Christmas Gifts..

I love giving gifts.. I may actually like shopping for other people more than getting gifts. I work really hard at thinking what a person would want and not giving out just random things.. but i maybe guilty of it sometimes. Although, it is hard when you are trying to make sure that you don't forget someone... But that's what christmas cookies are for.. My little sis and I will be baking some cookies to give out as gifts too.. Now I am so not the kind of person that buys premade cookies.. that's cheating - we are actually making our own cookies.. To me that's kind of cheesy too.. but if someone likes doing it that way more power to them.. for instance that is how my mom cooks. but i like to actually shift the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder and so on. Plus I feel like I worked more on the gift.

I am pretty much done if not i already have in mind what i want to get.. just too lazy to go to the mall and buy it. the mall is a ZOO!!!

Do I?

So I am currently going through a trying time in my life.. That's too personal to write about but I should be okay with whatever the turn out is. But it has made me think about who I am and what I want to be remembered as.

I have always felt that even if I have just met you, we were friends, friends, ex boyfriends or whatever that I have made a difference in your life. That I somehow helped make you a better person.. I left my 'positive mark' in your life. And lately I am questioning if I have really done that. So from this point on I will try to do as I hope to have done. How you wonder.. I don't know myself but I figure with each person and situation I will hopefully know what to do.

And the other thing that has crossed my mind is that i want to be a better person, wife, friend, sister, daughter, grand-daughter and so on.. And I feel that I have been working on this each and every day. I am learning from my mistakes.. For instance, my short temper I am working on and feel that I am better. I try to understand each person and where they are coming from. I try respecting each person's decision even if I don't neccessarily agree with them.. But it's their live and they need to go through whatever it is that they need to. I can't protect the world or them. I just want them to know that I am there no matter what. But of course I still give my opinion and it's up to them if they want to take it or not.. I don't push my beliefs on other people. I love feedback.. So I try to remember that when someone is telling me something about myself to understand that is how they feel and what they are thinking. It's all about respect, understanding, love, and so on. But I know that I really need to practice this more with my husband, mom and sister.. they tend to annoy me the most and I know they are the ones that i should be otherwise to... I am a work in progress and know that I will always be.. Because if I thought I was perfect then I wouldn't learn anything new.. and that would be BORING...

Just my thoughts for today.

Holidays!!

I love the holidays.. But mostly Christmas... I love how most everyone gets to open presents. It's not like a birthday where only one person does but we all get to open presents. I love that we get to spend time with family..

Unfortunately, nowadays it's hard because my hubby's family has started celebrating the holidays. So how do we do it? I have my mom's, dad's and now theirs. I guess we can do breakfast with his family. Because lunch and dinner is usually with both of my parents. I guess if my parents were still together that would make it a lot easier but they aren't. And i can't see myself not seeing my family for the holidays.. they make the best foods and i don't know how to compromise on this. I guess if they didn't live so close it would be easier. But from what we've been doing lately is lunch with my mom and family.. Then I would go to dad's with my sister and her boyfriend. And he would go to his family dinner.. We'd just represent each other. But now that we have a baby on the way I don't know if I like that idea.. I am wondering if I could convince one of the families to do the eve.. Either way I still LOVE the holidays and wouldn't trade it for anything.

What Oprah had to say about men..

I read this and knew that I had to share this with someone...

HEAR WHAT OPRAH HAD TO SAY ABOUT MEN

If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to
be. Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find
what makes you truly happy. If a relationship ends because the man was
not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends". A
friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle. If you feel like he is
stringing you along, then he probably is. Don't stay because you think
"it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying
when things are not better. The only person you can control in a
relationship is you. Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch
of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why
would he treat you any differently? Always have your own set of friends
separate from his. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If
something bothers you, speak up. Never let a man know everything. He
will use it against you later. You cannot change a man's behavior.
Change comes from within. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important
than you are... even if he has more education or in a better job. Do not
make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less. Never
let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone else's man. If he
cheated with you, he'll cheat on you. A man will only treat you the way
you ALLOW him to treat you. All men are NOT dogs. You should not be the
one doing all the bending... compromise is two way street. You need time
to heal between relationships... there is nothing cute about baggage...
Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship You should
never look for someone to COMPLETE you... a relationship consists! of
two WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary... not
supplementary. Dating is fun... even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr.
Right.
Make him miss you sometimes... when a man always know where! You are,
and you're always readily available to him - he takes it for granted.
Never move into his mother's house. Never co-sign for a man. Don't fully
commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need. Keep him
in your radar but get to know others. Share this with other women and
men (just so they know)... You'll make someone smile, another rethink
her/his choices, and another woman prepare, and a man aware.

People come and go..

So as I get older I am noticing that I tend to not waste time trying to make friends.. Like I did when I was younger. Not to say that I won't make a new friend here or there. But I won't go out just to meet new people. I am very happy where I am in life. And can say that I appreciate all my friends and family that I have. I am content with being home watching or reading a good book with Belle. Or hanging out with a friend/s. I don't need to go to the latest bar or club anymore to have fun. I have or awhile now know that you don't need to always go out. I am not missing anything. Before going to a club 10 years ago hasn't changed from now a days.. Music so loud that you can't have a conversation... Girls trying to see who can dress the 'sexest' (if you consider teenie-bopper sexy) style. Creppy guys checking you out to being pushed back and forth cuz you are small. I rather go to a coffee shop and have a real conversation and see how someone is doing. Not that I am knocking anyone who still does it - to each his own. I just choose to have a more low key lifestyle... But I won't turn away a party night in VEGAS... ;-P

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween to everyone!! Now I am getting really excited because I have been dying to decorate our place for xmas.. i think i may start this week!! I love christmas...

3's a crowd... so not true!!

I am sure that everyone has heard of Threes a Crowd... well i can honestly say that L, S and I can prove it wrong for the most part. yes sometimes one person may feel left out but majority of the time we all make our effort not to leave anyone out. it is hard to maintain a friendship when there are 3 people involved. But as long as you include everyone and honestly keep communicating it's all good. I am a middle child and grew up that everyone is treated equal. On the other hand L and S are both only child... So they are moreso on the one on one time with each person. I just feel that by doing that you are making the other person feel left out. So I try to keep us together by doing things together. Which seems to be working..

Friends and the opposite sex...

Just a thought but why is it that friends always say they 'value' your opinion.. And when it comes down to it (at least in the other sex department) they don't really listen to you? They ask you what you think and they still are with the person.. Why bother asking me if it comes down to it where you honestly will do whatever you want???? I just rather have you not ask me and let me think that my opinion means something.... but the sad thing is that i feel that my relationship with this friend is not as close now.. then again we aren't usually as close when she does have a boyfriend. but to be honest the last one and current real boyfriend - i don't think too highly of. i mean i am happy for her because she is happy but there is just something i don't like about this guy.. and sometimes the way he treats her and what he says is so uncalled for. but i have to remind myself that it's not my boyfriend. i guess i just feel that she is someone really close to me and someone i respected a lot and that she deserves the best. and when i see her take s$%t from boys it just changes my opinion of her. because she is such a strong minded person.

Blah Monday..

This weekend was nice because I got to see my dad, step-mom and obachan (aka - grandmother). we all went to dinner along with hubby, sister and her boyfriend. we celebrated our birthdays.. july, august and sept. but yesterday i got to go grocery shoping, cook dinner and watch desperate housewives with s and l. gotta love those do nothing relaxing weekends!!

Why is it when we get older and married.. that it's harder to spend time with everyone??? I really haven't seen my in-laws since maybe july!!! and i haven't seen my dad since july 4th. and let's not even talk about friends. it just seems like there aren't enough days in the week.. :-P but even if i don't see or talk to them - i do think about everyone and hope that everyone is healthy and happy.

Sunny Monday...

The one thing that I love about California is that the weather is unpredictable.. But in a great way because the mornings can be cloudy and dark.. then by the afternoon the sun has come out and the air is either warm, just right, or crisp.... I like this time of year because the sun is out but it's cooler so you aren't sweating. I don't think I can ever handle the 4 seasons that most other states have to deal with. I also love the fact that there are so many different kinds of places to eat at. I would never trade living in the bay area for anything... But I love to go to other places and see how other people live..

Cloudy Days = lazy days

Why is it that on cloudy days you just want to do nothing? Right now it's cloudy outside and all i want to do is climb back into bed. I don't feel like working out today...

But thank god for work because I will be keep busy and on my toes. Maybe since I am usually one of the first 10 people to come into work and it being quiet. But it is also nice to be able to read and respond to email without being interupted. And being able to take care of a lot more items. I am a big check list person. If you watch Friends and remember that episode where they are going to Europe for Ross's wedding. And Monica says something that she needed to do and then says check that is so me. I like to write a list of 'to dos' and check them off.

Little kid again..

Why is it that Disneyland can make any kid - big or small so excited? I have butterflies in my tummy about going. Maybe it's cuz it's the only place that a grown person can act like a child? Well aside from just being excited about going to Disneyland we are going to watch the fireworks. I hear that it is amazing! I can not wait to see for myself. Not sure what to expect but I hear that there is a great story that goes along with the fireworks and the person talking is Julie Andrews!! Mary Poppins herself.

Best Buddy for life..

This morning I looked over to the left side of the bed and realized something.. I love being married to my best buddy in the whole wide world. I never thought I would feel this way about being married. It's nice to know that I always have someone to hang out with and vice versa. Or that he is the most wonderful hubby sometimes.. Because he is very understand (most times), loving, fun, serious when need be, my rock and encourages me to hang out with friends.. doesn't expect me to be with him at ALL times... And I feel the same way. I love the fact that when we go to dinner we can talk about the day, about work or anything.. but also we don't have to say a word. I love the fact that we enjoy eating the same food and if i don't like it he'll eat and same for him. I love the fact that our families both love us and that for the we all get along.

I do wish that we could see his family more.. Because my nephews and sister know him but I don't think that his niece and nephew really know me. Plus his mom is definitely one of the BEST cooks i know. I sure do miss her cooking.

30 and enjoying life

Some people dread the day they turn 30 or think that 30 is old.. Which I must admit I was one of 'those' people when I was in my late teens and even early 20's. But I am happy to be 30 and so enjoying my life. I feel that I am wiser and more go with the flow than i was 10 years ago... Plus my friends and i enjoy telling stories about the past.. We laugh so hard about it all... :-D

Barnes and Noble

Not sure is this was true or not but still wanted to warn you mommies out there:

I was in Barnes and Noble bookstore this evening around 8pm in the children's section with Ryan. He was sitting at a round kids table and I was looking at books within 3-4 feet from him. All of a sudden this young guy darts in the children's area right toward RYAN. He must not have seen me from the angle he was approaching Ryan. I felt a weird feeling, not sure if he was looking for his kid or he was out of place--- so I darted right in front of him JUST BEFORE HE GOT TO RYAN!!! Looking confused he went out of the children's area back into the store. He did not make eye contact with me or make any comment. I told a sales associate right away, and they said he had been hanging out near the children's area ALL night. I did not want Ryan to be scared or just in case this guy was mentally ill (who knows what people are capable of..) I took Ryan's hand and told him mommy was going to get a magazine then we were going home. I picked up a magazine and kept an eye out for him.I went to the checkout stand and I saw him move from the back of the store to the front. I told the clerk to walk me out because I did not feel safe. For some reason I felt that if I grabbed Ryan and ran out it may be risky, so the manager was watching him and I tried to act normal.

I put some music on in the car so Ryan would not hear me call the police. The officer said she just missed him and she was very frustrated the store did not call the police. She and I spoke for awhile --and she was saying it is not uncommon for a sexual predator/ kidnapper to hang out in bookstores and especially places like "the jungle" & water parks.

This guy was in his 30's kind of nerdy looking in shorts a tee and tennis shoes. He was wearing reading glasses and had greasy, shaggy
hair. I am trying to remain calm and be thankful Ryan is safe. For a person to be that brazen would lead me to think his intent was kidnapping.

NEVER have a false sense of security, even when there are other moms and children around.

What's a girl to do?

I know some girls are totally into clothes and shoes.. But my things are make-up (not that I wear it), skin care, purses and wallets... I just can't seem to get enough. Although I have been really good about not buying my expensive brands for the last 2 years... But I love to go and look at them.. And if there is a make up event with one of the brands that I like I am so there.. But why? I don't need anymore? But why am I always looking for something better?

Picture again..

let's try again... geez i suck at this.

Recovering and Vegas Baby...

I guess I will have to post another one for some reason that last post I wrote disappeared.. So I guess this will be another short one..

So most of last week I was trying to get over this cold that I had.. So I was basically miserable. Then Thursday off to Vegas.. didn't really gamble but shopped a lot!! On the last day I decided to just suck it up and purchase a little something for me:

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/eoiwa/coach.jpg[/IMG]

And Monday we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary.. :-D I can't believe it's been 2 years that we've been married. I never thought I would enjoy being married as much as I have and that I love knowing that I will be with him for the rest of my life.. Being with one person always used to scare the lights out of me... Let alone being in a serious relationship. I never really let anyone into my life before - I mean completely.

I miss my friend Beatrice cuz we usually talk or see each other but since I have been sick I really haven't talked to her. Hopefully we'll get to go for another walk this week. :-D

Belle got into something when we weren't home... She just wants a friend to play with.

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