People I count on...

Its great to have good people around me...that i know care for me and look out for me. I felt it a lot just this past two days...plus it will give me a short recap for you all..(as if my life were that interesting.....but it is =p)

Quiet moments - So..tues...just spent some time at home. decided to work on auntie poyche's computer and try to retrieve her old files before reformatting the machine. While i was working, decided to watch anime, so i called John over..and the three of us just chilled there...watching (while i worked)...but in the end...all was well. Sometimes the quiet moments are all worth it..

Couch saving - On Wed as i was driving home...i decided to pass the park. Had an inkling to play basketball..but instead i saw this couch that someone was throwing away. I quickly flashed back to Martin's story of saving this chair in SD, so i decided to call up Alfred to help me out. I was gonna save this couch cuz i think it would actually work well in my house. Anyways..i got home..and even my uncle said we'd walk over there and just carry it back...but i decided to wait for alfred. Well...we were just in time. Once we got there, we saw this other truck drive by and give us a cold stare cus we had just beat them to it. We put the couch on the roof of the car and i sat ass out of the passenger seat wind surfing and holding the couch (guess ropes would have been smart...but hey..it was 2 blocks away). It was beautiful...really. I felt really good with the wind running past my face and hair...holding this furniture...and just enjoying the moment. In all its craziness...there was warmth...and thanks..for my uncle and cousin who came to help me. I've very fortunate...
so...we checked out the couch (pic below)..and it looks pretty good..minus this one cut in the pillow. No matter anyways..cuz this weekend i'll buy enough fabric to make a throw over it...and it will fit on the third wall. Well...after that adventure, I made dinner (ok..it was canned chili and rice...dennisons yumm)...for all of us. They were actually amazed at how good the chili really was.





Zapped - Daily Kindness, Sometimes its the lil things - So...some of you may wonder what my big facination with the movie Zapped is. I guess you can say it was one of the things that movies that brings back memories of my childhood. Story is about a nerd (cough..cough)..that in a freak science lab accident gets telekinetic powers. Of course this isn't a superhero story..but he puts his powers to good use =p...like disrobing the school girls, hitting homeruns on the softball team, and many other pranks. Course its a love story too...yeah..i'm a sap. But it had like a really good soundtrack too (hence why i was happy with Rico's gift). Well...since that time...i decided to check out Ebay for Zapped stuff and i found that there is an Asian import DVD. WOW..i had 18 hours on it..so i asked my coworker who does a lot of ebay stuff..and ask if she'll bid/buy it for me. Well...she didn't have paypal..and i waited too long...but in the last 15 minutes of the auction/sale...Rich came through for me. (Thanks Rich!). He put in the purchase for me...and even while i he was doing that...i found the movie RAD...and he put in the purchase for that movie as well. Way cool!.. Anyways...ebay is evil..cuz then i found the cutting edge soundtrack..and possibly bootleg Zapped CD as well. Anyways Rich has it saved on his list...while he checks bit torrent for the albums first....oh...and about my coworker...she's the sweetest...just like a mom to me here...always looking out for me. Anyways..i told her i had this sore shoulder a few days ago..and she gave me this $200 worth massage gift certificate that she had gotten as a gift a while back. She said she was never gonna use it..and for me to just have it. SWEET! Of course..i'm gonna take her to dinner or something in thanks.

Yeah..I admit i have been very fortunate in life...


Beautiful things
Family, Alfred, My uncle, couch saving, and Rich. Course...my chats with Karen as well this past week. Monday is coming soon....

Weekend Recap (well..before this next weekend starts)..

Wow...this weekend was soo much fun. Started out with Clubbing on Friday, Wine Tasting and Family Saturday, ending with Church and family on Sunday. (yeah..i did say church *shakes head*)

Fri - Sat

So..after picking up Ed and riding down with Andre and genh to SD..we decide to meet up with Martin at PB Bar and Grill. I used to love that place...but this time..they gave me crap about wearing sweats (thats what happens when you use the club entrance side..to avoid the long bar line)..and it smelled of locker room sweat in there. Ugg.. Anyways...got to chill for a lil bit with the wine tasting crew and Le Thu..before we just decided to head home since there were too many sweaty people bumping into us. um...yeah...gotta find a new club for SD.
Anyways, Sat morning we headed out to the ATM to get some cash before we got started on the wine tasting. While we were there i noticed there was a Jollibee there..and suggested to go there for breakfast. (didn't think we'd actually do it - but spaghetti and hot dogs did hit the spot =p). I love being Filipino and being able to speak Tagalog...cuz i think that made it easier for me to ask to barrow the Jollibee plush you'll see in the pics. Lately been feeling a lot more carefree about things.

Well after breakfast, we start heading off to temecula. The drive wasn't too bad...and soon we were at our first winery. Personally i thought i was more of a red wine drinker..but i soon learn what i had an affinity for...and that was Muscat. Course there is also the chocolate ports...and the almond champagne. Anyways..as ed said...wine tasting is all about the group of people you go with..and everyone there was hella fun. So..after wrapping up at the first winery..we decided to go on to the next one. We did a total of 5 that day..and each one was great. I picked out a couple favorites...and now just have to hit a Trader Joes to pick them up. Memories of the trip will be a van load of people singing DMX - "Up in here!" and Pitbull - "Culo", the sourdough bread with the brie center, and Ed's lessons on the differences between champagne/sparkling wine and Scotch/Whiskey.
After the trip, i made a visit to the Rodriguez home where my aunt was having a party for her sons. Donny came with me and we reminisced on how nice family parties are...and of course the good food. I watched as people played Taboo and just spent the time relaxing. Soon after...headed back home with alfred, brenda, and mantha. That nite i went home to Cerritos.

Sun -
Well..as i said...i did go to church today. Now...it wasn't by any real calling from above..but rather cuz i was asked to evaluate the rectory for network connectivity. It also gave me a chance to meet the new pastor and such. Anyways..as soon as i got in..i was reminded of the hypocrisies of why i don't go. People who profess to do good works during that one hour on sundays..but don't really live it. Yes dear...I'd rather be spiritual everyday than one day a week. Case in point...course the church should be welcoming...right? Well..i came in..and just stood in the back...cuz i would rather listen to my dad at children's liturgy than listen to the priest usually. Actually..i was gonna stay..just to see if things had changed..but something happen that made me want to leave.

so...this parishioner comes into the church...quickly sits down in the pew and begins to listen to the sermon. The door ushers in the back begin making snide remarks...joking cuz the guy is still wearing his baseball cap. "oh..i didn't we where having batting practice at church"...then the newbie guy makes a motion as to ask him to remove his cap...during which he is stopped by the other cronies. Anyways..i could just be blowing this out of proportion..but i seriously doubt the Lord cares if you're wearing a baseball cap or not....least not the Lord i believe in. Anyways..these ushers have been there forever...so kinda get an idea what mass is like for that Parish. "blah blah blah..the church needs money....religious fund...pope's mission.."...DUDE...jesus did it as a pauper...wish people remembered that one..ai ya

anyways..i decided to leave..and find my dad and sis at children's liturgy. Its not the easiest of jobs..but my dad does his best. Well..i was catching the end of it..so i eventually had to head back to the main building (children's liturgy is done in an adjacent hall). Well..i didn't feel right about going back to the main part..so i thought to myself...Jesus loved children....why not.....so i headed to the children/crying room.

Ok..for those that don't know..sometimes there is a seperate sound proof "crying" room in some churches..where kids and infants can be locked away...so that they won't disturb/wake up the rest of the "believers". Well..in that room..i had my beautiful experience....

I met this unnamed Asian Boy..





Man..he was the cutest lil boy. We ended up playing peek a boo with in the pews for the course of the mass. He even did some navy seal moves scurrying in the aisles. It was great...and it was during that time i was reminded of Karen and finding the beauty in anything. This boy...it was just amazing. To me..that is what religion is all about. Living there..enjoying the moment....just life being beautiful. He made my whole morning...but it wasn't even done yet. He waved goodbye to me as he had to leave and i was touched. Who knows..maybe i'll see him again next time...and if i do go back to church...it will likely be the crying room again.

Anyways..being in such a giddy mood...the day continued to be good. I tagged along with mantha and mila to have lunch with ann at CPK. Anyways...mila and I had a fun time ordering from the children's menu and just acting foolish...(ok..it was just me acting foolish as mantha could probably tell you).. It was a lot of fun..just hanging out and eating. I had to take this pic of mila to capture the momenet.




Hey..she got a menu and crayons too =p. Well..after lunch..we headed back home...and I decided to call up Rico and chill with him. OMG...now that i think about it..this was a really really good weekend. Anyways..i chilled with Rico watching some DVDs when he surprised me with my belated Bday gift. You CANNOT imagine what he got me....cuz i've been looking for it FOREVER. Anyways..it was the ZAPPED movie soundtrack (on vinyl). Man..i was soo happy. happy . happy . happy....and really it wasn't about the actual item..it was cuz i knew that Rico knew and understood me. He listens...it was a sense of validation. So now...I just need to get the album to my friend to port to MP3 format..and i'll be able to actually listen to it. I'm very fortunate to have all these beautiful people around me...really..i am.

Well..after that..i even had a nice time with my mom and sis. We ended up watching "A Cinderella Story". The movie was "ok"..but the family time was the better part of it.


Beautiful things
Karen (for all your IMs this week), Martin (for planning) and the Wine Tasting Crew, Nameless Asian Church boy, Mila, and Rico

Yeah!
Big thanks to Rich for letting me lift from his template...so that i could finally fix this blog. (no more excessive indenting of posts)

Anyways..i have much to talk about...but i'll have to find some time to do so.
Busy at work....Researching for this blog..Missing Karen..but for the most part things are going well.

Finding the beauty in things everyday...thanks to someone....but that post will be coming soon.

In the meantime, this template is still in works...


But to keep you occupied...here are the pics from the Culo - Wine Tasting.(click pic -must have ofoto account...just get one =p)

 Its Friday...its friday....yeah!
 
Ok..enough with the gratuitous glee...ai ya...sorry..just in a weird mood. Actually woke up fully rested...got things done before work..and now just sitting at work..waiting for the weekend. (weekend plans: heading down to SD this weekend for Wine Tasting with Martin..and likely a family event on Sat.).  
 
Anyways...a recap for this week.
 
Missing Karen...yeah..that was going on all week. I did get a few moments to talk to her...and the more that i do learn about her...the more in love i feel. Yes..i did say love. The greatest part about it is that she isnt' afraid of it like most other people are... anyways...i'm wishing she was back here......and also hoping she's enjoying her trip.
 
Well..i couldn't just mope around all week...(ok..it was only monday)...so i decided to do some other things.
 
Tues -
so..i met this guy at Big 5 when i bought my punching bag. Pretty cool guy..just a bit rough around the edges...so..i am taking him under my wing and gonna be his kuya. I bring that up cuz i invited him to come kick it with us on Tuesday when i went to play basketball with Andre. Big Ed, Ed (diesel), Harold, Jonathan (big5), my cousin, and even Al came thru. It was cool..running again. We had a pretty good game with this group there...but they chicken out on a rematch when they won by 2.(close game...punks). After the game, headed out to Manhattan Beach with Al to hang with my friend Mark and some other people. It was cool just kicking back and hanging with Al again....been too long. Anyways...the cool part of the nite was while we were eating...someone asked how Al knew me. (Granted, Mark's coworkers are in the late 20s..wondering how Al (22) would hang with me). This was of course after they were already impressed at how at such a young age he had such a direction in his life - persuing teaching and his masters degree at the same time. Al's response.."Ray taught me how to speak". It was simplicity...and the truth. Granted..it garnered an explaination. So Al detailed.... and i recollected how when i first met him...how he too was very "rough" around the edges. I swear his was a thug..talking about running things here and there..homies..this and that.... But...the fact is...i saw beyond that. I see into most people...and take them for what they truly are...and Al...well...Al is beautiful. i didn't do anything to change him really...he came to me to ask me things. Together...he learned things..and i learned things from him. He was the potential...i just helped him focus. I'm so proud of him..you wouldnt believe. Now he knows the show..and how to run it. He's definately one of my homies for life..

Wed-
humm..i fell asleep on my work phone call....=p. Ok..ok..it was at 8am....and it was a late nite. Well ...things at work are good. They are entrusting me with more responsibilites..and i've been volunteering and become more reliable to the big guys. I'll hope to see it when my bonus comes around..but personally...just loving the job. My coworkers are great.. This day i also got recruited to work a project that included all time zones - Boston, Pasadena, and London...in a restore of one of our primary servers. Talk about crazy...but yeah. The best part of the nite thought was hanging out with my Sis. She truly is my best friend. There are times where we just don't see eye to eye..but through it all...i love her no less. Sometimes it may not feel like it..but i am here for you sis...when you need. I hope she gets to meet the right people in helping out her friend in LA.
 
Thur-
So..since the late hours working that project..i was able to go home early. When i got home I saw my uncle from accross the street...riding his bike. It was like 100 degrees outside..and he was wearing this fleece black sweater, hat and sunglasses. He told me he was going off to buy burritos for my aunt..cuz she called and said she was hungry. Unfortunately there was no food in the house so he had to get something. When i asked him why he was wearing the sweater since it was soooooo hot...he said he knew...but he didn't want to get sunburn.  soo cute.
I've had issues with my uncle..cuz of things he's done in the past...but being so close to him now you can't help but love him. I see that way he lives, treats others, treats his family..and there is no doubt that its all love in his heart. I thank my auntie for helping me understand that. He's been my project partner for the house...and things are going well with that too.
anyways..after waiting so long for auntie to finally come home...we stepped out to check out circuit city and home depot...followed by dinner at Ordonez.
 
House project -
I'm concentrating on the living room. I think its all gonna come together. Probably gonna head to downtown LA next weekend to get the fabric for the curtains and furniture. Once i get the right color, I'll match the crown molding to that red. Also gonna consult an electrician about the lighting..and home theatre speakers..
Also have to build a mantle over the fireplace to hold the TV. Final step will probably be the floor. I'll give myself a couple months to pull it all together...assuming i stop going out each weekend.
 
Fri -
Today...well..its been going well. But now i'm done with this post..and gonna read my book.
 
and now...dedicated to Karen..who can see the beauty in things...and found it in me (god...sooo mushy)..
 
Something Beautiful for the Day (in this case, week)
Al, my uncle, my sister, Jon (big5)

wow...things have been really crazy lately. Anime Expo came and went....can't say it was seemless or stress-less...but it wasn't. That weekend was quite a change for me.

I've been pondering the con..for sometime now. Its been the foundation of many of my relationshops..but the convention itself has lost its fun. The only joy i get from it is hanging out with my ventura friends...and meeting new people at the con. I now have to weigh those joys with the stress i get from the powers above. It comes back to stress. The stress you feel is what you make of it...so now its up to me to decide what i want to do about it.

The other thing that happened is that i met someone. Almost instantaneously...i found myself caring a lot about this girl. Meet Karen. Even in such a short time she's been pretty much amazing for me...as someone to be able to talk to and share things with. Things with her have been great even though its been for a few days after AX. Unfortunately she's off in Thailand and Vietnam right now...then eventually school in Boston. Really hard when your heart starts running...and your brain hasn't had time to catch up yet...but sometimes we tend to overthink things. For now...i just know what i feel...and am hoping for the best.

Miss you hon

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........

Still recovering...but had a great time at AX this weekend. Well..its wasn't for the politics or anything else...but mostly about the people. Lot of things happening...quite the emotional roller coaster. Made some friends...made up with old ones....and the world seems better now. Saw the fireworks and felt some myself. It got pretty crazy there at times..but i'm glad my AX family was there to help me out and come through for me. It was also nice to see my bro and sis as well. Blair Witching each nite (too bad i missed the last one)...and being called kuya ray again...wow..this weekend was really just amazing. Shouts to all my friends that stopped by as well (Martin, Donny, Abigail, HT, Judy)...hope you enjoyed the show.

My family


Favorite line of the weekend

Somebody give me a band-aid...cuz i'm so cut (streching his arms) - Jeffrey (c/o your kuya ray). HAHAHAHAH