You know... some people REALLY love high school that they never outgrow it. Some people, like me, like it.. some people HATE it! My highschool was very small - tucked away up in the hills away from the 'ghetto' side of San Jose. Sad to say, I barely keep in touch with any of my high school friends. Thank goodness for Friendster, I found friend T :). But reading this makes me proud of my highschool batchmates... check it out... she was never my friend... come to think of it, I don't even think I had any class with her.. but this makes me say.. "YOU GO GIRL!"

Hello Fellow Monsters, Princesses and Spongebobs! It's Halloween!!!

Our Halloween potluck is done - and by golly, who would think I would win the "Scariest Food" with my punch with frozen hands? :) Thanks Hubs!!!! I wasn't sure what I was doing - and my coworker S made some tapioca jelly that we put in the punch - we weren't sure how it was going to taste, but by golly we won!!! We wanted to put each tapioca ball in that white jelly thing to make it look like eye balls but we didn't have time. Our team also won "Most Creative" with our Christmas tree-themed costumes. We wore the mini skirts around our necks, the tree skirts around our waists, wrapped with garland and hung with ornaments. HEY - it worked!! The RTW team had co-worker M as Robert Palmer and the girls were all in black with hair tied back and matching red lipstick. It was cool! They walked in with attitude too!!! Big Boss E and Asst M were the Twisted Sisters - complete with hair and fingerless gloves. Fun fun day! Tonight, Hubs and Jake and I will be going to the F's for the annual Halloween dinner then head over to 10th Letter J's Halloween Potluck. BOOOOOOOOOO!

Jake & I spent the day together yesterday. It was a nice day off in the middle of the week. Actually, I didn't get enough sleep (Jake didn't sleep until 3am on Thurs) so I knew I couldn't function well at work. Jake and I were in bed until 10:30am.. fun fun! Hubs came home for lunch.. Jake took an afternoon nap and by the time Hubs came home, the Little Man was so rejuvenated, he was crawling all over the place. M&D came over for dinner - painted my nails - got our family costumes ready - and crashed by 2am. Hubs and I sleep late because of Oprah. Darn!

Speaking of Oprah, she had this "Million Dollar Idea" show yesterday and showcased these ordinary moms who made it big and are now millionaires! HUH... I need to think of something to do to hit it big as well! Who would've thunk inventing the Hairdini would make you a millionaire? NUTS!

Oh well - 25 more emails to go... I want to go home early for Jake's first Trick or Treating!!!

Today's just totally dragging!! Nuts! Nuts! Nuts!

I have a splitting headache. I'm thinking my barrette is on too tight! HA!

Boss J and I went to the store to show C the ropes. My items are actually looking good...except that the fixture is missing THE most important part... the freakin' ROASTING KIT! Um.. HELLO? The whole purpose of the program and it's not on the floor? I asked the store person - he basically snapped at me and said he's got trucks coming in faster than they can react and my roasting kits are probably sitting in the container. Basically, he made it sound like if I want it on my floor, I need to pull it out myself! Boss J gently (and sarcastically) emphasized that the ad hits this weekend, and with no merchandise on the floor, no sales - KACHING $$$!!!!!

OK ---> So what's worse than feeling like SHIT? Stepping on one!!! Sucks to be you, L :)

Nuthin... thought I'd share that.

I received a Friendster message from my HS friend, T - he wonders how I can keep up with my daily blogs. If you only know T - I don't work! Ha!! Seems like he's doing well with his photo/video business. It's been YEARS since I spoke with T - he's one of the sweetest people I've had the chance to meet in HS. His first impression of me was that I was a trouble-maker. Me? Where would he come up with that one? :) I sat next to him in Mr. Wong's Physiology class - and he's so fun and nice and all that good stuff :)! We need to get together one of these days.

My to-do list: keep in touch with friends more often!

There was a gas leak at work last night! Darn, I thought we would have to be off for a couple of days and the building would be unsafe to be in.... too good to be true! :)

Last night was fun! It was a nice, beginning-of-the-week, family dinner at C&G's. Inna got a trophy for reaching her 1000 minutes reading time. The only one in her class! She's also so gungho with her CCD class - she learned about baptism last night. Bel was also extra-ordinarily cute. She was sharing everything she had with everyone. She was in a good mood for a change :). Rikki was home for dinner - and Hubs was teaching him how to be a P-I-M-P. We haven't laughed so good and so hard in a long time.. I was actually in tears! See.. Rikki decided to dress up as a PIMP for Halloween. It all started with his $-sign bling-blingin' necklace he got from eBay. Then off to the thrift store on Saturday to get all of his stuff together. He's got the hat.. he's got the sherpa coat... he's got the rhinestone glasses... he's got the cane... he's got the CAVARICCIS... and the snake-skin shoes. It's quite scary actually. Oh, least I forget the toight opaque shirt, which of course he will leave unbuttoned. Mom gave him orange socks to go with his outfit. We told him, he's gotta be slugged up if he wants to be convincing. That.. and he needs to play the part! THIS MY FRIENDS... is where Hubs comes in. Hubs teaching him THE WALK.. THE TALK.. it's HEE-Larious! They both decided to put aluminum foil on their teeth - talk about platinum grills. Jake was looking at his Daddy in confusion. Even M&D were in tears! We got Dad to wear the outfit on Saturday... he looked like the Granddaddy of all PIMPS. The Chinese Pimp... you know!!!

So.. with all of this talk for Halloween... Hubs and I forgot what we will be wearing for the party at 10th Letter Jay's. Hubs will be Crocodile Hunter at work while I have to dress up as a freakin' Christmas Tree... why? Don't ask! Anyways... so Hubs said "why don't you be Terri and Jake will be Bindi!"... um... NO! So.. we decided to ask Mom if she can bring home some scrubs and we'll be doctors.. even Jake! Then, we started coming up with our names! TOO FUNNY!!! I won't blow it and tell you now since it should be surprise. BUT... I got all excited about it that we went home, and I started on making a scrub top for Jake! YUP - me... sew!!! It's coming together pretty cute actually... like a mini-scrub. I'm so proud of myself! It was only then it hit me - DAYEM I'm really a MOM now.. I'm making my child's Halloween costume!

See... Little Man Jake was supposed to be STITCH... Mama kinda forgot to order it online until it was too late... so it was mad rush to look for another costume. We ended up settling for your basic pumpkin from Old Navy. I feel bad - I'll make it up next year. I wanted the babystyle costumes but he's too active to be in those cute buntings. At least with me making his scrub, it's kinda sorta making up for not getting STITCH :). We haven't even carved our pumpkins....

I'm ordering our Christmas cards and hang tags this year... they are so cool!!! :) - and dirt cheapo!

I'll finish my Happy list soon...

Happy Birthday, cousin C. WOW - the big 2-1!!!

It's Monday.... oh damn!

It's been WAY too hot lately. Too hot that the state is on Fire Danger Alert. In October? What's wrong with that picture? Saturday and Sunday was just too uncomfortable. And this week supposedly isn't going to get any better.

Poor Jake has been under the weather - his 2 shots from Friday's doctor's visit took its toll. Jake is now 20.6oz, 27" long, with 2 bottom teeth out! He's still cheery, but you can tell he's not feeling good. We got his passport pictures taken. SOOO CUTE! Hubs and I need to get our acts together with this passport thing or else it won't come in time, and we'd have to spend more money just to get it expedited... bleah bleah..! As Hubs said, they (the US govt) surely make it expensive to get out of this country! Hubs' passport expired. I can't find mine. Grr! I had it with me but during the wedding prep chaos and packing my crap to move out of M&D's, I must've misplaced it.

One happy thing - my hard work is going to pay off soon ( I HOPE! ). My goods made the 11/2-8 ad and it's one whole page of my goodies galore!!! Tyler Florence makes my items look like they're top quality sh*t!. It sets tomorrow so I'm doing a little field trip with the new Import Coordinator to show her the ropes and say 'it's your job to get my goods to the stores on time!'... haha! SO PEOPLE.. patronize me and buy my items. They all passed testing so they're just as good for you to use as they are for Tyler Florence. NEXT CELEBRITY CHEF to deal with... Aaron Sanchez!!! Not Aaron like Erin.. Aaron like A-A-RON

Received a letter from my dearest bestest friend, C. It wasn't her usual upbeat letters so reading it made me sad and wished I was closer to comfort her. For the past 15+ years, we've only seen each other 4 times... and yet our friendship is SO amazingly solid and true. I just love her so much and knowing she's at her lowest makes me really hate this distance. Her father passed away in April, and it was so sudden that it left a very big void in her heart. She's taking it one day at a time, but I know how trying these times must be for her. She wanted to postpone her wedding, but her Mom, Ninang N, convinced her that her Dad died at peace knowing that she will be settled down soon and starting her future. This is also why I told Hubs we really have to go to Manila for her wedding. NO IFS and or BUTTS! Her wedding is coming up - I can hardly wait to see her! It's going to be a wonderful ocassion. Her church is amazing; her reception site is equally so.

Today's High: Cousins B and B on Friendster; Jake's passport pictures were SO adorable; shopping spree at Old Navy - bought nothing for regular price.. all on sale or clearance! Damn I'm good!!!;
Today's Low: Jake & Inna not feeling well; Didn't receive much-anticipated 8pm phone call last night;

Today I'm happy again... yay!!

* Easy day.
* Get to work late (what's new!).
* Come in to see 10 emails - nothing urgent... love it!
* Do major cleaning in the war room with Boss J - toss all samples out.. out out out!! I'm not a sample freak anymore. I guess because partner-in-crime E is no longer here. That and I'm noticing crap all over my house and I tell myself "I don't need another one!" so I've been good.
* Bosses J and L treating me and co-worker C to Mi Cuccina for lunch. I haven't had their fried calamari in YEARS. I need to watch my food intake... darn!
* Get off early to take Jake to the doctor's.
* It's FRIDAY!! YIPEE!!!

Ok so after crying like a b*tch to Hubs about my dilemma last night, I came to a conclusion. Plain and simple. F*CK IT!! Now I feel better :>

Today's High: Getting off early; Free coffee; Planning our Halloween outfit for work party; Great hair day (thank goodness for my new conditioner!); cousin Jackie's sweet testimony on Friendster; CSI tonight!!!! (make sure I don't fall asleep!)
Today's Low: Finding out co-worker ML1 lost money here at work. Someone opened her drawer and took $400 from her wallet. Note to self: LOCK YOUR SH*T!; pinky toenail polish chipped;

Ok... so I'm having a crappy afternoon....

Co-worker L got me the $1 Jamba Juice promo -- ok so Mango-a-gogo kinda put a smile on my face. My eyes are bloody red because of my very whiney conversation with Hubs over the phone. I'm still ticked.. but I'm loving my smoothie right now to whine. I'm sure I'd get a freakin' brain freeze out of it.. but I don't give a sh*t right now. I know I know - I promised myself I would quit cussing. Grrr... get your act together girl.

I think.. with how crappy things have turned out today - I have the right to cuss. Sooo.... SHIT! Ugh!

I believe everything happens for a reason. Not just because I believe in fate: I simply think that every little occurrence ultimately has its reason. I think looking someone in the eye and saying hello is one of the most important things someone can do, and there is a reason for that. This leads us to the next step, whatever it might be. It's completely random, out of nowhere we cannot understand at this point. There is a connection that occurs, and if we are fortunate, we learn about the human condition by watching and listening and letting these small moments happen when they do. This is why I say hello to strangers, and why I drop everything to hear someone's life story. It's all there in those instances. Everything.

Co-worker P's mom passed away last night. My sister explains death to my 7year old niece in the simplest, but truest form: Our lives are on loan from God. When HE decides it's time, he calls us and brings us Home to HIM.

Had my phone interview today. I just LOVE phone interviews...I can totally make faces when I hear odd comments on the other end and yet they don't see me. Ha! I feel good about it. Hopefully, feeling good means good results. I'm crossing my fingers.. and my toes...

I'm trying to be happy today. But as DL Hughley would put it, there's always one person at work that is THIS close to getting some a$$-whoppin'! GRR! In my case, it's my freakin' vendor! Makes me want to climb in through my monitor and strangle them. Come on people! We're all trying to do business here... bend a little.. give a little... help me out here! At the rate they're going - I would have NO merchandise sitting on the shelves come set date. My analyst is going to kill me! Let me kill my vendor first. I don't need this kind of stress. It's making my hair frizz.

Boss J gave me a pink carnation-gram for the breast cancer fundraising... just because.. :). I love flowers - and it doesn't matter who it comes from either.

SPEAKING OF BREAST CANCER... have you girlies felt your boobies lately? You should!!!

I'm pooped! It's hard to be cute at this job and not break a sweat! Ok ok... I'm not sweating.. I'm glowing! I hate feeling icky. Now my whole afternoon is icky.

I just found out something about this position I'm applying for and it's not making me happy right now :(. I actually feel like crying. I found out that friends J and E are also applying for it. I think I feel slighted because friend J and E felt like they couldn't tell me they were applying for it too. I hate feeling slighted you know? Especially by friends. I just hate it.

Sorry... I know it's happy week but... maybe not today.

Yesterday was co-worker Sharon's birthday, but with visitors in town and all, the girls didn't get to celebrate until today. Went to Hop Sinh for lunch.. YUMMY Super Bowl! Aleth and I shared since that thing is HUGE!!! Yum Yum Hop Sinh.

I have to keep reminding myself "Happy Thoughts, girl.. Happy Thoughts!" It's hard.. but I'm hanging in there. Certain people are getting on my nerves today. "Happy Thoughts!"

Cat emailed about Jamba Juice's $1 new 16oz drink promo for tomorrow only! I wish JJ still had Woohoo Watermelon. That was the best flavor - that and Mango-a-gogo. Nuts.

Last night was the season finale for Newlyweds. Hubs was laughing because he thought he was watching our daily life unfold. When Jessica Simpson tried to cook and was complaining about the splatter, Hubs said "oh my god that's my wife!" Honestly and I hate to admit it, I see a lot of myself in her. Except for the blonde hair and the big boobies... although even Hubs can attest that my dinginess is not an ongoing thing. I have my moments. And when it's my moment, god help us all!!! :)

I think today was "Let's all drive slow down 880 today" day. It took me a freakin' hour to get to work! I should've just left the house at 8:30! Thank goodness it's Hump Day. I can only take 2 more days of this week. "Happy Thoughts!"

You know what sucks? It's when all of these retail temptations are around you and yet you can't do anything because you're watching your budget? Grrr!!! Rikki told me about overstock - ok that IS NOT COOL!!! Then I saw the cutest Burberry baby down blanket still on eBay. It's calling out my name I tell you! It's telling me "it's perfect for Little Jake!" Then I find out Planet Lulu will be opening here in the Bay Area soon. Nuts Nuts Nuts!!! When I bought shoes last week, I told Hubs they have it in all these colors and I think I need to buy them in all colors because it's hecka comfy. I still think I'm right. Hubs thinks I'm smoking crack. Why does it feel like I NEED things more than I WANT them? Maybe because I do need it? So, I need shoes. I need clothes. I need a new purse. I need to get my hair done. I have one want.. I want to have my nails done but I think for now, that can be a want since I can't have nails with Jake nibbling on my fingers. I'm ok with Mama nails for now. If I'm in the process of making my 101 Things that Make me Happy list, who knows how long my 101 Things I Need list would go on for....

Hubs and I are going to take a look at a place in Fremont today... I hope it's good...

Today's High: Helping out for a Good Cause. Volunteered to set-up for the Breast Cancer Sale; Donated $5 and got a white shirt! Yipee!; Finding surprise bag of M&M's from friend, S.; Finding out favorite cousin Jackie is on Friendster; Jake LOVING his biter biscuits for dinner; Laughing so much with Hubs & Jake last night until Jake puked all over himself;
Today's Low: Quasi-good hair day... and to think I used expensive shampoo! What the...?; Slow drivers - you schmucks!; Wrinkly linen pants. Note to self: "Now you realize why you hardly wear these?";

...
36. Hop Sinh's Super Bowl
37. catalogues
38. parenting & baby magazines
39. InStyle
40. long, hot showers in the morning for ME time
41. newly painted red toenails
42. dad dy's daily Jake updates
43. SIL Liza's yummy cheez...
44. mango-flavored tapioca drink
45. peking duck
46. salty fish fried rice
47. jia shu bao
48. walgreens
49. tung kee dinners with the family
50. BARBEQUE!!!

... 50 more to go!

Things to Be Happy About... can I reach to a hundred?!

1. healthy and happy Hubs
2. healthy and happy Jake
3. healthy and happy Mom & Dad Dy
4. healthy and happy Rikki
5. healthy and happy Candy, Gerrick, Inna & Bel
6. healthy and happy Mom & Dad E
7. healthy and happy Liza, Ed & Joseph
8. Faith, the Pope and Blessed Mother Teresa
9. friends
10. Internet
11. Email
12. Friendster
13. Taking Jake's pictures
14. books
15. Jake saying "ma-ma"
16. Newlyweds, CSI and Queer Eye
17. Mi Goreng
18. Getting Jake ready in the morning
19. Seeing Jake's smiley face when I pull up the driveway
20. Gerber Daisies
21. My new slipper pendants from Hubs
22. doing late night grocery runs with Hubs and Jake
23. anything dark chocolate
24. unagi
25. spider roll
26. Hubs funky dance (THAT dance!)
27. driving around with Hubs to make Jake fall asleep
28. HUGS and KISSES
29. Valley Fair
30. Chanel Glossimer in Whisper
31. Johnson's Baby Cologne.. the ORIGINAL blue one
32. Portabello Mushrooms
33. come to think of it... any kind of mushrooms!
34. Hello Kitty
35. chocolate bread from Sheng Kee

... 65 more to go...

As I've been promising myself, I will now start being happy again... I mean happier, for my sake and everyone's sake. Haha.

So, to start the ball rolling, I will come up with a weekly theme. And for this week, it's going to be nothing BUT happy thoughts. Happy, Happy, Happy thoughts!

Anyways, Jake's nights has been very restless lately. Poor thing. Just when he's adjusted to his lower right middle tooth out, his lower left middle tooth decided to make its grand appearance. I can only imagine how itchy his gums must be. He tries to shove anything and everything in his mouth: my shirt, Nelson's shirt, the pillows, the blankies, but he still loves his toes the best! For the past couple of nights, he would wake up WAILING.. not crying.. but WAILING.. must be because of the pain. And through all of this, he's still asleep. He doesn't wake himself up, but he sure wakes me and Nelson up!!! This morning at 5am, he woke me up and I found him whimpering. It was like he was having a bloody nightmare. I woke Hubs and tried to wake Jake up, but my poor baby was still asleep but obviously restless. I sat up, put him on my chest and sang "You are My Sunshine" to soothe him. It worked!!! In my head, maybe if he feels and hears my heart beat, he would calm down. IT WORKED! Note to self: MUST try again.

Today's High: Jake sleeping calmly on my chest; Mom E's Birthday;
Today's Low: Bad hair day. I hate cheap shampoo!

Work is getting easier... still dread going to work in the mornings, but it's getting easier. As Hubs says all the time, hang in there!! I'm hanging! I'm hanging! Ok.. so here I am trying to find this stupid pink chandelier for the stores... and I need 1030 of these chandeliers like.. TOMORROW!! I've been searching online to get ideas for Taiwan and HK (like the pictures I sent wasn't clear enough? BITE ME!) - and look at what I found! The power of Internet... THE FREAKIN' EXACT SAME PINK CHANDELIER on eBay! And I was told my sample was bought at an antique store. Whatever! So I contact the seller... "umm.. I need 1030 of your lamps.. how soon can I get it?" He tells me he has 10 on hand, with 4 up for bid, and will get another 25 in 4 weeks. Ok so he didn't really answer my question if I can get a hold of 1030 units!!! I need it NOW... not 25 in 4 weeks! Grrr!!! And then.. there's this whole issue of Chinese New Year being early for '04. It's totally screwing up my deliveries. Why can't CNY have a set date like Christmas is always on the 25th or New Year's is always on the 1st. WHY NOT?

I need clothes. I need shoes. Nuts!.