I am the bricks on the edge of my eyelids...

A quick happy b-day shoutout to my friend Hetty, celebrating her 30th in the beautiful land of Ha Va EE!! Happy b-day bud!


Today's featured pic is Ja. A few months ago, he celebrated his b-day, not once, but TWICE...and yes beyotch, I was there for BOTH! That's RIGHT! Anyway, I won't be able to make it to your BP next weekend, so I thought, hey, why not give you a shout out, ha ha ha.

Of passions and discovery
A speech I heard the other day mentioned that, "It is through our struggles that we discover our passions." It kindof struck a chord in me - is that true? And I thought about it...I think it's through the tough times, the hard times, those days when we realize we are NOT happy with what we're doing, or what is happening, that our passions are ignited. Maybe that's not always how we discover our passions...it can be as easy as knowing what you want to do, how you want to help people, etc. But it was a very interesting way to look at it. A way I never really thought about. I love people that think outside the box.


One of my flickr pics got posted onto a site! How cool is that? It's such a random pick too, from one of my work trips. Does that mean I can say I'm a published photographer? ha ha ha. Well, it definitely made my day a little better either way.

55 small things you can always do
34. See the opportunity in every circumstance.
Kindof another way to say, see the silver ligning - but it's applicable to a much broader range of clouds, not just the dark, he he he. Very simple advice I think, just look for a way to better yourself every day, with every interaction. Not much else I gotta say on this. "And that's all I gotta say about that..."

off to VEGAS!!! Vegas baby Vegas!!!!

"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything."
- Arabian Proverb

I am a mini gas bubble....

This past weekend, Ver and I went up north for Jennie and Bri's wedding. It was a blast! We got to see people we haven't seen in almost 10 years and just reminisce about the old days. We partied before, during, AND after the wedding...so much fun. You'd think I'd be sick of weddings at this point of the year, considering that I'd been to more than my share of them...but I always enjoy watching two people celebrate and join in on a new journey. Afterall, it's not about the destination, it's about the journey!

Of eyes wide shut
I'm actually having to drink coffee today to stay awake. I usually have this bout w/ the sleepies every day at work just after lunch(I think my body's screaming for siesta...), but today, it's worse than it's been. I absolutely could NOT keep my eyes open earlier, and I have a lot to do! I think my age is catching up with me. I'm not 29 anymore...he he he. Or maybe it's just the late nights that are catching up to me. I hate not being able to sleep early. I've never really done it consistently, not even since college...so for the past 10-12 years, I've averaged maybe 4-5 hours of sleep. That can't be good huh? What if you're only set to be awake for a certain number of hours throughout the course of your lifetime? So like if you sleep more, you live longer? That would suck...cuz then I've probably shortened my life expectancy by like a quarter at least, he he he.

55 small things you can always do
33. Become the most postitive and enthusiastic person you know.
This one sounds easy, but it's actually quite a challenge...for everyone. It's hard to always think postitively, to always be an optimist. But I think the trick here is to try not to be a pessimist - always seeing the bad, or what could go wrong. Yes, there's a thing called being realistic, but there is an obvious difference between blending optimism with realism and being a realistic pessimist. So try to think positive thoughts...it's the secret, he he he.

Today's quote is more of a today's lesson...
We are powerless to change our past, but we can change how we look at it. Lord, help me to realize that my past has made me a stronger person and show me that these experiences have taught me valuable life lessons.
-unknown

I am the leaf turned over...

Happy Belated b-day bubs! Last night, we celebrated London's 8th b-day; a day late, I know. But that's because she was up in Washington with the in-laws watching the Rams get smoked by the Seahawks, he he he. She got to see grandma and grandpa on her b-day, which is rare for her, so it was cool. We surprised her w/ a b-day fam party at their place, and it was a blast as usual. Nothing like good food, great company, and of course the bub's b-day gifts - wii, wii fit, and Rock Band, just to name a few, to keep us entertained. Rock Band is awesome. Can't wait til II comes out. Oh yeah, and there was some silly string shooting...funny how not fun that stuff becomes when you're an adult, ha ha ha. No one wanted to get their clothes jacked up or have to clean it all up. So we were up for a bit...and bubs knocked out w/ the mic in her hand, it was hilarious. Too bad I didn't get a pic of that....oh well, happy b-day little track star!!!

Of snoozing and losing
I've been trying not to snooze so much lately. Just once or twice. Ideally, I'd like not to snooze at all. I can't believe there are people out there who don't even need alarm clocks. When I don't need to be anywhere, that's when I can wake up early w/o an alarm...it's weird. But not when I actually have a schedule to attend to. Anyway, so I used to sneeze for like an hour...I don't know why. I guess there's a certain satisfaction in snoozing, in sleeping for "just another 5 min." But you're already kinda awake at that point, so why not just stave off of the snooze and set the alarm for closer to your actual realistic wakeup time? Isn't that more efficient sleep-wise? Or do we just like to be resistors like that? Probably a little bit of both. So this morning, I actually woke up w/o an alarm...but I was curious as to why my alarm didn't go off...it's because my phone was on silent. So I decided to put it on and set the time and make sure it was still working(Cuz that phone is broken). Like that? I woke up w/OUT an alarm, and I went back to bed for a few minutes to test my alarm out, he he he. Yeah, I know...quirky quirks. Oh wells. But yeah, I guess we should try not to snooze so much...cuz you snooze, well, you know the rest...just read the title of this section of the entry again, he he he.

of old routines and getting back
Weird how as much as I want my life not to be so routine, and leave room for more spontaneity, I still need the routine aspect in my life...inasmuch as everyday things. Like working out, or reading. Those are good routine things to have in your life. So with that said, I need to go to the gym...need to go to the gym....NEED to go to the GYM! I have completely fallen out of my routine of working out. It's been a few months now since I last touched a weight...krikey. At least I've been doing some active stuff...still playing ball(but we've been on break for the past 2 weeks) and running and swimming over the summer. But I'm losing strength...slowly but surely. Okay, hopefully today or tomorrow I can get in there for a bit. Come on...come on...COME ON!

55 small things you can always do
32. Make a $5 donation to a worthwhile charity.
I would actually suggest a little more than just $5 whenever possible. And it doesn't have to be monetary, run for a charity, participate, volunteer. Do what you can to help make this world a better place - it definitely needs it.

of digression from above
Dude, i actually wish someone had been reading my blog up north, he he he. I got to a toll both and realized i didn't have ANY cash. Now if someone had read my post w/ the pay the toll of someone behind you entry, then, I would've been SO lucky. But lucky I was not, he he he. Now I have to wait for a frickin ticket so I can contest it and send in the $ for the original toll amt. Cuz I really didn't have any money and was trying any way to pay it, but the lady was a freakazoid. Anyway...so yeah, i should promote my blog more, ha ha ha.

"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth."
-Mark Twain

I am the earth's summer arctic sea ice...

Here's Bev and Ja. It's only a few weeks away til their wedding...and this weekend is Bev's BP! Have fun this weekend kiddo! Let me know how San Antone is!

Of generic-ity and likeliness
A couple of new "bush-isms" for ya, he he he. Anyway, so throughout my life...everyone I meet, at one point or another, will tell me, "You look like (blah blah)," or people will introduce me to other people and say, "doesn't he look like (blah blah)?" I've also been mistaken for other people and even one time, back when I was still an orientation staffer at Irvine, one of the incoming freshman could not talk to me or look at me, because I looked so much like her ex-boyfriend, who had just broken up with her. So that has lead me to the conclusion, that I have an extremely generic look. It's never, hey, I know someone who looks like you...it's dude, you look like so and so. I'm not like a snowflake, where no two look exactly alike. Rather, I'm like a clone! Wah wah man, he he he.

I'm starting to get a little tired of having plans every weekend. I want to have a full weekend with absolutely nothing to do. And I don't foresee that happening for a good while. And I know I need to just say no, but so many of my friends are getting married, and I always want to be there for their special day, and that happens once a month for the next 5. And there's other events interspersed between those weddings. I know I know, shut up...and stop complaining. Well, this is my vent session, otherwise, I'd be outside smoking. Well, it's off to northern cali this weekend. It'll be fun, I get to see Jennie and the twins and my old old friends. I'm actually getting quite excited! And it'll be a good road trip w/ Ver...we need to catch up, it's been a long time. Happy trails! Here's to the road ahead!

55 small things you can always do
31. Genuinely compliment someone every day.
Get into the habit of doing this. Find something really positive to say about someone and say it. We don't build each other up enough...not by a long-shot. Rather, we tear each other down constantly.

"There's a patsy in every game, and if you don't know who the patsy is, you're it."
-not sure

I am a song in the rain...

Damn, what a jerk brother I am. I never gave my own sister a b-day shoutout on my blog! Happy belated b-day sistah! I did however call her on her actual b-day and we all went to lunch, so it's not like I really forgot. I just didn't get to blog about it...so here it is.

Of rediscovering the past
This weekend I was introduced to two classical movies: "An Affair to Remember" and "Singing in the Rain." Dude, I should've seen these movies a long long time ago! I can't believe I never took the time to watch them before. Well, for the former, Sleepless in Seattle(which is one of my favorite movies-top 5 definitely), is BASED on the frickin movie. I was opened up to so many connections between the two films...it was really cool. And the second...well, dude, it's Gene Kelly. Frickin awesome movie. The dancing was really cool...if I had been intro'd to that movie when I was a lot younger, I would've had a much greater appreciation for tap, he he he. But I just really enjoyed these films. Just struck me that for a lot of the dance scenes,they do this like, single pan for the entire routine, meaning they had to do the entire thing w/o making a mistake. Crazy huh? They worked pretty hard back then. Golden Age of film...it really was. Not that they don't work hard now, but nowadays, you can just piece scenes together and make it look completely seamless(Seamless, ha ha ha)...I mean, that's just how technology moves forward. But still, I definitely have a new affinity for the classics. I mean, the only classics I had under my belt were/are "It's a Wonderful Life," "Miracle on 34th Street," and "Sound of Music," which all happen to be Christmas season movies. Why "Sound of Music?" I have no idea, but it always plays at Christmas time. Here's to new horizons and keeping an open mind!!!

Of putting up
I was having my morning chat this morning w/ the roomie and he was telling me about a dinner conversation he had recently. Well, the two were talking and roomie's friend says about his girlfriend, "Man, I gotta marry this girl like right now," or something to that effect. And roomie asks, "why?" And the response is, "Well, because she puts up w/ my 'ish'." But he didn't say "ish." So it dawned on me...we completely overlook "putting up with one's 'ish'" all the time when it comes to relationships. And right off the bat, it sounds very negative. I remember one time overhearing the comment, "I could never date that girl. But he could. They're perfect for each other. Because he puts up w/ her 'ish.'" I thought at that time, man, that sucks! But I now, I don't think it sucks so much anymore. In most situations, when you hear about putting up with "ish," it is usually negative - think about work situations, abusive relationships, etc. The phrase, "I don't have to put up with this 'ish'!" comes about just before you walk out the door. But beyond these more extreme cases, when I think "my ish," and normal relationships, I think when most of us say "my ish," we're not talking about deal-breaking issues about ourselves and our relationship, we are referring to our shortcomings. And when you think about it some more, that's actually a very often overlooked quality in that other person. They're ability to handle you...all of you. And to me, I think that's what true love is. Is being able to see past people's shortcomings and loving them regardless. Is knowing that these shortcomings and faults don't make this person a bad person, just a person who's not perfect...who is just like us. That's unconditional love yo...it isn't based on loving "because of," but "inspite of." And again, I have to emphasize, I'm talking about our "ish" lightly here...not the major major stuff, I'm talking about the habitual and mini personal shortcomings, things that don't make/break a relationship, but definitely things that one must put up with. So when you find that person, that person that can really handle you, hold on to it...we should all be so lucky to have someone in our life so patient as to put up w/ us.

55 small things you can always do
30. Pay the toll of the person behind you.
This isn't really very applicable to many of us, esp here in Southern Cali. But if you do take toll roads around here, might cost a bit more, toll can be like 5 bucks sometimes! But I guess that's what would make it such a nice gesture. But still, I don't really like this one that much...i would say, just give that money to the needy, he he he.

"Fall seven times. Stand up eight."
-Japanese Proverb

I am one good leg...

League Champs!!!!
Go Nutz! Whoo Hoo! I've been waiting a while for this.

Happy b-day to Kay! Welcome to the world of 29dom! Ha ha ha. :) :)


I didn't wanna mass-post pictures on one entry because I was afraid people might feel inundated w/ pictures and just not look at any of them at all. So I decided to just put one set per entry(save for the previous, but that was theme-related, so UH, na na na na!). Anyway, the featured set here is from Jevon's 29th b-day, a few weeks ago, at D&B's. Always good to see the Irvine peeps...I just hung out w/ them earlier that day at another event(to be posted manana). I haven't seen Jevon drink like that in....never, I think. Craziness! I hope you had fun kid!

of random thoughts that come from everyday happenings that you didn't notice before
I'm part of this online survey group...NPDOR or something like that. Every week, I get a few surveys that I have to fill out, just on various things, from restaurants, to shopping preferences, to...the one I got today, one about fertilizier. It reminds me when Chris and I used to work for that survey company, but that's another story for another time. Anywhoo, I was filling out the demographic/personal info at the end, and I had to say my age...now, I've been doing these surveys for like 3 years now, and quite consistently over the past 9 months...but today just seemed to stand out in particular. How old are you...30. thirty...THIRTY! Frickin crazy. I'm only 30 and I'm already 30 at the same time. The thoughts that come into my head are all over the place. Thoughts about where I'm not as opposed to where I thought I'd be at this point in my life...and also thoughts that I still have a long ways to go and a lot to learn in my life. I still have tons of experiences, both bad and good to go through. There is so much life ahead...but at the same time, I still can't help to think about where I would like to be. Anyway, yeah, weird that that thought crossed my mind today. I have a lot of life left to live, but you really don't ever know what the future has in store, so you gotta make every day count. If I were to die tomorrow, I want to be able to look back and say, I lived a quality life...I made mistakes...a lot of them, but I made the most of what I had. And most of all, I tried my darndest to love all those people I have been blessed to have in my life. - And all this sprung from a survey asking how old I was...c'est incroyable, non?

Man, I did it again! I forgot to post one of the 55 things you can always do! I'm never gonna finish this rate!
55 small things you can always do
29. Wipe common areas when you leave them for the next person.
Is it that hard to just wipe the table down at In-N-Out after you're done eating? Or quickly wipe the sink area in the bathroom, so the next guy doesn't get that wet-spot accross his shirt? I don't think so. And I try to do it as often as possible. It's you and I that build community :) We are the world...all that jazz, come on!

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
-Abraham Lincoln

I am the weakening breeze against my back...

Of sports and sports and sports

It was a sports week for me this past week. On Wed, I went to the Dodger/Padres game with the Lapazes and soon-to-be Diches - it was blanket night, and the Doyers won! Since then, with the exception of last night's loss...surprisingly to the Padres, our Doyers still have a 1/2 game lead in the NL West. Here's to the playoffs!


This past Sunday, it was opening day for the NFL. And the home opener for the Chargers - to which I have season tickets(I split w/ rooster, so half season tix). I got really smashed during the tailgaiting (I was already out late the night before and drank, so it probably wasn't a great decision to drink so much)...I don't even remember all the pictures I took from the pre-game ceremonies up until I woke up again in the 2nd quarter. I need to chillax on the drinking during those games...I've developed a rap for sleeping in the 1st quarter! It was a crazy game, I had hella fun, ran into some old familiar faces(as evidenced in the pictures), and that last second touchdown pass to lose the game really stung - but hey, that's why the season is 16 games long!

And now we get to today...which is our championship game in my Tuesday Titans league. We are currently undefeated heading into this game, and I am wanting w/ every fiber of my being to finish undefeated...the perfect season. I was chatting w/ Drich today about how we've both played for teams that have won one, and even zero games for the entire season...and how excited I am to be at the top. To me, it really feels that much more fulfilling when you've experienced what it's like to sit at the very very bottom - almost hopeless at one point.

...so yes, I'm quite the sports fanatic.

In a weird mood today...not sure what it is exactly. Might be the fact that the allergies are acting up a bit, that i'm feelin a little bleh. But I feel very ansy about the game tonight. I'm in a tug-of-war between these two I think. And at the same time, I have that "sitting duck" feeling. I don't know exactly how to describe it...but I feel like I'm just sitting here, waiting, and not really waiting for something to do, cuz sitting ducks are actually just waiting for something to happen...to them, and usually that thing they're waiting for, is to be shot. Krikey! I hope that's not what I'm sitting for. But yeah, that's what's goin through my mind right now.

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

I am the season's end...

I have so many sets to post up. First NYC, and here...we have the pics from the Nike Human Race 2008! I had a blast at this thing. I didn't train much...ran at the most 4 miles during training and did not run often enough. My knee felt it after the run...but I still finished in about 1hr and 15 min...not too shabby! I'll make sure I train more for the next run. The run wasn't so bad though..I had my cell phone AND my camera and I thought I would have such a hard time...but it really wasn't as bad as I thought. Maybe I'm getting back to marathon form? or at least half-marathon form, he he he. The pics from the Kanye and Common concert aren't that great cuz we were so far back...but the VIP bracelet my friend Lena hooked me up w/ sure helped alleviate that concern. Free drinks and food all night! Oh yeah and a free massage too! I was really lucky to run into her that night, I actually didn't think I would. But here's to more running events and the drive to stay in shape!

September is going to be quite the busy month for me...and yes, I know, what month or time in my life isn't busy...I don't know why, but it seems to be this month in particular that stands out. It's because I know of all the weddings/football games/bachelor parties/events I have to attend in my mind already. Usually, I'm referring to a calendar and being reminded of events...like, "oh yeah..I have that in a couple weeks." But with this month, I know now everything I'm doing until the last weekend, and I have to admit, I get a tad bit tired just thinking about it. And I'm not complaining...because yes, I bring this all upon myself. In his book, "The Last Lecture," Pausch talks about simplifying your life - not doing so many things. I'm not sure if I completely agree with that perspective. Yes, the less things you are doing, the less you have to worry about inasmuch as making time, commitment, etc...but there's nothing wrong with doing as much as you can do, and living as much as you can in this short time we have here. For him, it was different...he had children, he had other things to worry about. Right now - it's not like that...I still have goals and passions and adventures to pursue. But it would be nice to have some time on my own for a few days...hmmm, another trip to the mission, perhaps?

The summer is quickly drawing to a close. I can already feel it in the air...it's getting cooler. My car is covered with dew in the mornings and you can just smell it in the air. School's started again, and more cars are on the road. The care-freeness of summer is upon us and it's time to move into the next season. Time goes by so quick...I wonder what this next season has in store for me...

55 small things you can always do
28. Let people know what you stand for and what you won't stand for.
Again, not a little thing in my opinion. Stand up for what you believe in and don't let people tell you otherwise. Your beliefs are your foundation and make up who you are. A lot of the times it's extremely tough to stand up for what you believe, but that's where we show our true colors...

Time to be awesome!!!

"Life is 'trying things to see if they work.'"
-Ray Bradbury

I am an extremely poor tease attempt...

Wow, it's been a while...well, I've been on vacation, and it always takes a little time for me to readjust and get back into the normality of things. Since I've been back, work's been a little hectic and I just had a lot of things to do, so I haven't had time to write...well, here I go again...


NYC pics are finally up! I love nanya!!! It was a great trip; got to do a lot of the touristy stuff I barely ever get to do while I'm out in the NY because I'm never there long enough. Some places we ended up staying far longer than expected, which led to us not getting to do everything we wanted, but that's okay. That's what future trips will be for. New York minutes man, they sure do go quick! But even being out there for 5 days, it still wasn't long enough. But I definitely have a ton of funny stories to tell - it'll be hard to tell them w/o Mina, but I'll try to do the stories justice, he he he. That's how vacations are though, always too short, he he he.

So like I said, it's taking me a while to get my groove back. The past couple days, I've been feelin somewhat loopy. I'm not sure...but it's like back in the day when I was off of school for the summer - probably moreso in college than in high school and before...but anyway, vacation is over and school starts...all over again - and I don't want to go back. There's a certain reluctance to be back in class...I'm just zoned out and would rather be doing something else. Well, that's how it's been lately. Don't get me wrong, there's a ton of work to do, it's actually kept me busier than I've been, but I'm still wishing I was elsewhere. It's only been about a week since I've been back, and it was a long weekend, so maybe I need to be back a full week before I can fully readjust. I probably need to get back into the "routine." That sounds so monotonous though. There has to be a better word...

Coincidentally, kids started up school again today. All my teacher friends are off summer break, and even London...well, today, she started the 3rd grade. THIRD GRADE!!!! Wow. My gosh time flies. I was just talking this weekend about when she was still a little baby, and how I used to get so hurt when she would cry when I would hold her. That was 7 years ago. SEVEN. SEVEN. SEVEN!!!! (seven). Anyway...craaaaaazy. In 5 years, she'll be a teenager...a teenager. Man oh man.

55 small things you can always do
27. Look a homeless person in the eyes and say hello with a smile.
This one seems a little strange to me...because it feels a little awkward, but maybe that's just me. I guess it has to do w/ the whole thing that they're homeless and I'm not. But that shouldn't stop me from being nice and friendly to them. Just like smiling at your coworkers or strangers, you just never know how your smile might affect them. So show those pearly whites...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-Mark Twain