Recent Obsessions

Me: Glee

(I had heard it was amazing but just now got around to watching it.)

Clement's obsession: the Inception soundtrack

Day 09

(Click^ for bigger version)

This is the pond in Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. This was one of our stops on our first anniversary outing.

Day 01 — Your favorite movie

Day 02 — Your favorite song

Day 03 — Your favorite television program

Day 04 — Your favorite book

Day 05 — Your favorite quote

Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy

Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 09 — A photo you took

Day 07

Taken by our talented friend, Ching Wu. I'm putting the rest of the photos up on Facebook later this week.

Day 01 — Your favorite movie

Day 02 — Your favorite song

Day 03 — Your favorite television program

Day 04 — Your favorite book

Day 05 — Your favorite quote

Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy

On Road Trips and Holiday Chaos

Whoa, it's been a while. Let's summarize where I've been for the last month.

First, I was the MOH of a lovely wedding for my high school bff Sheri. We had an adventure of a sleepover the night, which resulted in both of us getting... oh, maybe 3 hours of sleep. I threw her bachelorette party two nights before; we had a private class for burlesque dancing. Even though pole-dancing isn't normally part of burlesque, the studio left it in the room and the teacher showed us a little bit on it. The class was hilariously fun, partly because it was so awkward for all of us to be dancing sexy toward a mirror. One of the other bridesmaids (thanks, Kelli!) picked up an amusing penis cake, dressed up in a tuxedo and with the words "Much Hap-Penis to You, Sheri" on it.

I picked up the little crowns, beads, and sash at Party America, where there was a convenient little "Bachelorette Party Kit." You can't see them in this picture, but it also came with noise-makers, which were arguably the best part.

Congratulations again, "Shyle"!

Then I took off on a road trip with Clement and his family to the Bay Area, where my poor little so-cal butt was freezing. Our itinerary included Google, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park, and Japantown. Clement picked up an amusing mug that was shaped in a semi-circle with the words "San Francisco was so expensive, I could only afford half a cup" printed on it. It was a blast playing with Clement's adorable nieces as usual. I got an ice cream maker for Christmas and look forward to using it in the upcoming months as it warms up. (Although, CA is pretty warm right now.) Clement got a Wii! Any ice cream recipes or Wii games to recommend?

Almost immediately upon arrival in San Jose, after a 6.5-hour drive, I received a phone call from a high school friend; She has an interview in SF next week and a couple of us gals were going to take a road trip to go with her, did I want to come along?

Mind you, this was no more than 5 minutes after our car had stopped. I told her I'd get back in touch with her after Christmas and let her know for sure. Mostly, I was concerned that I would be exhausted. But then I realized that we were reaching that age... everyone is running off in different career directions and then the next thing you know, everyone is settling down - getting married and popping out kids - and we'll be hard-pressed to ever find an opportunity for all of us to just up and drive somewhere. So I said yes.

One week later, I was on the road again to San Francisco again. We helped Diana prep for her interview during the long drive and reassured her after she came back to the hotel the following morning moaning that she had blown it. We adventured through rainy San Francisco: I nearly lost my favorite necklace charm (a Tiffany-inspired heart, Clement's Christmas gift to me last year) due to my scarf (also from Clement); replacing a flat tire with a little donut spare and then searching for a tire place to buy a full size (thank goodness for GPS); spending ages trying to find Chinatown; listening to the girls freak out about the insane hills in SF; and being stuck in traffic for hours extra than expected on the way back.

Two of the girls had made plans with their boyfriends for the night we got back, since we had expected to return about 4 hours before we actually returned. We were all exhausted from the trip and on edge from being stuck in so much traffic. But they were surprised to hear that I hadn't made plans to see Clement that night. "Nah," I told them, "You gotta give guys a chance to miss you." Besides, I was going to go home and sleep. Were they crazy? Make plans?

Two days later was New Year's Eve. Clement and I went to downtown Fullerton with a couple of friends to check out their festivities and take in the fireworks show at midnight. Afterward, I suggested Denny's and we found it to be PACKED when we arrived. Clement and I called it a night at about 3 am and headed home. I later found out that the others, who had planned a short nap before heading to the Rose Parade, had a flat busted tire and also needed AAA to come and jump-start their car battery. They eventually went straight to the Rose Parade on no sleep, while Clement and I had a quiet day at home.

I'm really looking forward to a new year. My family and I had really crappy luck/fortune last year and I'm sure it will turn around this year. This is the year!

If You Were Stranded on A Deserted Island...

At Toastmasters, there is a section of the meeting called "Table Topics," which focuses on impromptu short answers (1-2 minute answers). I was called on last week to answer the question "If you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you bring with you to help you endure the time?"

(image by Patrick Smith)

I started off my answer with my usual quip about how I always disliked this question because I thought the obvious would be to bring a boat so I could get the heck off the island! And yes, I guess I would need water and food and fresh clothes and things to make fire with...

But since the question was about what would help me endure the time on the island, I finally answered that I would bring Clement. There isn't anything or anyone else that could keep me entertained for an indefinite amount of time. I guess that's what happens when you're with your best friend. Although, a computer with high-speed internet would help pass the time too...

Do you have or have heard unusual answers to this question?

Aloha!

This weekend, I went to Clement's company picnic, which had a Hawaiian theme! We got there early to help set up and stuck around all the way through the end. Some of the guys who left early even left us their raffle tickets so we wound up "winning" this coconut, which was a prop in one of the games!

They put together a great event with several games, a watermelon eating contest, and, of course, delicious BBQ. Let's not forget the bounce house!

It was sort of a nice way to say goodbye to summer, one last romp in the sun before fall comes rolling around with its cool weather and cute ankle boots. Hello, fall, it's good to see you again!

LA County Fair

I got to cross something off my Summer Checklist and my 101 in 1001 by going to the fair yesterday and getting this "Totally Fried Chocolate Covered Twinkie".

I know, this is 5 kinds of unhealthy and probably enough calories for the entire day... but look at it!

Clement, thinking "why the heck did this cost $3.75?"

Actually, it was a decent snack but I would never rave about it. The "Totally Fried" booth also had s'mores, White Castle burgers, chicken kabobs, and a Krispy Kreme hamburger... yes, it's what you would think -- a burger, except replace the buns with a doughnut.

Sheri, the bride-to-be to whom I will be MOH later this year, raved about the chocolate-covered bacon that was nowhere to be found when I was wandering around later. Sure, there were lots of signs that promised it but, alas.... "chocolate-covered bacon" everywhere but not a heart attack snack to eat.

And, FYI, I am totally smitten with Royal Prestige cookware after sitting through an amazing demostration. Anyone by any chance have a testimony to give about it?

How was your Labor Day weekend?

Daily Joy: Little Surprises

Day 2 of Daily Be's Daily Joy photojournal week!

Surprises Let Me Know He Cares*

When Clement came to pick me up the other day, he brought me a little surprise gift - a candle and body lotion "set" from Bath & Body Works! This was an amazing combination of knowing me well and somehow anticipating my needs... I love candles and, just seconds before he arrived, I was looking for lotion.

And the message? Too cute.

*Name this song and artist for 10 points.

(I am totally keeping track of these points, BTW.)

P.S. I love you, too.