mimi's island

pinkberry on guam?

i love me some pinkberry. for weeks now that this construction site has popped up within a minute's walk from my house....and then suddenly to see it crowned with this sign, i can only guess (and secretly hope) that it's a pinkberry clone. i tend to snoop around construction sites. gee, i wonder why.
before moving here, i had requested from another pinkberry clone franchise to bring the fro-yo' (FROzen YOgurt) phenomenon to guam but i think this confirms i've been beat. once you try this stuff...the real stuff, that is...you can't help but want to have it all the time.
pinkberry is the monster that first opened in the so-cal area and made its way to select happy palates throughout the nation. it is non-fat frozen yogurt that is yogurt flavored and topped with your choice of fresh fruit, cereal, candy, and the best ever, mochi balls. not to mention, check out the catchy pinkberry tune on their website. you'll be apologizing to ice cream with every bite. but that's only with the real pinkberry. there seems to be some dispute as to who is the original purveyor of the yogurt flavored fro-yo...a reminder to patent your shit.
they aren't open yet...but frozen yogurt, frozen drinks, hot drinks, and coffee a stone's throw away is something i sure won't complain about otherwise. i am anxiously awaiting the "open" sign to prove/disprove my suspicions.

Posted by at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

summer on guam means more rain, busier schedules, and more work.

that's the thing with guam - it's always undergoing shifts. nightcrowds never gather in the same places, new faces are always streaming in the same rate that old ones are retracting (like myself), and you never know if you're gonna have unbearable heat or unbelievable rain streaming down your face.

my aforementioned BIG project is just about done and now that just means there is room for more. but busy social schedules have merely been replaced by the tasks of looking for a new place to live, settling in with a new man, figuring out where kylan will be going to school, and becoming a licensed architect.

life is busy in different respects.

the reason i've been inundated, the point, scheduled to open july 8

Posted by at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

my car, shoes, and clothes are almost always tainted with dust from a construction site. right now, i have about 4 active projects...this means that they are either about to be permitted, built, or completed. there are also about an additional 4 or 5 jobs in our office on the waiting line. for a firm of 5 people, we do really well and i could not be prouder of the work we are invovlved in.

i am on a job site or having a construction directive meeting about 3-4 times a week, i am busier than i have ever been in all of my career. i have been forced to reduce my nightlife and internet activities because work has been even more involved.

my monster project at the moment is inside the old gameworks space - about 5,000 sf of retail space set to open in july. *crossing fingers

Posted by at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i am doing a comprehensive audit on my expenditures....

i am removing my data plan from my phone, saving $18/month
i am disconnecting my land line and lowering my broadband plan, saving $29 a month
i am buying a butane single burner stove for $15
i have had my AC ducts cleaned and repaired, hoping to reduce my cooling expenditures
i am cancelling my stateside email account, saving me $5/month

my power bill last month was $145 more than the usual, and i was gone for half the time without increasing my usage. my very first power bill when i moved into my unit was $80. read your meter!!!

these days, i am not flat broke but many excesses have been brought to light that i am sure i can do without. i am excited that summer is here and i won't have to pay for school tuition for three months. i have yet to decide where kylan will be attending next school year. coming from the california public school system, where i didn't have to pay a dime for my child to be motivated and happy while learning, i can't justify the cost i am paying for a catholic education.

kylan has been presistent about moving back but my time here is not done. with work obligations and many plans to be set in stone, i know california awaits. i returned from vacation feeling refreshed and motivated to wrap up what i need to so i can continue with where i left off. here life is truly stagnant, while the only thing moving and that keeps me moving is my job. i am very fortunate for the opportunity that i've been awarded. to work and have a first-hand role in expanding the island commercial front is exciting. i get a "backstage pass" on what's being built and there's already a lot of change in the works.

Posted by at 1:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

i am amazed that i saw so many faces and places this week

i started in honolulu for two days and two nights. i inaugurated myself by driving solo on honolulu freeways...which was super easy coming from a seasoned california freeway driver. i was able to spend time with kat and her bf kev, gene, min, tj, rod, robin, kelvin, marci, christie from college....and at different occasions, of course. marci was kind enough to take me for a drive to sandy beach, where we gazed at beautiful half naked surfers bobbing their heads and delicious bodies out of the water. i had two nights out at the ever-popular mai tai's. the marquez boys entertained me with rock band and showed me some tricks no one ever enlightened me with. gene park joined me for a spectacular meal at fromaggio's while he watched me drink fine red. the whole gang was more than generous in joining me for drinks and pupus at mai tai's. it was my first time being in the company of min, who is awesome...and i can't believe we've never hung out before! i failed to confirm my intinerary and realized i inadvertently missed my flight out of honolulu. i was supposed to fly out thursday night and luckily there was ONE seat left for the next flight out on friday. kat was busy preparing for birthday weekend celebration at the bellows.

from honolulu, i fly to the bay area by landing in san jose. here in the bay, i saw edison , jude , jhimelle , rose, uriah, aris, and the beautiful noemi, and jules among many others on my first night out in san francisco...where we showed our support at MUD's cd release performance at slim's.

the next morning, i fly to san diego to make it in time for a wedding....where sal graced me with his presence for 20 minutes and provided me with a ride from the airport to the church. it was reunion of sorts...seeing many faces i haven't seen in awhile..including jan, jeng , joce c, didi, marci ...among many other familiar faces. the wedding was themed springtime in paris and was a flawlessly beautiful event. mishella ibit picked me up from the church to make it time for the reception in la jolla...but not until we hit up loehmann's so i could get my shopping fix. as soon as the wedding rituals were done with and the dance floor started...we greeted the bride goodbye and raced off to orange county to join another group.

an hour later, mishella and i are in costa mesa with irma , philsan , and kris. we dance the night away and continue the festivities at ihop, where i make my youtube debut. it was 4 am and we proceeded to the diamond bar for some rock band that lasted us until 7am. 3 hours later, we wake up and get ready to hit the road...but not before carlo treated us to some great conversation and food at bj's brewery.

it's only sunday afternoon and we end up in LA in the company of my sister hazel and her awesome boyfriend jesy. we gather ourselves to pick up philsan for a birthday escape to laguna beach. i am treated to heaven at a little boutique called heavenly and am thankful for discovering it. 2 rounds of jameson, 6 sake bombs, a llaeger bomb, and 1 washington apple later...we are the most wasted in the streets of laguna beach, with the exception of our designated driver, of course.

come monday, mishella and i part ways and my sister and her bf send me off back to the bay...but not before driving me around some key architectural landmarks for my fix. we eat mouthwatering korean bbq in japantown and my journey continues to the bay area as i catch a flight midday. jules and her bro bj pick me up and later in the night we have happy hour at gordon biersch in palo alto and meet up with edison. i take an obligatory pit stop at IKEA and finally meet up with my family in union city...at the kabiling household. i engage in more rock band before the night ends and try to get reasonable sleep while recovering from my crazy weekend.

it's tuesday and i bart to the city to meet up with jhimelle. we catch a meal by golden gate park and do many rounds on a street bike before heading to the san francisco shopping center for happy hour with cil and adrian. after happy hour...i hit up urban outfitters, h&m, and dsw shoe warehouse before they close at 9pm. jhimelle and i are off for more rock band at her place where her boyfriend cooks us a hearty breaded pork chop meal before i take the midnight train back to my family.

wednesday, i hit the roads solo and am back on the freeway. i get a haircut and network with my old stylists. they want to come to guam in august and i happily offer my hospitality. i get a pedicure and meet up with grace dolor at pf changs for happy hour and dinner. before heading home, i cruise the mall to visit forever 21 and steve and barry's.

on thursday, i join my sister in bringing my nephew to school. she later drives me to hayward to join jules at her apartment and we start our day late by having thai food in palo alto. we drive to the city for happy hour to meet with phuc dao and irma cayannan and her fun company. we take over stef's sports bar and close it down happily inebriated. on our way to the car, we take a walk through 111 minna to mingle with complete strangers and look at nameless yet notable art.

it's now friday and i'll be meeting with old bosses for lunch. i will be having happy hour in san francisco with friends. i will be joining jules for dancing beyond the east bay.

saturday my family is throwing me an early birthday bbq where about 40 people will be at our house.

on sunday i depart to honolulu where i will land and squeeze in a beach outing, a bbq with friends, and dinner with a night out before flying back to guam.

my 10 days away from guam has been insanely eventful and i can't wait to go home and be with kylan and get back to work.

Posted by at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

is it bad that i think of tim gunn from project runway when i hear the word caucus?

it just so happens that a friend of a friend is the field director (imported from hawaii) for barack obama's campaign on guam and i got a first-hand experience in the start of their "grass roots" efforts. last week, three women, myself included, operated a phone bank from my house where we contacted those that might have been previously affiliated with supporting the candidate. the uncanny only-on-guam moment was coming across more than one person i already knew and introducing myself as if we've never met. the guam democratic caucus is on may 3rd, after which the winning candidates will be represented in the national convention for the presidential nominee. supposedly, both hillary and barack camps are setting field offices on guam but barack's team seems to be the spearheaders of this frist-ever. guam has played a role in the national caucus for the presidential nomination before but this is the first time a local presidential campaign office has been established and it appears to be quite the buzz since the nation awaits the close race. 9 delegates is a relatively significant representation from our island so i am just hoping people understand the instrumental role at stake in partaking on the national level.

photo by Leslie Travis

Posted by at 4:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

in my previous entry, i searched for photos of the skate park in dededo but instead found a flickr page that is blog-worthy. this person documented graffiti art throughout the island for other people to reveal the artist. so far, there hasn't been any responses but i'm just amazed that i never noticed these urban touches around the island.

alas, demystifying the artist is what makes graffiti so controversial. qualifying it as art is controversial. it is a poignant depiction of personal freedom and expression against the government by way of public property.

Posted by at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

okay enough about the complaining. clearly one could write volumes of what this island needs. but i am almost certain the following would benefit the island in more ways than one.

first of all, a real water feature. you might have visited civic spaces with a walkable water feature. it draws people and beautifies public space. it just makes sense...with all the unused open space along busy foot traffic areas, especially in tumon, a water feature would be the perfect way to elevate the scene and let the kids release their aggression elsewhere. pictured here is a water feature we stealthily raided at the leo palace. i say this because i'm not sure if it was even meant for walking. i took the boys there one weekend and they were pleasantly surprised when i told them to jump in and walk through the fountains. guam just needs more public spaces in general but i can see there is potential. there was a skate park recently erected in dededo that has been more than a success despite a related tragedy close to the site that happened shortly after it opened. every night, it is filled to the rim with kids and it's great that they are here instead of somewhere questionable.

secondly, this island needs to install photo enforcement devices at all major intersections. when i first blogged about these alien-like structures that popped up in union city, i was dreading their presence. but they bring in insane amounts of revenue, keep people from blazing through red lights, and ease the manpower required to keep our streets safe. to add to that...it's always entertaining to watch people get caught.

Posted by at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

i posted this awhile ago on one of my other blogs...resurrecting it because i have a few more to add

no recycling bins - it would be so easy to have additional receptacles dedicated for cans, bottles, and paper but i haven't seen any so far. there are minor efforts in schools and local recycling centers available but the issue is not pressed enough...plastic bags, styrofoam containers, and over-use of paper is a morbid habit around here

red lights - people just pass them at their own liking. not just red lights - but plowing through stop signs and crosswalks with children and tourists in sight...and in the pouring rain or the dark of night - sometimes, both.

men who honk - i like to go walking, running and they honk, holler, hail. it's strange that they think this would render some kind of response. am i in your way? am i expected to leap in excitement?

lunch time - everyone loves to go out to lunch. it's the highlight of the day for everyone, but its such a huge undertaking. i prefer to eat alone but it seems its a rare sight. and to go in a large group - choraling the effort and being done means almost 2 hours of your work day just went down the drain

nowhere to dance - i don't understand why there's nowhere "cool" to dance when you're older than 21. you have to be gay, 18 years old, a ballroom dancer, or in the military to be in this scene. i just want to dance with a straight guy to some hip hop music. there's none of that either.

hip hop music - hip hop is dead. i'm talking jurassic 5, tribe called quest, method man, nas...even jay z, biggie, pac...they are nowhere popular. you only hear current radio club bangers and everyone's taste in music is dictated by what the 5 radio stations are playing every hour. i would love to have a reliable place to listen to music that i haven't been listening to all day long and where i don't feel like i have to shake my booty to show that i'm enjoying it.

phones without voicemail - most people with cell phones have no voicemail and the automated responses are usually "there's no answer. goodbye" or "the mobile customer you have dialed is unavailable". this sucks. i love leaving messages and i feel like a stalker if my number shows up so many times because "hello, i'm trying to get a hold of you and i'd really like to tell you why". and those with voicemail...rarely check their messages or don't even bother with customizing their greeting. most times, i can't tell or forget who i've dialed by the time i hear the "beep".

no dating scene - there's absolutely NONE. you have to scope out someone from afar first and somehow work your way out of anonymity to actually talk to a man. and even when you stumble upon a man...you realize there really is no such thing as anonymity. i thought dating is supposed to be about going out with someone you could get to know. and far worse...it might have to be arranged through other people. and please...don't bother "hooking me up"

meddlers - everything is everyone's business. people want to know what's going on even it is completely irrelevant and they want to tell you what to do. but the cashier, the woman at the gym, your coworker....they all want to get up in your business.

gas stations - i can never get it right. you pay inside? pay outside? there are stickers? passports? is it really self serve? i just want to pump my own gas but apparently this is not as simple as it sounds. why do they have credit card keypads that don't work? so far, only 76 lets use my credit card the way it should.

smokers - i'll still love you if you smoke but EVERYONE smokes!! i feel so uncool. i'm actually conditioning myself to handle the smokers just so i can keep the conversation going and not be left alone inside every time it's time for a smoke break, which happens to be every ten minutes.

groceries - specialty items like fresh produce, decent cheese, pita pockets...do not come stocked regularly. why on earth can't i find any decent mint to make my mojitos!?? why on earth do i have to go to 10 stores to cook what i want to cook? why do i have to go 3 counters to use a check? why don't they ever allow cashback? why don't they have self checkout? really, no bar code? "oh god, i have artichoke hearts and they don't know what they are".

fine wine - it's hard to find a good glass of wine. okay, it's there but it costs me an arm and a leg. fetzer and beringer are above $10 so even cheap wine is too much. every restaurant has the same selection. "oooh kendall jackson and robert mondavi are premium, all of a sudden".

shopping - i'm not much of a shopper but if i wanted to buy one thing, i'd have to spend all afternoon looking for one thing and this goes against my productivity levels. there's just not much selection to begin with. i find myself spending all afternoon at ross just so i don't feel defeated.

dog poop - there's just too much of it laying around. i'm hoping its from stray dogs and not from people not picking up after their dogs. but i dont' see any stray dogs.

toilet seat covers - why is it not standard to have toilet seat covers in toilet stalls? there are a few establishments with them (house of brutus, sheraton, sam choy's, to name a few)...but i'd really like to NOT have to pop a squat when i pee.

billpay - i've griped about this repatedly...but i hate not having the option of online billpay. there are numerous receipts, coupons, stamps and initials involved to pay one bill. take a number, have a seat, enjoy the company of the woman in front of you holding her 2 year old and forget about lunch or getting back to the office because it will take you all day.

roadkill - roadkill capital of the world...dead dogs, frogs, snakes, cats are an eyesore and even harsher on your olfactory nerve.

speeding - it's raining like a monsoon and people are driving at least 20 miles over the speed limit. this is a residential road with potholes and speedbumps galore and they are breezing by. i live at the bottom of a steep incline and i feel like i could die standing outside my building entrance.

customer service - common courtesy practices, return policies, helpful personnel - are these archaic requests that are too much to ask?

the bank and the post office - why are there always long lines here?...no matter what time of day? don't you people need to get back to work? don't you people have atm cards to do your transactions elsewhere? don't you people hate this as much as i do?

Posted by at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

here's to one unforgettable year passing

Image by © David Burton/Beateworks/Corbis

my heart no longer bleeds. things work out for the better. i wish i could eat this cupcake.

what transpired later in the day is that a kind and generous friend of mine gifted me with a gift certificate to have the cake of my choice. i'll have to rain check for another day.

Posted by at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

...of a gov guam employee

i unexpectedly had to do all my errands today and by sweet coincidence...i virtually spent the bulk of my day in line and hating life.

this morning it was the hospital. over lunch...it was the guam waterworks authority, guam power authority, and then the onestop office for permits.

all the government facilities were so grim and depressing, i wanted to leave immediately. it really made me conscious of my space and affected my experience.

it would be pointless and redundant of me to gripe about where all the money is going that should be sepnt on upgrading these areas of day-to-day living....such a sad reality.

Posted by at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

another rookie move - i was unprepared for a power outage, until yesterday.

i should have learned my lesson last week when i came home in the middle of the day to a "scheduled" power outage and because i don't read the paper or listen to the radio, i had no clue. i panicked and thought maybe GPA had cut off my power because i was ten days late. my backup plan consisted of me calling my mom, who works for GPA, to turn my power back on...but she explained that GPA never cuts off on a saturday due to non-payment and i knew i paid my bill and i could not have been THAT late. anyway...i decided to go to ross instead and kill time, hoping it was enough time for the power to come back on...and it was. but this doesn't stop here.

early saturday morning, the power went out AGAIN and this could not have been scheduled at 3am. of all the nights...i was babysitting a10-month old baby and kylan had a friend sleeping over. it was pitch black - i had no lighter, no flashlight, and my only candles were glittery floating candles from a christmas gift and a 7-yr old scented candle which i packed for sentimental reasons when i moved. i'm very lucky that my smoker friend was at my house and provided me with a lighter and stayed behind to keep us sane. kylan woke up in panic...and has never experienced a power outage at night in his life. he was genuinely afraid. the lights finally came back on at 415am but when i woke up at around 7...i realized that the power was on, but very weak. my coworker came to pick up her baby and explained it was a BROWN OUT. i've heard of the term, but never experienced one.

it was another "welcome to guam" moment. last night i went to kmart and loaded up on candles, flashlights, batteries, and finally bought myself a lighter.

Posted by at 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

the biggest peeve ever while being here is having to pay bills - not the part where my account balance gets depleted but the actual task of driving all over town, retaining stubs, getting in line, tolerating crowds, battling parking, and possibly wanting to murder the less-than-capable cashier...and all this during my lunch hour.

i really took it for granted when i could pay everything with a click, stick with paperless, and rely on 800 numbers to save myself from being delinquent.

and it doesn't help that the bank closes at 3pm. and i miss making deposits at the atm without envelopes...who would've thought i'd miss the wells fargo atms?

i thrive on multi-tasking, i thrive on efficacy and anything that allows me to defeat my day.

Posted by at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i love living in Tumon. in California, we lived in the suburbs and made our way to the city whenever possible. for 9 years, i went to school and/or worked in san francisco. i know the streets by heart and appreciated the progressive valiance, the eclectic mix of cultures, the edginess...all the while picturesque, nostalgic, and serene.

that being said, losing the city when i made the move back home was definitely the hardest to let go of. i was adamant about finding refuge in Tumon, where everything could be accessible and the round-the-clock nightlife was a possibility for both me and my son.

our days typically consist of a 1 minute drive to work and 5 minute drive to school. ideally, i would walk to work...but i use my vehicle for meetings and to pick up kylan. after we're done with work/school...we venture out into the streets of tumon and pretend to be city dwellers...we walk up and down the strip to buy convenience items, pick up dinner, meet friends...or go for a leisurely run or swim at the beach. the weird part is...we are amongst tourists and we don't feel like we live here even if we are trying to just get through the daily grind.

i would love to fully thrive with everything just a walk away, like a real city. living in this part of the island, where it's less "rural", inspires me to envision the growth in this area. this is even more fitting because most of the projects my firm is involved in are along pale san vitores road...it really is my canvas and this excites me in ways i can't even explain.

i am pretty filled in about the projected building around here in addition to the current work at our firm...but i would love for at least a grocery store...ideally similar to whole foods or trader joes, to be within walking distance but that would truly be a far cry from reality! kylan and i could get anything but produce from our corner ABC store....we've been walking to get gelato and take daily sunset photos. it is such a luxury!

Posted by at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i FINALLY just finished efiling my taxes and don't look forward to overstaying here and having to file taxes on guam next year. i have friends that are still waiting for their 2005 tax returns. i am getting my tax refund from last year in about a week.

such a teaser!...govguam has a website for filing but i don't qualify because i have a dependent...so only those claiming single without dependents are entitled to this convenience...i am definitely savoring having the federal government and the state of california give me my money back this year.

Posted by at 2:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

help i'm so hungry but i can't be satiated. i punished myself by browsing through food reviews of my old places in the bay. it all started as i was going through my pile of junk and found my old stamp card from Fantasia and some menus that I used to keep at my desk. then all i could think of was food, food that is far, far away.

when i do finally visit again...i'll be eating my way around the bay! if i could, i would have:

1.a loaded falafel wrap from truly med in the mission...with lamb, cucumbers, and potatoes, and smothered with yogurt sauce, fresh off the grill!

2.beef with scrambled egg over java rice from toppings too in union city

3.mango with shrimp salad from the cafe by my old office in san francisco

4.sushi rolls galore from manpuku, naked fish, or sozo

5.carne asada burito from la taqueria in the mission

6.roasted duck with vegetables over rice and plum sauce from the thai place on college, across my school campus in Oakland

7.a very large pizza all to myself - half of it pears and goat cheese and the other half sausage, tomatoes, basil, and olives - from pizza antica, with anchovies on the side and a cherry limeade to wash it down

8.pad thai from thai kitchen in union city

9.vietnamese banh mi sandwhich from cam luong....for just $1.50 - ham, pate, french butter in a baguette with all the fixings and an avocado pearl shake to sweeten up the meal

10.prime rib, english cut with just the salad from the House of Prime Rib on Van Ness

11. happy hour of $1 oysters (we'd usually get about 40 between the two of us) and bloody marys at sea salt in berkeley

self-loathing, masochistic, gastronomical torture!

time for me to get my lunch now.

Posted by at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

my sister also sent me my absentee ballot which is a very important document and it was accompanied with something that this island needs during election time...a voter guide. it had every candidate listed with their backgrounds and platforms, along with all the pros and cons and fiscal impacts of each proposition. it goes a much longer way than a signboard and a handshake

Posted by at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

my wonderful sister has been sending me my mail from california and i hate it. i love being detached from all the junk mail, credit card offers, sales i'll never get to reap....all the coupons, all the bank statements that i never open...and unfortunately, all the notices letting me know that i owe them money. i must've gone through 150 envelopes yesterday and was elated to find money entitled to me that i never even knew i had! this really made my day/week!.here's to $600 for my bills.

Posted by at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i might as well be locked up in a box. it has been my most removed week yet....inundated by work deadlines, the looming child support case, and the RENT production on top of minor social shifts. i have survived. i'm glad it's friday. this time next week i will be a lot less stressed.

Posted by at 4:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i'm on galavanting decline. last week i was home 4 out of the 7 nights. it's monday and i'm at home again....laundry galore and work to do. i have many deadlines this time around. the RENT production is around the corner and there is some scrambling to do. on the plus side...i also worked out 4 out of the 7 days of the week (including two pilates sessions!)...and managed to relax at the beach for a good four hours yesterday.

i've also been bonding with my TiVo...i've rarely turned it on in the last month...for instance, on the amazing race...my most favorite show EVER...i was so behind and didn't even have a clue as to who these people were and what the hell is a "speed bump"? how blasphemous of me to be out of the loop. my co-TAR fans would be so disappointed, right?

i have a looming child support case to grapple with and this time my licensing exams are really nearing. i've submitted my paperwork and the local board is merely waiting for my reference letters and then i'll be signing up for some aggressive testing. and the ultimate signifier and primary contributor to my productivity...the firewall at work is now blocking chat programs and myspace so i'm much more in work mode....which comes at the right time since i have major management efforts to procure. i rarely indulge in myspace while at work but find it a convenient excuse to exercise my multitasking powers.

and finally on an unrelated note to lead to a brief whine session...i've been on a strawberry ice cream fixation. tonight i had it with chocolate-covered sunflower seeds and it is just heavenly. it helps a great deal because my AC is not cooling effectively. my air handler is whack....it's on but my compressor is off...therefore cooling ain't cool. my power bill is through the roof!! in my 800 sf condo...my bill has shot up from $80 to $225. i want to DIE. i've already complained to my landlord about getting some people in here. i think i'm gonna ask for a rent reduction since she is severely lagging.

another thing to whine about...my engine light illuminated on the way home today and my heart is sinking. just when i was rejoicing about its good condition...i'm haunted by possible car troubles and i LOVE my car.

and finally one last gripe..i almost had a major freakout moment last night when my external hard drive wouldn't read!!..that is about 80 gigs of backup data possibly lost. after opening up the encasing and attempting to fidget with the wires...the damn thing finallly read. my laptop hard drive is nearly filled to capacity. it's time for me to uninstall kylan's Command and Conquer!!

okay attempting to end on a good note...i am excited about a new camera. i'm switching from olympus to canon. i love the underwater features of my olympus but i wish the pictures were crisp like the sony or the canon. i didn't indulge in an SLR like i intended...i'll stay in the newbie corner for now. after this my next gadget purchase will be an iphone. i'm so jealous of people who have it but don't look forward to possibly having to switch cell phone carriers. i miss the ease of use on the sprint network. i'm fortunate to be able to use it here but the online capabilities and camera features of my Q are lackluster. my next upgrade will be my phone for sure.

Posted by at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

strangely interesting, another found excerpt from blog surfing:

1. Without anyone watching you (they will think you are goofy) and while sitting where you are or at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number “6″ in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction. See I told you so! And there’s nothing you can do about it! You and I both know how ‘crazy’ it is, but before the day is done, you are going to try it again, if you’ve not already done so.

Posted by at 12:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

my 11-year old is mine, just mine.

we went to Ruby Tuesday last night and this was not my first time eating there...so i knew i wanted something fililng but not over the top...

kylan: mom, what are you having?
me: the chicken wings appetizers. you?
kylan: i think i'll have the premium aged sirloin. yeah, that sounds good.
me: blank stare.
me: seriously?
kylan: but mom, it's the best cut!

i couldn't argue with him. leave up to my child to order the most expensive thing on the menu. even funnier...i was trying to tell our server he would have it well done, and he interjected that it had to be red. he cleaned his plate...and opted for the salad bar....and cleaned that up, too.

by the way, i have just recently tried to get into yelping on island. i started strong but slacked over holiday and will try to get back into it.

Posted by at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

yet another milestone reached. it was the perfect ending, perfect beginning. i'm just a gal, luck enough to have a little man when all else fails, including me.

Posted by at 6:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

i've recently become heavily involved with the upcoming local production of RENT. this is the first and only time that FULL rights of the show have been given off-Broadway. minor and amateur theater productions have been granted partial rights to RENT but now the local AIDS awareness organizations (Guahan Project and Conscious living) have bestowed us with this rare occasion. i am involved with everything architectural and event-related. it's been great working with the phenomenal talent and being involved with such a huge undertaking. the show will run january 27-30 and tickets can be found at bestseller outlets.

Posted by at 4:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

christmas has arrived. i have never been happier around holiday. it seems all of a sudden the signs of the season are everywhere. okay so this part i never knew the feeling until having really really spent christmas on guam. last year i was here during the week of christmas...but being around for the actual preparation and witnessing the transformation has been wonderful. it's great that everyone is not so engrossed with just christmas shopping. i love seeing everyone get "christmassy" amidst the warm weather, fake christmas trees, and santa that might as well smell of beef and cheese. and greatest thing ever...family! not that i have a large family (see previous entry), but that everyone genuinely cares about family...you hear things like "ooh grandma would love this!". my grandparents are gone. i don't think i've ever bought them anything.
yesterday i went to a concert put together by high school kids and the warm and fuzzies came over me.

Posted by at 7:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

i haven't spent Thanksgiving on Guam in nearly a decade. the commencement of the Hoilday season has always been second nature. already we have planned our menu for our lavish feast amongst friends. we have already planned our caravan for black friday strategizing. we have already bought our fresh christmas tree and the decorations are out with our scarves and coats.
signs of the season are different on Guam...the plastic lights are starting to line the streets. christmas party fundraisers are in full swing. kmart's christmas decorations are on display. and frankly, not too many of my friends care to cook up a storm. i'm not gonna lie...this is strangely difficult.

everyone has their own families to gather with.

will we be watching a new episode of grey's anatomy after dinner? will there be a football game for the guys to obsess about? will there be a pool of names to pick from for our gift exchange?

Posted by at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

i've heard this time and time again. even when i lived in the bay area - had 3 jobs, always had somewhere to go, went on countless road trips, and was always planning something. people warn me i'll wear out, wear down, and come to screeching halt. then i was warned of it when i moved to Guam...i'll get bored, i'll run out of things to do...there's no way i would be able to stay as active as i usually am. well...truth and time have proven otherwise.
to start, my job as project manager demands that i am the busiest at the office...multi-tasking, doing damage control, and keeping my grasp on all the projects at once. secondly...i have kept my part time job working remotely from the east coast and my phone has to be available all times after hours. thirdly...i am also involved with some publications. fourthly...i have volunteered my time to the local production of the musical, Rent, where i'll be assisting with set design, scouting film locations, art direction, media coordination, and costumes.
if you're still not convinced.... i go running twice a week. i schedule ladies' lunch with my high school circle of friends once a week. i make sure to have mojitos for happy hour every wednesday. on weekends...my schedule is always friday nights at atrio, saturday nights at brutus...and sundays at the beach. in between there are parties, obligations, errands, housekeeping, and parenting responsibilities.
i am trying to open 3 businesses by the end of next year. i am currently writing a business plan with my partners and the next step is to seek investors. i've also now added hashing and possibly paddling somewhere in the mix.
then there is my housewarming (i have yet to buy a grill and have a lack of funds), a holiday party, a singles network project, and many many many more events to assist in, including one for my office.
this is by no means a whine session. i love that i can fill my time and continuously challenge myself. it means that i value down time that much more....especially when i can write in my blog(s)...three of them.

Posted by at 6:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

there is something unsaid that i've been reflecting about lately and would have to be reminded that it is my primary reason for being on this island...it is the recent progression of my career due to the events that lead me back home.
everyone seeks some form of validation to thrive on and it has only been recently that i've been able to feel truly in the right place in my career. sure there are more milestones to be made...and my architect's license on the horizon...but my place here has been so understated, especially by me.
legally i am not allowed to name myself an architect until licensed but the difference this time around is that i feel i am closer that i ever have been. i have so much more to learn and dare not say i know everything there is in this business but when i think about where i was exactly a year ago....i've sure got wider pastures to graze on.
when i was in college, certain professors felt i was too young to pursue architecture and that i should seek other aspirations before asserting myself. it was the path i chose since high school. i applied to only one college, was accepted to this one college, and finished the program even without the validation from some of my peers. to this day, i haven't kept in touch with any of former classmates and i often wonder how far they've gotten.
i worked in the industry during 5 out of the 6 years in school. i started at a new firm the monday after i graduated. for those 5 years prior, i was exposed to to education and commercial projects and then moved on to healthcare. after being laid off within 3 months of the new firm, i landed a job doing retail within 2 days and was at another firm before the end of the week. for 15 months, i learned everything i could about retail architecture and lived and breathed bath and body works stores....only leaving me wanting more out of my career. i was stuck because i already had the skills but wanted more responsibility. i was at my 4th firm in 2 years and after resisting the urge to move on again after 18 months, my last firm granted me the responsibility and recognition i needed to motivate me. who knew that a year later i again would seize an opportunity for growth in a place none other than Guam?

Posted by at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i've been addicted to getting my closet organized. i've never had this much closet space in my life and am even more anal-retentive about getting it in order. there is a hierarchy involved in this ordeal and i'm also a little bit disgusted that i have this many clothes. i have gone on "no repeats" even before i moved here when i first arrived for vacation. i have worn very few items twice but with different coordinates and at different times of day so i have been fine with not shopping on island. what's really bad is that i've been addicted to ebay, monitoring up to thirty items at once and getting a kick out of uber-cheap steals and winning items from other onlookers. where else would i get my ella moss, lux, kimchi, anthroplogie, velvet, joie, and urbn brands?
i am giving myself another week before i halt. my ebay fixations come and go every six months. the last time i did this i stocked up on shoes.

Posted by at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

my condo has been rampantly progressing this week. with painting 90% done, the fridge stocked up for the week, and all the essential furniture that ky and i need to keep comfortable....i am content. i wil give the full tour when i can put more character into it.

Posted by at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Afternon delight
Originally uploaded by fabulousmimi

evidence shown here proves that my productivity went out the door on sunday. i really have to move in now because i have just paid my landlord rent. today i went to GTA to sign up for internet...and was coaxed into signing up for a phone line to qualify for the promo. it was the longest hour of "customer service" i've ever had to experience in my ilfe. i had to decide whether i wanted cable and internet with MCV, or internet and phone with GTA. i could live without the cable and i would probably regret it if i didn't have a lan line....especially with kylan possibly being at home alone on occasion or the threat of typhoons. i have the slingbox for my viewing pleasure and we will have to live off of that. now i have to wait 3-5 days until the interenet is activated for me to deem the condo inhabitable. i can't live without internet because of my part-time job after hours so i hope it gets in sooner. in the meantime, i have one large load to haul to the condo and i am officially moved in.

Posted by at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

i have a hard hat for site visits. on this island, they don't even wear them. it would be a joke if i went to site with a hard hat. where is OSHA on this island? the men wear zories for safety boots, shades for protective eyewear, tshirts over their faces for their face shields....and their idea of safety attire is a tshirt and shorts. i'm sure this is not everywhere...but i'm just amazed at the commonality. in california, i am so used to wood-framed buildings and dry wall. here it is lots of concrete and CMU. i am going to help build a concrete wall this weekend and i'm so excited. i hope everyone has a weekend just as exciting as mine.

Posted by at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Golf in sand
Originally uploaded by fabulousmimi

Posted by at 3:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

it can't be contested....my two favorite drinks, bloody marys and mojitos, are two of the most high maintenance cocktails out there. i will only indulge in either of them if they are made perfectly and lucky for me i've found my outlet on Guam - Fishbowl. It can be considered a permanent fixture on island because when it first opened its doors, it managed to upgrade the bar scene to include reliable ambiance, delectable cocktails, and a hospitable staff. for weeks now, i've deemed it my wednesday happy hour locale where i meet with whomever i can recruit to join me for the best mojitos fathomable. i've been fortunate enough to be in good company and be catered to by its authoritatively distinct bar manager, jun. week after week, i've been treated to a special concoction that has left me with no other choice than to continue to chorale my troops for a wednesday night rendezvous that i've permanently deemed as "mojito wednesdays".
it's no coincidence that my social aptitude has given me recognition at several bars on island - where i am often given high-five gestures, free drinks, reduced bar tabs, prime service, and special concoctions from time to time. i'm a patron that will worship a fine bar and a skilled staff because i am admittingly a humbled frequent flyer.
and now i'm tickled that my mojito of choice has been given permanence in the form of a menu item on a certain promo:

just what would classify this mojito as first-class? i must first tell you of when i tried to tend my very own mojitos and miserably failed because decent mint was nowhere to be found. here they hand-pick their own mint from their own nursery and it is brought fresh, abundant, and flavorful for each serving. generous amounts of brown-sugar syrup, club soda, sweet and sour mix, rum, and flavorful accoutrements are skillfully shaken with love to serve up a perfect drink that i can never refuse.

Posted by at 7:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

it all started in may. it was my 28th birthday - i planned a lavish dinner party where my closest friends attended at the triptych lounge in san francisco. we continued the celebration across the way at the icon lounge where we danced to our heart's content. mind you, home for me was well over 52 miles from san francisco and i still stuck it through. i had planned my trip home in january and knew i was due for a long vacation. i indulged in countless happy hours and more nights out without hesitation. a week later, i found myself back on Guam, celebrating amongst a new crowd of people and reunited with girlfriends galore. i dolled up, kicked up my heels, and stayed in party mode since then....rounds of shots, indulgent dancing, and coming home at 5am even if i had to be at work at 8am. it was a month-long vacation which ended in a celebration affirming my permanent stay on island. i returned to the bay area to pack up my goods and say my goodbyes in no other manner than to party relentlessly. i met up with old friends and partied in LA, Vegas, San Diego, and finally before leaving San Francisco....I threw a party for a hundred of my bay area friends, etc to share my final moments. then i stopped in hawaii and reunited with old faces and partied three nights in a row. i arrived on the day of my 10-yr reunion and celebrated like we were 18 again. everywhere i went i reminded myself that i was elated to be back home. people visited from off-island and i celebrated. then i celebrated with them before they left and now....my party mode has to simmer. i'm lucky my son is eleven years old and not eleven months old. i'm lucky my family supports my good times. i'm lucky i've got a more than a good head on my shoulders to make sound decisions otherwise. i want to have my architecture license before end-of-year. i need to save money to afford this life. i need to complete my homemaking. the party will not end but i can almost say i'll be done soon because i have reached a point of contention. its time to put my gears in neutral and enjoy the ride without endangering myself.

i've been partying for FOUR whole months. i'm not on vacation, i'm living here now....it's not anyone's birthday and as far as i know...everyone's came and left.

Posted by at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

i'm bored.

mabye it's because i had grand expectations for a three-day weekend. while i did take my road trip to inalahan and back and attended several intimate gatherings....it was still a relatively quiet weekend. my phone was mostly dormant and i had the hardest time reaching people because i'm sure everyone had plans of their own. i happened to catch up on some much-needed sleep and tivo-viewing as well. my plans to color my walls were postponed because of lack of funds. this week i am getting a bang trim, a pedicure, and 3 quarts of paint.

Posted by at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Road trip to the southern tip
Originally uploaded by fabulousmimi

Posted by at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Wiki:

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September. The holiday began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many. Labor Day became a national holiday by Act of Congress in 1894.

it's labor day weekend and if i were in california, i'd be planning a road trip to somewhere far and away. bay area weather is phenomenal during this time of year...not too hot and not too cold and you are reminded that summer is coming to a close and the comforts of cozy fall weather is upon us. the road trip is the most expected thing to do because everyone wants in on this great weather and school has barely begun. usually there are weddings and celebrations of sorts. last year i was in san diego for the pacific islander festival.....where i mingled with several hundred people from guam. now that i am here on guam...labor day indicates a season of increased torrential rainfall and thicker barbecue smoke.
my first labor day on guam....will be just a little bit more-than-the-usual barbecue and beach indulging. labor day is a reminder for a lot of things but this time around i'm creating new milestones. i will be painting the condo and adding some permanent color into my life. a three day weekend is always worthy of some sort of celebration.

Posted by at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

kylan hates guam. he does not care to be here. everyday he talks about the great life he left behind and how guam totally sucks.
i beg to differ, he has a lot of freedom, has a buddy to play with across the street....and has a lot of cool kids to hang out with at school. we've been going to the beach on weekends and he even went to a classmate's party last week. maybe its because he's been sick twice and has only gone to school 7 out of the 13 days that school has been in session. he thinks the teachers at saint anthony school are "mean"...i tell him they are "strict".
yesterday i took him to ride a racing bike (those fancy japanese crotch-rocket types), a haircut, dinner at subway as he requested, and to his movie of choice - mr bean's holiday...but he still managed to tell me he is unhappy. i can't please the only man in my life, my little man.

Posted by at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

the routine is starting. now that kylan is in school and my work is keeping me on my toes, the everyday grind is starting to become more defined. where there is room to step out of these lines are those impromptu lunch appointments, pleasant dinner engagements, endless happy hours, and innumerable good company. how one island can offer so little yet so much is still unraveling before my very eyes. there is still the official move-in in store for next week and kylan's social excursion with his classmates has yet to be determined. he was hit with illness last week and debilitated for days. mind you he's never been this sick whilst in california...and then he is stricken with vomit, fever, chills, and restlessness. i had some adjustment conditions of my own....someone who has never had to deal with allergies is suddenly fiending for claritin on demand. and to top it all off...i had to spend $90 on a mere two bags of drug store necessities at kmart to alleviate all these california withdrawal symptoms. my car, my other child, is going through some catalytic converter drama as well. just today i swapped my license plate from CA to GU....*sigh.

Posted by at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

surreal - marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream

Posted by at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

the next few days, weeks, months will be extremely hectic....and if i manage to keep a busy social schedule amidst all my other obligations...it would be a miracle. but miracles do happen

kylan and my mom return in an hour. the principal at my firm will be returning the day after and i am scheduled for some intensive meetings. kylan also starts school on wednesday and i will have less than 24 hours to prepare him. my household goods and car arrive from 2 weeks at sea this weekend and i have yet to unpack. kylan turns 11 and i have an important adolescent party to plan for him. i also have my housewarming party to plan and execute.....this entails budgeting, inviting, grocery shopping, and cooking. finally....my architecture licensing exams are looming and the paper work with the local board is tedious..
my schedule will still be fuller than ever but i will be playing a true balancing act for the next few weeks. until then...there are still visiting friends to entertain and a new home to make....with room for stealing happy hours and getting some booty-dancing over with.

Posted by at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely

i have had my share of serendipitous occasions lately and it reinforces my belief in God and all those forces that have brought good things my way. i am genuinely happy.

For weeks now i've been searching for a place to live and after resorting to the classified section of the PDN, a quick glance-over had me calling just one number to give it a try. it couldn't have worked out better. she not only awarded the rental without documentation or initial payment...but provided me with an opportunity to do some architectural work for her. she asked if i had a husband and i explained that i was a single mom....she then offered her prayers and said she would pray for me to find a good man because i deserved it and i believe her....i became teary-eyed and was humbled by her sincere words. my new home is walking distance to my work....steps away from the beach....minutes away from kylan's school.....and just a stone's throw to happy hour. i am excited to make a home for me and kylan. this is our first time living alone...without parents, friends, or family. i can't wait to cook my lavish meals, entertain my friends, and decorate my space.

Posted by at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

on saturday night at atrio....some man's hands seriously cupped my butt cheeks. sounds hilarious but seriously!??!

Continue reading "phantom ass man" »

Posted by at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

amidst a crowd of people last night, for a brief moment, i did feel a bit removed. i was out of my comfort zone and unexpctedly humbled. home is here now. i am embracing it and it takes repated contemplation and impulsive writing to relieve me of my heavy thoughts. i feel like the rest of me is growing up to catch up with everything else lacking in my life. i consider my life to be full but it's a strange feeling i get overcome with. so strange that i would consider it indescribable.
it is officially one week and after getting a taste of what my career here would bring me, i am absolutely ever more certain that i have made the right choice. i was in meetings, making important decisions, and managing my work effortlessly. outside of work i make the most of my time so as to not waste any. i am still living off five hours of sleep and a full schedule and will absolutely not change who i am even if i'm in a different place.

Posted by at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ s o t d]: mraz

i live here, now. people are getting sick of me. they don't want to hang out anymore. i eat lunch alone. i eat dinner alone. they aren't picking up their phones. i am in bed by midnight two nights in a row.am i crazy?

since this is the case today i actually went to the damn bookstore to enlighten myself with some books relevant to this island....there are essays, poetry, fiction, history about this island and i am so humbled finding out. i am trying to learn more about the language...it would be hilarious if i actually learned it. i also bought harry potter but am irritated at myself about it. i wanted to wait until i could just bum off of someone so i wouldn't have to buy it but i'm seriously running out of things to do to fill my time. and i get irritated at myself when i resort to myspace. it's very bad.
everywhere i go, i see people i know. this is not a complaint but its amazing running into people all the time. this island is so damn small and get slapped in the face with it all the time. i am trying to put my routines in place.....running twice a week and pilates twice a week. i have admittingly lost 8 lbs since arriving and am glad for it. how else am i supposed to be marketable?
i have several sets of friends and not one big social circle...otherwise i'll always be a loner. i have to evenly distribute myself and my time. there are those that don't like to go out at all...the married people and parents. there are those that one would think would be available but they have actually lost interest in going out. some are just plain busy and even those single ones are hard to get them to commit and then there are those that i run into when i am out and about. i am staying afloat.
i still have a lot of things to take care of....dmv, my architect's license, kylan's school, kylan's birthday party, an apartment, my car....finding people to help me set up my apartment. you know, as in, men that would actually help me assemble and carry stuff.

it's gonna be a really really long time before i just coast through life.

Posted by at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

as much i am as juvenile as can be when i utter these words....the visit to the Esmeralda's VIP reception was still an experience to be savored. these young men are seriously just in need of companionship. i have enough tact to politely decline when offered a night of reggaeton. lol.

Posted by at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

first of all....
after nearly an hour on the phone with SlingMedia and Jeffrey.....i got my SlingBox to work!!!!!!! i wanted to pee in my pants when my TiVo Recordings and TiVo Remote popped up just as I had left it!!!! I want to tell the whole world about it...that's how wonderful this is.
secondly....
i cannot believe that i was at mac n' marti's for EIGHT hours!! we determined that we'd meet there for happy hour. then my other friends wanted to meet there as well. we closed the place down, went to eat, and came back and were greeted with the employees leaving the building.
i am so glad i paced myself....i had 1 beer until 9pm...we walked to Acanta mall to take a break at the Latte Stone Cafe...and then walked back when the band started up. just then my lovely californians joined us and we indulged in 2 shots...i have seriously learned my lesson with those 99-proof flavored concoctions.....they are absolutely bad. it's a good thing we ate denny's to absorb the alcohol or i would have been completely incoherent.

Posted by at 5:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

after a relaxing visit to the land of aloha, i finally landed myself back home. it has almost been 48 hours of being home and i've only slept about 4 hours each night. it was a true welcome to see all the familiar faces out as i eased myself into my new surroundings. today i still played the part of a tourist....i went to the beach alone and watched the sunset paint the sky. i am now sitting at the outrigger lobby leeching off their wireless. tomorrow will be work mode...and my productivity levels will be kicking back in.

Posted by at 6:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

the ipod i once delightfully declared as a freebie melted!!! it got too hot in Vegas and it never turned on. the screen literally faded when it stopped playing and it was so hot, i could barely hold it. i officially have a new reason to hate sin city. all my music is on my hard drive but OHHHHHHHH it's my playlists that are hard to recreate...I have so many for every mood....almost 40 of them!

Posted by at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elevator

i work hard for my money. long day. can't the elevator just get here?

today I had to be in a meeting 80 miles away in Santa Rosa...good lord!! my jet lag has not completely escaped me and i'll tell you....i do not miss the bay area traffic. before leaving for guam, i was given a title adjustment and salaray increase...and i am being eased into my new role of managing more projects. unfortunately a little too little, too late since i've been snagged by duties on guam. i am guilt ridden about the whole thing.

Posted by at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

since i've returned...i've been in a state of "must do everything i possibly can do since i'm won't be here much longer" mode. despite my lack of sleep due to jet lag....i took advantage of going out for some booty shaking. i am almost guilt-ridden that there's that much ghetto in me....seriously, hearing twista on subwoofers makes me giddy. here in san francisco...debauchery can be so effortless when you've got a great crowd, great music, and flowing alcohol. debauchery on guam requires the effort of many bodies mutually agreeing to get off their ass and try something new like get out of the house and have a grand ol' time for a change. friday night i joined friends and friends of friends for a drunken birthday celebration. saturday night was an attempt to continue the celebration...but it only resulted in searching through heaps of horny men for our friends that were nowhere to be found because somewhere in the forsaken city of san francisco...they've already gotten off the party bus. we ended up trying to maximize our 20-dollar cover charge by shaking it with a pair of complete strangers. and me with a complete stranger who worked hard to get my digits, only forcing me to play deaf. yes this was my best defense. i'm no good at saying no...i'm still in training. this whole "single-to-mingle" thing is not fun. thank goodness i have a godess to keep me in check but she's scolds me several times a night. seriously i'd rather stand around with a sign on my shirt while i distribute applications and request for qualifications. is that such a bad idea?

i wish i could say things out loud like...."step away, you're wearing a wife beater tank top and it should really be worn as underwear or at home" or maybe "your cologne makes me want to gag".....or "your girlfriend looks like a bitch". while on a rant...can i just say i hate it...
that men in these clubs think that freely grabbing a woman is a proven method for actually getting her to reciprocate the gesture.
i hate men that only stand on the dance floor....can't you dance? i hate men that "don't dance". how can you not dance?! why are you out tonight?
i hate girls that rely on their boobs to get their way. yes even i can drool over a pretty rack but seriously!...
i hate it when clubs play mashups or end their beats too abruptly...sometimes a girl would like to hear all of black sheep's this or that.
i hate waiting in line to get into the club....its uncomfortable for nipples standing out in the cold.
i hate it when i see girls dance in a circle doing the same thing. grind each other..find a man..change your moves.

rant over

Posted by at 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Weaning
Originally uploaded by fabulousmimi

back at work, back in the bay....boy does it feel nice! there are subtle reminders of that failed past i left only a month ago but that door is shut now and that's all that matters. i may drive to LA tomorrow so we'll see where the road takes me.Its 4pm.

Beer at my desk. Happy Friday!

Posted by at 3:52 PM |