2011!

It's 2011! A whole decade has passed and a new one starts today. There are many exciting events happening this upcoming year. I hope I can blog more this year as well as try to cook and bake more. Of course I hope to exercise more, photograph more and just enjoy life more. We shall see. ;P

Wow...seriously?!

Seriously has it been eight months since I have last written? And the last few posts were not meaningful as well. Anyway....life continued on...with much going on and of course, the holidays are upon us. Christmas is just around the corner and before you know it we will be stepping into 2011 with old resolutions made new again as well as hopefully a few fresh resolutions.

Bad Blogger

Yes I know...I've been a bad blogger this year. It's been a strange year to start off. Uneventful but stressful. I've been sick twice already since the new year. I am actually sick right now. My energy level is at a record minimum. I have not gone back to the gym since the end of the year. But other than all that...I am still alive.

The husband and I went to Colorado in January for some skiing and touring Denver. We were supposed to go to Phoenix in February but my paternal grandma passed away so the trip was cancelled. We are looking to take an international trip sometime soon.

Work has been stressful. I love working on something that I am clueless about. You just cannot imagine the stress level on that one....

Oh...I attempted to make bread twice. It did not rise. :( Attempt #3 is in the works. Perhaps I will try to post some pics then. As for cooking - I am inconsistent. Well...hmm.....maybe that is consistent. I've been consistently NOT cooking! :P

Well that is all for now.

Knock, Knock

Knock, Knock.

Who's There?

No One

No One who?

No One Blogging!

It's been awhile!

Misses: Project 365 = failed! Blogging everyday = failed! Exercising = failed most of the year except the past month.

Pluses: A new year is about to unfold within hours! Ate vetgetarian at least once a month (um...hmm....I think I missed it for December). Read a few books. Finished a few projects. Visited a few new places.

All in all...not too bad of a year. Aside from the economy sucking...life is just peach. I wondered what 2010 will bring. :P

Day 98 - Reflections

As I approached the driveway to visit my grandparents, I am brought back to numerous encounters I have had with them throughout my life. The times were quick and stifling. My maternal grandfather was a formidable man where appearance was very important and old-schooled in many of his thoughts. My maternal grandmother was a lioness with a capital "L." But that was the yesteryears.

Today - they lie quietly listening to me as I update them on my parents' lives and ask them to wish my loved ones well, all the while the windchimes chime a lulllaby for them.....

The Bachelorette

Every once in awhile I'll turn on the TV and watch whatever show that happens to be on. Today - it happens to be The Bachelorette.

Just. Shoot. Me.

I have to admit - ABC gets pretty innovative as each season ends. This season - they decide to bring back Reid at the finale. Interesting.

Lines that make me want to either roll my eyes or gag.

"I'm crazy about you.....but...."

"This is not easy...at all...."

Day 27 - Do You Believe in a "Soulmate?"

Yesterday I posted a picture of the external hard drive I received but I did not get a chance to open the box since I was addicted to my Asian drama and wanted desperately to finish the series and.....I did. (Now I have that SS501 song, Because I am Stupid, stucked in my head.)

Aside from that song - the drama got me wondering if there is such a thing as a "soulmate." Actually - I have encountered that word a few times this week. Once from the book, Sundays at Tiffany's and then from the K-drama, Boys Before Flowers. I like to believe in the idea of a "soulmate." To me, a soulmate is someone who gets you at a level that is so deep that only the two of you will understand and that there is only one in a lifetime. The person who gets you may not be the person you end up marrying. And although you love the person you married, that person may not be your soulmate. And if you were one of the people I asked the soulmate question, thanks for responding. :)

EDIT: Ahh....this must really be the week for finding soulmates or something. I came upon this word again as I was blog stalking one of my favorite photographers, found here, after just under three hours of this post.

Anyhoo - I finally opened the box today and this item is soooo cool!!! It's a little bigger than the Blackberry and can hold up to 142,000 images! That's a lot of images! I am amazed with modern technology! Unfortunately red is not my color of choice but it's wait 2 more weeks or red and I chose the latter.

Random Thoughts

It's been awhile since I've posted about random thoughts that occur to me on a daily basis so here goes for today...

1. MJ's albums climbed the charts again to #1. He passed away almost two weeks ago. He was an icon. King of Pop. Wacko Jacko. Talented. Gifted. Amazing. Too bad.
2. I went jogging with the husband today. HOLY COW! I haven't jogged in more than 6 months and I'll admit...it sucks! ARGH! And this is coming from a gal who has ran two half marathons. I'm starting to wonder if maybe...somehow...I dreamt that I ran those halves.
3. I got myself a mocha blended today and I was debating with or without whipped cream on my drink. I guess life isn't all that tragic if that's my biggest worry for today.
4. Our place is a freaking mess. I've been GLUED and I mean GLUED to either the TV or my computer screen watching Hong Kong dramas or Korean dramas for the past seven days.
5. I don't think I have anymore slacks to wear to work tomorrow since I haven't hemmed any of the new ones I got. Wondered what I will wear...guess I will worry about it tomorrow morning.
6. This month is going to be hella busy since I have two huge projects due at the end of this month.
7. I am going away next weekend!! YAHOOOOO!!!!
8. OH...I think I am going to go back for a haircut and it's only been a week. Argh....
9. I read a book over the weekend that was an easy read but rather peculiar. Can your imaginery friend become your soulmate? Luckily it was in a book, otherwise, that person might have belonged in the looney bin.
10. Ah....the next installment of Harry Potter comes out next Wednesday! I can't wait!!!

That's all folks!

Thank You (Sarcasm)

Thank you mom and dad. Now I remember why I try not to request for your assistance in life's matters. You see, ever once in awhile, I forget and let my guard down. Actually, it's been years but I think I've been foolished recently and the walls were slowly crumbling. But alas, tonight, I am reminded as to why I have that wall built.

It's o.k. I still love you guys, flaws and all.

Blog Rut

I am in a blog rut.

Lately, I have not found a desire to update my blog. Actually, I've been quite lazy. There are soo many minutes and hours in a day and updating a blog takes those minutes and hours away from other important events. So what do I do? Spend the wasted minutes and hours aimlessly surfing the web, which, I might add, I am a pro. If I could win an award for wasting time web-surfing - I think I may receive first or second place. Then again...I think everybody who owns a computer would also join the club. Shall we call ourselves, "Aimless Websurfers?"

There are subjects I would love to talk about but when the words form in my head, I am sadly not in front of a computer. Like for example, I have an opinion regarding Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Friendster and all these other sites to connect people to people but to write about such a story would probably take longer than I feel up to the challenge at the moment.

Anyhoo - I am just glad it's the weekend again.

Just Heavenly

I think I've just died and gone to heaven....well, figuratively speaking.

I found a printing museum right here in Southern California! OK, while I know that sounds like a snoozer for most people but I have a secret love for paper and printing. I know it doesn't really show that I do but I think in my past lifetime, I must have been a printmaker.

Anyway - I am excited to have found this printing museum. :)

Are We Really That Arrogant??

Recently I met up with a bunch of strangers for tea. It is one of my favorite pastimes. The funny thing...I am not much of a tea drinker. Actually, I am not much of a hot beverage drinker. Never really been one since a kid.

But there is something high tea that I enjoy. Someone recently asked me why I enjoy high tea so much? Was it the scones? The finger sandwiches? The tea? My answer - It's the entire experience of afternoon tea. It's getting together with friends for a few hours eating finger sandwiches, sipping on a cup of tea, trying out the scones with devonshire cream and catching up on old times. It's reminiscing about the past, complaining about the present and dreaming of the future. Of course, that is with friends.

With strangers - there is that element of "strangers" that make the experience intriguing. I am allowed to sit there and observe the various people who show up to the event, all from different age groups, nationalities and backgrounds. I am allowed to listen to each person share his or her life experience in the way he or she views the world. I have yet to meet a very strange person. So far, everyone has been pretty down to earth with the occasional "weirdness."

Anyhoo...I digress again. Well at this particular tea event, I met this man, probably in his late forties, maybe even fifties. (Actually, he is a regular as he has been to past tea events.) A few of us got onto the topic of how other countries view us in America. He mentioned that in Canada - the sales tax is 14% and everyone is fine with that. He also mentioned that the Canadians said they would be fine with paying more sales tax whereas us Americans...or is it specifically us Californians wail about a .75% increase in our sales tax. Then he also mentioned how we are an arrogant country, how others view us as arrogant and how we are self-centered. I have heard, on several occasions, that others have viewed America as an arrogant nation so it did not surprised me by his comment. But as the seconds turned to minutes, the minutes turned to hours and the hours turned to the next day...it got me thinking? Are we really that arrogant?? What is it that makes us Americans so arrogant? Is it because of our sense of individuality? Our sense of independence? Our desire to voice our opinion that makes us arrogant? Perhaps I am naive and do not know much of the world. I would like to think that I have national pride. I am a minority woman who grew up in a nation that gave me the opportunity to be who I am today. It is the same country who gave my family the same choice to be where they are. I am proud of this country and I have always been proud to live in this country.

So...when others view us Americans as arrogant...it really makes me wonder what it is that we do that makes us arrogant? And I become confused as information becomes conflicting. In one sense - we complain about our primary education such as our crappy school system or our terrible healthcare system. And then I turn around and see foreigners come to America to attend our colleges willing to pay premium dollars. I want to think that it is because other countries are envious of us but if I say that...I guess it makes me sound arrogant so then enlighten me...why are we Americans arrogant?

I Think

I think I am going to start hating my job if I continue to work with a bunch of "experts" but there is no final resolution to my projects because the "experts" cannot agree...

I am Sad

I am sad. I try really hard not to listen to the news......but......IT SUCKS!!! We are obviously trying to beat the metrics...in the bear market. Sighed.

The Bachelor

Somebody shoot me. Guy goes on show to find wife. Guy proposes to girl A. Guy decides she's not the one and takes back the proposal. Guy then decides that he wants to try with girl B.

All through this - girl A is pissed and throws hate words at guy. Leaves. Then in the limo - it seems she has a change of heart in terms of how much she hates guy. She doesn't hate him and that she's learn from the experience. Blah Blah Blah....

Give me a freaking break.....I just want to gag right now. Why? Why? Why? Do I put myself through this torture and watch this mind numbing show right now?

OMG...guy cries!!!!!!! How can anyone fall in love with someone who goes on a show and kissed 20-something other girls? EWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

Damn Deferred Taxes

Damn deferred taxes...how I hate thee. How many ways can thee make my life miserable? Why do we need deferred taxes anyway? Who cares about current, noncurrent, deferred tax liability or asset, and valuation allowance. My head goes numb when I think of thee....

The term "Regency"

I came upon the term "regency" twice this week as I was surfing the internet.

The first time was when I was blog stalking Trista Lerit's blog, a photographer based in Orange County, CA. She blogged about her recent home decorating and her love of "Hollywood Regency." I seriously thought the term was made up to give the whole Hollywood thing more glamour. Oh who am I kidding? It probably is but who cares because we get suckered into these things anyway. The term "regency" just sounds so much more elite and sophisticated then Hollywood style or Hollywood decor.

Anyway, the second time I encountered that term was when I was looking for romance novels similar to Judith McNaught's writings in Whitney My Love, A Kingdom of Dreams, Once and Always (probably my favorite among the bunch), Until You, Almost Heaven and Something Wonderful. What do all of these books have in common? (OK besides being romance novels!) For the longest time, I always thought they were considered historical romance novels and they are, BUT they are also considered around the British "Regency" era. Isn't that interesting? Well...maybe not to some people but it definitely got my interest since I encountered the word "regency" only days earlier. According to wikipedia, "The era was distinctive for its architecture, literature, fashions, and politics. It was a period of excess for the aristocracy..." In any case, you can find the full excerpt about British Regency here. Another interesting thing to note, the author, Jane Austen, falls into this category as she was from this era and her books were written in this period and I love Jane Austen! Although I must admit - some of her writings require repeat reading to fully understand its meanings.

Bad week

What a depressing week it has been. So much work to do and major stress. I have had a migraine two out of the five work days. I will also be rolling into the office this weekend to catch up on work. It's been several years since I have had to work weekends! :(

Aside from that - the economy sucks. People are losing their jobs left and right. Everyday I hear companies with lay-offs news. Massive lay-offs! Like in the hundreds and thousands of personnel. It's just so sad.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Before the day ends, I just wanted to say, "Happy Lunar New Year!" May you have a prosperous year full of joy, fortune and health!
Oh by the way - for those who do not know, it is the year of the ox. Watch out my fellow horses - it is not a good year for you. Please be safe and have patience.

Our New President

History in the making. Our 44th president and the first African-American president! Wished I was in D.C. yesterday!
I mentioned to the husband that when we have a woman president in office, I want to be there. I just hope it won't be when I am 70 years old...