People's Choice Awards

A friend of mine - who so happens to have my dream job at CBS - scored my mom and I tickets to the PCA last night. So after a quick stop at the studio, mom and I arrived at the Shrine with our excitement in tow. Being that I've been to several award shows in the past (bite me), I already knew the drill: no cameras and no cell phones with cameras, so we got through security pretty smoothly, and secured our 2nd row seats on the balcony. Now, if you've ever been to the Shrine, you can appreciate how damn close we were to the stage. Granted, we were no where near arm's length from our fave celebs, but still - we were there.

We really didn't care too much about who was to be there - except Jennifer Aniston! We're so team Aniston (Though lately, Angelina Jolie is making it really hard to hate her. In time she'll grow on me, I just know it. Not.).

Photo: Jennifer Aniston at the PCA '07

My Joy

When I want [yearn, bleed for] something - and can't have it - I still can't bring myself to settle for anything different. It doesn't matter if that 'something different' is equally yolked, or even if it's better. My something is the only thing that will be my joy.

And if I truly can't have it, I'll eventually phase it out. Does that make me an idealist, or just stubborn?

Happy New Year!

2006 was down right fabulous - all thanks to a hardy paycheck and willingness to travel. Also combined with a harmonious blend (and unquenching thirst) for church, foreign dishes, and family - 2006 is to go down in the books tied for the title of 'best year of my life so far' (alongside 2004).

2007 does not come without its own set of promises and adventures. The month of March is to answer many questions regarding what's in store for my academic and/or career-based future... and I anticipate whatever is to come. In the mean time, while I'd love to admit I haven't been sitting around planning the next year - I'm not made that way... thus, I've been sitting around planning the next year. Of course, every outcome is dependent upon acceptance letters or promotions - and I've done some prep work in preparing myself for either path I'm set to walk down.

07, bring it.

Photo: Favorite photo from the holiday season.

Accomplished

Last year, after being hired at the farm, I devised a list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2006. This list stayed constant all year – without any alterations.

My goals for 2006 (dated: November 25, 2005)

01. Pay off credit card (Accomplished)
02. Pay off Europe credit card (Accomplished, but then I used it again)
03. Fix ipod (Accomplished, but then I broke it again)
04. Fix digital camera (Sent it to the Philippines, bought a new one)
05. Buy a new laptop (Upgraded desktop and bought a new monitor)
06. Get braces (Accomplished)
07. Grow out all of my dyed hair (Accomplished)
08. Save money for a trip to Japan (Accomplished)
09. Save money for a trip to the UK (Accomplished)
10. Stay at job for one full year (Accomplished)

My goals for 2007 (dated December 22, 2006)

01. Pay off Europe credit card, again (Accomplished 2/17/07)
02. Pay off braces by April/May
03. Finish interior improvements to parent's house
04. Make exterior improvements to parent's house
05. Decide: stay at the farm and buy a car or go to grad school
06. Save money for a trip
07. Grow long and healthy hair
08. Enroll to teach Sunday School
09. Finish Old Testament of Bible
10. Lose weight to fit into bridesmaid dress
11. Purchase digital SLR
12. Go to a taping of the Ellen DeGeneres show
13. Donate [big] to a charity

Outdated Song

99% of the time, I'm alright with the way things worked out. Then there's that one percent - that 5 minutes and 10 seconds of Cannonball, when I'm like - damn.

You, the roaring tide.
Me, the message in a bottle.
A part of me will always long to float in your abyss;
And recount the times you’ve pulled me under
The foam of your embrace.

With each passing breath I float, far and far away;
From the darkest depths of your center,
The loudest rumble of your roar.
But the bit of you that’s seeped inside me will always be there;
And there it will stay;
With feelings tattooed on a badly beaten surface;
Reminiscent of the time
When I wanted you
To sweep me away - forever.

Lead Me Lord

If You lead me Lord I will follow.
Where You lead me Lord I will go.

Scotland

Photo: Edinburgh


Photo: Edinburgh


Photo: Edinburgh

London 2006 Pictures

Photo: My umpteenth pic in front of the palace!


Photo: Piccadilly Circus


Photo: Ben, Gabs, Me, Jewels


Photo: The looks on their faces are priceless!


Photo: Great Russell Street


Photo: Channeling Natalie...


Photo: Tower Bridge


Photo: Kensington Palace


Photo: Abbey Road


Photo: Big Ben


Photo: King's Cross


Photo: Best pic. Bedford. I love you.

London and Edinburgh

London was a turning point in my life – and going back for the first time since 2004 only reaffirmed all that I feel about the city; and that no matter how much time goes by, I will always cling steadfastly to that experience. It is a place that I loved and still love.

After jumping on board the Piccadilly line to Russell Square, the first stop on my carefully planned itinerary was 20 Bedford Place. After being reminded of the countless times Norma and I gloved our hands to carry home overstuffed grocery bags, there I stood in limbo, straddling the two worlds of past and present.

I’ve got to admit that I was a bit overwhelmed at first; staring at my door, my window, the boys upstairs’ window. I felt the piercing impact of missing my friends, and reliving moments that shackle me to the past, and cling to my mind with fierce intensity. I felt a bit ambivalent: a part of me felt like I never left and could pick up right where I left off, and a part of me felt like I never lived there to begin with.

This was trailed by a (slightly more than) one week romp through the greatest city ever. Too much happened to be able to recount to the most minute of details, but I did hit every desirable spot in the city: walking with purpose as the perfect hybrid of former habitant and visiting tourist.

Old Stomping Grounds Visited:
Russell Square
Bedford Place 20-14
99 Great Russell Street
Dorothy Perkins
Centerpointe
Covent Garden and Neil Street (Byonic is no more)
Tottenham Court Road (literally all of it)
Boots (I almost forgot it existed!)
Easy Internet Café (famous 6-inch sub incident)
Queensway to Oxford Circus & Oxford Street
Charring Cross
Barclays & Argos
Victoria Station
Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square
Trafalgar Square & the National Gallery
Molly Moggs Theatre Pub
Kings Cross Station
H&M – Covent Garden
H&M – Oxford Circus #1 and #2
H&M – High Street Kensington
H&M – Knightsbridge
High Holborn
The Starbucks on the way to the MOL
Cittie of York, walk to MOL, and Toni & Guy
Postman’s Park
Borough Market (again!)
Globe Pub (hellloooo Bridget Jones!)
Tube to Temple and Somerset
Walk from the Waldorf down Kingsly to Southampton
Chinatown
Knightsbridge
Fortnum and Masons

Tourist Sites Visited:
British Museum and its Grand Court
Millennium Bridge
Dali/Picasso Exhibit
London Aquarium
Embankment
High St. Kensington
Kensington Garden
Kensington Palace and royal apartments
Hyde Park
Buckingham Palace (where I met cute French boy)
Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace
St. James’ Palace
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Globe Theatre
London Bridge
Brigade
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
London’s East End
Hard Rock Café
Abbey Road
Abbey Road Studios
Parliament
Notting Hill and Portobello Market

Shows Watched:
We Will Rock You (with Peter Johansson)
Wicked (with Idina Menzel)
Chicago (unfortunately, not with Ashley Simpson)

Old Restaurants Visited:
Thai Garden Café
Hot Dog in front of BM
Bibimbab Café
Pret a Manger
Fish and Chips
Wetherspoons for Curry Night (still freakin great!)
Woo Sang (I love you Norma!)
Wagamama (I thought of you the whole time Mikey!)
Café Nero
Punjab

Random Locations Visited:
New UCL study center at 17 Bedford Square
Japanese Sushi Place & Burger Shack
Chiho Aoshima @ Gloucester Road
Walk through Notting Hill and Woodridge Park Station

Edinburgh, Scotland Sites:
Waverly Station
Edinburgh Castle
Pret a Manger
Waterstone
Princes Mall
City Tour

Just some of the places I visited.

Overall, nothing really changed from two years ago. The same hot dog and roasted chestnut vendors stand affront the British Museum. I was served by the same waitresses at Thai Garden Café and Fish & Chips (the place with the black and white awning). The major changes revolve around the program itself – from 130 students to 90. From 8 classes offered to only four mandatory courses (yup, Judith and Alistair are still teaching there). And apparently, the new set of kids at accent are a bunch of punks. What can I say, there will never be a group quite like “London Fall 2004”.

London will always symbolize a shrug off of responsibility – because I can give due credit to happenstance and fate, for everything that London was, and is. It was the natural consequence of indecision – it sort of just “happened” without too much thought or planning – at first. And I will never, ever store those memories in the dusty recesses of things forgotten.

My heart is filled with winding corridors; and at its center, a repository of all the things that London represents: a wealth of authenticity, love, freedom, youth, and friendship. Most importantly, friendship. Friendship is the hallmark of all experiences; in that no matter where you go or how many times you go there, what makes the experience worth living is the people who you experience it with.

Engagement Photos

I've done freelance photography for a while now, so when Josh and Christy requested I take their engagement photos, I jumped at the chance! He's my best friend, so the shoot was free - of course! The set came out amazing!

We Will Rock You & Wicked

We Will Rock You
So whilst in London, I finally got to see the musical We Will Rock You at the Old Dominion Theatre by my former flat. I spent a pretty pence for the best seats that money could buy - and I don't regret it one bit. Why? Because I spent an entire evening oogling Galileo, or Peter Johansson. The second he opened his mouth to start singin "I Want To Break Free," I just knew that every girl in that audience was going to walk away with a boy-band-crush on the good lookin chap. The musical was heart-pounding and body rocking, and I would recommend it to all my mates heading over to the isle.

Wicked
I also got an opportunity to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London's West End. I lucked out because Idina Menzel (Elphaba) took a break from the Broadway limelight to perform in a handful of shows out in London. It's probably tied for best musical of all time (in my book), alongside The Lion King. It's coming to LA in 2007, and I encourage anyone with a taste for theatre to snag some tickets before they sell out!

I also went to Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre, but it was wack. I went in hopes that Ashley Simpson would be playing Roxy Hart, but I'm guessing that God wanted to spare me, because her contract with the musical ended just a few days before. I must say, after Chicago 'the movie', Chicago 'live theatre' is lookin like crap.

One of My Favorite Couples

All of my wildest dreams of love and romance are coming true...
for nick lachey and vanessa minnillo.

I'll Get Over It

no matter how mature you think you've become;
no matter how strong the fences you've erected;
the piercing impact of gettin a blow of the [mthafkn] truth
never, ever
loses its potency.

Plans

I like to think that I can live by improvisation; but for the most part, I’m a planner. A list maker. I dream, forecast, and anticipate all that God has in store for me. What makes life so great right now, is that the next year is so unpredictable.

And why is that?

I’ve successfully completed the Graduate Requisite Exam. And let’s use the word ‘successful’ flexibly. Successful meaning: it’s done, over with, and I will no longer have to forego my lunch hour at work to study the ratio of an isosceles right triangle (thank you Kaplan study guide). It’s over. I now have numbers to fill in boxes on graduate school applications.

Is my mind fully set on grad school? No. But it’s an option. And if there’s one thing I love about life, it’s the multitude of opportunities that we are given to experience something different.

Is my mind fully set on sticking with my current career, and continuing my climb up the corporate ladder? No. But the income is there, and I am satisfied for the time being.

Is my mind fully set on packing up and leaving for England permanently? No. But that’s why I’m going to London for the next few weeks – alone - to see if I can really do it on my own (less the nurturing staff at UCL, and less my roommates). I’ll be sure to let you know how that one goes.

So I guess that answers the questions that many of you have asked me over the past several months. Why? Why go to grad school when it’s not required of you? Why leave a promising career? Why not stay in California?

Because… I’ve just never desired to be a person without options; with no alternatives. I’m a lifetime learner. I’m a lifetime developer. Innovator. Experimenter. Explorer. And God has yet to give me a reason to stay.

When Lamar (a good friend and coworker of mine) found out that I was toying with the idea of leaving the company, he stated, “If it don’t make no money, it don’t make no sense.”

To which I replied, “Did you just quote Tupac?”

But for me, it’s never been about the money. Okay, that’s a lie. I’m not that profound. But really, money can only satisfy you to a certain degree. You really need to be doing what you love to do.

Right now, I love what I do. But who’s to say that I’ll love it three months down the line? I can plan all I want, but my emotions and my desires are completely, without a doubt, unpredictable.

Wistful

It’s this type of weather – rain, lightning, thunder – that for some odd reason, successfully manages to access and procure the most nostalgic of my emotions. Perhaps it’s why I love autumn so much; it’s something in the crisp air that leaves a wistful desire, a sentimental yearning, for me to embrace the memory of a former time in my life.

The Departed

Has a movie ever left you with a bewildering aftertaste? This one did. I walked out of the theatre thinking, "what just happened?" If you love action, violence, blood, guns, plot twists, and Leonardo DiCaprio, you have got to see this movie.

Once you get past all of the r-rated vocabulary, you can truly appreciate the genius that is Martin Scorsese. Bonus points go to Leonardo; his acting was delightfully pure, and flat out fantastic. I can't believe I've gone by these past few years without appreciating how unbelievably gorgeous that man is. Matt Damon was damn good too - enough to make me even hate him a little bit for being such a good bad boy.


Photo: Screen Cap of The Departed


Photo: Screen Cap of The Departed

Katie Holmes in Style

Photo: Casually classy.

Photo: Spending time with Victoria Beckham pays.

October

First, how in the world is it October already? September flew by like no one's business! Not that I'm complaining (it was a very good month) because there's so much in store for the next couple of weeks, and I don't know how I'm to contain all of my excitement!

Holiday season is almost here, and I'm sure that it'll pass just as quickly as the rest of the year. In the interim, I'll be making most of my time by trying my best to watch my fave shows on TV (I am so not going to pretend as though I'm too cool to watch TV. I'm just 'okay'.)

Tentative schedule is as follows:

Sunday
08:00 Extreme Makeover Home Edition (ABC)
09:00 Desperate Housewives (ABC) or Cold Case (CBS)
10:00 Without a Trace (CBS)

Monday
08:00 Prison Break (Fox)
09:00 Heroes (NBC)
10:00 What about Brian (ABC)

Tuesday
08:00 House (Fox) or Gilmore Girls (CW)
10:00 Law and Order (NBC)

Wednesday
09:00 One Tree Hill (CW)
10:00 Lost (ABC)

Thursday
08:00 Smallville (CW)
09:00 Grey's Anatomy (ABC) or The OC (Fox)

Last but not least... I take pride in the fact that I never say things I don't mean. I don't say I love you if I don't love you. I don't say yes when I mean no. And when I say I'm going to announce my next big trip, I'm really gonna go. So with that said, and the ticket purchased... I'm bringin sexy back to London this month (and next)!

I waited and debated on buying my ticket, but I finally coughed up a pretty penny to reunite with my one true love: Big Ben. What else am I working so hard for, if not to splurge a lot on myself? Carpe diem guys, I stay true to my mantra... you only live once.

I'm counting down the days.

Conference Recap

We all stayed in our first class suites at the Queen Mary on Monday night (on company dime). It was alright. It was a bit old for my taste, but I love things that are spooky – so that part was good. Downtown Long Beach was quite lovely, and the scenery almost made me forget that the place is straight ghetto. Almost.

The women’s conference was amazing! We ended up getting so many more free gifts than we could have imagined, and the speakers were just phenomenal. I’ll save you the glorified recap and just say that it was very very very empowering. I want to be rich and powerful more so now – not for glory, but to be an architect of change.

Highlights:
Maria Shriver was a phenomenal public speaker.
TJ Russert made me cry a little.
Anna Quindlen had a lot of smart things to say.
Sarah Ferguson is my future aunt. She was fabulous.
The Dalai Lama was a comedian. And put him in my pocket.
Marth Stewart was wack.

The best part was when Stacy London and Clinton Kelly (from TLC's What Not To Wear) pulled my coworker Julie up on stage (who is their biggest fan, no lie) to give her a 360 consultation! I'm glad to say that they loved her outfit. She proclaimed that with the exception of her wedding and the birth of her children, that was the best day of her life. Watch her on Time Warner cable: TV on demand!


Photo: Long Beach, CA


Photo: Hotel Queen Mary


Photo: Walking to my room, and scared.


Photo: Sun deck.


Photo: Stacy London and Clinton Kelly from TLC's What Not To Wear.


Photo: My coworker Jukie stalking Clinton Kelly.

Current Loves and Hates

Love - Myspace privacy settings. I can't be stalked.
Hate - Xanga lock.

Love - My braces.
Hate - My braces for cutting my tongue.

Love - Delux Chili Cheddar Fries from Del Taco.
Hate - The Facebook newsfeed.

Love - All the new, fun blogs I've discovered.
Hate - That there aren't enough of them.

Love - Blogging.
Hate - When I want to spill my guts. And can't.