Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year


wikipedia:

People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox.


1912,1924,1936,1948,1960,1972,1984,1996


Accdg to Wikipedia:

Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiac, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are perhaps the most organized and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.

Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.

A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and to avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.

According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night. Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rats in general should guard themselves against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.

Traditionally, Rats should avoid Horses, but they can usually find their best friends and love interests in Monkeys, Dragons, and Oxen.

Professions include espionage, psychiatry, psychology, writing, politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective, actor, and pathology


Sunday, December 30, 2007

Called in Sick

  1. I was sick today
  2. I could not breathe last night, I had to have a breathing treatment back to back
  3. I went to Urgent care at 915 am
  4. We all know that they are not URGENT
  5. I was called in the treatment room at 935
  6. I was seen at 1130 - told you not Urgent
  7. I was so mad
  8. M.D came in and asked 3 questions
  9. How do you feel? - CRAP, Thanks for asking
  10. Since when did you have this Sx? - Friday
  11. What medicines are you taking? - Singulair, Advair and Albuterol
  12. I see. You're fine
  13. I had this look....Like OH YEAH!!!
  14. You do not need anymore meds, all you need is REST
  15. NOW we're talkin, I had some smile there
  16. I told him that I called in sick today
  17. And he said Yes, and DO NOT GO TO WORK TOMORROW either.
  18. Now I'm really smilin
  19. Ok, it will be hard to stay home, not play with the kids, clean up the house.
  20. Let your husband do it for today and tomorrow.
  21. NOW IM REALLY SMILING!!!
  22. Do I still feel Crappy? yes but not going to work today and tomorrow , staying home to recover PRICELESS.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

No Clippers Please



We have been taking the kids to jungle salon for their hair cuts since they were 18 months old. We love the Jungle Salon, the seats are rides-like from theme parks, the colors, it offers selection of video games, DVDs, cartoons and other amusements for kids. Actually it is not only for kids it is a salon for the whole family. My hairstylist Tricia is also the boys' hairstylist. Except for today. When we told the boys we are going to have a haircut at the Jungle Salon, they did not want to go there, they wanted to go to BIG BOY hair salon. And so we went to Supercuts. Jake was really, really good. NO TV, NO MOVIE, NO TOYS, just a regular salon chair and mirror. Oh yes he still wants scissors no Clippers please.

JT has alaways been good when it comes to cutting his hair


We surely loved his haircut

We did not want to get too excited for Jake

Jake did not like spraying water on his hair

In the middle of his haircut, he seemed like he fell asleep and Paul had to hold his head. So cute!
We loved his haircut!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Family Night

Photo:wikipedia
It was actually this movie


Paul and I went for a nice Movie date after work. We went and saw National Treasure. I enjoy watching Jerry Bruckheimer TV shows or movies. And I did enjoy this movie. We got home and enjoyed a fun family game night. The boys really love playing board games and we played the games the boys received from Santa and their cousins such as: Guess Who, Charades, Mouse Trap.
We'll have to start rotating Board games and toys next week so we get to play all of them.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Body Fuzion



If you need to burn extra Holiday Calories try this workout from SNL's "Body Fusion Workout" with Drew Barrymore. It is a reminiscent of Jane Fonda workouts. I love the different levels of difficulty.

Back to work

WHY is it always..always...always...always...always...always...always..always..ALWAYS...ALWAYS
ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS
Hard to go back to work after Holdays or Vacation?


Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Charice Pempengco on Ellen Degeneres show

My sister called and asked if I saw this young 15 year old - Filipina singer Charice Pempengco who appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show on December 19. She was brought to the U.S. all the way from the Philippines to appear on Ellen’s show and yes it was her first time here in the U.S

Listen to her sing! She's amazing!!



Great voice and stage performance. Way to go!!

Post Christmas


I took the day off today for me to unwind, relax, have my nails done, go to Burke Williams and shop the after Holiday sale. BUT NO!!! It's a day for me to clean up, laundry - which by the way we still have piles of clothes from our Vegas trip, organize and rearrange the furnitures for the New Year's. Oh and did I mention that my allergies are freaking bad today? As I stood in the family room today, I don't even know where to begin! I usually start from the one corner and work my way to another corner. It's like doing a puzzle. Well, I better start now before picking up the kids from school.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmas Update



We had a fun Christmas Eve last night. JT never, never, never....NEVER went to sleep til 11 pm last night. He stayed up to get a glimpse of Santa and the Reindeers. He finally slept and Paul and I started wrapping presents, set up air hockey table, wrote letters to the boys, fixed and decorated the dining table.


Christmas Day:

Merry Christmas everyone!! What a fun day today. I love Christmas!! The boys woke up today at 745 am we walked out the room from youngest to eldest. The boys went crazy. We opened presents one at a time. JT had too many questions such as: Wow, how did Santa get this presents from FAO?Toys r us? or KBtoys? Jacob's were: I saw this puppy and kitten in Las Vegas, Did Santa go to Vegas and pick it up too? We had a Yummy breakfast with my brother and SIL. We had eggs, pancakes, hot chocolate, sausage. We played air hockey and charades after breakfast, went for a walk around the nighborhood. At Dinner time we had the Mish for dinner and a family friend Col. Prime. We had yummy Filipino food: Pansit Bihon, Lumpia, Kaldereta, Chopsuey and Persian Chicken Kabobs. For dessert with Mississipi Mud pie and ice cream. We played Charades with them again, Guess Who Mormon game, Guess who, Mouse trap and Air Hockey. We all had a great time and the boys were all tuckered out when they left at 9-ish. I was so busy I never had a chance to take pictures during Dinner.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve...Filipino Style


I tried calling my family back home at 730 am (1130 pm Dec2 4 in Manila) to greet them Merry Christmas. BUT I could not get through the Busy lines. I tried and tried. I finally got through at 9 am and it was 1 am there and they were all asleep except for my brother. We talked for a few minutes and told him I will call later on CA time.

Where I am from, we have a lot of traditions during Christmas. I searched Wikipedia and here it is:

For Filipinos, Christmas Eve or ("Bisperas ng Pasko") December 24 is the much-anticipated Noche Buena --

the traditional Christmas Eve feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola (Span. literally "ball of cheese"; edam cheese), "Tsokolate" (hot chocolate drink) and hamon (Christmas ham), and some would open presents at this time.

In different provinces and schools throughout the Philippines, Catholic devotees also reenact the journey of Joseph and the pregnant Blessed Virgin Mary in search of lodging for the soon-to-be born Jesus Christ. This is the traditional Panunuluyan, also called Pananawagan and Pananapatan.

This street pageant is performed after dark on Christmas Eve, with the actors portraying Joseph and Mary going to pre-designated houses. They chant wika wika bang bang, a traditional folksong that is meant to wake up the owner of the house as the actors ask for lodging. But the couple (actors) are turned away by the owners, also through a song. Finally, Joseph and Mary make their way to the parish church where a simulated manger has been set up. The birth of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with the Misa de Gallo, together with hallelujahs and Christmas carols. Everybody celebrates this tradition happily yet solemnly.

Source:Wikipedia

wpe4.jpg (20137 bytes)
image from Pasko

A collection
of Filipino parol,
or star lanterns,
is an essential
Christmas decoration
in the Philippines.
These lanterns
display
dazzling colorful lights
especially at night.

There is no winter or snow in the Philippines at Christmas time. There are very few pine trees. There is no traditional Yule log or fetching of the pine sprigs from the woods. And Santa Claus, though visible in displays and believed by most Filipino children to exist, seldom comes bearing gifts.

Even without snow or pine trees, there's no doubt it's Christmas in the Philippines. Filipino Christmas decorations are abundant and beautiful.

The bamboo parol (pah-role), or star lantern, is the symbol of Christmas in the Philippines, representing the guiding light, the star of Bethlehem. It emits a warmth unparalleled among holiday adornments and is unique to the Philippines.

Filipinos enjoy decorating their homes not only with star lanterns but also with all sorts of Christmas decors. Brightly colored buntings or streamers are hung inside and out. Often, Christmas cards that illustrate scenes in the Philippines are pinned on red and green ribbons. The cards are then hung in the sala, or living room, for all to enjoy. Candles and wreaths are also common adornments. Recently, Filipinos have begun choosing wreaths and other decorations made with local native materials rather than those patterned after western designs. And many houses, particularly those in the urban areas are strung with tiny multi-colored lights both inside and out. Most Filipinos think that decorating their homes for the Christmas holidays is a must.

Source: Philippine Christmas

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Las Vegas Bowl

Photo: BYU

After the game last night, I called Jenn, Chantel and Nana about the nerve racking, nail biter game.

This was the winning game a FG block by Freshman Eathyn Manumaleuna. He put his big Bear Paw to stop the Bruins from winning. Next month this paw will be knocking on Oklahoma Homes as he serve his Mission. What a game Cougars... What a game!!


Vegas Baby

What a weekend filled with fun, excitement and drama.

THURSDAY:
We left L.A at 1-ish and we hit a lot of traffic. It was raining, windy and cold.
Fashion Outlet at Primm Williams-Sonoma/Potterybarn Outlet
We stopped at one of our favorite Outlet stores. The Fashion Outlet - Neiman Marcus, Williams-Sonoma/Pottery Barn and AG- Adriano Goldshmied, Hurley.
And that is always our first stop every time we go on a trip to Vegas or Utah. And Paul always tells me that we can stop there on our way back home, but for some reason I have to stop there for a QUICK Shopping. We arrived and checked in at our hotel (Excalibur) and it was so cold - in the 30's!

Friday:
We went for some Shopping at FAO Schwartz. We love, love FAO. JT picked a present for Jake and Jake picked a present for JT. And Santa picked some presents for the boys as well.

FAO Schwartz at Caesars Palace
We want this Mommy...

Daddy..what about this?

This one Daddy?

GRANDest Piano. I remember this from last years. It was onsale for $250,00.00
FAO

After we went to FAO, Paul dropped me off at Planet Hollywood for some more shopping. I went to H&M, Betsey Johnson, It was a 2 hour shopping with not enough time to really browse 170 shops in that hotel. Paul also told me that the BYU team stayed here but I did not see any players or coaches around. While I was shopping Paul took the boys for some Daddy and Boys time to Circus Circus. The boys had a blast.








Then we grabbed a quick Lunch by Hard Rock Hotel. Red Mango Yogurt. And YES it is like PINK BERRY. BUT this is a little sweeter and it is only 90 cal for 1/2 cup and it is 0 gm fat. Pink Berry has 150 cal. for 1 cup. Anyways, IT WAS REALLY GOOD!! I asked Paul which started to come out first. Pink Berry or Red Mango. As I blog my weekend gimmick, I came across that Red Mango was founded in 2002 in Korea and Pink Berry was founded in 2005 in W.Hollywood. The decor, toppings, price are the same. Who cares?
We then went back to our hotel and got ready to see our friends Mark, Tara and their girls.
Paul with Amy (6mos)

Emily-Hannah-JT

Emily-JT-Jake

We had a Blast! The food was great, the dessert YUMMY. The co. Fantastic. The boys and the girls had fun running around their house, screaming, playing, laughing and yes some crying, JT's nose bled, Emily had an owie. After that they played again. It just showed that they were really having a great time. While Tara and I chatted all night, Paul and mark watched "I am Legend".

SATURDAY:
The Big Day...
We went for a nice walk to M&M store. We decided to walk to kind of kill time as Paul await for the Las Vegas Bowl game at night.

We saw this Cosmobile outside the hotel.


Excalibur

We love M&M store

Greetings everyone

JT and Jake at M&M store

And then we went to MGM to see the Lion Habitat
Where are the Lions Mommy?
There they are....
After that we went to New York, New York to grab some Lunch and walked back to our hotel for some Nap time.
Paul left at 230 pm to watch the Las Vegas Bowl and got there at 4pm. Last year he left at 245 and barely made it to kick off. OK!
Then the boys and I went to Luxor Hotel to watch Sea Monster on IMAX. We took the tram and they were so good and we were all excited. We got to the ticket area and she told me that it's only 4 yrs old and above. I asked her WHY? She said that they went to a meeting this morning and it's only 4 and above. Because it's LOUD and Dark inside. I was so pissed!! I did not yell or cuss, YAY!! I talked to the boys and they were so SAD!!! I was too!! I explained it to them and JT and Jake tried so hard not to cry. They did not throw a fit nor complain. JT hugged Jake and saying sorry to each other. I had to do something. I told the boys let's go around and get tickets. I stood in line and asked to speak with he Manager. I told her that they boys had seen Dinosaurs and Deep Sea IMax in L.A as a field trip at their pre-school. And asked why they are not selling to 3 y.o, it did not say anything on the ticket or magazines. She explained how dark it is going to be inside and loud and the seats . She was not bending to my plea. Then I told her, this
Ok, what if I buy the tickets and if my boys cry we'll go out. Then she said " We cannot refund your money". I told her fine. As I pay for the 3 tickets, Jake's was FREE!! UNbe-freakinlieveable.
She finally gave in.


It was a nice movie, worth fighting for my kids. I usually don't do this Minor things. BUT, my kids were so good and they deserve to have a movie, I will do anything for them.

After the movie, I wanted to go for more shopping but JT and Jake wanted to go back to our hotel to watch the BYU game. We got back and saw the last 3 mins of the 1st half. It was a nail biter again. Down to the last second!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!

Sunday:
We went to Bellagio and New York, New York for last min, shopping, we also went to Zappos.com outlet store.



We surely had a great time. We always love going to Las Vegas, going to the shows, watching a Bowl game, shopping and visiting the Jimenez's.
I am also glad that BYU won because when we got home tonight at 630pm. Paul had to go to Work. BUMMER!!!