images of last year's stuff:
150cm ride solace from 2004-5
ride vxn bindings from 2004-2005
again, i say, how fickle am i.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
snowboard follow up part ii
so i was searching for more equipment online and found that last year's gear is about $200. wow. so i think i'm gonna return what i bought (this years) and buy last year's stuff online. so fickle am i. i dunno if i should return it right now, or try it once and then return it. meh.
images of last year's stuff:
150cm ride solace from 2004-5
ride vxn bindings from 2004-2005
again, i say, how fickle am i.
images of last year's stuff:
150cm ride solace from 2004-5
ride vxn bindings from 2004-2005
again, i say, how fickle am i.
Friday, December 30, 2005
snowboard follow up
so i told my parents about my rather large purchase. my mom semi-freaked out at first. after some convincing, they're more at ease. i even got my dad to say that it was worth it. hahah.
correction: my birthday is going to be on a wednesday next year. that means i get out of class earlier, but i can't stay out as late cuz i'll have an 8:00 class the next day. boogers.
correction: my birthday is going to be on a wednesday next year. that means i get out of class earlier, but i can't stay out as late cuz i'll have an 8:00 class the next day. boogers.
compulsive buying
i ate at molcasalsa w/ masaki for lunch today. afterward, i figured the 91 would be traffic so i decided to drive down imperial hwy. on the way, i saw an active board shop and decided to go in and look at snowboarding gear. i didn't see anything and kept driving.
then i saw a sport chalet. they had an entire 2nd floor of snowboarding gear. i browsed for what seemed like forever and bought some snowboarding pants (black). i noticed that they had a package for the roxy board i wanted ($450 for board, boots & binding), but they didn't have my size boot.
i drove even further and found a chick's sporting goods. i found some gloves that would go perfect w/ my snow jacket and bought them (even though i already bought some gloves from burlington yesterday). these were better, though, because they had the bungee cords.
after getting lost for a bit, i got back onto the 91. i passed the exit for my house and figured i would drop by sportmart to see if they had anything. they also had a sale on pants and i was about to buy a 2nd pair (these were grey) but teo talked me out of it over the phone.
since another sport chalet was so close, i figured i'd drop by to see if they had the roxy boots just in case i decided to buy the package later. turns out they did. the sales guy helping me, though, starting talking to me about some burton boots that were $50 more but "worth it" cuz of the new technology. i told him that i was planning to get the roxy package and he talked me into buying something else. for about a couple hundred more, i could get a board that would last 5x longer & wouldn't catch snow as much (that happened to me a lot and caused many a fall) and boots that wouldn't fall apart, wouldn't be as hard to clean (the roxy boots were white), and were a lot easier to put on. after much deliberation, i decided to buy:
i like sport chalet's policies, tho. they have a 30 day money back guarantee. if after 3 days of snowboarding i don't feel that my riding has improved, i can exchange the snowboard. if, within a year, the boots don't fit right, i can exchange them. they also gave me some maintenance offers: free mid season tune-up ($40 value), free post season hot wax ($5 value), 3 free in-season hot waxes ($15 value).
i think i'm going snowboarding on monday. i'll try my new stuff out. (the board actually fits in my corolla's trunk!) too bad i start school on tuesday... if break was just a little longer, i could fit another session in. maybe i can go night boarding. crap! i thought i'd be able to go on weekends, but those prices are hiked, too. oh well. i am sooo going on my bday for free. i hope i don't have a test the next day... eh. it doesn't matter cuz my bday's tues and weds are easy days. yay!
k. done w/ the babbling. i still can't believe i bought an effin' snowboard.
then i saw a sport chalet. they had an entire 2nd floor of snowboarding gear. i browsed for what seemed like forever and bought some snowboarding pants (black). i noticed that they had a package for the roxy board i wanted ($450 for board, boots & binding), but they didn't have my size boot.
i drove even further and found a chick's sporting goods. i found some gloves that would go perfect w/ my snow jacket and bought them (even though i already bought some gloves from burlington yesterday). these were better, though, because they had the bungee cords.
after getting lost for a bit, i got back onto the 91. i passed the exit for my house and figured i would drop by sportmart to see if they had anything. they also had a sale on pants and i was about to buy a 2nd pair (these were grey) but teo talked me out of it over the phone.
since another sport chalet was so close, i figured i'd drop by to see if they had the roxy boots just in case i decided to buy the package later. turns out they did. the sales guy helping me, though, starting talking to me about some burton boots that were $50 more but "worth it" cuz of the new technology. i told him that i was planning to get the roxy package and he talked me into buying something else. for about a couple hundred more, i could get a board that would last 5x longer & wouldn't catch snow as much (that happened to me a lot and caused many a fall) and boots that wouldn't fall apart, wouldn't be as hard to clean (the roxy boots were white), and were a lot easier to put on. after much deliberation, i decided to buy:
- 142 cm ride snowboard solace series
- black wine ride vxn bindings
- stealth gray/granite burton emerald boots
- and a snowflake stomp pad
i like sport chalet's policies, tho. they have a 30 day money back guarantee. if after 3 days of snowboarding i don't feel that my riding has improved, i can exchange the snowboard. if, within a year, the boots don't fit right, i can exchange them. they also gave me some maintenance offers: free mid season tune-up ($40 value), free post season hot wax ($5 value), 3 free in-season hot waxes ($15 value).
i think i'm going snowboarding on monday. i'll try my new stuff out. (the board actually fits in my corolla's trunk!) too bad i start school on tuesday... if break was just a little longer, i could fit another session in. maybe i can go night boarding. crap! i thought i'd be able to go on weekends, but those prices are hiked, too. oh well. i am sooo going on my bday for free. i hope i don't have a test the next day... eh. it doesn't matter cuz my bday's tues and weds are easy days. yay!
k. done w/ the babbling. i still can't believe i bought an effin' snowboard.
another good day + movies
thursday, dec. 29 was another good day.
burlington coat factory: didn't find any good snow pants, but i got really cheap blue water-proof gloves!
geoff's: picked up his gift for me... logitech cordless mini optical mouse for my lappie!!! i've been wanting one for so long. it's freakin' awesome! he also gave me his extra lappie charger strap cuz mine broke. now i can properly store my charger cord!
mike pedro's: dropped off his gift (i'm the first one to ever give him a book as a gift!) and picked up mine... awesomeness!!! outburst remix, a black & white pic of us from chuck e cheese, and the rent the movie soundtrack! yaaay!
pr house: dropped of laurence's gift and watched the guys play the naruto video game. i'm proud of myself because i spent < 1 hour there! (i usually get sucked in & stay for a long time when it's barkada ppl.)
teo's: dropped off another gift. reconciliation! (=
kevin's: greeeeeeat food! there was kfc, as usual, and kevin's dad cooked prime rib. there was the gift exchange (that i wasn't part of cuz i thought i had to work). we played outburst remix!!! i <3 that game. everyone gets so rowdy. lol. we lost by 1 point, tho. freakin' dmx. i also got some korean candy from jenelyn. mmm! good stuff.
gian's: everyone headed over to gian's to chill for a bit more. not much happened there. i played pc halo for the very first time ever, kept getting killed, and was asked by a player named ABigDick if i was retarded. my reply: "yes." took a nap and went home.
i was looking forward to watching brokeback mountain tonight, but i didn't feel like driving to burbank to watch it at 10:55pm when i still had to drive back to riverside. i still have to watch king kong, too. i have 4 dvds in my possesion right now, though: finding neverland, amelie, mullholland dr., and high fidelity...
my vacation is swift to its close. tmw: mocha salsa w/ masaki; sat: new year's eve w/ family; sun: chill @ home & probably watch movies; mon: possibly snowboarding; tue: SCHOOL! ugh. back to responsibilities and 8:00am classes i go...
burlington coat factory: didn't find any good snow pants, but i got really cheap blue water-proof gloves!
geoff's: picked up his gift for me... logitech cordless mini optical mouse for my lappie!!! i've been wanting one for so long. it's freakin' awesome! he also gave me his extra lappie charger strap cuz mine broke. now i can properly store my charger cord!
mike pedro's: dropped off his gift (i'm the first one to ever give him a book as a gift!) and picked up mine... awesomeness!!! outburst remix, a black & white pic of us from chuck e cheese, and the rent the movie soundtrack! yaaay!
pr house: dropped of laurence's gift and watched the guys play the naruto video game. i'm proud of myself because i spent < 1 hour there! (i usually get sucked in & stay for a long time when it's barkada ppl.)
teo's: dropped off another gift. reconciliation! (=
kevin's: greeeeeeat food! there was kfc, as usual, and kevin's dad cooked prime rib. there was the gift exchange (that i wasn't part of cuz i thought i had to work). we played outburst remix!!! i <3 that game. everyone gets so rowdy. lol. we lost by 1 point, tho. freakin' dmx. i also got some korean candy from jenelyn. mmm! good stuff.
gian's: everyone headed over to gian's to chill for a bit more. not much happened there. i played pc halo for the very first time ever, kept getting killed, and was asked by a player named ABigDick if i was retarded. my reply: "yes." took a nap and went home.
i was looking forward to watching brokeback mountain tonight, but i didn't feel like driving to burbank to watch it at 10:55pm when i still had to drive back to riverside. i still have to watch king kong, too. i have 4 dvds in my possesion right now, though: finding neverland, amelie, mullholland dr., and high fidelity...
my vacation is swift to its close. tmw: mocha salsa w/ masaki; sat: new year's eve w/ family; sun: chill @ home & probably watch movies; mon: possibly snowboarding; tue: SCHOOL! ugh. back to responsibilities and 8:00am classes i go...
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
vegas pictures
lea's bun crack (carl's jr)
where we spent a couple hours waiting for our parents to finish gambling
me bored?
me trying to read (philip vera cruz)
demi & lea being really weird
a really cool picture of lea
the mess we made @ our table
the fizzy lemon candy we bought with our tickets
the patrick stars we won
my penguin!
demi bumming it
me, keith & my sister (their family was in vegas, too)
riding the moving walkway rail from luxor to excalibur
sugar, we're going down
i cannot believe i just spent 15 minutes sorting sugar packets...
some collect postcards, others collect spoons, but i collect sugar packets.
all 74 of my sugar packets
C&H packets
[restaurants]
other places
miscellaneous packets
some collect postcards, others collect spoons, but i collect sugar packets.
all 74 of my sugar packets
C&H packets
[restaurants]
other places
miscellaneous packets
vegas
it took us 7+ hours to get to vegas from riverside. it was crazy traffic. (the ride home only took 3.5 hours.)
went shopping @ the outlets yesterday. on the track jacket i got from puma (i got matching pants, too!!!) the tag says:
i spent a lot of time w/ the cousins & my sister in the gaming areas. many a dollar was spent rolling balls into holes, tossing ping pong balls into dishes, and dropping quarters onto moving shelves. what do we have to show for it?
went shopping @ the outlets yesterday. on the track jacket i got from puma (i got matching pants, too!!!) the tag says:
WASH THIS WHEN DIRTYum... thx for the reminder?
i spent a lot of time w/ the cousins & my sister in the gaming areas. many a dollar was spent rolling balls into holes, tossing ping pong balls into dishes, and dropping quarters onto moving shelves. what do we have to show for it?
- 4 mini patrick stars
- 3 glittery christmas animals (a panda, a monkey, and a reindeer)
- 2 penguins (one from madagascar)
- 2 turtles of different sizes
- 1 monkey on a bar
- 1 white teddy bear
- 1 homer j. simpson
- 1 blue whale on a wire
- 2 decks of cards
- 2 hand shockers that are already broken
- 1 52-pack of lemon fizz candies
- 1 chinese finger trapper
- 1 smiley face keychain lanyard
- 1 smiley face hackey sack that's too hard to play with
- a bunch of other mini gadgets i've already forgotten about
- a few pictures
- quality family time! ...or something like that.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
btw, i really want this: Roxy : Roxy Snowboard Package Deal : Exit Real World
(classic floral 151, probably 7.5 [i'd have to try them on first], M shirt size)
(classic floral 151, probably 7.5 [i'd have to try them on first], M shirt size)
por favor, no mas penguinos!
Of my non-monetary gifts so far, more than half were penguin related.
I heart penguins, but, please, no more useless penguin things! Penguin socks and pjs are cool, but I'm really running out of space for penguin stuffed animals and penguin displays. I really am.
Last I checked, Jennifer concurred with me on the subject; her animal is pandas. She's luckier than I am, though, because there's no panda season.
I appreciate the gesture--it's nice that you know that penguins are my favorite animal and are attempting to get me something I like--but really, I'm running out of shelf space, so...
POR FAVOR, NO MAS PENGUINOS!!!
I heart penguins, but, please, no more useless penguin things! Penguin socks and pjs are cool, but I'm really running out of space for penguin stuffed animals and penguin displays. I really am.
Last I checked, Jennifer concurred with me on the subject; her animal is pandas. She's luckier than I am, though, because there's no panda season.
I appreciate the gesture--it's nice that you know that penguins are my favorite animal and are attempting to get me something I like--but really, I'm running out of shelf space, so...
POR FAVOR, NO MAS PENGUINOS!!!
Friday, December 23, 2005
snowboarding!
I broke my nail (below the white part) before we even left the parking lot.
My feet were damp.
My butt was drenched.
The ice was slush.
But owe em gee, that was effin' fun!!!!!! (=
My boots didn't kill me this time, although they leaked quite a bit, so I was able to go longer distances. I think I got about 9 runs the whole day (compared to 5 two weeks ago):
I'm starting to think I'm goofy footed... It varies each time. Sometimes I'm more comfortable w/ my right forward, and sometimes I'm more comfortable w/ my left (although I tend to speed like crazy when using my left). I also noticed that I have to be on the left side of the ski lift, or else I'll whack someone or fall or something...
A lot of people also decided to go today. Aside from the group I went with (which included me, my sister, sandra, sandra's friend iya, sandra's bro andrew, andrew's friend kevin, keith from loma linda, keith's sister stella, their cousins melissa, edward, and abby?), I saw jenelyn, khaing, marvin, kris, santos, daryl, kevin, briggitte; arvin, ray, rhea, joe v; veronica & daniel; sergio & kenny. (Jennifer was there, too, but I didn't see her.)
Hopefully, I can go at least once more during the season. I'm definitely gonna go again next season. For my next time, I'm going to need:
That one's only $109!!!
That one's cool too cuz it's grey & navy, which I might decide to go w/ since I already have a blue snow jacket.
That one matches my coach purse. hahah. (and my snow jacket, but I don't want white boots.)
This is purrrdy:
Too bad it's $400...
These are only $75!
Eeek! I'm excited. Too bad skidazzle isn't until next year. T= Maybe I can find some stuff in Vegas. Yay!
K. I'm tired. 'niiiiiiiite!
[btw, i would like to thank EVERYONE who has given me tips for snowboarding. not that you would actually read this, but thx just in case!]
My feet were damp.
My butt was drenched.
The ice was slush.
But owe em gee, that was effin' fun!!!!!! (=
My boots didn't kill me this time, although they leaked quite a bit, so I was able to go longer distances. I think I got about 9 runs the whole day (compared to 5 two weeks ago):
- beginner
- beginner
- intermediate
- intermediate took the express ski lift (whacked sandra w/ my snowboard coming off of the ski lift... sorry!); went down half way then went back up again (landed the ski lift!)
- intermediate (could've crammed in another one after this one, but i waited for my sister)
- intermediate (w/ marvin & kris; i landed the ski lift, but I whacked kris in the process)
- intermediate (w/ sandra, she taught me the basics of carving)
- beginner (iya [sp?] and keith helped me w/ my carving more)
- intermediate (landed the ski lift again!)
I'm starting to think I'm goofy footed... It varies each time. Sometimes I'm more comfortable w/ my right forward, and sometimes I'm more comfortable w/ my left (although I tend to speed like crazy when using my left). I also noticed that I have to be on the left side of the ski lift, or else I'll whack someone or fall or something...
A lot of people also decided to go today. Aside from the group I went with (which included me, my sister, sandra, sandra's friend iya, sandra's bro andrew, andrew's friend kevin, keith from loma linda, keith's sister stella, their cousins melissa, edward, and abby?), I saw jenelyn, khaing, marvin, kris, santos, daryl, kevin, briggitte; arvin, ray, rhea, joe v; veronica & daniel; sergio & kenny. (Jennifer was there, too, but I didn't see her.)
Hopefully, I can go at least once more during the season. I'm definitely gonna go again next season. For my next time, I'm going to need:
- real snow pants (all the way up to the waist, black [or at least not baby blue], preferably w/ the extra knee padding)
- my own water proof, non-micro fiber gloves
- 2 pairs of extra socks (just in case someone else borrows a pair)
- plastic bags (for the wet stuff)
That one's only $109!!!
That one's cool too cuz it's grey & navy, which I might decide to go w/ since I already have a blue snow jacket.
That one matches my coach purse. hahah. (and my snow jacket, but I don't want white boots.)This is purrrdy:
Too bad it's $400...These are only $75!
Eeek! I'm excited. Too bad skidazzle isn't until next year. T= Maybe I can find some stuff in Vegas. Yay!
K. I'm tired. 'niiiiiiiite!
[btw, i would like to thank EVERYONE who has given me tips for snowboarding. not that you would actually read this, but thx just in case!]
gifts part ii
I think I'm finally done Christmas shopping. I'm not done w/ the presents (still waiting for a couple things), but I think I've paid for everything. Wow. It was an expensive season. I spent about @271.19 on presents! But I saved $61.01 by using promos, coupons, and gift cards. Yay!
"Gift Exchange" is an oxymoron. According to the definition of a gift that I posted earlier, gifts are to be given without compensation, yet the word "exchange" implies compensation...
"Gift Exchange" is an oxymoron. According to the definition of a gift that I posted earlier, gifts are to be given without compensation, yet the word "exchange" implies compensation...
Monday, December 19, 2005
fun times
Yesterday was a good day.
The weather reports said that it would rain in Valencia, but although it was gloomy, it didn't rain! And the sun even peeked out a bit towards the afternoon.
Why did I care about the weather in Valencia? I finally used my season pass for Six Flags Magic Mountain for the 2nd time this whole year. Yay! And it was so worth it. We were there for pretty much all the time they were open and rode on pretty much everything cuz the lines were so short.
Most of our money was spent buying the damn ride pictures. I kinda turned out retarded in most of them, but it still made for good memories. So yay!
Another thing that took our money was the quarter toss game. (You try to toss a quarter onto a glass plate thing to win a stuffed animal.) Freakin' Brian...
Afterward, we decided to go to Fry's. I got a couple things... but the line was insanely long.
Then we went to Geoff's house, he fed us and then we played...
OUTBURST REMIX!
That game is freakin' fun. Too bad we were a bit tired and a bit lacking in the energy area. I can't wait to play that with huge Barkada teams. After 3 long games, I drove home. It was awesome cuz usually I have to drive at least half an hour to get home from wherever the heck I'm hanging out, but the commute was only 15 minutes! Yay!
The weather reports said that it would rain in Valencia, but although it was gloomy, it didn't rain! And the sun even peeked out a bit towards the afternoon.
Why did I care about the weather in Valencia? I finally used my season pass for Six Flags Magic Mountain for the 2nd time this whole year. Yay! And it was so worth it. We were there for pretty much all the time they were open and rode on pretty much everything cuz the lines were so short.
- X
- Viper
- Goliath (2x) (green is for go... liath!)
- Scream (2x)
- Batman
- Riddler's Revenge
- Deja Vu
- Psyclone
Most of our money was spent buying the damn ride pictures. I kinda turned out retarded in most of them, but it still made for good memories. So yay!
Another thing that took our money was the quarter toss game. (You try to toss a quarter onto a glass plate thing to win a stuffed animal.) Freakin' Brian...
Afterward, we decided to go to Fry's. I got a couple things... but the line was insanely long.
Then we went to Geoff's house, he fed us and then we played...
OUTBURST REMIX!
That game is freakin' fun. Too bad we were a bit tired and a bit lacking in the energy area. I can't wait to play that with huge Barkada teams. After 3 long games, I drove home. It was awesome cuz usually I have to drive at least half an hour to get home from wherever the heck I'm hanging out, but the commute was only 15 minutes! Yay!
winter quarter
my winter quarter schedule of classes
i decided to switch my acc208 class from monday evenings to tuesday after lunch. now my mwf's are easy, but my tr's are pretty hefty. and i just realized that on the day i have to wake up extra early is the day i have a class right after lunch. ...and that class is accounting. let's hope i don't get too sleepy... but changing that class moved my acc208 final from monday (the day right after sportsfest) to thursday, giving me much more time to study! yay! (wow. barkada pwns me.)
i decided to switch my acc208 class from monday evenings to tuesday after lunch. now my mwf's are easy, but my tr's are pretty hefty. and i just realized that on the day i have to wake up extra early is the day i have a class right after lunch. ...and that class is accounting. let's hope i don't get too sleepy... but changing that class moved my acc208 final from monday (the day right after sportsfest) to thursday, giving me much more time to study! yay! (wow. barkada pwns me.)
Saturday, December 17, 2005
recap + gifts + netflix
quick recap: ski trip was awesome! karaoke, snowboarding, outburst (canadian bacon, kitchen gadgets, soothing milk), kfc, "what's he about?", the drunkards (and the hilarious stuff they said/did), sober crew!
Now for my main thoughts. Christmas presents are no longer gifts. Or at least not the way gifts were intended to be.
gift (gĭft)
n.
Yet for some reason, for the past year or more (I can't even remember), gifts, rather presents, have not been that. They've been a part of a scale. She didn't get me anything, so I don't have to get her anything so it all weighs out. or...
A: What do you want for Christmas?
B: Nothing.
A: Why? Because if I don't get you something you won't have to get me something?
B: Yeah.
And then there's the other aspect of presents being chores. It doesn't really matter if they actually need/want/find value in this thing, as long as I get them something.
And the other issue of... If I get this person something, then I'll have to get that person something, and then if this other person finds out then I'll have to get that person something, too. Then you end up either buying nothing to keep everyone unhappy or you get something for everyone even though you didn't have the genuine desire to give the gifts.
I don't know if this is making sense, but I guess my point is that "gift"-giving is overrated. Right now it seems to be purely methodical. People give presents because it's a common courtesy, not because they truly would like to see other person happy with the carefully selected gift they gave.
I'm not saying everyone is this way. It just seems like that's the trend right now. And I'm one of these people; otherwise, how would I know? It definitely wasn't completely from observation...
So why give gifts?
As shoppers knock each other down, kids show off their toys, and teens count their money, are people actually realizing the "meaning of Christmas"? Blind-sided by greed and routine, do we actually see what's going on?
What's the point in giving someone something you both know they don't want? Would it not be better to avoid the awkwardness and cluelessness that comes along with bad gifts?
I know there are times when you would like to give a gift but don't know what to give, but is an ugly scarf really the way to go?
I congratulate good gift givers, the ones who can actually figure out what someone else wants whether it be by reading between the lines or listening to blatant requests.
I am not a good gift giver. I probably owe part of that to my aforementioned misconceptions of what gifts are, my perspective of the process. Another factor would be the combination of my mediocre listening skills and my undesirable self-involvement. But anyway...
I write these faults of mine in a hopeful effort to change them. I would also like to get rid of society's notion that gifts are necessary and routine, but I don't think I can erase centuries of traditions. (If only traditions didn't lose their meanings...)
Summary: Give gifts because you sincerely want to, not because it's routine. Gifts should not be expected so be content whether or not you get anything; if you do, be thankful for whatever you get.
On another note, I signed up for Netflix. I have a free 2 week trial. Hopefully now I'll get to catch up on movies. I don't know if I'll have the time to watch, but let's see how this goes!
Now for my main thoughts. Christmas presents are no longer gifts. Or at least not the way gifts were intended to be.
gift (gĭft)
n.
- Something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation.
Yet for some reason, for the past year or more (I can't even remember), gifts, rather presents, have not been that. They've been a part of a scale. She didn't get me anything, so I don't have to get her anything so it all weighs out. or...
A: What do you want for Christmas?
B: Nothing.
A: Why? Because if I don't get you something you won't have to get me something?
B: Yeah.
And then there's the other aspect of presents being chores. It doesn't really matter if they actually need/want/find value in this thing, as long as I get them something.
And the other issue of... If I get this person something, then I'll have to get that person something, and then if this other person finds out then I'll have to get that person something, too. Then you end up either buying nothing to keep everyone unhappy or you get something for everyone even though you didn't have the genuine desire to give the gifts.
I don't know if this is making sense, but I guess my point is that "gift"-giving is overrated. Right now it seems to be purely methodical. People give presents because it's a common courtesy, not because they truly would like to see other person happy with the carefully selected gift they gave.
I'm not saying everyone is this way. It just seems like that's the trend right now. And I'm one of these people; otherwise, how would I know? It definitely wasn't completely from observation...
So why give gifts?
As shoppers knock each other down, kids show off their toys, and teens count their money, are people actually realizing the "meaning of Christmas"? Blind-sided by greed and routine, do we actually see what's going on?
What's the point in giving someone something you both know they don't want? Would it not be better to avoid the awkwardness and cluelessness that comes along with bad gifts?
I know there are times when you would like to give a gift but don't know what to give, but is an ugly scarf really the way to go?
I congratulate good gift givers, the ones who can actually figure out what someone else wants whether it be by reading between the lines or listening to blatant requests.
I am not a good gift giver. I probably owe part of that to my aforementioned misconceptions of what gifts are, my perspective of the process. Another factor would be the combination of my mediocre listening skills and my undesirable self-involvement. But anyway...
I write these faults of mine in a hopeful effort to change them. I would also like to get rid of society's notion that gifts are necessary and routine, but I don't think I can erase centuries of traditions. (If only traditions didn't lose their meanings...)
Summary: Give gifts because you sincerely want to, not because it's routine. Gifts should not be expected so be content whether or not you get anything; if you do, be thankful for whatever you get.
On another note, I signed up for Netflix. I have a free 2 week trial. Hopefully now I'll get to catch up on movies. I don't know if I'll have the time to watch, but let's see how this goes!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
goodbye + trips
goodbye world. in about 5.5 hours, i will be on my way to the mountains. (well, first geoff's, then school, then big bear, but you get the point.)
i won't be bringing school books.
i won't be bringing my laptop.
i won't be bringing itc materials.
so hopefully, i won't be bringing stress.
let's hope it's a safe + fun weekend.
::sigh:: there will be the responsibility of being part of the sober crew, though...
but 3 days w/ barkada?! holy craaaaap.
i haven't been on a trip w/ ppl i went to school w/ since senior class trip! (wow, really?!) i miss it. although this trip is definitely gonna be different. different people, different activities...
i hope i don't fall on my @$$ too many times. i don't have as much cushion as everyone else. d=
but back to the trips. a recap on high school trips:
anyhoo. weirdness. although i spend so much time w/ barkada ppl, i have never once slept over at any of their houses. although i've frequented houses many a time, i still don't really know how ppl are.
oh well.
i think i'm finally sleepy. time to wake up in 4.5 hours!
i won't be bringing school books.
i won't be bringing my laptop.
i won't be bringing itc materials.
so hopefully, i won't be bringing stress.
let's hope it's a safe + fun weekend.
::sigh:: there will be the responsibility of being part of the sober crew, though...
but 3 days w/ barkada?! holy craaaaap.
i haven't been on a trip w/ ppl i went to school w/ since senior class trip! (wow, really?!) i miss it. although this trip is definitely gonna be different. different people, different activities...
i hope i don't fall on my @$$ too many times. i don't have as much cushion as everyone else. d=
but back to the trips. a recap on high school trips:
- freshman year - alternate activities week (aaw) christian youth builders (cyb) to mexico
- sophomore year - science club to san diego; aaw to big sur
- junior year - band to san diego; chorale to nor cal
- senior year - seniors to catalina/san diego/mexico; chorale to hawaii
anyhoo. weirdness. although i spend so much time w/ barkada ppl, i have never once slept over at any of their houses. although i've frequented houses many a time, i still don't really know how ppl are.
oh well.
i think i'm finally sleepy. time to wake up in 4.5 hours!
Friday, December 09, 2005
recap + break plans
I don't know why I'm not already asleep. I'm tired, though...
Anyhoo. Yay! I've been done w/ finals since Tuesday afternoon! w00t! Too bad I'm still not on vacation yet. Responsibilities are still here...
I visited Khaing @ her last day of work @ the sunglass cart thingie in Paseo. Thanks for the sunglasses! Hope I don't loose these... While we were catching up and what not, I saw some other people I haven't seen in even longer: Rochelle C. and Harvey O.! Wow... that was weird. But anyway, it was good to catch up.
I finally watched March of the Penguins! (thx, paulo!) That movie was incredibly sad. Penguins really have it tough. (Well, the except for the ones that live at Sea World.) There are so many chances for them to die, yet somehow they still survive. To add on to their hardcore nature, they're cute, too! d= Wanna watch it? Let me know and you can discover why the penguins march.
I also watched a few more eps of Bleach. I'm still uberly behind. But now I'm on ep 14! Yay! I'm also behind in Naruto, but it's okay cuz I've heard they're all fillers...
Recently my spending hasn't been curbed one bit. Food eaten in the last 24 hours: Tommy's chili cheese fries; Noodle Planet's crispy #86 w/ chicken. Non-food items acquired: 2 sunglasses, thermals, uno attack, long socks. I'm having doubts about the Uno Attack game, though, because what if the kid who gets it doesn't have anyone to play it with?
As gift time approaches, I have a feeling the spending will only get worse...
My relaxation periods at home will consist of watching movies and anime and reading Fil-Am books. I hope.
As for the rest of break:
if you wanna spend time w/ me, let me know asap so i can pencil you in. d=
i still have to pack for ski trip. i hope i bring enough warm clothes. and i hope nobody gets hurt. T=
Anyhoo. Yay! I've been done w/ finals since Tuesday afternoon! w00t! Too bad I'm still not on vacation yet. Responsibilities are still here...
I visited Khaing @ her last day of work @ the sunglass cart thingie in Paseo. Thanks for the sunglasses! Hope I don't loose these... While we were catching up and what not, I saw some other people I haven't seen in even longer: Rochelle C. and Harvey O.! Wow... that was weird. But anyway, it was good to catch up.
I finally watched March of the Penguins! (thx, paulo!) That movie was incredibly sad. Penguins really have it tough. (Well, the except for the ones that live at Sea World.) There are so many chances for them to die, yet somehow they still survive. To add on to their hardcore nature, they're cute, too! d= Wanna watch it? Let me know and you can discover why the penguins march.
I also watched a few more eps of Bleach. I'm still uberly behind. But now I'm on ep 14! Yay! I'm also behind in Naruto, but it's okay cuz I've heard they're all fillers...
Recently my spending hasn't been curbed one bit. Food eaten in the last 24 hours: Tommy's chili cheese fries; Noodle Planet's crispy #86 w/ chicken. Non-food items acquired: 2 sunglasses, thermals, uno attack, long socks. I'm having doubts about the Uno Attack game, though, because what if the kid who gets it doesn't have anyone to play it with?
As gift time approaches, I have a feeling the spending will only get worse...
My relaxation periods at home will consist of watching movies and anime and reading Fil-Am books. I hope.
As for the rest of break:
- 9: work, narnia, barkada christmas benefit concert
- 10-12: ski trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- 13: af work lunch
- 14: work
- 16: work + payday!
- 17-19: nothing planned yet... 6 flags?
- 20: sushi w/ jenelyn, teo, mark?
- 21: work
- 23: work
- 24: christmas eve w/ family
- 25: christmas day w/ immediate family
- 26-28: vegas w/ family
- 29: work
- 30: work
- 31: new year's eve w/ family
- 01: new year's w/ family
- 03: back to school...
if you wanna spend time w/ me, let me know asap so i can pencil you in. d=
i still have to pack for ski trip. i hope i bring enough warm clothes. and i hope nobody gets hurt. T=
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
cooooold!
It's 61 degrees inside our house and I am freezing. I was so cold that I blow dried my hair! (If you know me you know that I hate doing that.)
How am I gonna get through ski trip?
How am I gonna get through ski trip?
Sunday, December 04, 2005
celebrities
what is it about celebrities that make us lose reason? something makes us scream, beg for autographs and pictures, and brag to friends. but what is it? they're just human beings, like we are; it's just that their talents are more publicized... and they have more money for it.
why does our culture idolize people? put them on pedestals.
when ryan got on the show, people all of a sudden started going to the show, getting on tv, too. my sister and cousins went to "but can they sing?" and screamed when michael copon was nearby. when people are on tv, they tell their other friends about it so they can see them there. whenever there are news cameras, passersby try to get within view. why? does that make you a better person? you can say you were on tv?
i'm not getting it.
maybe we all have an inner desire to be known somehow. if we can't get on tv by our own merit, might as well be a bystander waving to mom and dad at home?
maybe it's the same reason people blog; just to put themselves out there.
wow. this blog was so poorly crafted.
blah. i don't know.
if i ever get rich/famous, i hope i'm down to earth.
it's really admirable to see celebrities not living like celebrities, not getting caught up in the glitz and glamour.
forgot my point.
i doubt i'll be able to be "down to earth" if right now, i'm striving for materialistic things.
i gotta, gotta, gotta find a way to jump over the moon.
no real relevance to this post. just thought of it.
i gotta get out of here. this society is corrupting.
or maybe i should just rise above it.
wow, this blog went way off track.
i gotta go cram for bio now!
why does our culture idolize people? put them on pedestals.
when ryan got on the show, people all of a sudden started going to the show, getting on tv, too. my sister and cousins went to "but can they sing?" and screamed when michael copon was nearby. when people are on tv, they tell their other friends about it so they can see them there. whenever there are news cameras, passersby try to get within view. why? does that make you a better person? you can say you were on tv?
i'm not getting it.
maybe we all have an inner desire to be known somehow. if we can't get on tv by our own merit, might as well be a bystander waving to mom and dad at home?
maybe it's the same reason people blog; just to put themselves out there.
wow. this blog was so poorly crafted.
blah. i don't know.
if i ever get rich/famous, i hope i'm down to earth.
it's really admirable to see celebrities not living like celebrities, not getting caught up in the glitz and glamour.
forgot my point.
i doubt i'll be able to be "down to earth" if right now, i'm striving for materialistic things.
i gotta, gotta, gotta find a way to jump over the moon.
no real relevance to this post. just thought of it.
i gotta get out of here. this society is corrupting.
or maybe i should just rise above it.
wow, this blog went way off track.
i gotta go cram for bio now!
Friday, December 02, 2005
omfg (the gap + the license)
today's GAP receipt:
2 cable scarves
2 microfleece gloves
2 ribbed turtlenecks
1 cable crew neck
1 rugby scarf
1 pair of double pin striped pants
1 pair of black wide leg pants
1 letter "e" alphabet pin
Total: $161.31
thanks to my wonderful friend mr. joe v., i saved $100.26 off of this purchase (30% off for friends/family).
and thanks to the current promotion @ gap, i got 2 $15 gift cards, as well.
retarded thing i just realized, though: only valid dec. 18 - jan. 31. you get the $15 gift card for every $150 you spend. i was a dollar away from $150, so the cashier had me buy a lil alphabet pin. i think she forgot that i was getting 30% off cuz the pin ended up being 69¢. I just looked at my receipt and the subtotal was $149.71. maybe they just round up.
anyhoo, while attempting to pay for this, i pulled out my visa check card. i was planning on using it as a credit card to avoid the extra fees, but when i opened my wallet/clutch purse thingie thing i could not find my drivers license. i told her it was debit, incurred the extra costs and quickly left the store to try to figure where the hell my drivers license could be.
turns out i've been driving around for about a week without my drivers license. go me. i separated my license from my wallet last saturday for the std concert and forgot to return it. thank god i haven't gotten pulled over.
yay for winter gear!
2 cable scarves
2 microfleece gloves
2 ribbed turtlenecks
1 cable crew neck
1 rugby scarf
1 pair of double pin striped pants
1 pair of black wide leg pants
1 letter "e" alphabet pin
Total: $161.31
thanks to my wonderful friend mr. joe v., i saved $100.26 off of this purchase (30% off for friends/family).
and thanks to the current promotion @ gap, i got 2 $15 gift cards, as well.
retarded thing i just realized, though: only valid dec. 18 - jan. 31. you get the $15 gift card for every $150 you spend. i was a dollar away from $150, so the cashier had me buy a lil alphabet pin. i think she forgot that i was getting 30% off cuz the pin ended up being 69¢. I just looked at my receipt and the subtotal was $149.71. maybe they just round up.
anyhoo, while attempting to pay for this, i pulled out my visa check card. i was planning on using it as a credit card to avoid the extra fees, but when i opened my wallet/clutch purse thingie thing i could not find my drivers license. i told her it was debit, incurred the extra costs and quickly left the store to try to figure where the hell my drivers license could be.
turns out i've been driving around for about a week without my drivers license. go me. i separated my license from my wallet last saturday for the std concert and forgot to return it. thank god i haven't gotten pulled over.
yay for winter gear!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Dilemma
Oh yeah. I have yet another dilemma. Fun vs. Responsibility... again.
Normally, the CIS dinner would be a great thing to go to. It's a chance to mingle with alumni, professors and fellow CIS students while getting some rather good food. A chance to promote ITC. A chance to promote myself, too. All this for $20.
However, only hours before, I had decided to invite Teo to the annual Barkada Christmas party. This year's is different, though (although I wasn't able to go last year, due to a family vacation, so I can't really compare much). Instead of being a kick back party at a member's house, we will be watching performances by Fil-Am artists (some people I don't know plus bMod and BEC) at school. JoKoy, friends, and Teo. All this for free. (Or an unwrapped toy...)
Shall I do what I've been doing all quarter long? Choose MISSA and postpone the good times until the next day? (Ski trip!!!) Even though I just hung out with Barkada-heads last night and went to the Barkada meeting today, I feel like I've been so deprived of the company of friends. Yes, there are times at the API... But gah. I just want to relax!
In less than one year, Barkada has learned how to pwn me.
Normally, the CIS dinner would be a great thing to go to. It's a chance to mingle with alumni, professors and fellow CIS students while getting some rather good food. A chance to promote ITC. A chance to promote myself, too. All this for $20.
However, only hours before, I had decided to invite Teo to the annual Barkada Christmas party. This year's is different, though (although I wasn't able to go last year, due to a family vacation, so I can't really compare much). Instead of being a kick back party at a member's house, we will be watching performances by Fil-Am artists (some people I don't know plus bMod and BEC) at school. JoKoy, friends, and Teo. All this for free. (Or an unwrapped toy...)
Shall I do what I've been doing all quarter long? Choose MISSA and postpone the good times until the next day? (Ski trip!!!) Even though I just hung out with Barkada-heads last night and went to the Barkada meeting today, I feel like I've been so deprived of the company of friends. Yes, there are times at the API... But gah. I just want to relax!
In less than one year, Barkada has learned how to pwn me.
LCUK!
It is a night of luck.
After I posted the previous blog, I remembered that my family got multiple programs from the concert. Infused with a sudden gleam of hope, I ran downstairs and looked through the magazines on the coffee table. Again, I was met with disappointment. The parentals were already sleeping so I thought I would ask them later.
When I got home today, I found my parents in the family room watching the Laker game. My mom asked about my Filipino music presentation, which I had already forgotten about. The question reminded me about my lost notes, so I asked if she still had the program. She told me that she just put it in the recyclable bin last week.
Darn. Oh wait! I didn't put the recyclable bin on the street last Friday! Maybe it's still in there!
So I went to the bin for recyclables and dove in. I searched through piles and piles of paper until I found program. Bursting with hopeful thoughts, I opened the magazine. I saw that I was already on the page for the concert I went to. Once again, nothing.
Defeated, I went back into the house. My mom mentioned something about my sister's program.
That's right! She had one, too, didn't she?!?!
I ran up the stairs to her room where my sister was sleeping. I ruffled through the tons of paper on her desk.
Not in this pile... Not in that pile... OMG!
I found yet another program. This was my last thread of hope. Anticipation. Anxiety. Hope. I could not believe that my heart was beating so fast just over a piece of paper.
I opened it. Flipped to the page for the concert on October 14.
There it was: the unfolded envelope with my notes scrawled in pencil over the words "Erin; For Concert Tickets." There were the barely legible loops and swirls I drew over a month ago.
Triumphantly, I advanced down the stairs. With arms stretched out above my head I showed my findings to my parents.
"Wow, you're one lucky girl."
Indeed, I am.
I proceeded to watch the rest of the Laker game with my parents. Drama. Lakers games are a rollercoaster ride. I was sure they would lose. But alas, the non-Kobe Lakers finally stepped up. Though the refs were definitely not on their side, luck was. Congrats to the Lakers on getting their record up to 5-8. (Remember when they actually had winning streaks? ::sigh:: Those were the days.)
Anyhoo. I am a happy one. I found my notes, but now that means I have no more excuses for procrastination. One more class tomorrow and then it's all finals.
After I posted the previous blog, I remembered that my family got multiple programs from the concert. Infused with a sudden gleam of hope, I ran downstairs and looked through the magazines on the coffee table. Again, I was met with disappointment. The parentals were already sleeping so I thought I would ask them later.
When I got home today, I found my parents in the family room watching the Laker game. My mom asked about my Filipino music presentation, which I had already forgotten about. The question reminded me about my lost notes, so I asked if she still had the program. She told me that she just put it in the recyclable bin last week.
Darn. Oh wait! I didn't put the recyclable bin on the street last Friday! Maybe it's still in there!
So I went to the bin for recyclables and dove in. I searched through piles and piles of paper until I found program. Bursting with hopeful thoughts, I opened the magazine. I saw that I was already on the page for the concert I went to. Once again, nothing.
Defeated, I went back into the house. My mom mentioned something about my sister's program.
That's right! She had one, too, didn't she?!?!
I ran up the stairs to her room where my sister was sleeping. I ruffled through the tons of paper on her desk.
Not in this pile... Not in that pile... OMG!
I found yet another program. This was my last thread of hope. Anticipation. Anxiety. Hope. I could not believe that my heart was beating so fast just over a piece of paper.
I opened it. Flipped to the page for the concert on October 14.
There it was: the unfolded envelope with my notes scrawled in pencil over the words "Erin; For Concert Tickets." There were the barely legible loops and swirls I drew over a month ago.
Triumphantly, I advanced down the stairs. With arms stretched out above my head I showed my findings to my parents.
"Wow, you're one lucky girl."
Indeed, I am.
I proceeded to watch the rest of the Laker game with my parents. Drama. Lakers games are a rollercoaster ride. I was sure they would lose. But alas, the non-Kobe Lakers finally stepped up. Though the refs were definitely not on their side, luck was. Congrats to the Lakers on getting their record up to 5-8. (Remember when they actually had winning streaks? ::sigh:: Those were the days.)
Anyhoo. I am a happy one. I found my notes, but now that means I have no more excuses for procrastination. One more class tomorrow and then it's all finals.
swift to its close
The end of the quarter draws nigh.
Thursday: volleyball, barkada (finally!), work, java, and ITC.
Friday: intro to mis (this last class is purely for extra credit) and work.
Monday: work, music final (I have to play "Prelude in E Minor" by Chopin and turn in a concert review) and bio final (effin' comprehensive...)
Tuesday: java final, work
Wednesday: vacation!!!!!!!
The end is so close! But what a crappy way to close. Team Siopow made it to the playoffs. We usually play Thursdays at 8pm, but our first match was scheduled for Wednesday at 7pm. Only 4 people could make it on time. What a great day for my bio class to get let out late. [/sarcasm] It sucks... but things happen, I guess.
Another bit of crap. This concerns the aforementioned concert report. I went to the LA Philharmonic show Oct. 14, took quite a few notes on a scrap piece of paper, and pushed the project to the back burner. The existence of more urgent projects for other classes coupled with my ignorance of what to actually write found me procrastinating until this very moment. I decided to review my notes so I could get an idea of what to write. I opened the 100+ page program, flipped to the page concerning Oct. 14 and was shocked to find no extra paper. Alarmed, I frantically flipped through every single page trying to find my page of notes. Alas, after a fruitless search, I sit here dumbfounded. Where are my notes? Did I take the wrong program? Did someone throw my paper away? If so, how am I going to write this? This 4 page paper is due Monday at 2:20pm, which would be fine if I didn't also have to practice a piano piece and study for what may be the 2 hardest finals I have come across. Alas, I am screwed. ::sigh::
I need a miracle.
Rest: so close, yet so damn far...
[my apologies for the complaints. i know i brought this onto myself, but i just thought i'd release a bit of frustration.]
Thursday: volleyball, barkada (finally!), work, java, and ITC.
Friday: intro to mis (this last class is purely for extra credit) and work.
Monday: work, music final (I have to play "Prelude in E Minor" by Chopin and turn in a concert review) and bio final (effin' comprehensive...)
Tuesday: java final, work
Wednesday: vacation!!!!!!!
The end is so close! But what a crappy way to close. Team Siopow made it to the playoffs. We usually play Thursdays at 8pm, but our first match was scheduled for Wednesday at 7pm. Only 4 people could make it on time. What a great day for my bio class to get let out late. [/sarcasm] It sucks... but things happen, I guess.
Another bit of crap. This concerns the aforementioned concert report. I went to the LA Philharmonic show Oct. 14, took quite a few notes on a scrap piece of paper, and pushed the project to the back burner. The existence of more urgent projects for other classes coupled with my ignorance of what to actually write found me procrastinating until this very moment. I decided to review my notes so I could get an idea of what to write. I opened the 100+ page program, flipped to the page concerning Oct. 14 and was shocked to find no extra paper. Alarmed, I frantically flipped through every single page trying to find my page of notes. Alas, after a fruitless search, I sit here dumbfounded. Where are my notes? Did I take the wrong program? Did someone throw my paper away? If so, how am I going to write this? This 4 page paper is due Monday at 2:20pm, which would be fine if I didn't also have to practice a piano piece and study for what may be the 2 hardest finals I have come across. Alas, I am screwed. ::sigh::
I need a miracle.
Rest: so close, yet so damn far...
[my apologies for the complaints. i know i brought this onto myself, but i just thought i'd release a bit of frustration.]
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