Hello my dearlies - how are you??? Well, I just wanted to let you know that I'll be taking a few days off from posting. One might ask, "Wait a minute, Maki - I thought you're doing the 365 day minus 1day post??". Yes, that's true, but I realized there are way too many things to do this week because my darling Soapy's birthday is coming up this weekend. I really want to focus my energy for her...
I know I haven't had the chance to visit you girlfriends and commenting back, I'm sorry, but hopefully I'll get to it by the end of this week after the party! I want you to know that I've not forgotten about you!!!
I can't deny that I love watching TV or surfing the internet which includes blogging. If I think about it, I spend quite a lot of time in front of TV or computer at night. That's bad and I've always wanted to change that about me...
When my daughters and I were having dinner tonight, Ju Ju spilled her drink - I was just about to tell her to stop playing with her cup when splat, her chocolate milk was all over the table. But I didn't hear "I'm sorry" from her mouth. I could careless about the spiling as long as it was accident. Things happen. But, she knew what she was doing was wrong and yet she was smiling. And when I heard "Well mommy, I didn't mean it," that was it. It almost sounded like she didn't even care. So I told her to sit in time out. I told her she can't watch TV for the rest of the night. Oh she didn't like that at all!
That's when I thought about my childhood, how my father used to play music at night instead of having us all watch TV. We had a ground rule and I barely remember watching TV when I was Ju Ju's age. What I remember is I used to watch my dad making some tea or coffee for him and my mom, smoking cigaretts or cigars (time was different back then! LOL) and listening to all his record albums. He had over two thousands albums - even though I was a little girl, I knew how amazing his collections were! And I remember it was my favorite time of the day - listening to music, asking questions and talking with my dad and my mom. I really didn't care about other things...
So, I told my daughters there will be no TV at least three whole days/nights out of a week from now on. Even mom isn't going to watch it. I think we will be able to accomplish more as family without TV or internet. I will probably read more books or do stuff around the house, all the things I've taken for granted. And you know what? My girls did just fine after dinner. They played with their toys while I played my favorite music. I'm not sure how long I can go without internet, but I want to embrace the life without tv or internet as much as I can..
So what do you think: Can you live without tv or internet???
When I'm tired, you know what I tend to post. That's right, a music clip! LOL. I don't know about you, but I like many songs that are performed by American Idol alumi.
Last year's winner Kris Allen's new single "Live Like We're Dying" is Ju Ju's "IT" song right now - she loves this song and wants to listen to it over and over. I like this song because of the lyrics, how he talks about how we take things for granted. Don't you think it's so true that we've only got one life and one shot and that's it??? I often talk about my life and how it's turning out. It's not always promising and yet it's full of hope. When I hear Ju Ju singing it out loud and fast the "chorus" part, it touches my heart. Yes, we have to live our lives to its fullest with no regret. We have to live it with all you've got.
Enjoy the music!
Sometimes we fall down and can’t get back up We’re hiding behind skin that’s too tough How come we don’t say I love you enough Till it’s too late, it’s not too late
Our hearts are hungry for a food that won’t come We could make a feast from these crumbs And we’re all staring down the barrel of a gun So if your life flashed before you, what would you wish you would’ve done
[Chorus] Yeah, gotta start Looking at the hand of the time we’ve been given here This is all we got and we gotta start thinkin’ it Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’ Gotta live like we’re dying We only got 86 400 seconds in a day To turn it all around or throw it all away We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em while we got the chance to say, Gotta live like we’re dying
And if you plane fell out of the skies Who would you call with your last goodbyes Should be so careful who we live out of our lives So when we long for absolution, there’ll be no one on the line
(Chorus)
Like we’re dying (x4)
(Chorus)
You never know a good thing until it’s gone you never see a crash until its head on All these people right when we’re dead wrong, You never know a good thing till it’s gone
I love candles. I get excited if I see them on the tables or the counter at restaurants and bars. I love different kind of candles, big and small, scented and unscented. My FAVORITE candle maker was Illuminations which was bought by Yankee Candle (which I'm not so fond of their jar design, but scents are good) and has gone out of business recently. I'm very sad about it because I used to go to Illuminations store in Hawaii and decorated my house with my favorite candles... One of my favorite was Napa Vally Harvest and the candle surely smelled beautiful...
Right now, my house is filled with tea lights and votive lights as well as some Illumination candles that I scored at Marshalls last year during the holiday shopping. My house smells really nice at night. I am a candle girl - I really am... It makes me feel so calm and romantic.
So, are you a candle girl???
p.s. my throat is so itchy, I can't stop caughing. I hate being sick!
Well, I think I missed posting last night - that means no more 365 posts! :( I was sick all day and night and I was no way near sitting in front of my pc nor holding my blackberry to post.
I'm disappointed that there will not be the golden 365th post at the end of 2010, but 364th post wouldn't hurt, right? Or maybe I should just skip posting on weekends and posting on weekdays only.... I am not going to decide now - I think whatever happens, it happens attitude is the best way to approach this blogging thing. I realize now that once blogging is becoming like a job, it won't be fun anymore. So I will not pressure myself nor setting the rule..
Anyway, I'm still sick, so I'm going to back to bed. So sorry for not commenting back to all of you - I will make sure to catch up with all of your stories tomorrow!!
When I went to pick up my daughters from my mother in law's house after work, I learned that my Ju Ju got sick again. She was sleeping quietly on the couch and I took her home. After she woke up, she said she wanted to eat dinner, but she started crying again hysterically that her headache wouldn't go away. I gave her Tylenol and jumped in the shower with her (she loves to take a real hot shower when she has headache) and rubbed her neck. But, she decided to go back to bed after the shower.
I talked about her suffering from headache for the past six months or so in the previous post. We got her brandnew glasses in hopes that her headache would go away, but she still gets migrane. So I think I need to take her to see a doctor next week. Funny thing was, she had a trash basket right next to her when she was taking a nap at grandma. Her grandma and grandpa said it was her idea just in case if she had to throw up (which happened many times before).
I'm exhausted today - working non-stop from 8:30 am - 6pm (volunteering at my daughter's class and my regular job) - then taking care of sick Ju Ju. It's really heartbreaking to see her like that and it takes out all of my energy too....
Anyway, I'm signing off today. I'm so sorry, but I will try to catch up with all of your comment tomorrow. I love you!!!
I found the same image as my magnet on my refrigerator - JT bought it for me a long time ago. I thought it describe who I am when it comes to cleaning. I'm not dirty, but sometimes I am too lazy to clean the mess around the house.
I know that the real key to a clean house is to toss anything and everything that's old or not being used. I've been pretty good about it, but I have to admit, I tend to save stuff from Ju Ju's school projects to all of the cards I get for the holidays and birthdays.
But today, something snapped and I started cleaning the whole house - I threw away all kinds of stuff. It felt really good and refreshing. I'm trying to continue the mission tomorrow and throw way and clean the girls' room. They have SOOO many toys or the little things (I don't even know what) that need to be consolidated - although I secretly want to throw all of them away (bad mommy, bad mommy!) - Am I horrible to even think that???
So tell me - are you a tosser? What's your secret to keep your house organized and neat???
Do you ever wonder what is your purpose in this life? I constantly think about it simply because my life right now hasn't been all rosey and dreamy for a while. Of course there are many things that are good in my life: I am happy and thankful that I have two most beautiful daughters who are healthy (knock on wood!) and they love me so dearly... I'm a very lucky mother and I try to figure out every day what can I do to show my daughters how to lead a good life...
One of the things my mother has taught me which I cherish to my heart is "kindness". She's the kind of person if she saw someone in trouble, she would stop and help. She is full of love and such an amazing human being. That's why I tell my daughters to be kind to others, lend hands and always try to find goodness in people (you may think it's too early to teach my kids about kindess, but I think it's important!)
Anyway, I always believe "kindness" is contageous. And I always believe if every single person chooses to be kind and be compassionate, the world will be so much a better place...
One person who spoke my mind was Conn O'Brien who he departed Tonight Show a month ago.
"All I ask is one thing, and I'm asking this particulary of young people that watch:
Please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism.
For the record, it's my least favorite quality --- it doesn't lead anywhere.
Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get.
But if you work really hard and you're kind,
amazing things will happen."
I still have his last show on DVR and watch it when I feel down. I hope he moves back to NYC and start his own show again.. Here is Conan's Last Speech if you're interested.
I also love this Liberty Mutural's CM - Seriously, if we all act with kindness, our world will be so much better...
It's no secret that I'm 36 years old. I've always believed that regardless of my age, I'm very young at heart and truthfully, I feel like I'm getting younger more every day. But I also know that believing and actually aging is two different things.
The other night when I was getting ready to go out, I noticed gray hair - and it wasn't just one string of hair, there were four - five of them in a one area. You might think it's only 5 grey hair, but to me, it was SHOCKING!!! My hair is dark, so they look more obvious. You don't understand how much I freaked out: My heart started beating strong and the cold sweats running through my back. I was combing through my hair like a mama monkey looking for fleas in a baby monkey's hair. And I found more grey hair! OH NOOOOOOOOOO!! I almost wanted to die! It's over, I'm officially old..
Now I'm going to be the one who color grey roots at the tender age of 36. So sad girls, so sad...
Seriously, I even googled how to prevent gray hair and there's no such things - it's just human nature. It's one of those events that I can't deny that I'm no longer in my 20's.
How would you react if you find gray hair - wouldn't you be shocked too???
For the first time since I met my husband, we celebrated our Valentine's Day without each other. I think it was a little bit harder on him because I had my girls and had dinner at my in-laws. My BFF K also joined us, so it was very nice Valentine's Day.... Sorry JT...
By the way, I had a great time celebrating my BFF K's 30th birthday - maybe a little too much. All of us who were there had way too many drinks and very miserable the next day. We all said this afternoon, "Why, oh why do we do this to ourselves?" And why do we want greasy food when we're hangover?
This is me and my twin sister K. Oh wait, she doesn't look like me. Actually, she is my BFF K - It's her 30th birthday today. She and I are like real sisters - we act alike, we think alike and we drink alike. I love her dearly and she has been through so much and yet she never stops trying. I respect her and love her... She has mixed feelings about turning 30, but I tell her, wait until she turns 35! Her life has just began...
We are heading to downtown to celebrate her birthday and it's obvious I'm going to be her babysitter tonight :)
Today was one of those days where nothing went right.
1. I've misplaced something that is VERY important. I've looked every where in the house, even the outside. I'm trying to give it a few more days to see if it will turn up. I really need to find this - I'm going to die if I don't!
2. I realized the kittie food is gone, so my daughters and I headed to Target. We're looking at some stuff and walked to the Pet section. After we got all the stuff we needed, we paid and walked back to our car.... When I couldn't fine my keys! I looked and looked and I don't see my keys in my handbag. My face totally turned blue, carried Soapy and told Ju Ju to follow me and ran back to the store!
First, we went to the casher - he said nothing was left at the casher. Next we went to the customer service and they said no one turned anything in. I backt-traced the place, but I couldn't find the keys. I was starting to get really nervous: What if someone who found the keys decided to click the alarm and find my car and drive off? So I told my girls to run back to the car again. Okay, car was still there. Now I called the store and see if anyone had turned it in. No keys. I went back in again, back traced, asked the same casher and back to the customer service. No keys...
Now my daughter Ju Ju said, "Mommy, we have to go back to the kitty place again because we're playing with the litter box.." Believe me, we'd gone back to the pet section twice alreday and I couldn't find my keys. But when Ju Ju said "Litteer" - I felt like there is still hope. So we ran back and looked the litter box section where I didn't look and there is was - my keys!!! I was only looking at the cat food shelf. I remembered that I had to help the girls who were trying to see if they could lift those heavy litter sand because they couldn't put it back. I thanked my daughter SOOO many times because I would have totally given up if she didn't tell me about litter.
The thing is though - people at Target was not helpful at all. When I said I lost my car keys, they acted like "so what?" - they never asked my name nor phone number to call me if anyone turned it in. Don't you think they should've at least took my information? They were like, "Sorry, well, too bad!" Some people amaze me because they have no work ethic. Anyway, I hope you're having a great weekend!! Olympic is on!
Don't we all love Valentine's Day? It makes you feel warm inside... And my oldest daughter Ju Ju is learning the meaning of Valentine's Day for the first time. She had gotten Valentine's goodies when she was in Pre-K, but now, it is more of a big deal for her - I think she really gets it...
Ju Ju is so excited and wants everything to be perfect. When we went Target to shop for the goodies for her classmates, she wouldn't stop asking me questions or rejects some ideas I threw in to help her finding candies that she wanted for her friends. She decorated Valentine's cards for herself and even written messages on the cards. 16 students and friends she shares everyday life with - I think they are all important to her. After she finished writing stuff on the cards, I told her to go to bed. I told her I would finish everything for her. She was VERY skeptical. Side note:The dining table was full of candies, goodie bags, cards and chocolate - it was like hurricane stormed through the house. So I could understand her concern and this is the conversation we had after two hours of doing the Valentine's preparation for her school.
Ju Ju: "Mama, ARE YOU SURE???" Me: "Yes, I'm sure.." Ju Ju: "But Mommy, how are you going to wrap everything?" Me: "Don't worry about it.." Ju Ju: "Are you sure?? Is everything gonna be ready when I wake up?" Me: "No doubt about it.." Ju Ju: "But Mommy, are you going to put everything in the bag?" Me: "Everything.." Ju Ju: "Are you sure you know who is who and name and everything?" Me: "............."
After convincing her that everything is going to be okay, she finally went to bed. And I wrapped all the candies, chocolate and cards and this is the final photo.. (sorry for the bad quality of pics) - I also placed the card on the table Ju Ju made for me in her class today... The card was SUPER adorable!!!
I can't wait to see her face tomorrow morning. Have a lovely Friday everybody:)
I couldn't quite figure out why I've been so tired lately. Staying up late, sometimes until 2am being in front of computer and getting up at 7am was not a big deal for me before. But now, I get really sleepy by 9pm - I even fall asleep with the girls while I'm putting them to bed - simply exhausted. And I didn't know why...
I realize now that my exhausion comes from doing everything around the house all by myself without my husband's help. Tell you the truth, I've always done most of the stuff around the house - cleaning, cooking, bathing the kids and putting them to bed. But I never realized how important a role my husband had played until now. It's the little things he did for me - if my hands were full, he went to the bathroom and check on the girl while they played in the tub or if they didn't listen, all I had to do was call his name.
I wanted to quit my part time job by the end of last year, but I couldn't and it seems I have to stick around for another month or two. Thank god for JT's mom and stepdad's - they take care of the girls while I'm at work; 23 hours out of five days (which is not bad at all). I also was able to switch two of my shifts to morning, so I can pick up Ju Ju from school (I could only pick her up once a week before and JT picked her up every day) - she is seriously happy that I'm there waiting at the gate when she walks out with her classmates: Her face totaly lit up when she seems my face...
Anyway, what I want to say is I totally respect all the single moms out there - they do so much without anybody's help. I know it's not easy, seriously it's not easy - Jenn, I'm talking about you!! :) If you know anyone who's a single mom - please be kind and respect her. She may be putting a brave face, but I know sometimes all she wants is a good cry.
BTW, JT sent me a photo of snow to my cell phone this morning - his message said, "6in last nite 6 more today.." - I must admit I miss my husband..
I was talking to one of the clients today when she asked me what she should get for his new boyfriend of two months. She is smitten and wants to get something for him, but because they've been dating for only short time, she is just not sure how much is too much. She also thought about him not getting her anything and that's making her nervous too.
My boss and his wife kept telling her not to get him anything and let him do the work... I, on the other hand told her, if she wants to get him something, then that's what she should do. She said she was going to get his favorite movie on DVD and maybe a certificate for a round of golf. Oh boy, my boss and his wife were like, "Are you crazy? What if he doesn't get you anything? Just go and see if he gets you something. Once the relationship gets serious, then you should get him something.."
Now, I still remember the look on her face; the disappointment or the confusion because I know she wants to get him something. They are definitely going to dinner together - she just doesn't know if she should get him gifts.
What do you think everyone? What would you do if you're only dating your BF for a few months and celebrating Valentine's Day together for the first time. I know I would be so excited! Wouldn't you want to get him something - I mean, I would. Or am I wrong???
When my husband JT left last week, I wasn't sure what would it be like to sleep alone in my bed. I know it would be weird, but I tried to enjoy the bigger space left in it because JT is a tall guy - sometimes he can push me to the edge of the bed...
The first night without my husband, I put the girls to their beds and crowled into my own bed all by myself. Oh big bed, big space, cool sheets and everything.. But the moment was short lived...
I was deeply asleep when I heard a tiny voice, "mommy...." - I woke up, there, my oldest daughter Ju Ju holding a teddy in her arm stand right next to me, followed by another crying voice... "mommmmmyyyyy..." - my youngest Soapy ran into my room... It was 4am - I was so tired, I couldn't even get up.
I opened the comforter, patted the bed and they both jumped in bed - Ju Ju to my left and Soapy to my right. They snuggled up to me and we slept together. And we've been sleeping in my bed since.
Okay, I finally was able to get them to sleep in their own beds this year (some of you may know that they had tough time sleeping without me..) - now we're back to square one. My daughters giggle and get so happy after taking a bath every night because they know they get to sleep with me. I know it's a bad habit, but I do love having them in my bed too. It's lonely to sleep alone sometimes.
But remember, we have two cats too. They also jump up and sleep by my feet. I'm totally closed in by my daughters and cats. Now I need to figure out how to get my girls out of my bed and sleep in their beds again....
How was your weekend everyone? Did you watch Super Bowl? Which team were you rooting for? Although I always like Payton, I am happy that Saints won the Super Bowl - they deserved it.
Now, I'm exhausted - Going out last night and Super Bowl party as well as my emotional roller coaster for the past few days have made me really really tired. I think my body is craving for good night sleep and rest. Strolling on the beach would be nice too...
When I'm lazy, I tend to do a music post and tonight is your lucky day! LOL It's called "Two Is Better Than One" by Boys like Girls featuring Taylor Swift. This is my yongest daughter's current favorite song. She asks me to play it over and over and loves to dance. So cute.. (I would have loved to see Taylor Swift in this video though..)
-- P.S. What was your favorite Super Bowl commercial? I liked Doritos:)
Okay, I'm out drinking with my BFF K --- I'm on my BB and at least wanted to let you know that I'm not missing my post!! Haha...
The thing is I cried all day long because of that damn blue I have been talking about and now I realized I just needed to go out and dance all night.... I'm not sure it will solve anything, but I'm surely hoping so!
Wish me luck of not getting to sick drinking down!
What's your plan for this weekend? Anything fun and interesting???
I don't know why, but I've been feeling blue all day -- there is this cloud over my head and I can't seem to shake it. This happens to me once a month or every other month. The best thing is to ride it out and not think too much because more I think, more I get confused and feel more blue. I know I've got a lot on my mind, but all I can do is to pray and move forward... And I know I need some sleep too!!! LOL..
I was listening to the radio the other morning when the DJ repeatedly said, "The Cosmo said, the thong is dead! Is that true, dear listeners??"
I did a post about thongs a long time ago and talked about how much I love the thong. I used to hate it until I tried it and now I can't wear anything else. I find regular bikinis or V-strings or other panties who touch my butt cheeks annoying. But apparently, the thong is dead according to Cosmopolitan magazine. I am very surprised because there is no such thing as "The thong is dead" in my book.
According to Cosmo, "boyshorts" are becoming more and more popular (see the photo above) - I still remember I bought countless boyshorts at Gap Body when I was pregnant with both of my girls. They were the most comfortable undies that I wore during my pregnancies. They totally streched to my ever growing hip and belly and I loved it. But now, I can't do boyshorts. I think the shape is lovely and my husband would love for me to wear it, but the answer is NO.
But seriously Cosmo, are you sure the thong is dead because many women were still loving it the last time I checked.
Anyway, I couldn't find any photos online except from Victoria's Secret that show the shape of panties as well as how your back would look like..
"hihuggers" will annoy me quickly... Cute, but too much coverage..
My husband likes "hiphuggers" on me - he thinks I shoud wear cute panties on daily basis. But I don't have those anymore in my drawer.
I like "cheekies" next to thongs.. I can handle this..
Still, I don't want anything touching my butt cheek...
The color I love and this one feels like air and I love it...
Yes, I love thong, but I will never wear this. Never.
My verdict is "YES" to thongs!!! Oh I love thee...
So ladies, what about you? Which one is your best friend for your cute butt???
I was watching the repeat of Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN early morning (it was like 2am Wednesday morning) when the show introduced a guy named Mark Malkoff. He's a comedian and a filmmaker who experimented something interesting in the heart of New York - Manhattan.
He always wondered if it's true when people say New Yorkers are not nice, so he decided to ask strangers to carry him from the tip of New York (south) to the other side of New York (north) - now, I don't need to talk any more. Just enjoy this video... It's funny, cute and you'll see New Yorker's are not all that mean...
What is kindness? Would you carry a stranger when asked?
I love buying makeup - Don't you love it too? The colors or the scent or the packaging - there are many reasons why I love makeup/costmetics... I open my drawer, there, you'll find many things that I use daily or haven't used... It's funny, but sometimes I want to buy them to just look..
One of the things that I can't get enough is mascara. It seems I'm never happy with the mascara I buy. I'm always huting for the IT mascara. I always have several mascara that I use depends on my mood or feeling.
Dior Show Iconic ($27) - Currently, I'm using this Dior's Show Iconic mascara. I keep this in my makeup bag. I do like it, but I don't love it. If anything, I love the name. LOL. The lady at the counter at Saks told me I should try it if I loved Dior Show because it would curl my ever thin eye lashes. I'm not sure if it ever curled my eyelashes. I definitely opt for Dior Show because Iconic is $3 more and I don't see any difference. Just my opinion...
Dior Show ($24) - I will buy this one again next time when my Iconic runs out...
Feiberwig ($24) - I love this Fiberwig and I keep bying it - it's from Japan and it gives you such delicate lashes. I feel this aweness every time I coat my lashes.
Maybeline Great Lash Mascara: I think many people love this mascara simply because of the price and it doesn't disappoint you.
Rimmel Glam'Eyes: I bought this mascara because I loved the look - the black and pink packaging was hard to refuse. Moreover, I really really loved this mascara!!!! It was cheap and yet it gave me such great looking lashes! I'm not kidding - you should definitely try it!
Another mascara I bought simply because I loved the color "yellow" and "purple" - and I must admit, I liked using it. I haven't bought another one, but I did like it.
So, do you like buying mascara? Which one is your favorite to use???
-- I just want to thank every one for your kind comments when I talked about my husband moving away. The girls and I talk to him every day/night and he sounds very positive. Thank you very much!!!
My husband first told me that he's thinking about moving back to NJ to work for his father two days before Christmas last year when him and I went out for dinner just two of us. It's no secret that we've been through a lot since he first suffered from seizure episodes six years ago and have tough time finally as well..
We've moved around three states because of it and he's had tough time holding job. The day before Easter last year, he got really sick and was in the ICU for a longest time. Every time we thought he's doing better, he gets sick again. The uncertainty has always put a lot of stress and pressure on me and my husband because we have two daughters who totally rely on us. We are responsible for two most beautiful souls.
So, today, my husband JT packed his stuff and moved to NJ by himself to work for his father again. Ju Ju still has school to finish and right now, we call Florida our home. So, as much as it hurts, Daddy is doing what he's gotta do - to do what's best for our family.
After dropping off Daddy, Ju Ju was crying looking out the window at the bay saying that she misses her daddy. "Land Slide" by Dixie Chicks was playing in the background and she wouldn't stop crying while I was holding her tiny hand (BTW, I was also driving with my left hand. LOL) - on the other hand, Soapy was like, "Well, mommy, we can go and see him every weekend!"
We're not sure about many things, but JT will be commuting between FL and NJ. We're hopeful and we can't wait for Daddy to come home for Soapy's birthday in March. For now, I have to play both Mommy and Daddy for the girls..
Just the three of us, there will be lonely nights and missing Daddy like crazy, but I know we're going to okay!!!!
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