my oscar recap/unconscious mutterings

my oscar recap
I just finished watching the Academy Awards a little while ago and although I usually love this show I have to admit that this year I was bored! They should've just called it the "We're going to make up for the past two years that we haven't awarded The Lord of the Rings and just give them all the awards" show. They won everything! Yes, the movie is good. but come on. On the other hand, whoa on Johnny Depp. He finally shaved, cut his hair, and dressed up and I felt like when I felt when I loved him on 21 Jumpstreet. I wasn't sure who I wanted to win for Best Actor. I really like Sean Penn, I loved Bill Murray in Lost in Translation and I thought it would be nice to see Johnny Depp win. Ben Kingsley already won and I haven't seen Cold Mountain but if they would've won I wouldn't have been upset. I'm happy for Sean Penn though and really happy for Charlize Theron. I've liked her for a few years since I noticed the really cute tattoo she has on her foot. I talked about how cute it looked and how much I wanted one for such a long time that a good friend of mine went and got one done. She got a cute vine with ladybugs but her foot was swolen for a while. But I digress. . . . . .
I'm really sleepy now so I'll do the unconscious mutterings for tonight and try to get to bed. Good night.

unconscious mutterings
I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Hollywood:: stars
   
2. Censor:: edit
   
3. Nascar:: races
   
4. Lube:: oil
   
5. Mortgage:: refinancing
   
6. Freedom:: liberty
   
7. Champion:: boxing
   
8. Reality TV:: survivor
   
9. New York:: statue of liberty
   
10. Tease:: strip
    

feeling: starstruck
watching: I love the 80's
what I should be doing instead of blogging: sleeping

i'm old (again)

I didn't write anything yesterday. By the time I got to my computer, my fingers were so numb from sewing that I wouldn't have been able to type anyway. Instead I went into the most recently published blogs on the blogger page and I was surprised by one of the blogs I came across. I won't add a link to it or say the title but what surprised me was the "About Me" column that the writer had. In it she stated that her birthday was in 1990. Oh my God! I couldn't believe it! Kids that were born in 1990 already have blogs? This little girl is thirteen years old! I didn't even have a computer at that age. I was pretty shocked at the things that she wrote. There are a lot of things going on with kids nowadays that were definately not going on when I was that age. She describes some sexual activities that a thirteen year old has no business even knowing about. I thought about when I was thirteen and honestly I still played with my Barbies. It worries me to think about what will be going on when Brianna and Alec are that age. I don't care about being cool anymore so I fully intend to be the nosy mom that wants to know everything. Another thing about that blog I went into is that it also made me really sad. Anything she wrote other than about sex was really depressing. I understand that everyone is trying to fit in at that age, but I don't remember ever being that sad. I felt tragically misunderstood at at later age, but never that sad. Well, I hope she just ends up ok and now I'm going to be nosy and check up on Brianna. Good night.

feeling: kids who were born when I was in high school already have their own blogs. I'm so old!
watching: Saturday Night Live
what I should be doing instead of blogging: washing dishes

yvett the zombie/ thursday threesome

yvett the zombie
Alex and Lora have both mentioned that their daughters were sick within this past week. Brianna had a little bit of a cough on Tuesday and I didn't send her to school but last night Alec was really sick. He kept on coughing and throwing up phlegm. Since he is only 8 months old, every time he would do this, he would cry. Plus he just wanted to be held. He would fall asleep but as soon as we'd put him in his crib, he'd wake up. I got about an hour and a half sleep last night. This morning I couldn't even focus and I felt like a zombie all day. I was putting away a pitcher of tea in a cabinet instead of the refrigerator. I went back to my grandma's because she always has all sorts of herbs for whatever ailment we may have. She made an oregano tea for Alec which is supposed to cure coughs. I think it really helped. Thankfully he is doing a whole lot better today. He slept a lot and I think that helped. He looked so comfortable sleeping like a little frog that I was longing to do the same thing. I would've napped too but I decided to add sequins to the fish costume and it is taking so long to to sew them all on. By the say, thanks to Lora for sending me a sketch of a fish. I gave up for the evening because my eyes are hurting now. What better way to rest my eyes than to come stare at a computer screen. :P I think I'll do what Rodrigo is doing and drink a huge cup of coffee. I hope you all have a good night (or a good day if it's daytime when you read this) and hope that no one else gets sick.

Thursday Threesome
::Choreography: The art of symbolically representing dancing::

Onesome- Choreography: What do you choreograph in your life? Your morning routine? The dinner ritual? How you study?
-Everyday I promise myself how I'm going to accomplish a lot that day and not run late. Then I end up running around at the last minute trying to get everyone ready and out the door in time. While i'm driving hoping to make it in time I swear that I won't do the same thing tomorrow but it's always the same.


Twosome- The art of symbolically: Art? Hmmmm... Sure, what do you like to have? ...or do you? ...but how about that little symbol you keep on your desk or headboard? The one you keep because??? I mean, if you can share that...
-Ok, not just because she is my daughter but Brianna has a real talent for art. She has a lot of sketchbooks she draws in and I keep them all after she fills them in. Her father drew and painted really well. I keep an angel painting he made for her before she was born because I'm sure she'll appreciate than when she's older.


Threesome- representing dancing: No, not 'do you dance?' (although that's fine too!); rather, which type(s) of dancing will you stop and watch for a moment? Ballroom? Swing? Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey?
-I did Mexican Folklorico dancing for about 12 years so I like watching that. I love dancing. Any type of music, I love it. I like to watch people dance at weddings especially older people. I think it is very cute.

feeling: half asleep
listening to: 10,000 Maniacs (More than this)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: sewing sequins

ash wednesday

I don't like to talk about religion but this is more about my life. Even though at this point in my life I am pretty much agnostic, I was born and raised Cathoilc. Today, being Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of lent. As I do most Wednesdays, I went to my grandma's house today. She is strictly Catholic and so today began a series of rituals that she practices. As a kid, I'd spend weekends and vacations with her so I remember absolutely hating this time of year. On Fridays during lent I had to eat things like lentils, pea soup, fish, and shrimp (I hated seafood at that time) while staying over. She still follows all these things too. During lent she will not eat meat on Fridays or on the Saturday before Easter, and she will also not eat or drink anything before noon on Fridays. I know she would also "give something up" for the 40 days but I'm not sure she did that this year. I admire the fact that she believes in something so much that she is willing to do all this. I also admire that she doesn't try to push her beliefs onto someone else. I mean, I could go over and eat a burger and she wouldn't tell me not to. Anyway, this year I decided that I want to learn how to make all these lenten foods that she makes. I want to learn how to make capirotada (a dessert made with fried bread, molasses, cheese, raisins, peanuts, candy, and I don't know what else) and pipian (shrimp omelets in a chili and pumpkin seed sauce). Not so much because I'm planning on suddenly turning devout, but these are good foods and she only cooks them this time of year. I was talking to some friends about how our grandparents and some of their parents follow all of these traditions and we were talking about giving something up for 40 days. Among the suggestions were carbs, soda, chocolate, and the one I thought was hilarious, giving up abstinence. That's too funny. I have no self control so I know that I wouldn't be able to give anything up. Anything I like, that is. I told my friends I'd give up carbs and by noon I was eating rice. It was suggested that I not use my computer for anything other than work from now until Easter. Uh huh. Good one. Well, I'm cutting a million pieces of felt that I'm going to use for scales on the fish costume, so I must go now. Have a good night or a great day!

Oh! I just got an email from June saying that "What's on. . .right now?" is up. I'll answer that before I close.

What's on. . . .Right now?

What's On the front page of your newspaper Right Now?

-Bush backs ban on gay marriages
-"Passion" called overwhelming. El Pasoans ponder faith after film
-Many receive ashes today
-Hispanics urged to vote to bring about change

feeling: comfortable
watching: Seinfeld
what I should be doing instead of blogging: working on costume

i'll be busy today/ tuesday memes

I'll be busy today (I hope)
I decided to write early today because I plan on being totally productive and busy for the rest of the day. I have to pick up around here and I also want to work on Brianna's fish costume. I've been cutting out pieces of felt for the scales and I'm sewing sequins on them. The stuff I bought came out to just a few dollars and I'm proud because I like to make pretty stuff without spending a lot of money. I won a costume contest at work once with a sunflower costume that I made for $6. The prize was $50. Anyway, I just finished taking that Peanuts quiz and it says I'm Lucy. I thought I would be Snoopy or something but I guess not. If you take the quiz, leave me a comment as to who you are. I'm going to do the Tuesday memes now and try to fight this magnetic pull that my computer has towards me and prevents me from doing other stuff. . . . .


You are Lucy!


Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

tuesday twosome

1. Your internet connection: DSL or dialup?
-cable modem
2. Daily: How much time do you spend on your computer working?
How much time do you spend on the internet?
-working: 2-4 hours, internet: about one hour apart from working
3. Have you met someone on the internet? And if so, have you met in person?
-yes, not in person
4. Emails: When you receive a humorous or pointless email from a friend, do you pass it on or "the emails dies at my inbox"?
-i pass it on
5. Pop-up ads: Annoying or "I ignore them so it doesn't bother me."?
-annoying but my pop-up blocker stops them

tuesday is chooseday

Would you rather:
lose the thumb on your dominant hand in a hunting accident OR lose your non-dominant foot in a rock climbing accident?
-lose my foot. I would still be able to walk with a cane or something but I need my thumb for the things I do.
take care of 20 screaming toddlers everyday OR work in the sewers of new york everyday?
-probably the sewers. I'd get used to the smell eventually but toddlers are full of surprises all the time. besides, it's so much responsibility to watch just one, I can't imagine 20.
invent a cure for lung cancer that makes the person never able to walk again OR makes the person blind? -not be able to walk again.
your 10 year old child find you masturbating OR hear you speaking derogatively towards a racial minority neighbor?
-speaking derogatively. I'd just say that I was quoting what someone else said or some other excuse. there's no excuse for the other

feeling: i'm going to accomplish a lot today
listening to: The White Stripes (Seven Nation Army)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: getting started on being productive!

unconscious mutterings/ the first four

unconscious mutterings
I say ... and you think ... ?

Angel:: wings
Birth:: order
Logic:: science
Stars:: sun
Nursery:: rhyme
View:: to a kill
Hart:: mary
Creation:: earth
End:: beginning
Fortune:: cookie

the first four
What are the first four things you think of when I say:

Dr. Robert Atkins
- diet
- protein
- Joe (a guy I know who did the diet, lost a lot of weight and won't stop talking about it)
- heart disease

feeling: sad
listening to: U2 (One Tree Hill)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: sleeping

uh, help please!

Dr. Seuss's birthday is celebrated on March 2nd. Brianna's school is having a big celebration and they were asked to go dressed up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. I figure that there will be a million "cat in the hats" and half a million "thing 1" and "thing 2's". When we got home today, we started looking through many different characters and Brianna has her mind set on being a fish (from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.) I tried to talk her out of it by offering Cindy Lou Who. I figured it would be easy with some pink pajamas, some thin flower wire in her braid to make her hair look all "Seussish" and have her carry a giant candy cane. She thought about it, said no and still wants to be a fish. Ok. I have no idea where to find a fish costume. The ones I saw online are full costumes that she would not even be able to sit in. Project! Oh well, I think I'll have to make the costume myself. I have a couple of ideas in mind but if you have any, please suggest. Oh, I also have to take cupcakes. The only thing that I can think of is to make something with green eggs and ham on it, but again, if you think of something else, please leave a comment. I'm off to look for more ideas online because I really need a reason to sit here at my computer (wink, wink). By the way, I'm not answering the Friday Five this week because most of my answers would be "I don't remember". Good night!

feeling: trying to pick the best way to make a fish costume
watching: Conan O'Brien
what I should be doing instead of blogging: starting to make fish scales

ego booster

First of all, let me explain about downtown El Paso. There are some nice places to shop, I guess. I don't really know my way around there other than how to get to certain clubs. Downtown is really close to the one of the bridges that connects us with Juarez, Mexico. As soon as you cross into El Paso, there are all sorts of shops with stereos blasting Mexican music trying to lead shoppers in. Well, I had to go to the county courthouse today to pick up some of Alec's documents and I thought since I was already there and I'm hardly ever there, I might as well look around. Brianna was in school and my grandma was nice enough to watch Alec, so I walked around by myself. Well, guess what happened? As I was walking around, a few perverts started doing what they do best. I got a few wolf whistles and a couple of "ay mamacitas". Awwww. So I'd like to thank those "viejos pelados" for making my day. Ordinarily, this would really bother me but for the past year I've been walking around pregnant, then with milk stains on my shoulder, looking like a zombie due to lack of sleep, lugging around a huge diaper bag, running around after a five year old, and clearly showing that I no longer take my time to get ready in the morning. All of which are not very sexy. This morning, for some reason, all the planets aligned, the kids woke up late and I was able to wear my hair out of a pony tail, nice clothes (with no milk stains on it), and make-up. Yes, I had time for all that. Even though I realize those men would probably whistle at anything in a skirt, still, thanks perverts for noticing. I would also like to thank Brianna and Alec for giving me the boobs that I waited for for soooooo long. And yes, I show them off with pride since they are real working breasts and not just for decoration anymore. Yeah, I think I'll be shopping downtown more often. Ok, after my parallel parking fiasco, maybe not.


feeling: sexy
watching: Conan O'Brien
what I should be doing instead of blogging: putting away laundry (again)

what's on. . .right now?

As usual, I do the memes in the morning and write about my day later on at night. Here is this week's What's on. . . right now? . . . . . . .

What's On your computer desk Right Now?
-lcd monitor, two speakers, optical mouse (no mouse pad), printer w/paper, wireless router, digital camera, two pens, two cd's (Duncan Dhu and Mikel Erentxun), a peppermint gum box, some pictures of Brianna and Alec that I dedicated but haven't given out, some heart shaped stickers that Brianna gave me last night, and since I have the bad habit of taking off my jewelry at my desk and leaving it here: three pairs of earrings, four rings (two from The Carrotbox), two bracelets, and a necklace. Wow, I need to clean my desk.

feeling: busy
listening to: nothing (working)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: reading over my work emails

yvett the evil mom/ tuesday memes

I just about fell over laughing while reading today's post on Dooce. I realized that I am that person now. I remember before I had Brianna I thought they should make children/ non children sections in restaurants like they do for smoking and non smoking. I also thought they should have special screenings of movies for people with children so as not to bother the rest of us. I was horrible, I know. I've already paid for it, though. I am now the evil mother who wouldn't buy that toy for her poor, poor daughter (who already had something exactly like it, by the way). Yes, I'm the mother who made her child beg, cry and promise that she would be good girl for the rest of her life if I just got her that _____ (fill in the toy,candy, or treat) that she really needed. The childless people would pass by giving me dirty looks and thinking about how evil I am and how unfortunate that adorable little girl must be for having a mother like me. No one (except for the other parents) knew that just a half hour ago she got another thing she really "needed" at a previous store. Parents would give me a sympathetic smile which made me understand that they've been through it and are just glad that it's me and not them at the moment. The same smile that I give parents of toddlers now knowing that before long I'll be going through the same thing all over again with Alec. Yay, I can't wait. Heh, heh.

Tuesday Twosome
1. Is your role model someone famous or not?
Who is your role model?
-yes, Jackie Kennedy. I love the way she handled herself through so much tragedy and still looked calm and amazing.

2. Which is more important to you: Actions or words?
-actions

3. Do you forgive easily or hold a grudge?
-I say that I forgive but I hold a grudge

4. What is the last lie you told?
What is the last lie someone told you?
-I told Brianna that I wanted to test her drink before I gave it to her but really I just wanted some.
-Brianna told me that my mom wouldn't let her talk to me on the phone and I know she was just too busy playing to talk to me.

5. Would you rather be with someone for the wrong reason or alone for the right reason?
-alone for the right reason. it's never enough to just be with someone

Tuesday is Chooseday

Would you rather:

1.Your family and friends find out that you have downloaded (from the internet) instructions on how to make a bomb OR midget fetish porn?
-ugh. a bomb, I guess. knowing me they'd understand that I would do it to maybe prove just how easy it is to download and not really to make one.

2.Make your living emptying other people's garbage OR giving sumo wrestlers massages?
-emptying other people's garbage.

3.Run naked through your grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary OR through your best friend's wedding?
-best friend's wedding. there would be too many family members at the anniversary

4.Find a tree that will only grow in Chicago that grows money, but only grows Chilean Pesos OR only grows Icelandic Kronur?
-chilean pesos. I'm closer to Chile than Iceland. plus I speak Spanish.

feeling: thinking of all the things I need to do
listening to: nothing (working)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: paying closer attention to work

100 years/monday madness

100 years
I caught Five for Fighting today on an Ellen show rerun. Have you seen his video for 100 Years? I had seen it a couple of times but not really paid any attention. When I finally did pay attention, my eyes got watery. I thought the part when he's an old man was so sad. The song is nice too but I have to admit that I liked the video before the song. So now you probably think that I'm one of those sappy people that cry for videos and at the end of movies but I'm really not. Ok, it depends. I won't cry at something like Titanic or at romantic comedies but movies like The English Patient and Damage really got me. Maybe it's just Juliet Binoche. As for music videos, Collective Soul's The World I Know and R.E.M.'s Everybody Hurts were both tear jerkers for me. What movies or videos make you cry?

Monday Madness
1. Name two types of food that you could care less if you ever ate again.
-avocados (YUCK!) anchovies
2. Name one animal.
-aardvark
3. List three words to describe yourself.
-ambitious, astute, alright (I can't think of another "a" word)
4. Name two things you might find at a zoo.
-apes,
5. Name three things you might find living in the water.
-amphibians, algae, alligator

feeling: hungry
listening to: Soundgarden (Fell on Black Days)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: eating

valentine's recap/ unconscious mutterings

Valentine's recap
Valentine's Day was good. Brianna had her "Friendship Day" celebration on Friday and had lots of fun. We did finish making enough cookies for her whole class and she was very excited. She brought back the bag that we took so long to make filled with Valentine's cards and candies. A little boy she has a crush on at school gave her a bracelet with an Escada perfume sample. I wish I had gotten stuff like that when I was five. Rodrigo gave me a real cookie bouquet that put mine to shame. It is really cute with bees and a heart that reads, "Bee Mine". After I gave her her gifts, Brianna wanted to go to my mom's since she knew she had "surprises" there too. Overall she received a Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox filled with strawberry candy, a Barbie wedding dress set, a necklace, and a Sleeping Beauty doll with clothes plus the stuff she got from school. Alec received a teddy bear carrying a picture of him, some pajamas, and a bib shaped with candy hearts and cards. He seemed to be getting a little cold, so Rodrigo and I decided to skip going out for dinner and had take-out Chinese and watched a DVD at home. It might sound boring, but since we're always out and driving, it feels good to be able to just stay in. My Valentine's Day was great.
I hope you all had a great time as well!

Unconscious Mutterings
I say ... and you think ... ?

Dragon:: fly
Molecule:: atom
Tire:: flat
Mighty:: mouse
Octane:: high
Troll:: goat
Atmosphere:: sky
Guide:: dog
Leash:: dog
Dustmite:: termite

feeling: tired
listening to: Morrissey (There's a light that never goes out) wait, or is it the Smiths?
what I should be doing instead of blogging: taking out the trash

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i love my life/ the friday five

i love my life

Today was the coldest day that we've had so far this season. There were a few snow flurries and for El Paso that means total traffic chaos. I heard on the news that there were more than 50 accidents reported during the morning commute. That also means that half my family was calling me this morning telling me to be very, very careful while driving Brianna to school. You'd think I was a horrible driver or something but I understand that they're just concerned. For the long drive to school, I decided to skip the freeway and just take city streets. On the way, I passed by the place where I rented my first studio apartment and instantly felt grateful for what I now have. Have you ever been broke? I mean, really broke? That's how I was when I lived there. I made a budget for myself and set money aside for rent, car payment, insurance, furniture rental, and party money. Being on my own for the first time and of legal age, it was a perfect time to go out at least three times a week. I had a blast! In that budget I didn't feel it was important to include food. So I would spend $1 on food and head down to the 7-eleven for a 99 cent bag of Doritos or Cheetos. That and water was my dinner. Sometimes, I'd add lime and hot sauce to the chips for a change. My studio was tiny, I was on almost no sleep from work and play and my nourishment was horrible but I had so much fun that no of that even bothered me. I remember once after I'd paid everything I only had $5 left and I bought a sack of oranges with it. Driving home I was completely broke but I was listening to good music, had a full tank of gas, a sack of oranges that would last a long time, and the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Of course I wanted stuff, but knew that there was no way I could afford it. It isn't until now that I realize how great stability actually is. It's great to have others to look after and not live in a one room studio. Still, I think everyone should be that broke and clueless at least for little while in their life. It makes everything you have after that mean a whole lot more.

The Friday Five

1. Are you superstitious?
-Logic tells me that I shouldn't be, but even though I wouldn't say it out loud, I have to admit that I am. I do all the things and you're supposed to do or not do "just in case".
2. What extremes have you heard of someone going to in the name of superstition?-When I was pregnant with Alec, there was a lunar eclipse. My grandmothers, great-aunts, and co-workers made me wear silver around my stomach. I had safety pins pinned onto my skirt and an elastic band with keys tied around me. I don't remember what their reason was for doing it but I went along with it anyway.
3. Believer or not, what's your favorite superstition?
-Not to put your purse on the floor. It's supposed to make your money go faster. I won't put my purse on the floor ever (again, "just in case")
4. Do you believe in luck? If yes, do you have a lucky number/article of clothing/ritual?
-For some reason October 21st has always been a really good day for me. Something always happens on that day or right around it. I noticed the date coincidences and now look forward to the date. In 1989 and 1990, some boys I liked kissed me for the first time right on that date, 1991-1997 something awesome about my boyfriend at the time, 1998 moved back to El Paso on that very day, 1999 became good friends with Rodrigo, 2000 won $500 at work again on that date, 2001 got a promotion and an awesome schedule change that exact date, 2002 became pregnant with Alec ( found out on November 15th I was three weeks along, 2003 moved into our house.
5. Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not?
no. Won't even check my horoscope.

feeling: realizing how superstitious i really am makes me feel crazy
listening to: Britney Spears (Toxic) hey, it's on TV and yes, I have to admit I like it
what I should be doing instead of blogging: washing dishes

get to know thy neighbor/thursday threesome

Get to know thy neighbor

WHAT TIME DID YOU GO TO BED LAST NIGHT? about 1:00 am
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF WHAT WOULD IT BE? not to procrastinate so much
PAPER OR PLASTIC? plastic because I have to. they don't give out paper bags here.
WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK/MAGAZINE YOU READ? I'm reading 100 Years of Solitude right now
A TV SHOW YOU CAN’T STAND TO WATCH? any soap opera
WHAT DID YOU EAT FOR LUNCH TODAY? haven't had lunch yet
DO YOU LIKE TO BE SURPRISED? If it's a good one yes, not something like a car accident. Surprise!
WHAT COLOR IS YOUR TOOTHBRUSH? white and purple
WHAT BRAND OF DEODORANT DO YOU WEAR? Secret
YOUR FAVORITE STORE TO SHOP? Target or Michael's
WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER OR FALL? fall
FAVORITE DESSERT? crepes
WHICH ONE WOULD YOU PREFER - MAID OR PERSONAL CHEF? maid
FAVORITE CANDY? any lollipop
REGULAR OR DECAF? regular. strong.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Shogun (japanese food)
CHARACTERISTICS YOU MOST ADMIRE? funny, honest
FAVORITE HOLIDAY? Halloween
FAVORITE TIME OF DAY? 11:00pm
FRUIT OR FRUIT SMOOTHIE? smoothie
HOW MANY RINGS ARE YOU WEARING? none right now
HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR MEAT PREPARED? well done
WHAT WAS THE LAST CARD YOU SENT SOMEONE? Valentine's
WHAT RADIO STATION IS ON WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW? my yahoo radio station
ONION RINGS OR FRENCH FRIES? french fries
DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY CARDS OR BOARD GAMES? depends with who. board games with Brianna
NAILS POLISHED OR UNPOLISHED? unpolished. I can't keep polish on with all the stuff I use to make crafts and mix food
DO YOU LIKE NUTS ON YOUR SUNDAES? I hardly have sundaes, but sure
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SODA? Sprite
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH ON TV? soccer

Thurday Threesome
::The secret of being tiresome is to tell everything. --Voltaire::

Onesome- The secret of: Can you keep a secret? Have you ever blabbed? What was the consequence?
- I used to be very good at keeping secrets but now I tell a lot of them to Rodrigo. Not all of them, of course, but I think that I'm no longer a good vault. I haven't had any consequences since I don't blab about very personal things about others.

Twosome- being tiresome is: What's the one subject you get on your soapbox about?
-Again, I am a pretty easygoing person but I have a few issues that work me up (sorry it's not just one).
Child abuse: I can't understand the things that some people will do to children especially when it's their own child/children. I mean, I spend so much time trying to protect mine and know people who would love children and can't have them, so why would others who have them hurt them?
Animal abuse: I'll never preach to people to not eat meat or even about wearing leather, but I hate it when people have pets and neglect them. It also bothers me when people wear fur. I understand how some people need to have a good pair of leather shoes or belts for their durability, but fur is just plain vanity. There is no reason for it especially when faux fur looks just as well and doesn't hurt.
Religion: I will listen to anyone talk to me about any religion. I admire people who use their religion to try to become better people, as a way of coping or guidance, but I get outraged at those who carry out horrible acts and use religion as a justification.
Country: Friends have always said that I am very "I love the USA" and it's true. I talk a lot about politics and those who take their freedoms for granted. My grandparents came over here from Mexico to work hard and make a better life for themselves. Here we have opportunities that others don't. Although, I don't deny my heritage, I won't minimize my nationality either.
Bad customer service: I hate when service reps at a store, on the phone, wherever act like they're doing you a favor by helping you. That's their job. That's all I'm going to write about this for fear of starting to preach. Oh yes, I will dedicate an entire blog to this at a later time.

Threesome- to tell everything. Have you ever had to fess up or come clean about something to save your skin or someone else's?
-There's too many times to list. I've been always loyal to friends and family and so I've been asked to hide things from others many times. When these things finally surface, I am always asked, "Is it true that . . . "

feeling: i have a lot of things to do today
listening to: Stone Temple Pilots (Plush)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: turning off my music and working harder

what's on right now/ i like rodrigo

What's on . . . . right now?

What's On your 'Valentines Day Wish List' Right Now?

I guess since a date is already implied, dinner at a nice place would be good. I'm also a sucker for flowers and jewelry even though it may sound cliche. What I'd really like this year is a massage at a nice and quiet place where there are no kids allowed (I love my babies, but silence is rare now at my house). Then I'd like to take a long nap for as long as I wanted.

I like Rodrigo

After the kiddies went to sleep last night I took a bath. It was pretty late when I came out and walked into our bedroom to find Rodrigo awake in bed and staring at the wall. The weirdest conversation followed. . . .
me: "What's wrong?"
him: "Nothing. Just thinking."
me: "What are you thinking about?"
him: "Howard Dean."
me: "Howard Dean?!?! You mean you lay awake in bed to think about Howard Dean?"
him: "No, silly. It just happened." (laughs)
me: "What about him?"
him: "He went crazy."
me: "I know."
both: "Poor guy."

We then went on to imitate Dean's speech after the Iowa caucus. I'll spare you the rest since we got into politics, but what I was thinking about today is how much I enjoy any conversation that Rodrigo and I have. We can be talking about the simplest thing but always somehow manage to turn it into a comedy routine. Granted, most of the time it is really corny comedy, but funny nonetheless. I'll give you an example. This Sunday I was making sandwiches and I asked him if he was wanted his bread toasted. He said yes so I raised a glass and started saying, "To the bread. . . ." get it? A toast? Yes, I know we're silly but we have a blast everyday. I guess since we share the same stupid sense of humor, we end up liking the same things. We like the same dumb movies and shows like The Family Guy. Anyway, I have to get back to finishing up on my Valentine's Day gifts but I wanted to write about how awesome it feels to live with someone who is not only responsible and a great father but also my best friend and favorite companion. Good night.

feeling: i like Rodrigo
watching: Conan O'Brien
what I should be doing instead of blogging: working on gifts

tuesday memes/ brianna's homework

Tuesday Twosome

Love is in the air...

1. Valentine's night: Alone or have a date?
- a date

2. Candy or flowers?
- flowers. Definitely

3. Valentine's Day: Romantic day or stupid commercial day to sell Roses at insane prices?
-romantic day

4. Would you stay with someone who you no longer want to be with just so you have a date on Valentine's Day or break up?
-no. I wouldn't be able to enjoy the day with someone I don't like

5. What is your best Valentine's Day memory?
What is your worst Valentine's Day memory?
-best: last year driving around for hours looking for someplace to have dinner since Rodrigo made no reservations. I laughed soooo much while we were driving.
-worst: freshmen year in high school having no boyfriend while everyone else was walking around with balloons and flowers.


Tuesday is Chooseday

Would you rather:

Eat broken glass OR eat razor blades?
-broken glass

Be packed into an elevator with 6 very large sum wrestlers OR with 6 guys who just got out of a sauna?
-six sumo wrestlers hopefully clean

When talking, speak with a lisp OR sound like Elmer Fudd?
-talk with a lisp

Find out you were adopted and your real parents have died OR find out you were adopted and your real parents are in prison for murder?
-adopted and parents have died

Brianna's homework

Last Wednesday, Brianna was given a homework assignment. Here are the instructions: "Dear Parents, The project for the month of February consists of making a Valentine's bag for their cards. We are providing a paper bag and two pieces of construction paper. If you want to add more detail to the bag, you are more than welcome to add anything else you have around the house. The project is due on Tuesday Feb. 10, 2004." Here is what I understood by reading that: "Dear Parents, The project for February consists of making the most intricate and impressive Valentine's Day bag ever. If you love your child, you will go all out. We are providing you with a plain, brown sandwich bag and dare you to make a masterpiece out of it. We are also sending you two sheets of paper that you will have no use for. Aren't you now glad that you always buy too many things at the craft store and so have a lot of things to work with. Remember that your children are only 4 and 5 years old and they will naturally only be able to help out a little bit. This is a project that will reflect only on you when all the other parents get to see the bags on display. Good luck!" I had been thinking about what to make but couldn't come up with anything. I was just not inspired. I had like crafter's block or something. Seriously, I didn't even feel like blogging from the stress of trying to think of something spectacular. Then their teacher sent home a letter saying that Friday they will be celebrating "Friendship Day" and not to forget their Valentine's Day cards. I kept thinking about friendship and I remembered how my friends and I would cut doll shapes that would fold out and it looked like a bunch of little dolls holding hands. I figured I should do the same onto the bag. I have about a million felt squares, so I cut out 10 girls and 12 boys (the same as in Brianna's class). The actual bag was green for grass, blue for the sky, a sun, a white picket fence, a heart in the sky with Brianna's name, and I glued cardstock which I folded into an accordion to the sides of the bag. I glued a little doll onto each fold. It came out cute but took forever. Rodrigo was making fun of me saying how I always complicate a homework assignment for a five year old and turn it into an adult craft project. I didn't realize it was true until last night when I was tired of all those little felt squares. After I opened it up, they wouldn't stay standing, so I glued a lollipop stick behind four of the dolls and put a little foam square as a stand. It worked and I won't go crazy on the next project. Yeah, right. That's the same thing I said for Halloween. They gave us a construction paper pumpkin and we were to make our child's favorite storybook character out of it (meaning the face). Well, I used white paint, gold spray paint, gold trim, glitter, ribbon, and countless hours turning the pumpkin into Cinderella's carriage with a window and door that would open to reveal Cinderella. At about the middle of doing that, I was wishing I had a fairy godmother to help me out. Anyway, the homework is done and Brianna turned it in today to rave reviews. Whew.



feeling: creative
listening to: Silverchair (Ana's Song)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: picking up the big mess of craft supplies

monday madness

1. On Sunday afternoon, I like to just...
-Like to relax although it hardly ever turns out that way. I start getting ready for the week by checking what bills are due, what homework Brianna has, getting her clothes ready, etc. etc.

2. I'm behind someone at a traffic light, the light turns green and they just sit there, I...
-It happens to everyone so I don't like to honk. I just wait and I've never had to wait more than a few seconds.

3. My immediate reaction to someone making a nasty remark to me is...
-Get mad. I might not always answer back, but I definately get mad.

4. If I had to live in a state/country where it was cold most of the year, I would...
-really miss the warm El Paso weather and probably drink more coffee than I already do.

5. When the weather outside is hot and humid, I prefer to...
-stay indoors or drive with the air conditioner on

6. My favorite 'comfy' clothes to wear around the house is...
-my orange pajamas

7. If given a deadline at work/school to finish a project, I usually...
-think about how this time I'm going to work on it right away then wait until the night before it's due and start working on it

8. If someone gave me a pet for my birthday, I would...
-have bittersweet feelings since I love pets but have a no pet agreement with my lease

9. As far as watching the clock on weekends, I...
-usually don't care unless I have some place I need to go to (in which case I'm usually late)

10. I usually wash my car about every...
-pshhh. Never. My dad always ends up taking it for me. Even though I haven't lived with my parents for a while he still does that. Yes, I love my dad.

feeling: irritated! I've been on hold for 18 minutes now waiting for a service rep
listening to: "Please continue to hold. One of our agents will be with you as soon as possible"
what I should be doing instead of blogging: hopefully talking to a service rep

coffee coffee coffee

I wasn't going to write anymore tonight but I had to. I was going to go to Starbucks tonight for a book club meeting but couldn't make it. Rodrigo got home a little later than usual. Well, on the way home, he picked up some Bailey's minis. I LOVE coffee and anything that goes well with it. I was a little shocked to find out that these little bottles are 17% alcohol/volume. After not having had any alcoholic beverage during my pregnancy or while was nursing Alec, I lost any sort of tolerance to alcohol that I had. I got a little tipsy off a glass of red wine just last month. So naturally, I thought I'd be stumbling drunk after drinking this. Forgive me if I start typing non sequiturs. Anyway, I thought I let you all know that this coffee is sooooooo good. Yummy!

I usually have a song stuck in my head. Right now I have "She Bangs" playing over and over. It's not that I like that song, but Rodrigo has been imitating William Hung (of the American Idol auditions). Awww. I have to say that William has a lot of courage to have even gone through with that audition. I know I couldn't do it. I only caught the ending of the first American Idol season, saw all of season two, but I have to admit that I am really enjoying this season the most so far. Rodrigo makes it hilarious by imitating everyone he sees. Not in a mean way, he just copies exactly what they do. It's funnier than the actual auditions. Well, I'm going to have another coffee of cup now, er, Bailey's of cup, cuppies of cailey's. Kidding! Good night!

feeling: this is some good coffee
listening to: Chris Cornell (Sunshower)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: making Valentine's gifts

the friday five

Here are this week's answers to the Friday Five:

1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
-probably bungee jumping

2. What one thing would you like to try that your mother/friend/significant other would never approve of?
-I actually went bungee jumping with my mom, so I don't think there's much she wouldn't approve of. She's the one trying to convince me to skydive. I guess it would be moving out of town again. I don't think my family would like it too much because they are close to the babies.

3. On a scale of 1-10, what's your risk factor? (1=never take risks, 10=it's a lifestyle)
-A few years ago, a ten definately. I went bungee jumping, white water rafting, did the piercing thing, did the tattoo thing, moved out of state on my own, all sorts of stuff. Now with a seven month old baby, it is very low, probably like a two. I now even get annoyed at speeders and too much noise when he's asleep. My concern for his safety out-weighs my need for adrenaline.

4. What's the best thing that's ever happened to you as a result of being bold/risky?
-When I was 21, I was offered a job as a flight attendant in Phoenix. It wasn't guaranteed that I'd pass the training period (in which we were paid $100 per week) but I still moved on my own with no place to go and without knowing anyone. As a result, I got to travel to a lot of places that I would've otherwise never gone to.

5. ... and what's the worst?
-I can't think of anything, really. I guess almost getting mugged in Mexico CIty for sneaking out of the hotel. I was scared, but nothing happened so it's not that bad.

feeling: cold!
listening to: Duran Duran (Notorious)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: working harder

what was i thinking?

Today I woke up feeling like supergirl or something because I made some grandious plans. As I was working I thought, "Today, I'll work, then wake Alec, feed him, take Brianna to school, go to the store with Alec, buy items needed to make potato salad, macaroni salad, chicken salad, and cake, get home, do a couple of loads of laundry, feed Alec, boil potatoes, boil macaroni, cut up vegetables, pick up Brianna, feed Alec, finish making the salads, bake a cake, wash dishes, feed Alec, put away laundry, bathe Brianna, bathe Alec, put them to bed, then get back on the computer. I forgot to add to that list, "by the way, I'm a huge procrastinator so while at the store, I'll start looking at things that I don't need, I'll get home and notice that I have new email and decide to check it, once I'm there, I'll check on my favorite blogs to see if they've been updated, I'll find something I like and stay on the computer way longer than anticipated, then I'll be running around trying to get everything done at the last minute. I started making the food and so there was no turning back. I made all three salads from scratch and also baked a cake. I don't remember when the last time was that I chopped so much. Once I start cooking, I remember that I'm not like my grandma who can whip an entire meal in no time. Oh well, everything came out good but now I think I made too much, Guess what we're eating tomorrow and the day after that.

feeling: tired
watching: The Perfect Murder
what I should be doing instead of blogging: washing dishes

Thursday Threesome

Onesome: Anyone-- Has anyone made an impression on you lately? No, not on the national level, but at work or school or just 'around'. ...or even here on the web?
-I'd have to say Judy for her persistance in getting a book club started, Alex for redoing her whole blog while stil running a cool company, and Tommy for finding such a sweet Valentine's Day gift for his wife.

Twosome: can Miss-- Speaking of webbish things (and of course we are !), what types of things do you take a miss on at your place and chose not to post about? Just curious...
-As in dinner conversation, I try to stay away from blogging about politics and religion. I know that probably sounds cliche but those topics can really make people upset.

Threesome: a Day-- On a similar note: do you post every day? ...or just whenever? ...or is every session at the computer a spur to work up a little something?
I try to post everyday. I want to try to do the memes in the morning and actually write at night. Throughout the day something will happen and I'll think that I sound write about it but I usually just end up writing what's on my mind at the moment.

feeling: like a have a lot to do today
listening to: Coldplay (The Scientist)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: concentrating on work

what's on ... right now

I used to buy all of those "Book of Questions" books and I remember going to Village Inn (all those coffee houses were closed by that time) after work and reading them with friends. We also had a notebook that we would pass around during work hours with a few of the questions and would answer. Yes, this is what your customer service people are doing when they place you on hold. Anyway, needless to say, I love playing question games. So thanks to Tommy and his cool, cool site for helping me find a list of all these memes that I will undoubtedly join. I did the unconscious mutterings one yesterday even though it is supposed to be on Sunday. So from now on, I'll just do them on the corresponding day. Here is today's What's on ... right now:

What's On your "I'll Never Do That Again" list Right Now?
-I'll never buy another Pontiac (mine burned. Yes burned!)
-I'll never go shopping on December 23rd again
-I'll never try to sit up on something that I cannot reach again
-I'll never arrive at the airport 20 minutes before my flight leaves again
-I'll never walk about Mexico City by myself just because I'm craving jicama again

Ok, so now I'll tell you about my day. I've already mentioned that I live in El Paso so you must know that almost everyone here speaks Spanish. If they don't, they at least understand it. Today I was reminded of why "One language per sentence" has been one of my rules. I speak Spanish very fluently and want Brianna and Alec to at least know it. It was easier for me to practice since that's all my grandparents spoke but Brianna and Alec won't need to speak Spanish to my parents or in school. I don't know how well they can learn it. I only spoke Spanish to Brianna until she was three but now in school all she speaks is English and I've noticed that she often asks me to translate words to my grandmother. So, I dropped her off today and we were reminded that Wednesdays they are dismissed from school an hour early. This was the bus matron's exact quote, "Remember que ahora es Wednesday, eh?" I understood, but it bothers me. It is such a bad custom in border cities to speak that way. I mean, we actually have a bilingual radio station here. My mom is very guilty of this style of speech saying phrases like, "Voy a hacer vacuum." I made it a point to correct anyone in my household who did this today. I was pleased to notice that Brianna will respond in Spanish when spoken to in Spanish and the same with English. Rodrigo just speaks English anyway, and as for Alec, he gave still only speaks "baby". Good night! (Buenas noches!)

feeling: I want to take a bath and read
listening to: Dido (White Flag)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: relaxing in a warm bath

unconscious mutterings

I just found this site today and I decided to start playing. I am now player #89. Yay! This whole thing is free association. You know, when someone tells you a word and you say the first thing that comes into your head. It's pretty cool. If you want to join the game, you can find it on LunaNina. So, here are my answers:

I say ... and you think ... ?

Ignore:: shell (don't ask)
Death:: grave
Missy:: Elliott (yeah, yeah, I don't want to hear it)
Ballet:: dancer
Guest:: room
Campus:: college
Lonely:: only the lonely
Company:: party
Helicopter:: blade
Sterile:: Darryl (I knew a guy named Darryl and I called him "sterile")

Ok, so I checked all my responses and the analysis that I am a super genius. :P Have a great night everyone!

feeling: not mad (even though Rodrigo thinks so) I'm just thinking
watching: The Tonight Show
what I should be doing instead of blogging: washing dishes

punxsutawney yvett

I was walking Brianna to the bus stop today and all of a sudden the right side of my blouse tore off. Oops. Just another one of those wardrobe malfunctions. Luckily, I was wearing a sun shaped pasty and no one really saw anything. What? It was an accident and not planned at all. I knew I should've gone back inside when I saw my shadow.
Alright, it's out of my system now. Hopefully it is out of everyone's system as well and I will no longer have to hear or read about Janet Jackson's boob. Ok, just a little bit more . . . . .Come on, I mean, do they really want us to think that it was an accident? I can just imagine Justin Timberlake brainstorming, "How can I out-do that Britney/Madonna kiss?I know!" Also, what, does Janet Jackson wear pasties all the time? I'm not a prude or anything, but I definately think that it was a very tasteless "accident". Hillarious because of the backlash, but tasteless nonetheless.
Well, anyway, six more weeks of winter, huh? I'm still waiting for winter to arrive here. It usually snows here at least once throughout the winter, but not this year, or season rather. Last week I saw a few people wearing shorts. That's ridiculous since we are only in the upper 50's. Maybe those people were visiting from Minnesota or something. Well, that's it for tonight.

feeling: super thirsty
watching: The Tonight Show
what I should be doing instead of blogging: putting away laundry

alec

For those of you who heard my audiopost, first of all, if you've never heard me before, you'll probably be surprised at how much I sound like a 12 year old. What can I say? I'm so close to 12 that my voice hasn't even changed yet. Anyway, here is picture of the toy that Alec was in during that audio blog. If you haven't heard it yet, well, go listen. Good bye for now. I'll write more later tonight.

audio post powered by audblog

sunday blog about nothing

I did the whole 100 Things about me thing all over again today and submitted it to the 100 Things webring only to find out that they are not accepting new sites at the moment. ARGH! Double ARGH! I feel like I did all that work for nothing. Today I also added a new template to this site. Do you like it? I've already mentioned that I am very computer illiterate so this took a very long for me to set up. I have to admit that the blogger support is very helpful. That and also the fact that if I don't understand something, I ask Rodrigo. I want to do it myself, though, so I try not to ask him for too much.

I think it was last Thursday that I saw the new Pepsi commercial with Britney Spears, Beyonce, Pink and Enrique Iglesias. I didn't like it because I think they butcher Queen's "We Will Rock You". I was talking about how bad it was and I played it for Rodrigo. His response to the ad was, "Britney's hot". Uh. . . not at all what I was talking about. I didn't watch the Superbowl today. I'll watch it for the commercials and halftime sometimes but not this year. This year I was a dork stuck to my computer. I felt lazy all day because I woke up late. The more I sleep, the lazier I feel. I slept in today and was having a weird dream where my friend Denise was looking through my bathroom cabinets and my friend Gloria was in the kitchen complaining because she wanted chicken. I know my friend Alma was in my dream too but I can't remember what she was doing.

Brianna likes spending the weekend at my mom's and I went to pick her up today. It's weird going to the house that is no longer my house. My old bedroom in which I spent sooooo much time in is now a playroom for the grandkids. My brother's old bedroom is now a TV room. Brianna was playing in my old room today and I went in to play with her. It looks so different now. It is no longer the room in which I use to lock myself in, listen to music, do homework, and wait for my boyfriend to come to the window and whisper so as not to wake my parents. I felt a bit nostalgic but have to admit that I love my new adult big bedroom which I am slowly learning how to share. I'm heading there now. Good night.

Here is a gratuitous picture of Alec.

feeling: sleepy
listening to: Dave Matthews Band (The Space Between)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: sleeping

ARGH!!!!!

I was working on my "100 Things list". I took a tremendously long time and just as I was done and was publishing the page, I got a message reading that the connection was lost and I'd have to repeat the action. ARGH!!!!!! I don't feel like doing it over right now so I guess I'll redo it tomorrow. Lesson learned: save your work.

feeling: distempered!
listening to: my blood boiling and steam blowing out of my ears