Had all the time in the world to find something to do tonight. I had a few options a party here, club there, event there... blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I even had an "if all else fails, I can..." plan. So what am I doing? I am sitting at home, watching TV switching from the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy marathon on the Bravo Channel to the Three Stooges marathon on the AMC channel what a combination huh?
I really couldn't get excited over any of the options for New Year's Eve. It wasn't so much that the choices were... ugh! It was more of who else is going to be there? I guess that way of thinking is one of the things I am trying to change, if I am going to go ahead with one of my New Year's resolutions of getting "out there" more and into the dating/meeting more people scene.
Oh! This is the one where Curly goes wild over the cheese!

See you all next year! Be safe!!

Song of the Day: "Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil

[kahit na ano]

I was talking to my sister the other day and she told me she made a list of people that she is always excited at the prospect of seeing. It doesn't matter what they have planned or if there even needs to be a plan. Just knowing that you are about to see them is an anticipation. It is funny that the dog, Flag, made her top ten. I got to thinking, what would my list look like? So I started writing one, I really got into it because before I knew it I had a pretty big list of names. Then I realized that the list had a striking resemblance to the Cornerstone directory. So I've had to revise the list and so now the folks at Cornerstone counts as one.

I have been going to Cornerstone Community Church since November of 1996. Since then I have gotten to know a lot of the people there. Some have moved on to other churches, other cities and others to another state. The thing is of all the people I have met and come to know there is this common denominator among them. To a person, I am always excited about the prospect of seeing them, spending time with them or the chance of doing something for any of them. Whether it is service, a party, a project, a dinner or just hanging out with a few at Guppy's or starbuck's, I really look forward to it.

Sometimes this group may think they are overlooked when it comes to a lot of things just because they are younger but the above especially applies to them, so here are their "props".

To the older set: I am so amazed at how all of you look out for the younger ones. You all treat each one of them as if they were your younger brothers or sisters (ok, for some of you that is the case). I also see each of you helping each other and watching out for each other, whether it has to do with helping out with someone's Spanish or websites.
To the younger set: I get excited everytime you all get excited over a new project. Whether it is taking part in a drama, dance or a new song. Something new isn't automatically countered with "no" or "I don't want to do it".

So this is my "props" for my friends, my family from Cornerstone. This coming year is going to be an exciting one for us, we'll be moving into a new facility that has so much potential for a lot of growth.So as far as the Cornerstone story is concerned it is "To Be Continued..."

Song of the Day: "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas

[kahit na ano]

Trying to plan out a few things for the coming new year. There are a few things already in the calendar of "things to do" and it has made a little dent for the coming year. I would like to schedule at least a major event every two or three months, something like a trip. There are things I would also like to do this year that I haven't been able to do yet or haven't done in a long time. The thing is that as fun as most of these things can be, they are no good if I can't do them with the right people. There are some things that can and should be done by myself but there are a bunch of activities that must be shared.

Song of the Day:"Damn Right I've Got the Blues" by Buddy Guy

[kahit na ano]

Someone asked me if I write in this thing every single day. Apparently, she also asked the same question in the "chatterbox", thanks Traci for asking. The answer? I am going to try. Unless nothing, absolutely nothing happens in a day that puts a thought in my mind, then it will be blank. There are too many things that happen, too many things that are said, heard, seen or felt that, that day should never come or the very least be a long time before it does come.

Blast from the past photo.


Song of the Day: "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne.

[kahit na ano]

Went to my god-daughter's for the family christmas get-together. As usual, there was lots of food, there was a pool tournament (I'm the champ, undefeated!), there was lots of food and then there was Dance Dance Revolution! I first tried Dance Dance Revolution at a church party. I didn't do too bad, though it was on the beginner level. So my nephew had the game and we all played. Man! It wiped me out! I couldn't play this game for too long. I would collapse from exhaustion or have a heart attack, neither one a fun thing to do.
Amanda (my god-daughter) has her learner's permit for driving, but she doesn't get to practice much. I wanted to go get some coffee, so ai had asked her to show me where the nearest Starbuck's was, I tossed her the keys to the car but she didn't want to drive.
I can't believe that this year is almost over. I don't know if I got to do all I wanted to do this year. I should really make a list...

Song of the Day: "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran

[kahit na ano]

I was just trying to think of some things that happened this past year that really made it such a good year. Just thinking off the top of my head, I came up with the following:
1. Teaching Sunday school at my church.
2. A Tahoe trip with the Lais and the Wongs that did not involve my having a heart attack.
3. A hilarious Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt (we should have won!! Duck, Duck, Goose is not universally known!).
4. The birth of the Culinary Safari Club (Roscoe's!).
5. Ian finding "a facility" that Cornerstone might be able to use.
Those are just a few things I can remember. There have been a good number of things that made this year a banner year. I got to know the friends I have even better, I've made some new ones and through the both of them, I've gotten to learn more about myself.
I am trying to figure out what I should do for my New Year's Resolution. I usually make three resolutions and last year I was two for three, the the third last year is number one this year. I've been trying to lose some weight since my operation, but it has been real slow going. The obvious reason for this one would be for my health, but my main motivation doesn't involve any common sense whatsoever. It's for clothes. Walking through the men's department of Nordstrom's, I see all these clothes that I would like to wear. So that's resolution #1 for this year. #2 would be to regain my garage. My garage is SOOO full of crap that I can't even get in it. I give myself until the 4th of July to do this and that's being optimistic. The third one, well... I'll keep that to myself for now but if there is any development on number three, I'll be shouting it to the mountains. You figure it out.

Song of the Day: " Windmills Of Your Mind" by Sting

[kahit na ano]

Had a nice quiet Christmas day with the family. The family had started eating around 1:00 pm. It was raining all day, so we all just sat around eating and watching whatever was on TV. My sister made this incredible lemon/lime cake that pretty much got swallowed up. Stephanie came over after she stopped by her grandfather's for a spell. Me, my parents, my sisters, even Aurora are still trying to convince Stephanie to go to the family Christmas party Saturday. I mean what is the use of being "adopted" into the family if you don't take advantage of the perks? Like the food-fests we have when we all get together. Stephanie says she has to work...hmmmmmm. Oh well.
Elen has got a bunch of the gang to go out tonight for a surprise birthday dinner for Ian. He had the "what the heck are you guys doing here?" look when he saw us at the table. So, good job Elen! Luis was there with his new girlfriend and I think she got sort of initiated into the group. She might have gotten a little too much information about Luis and well, the group in too short a time. I hope she didn't overdose on us.

Turned out to be a pretty good Christmas after all. Spent the day with family and friends. Time spent was time well spent and I guess that's more than most people get. I have so much to be grateful for this past year. I have my family, who are the greatest! I have friends that continually remind me by their actions, their words and their caring of their friendship. I am especially grateful of the fact that I am aware of such things and that I do not take them for granted. Is this when the Auld Lang Syne music come on? I should stop, the "End of the Year" reflections and thank you's should wait until New Year's Eve.

Song of the Day: "Hold Me" by Kirk Franklin

[kahit na ano]

Merry Christmas Everybody!!

[kahit na ano]

It's Christmas eve and what do I have planned for today? Laundry, cleaning the house ... Morning went pretty blah. Then around 1 pm, I had to go out to get a few forgotten things. Then the list got a little longer. Actually ended up at the mall. The people! The noise! The crying children! The traffic! There were people so wrapped up into THEIR shopping, THEIR gifts, THEIR holidays that the common courtesy they usually practice during the year went out the window. People used up all the patience they were allotted for the year and there is none left for the last days of the year.
Then it happens. I was taking a break at a bench in the mall, sitting next to a man. He wasn't mad or angry, at least he didn't seem to be, but he just kept talking about how the kids these days are so rude, no manners and that they are all either gang members or just a bunch of wild "hooligans". To stress his point, he points out a couple of guys walking towards us. They were doing some last minute shopping and having a good time about it, when a stroller a lady was pushing across the way lost a wheel, probably because not only did she have a kid in it, but every single thing she bought that day. These guys turned around and started giving this lady a hand. Last I saw they had all her stuff and kid in tow and helping her out the mall. I assumed they were helping her to her car. As I was leaving I saw them headed back in the mall.
Now I am officially in the Christmas spirit. It's about time too. I was getting worried. Going to my god-daughter's for the family Christmas gathering. Not going to be cool if not into the spirit of things. So that's that! Christmas is finally here.

Song of the Day: "I Wish I Was Your Lover" by Sophie B. Hawkins

[kahit na ano]

My sister works for a modeling agency and one of the things I really get a "kick out of" is seeing her scout "talent". Last night we went to Guppy's for a late dinner (yea, yea... that's 6 days in a row) and she saw a few people that had "possibilities". It's pretty cool how she can just walk up to people the way she does.
I gotta say it is pretty nice being a regular at Guppy's, even if it is busy you still get hooked up. Maybe it's not so bad being a "Norm". The owner makes sure all the servers keep an eye on our table.
I was trying to get some folks to go to Universal CityWalk tonight for some people watching and maybe a little ice skating, but it is raining. No one wanted to go. Still having a difficult time getting into the holiday spirit! I think I'll just wait for next year, at least I'll have a year head start.
I'm on rambling mode right now. I don't really have anything to say tonight. It is a funky mood I'm in. I'm hoping that by rambling like this I'll be able to focus on something, but it doesn't look too promising. I'm debating whether or not to actually go to Guppy's again. Ugh!

Song of the Day: "Rainy Days and Mondays" by The Carpenters

[kahit na ano]

I haven't really found much in the world of entertainment to really get excited about this year. The music industry has done its best to get me to dig into my old collection instead of adding new stuff to it. As far as Rock is concerned there have been a few groups that have made it to the "check them out" list like Linkin Park, Coldplay and Evanscence but it doesn't look that good. There have been some jazz and blues, but the new ones can't seem to decide where they want to be, jumping back and forth from jazz to blues and back again.

There used to be a good number of movies I would go see during the year, though this year I can count the number of movies I've seen with one hand. Unfortunately, some of them weren't "all that". I saw the second installment of the Matrix and it has not convinced me to go watch the third. The Chicago was surprisingly enjoyable, though I was more impressed with Richard Gere and Queen Latifah than Rene Zellweger and Catherine Zet-Jones. Pirates of the Caribbean was pretty good but it couldn't get me to the theaters, saw it on a DVD. Kill Bill was a fun bloody mess, but I'm not very excited about the next one.

TV? Even less. The West Wing is still a favorite and thank you Bravo channel for showing it all week. Alias is starting to get interesting again after a slow start. I will also admit to The Discovery Channel's Monster Garage. Actually, when I do have time I usually surf The Discovery Channel, Bravo and PBS.

Song of the Day: "Blue Eyes" by Elton John

[kahit na ano]

I knew it! I can't move. At least I was able to get a lot of sleep. We had an early rehearsal time for today's service. The kids are doing a puppet show for their rendition of the history of Christmas. There was not a lot of rehearsal time, everyone had really weird schedules the past weeks. So, it is still pretty shaky. Though Traci and Natalie had enough time to make up their own version of their part of the narration. I think they should have used it for the real presentation, but I don't think we could have gotten it past the director.
The presentation turned out better than expected. The kids did a great job! Despite all the rushing around to do this or to do that. So many of our presentations, dramas and worship come together at the last minute, I wonder what would happen if things were scheduled ahead of time? I wonder if we can even do it? We are so used to flying by the seat of our pants, could even make an argument that we thrive on it!
Let's see. This will make it 5 days in a row. Derrick and Kathy suggested Guppy's for lunch. They asked me to go ahead and reserve tables for 20. The thing was, as we were leaving the owner yells out, "see you tomorrow!" I've become a regular. *moan* I've become "Norm".

Song of the Day: "Freewill" by Rush

[kahit na ano]

What a day! Went to the swap meet in Newport Beach with two families from Cornerstone, The Lai and Wong families. I really enjoyed spending the whole day with them. It seems like it can never be a bad day with them. It rained, the sun never came out and we walked and walked and did I mention walked? I wasn't shopping for anything in particular, though I did get myself a new beanie. I know that I am going to be so sore tomorrow, oh who am I kidding? I'm sore now. I wonder if I'm going to be able to move?

After the swap meet FINALLY closed Derrick still had more shopping to do so Bath & Body it was. By then, it was coming up to dinner time. I took a bunch of the kids from church to Guppy Boba a while back and it has become a pretty popular spot with the kids. Since Derrick and Kathy has never been we all went there for dinner. Let me see, that would make it 4 days in a row for me. I really like their cappuccino there and the food is also pretty good. By the time we got done it was getting close to 8:30 pm. The day started at 9 am! Tomorrow is our church's Christmas service and it promises to also be a long day. Gotta get some sleep.

Song of the Day: "In the End" by Linkin Park

[kahit na ano]

My dog is in the Christmas spirit. How come I can't get into it? Come to think of it how did he get to the mall to have this picture taken? I took away his car privileges....

Some one told me I should put this on here, so here it is.

I had an idea,
I wanted to share.
I said it out loud,
it vanished in air.

The idea was good,
and there was a call.
It wasn't treated badly,
it wasn't treated at all.

So now, I keep my ideas,
because of sorrow, not fear.
No one wants to listen,
No one wants to hear.

Song of the Day: "Beautiful World" by Cold Play

[kahit na ano]

Well, still not into the whole Christmas scene, but man I've got this..."Jump on a horse and charge a giant Elephant on Steroids" thing going. Still trying to process the movie, The Return of the King. "Give me a horse!!!!!" ok, I had to get that out. People here at work are starting to look at me with that "he needs to be sedated" - look.
I think I'll go check out Universal City walk this weekend. I hear that they've put up the skating rink already. I'm not a very good ice skater...who am I kidding? It is usually a good bet that I could really hurt myself if I tried to ice skate, but I enjoy watching other people skating. It's kind'a cool watching them just slide all over the place. I think that could be one of the triggers I need to get me into the Christmas thing.

Song of the Day: "Rivendell" by Rush

[kahit na ano]

I just saw "The Return of the King" and it was INSANE!! The battle scenes were incredible. I've been a fan of the book for so long. Even with the changes made for the sake of "cinematic expediency" I really liked the movie. No spoilers here, just a recommendation: Go see it.

Ok, so how many days left before Christmas? 8 days? I'm in some kind of holding pattern. I just can't seem to get into the Christmas mood. This time last year, I was in full Christmas mode. I was humming carols and doing the spreading the Christmas cheer thing. This year? I can't seem to get into the 'tis the season thing. I'm really going to try the whole "Fa la la la la" try tomorrow. Maybe I can jump start myself into it.

Song of the Day: "Watermelon Man" by Buddy Guy

[kahit na ano]

Not in the loop

I was talking to Stephanie this morning. Apparently she says that there are some people at church who are not being informed of a lot of the activities or goings on. That people are being kept out of the "loop". I'm not sure that's entirely true. I don't think that people are being KEPT out of the loop so much as people not PUTTING themselves in the "loop". Granted, as small as our church is the passing of information should not be such a problem so what's happening? The information is out there in one form or another or else things just don't happen. Announcements, programs, flyers, emails, and the most unreliable form, word of mouth. So why is it that some people are still not aware that this is going on or that is happening? The thing is with any sharing of information there are going to be gaps. Someone is going to hear about one thing or another, so who's responsible for the exchange? Should Cornerstone Make sure that 100% of the congregation get the announcement? At what point should the people missing out on the information take charge of the situation and seek it out? When and where does the point of diminishing returns take effect?

Song of the Day: "Before The River Came" by 4Him

[kahit na ano]

I've always been a bit wary of starting one of these things. I worry about the strangers who will be reading it. Then I realize that I shouldn't be worried so much about the strangers that will be reading this but the people who know me. There have been many times in the past, when something I said came back and bit me in the butt! Now, it will be in writing? I had originally intended to start this in the new year, but opening day jitters and all got me to thinking I should ease into it. So... Well, writing a journal is supposed to be therapeutic and I guess I do have control over what I write, at least for the most part. Besides, as some people have pointed it, it can also be a lot of fun. So here goes nothing! ..... Thanks Nat!
Yesterday was my church's Christmas party. The party itself was nice. There was a lot of food and "fun was had by all" but the thing that really stood out that day was what happened before the party. One of the kids, Sammi, from church had asked me if I can give her a ride to the Christmas party because her parents were preparing some food and would be getting to the party a little late. So I told her that it was not a problem if she doesn't mind hanging out with "Uncle Angel" the whole afternoon.
On the way to the party, which was about a 40-minute drive, an accident occurred on the freeway that closed all the lanes. It was at a point where there was a mile and a half between exits so there was no getting out. I called as many people from church, that was coming from the same direction, to tell them to take whatever alternate route they can because the freeway was closed and there was no getting through this way. So we sat in the car in the middle of the freeway for a good half-hour or so. Then Sammi started a question and answer game that started simple enough; you know like, "what's your favorite food, color, car, month, etc." Then from out of the blue she came up with "What girl has your full attention right now?" From there, the questions just got weirder and sillier. I'm sure the people in the other cars were wondering why we were laughing so hard. We finally made it to the party, though we were an hour or so late.
Looking back at all the reasons for starting this blog, I guess one of the most compelling reason is that there are too many things that go on in this world that are important enough not to let others know that it happened. Even if it is just an idea that someone told you in passing. If I found it interesting enough to write about it maybe someone would find interesting enough to act on it, isn't that how things get started? Let's see if we can start something.
[kahit na ano]