Ambak!

*** Long entry ahead. If you can't devote a good 10-minute readfest of a Texan's escapade to California, and with major camwhorage in tow, then this particular post is not for you. Scaramoosh!

I was planning to blog while I was in California, but my aunt's AOL dial up service was helluva crap, for lack of a better word. I'm over and done with dial up, so to sit infront of that computer for more than 15 minutes would actually be very patient of me. Unfortunately, that's yet one trait I'm planning to list in my new year's resolution, hence the short hiatus. But I'm back! With a new blog address, blog title, template, stories, and everything else. Long story short, I just got tired of the old stuff. Back to story...

As you know, I finally got my much awaited vacay the past couple of weeks and I got to spend each day with no less than my family. Expectedly, it was fun, but I never thought I'd be exhausted by the 3rd day. We were always on the go, there was always something to be up to, and not one day for me to indulge myself in that tempurpedic bed. Not that I didn't have a choice, but I don't want to give them the cold shoulder, especially that they only get to see me once in a blue moon. Nevertheless, I had a ball, and hopefully everyone else also did.

The rundown.

Day 1: Eagle Rock Plaza is about a 2-mile walk away from my aunt's place, so we chose it as our first destination. It's pretty small, and its basement is stacked with Filipino people, shops, and fast foods. We had lunch at Jollibee, had my first Jolly Spaghetti in years, and you bet, I was in heaven. The mall also has Chowking, Goldilocks, Bench and a huge grocery store racked with Filipino goods. It's like strolling in Megamall on a random Sunday morning. Then off we go to Universal Studios after lunch. It was only the four of us, but we had fun, nonetheless. Super bonding time.


Jolly Spaghetti; Universal Studios overlooking San Bernardino; Bagets Reunion with Hailey
Day 3: Hollywood Blvd. We just cruised through it, kodak-ed here and there then left immediately. Had dinner at Max's Restaurant shortly after, with my parents' old classmates and the rest of the family. Sarap ng Crispy Pata, super na-miss ko!

Day 4: Off to Rancho Sta. Margarita to visit our favorite cousins. Traffic and travel time are torture but it was all worth it upon seeing our first pamangkin. Then to Irvine to visit a friend, and back to LA to celebrate Tita Tess' birthday.

Day 5: Then the actual celebration. It wasn't really a huge party, just family and some friends. My ninang from Fresno came over, and a few others. We also watched the Pacquiao match altogether, and you can only imagine how bizarrely exuberant their celebratory cheers were after the 15-minute payperview. Quite expensive, 'no? But whatever. After seeing the fight, and the priceless look on that rich boxer's face, I finally realized why it was so important for Filipinos to support this boastful man. No matter how yabang he gets, he still bleeds for the country, so there, I couldn't help but go patriotic and appreciative. Parang hindi bagay, 'no.

Day 6: Sunday, church day. After mass, we decided to eat In-n-Out for lunch, my first time! My people who've been in LA forever have been bragging about their burger for the longest time, so why not give it a try. But for real, it didn't taste any special. It's good, but the fries were even better. I still prefer Sonic's, and Whataburger's. But you know what's the best burger I've tasted? Tropical Hut's junior classic. Yep, that one back in the Philippines. To die fuckin' for! I'd give up a year without internet just to have one branch here in Texas. PLEASE!!! Branch internationally!!!

Day 7: It was all about Vegas. We left around noon, and arrived at about 4pm. Checked in at Aladdin, changed clothes and had dinner at Buffet @ Asia, then strolled the strip until 11pm. Papa and Auntie Rose still managed to go the Casino downstais and guess what? My dad won ten times his capital. Hahaha, I wish I had his powers. Woke up fairly early, had brunch at Spice Market Buffet, shopping at Prim, then back to LA before midnight.


Strolling the strip with Bo and Han; Breakfast camwhorage with Hailey; Thanksgiving beerfest
Day 7: Rodeo Drive. I wasn't really expecting to see a celebrity since it's like a tourist spot now more than anything, but I saw a couple, a B-list and a G-list, I guess, hehe. I was in the same elevator ride as Jon Lovitz, and I was standing next to Eugena of ANTM Cycle 7 in the valet parking. Seriously, of all the celebrities in the world, I got to see those two. How lucky!

Day 8: Thanksgiving. I really don't prefer celebrating tradional American holidays, but whatev, it was all in good fun. I almost did nothing that day though. Just rested, fixed my suitcase, and drank a little. And ate my Chowking siomai to go.

Day 9: Back to Eagle Rock Plaza for Black Friday. It was my first time to shop at Macy's, and boy do they have quality clothes there. Too bad I only got one piece because of my luggage space left, and this sweater I badly wanted had no tag on it that I couldn't bring it home. Eff it! Good thing there was Jollibee for lunch, I was calmed. Hahaha! Then Kristine Hermosa and Anne Curtis invaded the Filipino grocery. I happen to be an avid viewer of these Tagalog soap operas, but I never intend to be a so-called fan of theirs to actually line up and ask for their autographs. My mom, my aunt and my cousin were otherwise. They like Anne so much that they just had to squeeze into the day-off crowd and take pictures. Then guess what. This random manong comes up to me and says, "maputi lang sila, at may make-up, mas maganda ka pa sakanila, magpapayat ka lang", hahaha, the old guy just had to compliment this fatgirl to vent out his frustrations of not getting his poster signed. Nambola pa! Bwiset.

Day 10: We went to Griffith Park the previous night to see the light show which was jampacked that it got us home at around 10pm. Went to bed at almost midnight, woke up at 3am, to the airport and left Los Angeles at 6:15. What a crazy hour to fly. Seriously. But for some reason, it was a huge relief to see good ol' Texas again. Such a breath of fresh air.

Can you imagine, it's been two weeks, exactly this time, since the time that I was enjoying McDo's famous fries, waiting for boarding time en route to LAX. Man, how time flies so damn fast. Holidays are here, the ones I normally celebrate. Then I turn a year older, and funtimes will soon be over.

Target Shopper Saga

Is it wrong to feel irate towards perhaps unintentional naivete? Well, I was talking to a friend an hour ago and she was telling me how she just learned that a black nail polish exists on earth. Seriously? I was guilelessly shocked. Like, have you been to the moon?? I admit I wasn't too kikay before, but I sure knew about that. But of course, as a semi-forbearing friend, I had to be artificially benevolent, hence my stubtle "really, how come?" response. Totally reminds me of one tennis player who had the exact same predicament. And guess what? They just knew about it because Chanel just recently had it. And they get it for what, $18/bottle? Ha! As if that's really worth some muscles shaping a surprised face. That's equivalent to 18 bottles at the dollar store! But seriously, is that just stupid or what? You can't even tell 'em apart so what gives. It is just because it's Chanel, that you convince yourself that you just learned about it lately? Don't let me mislead you though, I absolutely have no reason to be this irritated. But I just couldn't help but cringe over the obvious absurdity. $18?!!?! *scoffs*

Since I'm at it... I've decided to get rid of this Louis Vuitton suitcase my mother bought me a couple of years ago. I only used it once, and although it looks really good and the quality's even better, it's still got "LV" written all over it which gradually morphed into a K-Fed sighting for me--extremely annoying. I'm not even sure if it's 100% authentic, well not that I'd care anyway. Plus, I saw those kids from Laguna Beach all having the exact same thing. That alone could end my 26-hour-travel relationship with it. Haha, seriously. It's already too much. As to a song, overplayed. You know what I mean.

This is actually one of the many subjects I often battle with my mom over. But the contrast is pretty obvious, she has the job and I don't. So I'd often prefer buying a lot in a small amount of money, than just get a couple of things that would eternally inject me with guilt, 'cause she always pays. Not that I loathe branded goods, I in fact know that their qualities are the best, hence the ridiculous price tags. But I'm just not the kind who'd want to spend fortunes only for say, a pair of Cole Haans, when I can get the same quality at the mall for a more advantageous purchase. For someone who doesn't earn a lot, or doesn't earn anything at all, luxuriating in that magnitude is the last thing in my to-do list. But eventhough I apprehend practicalness that way, I know I should also recognize the fact that the better quality of item I get, the longer it stays with me. So I'm not really completely refraining myself from them branded stuff, just that the item has to be reasonable. Reasonable as in generally affordable.


And the practice starts... My first ever pair of chuck taylors.
My brother, who has the same perception as my mom's, has been convincing me forever to buy myself chucks instead of splurging in cheap shoes and boho slippers I get at Payless Shoestores or Target all for not more than 50 buckaroos. And since I'm on this self-made therapy to become a girly-girl, I always shrugged off his brainwashing, until an irresistable sale at Kohl's this past weekend. I was actually there to buy Bongo flats but my being practical hit me between two eyes. I'll be doing a lot of walking this week, so I decided to finally agree with him, and get a pair of my own. I'm not really a trend follower but these fit me comfortably and it doesn't look bad at all. I know, I have giant feet ala McDo. Wouldn't really translate very well if I were testosteroned, right?. Hahaha, but I digress. :)) At least I finally got something that's relatively cheap and that will last.

So anyway. I have tennis to watch right now (it's live from Shanghai, what the hell, haha), then I'll make breakfast, manually heat a bucket of water since this house's waterheater is totally unreliable at the moment, take a suicidal shower, get dressed, do my hair, beautify my face, last-minute packing, watch last night's Studio 60, make lunch/merienda/dinner, eat, brush teeth, call a cab, 15-minute travel to airport, wait for boarding, and leave for Los Angeles. I'll be there 10pm PT, and it sucks because I'll be missing a presumably good Mavericks game. Nevertheless, I ask you to please pray for my safety, as I'll do with yours. *winks*

Finally!

I was itching to blog the past couple of days but nausea kept me out of it. I think an Aleve overdose caused it, or this vanilla tylenol I tried two nights back. But whatever, I'm just so glad that my swollen gum, caused by the beastial wisdom tooth, is gradually leaving my piehole at peace. I'm finally enjoying food once again, and my 3-pounder gain was proof of that. Not that I'm happy about that! But heck, as long as I can luxuriate in food again, hehehe.

So it's exactly 6 days from today before my much awaited vacay to California. I know, I've been bitching about the idea of moving there, but much to my disgust of that concept, I still like that place. That being said, I only like California as a vacation spot, not a place for me to suffer in for the rest of my life. I've sited my reasons quite precisely already, so let me not go there again. I'm excited though! It's been a couple of years since the last time I saw my favorite cousins, and there's my cute little niece waiting for me to finally cuddle her. I also have a ninang from Fresno whom I've never met, but kept in touch with. Can you believe that she gave me 10k pesos just for a concert??? I know, she owes me that much, but damn, she loves me too much to give me $200 only for a musical showcase, right? Haha. I'm not really that materialistic, but with a moneyed godmother, I'll be a hypocrite if I say that I don't anticipate what she's got instored for me. Hahaha! Just kidding. :P

I can't help but blog about this... Spederline is dunzo!!! OMG. Finally! I'm not really that big of a fan of Britney's, but I just loathe K-Fed so much that this news brought delight to my nauseous system. He sooo had it coming, but I still can't believe it took her sooo long to file for divorce! Nevertheless, this is worth rejoicing. Now let the Britney + Justin rumors begin. :))

EDIT: Women on The View celebrated with waves of confetti. Hahahaha! Fiesta ito!

ETA: Random snapshots I saw while reading my daily sports news. Just thought I'd share...


Maria Sharapova is officially the luckiest bitch in the world!

AND LOOK!


THE HOTTEST PRACTICE SESSION ON EARTH!!! *squee*
Finally! After two long years, they're on the same court again. Heck, who cares if it's not an actual match, haha. But dare I say this... I want Rafa and Roddick for Tennis Masters Cup Finals. I'm so sick of Rogelio's domination! He's too perfect! Somebody gotta take him down!

OK. That's VERY random, haha! Have a grandiose weekend, my friends! Be smiling. :)

California vs. Texas

My wisdom tooth is soaked in excruciating pain that it now has its own heartbeat. No kidding! But as I was watching That's The Question last night, I learned that there's a certain part of the brain that has its own anesthetic capability which would seemingly work when you don't think about the ache that registers your body. I know, that can't be serious, right? But it actually works. Once in a while. Just like Aleeve. But not really the eternal remedy I was hoping for.

Anyway, let's forget about this bastardly denture for a second, shall we? I've been thinking about this dilemma my mother, and this whole family, are presently facing. Well, it's not really a dilemma since I'm the only one who's entirely against the idea, but I'm pretty much on point, contrary to the rest. Allow me to fill you in.

My mom got a call from Cedar Sinai Medical Center last Monday. Suri Cruise, those Spederline kids, Kingston Stefani-Rossdale. Ring a bell? Yes. That Hollywood hospital. She could've landed a job there long before we moved to Texas, but she chose to be committed to her agency at that time. But since her ties with it, and Children's Medical Center, are soon to be unattached, she's been contemplating on which hospital she would rather spend the rest of her professional life in. She's obviously enthused by the Cedar Sinai opportunity, and although I'm pretty confident that she already has this in the bag, I still can't quite imagine myself living in a city like Los Angeles. Permanently. Unless I choose to be left here in Dallas. Forgive the skepticism, but I seriously have some issues.

We've been out of apartments for almost a year now, and I'm not one who'd take the risk of leaving this beautiful house in exchange of a 2-bedroom, fifteen-hundred-dollar apartment in Hollywood. Plus, this location can't get any more convenient. We're literally minutes away from the post office, gas station, interstate freeway, schools, church, a lane stacked with restaurants and fast food chains, Walmart, Target, mini malls, etc. This place is effin' awesome! That's why I can't be puzzled enough by their, my dad's specially, obsession over this whole moving idea. I mean, it was OK before 'cause we didn't have to tow furnitures with us, and we traveled not via land, but this is a totally different story. And I never imagined busting my ass driving a U-haul from one state to another. So please!

Family, yadda yadda yadda. Sure, it's definitely funner spending Holidays with the rest of the clan. I'm not that insensitive to not cognize the comfort of having people you know best in the same vicinity as you are. But how about being practical for once? Los Angeles isn't the best place on earth for a family like ours who's only halfway through being completely stable. If we're already jousting over tax payments in a state that only commands Federal tax, how much more if we move to a place where there's Federal, city, county, state, and all else? Let alone the cost of living, the percentage of interest I have to pay when I loan for college, and just about everything in that superstar expensive city that'd ruthlessly torture our bank books.

Okay, I might be a little too overreacting, but you get the drift. I've gotten used to the type of living here in Texas and it would take a lot to shift gears YET again. Here, everything's humbly cheap (well, compared to LA), there's the equally diverse community, time zone is PERFECT, and we get the four seasons. Even snow on lucky winters. But obviously, my point is beyond making snowballs during Christmas time. It's about gambling this more than contented life we're all zesting at the moment, for something so trivial as being in the same state as family. Yes, I said trivial, not big enough of a reason to me. Why? Because I'd rather spend a 500-dollar ticket to California every summer to see them all, than inescapably slap my face with traffic, stupid celebrities on the streets and ridiculous bills I can't even afford to pay.

I'm so glad I'm a Capricorn. It sometimes pays to be inevitably practical. But hey, I'm only one-fourth of this family and I don't make the decision alone. So... insha allah!

What's up, vanilla face?

I missed it for the world! It could have been my very first giving-away-candies experience for this particular holiday (since kids wouldn't drop by apartments before, sosyal sila e), but I missed it. I was half naked upstairs when I heard the bell ring and the collective excited squee - "twick or tweat!!!" - but obviously, I didn't wanna give them horror at its best by running downstairs with my bouncing watermelons partly covered and pretend that it's just any other ordinary costume. So I just had to pass. And much to my luck, those kids (a group of 10 or so, per my mom) were the first and last group of treat-or-treaters that knocked our door. Well, it's chilly that night so I have to be the mature adult to understand, right? Fine. There's always a next year. I'll get over it, don't worry.

Anyway.

I've been seeing BORAT everywhere! From The Today Show, to Letterman, even at this morning's Kid Kraddick radio show. Seriously, he's frickin' everywhere! Well, can't blame his commodity, his movie's trailer is one of the funniest shit I've seen in years, what more in its entirety. It should be good. Quite depicts yet another pop culture phenomenon, following the carved comedic footsteps of say, Napoleon Dynamite.



Please come see my film. If it not success, I will be execute. HAHAHAHA!

On another random blab.

I'm not sure about this but aren't all wisdom teeth supposed to be already in place once you turn 18? Well, I'm already past that age, obviously, and I still have my lower right struggling to surge out the surface. It did hurt multiple times before, but it'd take a long break once in a while. But it still hurts so fuckin' bad every single time! I can't even eat properly. Is this normal? I think I need help again from my blogging physicians/nurses. Does this problem frequently happen to mankind, or am I the only one? Help! I want to enjoy my food again. :(

By the way, I hope y'all attended mass or at least prayed for your beloved departed ones.

Enjoy Friday, everyone. :)