A part of me doesn't want 2003 to end... and yet the other side wants it to be over with already. I don't know. 2003 was ok. When I think about it, the 2 things that really stand out from 2003 are my grandmothers passing. And while there were many terrific things that happened (the discovery for FRIENDSTER that lead to finding a lot of old friends including my most favorite rockstar homegirl April, figuring out what I want to do with my life, Sonny moves from Canada, almost dying while conquering the Rapids but luckily being saved by hottie guide Zach, Vegas at the PARIS, Disneyland Disneyland Disneyland... amongst the *good times*) its those 2 passings that I feel have really defined the year for me. I guess its both sad and enlightening because while I lost 2 women whom I loved, it makes you think about what matters and how you want to live your life. I'm grateful for those lessons and I feel like I know myself and what I want a lot more than the same girl a year ago.

I decided to stay home tonight. (Sorry Jean!) I much rather start the new year with my family than... um.. not. :) I can party tomorrow night. But right now, I just want to be home. :)

Anyways, HAPPY NEW YEARS!! So put some coins in your pocket (for prosperity) and jump up and down at midnight (so you grow taller) and think happy thoughts (just because). I hope 2004 for you will be bright, healthy, and full of joy and happiness. And although I may sound like a greeting card, I really DO mean it. :)

I got an email earlier today from my cousin Kristine... (HI KRISTINE!!!)

"You mom left last night. And i suppose by the time you get this, she'd have arrived. I hep she doesn't get stopped at customs or anything. She's hand carrying a little brown man stuffed in her purse."

I thought she was kidding about the the little brown man. Seriously. I thought she was just joking that my mom had brought home a "boyfriend" or something like that. But when my mom arrived from the airport later and revealed this:



It all made sense. This wooden fellow isn't a "boyfriend" but is an Igorot head hunter. He is actually is holding a head, but his arm fell off while traveling. But with some good wood glue, he'll be complete. Hmmmm I wonder where we'll put him.

Along with him, was this:


This little lady is actually a nutcracker. Any guesses as to where she would crack the nuts? ;)

Anyways, we're all really happy that Mom is back home. The house has felt empty and our whole holiday just wasn't the same without her here. The moment she walked through the door, it was like Christmas. We heard stories about her trip, the funeral, and how the family was doing.... and we told her all about the party. :) She just unpacked her suitcases to give us the things she got us and we, in return, gave her the Christmas gifts we weren't able to give to her. HAHAHA my mom got a whole bunch of bootleg DVDs... so if anyone wants to watch RETURN OF THE KING, ELF, or THE LAST SAMURI, come on by. ;) So far the quality isn't too bad. Just fuzzy.

OH... also my mom got us a MAGIC MIC! For those who don't know what a MAGIC MIC is, its basically a karaoke microphone that has songs built into it. Oh my goodness... its MIDI KARAOKE HEAVEN. :) We've been singing all night long.


Carlene and Sonny singing "Always."
*gag*

OH... and did I mention that it SCORES!??! Booyah! (ew. did I just say "Booyah"?) So Carlene and I have been competing... It was tough... we were trying hard to make each other laugh and loose concentration. I had been getting 95 and 97's... and I thought I had it. But Carlene pulled a 99 out of her ass with an ABBA song. So I just thought "Forget it. Just sing FAME and have fun." I GOT 100. Oh my goodness. It WAS a moment. I almost cried.

Almost.

But I did gloat. ;) There was probably a glitch in the computer... but at least the glitch was in MY favor. I WIN I WIN!

I was totally surprised by getting an alumni newsletter from my ELEMENTARY school. Wow. I was really impressed that they had found me. I don't live in San Dimas anymore and have moved 3 times since then, and yet they found me. Lucy's apparently had "lost" me once during all the moving and I was listed as MIA in one alumni newsletter which prompted Tina, Keri, and other Lucy girls to call me and ask if I was still alive.

Although I was feeling incredibly OLD, I started to laugh as I read this newsletter because a million memories came back to me. One of which was the first sweet romantic thing ever done for me. It was in kindergarten when Joey R. walked me to my car and asked to carry my books for me. Unfortunately, I was much too embarrassed and shy at the time to appreciate it because my dad had been there. But when I think about it now, I go "how cute!"

Oh to be young and innocent again.... :)

"Screw guys... I just gotta dance!"

:) Good times last night... fat cat and car flirting! (or not.)

After visiting each other's houses and bedrooms, we finally drove out to Hollywood where Janelle's sister Janine got us into Highlands and hooked it up really really well. The entire time, April and I kept on saying "We're with her." Oh yes.. we were cool... mingling with the owner and chatting it up with the DJ. Uh huh... uh huh. The music was good and my feet were aching from dancing in heels... but it was worth it.

We'll definitely do it again... just not tonight. ;)

Oh my goodness... we had a party last night. :)

OH yeah... and we had Mark's band "Bronson" play...





All in all, it was a good party. No one got arrested, no cops, no complaints... and no one got their cars towed. :) I was a bit freaked while the band was playing... but it wasn't too loud. Afterwards, they just jammed and played covers.. so it sorta became a semi-singlong. :) April and Janelle are now best buddies and apparently are planning to get matching goodies at Hustler... No one really got belligerantly drunk and sick... Mark's friends "we're with the band!" were kick ass and started a new trendy game called "Speed-toe" (its so simple... and yet.. so much fun!)... Had the Joseph, Adrian, Mark, Myles, and Melissa over without having our parents as a reason to get together... the Xbox got more play in one night then it probably has had the entire year (Sorry Joseph)... the house isn't trashed at all and really just needs a good vacuming... Beth, Jean, Sakura, April, and Janelle pretty much spent the night so after the guys left, it was basically a slumber party downstairs... Rocked the gospel of Dane Cook... a lot of pizza and drinks and even more desserts (so if anyone is having major sweet-tooth cravins.. come on over!!) OH! And Joe made pie!

Speaking of Joe... I also found this little Christmas present from him on my computer when Iwoke up this morning...


Nice.

Now we just gotta cleanup HARDCORE before my mom gets back from the PI. :) Cleaning party anyone??

WHOOOO! I finally finished making my Christmas presents. Sure, I'm about 3 and a half hours late, but its better late than never right?

Christmas was pretty nice. I admit, it wasn't THE GREATEST, with Mom being in the Philippines and all... but it was quite nice. I'm sure she had a good time with the family over here also.

Christmas Eve, we went over to my Dad's. I finally got to meet my newest baby niece Myla and I couldn't help but sing songs with the phrase "My love" in it and changing it to hers. "Myla... there's only you in my life... the only thing thats right..." But since she's only 2 months, we weren't able to play with her. I had an itching to call her "Spud" cause all she did was lie there and have people carry her around... but I'm sure she'll grow out of it, just like her sister Alicia, who's 2 now. Let me tell you, that girl is one ball of "Concepcion" spunk. Its funny, the family says that she's "Concecpcion" just because shes loud and somewhat stubborn. I guess thats true... cept I don't agree with the stubborn part. I don't think I'm that at all. Loud. Maybe on occasion. Anyways, this little girl is the silliest girl because she has a house full of giant boxers who are twice the size as she is... but yet when she sees my little Penelope, she's screaming and running from the puppy. :) But I just love her! When she's climbing onto your lap, hugging you and not trying to choke you... it makes you excited and eager to start a family of your own. (Not anytime soon though... but it makes you wishful...)

Close to midnight, we exchanged gifts... :) I think everyone was happy. At least I hope so.... I'm not complaining over here. My family pretty much gave up giving actual presents to the "kids" many years back opting for the gift in the envelope sort. Before you never really think about it... but when you see the babies getting actual gifts and piles and piles of toys that they can actually unwrap you kind of miss ripping the wrapping paper and getting suprised with its contents. Still no complaints though... I must admit, I get really excited ever year just shopping for my nieces' Christmas gifts and signing them from "Auntie Nicole." Even more so than the idea of recievings gifts. :)

Christmas Day... we were supposed to clean. HA. Instead, I took many naps while Carlene and Sonny indulged themselves with a new $5 xbox game. Christmas lunch... leftovers from my Tita Lagring. :) Gifts that keep on giving.

That afternoon, we went over to Chelle's and spend the evening with her and her huge family. :) Her family played White Elephant and I seriously don't think I've heard the word "vibrator" used to much during one game. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard it used in the game before period. Hmmm. Anyways, it was fun just sitting, chatting, and watching all the kids play.

The weather outside was frightful this holiday... the wind and rain was horrible! But at least it stopped... so YAY!

Well I hope everyone had a very nice Christmas and got what they wanted. If not, there's always next year... so make sure you're EXTRA good. ;)

Lucky me got to chat a bit with Santa before he left for work... check it out. :)

spaznik: HI SANTA!
SantaClaus: Ho! Ho! Ho! Tonight is the big night! Have you been naughty or nice?
spaznik: ive been very nice!
SantaClaus: Outstanding! I'm very happy to hear that! O:)
spaznik: how are your elves??
SantaClaus: Here's something you should know about elves; they call a couple of times a year and check in to see how you're doing.
spaznik: really?!
SantaClaus: Indeed

spaznik: how are you doing?
SantaClaus: I'm well, thank you :). How are you?
spaznik: I'm great!
SantaClaus: Well, that's good! I hope you are spreading the Christmas spirit with others in need.
spaznik: I sure am! I baked cookies today!
SantaClaus: Mm hm.
spaznik: whats your favorite cookie santa?
SantaClaus: Oh, I cannot pick a favorite. ;)

spaznik: how is Mrs. Claus doing?
SantaClaus: Wonderfull! That's very kind of you to ask.

spaznik: so what are you going to get me?
SantaClaus: Sorry, I can't tell you that -- we've been working all year to make it a surprise! ;)

SantaClaus:There's not much time left, so please give me one wish at a time. What would you like for Christmas?
spaznik: a man
SantaClaus: I suspect that's not all! ;) Is there anything else you would like?
spaznik: love
SantaClaus: While everything I bring is made with lots of love, I can't actually bring love itself. That's up to you to find.
spaznik: you're useless to me.
SantaClaus: Is there anything else you would like?
spaznik: I need money Santa
SantaClaus: Ho Ho! If you only new how many times I've heard that! :D
spaznik: are you calling me a ho?
SantaClaus: Maybe.

spaznik: goodnight santa!
SantaClaus: ...and to all a good night! ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

:)

Congratulations! You're Legolas!


Which Lord of the Rings character and personality problem are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Keeping with the whole Lord of the Rings themed blog... my darling sister wrote this on her xanga and I thought it was hilarious. Enjoy!

*updated for Jean*
**disclaimer: don't read if you haven't seen the movies, or if you don't want to know what happens in the end.**
***sorry.***
****:P****

Man even though we all knew Frodo was going to get that damn ring destroyed I was still surprise to actually see it happen. I waited 3 frickin' years to see it happen and when it finally slowly melted into the pit O flames I nearly pee-ed in my pants. And HELLO the movie is totally about Sam... fuck Frodo... he had mostly all the speaking lines that had some monumental Biblical message hidden behind it. In the end Sam got off the Lava rock... got back to the Shire... and even got married and had some kids. Poor Frodo was left feeling even more lost than ever and had to go away to live with the elves and wizards. *nods head* And about that home wrecker chick in the second movie... she ended up being cool. She frickin' ROCKED whe she decapitated the dragon and then killed the evil black hooded thing. Before that I must admit I was about throw down for Liv Tyler if home wrecker got all up on the King.

So... yeah... good movie ... even though it was a bit too long. I can't wait for the extended DVD collection to see all the deleted scenes and behind the scenes action satisfaction.

btw... anyone know how to speak elfish?

Not I said the fly... but I'm sure there are some folks out there who can.

Oh.. by any chance, did anyone feel the quake down here? I woke up, saw the news, and was all "THERE WAS A 6.0 EARTHQUAKE!?!" Hmmm, how weird. At least it wasn't too bad. I'm sure everyone's grateful for that.

Damn... what a busy weekend. But I'm not complaining... :) Busy is good. Much better than a "bored on my ass/lonely types of weekend.

After 7 months, I finally saw Joe on Friday. Surprise he looks the same! :) He came over and taught me how to play TEXAS HOLD EM... I learned that I can't bluff to save my life. When I got good cards, I couldn't help but smile... when I got bad cards I couldn't help but smile also, but that's because we were playing with my Chippendale cards. Hey... everyone's a winner with those cards. ;)

Anyways, Joe finally got to meet Sonny and there was no brawl over the claim of the guestroom and montage space on the fridge. :) After dinner, making Christmas presents and watching A QUEER EYE CHRISTMAS, we headed out to West Covina for Mikie's surprise party. :) It was fun! When he first came in, they had us all huddled in the kitchen in the dark and when he finally looked into the kitchen, everyone was sort of "SURPRISE!?!" while semi-crouch jumping in their places. It was great though, I got to see some faces that I haven't seen in a while... like since Mike-Bob's birthday. AND I got to see Janelle and catch up a bit in a semi-drunken state. :) I think Mikie's an alcoholic because everyone was giving him drinks. :) Hmmm, they also showed some softporn thanks to Evan. That got everyone's attention.

Saturday morning/afternoon, I ran some errands with Carlene. Why is it that when you enter the Filipino store, you come out smelling like fried fish? Seriously, I was in there for less than 10 minutes, and my clothes and hair had that fishy scent. Ew.

That evening, we drove to Glendale for my Mom's Barkada Christmas party... minus my Mom. :( But it was still a lot of fun. We probably played the most vicious game of White Elephant I've ever experienced. I really wanted to bring a "cool" gift that everyone wanted so I was lucky when Jean found me this neato Atari Joy-stick that has all the old school games on it. There were a lot of cool stuff also like Cranium and boomboxes and uber rich neck supporting pillows that were fought over. Oh... and money. You can't reject money. :) Probably the worst gift was this garage sensor so that you can't park your car too close to the wall... and poor Benji got that. If only he had a car to use it on. Boo. But I think everyone was quite content with what they got... and if not, I'm sure they'll use it for next year as revenge.

Look Mom! We're not on the stairs!

Soon to be new friendster gang. :)


Joseph's desktop. Scary.
I used to think Erik extrude was HOT...
when I was 6.


Saturday night and into Sunday afternoon, I worked on finishing my Christmas gifts for my darling St. Lucy girls. :) Luckily I finished in time and was able to pick up Melissa and meet Tam and Lisa in Pasadena with them in tact. Oh how I LOVE my St. Lucy girls. :)

Mel: Look at that one dish... that looks good.
Tam: Look at the price though. $32? I can buy 8 hootchie tops with that!
Nicole: What kind of hootchie tops are you getting for $4?
Tam: Floss.

Dinner was fab, desserts were even more delicious and the company was awesome. We need to go to Vegas... get tattoos and dance in the doorways over there. ;)


*good times*

Hmmm... This Friday (26th) if anyone is free, Carlene, Sonny, and myself are going to have a Post-Christmas get together at the house. Potluck, bring drinks, and whatever rejected Christmas gifts you got but don't want cause we'll be playing "REJECTED GIFT WHITE ELEPHANT." One man's junk is another one's treasure... or just get a new piece of junk. :) Call, email or IM if you want more info. :)

Mom, if you're reading this, we will be extra careful and clean up afterwards. :) We're responsible girls. By the way... we miss you! LOVE YOU!

Dear Santa,

I've been a very very good girl this year. So if you don't mind, I'd greatly appreciate you rewarding me on my "goodness" with this camera. Here is a picture so that you pick it out easily for me.

*drool*

F*ck me... this is one sexy camera Santa. Its the Lecia DIGILUX 2. This camera is made with LOVE and that's why its so freaking expensive. Actually, a Lecia camera of any kind would be nice... but this one would be super duper nice.

Have you been working out Santa? You're looking pretty good in that suit. That Mrs. Clause sure is one lucky woman. ;)

Anyways, if not, thats ok. A new "working" car would be nice too. If not that, world peace and a stockingful of money will do.

Merry Christmas!
~Nicole

P.S. What kind of cookies do you want? Is Vanilla flavored soy milk ok? I'll just leave whatever I have down by the fireplace. (But feel free to roam about the kitchen and take whatever you want. There's some excellent cereal atop of the frige and a can of clam chowder in the pantry if you're really hungry. Just grab a bowl in the cupboard to the left of the stove and stick it in the microwave for 4 minutes. Be sure to put saran wrap on it because then it will pop around and it may wake us up... not to mention make a mess in the microwave so be careful.)

It was one of those kookie mornings... so I present to you...

GOOD MORNING PENELOPE!


Its a beautiful day and Carlene is excited for the new day.


Poor puppy... it must be too early for her.


No... no one is stepping on Penelope...


She's actually balancing on Carlene's feet.


Apparently Carlene's feet have many talents...


They can also pet the puppy...


Too bad puppy doesn't like it much.


Well, at least she's not Michel Jackson's puppy.


Nope... she's ours and shes the cutest thing ever.

The end. :)

I just spent a little more than 6 hours of my life today dedicated to LORD OF THE RINGS. :) Oh my goodness...

The first 3 hours were in the early afternoon while I watched "THE TWO TOWERS" on DVD with Carlene. Since, I haven't had watched it before, I figured that there was no time like that moment to sit down and enjoy the film. Well, actually Carlene just popped in the DVD while I was making my Christmas presents and told me to watch... I couldn't give all my attention to the movie seeing that I was being "crafty" but I got the gist of what the "happenings" were... and what I couldn't get, I got a mini-rundown from Carlene....

Which was good, or else I would have been a bit lost later on when I watched RETURN OF THE KING with Mondo later on that night. WOW! Serious eye candy all around, from the battle scenes, to the different location and building shots, to Orlando Bloom kicking ass and looking majorly hot with his bow and arrow. :) Actually, everyone was kicking ass and I have to say that I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie (probably also because I didn't go to the restroom before I entered the theater... goodness, they sure do know how to prolong the end don't they!) I think I'd probably want to go see it again just so that I can understand it more.

*gasp*

Did I just admit that I want to see it more than once? Goodness, I think I just made some Lord of the Rings fans very proud.

I apologize for calling you nerds. :)

YAY! School is done! Time to play!

After my last final, I drove down to LA to meet Jean to watch RENT. SPONTANEOUS was the word of the day. Well sorta. The night before we were talking about musicals and I said that I hadn't seen the show yet. So the shocked Jean (who's seen the show 4 and 1/2 times now) looked on the internet and found that it was playing down at the Wilshire... and that 2 hours before the show, they put the front 2 rows on sale for only $20. That's right, I said $20. Actually $22 cause they added a $2 restoration fee. (Good deal, the arm rest between me and Jean kept on falling off. ) But still, $22 is a damn good price. So we figured we'd try to get them.

By the time I got to the theater, Jean was already in line and we were 2 VERY lucky girls. There were only 43 seats available for the rush and we were #41 and #42... not to mention we didn't have to wait as long the 40 people in front of us. The guy in the very front of the line got there at 1am while the second guy got there at 10am. Insane I tell you but well worth it. RENT was AWESOME!! Especially from the second row. ;) I totally loved it!! The actors were simply amazing. Their singing was TERRIFIC and the energy from the stage so infectious that you couldn't help but smile and clap along with the music. Plus the little community of folks that were in those front rows were pretty friendly and very eager to participate in the performance. :)

So I'd say it was a pretty good start for the winter break. :)

Still sick. Boo.

At least I don’t think it’s the flu seeing that I haven’t had a fever. Just really horrid chest congestions... Incredibly when I went to get some medicine last week, my local Rite-aid was pretty barren cold-drug wise. I was lucky to grab the last box of SEVERE COLD SUDAFED. Unfortunately, it wasn’t working. Good thing there doesn’t seem to be a cold-outbreak in Brea because I was able to get Theraflu at the Walmart there.. Tastes like holy hell... but its effective.

Last Friday night I was pretty pathetic. I was home alone since my Mom had gone to a Christmas party and Sonny and Carlene declared that night as a “date night”... so it was just me and the puppy. Even the puppy was sick because she just had some shots and was pretty groggy. Sad thing was that I couldn’t fully lay comfortably on the couch because Penelope was so sensitive and ill that even if I were to touch her, let alone move her, she’d yelp. So she took up half of the couch. She’s alright now. Hopefully I’ll be fully recovered by the weekend...

Since Mom is gone, I went to the grocery and bought things she wouldn't normally buy... like MILK. Not VANILLA FLAVORED SOY MILK. MILK. I didn't go buck wild with junk food, and maybe the "sweetest" splurge I got was a bottle of Quik so that I can turn normal MILK into Chocolate MILK. I also got ceral to go with the normal milk. There are somethings that vanilla flavored Soy milk can't replace.

I recieved an email from my cousin, Kristine, regarding my Mom in the Philippines... too funny.

Oh, your mom had an interesting evening yesterday. She was getting ready to go to bed and when she lay down on the cot (that Paul had set up) the bars of the cot gave way and she fell in ass first. Mamin was laughing too hard to help her out so I had to come down and help her out. I wish I took a picture. That could have been front page material on your blog.

NEXT TIME!

I can only imagine... :)

Last night was nice. Jill, Tracy, and Chelle came over and we all prayed together. Reminded me of high school. I was about to bust out with my Vision 2000 and start singing “Happiness.” It was a good feeling.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for my Lola and family... It means a lot. :)

I love Joe. :)

AccordJMR: sorry about your grandma
spaznik: its ok now... shes in a better place...
AccordJMR: yeah true true
AccordJMR: i mean...she made your mom..and your mom made you... got to be a good thing with God huh.
AccordJMR: that's like brownie points for your grandma
AccordJMR: it's like straight on in...no waiting
AccordJMR: cuz theres along line

More than anything, I wish I could be on that plane with my Mom right now just so that I can be with her and support her. I wish I could be with my aunts and uncles and cousins. I wish I could say "goodbye" properly.

You'd think by now I'd know what to say when people say "I'm sorry" or "condolence". Thank you for being sorry? Or when friends and family say "if I need anything, say it"... I don't know. How will they react when I scream that I want everyone who has gone BACK. I want them to be alive, healthy, happy and BACK in my life. I want you to promise me that I'll never have to go through this again.

Losing Nanang was hard. Losing Lola isn't any easier.

I want to be selfish.

The thing is, theres no way to "make it better."

On the ride to the airport, I kept on thinking about that drive to go pick up my Lola and Lolo from there back in the second grade. I remember Carlene and I were trying to "outdo" each other by saying "When I see Lola and Lolo, I'm going give them a BIG hug!" or "When I see Lola and Lolo, I'm gonna run and give them a BIG hug and kiss!" But by the time we really did see them there for the first time, we were so shy that we hid behind my mom... who then teased us and said "I thought that you were going to run and hug them!"

If only we can go back and do things differently...

But she is in a better place and at peace. She and my Lolo and finally together and I'm sure they're happy. And thats the one thought aside from praying that keeps me sane. :)

:(

We learned this morning that my Lola passed away.

Mom is leaving for the PI tomorrow night. Carlene and I can't go because of school and mostly because of expenses.

I know shes in a better place, she's with my Lolo and that she's not suffering anymore... but its still unfair.

From the moment I learned how to pray, I prayed for all my grandparents... When I learned how to read and write, I wrote letters to my Lola and Lolo in the Philippines on pretty Hello Kitty stationary. I would tell them how I was doing, what tv shows I was watching and what were my favorite things. I remember when I was in second grade, telling my teacher about how excited I was that her and my Lolo were going to come and live with us.

It was a dream. Far from the Bradys, but as perfect as it could be. They were my heros. My Lola would baby me all the time. While my Nanang was "bad cop" when I was bad, Lola was always the good cop... giving me the benifit of a doubt and coming in to rescue me when I needed it. She always had an open ear whenever I needed it and even to this day I'll always remember holding her hand and feeling so incredibly loved. When they left, that was the first time I felt heartache because I knew they weren't going to be in my every day life. Even after they left whenever I saw her, she had this huge hug and smile for me.... and she'd would cry when I had to leave. She's say "Come back ok?" and i'd say that I try.

But the last time I went to the PI, it wasn't the same. A while ago, she had a stroke and really never recovered from it... It seems unfair for God not to entirely take her but he probably had his reasons. But what I will never forget is walking up to her bed and seeing her in that state... and looking into her eyes and seeing tears formed because my sister and I were there.

It sucks. It sucks SO BAD. I can't think of any other way to say it other than it sucks.

My throat is icky and I'm sneezing.

When I told my mom this, she replied "I hope it isn't the flu. One person died from it and you haven't had a vaccination."

Thank you very much for keeping optimistic Mom. :P

But really, I hope it isn't the flu.

Today was one of those days where I didn't want to go outside because it was just too gosh darn cold. Cold is good, but when you're barefooted, feeling ill, and really have no will to get out of the sweatshirt and pj bottoms, going out isn't appealing at all. But I did manage to amuse myself by watching some television with my sister (who bought me some pho for my throat), knitting, and washing my sheets.

While I napped, I woke up to find a little river of drool coming out of my mouth and onto my pillow. EWW. I'M A DROOLER!?! WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN!?! IS THERE A WAY I CAN STOP THIS!?! Maybe it's just a one time thing? I hope. I know I groan and sometimes talk in my sleep. Someone once told me that I snored, but I think they're a filthy liar.

I think every girl wants to be that dainty girl that sleeps all sweet and cute so that her lover can look over her and say "aww, I love this girl." Do you think Prince Charming would have kissed Snow White awake if she were a drooler, slept with her mouth open, and had fallen off of her bed? Then afterwards, he'd take his groggy princess with a severe case of bedhead back home and to live happily ever after? Its hard to believe that someone will look and thank their lucky stars for you if you're sleeping with your mouth open, snoring away, with your legs and arms thrown about wildly taking up the bedspace. But thats real life and I guess if they do, then it must be true love... or something.

Anyways, I best go drink some tea. :) The one good thing about being sick is having people fawn and take care of you. Even those little messages of health advice from friends are the sweetest things. I think this is probably one of those times where its perfectly acceptable to have someone speaking to you in "baby talk." :)

There was a time that when I listened to NSYNC's THE ONLY GIFT, I would smile and blush during Lance's solo. I'd imagine he was singing to me... that deep sexy voice was all for me.

What a nerd I was.

Men suck.

I'm not gonna start burning my bra over a scented candle anytime now though. The pads in my bra might just start an inferno.

Ok. I figured that I can't completely SHUT OUT guys from my life... nor can I stop foolish girly romantic notions from forming my head because 1) All those romance novels have messed up my mind. Really. I need to start reading about crime and mysteries... and murderers who kill asshole guys and daft girls who fall for them. 2) I'm in the business of weddings... so of course I'll think "awww... why can't that be me" being the pathetic sap that I am. 3) I've been boycrazy since the day I was born. If the doctor who had delivered me was male... I probably was checking him out and admiring how his hands firmly but tenderly slapped my bottom.

Not really. That's just sick.

I'm just gonna collect stranded puppies and become a doggie wedding planner for uber rich folks who have money to throw away on their pets. "The bride was wearing a rhinestone encrusted leash. Guests feasted on pedigree dog biscuits. The couple is registered at PETCO."

Or I'm gonna ask for an arranged marriage then I won't have to worry about finding that "someone". I'll be lazy and have someone take care of it for me. I have a dowry in the form of a case of good silverware. I good catch. I pour good tea.

Or... I can just roll my eyes and move on.

Thats do-able.

The puppy got to my knitting.

Day 4.

Argh!!

Its that time of the month...

My car is acting up. Again. Suprise suprise.

But on the bright side... One more week and I'll be free! Too bad I won't be able to go anywhere seeing that the car is f*cked and people aren't getting married so Nicole has to resort to making macaroni necklaces for her friends for Christmas (spray painted gold so they won't be entirely tacky of course). Wait a sec, I thought we were talking about the "bright" side... well at least I won't have to spend money I don't have on gas for a car that doesn't work! :) YAY!

The other night, I was watching some cheesy made for tv romance on the WE (WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT) channel... the story line was cheesy but yet at the same time some aspects seemed very familiar. It turned out that this "movie" was actually, "This Matter of Marriage" by Debbie Macomber, some paperback romance I have. The book was pretty good though and my copy is looking ratty because I had read it so many times. It's just a cute story. So as you can imagine, I was pretty excited to see these characters I've read so much about on the television. Unfortunantly, whoever wrote the screenplay took out some bits added some that they thought would be charming and COMPLETELY RUINED THE STORYLINE. Horrible. HORRIBLE. And I sat through it hoping that the it would somehow redeem itself in the end... but it didn't. I feel like I need to re-read it so that I can banish that horrible movie from my mind. Stories like that are probably better off on the pages rather than on the screen. My imagination is WAY better than whoever created that, but thats only my opinion.

I'm gonna see my darling Lucy girls soon. :) Oh excitment! I miss them so...

"I don't care."

April is a rockstar. She's my hero. I'd so TOTALLY do her... but I'd have to get in line.

THANK YOU ANGEL WEARING JEANS!

Disneyland... :)

Even if it started to rain while camping out for Fantasmic... it was still nice.

Probably the best part of the day was dinner over at California Disney. :) We ran into Scott (Scot Smythe!) and had an interesting "conversation" with Minnie Mouse

Mondo: You know that waitress over there (points to the waitress)
Minnie Mouse looks and then puts hands over her mouth in giggling motion
Mondo: Can you hook it up?
Minnie Mouse steps back and waves fingers in no motion
Mondo: (pointing at Carrie) She wants Mickey!! She thinks he's SEXY!
Minnie Mouse turns and glares at Carrie.
Mondo: SHe watches Fantasmic all the time and has posters of him all over her wall
Minnie Mouse stomps her feet and hits her chest in a motion that means "Bring it bitch"
Nicole: Take it outside girls.
Carrie: NO! He's the one who wants Mickey!
Minnie Mouse turns to Mondo with "What up with that HO!" motion
Mondo: NO NO NO! I like Donald!
Minnie Mouse looks shocked and slowly walks away.

If only I had a camera with me to capture that moment... :)

After reading the first few chapters about a month or so ago, I FINALLY finished The DaVinci Code early this morning. Argh. I did it again. I started reading on page 36 at 1am and I kept on saying "one more chapter" until I one more chaptered to the end of the book, page 452, several hours later with birds chirping outside my window. But WOW. There was NO WAY I was putting that book down... What a read! :)

Well worth the sleepless night.

Not really. That's just straight up NERDY.

But its still a really good book. :)

Anyways, since we finished throwing up Christmas in the house... we decided that today we'll take care of the outside. What first started as a simple strand of twinkle lights on the fence has blown up into this winterwonderland of crack. But its a nice winterwonderland of crack. :) Carlene and I remembered today that the neighborhood has a yearly Christmas Light Decorating contest... and we're determined to win. We even went so far to drive up and down the street to scope out the competition... HAHA. Actually, we're not THAT crazy and not mean-spirited at all. (But really, we drove up and down the street.)

It's gonna be hard this year, one of our neighbors across the street has a semi-huge inflatable snowman family (think MACY'S balloon) on their lawn AND twinkle lights on the second floor of their roof. DAMMIT! We don't have a ladder to compete with that! What we DO have is the green spiral modern interpretation of a tree, an itty bitty reindeer by it with flashing legs to make it look like its walking and our parol (see Filipino Christmas star). I really don't know what else we can do besides getting a lifesize manger scene and adding some Christmas lobsters and octopus.

Actually, we're having a terrific time working together decorating and getting those lights up... so even if we lose, its ok.

Wow. Talk about cheesy. :)

I got to work on some knitting today...

Yeah right. It looks more like this:


Day 2

I took me FOREVER just to get this far... mainly because I'm anal and I made myself start over about 6 times because the stitching was crooked or too loose or whatnot. I actually stopped by the bookstore today to look at some books to get more "insight" on knitting (meaning I was having a real hard time getting that damn stitch down. I blame the fact that I'm left handed... but actually I'm retarded and I can't understand the directions. Right needle? Loop? Where does the string go!? What do I do with the left needle!?) and I found KNITTING FOR KIDS. Talk about ANNOYING. They had pictures of kids and the scarves, hats, ponchos and sweaters they made. SWEATERS AND PONCHOS! I don't even have a coaster yet alone 10 rows of stitches and these kids had their own afghans made with their perfect stitches. What brats. I'll show them... I'll show them ALL!!

This is where I would cackle over my caldron. Muhaha.

Wrapping gifts with the family:

nicole: this is cute!! where did you get it?!
carlene: I'm not telling you where cause i got you one like it.
*slience*
sonny: WHY DID YOU TELL HER!?!

Wow. I think that if Sonny hadn't have said anything, I would have taken that as sisterly sarcasm. Too funny. :)

Speaking of Christmas shopping, I started! :) I feel like I'm behind though. But I've started making some gifts. :) No, I'm not making macaroni necklaces Jean...

Anyways, I'm teaching myself how to knit. This is what I have so far:

Day 1

It looks like it might take a while for a scarf or mitten to actually take shape... You don't know how long it took just to UNDERSTAND the directions to get that first stitch. Good gracious. At least I'm not making anything knit related as Christmas gifts...

Oh. Some new sexy pics of the puppy. :)


*You can't see it, but they've got me wearing a dog sweater.*


*Please help me.*


I've been procrastinating, can't you tell? :P

Today, my boss informed me that Valentine's Day weekend is going to be pretty busy... and well if you're a good little stalker, then you know that I have tickets to La Boheme on Saturday the 14th. My boss wasn't to happy about that, but I promised them my first born, as well as many nights and days slaving before Saturday morning, tear down Saturday night, AND setting up the 2 weddings the following Sunday and teardown as well. Its only December, but I can tell you already that this Valentines Day, I'm going to be more active than I have in the past... and its not even in that good *nudge nudge wink wink* way.

Good thing I'm single...

Ha. Ha. Ha?

You know, I never thought of myself as one of those crazy girls who would worry if he would or wouldn't call. Apparently I am. One night, I checked my phone several times to see if maybe he did and I just didn't catch it. Ew. Pathetic.

Sure, it was ok in high school... but you'd think the girl would grow out of it. I thought I did in my college years, but actually, I was secretly hoping that all my crush(es) would IM me. Ewww. Pathetic AND a nerd.

Anyways, I'm stopping. ROAR. I am woman. I rock like that. ;)

This is where I would snap my fingers.

I need to tell myself this over and over again just in case he or some other guy does call and I get all excited... and be retarded. :P Its such a lame cycle.