Thursday, November 29, 2007

Torn (Natalie Imbruglia)

So, as the title suggests, I've got a little bit of conflict going on right now. I'm torn. I don't know what to do. We've known all along that Kim was going to be getting married in a few short months & I've said all along that we would go no matter where it was as our airline miles would cover the air part of the trip. Who knew there were other things to pay for when going on a vacation abroad (accomodations, food, activities, traveling about once at said destination)? Apparently, I didn't think about this too much when saying we would go "no matter what". And now, after talking about the other expenses, we don't think it's best for us to go to London at this time. But, we said numerous times in the past that we would.

So, do we ditch our budget to witness a one of a kind event for our good friend? Or, do we ditch our promises & commitments to save a buck or two? I don't know the answer. Those who know me know I'm BIG on commitment & I feel like an ass even suggesting not going. But, then again, I didn't think it was going to cost $2k either.

I'm torn. What would YOU do if you were in my shoes?

In other news... last Saturday I went to Brazilian food at Ipanema's in Seattle with Jeff, Kat, Steve, Airi, David, Katt. The food was decent, in my opinion. I kinda compared it to the Melting Pot. Something that might be a fun experience every now & again, but not something you wanna do all the time.

As seen in the picture to the right, our server, Apolo Ohno is carving some meat off the large skewer. Jeff eagerly awaits!


Today, I am thankful for:

1. Christmas plans have been decided by someone other than me
2. WW points posted on Lean Cuisine's & Lean Pockets
3. Black Eye Pea special for $3.99
4. Understanding, patience & forgiveness
5. Receiving my passport in less than 3 weeks - WOW!

What irks me today:

I'm not super savvy when it comes to computer stuff. Sometimes I have Jeff "fix" whatever is bothering me. Sometimes I "make do" with whatever is bothering me. I am really frustrated at the fact that sometimes when I post something & especially when I add pictures, it deletes my paragraphs (or makes my post one giant paragraph). If you ever see the little apostrophe's in my post, the reason is because I can't 'fix' this problem on my own.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

If You Don't Know Me By Now (Simply Red)

If you don't know me by now (If you don't know me)
You will never never never know me (No you won't)
If you don't know me by now
You will never never never know me
'
My birthday is coming up in about 3 weeks. I'm not saying this because I want everyone to go out and buy me something. Gifts are nice and all, but what I really dislike about giving is the fact that so many people don't know what to buy others. And so they ask, "what do you want for your ___?" You can fill in the blank with Birthday, Christmas, Shower, etc. Any gift giving reason, really. I know I talked about this once before (last Christmas, perhaps), but I despise "the list". Jeff's family is always big on Christmas lists. I hate them. I feel like if you wanna get me a gift, then you should at least know me enough to know what I like & dislike. I don't want to have to write a list so you know what to buy me. Sweater, check. Perfume, check. DVD, check. There's no joy for me to know what to expect as I'm unwrapping the gifts.
'
My company dinner was last night. Originally, it was to be a murder mystery on the dinner train, but about 3 weeks ago, the dinner train closed their doors for good. So, acting quickly, our social committee booked the Argosy cruise as the venue for the murder mystery. It was just okay. Not a huge amount of people went, but I think more went on the cruise than had signed up for the dinner train (due to the more centralized location). And, the murder mystery bit was kinda lame, but it beat the improv comedy troupe they had booked 4 years earlier on the Argosy cruise. And, the hilight of the evening was winning a gift, even though I didn't take it: a year's membership at LA Fitness gym. They called my ticket number & I told them to draw another number because I know I wouldn't have used the gym membership, especially considering the closest one is in Fed. Way.
'
Today, Kat came over & we went to lunch in Federal Way at Azteca thanks to some free dinners I received for replacing my windshield several months ago. After lunch, we went to a few stores: the Orowheat discount store, WalMart, Top Foods. After our running around, we came back here & made cookies. They, too, were just alright. I dunno why... they just didn't taste all that great to me. I see some cookies in my co-workers near future. Heh.
'
Today, I am thankful for:
'
1. Winning raffle tickets
2. Purchasing our London airline tickets already
3. My new MP3 player (that I didn't ask for- thanks Jeff!)
4. Jeff going to Randy's to watch football & Family Guy
5. Brown
'
What irks me today:
'
Today, I am irked by the fact that I didn't really have anything "nice" to say in my post. Each of the things I wrote about (excluding what I'm thankful for) was all kinda negative. Boo! I'll try harder next time to be nice.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Don't Dream It's Over (Crowded House)

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
'
My 5 day vacation from work is just about over. It was a nice 5 days off. That is, as nice as 5 days off with nothing planned can be. Usually, I like to have things planned to do. Otherwise, I'd rather just save my time off for something better (going somewhere or cashing out my hours - cash is always good, if you ask me). But, I got 5 days off with only using 16 of my hours & Friday was, in fact, a busy day. So, really, I only took one day off with nothing planned. Justified? Well, it's my hours so yes.
'
Last night, one of my SU customers asked me to do an Ornament Camp & so today, I ran a few errands, finding stuff to make such ornaments. I think it will be a lot of fun for a few reasons:
'
1. I'll get to meet new people
2. I'll get to make something new (some of these I haven't made before)
3. I just love Christmas themed stuffs (snowmens & snowflakes & reindeers & santas & apple ciders & trees & ornaments & JOY & NOEL & PEACE & LOVE & you get the idea. I love it all).
'
Yesterday, I went to the grocery store & bought a few things I've never bought before. We had porkchops for dinner last night (that was a first for me) along with wild rice, veggies & caesar salad. In the near future, I see a beef stew (something Jeff has been asking for) & beef stroganoff on the menu. Tomorrow, however, I'm going to have Jeff throw a few items into the crock pot when he wakes up for a BBQ pulled pork recipe I have. Tasty!!
'
Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is just next week? And Christmas is like 42 days away? I've seen a pretty cute christmas countdown sidebar on a few blogs I frequent, but don't know how to add it to my own. Instead, I'll just tell you. 42 days.
'
Have you even thought about your Christmas shopping yet? I haven't. In fact, I'm doing VERY LITTLE holiday shopping this year. Instead, I'm donating to some sort of charity. Perhaps, adopt a family in need. Perhaps, give to a local food bank. Perhaps, give to the Salvation Army bell ringers. Perhaps, all of the above. Perhaps, more.
'
Today, I am thankful for:
1. The option of taking time off work
2. The option of cashing out my hours
3. The option of donating my hours
4. New recipes
5. New friends
'
What irks me today:
Yesterday, I was flipping through the channels & came across what seemed to be a pretty cool 'reality' tv show on the FOX Reality station called Boot Camp. It's channel 159 or something like that. Anyways, it looks like this show was on back in 2001 & I missed it. That's okay. But I can't tell from the comcast description what episodes are new. And with all the episodes lasting an hour or more, I don't want to record all of them. And, I really don't need to be sucked into another show, but I'm curious... who wins? By the way, I don't want to read the spoilers online. I wanna watch the show in order, no repeats, all the way to the end. Too much to ask? Oooh, a Boot Camp marathon is what NEEDS to happen.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

The Entertainer (Billy Joel)

I am the entertainer, and I know just where I stand,
Another serenader and another long-haired band
Today I am your champion, I may have won your hearts
But I know the game, you'll forget my name
And I won't be here in another year
If I don't stay on the charts
'
It's no wonder that Billy Joel is one of my Must See's as far as musicians go. He is an amazing entertainer. Even after all these years, he still sounds incredible & he really engages the audience (unlike other concerts I've been to where they get up on stage, do their thing, then leave). If I ever get an opportunity to see Billy Joel in concert again, I'm SO there. He was worth every penny, in my opinion.
'
Today, I am thankful for:
'
1. Qdoba
2. Leftovers
3. SNL
4. My in-laws
5. Naps after a long day
'
Today, I am irked by:
'
Usually I am awake long before Jeff ever gets up. Today, however, I was waken by his alarm clock going off at 9a. Now, this normally wouldn't have bothered me, but it was really, really loud & I don't know that I was really ready to wake up just yet. But, I did & Jeff is still in bed (an hour later).

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Piano Man (Billy Joel)

Sing us a song, you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin' alright
'
Hearing Billy Joel sing always makes me feel alright and I'll be feelin' alright tomorrow night when Jeff & I go see Billy Joel in concert at Key Arena.
'
I enjoy going to concerts. There's a few I've gone to with others (Rod Stewart, Michael W. Smith, Neil Diamond).There's a few I've been to by myself (Bon Jovi, Matchbox 20). There's a few on my "must see" list (Elton John, Billy Joel, Kenny Loggins), that is I'd pay almost anything to go see them perform once last time before they stop performing altogether.
'
I had the opportunity to see Elton John earlier this year in Las Vegas with Kat. Interesting show. He's still a great singer, in my opinion. I was excited when I found out Billy Joel was coming & even more thrilled when Jeff bought us tickets for our one year anniversary, last month. I was sad, however, when I heard Kenny Loggins was coming, to the Emerald Queen no less (sorry to hear your career is over, Kenny) on a day when I absolutely couldn't go. Darn it!
'
I'm looking forward to this weekend for a few reasons:
'
- Friday- I took the day off work so that Jeff & I could go get passports (watch out London, we'll be there in no time). I'm also going to the dentist, which, for the most part doesn't bother me. I like my dentist; I've been seeing her religiously every 6 months for at least the past 8 years. I may also be the new owner of a Kitchen Aid mixer that I found on Craigslist (if she doesn't sell it before then - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's mine, all mine).
'
-Saturday- I'm selling some things in a craft fair at a local church. I'll be taking some lunch tins (for cards, recipes, anything small enough to fit), name frames, cards & some of my latest CD creations. Check out my other flickr account for pictures.
'
-Sunday- No plans, but to hang out with my husband (maybe go on this drive his dad keeps talking about)
-Monday- No plans
-Tuesday- No plans
'
That's right, I've got a 5 day weekend! Yeeee!!
'
Today, I am thankful for:
'
1. Baby Showers - past & present
2. Being able to see my "Must See" music groups
3. Five Day Weekends
4. Chili Mac with added veggies
5. Having a bad day
'
What irks me today:
'
Did she really just write that she was thankful for having a bad day? Yes, actually, I did. Yesterday, I had a pretty bad day at work. I was so frustrated with my boss that I literally was ready to throw in the towel. So, why am I thankful for it? Having a bad day every now and again gives me perspective on just how challenging my job can be at times & it makes me thankful that I don't have my boss' job. So, what irks me about having that bad day? Pretty much just the way my boss was harping me for answers I didn't have. But, it's giving me learning opportunities for the future.