Yay!...Boo!...and that's a ballgame

Went to the Giants/Dodgers game at PacBell (Now AT&T) park in SF. We had some very sunny seats and I got major arm tan. A "Yay!" from me for the Giants and and a "Boo!" from Leon as he is a super Dodgers fan. He's probably more of a Dodgers fan than I am a Giants fan though... I'll give him that. Alot of Dodger fans came out to see Manny R. - so excited to have him on their team I tell ya'.

I forgot my camera...so here are some pics from my cell.


Giants take the field


AT&T Billboard


Free hat to commemorate 50 years in SF, and the Dodgers rivalry

What a Wii-kend!

Currently listening to: Pretty Please - Estelle


What a fun Sunday we had. Invited friends over for our "Wii-Eat crab Wii-kend" and it was a blast. After stuffing ourselves with a crab boil:


The feast pour-out


Yummy piles



Ann waving "Hi" with the crab




A break after gorging before the Wii



We tried to work off some of those calories on the Wii. However, we'll keep those videos between friends :)

Wiik-ness

Rock Band....it has taken over my evenings as I am on summer break. I have become obsessed with trying to hit 100% on a song. The drums are just... well they are quite fun.

I will say this - it is one game I can play together with Leon. Not like God of War and whatever other war-type games he has going on the PS3. In Rock Band we can "save" each other if one is not quite getting the notes right. We cheer each other on. He rocks on guitar - I rock on drums. Occasionally with a friend, I take over the mic. This is truly a team effort here people.

In addition I've been "workin on my fitness"...on the Wii-fit that is. Another fun addition!

My living room has become crowded with Wii accessories, but it makes for fun times during drunken nights and when friends visit (sometimes those are one in the same). As a matter of fact, we are hosting a "Wii-eat-crab Wiikend" next Saturday. Gonna' eat some fresh crab from Half Moon Bay, drink beer, and test our skills on the Wii.

The John Mayer of Classical Music

This past weekend for my Music Fundamentals course, I had to attend a classical music performance. Instead of shelling out $70 to see the SF Symphony, I opted for the Violin/Piano duet at a church for a mere $12.

Needless to say, classical music wasn't my thing (nor Leon's). While Leon took a nap during most of the performances, I tried to listen intently for things that would fill up a 3-page report. Like how the music made me feel, tone, pace....and um...feelings.

To keep up the entertainment factor, however, the pianist made some very...uh.... UNUSUAL faces and hand gestures during the performances. Being we were in church and all, I couldn't laugh outright - but certainly she helped to keep me awake. By the middle, we deemed her the "John Mayer of Classical Music".

If you are not familiar with John Mayer (or you may be as he has had some time in the tabloids of late) - he makes some funny facial expressions while performing as well. This is also an entertainment factor when watching him live.

Here is a good sample of facial expressions from John Mayer:


photo courtesy of usmagazine.com

Now think of those same expressions from a very serious pianist along with dramatic arm flings... makes the $12 worth it now that I think about it.

BBQ'd Bay

I like my BBQ smokey...but not my Bay Area! These fires have really had an effect on the air quality out here. I am not used to it looking like downtown LA....hope it will clear up soon. We saw a glimmer of sky this past weekend, but that smoke crept back in.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July...yes it is July already. How did that happen?

We survived!

Leon and I completed the Muddy Buddy race yesterday....without dying. slowly but surely, we made it to the finish line and through the mud - ya' know, the fun part of the race!

Who knew I could run, bike, run, bike, run (in that order with obstacles) for 6 miles?

Estelle

Listen to this: Shine

Brings back some classic R&B with fresher flavor that makes you smile and wanna' shake the booty. A lil' bit of Lauren (but not crazy Lauren). I can hear the John Legend influence (shhhh....I think it's better than his latest album) and Kanye adds his flair. Many a guest on this as well...worth the entire download.

Did you know....

...that you can get fresh crab right off the boats in Half Moon Bay? And it's yummy? And it's cheap?

I can't believe I have been living this close and have only discovered this recently. I feel like I have landed on a goldmine!

Sleepy tired

That is a term I also use often....when you are really tired, you are "sleepy tired".

(yawn)

Just kidding, omg, shut-up!...

I was having a conversation with one of my clients today about phrases I use too often. We found out that we had two in common. So it got me thinking about a list of the words and phrases that have become part of my conversational norm:

Just kidding
No kidding
Shut-up
Crap
Ahh...sh*thole!
Exactly
That's what I'm sayin'
Oh my god
Know what I mean?
Computer school!

Okay - some of you may not get the last phrase...unless you have watched the Kings of Comedy.

Still listening...

Currently listening to: Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend

...to Vampire Weekend. I haven't gotten' tired of it yet. I haven't forwarded through a song to get to another. It has it's own special playlist on the nano.

I am already anticipating their next album.

Play outside

Currently listening to: I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

It's warm again...

because the temperature gauge on my car says so.



4:49pm today near home.....nice view



view from my office window...makes it hard to work sometimes because ya' just wanna' be out there.

Since this lovely warm weather is coming upon us again, you feel you must...get...outside!

Last week was not as warm (sunshine can be deceiving). We got outside anyhow and did some biking near the bay, about a 12 mile leisurely ride. Though it was on flatter ground then last time, the wind made it feel like we were climbing uphill. However, the wind was nice on the way back.



Leon striking a pose on the trail.


Powerlines on the long way back



Kite surfer

Viva Las Vegas Wedding!

Currently listening to: Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg

My lazy ass finally got around to downloading pics from Q & D's wedding in Las Vegas. Here's some pics from the lovely occasion:

Didi's mom giving a good luck kiss

Rose petal aisle

The nuptials

Cutest baby!- Riley with dad Ben

The happy couple - Didi & Quentin

We had a blast at the wedding and hope that Q & D plan to have their 1 year anniversary there and re-invite friends...I kid I kid.

Also, given the wedding was in the midst of March Madness - a shout-out to UCLA and UNC...thanks for ruining my bracket.

My new obsession...

Currently listening to: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend...Different...catchy....feels like summer beach days...like it a-LOT. Heavy rotation on the nano.

Spring is here

My body must have known that Spring is here...because I woke up sneezing this morning. Not just a couple sneezes either-I am talking the 30-in-a-row kind of sneezes. You know, you try to ignore it and tell yourself "this is the last one". But no....brushing your teeth you are sneezing (this can get messy). All through your morning shower you are sneezing. Blow-drying your hair you are sneezing. Putting on your make-up you are sneezing (this makes for funny sneezing faces, not that a sneezing face isn't already kinda' funny). Folks - spring is officially here.

This coming weekend we are headed to Vegas for our good friend Q & D's wedding. I am excited - not only for these two to start thier new married life together, but because we just happen to be going to Vegas first week of March Madness...yeah that's right! Get our gamble on.

An "A" for effort....whoo hoo

...in Psychological Assessment.

Guess sacrificing two Saturdays in the last couple months paid off :)

When you under-estimate...

Currently listening to: The dryer....it's laundry-day Sunday

I entered Leon and I in the Muddy Buddy contest a couple weeks back. This has now turn into a full-on competition between friends. What that means is... I need to get my out-of-shape ass in gear!

So, got our mountain bikes, installed the accessories, and yesterday - we were ready for our first ride.

We live in an area where there are lots of hiking and mountain-biking trails. Ideal for such training you may say....

But it is also a bit "hilly"....and when you haven't so much as run a mile in the past year...getting up two very steep hills is brutal. I got halfway down the dirt trail and had to turn back. My legs were burning.

Better work my way up in baby steps...

I love my....

Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker! It's da' bomb...

Spring Fever

Currently listening to: Usher - Love in this Club

Week before last headed out to Pismo Beach...and ever since I have had spring fever. This week is no exception with warm weather upon us again.

Some pics from President's Day weekend...

Tank checking out the tidepools at Shell Beach

Shell Beach

Spot the starfish

A walk along Pismo Beach

Lone rock

The pier from here...

ATV ridin' at Oceano dunes

View from our hotel room

Yay...we won!

Currently listening to: Drivin' Me Wild - Common

Not sure if I mentioned this before, but I play on company league softball team. We have had many upsets in which we have lost some very close games. We were frustrated. we were hungry...for a win! Tonight, the stars aligned and we played VERY well. And so, we won. I even managed a couple RBI's and a run myself... whoo hoo!

I do have a skinned knee from a close play....but I was safe. It paid off :)

and the Grammy goes to.....

Currently listening to: Valerie - Amy Winehouse

Wow...sweeps for Amy Winehouse at the Grammy's....good for her. It was a long show wasn't it? I liked Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse performances.

And now for some random pictures from my cell:

Lone stoplight


Morning commute:

Just got paid...It's Friday night...

Currently listening to: God of War Video Game (not by choice)

Ok....didn't just get paid, but it is Friday night. No party jumpin' here...just studying. Is that sad?

I have a Mid-Term tomorrow...on a SATURDAY. What is the world coming to?

It's all good....that usually is a sign you are half-way through the class. Gotta' look at the positive right?

Get out and vote!

Currently listening to: Ribbon in the Sky - Stevie Wonder

Go do it... please. Even if it is only for the official sticker that lets everyone know that you have voted :)

Superbowl time...almost

Currently listening to: the clothes dryer

So this "cough" I had turned into the full out flu! I am finally getting some energy back today. The cough is still around and my voice sounds terrible, but looks like the Superbowl won't be so bad :)

And here's a hilarious video:

Some things happen for a reason...

Currently listening to: this stupid cough I have....

So I came down with a cough/cold this week and it is kicking my butt. I wish it would go away already. I mean we have a Superbowl party on Sunday, I need to get better!

Since I stayed home on Tuesday, I thankfully missed out on this mess:

http://www.sfchroniclemarketplace.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/29/MNQNUODKS.DTL

I attempted a half day at work yesterday, and on my way back ran into this:

Not such a good picture from my cell, but they were repaving 101 because of all the gas that permeated into the asphalt. It still smells like gas that way too.

Maybe I chose the right days to be home sick....

Global Cooling - Bay Area Snow

Currently listening to: Good Life - Kanye West

Though last week we had some bigger storms that brought snow, there was definately a new layer on the Milpitas hills this morning. Weird to see snow in the Bay Area, isn't it?

Mt. Hamilton

Mt. Diablo

Good movie...good food

Currently listening to: Alicia Keys (feat. John Mayer) - Lesson Learned

Saw the movie There Will Be Blood last night. Whoa...wow...crazy. There wasn't any talking for the first 20 minutes of the movie, but it was very powerful. Daniel Day Lewis steals every scene. He is masterful....and crazy. But that makes for a good movie right? I now understand the Oscar nom.

After the movie, headed out with some friends/Leon's school buds for a great Cuban meal in Palo Alto at a restaurant called La Bodeguita Del Medio. Yum! I had the Masitas (pork) and some Blood Orange Sorbet for dessert. The restaurant has a cigar bar in the back, and although I am not really a smoker, I joined others in the fair. It smelled good in an incense/hookah sort of way.

School hasn't been too bad. I am taking two Psych. classes, Sign Language, and a work study class. Tomorrow I start one of my Intensive courses....that means really intense jamm-packed learning, only 7 classes in all. It can be daunting, but it is also great when you are done before the semester is up.

Leon brought these back from Japan last year...it's our lil' family. You like?

My last day of freedom before school starts....

Currently listening to: The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

Yeah it's alright though...just one more year left...hopefully. I am hoping all of my classes will be available to complete.

Since I have been on break I have seen two movies, I Am Legend and Juno. I Am Legend was pretty decent, but it is Will Smith's performance that held up the movie. Juno was great, I could definately see it again. This is definately Ellen Page's breakout movie. I haven't laughed like that in awhile :)

Earlier this month was my cousin Diana's wedding. Although we were quite delayed getting to Houston because of the nasty weather:

We made it to a beautiful wedding :)

Happy New Year!

Ok - here's to fresh beginnings and keeping up with my blog :)

Football Sundays are back

Currently listening to: Sunday morning football

Well I am up to the same-o same-o. In the middle of school and work and boy does time just fly by.

Last night went to eat at Thanh Long with some friends...boy I never get tired of that place. Yummiest crab you will ever have and the garlic noodles ain't too shabby either.

Night before I checked out SuperBad. Pretty funny IMO. Did some laughing out loud in the movie theatre and that's all you're looking for with movie like that isn't it?

So I am currently participating in this football suicide pool. You pick a team each week to win but can never pick that team again. You are alllowed up to two entries. This week I picked Dallas and San Diego. I'll keep ya' posted on how I do. Needless to say, this is the only way you are going to actually get me to pay attention to football.

Bad Blogger

Currently listening to: Background noise

Wow, long time no see. Ok, so Europe was fantastic although we probably caught a pretty bad heatwave. In short:

Venice: Nice to see once, but we won't be coming back

Florence: Beautiful, our favorite city visited. We hope to come back and see other parts around Florence

Rome: Flippin' hot...besides that, all the major landmarks are here and it is quite surreal to see them in person.

Athens: Same thoughts as Venice (was also VERY hot)

Mykonos: Beautiful and relaxing

Santorini: Most beautiful of all...can't even begin to describe the sunsets here.

Have a short weekend trip to Seattle coming up. Never been, but I am sure it will be fun. I am stocking up on my vacations now as I have a full load with school (15 units!) and work next semester...ugh.


I'll just try and remember these images as I suffer in homework hell:


The beautiful city of Florence



The best Cappucinos ever!



A Santorini sunset...



Okay, one more Santorini sunset...



Feeling this relaxed and content :)

Ah - and so finally Europe in sight

Currently listening to: Bubbly - Colbie Caillat

Yep - FINALLY...we get to go to Italy and Greece. Yay!

Here's the breakdown:

Venice
Florence
Rome
Athens
Mykonos
Santorini

Three weeks - longest vacation I have ever had...or I should say will have.

I better get my ZZZZ's...

Sunsets can set your mood

Currently listening to: The Blower's Daughter - Damien Rice



It's great when you have a long weekend. What can be greater than that? A sunset...



Here's what I saw tonight about 7:04pm:


Awww... puts you in the right mood doesn't it? Had to pull over and capture it.


So glad we get tomorrow off...

Bad Blogger

Currently listening to: My fingers on the keyboard

Wow - long time no see my friendly blog. I'll try and be better...no guarantees though.

Let's see - two movies watched this past weekend: Spiderman 3 and Shrek the Third. I'm sorry to say folks, but keep your money and wait for DVD... or TV for that matter.

I saw Spiderman on the IMAX, and although the action sequences were good...the rest could have used major help. Not enough build-up of the villains...and too many villains. Shrek was entertaining and had it's funny moments - but not much of a storyline to hold it together. Oh well - we had our movie popcorn and that's what counts.

School's out and I am taking the summer off. We plan to vacation to Italy and Greece - I can't wait.

Weird Dreams

Currently listening to: Fidelity - Regina Spektor

A Happy President's day to all and belated Chinese New Year....

I slept in today until 9:40am and it was great. However, had some pretty weird dreams. Like I was going to college and living on campus in a dorm room that looked like a hotel room and one of my teachers was Claire Huxtable....yeah you heard me right.... Don't know what to inerpret from that one.

Today I really need to get my presentation together for my Abnormal Psych class but I am in a lazy mood. Maybe I just need a good dose of caffeine.

Coast to coast and back

Currently listening to: The TV in the background...

Wow - so glad to finally be home. Took a trip last night on a red-eye flight after class to Charlotte, North Carolina. Had a couple meetings scheduled there today. Unfortunately when I arrived, what was forecast as "flurries" turned in to a few inches of snow - a record as a matter of fact for Charlotte and surrounding areas. All schools were closed and so were most businesses. Seeing this on the news, I still tried proceeding to my meeting. So while most of the residents were having fun on their snow day:

This is what I was enduring while trying to still cling to hope that my meetings were actually going to happen:

I did make it to the client safely - but the meetings were cancelled as most people stayed home because of the weather. I did see about 8 accidents on my very short trip from the airport to the client.

I quickly decided to book a trip back to San Francisco right away instead of staying the night - afraid it would freeze over. That was an ordeal in itself - barely made a connection in Phoenix running like heck to catch my flight. Screaming kids sitting behind me. And for all my flights, I probably slept a total of 2 hours. Cranky cranky...

So here I am, back home. Spent a whopping four hours in Charlotte. They want me to come back next week for a reschedule - I think I need to rest before deciding on that one....