On The Bright Side

June 2009 update

A busy month we've had.

Ariane's Junior High graduation:

 

My Mom's Surprise Birthday Party at the Castaways Restaurant in Burbank:

 

STILL WAITING for the professional photographers pictures to post of my mom and her friends/family.

Lakers Playoffs...Road to the Championship!!!

  

My Typepad blog days are dwindling down.  I am going to keep this blog for posting pictures and short family updates once in a while.  My TRM blog will remain up too but I will no longer be posting there.  Actually, I like going back and reading the TRM blog every now and then because it gives me motivation and picks me up.

I've put up a new blog that fills a different purpose for me.  So please email me or comment if you would like the URL. 

Easter Family Update

Hope everyone had a happy Easter weekend.  My kids stated to me that they were too old for egg hunting.  So while the nieces and babas went hunting at two different parks on Saturday, I took my kids to watch Monsters Vs. Aliens (which was a great movie).  Yesterday, I had Tyler read about the crucifixation and resurrection in his kiddie bible (my only child who shows interest).  Then we had a family BBQ and egg hunt in our backyard.  Tyler agreed to hunt for eggs only because I told him the plastic ones were filled with money.  Everyone brought their dogs so we had 8 dogs running around the house and backyard the entire day until they tired out and flopped on the floor exhausted.  Fortunately, the dogs did not try to eat the hard-boiled eggs. (Side note: thank goodness for my Kirby vacuum and shampooer. I recommend every homeowner to purchase one.  It's awesome.)  And we discovered that Zachary (our cocker spaniel) loves to pose for pictures.  Every time he saw us holding the camera, about to take a snapshot of the kids posing, Zachary would position himself in between the kids, sit nicely, and look up at the camera.  Weirdo dog. 

all the same

Obviously, I did not think of anything more intriguing to write about last weekend. Saturday was the same as usual with errands and family and dogs hanging out at the house.  Sunday was the same as usual with the exception of our Palm Sunday procession and narration of the Last Supper, which Tyler loved.  It is Holy Week and Spring Break so the kids are at home right now.  I was supposed to go out with some friends both Friday and Saturday but I decided to stay at home. 

So now that the kids are older and life has really mellowed down, I'm thinking of ending my blog era.  I just don't have anything more interesting to write about.  So I am a busy working mother with three older children and one even older child that I call my husband.  We are a middle class family who loves the Lakers and spends all of our time together.  Not much there to write about that no one already knows about and sees in many other families everyday.  Oh well.

boring

Last night when I got home from work, my sisters and Ces told me that they read my blog and told me that they thought it was so boring.  They said, "You write about what food you eat?"   Haha.  I had no good excuse.  Um...yeah I write about the food I eat.  Sorry I am unable to entertain you with anything more intriguing.  Go read the other blogs then. 

And even now I can't think of anything to write about that would be interesting to read.  If I think of something better, I'll blog again later.  I'll be thinking about it while I shampoo my carpet (carpet shampoo is yet another boring detail that I write frequently about).

Weirdo

Months ago I was addicted to popcorn with extra salt.  I ate a bag of microwaved popcorn every night.

Then I ditched the popcorn and became obsessed with tangerines, eating up to a dozen a day.

Then I moved on to canned ravioli, my midnight snack while watching DVR'd shows.

Then I could not get enough of Special K Red Berries Cereal with fresh blueberries for about a month.  Sometimes I had a bowl for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I bought blueberries by the carton at Costco.

Now I am currently addicted to Pizza Rolls (yes, those microwaved pockets of pizza from the grocery store).

I go through food phases.  When I'm in a phase, I can't get enough of whatever it is that I am obsessed with at the time. 

I have eaten a plate of Pizza Rolls every single night this past week. 

I've run out of Pizza Rolls and I am now leaving to go to Stater Bros to buy more.  I am surrounded by a dozen people who are going to ask me where I'm going and I'm going to have to explain.

I am one weird person.

Cheerleading and Journalism

We just got home from Ariane's high school orientation.  I still can't believe it. 

The gym was surrounded in tables set up by various clubs and sports teams trying to recruit the freshman.  I walked directly over to the cheerleading table.  I grabbed a try-out form and asked a few questions about the requirements.  I guess it's my hope that at least one of my daughters will take on my interests and we all know Savannah won't go near a cheerleading uniform.  I would LOVE to help Ariane out with practicing for try-outs. I'm praying she will be interested.  She seems hesitant right now.  darn.  She did sign up for the journalism club..which makes me very happy as well.  Tonight, I'm going to dig deep under my bed and pull out the pile of old high school newspapers for her to read.  The kids have never seen those before.  I'm still proud of those old, yellowing scraps of paper. 

I already know that Savannah will be focused on sports as she has been since the day she popped out of my belly. 

Today was Tyler's Demonstrative Speech.  We have been practicing his demonstration of karate moves.  He decided to do his infamous Butterfly Kick to demonstrate.  It's this awesome kick where his legs flies all the way around and then he jumps and does the same thing in mid-air.  He's so awesome.  So he came home today and, when I asked him about the speech, he smiled shyly.  "What did they think about your kick?" I asked him.   He then explained that his classmates told him to show them over and over and then told other students from other classes, who then wanted to see the kick too.  They were all surprised.  The reason why this makes me happy is because I know that Tyler is the kind of boy who would never brag and show off about his karate class and karate skills.  So I like the fact that none of his classmates or friends knew that he had those awesome karate skills until today....because he never told them before.  He has been an excellent karate student for five years, almost six, and he never brags or talks about it to his friends.  That's my boy.

These last two weeks have been very blessed.  Really great things have happened that we didn't expect. So I just wanted to make a "shout out" to God to show that I understand the gifts are true blessings and signs that He is watching over us. 

MEN!!!!

Bernie and I got into an argument last night.   See, I spent the entire day scrubbing the floors, gardening, taking care of the dogs, taking the kids to the park to play baseball, put together a new bookshelf for Tyler's room, etc etc etc.  Last week, Bernie took a day off from work so he can study and I got home early from work.  I didn't call him to let him know I was on my way home early. Tyler was sick that day and, when I walked in the door, he was laying alone on the couch, watching TV.  I asked him where his dad was.  Tyler said, "He's been upstairs."   The house was in shambles, breakfast dishes everywhere, dogs locked outside. Assuming that I wouldn't get off work until 7pm, Bernie was online browsing through sports sites.   I walked in the bedroom and he freaked out.  He wasn't studying, he wasn't helping me around the house while I work long hours. didn't say anything because I didn't want to be in a bad mood that day.  So I took off my work clothes and began working on the piles of laundry and cleaning up the dishes.  But first, I gave Tyler a glass of water and made sure he was ok.  Bernie apologized and started helping me out and then began studying.

You see, on my days off, I tire myself out trying to finish all my errands and child-raising duties, knowing that I have working-mama-limited hours.  So yesterday I was completely EXHAUSTED as I finished everything, knowing I was going back to work the next day (today).  And, as I sat there at night, arms and back sore...AGAIN, Bernie walked in the door, just getting off from work.  I took one look at him, another look at the lightbulbs that have yet to be changed for months, the other bookshelf still in its box waiting to be built, and my anger from last Tuesday arised.  While I labored myself to the point of exhaustion, my husband uses his days off to catch up on sports news, while the lightbulbs go unchanged and curtain rods in Tyler's room remain loose and barely hanging on to the walls because he doesn't find the time to attach the new anchors that I bought a year ago. 

When I was on my prolonged two-month long vacation, I didn't mind taking care of all the duties while he worked.  I wasn't in a hurry because I had enough time to finish everything.  I was able to cook, clean, run errands, repair things around the house.  And Bernie would come home to a hot dinner and a clean house with homework completed and kids ready for bed.  And it was great for both me and him.  NOW...I WORK AGAIN.  A home with two working parents should have SHARED duties.  I can't do it all and work.  I get more breaks at work! 

I know that this is a complaint that most women have about their husbands, their inability to multi-task, but my tired arms and back led me to lash out at Bernie last night...AGAIN.  Why are men so annoying?  As he apologized, I continued my wrath of yelling.

I don't know how to play the Silent Treatment Game that many other wives play.  I have problems at times dealing with stress and managing my anger.  It is at those times when I forget my blessings and focus on what I'm pissed off or upset about. Even though the medication works well, there are times when my imbalance seeps through.  I say things I shouldn't say.  I do things I regret later.  No matter what stage I'm going through at the time.  And, although, Bernie can be so darn annoying...he deals with my imbalance like a supportive husband should.  And that is what I need living with this disorder.  I have people around me who are supportive and understanding and stand by me (I have met a few people who are not at all).  I am blessed and Lord knows I am grateful. 

BUT...I am NOT going to apologize to Bernie!  You kidding me? Change the freakin lightbulb already!!!!  haha

Update as I Wait

Last Thursday night, Bernie and I watched The Knowing with Nicholas Cage.  It was purty good but purty long.  It wasn't the best movie ever but I would recommend it to people who like thought-provoking suspense movies.  The kids watched Race to Witch Mountain in the next theater while Bernie and I had our date.

Yesterday we had Ariane's bday party.  Our Free Food Friday crew had the opportunity to watch a bunch of teenage boys and girls being silly for several hours.  My little nieces and Tyler watched these teenagers with wide eyes and curiousity the entire night.  It was kinda funny. Then the boys went home and the girls prepared for their sleep-over.  The grown-ups watched comedy stand-up on the tv while the kids had their crazy fun.  They are now downstairs listening to music after enjoying a breakfast feast prepared by Ariane herself (she made her famous pancakes).  I can hear them giggling and screaming. 

Last week, I decided to save my old laptop.  I got it fixed and was happy to feel that familiar keyboard under my finger tips with my familiar programs and familiar favorited tabs.  Then the next day, Ariane was drinking milk while browsing the internet and spilled the milk on the laptop.  Go figure.  The keyboard and mouse no longer work.  So Bernie and I went to buy an external keyboard and plugged in an external mouse to go along with it.  So here I am on my slow laptop that freezes every now and then with a keyboard on one side and a mouse pad on the other.  Why am I prolonging the life of this old raggedy laptop?  I have no idea. 

Today my mom is bringing barbecue with her yummy filipino recipe.  Her recipe competes well with the yummy Guamanian recipe that I miss so much.  We've tried to simulate Guam barbecue but have had no luck, just like with our failed red rice.  But we've given up.  Yesterday, my mom made chicken kelaguen so that always helps a bit.  Someday when I visit my friends on Guam, I will force them to throw me a fiesta. 

Later, I'm taking the kids to the library.  Gotta return my Nami Mun book.  She was an awesome writer but the story was just too depressing for me.  It is about a 13 year-old girl that ran away from a troubled home and tells her story of survival on the streets.  And this book does not hold back.  There were times I had to wince. But it does make the reader have more gratitude for his/her own life.  This time, I will bring Raquel's list of recommended authors and books.  Hope they aren't on hold. 

We are sending out the invitations for our "special event" that I'm not allowed to talk about but I'm so excited about.  Hehe.   It will be clear when I finally post pictures of it.  sshhhhh.

hhhmmm...what else to write about while the girls giggle downstairs?  I miss my crazy, silly, giggly high school friends.  Boy, did the OSC (Oh Shit Crew) have so much fun.  And I remember all those pep rallies, cheerleading, fiestas, days at the beach, skipping/ditching school every week, leaving Dexter stranded every chance we got (haha), and Jo walking around always with his camcorder on his shoulder (and I say "shoulder" because this thing was HUGE...hey we are old ok?).   Go MC Hammer.  Can't touch this. 

OH!  And I made it to the fantasy basketball playoffs!  I had a stroke of luck and beat my brother-in-law!  Now I am playing in the 1st round against Bernie.  We are talking smack to each other every night...cuz I'm going to kick his "arse".

Memory Foam Addicts

I bought the memory foam padding for our bed a few weeks ago from Costco.  oh em gee.  It is so comfortable that I never want to get out of bed in the mornings and Bernie is late to work all the time because of it.  Best sleep ever. I totally recommend it.

I have to go get an oil change today.  I hate waiting.  I'm too impatient.

My grass seed is growing and my flowers are blooming.  All those hours with my knees and hands in the dirt were worth it.  And my dogs won't go anywhere near it.  hehe.

Ariane's bday was yesterday.  She had a great day.  Her bday party is on Friday. I am officially a mother of a 14 year-old.  Bernie and I were looking at pictures of ourselves when we were younger and, boy, have we aged.

A Pretty Song

If you don't have your computer on mute and you have a flash player, listen on my blog music player to this really pretty song by Beyonce. Ave Maria is my favorite song at church. It reminds me that we are always blessed by the grace of God. Tyler and I were just practicing his Hail Mary and I had him listen to this song.  It's lovely. 

Ave Maria

She was lost in so many different ways
Out in the darkness with no guide
I know the cost of a losing hand
Ever for the grace of God, go I

I found Heaven on earth
You are my last, my first
And then, I hear this voice inside.....

Ave Maria

I've been alone
When I'm surrounded by friends
How could the silence be so loud?
But I still go home knowing that I've got you
There's only us when the lights go down

You are my heaven on earth
You are my hunger, my thirst
I always hear this voice inside....
Saying Ave Maria

Sometimes love can come and pass you by
While you're busy making plans
Suddenly hit you, and then you realize
It's out of your hands.....

Baby, you've got to understand
You are my heaven on earth
You are my last, my first
And then, I hear this voice inside.....
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria

The Invisible Fence

Yesterday, we spent the day watching the dogs avoid the invisible fence.  My sister wanted to see how her own dogs reacted to it.  So we all stood at the back window, watching them.  Too funny.  And there I was worried about it being inhumane treatment.  My crazy brother-in-law put the electrical collar on himself and tried it because he wanted to see how it felt.  It was too funny.  Anyways, he said it didn't hurt at all. 

My mama came home from her trip and the kids were so happy to see her that they all ran into her arms.  It was a nice sight to see...that my children have such a good relationship with their grandmother.  Lord knows I didn't have that with my own grandmother.  And it's awkward to think about how my mother has evolved over the years.  It's nice to see what time and forgiveness and maturity can do.  If you see my family now, you would never guess.

I had just finished shampooing my carpet as my sisters' dogs entered the door.  Maggie, Zacky, and Logan were so happy to see their friends and they all wrestled on my newly cleaned carpet.  Darn.  Whenever they do that, someone always has some sort of "accident".  

=)

Who owns these?

I'm so bummed.  After many many months of carefully playing out my fantasy basketball team, I am about to be eliminated.  Why?  Because four of my star players are injured and out for the season.  I was in 1st place most of the season.  I was so proud.  Now this will be the first year I don't even make the playoffs.  =(

So this is what happened today:

Bernie is hanging out with some guys from his work watching the Lakers game.  Savannah is at the mall with her friends.  And I finished all of my to-do-list early.  So I took Ariane and Tyler shopping for her birthday party next week.  We put the dogs outside for some playtime before we left. You see, the invisible fence worked like a charm since the first day we installed it.  They don't even try to go near the flowerbeds anymore. 

When we got back home from shopping, our neighbor across the street says to us, "Hi.  Do you guys have three dogs?"   Uh-oh.  "Uh..yeah..what happened?"  I asked her. 

She then proceeds to tell me about how she and her daughter saw them prancing around on the sidewalk. They had no idea who the owners were.  So they grabbed their own dogs' leashes and walked our dogs up and down the street, knocking on doors to find the owners.  No one knew who owned the basset hound, the cocker spaniel, and the boxer.  She said she thought it was strange that no one recognized these dogs.  Then as they passed by OUR house, all three of the dogs ran through the OPEN back gate door and positioned themselves on my outdoor lawn sofa.  This neighbor said to me that these dogs "seemed to know where they live" and went back home on their own.  So she assumed this was their house, left them there, and closed the gate.  I explained to her that they are all indoor dogs, which is why no one really sees or hears them (many dogs in this neighborhood live outdoors and bark at people passing by, etc).   So the only people who know we have dogs are our next-door neighbors and whoever sees us loading up the dogs to take to the park.  I then thanked her graciously for taking care of our doggies.

I walked into the backgate and there I saw my basset hound, boxer, and cocker spaniel, seated side by side on the outdoor sofa.  I turned around and looked at the gate behind me and wondered how the heck...???   Then I realized I had asked Bernie to carry some stone gravel in a wheelbarrow to the backyard.  He obviously left the gate open.  And why would I even assume he would close it?  Bernie?  He wouldn't remember to close it!  He wouldn't think about how we have three dogs in the backyard! And I already know that if I call him right now and ask him about it, he'll respond with his usual: "oooooh yeeeah."

So I won't call him.  I'll let him continue to have fun with the guys...for now.  (hope he doesn't come home drunk).  hehe

Hello Beeeautiful Weekend

Ok, so enough about my boring yard. 

Last night's margaritas made it hard for me to wake up this morning.

It's Friday!  I'm at work while my sisters and friends are at home cooking for us.  Wonder what they are cooking up this time?  My mom is coming back from her trip tomorrow.  Yay!

Tomorrow I'm taking the kids to another workshop at church in the morning.  Then I have to go to Kirby to buy more carpet shampoo (which I appear to be addicted to).  Then I have to clean the house, which I have neglected as I focused my attention to my backyard for a whole week.  Then we're going to the library for new books (hope we didn't lose any this time...let's just say I pay the library frequently).  Then I'm going to water my plants.  Then we're going to hang out with my mama.  Then we're going to watch a DVD.  Then I'm going to help Bernie study.  Then I'm going to relax.  And that is what my Saturday will be like.  Geez.  I'm still boring.  And proud of it baybeeh.  This is what life is all about.  I don't wanna go anywhere else...don't wanna do anything else.  No karaoke or dinners or margaritas tomorrow. Shampooing my carpet is my priority. 

To Fence or Not to Fence

Ok, Bernie has been assigned to set up our new "Invisible Dog Fence".  So I was reading up on this idea on the internet and some dog lovers proclaim this to be a "inhumane form of training".  Others say it's just a little static shock, the feeling you get when you touch someone after rubbing a balloon or something, a correction used to train the dogs where not to go and that it doesn't hurt at all.  Now, I don't know if I should use it or not.  Maybe I'll have Bernie test it on himself.  HAHA.  But then again, lots of dog lovers feel it's inhumane to yell at a dog and I do that all the time.  And, once the dog is trained, you turn off the fence.  Hmmm.  I guess I'll have to think about it.

I'm a working mama and I don't have the time to be guarding the flower beds until the plants mature!