Committed!

I did it! I bought my tickets to Japan! Which makes it so official. I'm going to Japan! I'm always nervous that something will happen right before my big trips. But it's always worked out fine. And I will be fine. I'm going to have a great time. I will. And now, on to learn some Japanese.

So, I get that the president wants to seem relatable and cool and all that, but he sure was making a lot of jokes during the state of the union speech. In fact, he tends to make many jokes throughout his duties. Like...too many. If I wanted my president to be a comedian, I would've voted for Steve Martin. But I didn't. So mr. president, stop trying so hard to be funny. Just do your job and make inspiring speeches. Please. And thank you.

There may be a small possibility that our show will get an interview with Ira Glass. Omg omg omg. Me and jomalley are in love with him, and if he came to do an interview...I don't know what we'd do. Fight each other for the chance to say hello to him? I'd love a picture too. Let's cross our fingers.

And I just discovered Pandora. I know, i know, i'm years late into this pandora business. But it's actually quite awesome.

I always think I have more to say, but I don't.

Sayonara!

I have a big zit.

Pesky little thing.

Wednesday nights = late nights. It's funny how I asked for more responsibility, and that translated into staying late. But at least I can go into work late tomorrow.

C departed this morning after his week in town. I think it went rather well. I had a good time with him, and I HOPE he had a good time with me here. Hard to tell though. You're not going to tell your host you DIDN'T have fun, right? I think it was a very balanced trip. He stayed with me a few days and nights, and then at his friend's a few times. So, we got to hang out, have some quality time, and there were times I got to have my own space.

Interesting side note: I met C's friend's roommate, who is a dancer, but if I hadn't known ahead of time I wouldn't have thought it. He looked athletic, I guess. And then later I met the dancer's gf, who I immediately knew was a fellow dancer. There's just something about female dancers! Is it their confidence, their off the shoulder clothes, their funky hair? SOMETHING. It was just so immediate.

Now I'm all off track and can't remember what I was going to say. Plus I'm being distracted by the tee vee.

Tootaloo.

Blackberries.

Today's odd Google search of the day: Eating too many blackberries.

I wanted to see if eating too many blackberries are bad for you. Maybe it's diarrhea inducing, or maybe I'd get antioxidant poisoning from having too much antioxidants in my system. See, we get these fruit deliveries at work. Lately there's been a lot of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. I got hooked on blackberries last week. I bought a box at the grocery store. Had some at work. Bought some over the weekend at the farmer's market. Had s'more at work today. I've been on a blackberry high. I feel like Violet who turned violet. So I just wanted the internet to assure me that I'd be ok. So far, I think I will be ok. But I should probably cut back anyway.

Yesterday was National Pie Day. I told C that our goal for the day was to eat pie. Guess what. It didn't happen. And then I told S about it over the phone, and felt confident that I'd go get some pie to make up for it tonight. And that didn't happen either. Instead I settled on an orange....and some blackberries. Good for me. Bad for that apple pie. I'll get you pie! And your little a la mode pal too.

The Bachelor is terrible. I can't believe I've been watching. How do these girls do this to themselves. And then all that kissing. Ugh, I need to stop watching this crazy nonsense.

So...big news of the moment: I may be going to Japan at the end of March for a week of vacation. TA DA! Coworker steve lived there for a while. His parents live there now. He's going back to visit and I'm tagging along. I was jealous when he went last time, and told myself I'd go with him the next time he went. And guess what, he's going again already. I figure now's the best time to go. I'm not getting any younger. I'd have a place to stay and a guide who speaks the language and loves ramen as much as I do. I mean really, I can't NOT go. If anything, for the sake of my taste buds, I have to go. But alas, tickets have not been bought so nothing is for certain until they are. But hopefully me putting this out there in the universe will take me a step closer to JAPAN...and noddles! Wheeeee!

Oh dear...

There's signs of prettiness in the air. When did spring creep up on us? Yesterday, lunch was had out under the sun, and it felt like summer. Today, lunch was had under the shade with a slight breeze, and it felt like spring. I hope the spring blows good things my way.

I came home yesterday and found that C had gotten me flowers and arranged it on my coffee table. That was a nice surprise to come home to. And then an even better surprise to walk into my room to see a bunch of daisies on my dresser. There they are now, as I look up at them. Kathleen Kelly was right, daisies ARE the friendliest flower.

Had a great time with C tonight. Simple times are always the best times. It's always nice to have a friend you can talk to about random things to no end. Things heavy on the heart. Things that don't have to do with anything but you thought you'd share anyway. Things that remind you of other things. I think it's funny how to some people I'm a good conversationalist, and to others I'm considered really quiet. Depends on what mood I'm in I suppose. To each their own.

BTW, typing in bed makes me feel like Carrie. I need to have a string of pearls around my neck and a Mr. Big next to me, reading the New Yorker.

Chicken nuggets of substance.

Can you tell I have food on the brain? When do i not have food on the brain though, that's the question.

FINALLY HOME. 12 hr day followed by 14 hr day. You know how when you go talk to your boss about having more responsibilities? And then you actually get it, and you're like, oh crap, what did I do? Yea, it's kinda like that. It's a long story I'd rather not get into.

Came home to find C already fast asleep. Poor guy, I've ignored him the whole day. Hopefully it gets better the rest of the week.

The other day I was reading this blog (one which I can't remember the name of now), and the blogger was talking about new years resolutions. And how every year people resolve to do something more. Lose more weight. Eat more vegetables. Be nicer. She proposed that this year, her resolution was to just BE ENOUGH. Instead of exerting all this energy into trying to be more of a person, she suggested trying to just be you...now. Because how you are right now is enough. Because you are perfect as you are now.

I wish I can find the post because she explains it so much more eloquently than I.

I'm not sure where I stand on this matter. On one hand, what she said sounded so great. I mean for a whole year, instead of trying to diet or practice perfect or go to the gym more or be the perfect friend, what she is proposing is for me to do nothing. Doesn't that sound great? Well not nothing. She wants us to accept who we are, which I guess is a challenge in itself. But I feel like thats more a mental and emotional challenge than a physical one. What no gym? No boxes to lift? Sure, I can do that!

But on the other hand, I'm not sure I'd want to. I'm all about learning and being a better person and growing constantly. What she wants me to do basically goes against my basic beliefs, even though they sound so great in theory. But if I accept who I am and how I am now, does that mean I miss out on a year of growth? Am I held back a year? She says we've been taught from an early age (read: brainwashed, or a nicer term...influenced), and all our lives we think we have to strive to be better and more. I want to be better and more, but am I just succumbing to what I've been taught and what society wants me to do? And you know how I feel when I find out that someone's trying to get me to do something. (I do the opposite. Usually.)

Anyway, without getting too much into it...I hope I've made my case clear. But what do you guys think? What would you side with? I really want to know.

I'll try to find the post and repost it. Most likely, I'll have misunderstood her whole point when I first read it, and will have to write a retraction post sometime in the near future. So I guess look for that.


Also, I started out with chicken nuggets as my title, but added the substance midway as I wrote more substance. See what I did there? Nuggets of gold. Genius.

I wanna get chocolate wasted.

Chocolate, mint and chip, caramel, vanilla, whatever. Just give it to me and I'll get wasted on it.

Pronto.

,

Waiting for my laundry to finish up...otherwise I'd be in bed!

C comes into town tomorrow. May be my last night of blogging for a while.

So tmobile girl has a new polka dot dress. It's cute. Her motorbike suit and plain pink dress were nothing to write home about. Nothing will be as great as that first stripey one. But the latest polka dot one wasn't so bad.

I've been so busy all day today! Didn't have time to chat with my work BF, didn't have lunch with anyone, couldn't meet Hills for dinner...no time for my own thoughts. Thoughts like, what should I eat for dinner?

Ugh, I've got nothing. Sometimes I feel like if I don't have anything of substance to write, I shouldn't write at all. No point to waste y'all's time. Wow. Y'all's. Awesome.

Ugh. Blog fail.

Happy MLK

Sometimes I blog, thinking that I'm practicing some sort of craft. That I'm some sort of "writer" in waiting, under wraps, who just needs a few weeks off for her big "novel" idea. And then other times I think, who am I kidding. I'm no writer. I wouldn't know where or how to begin. I just have these romantic notions of being Carrie at her apartment window, asking the big sex questions for her next column. Or Ewan McGregor as the poor penniless poet sitting by the window (again, with the windows), waiting for the courtesan Satine to walk by. But alas, there is no Mr. Big, there is no Satine, I am just another blogger among millions, with a readership of...well, I can only count them on one hand.

I think I'm heading towards a mid life crisis.

Succulent Saturday

Succulent: rich in interest.

So, there.

I woke up early this morning. I hate that. Weekends are for sleeping in! This seems to happen a lot, where I can't seem to get myself out of bed on weekdays, and then when I have all the time in the world to sleep in on weekends, I wake up early. I wish that was reversed. Annoying.

So I woke up and went to a workout class, where I got my butt kicked. I'll be paying for it for the next few days I'm sure.

My bff was kind enough to drive up to me tonight for a girls night. I thought I'd take us both to a hip new restaurant. Turns out, other than the cute and friendly bartender, the food was pretty disappointing. Ugh. I hate when food disappoints me. Because it shouldn't. Food should be glorious! Instead, I had to get extra salsa to get some extra flavor. :-( And maybe the bartender was extra friendly to us, trying to divert our attention to him to make up for the bland food. It sure worked though...sigh. I'm trying not to think about it too much, because the more I think about it the madder I get. Don't mess with me and my food!!

But spending time with the bestie is always fun. :-)

It was a lovely warm day today in Los Angeles. Everyone was out enjoying the sun. I broke into a sweat walking back from brunch with an old coworker. Brunch is always fun, because when you're done, there's still so much of the day left! I gotta enjoy this weekend, cuz next week is gonna be a tough one.

I have half a cookie left I'm going to go nosh on. And S, NOW I'm craving that cupcake...the salted caramel with the pink top. Let me know how that turns out will ya?

Fast one Friday

Gotta be out the door in 20, so gotta make this fast.

Friday consisted of...........business, but in a good way I guess. Let's just say I was ready to go home at 6p.

So I wasn't thinking nor paying attention last night when I got home, and parked on the wrong side of the street. I must've been in the shower when my landlord called me this morning (and probably knocked on my door to warn me), so I missed the meter maid by a mere few minutes. Uh...probably 3, according to my phone. $68 for a parking ticket!!! Egads. Whats funny was I ran into my landlord on the way back in from moving the car, and he said he tried to stall by pretending to take his key out to get into my car, but the meter maid was waiting for him to actually move the car, which he couldn't. But gosh, how nice is that? I wouldn't even have thought of that to stall. I've got it gooooood here.

I've got C coming to visit next week for a whole week from DC. I'm excited, but also a bit nervous. I don't think I've had a friend visit me for that long before. I hope we don't get sick of each other. We vacationed together last summer, but still, it's a bit different. I'm sure we'll both have a great time though.

Ok, bye-eeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Tremendous Thursday

Today, something cool happened.

All week long I've been working on this piece. This piece that was badly produced to begin with, with no forethought it seems. Something I've been chipping away at all week but not feeling like I was getting anywhere. Something that was only for the web. Something that seems to have been given to me to give me something to do, because everyone else got all the relevant, important pieces. I've been dreading showing it to the bossman all week, knowing it'd come back with major changes, or that they'd ask for something that wasn't there to begin with, or that they'd think I was bad at what I did because it was badly produced to begin with, or maybe they'd just scrap it altogether.

But finally I had to show him. So he came, he saw...and he actually liked! He made a few suggestions but nothing major, nothing that was impossible. He said it was great, good job, leaving me to have a stress free lunch. Except all throughout lunch I thought about it. At first I was excited. Goodjob SH does it again! But of course all these other thoughts crept up: He always says that, but does he mean it this time? Seems like goodjob is the only thing in his vocabulary, maybe he's just saying it so he doesn't have to deal with me. Is he saying it to appease me? To make me seem like I'm doing a good job even though they don't really have a job for me and I can be gone at any second? A few times I was going to mention it to Steve at lunch and ask him what boss man meant exactly by "goodjob." But then it sounded too much like a suspicious gf when I thought about it some more, so I didn't bring it up. To anyone at lunch. Nor to anyone back at work.

But then C came in late late in the afternoon and said she had heard bossman talking about my piece to a coworker and had said it was really cool. And that he should go see it. And she said that this was all unprompted. She hadn't asked about it, she just overheard. She knew how stupid I thought the piece was going, so she came to share the good news. Which was good news. And oh geez this all must be really boring to everyone out there.

Anyway, long story short, something nice happened at work today, which hasn't happened in a long time, which, was nice. Also I had a good lunch. But it all started with a good cup of coffee this morning. Culprit? I've been trying to switch from coffee to tea, so I've been cutting down coffee consumption, but it seems like the universe is telling me: When you start out your day with a good cup of coffee, the day goes your way. Or maybe thats what coffee wants me to think, because it knows it's losing to tea. Eh, who knows.

Wiley Wednesdays

This awesome thing happened this morning that I can't quite talk about, but I was excited for a little bit there.

But then the day turned annoying and more annoying.

I know when I look back from the future, I'll have no idea what I'm talking about today, but for now, let's all take a moment of silence for awesome things and awesome people in the world.

Amen.

Typical tuesday

You think you're an adult and oh so refined because you drink tea and coffee and wear kick ass boots. And one day snot starts streaming out of your nose at all hours of the day, and you're coughing and hacking up lungs, and suddenly you're reverted back to a five year old. A very icky, snotty five year old.

Welcome to my world ladies and gents. Hope you enjoy your stay.

Went to see a friend's movie tonight. His first directorial debut. A documentary about a race relay in Oregon. And it was great. I was so proud and so happy for him. It has slightly motivated me to start running again. Slightly. Ehhhhhh.....slightly. We'll see.

Case of the Mundays

Ok. How much do we all want to go see No Strings Attached? A period mix? Genius. I don't know what it is about cheesy rom coms that I know are so unrealistic but still can't stop watching. Sigh. I went to see Black Swan by miself late Saturday night, and now am even more intrigued by Natalie Portman. She was a bit annoying in the movie, but something about her natural beauty really intrigues me.

Nothing much happened this weekend, I spent a lot of time with the family, watched a lot of movies on the couch, and just generally chilled as I tried to nurse myself back to health. I'm happy to report, the cold that I caught over the holidays has now escaped...mainly through my nose. Thank goodness.

Oh, the Arizona shooting happened this weekend. Ugh, made me sick.

I'm going through a period of general malaise. My hair is in this in between mode and being non cooperative, like all the time, I'm not happy with my job but can't seem to get out of it, I'm in a creative rut. And it's only January! Sheeshkabobs.

In other news, I'm really digging this new law that some restaurants have to abide by starting this year. If you're a restaurant with 20 or more locations in California, you have to post the food calories on the menus. Not a big deal you think, but I think it'll ultimately make a difference. I've already changed my orders based on seeing how many calories something has. A pretzel with frosting on top is not as innocent as my argumentative mind would like to think. It's amazing how good my mind is at talking itself into thinking that certain foods are totally innocent. So I'm really happy about this new law. Except it's only for chains. I wish it was for every restaurant.

And now i'm having a coughing fit, so it's time to sign off. Looks like my cold is trying to escape through my throat as well.

Oh snap.

Today has been a most productive day. Hello new year! Emails were returned, lunch dates were had, had several important talks at work regarding my job, and got my dad a birthday present. I think one of my resolutions this year is to deal with issues sooner than later. I have this habit of putting things off, more particularly, talking to people about important topics. Especially at work. I hate when you have to talk to the boss man about stuff. I worry about it all day and make myself sick thinking about it and what to say when I should just go ahead and do it. This year, I just need to figure out how to resolve issues more quickly. I think it'll be better for my heart. I'm not sure how though...grow some balls I guess.

My dad is turning 60 this year. We got him an ergonomic chair, for all those hours he sits in front of the computer. A chair which I thought of, found, and picked up today. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, I know, I'm awesome. (This is also the only place I can brag about it, so...thanks for your patience.) It's funny to think of my dad as 60. I always thought 60 was when you're officially an old man. And yes, he is older...but he doesn't seem like a grandpa...even though he will be in about 7 months. My dad had me when he was 30 and this year, 30 years later, he'll have another little baby. Funny how these things work out.

There are some screen and lighting tests being done at work tomorrow, and I may get the opportunity to be the test dummy and get my makeup done by our makeup girl make me up for said tests. That would be neat. I hope I don't look like a hooker, I usually look like a hooker when other people do my makeup. Guess I'll have some streets to walk tomorrow. YEEHAW!

Ouchies.

Is 10pm too early to go to bed on a perfectly good saturday night? :(

I've had this sharp pain at the back of my all day. It seriously feels like little people are pulling tufts of my hair really quickly every 3 minutes or so. It has not been fun. I just now tried to look it up on the internet but then stopped. Trying to diagnose yourself on the internet inevitably leads to nothing good. I've done some slight cleaning and organizing throughout the day, but mostly been reading or spacing out. I tried to do some shopping but didn't know TJs wouldn't be open today. It seemed like the city was deserted today, as I'm sure most stores were closed. Being out while everyone is in and hung over is kinda great. Except when the stores are closed!

Ok, can't stand this anymore, off to bed I go. I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow, I really have a hankering to do some skating, and tomorrow is SOUL NIGHT. Let me just say, soul night is amazing. I hope I can make it tomorrow!

I am not your sweet baboo!

I love Charlie Brown. I don't know why, it's not that good, but I still love him. And his gang of peanuts. I never knew why they're called peanuts...

Back in LA. I had full intentions of going to the gym tonight. Even got dressed. Keys in my hand. Almost out the door. But I already knew I wasn't feeling well so I landed back on the couch. And now, here I am in my pjs, watching Charlie Brown attempting to read War and Peace on New Year's Eve, while Peppermint Patty waits for him. (So...everyone thought peppermint patty was a boy when you were younger, right?) Still have much to do, but this sudden onset of sickness doesn't bode well for all that stuff I have to do. A gift from Abby perhaps? More likely my body breaking down from the trip. I'm tempted to take a bath and read my book and go to bed early...but the book will most likely get wet in the bath. I don't know how other people do it. Read in the bath I mean.

Brrrrrr. It's freezing. Off I go.

Back! Kinda.

I'm back to Seattle from a short stint to Vancouver, BC. However, there is no new stamp on my passport. Bummer. The passport was looking a bit bare when I leafed through it. No travels since 2007? Man, I gotta work on that. We got stopped on the way back in because my cousin declared that we were bringing in some mooncakes. Apparently eggs coming in the country is an issue. It was a minor issue, but annoying.

Vancouver was nice, we saw some sights, but mostly ate a lot and drove around. My BIL took a cool pic of me and a whale, I'll try to post when I get it. Oh, a fake whale, not a real one.

So far this trip has been nice. It's good to just hang out with my aunt and uncle and cousin, we don't see each other nearly enough. The other cousin we haven't seen as much, since he's busy with a new baby and all.

I forget every year, but inevitably, it happens every year at this time: ENGAGEMENTS. I go offline for a few days and come back to find Reese Witherspooninchili engaged, Natalie Portmaniwishiwascutelikeher pregnant AND engaged, my friend Jen engaged....I'm sure I'll find out about more in the coming weeks. Sigh. Post christmas: it's the most depressing time of the year.

I'm back late Wednesday night to my parents and after that, it's all work. I've got some work goals to work on, personal goals to work on for the new year, my sewing corner to set up, sewing book to read and study, Mockingjay to finish (no renews possible!), netflix movies to watch, insurance stuff to look into before the new year, apartment to clean and rearrange, tutorials to learn....I've got lots to do before going back to work! I can't believe these two weeks are almost over.

Every year, I tell myself I'm going to start christmas early. Give it a "good go at it" finally. Get a tree, get some twinkly lights, send out a photo card (I love photo cards, send me one if you ever make them pleeease), get everyone some good presents, make holiday cookies. But every year it comes and goes before I know it! Next year...next year fer sure.

Presenting....Presents.

Some of you may or may not know...we don't do presents in the family. This isn't meant to be a pity party, it's just not something we do. We did a little bit when we were younger, but somewhere along the way we've stopped. Attempts at getting presents for the parents in subsequent years have always ended in disappointment, as they never seem to like what we get them. Sure, I really like getting presents, especially if it's something I really love or wanted. But maybe the fact that we don't do presents is why I love giving presents just as much. I really do try hard to give good presents. But along the same line, if I can't find something good for someone, I'll forgo it. I'd rather give someone something awesome rather than feeling like it's an obligation and giving them something they don't really want or need. But I'm sure everyone feels that way already.

I always dread going back to work/school after the holidays. Time when everyone shares everything that happened over the break. Including presents. Time when people list off all the cool things they got, and then ask me to share my list of treasures. And inevitably I'll have to say nothing. This answer always evokes some sort of pity sad face from the asker. And then I have to explain, we don't really do Christmas. I can't even say I'm jewish, because even the jews do gifts during Hanukkah! And also...I'm asian. I guess I could be an asian jew, I just haven't met any.

I sometimes do have exchanges between friends and this year I did get a really cool sewing book from bff S. It came with patterns for cute clothes I'd actually wear. I just hope I can execute. That'll be a good goal for next year.

But I'm way curious, what did y'all get for Christmas this year? I want to hear all about the good and the bad. Including any food. The more descriptive the better. That'll be your gift to me. Thanks!

Doctors and Such.

I've discussed this with several people already, so I'm sure some of you are wanting to know, that some doctors out there are BASTARDS.

Ok, that may be a bit harsh. But I really can't imagine making a living off of billing outrageous charges to your clients on things you didn't really do in the hopes that they don't question it and just pay for it.

As I had previously posted, I had this outrageous bill from a doctor I went to. I finally called them to ask about it. First of all, it took me two calls on two different days for someone to even call me back. And when she did, I said I had a question about the bill. She then explained the list on the bill to me without letting me ask my question first. Um...I have the bill in front of me, I don't need you to read it back to me.

And then she said that since the doctor remembers me and that I was referred by a friend, they'll take 50% off the bill. Gee thanks. I said that I never got those things on the bill done (like the xray), all I got was just a check up. She told me she'd have to talk to the doctor and can she call me back on Friday. I said I won't be around Friday. She said, ok so then Monday. And I said, can't you talk to him now? She hesitated then said ok, and then put me on hold to talk to the doctor. When she came back she said that the doctor DID get the xray done but he did it as a preventative measure on his end, "just to be safe." And then said, "so don't worry about it."

All these charges on the bill, and all of a sudden, "don't worry about it?" Uh...first of all, you did MAKE me worry about it. I couldn't sleep that first night I got the bill because that's all I was thinking about. Second of all there were all these questions about the bill I didn't get to ask. Such as, why there were two claims from them, one that was just the checkup bill, which was considered IN network, and the other outrageous bill that was under another name that was mysteriously OUT of network. Also she explained that the doctor did the xray, but I never got the chance to ask her why I was billed twice for the checkup on the two separate claims, at two different rates. And why all the lab tests I never took was on the bill. And why if they already billed me twice for the checkup, did they bill me for another "WELL CARE" which I think has to do with a baby checkup. And why they were billing me from two separate businesses in the first place. All these questions I never got to ask because she said, "don't worry about it." I had to ask her exactly just to be sure. "So I don't have to pay for any part of this bill?" She said yes. I think she realized I was on to them and had all these questions and didn't want to deal with me anymore. And I'm fine with that.

But that was just for one doctor. Another bill came through just today from the second doctor. I still have to look into it a bit more when I get back to my computer at home, but it doesn't seem as ridiculous as this first one. I still have to pay for some parts of the bill for this second doctor though, which is still annoying. But at least it didn't freak me out as much as the first.

So that's my annoying doctor story.

On a more upbeat note, my cousin has a Kinect at his house and I've been beating the whole family at Dance Central. On medium. Without the walk through. Thank you very much. Finally a game I can beat everyone else at and am semi-good at. The last time I was good at a video game was....probably Paperboy. I can't even pass level 4 on angry birds! I suck at games because honestly, I don't care much for them. Dance Central though...that's a different story. :)