Alright, I give up. Two hours is enough for me to sit in front of the computer. There ain’t no fish in the ocean right now. Don’t know why. I made fishing my priority this morning ’cause this blog needs feeding. Unfortunately, there’s nothing to catch and i’m running out of gas too. I was up late last night tossing and turning as usual. I refrained from drinking too much coffee but that didn’t help either.  Hubby said I should drink a glass of warm milk before going to bed. Only problem is I don’t like it. Milk with cereal, sure. Otherwise, no thank you. I gotta have something with it. 

It’s almost noon. Time for brunch! When I get a chance later, i’ll try to visit y’all.

Today’s unemployment rate at 5.5% was the highest in American history. After starbucks announced the closure of some of its establishment across the country, Los Angeles Times now plan to cut their losses too. Hundreds of heads will roll. If memory serves me right, 200 employess will be out of job soon. We have come to the cross roads. Now what? When I think about it, I never would have thought this will happen to such a great country. With all the media hype about the forth coming presidential election, nobody seem to pay attention to what was going on. The price of gas and the unemployment rate should be on top of their list.

When Jeff came home last Tuesday night, he was a bit melancholy. I could tell something was bothering him. And when asked why, he said he just fired two people and will let go of three more employees today. That’s one part of his job he hates so much. Seeing people in agony as he breaks the bad news to them. Some gets indignant with him, bordering on insults. What else is there to do but put up with it. These poeple have mouths to feed and bills to pay. Of course they will be all keyed up. They know what they’re up against. People are on the warpath, not knowing when the next dollar will come from. Many a times I wonder how some of us survives without a home, not even a penny on their pocket. I hope we find solace in all these. We might be in a tight squeeze right now but, this too shall pass.

When someone make an ugly remark about you, would you ignore him or slap the b*tch out of him? The reason why i’m asking is I happen to witness an incident like what’s described above at the mall today. A customer is returning a merchandise she purchased months ago. Per the store policy, you have to return it in 90 days. Otherwise, they will not refund your money. However, you are entitled to a store credit. Long story short, this woman is making all kinds of excuses why she wasn’t able to return the merchandise. Telling the manager to cut her some slack since it’s where she does most of her shopping. If she shops there all the time, I would surmise she knows the store policy. I don’t know what her deal was because she didn’t want the store credit. She wants her money back! Which isn’t possible. When the cashier checked how the item was purchased, somebody put it on their credit card. Obviously, it wasn’t her who bought the item. The reaction on her face was just priceless! How humiliating, eh? There she was making a scene trying to make a quick buck. If I was the manager, I would throw the book at her. How did the woman end up with the item, I have no idea. But I am inclined to think that she stole it from somebody.  See what poverty does?

My desktop computer quit on me! Damn! I can’t believe it crashed. What a bummer! Before the screen turned blue, I heard a ticking sound from the hard drive. I knew something’s gonna happen. I looked for my thumb drive so I can transfer some of Jeff’s important files. When I came back, the blue screen was on (not the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH) telling me about an error. I had to shut it down and boot up on safe mode. That’s exactly what I did but nothing happened. It just sat there for a few minutes. When I restarted it again and boot up the windows normally, I can’t get out of the main menu. Tried the recovery console, same thing. The doggone computer just died on me. Darn it! I created a back up before this happens but t’was not enough. Jeff’s friend called me and said it is probably a bad hard drive which I thought it was. But then he said it is physically damaged. Physically damaged?? How can it be? I didn’t drop it or anything. Then I remember, when I get mad due to the slow connection, I sometimes “tap” the CPU. You know, when you get irritated you do something crazy. First, the monitor went bad. We bought a new one to alleviate the problem. After a year of working like a gem, the PC acted up again. I had to replace the video card ’cause the hubby was not happy with the computer. And now this! Ggggrrr!!! I just wanna throw it outside and maybe chop it into pieces. It’s not worth fixing to me. I am talking Jeff into buying a new one. He can’t be without it anyway. I offered him my laptop but he doesn’t want to take me up on it. Mom gave us her old computer but that too is slow. Slow like molasses. What a life… 

My balikbayan box is almost ready to be shipped back home. I’ve been stacking up goods that are not perishable because it will take approximately a month to get it to my family in the Philippines. Chocolates are always included when I send them a package but not this time. It will melt before they could even get their hands on the goodies. I bought lotions, shampoos, bath gel, canned goods and alot more. For $70, you can send as much as you can in a big box provided by the asian store where i’m sending my package thru. Isn’t it a deal? When I sent them cellphones and a few chocolate bars couple years ago, I paid $200. Well, that was a stupid decision on my part. I sent it thru Fedex which is NOT the cheapest way to go. I was new here, I didn’t know what to do. Ignorance is not an excuse but, that was what happened. Had I known about the courier, I could’ve saved me $130.

Anyhow, mom and I went to Stater Bros. this morning to pick up some groceries. What else is there to do but shop, right? I found stuff for my bathrooms so I thought why not get some for my mom too. She will be happy with everything that’s in the box. The only thing that’s missing is the bag of pig’s ear for my puppies back home. Costco doesn’t have it anymore. Raw hides might not be the best deal for them ’cause they like table scraps. People food is what they eat. Hopefully, Costco will have it the next time we grocery shop. They gotta have something from me.  

I weigh myself right before having breakfast this morning. So far, i’m happy with the result. I gained 4 lbs in two weeks! Yippeee! My target weight is 110. I’m getting there. Slowly but surely. Per my doctor, I should eat a little bit more ’cause I could use a little bit of fat. You know what he recommends me to eat? Food with calories. I think that’s one problem why I lose weight since I moved here. I don’t eat rice as much anymore. And when I do, it’s not a lot. Jeff is not crazy about the idea though. He wants me to stay thin but “healthy thin”. In short, he doesn’t want me to put on more weight. I looked chunky when I was at 103 lbs! Besides, stroke runs in my family. If I let myself go, i’ll end up at the hospital.

Later this afternoon, we’re gonna go to Spring Valley Lake and take a little walk. That way, I don’t have to hit the treadmill tomorrow morning. I hate doin’ exercise by myself. When I feel crappy after doing my crunches, i’d just say to myself “Silly goose, this will benefit you in the long run. Get off your butt and take a walk around the block.” You know what, instead of whining, I should be grateful that I don’t have to try harder to stay thin. Right, i’ll stay away from anything fried (goodluck to me). Chances are, i’ll be eating what’s left in the fridge. Maybe i’ll just finish the bag but i’ll bake ‘em (yeah, justify you’re being a hard headed bull, you silly woman!) LOL…

Before I moved to the US of A, my idea of living my American dream is having a nice house in the heart of the city. Los Angeles in particular. Hollywood baby!! Yeah! I was hoping that maybe one night when i’m walking my dogs, i’d bump into one of the most famous celebrities in the planet and snap a picture then sell ‘em for thousands of dollars. Joke! LOL! I am not an aspiring paparazzi, not this face LOL.. Another thing that gravitates me toward the area are the theme parks. See, i’m a child at heart. Love Disneyland.

Then came San Diego. Jeff took me there with some friends for the first time in August of 2006. Boy, did I fell in love with the city right away. The breath taking beaches and the weather makes it worth the money people pay for their houses. According to some, what makes the place so expensive is the nice weather all year round. Not to mention the attractions like San Diego Zoo, Balboa park and Sea World. San Diego is where we plan to retire. We just love it. Jeff lived there for 10 years but decided to move to Apple Valley to pursue his Bachelor and Master’s degree at Cal State San Bernardino. It wasn’t a bad move for him, really. He was heart broken when he left, of course. But he got over it when he received his diploma.

My third choice is Chicago, Illinois. We went there to attend a wedding in September of 2006. T’was a little bit cold but it’s nothing short of a perfect place to raise your kid. One good thing about the city is that no one is allowed to bear arms… keeping the bad guys off the street. Sounds pretty safe, doesn’t it? My favorite TV host lives there too You know who i’m referring to? It’s Oprah!

Moving on to the Top 10 Cities in the US. Here’s the list:

1. Houston, TX                                 6. San Diego, CA

2. Austin, TX                                    7. New York, NY

3. Seattle, WA                                  8. Charlotte, NC

4. Chicago, IL                                  9. Denver, CO

5. Atlanta, GA                                  10. Los Angeles, CA

My top three choices are included in the top 10. What about you? Have you decided where you want to move next? There are 10 choices to select from!

This tag is from my new blogger friend, faeryrowan. Thanks sis!

Here are the rules:
1. Add your blog/s to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. It’s okay if you only post this question in one blog as long as you answer them.
2. Get back to YEN and will add your blogs to the master’s list here! Yup, another linking thingy but this one has 15 questions and you get to enjoy answering them too!
3. Tag as many friends online you know. But you don’t need to be tagged in order to join. 48. YOU’RE NEXT….

Now on to the heart of the tag:

1. When you buy a greetings card, are the words or the picture more important to you? the words. It tells what’s in my heart.

2. What’s your favorite kind of cake? chocolate

3. Do you ever make gifts for people, if so what, or do you buy them? depends. but when I buy them stuff, I make sure it’s what they need.

4. What’s your favorite holiday? Christmas. the anticipation is what gets me excited.

5. Are you going on holiday this year? Yes, we’re going on a cruise to Hawaii!

6. What was the best party you’ve ever been to? I am not a party animal but the best one for me was the junior/senior prom in high school. My first dance was my first crush ever. That was magical.

7. If you are married, describe your wedding. If not, what would your ideal wedding be like? My dream wedding, attended by our closest friends. I couldn’t be happier the way it turned out considering we only had 90 days to prepare. Love my gown and my then fiance was the most handsome in the crowd.

8. What’s the most romantic thing that’s ever happened to you? When my then fiance, now my husband, proposed to me. That was the realization of our endless love for each other. Sweet! Then the wedding.

9. What’s your favorite girl’s name? Justine, that’s what i’m gonna name my first baby girl

10. What’s your favorite boy’s name? Jeffrey… my husband’s first name.

11. Which celebrity would you like a dream date with? Right now? Tom Cruise, he’s the cutest!

12. Which female celebrity do you find beautiful? Katie Holmes. She’s a doll!

13. Which male celebrity do you think is attractive? Matt Daemon, love his eyes.

14. What is your best character trait? free spirited. can make the best of the worst situation

15. What is your worst habit? Procrastinating

QUESTIONS:

THE LIST:
1. Me and Mine 2.Creative In Me 3.Little Peanut 4. Pea in a Pod 5. Sugar Magnolias 6. 6. A Life in Bloom 7. Because Life is a Blessing 8. Nita’s Random Thoughts 9. Nita’s Corner 10. Nita’s Ramblings 11. Thomas Web Links 12. Thomas Travel Tales 13. Great Finds and Deals 14. Make Money Online 15. Recipe Collections 16. My Wandering Thoughts 17. Filipino Online Community 18. Famous Lyrics Collections 19. Thomas Digital Services 20. Bohol Paradise 21. PRC Board Exam Results 22. My Paperless Writings 23. As The World Turns 24. My BIG Picture 25. When Silence Speaks 26. Felicity’s Vision 27. Bienvenue `a la Noryfel 28. Inday’s Kitchen 30. My Life 31. My Life in this Wonderful World! 32.Me,Myself+2 33.FunFierceFabulous 34. Supermodel Wannabe 35. kathycot dot com 36. buhaymisis.com 37. In Depth 38. My so called Life 39. Life’s Impression 40. Vhiel’s Corner 41. Anything and Everything in Between 42. Designs By Vhiel 43. Can of Thoughts 44. Artsy Creatures 45. Click Here To Forward 46. Filipino in Canada 47. Faery Dancing 48. My Safe Haven

Okay, let’s see what you, ladies, have to say. I’m passing this on to Avee, Shimumsy, Lisa, Feyoh, Unpredictable Life, Lutchi, and Miss Byotipol.

This is what happens when we engage in some stupid conversation OVER THE PHONE behind the wheels. Come July 1st, people will be banned from talking on the phone while driving. Isn’t it wonderful? Most of them drive like maniacs, putting innocent people’s lives in danger. It is high time to put an end to that. I have no clue if this is going to happen but it was on the news last night that WIFI will be allowed in the car. How can it possibly be? Haller! Can you drive and surf the net at the same time? That’s one heck of a multitasker if one can do that, don’t you think? I mean, it’s like driving under the influence. I much rather talk on the phone than be on my laptop checking my emails while on the road. That’s just flat out ridiculous! Whoever thought of this idea must have rocks on his head. I would love to see him try it.

I get upset when Jeff talks on the phone while driving.  Let alone check his emails. C’mon, is it really possible? Would you really do that? If you’re in the right frame of mind, you won’t even think about doing it. Or if you really have to, pull over and do your business. Plain and simple. Don’t put your life at risk, it’s not worth it.

(yawn) ‘m tired. I was out of luck trying to catch some fish tonight. Chasing opps seems like child’s play but nah, it takes time and perseverance to earn some bucks. I wish tomorrow, since it’s another day, i’d be lucky enough to catch a big one. I have a gut feeling that it’s coming. I don’t know for sure though. I’d be whistling in the dark if I say it’s gonna be tomorrow.

Goodness! Lexie is scratching my back! He’s lying next to me. I know what it is, he wants me to turn the tv and the lights off.  What a demanding piece of work. He has his own bed next to mine but he insists on sleeping next to me. My darn pup, he’s such a darling. Okay, time to get some shut eye. talk soon…