Hmmm: 01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005

Monday, January 31, 2005

Special People

Loyd sent me this, it is a chain mail, and I am not going to forward it because he himself told me I could get him in trouble in the Navy for sending him stuff like this (still he sends the stuff!), but I liked it. It is pretty nice and holds some truth.

To the Special People in My Life

To the special people in my life I am sending this to you to see how many of you actually read your emails. Is anyone really out there? Your response will be interesting! Pay close attention to what you read. After you have finished reading it, you will know the reason it was sent to you! Here it goes:

People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime. When you know which one it is for a person, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidan! ce and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Some times they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered, and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a! season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life!

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Cold

Ugh. Throat hurts…

Husband was ill since last thursady. Started with the feeling of having a thick throat and the headache. I tried buying him some stuff for it but he didn’t want anything, so I had to hear him complain about everything all weekend. It was like that until I told him, “Hey, I wanted to buy you medicine but you wanted to act tough, so stop bugging me now!”

I’ve been Lysol-ing everything in the house since Friday when we went shopping for groceries, and I did buy some Alkaselzer cold plus for me… ‘cause I knew since he was ill, we probably had the virus in the house for at least 2 weeks, which meant I was going to get it too.

Yep. So… uggggghhh my throat.

I just hope I don’t get it as bad as he, since I am taking all medicine and all that stuff.

bleeeggghhhh

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Chico Is Okay

The surgery on Chico went pretty well. I brought him home and the first thing he wanted to do was eat. Tushi was very happy to see him as well. She immediately went to lick him at his ears and then bite his tail. I had to be careful because the vet told me that he needed to rest and not play around too roughly. He is also not supposed to jump around and over lick himself.

I’ve been careful with all that. Things are going fine so far.

Titi hasn’t been found yet. Posters are taped over light poles at each block entrances so that neighbors of the area may be able to catch a glance. We’re crossing our fingers.

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Titi Come Back

I was cleaning the home, laundry, feeding Tushi, etc., when I get a call from my Dad telling me that Leche (the white Corgy) had made a hole on the floor and gotten out of the back yard… Titi (the little Chihuahua) had gone out as well… Leche came back but Titi didn’t. He said Mom was very sad and asked if I could go over to do something with her.

After we hung up I hurried to the computer and made posters, because thankfully I am the crazy one in the family that is always photographing the pets. After I finished printing several 8x14 posters I headed over to Mom’s. She seemed a little down but mostly disappointed with Leche… This is not the first time she escapes and does damage around. Leche would do it to me at our previous home (Leche was originally my dog, but she kept breaking her chains – all sorts! – and doing mischief around the neighborhood), because she would keep making holes around our fence our other doggie, Coffee was lost… he was younger and would just want to do what she would do. Then months later, after she was with my Mom, my parents got the pretty baby rottweiler (Beauty) and while we were at work someone broke into the house and Leche didn’t even bite someone. When mom got home she was pretty much just laying down under the shade. And now, she gets out of the house and she comes back but not the little one…

I don’t know. I think we just didn’t know how to train her right. I wonder what I screwed up with. She’s always had plenty of space to play. Toys, no problem; we are the spoiling kind of owners. My parents take her walking everyday for miles – remember my mom is a marathon runner. Why does she always want to run out?

Dad told Mom to let her out again so maybe she’d go around where she went originally… and maybe find Titi and then Titi would be able to get back home… an hour later Leche came back alone again. I drove around and went through the same route my parents usually take while running but I did not see her. Mother went all around asking neighbors and workers (they are building a whole new block behind her house, the whole place is all new houses). Mom thinks someone stole her and she may be right. A little Chihuahua… they may bark but she was 4 months and her teeth have just fallen, it is just so easy to grab the thing and put her in a box.

And everything happened so quickly. Mom says that Titi was seated on her pillow inside the house (because she is an Inside pet), by the porch door. And she started whimpering and moving around like she does when she has to go pee-pee. So she opened the door and let her out. She was washing breakfast dishes and then went inside the bedroom to make the bed. She said she was hearing them both bark because of the construction workers that were doing their stuff behind their yard. But she said that after a bit she didn’t hear them bark anymore, so she went back to the kitchen to see through the window and didn’t see them. Then went outside and called them but nothing… and when she did checked around she noticed the huge hole on the ground.

So Mom went outside and began calling them and after some time of searching around the block she called my dad… Dad told me over the phone that my Mom was crying…

I’ve only seen my mom cry twice…

Oh please, please… let Titi come back home. I really hope if anyone sees her that they are honest people and return her. That is what we have done with pets that have come to our doors... please return the favor. Please do.

Titi

Monday, January 17, 2005

Clean Floors

It feels strange to pass by the restroom and walk barefooted through the hall and the living room and feel the floors clean and free of kitty litter. Yes, it is a nice rest from the ton of vacuuming that I do a day but… it’s just weird.

*sigh* I took Chico to the vet to get him neutered. I took him in at 8:45 in the morning and he curled up and shuddered on my lap while we waited for the nurse to take him in. He was nervous and I could feel it on his tense little muscles. When the nurse took him away, I saw him look at me with his round questioning eyes and his ears pointed to the sides as if wondering, “Why aren’t you going with me?”

I always go in with him for his checkups…

We called at 2 to check how the operation had gone by. We were told that it went pretty well and that Chico had just woken up but that he had to stay overnight so that they could monitor him during the night.

Our poor baby… he hasn’t slept on his own since we brought him home.

Even Tushi has been sad. She has just slept and sighed most of the day, not having her big brother to play with.

It is night now and the restroom is still free of kitty litter… and nobody has come to pull me away from my chair to convince me to go give him some treats…

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Alexander the Great

We invited my parents to the movies to watch Alexander. We waited until it got to the dollar movies because husband read very bad reviews for it. Good call! It would have been a shame to have spent 28 bucks on tickets plus munchies.

The movie spent a lot in scenery. Very nice stuff to watch and places to admire… I am thinking most of it was probably filmed near India, since the country has all sort of climates there from very cold to very hot, to extremely humid, which would make for good sets without that much travel.

Most of what my husband said was criticized (going by what he told me… I didn’t actually read any reviews for it. Didn’t want to get too disappointed before watching the movie) was 1) Kilmer’s acting that portrayed him like a rough one-eyed cowboy, 2) that Jolie was there just to show off how beautiful she was, 3) and that Greeks were appalled by the fact that Alexander was portrayed as gay.

Kilmer’s acting was… okay. I’ve definitely seen better acting from him in other movies (or maybe it was that his spot was secondary to the movie). Jolie was pretty good, I thought. I believed her role; she was a concerned mother and a very smart woman. But Farrel… oh my dear Farrel… The role was much too big for him. Apparently he still hasn’t gotten enough experience to portray a character such as this in a near decent manner. They needed someone with Russell Crowe’s presence but Farrel’s youth (and some may even say his looks… but I don’t find him all that hot).

I did not like the transitions throughout the movie. Yes, they had to cover about 30 years of life in 3 hours but... I don't know. It just felt lacking. As my husband put it, Arthur had a much better transition to cover the same number of years until the ultimate battle. I did not like Arthur either, but it Did have a much better transition and it did not leave me thinking "huh?! How did we go from here to there?" It is a good thing that my dad was with us. He did a pretty good job at explaining the timeline since I haven't really read much of Alexander the Great aside from probably a couple of chapters in grade school (decades ago!).

And get over the whole homosexual thing! I saw Nothing wrong with the portrayal of the friendship between Alexander and Hephaistion. I think our culture simply can’t see deep, male-male friendship that goes to that extent and Not immediately relate it to sex. There was a lot of trust and honor between the two friends, a love yes, but in no way sexual, or at least not carnal. And fine, so there is a scene where Alexander kisses another man… A very beautiful and womanly-looking man, by the way. Me thinks the guy was an eunuch (I am not sure if that’s how it is spelled, I’ve only heard the word spoken) or a castrated man, not at all uncommon for the time. It was often so much simpler to take on castrated beautiful men for servants than women… you know… men that look like women don’t get pregnant so there is no risk of bastard children. That’s what was done at the time (well, so I’ve read) so it was fine and in no way signified that a man was homosexual. And on another note… why were the people from Greece so upset by this personification of the Macedonian leader? Isn’t Greek Mythology one which so boldly depicts homosexual and incestuous relationships (plus cannibalism, bestiality and a bunch of other stuff)?

I better shut up now, though. Don’t want people flaming my inbox… not to mention that I do have a Greek friend. Heh heh

Thursday, January 13, 2005

3rd Anniversary

Celebrated my anniversary yesterday. We had a nice little dinner outside of home. Decided for Italian ‘cause we just love it. So I put on a nice little informal suit, pink with flower pattern and pink pants. No… it isn’t pink-pink… hmmm sort of a light rose pink if you get my drift. Anyway. Did the whole make-up thing and as with all special evenings I did my eyes. That means that I actually wore eye-liner.

After we ordered our entrees and drinks (non-alcoholic because hubby doesn’t do the alcohol thing) Husband gave me my present. He bought me a ring with a nice little design where the thicker part was cut in such angles that it sparkles against the light. Gives the idea of diamonds. ^_^ So that is my replacement for my wedding ring which I no longer wear because my finger got too chubby for it – I used to be a 4.5 and now I am like 6.5

And I gave him his gift. I couldn’t buy him anything fancy ‘cause since I am not working now I just couldn’t afford it. I gave him a photo of us with the babies, Chico and Tushi, with a photoshop’d background and set it on a nice frame. I made a little card and got it signed by the babies. :D Fuzzy paws!

When we got home we found another present that my parents dropped off. They gave us our first plant! It’s pretty big, from the ground to half my leg. We have it up on the table because we don’t want the babies to destroy it. ^_^

Overall it was a nice casual evening. No romance at home, though. Husband was tired. :(

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Baby Puppy

About two weeks back we got a new addition to the family. She is a little baby terrier, all brown with just a couple of toes white. Chico welcomed her immediately! Well, he was a bit jealous at first and would just want to be with Hubby and not me, but it came to pass quickly.

They don’t do anything apart now. They roll around all over the place biting each other’s ears, then they just lie down and nibble and sleep. It’s so cute. We were surprised to see how tough the little girl is. We got her on the 29 of December and she had just turned 4 weeks. She was barely getting her teeth. I got her from my friend Magda (her doggies had puppies, 5 girls and we got the smallest one). She is a barking doggie!

Tushi at 4 wks old; DOB: Nov 27 2004

Chico (4 months) & Tushi (1 month)

She growls and barks and even bears her teeth when we tease her with strings. Just wonderful!

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Shame on Me

Had a relatively nice evening. I took my husband out to eat soup and salad at Chili’s – that’s right… I had nothing prepared when he got home; actually, he got home before I did (Read here for more). Afterwards we went to catch a flick at the dollar movie – Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (very funny movie).

He had a small altercation with a prick that was seated behind us… Apparently he did not like the fact that we sat in front of him so he could no longer slouch like a slob to watch the movie. I didn’t know that my 5’2” frame was that big that I could block a guy that seemed to be about 5’8”

Anyway. Things settled down after a few, thankfully, because my husband would have probably had all of us kicked out if he had decided to tenderize the guy’s head.

So we enjoyed the movie the best we could – I still laughed out loud as I usually do with funny situations, but he spent the whole movie quietly – and then he decided to make a quick stop at the local Mosque. It will be Eid soon, and we have planned to invite several of our Muslim and non-Muslim friends over to celebrate with us at our home. But hubby wanted to be sure of the date (since the Muslim calendar is quite different from ours) and also needed info on prayer times and to have a list of local ranches that sold goats, lambs, etc.

We were turning and he noticed cars, so that meant there were still people inside. I think he was hoping there weren’t any because that way he would have been able to go on his own tomorrow after work… when I was not with him. Why do I say this? Because he told me as we were turning into the parking lot, “You’re going to have to stay in the car because you are not… dressed properly.”

Properly? I was wearing a nice pair of black slacks, a white, long-sleeve blouse, with a long, black vest over it. The vest pretty much dangles past my hips (trying to hide those voluptuous hips of mine… of course, it makes no difference, people still see I am fat, but at least they also see how well I can dress right?), and finished off with my black shoes, okay… 3” heels, but they are the thick kind… The ones you can have on all day and not get tired with. I do not wear needlepoint; never have because they are so darn uncomfortable. My light make-up and my nicely combed hair, parted on the side (now that is long enough to allow it), and a pair of earrings that Husband gave me. I looked like coming out of the office.

But alright… if by properly he meant, a rupatta over my hair, long salwar kamise, and flat sandals, then I guess I wasn’t properly dressed for the Mosque. A salwar kamise, by the way, consists of pants and a blouse that is long enough to reach the knees, the rupatta is a very, very long version of a scarf (what we would wear with evening gowns and such). I have several of those outfits, beautifully embroidered by hand and of wonderful material, but unfortunately they no longer fit. They were bought the largest size available when they did, and since their ladies are generally so thin, the only way I can get an outfit my size would be by tailor… and none of the tailors here have any idea what a salwar kamise is.

As we parked I noticed several cars with people in them. Mostly ladies and children that were probably waiting for their husbands to finish up saying their goodnights to all other men inside, or something similar – you know, man business.

I opened the door to the car and he turned to look at me, so I said “Fine, you’re right. I should stay. It’s not my business.” I guess he noticed my hurt tone and said that I should go. “No, no. You don’t want me to see the Mosque, so I’ll just stay here.”, “No amor, come. You have a right to enter the Mosque.” So finally we both left the car and headed over to the main entrance. Just about when we reached the doors, a man that looked slightly older than my husband, probably by about just 8 or 10 years, walked outside and greeted Husband.

They said their greetings in Arabic and Husband started with the basic questions, “Hello, I just needed information on when you will be having Eid prayer.” The man, whose name I didn’t get because he never presented himself to me (nor did Husband introduce me either) said that it would be next Friday, and then proceeded to ask if he was a Muslim. Husband said that he was.

“And you are from here?” Meaning the town.

“Yes, we are.”

“Oh, then why haven’t I seen you here?”

“Oh, I pray at home. But I remember seeing you last year, I came from Eid prayer last time” he meant October for the end of Ramadan.

“*something in Arabic* Hm. Well you should come. We have *more Arabic* every day at 1:30 and of course, we are supposed to pray 5 times a day *something else on Arabic*” my husband quickly said that, yes, he did pray his times everyday, but on his own. And I know he does. First thing in the morning, then at work he takes 2 breaks to do praying in a separate room, and finally at home right after sunset and then the last time about an hour later. He has his own room for that and I am not allowed to do anything to that room except of course, clean it. “What is your name? And is your wife Muslim too?”

Husband replied with his last name and finally ‘introduced’ me. My full first name and last name. I bet that if you asked the guy my name 5 minutes later he would not have remembered. He didn’t even turn to look at me. When my husband said that I was not Muslim he said, “Oh well… she’s welcome here anyway.” It sounded like a forced, polite invitation, but that doesn’t bother me - I don’t step inside any type of church even though in my family we have Catholics, Christians, Witnesses, and Presbyterians. This is not because I make a point to stay away from religion… simply… I never get invited to go to religious functions. (I have however, gone to Catholic churches On My Own… but generally with a camera, because those churches are always so beautiful! The paintings and the icons are just amazing).

Husband and the man continued talking, another person came out and they introduced one another. All this time I am just standing behind Hubby… who has his full back to me, so I did not even make an attempt at listening to whatever they were saying anymore. At last they say goodbye to each other, adding more Arabic blessings in between, and we turned away to go back to the car.

I should have stayed in the car after all.

All the drive home Husband kept saying, “That’s why I didn’t want to take you. Because I knew they were going to ask me if I was Muslim and then they were going to ask about you.” I find that silly… both the question and his concern. If a person goes to a Mosque to ask about the schedules and holidays (in the Quran’s language, by the way) then wouldn’t it be obvious that the person is Muslim? Or at least interested? And the fact that husband felt concerned that they asked about me is also silly. A lot of people always as those type of questions. How many times have we not been asked if we go to church, or what our denomination is, or whatever related to religion? So I simply told him, “you tell me this every time… if you went to the Mosque every week and mingled with them, then they would never ask you such things. But if you wait until next year to go again, of course they’ll forget you and ask you that question again.”

He kept at it about his people being so picky about the religion and all that. That he doesn’t want to get me involved with them because they’ll treat me bad, “oh you mean ignore me like they did? Like you did too?” Ouch. But it was the truth! Basic manners say that the first thing you do is introduce anyone who may be with you, no? I do it. That’s what my mom taught me. But maybe it is a guy thing - my dad forgets to do that at times too… so I’ve seen my mom having to introduce herself, and that is very embarrassing. I’ve had to do it for myself at times as well. It’s awkward… but at least, when it happens the other unknown person looks at me in the eyes, or shakes my hand or something. Tonight… not even a single look, from anyone. I was almost invisible.

I will continue to support my husband and try to get him to do the things that he is required to do. But I will do it from the background. I will cook his special food. I will keep his praying room clean. I will not mind if he goes to his Mosque without me. He can even go to weekend events if he so wishes. I’ve been telling him for months to do it. Our only Muslim friend is 4 hours away from us… and I understand how difficult it is to celebrate your special holidays alone… so if he meets others that share his beliefs then Great! Is just too bad that he feels ashamed of what I am (or am not).

But I guess I’ll just have to accept that part of my marriage.

Nice Customer-Salesperson Relationship?

My nice little car.

Front view of my Chevy Malibu

Side View… P.S I love my parents!

Well, today I finally got my license plates, so I drove over to the dealer and asked for them (along with my floor mats, which apparently were taken out when they vacuumed it the first time and forgot to put them back in). The lady at the front desk made me sign a form then called my sales person. So Charlie comes right out several seconds later (pretty quick guy) and says “Hey! Nice to see you! I see you got your plates” he points and I smile and shrug. He extends his hand and I go to shake it… then he pulls me and gives me a kiss on my right cheek.

Well, I know that it is important to be nice with the customer but… I didn’t know it had to be that nice.

Maybe he’s just a kiss-on-the-cheek type of person. I remember that after he gave me my car on the day before Xmas (once it was nice and clean and filled up with gasoline) he shook my hand and kind of hesitated a bit. It seemed like he wanted to go in for a peck, but the moment just dangled there… you know, that weird-feeling moment…

But then he went to give me my class on using the new car. That was nice. He even showed me how to program in stations (which I already knew… all new cars are the same way, but it was nice anyway). He did program my locks and everything, so I liked that too. Husband did not like it much… I think he just didn’t like the overly jolly man. Probably had something to do with Charlie inviting me out to dance when my hubby was right there with me.

Ayayay.

Anyway. My cheek felt strange the remainder of the day. Hm. Come to think of it. It feels weird any time anyone kisses it. Is like… I feel saliva drying and stretching my soft skin… not a nice feeling (and I didn’t get to a rest room until I got home! 3 hrs. later. Note to Self: Invest on moist towels from now on). I only like those type of kisses from my mom or sister. They don’t kiss. They simply hover their cheeks close enough to mine to make it appear like a kiss, but it is just an affectionate sign. Very nice. I try to do the same… I know how difficult it is to keep impeccable make-up, and having someone smudge it up with their own shade of make up (or even worse! Their sweat! Ooiiiii) is not very nice.

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

Heartache

It sucks when someone you truly care for ignores you completely…

Or worse yet, he doesn’t recognize you.

I had been meaning to write to my little boy, Sam. He is my pseudo-nephew from NZ. Met him several years back… 4 almost. We were 'inseparable.' We shared a lot of things, and I gave him the best advice I could when he asked anything. I'd call him on the phone and I even talked with his mom. Gaw... if I ever have a kid I hope it is as charming as he. I love the kid.

I wrote some time ago but the last thing I heard was that he was out of town, so I did not expect replies.

Today, I figured he should be back from his trip and I remembered his ID from one of the many chat programs that we have. My ID hardly changes from chat program to chat program: my initials and my nick. Has it been that long that he can’t remember my name and asks if we’ve ever known each other?

That caught me off guard… you know, the type that makes your cheeks redden in embarrassed disappointment. But I decided not to make a big deal out of it and told him who I was. He gave me a quick howdy and the only other thing he said aside from that was how cold it was over there. So I told him what I had logged on for to tell him and… that was that.

I hope he has a good new year…

I guess it is now time for me to put him into my little book of memories and close his chapter. And that just makes me so sad.

Monday, January 03, 2005

Resolution 2005

Well it is a new year… and I sure hope it goes better than ’04. We had our lumps here and there: home problems, car problems, bank problems, relationship problems, a little bit of everything. While I cannot guarantee myself that we won’t get them again this year (since that would be really silly of me to believe) I hope we know how to handle the everyday problems a little better.

I did not lose the weight I wanted in 2004, but it wasn’t much of an unexpected thing. I didn’t really get into the whole dieting and exercising bit. But my resolution for 2005 while related to my appearance is not at all about complete weight loss. I always disappoint myself with those type of goals, so I am doing it a little different this year.

I will pamper ME at least once a month.

It could be a trip to the beauty salon to do my nails, the SPA to get a foot massage, a day out with my friends to drink coffee or have an ice cream. Things that I will enjoy. I figured that if I can handle taking care of just me for at least once a month, that I will stop being so gloomy about being stuck at home. It will help those patience issues that I need to work on as well and I will be more understandable with my husband when he does silly stuff that irks me.

On another note, I got some cool things for Xmas and I gave out a few others that I thought were nice. ^_^ I’ll post piccies later.

Hmmm