no more braces!

as of friday, 3/19 - no more braces!

shop shop shop

I looked at my expenses and thought about things I’ve bought.  So, I decided to write about the “big” purchases I’ve made.

Gifts – In 2006, I decided to do a dvd of memories for my fam, mainly as a tribute to my dad.  The entire 21-minute project cost me over $1,050.  I ordered 10 copies of the dvd and gave one each to my family members.  Overall, I was satisfied with the xmas gift I made for my fam.  When I get sad from thinking about my dad, I watch the dvd to cheer myself up.  It helps me cope with it.

Dinner – My friend, Odessa, and I have not forgotten about our dinner-for-two that cost us 1.5 bills in Morels French Steakhouse at the Grove.  BUT it was worth it!  The steak dishes we ordered were DELICIOUS.  I would love to go back.  The last time I had delicious steak (well, almost to that level) was at Ruth Chris’s.  YUMM for steak!

Purse – I bought my first Coach bag in 2004.  It was a gift I bought myself for working in stats for a year.  I wish my older sis didn’t introduce me to that brand.  Good thing I don’t shop there anymore.  I’m currently using the BR bag I bought a few months ago.  Aside from the occasional cleaning since it’s a light colored bag, I still love it (the color I got is an off-white color, not the grey below).  It’ll be THE bag for a WHILE.

Jacket – I didn’t think I’d spend soo much on a jacket, particularly a down jacket.  I needed a winter jacket/coat of some sort for the east coast xmas trip.  One night we went to The North Face in Beverly Hills.  After some browsing online on that site prior to going to the store, I had my mind set on one particular jacket.  I came out w/ a down jacket twice the cost.  I wore it to work once, and my coworkers said that I look like I’m from NYC.  I guess it helps since I’m severely anemic.  I’m so glad that I have a thermostat in my office so I can turn up the heat! 

Hair product – I was never into purchasing crazy expensive hair products.  I don’t have the money for that anyway.  One day, I started browsing for products to help strengthen my hair.  I hated my split ends and the tangles and knots I got around the back of my neck  (mainly due to my necklace).  After some research, I purchased a bottle of some Paul Mitchell strong strengthening spray.  It’s AMAZING!  It works wonders on my hair, and I can comb my fingers through my hair any time of the day and not get stuck.  Tangle-free!  I’m definitely satisfied w/ the purchase.

Shoes – Ahh, shoes.  I think that I started to increase my shoe collection after my 2nd bro’s gf would tell me all the shoes she’d buy.  I don’t have that many shoes to begin with.  I recently did buy more shoes in the past few months.   In November, I bought a pair of Naturalizer MBTs.  Normally those cost $250, but I found a pair on sale for $142 (after tax) in the Mary Jane style.  It’s comfy, and I like it.  Then last month, I bought a pair of heels that I got attached to.  We took a walk to Old Town and bought it!  Luckily the saleswoman was nice enough to tell us there was a coupon so I saved about $60 (although they ended up costing a bit more than the MBTs).  THEN yesterday, I decided to browse for boots cuz the one that my oldest bro bought me for xmas 2006 had a tear which allowed water to get in on a rainy day.  After browsing over 3,000 styles, I found one I really liked.  When I clicked on it, they only had a size 10!  Ughh, I started looking everywhere online.  After some time, I finally find one my size, or at least I think it’s my size.  Soo, this morning before making breakfast, I purchased it!  I’m hoping that it is the right size because this is the ONLY pair I found in size 8.  All the other sizes are at least 9.5.  I’m crossing my fingers! 

Alrighty, that’s all for now.  I can’t think of anything else to add.  Overall, even though these things cost more than I wanted to pay, these were all good purchases.  Oh, and Happy PI day!

today is...

gloomy.

bye bye february aka BUSY month! moving onto march...

february was quite a busy month for me, here is why:
- back to back doctor appts
- job offer
- housewarming
- surf city half
- chinese new year
- pasadena half
- starting my new job (the day after the pasadena half)
- sd w/ my best friend
- praying w/ fam

the last time i was that busy every wknd was in december.  overall, february was a good month.  i just felt accomplished, and that just puts a smile on my face.  the exciting news about march is moving.  i'm very excited.  we'll have plenty of space, and now my stuff will be stored!  looking forward to it!  okay, that's all for now... time to shower!

long multi-holiday weekend

i can't tell whether or not i'm in work mode.  yes, i am productive (as usual), but i'm taking my time between finishing up some stuff and cleaning up.  this is my last week, and i'm excited, even tho today just feels like an ordinary day.  three days left.

a lot went on this past weekend - chinese new year, valentine's day, and president's day.  i went home early on friday, too, so that made it feel even longer.  my babe and i took a stroll around old town, did a bit of shopping, and ran into my lil bro (what a surprise!).  saturday was all about chinese new year.  from spending a couple hours grocery shopping (my first time spending $300 at the asian market) to prepping dinner and family time, it was good.  since chinese new year was all about family time (altho a couple ppl didn't show up), i stayed up in the av til 11pm.  i didn't make it to join my babe at his friend's wedding reception (since it ended at 11 as well).  overall, it was great.  mike drove down from norcal to join, which made it feel more altogether, the way this holiday should be celebrated.  everyone had a great time (even tho the mother and younger sis didn't show up).  lots of laughs and reminiscing.  on sunday, even tho it was vday, i was drained from the previous day.  we ended up just staying in lounging and watching the all-star game.  crazy crazy crazy stadium!  vday was just an ordinary day for us, which we were fine with.  but yay for the vday purchases.  =)  sleeping in yesterday felt really good.  we made our waffles (a norm for the weekends when there are no plans) and watched some tv.  we were supposed to go to the huntington library but ended up not going.  that will be saved for another day.  instead, we walked to old town.  why go back when we had already went a few days back?  all monday morning, i started browsing for shoes.  i got ATTACHED to a pair of heels i saw on the kenneth cole website.  since i wanted comfy heels to wear (for outings and occasionally to work), i wanted to buy them.  fortunately, there's a kenneth cole store in old town.  ahh, what a coincidence!  heh.  so yes, we went straight there and made that purchase!  we then went to the paseo and browsed some more.  we went home w/ a pair of gorgeous heels for me and a shirt for my babe.  now i want to go back to macy's to purchase a cardigan.  once i have that, i'm all set for my new job!  work pants - check!  work-appropriate tops - check! heels - check! cardigan - almost check!  =)

a few things to wait to happen - pasadena half, job transition, cleaning, celebration... this has been a busy month.  busy yet exciting.  =)

i love my babe.

go away, it's not my day

not in a good mood today, so leave me alone.

not even in the mood to eat

not even in the mood to drink

not even in the mood to smile

not even in the mood to chit chat

not even in the mood to listen to ne-yo

yes, it's one of those days.

i'm unhappy

i'm ugly

i'm super fat

i'm upset

i'm pissed

it's not my day

i've made my choice, and that ain't changing.

not my thing, and it never will be.  i can keep trying, but it won't do anything, i'm sure of it. f*ck no.

childish ways

ppl could be so immature and childish in handling situations.  i just can't wait til next friday.  this is just lame.