Mah-cah-BOO-high.

Well there you have it...

2008-10-16T20:48:00.000-07:00

I am officially a sister-in-law. Congratulations, Ate Karen and Joesan!

2008-04-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

Man, I keep missing out on The Raven shirts at shirt.woot! I am not quick enough!

2008-04-04T22:40:00.000-07:00

Creme Brulee attempt number one: success.

And $13 to make six servings kicks so much ass compared to $6 at Shinsengumi or $5 at Gypsy Den for one. Cooking is really good, I discovered today. And cheap! Must do more of it in the future.

P.S. This Bacon Caramel thing looks fucking gross!

2008-03-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

January 18, I was rear-ended by Tracey Jill Maken of Fountain Valley, CA. The usual stuff happened: we exchanged information, I called my insurance company, she called her insurance company, I went to CHP to report the event. My insurance company gave me two options: pay my deductible and they'll fix my car or wait for her insurance company to pay for the damages. I chose the latter, and spoke with her insurance company who said they will get back to me. So I waited. And waited. Apparently, Tracey Jill Maken claimed that she was rear-ended by an third party who ran away, and thus, this is not her fault, and thus she should not be responsible for my damages. Of course, her insurance company backed her up. We're contesting their decision, and still waiting for more information to come.

Meanwhile, my car's left rear is totally fucked and I've been having to exert more-than-necessary force to close my trunk.

We called up our insurance company who said that we can pay for the damages for now, but they'll send the bill to Tracey Jill Maken's insurance for reimbursement. Today, a representative from mine came to inspect my car and estimate the damages. They were supposed to come on Friday between 1-3 p.m. My dad and I waited, him missing work and I missing a lunchtime appointment. At 2:15, they still weren't here, so dad called to get an ETA. Their response: "Oh, we're having trouble with our car so no one's coming." Uh, we're you just gonna let us wait and not tell us this at all? Thanks a lot, fucker!

So today, the guy inspected my car. I don't know exactly how he did it, but one thing's for sure, this unreliable asshole from this shitty insurance company damaged my car even more. Where I used to just have to slam my trunk really hard, it doesn't even close at all anymore. My dad had to use a thick cord to tie it down so it doesn't flap in the wind as I drive. Are they gonna fix that? I don't think this company is capable of any decent service at all.

I don't think I've ever been truly screwed over by anyone in my life. I feel like I've been fucked in the butt. I want to run these people over with my beat-up car, then move where a car isn't necessary at all. I'm done here.

2008-01-16T10:03:00.000-08:00

On the upside: New York is but 3 weeks away! Ate Karen finally (finally!) found The Wedding Dress. I am going back to my yoga routine on Monday. I am getting a massage on Saturday.

On the downside: Aw, Brad Renfro. Say hi to Jonathan Brandis for me in Tiger Beat heaven.

2008-01-03T23:04:00.000-08:00

The thing about Order of the Phoenix for the Wii is it's hard to play for more than an hour at a time as my right arm gets tired after a while performing spells. Incendio, the newest one learned, is quite a difficult one, though not as confusing as wingardium leviosa. I like reparo/expelliarmus because it makes the controller rumble, and stupefy is just plain cool. I haven't gotten too far in the game yet; I've been too busy running around fixing and moving things around.

Wii Sports' tennis continues to be awesome (though I do miss the professional level I've reached in Tommy's game), but my current favorite is baseball -- it's just like going to the batting cages, but indoors where it's warm, and I hit every single time!

That said, I like to spend most of my time in the weather channel, feeling grateful for living in California and spinning the world around as fast as I can. Hm.

Muchas gracias, Tomas. Aylabyu!

2007-12-07T01:17:00.000-08:00

It's really weird going through your brother's myspace pictures and seeing random girls comment about how cute he is/how cute he is getting/how he is the cutest boy [she's] ever seen.

Disturbing almost.

2007-12-01T18:58:00.000-08:00

What the fuck

2007-11-24T21:38:00.000-08:00

I puked a little in my mouth reading this.

2007-11-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

Almost 10 years and I still don't know what, outside of parades and food and getting a couple of days off from work or school, Thanksgiving Day is for. Why does it exist? When did it begin to exist? Does the turkey have any significance to it at all or is it just for decoration, like the Christmas tree, but edible?

I'll just go to Wikipedia.

Happy thanksgiving all.

(Edit: Here is the Wikipedia entry for Thanksgiving in English. If you find that that is too complicated a read, them thoughtful Wiki folks created a version in simplified English just for you.)

2007-11-17T10:53:00.000-08:00

Friday, I was at the live taping of this:

and this:

And it was awesome! Fourth row, center baby! Hehe. My childhood is complete. Thanks, Ate Kar!

2007-11-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

I just downloaded In Rainbows for free, and now I feel like a filthy bitch for doing so. Maybe I'll just get the CD when it becomes available to make up for it. Well played, Radiohead. (It is really good, though!)

I want a change. Not a big one, but just something different to change my routine. I think this is why I've been playing loads of Zelda. But after that, what?

Bf writes music reviews for this site and they're not too shabby at all so go and have a look-see.

I've been really really missing Mamang a lot lately. I need to go visit Pinas again soon.

2007-10-27T00:48:00.001-07:00

As much as I like being left alone to supervise the contact center, it is extremely inconvenient when it's super busy and questions are coming at you from all over and all you really really really want is a nice, satisfying trip to Tier 3 for a bit of a zigazigah.

That's a Spice Girls reference, brought about by news that Backstreet's back (all right!) with new music. Ah '90s.

2007-10-25T00:57:00.000-07:00

Wikipedia has a Tagalog setting. I feel so well represented!

2007-10-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

Hey I know those guys!

Congratulations, dorks! I can't wait to be your maid of honor (and someday soon, a ninang...hah).

As awesome as it is to be finished with academia, not having any direction in life is just really depressing. So depressing, in fact, that simply completing a video game feels like a great accomplishment. Bleh, OCPAC is too much to handle these days. Help.

On the other hand, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is really really awesome and is totally worth the 65 hours I spent on in. Next up, Windwaker maybe? Ocarina of Time's olde tyme graphics is putting me off right now, especially compared to Twilight Princess.

2007-09-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday, Tommy! Happy birthday, us!

2007-09-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Tang ina! Nasaan na ang diploma ko???

2007-08-26T12:01:00.001-07:00

I guess you can't really rely on IMDB as the best source of entertainment journalism, or any kind of journalism for that matter. But "Bacon Shaved His Head For Real" as a headline? That's just embarassing. I wonder what the AP Stylebook says about usage of "for real?"

2007-08-19T03:03:00.000-07:00

Something's up. A helicopter's been circling my neighborhood for the last hour and it is really getting on my nerves. Maybe one of my drug dealing neighbors got caught again and is trying to get away. Argh, can't sleep!

Je voudrais des crêpes! Je ne veux pas travailler à demain.

Soup du jour! Camembert! Jacques Cousteau! Baguette! Où est le livre? À la bibliotheque. Où est la piscine? Je ne comprends pas. Parlez-vous Français? Non. Fulufafa...ayah.

Okay, chopper's gone. Bed!

2007-08-15T03:06:00.000-07:00

Tagged by Ate Maricris. Rules: Once you've been tagged, you must answer all the questions in the survey. As much as possible, have specific answers! This way, your friends might learn a thing or two about you! After answering and posting this survey, tag 3-4 of your friends!

1. Give five possible names you could have been given as a child.
Pretty much any name that starts with the letter K would be a good bet. My mother was obsessed.
a. Kristina
b. Kristy
c. Kjiojsdfo
d. Kalsoinrig
e. K#*@!~

2. Give three of the best years of your life and explain why.
a. 2006 – Snowboarded like crazy with Alex and Sandy, cross-country road trip, Tommy stuff.
b. 2007 – More Tommy stuff!, hellish (but ultimately memorable) internship, graduation (although ceremony-less), trip to the motherland
c. 1998 - Last year in the Philippines

3. Tell about your fondest memory with your friends.
Rehearsing Act I of A Midsummer Night's Dream for English class in first year and the Cebu/Bohol trip this June with my barkada in the Philippines. All those times spent at Nickel Nickel with OCPAC friends. The road trip. Concert Hall opening gala.

4. Name five of your favorite colors
a. Pink
b. Red
c. Orange
d. Green
e. White

5. Five of your favorite foods
a. Shrimp anything
b. Sisig
c. Banana and Nutella crepes
d. Creme Brulee
e. My mom's spaghetti

6. Five favorite movies
a. Moulin Rouge
b. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
c. Scotland, P.A.
d. The Little Mermaid
e. Sense and Sensibility

7. What was one crazy thing you've always wanted to do in school, but haven't gotten around to doing?
Not necessarily a school thing, but sky diving or bungee jumping. In school, I wanted to take up surfing, but chickened out after seeing Open Waters (where it is mentioned that surfers are the number 1 victims of shark attacks).

8. If you could have one feasible wish come true, what would it be?
Learn how to play a musical instrument.

9. Three favorite actors and five favorite actresses
Actors
a. Colin Firth
b. Alan Rickman
c. Ralph Fiennes
Actress
a. Kate Winslet
b. Maura Tierney
c. Emma Thompson
d. I'm only listing three actresses instead of five to be fair for the guys.
e. And also because I really can't think of any more.

10. Give fifteen random facts about yourself!!
a. I chew on the inside of my cheek whenever I'm anxious, bored, frustrated, uncomfortable, or discontented.
b. I've seen Wicked four and a half times, Hairspray three, Les Miserables, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and The Lion King two. Hurray for the (Arts)Center and Goldstar!
c. I've been to Vegas six times within the last year or so, and I couldn't have gambled any more than $50 total nor gotten drunk at all.
d. I have super talented relatives on my dad's side, but that quality seems to have evaded me. Boo!
e. I saw Mamma Mia tonight. It's corny and I would've much rather watched an ABBA revue instead.
f. No matter how many times I've read, seen, or listened to the music of Little Women, I cry everytime Beth dies.
g. Naje-jebs ako!
h. My hands are about the same size as my boyfriend's.
i. I refuse to watch any of the Lord of the Rings movies.
j. There is a really disgusting patch of rough skin on my left foot right by my little toe.
k. On more than one occasion, I printed orders without checking the reports first. So there!
l. I haven't been late to work at all since I stopped straightening or blow-drying or fussing with my hair in the morning.
m. With but a few exceptions, I seem to be unable to get through any movies without nodding off.
n. I get the sniffles every morning. Perhaps I am allergic to a.m. hours?
o. My stomach refuses to digest regular milk, but soy milk is pure awesome.

Tagging: Sandy, Don, Tin (haha, hindi kasi nagu-update ng blog!)

2007-08-13T00:40:00.001-07:00

This past weekend: Vegas for Kirstyn's 21st.

It was kind of an odd way to celebrate someone's birthday by not actually hanging out with her at all, except for dinners at a mediocre French restaurant and an overpriced California Pizza Kitchen. And the truth is I don't actually feel bad about it. I guess I feel a bit guilty, but I (or everyone else) wouldn't have had much fun otherwise. Late night clubbing at places with really high cover charges, dress codes, and "skanks first" policies aren't really my thing. Ah well, it's the thought that counts?

I did have a great time with them peeps with whom I spent the whole weekend. It was nice and quiet and relaxing, AND I have money leftover still. That, my friends, is one big hunk of awesome!

Current happenings are beginning to get quite exhausting. I'm crossing my fingers for change soon. Why can't there be more stuff in Orange County?

Happy late birthday, Tin! Aymissyu!

2007-07-01T02:47:00.000-07:00

So cool!

2007-06-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

I am bored and want to go snowboarding.

My month-long vacation is coming to a close; work starts back up in a couple of days. I had a wonderful time in the Philippines, and things lately have been pretty darn awesome as well. Bonfire, dimsum and kayaking were good times. Hey, my arms didn't hurt this time around! Vegas was an interesting trip, but the most interesting part of it was thankfully short-lived.

Good times all around!

2007-06-10T03:30:00.000-07:00

Gah! How is it that I am experiencing jet lag now, after a long flight during which I slept 7 hours, and not when I first arrived in the Philippines, when I barely slept on the plane at all?

I guess this could also be not jet lag. I did sleep until almost 4 this afternoon. Or I can blame excitement (yay!).

Anyway. I'm starting to miss elements of Pinas. I just did some laundry, making me miss other people doing my laundry. I did not miss, however, the fact that you have to wait a couple of days at least to get your clothes back. But how well they were ironed! I miss fresh mango fruit, mango juice and mango shake. I had so much of the stuff my jebs started smelling of it. Though I do not miss being woken up early, I miss eating actual breakfast, and not cereal or instant oatmeal. I miss not driving, but I do not miss Manila traffic, Manila roads or Manila pollution. I miss the chocolate crinkles I never got to have, the siniguelas I had half-a-kilo of in Bohol, Lechon Cebu, tapsilog and longsilog, crispy pata, Dumaluan Beach Club's shrimp sinigang, and Potato Corner fries. I miss everyone who's been so hospitable.

To the Anaretas, the barkada, the Macabuhays in Antipolo and Albarracins in Mindoro, to Kuya Whatshisname in Cebu and Manong Whatshisface in Bohol, all the titos and titas, thanks for making it a fun, worthwhile trip. See you guys in a couple of years!

P.S. Hoy, Lui! Pictures!

2007-05-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

And I'm off! See you all in three weeks. To some, see you in less than 24 hours.

Yay!

2007-05-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

One week to go! Hurrah!

I wanted to write a long, insightful entry on how I feel about going home and getting reacquainted with people, places, and things, but as I have never been able to write anything remotely insightful, let alone long, ever, I'm just going to write this: I am so FUCKING excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Please don't let it rain while I am there!)

2007-04-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

Relief at last! Golf tournament over. I didn't quit, I didn't cry. Sure I wanted to kill a few people here and there, but over all, it was actually quite fun. I guess as much as I hate planning events, I do like working them.

My feet hurt :(

2007-04-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

Today (or yesterday now, I guess) was a fairly good balance of good stuff and bad stuff. Having to get up early to work subs - bad; Jamba Juice run with Chelsea - good; sorting and processing renewals - bad; sorting and processing renewals with Kirstyn and Chelsea - good; internship - bad; LA, Indian food and Art Brut with Tommy - good.

The dreaded golf tournament is here at long last. I am extremely nearly done! Hurrah!

2007-04-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it's hard to watch people sing karaoke. I know it's supposed to be bad and it's supposed to be funny, but you also know that somewhere deep inside, these people believe they are awesome. They may not be embarrassed themselves, but it's still kind of humiliating. Delusions of grandeur is painful to watch.

I guess that's a pretty mean thing to say. I apologize, karaoke-ers. But I did say "sometimes!"

I am now going to Coachella. Hurrah! I take comfort in the fact that what with my lack of coolness or knowledge of music or whatever, I'm probably going to stick out like a sore thumb. At least then it'd be easy to find me if I get lost in the crowd. Same thing if I end up going to Anime Expo. Haha! I need to get me some Shaider and Bioman memorabilia.

2007-04-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

Took a second stab at prescription antibiotics, and again, I feel like shit from it. I just vomited, but the queasy feeling is still there. I feel like if I open my mouth, a second round of throw-up will come out. And it's messing with my sense of smell: my lotion which normally smells like warm carrot-y vanilla is now emitting a scent that reminds me of pesticide. Told my internship I will be late, and I am now looking for my doctor's phone number so I can yell at him. Oh, and now I have to jebs. The end.

2007-04-09T01:10:00.001-07:00

SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a dumbass. Kill me now.

2007-04-03T20:55:00.002-07:00

Cutest video ever ever!!!

2007-03-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

The Tim Brown/Jim Hill Celebrity Golf Classic is but four weeks away! Hurrah!

I think I'm stressing myself out with all the indecisiveness about working for AEFK, applying for BO supervisor, or remaining a lowly lead. I'm trying not to worry about anything until the end of June, but it's hard. My options suck!

2007-03-21T01:28:00.000-07:00

Maui or Waikiki Beach? I'm taking a poll here, people.

2007-03-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday, Kristine Kay R. Uson!

Pa-kiss!

2007-03-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

My internship progress reports consist of a list of things I've done and a list of things my supervisor has done to mentor me. Progress reports are sent to supervisors to be reviewed and approved. My first one contained a very detailed report of my assignments and tasks and a glowing review of Elise. On my second, I noticed a disclaimer saying that the second part is omitted from the progress verification e-mail. And somehow, it's now turned into a blog-of-sorts for me to rant and rave about her, her weirdness, and the whole crappiness of the internship in general. It's the same feeling I get when I was a little girl when I would tell on my friends and/or siblings. Haha!

2007-03-06T02:24:00.000-08:00

I have been insanely exhausted lately. I haven't exactly been able to pinpoint the reason why. I've been interning and working continuously for the past month and a half and full days off have been extremely few and far between, yes, but I've been okay all this time. Why now am I only starting to feel the burn? Sucks. I just wish I could enjoy more of the day. I hope I'm not boring you guys with my tiredness. If anything, hit me and drown me in caffeine. Just be careful of the face, yah?

2007-02-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

The shit continues. It'll probably hit the fan soon.

Some shit stinks; the fucked-up work situation takes the cake in this category. On the other end of the shit spectrum is my current dilemma which is actually pretty funny, but can have some ugly repercussions if not handled correctly (i.e. stealthfully). Damn President's Day!

2007-02-16T02:10:00.000-08:00

I am now in possession of a plane ticket, which means my trip is now for real. Woo! I leave Estados Unidos on May 17, and return June 10. I will probably regret missing certain important events while I am gone, but too bad that doesn't include missing subscription renewals altogether.

Maybe now that I have something to look forward to, this stupid internship will go by faster.

Ano gusto nyong pasalubong?

2007-02-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

First of all, I love Tommy, Missy, Steph, and Ate Karen. Thank you so much! Mwah!

But on the other hand, I fucking hate Cal State Fullerton! And I'm no longer going to Japan :(

I got a mass e-mail today from the Comm internship coordinator saying there's been problems with the internship curriculum website not letting site supervisors access the verification form to finalize internships. Gee, thanks. Considering the number of times I've called and written to her about this -- and I'm sure other people would've done the same -- you would think she would've figured out there was a problem sooner. Gah!

This year is off to a bad start, no?

2007-02-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Kill me now!

2007-02-07T04:18:00.000-08:00

My string of bad luck continues. Last night, after a fun day of birthday celebrating with boyfriend and family, my dad fell ill and started complaining of extreme pain on his lower right side. He had plenty to eat for dinner, and even had some halo-halo, so we were kind of worried that whatever he was experiencing was diabetes-triggered and thus, something serious. I really know nothing about diabetes, but I assume anything that is a side-effect of it is bad. So maybe this was bad? My mom and I took him to the emergency room, and once again, spent another sleepless night in the waiting room while he was examined beyond the doors.

I was afraid he'd have another bastardy doctor who would try to dissuade him from undergoing a test that could quite possibly be good for him, but it seemed like everyone was nice. My dad's still at the hospital right now. Test results are still pending, and more will be taken later, so he sent me and my mom home to get rest. Hope things are okay.

I've noticed that in the last 6 months or so, pretty much anything good that happened was always followed by something that would totally ruin it. I'm starting to worry about Pinas/Japan. With my luck, my plane would probably crash on the way home. Whoops, knock on wood.

But anyway, congratulations Tommy! Love ya!

2007-02-05T12:57:00.001-08:00

Birthday shout-outs: Mai and Kay!

2007-02-04T20:13:00.000-08:00

New Glarkware shirts I totally want. Oh, and look, my birthday is in a couple of days!

This one is Scrubs-related. As I've failed to purchase every single Scrubs-themed shirt the site has featured so far (Dr. Acula!), I really need to own this.

This one is more nostalgic. Sesame Street, anyone? My whole academic career is nothing without that little show. If not for it, I would never have gotten accepted at Little Green School. Oh, how I impressed the teachers with my counting skills. Good times!

2007-02-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

All my prayers answered!

Thanks, Sandy!

2007-02-01T22:58:00.000-08:00

It doesn't feel like it in the day time, but everytime I lie down, I realize how tired I am. Last time I didn't have to work was two weeks ago, and even then, I was at Disney so it was hardly a relaxing day off. I guess it doesn't seem so bad coz everytime I'm at OCPAC, it's a day off from my internship, and vice-versa. At least I'm not doing the same things everyday. It was nice to actually come home today and not do anything. I was just in bed reading, watching TV, and staring at the ceiling.

Next day off is Tuesday. Snowboarding, anyone?

Also, my boss at my internship bought really yummy fruit tart for everyone to celebrate my birthday. Nice. Now I feel bad for hating working there.

Oh, but then I think about all the data entry I have to do, so not really. Just today, I had to finish consolidating the long-ass silent auction request list from the last 11 years. But before that, I had to compile another longer-ass list of all Head Start programs in 7 counties in Central California. And then I have to call all those Head Start programs for enrollment information and age breakdown of those enrolled. And these are just side projects. Argh!

P.S. Harry Potter 7 comes out in less than 6 months! Hurrah!

2007-01-30T21:08:00.000-08:00

It's just like on Bridget Jones's Diary when Bridget goes, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces." That last part, quite literally.

I finally got my internship, and despite the fact that I'm not enjoying it, at least it's there and so far it seems like they're liking my work. So that's cool. But now that that's happened, the other shoe drops and my car gets broken into. My passenger side front window is completely gone; my iPod, charger, and FM transmitter are missing.

I guess technically, it shouldn't be a big deal. My car is intact and nothing else has been touched. My DS, which was sitting on the front seat, is secure. My iPod is old with a waning battery life anyway. My charger is about to fall apart. My FM transmitter is still fine, but is not compatible with the nanos and videos. But my mini has sentimental value, and getting that window fixed will for sure make a dent on my Pinas/Japan fund.

Oh well. Life's a bitch.

2007-01-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

Nevermind. After last night, I thought about the whole school/internship situation and panicked. The internship has been confirmed, and I was all set to go with the class. If I don't do this now, I'll probably get lazier later on, and the thought of that scares me. I am a flake and a coward. All dumb plans have now been scrapped. In place of it, lots of money lost and another semester of slaving away. Kill me now!

You know, I pretty much breezed my way through most of school. No matter what I did -- procrastinate, fail, miss deadlines, or whatnot -- things always worked out, so I never made much of an effort on anything. Now it's come to bite me in the ass. Ugh.

2007-01-21T19:47:00.001-08:00

Awesome! Anyone up for spring break in New York?

So I finally did the dumbest thing I can ever do. I dropped everything in favor of taking a summer class instead. Here's to hoping my internship boss-lady still likes me and agrees to let me work for now and sign me off later. If this turns out to be a bad idea, well then fuck me. I'll jump off a bridge, or something. I know my priorities are a bit screwed up, but I love my friends too much to not do this.

This week has been both good and bad. The good parts were some of the best times I've ever had. I love you guys! The bad may have just been me overreacting. It's hard to distinguish PMS-y mood swings to actual emotions brought about by actual events. Ewan ko ba.

2007-01-21T02:33:00.000-08:00

Here!

2007-01-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

It's a problem free philosophy: Hakuna Matata. (Lalala!)

2007-01-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

Fuck. I thought things were going well already school-wise. Now I learn it's not. Somehow, I am unable to register for the internship class, despite the fact that I already completed all the requirements. It's not the class itself that's not letting me do it, but the school. Bastards are draining me of funds. I want to hurt someone.

Add that to the fact that my new jacket is too small and the shitty way last night ended. And if I'm not already, I think I'm going to be sick soon.

Argh! What a way to cap off a fun Vegas trip.

Very few pictures of that to come, by the way.

2007-01-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

Four more months til the Pinas/Japan trip! Yay!

Feeling very much excited about this whole thing. I don't really know what to expect. I miss Pinas and everyone. I'm sure I'll have fun, but whether I feel at home or what is a mystery. What if it's been far too long so that everything just seems unfamiliar and strange. What if I've changed too much? What if they changed? I'm kind of worried that I won't get along with people as well as I did. I don't want pregnant pauses in conversations, but I don't want it to feel forced either.

On the other hand, what if the opposite is to happen and I feel too at home that I don't want to go back anymore? The prospect of staying for a bit longer is appealing, but I would feel awful leaving friends and work behind. It'll be just like 9 (holy crap, 9!) years ago all over again.

At this point, I'm worried about funds. I have enough only for plane tickets, and with car payments and school, it's looking like I'm gonna have a hard time saving up. One option is to give up Japan, but I've never been and I'd love to go, and factor in the company, I'm sure I'll have a great time. The other one is completely stupid but is something I'm leaning more towards: move my internship to summer, eliminating academic bills in the process and giving me more time to work. Summer classes are cheaper anyway.

So that's that.

Help?

Aquarius - Your Love Profile

Your positive traits:

You've got a ton of friends, so you have no problem meeting new people.
You're great at thinking up new things and activities to do with your sweetie.
You tend to let the little things slide in relationships... and focus on the bigger picture.

Your negative traits:

In relationships, it tends to be your way or the highway.
You can never open up completely to someone - you have to keep parts of yourself secret.
You're cold and reserved, which leaves your partner feeling unloved.

Your ideal partner:

Flexible, because you're not going to be the one to compromise!
Is smart and quirky with lots of weird interests... including you.
A true individualist who doesn't care what anyone thinks

Your dating style:

Stimulating. You prefer dates that explore a shared interest - like a lecture, muesum tour, or concert.

Your seduction style:

Wacky. Your wild ideas have your lover wondering what's next.
Insatiable - it takes a lot to satisfy your desires.
Varied. You're eager to try things as soon as you learn about them.

Tips for the future:

Bring a little responsibility to your relationship - like showing up for dates!
Compromise a little. It would kill you to do things your lover's way for once.
Be aware of your partner's jealousy. Even though you aren't jealous, realize your partner is sometimes.

Best color to attract mate: Sky blue

Best day for a date: Wednesday

What's Your Love Profile?

2007-01-03T01:03:00.000-08:00

I like red. It is a very attractive color, and certainly very VERY eye-catching.

Anyway, I've been needing new shoelaces for my ratty old chucks for a while now. My plan for today was to go out and finally get a pair, so before heading to the Center to meet up with Missy and Sandy, I decided I'd stop by Payless to buy one. I went to the one at Beach Blvd. because I was stupid and completely missed the one near my house.

So the Beach Blvd. Payless was right next to the Target. And the Target logo was red. So very VERY red. And you know how gluttons' eyes would glaze over at the sight of food? That's how I was. So I thought maybe I should stop by there really quick before Payless. I've been needing shelves to organize my closet. And I do have that gift card. So off I went. And you know how they have the $1 sales rack by the entrance? Yeah, I just had to check that out. And you know how the storage units section is off to the back of the store? You have to pass by all the other departments to get to there, which means you have to look around as you're walking. And they have a new food section now at that Target, so hey, why not check it out too? So I ended up filling my cart with things that I sort of need, and things I will need, and things I might need before I even get to the aisle containing the one item I actually need. My bill came out to $45. My shelving system was $9.99.

I was fooled by the shiny redness into spending more than what I planned to and what I have. Well played, Target, well played.

And shoelaces? What shoelaces?

2007-01-02T12:44:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday, Lui!

MWAH!

It doesn't feel like too long ago that I sent you those pictures for your big giant birthday card and called in the middle of the night (my night, at least) to greet you. As a whole, 2006 whizzed by very quickly. Only certain things felt like forever. I guess that's good?

2006-12-31T17:00:00.000-08:00

Things I need/want to do in the coming year, in no particular order:

-Knit
-Snowboard
-Read more
-Catch up on television viewing
-Learn or re-learn how to play a musical instrument
-Summer travels, and hopefully more
-Yoga
-Find full-time job
-Find own place
-Buy own Wii
-Stop biting inner cheek (nervous habit)
-Learn how to cook

That last one sounds almost like a joke. But maybe it's not. We'll see.

Happy 2007 everyone!

2006-12-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

I went snowboarding! Haha!

The good: the weather. The quality of the runs. The amount of people present. My carving skills. Woot!

The bad: I guess I've gotten good enough to avoid clumsy falls, but not so much the bad ones. Speeding down steeper slopes resulted in me flying up in the air and falling hard on my ass or knees and tumbling down 20 feet. I've never had so many strangers go up to me and ask if I was okay, or even just laugh openly to my face. Bastards!

Next time, dammit, next time.

Meanwhile, I will be off nursing my aching body parts.

P.S. Just took a shower and surveyed the damage: I am possessor of the ugliest, biggest, purplest, most painful butt bruise in the history of butt bruises. I hope this doesn't interfere too much with my jebbing. Now that would suck!

2006-12-24T10:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas!

2006-12-08T17:58:00.000-08:00

I am so glad Scrubs is back!

Dr. Kelso to 3-year-old Jack, in a tone reserved for use on little kids: "Hiya, sport!"
Jack: "Your skin is wrinkly."
Dr. Kelso, same tone: "Oh yeah? Well that shirt you're wearing is gay."

2006-12-03T18:33:00.000-08:00

This sounds like a load of crap. What the heck?

2006-11-29T10:08:00.000-08:00

Nunchucks

Snowboarding season is here. Yay! I am looking forward to going again and again (though not as much as la$t time) this year. Hopefully, the weather and road conditions cooperate. Pity we don't have the Mazda anymore. I am now without reliable (or semi-reliable) mountain transportation. Pray that my Corolla holds out. And also that it can fit my snowboard. I am also without regular snowboarding partners anymore. Hey you, go learn!

Ate Karen, I change my mind. Ayoko na ng pera. Sa magulang na lang yun.

Things I need and/or want: new lenses for my goggles. Snowboard bag. Balaclava (But should I buy the two-in-one ones with the neck thing attached to the beanie or the stretchy-fabric'ed one that just covers the face, with the nose and mouth cut out? On the one hand, the former covers up your whole entire face and the fabric is very warm and comfy, but you end getting snot all over it. The latter lets you breath and allows you to wipe your nose, but since it's open, what if you freeze?). Hydration pack. Maybe new gloves. Maybe new pants and jacket.

Anyway, awesome stuff.

2006-11-25T03:38:00.000-08:00

Holidays never live up to expectations. I am not a big fan.

But then again, what expectations?

2006-11-24T00:46:00.000-08:00

I hate bowling. And Thanksgiving bowling is doubly sucky. Imagine being all la-di-da I'm so happy and thankful, then performing crappily and embarassing yourself in front of friends and strangers (one of whom apparently thinks you're cute -- haha, you wish, dude!). I think I might have knocked down a total of six pins the whole night. Oh well. Never again. From now on, I will stick to playing bowling on other people's Wii.

2006-11-23T11:08:00.000-08:00

Haha, Ate Karen lagot ka!

Daddy: Mac sama ka sa amin mamaya. Punta tayong Oxnard. We're going to meet Ate Karen's future in-laws.

2006-11-22T17:01:00.000-08:00

Thus ends my three-day vacation from work. Originally, the plan was to go to Frisco with Missy. But due to our empty wallets, the plan had to be scrapped in favor of doing nothing whatsoever. The farthest I've driven was Garden Grove and most I spent prior to today was $4 for honeydew milk tea at Cha.

Today, I chalked up the courage to buy more stuff for the good of the household. You see, my sister long ago lost her house key, so for a long time, she has to rely on the door bell in order to enter the house (if no one's home, the window). I never realized how unbearably loud and annoying it was until now that I spend so much time here. So earlier, I went out and got her a copy of my key, hopefully to end the torture. I also coughed up $17 for a cordless, handheld vaccum for my car and my room carpet. Clean carpet feels so nice under your feet!

Tonight, I'm expecting more nothing. And maybe some dinner, once my parents get home. Hopefully soon. Coz I'm damn hungry.

2006-11-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Loren
Happy birthday to you!!!

Pupunta kong Red Ribbon mamaya for some cake to celebrate. Miss na kita. Aylabyu. Mwah!

2006-11-20T22:57:00.000-08:00

11/19/06:

Ate Karen sad.

Ate Karen happy.

Norm and April cutting the cake (Heeey, I never got to have any!).

Alex blocks and Tommy swings as the two play boxing on the Wii.

2006-11-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

Here's to hoping that everything's okay. I love you, Mamang.

2006-11-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

Big day today. I'm just glad for extra controllers.

2006-11-12T23:07:00.000-08:00

Stupid Freebird. My eyes are bleeding. Oh well, at least I finally completed hard.

Earlier...

Mac: Kris, let me play Guitar Hero.
Me: Go ahead.
Mac: Set it up! Set it up! Set it up!

(Ten seconds later.)

Mac: Kris! I can't do this! Turn it off! Turn it off! KRIIIIIIIIIISSSSS!!!!!!

2006-11-10T01:51:00.000-08:00

Gah, Guitar Hero 2 is way more difficult than the first one! The hards are pretty much the same as the experts on 1, so the experts have got to be crazier. I am enjoying the occasional three-fret...chords? notes? I don't know what they're called, but it's when you have to press three buttons at a time. I think the Allman Something Rather Band's Jessica is my new Texas Flood. The new multiplayer feature allows for two people to work as a team instead of against each other, which should be beneficial to a lot of things.

Also, yay for Game Stops! Wii is awesome!

2006-11-06T21:52:00.000-08:00

So day 1 of my Neera fasting diet is a complete failure. I woke up happy about the prospect of being healthy, but a cup of tea and 18 ounces of the Neera drink -- which is pretty much just a lemonade concoction with maple syrup and cayenne pepper -- later, my stomach was aching, my head was swirling around, and I've never felt so empty inside. I don't think I've ever craved food so much. And it hasn't even been a full day yet. Haha, so pathetic.

Missy and I decided that we will continue with the cleansing, but do the revised one where you only skip a meal a day in favor of the drink for up to a month. Maybe we can eventually work our way up to the normal diet.

I will just have to find other ways to be healthy. Like learn how to cook. Now who wants to buy me Cooking Mama to practice with?

2006-11-04T03:01:00.000-08:00

Mysteries of my middle name solved! Turns out Albarracin is a town in Spain. I will have to go there someday.

I have yet to find anything interesting on Macabuhay, only that it survived Hispanization and is one of the remaining truly Filipino surnames out there. Oh, and also that it means "life-giver."

On my search, I found this article, which doesn't sound too interesting really, but mentions on page 7 a Capt. Otik Macabuhay, who is probably my grandfather who I've never met, so that's pretty cool. Even cooler is that he headed an underground guerilla group in Cebu City that fought against the Spaniards. He's like a hero!

I should do a search on my maternal grandfather, but I can't remember his actual name. I don't think the keyword "papang" is specific enough to turn out anything informative :(

2006-11-02T23:15:00.000-08:00

So the Neil Sedaka concert was probably the most fun I had with my mom in ages. I think she was bored in the beginning when it was only the Pacific Symphony playing, but she seemed to like when they did the overture to The Producers. And the last one -- the theme to 1941 -- was pretty cool.

I actually knew or was familiar with most of the songs Neil Sedaka sang. He sounded great, and was awesome at the piano. I wouldn't have recognized him as himself when he walked onstage, if not for the fact that he was the only one wearing red in a sea of white suits. Dude was old!!! The pictures they used for all the brochures and ads must've been from when he was hot stuff in the '50s. But I shouldn't have been surprised about that after seeing that the pictures they used for Jodi "The Little Mermaid" Benson was, in fact, from when she did "The Little Mermaid." My mom sang along a lot. I kinda wished my dad had gone too, but he would've sung along much louder. I guess that saved me from some sort of embarassment.

Anyway, so that was that.

For the first time ever, I actually had fun at Halloween. Thanks people who were with me! I love you guys!

Speaking of, this picture is of my brother's friend who had the BEST. COSTUME. EVER.

It's morphin' time!!!

2006-11-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

Your name in Russian.

Heh.

2006-10-31T18:57:00.000-08:00

Welsh Corgi or not, I want a puppy so much. It's been a long time since we had a pet, and the last one I got really attached to, Tiny, I still miss sometimes. I used to think I'd be betraying her if I get a new pet, but how could I know for sure if I never get one? Plus, I need cuteness around here.

2006-10-30T01:53:00.000-08:00

I finally got around to changing my ING delivery service to e-mail only. If that's not an accomplishment, I don't know what is.

2006-10-28T02:58:00.001-07:00

I'm supposed to have a field trip for Filipino Studies today. In class last Wednesday, the professor gave us a rough idea of where it's going to be. "It's at the Historic Filipinotown in LA, at West Temple and [insert street name here]." She even drew us a grid of lines she called a "map" on the board to help us find our way. Not like it helped. I didn't even know such a place existed.

Anyway, she promised to upload directions and a proper map up on Blackboard. Six hours before the class was supposed to meet, no nothing has been added to the site. So I have no idea what to do and where to go. Should I call someone? I really only have contact information on a couple of people in class, and even then, I probably know more that them. Should I ditch? It would be nice to get some sleep. Then I can bum around all day and run a few errands. And maybe visit some friends.

Oh well. I'll check again in a few hours. I actually wanted to go, too. I need to learn about my peeps, yo!

Oh, and Universal Studios Halloween Haunt was fun. Lilia screamed some! And that was enough to make my night.

2006-10-26T23:47:00.000-07:00

Celebration ticket stock being shredded. Oh joy!!!

Never in my 22 years of existence did I ever expect to watch a racially offensive, operatic, German fairy tale puppet show with references to durian and The Lion King. Nor did I actually want to. Thanks a lot, Salzburg Marionettes.

2006-10-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

This morning, at the admin kitchen, I had my first run-in with the OCPAC president.

Terry Dwyer: (In a very cheery, I-have-had-my-morning-coffee voice) One of these days, we're gonna have a show in the Concert Hall, a show at Segerstrom Hall, a show at Samueli, and a free outdoor show at the plaza. And there's gonna be up to 6,000 people here in one day! It would be amazing!

Me: (In a they-shut-down-the-Bristol-exit-and-I-was-late-for-work-and-I-haven't-had-coffee-and-fuck-it's-been-so-busy voice) Oh, that would be awful!

Terry Dwyer: awfully good!

Me: Oh that's right. Awfully good, awfully good! Gotta go, bye...

2006-10-22T22:22:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

Next time I even think about spending money frivolously, please just hit me (GENTLY!).

Thanks.

P.S. Guitar Hero 2, when it is released, will be considered a necessary purchase.

2006-10-19T23:46:00.000-07:00

Heroes is actually pretty good. I think I might start watching regularly, if only I don't have to close on Mondays. The only drawback is the pixie-haired, skinny white girl who cannot act for shit. Normally, the solution would be to turn away when she is on screen. But as she spends all her time with Mohinder, who's like really really for sure totally hawwwt!!! and has a British accent, it would be kind of a stupid idea. Really, the only thing to do is to grit my teeth and suck it up. And later send her the dental bills to get my teeth fixed for the damage she caused.

Anyway. Work today? It was a'ight. Highlight of the day was Ky's throwback to one of my childhood shows: Bananas in Pajamas.

2006-10-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

I love pockets and compartments. They are useful and decorative. And they make life so much easier!

That being said, I bought a new purse.

What?

Stop looking at me like that.

2006-10-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

A poll for my Filipino friends:

I consider myself a(n)...

(a) Asian
(b) Pacific Islander

If (b), why? And why are you so stupid? I don't want to repeat myself again. I already wrote about it here.

An article in Wikipedia on Pacific Islanders has this to say:

"Inhabitants of the Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Philippine, and Indonesian islands, although technically bordering the Pacific Ocean, are not considered Pacific Islanders because such islands are not located in any of the three regions of Oceania, and are therefore classified as 'Asians'."

So there!

(P.S. Yay for October 15th!)

2006-10-13T03:25:00.000-07:00

Chalk up the lack of new entries to things being ok. School is school, and although I've been pretty stupid in handling some aspects of it, it is not something I can't deal with. Work has been busy, but having tons of stuff to do at least makes me feel useful. I guess I've been pretty good with keeping myself calm lately. It could be my inner hippie unleashing itself or the situation I currently am involved in, but I am happy.

Watch, just by saying this, I've probably jinxed myself. Next week, things will fall apart and I will wake up a bitch-monster. Maybe then, I will have more updates.

2006-10-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

The only good thing about this cold/sore throat/cough combination is that I am now in possession of a sexy bedroom voice. Rawr!

Everything else about it -- the light-headedness, the painful swallowing, the runny nose, the necessity for mouth breathing -- I can do without.

I am compelled to write another disgusting, period-related entry for Don, but I've run out of stories. Maybe next month.

2006-10-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

I love good timing! I had completely forgotten what time of the month it was last night, and on my way home, I got worried that it had started and I just didn't feel it. Even more so, that I might've stained things. Hee! So I rush home, check my behind. So far so good. Run to the bathroom, and the second I sit on the toilet, the gushing began. And I was so so happy!

I actually seriously contemplated stopping by the now-24-hour Wal-Mart to buy The Little Mermaid DVD. If I had done so, I would not have made it. It's fate.

2006-09-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

Here's us in Vegas:

Luxor. Tommy sad.

Excalibur. Tommy happy.

Pizza hat.

Reason #1 why Vegas is so awesome: buffet.

Reason #2 why Vegas is so awesome: FAO Schwarz's big-ass piano.

Caesar's Palace bench: taking a break from big-ass piano playing.

BFF's!!!

And now for something completely different... (laser squadron) Maskuman!

I make fun of my friends now who are anime freaks, but come to think of it, I was once one of them. What would my childhood be like without Maskman, Bioman, and Shaider? A lot of my knowledge of children's literature was gleamed from anime versions of books like A Little Princess, Dog of Flanders, Little Lord Fauntleroy. Anyone remember what book Julio and Julia (kambal ng tadhana) belonged to? I'm still trying to remember the name of that show where these kids time travel using a tea kettle ("Lilipad lilipad, takure!!!"). That show was awesome!

Oh shit, I found it!!!

Haha!

2006-09-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

Happy 18th birthday, Kandy! Time to learn to drive!

Things have been good lately, work and school notwithstanding.

2006-09-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

I really want to shower now, but someone just jebbed in there and I can still smell it from my bedroom. Not good.

Something's wrong with me in that I keep waking up earlier than I want to. Normally, I can sleep for as long as I want, undisturbed by the elements (e.g. family, alarm clocks). I don't work until 3 today, but I still woke up at 8:30, which is when I usually get up when I have to work at 9:30. Is this a sign for something? I do need an oil change and my tires rotated. Maybe that's what I'll do this morning.

ER was good last Thursday. I was awww-ing at Luka and Abby. They are so cute! HE is so cute!

2006-09-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Conversation with Brother part 2:

(Opens fridge)

Me: Oooh, spaghetti!
Him: From Jollibee?
Me: No. (beat) From Jollibee?!?!?
Him: No.
Me: Aaah.

This wouldn't really make any sense for anyone, but it was a full-fledged conversation on our part

2006-09-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

This photo appeared on the front page of the OC Register. Right in the middle is me (woot!), to my left is Ate Karen, to my right are Son, Ky and Eman.

So September 15, 2006 was pretty freakin awesome. Opening gala show, fireworks, and after-party -- everything was complimentary, and we get paid overtime for it! Plus, Goran Visnjic was there and I touched him!!! What more can you ask for in a workday?

Plus this whole other thing, and overall, it was good times indeed!

Edited for an update: Ate Sharon and Kuya Ronald are getting married! Yay! Haha, I just realized they have the same nickname. Congratulations, Ate Ron and Kuya Ron :)

2006-09-17T02:05:00.000-07:00

A fun night of ice skating, dinner at Denny's, and car singing (yesssss-uh!) was had by all present. And here are pictures to somewhat prove it.

Tommy and Don make a cute couple.

Missy and I are cuter, though.

In this one, I was trying to set up my camera phone's timer.

And this one was when I finally did.

I love you guys!

2006-09-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

A conversation between me and brother:

(Brother enters room)

Me: What's up...
Him: What's up...
Me: Foo'?
Him: Dawg?
Me: (with Eman accent) Homes?
Him: (beat) Shut up.

(Brother leaves room)

2006-09-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

I've been channeling my dad's taste in music lately. I've replaced showtunes with Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett and Neil Sedaka. I love Neil Sedaka! When I was in Grade 5, I had one of his cassettes and listened to it all the time. Sweet Sixteen? Calendar Girl? Such nice wholesome songs. However, now that I'm older and a tad smarter, and he's definitely waaaaaay older, wholesome has turned to sleazy. Think about it: a septuagenarian singing, "Tonight's the night I've waited for. Because you're not a baby anymore. You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Happy birthday sweet sixteen," obviously very happy that this little girl he lived next door is now ready for bumping and grinding. Ew! But I guess the song is pretty old. Perhaps when it was first recorded, it was actually appropriate for mainstream listening. I wonder how people will react though if he performs it in November at The Center?

For "The Center," does the "the" actually have to be capitalized? Coz it looks kinda pretentious, because who are we to claim that we are the one and only most awesome Center out there. But then just "Center" looks kinda weird. I prefer just saying OCPAC. But "Thank you for calling OCPAC sounds a bit crude." Oh well.

2006-09-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

Asar naman o. Isa na lang nga ang totoo kong klase tinatamad pa kong magaral. Kung ganto na lang ang laging mangyayari sa akin, hindi na ko matatapos. Filipino pa ang klase na yun. Akala ko, kasi kultura ko ang pagaaralan, madali na at mas motivated ako. Pero hindi. Tuwing papasok ako sa classroom na yon, parang maiiyak ako. Actually, tuwing papasok ako -- sa school man o trabaho -- naiiyak ako. O baka hormones na yun? Ewan.

Haha, I realize my Tagalog has gotten quite horrible. My spelling and grammar are atrocious and my vocabulary is very limited. Where do all the dashes go for words with prefixes on them? I think my growth as a Filipina stopped when we left. For the most part, I'm not up-to-date with pop culture and slang and stuff. One of my aunts left the Philippines in the '80s, and she still says "walanjo." When I go back, I bet I'd be really fobby and jologs. Do people still even use "jologs?"

Pakshet, papasok na ko. Wala akong perang pambili ng parking permit so malayo pa ang lalakarin ko. Nakakaiyak talaga.

2006-09-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

I've never actually won anything in the one-and-a-half years I've been legally able to gamble. Not that I've won anything at all before that. The case usually, though, is that you gamble and win a little, then lose it all again in one dumb move. The case this time around, unfortunately, is that I gambled and lost everything in one dumb move. No winning whatsoever. You would think I'd've stopped after $10. But I held out hope and lost at $30 instead. At slots. Still scared to try the table games.

Lost money aside, it was an awesome trip. Thank you guys so much!

Haha, this set of buttons from Glarkware amuses me.

I am up way too early today, partly because of confusion or maybe something else that I don't know anything about. Shit shit shit. I am not ready for this.

At this rate of procrastination, I don't know if I'd ever get done with school.

2006-09-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

Oh I see how it works. You know how yoga is supposed to be good for the posture? Something we did in class today -- either the abs thing or bridge pose, though it could've been cobra pose, too -- made my back really sore. It hurts to slouch or stoop forward or bend backwards. The only way it doesn't hurt is if I keep it straight, with shoulders back. So I guess that's how my posture will be improved. Sort of like electroshock therapy, or that one kind of conditioning they teach you in Psychology 101: induce pain until you get your desired result. No pain, no gain.

2006-09-03T23:09:00.000-07:00

I got home at 7 p.m. tonight expecting to see a sister crapping up the room, a brother geeking out in front of the computer, and parents watching yet another loud movie on DVD. But lo and behold, none of them were here! Home alone, hurrah!

It's 11 p.m. now and none of them are here still. As much as I'm enjoying this privacy and silence, I'm getting really bored. And I'm really hungry. I hope someone comes home with food soon.

2006-09-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

Some sound device in my computer is broken or missing. It's not the speaker. Help?

Also, happy birthday Alex-oppa!