My Favorite Hollywood Couple

I am not sure about you readers, but Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are my favorite Hollywood couple. They were the most unlikely people to share life together in my book before. It was nice surprised when I heard about their love affair (sorry Jen!). They are gorgeous to look at; They try to make a difference in the world (even it's a small step at a time with large sum of money); They have a big family which keeps growing; And most of all, they love each other. Look at this photo above:I can honestly feel that they adore, respect and love each other deeply... I love looking at them being together and I am happy for them, especially Brad Pitt who wanted a family for so many years. Oh, and don't forget - they are both damn sexy!!! (And they even have the same hair color!!!)








So, what are your thoughts on the couple? Do you love them or hate them together?

Belated Birthday Photos!

It's been two weeks since my 35th birthday party.

I have been saying I would post pics, but I have been lazy until now.

I thought I could relive and enjoy the fun night once more...

JT, my bro-in-law and friends got the whole 2nd fl @ our favorite bar for my birthday.

I was screaming at people downstairs, "Thanks for coming!!" (I wish-LOL)

Yep, birthday girl's face is half missing, but I don't care - meet my fabulous GFs!!

My BFF/Stylist Mr. D & Mr. M My JT and I...
My girls: Miss A & Miss K
My dear (another) Miss A, she's going to be Mrs. next week!
JT & Dr. Orthodontist (he's gonna fix my teeth! LOL)
Two Bros up to something: JT & D Jr. My sweet bro D jr. & BFF Miss K
Big Guy JT enjoying laying on top of the girls My better half Miss J

Anothe pic w/ Miss J"One more shot!" (I'm already drunk as hell..) Group pic!

And another one! I must say, I was miserable before this night, but it wasn't bad to turn 35 after all.
I was so fortunate to have my hubby, family and friends who were there to celebrate my birthday.
Thank you so much, guys!!!

One Late night..

Hey guys! I just came back from a night of fine dining and drinking with my in-laws. I'm a bit tipsy -- oh that white wine I had was so delicious. Well, my hubby JT's dad and stepmom flew in from NJ today (Friday morning). My two daughters have been so excited and happy that they are here. We had this "Boo Fest" for the kids tonight in our town, so all of us took the girls and enjoyed watching Ju Ju and Soapy getting all the treats (but who need so much candy a week before the real deal?).
Anyway, as their grandpa and grandma clicking away the photos of my girls, I was standing by them at the same time, trying to capture some cute shots. But Ju Ju and Soapy wanted nothing to do with me. Their eyes were all on their grandparents. LOL. The girls insisted on wearing their real Halloween costumes tonight, but oh no, their mama said "NO". I wouldn't let them ruin it. So I told them to be princess, put on their daily costumes. Am I mean or cheap? Honestly, it's like everyday is Halloween to them. They get to be fairies and princesses and eat sweets all year long. But we had great time tonight.. Aww, I'm in such a great mood..

Another big, big news. Call me silly, but I've been excited about this for the past three months. And tonight is the night! I'm gonna have to spill it out. Now I finally got the photo and clip, I'm posting it on late Friday night (actually it's 1:00am Saturday) just because I'm tipsy.
Take a look at this photo. I'm introduing John Connor played by Christian Bale!!!! (I know most of you don't give a crap, but bear with me). For some of you who have no idea what I am talking about, I'm talking about the movie "Terminator". I am not a big fan of SciFi action movie, but I have certain favorite flicks and "Terminator" is one of them. Ever since I've seen the first "Terminator", I've always wanted to see how John Connor will turn out and who would play his part. And my prayer has been granted. Christian Bale, one of the hottest men in Hollywood plays the hero I've always wanted to see fight for our future!!! Awwwwwww! Isn't he gorgeous or what??? I don't want to talk about next year because it's still 2008, but I just can't wait for this movie to come out!!! Forget Bat Man my friends. Christian Bale is John Connor from now on.

Enjoy one of the very first official Teaser Trailer here!
The movie "Terminator Salvation" will be open in summer of 2009!!!

I'd Walk A Mile...

Hello everyone. Today, I've decided to try my first "Writer's Workshop" with Mama's Losing it.

I picked two prompts:

1. "I would walk a mile for a ________"

A. I would walk a mile for a cure for kidney disease. Maybe I would even walk 200 miles if I have to. I've already talked about my mom in Japan and some of you may already know that she has been on dialysis for the past seven years. She goes to the clinic every Tue, Thu and Saturday morning from 8am to 12pm, four hours attached to a machine laying on bed, so she can live.

She was really depressed and didn't want to go on at first when she started it, but when she learned that I was pregnant with Ju Ju, she bounced back and has been positive since. Her two young granddaughters are her will to survive. I have asked her to consider transplants which is a common practice here in the US, but my mom refuses the idea no matter what I say.

She hasn't been feeling well for the past week (hmm, maybe that's why I'm still sick...?), fainted several times and even threw up at the clinic after the dialysis. That makes me want to just fly back and be there for her. My mom is my best friend and I'd do anything to lift her spirits. She deserves to watch my girls grow up.

So, I say this out loud, I WOULD WALK A MILE, EVEN I WOULD WALK AND RUN 200 MILES FOR A CURE TO KIDNEY DISEASE!


2. Describe in detail a person who leaves no stone unturned..

A. I thought about my dad as soon as I read this prompt. He is such a determined person and he'd do anything to make his dream come true. I will make this short and sweet, so you wouldn't get bored reading it.

My dad was majoring in architecture in college when he met my mom. She was a daughter of a photographer who owned a photo business (yes, I'm talking about my grandpa). When my dad wanted to marry my mom, my grandpa said "No," because my dad had no photography background. Because my dad was madly in love with my mom, he gave up his dream to become an archtech and decided to go to a photography school. My other grandpa wasn't happy and totally against the idea because he wanted my dad to take over his archtecture business. But my dad went on to finish the school, he went back to my mom's dad ask for permission to marry her. Then my grandpa gave my dad another obstacle. My grandpa told my dad he can only be with my mom if he chose to give up his last name and took my grandpa's last name which is a very common practice in Japan in order to keep the family's last name going; not die down.

My grandpa only had two daughters; My mom and my auntie. It was very important to him that his business and his last name wouldn't die with him. My dad thought about it and he agreed marrying into my mom's family. Well my dad was second son, so his oldest bro could carry on their last name. I know it sounds strange to many of you, but that's how things work in Japan sometimes. So my dad gave up two things for my mom because my dad had to have her. After seven years they had met, my dad and mom finally tied the knot at 26.

Then after 11 years of marriage, my dad at the age of 37 realized that photography was not something he wanted anymore. My dad told my mom about leaving the place he grew up, moving to Tokyo and chasing his dreams. He grew tired of living someone else's life. Now it was my mom's turn to give up something she loved so much; her parents and a comfortable life. We moved to Tokyo, we struggled for a while.. My dad even took on a day labor job, but he never gave up. He kept on trying and trying and he finally landed the job he'd always wanted. He became a very successful sports agent in at I%G (I don't think I should spell every letter here, so I took out the middle letter) in Tokyo.

My dad is a person who would do anything for his dream and love. Granted he is a risk taker, but I truly admire him. I'm proud and glad that he is my dad... I love him!

And the winners are!?

One of Ju-Ju's artwork - she is so proud!

My girls before picking the winner



Ju Ju and Soapy holding the winner name

Last week, I held the "Pay it Forward" contest that I was passed on by MJ. My two daughters and I picked three winners late this afternoon.

the winners are... (the sound of drum begins....)
franco, dorkys and merc3069!!!! And another twist is, since franco didn't want the nail polish, we picked another winner and the lucky person is
rachel!!!

The winners, please send me an email with your address, so that I can mail the stuff that I have promised to you guys. Franco, don't worry, you won't be getting the nail poslish, but Ju Ju drew something special for you!! :) Once you recieved the item, you need to forwad the love to three people of your choice. This has been such joy and I hope this will keep going and growing! Let's forward the kindness and feel the love y'all!!!

xoxo,
Maki

Your Unknown Power

My grandma (dad's mom) was a medium. Believe it or not, I grew up listening to her stories of countless encounters with ghosts and paranormal activities. I wasn't afraid, but rather curious, so I used to beg her to tell me about her ghosts even when my dad told me to stay out of it (he was scared, I'm sure!!).

She used to say, "Oh, last night was bad.. The furniture wouldn't stop shaking. I told them to shut up. I think something bad is going to happen." Then soon enough, we get news that our family member had passed or got in the accident. My grandma had seen so many ghosts or spirits that were unable to go to heaven. My dad hated hearing the stories though. I think he can also feel something beyond our imagination or understanding, but just doesn't want to admit it.

I can not see spirits/ghosts. Period. I don't see them. BUT, I do feel them sometimes. My thing is, although I don't see them with my eyes, I have the gift that I am not so fond of. I can tell if someone is going to die. I realized I have this weird intuition of predicting someones death when I was teenager after my grandfather died.

One day, I was watching TV and saw this huge actor R.P. talking about his upcoming movie. I felt this overwhelming sadness when I was looking at his face. I still clearly remember the moment which I was thinking to myself, "Oh my god... I think he is going to die.." Then a week later he overdosed and died at a famous bar in L.A. Coincidence? Maybe. But since then, I often times find myself feeling the same things ove and over again, and soon after I learn those intuitions were indeed real.

For the past two years, I have lost two friends and a family member. All of them I somehow knew they were going to die even though they were not ill. The sad thing is that I didn't want to believe that was going to happen to them, so I shrug it off from my head saying, "Oh, stop it... She will be fine," or "He will be fine..." Nobody would believe me anyway because I wouldn't know exactly when or what time. It is something that I wish I could just throw away because it is scary if you really think about it. I am not proud of my six sense. I wish I had the ability to do something more fun.

Anyway, one of my favorite TV programs is coming back next week. It is A&E's Paranormal State. Have you seen the show before? It's pretty interesting. Check out the preview!



And these are the films related to the above subject that I enjoyed seeing. I tend to love happy movies, but sometimes I just can't help myself wanting to see something scary.






So, my friends, do you believe in ghosts? What are your thought???

Back to my normal self

I have been sick since past Saturday, but I am finally able to sit and type today's post which is a relief!!! I was able to visit some blogs and leave comments, but when it came to writing my own post, my brain just didn't want to help me with it.

It all started when I realized my right ear was acting weird. It felt like when you go swimming and get water inside of your ear. I couldn't pop it, so it was very uncomfortable. And I thought I was losing my hearing which was really a scary thought! Then somehow I caught a bug from my Soapy who had been coughing at night (which she got it from her sis Ju Ju's BFF, Little Miss M). My body ached and joints hurt... I couldn't get out of the bed all day yesterday. I was miserable!!!

On top of that, I was a bit overwhelmed with everything: my new work, kids and everything else's in my life. I hadn't had the chance to really sit, relax and take it all in when I started my new job because I was always on the go. So, I decided to take a little break from blogging and recharge my energy. I think it helped me so much. What I realized is that you need own peace and serenity in order to enjoy your life and yourself. Without having that, you would totally lose it!

I just want to thank you all who entered the "Pay It Forward" contest last week! I will announce the lucky winners tomorrow afternoon, so stay tuned!!

This is where I want to be right now...