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: ^_________^