Update I

Updating y'all twitter style.

Arrived in Seattle
Called everyone to let them know I was in town
Made plans to meet up with Kristi and Kei
Fell asleep and did not meet up with Kristi and Kei
Went to the movies instead with Tracy and Jackie
Sharon called before the movie started
Made plans to meet up afterwards
Took sleeping pills at 11pm and ended up waking up at 1pm
Needless to say, missed Sharon's call and did not meet up
Went shopping for a dress at Westfield
Bought a dress within 30 mins
Met up with Kristi and Kei for dinner at Fuji Sushi
Saw Jun and Nomitai-ers after dinner
Met up with Tien at Queen Anne after crepes with Kristi and Kei
Lunch with Mom and Jackie at Old Country Buffet
Visited Aunt Susan and Uncle Ching Fu
Saw Dennis and his newly shaved head -- scary
Had dinner with Josh and Anna at Claim Jumpers
Forgot to take sleeping pills and tossed and turned for most of the nite
10:30am flight to SFO
Perry picked me up in his S2000
Went with Perry to get this blood tested
Had Pho in Oakland
Cruised Oakland Hills
Cruised the ghettos
Took Fruitvale Bart back to SF
Took Bart back to San Bruno
Met up with Danny
Dinner with Danny at San Mateo
Watched How I Met Your Mother at Danny's place
Met up with Danny's friend Colin for late nite snack
Played pool with Colin and Danny in San Mateo
Freakishly good at pool when jet lagged
Dim sum with Danny at Koi Palace in Daly City
Picked up Pontiac Solstice at Avis
Thanks Ed, at Avis, for giving me the shitty Pontiac instead of the Ford Focus
Used Danny's GPS system to head up to Livermore
Got lost exactly 30 secs into the drive
GPS lost connection mid way
Good thing I also wrote down the directions from Google map
Stopped by Starbucks for coffee
Found out Wamu system is down, can't use my debit card
Arrived at McGrail Vineyards 10 mins late
Just in time tho to see Amanda and Jason saying their 'I do's'
Whew~
Saw Jon Fong
Saw Will and Shirley and baby Madison (not theirs)
Saw Aunt Judy and Uncle Alfred
Saw a bunch of other people whose names I don't remember
Met Melanie and her sister Tracy
Met people at table 24 but can't recall their names for the life of me
Open bar was a great for keeping warm, too bad I had to drive
GPS lost ENTIRE connection on way back into SF
Called Marlow for help
Parked shitty red car next to sleeping bums
Met up with Tien, Mi Ryung and Debby at a club on Mission
Tien, Mi Ryung and Debbby made fun of me for wearing tennis shoes with my dress
[whatever... its more convenient to run away from the bums]
Realized for the nth time this year that I am too old for this shit
GPS completely failed on me
Called Tracy for directions back to San Bruno
Got a parking spot in front of Danny's building
Got lost in Danny's building
Spent 10 mins finding his unit...

G'nite

What I've noticed so far...

1) Everyone has a freakin Blackberry and/or iPhone. You guys are losers -- but after playing around with Josh's Blackberry during dinner, that things the shit! In fact, texting whenever/wherever is the shit! My cousin works for AT&T, I wonder if he can hook me up with an iPhone...

2) Cars still stop for pedestrians to cross -- even in Chinatown.

3) People here have definitely grown larger. America, obesity kills!

4) This one can be linked to no 3 as well. I was at the movie theater my first nite back and the 'mini' coke was equivelent to a large one in Taiwan. tsk tsk

5) Westfield shopping mall can now be crowned THE MALL to go to. I'ma shop my ass off next week.

6) I am still the parallel parking queen! I guess somethings just come au natural.

7) Carpet definitely feels so much better than tile flooring on a cold morning.

8) This one I'll tell you later.

America...

Conversation from a family standing next to me as I waited for my baggage:

Kid: Mommy, why is it taking so long?
Mom: Honey, we're in America...

Touche Mom, touche.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Hand over. check.
Pastries. check.
Laundry. 1/2 check.
Shitload of last minute work crap. X_X
Packing. hahaha...

I feel like I'm still forgetting something...

Anyhoo, went out to dinner with the roomies + Jensen and Vanessa last nite. As an unexpected but pleasant surprise, dinner was on them. 3Q 3Q ah! They said it was a farewell dinner -- but guys, I'll be back next Friday.... does this mean I'll get a welcome back dinner as well? OoOoOOoo...

America (+ H1N1 virus), I'ma coming!

Rush, Rush

I am a human memo pad...

I've been so forgetful these days that I literally jot shit down on my inner left wrist.

I have 6 things to do today:

1. Taxes (horseshit)
2. Handover PPT (work stuff)
3. Grandmas
4. Pastries
5. Laundry
6. Display Logo (work stuff)

I woke up at 10am and started my never ending errands...its getting close to 2pm and so far I've completed numero 2. Yafe has been kind enough to help a 'lao wai' with taxes so hopefully I can cross that sucker off before 4pm.

I'm taking a somewhat lunch break and trying not to rush...

I bet you're asking "why didn't you plan things ahead?" A) That's a stupid question and B) There's no such thing as planning ahead. Its a freakin urban myth.

So here I am, practically inhaling curry at my favorite weekend hotspot, blogging, reading the news, downloading Grey's season finale and praying that it won't rain till later tonite or tomorrow.

Plus, I'm trying to squeeze in dinner with the roommates tonite as well cuz I won't have time tomorrow (yes, there is a whole new list for tomorrow).

-____-

Patterns

Current mood: hmmm...

Been thinking A LOT about the big "C" word in the last couple of months. Talkin to Danny helped (who would've thunk we're kinda in the same boat), but its like a nagging feeling that won't go away any time soon. I thought it would be an easy decision to make, but instead, I'm starting to get freaked out.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda?

Scrubs Series Finale

Hahahaha~

@ Work part II

The greatest tobacco minds at work...

Little Rice Sausage

So we have a house dog -- more like Angela's dog. She's a tiny, *cough* worthless, somewhat pretty daschund, but totally dumb like a box full of rocks.

I've kinda continued the 'I'm gonna f*ckin kill you...' mantra from my days at Jason's house. Mikey was totally scared of it, but Little Rice Sausage seems unfazed. Maybe I should translate it into Chinese -- but then again, I'd just be wasting my breath.

Anyhoo, there's a spot in front of Alfie's door (amongst other places) that is her fav place to pee/poop. We still don't know why, but hey, at least she's consistent...

金枝玉葉 - 今生今世

A scene from one of my all time favorite HK movies. I couldn't find just the song, but this will do.

The Mill

I have a very competitive side -- she usually shows up when exercising and/or sports related activities. Last nite at the gym, as I was getting ready for my usual run, this local chick hops onto the mill next to mine. I do the polite nod/smile and turn on my tunes.

[its on beeyotch~]

I started off at my normal speed then I noticed my legs were actually moving wayyy faster than hers so I hiked up my speed to a run and totally smoked her ass. Yes, everything is a competition. No, she didn't really have a chance. And yes, I really am that immature.

Wish List part Deux

Scrubs seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, etc. (i have season 6)

Memorable quotes:

----
Dr. Cox: The key to my exercise program is this one simple truth: I hate my body.
Turk: What?
Dr. Cox: Do you understand the second you look in the mirror and you're happy with what you see, baby, you just lost the battle.
Turk: You should give speeches to teenage girls.
----
Carla: Elliot, you know how they say, "No one will ever love you until you learn to love yourself?"
Elliot: My mother used to say, "No one will ever love you."
----
Carla: Fine, you can't live with Elliot, but you're not living with us so get your crap out by Friday.
J.D.: Friday? Friday's my birthday. I've already e-vited everyone to a party at our place.
Carla: Whose place?
J.D.: Your place. Look I can't just un-e-vite everyone. I've got two e-yeses and 24 e-maybes. That's a lot of e-sponses.
Carla: Bambi, I'm gonna put my e-foot up your ass.
J.D.: It's a Mexican themed fiesta on the first anniversary of my 29th birthday. That means I'm turning thirty. Donde? 56 Walnut Drive. Cuando? Thank you for asking, ocho-thirty until upside down question mark. Sombreros at the door. Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooh!
Turk: I'll be there.
J.D.: Gracias, amigo.
[to Carla]
J.D.: I borrowed one of your dictionaries.
----
[Elliot and Carla treat Maggie, a patient who wants to loose her virginity before dying]
Maggie: Don't people sometimes pay for sex?
Elliot: Oh, boy, do they. I slept with Jenny Johnson's older brother in high school, and then he decided to tell all of his friends what my orgasm face looked like. Then three of them posed like that for their yearbook photos! Paid for that one for years.
Carla: Elliot, I think she means pay _money_ for sex.
Elliot: Oh, I got a story about that, too. Not about me, though, my mom... She gets lonely.
----

funny funny~

Mama

Alice, my mom, is a big, big, big fan of the big Louis -- as in Louis Vuitton. Chanel, Gucci, Tods, Hermes, Celine, Fendi, Botagga ... yeah, those are nice people too, but no one compares to Louis.

I fail to understand her love over for the guy. In fact, its insane, even border line obsessive. I mean, who really needs 10 LV bags? Well, considering it was her bday last month, plus its mothers day today and the fact that I won't be home for xmas, so this year, I will be extra generous and give her a big 'L' bag to add to her already impressive collection.

I even consulted Queenie before the purchase and bitched about the snooty sales lady as well. Her reply was simple "go for it, but don't buy it from that lady. buy it from someone else and rub it in her face!" Yea, good tactics fo'sure.

Happy Mothers Day.

My Job

My friends think I have a glamourous job. Marketing death sticks is so not glam. But then again, all the free access to the clubs is pretty nice -- not to mention the free booze (aka patron).

So last nite was another glam nite. First stop, Deep Passion (KANE party) that was kinda ghetto fabulous. That stop was made possible by Sauza(?) tequila. Next stop was Spark(le). I [heart] Spark(le) only cuz of sweet, sweet Patron.

I left around 2am and 69~78% still intoxicated. I received a text at 8:30am from Cheryl. It said "shit, how did i get home?" Oh yeah, this is the glam life~

Instincts

You know that feeling where you know something is off -- your gut tells you, your friends tell you, even the powers that be tells you.

But you're just too stubborn to see it or hear it or speak it. Maybe you're an eternal optimist. Maybe you think there's a tiny smidge of chance (0.000001%) that everyone is wrong. Maybe you think if you just ignore it or pretend its not there, nothings really off. Maybe you're trying to find an excuse -- a rational one, a reasonable one, but nothing makes sense.

So you go into denial. You take a step or two back. You re-evaluate your priorities. You finally admit to yourself that your initial instincts were right. You realize its not your battle. No loss, no gain (well, maybe a little gain).


Damn those monkeys.

Diva

Amanda's wedding is coming up! I still haven't registered for a gift yet. Hope she's not reading this. Oops~

Waiting

I'm waiting for my morning coffee to kick in.

I'm waiting for my ad agency to send me designs that were due yesterday.

I'm waiting for my supplier to provide corporate item samples that were requested 2 weeks ago.

I'm waiting for a sign, for a moment, for something...

Hmm...

K, some freaky shit has been happening and I'm not in the mood to blog about it, but the following conversation with my sister pretty much sums it up.

-----
I say: i mean, i'm sure its all coincidences, but everything's been happening within days of eachother

I say: so its hard not to think otherwise

Tracy says: yea.....maybe someone's spirit is trying to tell you something

I say: tell me waht?

Tracy says: I dunno.....I have dreams....you got spirits hahaha

I say: you know how crazy that sounds right?

I say: lol

Tracy says: hehe.....well good luck with your spirits and whatnot....I'm going to bed...

I say: dream of my spirit and tell me whats up

Tracy says: hehe....we'll see....bye

I say: g'nite
-----

Addiction(s)

I'm addicted to double eyelid stickers.



It's been like 2 months and the office folks are used to seeing my newly smoldering lookin eyes (not really).

Another new addiction is this fancy, schmancy turquoise headband that I've been sportin at work (only at work). It's Eve's and it's very shiny and pretty and polka dotty and not to sound like a narcissist or anything, but hot damn I look good!

Oh, I finally remembered to bring an apple. This is what the pros call 'a break through'.

Office Space

I think the cleaning lady hates me. This is what my trash bin looks like everyday (well, this is me being nice). I will be adding my half full cup of joe by end of day, as I do everyday.

Grandma

I went to visit my grandma last weekend. When I got to her place, she was sitting on her bed counting her secret stash of bills.

The following is what I observed:

Step 1: roll the cash
Step 2: wrap a rubber band around them
Step 3: stash the wad in a pouch
Step 4: wrap a rubber band around the pouch

[climax]

Step 5: stash pouch in a pair of whitey tighties
Step 6: wrap a rubber band around the whity tighties
Step 7: stash whitey tighties in super duper secret closet drawer

Apples

The mind works in peculiar ways -- especially my mind. I bought apples and guava earlier this week in an effort to eat healthier. Every nite before sleeping, I'll tell myself "don't forget to bring an apple to work". Every morning I rush out the door cuz I always over sleep. I'll quickly scan the kitchen and living room area to make sure I didn't forget anything, pet the dog and head out the door. And like clock work, right when I get to the main street something triggers my memory and like a person with tourettes, I'll scream out "Fuck~ apples!"

Circus

Blast From the Past

I [heart] reading past blog entries.

This was written back in December 2005.

addicted to coffee

Some things just never change. =)

[一姐]

I've known Queenie since my days at LB. She's 45% genuine, 45% down to earth and 10% [huh?].

Our conversation from last nite:

Me: What's that sound in the background? Tv?
Q: No, its my Dad lecturing me...
Me: Wow, he's loud~ What did you buy this time? Clothes, bags, shoes or...?
Q: Haha. I bought something that I thought was useful.
Me: Which was...?

[at this point, I honestly thought she bought cleaning supplies or some sort of home appliance. I was not prepared for the answer she was about to say.]

Q: I bought a fire extinguisher.

[o.O silent pause]

Me: ... ok ... um, why?
Q: It was a group purchase with my coworkers... Original price was almost NT$3000, I got it for less than $2000. It's a good deal right?
Me: [couldn't stop laughing]

ADD

Random thought: I wish Astri would get back into blogging.

Its amost lunch time and I've had somewhat of a hectic morning. Drafting up a CTP (critical time path) is hella time consuming. Plus, I think I have a mild case of ADD so sporadically I'd look over my left shoulder and gaze out the window.

I don't focus on anything in particular, the brick building next door kinda blocks 40% of the view. My eyes always fall on the Boracay postcard that Angela sent when we were there. My mind doesn't really think about anything (not even the white sandy beach) so its like a nice breather/pause. Then my eyes wonder back to my computer screen and I sigh really loud and continue on.

Oh, I looked at it again.

------

Finally booked my ticket home. Seattle / Bay Area, I'ma coming!

@ Work

-__-

2 words can describe my current mood: [muffin top]. I'm looking at the apple sidra I had for breakfast and wonder why. Sheeeit~

For shits and giggles:

There's a publication here called Bang Magazine. I thought it was the funniest thing. I haven't seen the magazine, but apparently we will air one of our party ads in it (so dirrrrty).

I asked my co-worker "do you know what bang means?" She goes "yeah, of course." Not believing that she was up to par with American slang, I looked her in the eye and asked again, emphasizing the word 'bang'. She looked at me and with a straight face goes "I want to bang you." LOL!~ My coworker is friggin cool!

My 'Baby'

This is my supposedly 'baby' at work. The canteen I like, but the sofa area will need some getting used to.

ps. No, I did not pick the sofa/carpet colors.

Wish List

I need to save money, but but but but....


Ricoh GX200 ... so pretty~~


Giant Flight Mini 0 ... so pretty~~


32in plasma for my bedroom... so pretty~~


New pillows for a well rested nite... so comfy~~


Someone to pay off my credit card bills... oh, so nice~~

Digital Engrish

My company offered this digital english meeting skills online course that I was kinda forced to take... I found it extremely pointless b/c, despite the fact that I'm a fob, I'm still a native speaker.

It was an 8 week course that spanned to 11 or 12 weeks b/c we kept skipping class. Ok, it wasn't we, it was all me. I skipped like 2/3 of the sessions b/c it was during lunch hour and food is way more important.

So anyway, the tutor sent out the final report -- like a report card if you will. I was a bit hesitant to open it but when I did, laughed out loud.



Reminds me of my Business Law class back at SU. 7:30am class during winter quarter. I went 3.5 times and got an A-. LOL~

Changes

[That's just the way it is,
Things will never be the same, that's just the way it is,
Aww, yeah...]

Yes, I just quoted Tupac. Its how I feel about the new facebook homepage.

It's mid March and I can't wait till the 25th and 27th cuz of payday and Jeff is coming to town! Our relationship/friendship is pretty unique... I first met Jeff in Taiwan around 3 years ago -- it was my Nth time leaving Taiwan for good dinner and Daniel Lee brought him along. The 2nd time we met was 2 years in Taiwan. March 27th will be the 3rd.

I think I can count on one hand how many days we've hung out in the past 3 years -- Jeff, I believe you hold the record of 'close friend that I see the least'. On the plus side, I call you the most and you actually answer my calls too. So for that I salute you.

Other tidbits...

1. My mom wants me to buy a house here. I've been looking for my 'ideal house' and its a pain in the ass.

2. Went to a sleep clinic and got annoyed when the doc continuously asked "what are you thinkin about before you fall asleep? how does your body feel? how does your head feel?" I think I might need anger management instead...

3. Eve is on vacation for the next 2 weeks. I admit, I'm a bit scarrred...

4. Morning gym session? Hmmm....

Work Coma

I wonder if there's such a thing as work coma.

I -- zzzZzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Sunday Morning

My neighbor is an up n coming pianist. Why do I say this? Cuz I can hear her (I'm assuming the pianist is a girl) practicing as I chill on a Sunday morning. It's actually pretty theraputic to hear the classics through the not so concrete walls...

Rejuvenation 2009

Getting my ass in shape for Amanda's wedding in May.

Diet: more veggies, less meat plus a whole lotta water.

Gym: pump it up to 6km

bring.it.on

To Bora, To Bora...cay

I am back from le paradise -- and it sucks.

Boracay was one of the best beaches/islands I've ever been to. I'd recommend a trip there to anyone and everyone.

Here's a recap:

Day 1.

7am direct flight to Kalibo. Being the retards that we are, we decided to NOT SLEEP and 'party' till 5 am. We didn't exactly party --more like packing, showering, plucking unwanted body hair and last minute shopping (disposable undies/aloe vera lotion/sun tan lotion...)

This is what people look like without sleep before a trip:

2 hours and 30 mins later, we arrived in Kalibo. The airport -- k, mini airport was very cute and small and cute. It was like the mini cooper of airports. An hour car ride plus 10 min boat ride plus 2 min motorcycle ride later, we were finally there. The weather wasn't to our expectations, but it didn't matter. We were at the beach.

We got in around 1pm and took a much needed nap. 1st stop was kayaking (amazing), followed by a buffet dinner on the beach (yummy), followed by coffee on the beach (brillant) and ended the first nite with massages on the beach (awesome).

Day 2.

Woke up to sound of plitter, platter... First insticts were "am I back in Seattle?" But it didn't matter. We still went island hopping, fishing (Angela caught a fish!) and snorkelling in the afternoon. The weather was a beeyotch all morning/afternoon that we opted for take out massages. As in, the lovely ladies came to our hotel room and did their magic while Titantic was playing in the background.

Dinner on the beach was lovely again -- as was the post dinner coffee.

Day 3.

Hark my eyes, the sun was shinning (somewhat)! While Angela indulged herself with a shiatsu massage, I tried to soak up as much sun as I could. It was one of those perfect, carefree afternoons of doing absolutely nothing.

Since the weather was lookin up, we took one of em sailboats out to watch the sunset. I don't remember seeing the sunset (I think I was napping), but Ang said it was goregous. Before we went out for dinner, Troy, the owner of the hotel, let us sample his infamous Turtle shots. We didn't really know what was in it, except something about 99% vodka. We opted for another buffet dinner on the beach and when we went back to the hotel, downed 4 more Turtle shots with Troy, the bartender and some German dude. Good stuff.



Day 4.

Can you guess what we did? Lounged at the beach, Ang got a mani/pedi, chilled at our usual cafe while we watched the sunset, ate pizza on the beach, splurged on the local seafood, listened to a live band, gazed at the stars -- trying to take it all in before leaving. (Ang drank 5 mango/banana shakes that day -- crazy).

Day 5.

11am flight back to Taipei -- boo.

FYI. Angela took about 500 pictures (again, crazy). I've selected about 56 PG ones that are posted on facebook. Enjoy!

2 more days till paradise!

Just a sneak preview...

Emile's Birthday

LB crew @ the Diner =

Restlessness

We are what we repeatedly do.

Work.Gym.Home.Work.Gym.Home.Work.Gym.Home... [I should be fit like a thorough bred -- key word being should, but I'm not. I think all the drinkin after the work out may be the reason why....] Throw in the occasional KTV/mah jong/movie and that's my routine.

Long gone are my spontaneous days of grabbing a book and wandering to a near by town/city for a day of exploring or walking around the city and noticing a building/park that's always been there, but I'm just seeing it for the first time.

I think that's it -- my relationship with Taiwan has passed the honeymoon stage. We're no longer getting to know each other... [gulp] do I dare say that I have finally committed?

CNY 2009

Happy Ox Year!

Every year around this time (if I'm in Taiwan), I usually head to a beach somewhere in SE Asia. But for some reason, ticket prices were hella pricey this year. I opted to stay at home and be naked all week while the roommates went back to their respected hometowns down south. It was super nice to have the place all to myself (and spotless) for the week but when everyone came back, the house felt homey again.

I did nothing in particular, except catch up on sleep, recover from this 2 month long virus and getting back on the mill. I'm planning a trip to Boracay this month but I'm a bit scared that I won't be able to get the days off. Hmmm.

It's Sunday nite -- 9 hours till I have to be at work and all I can think about is being denied the days off plus the MMR that's due on Wednesday. Ugh~

I hope to dream of that one sandy beach in SE Asia that's been calling my name.

Mira Flora

Getting addicted to Chilean red wine + jazz. Not too shabby...

Brr~~

Imagine skiing without gloves. Torturous right?

Now imagine scootering without gloves in effin cold weather. I don't need to imagine, I've been doing it and it [in a soft whisper] hurts....

---------

On a different note, I'm hooked to the mini heater that I placed under my desk. It's so nice and warm -- like a mini fireplace for my feet! The office is under going some renovations -- ok, MAJOR renovations and I can't wait to see the new office layouts. They're starting with the 12fl and slowly working their way up!

Now the bad news... HR will install a security camera by the front entrance and there will be a weekly report to see what time employees arrive to work. Lateness is a big no-no this year. The marketing department is notorious for lateness -- 4 out of 7 folks are always late (and I'm one of them!).

Cash-whore

I'm on the welfare committee at work. What that basically means is that any company event that benefits the employers, we do. The main event each year is the year end party which is next Monday. Everyone in the marketing department has been busting their asses trying to get donations from our vendors so that we can use them as prizes. The prizes are usually cash or gift certificates, but this year, its all cash baby!

Anyway, today I found out that another vendor will be supplying a whopping amount and my eyes just lit up. Who wouldn't want more cash ya? Even when I told a coworker, her response was a mere 'thats good'. I scoffed, "how can you not like cash??" and left the conversation.

Back at home, as I was sipping some wine, it all of sudden hit me. Money has become an integral part of my life. WTF happened to me? Once upon a time it was about doing the things I love or enjoying the challenges and unknown. But now -- I find myself glued to a job because it pays well, buying shit that I normally wouldn't care for and living day to day without a certain purpose (yeah, the last one sounds a bit harsh-o).

Why am I feeling this way? I just finished the book "How Starbucks Saved My Life." It's about a creative director at JWT that was fired and started from the bottom at Starbucks. The moral to his story that after years of committing to a glamorous job, being promoted numerous times, traveling the world and making great ads, he was happiest as a 'partner' at the local Starbucks.

Who would've thunk?

Nike Aces '83

I'm looking down at my worn out Nikes and I think its time to toss 'em out.

When they were new, they looked like this:

Now they look like shit.

I still remember the time that I got them. I had just received the offer from JWT and as a celebatory gift, bought me self some new kicks at Gong Guan. These baby's have travelled the world with me and it's time to retire them.

So thank you Nike Ace 83's for accompanying me to Seattle, San Francisco, Taiwan, Japan, The Philippines, Hong Kong and China. I'm a bit sad there won't be any more trips, but its time for new kicks, new adventures!

Run, Fat Girl, Run

So its been 2 months since I last had a decent workout session. The vacation did me great. So great that I'm carrying some unwanted holiday weight and tis the time to say adios to unwanted body fat.

I went to my old gym to run and when I left, the guy at the counter said "leaving so soon?" I did a crappy 2 miles and it was like the walk of shame when I left. My gym also has a tanning booth and I'm wondering if I should use it? Hmmm.

Goal: 5kgs.

2009 New Year Resolutions

1. Tone down on the road rage (this is so unlikely, but I gotta try)

2. Eat more fruits and veggies.

3. Save money (unlikely again, but gotta try)

4. Enjoy the now instead of hoping for something better.

5. A ghetto fobulous version of champagne wishes and caviar dreams

Normally I'd have 10 things, but 5 is good.

Bring it on 2009!

Brrrrrr

It's too effin cold to be scootering around the city.

Plus, finally got around to renewing my gym membership today!

New year resolutions to be posted soon.

HAPPY 2009!

Fireworks at Taipei 101 to ring in the new year! Totally partied, VIP style, at RM 18's rooftop with friends and coworkers. Open bar was pretty sweet (even tho it was limited to whisky -- Singleton was the sponsor) and somehow Jenny snagged a bottle of Moet -- sweet, Moet something champagne. Needless to say, that bottle never left my hand.

After the fireworks, we moved the party down to the club where I got some lip burnin tequila from my new suga daddies (3 of them) and ALMOST witnessed some bitch slappin. But I did witness a friend suck face with a local chick and it reminded me of new years past when I was that chick. lol~

Another year has flown by and I'm still in the inferno called Taiwan. This past year has been great. Was very fortunate to have travelled around the world, whilst maintaining a stable job *knock on wood* and enjoying life at the same time.

It's the morning after, aka Jan 1st, and what better way to start it off by waking up at 1pm, linger in bed till 2:30pm and finally heading out to this place called the Diner for some western style breakfast. I am totally craving some pancakes, hashbrowns, bacon AND sausages plus bottomless coffee. Yes folks, they do have the good stuff in Taiwan. ^__^

Before I start on new year resolutions --

OMG... the food the came. Had to break for like 5 mins to scarf down this amazing food. I'm very content right now. Food coma, here I come!

Ok, where was I... so before I start listing new resolutions, I'll be boring and list off the things I was thankful back in 2008. [just inhaled the sausage... they're REAL sausages!!! I mean, USA style sausages!!!]

Top 10 moments of 2008

10. Reaching/surpassing the 1 year mark at my current job. Look how I'm growing!

9. Biz trip to Kunming, China where I had the pleasure of being pampered by suga daddies old enough to be my grandpa.

8. Biz trip Hamburg, Germany. How can you not love an all expense paid trip to one of the most goregous cities in the world? Plus, who would've thunk the red light district would be kid friendly?

7. Moving into a semi loft and being able to afford it -- moving out of the semi loft and in with 2 friends at a more spacious apt with a kitchen to die for (by Taiwan standards).

6. Visiting Seattle to attend Tracy's high school graduation + meeting up with old friends.

5. Loka. Though I couldn't keep him, he's by far the best dog a person could ever have.

4. Family and friends from back home visiting the motherland: Tracy, Carrie, Sophia, Andy, Marcus, Brandon and Stephanie -- not to mention seeing Andrew and Grace.

3. Finally stepping foot into Hong Kong and spending the weekend with Carrie and the Wakabayashi's!

2. Xmas party 2008

1. New years eve countdown and knowing that I'm going to be ok.

Officially on holiday

It's the day after Christmas. I'm up in the mountains somewhere with my friend, Emile. We're both on vacation till Jan 5th and it's pretty awesome to not have to work. This place that we're at now is pretty cool. Its a cafe/wooden lodge that's perched on a hill. We're the only ones here (friday afternoon) and I can't really complain.

Marcus and Brandon were in town last weekend with their parents and had dinner along with Grace. Afterwards, we met up with Andrew at Hooters (out of all the places in Taiwan, he just had to go to Hooters). So the 5 of us chilled at my place for a bit before hitting the local KTV. Ah, how great it was to hear Brandon sing Temptation and Boys II Men songs -- not to mention him groovin to NSYNC. Good times!

Miss HK will be in town this weekend, so I'm totally lookin forward to that.

Current mood: ^_________^

I [Heart] Tequila!

Roommates and I had a pre Xmas partay on Sat. Let's just say it ain't never dull when there's tequila and lil 420 involved.

Most of the pics are posted on facebook. Enjoy!

Turn right and right again...oh, there it is!

Scootering around the city at nite has its perks. For one, less traffic = less road rage. Proving that I do have memory like an elephants, I found my way to Miramar and once I saw that damn ferris wheel, my problems ceased to exist.

That particular ferris wheel has a special place in my heart. I used to go there with Amanda when we were down or couldn't sleep. I can still remember our talks about the future, the many curve balls in life, enjoying the view from atop of the ferris wheel and me getting freaked out cuz I'm scared of heights. (the ferris wheel is perched on top of shopping mall --i wanna say on the 8th floor?)

While our problems were never really solved, just being away (not to mention being stranded in a suspended tin box for a good 2-3 mins) gave me a sense of calm that I needed. And that is exactly how I feel whenever I see that wheel.

There's a Wal-Mart type store right next to Miramar and we would go 'shop' afterwards. I remember this one time -- I think it was like 2AM and we went to look around and Amanda really wanted an ice cream cone. But no one was manning the counter (duh, it was like 2AM), so she reaches over the counter, pulls out a cone and starts doing it herself. Me, being a goody goody, started to panick (they execute prisioners here!). Of course people saw and when I saw them coming over, I yelled "RUN!"... which is exactly what we did. I know stealing ice cream isn't a big offense, but I'd like to think we were rebels that night -- mutha effin rebels.

Pill Popper

Yes, I've become a pill popper. This effin virus apparently evolved or something and now I'm coughing like crazy and I have fluids coming out of my nose. I stopped by the clinic over lunch and the docs like 'oo~ you got worse...'

No shit, Sherlock.

So he gave me hella pills. Its like Skittles but in different shapes/sizes. Oh oh, and this time around, I got a syrupy thang too (tastes like shit). Or maybe bitter, cuz I totally sound bitter right now.

1.5 hours of work to go.

Tis the season!

OMG.... This might be the longest MIA blogging for me. So where to start? I wonder if I should be like that movie, Momento, and start now and work my way back... but that would be confusing huh and I don't think I have the mental capacity to pull it off. So I will be unoriginal and start with 'where I last left off...'

Where the fuck did I last leave off? ha~ Oh yeah. So I adopted a puppy. A Corgi/Taiwanese mix. Cute as a button, housebroken, extremely well behaved -- but I found out I was allergic to all his shedding. Who would've thunk? Found him new owners after a week of having him and it was heartbreaking to see him go.

Went to HK for an actual weekend getaway (and not some lame ass transfer flight) to meet up with *drumroll please* Carrie and the Wakabayashi's! Thanks again Carrie lah for letting me crash at your place! It was awesome seeing them in HK and realized that it would be our 10 year reunion next year. Time to start planning for a reunion party!!

Moved apts and now I'm learning to adjust to having roommates again. Yes, there have been some roommate issues -- just reconfirming my decision that Taiwanese guys are immature little girls. But whatever, its all about compromising and I will learn to accept his immaturity, but NOT his irresponsibilty. Plus, out of the blue, I got hit with mutha effin virus and it may be karma telling me to stop talkin shit.

[Hey Karma, totally noted! I will stop talkin schmack.]

AND b/c of this mutha effin virus, I took 2.5 days off of work. Yeah, me takin sick days off! I NEVER take sick days. But it was koo cuz one of my roommates caught the lazy bug and kinda didn't go to work either. lol~

So now it's le weekend. I spent all day yesterday in bed, catching up Gossip Girl - season 1. Felt really nice, but I woke today with a sore throat still. WTF! I mustered up all my energy and took the bus to my favorite weekend hotspot, QK, to write this blog and enjoy a couple hours of me time.

Oh, I'm thinkin about adopting another dog again. This time, I'ma gonna rub my face against his fur and if I don't start heezing/die, I'ma taking him home! I also have a bunch of vacation days coming up and I CANNOT WAIT! Don't really have any planned -- which is nice. It'll be Carpe Diem week for me.

So yeah, I think I've pretty much summed up the past couple of months. I left out a few details, but this is good.

Me = Clumsy

My calves keep getting branded from scooter exhaust pipes! I have a half moon shape burn mark on my right calf and something that looks like an "X" on my left calf. WTF!!!

So much for wearing capris....

Financial Crisis 101

http://biznik.com/articles/financial-crisis-101-the-way-it-works?category_id=money-financing

Kristi sent me this article explaining the financial crisis in lame men terms. Great read!

Thanks Kristi lah!

Boot Camp (ing)

Day 1 boot camp: 26 mins / 3km

Day 2: 33 mins / 4km

Day 3: OT-ing

Day 4: 40 mins / 5km

Day 5: 40 mins / 5km

Day 6: rest

FREEDOM!

I'm FREEEEEE!

Tonite was my last 'business english' class. Some of the students came up to me after class and was like "why aren't you teaching this class anymore? we like your style! you have such a great voice, but we didn't understand what you were saying..." lol!~

so yeah, I'm freeeeeee!

I also told my landlord that my company's shipping me off to China end of Nov/early Dec. Just a lil white lie cuz I'm planning on getting a place with 2 other folks and I want my deposit back (since my year contract ain't up yet).

Now I can start workin out again. Must get back on the mill el pronto!

[...]

I wonder if its possible to be burnt out by doing absolutely nothing.

Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, .... Poe?

Its 12:39am. I want to SLEEP! But I can't. I won't. I hate insomnia!

Carrie recommended flipping through a philosophy book, but I wanna go straight to the pills. Grr.

So here I am blogging -- hoping the rhythmic sounds on the keyboard will slowly, but surely, put me into a deep slumber soon.

Taiwan was hit with another typhoon this past weekend. Can you believe that shit? 3 freakin typhoons in a month. That's gotta be some kind of record?! I got Monday off (which was sweet!) but I'm dreading Tuesday morning and all the unread emails at work.

Woolly Mammoth

There's a woolly mammoth exhibit going on right now at the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. I've been meaning to go for the longest time (its in town from 7/1~11/4) and kept putting it off. I had read in the papers earlier this year about how researchers excavated a preserved woolly mammoth and I found that super interesting for some reason.

Imagine my shock when the exhibit came to Taiwan!

Now that I've seen it, my feelings are split over the exhibit. For one, it was a whole mammoth like I thought it would be. The exhibit had 3 separated body parts. 1) just the head 2) a foot 3) partial head/face of a baby mammoth. I mean, it was cool to see, but I was hoping for something straight out of hollywood (add a few cavemen next to it -- just kidding).

A nice surprise was to see people of all ages enjoying the exhibit. Sure, the little kids were running around and being annoying, but I'd like to believe they learned something.

Another tidbit of my life this week was venting about my teaching performance. Elite English has an online website for teachers and students to log onto to schedule classes and rate teachers. The rating system is a simple (+) for good, (-) for bad. Well, at one point, I was at 2 (which is good), but for some freakin reason, I'm now at -1. WTF!

I dont think I get docked pay, but its like a slap in the face. The (-) points came from my EC1 class on Fridays and yesterday in class, I was like "who gave me a (-)!?" I'm assuming the girl students were the one's giving out the (-)'s cuz it was all boys yesterday. Man, girls are beeyotches. Ha~

The guys in the class last nite said not to worry... they'll log on and give me (+)'s so I won't be (-) anymore. Aw, how sweet.

1 little sheep, 2 little sheep, ...

I survived another typhoon. Go me!

It's 12:51 am and for the nth night in a row, I can't sleep. Having a 3 day weekend didn't really help much to 'fix' my sleeping problem. In fact, I think it made it worse cuz I just slept in all 3 days. So what's been on my mind thats making me an insominiac chica? I have no clue. Or maybe I do and am just too damn stubborn to admit that I need change. So much for stability, normalcy and not living like a nomad.

I am a firm believer in fate and the powers that be, so I know change will come soon. My most recent experience was the idea of getting a new cell phone. I bought my Nokia phone in April and right when I had the date/time set, I was already tired of it. But considering the phone wasn't cheap, I stuck with it. Fast forward to 4 months later, my lovely sister drops my previous phone (sony ericsson) down the toilet and will need a replacement.

Ah, fate works in mysterious forms. Not really knowing if the Sony Ericsson phone was truly dead, I did a price comparison on this new Sony Ericsson flip phone that I've been eyeing. Not cheap, but doable.

And then fate struck again -- this time in the form of a cab door. Friday evening... the weather dreary and typhoony (yes, that's a word). I decided to cab it back home and totally forgot that my phone was in my pocket. Well, the damn phone fell out right when I was getting into the cab and the freakin door slammed onto the screen. (must've been some effin good timing too) So the screen went berserck on me and I had to get a new cell phone. WTF~ I think I was more annoyed than happy at the situation, but regardless, the nokia is being fixed as I type and now I have a new phone.

Fate~

PS. I've decided to fuck the bikes. Going on this fate thang, it ain't THAT hard to buy a bike and for some reason unbeknownst, its a fuckin pain in my arse. So instead, I'm gonna save the money and hopefully head to HK/Beijing in October to meet up with Kristi and Kei! Now that sounds more awesomey than some overpriced bike that'll most likely get stolen -- even if its parked right next to a police station.

Old Skool

Listening to old skool tunes.

Qtip's Westside
Sir Mixalot's Baby got back
Salt n Pepper's Shoop
Jay Z's Big Pimpin
Not really old skool, but I love Twista's Hope [featuring Faith Evans]

Flight Mini, RD 806, Flight Mini, RD 806...

My heart (and wallet) is torn between these bikes.




Flight Mini 0
20 speed @ 20 pounds (!!)
US$600

Pros: lightweight, compact, great for long distances, super uber cool design
Cons: expensive as hell, must be parked indoors for constant fear of being stolen



RD 806
6 speed @ 30 pounds (foldable)
US$200

Pros: foldable, design is cool, easy on the wallet
Cons: heavy (for a foldable), might not be great for long distances/hills (only 6 speeds)

I'm gonna head to the Giant store later and ask the store owners if they have this model in stock:



Flight Mini 1
18 speed @ 22pounds
US$ N/A

Pros: lightweight, compact, great for long distances, cheaper than Flight Mini 0
Cons: still more expensive than the RD 806 (i'm assuming), fear of getting stolen

Sigh... why are bikes all of a sudden so freakin expensive!??!?!

Biker Chick

Kinda splurged and bought me self a folding bicycle!

It's still at the shop and I'm debating if I should switch from the 16in wheels to the 20in wheels and maybe add suspension... Oh, how my life revolves around these life altering decisions~ =P

Back in routine

Its Sunday.

Sunny (finally) and I'm at my regular Sunday hot spot with a cool cup/glass of green milk tea and a slice of thick toast with peanut butter. I can't recall how many Sunday's have started off like this, but sadly, its' been at least 5-6 weeks that I haven't been here.

Alas, another summer is ending and here are my top 10 moments:

1. Moving into my fobulous apt (marks the first time I'm able to pay for shit on my own. lol)
2. Flying home to attend my sisters graduation and visiting folks
3. Kunming biz trip and meeting senior citizens from all over
4. Hamburg biz trip
5. Tracy visiting Taiwan
6. All the layovers at the Hong Kong International Airport
7. Getting 3 extra classes at Elite English
8. Saw Tsai Jian Ya (famous singer) live at Room 18. (she is freakin awesome singing live!)
9. KTV nite with Tiffany, Claire and Emile
10. All the C1O gatheringments

This is only a drill

I stopped by the bank yesterday to deposit a check and right when I gave the teller my deposit slip, loud ass sirens starting going off. I thought I won a prize or something, but the bank manager was like "ma'am, you can't leave the bank for the next 30mins. please take a seat..."

I was thinking to myself wtf is going on? The security guard did a whole lock down and cars/scooters on the street had to park it on the side and most came into the building. It was then that I remembered that the city initiated a practice drill just in case a neighboring country were to attack.

Since I didn't bring my cell phone, I had to use the banks to call the office and let them know I was kinda, sorta held hostage and not skipping out on work. When I told Anny, the marketing assistant, of the situation, she thought I meant the bank was being robbed and I was one of the hostages. Aiya~

So yeah, htat's my exciting story.

Heading out to RM 18 tonite to see 蔡建雅 live! Hope I can get a pic with her.

Hamburg Debrief

Ok, catching up on my blog...

Hamburg trip:

Only one word can sum up my biz trip to Hamburg, which is AWESOME! The product development seminar was 4 days of blending, flavoring and ntm's (non tobacco materials such as filters, paper, package). The objective of the seminar was to create a factory made cigarette that would be accepted by society and garner mutual respect between smokers and non smokers. I'm sure ALL tobacco companies want a product like that. lol~

At at the end of the 4 days, we presented our 'product' to a panel of judges and partied afterwards. Ryan, a brand executive in the Shanghai office, and I were the only Asian people there and when we were at a posh lounge bar after dinner, decided to teach the rest of the folks Chinese drinking games. It was totally awesome. And everyone really got into it.

---- break ----
I'm at a tea shop and there's these 4 girls (jr.highish) and 1 girl has a coach bag and 1 girl has a gucci bag. yeesh~
--- break over ---

I extended my trip an extra 3 days/2 nights b/c I thought the next time I would be in Hamburg would probably be in a really, really, really long time. I met up with my old boss, Oliver, who currently splits his time between Hamburg and London. Him and his gf took me out to a few hot spots and it felt really nice to see him again.

Top 5 moments in Hamburg:

1. Cruisin Reeperbahn (red light district)
2. Teaching "hai dai" drinking game to the Imperial folks
3. Meeting Imperial folks from all over
4. Learnin about blending, flavoring, etc
5. Eating all the cold cuts and bratwursts!

Reboot

Took my laptop to tech support on Monday to get rebooted. Great thing is that it's running a helluva lot faster. Bad thing: I need to find another copy of Office, redownload a bunch of shit (that will probably make my laptop run slower) and figure out what websites were in my favorites file. sigh~

@ Hamburg

If Seattle could be a city in Germany, she would be Hamburg. The port, buildings and weather are just too similar.

Reeperbahn is the best! Imagine the Vegas strip, but instead of casinos, you have strip joints, erotica shops and more. Good stuff~

Hamburg, I'ma Coming!

Sitting in the Cathay Pacific Business Lounge waiting to board. There's free food! Nuff said.

If only they offered free massages as well... sigh~

Har Har

L.A. police chief William Bratton quote the brat pack:

"If you notice, since Britney started wearing clothes and behaving, Paris is out of town not bothering anybody anymore, thank God, and evidently, Lindsay Lohan has gone gay, we don't seem to have much of an issue," L.A. police chief William Bratton pointed out to KNBC-TV as he called a proposed shutterbug crackdown a "farce." "If the ones that attract the paparazzi behave in the first place, like we expect of anybody, that solves about 90 percent of the problem. The rest we can deal with."

I guess the police can be funny~

The Shawshank Redemption

I 'heart' this movie to death. One of my all time favorites.

Morgan Freeman has one of the best narrating voices around and many memorable lines in the film.

Red: [narrating] I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.

Typhoooooon!

Taiwan was hit with yet another typhoon this past Sunday night/Monday morning. Central and Southern Taiwan were hit the hardest-- major flooding and whatnots. I was relatively unscathed from the whole ordeal. Meaning I woke up around 10am (no work!), watched TV, took a nap, watched more tv, got a foot massage, watched some more TV and went to bed. Good stuff~

I went down to Taichung (central Taiwan) on Sunday to visit my uncle. He took me out with his friends for some really good food and during the dinner meal, one of his friends got drunk off of Gao Liang (clearish liquor that's popular in China). Anyway, his friend turns to me and asks "what do think of my son?" (who happened to sit next to me) He then continues with "Do you have a boyfriend? Do you want to be my daughter in law?" Fuckin gao liang!~ Yes, he was drunk off his ass, but it was nonetheless embarassing and yes, I started to panic a lil cuz everyone was chipping in... "yeah, you should consider. how old are you? can you speak Taiwanese? where are your parents? what line of work do you do? etc, etc, etc..."

Needless to say, I was extremely relieved when dinner was over. Yeesh~ if my life could be a sitcom....

Debrief - Kunming

Complete series of Friends.... check!

Muahaha! One of the great things about China is pirated dvd's!! Yes, my collection of movies have grown just a lil bit (didn't want to buy too many for fear of getting shot at immigration).

Ate fried baby bees (apparently full of protien) so I can totally conquer any fear factor event in the future.

Hiked, took a horse, hiked, took a horse carriage and hiked some more (3 miles total up a mutha freakin steep ass hill) to witness the breath taking views on the Western Hills.

Stayed at classy 5 star hotels and ate one too many spicy dishes (Yunan province is known for mouth numbing spices).

Met 4 older foriegn gentlemen at The Hump (its not as dirty as it sounds) for an evening of great conversation.

Tons of pics that are already posted on facebook, but will do a collage for le blog later this week.

Happy to be back in Taipei, but will be prepping for Hamburg, Hong Kong and maybe Macau in the upcoming weeks.

Will post a more detailed entry about my biz trip to Kunming along with the pics.

Tarot Cards

I'm blogging at a park. I feel part poser, wannabe, nomad and chicken shit. Why chicken shit, cuz there's this mini lizard thingy that was on a tree, but is slowly inching towards me. Yes, I'm aware that I tower over the lil fellow, but he's quick! He can totally climb up my leg, hop over my lap top and attack!!!

Anyway, I'm at the park cuz I'm waiting for a friend to arrive (speak of the devil, he's here!)

[2 hours later]

Ok, my friend Vico is a copywriter for an ad agency that I used to work for. He's a great guy and he know's how to read palm and more~ He read my palm about 6 weeks ago and none of the things that were supposed to happen, happened. So to regain his reputation, he said tarot cards would be more precise.

In the span of 2 hours, I pretty much found out my fate for the next 6 months. Keeping in line with the fortune teller my mom nagged me to go to before Chinese New Year, I am a career oriented woman! Most of the cards I picked had coins (which represents money). The point of the tarot cards was to ask about relationships and not surprisingly, there's none on the horizon. Lol~

Keep in mind, I believe in destiny and that things always change, so with the reading, its just for funsies. But yeah, to some extent, the cards were dead on regarding personality, current goals and expectations.

Da da dum!

Travel Bug

Plans are set, tickets are booked, watch out world, I'ma coming!

1. Jul 15-19 Kunming, China
2. Jul 19 HK (just a day trip)
3. Aug 4-10 Hamburg, Germany
4. End Aug HK again

Me likey traveling to all these places.

[muahhahahaha]

TGIF

I am an international death stick marketer! Biz trip to Kunming, China has been confirmed. I will be flying over on the 15th for a quick trip and will stop by HK to visit Carrie and ultimately check off HK on my list of "places where I have been a typical American tourist". It's funny, I've been in Taiwan for 4-5 years and I've never traveled HK -- transferring flights there doesn't really count right?

There's also talks of a workshop in Germany and the company might be sending lil ol me to represent the TW crew. Wassssup!

It's the 4th of July and since I'm in TW, no parades, fireworks, American flags, star spangle banner tune... just a cloudy overcast in 90+ degree weather and well, that's it.

Oh say can you seeeee......

Timesheet

Turned in my timesheet for Elite last nite. I only taught 6 hours last month - only 6!!!! Shiet.

I also paid rent and my credit card bill and I'm left with nothing. I'm of course lying, but I seriously need more teaching hours. One of the ladies at Elite asked if I would be available to teach a Biz class on Tuesdays and I jumped at the chance. That's NT4800 extra a month!

Cosmo had an article in last month's issue on how we're always accumulating new things and never taking the time to appreciate the things we currently have. But what if we don't have certain things -- say digital camera, foldable bike, the complete set of Friends DVD, etc? K, I'll admit that I don't really the complete set of Friends DVD (even tho I really want it!) and that I can just use my cell phone's camera and I do have scooter.

But that's not the point. Hmm, I forget what the point is...

UB Marathon

I need new shoes... as in new work shoes.

Le weekend was very relaxing. Had dinner with LB folks and it's always nice to hang with the girls. Sometimes I wish we could all work at the same place (again), but it's never gonna happen for various reasons.

I totally brought back Pizza Sundays!~ Felt like a total bum Sunday morning (as I dragged outta bed at 1pm) and decided to stay in and order pizza! Ugly Betty had a marathon on tv and it was awesome! Pizza, coke and Ugly Betty with limited commercial interuptions was awesome!

Yes, after 8 continous hours of lying on the couch and eating junk food, I felt like a heffer. I wanted to drag myself to the rooftop to to do a lil running (there's a mini gym on the rooftop), but Ugly Betty just kept on airing! What's a girl to do?

And now it Munday... ack

Casa ala Juang

Kristi's been asking for pics of my place, so ta-da!!

Back in the Motherland

The first weekend back from Seattle and it kinda sucks. Lol~ Here's a cliff notes version of my trip.


Day 1.

So I have a funny relationship with my parents. I tell them things on a need to know basis. And me coming home was a bit hush hush cuz I didn't want everyone to find out -- 1) my auntie here probably would've wanted to tag along and I didn't want to be her bitch and 2) my mom would've wanted to me to go out and buy a million and one things for people. I didn't want to deal with it so I just told my sister when to pick me up. My mom even bribed her $50 bucks to squeal when I would be returning. Funny shit.

Day 2.

SITC + Red Robins + Red Mango = Yummy, Yummy and Yummy! Well, Red Mango was aiite. Guess I'm not into the sour yogurt, but it was 'interesting'. ^__^

Day 3.

Samurai Ramen + Tuliap Casino + Seattle Premeir Outlets in the afternoon was pretty sweet. I didn't gamble, but after Jun's tutorial on roulette, I think I'm gonna try my luck at the table next time.

Had a family dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and I think people there are a bit racist. Whatever, our measley $5 tip showed them!

Day 4.

Tracy's high school graduation ceremony at the T-dome. Watching a bunch of high schoolers get their diploma's only reaffirmed one thing -- I'm getting hella old. 4 kids gave speeches and I think only 1 was memorable. Worthy effort.

Met up with flight attendant Neuman for le coffee at Barnes & Nobles afterwards and as always, was nice to chill with him.

Day 5.

I don't think I did anything at all on this day. Lol. Tracy BBQ'd baby back ribs and I watched Law and Order SVU on tv. Good stuff.

Day 6.

Seattle Premier Outlet part deux! I went this time with Tracy and her bf, Frankie. I definitely spent a small fortune there, but its so worth it!

Day 7.

Visited my aunt Susan and was suppose to meet up with Tien, but I crashed around 8:30pm. Tsk tsk.

Day 8.

Action packed day. Fuji Sushi, some donut shop on 5th, Amborsia, Mike's Noodle House, Mariners game(!!!) and sleep over at the Wakabayashis! Cathy joined for dinner at Mike's and saw Jeremy and Amy at the game.

Day 9.

Everyone was Kung Fu Fighting! Kung Fu Panda + Chipotles + Golden Dynasty = one of the best days ever! Dr. Uhm and Danny joined for dinner at the Dynasty it was a great mini reunion.

Day 10.

Father's Day lunch at Todai. Yum! Afternoon shopping at Southcenter and Costco. Took a self tour at Tracy's future school, PLU and dinner at Pho Tai to end my vacation.

10 days in Seattle was definitely NOT long enough. Sigh... Will post pics up soon!

5-7 days

Online shopping is just bad, bad, bad....

7-11 Crawl

Received this 'event' from facebook. Pretty creative!

Fact: There are 4,770 7-11 stores in Taiwan.

Fact: 7-11 has a wide variety of beer and alcoholic beverages.

Fact: Drinking alcohol on streets in Taipei is legal.Considering all this, we are going to go on a Seven Eleven Crawl. Basically we are going to walk a route in Taipei (not set in stone, but we're walking from CKS memorial to 101).

Everytime we come to a Seven Eleven store, we all enter the store and buy one can of beer (or other alcoholic beverage). That can of beer must be consumed before entering the next Seven Eleven store. By my calculations, there will be around 10 Seven Elevens we will be crossing.

Because of the route we are walking there will be sufficient bathrooms, graciously provided to us by the Taipei MRT Company. Feel free to drop out of the Crawl if you feel it necessary, but only the strong and brave will get the glory (and a prize of limited monetary value).

So the plan is to meet at 9:30 at CKS Memorial Station exit 5. I am going Wednesday to map out the route (probably around 4:30, feel free to join). Bring your walking shoes, drinking gloves, and the spirit to party!

Just for funsies

Received this in the email today -- like I'm about to get punk'd. Better luck next time beeyotch!


Dearest,
It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I intend to establish in your country. Though I have not met with you before but I believe, one has to risk confiding in succeed sometimes in life. There is this huge amount of Seven million five Hundered Thousand U.S dollars ($7.5,000.00) which my late Father kept for with a Fiduciary Fund Holder in Abidjan before his death

Now I have decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security and political reasons.I want you to help assist me claim and retrieve these fund from the Fiduciary Fund Holders and transfer it into your personal account in your country for investment purposes and my education .

If you can be of an assistance to me I will be pleased to offer to you 20% Of the total fund. I await your soonest response.
Respectfully yours,
Miss. Celine Milan

Peepin

I can look into my neighbors apt. Feels so wrong -- like I'm commiting a felony or something. But I guess it's mutual since they can look into my place as well. Hm, lights off... must be bedtime.

Oh, how I miss walkin around naked...

Engrish Ventie

Taught 3 back to back classes on Sunday and the first 2 classes were great. Some of the students from the 1st stayed for the 2nd class as well and definitely opened up more. It was great to see them more relaxed and confident in speaking English.

The last class was a total dud. I just don't understand why people want to learn a language, but are too afraid to speak it. I always get the 'my English no good' excuse and it's just tiring. If your English was really good, would you be in a freakin Level 1 Basic Conversation class!? Ugh~

George Washington?

I need to retract one of my previous entries. I guess my cousin Jerry IS getting married this December! Who would've thunk? It's like that Conspiracy Theory movie, if you keep spewing random things, one of them will be true. *shrug*

My company co-sponsored a party at Room 18 last nite and time's have definitely changed. I went out to dinner with the DEM folks and met up with my co-workers at the club later on. Apparently while Fanny said hi to Michelle and me taking another shot of whatever, the rest of the DEM girls were chatting with these cute boys. So we walk up and the introductions start.

"Hi, my name is George... like George Bush."

K, out of ALL the George's in the world, why say 'like George Bush'? I mean, there's George Clooney, George Lucas, George Jetson -- heck, even Curious George would've been cute. Ack.

Lrrrrrr~

Rented The Covenant last nite and good golly, I have a new crush!

Steven Strait is hot hot hot!



I had to imdb him and much to my dismay, he's married. Sigh~

New digs

Tokyo Taipei, here I come!!!!

Living in the now

I called Amanda earlier and it felt great to catch up with her. We both felt like it seemed years ago that we were in the same city, but its only been year. That's the thing about great friends -- able to continue our previous schmack talk (months ago) without missing a beat.

After my unfortunate encounter with a flying cockroach last nite, I've made up my mind to move into a nicer apt and enjoy living in the now. Amanda, being the great friend that she is, congratulated me and was happy that I was finally treating myself better.

Since I'm subbing now, I have the extra income to pay for rent -- which is also a factor why I want to / am able to move. Everyone's telling me how I should save, save, save.... but while I'm 'saving', I'm not really enjoying my 'now'. Bottom line, I want live comfortable. I want to be able to come home, plop on the couch and not have to worry about flying cock roaches or have these crazy rat dreams.

Plus, I'm going to ultilize the 1/3 ideology. 1/3 of your salary for rent. 1/3 for food. 1/3 to save.

I'm living in the now people! New and improved Nano v2.0.

The kind of bills me likey

My electric and water bill came yesterday....

Water bill: NT22 ..... roughly 69 cents
Electric bill: NT103 ..... roughly $3.22

OMG!

I know my electric bill will go up once I install an air con. But good golly!!

------

We now have a dress code a work. Frick on a stick!

Sugar pie, honey bunch!

I invited the DEM folks over on Sunday for some mj action. I had lost shamelessly couple weeks before at Fanny's place and it was time to redeem myself. I mean, they came to MY turf so I had to represent.

I did not lose face. [muahahaha]

It was fun having them over and it made living in the new place not so bad. ^_^

On to other updates:

New phone, new scooter and new position (maybe)...

Bought a new phone cuz my old one was too bulky for my taste. At least my sister's putting it to good use. Bought a new scooter (used) cuz some bastard stole the license plate off my ride. I mean, who steals just the plate and not the whole package?? Anyhoo, when I reported it stolen at the police station, I found out that my scooter was 17 years old (!!!!!). That's when it dawned on me that I should retire ol Bessie. My new ride (I named him 'black hawk') is pretty sweet. He's younger than ol Bessie and rides great! Whoo-hoo! As for new position, I'll fill folks in if its confirmed or not.

Speaking of work, our schedules are getting jammed packed as we're transitioning with the new management. Lots of projects coming up and it's pretty exciting to see what's in store for us.

Just a tidbit of what I know that's to come:

1. Focus groups in Tai Chung and Kaohsiung 2nd week of May.

2. Marketing meeting in Macau mid May.

3. Early Fridays starting May 1st.

4. Factory / office visit in Shanghai around June.

Stay tuned!

Run, Run, Run!!

Having a huge ass tv has its perks. For one, it just looks so purrrtttty!! But its also making me hella lazy. Since I'm all moved in (minus a couple of appliances), I need to start exercising again.

I've been on haitus for 2 months and it blows. I can feel the tightness of my jeans and it ain't pretty. I'm hoping to get back on the t-mill tonite and start up my routine again.

Couple of new developments:

(1) I've recently been hired has a substitute teacher at a bushiban (English center). The pay is decent enough, unlike Wells English that offered me a local salary -- bunch of cock suckers~ It's a nice gig that's whenever and there's no contract to tie me down.

(2) I've been promoted from contractor to permanent staff at my company. Who knew I'd be kick ass at branding death sticks. But its nothing to get excited about. Its not like I rocked a project -- we're just understaffed and the new GM wanted to make me permanent, that's all.

I've been on a losing streak at mj lately. I'm playing later this afternoon at casa de la nano and I'm hoping to end the losing streak and at least break even. *knock on wood*

Loewe Fashion Show at 101

I forgot to take pics of the models struttin their stuff.

Next time~

Family Legends

2 of my cousins are apparently engaged -- but only in the minds of their parents.

What?!~

Family Legends 1: My Aunt Dana shared with us that her son, Jerry, is engaged to a half Korean, half white girl and that the wedding is in December.

Truth: My cousin Jerry is in a relationship, but with a girl that's black/filipino/white/something. They've been dating since August of last year and knowing him, marriage is the last thing on his mind.

Family Legends 2: My Uncle Tony said that his son Tom (yes, I have cousins named Tom and Jerry), is engaged to a fellow Japanese co-worker and that his wedding is also in December.

Truth: My cousin Tom is single and ready to mingle.

Gosh, I hope my mom doesn't start spreading rumors that I'm engaged or pregnant or whatevez.

Home Sweet Home

I'm all moved in!!!

I'm just lacking an air con and a stove --- but whatever. YAY!!!

And I gotta say, the 42in plasma tv looks so purrrrrty!!

[wiping tears away]

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This guy sitting across from me keeps squeezing his legs together. Like he's using an imaginary thigh master. It's really disturbing and -- good lord, he's at it again. Ugh. This is why I don't date Taiwanese guys.

Taiwanese girls: the new blonds?

Taiwanese girls are stupid.

I went to Carrefour (similar to Wal mart) to buy a cheapie DVD player. I asked the lady which of the DVD players can play pirated DVD's. She said that none of them can play them. The DVD players on hand can only play Taiwan made DVD's.

I'm not an electronic or anything, but I can smell horse shit a mile away. So I asked a guy and he goes "as long as the region is NTSC (or whatever), it'll be okay.

Strike 1 ladies.

I'm in the last stretch of the apt renovation and its down to the toilet. Ol Bertha is 30 years old and leaks water when flushed. It's time to retire ol Bertha. So I go to B&Q (similar to Home Depot) and there are 2 different toilet sizes -- 30cm and 40cm. Like hell I know the difference. (Jeff says since I'm American, I should get the 40cm. Are you trying to say that my ass is 10cm bigger than a local ass? =P)

I asked the wonderful people at B&Q how to measure the size and they didn't know. Seriously!?? Isn't this basic info? Their advice was to call up the local plumber and have them physically come over and measure it for me.

This morning, I called a couple of plumbers and asked them if they could come over and measure or tell me how. 1st guys response was "measure from the wall to the first bolt". Ok, that makes sense. 2nd response was "we have to remove the entire toilet to know the size". Yeah, that comment came from a lady. I checked on the net on how to measure (just to be safe) and the guy was el righto.

Strike 2.

This home deco company posted an ad on tealit and since they have a toilet promotion going on, I called to find out more details. Since the ad said they spoke English, I thought "yes!". A girl answered and I asked if she could speak English b/c its easier for me to communicate what I'm lookin for. She said "sure, I can understand. no problem." After a min of me explaining their toilet promotion and wanting to know further details, she goes "um... don't understand. hold on" and gets a guy with decent enough English on the phone.

Strike 3.

Moral of the story? Taiwanese girls are idiots.

Checklist

This is my favorite part of moving into a new place.

FURNITURE SHOPPING!!!!!
[I gotta say, shopping does put me in a better mood]

Couch ....... check
Bed frame ....... check
TV stand ....... check
Dining table + 4 chairs ....... check
Wardrobe ....... check
4-cube drawer (2) ....... check
Carpet (3) ....... check
Window blinds (2) ...... check
Fridge ........ check
42in plasma tv ....... check (!!!!!)
Air con
Mattress ....... check
Storage racks ....... check
Dvd player ......... check
Floor lamp (2)
Coffee table ........ check
Shoe rack
Kitchen crap
Bathroom crap ........ check
Microwave ...... to be donated by Julia

What else can I afford......

Frenemies

Work has become a MTV reality series. Seriously~ Time to form alliances, speak nothing but lies and sleep with as many co-workers as possible. Oh wait, that would be for US audiences.

Since I'm in Taiwan, it's more like: back stabbing, long lost siblings and an unexpected terminal illness that will make people forget/forgive their petty differences and the world will become drama free once again.

Da da dummmmm!