best friends from high school. To say we'd drifted apart in the years after high school would be an understatement. We'd kept in touch on and off, and for the last five years or so, most of our communication was through this blog. He kept up to speed with my life visiting my blog daily, and every few months there'd be a phone conversation or e-mail, but that was pretty much it until this year. Now we both work in the valley and take the metro rail so it made it pretty convenient to get together for lunch or drinks after work and dinner. Though, I must admit, it was awkward at first, not having seen each other in so long, but we were able to settle into a comfortable place with each other, nearly as close as we were in high school. It helps that he knows everything about my life because of my blog and I can just be myself, I don't have to hide anything; he knows all my drama. Due to our close proximity (I go by his office every day, twice a day, on my way to and from work), I've come to rely on him for my stress relief. Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed and stressed out at work, I can call on him for some after-work drinks, if he's not already otherwise engaged. And he's introduced me to new places in Downtown LA; a whole new scene. He's been a good friend when I've needed one, and I even missed him when he was on vacation for two weeks.
As friendships with some grew, others were thrown into upheaval for different reasons. I spent less time with Mari after she quit her job (finally!) and was no longer commuting down to LA. Sometimes friendships can't survive only on phone calls. Luckily, she's back to working in LA and commuting, but she's also going to school, so her time is limited. But I've already seen her more in the last few weeks, than I did in a 6-month time frame, so we should be okay. :-)
Other friendships were beaten up pretty bad with my job switch, but are showing signs of recovery, so that's good.
Yes, I sacrificed a great deal when I changed jobs, but I don't regret my decision. I've gained so much and have been introduced into a world I never thought was possible. I've been given a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm trying to make the most out of it, even though it's definitely not easy and there are times when I just want to walk away, but I've worked so hard to get to this point and I'm not about to let anything or anyone stop me.
Another highlight of the year was all the traveling I got to do. In addition to my two Idaho trips, I had a work trip to Vegas and three trips to reconnect with more friends I hadn't seen in a long time. I guess 2008 was also a year of reconnecting.
First up was San Francisco for Kimmy's wedding, which also happened to be my 30th birthday.
I tried not to focus on the birthday aspect of the trip, but it was inevitable. I mean, it was my 30th birthday. :) I spent a wonderfully long weekend in San Francisco with Tiny and reconnected with old college friends. Kimmy's wedding was absolutely beautiful. The thing I took most away from that weekend was when Sachin asked, "What happened to the "faded girl" I used to know?"
Exactly. What happened to that girl? I've been asking myself that same question for years now.
Upon returning from San Francisco, I had to run to the DMV to renew my ID before my flight to MN, and while I was there I got my driving permit. I've had it since early September and yet, I still haven't been behind the wheel of a car.
In mid-September, I flew to MN and went back to my alma mater for the first time in almost a decade. I was reunited with my roommate from freshman year and again, reconnected with old friends.
Most importantly, I was flooded with old memories and created some wonderful new ones. The second I stepped off the taxi at my hotel, it was like I stepped back into the past. Things were the same, things were different, but as I walked down the streets of Northfield, vivid memories of times past came back. I was 18 again, walking down the town's main street. Walking into some of the same stores and restaurants was like I never left. And when I took my first steps onto campus, OH MY GOD. There were things that had obviously changed, but many times I had to look twice to notice. What surprised me the most was being recognized and remembered. Unfortunately, I'm not the girl I used to be, or at least, she hadn't quite made it back at the time, so there was obvious awkwardness on my part, not knowing exactly how to relate to others and just be myself. A decade with no communication is a long time.
At the end of September I went back to NorCal for Quynhnie's wedding. It had been a few years since I'd seen her and things had changed a lot for her. I was so excited and thrilled to be a part of her big day.
Unfortunately, the rest of the year was completely devoted to work. Except the two times I saw New Kids on the Block in concert in October and then again in November; finally fulfilling a childhood dream.
I can't believe how quickly the year ended; 2008 began and ended in a whir. The months just flew by. I had a "normal" work schedule for a few months and got my weekends back, which meant I spent more time with family. I love spending time with my Goddaughter, especially when she's super loving and the last few times I've been over, she's been so playful; she kept tickling me and jumping all over me. She is just so adorable.
I look ahead to 2009, which is already sure to be filled with exciting times, a lot of hard work, and no absence of stress and pressure; just how I like things. ;-)
My heart still aches for my sweet Gaby. I can't think about her without tears coming to my eyes. Thinking of the events I will never experience with her makes me sob uncontrollably. I will never get to see her walk down the aisle on her wedding day. I will never get to hold her children in my arms. But it's the everyday life I will miss. I will never get to buy her anything or yell at her when she messes up. She is gone and while I'm left with memories of her, my heart has a hole in it and it will never be filled.
With loss, came new additions into the family as my cousin's marriage brought a new step-niece into the family as well as a new baby niece, Lilyanne.
The year began with a trip to snowy and cold Idaho to visit friends. Not only were fun times had, but the trip resulted in an unexpected job opportunity, setting the tone for the rest of the year. While it was a wonderful opportunity and more than I could ever have expected, it didn't come without it's negative points. Changing positions from one company to another wreaked havoc in my personal life, as well as my professional life. Friendships changed; and I can't help wondering if some friendships were completely fake and circumstantial.
This year, distance played a big role in my relationships. I traveled to Idaho twice to spend time with my best friend at a time I needed her most. My life was in complete and utter chaos. I needed comfort and relaxation and who better to get it from than the person that knows me so well she can finish my sentences and know what I'm thinking without having to say it.
When I changed company's and thus work locations, it brought me closer to one of my best friends from high school. To say we'd drifted apart in the years after high school would be an understatement. We'd kept in touch on and off, and for the last five years or so, most of our communication was through this blog. He kept up to speed with my life visiting my blog daily, and every few months there'd be a phone conversation or e-mail, but that was pretty much it until this year. Now we both work in the valley and take the metro rail so it made it pretty convenient to get together for lunch or drinks after work and dinner. Though, I must admit, it was awkward at first, not having seen each other in so long, but we were able to settle into a comfortable place with each other, nearly as close as we were in high school. It helps that he knows everything about my life because of my blog and I can just be myself, I don't have to hide anything; he knows all my drama. Due to our close proximity (I go by his office every day, twice a day, on my way to and from work), I've come to rely on him for my stress relief. Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed and stressed out at work, I can call on him for some after-work drinks, if he's not already otherwise engaged. And he's introduced me to new places in Downtown LA; a whole new scene. He's been a good friend when I've needed one, and I even missed him when he was on vacation for two weeks.
As friendships with some grew, others were thrown into upheaval for different reasons. I spent less time with Mari after she quit her job (finally!) and was no longer commuting down to LA. Sometimes friendships can't survive only on phone calls. Luckily, she's back to working in LA and commuting, but she's also going to school, so her time is limited. But I've already seen her more in the last few weeks, than I did in a 6-month time frame, so we should be okay. :-)
Other friendships were beaten up pretty bad with my job switch, but are showing signs of recovery, so that's good.
Yes, I sacrificed a great deal when I changed jobs, but I don't regret my decision. I've gained so much and have been introduced into a world I never thought was possible. I've been given a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm trying to make the most out of it, even though it's definitely not easy and there are times when I just want to walk away, but I've worked so hard to get to this point and I'm not about to let anything or anyone stop me.
Another highlight of the year was all the traveling I got to do. In addition to my two Idaho trips, I had a work trip to Vegas and three trips to reconnect with more friends I hadn't seen in a long time. I guess 2008 was also a year of reconnecting.
First up was San Francisco for Kimmy's wedding, which also happened to be my 30th birthday.
I tried not to focus on the birthday aspect of the trip, but it was inevitable. I mean, it was my 30th birthday. :) I spent a wonderfully long weekend in San Francisco with Tiny and reconnected with old college friends. Kimmy's wedding was absolutely beautiful. The thing I took most away from that weekend was when Sachin asked, "What happened to the "faded girl" I used to know?"
Exactly. What happened to that girl? I've been asking myself that same question for years now.
Upon returning from San Francisco, I had to run to the DMV to renew my ID before my flight to MN, and while I was there I got my driving permit. I've had it since early September and yet, I still haven't been behind the wheel of a car.
In mid-September, I flew to MN and went back to my alma mater for the first time in almost a decade. I was reunited with my roommate from freshman year and again, reconnected with old friends.
Most importantly, I was flooded with old memories and created some wonderful new ones. The second I stepped off the taxi at my hotel, it was like I stepped back into the past. Things were the same, things were different, but as I walked down the streets of Northfield, vivid memories of times past came back. I was 18 again, walking down the town's main street. Walking into some of the same stores and restaurants was like I never left. And when I took my first steps onto campus, OH MY GOD. There were things that had obviously changed, but many times I had to look twice to notice. What surprised me the most was being recognized and remembered. Unfortunately, I'm not the girl I used to be, or at least, she hadn't quite made it back at the time, so there was obvious awkwardness on my part, not knowing exactly how to relate to others and just be myself. A decade with no communication is a long time.
At the end of September I went back to NorCal for Quynhnie's wedding. It had been a few years since I'd seen her and things had changed a lot for her. I was so excited and thrilled to be a part of her big day.
Unfortunately, the rest of the year was completely devoted to work. Except the two times I saw New Kids on the Block in concert in October and then again in November; finally fulfilling a childhood dream.
I can't believe how quickly the year ended; 2008 began and ended in a whir. The months just flew by. I had a "normal" work schedule for a few months and got my weekends back, which meant I spent more time with family. I love spending time with my Goddaughter, especially when she's super loving and the last few times I've been over, she's been so playful; she kept tickling me and jumping all over me. She is just so adorable.
I look ahead to 2009, which is already sure to be filled with exciting times, a lot of hard work, and no absence of stress and pressure; just how I like things. ;-)
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