I'm going to comment more on this link below...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4038249/

Looking through some msn news...read about some child pornography/abuse cases...some linking myspace.  Anyway, read the article if you're free. It's basically child abuse in 3rd world countries....which brings back a lot of my thoughts of my trip to Thailand...I don't have much time to comment since I'll be leaving here in a bit...but it's alarming...and very sad.

On a side note, I had a safe and great trip to Hawaii.  Lots of activities. Erin, we did end up finding a shrimp truck, went night snorkeling, did the pineapple plantation maze, went to Kauia and stayed at the Princeville Resort (that was sooo awesome), rode/drove an ATV around (fun times too), a lot more to mention..but I'll mention it later...15 more minutes here..so yeah, I'm just couting down the time.

Hope everyone's doing well.

I leave Thursday morning....then off I go to Hawaii....10 days...can't wait!!

Same old same old here...drank a little too much at Gauchos on Friday...man..those drinks creep up on you...and i'm crushing (again)...hahaha..but when am i not crushing?  I pulled a k-dogg trick from back in the days that night though...i was left this dood that was interested (and i wasn't) with cheryl...sorry girl!! lol...randomness that night...no more drinking until next weekend...ahahah OMG, i can't believe I'm leaving soon!!

I have my myology practicum tomorrow....I'm somewhat studying...i just want to get it over with! Then I have an exam the day next day that I return..oh well...at least i'll get to study at the beach!!

hope y'all are doing welll...I do have a lot to write, but as usual..I'm running like a chicken that's lost its head...since i'll be gone for 10 days, I gotta make sure all the bills are paid for, etc...until next bloq.

So I've been pretty busy. Work is cool...I'm still working weekends (but hopefully this will end soon), school is cool (I'm getting an A in anatomy so far, I got 100% on the lab practical) but I keep misreading the 1st question of every freakin lecture exam and that's worth 10pts...I wouldn't be so upset if I didn't know the answer, but the problem is I know the answers by heart...it's just I misread the questions! Oye! Oh well, I'm still getting an A.

What have I been up to lately?

First I want to thank Jimmy and Melvin for the baseball game experience. It was my first ever professional sport event I've ever attended.  So it was cool and I had a great time..and that hotdog was darn good! Sorry I couldn't hang out as much but I hope you found the accomodations okay. 

I'm still running all over the place. I finished Hien's bachelorette party invitations and all I'm waiting for are some decisions that the bridal party need to vote on and I'll start doing the evite. 

I'm running a 10K next weekend w/ Angelica, Eric, Sol and Zinny....I'm nervous about this one cuz I don't know if I can do a 10K, but I'm going to do it.

I originally owed $3K in taxes....but I decided to spend the $$$ (but he did charge way too much...and next year, I'm going through Cheryl's tax guy) and I ended up not oweing anything...came out even.

In 2 weeks, going to Hawaii...looking forward to this vacation. My friend Paras asked me to go with him to South Africa or Europe in late September and I'm thinking about going, but that's still TBD...he has family there and so there's a place to stay...

This weekend is Geoff's birthday...and it's a potluck. So I'm thinking of making Michelle Aquino's chicken recipe. I made it for K when we hung out this past weekend (he asked me to go out to lunch w/ him, but I told him I'll cook since I didn't want to go out b/c I wanted to study for my exam) and he liked it. So I figure I can just make that dish instead.  I also want to try this muscle recipe that I got from the food network..I've been watching a lot of that station lately.

So I decided to indulge in some movie rentals this weekend. One of the funniest movies (and I highly recommend) is the movie I mentioned above. It's weird, but very funny and quirky...don't want to spoil it for those that hasn't seen it, but all I'm going to say is "back and forth. forever"! 

If you really want a deep/thinking movie, watch "Lord of War"...not just entertaining, but it really does make you think about our world in general. Did you know that the US is the biggest producer of weapons? This movie made me think, the problem is...us. There's all these crimes against humanity in the world (i.e. human trafficking, political wars, slavery for the purpose of acquiring diamonds in Africa, prostitution, pornography --> specially child, etc. etc)....but it's a vicious cycle. It's like these things wouldn't exist if there wasn't such a demand for it.

We want the diamonds, we want to drive the gas guzzlers, we want the latest...the best products, the biggest TV screens.  We grow up seeing this, thinking this, and finally believing this is what we want. Is this what we want? I watch "cribs" on MTV and I'm thinking..."damn, they make so much money to spend on crap"....and if I had the money, what would I spend it on? I'm sure I'll spend it on some crap too.  What I don't understand is where are the recycling centers? I'm not talking about the recycling of paper, plastic, aluminum...We throw so much junk as a consumer nation that we seriously don't even try to "save the earth"....or maybe I'm just being cynical and ignorant. I mean, Salvation Army is even picky (they wouldn't accept a bunk bed b/c my parents took it apart (even though everything was there and in good condition)...which in turn makes me want to throw it, but somewhere in this state, I'm sure there's someone that needs a bunk bed (for free)...

Did you know the average Angelino makes $25,000-$45,000/year...that's the average salary....how the heck do they do it? I mean, the cost of living here is ridiculous! Rent, gas, insurance, food alone is definitely more than $1,500/month....and that's barely making it...how do the people with kids make it??

Okay, I've babbled enough...Hopefully my next entry will be sooner (than later)...if anything, I'll let you know how my Hawaii trip goes.

Okay, I know it's been awhile (I haven't been so great with keeping this bloq up-to-date). This year has been very busy, but good busy.

School is keeping me busy, but I'm actually enjoying it. I think night class works better with me than having it during the day. I like going to work and having to go to school right after. 

My new work schedule (well, my night job) has also been great. I work Mon-Wednesday nights and alternating Thursdays (eventually, I'll be working 5 days again --- but that won't be until next year, when I hopefully get in the program and have to quit my day job). My day job, well, I plan on telling my boss that I want to stop working weekends. I'm going to give him 1 month to find someone and if they won't give me my weekends, I'm willing to quit my day job. I'm at that point right now where I just want some time to myself.  I never wanted weekends anyway.

Besides school and work...still have to work on Hien's bacholorette invitations. Buy some gifts for my god child and see some friend's babies too.

Aight...gonna go...have to close up shop and go to church.

Suffering from a little insomnia...and a busy lifestyle right now. I'm getting about 3 hours/day (some straight, some intermittent) sleep. But it'll all be worth it in the end.

I started school yesterday. My teacher was a grad student at the dep't I worked for at USC. I must say that I'm enjoying his teaching technique...SO MUCH BETTER than the other lady that yelled at people. I feel like I'm actually going to learn something here.

So far, life is good. I can't complain. Just very busy. Not really dating, but I am meeting people --> which is a step fwd from last year. Last week, we met some guys that invited us to a yacht party. They were cool though. Bought us a few drinks  But friend was turned off when he said he drove his porsche. Last time I rode in a porsche was with PJ...awww the good 'ole days.

My work schedule has changed to accomodate school. I work Monday night through Wednesday w/ alternating Thursday nights. My day job is still the same though...wish it was more flexible.

Congrats Nel on your new baby girl! She's adorable.

So far I've been doing pretty good w/ my New Year's Resolution. Attending church, working out, cleaning my room. Other things...besides the two jobs..I've just joined a "business" group --> actually more for investments. I wanted to learn more about how to better make my money work for me...so yeah. The more I learn about the business, I'll keep it posted here and if I'm actually making money, then I'll actually spread the word.

I'm in my friend's wedding and somehow I'm spearheading the bacholorette party --> I was just giving my 2cents in and next thing I know, I'm "in charge"...Yeah, where the hell do I find the time? But you know what, you just have to make the time.

Besides this, I'm playing a little bit of a matchmaker with my friend and Angelica's friend (well, my friend too but she knows him better). I hope this will work out. 

What else? Okay, so a lot of good things are happening for me. I don't have a bad life right now..yes, it could always be better and sometimes I complain about not having so much time BUT when I compare it to friends/people I know, my life isn't bad at all. It's a bit sad...and I feel a bit guilty...when I hear friends go through such hard times. My friend's son is going to Juve b/c of a bad decision he made. Another one just found out her son was shot the other day  Another has to look for another job...I think for mass this week, I'm going to make a little prayer for all those going through really really tough times.

I won't be travelling much this year as I anticipated due to work, not enough PTO (I have to take time off for my Hawaii trip and friend's wedding). But I think it's going to be a good thing b/c next year I'm hoping to go to either Greece, Australia or go on a cruise to the Caribbeans.  I'll be going w/ Tad one day to Thailand...thats a fo sho deal!!

Romer is coming down this weekend. He'll be crashing at my pad...still have no plans, but I'll be dragging him to go hiking w/ me on Saturday...I'm hoping he's down to going to a bar/club Sat. night.  okay...that's it for now.

I start school today...

Life is busy....will write more later...sorry.

It's been a great year so far!! Things are going well...i seem to be getting whatever I want vs. not want

Many friends having babies, getting married....lots of fun times

Congrats Michelle & Paul on your new baby boy...he is absolutely beautiful.

Happy birthday to my bro and to Cheryl!!

I wonder who'll get proposed to this year!!

I start school in February. Vegas late February. Hawaii in April. Hien's wedding in July....I'm sure I'll be adding more as the year progresses.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! It's going to be a great year!! It's going pretty well so far!!

When my coworker told me he was sick...I immediately knew I would be sick in a few days.

So I had to call out Friday from work...which was a good thing cuz I really needed to rest. But I did go to work Saturday morning and what would usually take an hour to finish took like 2.5 hours for me.  It was hard to concentrate when you're not really feeling great, chest is congested....and so much "cleaning up" to do.  It's a good thing I don't need supervision.

After work, I headed home and started cooking. I decided the comfort food to bring at Ed's "Charlie Brown X-mas Party" was fried rice. Thanks Ed for the John Legend DVD (I love it!) and the CD (I still have to listen to this group).  It was good to see Karolynn too and I wanted to give her gift, but she wouldn't accept (cuz she didn't bring anything then). We agreed to exchange when I see the gang next week. Cheryl spent the past few days taking care of sick Geoff so I gave her my gifts to each of them (since I really didn't want it hanging out in my room any longer) lol.  While the rest of the group headed out to see the x-mas light show in Los Feliz, I headed back to Hollywood to hang out with Judy, Woosa, Deborah and Megan.  We ended up at St. Nick's with the goal of hooking Deborah, but she ended up leaving early and we just hung out at the bar chatting with the many men there....it's definitely a sausage fest in that bar! But not as bad as that bar/restaurant in Long Beach (which escapes my mind at this time).

I'm still sending out x-mas cards!

Before I forget, thanks Shacy for the chat. I know I have a lot to think about in terms of what I want to do. Do I keep working these ridiculous hours? Do I really want to go back to school? Where do I want to buy my first house? Where will I be travelling? Yup...a lot going through my mind.  Our chat reminded me of years past...of Jean...and how glad I am that things ended up the way they did.  My biggest problem is learning to let go. Oddly enough when it's a girlfriend that's done wrong, I am disappointed and can say good-bye...but why is it so difficult with guys?

Sometimes I wish I could see the world through my 19 y.o. eyes.  Of course there are good things that come about experiencing life's disasters and joys.  And there's something to be said about overcoming a traumatic event.  Sometimes I worry I won't be as strong the next time a disaster arise.

So I didn't get called to come in for jury duty. Was I lucky! I could've sworn I was going to get called cuz I had to report to the LA courthouse...but nope...didn't get called....thank God my prayers were heard. So I went to church right after work. With my new parking situation, I can now make it to mass right after work...I think this will be a regular activity of mine.  Lately I've been feeling very spiritual...all these signs telling me to be more faithful and that God is watching over me.  Lately, I've been feeling like I just gotta take that leap of faith!

I'm already making plans for next year...of course one of my New Year's resolution is to lose weight (as it is every year...), attend mass, workout more, travel some more.

Okay...that's it. I'm gonna go and nap now...that or do more planning.

Latest post from on the scene: RENEWED FAITH IN HUMANITY ( http://onthescene.msnbc.com/hurricanes/2005/09/renewed_faith_i.html)