I am a missing picture...

Dangit! Villagephotos is moving stuff around...so some of the pictures aren't showing up...sorry the 2nd pic is missing! For more info Read about it here...

I am a fat tuesday...

Happy Mardi Gras everyone! Well with the celebration of this day, we all know that the Lenten season is upon us. No-meat Fridays are here again. And of course, it's time for the traditional, "What I am going to give up for Lent" post. My friend Aaron asked me one time, why Catholic people do this...and I actually had to think about it for a while. Funny how you do something so often it becomes routine and you don't even think about it. Well, my reasoning was that it is symbolic of what Jesus gave up for us...kind of a solidarity-type thing, to sacrifice something. And I've been thinking about stuff I would sacrifice...has to be something that I like. Beeb mentioned that I should give up Warcraft...but honestly, I don't play it all that much, once, maaaybe twice a week. One of the things I thought of was fast food. With the exception of like a salad or a sandwich from Quiznos or something, I will not eat from fast food joints for a while. Knowing how much I love Taco Sinaloa burritos or Yoshinoya, I will do away with them. That's gonna be tough, but that's what sacrifice is about right? I think I am also gonna fast once a week and collect the money that I would spend on lunch and put it together and donate it to church at the end of Lent. This time, to me at least, is usually also the time I reflect on my life and see what's lacking. And this time it was beeb that helped me get into volunteering more often. I've really been wanting to over the past few years, and due to a combination of apathy and being busy, which are still both not an excuse, never got around to it. So now, I am registered with LA Works and have my first volunteer opportunity on Saturday. I also am going to plan a Habitat day after the marathon is over. I just realized that I can't even do the filet-o-fish Friday thing at McDonald's...dangit, it's getting tough already!!! Oh boy, what AM I gonna do on Fridays...

So onto other things. Here is why you do NOT wear a headband when running outdoors for long periods of time.

This is me with my headband. I use it because it collects the sweat that runs off my dome and keeps it from getting into my ears when I'm listening to my ipod. It helps A LOT....

..BUT, if you're gonna run outdoors for most of the morning and afternoon, one should wear a hat...or a bandana...or you get this:

FREAKIN AY! Soooooo embarassing!

So with that I'll end this post with this tidbit of an e-mail I got from Jos this morning:
A Sunday school teacher asked her children
as they were on the way to church to church service.

"Why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"

One bright little girl replied, "Because people are
sleeping."

I am a set of worn-down old wheels...

Beeb and I went out to this Moroccan restaurant for dinner last night, Moun of Tunis(pronounced Moon, not mown, as we found out). Man, it was awesome, good food, great company, and even a belly dancer! We were so tired from our run, we were just lounging and relaxing the whole time. Our server goes, "Man you guys look like a part of the furniture!" He he he, that was pretty funny. But yeah man, that Moroccan place mo-rocks! We also finally exchanged our V-day gifts...which I know I know, is about 2 weeks late. But neither of us finished them before v-day and we had a $10 limit. She printed out ALL my blogs up until V-day! Freakin AWESOME! Now I have to bind it and it'll be like my memoirs, which is what I've been wanting to do for SOOOOO long! Thanks beeb!

VOIP it
So we're switching to VOIP here at work. For those who don't know, it's Voice Over Internet Protocol, basically, voice or phone used over the internet. It's pretty cool cuz the phone acts as a network device, so you don't need a phone line, just the network cable, which provides power too. Another cool thing is that you can move your phone to a new desk w/o having to go through the tedious process of getting your extension moved to a new place. For those that have had to move to new cubes/icles, you know what I'm talkin about. Has all the same features as the old phones we had, transfer, conference, voicemail, etc, but it makes it easier because everything is laid out on the LCD on the phone. Anyway, we had training for it today, and I just got the basics...we roll out on Monday. Interesting stuff...for more, read about it
here.. Wikipedia is so freakin awesome!!!

Run Forrest Run!
So this past weekend was the day of the big 20-mile run. And dude, am I hurting today. Surprisingly, not as much as I hurt on the 18-mile run. But then again, I didn't play in a basketball league game before the run. But my knees are still pretty sore, not to mention my calves...but I think that may be a result from being flatfooted. I should've run w/ my brace...at least for the 2nd half, cuz i think it gets progressively more painful towards the end. Man, miles 16-18 were probably 2 of the hardest miles I've ever run in my life. But I guess I got an endorphin shot cuz the last two miles weren't so bad. I'm so glad the big run is over, we get to taper down a bit before the big race. And since it looks like it might be raining most of the week, I guess I'll be doing all my runs on the treadmill for the week. Here's to 3 more weeks!

I am the end of another workweek...

Well, it's not over yet, but it will be soon, he he he. Man, this is the first time I've blogged this late in a really really really really REALLY long time.

I have absolutely no idea why I'm still up at 1:13AM, maybe it's the food from a late late dinner. Anyway, to recap the night...Beeb, Karen, Joes, and I went to watch the world famous Alvin Ailey Dance Theater at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion out in LA. That show was pretty awesome. I haven't gone to watch a performance quite like this yet, and I have to say I was really impressed. Those dancers were pretty amazing. I have to say I was quite into it. They even did a set or a piece (is that what you call it?) coreographed all to Earth, Wind & Fire songs, it was great. So afterward, we hit up Roscoe's...first the one on Gower, which was totally packed(and it's like 1/4 the size of the ones near mom & pop's and in LB), so we went to the Pico one. Didn't eat till like 10:45, which is probably the reason why I am still up. Amazing what some late night carbs, grease, and sugar can do to you sometimes, ain't it? I know I'll be feelin it tomorrow, but eh, whatever. I'm actually starting to get a little sleepy...AND I just remembered about my mtgs tomorrow morning that I still hve to prepare reports for...so maybe this post will be a little shorter than I wanted it to be...well, will you look at that, it's almost over, he he he.

Things I still want to post about
-weekend in SD
-running (Marathon's almost here!)
-work
-e-mail

I am a day late...

CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement yo!!! As you can see, you guys are perfect for one another!!! he he he

I am a communication barrier...

Woohoo! It's been colder outside this morning than it's been in a while...I love it! It's been such an uncharacteristically warm winterso far this year...and I never get to wear my jackets until this time usually. Well, in the past, I'd be in the east coast a lot during the winter so I got to use them then, but lately, I'm in the office more often than not, so no jackets...unless it's cool like it was this morning.

I don't know how I did this again, but I freakin put on a pair of quitters again. Quitters are a term that Jos and I used to use when we were younger to describe socks that had a bad garter, so they'd "quit," or fall down, all the time. I don't remember where we got that term from, but it's always been pretty funny. So yeah, note to self: throw all quitters away or use as rags or something.

Dude, I really hate some of the communication barriers at work. I don't know why people put e-mail as a priority over face-to-face conversation. It's probably because they don't have to have the face-to-face conversation. I just had to sort out the biggest misunderstanding a little while a go, and it was really annoying because I wanted to meet up and sit down and sort it all out, but the other person kept communicating through e-mail. I had to go find this person to finally set everything right. Sheesh!!! I swear man, sometimes this whole e-mail thing gets way too out of hand. Especially when there is a speaking language barrier, e-mail can only make it worse, because one party might not fully understand the entire e-mail. There is no communication better than face-to-face...well, in my opinion at least.

It's hard for me to eat healthy when I'm really busy, especially at work. I'm not totally sure if I'll have time to go home and make my salad anymore...and often in situations like this, I'm resiegned to picking up fast food. Or I'll ask someone to pick up something for me...but again it's usually fast food. I should have had the foresight to making lunch today(but in my defense, I thought I'd get to go home)...we'll see what happens I guess. I hate having to pay like 5 bucks for a salad from a fast food place.

I am cupids bow and arrow...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I love you beeb! I had a wonderful breakfast this morning. :x

Regarding yesterday's entry, Cic and Michelle Kwan look alike, except for their noses...beeb's nose is much nicer than Michelle's!!!

I am a long day almost over...

Remember when Belle said that people told her she looked like Dora? Well, in light of the Olympics, beeb and I got to talking about Michelle Kwan, and I said how I had a crush on her, and she told me that people used to tell her that she looked like Michelle Kwan, and I totally agreed, they kinda look alike. And coincidentally enough, my supervisor tells me this...TODAY after lunch...so...I'll let y'all be the judge...


yes or no?

I remember way back in high school and even in college, some people told me that I hoped too much, or that I thought too idealistically and unrealistically. When it comes to relationships, I guess it's true. It's sad to admit but I've come to realize that my thinking can be a little idealistic at times. I always want everyone to get along, like my friends and relatives and stuff, and when I see that they don't, it makes me sad, and I get bogged down with trying to get them to get along better, or whatever. But I can't expect everyone to be on the up and up with everyone else I guess...that's just not how the world works; not everyone likes each other, and no matter how much you want people to, you can't make them. As long as they don't hate each other or are belligerent, then I guess I'll have to make do.

Note to self, never play extended minutes in a basketball game the same day you are planning to run 18 miles for marathon training. I am sooooooo freakin sore today! Krikey! I played a game at 1 yesterday and then ran the long run w/ beeb last night around Long Beach at around 5. It took a while, but I actually ended up going about 18.4 miles! Needless to say, I was dead-tired by the time I got home. But hey, the 18-miler is out of the way...which, btw, is definitely the longest I have ever run in my whole life. And to think, another 8 miles before I actually run marathon distance...that does seem a little discouraging sometimes, he he he, but hey, that's JUST 8 more miles as opposed to before, when it was like 12 more miles or 14 more...so I've made lots of progress. And training altogether, combined w/ eating a little better has helped me appearance-wise too. I now weigh about 149lbs, which is by far the lightest I've weighted since before I graduated from Irvine. That's about 12 lbs lost in the past few months! But 4 more weeks of training, and it's the big day...which reminds me, I better register this week...

There was something else I wanted to post about...but I can't remember...oh well, it's been a very long day...I'll try to remember later...

"The most dependable quality in the universe is change."
-Aiki

I am a pair of sore knees...

What do you call a fish with two knees?

I find it so weird that regardless of how much I like speaking to people and that I like being in the spotlight, I always get really nervous when speaking in front of people, especially in the matter of presentations and talks. It's because it's much more serious than the usual telling a story or being dramatic type situations; other people will be affected(or not affected) by the information I provide. And I start to think about, "How am I presenting this information?" "What will they be thinking?" and so on and so forth...so it just snowballs into this thing that's much bigger than it really was originally. This is definitely something I'll have to get more comfortable with, especially if this is the path I want to head towards. Maybe a few classes and books here and there will help me out. Anyway, the reason I'm talking about this is because I had to present my project plan in my training workshop today...and I got all nervous. I think I was talking a little fast, but I got my point accross clearly enough. I wonder what I can do about these nerves...it's like flying; as much as I've flown, you'd think I'd wouldn't have such a fear of it, yet I still do.

Ode to marathon training
Like I said the other day, I didn't do my 9-mile run on wednesday. So I ran 10 last night, will run 4 today and tomorrow, the big one. My legs are just a little tired from the run. I took some advil last night before I went to bed, so I'm feeling okay now. 18 miles will be the most I've run yet...I'm definitely a little freaked about it. In addition to the 3 plus hours it'll take to complete my 18 miles, I have my cousin's debut to go to later that night, so I definitely definitely DEFINITELY gotta get started early. So I probably won't be doing anything too party-hardy tonight, not like I party-harty in the first place. But yes, I have things to do tomorrow, and I need to do that run as early as possible.

response to joke above
A TWO-KNEE FISH!!!

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

I am a snag in the plan...

One of the cool perks about being in training all week is free lunches, woohoo! Today was fajitas, yesterday, pasta, and on Tuesday we had samiches. So it's been pretty healthy. Too bad I didn't burn off my pasta by running yesterday, but I'ma do the niner today though(crossing fingers). It's been a good training session so far. I think that this method of project management, if used correctly, would definitely increase efficiency and boost productivity. Another cool thing about this training session is that I get the chance to know some more people in our company that I would not have otherwise interacted with outside of this workshop. Our company used to be a little smaller a few years ago, and at one point, I could name everyone in the company. But now, we're a little too big for me to be able to do that...well at this point, however. One thing that annoys me though is that it seems as though some people just don't buy into the whole methodology. It's not that they don't buy in that annoys me, it's the fact that they just don't pay attention and are totally disrespectful to the speaker. For example, some of us have our laptops and check e-mail and stuff during our breaks. The speaker would ask us to close our laptops whenever he began the session again, but these two guys don't close theirs; you can even hear them typing while the speaker is presenting, so frickin rude man. Seriously, I thought we were all adults here, not kids that need lessons about respect.

I really like that System of a Down song, Lonely Day. I don't really know all the lyrics, and I'm not gonna try to recite them, for fear of Joemama's wrath, but I just like the song. Weird, cuz when I was on my way to work this morning, I was like, oh man, I haven't heard that System of a Down song...I only heard it once....and there it was, playing on KROQ...funny how things like that happen sometimes...

Didn't run my 9 miler yesterday...I got way too lazy for a number of reasons. So now, I have to do my niner today and the fiver tomorrow and the big one - eight on saturday...krikey, I'm settin myself up for some good times...he he he. That's what I get though. Only 6 more weeks!!!

Forgot to post this...

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion |||||||||||||||||| 76% Stability |||||||||||||| 56% Orderliness |||||||||||||||| 66% Accommodation |||||||||||||||||| 76% Interdependence |||||||||||||||| 63% Intellectual |||||||||||||| 56% Mystical || 10% Artistic |||||| 30% Religious |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Hedonism |||||| 30% Materialism |||||||||| 36% Narcissism |||||||||||| 50% Adventurousness |||||||||||| 50% Work ethic |||||||||||| 43% Self absorbed |||||| 30% Conflict seeking |||||| 30% Need to dominate |||||||||| 36% Romantic |||||||||||||||| 63% Avoidant |||| 16% Anti-authority |||||||||||| 43% Wealth || 10% Dependency |||||||||||| 43% Change averse |||||||||||| 50% Cautiousness |||||||||||| 50% Individuality |||||||||| 36% Sexuality |||||||||| 36% Peter pan complex |||||||||||| 43% Physical security |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Physical Fitness |||||||||||||| 57% Histrionic |||||||||||||| 56% Paranoia |||||| 30% Vanity |||||| 30% Hypersensitivity |||||||||||||| 56% Female cliche |||||||||| 36%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com


Stability results were moderately high which suggests you are relaxed, calm, secure, and optimistic.

Orderliness results were moderately high which suggests you are, at times, overly organized, reliable, neat, and hard working at the expense of flexibility, efficiency, spontaneity, and fun.

Extraversion results were high which suggests you are overly talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing your own individual interests and internally based identity.

trait snapshot:
clean, self revealing, open, organized, outgoing, social, enjoys leadership and managing others, dominant, makes friends easily, does not like to be alone, assertive, hard working, finisher, optimistic, positive, likes to stand out, likes large parties, respects authority, practical, high self esteem, perfectionist, dislikes chaos, busy, not familiar with the dark side of life, controlling, high self control, traditional, tough, likes to fit in, conforming, brutally honest, takes precautions

I dont' really know how accurate this thing is...but it's pretty interesting.

I am a sudden thought...

I almost forgot about this...

So Chris was telling me that they hired some hot new chick as a temp at his work. So I go, "Take a picture," and he goes, "OK." I get his e-mail with the attachment...

HA HA HA. What a funny guy! I was wondering how he got the pic so fast and how he took it w/o her noticing...be careful what you ask for folks, he he he.

I am a busy friday...

First of all, a belated few HAPPY B-DAY's to my friends JUN(Feb 1st) and ELLEN(Feb 4th) HAPPY B-DAY OLD FARTS!!!
Welcome to 33 and 30'dom, respectively.

So I'll be in training from tomorrow until the end of the week, for some Project Management training(movin up in the world...woohoo!!!) Nah, it's just training though...I think I'm years away from any type of PM job, unless I move onto a new one altogether. So of course today is much busier than normal...it's like when you're trying to totally get all your work done by the end of the week so you can chill on the weekend...because, training is much like the weekend, just chill, he he he...I can't wait. Plus, it's free food all week, and generally, the lunches are pretty healthy, so no complaints there.

Weekend....summary of events
The Superbowl wasn't all that...the game was pretty boring, and the commercials were a big huge letdown...but, because we had a little shindig at the LB house, it was still good. Nothin like gettin drunk and screaming at the TV with good company and good food, right? I lost $55 on the Seahawks cuz they didn't cover...but how do you make up for that? Win $200 in the square pool! Woohoo! I had 1-0 and I was like, "That's not a realistic score, 21 - 10..." So much for my thinking....WOOOHOO!

Saturday was pretty eventful, Cic and I got our cars serviced(which cost me a good chunk of change), ran 12 miles(well, a little over 10, plus the 1 mile we had to walk to and from the Mike MIller Toyota which makes a little over 12), went to Mia and Val's Pirate show b-day shindig, and watched Lost. We are finally caught up. The most recent episode didn't really thrill me as much as the other ones, but maybe they're building up to something. So yeah, a very eventful saturday...

Friday was Gleen's b-day, just had dinner at Bela Sera in way out in Monrovia(okay okay, it's not that far, but it SOUNDS far, doesn't it?) and hit up D&B's afterward. That Bela Sera place had a really good baby spinach, mango, kiwi, and feta cheese salad...that thing was awesome. I definitely gotta go back and have it again. The pasta was okay, but I also liked the area where the restaurant was, and the staff too. Gleen got tipsy at D&B's and we got him to play DDR, which was a pretty funny site to watch. Good times, good times.

Oh yeah, and I got Cicely to play Warcraft this weekend!!! Ha ha ha, she did okay for a while, but didn't wanna go out and attack the other guy, she just liked building and wanted to play "Peace"craft...I know...my gf is a dork. But a lovely dork she is =p.

Time to get back to work...dangit...

"In care there is no excess..."

I am another busy day...

Too busy to blog today...but I had to say...

HAPPY B-DAY GLEEN...

even though you don't read this...HAPPY B-DAY

I am an itchy throat...

Man, is it February already? I thought time was going by so fast the past few months because of the holidays, but lately, work has been keeping me soooo busy that I haven't even really had time to read any blogs. ERgo, I have resigned myself to reading blogs here and there at home...off company time. Those bastards, how dare they take away my surfing time from 8-5!!! he he he. I mean, it's not so bad being busy at work, it sure makes the time go by much faster...but there is a clear difference between busy and swamped, and I think I have been mired in the latter as of late. So with that said...I will take a few minutes of my time this morning to at least jot down some thoughts...random as they may be.

Was anyone listening to KROQ's Kevin and Bean this morning? They were interviewing Jon Wendell, this like crazy video game pro athlete...apparently, there's a CPL (cyberathlete professional league) and they go all around the world playing tournaments and stuff...all-expenses paid. This guy, he's one of the tops in the world, and he made $231k either this year or last year in tournaments alone. I didn't know there was so much money in video games. They played some "60 Minutes" clip about him and they mentioned that the video game industry made 3x MORE revenue than the NFL, NBA, and NHL, AND COMBINED!!!!! That is unfreakin believable man...hundreds of thousands of people show up to these tournaments worldwide. Wierd that the first time I ever really heard about it was today... What a life though, 6-fig salary made on playing video games. I'm gonna quit and become a professional warcraft athlete! BWAH HA HA HA!

Dude, check this out:

Isn't it FREAKIN DOPE!!!! The alarm clock shoots out the puzzle pieces and won't turn off until you put them all back in. Kinda like perfection, but with an alarm, he he he. I soooo want one...unfortunately, it's $52 USD....booo! Anyone wanna give me a belated b-day gift? Muah ha ha ha...just kidding...maybe not...he he he...no seriously, I am...kidding, that is.

Marathon update
So marathon training, week 12. I missed the last two long runs...dammit. I've run a half mile, and one mile less, respectively, than the designated mileage for the first two runs this week(4 and 8), but in my defense, I played basketball after I ran the 3.5. I didn't know I was supposed to run 5 today...dangit Oh well, that and the gym I guess... Surprisingly, the 7 miler was a little easier than the 3.5 the day before, probably because the 3.5er was the first run since last week...that's probably it. 6 more weeks to go! YIKES! I'm starting to get really excited and scared at the same time...But I know I can do it...

just keep running,
just keep running,
just keep running, running, running...