End of the year survey ... courtesy of Cyn!

Where did you being in 2008?
(What kind of sentence structure is that?!) I was and still am at my new job that isn't so new anymore. But it's still new to me because it's only been a year and a half!

What was your status by Valentine’s Day?
In a loving and secure relationship ... and broke ass because were saving for a wedding!

Did you have to go to the hospital?
Not to be checked in or anything. For my annual lady appointment - yes.

Did you have any encounters with the police?
One sort of flirted w/ me a while back. Made an old gal feel young for a quick second ;)

Where did you go on vacation?
Oahu & Kauai

What did you purchase that was over $500?
Hmm. Stuff. (I don't want to answer, especially since I sometimes live beyond my non profit means)

Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes. A few!

Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes, unfortunately.

What sporting events did you attend?
None. I go for the food, alcohol and yapping so it's less expensive if I just go to a friend's house for all that ;)

What concerts/shows did you go to?
Dave Matthews Band

Describe your birthday.
I was sick. My head felt cloudy and I was coughing and stuffed up. I had to go to meet w/ a couple of clients and then passed out on cold meds when I got home. Happy 30th baby!

What was one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
Hike in a GD jungle.

What has/have been your favorite moment(s).
Predictably, our wedding and honeymoon. Both were pretty fantastic.

Any new additions to the family?
Nope.

What was your best month?
Tough call. December is usually my favorite month of the year because of birthdays and Christmas. But April was very awesome because we were on vacation for nearly 2 1/2 weeks in one of my most favorite places (and we got married to boot:)

Who has been your best drinking buddy?
My friend, Marisa. She drinks about the same as me so we are definitely intoxicated but we're hardly ever sloppy. And, knock on wood, never a hot mess!

Made new friends?
Yes. Not necessarily brand new but new drinking buddies!

Favorite Night out?
That's difficult! I guess the one in January where I threw a girl's drink out and told the guy holding it, "You are never anyone's drink bitch. Least of all, hers!" That ended a bit rough, though (yes, vomiting was involved.) But I have a lot of favorite night ins w/ The Man :)

Any regrets?
One small one - not enjoying every moment of our wedding. I was a bit stressed prior to our wedding day and wish I could have let loose and enjoyed some moments w/ all the family.

What do you want to change in 2009?
I'm w/ Cyn - being more financially stable. And the ol' weight thing. But it's more like I want to get back to a certain size.

Overall, how would you rate this year?
A-

Have any life changes in 2008?
Yes. Stated several times above so I won't mention it AGAIN!

Change your hairstyle?
No. I still have long hair. But I've slowly gone back to my natural hair color!

Get a new job?
Nope. I'm very thankful for the one I have!

Do you have a New Year’s resolution?
See "what I want to change" question.

Did anything embarrassing?
Oh I'm sure I have but I want to keep it buried in the dark recesses of my mind.

Get married or divorced?
Yup. And nope.

Be honest, did you watch American Idol?
Yes.

Start a new hobby?
Is boot camp a hobby? I did start that. And love it! I'm still sad that I had to stop yoga due to my shoulder. Booooooooo.

Been snowboarding?
Not in YEARS.

Are you happy to see 2008 go?
I'm indifferent. Unless I could relive certain moments, there isn't much use in holding on to the time.

Drank starbucks in 2008?
Why not ask me if I took a breath in 2008, too?

Been naughty or nice?
I think both. - Ditto!

What are you wishing for in 2009?
Success in our marriage. Success professionally. Success personally. Success financially ... plain ol' Success!!!! Oh, and love, happiness and good health for all my family and friends.

Courtesy of the Sister

Now, here is what you are supposed to do ... altered for the blog world ... copy and paste the entry below, delete my answers and put in yours. Then tag a few people you think will put it on their blog. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little-known facts about those you know.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes. It was the late 70s and Ms. Minelli was in her heyday. According to my father, there was also an Olympian around that time with my name but I have yet to prove that correct. The other part is my name is after my mama. Her name is Aurora who is the goddess of Dawn. And there you have it.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I think I was crying while I was throwing up so two nights ago.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, when it's not rushed. When I'm taking notes, it's fugly.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Honey roasted turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? No. Just two furry puppies that THINK they are kids. And sometimes I think they are too.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? HA! Well, we would either be best friends or civil acquaintances who barely stand each other.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Oh no. Never.
8 DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Never say never but it's not on my list of top ten things to do.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey nut Chex and Honey nut Cheerios combined!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Rarely but I try to because it messed up the sneakers when you don't.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I want to write yes but the over-analytical side of me replies, "Define strong." So I'll just tell her to shut up and write YES.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Cookies n cream
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Skin
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Muffin top. (Sounds cute, doesn't it? It's NOT.)
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST Sister!
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO DO THIS? Sure
19. WHAT COLOR Skirt and SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Pleeeease. I'm wearing gray sweats.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Akmok crackers, Better 'n Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Butter (sounds gross but it's all from Trader Joe's so you know it's not that bad.)
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The humming of the computer and heater.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Easy. Periwinkle. OK, maybe not so easy - Aquamarine. What do you think?
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Jon's aftershave and cologne
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mama
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I better! She's one of my best friends (but even better because we're family so we can't lose touch. Phewww!)
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Olympic gymnastics. My palms get all sweaty, especially when the announcer repeats that the balance beam is barely wider than a remote control. Oh jeebus, I love watching gymnastics!
27. HAIR COLOR? Dark brown with (purchased) highlights.
28. EYE COLOR? Brown
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Lumpia (I think it's because I haven't had it in a while.)
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Bourne movies on DVD. I love Bourne Identity and Bourne Ultimatum. I could do without Supremacy.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Gray sweatshirt (I may be dressed like a slob right now but I have the decency to match.)
34 SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter wins by a small edge - Christmas!!
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs. Both the action and the Hershey product.
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Milk chocolate
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Veronica! :)
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Sister, as she sent it already
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Knitting directions. And I'm stumped on one of the directions. Sister?!
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? That cool gel thing you can rest your wrist on.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV. LAST NIGHT? Brothers and Sisters (slim pickings, people. I don't have cable.)
42. FAVORITE SOUND? Ocean waves. If I can be more broad, beach sounds - a few seagulls, a couple kids playing in the water (far from me), and the water lapping onto the sand.
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Oh goodness, I'm sorry. I don't know enough about either to make an informed decision.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? I'm geographically challenged. What's farther, Europe or the Philippines?
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Yes. My thumbs are double joined.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Hayward
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Any of them :)

Didn't I just do this?? Oh well, thank Cyn!

things you may or may not know about me... The directions are at the end.

4 jobs I had in my life:
1. High Tech PR intern - back in '99 and it paid $10. I thought I had hit the jackpot!!!
2. Sarah & Vinnie Morning Show intern - woke up at 4:30am for that one. Not paid.
3. KGO-TV production assistant - woke up at 1:45am for that one! I lasted three months. Those were three looooooooooong months. Thankfully, I got a teeny promotion. First job out of college and I got paid $12.75 with no benefits.
4. SF State Dorm Data Entry Clerk - I'm sure it was NOT the title of the job but that's what I did. Double the data entry work because they were on two different systems. I lasted one month and then told them some dumb excuse of why I had to quit. I thought I was going to snap and stab myself in the eye.

4 movies I would watch over and over:
1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
2. 50 First Dates
3. Little Women
4. The Wedding Singer

4 places I have lived:
1. Parents' house
2. Mary Ward Hall at SFSU
3. Mold infested apartments at SFSU (but I got to room with Kim so it wasn't all bad!:)
4. Treasure Island

4 TV shows that I watch:
1. Cashmere Mafia (it ain't no Sex & the City)
2. Grey's Anatomy - I'm hoping that there's still hope
3. The Office - please pay the writers so I can watch my show!!!!
4. Desperate Housewives - I'm not as big of a fan as I used to be but it's getting good again.

4 places I have been:
1. Hawaii - Oahu & Maui
2. Philippines - Makati, Boracay, Bicol
3. Germany
4. Michigan - I thought I would just throw that in there ;)
**HELL (aka my workplace....AHAH) - so funny, Cyn! That was my old workplace ;)**

4 people who email me (regularly):
1. La Re Doute
2. Amazon
3. Work
4. Yelp

4 of my favorite foods:
1. My dad's cooking - I agree, Cyn! My dad's cooking too!
2. milk chocolate just-about-anything
3. Home cooked Filipino food
4. Sushi

4 places I would rather be right now:
1. In bed - not because I'm sick but because it's a Saturday morning!
2. Hawaii
3. Back at my Sister's
4. almost at any beach on a sunny day

4 Things I am looking forward to this (2008)year:
1. Getting married to the Man
2. Being with him and my family in Hawaii
3. Not working for three weeks!
4. Lose weight in 08 I like that one, Cyn, so I'm keeping it for myself

4 friends I think will respond:
I have no idea!

Random tidbits

All rightee then. I am not one to back away from a tag ... unless it's an excessive tagger but Pooks is a decent woman. So here are my random bits! That sounded kinda naughty, didn't it?
1. I'm a fairly neat person until I get sick. Then there are used tissues (or what my SO not-so-affectionately calls them, "Snot bombs") everywhere. I used to have them on the floor and would probably still do it except the pups love to eat tissue. Sometimes I'll still accidentally leave them in bed which causes an uproar when discovered by someone other than the owner. Heheh. I still leave a pile on my nightstand because I'll have to blow my nose into the wee hours of the morning.
2. I seriously hate planning events. I mean, I know I've already expressed why I hate entertaining at home but the biggest reason why I don't throw parties is because I hate being disappointed. I hate it when friends flake and I take it way too personally. My brain knows that people, especially friends, don't' mean to disappoint you, it just happens sometimes. But I take it to heart and end up not talking to people for at least a month. I like having friends and don't want to set up myself or anyone else for failure so it's just in everyone's best interest that I don't plan parties. Heaven help me when we have kids.
3. I can eat my money's worth in bacon at breakfast buffets. I mentioned this before but didn't go into detail because it's kind of disgusting. I mean, think about it. Restaurants usually charge almost a buck per bacon slice. I think I can eat anywhere from 20-30 pieces of bacon, no problem. I know, pretty gross, but I can. I have standards, of course. The bacon has to be crispy. Limp bacon is foul.
4. The first time I had a conversation with The Man I was drunk. We had seen each other a couple of times before but never talked. I was three drinks in when he came into the club. And yes, alcohol does make people braver. Or stupid. I was too shy to initiate a conversation with him before but with three drinks under my belt, I was good to go! I thought I was charming but he remembers it a little differently. I like my version of the story.
5. I'm easily sucked into infomercials. I try to change the channel right away because, if I don't, I will end up watching the whole thing. They fascinate me. I guess it's because I studied production value of television as well as some of the tactics used to draw people in that I start looking for these certain things in infomercials. I especially love it when they do a comparison of their product verses Product X and Product X (for instance, like a regular ironing board) becomes the most cumbersome thing ever and the actor nearly kills herself trying to use it. It's so funny because it's completely unrealistic but that is the comparison they give. They do it for shaving razors, too. I love it!
6. We love our pups. A lot. I know it's no secret but I'm actually a little afraid we will have puppy withdrawal when we leave for two weeks for our wedding. We're not going to breakdown into hysterical sobs or anything but I can already picture us saying to each other, "Aww, I miss the pups sleeping with us." On our honeymoon, no less!
7. I love chocolate. I mean LOVE chocolate. I can probably eat a whole box of Sees Truffles in one day. OK, that's a lie. I KNOW I can eat a whole box in one day. I've done it. I'm not proud but it's true. My dad used to say I was like an ant. I had no idea that they were hiding sweets (like in the back of a pantry in an obscure container labelled, "Flour") and I would just find the chocolate. It's like we're soul mates. OK, not really but that is kind of a weird connection to chocolate.

So here are the rules: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them..Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.Okay, I tag (without links cause you know who you are):
Sister
Tater
Kim
Cyn
Tel
Di
Jen
I just went down my blog list :) Hopefully y'all will do it!

Son of a biscuit, I've been tagged.

The Rules:
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and that they should read your blog.
5. 8 is a magic number. Not three.

And here we go:

1. My first french kiss was a disaster. Remember when you were a (pre)teen and PDA was just the norm? Nothing has changed. I mean, kids just make out right in front of each other. You don't believe me? Visit a junior high or high school during a lunch break. Well, my first boyfriend asked for a kiss goodbye and we were with another couple. I thought he just wanted a peck on the lips. He stuck his tongue in my mouth. I actually spit in disgust because I was a reserved little 13 year old and didn't know that's how we were going to say goodbye.
We broke up one week later.

2. My first make out was a disaster. He gave me mono! I lost 15 lbs and dropped two sizes and people thought I was on drugs because I looked so sick. Now you know the reason why I was so conservative. It wasn't so much fear from religion as it was fear of an STD because I swear I thought my luck was heading down that road.

3. By the way, that #2 random fact was my prom date. He broke my heart, then gave me mono. Four years later, we reconnected. I never told him he gave me mono but I turned him down when he wanted to start dating. I didn't mean to give him payback. It just goes to show karma can be a biatch.

4. I had a temper as a child. My mom used to make me practice playing piano a lot (justifiable as she was dropping $ for me to learn) and sometimes I would get so frustrated when I didn't learn something quickly that I would bite the piano. Sister has the piano now and you can see the faint bite marks.

5. My senior year in high school I had the brilliant idea to perm my hair. The next day I colored it. The day after that I decided I hated my perm so I straightened it. My hair was so trashed, brittle and thin from the abuse all happening in one week that I had to cut it. This is how the mushroom hairdo came about.

6. My freshman year in college I had both a 24 year old and a 25 year old (seniors in college) repeatedly ask me out on dates. Luckily, I knew that I was too insecure to accept because my parents gave me an 11pm curfew (yes, it's true!!!) and I thought for sure they would end up dumping me if we ended up dating. I'm very glad for the insecurity because a 17 year old virgin who was also inexperienced emotionally would surely get messed up in the head by dating an older man.
Oh wait, I did end up dating the 24 year old. Whoops.

7. Another fun hair fact: I cut three inches, THREE INCHES, when I got my haircut yesterday. I promptly had regrets after I left the salon.
No matter how bad I feel about myself or how self-conscious I get, I can count on having nice hair. I know that I have at least that. And I went and chopped three inches off. I was a little sad.
Then realized no one could tell. Bastards.

8. The first time I met Jon I was sure that he was everything I wanted in a partner. (I'm sorry, it's mushy but it's true.) Now he drools on my pillow. But that's OK. He still fits the bill.

TAG: OK peeps, you are probably being double or triple tagged by now: Demondoll, Tater, Cyn, Kim, WGD - that's all I got!

Real nutrition facts, I promise

I like my job. They don't promote being skinny or looking a certain way. They're all about living healthy and education. My company is one of the many organizations supporting Mandatory Menu Labeling for all chain restaurants in California. If you think about it, it's really cool. The more information we have readily available, the better decisions we can make.

Take this quiz -

1. Which of the following breakfast items that are served at Denny's restaurant do you think has the fewest calories:
-Ham and Cheddar Omelet
-Country Fried Steak & Eggs
-Three slices of french toast w/ syrup & margarine
-Three pancakes w/ syrup & margarine

2. Which of the following items that are served at Chili's restaurant, do you think has the least salt:
-Cajun Chicken Sandwich
-Classic combo chicken & steak fajitas
-Guiltless chicken platter
-Smoked turkey sandwich

3. Which of the following items that are served at Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurant, do you think has the most fat:
-Traditional Lasagna
-Chicken ceasar salad
-Pasta Classico w/ sausage & peppers
-BBQ Chicken pizza

4. Which of the following items that are served at McDonald's restaurant do you think has the most calories:
-Two Big Macs
-Two Egg McMuffins
-One large chocolate shake
-Four regular hamburgers

The answers are in the comments.
If you want to read more about the Menu Labeling, click on this link. My organization, along with others, is the same group that advocated for sodas to be removed in public schools and that only healthy beverages can be served in elementary, middle and high schools. How cool is that?
------------------------------------------
JC UPDATE
On a completely different subject but along the same lines (does that even make sense?!) I lost two pounds my first week on Jenny Craig. I was actually surprised since I didn't start until Monday and weighed in Thursday afternoon. I am now 12 lbs from my target. Can I just say these have been the most difficult 15 lbs I've ever had to lose?! Criminy, they've been such a pain in the ass!! I'm digging the JC plan. Probably because I don't like to cook. More specifically, I don't plan ahead to purchase groceries or cook. So I'm hoping JC will be my solution since they prepare all the food for you. And once I get to my target weight, they will help me incorporate regular food into my diet. Anyway, cross your fingers for me going into the second week :)

Here's your freakin' survey! :)

A=Available - For what - Lunch? A cocktail? Most definitely.

B=Best friend - Gil. Sister.

C=Cake or Pie- Cake. Ice cream cake.

D=Drink- Rum & Diet Cherry Coke

E=Essential item you use everyday- hair brush. Could you imagine the rat nest I would have without it?!

F=Favorite color - Blue. All shades.

G=Google your name (first), what comes up - Funky Mama. Unfortunately, that's not my site.

H=Hometown- Hayward.

I-Indulgences- Spa services. Going to Hawaii.

J=January or February - January, I suppose. But I really like December!

K=Kids- They're cute in short intervals of time.

L=Life- I try to remember to wake up every day thankful to have one, especially when times are tough.

M=Marriage date- Unknown

N=Number of siblings- 2. 1 older sis, 1 older bro.

O=Opinion (state one)- Mean people suck.

P=Phobias or Fears- Heights.

Q=Quote- "I am a cuddly barracuda."

R=Reason to smile- Good deeds.

S=Season- Winter. Only because of Christmas and my birthday.

T=Tag 3 or 4 peeps- C'mon Sister!! And have you done this, Tater? Cyn? Tel?

U=Unknown fact about you- In the 80s, my picture was in a YMCA brochure for their gymnastics. What's interesting is my mama told me just a couple of years ago that when it was published, she had overheard a woman who was really mad because her daughter's picture wasn't chosen, especially over a minority (let's just say it, "colored") girl. Sad, ain't it? But I like to think more like, "Take that, you old prejudice hag!"

V=Vegetable you don't like- Celery.

W=Worst habit - picking up the habits of the people I make fun of.

X=Xrays- Pardon? They're good in moderation, I suppose.

Y=Youth (a memory)- My dad building me a sandbox and then a monkey bar (not bars) so I can practice spinning and the dead man's drop.

Z=Zodiac sign- Sagittarius

Ohhh heeeeyyyyyll nah!

Congratulations! You are 0% ghetto

It looks like you keep yourself out of the ghetto and are living ghetto free. Also, you may be white.

How Ghetto Are You
Create Your Own Quiz

WTF? It's because I work for the man now, huh?

I don't expect you to do this ... but it would be nice!

Another survey (thanks, Sister!) until I'm able to post my Hawaii pictures :)
Q. What is your occupation?
A. Staffing Manager
Q. What color are the socks you're wearing?
A. none.
Q. What are you listening to right now?
A. The TV, we we're watching 24
Q. What was the last thing that you ate?
A: granola bars and yogurt
Q. Can you drive a stick shift?
A. no
Q. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
A. perwinkle
Q. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
A. Marisa
Q. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
A. I looooove her!
Q. How old are you today?
A. 27
Q. Favorite drink?
A. Rum and Cherry Diet Coke
Q. Have you ever dyed your hair?
A. Yes.
Q. Pets?
A. None
Q. Favorite food?
A. Dad's lumpia. And spaghetti. And fried chicken. And fried banana. My daddy can cook!
Q. What was the last movie you watched?
A. Little Miss Sunshine
Q. Favorite day of the year?
A. Christmas!
Q. What do you do to vent anger?
A. rant and rave
Q. What was your favorite toy as a child?
A. My cabbage patch doll, Windy.
Q. What is your favorite: fall or spring?
A. Fall (Winter wasn't a choice. Haters)
Q. Hugs or kisses?
A. Hugs
Q. Cherries or Blueberries?
A. Blueberries. In muffins
Q. Do you want your friends to email you back?
A. Yes. I'm very sensitive
Q. Who is most likely to respond?
A. Not a damn one. It's too long
Q. Who is least likely to respond?
A. Everybody
Q. Living arrangements?
A. In sin
Q. When was the last time you cried?
A. the car ride home
Q. What is on the floor of your closet?
A. a bunch of crap like bags
Q. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to?
A. Sister
Q. What did you do last night?
A. Watch Grey's Anatomy
Q. Favorite smells?
A. baking smells, The Man's cologne, apple & cinnamon
Q. What inspires you?
A. Good deeds and people
Q. What are you afraid of?
A. Failure
Q. Favorite dog breed?
A. Maltese for now
Q. Number of keys on your key ring?
A. 3
Q. How many years at your current job?
A. less than 1
Q. How many states have you lived in?
A. 1
Q. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery
A. Nope
Q. What is your favorite hobby?
A. Knitting & Yoga (if I could attend my favorite yoga class which I can't b/c of my work schedule!) Oh, and Hula because I've been reinspired by my trip to Hawaii!

Thank you, Demondoll & Kim ...

... I love me some survey forwards.
I don't really like them.

And now you do, too! I know you don't really, either.

To quote Dave Chapelle who quoted Rick James (with a slight alteration), "I'm Lulu, Bitches - Enjoy yo'self!"
I don't really think you're a bitch, I just like to say it.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. ALICE 97.3 Sarah & Vinnie Morning Show Intern
2. Bare Escentuals make up artist/ sales associate
3. Burlington Coat Factory Sales Associate (exactly ten years ago!)
4. ABC7 Television Production Assistant

Four movies I'd watch over and over (or have watched over and over):
1. 50 First Dates
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
4. Ocean's Eleven

Four places I have lived:
1. San Franciso, CA
2. Hayward, CA
3. Daly City, CA
4. (That's it, there's no 4th! Does Treasure Island count? It's kind of part of SF, kind of not.)

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. The Office
3. So You Think You Can Dance (Guilty pleasure!)
4. 24 (just got hooked this summer)

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Oahu
2. Maui
3. Phillippines
4. Germany

Four of my favorite foods:
1. See's milk chocolate truffles
2. Sushi
3. Sashimi
4. Shanghai lumpia

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Santa Cruz
2. Waikiki
3. Bicol
4. Any big Las Vegas hotel spa

Four friends whom I have tagged that I think will respond:
1. Miss Lips
2. Pookie
3.Taters
4. yer mama

Because I was freakin' tagged ...

Lists of 7, in no particular order.

7 Things I would love to do before I bite the big one:
1. Win the lotto
2. Parasail
3. Buy a house that I will want to live in until, well, I bite the big one
4. Be able to take care of my family so no one has to worry about finances - my folks, siblings, and any little ones I create
5. Go to Hawaii every year (or, at least, some tropical location)
6. Be in a movie - main stream, NOT XXX
7. Take thousands of vacations with The Man with no fighting :)

7 Things I can't do:
1. Surf
2. Listen to bull$hit for long periods of time
3. Swim fast (I can float and doggy paddle but that's about it)
4. Lose these last 10 lbs!! I didn't want anyone to think I was shallow in putting this in the first list so I'm going to put it here. But GD it, I'm still going to try!
5. Keep useless or deadweight friends (an irony, right?) People like that just suck out all the good energy. They also make me sad and frustrated :(
6. Tie a cherry stem with my tongue
7. Not laugh for an entire day

7 bad habits that I need to get rid of:
1. Impatience (more of a trait than a habit, yah?)
2. Eating late at night
3. Scratch my temple or forehead when I'm frustrated
4. Wanting dessert at the end of a meal
5. The intense need for "closure" - Why? I'm not always going to get it and I definitely will not always like what I hear, right?!
6. Withholding closure when I know it kills them - horrible, ain't I?;)
7. Going to bed too late

7 Favorite T.V shows/ movies of the year:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Veronica Mars
3. The Office
4. South Park (I know, old)
5. Sex & the City (ditto)
6. Regis & Kelly - I love Kelly!
7. Britney & Kevin's Chaotic - gotcha ;)

7 Things I say most often:
1. "Seriously?!"
2. "Shut up!"
3. "Foreel?"
4. "Snatch" (snatch fuzz, snatch hole, snatcharoo ... you get the picture)
5. "... or something like that."
6. "Bung hole"
7. "What did you say?!"

7 Things that attract me to The Man:
1. His face (I just want to give him smooches all over!)
2. His dorky humor
3. His humbleness (he only ACTS cocky ;)
4. His kindness and good manners
5. His imperfections (b/c how annoying would it be if he was perfect?!)
6. His morals and ethics
7. His good looks (not a priority, just a bonus!)

7 Randoms:
1. I sometimes make myself sick worrying about my brother
2. I truly like my job but I REALLY want to make more money
3. I really do like to surround myself with positive people because good moods rub off
4. I'm caught between wanting to be known as a kind, cute and angelic gal and an outright sex kitten. Arghhh! So I settle for neither :P
5. Different parts of my body can be very different temperatures. My legs will be lukewarm but my hands will be ice cold. So I stick my hands on The Man's neck for warmth. Hee hee, and I like the reaction. See?? I told you we do stuff like that!
6. I'm thinking about going to my ten year reunion but I'm not sure yet
7. I seriously contemplated getting a perm last year - I claim temporary insanity. Want to give me some happy pills?

If you're reading this and haven't done it yet,
YOU HAVE BEEN TAGGED! (Hey, I'm just spreading the love.)

Sometimes I follow the herd. Mooooo.

10 years ago:
My senior year in HS. I was 16 years old and utterly heartbroken that I hadn't been accepted into UCLA. I had my first real high school boyfriend (the relationship lasted three weeks.) It was the first year in high school that I felt like I belonged. I stopped caring what the kids in school thought of me.

5 years ago:
My last semester in college. I lived on Treasure Island and was "dating" for the very first time! MsLips was my roommate and she can attest to the many, too many, Mr. Wrongs that were coming in and out of our door. This also included The Top Mr. Wrong, my ex-boyfriend. (Can anyone beat my 10 month long break up??? I didn't say I was the brightest bulb at this point in my life.)

1 year ago:
How sad is it that I had to refer to my MS Outlook? I was working. Nothing eventful or memorable, which can be a good thing. Oh, and I was definitely a smarter gal. I had been with The Man for 2 1/2 years by this point.

Yesterday:
I had an awesome day! I got a massage, a MAC makeover (which I washed off b/c I looked like a DRAG QUEEN,) went to a luau and saw a gorgeous hula show!

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Sees chocolate truffles
2. Cookies n cream icecream
3. Original Baked Lays
4. Nonfat plain yogurt with mandarin oranges & raspberries
5. Cheese

5 songs I know the words to:
1. Jamming - Bob Marley
2. Don't know Why - Norah Jones
3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow/ What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
4. Change the World - Eric Clapton
5. Unforgettable - Natalie Cole

5 things I'd do with $100 million:
1. Give my folks $20 million
2. Give my sister and her family $10 million
3. Give my parents $1 million to distribute among family in the Philippines
4. Buy homes in SF, Santa Cruz, Hawaii, PI & San Mateo
5. Start a family foundation so I can give to charities

5 places I'd run away to ... (more like vacation destinations):
1. Hawaii
2. Australia
3. Bahamas
4. Alaska
5. Thailand

5 things I'd never wear (again, in some cases):
1. Permed hair
2. Leggings with stirrups
3. Revlon blackberry lipstick
4. pleated pants
5. anything beadazzled (sequins & glitter are completely different!)

5 biggest joys:
1. My very supportive and loving family
2. Hanging out with my "Hella Cool" friends
3. Going about town with the Man
4. Laughing
5. My faith pulling me through tough spots and helping me appreciate the good stuff in life

5 favorite toys:
1. My car (I argue that it's a "necessity" but I'll call it a toy)
2. Laptop
3. DVD player
4. TV
5. iPod & iPod speakers

What's cool at my place:
My marble and oak foldout bar

Don't you love those surveys?

Read, comment, and then it's YOUR turn!
(All right, MsLips. Here it is...)
1) My uncle: Which one? I have A LOT. No really, I do.
2) Never in my life: waxed my bikini line
3) When I was five: I deeply loved Windy, my cabbage patch doll.
4) High School was: hella ghetto.
5) I will never forget: my senior year in college. LOTS of growing up in one year.
6) I once met: Robin Williams. He asked me to get his coat (I was working a charity event.) I don't care, he's freakin' hysterical.
7) There’s this guy/girl I know who: slobbers PUDDLES on my pillow.
8) Once, at a bar: I shouldered a guy like I was as big as him. He pissed me off!
9) By noon I’m usually: more than ready to go on my lunch break.
10) Last night: my friend made me two chocolate martinis and then we went to an intramural, slow-pitch softball game. Makes sense now, doesn't it?
11) If I only had: a gabillion dollars. Then maybe I could afford ONE house in the Bay Area. Ohhh, I'm not bitter.
12) Next time I go to church, I'll: be hearing Tagalog.
13) Terry Schiavo: was a very sad true story.
14) What worries me most: is failure.
15) When I turn my head left, I see: my remote.
16) When I turn my head right, I see: The Man. Drooling on my pillow. *sigh*
17) You know I’m lying when: you have a really bad haircut and I say it's not that bad. It's THAT bad.
18) You know what I miss most about the eighties: is the pegged jeans. I wouldn't need to get them hemmed! I could just fold and pin. Or staple.
19) If I was a character written by Shakespeare: I would make sure my flowing dresses were majestic. And flattering for petite women.
20) By this time next year: I hope to own a house.
21) A better name for me would be: Tallulah aka LuLu. Then I would feel comfortable wearing two buns in my hair.
22) I have a hard time understanding: close- or narrow-minded people.
23) If I ever go back to school I’ll: get an MBA or PhD from Stanford or Berkeley. Hey, I've already BEEN in school and it was such a struggle. It had better be worth my while to be (1) poor again and (2) having to spend a crap load of time researching and reading journal articles from microfiche. I DETEST microfiche and the microfiche viewer.
24) You know I like you if: I make dates with you. Dinner date, movie date, knitting date, wine date, workout date ... any date.
25) If I won an award: I would make sure my family was there to whoop it up with
me.
26) Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro:
Darwin-Evolution and my pal from the 3rd grade
Mozart-piano and playing it for 8 years
Slim Pickens-my feeling about good men
Geraldine Ferraro-Google (sadly, what I had to do to find out who she was.)
27) Take my advice, never: perm your hair.
28) My ideal breakfast is: oatmeal with strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges and fatfree milk. Mmmm.
29) A song I love, but do not have is: "Smack My Bitch Up." I don't love it but it intrigues me (I have all the songs I love!)
30) If you visit my hometown, I suggest: you visit the Cal State East Bay campus because it's got a beautiful view of the Bay. But I do suggest you NOT visit the Dollar Store on Mission Blvd.
31) Tulips, character flaws, microchips & track stars:
Tulips-My mom's favorite flower
Character flaws-we all have them but you got to figure out what you can put up with
Microchips-(not a darn thing)
Track stars-steroid scandal
32) Why doesn't everyone: take a 30 minute nap in the middle of the day-Oh yes Cyn! I vote that we implement a Mandatory Siesta!
33) If you spend the night at my house: you better not leave shrapnel all over my toilet seat. Ewww. (Hasn't happened to me yet but my poor Sister has stories.)
34) I’d stop my wedding for: a medical emergency
35) The world could do without: Bush (Senior or Junior)
36) I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: eat poo.
37) My favorite blonde is: Drew Barrymore. Shoot, is she a brunette? Then Kelly Ripa. Dangummit, if she's not blond than I have no favorite blonds and a crapload of favorite undercover brunettes.
38) PAPER CLIPS are more useful than: folding paper - You said it, MsLips.
39) If I do anything well, it's: have a fun time just about anywhere I go.
40) And by the way, you should: all cut and paste, change the answers and let me read your responses.