Spring Break

New Spring Game Pic. My man looks yummay!

Our attempt at a family pic at HB.

Paul and I drove back from SoCal yesterday. It was a much deserved break from all the hustle and bustle of work and school.  We had a few spats here and there, just because we're not used to being together 24/7, and we were driving each other a little crazy. After talking it out, we gave each other a short break and I walked over to the nail salon to get my nails done. I paid $26 for a mani AND a pedi, a quarter of what I would pay to get my nails done up north. Way to hook it up SoCal! Yes, I get excited about getting my nails done.

We got to hang out with the SoCal Super Friends, and had a blast going to "church" with them at Congregation Ale House. Although we were all sitting at the same table with the fellas, the wifeys had our own thing going on. Good times.

Paul and I did a lot of running, and I'm really glad I was able to improve my pace time. Holla'! I'm back son! Recognize.  Here's hoping I get into the Nike Women's Marathon this year. If not, I'll try again next year.

It was great hanging out with Aleks at Roscoe's. He and Paul got to sit down and discuss the details of Paul's upcoming tattoo. I can't wait to see that get started. Aleks is a true Renaissance Man from my perspective. I have much love for my homie.

We ended the vacation with a trip to the Coliseum for the USC Spring Game.  I'm a total bandwagon fan because of Paul, so I'm not even trying to front like I know all about the team. Haha. I had a blast getting Flat Stanley autographed, but the best part was just spending quality time with my man. I think we've started a great tradition in our relationship. Here's hoping SC will do well this upcoming season.

Anyhoo, I had a great time in SoCal. The Super Friends are making it tough for me to stay in NorCal. We'll see where I'll be in a year or so.

In Good Company

I headed out to the city today, to hang out with two of my homies, Glen and Dennis. It had been a while since we hung out together, and the witty banter and sarcasm was surely missed.

Being around these guys reminded me of why I love my community in SoMa so much. I've made a lot of good friends there, like-minded down-for the community and their homies kind of folks.  I take comfort in the fact that I can always count on these guys to keep it real with me. These guys are characters, and most definitely have character. It was nostalgic walking back to Bessie from Bayanihan. I forgot how much I miss walking around SoMa. I even got to pet a cool doggy along the way.

We started off with some Chico's and a short kick-it at Arkipelago Books with Tita Marie. I was hoping to run into Col. Ceguerra today, a beterano I met last weekend, but he didn't visit Tita Marie or the bookstore today.  I'll save the sketch book and charcoal sticks I got him for next time.

Glen had to leave early because he had plans with his Lola and Mom, so he dropped Dennis and I off at the Anarchist Book Fair at Golden Gate Park. It was a new experience for me. Now, I'm someone who doesn't get intimidated very easily, but the vibe in the place was a mixture of extreme individualism within a complete collectivism approach. Dennis and I hopped on the 71 bus afterwards, where he and I took different stops. I rode the Muni back to SoMa, and headed back to my car on 6th Street.

I had a great day in the city with good friends, and was almost sad to leave today. I wish Paul would've been there to enjoy the day with us, but it was also nice just to be with good friends for a change.

Weekend Update

This weekend went by so fast. Paul will be moving out of his apartment and to a nicer home out of DC. I had an overnight babysitting job this weekend, I'm a little exhausted, but totally worth it seeing one of my favorite little ones. Lilah is just about as sweet as they come. Love that kid. If only I could get her baby sister to like me just as much. Hehe. I just don't sleep well in other people's homes. I like the coziness of my bed and my fat cat sleeping on my leg until it turns numb.

I asked Paul to pick me up because I didn't want to drive by myself in all that rain and wind.  By the time Paul got to Sacramento, the rain had stopped and the wind had gone. He still doesn't believe me that there was a storm. We spent much of the afternoon driving around running errands.  We stopped in Davis to get some hardware for his bike. I picked up new prayer beads from Tibet Nepal.  We were cracking up because it seems that there are now quite a few Thai restaurants in Davis. Paul said his people are taking over the world, one cow-town at a time. Hah.

We did a lot of normal things this weekend. Just packing, painting, trips to Home Depot. I think we're really settling into our relationship, in the most unusual of ways. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to check out the Bali exhibit at the Asian Art Museum, but we can save that for next week, right after we watch my trainer Jose in the Golden Gloves for State.

That's all I have for tonight.

Goodnight world. I love you Paul Poompan.

Anti-Barbie Rant

Most people know where I stand when it comes to the issue of Barbie dolls and the negative influence she has on little girls. Don't get me wrong, I had Barbies when I was young, but I can also remember wondering why she didn't look like me.  More importantly, I remember being brainwashed into thinking that Barbie represented the standard of beauty I would have to live up to if I ever wanted to have a dreamy boyfriend like Ken (by the way, I had an androgynous boyfriend like Ken for 8 years, but he was more high-maintenance, less dreamy).

My first Barbies were hand-me downs from my cousin Diana. They were very uptown and classy, with their coiffed up-dos and ankle-length dresses.  Over the decades, I have watched Barbie turn from classy to trashy, from uptown chic to downtown street-entrepreneur. She went from Audrey Hepburn to a straight hood-rat.

Her hemlines are, at this point, non-existent, which go well with her thigh-high boots.  It doesn't really matter if Barbie comes with clothes, because along with the shoes, they are STILL as impossible to put back on! 
And don't get me started on her accessories. Seriously, is Mattel even aware that there are other colors in the spectrum, and that little girls like more than just the color pink? Talk about gender stereotyping. I'm a girl, and I don't like pink. I like blue, red, gray and black.  I cringe every time I catch a glimpse of the Barbie aisle at Target. All that pink and lavender gives this sistah-girl the heebie-jeebies.

As a nanny to three little girls, I am constantly surrounded by Barbies and princesses of some sort. It's possible that little girls may learn some form of socialization and engage in dramatic play with Barbies. However, if I were ever to have daughters, I would still choose not to have her play with Barbies. I think that she will be surrounded by so many strong and beautiful womyn that she'll find something like Barbie so uninteresting.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately. I just feel like I don't have enough time to do everything.  I'm just tired. Part of it is because I haven't been able to sleep much, and I also think that I'm back to being hyperthyroid because I am feeling more fatigued lately. I can't wait until spring break, where I'll be heading down to SoCal with Paul, complete with Notorious D.O.G. in tow. We'll be coming back with something extra heavy and happy though. Pika will be staying with me for a while.  At least the roll dawgs will be together even if she's not staying with her Daddy.

I guess being busy is good in some ways because I'm doing really well in school, and everything's been great with Paul.  We had a good time at the SFAAIFF. We picked two good movies this year, and were even able to meet up with Christina and May for dinner at Hukilau.  It was a really chill weekend and for the first time in a long while, we were able to sleep in despite the time change. It's nice to have some sense of normalcy in our relationship again. Between coaching wrestling, teaching, and training for Paul, and indoor soccer, work, and school for me, we've had a lot going on.

I just wanted to update the blog for a bit, since I haven't written anything in a while. Next month, we'll be celebrating my Mama Osang's two-year death anniversary.  I still can't believe she's gone. I miss her a lot, yet I feel her presence around me all the time.

Until next time.

Ready for Spring Break

This semester has gone by really fast, one of the reasons I love Spring semester.  My snowboard remains untouched despite all the snow in Tahoe.  I'll probably go up before the season ends, but because I'm recovering from the flu, I have no desire to go somewhere extremely cold.  It would be cool to take Notorious D.O.G. up to the snow though and let her stomp around.

I'm staying in town this weekend, a rare occurence. I love being in the Bay every weekend, but commuting can be exhausting.  Although I'm staying in town this weekend, I don't really get to sleep in. Notorious D.O.G. has training and a playdate, and I'll be delivering Girl Scout cookies all over town.

I'm also glad that wrestling season is over for Paul so he can get back to training and competing. We also get our weekends back! I'm taking Paul to the San Francisco Asian American International Film Festival next weekend, and I am so excited! I've skipped the Film Festival the past three years, and I'm looking forward to sharing one of my favorite events with him.  I'm also looking forward to helping him move out of his Daly City apartment at the end of the month. Hello San Bruno!

I'm ready to head down to SoCal for Spring Break too.  I just want warm weather and to kick it at the beach with the dogs.  I'm also looking forward to going on another road trip with my boo.  I also want to make it a point to see Erin Dawn while I'm there to say hi to her and the baby belly.

I'm just tired and looking forward to some rest.  Hopefully I can start running again this weekend. It's been a long three weeks of the flu and coughing, and I'm ready to kick it to the curb.

Thankful

I am THANKFUL for:

my wonderful family who loves me unconditionally

a great man who loves me (and his fat bulldog who loves me just as much)

an awesome best friend who always seems to calm me down and put things in perspective for me

genuine friends who have morals and values

a silly and clumsy dog who doesn't seem to mind being surrounded by crazy cats

lessons learned

infinite possibilities and happiness