As Sweet as A Pineapple

My Weight Loss Journal

2011-07-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

I've decided to dedicate a new blog focusing on my weight loss. So far, my past attempts have come up short. First, I'm lazy. Second, I'm lacking motivation. Third, I like...let me change that...I LOVE food!

I think that for me to succeed, I need to write down my progress and how I am feeling during days when I am about to fall off the wagon, again. So what I'm going to do are as follows:

Eat breakfast
Portion control
Be consistent with exercise
Watch my calorie intake
Most of all, think positive!

I am the kind of person who wants to see results fast, that why I was tempted to use the aid of weight loss pills. But since I am also trying to...., I will have to do this the healthy way, meaning slowly but surely.

My goal is to get back to 110 lbs by the end of the year. So...here I go --> My Weight Loss Journal

I'm back!!!!!

2011-05-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot I have this blog. Well, I've been reading my old posts and it brought back memories that I have seemed to have forgotten.

I decided to come back and do this blogging thing again.

Tim's B-day

2008-01-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went to one of our new friend's birthday party. This was the second time I have been to their house. The first time was just a get-together to play cards. We'll so happened that you have to expect to play cards every time you were invited to come over. And I totally forgot my zip lock bag with my quarters. So I had to ask my dear Pineapple to give me some money. He gave me $20 and I lost all of it. Although that was my first time to play "Pares-pares" I learned it within that night so next time I have to come play cards with them I am ready to fight! LOL! And take note I was feeling a little tipsy already coz of the margarita they were serving. I have one here and there but in the end I lost all my money. We had fun though. The husbands were busy watching the pay-per-view UFC fight. Except Tim who played cards with us girls. Tim is married to Marina. And I met Marina through Jona who I have met on WOF and whom I have referred to the current job she has in our company. Besides Marina, I have also met Gracie, Alma, Ate Encar and two new Pinays who I first met at the birthday party.

Before this birthday party happened, which for sure will not be invited to coz we have only met once before, by coincidence Marina & Tim went to the same bar that my Pineapple & I went to on New Year's Eve. I saw her there and we all sat together the whole night. We played a few rounds of pool and had quite a few shot of Jagerbomb, besides the few cocktail drinks we had before that. So that was when they invited us to come to Tim's birthday. Thanks to Friendster Marina & I got to swap cellphone numbers and we got to text each other during Charger games coz our hubby are both San Diego Charger fans so we get to watch it with them and we get to exchange thoughts about the game.

Ok, I am out of stories...until my next update! Oh yeah, ang taba ko sa pictures and I feel horrible dahil I am ballooning.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/tims%20bday/

The Price is Right

2007-12-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

On Dec.24th "The Price Is Right" will air it's Christmas Special. We went there Nov.29th for my Pineapple's birthday and we were in the audience. Were not called as a studio contestant but for sure we will be seen on TV in the background coz most of the ones who were called to "Come On Down!" were, if not in front of us, beside us.

We were all surprised at how small the stage is. Plus They interview every single studio audience. With that they will then choose who will be the contestant. We wanted to get on the next taping right after that one we went to but we had to run and see "The American Gladiators". But when we got there we ended up deciding to start driving home so we will not get there so late since I had to work the next day. It was really fun though.

Ozzy Osbourne

2007-12-15T18:20:00.000-08:00

We were supposed to watch Ozzy Osbourne in concert way back in November but he got sick so they had to reschedule the date. We were able to see him and it was awesome! My Pineapple said that you have to see Ozzy in concert even for once in your life coz he is one of the legends. Plus when I thought about it he is old now and the opportunity to see him while he is still alive is great. We went there with my mom-in-law, sis-in-law and daughter and one of our niece. So there were 3 generations who loves Ozzy! I took a video and some pictures before he came out.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/Ozzy%20Concert/

Christmas Party

2007-12-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

We had our company Christmas Party last Dec. 6th. Almost everyone in the company came and we had fun. Since I work in the front office, my supervisor asked me to help our HR person with some of the party stuff. So they assigned me to be the one getting the gifts from our co-workers who wanted to participate in the white elephant game. That's a fun game...it goes on forever. It was also the night our bonuses were given to us. As of now I almost spent all my bonus money on gifts. Hopefully those gifts I ordered online will get here in time for Christmas.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/MSI%20Xmas%20Party%202007/

I'm back!

2007-11-03T23:16:00.001-07:00

I finally got my butt off the couch and drag myself to type something here. A lot have happened since I last updated my blog. We finally moved to our own place. We have unpacked all our boxes and bought some more stuff for our home. I am now driving alone...and taking the freeway to and from work. I am sure almost everyone have heared what happened here in So.Cal. Multiple brush fires have caused so much damage and evacuated thousands of families, including us, from their homes. We were kind of close to the Witch Creek fire coz it had reached the area just 5 minutes drive north of our apartment. We were driving home from our short weekend in Vegas and we saw dark smoke by the other side of the mountains so we tuned in to the news radio and found out that a fire in the LA area had started and it has started burning a lot of multi-millions homes. Then we heared on the local news that San Diego has 2 wild fires too. When we were approaching where I-15 splits and turns into CA-163 (?) we saw smoke engulfing the 15. And traffic was at a stop. The wind was so strong that day and it only got even stronger after that. So when we got home, the next day my husband had to evacuate me and drive me down to my in-laws, which is closer to my work. And he had to go back to our place coz his work is near there. They had to close down their company Monday so he had to go back to our place to grab some of our stuff in case the fire gets really close to our apartment. So he stayed down at my in-laws with me Monday night but after that he stayed up here in our apartment the entire week.

Now that it's over, driving around the neighborhood, knowing that the fire had gone through there is kind of weird. I have never experienced something like that before. Most of my emergency experiences are coz of typhoons, floods or earthquake...but not firestorms. It is kind of eerie to me. We went to the Charger game Sunday after everyone had left the stadium which was used as an evacuation center and when they showed the video of what San Diegans had gone through that week it got to me. I got weepy and felt emotional. It was the first time I felt like I belong here...that I am a San Diegan and that San Diego is my home. It's sad that I had to realize that in that manner but I feel happy that I finally felt like I am home.

OK! On to something different. Halloween has just passed and soon Thanksgiving is coming. Then my Pineapple's birthday. I still haven't figured out what to buy him for his birthday. I am just way bad with gifts. I know he would say he likes some stuff. But he would also say he doesn't really want it...that it's just a waste of money. So I am kind of lost.

Both our work has been real good. Pineapple's company had finally moved locations. And they all got a raise. I, also got quite a nice raise. So a big help to us financially. We are still trying to figure out our budget and still trying our best to always keep our home clean ( which never really happen except during the weekend...or Sunday). But all in all, it is all good. I feel like this year has been really really been the best for us.

P.S.
I almost forgot the most important milestone for us...we celebrated our 1st year anniversary last September. We went to a Japanese Restaurant for an early dinner. Since our anniversary fell on a Sunday we had to go out after the Charger football game was finished. LOL!

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/apartment/

I'm back posting...an update!

2007-08-05T21:23:00.001-07:00

I've been planning to write something here for a couple of months now but I've been so tired from work and then weekends are pretty hectic too. So once my butt touches our bed my body would just fall down and go straight to sleep. We've been VERY busy coz of upcoming move. Me & my Pineapple will be moving to an apartment in the northern part of San Diego. His company will be moving there so we will be moving a month before the company moves so I will have plenty of practice driving on the freeway going to my work. It's probably going to be a 45 minute drive for me since I am a new driver here in the US. I have never driven in a highway before. The most I have done is the 50 mph streets here in CV. I'm still practicing getting comfortable with higher speeds. I failed my first behind-the-wheel test so I have to take it again. The clock is kind of ticking for me coz I have only 2 months left to get used to driving fast & switching lanes. Coz when I turn my head to the left or right to check my blind spots, my hand kinda goes with my head...it turns also. So of course, the vehicle turns also which is very dangerous. But my Pineapple have said that my driving is getting more & more smoother. Going fast, like 50 mph, makes my knees shake a bit. I think that as long as I don't need to change lanes I am fine. But I do need to turn left or right somewhere. LOL! I do hope my company will also move to where we are moving. Or at least, somewhere closer.

So far so good when it comes to my work. I still have a month to go before my 90 days probationary period is over. And then hopefully I will get a salary increase. I am still learning a lot of things at work. Coz it seems like my position has a lot of responsibilities. I am a bit stressed out right now coz the company is kind of down in it's finances. So of course, I will be getting calls from our vendors wanting their money. I do hope I will handle talking to them pretty well and it will go smoothly. Hope they'll understand our current situation.

And lastly, we are buying stuff here and there for our new apartment. We have bought a lot actually. But we are wise to go look for sale items. We have a rule on our spending spree...we only buy stuff if it's on sale. We have scour the swap meet, gone through the aisles of different stores. I think we have most of the things needed in the kitchen & bathroom. We even bought a sofa & loveseat! We are all set. All we need to do is fill up the boxes we have by our bed and we will be ready to go.

We will for sure be taking pictures of our new pad. We have found a good apartment community so we are very happy & excited to move. Plus we can't wait to use the A/C. Summer here is getting warmer & warmer. So until next time...maybe three weeks from now I will be back posting

San Diego State Fair 2007

2007-06-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

My first time to go to the fair. And there's two things I have heard about it, that there's a lot of food on a stick & also weird food. We ate some deep-fried rattlesnake & potatoes. I saw signs for deep fried snicker bars. There's even a Crispy Cream Chicken Sandwich, deep-fried Twinkies, deep fried pickles, hotdog on a stick, pickle on a stick, meatball on a stick, sausage on a stick, deep fried coca-cola, and much more. It was a fun day but I was so tired that both my heel were hurting so much as I walk. And my left knee started hurting! LOL I even saw a Johnny Cash & a SD Chargers Jersey onesie. Sooo cute! I saw some farm animals like those sheep that are so cute. There are those with big horn, miniature sheep, and the usual sheep...even saw a black sheep. It was my first time to see a sheep so I was amazed. I am used to seeing goats & cows so it's not that exciting to me.

Me & my niece went on some rides...I went with her on the giant slide, where you use a sack and slide. Then we went on the Crazy Mouse ride, and then this horror house ride which was lame, and then another roller coaster. And she went on the spinning rides with her mom coz I will certainly puke if I ride those kind of things. Although I rode the hang glide thing with her which got me dizzy even if it was fun. My neck just seemed messed up that's why I couldn't go on some ride where my neck is not relaxed. We arrived at the fair around 1 p.m. and we left around 10 p.m. So of course, now we are all sore from walking too much.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/SD%20Fair%202007/

Finally, it's over!

2007-05-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

My job-hunting has finally come to an end. I finally found a job here in the U.S. I will be working as a Payroll A/P Clerk for a small company that makes microwave & LF amplifiers. Although I have no experience with accounts payable, the employer was very willing to hire me. We are so happy that's why we celebrated and ate at Goldilocks. Coz I've been wanting to eat Kare-kare for quite awhile now. Good thing Memorial Day is coming so there are plenty of on sale items all around. So I was able to buy some work clothes for when I start. I will be on 3 months probation so hopefully I will do very well and the will make me a permanent employee after my probationary period. I am so happy, relieved and nervous all at once! LOL

Update!

2007-05-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't posted here for awhile since I really don't have anything to post right now. I am still looking for a job. I have had two interviews already and I am still waiting to hear from them. I also applied all over -- from Walmart to Geico. And even tried some job agencies. I am really really nervous being interviewed I tend to get tongue-tied and even forget the right words to use. Even the simplest everyday word I would forget. But with the two interviewed I had, I would say it both went well. Even if my palms were sweating like a faucet. LOL! I am getting more and more confident being interviewed.

So while I am waiting to hear from the companies I applied with, I am studying for my written driving test. My mom-in-law have volunteered to take me to the DMV for me to get my exam & then she will try and let me drive around town so I can get comfortable in the road. I guess she's tired driving me around to my interviews.HA HA HA! (Just kidding!) It's about time for me to get my license so my Pineapple will be able to join his friends and drink a beer or two with them without him worrying about driving home.

I hope I will finally find a job. My brain is just slowly degrading. I need to earn some money & be able to contribute to our household income. I am getting desperate!

Job Hunting

2007-04-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

I was approved with m Adjustment Status so now I finally am starting with my job hunt. I really don't know what kind of job I want but since my previous experience before I arrived here was an office support staff so I will be applying for those kind of jobs and also my Pineapple told me to not be afraid to try customer service also. Coz right now there are a lot of customer service openings everywhere here in San Diego especially where we will be moving to. I have to say that I am terrified of being interviewed so I am getting a bit stressed about that part of my job hunt. Hopefully, it will be easy to find one. If I am not lucky enough to land any of those two jobs I want then I will not be picky and just try anything temporarily until we move.

Sports-filled Easter Weekend

2007-04-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

Our weekends started Friday at when we went to watch the Opening Night of the Padres. It was our first opening home game. Although we lot that night it was still a good game. I got to see what they do during opening night. When they sang the National Anthem they opened up a huge flag across the baseball field which was held by soldiers in uniform. I didn't get to see the ceremonial pitch coz when they started to introduce the one who will do it he threw the ball already before he was introduced. LOL! (The guy is 90 years old...)

Saturday morning we had a nice breakfast at home which my mother-in-law cooked & then headed up to L.A. after. We went to watch the LA Kings play hockey. My Pineapple bought our tickets on E-bay. He won the bidding for those tickets. When the tickets was delivered I was surprised & puzzled to see that tickets said "Luxury Suites" and the price said $VIP. Hmmmm???? So we went to Staples Center & went through the VIP entrance coz that's what was written on the ticket...for us to take the VIP entrance. We passed through a deserted corridor & saw doors with scanners & their corresponding room number. We finally found ours. My Pineapple told me to go in first. (As you can tell, we were apprehensive to go in coz we were not sure if that was the right seats for our tickets.) So we went in & the first thing we noticed were the food on the table & the counter tops. I was a really sweet, sweet room. There were popcorn, chips, salsa, different dips, hotdogs, some chicken dish which I can't remember what it was called, pork barbecue sandwich, some Turkish bread of sort & two fridge filled with water, sodas, beer & champagne. But most of all, the view of the rink was spectacular. Whenever I would watch a hockey game on TV, I never could follow where the puck is going. But that day I totally see it. We were not so close to the rink but you could see the entire floor from our suite.

After hockey, we checked in our hotel & took a short nap. Then around 4 went & drove to our next sports destination...wrestling. We went to LA because of the PWG's (Pro Wrestling Guerrillas) All-Star Wrestling Tournament. It was a two nights event which featured different independent pro-wrestlers & some wrestlers you see on TV shows like TNA, Wrestling Society X...and one who just got signed on WWE. So he made his last PWG appearance. His name is Classic Colt Cabana. I got teary-eyed when he made his speech & everyone chanting "Thank You Colt!". The first night started at 8 pm and it they all gave very good fights. The second night was supposed to start at 5 pm. But they didn't let people in until 10 minutes before 5. And when t started at around 5:45 the top rope broke. So another delay. While the crew was fixing the rope, the PWG staff gave some entertainment. Then even without a top rope two guys had a No Disqualification match. Both nights we were sitting in front row. Those two guys gave a very good show. They keep hitting the steel fence they put up in front. They even went & fought in the audience area & slammed into a table. It was crazy. Because of the delay, we were supposed to be driving back to SD around 8 pm but instead we ended up going home around 10 pm. We made it home around 1:30 a.m. My poor Pineapple had to get up for work at 6 a.m.

We took some pictures of our weekend in LA...

P.S. We went and saw the Padres again Monday night (last night).

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/sports%20weekend/

Spring Training

2007-03-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

We went to Yuma, Arizona yesterday to see the Padres play. It's their Spring Training Season & it was the only time they will be in Yuma. Me, Pineapple, my in-laws & the 3 girls (nieces). On our way there we saw a lot of people having fun in the desert sands with their dune buggies. So on our way home I decided to take pictures & also some of the things we passed by like some mountains that seemed to be covered with rocks (Mom said when her kids where young they would tell them that those mountains are peanut covered sundae). And we also passed by the rows & rows of windmills. There are a couple of pictures where you'll notice that the windshield of our car was clean then all of a sudden it is covered with insect splatters. It was just a 6 hour drive to & from Yuma so before we headed home we stopped by Golden Acorn Casino & had a buffet dinner there. Coz it only cost $7.77 each. Of course, while me & m Pineapple waited for us to get our table we played the slots & doubled our money. LOL!

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/Yuma%20weekend/

Fil-Am Expo & Our Casino Weekend

2007-02-18T21:57:00.000-08:00

This Saturday we went to go see the Fil-Am Expo since the once we had wanted to go before we had missed. So we finally were able to go see one. There wasn't much there but it was still good that we were able to go. After that we didn't want to go home yet so we just drove around. And that drive took us to Viejas. We played some slots, lost some & won some. We went there with around $300 in our hands & we were able to go home with $240. We were able to win back most of the money we had played there. We did not win the $500 raffle though.

Sunday, my Eric asked me if I wanted to go to breakfast with his parents at Hometown Buffet. And if I also wanted to go to the zoo with them after. Yes, another plan to go to the zoo again! We end up not going to the zoo. We went to the swap meet. I bought a dozen socks for $4.99 & 3 cook books which cost me $5 for all 3. Well, what did my Pineapple buy there? A stinking megaphone. I say stinking coz he will be annoying everyone around him...meaning more or less me. Then we drove back to Viejas with my in-laws. When we got there my hubby gave me $15 so I played one slot machine & used $5. Went back to check on him & he said he is losing. Later on I used up the remaining $10 and found out that he had used up almost $200. He took out another $100 & we had lost that too. We were only playing the slot machines. Mostly the quarter slots. Since we were out of money we just checked how many raffle tickets we have & joined the raffle again. He got 9 raffle tickets & I had 2. But the night before he had 11 & I had 4. They started picking the tickets & they pick 5 people every raffle times. By the 4th person they called we had given up ever winning that since we only had very few tickets in there. When they had gotten the 5th ticket we were ready to leave once they call the first name of that last one. They called out Eric...we said ok. Then they said S (ok that's his middle initial), then they called out his surname & we jumped for joy & screamed a bit. We were surprised with that win. We won $500. Before that raffle started I told him that I am sad coz we lost $300. But because of that win we were able to bring home $200 more. After we ate dinner at TGI Friday's & we paid the tab. We were still able to deposit into our account $400. I think we actually brake even in the end.

Another spontaneous weekend. We noticed that two weekends now that we had plan to go to the zoo but ended up in a different place but not the zoo.

Our Very 1st Valentine's Day Together

2007-02-15T14:01:00.000-08:00

This year was the very first Valentine's Day that we were able to celebrate together. 2005 we were on our break but was still chatting. 2006 we were apart so he just got flowers delivered which I got the day after Valentine's Day. And this year...was a big surprise. He told me that he had been planning it since last month. He had mentioned before that he might take the day off for Valentine's but a week ago when I asked him he said he hopes that I won't mind if he will work that day since we will just go out to dinner. So I said that I don't mind. Yesterday morning the alarm went off & he still didn't want to get up. He did get up & got ready for work. He took too long in the bathroom so he put on his pants & just got dressed outside. So I went back to sleep. I was awaken by him again when he came back to the room to give me a kiss goodbye. I kept telling him that he will be late for work so he better go already. What he said got me suspicious. He said they won't mind if he will come in a little late today. He went out the room and minutes later came back in coz he wanted to get the chocolates he got for his nieces. I was so sleepy that I just said "uh huh" & went back to sleep. I think after 5 minutes my mother-in-law came knocking on the door to give me a special delivery. She gave me my Pineapple's gift so I could enjoy it already while he is still at work. My Pineapple gave me a picnic basket, Bailey's chocolates, a chocolate rose & the Carebear chocolates. So after my mother-in-law gave me the gifts she asked me if I wanted breakfast. So she went out the room & I just stared at the stuff I have in front of me. Then all of a sudden my Pineapple Eric came storming in the room screaming "Happy Valentine's Day!" with a rose & a card in hand. I read the card he gave me and it was so nice it made me weepy. He totally surprised me. By this time I was totally awake. He told me to get dressed so we can go out for breakfast & then we will go to Seaworld & he showed his Seaworld passport which was another surprise. We went to breakfast at Ihop's with Mama Vee before we headed to Seaworld. When we got there, the very first thing we rode was Atlantis. First goes through the water drop then turns into a rollercoaster ride. We rode it twice in a row. Then off to the Antarctic ride. After that we walked around the park & checked out the show times for Shamu, for the Dolphins, for the Haunted Lighthouse & all that. We saw the penguins by this small viewing area, we also those killer whale look-a-likes but as big as dolphins, we also saw the dolphins but it was not feeding time yet so we were not able to feed them. I was able to touch a starfish. Those things are as hard as rock. Got to feed the stingrays. Those are scary. You are suppose to hold the fish vertically between your fingers and lay your palm flat and they'll suck it it. One accidentally sucked my pinky & it scared the heck out of me that I just threw some of the fishes into the water once they got near my hand. Coz that time I was the only one feeding them so they all went towards my direction. After knowing that Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin died from a stingray's tail I was horrified by those. We saw sharks, polar bears, a walrus that I thought was a sea monster at first coz I just saw it for a second before it appeared again. The Beluga whales which I thought at first where sperm whales & then accidentally blurting out, "There's the Sperm Cell". Luckily, no one heared me. HA HA HA! Then we also saw different salt- & fresh water fish. The Shamu Show was nice. We sat by the splash zone which we were a bit puzzled how we will get wet if we had sat like 10 rows away from the front one which I know really gets wet. There were 3 orca's that performed. One was Shamu, then a mom & the baby orca. When Shamu jumped in front of our area we got splashed a bit but not so bad. But for the last trick that the 3 orca's had to do, people should yell "Shamu, Shamu" & make a tail sign with their hands. I was mortified by what shamu did. He splashed water with his tale towards the audience. That was when we found out how they could wet everyone in the huge splash zone area. It could really reach the very last row of the splash zone. I told my Pineapple that we better leave coz we don't have any change of clothes with us. I went running out coz they were heading towards our area. HA HA HA! We saw the Haunted Lighthouse also which was a 4-D show. After we saw the huge horses. Those ones they use at parades. Then before we headed home, we went & rode Atlantis again & that was when I got more wet than the first one. It was a fun date! Our very first Valentine's Day

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/1st%20Valetines%20Day/

My 26th Birthday

2007-02-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

I had just celebrated my very first birthday here in the US with my Pineapple. We had always wanted to celebrate it together since we had celebrated his 32nd birthday together in Boracay back in 2005. Now we finally got our chance. The whole family surprised me with a cake & they sang me a happy birthday. I was not able to blow all the candles out in one breath coz there was like 26 lit candles in there. LOL! I am old!

So what gifts I got from them? From Amethyst & Melanie, they gave me this tiny pearl. They all told me that sweet Miss Amethyst had been wanting to get me one of those from Sea World ever since I got here. Now she finally were able to. So that was really a special gift. From Dederia & the girls, they gave me a white dress shirt & a planner. I told them I want one of those. From my in-laws, they gave me a sewing basket filled with some notions. And from my one & only Pineapple? He gave me the purse I wanted, a PC game called Civilization III, a prepaid card for my phone, an Incredibles shirt (which we now have a matching shirt) & a Silver Seaworld Passport! We can always go to Wild Animal Park or the Zoo coz he is a Platinum member so he can get me in for free with those stubs they get, but with Seaworld it doesn't work like that so I was not able to go with the girls then the last time they went. Now I can...It was a very nice birthday. Tiring, long day not just for me but for both me & my Pineapple.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/26th%20Birthday/

Spontaneity

2007-02-11T14:02:00.000-08:00

My Pineapple & I woke up Saturday morning & decided to go to the zoo again coz my hubby likes to get away from everyone & just spend alone time by ourselves. We were on the way to the zoo when he told me that he wants to watch a hockey game. So by this time we have passed the zoo already & headed north. We called up his sister to check for us if the Long Beach team or the Anaheim Ducks will be playing a home game. She said the Anaheim will be at home. So he asked me which one I would like to do, watch hockey or go to Knotts Berry Farm. I kind of wanted to go to Knotts Berry but I was hesitant coz I am chickening out of the rides already even before we get near that area. Since we saw on the local Anaheim newspaper that the Ducks will be playing an away game the decision was made for us already. So we decided to go find a Kinko's to check the internet for deals on tickets for Knotts Berry. They didn't have one. So before we went our way there & just buy the ticket at the gate, we stopped to buy something to eat first. This is the bad thing when we go driving around...we tend to eat more junk. My Pineapple then thought about wrestling. We so wanted to go see WPG again so we went back to Kinko's to check if they will have a wrestling tournament in LA. And they did. So what our final plan for the day ended up with watching a wrestling fight in Northern LA but before we headed towards LA we for sure wanted to go see the Discovery Museum which was sponsored by Taco Bell. That museum is really meant for kids. And there were tons there. We got bored so fast so we decided to cut it short & just go eat lunch. We ate lunch at the ESPN restaurant in Downtown Disney. After that we got back on the road & headed towards the City of Angels. The fight doesn't go on until 8 p.m. so we decided to drive around some more...and we ate some more junk of course. By that time we were both tired driving around. So even during the fight we were just quiet in our seats...even with the guys going crazy & headed towards where we were sitting at. The fight finished around 11:30 p.m. My Pineapple was so tired & sleepy he tired his best to stay awake in order for us to get home since the family & us have plans to go bowling for my birthday the next day. We ended up staying at a hotel in El Camino. It was 2 a.m. already & we were still awake. We headed back to SD around 7 a.m. this morning. Got home around 8:30. And got ready for bowling. We still had the energy to go bowling, can you imagine that? And that was our very spontaneous weekend.

A Day At The Wild Animal Park

2007-02-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

It was my mother-in-law's birthday yesterday so she asked my dad-in-law if he wants to go to the Wild Animal Park today. And she also asked me & the girls if they wanted to come. Since it is Superbowl Sunday today, my dearest Pineapple had plans to watch the game with his friends. So it was just me, my in-laws, my sister-in-law & her girls.

It's my first time to go to the Wild Animal Park. On our way there we saw a vineyard, an orange grove & an ostrich farm. I got in free coz my mother-in-law is a Platinum member so she can bring someone in for free.

So what animals were we able to see there? Hmmm....

We first went through a huge birdcage...then proceeded to walk towards the Lion's Camp. When we first got there I saw this huge Lioness behind the glass window which at first I thought was just a life-like statue. But it moved so that was when I started to get amazed. LOL! Then we walked up the hill & pass through a trail to go see the Tigers. When we got there they were hiding in the bushes so we really didn't get to see them that much. We saw different kinds of birds like the condor & also the bald eagle. Saw some rodents as usual. Some monkeys & apes. And then we rode the train to go around the park. There we got to see the Rhinos & the guide explained to us about how they would cover their whole bodies with their mud which has their poop & pee. The guide calls it zoodoo. And that even if the park people would clean up the walls where they go do their business, they would always go in the same place. It is because rhinos have blurry vision so they communicate through their stinky smell. Oh, I am telling you...it is STINKY!!! We saw groups of antelopes. I also got to feed the lorikeet. It was scary though coz when they poop it is watery & shoots out like a water gun. When my in-laws got tired one of the girls took me to see the spiders & we went in the huge birdcage again. After that the two girls & I went to the Heart of Africa to go see the huge catfish. We didn't get to see a very huge one but the one we saw was pretty big already.

When we went home we were looking forward to find out who won the Superbowl coz we made bets on who we think we will win & what will be the total final score. And one of the girls won the pot money. It was just 25 cents for each person & only 7 of us made bets. It was a fun day.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/Wild%20Animal%20Park/

Drive-in movie

2007-01-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

We went on our very first drive-in movie together & we saw "The Pursuit of Happiness" & "We Are Marshall". The drive-in movie theater we went to was in South Bay here in San Diego. Before we went there we had to get pizza, candies, nachos from Taco Bell (I know, I am a big spoiled rotten by my Pineapple), a huge slurpee for him & hot mocha for me. It was a very relaxing & nice experience. Even if the restrooms were a bit of a walk from where we parked at yet it was clean enough for my standards. he he he! We brought a boom box so we can enjoy the movie. We stayed inside the truck so when the windshield were starting to fog up he turns his engine on & turn the heater. He kept saying to me before the movie that he will probably fall asleep watching The Pursuit of Happiness. But he did not! He liked the movie. As did I. We both liked the movie we chose to see. We had agreed to do it again sometime. Maybe bring an airbed and we can use the back of his truck and just lay there & pig out.

Sad day for San Diego

2007-01-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday January 14, 2007 was a very sad day for San Diego. Everyone tuned in for the Chargers' playoff game that has been much awaited by almost everyone. The Chargers have had a very incredible regular season. They held a 14-2 record with 10 consecutive wins. LaDainian Tomlinson holds the MVP title as well as the record for most touchdown & rushing yards. The Chargers have a very good defensive & offensive line....Lights Out, Gates, McCree, Neal. Not to mention a rookie QB that have impressed everyone with his field presence, Philip Rivers. He made mistakes but was quick to comeback from all of that. Also their coach Marty. I heard a lot of people talking crap about how his team never do good during playoffs. Isn't he along side all the great coaches now that had 200+ wins?

Even though Rivers gave some good passes, even though LT rushed 100 yards for this playoff game alone, and even though the defense & offense team did their best we still lost. It was so sad that after all of our team have worked for that it would only end their dream, and the whole San Diego, to go to the Superbowl. There were a lot of mistakes made in the field, interceptions that was almost ours but then failed to grasp the ball tight & slip from their hands. Personal feelings interfered with playing the game calmly which gave us a personal foul & had hit our team big time. Everyone that was on that stadium went home with a very long face. For sure many cried. I was never a football fan. Seen some games on TV & some movies about football but never really understood the game. My Pineapple answered some of my questions about the game & watched every single one with him, if not listened on the radio with him. Although I can say I am not a football fan in general, I have learned to love our San Diego team. When they would gain yards or make a touchdown it makes me jump out of my seat & scream in joy. And during this playoff game it even made me weepy seeing them doing good. But as the game goes by I had this sinking feeling inside of me. And there it was...a defeat! 24-21 loss.

I know & everyone knows that there is still next season right? But who knows if we will still have a great year next season. Will LT have the best rushing yards & make the most touchdown again? Will Philip Rivers lead his team to a 14-2 season again? Or will Marty Schottenheimer be our head coach again next season? Right now, no one knows. What we know is we, San Diego & the Chargers team, have had our heart broken.

2007

2007-01-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

The new year just started a few days ago. Me, my mother & father-in-law, my Pineapple & his niece Ame went to Disneyland & California Adventure. We were in Disneyland at around 11:30 a.m. on Jan.3 & we left the park at around 10 p.m. More than 10 hours huh!? LOL! We were so tired after that. But it was nice coz we get to ride most of the attraction there coz we can go infront of the line for most rides. We also got to see the street parade which we missed during our honeymoon trip there. And then in the "It's a Small World" ride my Pineapple took a picture of the Filipina kids dressed in our traditional dress. She was the only one standing in one corner of the room. So if you blinked you'd probably miss it.

Our second day, we spent it at California Adventure. We rode the Tower of Terror 3 times. We didn't get to ride the California Screamin' coz when we went there for our fastpass they stopped the ride due to some technical problems. When we were walking back to where Mama Vee was at to watch the parade we saw that one of the rollercoaster was coming up the big drop & it might have gotten stuck there. We were saying that if we didn't go to the Orange ride it might be us stuck there on top. It started to rain to we had to hurry back to our cars & start heading back to San Diego. Same as before, we ate too much junk again. LOL! Lots of french fries from McDonald's.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/2nd%20time%20in%20disneyland/

Our First Christmas Together

2006-12-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

2006 is our very first Christmas that we have spent together. We had started with our Christmas shopping early December but we still made a last minute gift shopping a couple of days before Christmas. We have bought fuzzy slipper & a book for mom. We bought dad a DVD of The Da Vinci Code & also bought him a Charger's t-shirt. We bought Dederia a Garth Brooks DVD Collection & a purple sweater. We got Ame the huge Jack Sparrow Doll, a Pirates of the Caribbean popcorn tin & a Lego Pirates of the Caribbean Skull. For Becca, we got her a boogie board, a popcorn tin & an Eragon DS game. We gave Amanda a popcorn tin also, a SD card for her digital camera & $10. Melanie got a lighter giving the finger & a DVD of Clerks 2. I gave my Pineapple a video camera bag & a DVD of The Office Season 2. Remember, I gave him the DVD of the season 1 of The Office. He loves that show a lot. But my intended gift for him was really the Dwight Shrutte bobblehead that I had asked my mother in law to order for me online. It was delivered on Dec.19th & when I checked it the head was broken. The neck was chipped off from the body. So it was a big disappointment. I had to call the company we ordered it from & they told me that they can deliver a replacement on February. So I told them to just charge back the money. They said I didn't have to send back the broken merchandise. So what did we do to it? Super glued it ofcourse! Now it's in my Pineapple's office desk. Ofcourse, Milo, the dog, & Jean, the cat, got their stocking stuffed also. Milo got a nice new bed.

Christmas Eve, my Pineapple gave me a stocking to hang also together with the girls. So Christmas morning I got to look for what Santa has brought me. Thanks to Santa (Santas actually coz there was more than one who gave me those.LOL!) I got make-up brushes, Starbucks & McDonald's gift cards, some candies & some other stuff. My Pineapple gave me lots of stuff. He got me 9 Ketchup Piknik, a fuzzy slipper, a watch, cellphone minutes, a Tinkerbelle coffee tumbler, a make-up kit but most of all his big gift was the MP3 player. He asked me a couple of days before Christmas about if I have to get 1 gift what would it be. I told him a sewing machine. He joked an d said that he better shop some more then. I did get my sewing machine though. My in-laws gave it to me. I also got other stuff from my in-laws & the girls.

Pineapple asked me what I wanted for my birthday, now that I got most of the stuff I wanted. LOL! The big pocket burning holiday is over. Next is February, where there is a lot of February celebrant in the family, plus his friend's birthday & also Valentine's Day. Another pocket burning month! HA HA HA!

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/Christmas%202006/

My First Trip to the Zoo

2006-12-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

I've lived my entire 24 years in the Philippines & I haven't been to Manila Zoo or Malabon Zoo. I remember I have been to the Ninoy Aquino Wildlife. But all I saw there were fishes & birds. Last Dec. 16 my Pineapple & I were choosing to go between the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park. We ended up deciding to go to the Zoo at the last minute coz we were just driving around the area.

I had fun seeing the animals. We were even joking how the majority of what we saw were rodents but we still enjoyed our trip there. My Pineapple said that it is nice to go to the zoo with someone who haven't been there. So he enjoyed it as if it was his first time too. We were walking fast trying to catch one of the shows. Hurrying to the bus tour stop so we can rest our legs & still see most of the zoo. For sure we will be back there again coz we want to see the entire zoo by foot & see the animals up close. And for sure we will also go to the Wild Animal Park & maybe Sea World too. I had lots of fun last Saturday. I can say now that I've been to the zoo although it took me 25 years before I even got into to one. HE HE HE!

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/zoo/

Welcome to the Winter Wonderland

2006-12-11T12:21:00.000-08:00

It was my Pineapple's company Christmas party last Saturday December 9th. He & his co-worker's have been busy planning the decorations for weeks. And their hard work & team work had paid off. Everyone loved their Winter Wonderland theme. I was with my Pineapple whenever he would go buy stuff for the decorations. So I knew what stuff they had but when it was time for putting it all up I didn't go with him. So, I was also surprised to see how it all turned out. All I can say is that it was awesome!

The night was nice although I would get chilly some times. I had fun & everyone seemed to have had so much fun also. I must admit that I was a bit nervous & self-conscious around his co-workers. And to think most of the people there were Pinoys. My Pineapple kept asking me to dance but I kept saying no coz I was still wearing my high-heeled shoes & was scared I would fall flat on my face or sprain my ankle. So he danced with someone else. Around 9 p.m. we went out to his truck for him to change for his Santa costume. I grabbed the chance to changed into my flats. And boy, was it a big relief to my feet. He was Santa Claus giving the prizes for the raffle that night. After the raffle, he asked me again to danced & I finally said yes. Since I am finally comfortable with the shoe I was wearing. Since we were drinking that night, his sister & his mom picked us up after the party.

Oh, yeah! I forgot about the softball team's gift for the owner. My Pineapple thought about giving them a softball bat where in the logo of the team & a message is engraved on the bat itself. Plus an authographed ball from the entire team. The owners loved it so much. He said it is now in the owner's offcie & is displayed for everyone to see.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/winter%20wonderland/

Happy Birthday my Pineapple!

2006-11-30T11:56:00.000-08:00

It was my Pineapple's birthday yesterday & we made him cake. I also cooked a huge Chicken Hamonado dish. I think it was around 2 packs of chicken breast that you find in the groceries. But it was all gone after that. Ofcourse, the men of the house wants to take some to work for lunch. And I just got an email from my husband that people from his work are asking how to make the dish.

It was a fun birthday! He said the happiest birthday he ever had. I gave him The Office dvd season one that he so wanted to have. His parents gave him a Charger's Jacket that he kept looking at whenever we go to Walmart. His sister, Melanie, & Ame gave him a Disney shirt of The Incredibles & a Nacho Libre DVD. Dederia & the girls gave him a dollar for each year & one to grow. He even took all the Spongebob chocolate coins that are in his cake. After the celebration he went to our room to watch The Office. And it is so nice to hear him laugh & be happy on his special day.

Oh yeah! He was not able to go get his favorite slurpee when he went home from work so he kept bugging me later that night that he wants a slurpee. So I asked melanie to drive me to 7-11. So we both braved the cold last night for his slurpee. But it was all worth it. I am just glad to see him happy.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/erics%20birthday%202006/

Black Friday

2006-11-24T22:21:00.000-08:00

Day after Thanksgiving Sale! Yes, I went and lined up at midnight just to be able to experience the rush & chaos of this big holiday sale. BUT! I did buy a couple of stuff at Walmart. I bought 2 DVD's. LOL! That is it. I endured the cold & sleeping on a foldable chair. Actually coming inside the store was very organized. Not like the ones I keep seeing on TV were people go running inside. OMG! But once we got inside, it went crazy. Carts bumping & it seemed like everyone was heading towards the electronics section. Doors opened at 4 a.m. & we were out of there at 6 a.m.

Let's go a day earlier. Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Ofcourse, there was turkey. They wanted me to incorporate a filipino dish into our dinner so I decided to make chicken hamonado since when I was still in the Philippines. All I can say is that it was a success. And I also cooked Java Rice.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/thanksgiving%202006/

NOTE: can't post pictures

2006-11-24T13:35:00.000-08:00

For some reason I can't download pictures here in my blog. So for those who want to see pictures for each blog entry I will post, I will also include a link to a photo album...that is, if I have pictures. LOL!

Las Vegas, Nevada

2006-11-20T10:39:00.000-08:00

This Vegas trip is our wedding gift for each other. We went there mainly to watch Manny Pacquiao fight against Erik Morales. All I can say is Manny kicked Erik Morales' butt. Third round KO, baby!!! That was a really great night.

We did not go in and checked out all the places there but we did drive around so I will be able to see the Strip. We also went to Downtown Vegas & watched the show they do up on the ceiling thing there. It was nice but my neck got tired after awhile of looking up. My Pineapple & I went & met up my Uncle & we all went out to lunch at a Filipino restaurant. We all had fun & what's memorable about my first Vegas experience? Static! WTF, we turned off all the lights in our room & a freaking light show began when we touch our bedsheet. We were shocking each other & got shocked by the machine or anything metal we touch. It was crazy!

The drive to & from was SUPER long but it was not so bad. I am not used to going to places so far that it takes 7 hours to get there. I tend to get stressed of riding a car that I get motion problem. Although we encountered some traffic the drive there was very smooth. It will help me get ready for our planned roadtrip honeymoon going to the East Coast & Texas to visit some friends.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/Las%20Vegas%202006/

Veteran's Day

2006-11-11T20:46:00.000-08:00

Today is Veteran's Day and my Navy Veteran father-in-law, me, my Pineapple & my sister-in-law Dederia went to join the parade by the San Diego Harbor. It was just a mile walk but it took forever it seems for it to start moving. We were with the VA Hospital group & we handed out little US flags to the crowd & also some greeting cards. Me & my Pineapple waved a flag also. People were clapping & saying thank you to those who were in the parade passing them by. I know those thank you's were for the veterans & also the workers at the VA Hospital but I have never seen such patriotism. We saw those old "American muscle" cars that has hydraulics in them and also those biker dudes. My Pineapple said to me that people think those guys are mean or something but they the most patriotic Americans. Even with the long wait, it was fun! Plus on our way back to where we parked our van at we took the scenic route. We saw the big cruise ships, sail boats, a submarine & a Pirate ship up close. Took some pictures also of those.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/veterans%20day%202006/

Thursday - My husband's softball night

2006-11-09T22:29:00.000-08:00

Just got home from softball & it was my first time to play for my Pineapple's team. First half of the season is over & this is the only time I got to play. He is the manager of their team so he gets to decided where to put people. Jon, his boss at work, had asked me before the season started to sign in also & be a back up player just in case a day like this would come...where in they will be short in players. I had fun. I played ROVER so I kept on running in & out the outfield whenever a girl or a guy would be batting.

What a timing for my husband to make me play! Coz we played against the best team in the league (BTW, we are just playing in a C League competition). The first time we played against that team well, we scored 0-20. It is only an hour game so they gave us a mercy game that time. But tonight we got to score some runs. Even if we only scored like around 5 (or was it 7?). We seemed to have so much fun tonight compared to the other nights I watched them play. They were getting so serious about it & forgetting to have fun. But tonight was different. My husband was so proud of me. I went up to pitch twice. The first time I hesitated to swing so I struck out. The second time I just said to my self "what the heck! I'll just swing" & I hit the ball. But it didn't went too far so I got out from 1st base.

I saw that my Pineapple had fun also & he was also happy with his play tonight so it was good. He had been grumpy the last two games they played so he forgot to have fun. But this time he did have fun. What made this night a good one even if we lost, again, was that we found Pikinik Ketchup flavor at K-mart so ofcourse we had to buy a couple of those. Coz that stuff is so hard to find here.

I think next week he will let me play again coz he said I did good for my first time. Plus he said he can tell I want to play again. HA HA HA! I am not sure if I do or do not. So we will see.

San Diego Padres

2006-10-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

I know...i know! They had lost the play offs against the Cardinals. I got to see them play the next morning when I arrived here in San Diego. And got to see them 2 more times...twice with my Pineapple & the last one was game 2 of their play off game against the Cardinals. I got to go with my mother-in-law. Before I thought I would love football more than baseball coz I got bored watching them on TV. But I got to love the game more than football. But I am still in full support of the Chargers ofcourse!

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/baseball%202006/

Honeymoon

2006-10-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

So we are finally married...Pineapple wanted us to be able to go somewhere for our honeymoon even for the weekends. So we decided to go to Disneyland instead. We had a 2 day park hopper pass which we spent Sunday & Tuesday to go around & ride the rides. We had a blast!!!
Sunday September 24th...we saw how long the lines are for Disneyland so we decided that our first stop should be California Adventure. We got there 30 minutes before the park opened so we had to wait. And when it opened the first thing we rode was the Mullholland Madness. My Pineapple said he hated it coz of the sharp turns plus he's afraid of heights. Then we saw this scary looking ride which will pull you up so fast and drops you like an egg. It is called the Maliboomer. There was no line yet so it was just the two of us who got in. We had no time to think if we want to ride it or not. And??? Well, my first time so I had my eyes closed. Plus I was screaming like a baby. I felt like my soul left my body and got stuck up in the air. Pineapple got scared too. Then after that we saw California Screamin' and even if I didn't want to ride it coz I am scared I still did. But turns out that it was not that scary after all. We rode it once Saturday & 3 times Tuesday. The Maliboomer we rode once Sunday & once Tuesday. Then we rode some spinning rocket ride & then went to ride The Haunted Hotel. Haunted Mansion was closed that time to get ready for Halloween. We rode the Haunted Hotel once Sunday & then twice Tuesday. I think we rode the adult rides once only when we came the first time & more on Tuesday. The queue was so short so we grabbed the opportunity to ride them as many times as we can. We also liked Space Mountain in Disneyland. And ofcourse, the must ride in Disneyland..."It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all...It's a small small world!" I enjoyed that ride. They sang the song in different languages and even showed different kids in native costumes of different countries. I even saw the Philippines' one. She was all alone in one corner though. But atleast we are part of it. I didn't like Pirates of the Caribbean ride though. It was just like It's a Small World only with Pirates! HA HA HA! Then we lined up for Indiana Jones. The lines was not that so long. But if it was & you get to lined up outside then you would be wasting your time just being in line for so long. The line was zigzagging for like almost 10 minutes. That's how long the course of the line was. And the ride was not so bad although it only lasted like 10 minutes. So what do I think of Disneyland? Well, it was a good experience...although it was not how I expected it would look like. I thought the area was big & the castle...well, I expected it to be huge. But it was not. Disneyland is a bit bigger than the one we have back in the Philippines. Enchanted Kingdom. I think it goes like this. Enchanted Kingdom then California Adventure is a bit bigger than ours...and then Disneyland. There was not much to do in California Adventure. It was just...the Grizzly Bear Rapids, Haunted Mansion, Haunted Hotel, Maliboomer & California Screamin'. And that is it. Those the most exciting rides there...other than that they are a bit boring, I think. But I would certainly go back there again. Maybe for the Christmas Holiday with the entire Howard clan.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/honeymoon/

September 23, 2006

2006-10-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

That is the date of our wedding day! We were all running around trying to figure out how to get things done in time. Even though we were delayed by an hour, the ceremony went pretty well. My Pineapple finally got to relax a bit. His whole family was there and some of his close friends came too. It was PERFECT! Nice weather, beautiful location and wonderful company. Many of got weepy...but some cried (including me & my Pineapple). We incorporated some Filipino wedding traditions into our ceremony & also American traditions too. After the ceremony was our reception. Everyone loved the food we prepared. Which gave us all a sigh of relief. We did the cake cutting, the wine toasting & ofcourse...it won't be complete without KARAOKE!

After that we drove home to download some pictures to send my family before we are on our way to our honeymoon...in Disneyland!

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/wedding/

First week in the US

2006-09-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a week already but it seemed like it was just the other day when I arrived here in California. It has been really good so far. Everyone is so nice & there is so much to do. Although I am just stuck here at home for awhile coz I can't drive yet since I don't have a license plus I don't know how to go around Chula Vista & San Diego. My Pineapple has been very sweet & been taking good care of me. His family is so nice & sweet too. I feel a part of the family already. I am still having a little problem with sleep. I am sleepy during the day still even if I get to sleep at night. And my Pineapple said I might have allergies coz my nose seem to be stuffy & dry most of the time. If it ain't stuffy it is runny.Might be coz some of the trees & plants here we don't have back in the Philippines.

When I arrived here we spent the weekend in LA. We drove around Hollywood & Santa Monica Pier. We also watched wrestling in Reseda, Ca. I saw so many crazy people in Hollywood. It was funny. Our weekend in LA has been really nice. We got to have a longer alone time before my Pineapple had to bring me home to meet his family & friends. Now he is back to work. Today is his bachelor's party but they'll just go fishing. He is not feeling really well so it might not be a very good day for him out there.

Regarding our wedding preparations...we have talked about what food to prepare, we ordered our wedding cake already which was cheap but yummy. Only $102 for a 3-tier cake which is good for 45 persons. We have also gotten our marriage license at the clerk's office last Wednesday. Most of the stuff we need he had already taken cared of before I arrived here. Only thing we need is cooking the food but that won't be until the day before the wedding, & then there's the party favors, the decorations for the flower basket, for the arch & for torch center pieces. My Pineapple had showed me our wedding bands & it looks really beautiful. Very simple but elegant.

The next two weeks will be crazy. Then after the wedding we all can get some rest.

http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/lesliehoward/1st%20week%20in%20US/

Night out with Diana

2006-08-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, my friend Diana & I went to Eastwood City in Libis,Q.C. We went to Jack's Loft to eat. We ordered a Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich & it had chips & coleslaw, a Death By Chocolate cake, & each of us ordered an iced tea...I had the fishbowl iced tea. We had a fun night. After that we decided to drop by our highschool classmates get together. Last Aug.12th was our reunion but only a few came...this time more went.

In just four days I will be boarding the plane going to the US. I will miss my friends & family. But I am glad I got to spend some time with them before I leave. For sure we will all see each other again soon...when me & my Pineapple comes back to visit.

An update...

2006-08-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

Last August 18 was my US visa interview. I will not go into details. All I can say is that I got approved. In less than two weeks, I will be flying to my Pineapple's arms. I am in such a confused stage right now coz I really don't know where to start with what I need to prepare & things I need to do before I leave. I don't want to forget anything.

Although I am very happy that I got approved...I am sad coz my grandfather died that same day also. His heart gave up on him. As I always say to anyone I talk to that I am thankful that that happened when I was still here in the Philippine. Coz if I was already in the US, I won't be able to come back without a greencard yet.

So now, I am trying to write down what I need to do & need to buy. I need to budget my money well.

Baby Shower

2006-08-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today we surprised Ms.Judy with a baby shower. It was supposed to be last Saturday but we got so lucky she was absent that day. So we moved it to today. We were so nervous coz she went out & we were not sure what time she will be coming back. Luckily, she arrived back in time.

She looked so happy & enjoyed the surprise. Before it was finished, she announced that I will be leaving Nuga Best soon. That it is going to be my last week here. When she went inside the office she told me that I should inform everyone properly that I will be going to the States. Coz we owe them an explanation. So I will have to do that. I was trying to keep it low key but looks like I will have to announce to world about it.

August!!!!

2006-08-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

It is August already...just 14 days to go before my interview is here. And just 4 weeks to go before I fly out to be with my Pineapple!!! I am super excited & anxious. All the wedding preparations are going smoothly. My Pineapple is doing a great job being the main wedding coordinator. So far all of what he has gotten has been really nice...he has good taste. Now his room is filled with all the wedding junk.

I will be able to help out some with the favors, the arch, the table center pieces & also with the food preparations. So I am excited about that. I also want to see how excited everyone is with the wedding preparations. I bet there will be some grumpy moods peeking in coz for sure everyone wants it to be perfect. Maybe me & my Pineapple will be the grumpy ones. Bride-zilla & Groom-zilla? HA HA HA!

My luggage right now is full of junk...boxes with my shoes, some flipflops, my x-ray & vaccination record. And even placed my documents in there already. In two weeks time that luggage will be well organized. I am going to be able to spend time with my family.

I am praying that all of us who will go through the interview will be approved. So we will all be on our way to our minamahal. I am sure my newly found friends are shaking in nervousness right now coz their interviews are all next week. Only 3 of us are near the end of the month. Girls...good luck to us!!!!!

FLIPFLOPS galore!!!!

2006-07-28T01:01:00.000-07:00

I found some really nice & cute flipflops in the market...and the catch! They are CHEAP!

Check out their website... http://www.bananapeel.net

Medical Exam

2006-07-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am here sitting at home typing my experience during my medical exam. Yesterday, July 19th, I went to check in with Weng & her sister & with some of the Asawa.org girls at Hotel Soriente. The room was ok...I am all about a soft bed & pillows, hot & cold shower, & a working air conditioner.

Woke up at 4 to make sure we line up at St.Luke's Extension Clinic at 5 a.m. But coz of some delay we got there at 5:30 or almost 6 already. Everything seemed fast going except for the waiting. Those were the only ones that took so long. Filled up the forms, gotten my picture taken, got my blood & urine tested, gotten my x-ray next, then was done with the vital signs & physical exam, last was the immunization interview & we checked out for our first day medical. There were some confusion with when to come back but it was settled fast.

Second day, went to St.Luke's at around 9 a.m. We put our papers in some tray and waited for our name to get called. I thought we will be there for so many hours. After an hour or less, I think. We got called one by one. As usual, I was the one that got immunized last...again. Was told to go to the first floor & wait for our name to be called. This was the longest wait we have had. After a few hours, our name was called but not all in one group. Was asked to give our passport & two visa picture. Then was told to wait again for our name to be called to get our x-rays & immunization records. We finished at almost two or 2 already....or was it 1 pm. And that was it. I am done with my medical.

As you can see in the picture...this is a bad or good remembrance of my medical exam. I can look at it and say I passed my exam...and now just the interview left & I will be on my way to my Pineapple!!!!

Of weddings & things...

2006-07-05T00:40:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for weddings...all the plannings & stuff. Not in a million years would I have imagine that it would be so much work. That even if you plan to have a very small & simple ceremony that it still involves a lot of planning. From guest list to food to cake...even to little details.

Let's talk about wedding theme: barefoot beach wedding in San Diego, Ca. Wedding month: September. It will be a perfect place to have a beach wedding. Perfect weather! San Diego is paradise...not so much rain through out the year and not very cold during September. Sunset or early morning? Sunset would be great but my Pineapple would want us to be on the way to our honeymoon destination still early in the day.

Wedding gown...so many to look at but something simple but still elegant would be great for a beach wedding. Ofcourse, I would love to have a tulips for my bouquet but during September they are already hard to find. If not hard to find...expensive. So we will just settle for any orange flowers. Pineapple will be wearing a nice barong tagalog.

My soon to be father-in-law will officiate the ceremony.

Cake? I love Chocolate...Pineapple likes Mango. So a two-tiered Chocolate & Mango Cake was the compromise we ended up with. For the reception, food will be made by us. The head chef will be my soon to be mother-in-law, ofcourse. There will be a karaoke machine and everyone will have to sing...I mean EVERYONE!

TV Interview...again!?

2006-06-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, me & two co-workers of mine went to NBN Channel 4 for them to feature us on their "Morning Show". The plan was only one was supposed to be interviewed & it was supposed to be Perla, our head of staff. Michael & I was the one who was supposed to assist her. And so we did. But because she was so nervous, she asked the producer if they could include me also in the interview. She said she couldn't do it alone. And so they did. I got my second chance to be featured in an interview. But this was different...this was live.

My first "15 minutes" of fame was when I was interviewed by Pia Archangel for 24 Oras. I was on for like a minute only. I even sent my Pineapple a copy of that. Now, here is another one of those things I can put on my list of experiences. Even speaking in front of hundreds of people. I had to give a speech for the Senior Citizen of Pasay City. It was really scary yet I succeeded in doing it. On this show, we were on for like 15 minutes but it felt like it was so fast.

Hopefully this will not be the last exciting thing I get to do with whatever job I find in the future. I hate my forehead on these pictures. LOL!

89 days to go

2006-06-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

We are counting down until the day of my departure from my home country. With work, the upcoming medical & interview, and the preparation for the wedding is making me super occupied about other stuff. It's only less than three months left and I am feeling the stress. Good thing I got a good advice from my future mother-in-law that I should take Iron pills together with my vitamins. With all these things in front of me...I am so looking forward to stepping out of the airport of Los Angeles on September 1 and seeing my Pineapple from across the room who have come to pick me up and welcome my arrival.

I am overwhelmed and yet I am so glad that this is going to be over soon & me & my Pineapple will be able to lie in bed side by side and relax. Most importantly finally be able to have a very good night's sleep. But while we are still not together physically, we are trying to do our best to get things organized before we finally get to hold each other and be together forever. It's going to be bittersweet when that day comes. I am now starting to feel sad about leaving my family behind. The fact that we will get to communicate every single day through the internet & webcam. Thank goodness they invented the internet, chatting & texting!!!

A new chapter in my life is about to start soon...my life with my Pineapple becoming one.

Last few months

2006-05-29T00:33:00.000-07:00

I am here at work right now, copy pasting some list from the internet. My mind is obviously somewhere else. Last Wednesday, my very good friend Becca who was also watching out for when August schedule will be released sent me an offline message. She told me that the August interview was released already and that I should check. We did find out that we indeed have a schedule already...Aug.18!!!

My co-workers are teasing me that they know how I must be wanting the days to go by so fast and that it is August already. Right now, we are so busy planning about stuff. So time is really going by so fast right now. I want it to go by faster but I also want to be able to enjoy the time I have left with my family. This week we plan to go watch a movie. Just something to do together. I really don't want to feel sad just yet. I am working but I am thinking about so many things. Even when I am sleeping I am dreaming about me & my Pineapple finally together, meeting his family & friends.

It is only less than 90 days left before the interview and around 96 days before we are finally in each other's arms. ONE DAY CLOSER!!!!

Fazoli's

2006-05-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

After getting home from work I was having some cravings for Fazoli's Pizza. So I told everyone in the house to get dressed coz we will go out to grab dinner outside. At first they were feeling lazy to get dressed. I told them, go get dressed or I will not ask to go out and pay for dinner again. And they did get dressed.

We went to Eastwood Citywalk in Libis, Q.C. Walking from the parking lot I remember the time we spent there when my Pineapple came by to visit last November. The whole family went out for dinner that night and went bowling & billiards after we ate. It was real fun. Back to the present time, we went to Fazoli's and ordered one whole cheese pizza, a sampler platter of their pasta, one order of their pepperoni stromboli & each one a refillable drink. I also wanted to cherish the time we have together so I asked my bro, Ryan, to take some pictures of us together using his camera phone. Mylene was feeling embarrassed coz she thinks it's jologs to take pictures in public. But we don't care about what other will think or say.

It's our time together so we better enjoy it to the fullest. Even Mama posed for the camera. (Ugh! My face looks fat in pictures.) And after we eating we browsed around a toy store. And when I got tired I asked them if we could go home already coz I will be needing to wake up at 4 a.m. the next morning. Since I will be the one assigned to open up the doors of our office. Here are some pictures of us at Fazoli's.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2006-05-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

I would like to give my deepest gratitude to my mom who have raised me and my siblings. She had taught us all that she knows. We all love her even if we don't show it that much. Right now, I am trying to spend as much quality time with her. I am for sure going to miss her when I go fly to be with my Pineapple and start a family of our own. Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Also, I would like to extend my love to my future mother-in-law, Mama Vee. We have not met in person yet but through all the emails and some chats we have had, I have certainly fallen in love with her already. We both feel like we know each for so long now. I admire her strength and courage. She had battle A LOT and had gone through A LOT for her children. Happy Mother's Day, my Mama Vee!

And to all the mother's in the world...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!

Threats

2006-05-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Not with me directly...

At work, we had fired a trainee because he was so rude to some of our clients. We are a service-oriented company. We give free treatments even if our clients can be so demanding we should maintain patience and our humbleness. We do lose our tempers with them sometimes but we don't yell at them. We still maintain our professionalism. And so, it all started with that. After we had fired him. His mom, whom they both deny they are related in any way & is one of our client here, called and was furious as to why we had fired his "neighbor". And she pretends to be someone else and kept on calling our office saying things like "she is the wife of this vice mayor". This happened a month or two ago. Fast forward to the present. The mother came and visited our office again to get a treatment. And we have a new trainee. As he was doing his practice lecture, she was being rude and interrupting him. And she even told him to go back to high school since he doesn't know what he is talking about. So after that, that so-called client hinted to our janitress that we will find our head of staff laying on the ground & bloody. So after hearing that, our janitress nervously went to our head of staff and told her what our client said. So our head of staff called an emergency number and asked for advice as to what we can do with this verbal threat. They advised her to call the cops and file a complaint. So she did that. And we thought all was settled already. That afternoon, the trainee we fired called and asked why we did that to his MOM. And was furious. Today, the mother and son called and talked to one of the staff. Asking for the head of staff's surname coz they said they will file a complaint on her. Later on in the morning, the client called and was pretending to be an attorney. I recognize her voice since I have spoken to her on the phone quite a lot before. My boss said just hang up on her. And if they call again to just hang up. The son called after that pretending to be the assistant of the attorney. I hang up again. And when he called back my co-worker answered asking who was the one who hang up on him. My co-worker said it was the son who called asking for that info. He had texted another staff saying mean things and giving threats that we should be careful coz we don't know who he really is and what he can do. We had saved that text and will be used as evidence against them if they try to do something.

My goodness, drama!!! I can't handle this much drama...

Waiting and waiting.....and waiting!

2006-04-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since we have received news from the National Visa Center. They said in their letter that they will be sending our folder to the US Embassy here in Manila after one week. That was April 10th when we received a letter from them. It will be just 2 more days and it's May already. I am planning to call the Embassy or Department of State next week to ask them if we have an interview schedule already. Right now, we are hoping maybe an August interview.

In the waiting, some things have happened...at work & at home. My great grandfather had just passed away last night. His 100th birthday was supposed to be celebrated this coming Sunday. But he didn't make it until that day. But we all know that he had lived a good life. And he had suffered a lot already and that the timing was just right. At least now, we know that he is not suffering from the pain and being stuck in his wheelchair. I believe he is happy now in the after life.

My sister just had news that she has an interview at the Embassy already this coming June. She had applied for a job in the States and now she will be interviewed soon...before me. Hopefully we will be able to fly out the country around the same time.

And so...the waiting continues!

Guidance & Counseling

2006-04-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

I had finished my CFO guidance & counseling seminar. I got my certificate already and it wasn't that nerve wracking at all. I arrived there at almost 7 a.m. Waited until someone came out and started calling our names (which we had written down our names when we entered the gate). Then when my name was called, the woman said I need photocopy of my birth certificate and my passport. So had to go all the way around Katipunan to find a copier. Then I went back and waited for my turn to register. My ID said i was #2 for the 10 a.m. batch. After that a lady called each one of us and took our photocopied documents and stapled the form we have to fill up. Then, a guy took my picture. Went and filled up the forms...paid the PHP250 fee. And waited for the video viewing to start. It was only 8:50 a.m. so I had to wait a bit. Then a woman came in and gave us all some brochures of BPI bank (which I already have an account). Then the nun came in and started explaining to us why we needed to attend the guidance counseling. And then we started to view a documentary which I felt so loomy after seeing it. All spouses & fiancee's were separated into each room by country. The group counseling then started. They explained what to expect, what big adjustments we will have, & what to do at the airport and when we arrived in the US. They explained what steps are needed to adjust status. Then we were called one by one for the individual counseling. Well, I was the first one called. She asked:

- What exactly do I do here?
- How I did I met my fiance? What happened? What did he say in his email?
(I told them I contact him first.HA HA HA!)
- When exactly was it when we first met online?
(I was afraid if she will ask when we were bf/gf coz it was a week after the first email.
But we consider being together the exact same day we had met online.)
- When did he first visited? Until when?
- Have he met my family? How did they feel towards him?
- Have I met his parents?
(I told her that me & his mom emails every single day and sometimes we chat too)
- Did we have an engagement party? Nope, we didn't.

She asked to see pictures of us together. And when she saw we went around the country she asked if it was just the two of us who went. I said yes. She followed it by saying that I'm lucky my parents had let me go alone. And then it was done. I was out the counseling room. And waited down stairs for the certificate. And now, We are one step down. Only 2 more left...the medical and interview. I hope we get to find out when my interview will be. And that I will pass both of those with flying colors.

What the F@%*k!!!!???

2006-04-17T00:53:00.000-07:00

Some of my teeth are starting to hurt so I called up my dentist to schedule and appointment. I was first was scheduled Wednesday April 12. Then I asked to reschedule for Saturday coz we had a meeting at work so I was not allowed to get off early. Then Saturday came, and I was rescheduled again for Monday. Monday now & they said Thursday is her vacant day. What the f@%*k! The pain is starting to get worse and worse everyday. Now my wisdom tooth is hurting, so does some of the teeth beside that. And so does my capped tooth is starting to hurt. When I called up today to ask how much I will need to get my wisdom tooth extracted...she said prepare 5-6 thousand pesos. That is like more than $100!!! Where the heck will I be able to get that much money. Add the other work that will be done to my other tooth...almost $200. I only have 1500 pesos in my wallet right now. And I am sure my Pineapple will help me. But I don't want to ask him for the entire $200. But if I wait until I fly over there to San Diego then it would cost us way more than $200. What am I going to do? I need to get it done quick. I am having trouble with my leave of absence. We are not allowed 2 absences in a month. I will be attending a guidance and counseling seminar needed for my visa process. Then my dentist said I need to get it done quick. So I will need to be absent again next week. I think my boss will understand my situation...hopefully they will.

Back from my short vacation!

2006-04-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Had just gotten back from Bulacan after a 2 nights vacation there. It was a relaxing and lazy time. All we got to do was count all the mangoes hangin' from the mango trees. Was super hot out there and our A/C broke, to our dismay. But we survived! We had to drag our mattresses out to the terrace area where the bit of a colder wind was blowing. Early morning was freezing.

As of now, me and my Pineapple are just waiting for the Embassy here in Manila to receive our approved petition. Maybe this coming week I will call the Embassy and ask them if they have received our papers and if they have already scheduled us for an interview. We are projecting for maybe August interview...but an earlier one would be super!

Ok, as of now, I am not feeling really well. I am having allergy attacks again...so until next time! Bye!

At long last...after 81 days!!!!

2006-03-31T21:20:00.000-08:00

After getting excited then frustrated then depressed and at the brink of going insane...our awaited approval finally arrived. I was happy to see our petition was touched by someone already. And then after, no news...I got depressed again...and impatient.ha ha ha! My co-workers keep telling me that maybe there are far greater plans why we have not gotten any news from them yet. And they were right. We did not get the "email" saying we were approved and that a receipt was sent out to us already...but instead, we got the receipt itself! And it was the same day our petition was touched by the government.

Right now we are looking at roughly around 4 months for an interview schedule, finally!

When my Pineapple sent me a scanned copy of our NOA2, and when I saw it...I got so excited and happy that I cried. Even one of my co-worker got weepy.

Thank God! Finally...on to the next step. One big step closer to...FOREVER!!!!

Depressed

2006-03-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was feeling so upset and pissed off by the slow work being done in our service center. Today I am feeling so depressed. I so want to cry so hard until I couldn't cry anymore. Add to that how much I want to be with my Pineapple. I want to hug him, and kiss him, and make love to him. I miss him terribly. I feel like I am going insane. I want to run to him but it's obvious that it's not possible. He is so far away from where I am right now. When the day comes that we finally are together permanently I will not let any day goes by with out him knowing I love him so much. Being away from each other hurts so much. And not knowing the exact date that we will be in each other's arms is torture.

I don't know what to do so I could overcome this depression I am feeling right now. I want to eat lots of foods...that's what I do to release tension...but I can't right now since I don't have any money left to buy anything I am craving for.

It sucks BIG TIME! I want to be with my Pineapple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Venting out!

2006-03-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

It's been 70 days from our date of receipt. We are so frustrated and yet still trying to wait patiently for our approval. We are so wanting to get our 2nd notice so that we can prepare ourselves for the next step...the longest wait ever for us -- the interview date! Being away from each other is very very hard. We are drawing strength from our love for each other. Knowing that this will all be worth it after all these waiting is done. We will finally be together FOREVER.

Right now, we just try and get busy with our jobs and spending time with our families and friends. Especially me, when it's time for me to come fly to my Pineapple's country, the time when I will be able to see my family and friends again will be uncertain. We will not know when we will be able to come fly back here to the Philippines. So I am really enjoying my time with them, while I still have plenty of time. Also, I am trying to save up money to help out some how in some way with the expenses my Pineapple will be having when our interview comes.

Work sucks real bad right now...I so want to stranggle my boss. I don't understand what he wants from me (He is Korean). He keeps talking to me in Korean. And we both couldnt understand each other.My manager translate things for us but she is being lazy.

CSC...please approve our NOA2 already. I am going crazy!!!!!

Our Little Fan

2006-03-10T05:41:00.000-08:00

I was just being lazy and watching television...when I glanced at this little appliances I have. The little fan that my Pineapple and I bought when he was here on his vacation.

Here is the story of this little fan:
On my Pineapple's first night here, in our hotel room. Even if the air-conditioner was on and blasting high, we both didn't get a very good sleep. We were tossing and turning in bed. The next day we talked about how there was something missing why we didn't get a good night's sleep. My Pineapple cannot live without his fans. And I am not used to not having air blowing at me too. So we decided that we will go to the mall to find one. At the mall, at the appliance center, we looked for the fan department. There it was...this little plastic fan. Perfect! It was light and small enough to fit in our luggage. Yes, you heard it right! Luggage! So that night, we had a very good night's sleep. We slept like babies!

The next day we were suppose to fly to Boracay. And yes, we plan to take our little fan with us. This little thing was very useful to us. It had been to Makati City. Had also flown to Boracay. It flew back to Manila and came with us to Subic Bay. And then off to Manila City. This little fan had been to places. Whenever I look at it, I think about all the wonderful time me & my Pineapple had together. It saw us argue about something...it saw us laugh and be silly with each other...it had seen other things we were doing too (but I won't say what it was). HA HA HA! This little fan had seen the most important event in both our lives...my Pineapple's proposal!!! And I think I want to bring this itty bitty thing with me when I come fly and be with my Pineapple forever. I want it to see us be reunited.

One Year Anniversay! (At work that is)

2006-03-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it has been a year already since I first started at this job. I am presently working at Nuga Best Greenhills Branch. It is a Korean company that offers free treatment/use of our Thermo-Acupressure Therapy machine.

As I clearly remember, the reason I applied for this job was to prove myself to my Pineapple. I was very apprehensive to even apply for this job because they said it's "demo sales". And the image that popped into my mind were those people at malls (SM) using those loud mics and doing demonstrations (and sometimes just talking to him/herself). And I don't want to do those kinds of things. But still I sent my resume. And luckily, I was one of the pioneers of this company. Now...it's been a year. My very first job! We literally have started this company from scratch. we were the ones who assembled all the machines being used by our clients. It was trial and error when it comes to the rules and regulations for our clients...still is.

The anniversary party was a sucess. Although some were so "hungry", i think. That they were sneaky enough to get many food stubs. Some clients got hungry waiting for their turn. The program was nice...some awards were given, some got carried away and got weepy, and ofcourse I am sure everyone had fun. Some sang, some dances...the staffs also danced. I gave a presntation about the beginning until now. It was an overall sucess. And we gave away t-shirts.

Nuga Best here in the Philippines will not have gotten this much clients if it wasn't for us "pioneers" giving away flyers at the nearby Greenhills Shopping Center. Branches have opened, owners & management have changed, co-worker's have come and go but I am still here. I am currently looking for a temporary job while I am waiting for our visa petition to be approved. But I know that because of working here...I have gained and learned so much. I love the elderly people we give free service to. That is why I am thinking of maybe taking up a teaching course or maybe go into elderly care profession when I am finally with my Pineapple King.

RAW

2006-03-01T04:53:00.000-08:00

It's not the "raw" you are thinking about...it's not RAW foods but RAW from WWE. February 25th, 2006, me, my mom, my aunt, my brother, my two sisters and my 2 little cousins went and watched a wrestling match held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Q.C. The tickets were part of my birthday gift by my Pineapple. We went there and had so much fun. I went there because Mick Foley was going to be fighting. The conflict happen when I found out that Carlito will be fighting against Mick Foley. You see, I promised my Pineapple that I will cheer for Carlito even if he plays bad guy there. So I did screamed so loudly when he came out. But when I suddenly heard Mick Foley's music, I lost it and just said forget about Carlito.HA HA HA! I screamed my lungs out cheering for Mick. And the poor guys in front of me were covering their ears so hard just to not hear me scream. I literally almost peed in my pants from screaming so loud. I know, I know...this kind of wrestling is just acting. But there are people who gets hurt doing this kind of job.

My other kid cousin was supposed to come with us but backed-out a day before the fight. So I still bought her a shirt...which was like mine (small, kids size). I also bought shirts for my other two cousins who went with us. I think us adults had more fun than the two kids. We were like jumping up and down when our bets won. Even my mom kept on cheering.

After wrestling, I promised everyone that we will go out for dinner too. So before we go, we had to drive by our ouse first and get some stuff. My grandmother and 2 younger cousin also came with us. We went to KFC. We were so loud there, even if we are just talking to each other.

After dinner, we had to go drop by my 2 cousins at their house. And it was another opportunity to take pictures. We had so much fun. We hoped my Pineapple would have been able to come. For sure it will be more fun if he was there. I told my Pineapple that he better take me out to a wrestling match once I am there in the US. He said he would love to...and that it won't just be wrestling we will go see but other sports as well.

What's so good about Boracay!?

2006-01-09T19:09:00.000-08:00

Boracay! Everyone says that it is so beautiful there. That it's paradise and you would want to just stay there. What's with Boracay anyway!?

November 28,2005...my Pineapple and I arrived in Boracay at around lunch time. And we decided to walk around the beach first...see what's up. As we were walking along, Pineapple asked me, "What's up? Is this what you expected of Boracay?". And I answered, "Not really. I thought Boracay will take your breath away." But as we kept on walking along the white beaches of Boracay...I started to see what the others see. I started, we started, falling in love with Boracay. Every morning, afternoon and night, we would walk along it's powdery soft white beach. It is a very memorable place for us. And we are hoping to come back there for more walks on it's beaches.

As we were leaving the shores of Boracay, aboard the tiny boats...we are already missing Bora. We were sad to leave. But told ourselves that we will take the memories we made along with us and tell them to our childrens, and our children's children.

For those who have not been to this magnificent place...better take your time to see the wonders that everyone who have been there and see for yourselves the magic. And you will see, like me, you will fall in love with Boracay.

Eat Bulaga!

2005-12-28T17:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday, November 26, 2005...we went to Broadway Centrum and lined up along with the crowd of people. We are about to watch Eat Bulaga! We both are getting impatient (we hate waiting in line. LOL!). Mama and her friend came along with us.

As the line were moving along...male and female had to line up separately. The male's line was moving faster than the female's. No foods, drinks & cellphones are allowed inside...not even a single candy!!! And I brought with me some Swoops, which my Pineapple brought for me. Ofcourse, I had to leave that outside. I told the guard that he can have it. He said, "No, I'll save it for you." So we finally went inside. Because we were with a foreigner, some guy wants us to sit near the stage. But some people had already sat on his reserved seats. So we were left sitting by the back seats...which was fine (if only I could see what was going on down by the stage). Pineapple was having fun, we were having fun...making the most out of the sucky view I was having.

We went there because he wanted to see Jopay of the Sexbomb Girls. But she was absent that day. Luckily, he did find someone else to replace Jopay...Julia Clarete. He had been taking videos of her while they were doing Laban o Bawi...wide shots, close ups. My Pineapple had lots of fun there. I translated to english the questions for the K.O. contest. Also for the Laban o Bawi questions. He was making the "L" sign and got him self on TV....a lot of times. The only down side was that we got hungry. We were not allowed to go out of the studio until the program was totally finished.

That day was a fun day. He had been listening to "Manila Girl" song when he was in the States. That day, he got to see the Put3ska singer...that came as a surprise to us. And then after the show we had to pick up our cellphones. The guard didn't eat the Swoops (and so we thought). When we got back to the hotel and when I decided to finally taste one of those...we found out the Swoops was already open and was missing one chocolate (there's like 4 Swoops inside. LOL!). We just laughed it off...

Our First Time!

2005-12-14T20:28:00.000-08:00

November 25, 2005...10:50 a.m. Manila time... Korean Air flight#621 arrived in Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Darling went and picked up my Pineapple. After picking him up at the airport, they went straight to Oxford Suites Hotel in Makati City to check in. After that they went out to eat at Shakey's before they went to my work in Annapolis, Greenhills. They rode the MRT and a jeepney on their way to my office. (And we haven't even tried riding a jeepney together yet. Next time we will, for sure, for sure!)

I waited for hours for them to arrive at my work but they finally got there at around 4 p.m. already. Whew! Thank goodness my Pineapple didn't see me do my lecture in front, or else I would be all over the place. My heart was already beating so fast while I was doing my lecture and looking to see who were coming in our front door. Darling peeped inside first...then I saw him...my Pineapple King! As you can see in this picture we were kissing...our very first kiss! But before that we were hugging so long. He even whispered to me, "I don't want to let go.". We didn't even care if there were a lot of people around looking at us. Everyone were so "kilig" watching us see each other for the first time. I got weepy while I was in his arms. (How I miss being in his arms...) One of the stuff we've been wanting to do was go to 7 Eleven together. We finally got to do that...many times!!! LOL! And so, after I am off from work, we all went to my house to pick up my stuff. He met my mom, my sisters, one of my aunt and some of my little cousins. Then, we hurriedly went back to Oxford to relax a bit before heading out again to go have a nice night out...as if we weren't so tired already--him, from traveling almost 24 hours and me from working for 11 hours.

After we both were ready we all went out to have dinner at McDonald's. Then ofcourse the expected happens...darn taxi drivers not wanting to use their meters because they see white guy wanting to ride their taxis. Dollar signs starts flashing in their eyes...luckily we did find someone who was honest and used his meter. We went to Malate that first night he was here...and found ourselves going inside Tia Maria's. On our way in, we almost got puked at by some really drunk guy. Yucky!!! Almost got my shoes puked at. (Here are just some of the pictures we had on our very first night out together...)