Thursday, April 29, 2004

no title

A couple of friends told me that the last entry I made was mean. I didn't mean to be rude about it, but I guess it just came out that way. Sorry. I was annoyed when I wrote and I guess it came across. Sorry again.
It was my turn to be the horrible mom today. I went to pick up Brianna at her bus stop and an ice-cream truck was there. I guess the man decided that this would be a perfect spot for him to park. Two bus loads of 4 and 5 year olds stop there and they ALL WANT ICE CREAM. When the kids got out of the bus, the ice cream truck music hypnotized them and they all had to have ice cream. I could hear moms saying that they didn't bring any money, that they have ice cream at home, etc. but the kids paud no attention. There was a chorus of "Please mommy, please, PLEASE!" There was crying, begging, and fits. Then Brianna tells me that she wants some ice cream. We do have some at home but the reason I refused was that I could imagine that by the time we got home, there'd be a huge mess of melted ice cream on our new car's backseat. Is that mean of me? Anyway, she's always been pretty good at accepting a "No", but not today. Today I got a "Please momma, please". Ugh. I felt like a wicked mom that deprives her child of simple pleasures. I explained and she understood but I still felt like the evil stepmom for a while.
Then she made me cry in the car. On the way home, we always talk about her day. I asked her how lunch was. She said ok. I asked her what she ate and she said "Some bread, my mashed potatoes, some fruit and some chocolate milk". I asked her about the chicken since I know she loves chicken and she started crying. I didn't know what was wrong. She said she only had a spoon today and "You can't eat chicken with a spoon". She was crying because she said the chicken looked really good and she really wanted some. Aww. I was driving and she couldn't see me, but I got a few tears. I let her know it was alright and she could always just ask for a fork.
Sometimes I feel like if I made her start school too early, but I really wanted her to be ready for kindergarden. I started at the same age. I feel better when I think of all the things she's learned and all the new friends she's made.

Before I close, does anyone know how to use Friday Free-for-all on blogger? I really wanted to put a Free-for-all today so that any of you could be guest writers on my blog today. The tutorial to set up a guest account on the Free-for-all page is only for moveable type, though.

Well, have a great Friday!

feeling: relaxed
watching: Conan O'Brien
what I should be doing instead of blogging: getting clothes ready for tomorrow

Tuesday, April 27, 2004

supermom

Today Rodrigo and I attended the first of our "Ready to be Ready" classes. This is a course designed to help us prepare newborns and toddlers be ready for when they enter school. Since today was the introductory class, all the parents that were there did a lot of sharing. Some more than others. There was a young girl that kept talking and talking. Now, I don't want to sound snobby (although I probably might) but I attend a lot of the classes and school functions and I've NEVER seen this girl there before. Anyway, she kept telling everyone about all the great stuff she does for her son, all the values she's instilling in him, how she always talks to her son about everything, yada, yada, yada. She went on and on about how she communicates very well with her 4 year old. Anything the instructor would talk about, this girl had an example. She did everything but say that she was Mom of the Year or Supermom.
At the end of the class, we all made a sock puppet for our kids. We were handed socks and there were boxes of felt, thread, yarn, beads, buttons, etc. At the far right of the room, there was a cart with two hot glue guns. Rodrigo and I started making the puppet and were messing around talking about Sifl and Ollie while Supermom was trying to make Super Sock Puppet. She was the only one there with her child (but that's ok because she's super) and she kind of ignored him while making the best looking puppet. I sewed some stuff and glued the rest and was done. Supermom then went to the cart and forgot to mention to her son that the glue guns were hot. He touched one, screamed, cried, and she dragged him to the bathroom to run his hand under running water. I felt so bad for the little boy. You'd think that since she talks to him about everything, "Don't touch a hot glue gun" would've been one of the things she told him. He ended up with a blister but was ok. After that Supermom became Quietmom but not before scolding her son in the hall. I felt so bad for him. You know, I would've had no problem with the girl if she didn't try to turn the whole class into "Reasons why I'm a good mom". Even if she had and I saw that she was really paying attention to her son it wouldn't have been so bad. She came across as just really needing attention or praise or something. Yikes! Psych 101.
We went to my mom's to pick up Brianna and Alec and when we got home, Alec started crawling. He's been rolling around for a while now but hadn't crawled until today. Instantly, as if we'd had anything to do with it, Rodrigo and I became Supermom and Superdad in our own minds. Yea for my crawling baby.

What's on . . .right now?

What's On your shopping list Right Now?
Things that I have run out of within the past couple of days: milk, soy sauce, apple juice, vinegar, rice, lettuce, and apples.

feeling: sleepy
watching: Conan O'Brien
what I shoule be doing instead of blogging: sleeping

Monday, April 26, 2004

links for today

Work has been really slow lately and so I've had time to catch up on my favorite blogs and also look through various sites. Here are some of the things that have caught my eye lately . . . .
Do you have a GMail account yet? Google is now offering email. If you're a blogger user, then I'm sure you've already been offered one. I'm happy that I got one before all the names are taken. Then again, I usually don't have trouble finding availability with "helloyvetty".
I'm so glad that the Pixies are back together! On today's Yahoo Daily Picks, I love Pixies was a featured site. It reminds me of high school when I wanted to be the next Kim Deal.
Going through various blogs today, I found some pictures of Bubble Tea on the Da *Xiang site. Ok, I've never had it but it looks soooooooo good! Especially the rose milk tea. I immediately went searching for recipes. I LOVE tea and can't wait to make some of this. Here's the problem: if I want to drink tepache or horchata, I'm in the right city. For bubble tea, uh, that could be a while. I saw the ingredients that it needs and I think I have no choice but to order online. Oh well. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer.
Another thing on my mind right now is Brianna's hair. I've NEVER cut it before and I love it! I don't know where she got the curlies from but I think it's beautiful. Here's a picture.

Anyway, she wants to cut it. I've been putting it off and so far convincing her that it looks really pretty just the way it is. No one really wants me to have her hair cut but I feel mean. I mean, I always cut my hair and it's no big deal. It'll grow back, but I just love the way her hair is now. Am I being selfish?
Well, I'm going to work on memes and that's it for now. I didn't do Monday Madness this week because I just couldn't think of words.

Tuesday Twosome
Sleep:

1. Side of the bed: Left or Right?
-left

2. Sleep with or without covers?
-with covers. ALWAYS. I can't sleep if I'm not covered.

3. Sleep with or without night light?
-without light

4. Deep or light sleeper?
-terribly light sleeper

5. More annoying to be awoken by: alarm or phone call?
-I've never minded phone calls in the middle of the night. I mind my mom calling early on a Sunday morning. Still, an alarm is always more annoying.

TV Tuesday
1. Who is your favorite stand-up comedian of all time?
-I have a few. I love Louis Black and Jeanine Garafalo but the first time I saw Dana Carvey singing "Chopping Broccoli" I had a laugh attack. I also really like Chris Rock's stand-up routine.

2. Which one could you do without? (Not your type of humor, or just plain stupid!)
-Adam Sandler & Gallagher. What's so funny about bashing watermelons?

3. Which comedian do you think has gone on to have a great career aside from doing stand-up?
-Jerry Seinfeld.

~Bonus~ If you went to a comedy club on amateur night, and they gave you some jokes and a microphone, would you go onstage?
-no. Some people can really deliver a joke. I'm not one of those people. All my jokes start something like "A ____ walks into a bar."


feeling: hot
watching: Late Night w/ Conan O'Brien
what I should be doing instead of blogging: putting away clean dishes







Saturday, April 24, 2004

unconscious mutterings

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

Elastic: band
Intervention: drunk
Risk: factor
Junk food: potato chips
Arrogance: conceit
Responsibility: children
X: Malcolm
Marshall: Mathers
Kill: Bill
Brother: Bear

trike-a-thon

Brianna's Trike-a-Thon was held yesterday. It was to benefit St. Jude's Children's research Hospital, so it was for a very good cause. We were asked to make a flat donation since the participating kids are only 4-5 years old and wouldn't be riding very many laps. They designed a little city for the kids to ride around. Different classes built various "buildings" to place around the city. The kids' favorite was a car wash. They had to ride through the car wash and then one of the coaches would mist some water on them. It was a little windy so some of the buildings were moving, but it was good overall. I took a few pictures and you can see them here. Well, I'm going to get some coffee now so that I may be able to function. Have a great Saturday all!

feeling: about to start my day
listening to: Jimmy Eat World (Sweetness)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: laundry

Friday, April 23, 2004

rough nights

We've had a rough couple of nights. I was sick last week and unfortunately, I got Alec sick too. He's been waking up throughout the night for the past two nights. I feel awful because he can't express how he feels. I think his throat hurts because he cries when he coughs and has hardly wanted to eat. I wish I would just get sick again instead of him. This morning he was "talking" a lot and seems to be in a better mood but he's still coughing. I just hope that Brianna doesn't get it too.
Today is Brianna's trike-a-thon. She's been reciting the rules all week. Yesterday the whole time we were driving she kept saying, "Rule #1: Never ride on the street". . . . Also yesterday as we were driving to the bus stop, I was listening to "Black" from Pearl Jam and Brianna asked me if I could change that "old people music". I was shocked! She told me that she wanted "her type of music". I flipped through stations until she heard Avril Lavigne and said, "there!". She sang along to "Complicated" and then to "It's my Life" from No Doubt. So now it's confirmed, I'm old. I listen to old crooners like Eddie Vedder. You know, I didn't have a say as to what we heard in the car when I was that age. I was stuck with Donna Summer, Neil Diamond, or whatever my mom felt like listening to. It was worse when my dad was driving because I had to hear "Los Bukis" or whatever Spanish ballad singers were on. Ugh. Anyway, I better get back to work. Ooh, wait, memes! Have a good Friday everyone!

Thursday Threesome
A geek-- Hey, who handles tech support at your place? You? ...the six year old? ...or someone from outside? ...and how about in your web space? No, we're not looking for techs; we're just curious .
-Rodrigo. He works in IT so he has to.

in the-- computer? Just a curiosity for the designer types: what Operating System are you running? ...and which browser? Since sites can show up differently in different browsers it's more than a casual question.
-the operating system is XP Professional and the browser is Internet Explorer 6.0

Family-- Do any family members read your place? Do they care? Do they have a clue? ...and how about your 'off line' friends? ...or do you supply a little bit of separation there?
-my brother's girfriend and about three offline friends will occasionally visit and not leave any comments. when we're together and they say something funny they ask if I'm going to "blog about it". most friends are just like, "how do you find the time?!?!?" Rodrigo just thinks it's cute but never reads it.


feeling: I wish I was still in bed
listening to: The Sundays (Here's Where the Story Ends)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: reading work emails

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

hello!

Hello all my online buddies! I've missed reading your pages. So, I used to be very consistent in updating my blog, but lately I feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day to do all I have to do! I wish I had super powers and I could just freeze time for a couple of hours and do stuff. Last Thursday was the only evening that I really had time to waste and all I did was o.d. on reality tv. I watched American Idol, Survivor All-Stars and the Apprentice. This past weekend we bought a car. Yea! I finally have another car. Yes, the minivan got me around but I'm just not a "minivan" type of girl. I'm now driving around in a Honda Civic which is still not as sporty as I would like but I don't mind since I'm a mom now. Today I got all the insurance stuff settled and I think we're good to go.
Brianna has had a huge load of homework. You'd think that a five year old pre-k student wouldn't have homework. I guess she doesn't in a way. It's more like work for me. This weekend she had "the literacy bag" to turn in on Monday. She has a "letter B" project to turn in tomorrow, a "trike-a-thon" on Friday, a "Day of the Young Child" celebration on the 30th in which I have to read books in English & Spanish to the students or do some face painting, and the "Wee Wizards" science fair the first week of May. I've been spending time online trying to find a suitable project for her. I've found a lot of interesting ones but they seem a bit complicated for a five year old. Plus, she has to make a 3-5 minute presentation, so I want to make sure she understands. If any of you have any ideas, please share. Oh! I also have a "Building Self-Esteem" seminar on Thursday at her school. Whew, I don't remember being this busy at that age. Oh well, that's what I get for wanting to be involved.
Anyway, that's what I've been doing. Plus, yesterday I spent the day at my grandma's "helping" her make gorditas. Ok, it was more like helping her eat them, but I had every intention of helping her make them. I wanted to learn, but it's just too much work. She makes them from scratch and they're the real kind not at all like those wraps they sell at Taco Bell and call gorditas. In the short while that I was there, she made the gorditas, some meat and beans to fill them with, fideo, chicharrones in a green chile sauce, salsa, and salad. It would've taken me all day to make just one of those things. Anyway, I want to take some time to catch up on memes and catch up on reading your blogs. Ahhh. It's good to be here again.

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

-Virginia: Wolfe
-Soft: velvet
-Carol: Christmas
-Vanity: Fair
-Feminist: lesbian (sorry, that was my first thought)
-Alias: Jennifer Garner
-Coward: cartoon (dog)
-Beer: suds
-Chance: meeting
-Honest: Abe

Monday Madness
Pick a letter; any letter.........Got one?
.....
.....
.....
.....
Ok, for the following questions, each of your answers must begin with the letter you chose.......Have fun!! =)

1. If you were limited to 3 things to pack for an overnight trip, what would you pack?
-sweater, socks, sneakers
2. What 3 things would you pack in your picnic basket?
-snacks, soup, saltines
3. What are 3 things you'd rather do than go to work?
-sleep, snore, shower
4. Name 1 song.
-Sweet Home Alabama
5. Name 1 movie.
-Sleeping Beauty

Tuesday Twosome
Would you rather...

1. Win the lottery or have a guarantee that your family would be together forever?
-A guarantee that my family would be together forever.

2. Have a makeover for yourself or for a dear friend?
-sorry, but for myself. "None of my friends need a makeover".

3. Work out at the gym or have plastic surgery to remove the "ick"?
-if price were not an option, plastic surgery

4. If you are single or when your were single, would you rather have a blind date or go out with a someone you are friend with first?
-friend. Any boyfriend I've had has been a friend first

5. Win an Extreme makeover or an Extreme Home makeover?
-if I weren't leasing, a home makeover

TV Tuesday
1. Who is your favorite (past or present) TV cop?
-Detectives Benson & Stabler from Law & Order SVU

2. Which TV cop do you think was the most crooked, or the most inept?
-Don Knotts in the Andy Griffith Show. His name was Barney, no? Sorry, I never saw it.

3. Which TV show had the best ensemble cast of police officers?
-Any of the Law & Order shows. I love them all!

~Bonus~ You need to hire a bodyguard for yourself. Which TV cop do you choose?
-Detective Tuttuola (Ice-T) from Law & Order SVU. He looks like he'd beat anyone up.

What's on... right now?
What's On your keychain Right Now?
-I've never kept a lot of keys on a keychain or kept a bunch of keychains. My keychain is really cute. Brianna brought it to me from Disneyland last summer (I couldn't go because I was busy having a baby). It is one big star with Sleeping Beauty's castle, three little stars, and Tinkerbell hanging from the star. From the castle I have the key to my mom's house, from the three stars, the key to my house, and from Tinkerbell the key to my car (um, my *new* Civic). The only other thing is a clasp that fits into the diaper bag. I hook it onto there and ALWAYS know where my keys are!


feeling: I like Rodrigo
watching: Conan O'Brien
what I should be doing instead of blogging: nothing. I should be blogging

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

feeling better

I feel much better today. Thanks for all of your warm wishes. I'm trying to look for a bright side of having been sick. One good thing that happens each time is that I lose weight. I guess all that "not being hungry for days at a time and even if I ate it would taste like cardboard" pays off. This morning I put on a denim skirt I have and it was so lose I could spin it around me while it was buttoned. It's a nice feeling but a heck of a way to lose a few pounds. I'd rather not lose the weight and not feel as horribly as I did the last couple of days.
So, my tastebuds are working once again and just in time! My grandfather used to sell produce and there was a guy who would sometimes help him make some deliveries. After my grandpa passed away, the guy told my grandma that he was going to open up a small "bodega" to sell produce. Now this little place is a bodega/market/restaurant and he just opened up a second shop. I love taking my grandma there because they have really good produce at a ridiculously low price. Plus, the food from the restaurant section is delicious! So, today I wasn't going to buy anything and I ended up buying potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, cantaloupe, grapefruit, key limes, and my favorite: jicama! We just had some with salt and lime. Yum! In warm weather if I had nothing to eat and drink but jicama and lemonade, I'd be just fine. My grandma bought some "jamaica" which is another drink I love. "Agua de jamaica" is a drink made from dried hibiscus flowers; a staple at my grandma's during the summer. It's delicious! Can you tell that I hadn't eaten for days?

Thursday Threesome
Onesome: Insomnia-- Ever have it? Some do and some don't, but have you ever been hounded awake for that endless hour after hour with no hope of sleep? ...or does the very act of touching head to pillow put you out for the count?
-I haven't had insomnia ever since I had Alec, but yes, I've had it before.

Twosome: the cure-- Hey, if you do have the occasional bout or chronic insomnia, what do you do about it? Work? Read? Try cures? Hmmm... Did you ever find one that worked?
-I try watching tv or reading but the one thing that always helps is when I get up and clean.

Threesome: for sleep-- Female/male, young/not so young, we all need varying amounts of sleep. What's your personal sleep cycle? Five hours? Ten hours? ...and if you had a choice, what would be your personal sleep cycle? ...and yes, "All day long" is a valid answer
-I honestly get about 4-5 hours a night. I'd like to be able to get at least six hours but first I'd like to sleep for an entire weekend.


feeling: the sun is out and I'm no longer sick!
watching: Law & Order
what I should be doing instead of blogging: looking for keylime pie recipe

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

catching up

I was still sick last night. My throat felt like it was on fire and my whole body felt like I'd been beaten. Rodrigo has been great. I hadn't had anyone take care of me when I was sick for a long time. It feels good and honestly makes me feel a little spoiled. I still feel a bit achy but I had to take Brianna to school, so I decided to get up and clean up around here. It's amazing how much housework piles up when you don't do it for a couple of days. Anyway, I started doing that, but I'm feeling super weak. I'm just sitting here now and decided to catch up on the blogs I read and look over the memes I play. Again, I'll try to write more later if I feel up to it.

Friday Five (on a Tuesday!)
1. What do you do for a living?
-online bilingual customer service

2. What do you like most about your job?
- I get to stay at home with my kids

3. What do you like least about your job?
-I swore I'd never do customer service again but here I am

4. When you have a bad day at work it's usually because _____...
-it's a very slow day

5. What other career(s) are you interested in?
-I'd love to be a teacher, have my own business, or write

Unconscious Mutterings
  1. Boxing:: match
  2. Lewis:: & Clarke
  3. Bodyguard:: Whitney Houston
  4. Burnout:: pothead
  5. Cruising:: Las Vegas strip
  6. Easter:: bunny
  7. AA:: Alcoholics Anonymous
  8. Research:: paper
  9. Redemption:: Shawshank
  10. Snickers:: bar (candybar)


Monday Madness
Let's do something with colors this week....Each question will begin with 'What color is your favorite.......'

1. Vegetable: green
2. Beverage: yellow, greenish (lemonade)
3. Room: white
4. Outfit: black
5. Mood: uh rainbow, I guess
6. Season: brown & orange
7. Fruit: red
8. Dessert: brown, beige, caramel
9. Pair of shoes: tan
10. Color????: baby blue

Tuesday Twosome
Taxes:
1. "Eek, I owe" or "Show me the money!"
-this year it was still "show me the money"

2. "Finished already" or "It isn't the 15th yet, so why rush?!"
-finished already

3. "Taxes suck" or "I don't mind because some of it goes to social causes"
-I don't mind

4. "1040EZ" or "How the heck does anybody understand all this crap?"
-how the heck....

5. "Receipts? What are those?" or "I keep everything just in case *knock on wood*"
-what are those?

TV Tuesday
1. Is there a game show (past or present) you think you would do really well on, as a contestant?
-There used to be a show on VH1 called "Name that Video" and I always knew all the answers. Even my mom used to say I should've been on that show.

2. Is there a game show you think is the stupidest thing you've ever seen?
-I don't remember the name of it but it was on no longer than a couple of years ago on ABC where the contestant couldn't have their blood pressure rise or something. ARGH. I wish I remembered the name.

3. Is there a game show you watch, but don't like to admit to watching? (A guilty pleasure!)
-I hate to admit but I'd sometimes watch "Change of Heart". Do dating shows count as game shows? I'd also watch "Press your Luck" I loved when the contestants would say "no whammy. no whammy, no whammy".

~Bonus~ Who is your favorite game show host? Who is your least favorite?
-favorite would have to be Ben Stein. Least favorite Louie Anderson.

Found this quiz via Giao.

Grammar God!
You are a GRAMMAR GOD!


If your mission in life is not already to
preserve the English tongue, it should be.
Congratulations and thank you!


How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

It had to be. I didn't major in unemployment, I mean, English literature for nothing.

feeling: still a little sick
listening to: Elastica (Connection)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: resting



Monday, April 12, 2004

posts

I hope you are having a better Monday than I am. I'm sick. I had fever all last night and kept having nightmares. I'd feel cold then hot. Rodrigo gave me medicine and lend me one of his sweatshirts. My head and entire body was hurting so much that I started crying. I'll write more tonight if I feel up to it but I wanted to apologize for publishing all the posts all at once. I wasn't in the mood and didn't have time to edit this weekend and I just kept saving drafts. So now you'll see entries from Thursday through Sunday. I took a few pictures and will add them maybe later tonight. Right now Alec is napping and that's what I'm going to do as well.

feeling: sick
watching: The View
what I should be doing instead of blogging: napping

Sunday, April 11, 2004

eggs in the mud

It's still raining here! It's still cold! ARGH! Brianna wasn't able to wear the Easter outfit that I had planned for her to wear and we had an indoor Easter celebration. The kids were desperate to go outside, but it rained consistently throughout the day, so they were stuck inside. I had saved about a million eggshells and I asked, "What? Are we going to hide eggs in the mud?" For some reason everyone thought that was really funny. We were at my mom's house and considered hiding them throughout the house but then thought of the mess of confetti we'd leave on the carpet. We decided to save them for May 2 when we will be having a surprise party for my brother (he doesn't read this). The kids loved the baskets I made for them, I mean, that the Easter bunny brought them. Rodrigo and I were picking at the jellybeans while I was making the baskets. I bought the starburst kind and they were good! Usually the kids are the only ones who get goodies for Easter but this year, I unexpectedly received a tea kettle with two serving trays and a pair of Burbury print shoes. Yes, the Easter bunny loved me this year. I've been eating all weekend and once again the food was good. My dad grilled steaks and we had deviled eggs, pasta salad, regular salad, charro beans, potato salad, and I took carrotcake and coffee. Yum. The only bad thing about today is that I am in fact getting sick. I feel horribly achy and have a headache. I'm trying to fight it but I don't think I'll be able to for much longer. I'm going to take yet another bath.

I hope you all had a good Easter!

feeling: sick
listening to: Prince (Musicology)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: taking medicine

Saturday, April 10, 2004

congratulations!

My friend Alma got married today! I've had the invitation for the "informal outdoor celebration" for a while now. I knew exactly what I was going to wear but then the weather around here changed. We reached a high in the mid 50's and it been raining even hailing in some parts of the city. It rained all morning and we decided not to take Alec. Brianna had already said that she didn't want to go and instead chose to go riding around with my parents in their new car. Anyway, we got to the wedding and I was wearing open shoes. When I got out of the car, I stepped into a huge puddle. There was nowhere else to walk. So, my feet were completely submerged in freezing water. I hope I don't get sick but I already feel achy. We walked in and Bruce (groom) and Alma were freaking out. The rain stopped and everyone started getting everything ready outside again. It was a lovely wedding except for the fact that it was cold. I had a chance to talk to some friends I hadn't seen in a while and we had some good food. Overall, it was a very good day. I wish the weather would've been different for Alma, but well, no one can say that her wedding won't be memorable.

feeling: achy
listening to: No Doubt (Bathwater)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: taking a warm bath

Friday, April 09, 2004

good friday

Today we gathered at my grandma's house. It was my grandma, her two sisters, my mom, my dad, my brother, his girlfriend, my nephew, my cousin, her friend, the friend's grandmother, Brianna, Rodrigo, Alec and me. The ladies made a ridiculous amount of food. We had lentils, enchiladas, pipian, baked flounder, Spanish rice, salad, capirotada, and of course jalapenos with carrots in vinegar. I had the salad, flounder, and rice since I don't really like anything else. It had been a long time since we had all gotten together to eat and we had a good time. My grandmother started playing a cd which made the older ladies get sort of weepy thinking about their late husbands. Then the ladies fought over who would wash the dishes. This ALWAYS happens each time my family gets together. For some reason each of the ladies wants to wash the dishes and wants the others to sit and rest. I remember thinking about how I'd never argue with someone who wanted to wash the dishes. I thought I'd say "go ahead" and be glad. When everyone came over to my house for dinner, though, I felt embarrassed when they wanted to wash the dishes. I told them, "No, that's ok, I'll do it" and so I became one of them. My grandma ended up winning and washing them. My mom won on Friday and washed those. Well, I think I'll go outside and water the lawn or something. I"m still full and can't stand to be sitting for another minute!

feeling: full
listening to: Incubus (Warning)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: exercising
listening to:

Thursday, April 08, 2004

a new car!

I've mentioned that now that my brother and I have moved out, my parents are acting like newlyweds. Well, today they bought a car. Not a family car like the van we used to have, no, they bought a Pontiac uh, Sunfire, I think. It's a two door silver car. Just for the two of them. I moved out of there a while ago, but my brother was there until last fall. Since then, my parents have redone the house, started an exercise program together, and all sorts of things. I tell them that they were just waiting for us to be out of there.
Oh! Alec fell asleep. Yea! HE FELL ASLEEP BEFORE MIDNIGHT! I'm going to take advantage of this and go to sleep too!

feeling: sleepy
listening to: nothing now. everything is quiet
what I should be doing instead of blogging: SLEEPING!

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

my surprise!

I read in blogs such as Lora's and Vanessa's about how they've received goodies in the mail and think, "Sniff, sniff, nobody loves me exept for the gas, electric, phone, and water companies." I'd never gotten a surprise goody in the mail. Then lo and behold, today I received a package from the wonderful Alice at The Carrotbox sending me a bonus ring. I LOVE IT! I've ordered a few rings from Alice so this was a great surprise. Plus, it's black & red which I have a lot of. Yea!
Sorry the picture is bad, I tried taking a good one, but that's the best I got. The middle is a red rose. Isn't it lovely?
As you may figure out, I love jewelry. I think necklaces are my favorite, but with these rings, I'm quickly becoming a ring fan. Although I like jewelry, when I saw this picture of a new "eye jewel", I think these people went too far. Yes, I did the piercing and the tattoo thing, but a jewel inserted underneath the cornea? Ouch? I wonder if this thing stays in there forever or what? You know, I thought I was "unshockable" and that I'd be the cool mom to my kids but if they wanted jewels inserted into their eyes, I think I'd freak. I wonder what kinds of things are going to be trendy when Brianna and Alec are teenagers.

Time to play! . . . . .

Thursday Threesome
Onesome: Home- What's the one thing your dream home must have?
-One thing? I have a whole list, but I guess I'll pick a big kitchen.

Twosome: improvement- What's the one thing you would change about your current home? New bed, couch? New carpet or wallpaper? Or something major like an addition?
-new couches

Threesome: shows- Do you ever watch home improvement shows? Which one(s)? Do you actually learn anything, or is it simply entertaining?
-yes mostly the decorating shows too many to name and I do learn stuff. If nothing else, I get ideas.

feeling: super sleepy
watching: Late night w/ Conan O'Brien
what I should be doing instead of blogging: sleeping (if only Alec would fall asleep!)



Tuesday, April 06, 2004

rambling

I know this sounds like I'm just jealous, but when I read this article today, I have to admit that I was upset. Jennifer Lopez's mom won a 2.4 million dollar jackpot playing $1 slots. All I could think was, "Why was she playing in the first place?" Yes, good for her and her luck, but come on, she doesn't need the money. I'd be really happy for her if she was going to give it to charity. I think Jennifer Lopez has enough money to make sure that her nieces, nephews, and future children get their education paid for. That's like saying that Donald Trump won the lottery and expecting people to be happy for him.
Ok, enough of that. Now onto Easter stuff. Not until last year did I realize that not everyone saves eggshells for Easter. My friend told me that she always just dyes hard-boiled eggs and had no idea that we dyed the shells, filled them with confetti and cracked them on each others' heads. I've done that all my life and just took it for granted. Anyway, onto Easter projects, I've already mentioned that I'm making baskets and I was planning on making tiny little baskets for Brianna's classmates. Gerber baby foods now come in little plastic containers as well as jars and I've been saving the containers for little baskets. This is the one time that I was actually glad that I procrastinated. We received a letter from the school asking that we please send six "cascarones" (eggshells) washed, dyed, and filled with confetti and to please refrain from sending any other candies, treats, or gifts since they will not be having an Easter party but and egg hunt. ARGH! I already had everything ready but ended up making them for my nephew to take to his daycare. All I did was cut little squares of tissue paper in pastel colors and decoupauge them onto the little container, fill the container with some Easter grass and jellybeans then make labels with my nephew's name and tie them with ribbon. I'm sure all the two-year olds will love them. The camera was charging and I made them in a mad rush so there are no pictures, sorry. Do you all have any Easter traditions?

What's on . . . right now?
What's On your outside thermometer Right Now? (I realize not everyone has an outside thermometer; what's the weather like right now where you live?) What season are you in?

It is currently 77 degrees here. For the past couple of weeks, we were already up to the upper 80's and EVERYONE was wearing summer clothes. Then it rained yesterday and the day before and it's really cooled down. Hey, I live in El Paso, I consider 70 degree weather cool.

Details
I found this at a page called Generation Exhausted while surfing through blogs and I thought I'd do it. Let me know if you do it on your page!

Details

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4. Write down what it says:
-"Listen, Wendy. I know this important so can I call you back after I ..... (from Amy Tan's The Bonesetter's Daughter)

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?
-computer speaker

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
-Late Night with Conan O'Brien

4. WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is.
-11:55

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
-12:01am

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
-the tv

7. When did you last step outside? what were you doing?
-about an hour ago, throwing out some trash

8. Before you came to this website, what did you look at?
-Generation Exhausted

9. What are you wearing?
-a red skirt and blouse, a Carrotbox ring (shoes are now off)

10. Did you dream last night?
-yes, that Rodrigo was on the Ellen DeGeneres show but Ellen was really Rosie O'Donnell. Hmm, what does that say about me?

11. When did you last laugh?
-a few minutes ago at Conan O'Brien's impression of Donald Trump

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
-two air vents and a floral arrangement

13. Seen anything weird lately?
-rain on one side of the freeway and no rain on the other

14. Last movie you saw?
-The Aristocats

15. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first?
-I'd go car shopping but would probably end up buying other stuff along the way. Clothes, I guess.

16. Tell me something about you that I don't know.
-I'm terrified of werewolves

17. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
-find cures for cancer and aids

18. Do you like to dance?
-yes.

19. George Bush: is he a power-crazy nutcase or someone who is finally doing something that has needed to be done for years?
-oh no, I'm sooo not answering this unless you're ready to sit there and read for about two hours

20. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
-she was. I wanted to name her Brianna and I named her Brianna

21. [Same question for a boy]
-Cristian, (Rodrigo wouldn't hear of that name for Alec)

22. Would you ever consider living abroad?
-only for a few months. I'm too "I love the USA" to ever move


feeling: this is GOOD coffee!
listening to: The London Symphony Orchestra (Allegro from Symphony No. 27 in G)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: getting ready for early start tomorrow!

Monday, April 05, 2004

10 years

It was about the time that I was in sixth grade that I started listening to my own radio. I knew disco and Neil Diamond from my mom and rock music from my uncles. What I liked were groups like Duran Duran and U2. I'd had my own cassette recorder/radio for a few years but not until that time did I really care about what I heard. By the time I got into middle school (junior high) everyone was getting into music like Kid n Play, MC Hammer and such. I didn't really care for that. Through my aunt, I discovered a local radio show called "Stepping Out". They played "alternative" music on Sunday nights. I was introduced to bands like The Cure, The Sundays, 10,000 Maniacs, Soup Dragons and I LOVED it. Every Sunday night, I'd record the show and listen to it throughout the week. On Saturdays, I'd record the songs I really liked onto another cassette and use the previous one over again. I continued doing this into high school. My friends and I liked a different type of music than what all the other kids liked. We didn't admire Vanilla Ice or New Kids on the Block. The guys were known as the "skaters" and weren't really in the "in" crowd. Then all of a sudden "Nirvana" emerged and my entire school loved them. Suddenly all the type of music we'd been listening to was cool and kids like my friend Jeremy who had looked like Kurt Cobain for the past few years were suddenly dateable. "Smells like teen spirit" was a song that we just couldn't get enough of. We all couldn't wait to graduate and move to Seattle. My little brother would spend hours in his room trying to play the into to "Come as you are" on my dad's guitar over and over again. "Nevermind" was filled with great song after great song. We loved and admired Kurt Cobain and let him be the voice of our generation. Then one day as I was incredibly excited over prom and graduation, I got home to hear the news that Kurt Cobain had died. It was ruled a suicide. I was shocked and couldn't really say anything. I didn't understand how that could happen. Weren't some of his lyrics, "no, I don't have a gun"? At school everyone was sad but we were kids and life went on as usual.
Kurt Cobain's songs are now the soundtrack to my high school memories. Every time I hear "Heart-shaped box" I remember when my then boyfriend would borrow his mom's car and drive me home after school. "Smells like Teen Spirit" reminds me of standing outside of my speech class waiting for my friends Jeremy and Bobby and swapping cassettes. "Come as you are" reminds me of my brother and his friends trying to learn to play guitar. "In Bloom" reminds me of driving my first car with my first real license. There were miles and miles of road just waiting to be driven on by me. "Lithium" reminds me of prom and all my "skater" friends actually wearing a tuxedo for once in their lives. I remember the chaperones going crazy when all the kids started moshing at prom but then just allowing it. I never thought I'd see half those kids dance, but they did. In their own way.
I can't believe it's been ten years since Kurt Cobain was murdered by his crazy wife, I mean, since he committed suicide. I can't believe it's been more than ten years since all that was alternative became mainstream and accepted. Wow, time flew. Oh well, whatever, nevermind.

TV Tuesday
The Networks are getting ready to announce their new fall schedules. Imagine what would happen if you could play programmer for one day!

1. What shows would make up a perfect night of TV viewing for you?
-Law & Order, Queer Eye, Law & Order SVU, The Real World, uh, how long am I watching tv?

2. What show(s) would you cancel without a moment's hesitation?
-Fear Factor, Direct Effect, MadTV, that's all I can think of that make me groan when they're on. Oh, MTV Cribs just because I'm jealous and Newlyweds because it makes me mad that Jessica Simpson is getting so rich while being so stupid.

3. Is there a show (previously cancelled or just no longer airing) that you'd bring back, original cast and all?
The Family Guy (even though I have the dvd), My So-Called Life, Seinfeld, The Real World San Francisco and Miami


~Bonus~ You get to create one show to put on the schedule, with any stars you choose. Who and what would it be?
Something like "Diary" but instead of following around people like Britney or Hillary Duff, I'd like to see the Diary of bands like U2, Coldplay, Guster, and The White Stripes and get to see their concerts.

Tuesday Twosome
1. What are the last two movies you saw?
-Call Me (Heidi Fleiss) just because it was on and The Aristocats (Brianna's choice)

2. What are the last two TV shows you saw?
-Nirvana Video Collection, The Tonight Show

3. What are the last two items you purchased?
-confetti, plastic cups (for dyeing eggs)

4. What are the last two beverages you drank?
-green tea, pepsi

5. What are the last two sites you surfed (before coming here)?
-TV Tuesday, LJCFYI


feeling: I miss Nirvana
listening to: Nirvana (Lithium)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: putting Alec to bed

Sunday, April 04, 2004

my weekend

I don't have much to say about this weekend being as to how I've already mentioned that I'm fixing up Brianna's room. It's taken me a long time because I only work on it in the evenings when Rodrigo can watch Alec. I don't want to expose Alec to paint fumes, so I haven't gotten to work on the room as much as I should. All the walls are done, the furniture is built and I just need to put everything back in tomorrow. I'll post pictures tomorrow for sure.
It rained all day today. We went to my mom's to pick up Brianna since her long three week spring hiatus is over and we saw a beautiful rainbow while we were driving. It was the complete arch. I took pictures with Rodrigo's phone, so I'll ask him to email them to me. Yes, we email and IM each other from the bedroom to the living room. Sometimes from the desk to the couch (in the same room) when he is working on his laptop. What dorks, huh?
Anyway, we got to my mom's house and got a call from my brother's girfriend telling is that my grandma's kitchen was flooding. My grandma doesn't drive so Rodrigo and I went to the fire station and picked up some sandbags. We got there and Rodrigo started putting sandbags at my grandma's doors. My brother and his girlfriend showed up and had no luck finding sandbags. Luckily, we already had some. My brother just started helping Rodrigo while I started dancing around like Bugs Bunny. I don't know how to describe it, but it's when he sings "What's up Doc?" and sort of kicks towards the back while swinging his arms. I started doing that because I was scraping mud off my shoes and it looked like I was dancing. My brother's girlfriend was laughing at me and said that she always remembers me dancing around when my nephew is watching the new Lion King movie. (I have a tendency to dance around like a dork). Rodrigo was asking me if I wasn't embarrassed with people driving by and watching me. I really wasn't because they don't know me, and if they do, they know I'm a dork. Then my brother was carrying a sandbag and it looked like those money bags that thieves would steal in old movies. I went up right behind him and started talking like those 1930's gansters and cops (coppas) and telling him "Put that money bag down, Bugsy". Of course he plays along and said "No, coppa". I go on saying, "I don't know how youse donit but I know youse donit." Yes, my grandma was all worried and here I am making jokes and making her laugh.
Everything was fixed and there was really only a little bit of water in the house. She was just worried about more coming in overnight. After that we drove back to my mom's for the kiddies, came back home and that's about it.
No one here at my house is used to the time change so Brianna and Alec went to bed too late and will surely have a hard time waking up tomorrow. Good night!

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

1.Condemn: prison
2.Promiscuous: loose
3.Pro-life: pro-choice
4.Mona Lisa: smile
5.Crown: jewel
6.Mumble: jumble (I don't know, that's what I thought)
7.Hack:-y sack
8.Diet: & exercise
9.Introduction: book
10.Latin America: Chile

Monday Madness
1. What makes your country special?
-It's the best place in the world to live. We have freedom, great land, and an abundance of goods. Everyone wants to come here or is jealous of how awesome it is here. We set the standard for all pop culture and everyone looks to us.

2. What makes your hometown special?
-Friendly people, AMAZING food, big city but not too big, Mexico is right across the river.

3. What makes your neighbourhood special?
-Quiet! A park, bookstore, restaurants and a mall about a three minute drive away.

4. And your loved ones - what is it about them???
-You know I can go on and on about this but I'll just say because they're beautiful, they're mine and that makes me lucky.

5. And finally you - what is it that is unique about you...???
-If nothing else, intense loyalty.

feeling: great
listening to: Azul Violeta (Tu Luz)
what I should be doing instead of blogging: going to bed

Thursday, April 01, 2004

april fool's day

Thanks to Isabella I had a good April Fool's joke to play on my friends. I went into that graffiti page and sent my friends an email saying that someone had spray painted my name and phone number on a bridge. Yeah, a few of them were like "good one, how'd you do it?" But the few of them that were genuinely freaked out and worried about who could've done something like that made it worth it.
My mom called me this morning. She has two dogs Twinkie (poodle) and Pinky (chihuahua). She told me that Twinkie had bitten Pinky in the neck last night and he bled too much and didnt make it. She went on to tell me that they didn't know what to tell Brianna. I was sooooo worried because Brianna loves that dog. My mind was going 1000 miles per hour and I was thinking "should I make this a lesson about death and tell Brianna that Pinky went to doggie heaven? Should I just try to protect her?" I ended up asking my mom to please get rid of the dog and tell Brianna that it ran away.
Brianna then got the phone and said "April Fools, momma." ARGH! I was mad at my mom. She said that she couldn't believe I fell for it since I'm always the one playing jokes. I told her because her joke wasn't funny but I have to admit that she got me anyway.
Did you play a joke on anyone? Did anyone play one on you?

I just got an email from my friend Bonnie. She is one of the ones who fell for it and passed the joke onto her friends using her info. Here are the some of the responses from her friends.

-Bonnie,
I got so scared that I called you Mom at work (she
wasn't there but I left a message) I was on the phone
with Mandy and she told me about the e-mail. She was
really worried. You got us good. (if I have a heart
attack today it's your fault) haha.

-Bonnie,
Who did this and where did you get the picture? Do you know what bridge and where the bridge is at??

-my god bonnie....are you for real or is this just an April fool joke. ????????????

I hope she talks to her mom soon because they don't live in the same city and I'm sure her mom is now worried. This is way too fun!


feeling: silly
listening to: Alec making noise
what I should be doing instead of blogging: plotting something for my mom