for my viewing pleasure

people have always told me, "what?! you haven't seen that movie?!" with an appalled look on their faces. they've promised to make me lists of films that i should see. but one of my interns is taking it to a whole new level: bringing me different movies every week i see her.

latest movies i've seen:

ps: i love you

my life without me (repeat)

27 dresses

dan in real life


what to watch next:

the lazarus project

the promotion

linewatch

ps: is anyone else shocked that they canceled "samantha who?" and "my name is earl"? :0

things i love!

acoustic versions of songs

water: drinking an ice cold glass, swimming in the pool or ocean, showers, etc.!

flowers: tulips, gerbera daisies, irises, roses, lilies, sunflowers, etc.!

singing! when i'm happy or sad, i'll start to serenade the space around me, whether it is good or not!

feel good movies such as "amelie" and "princess bride"!

chips: baked pita chips, baked lays, cheese puffs, tortilla chips, etc.!

yoga! my body doesn't feel so compressed during or after it. and i break a sweat trying to combine strength, flexibility, and awareness.

flowing aka: "in the zone." it's such a powerful and meaningful way to spend time.

putting pen/pencil to paper.

music: big band jazz, dixieland jazz, ska, pop, reggae, reggae-inspired genres, r&b, some hip-hop and rap, rock, alternative, indie rock!

my family!

my friends!

creating something: a painting, a quilt, a pair of earrings, etc.!

sleeping after a good workout: i don't wake up in the middle of the night!

catching up with people.

hugs!!!

smiles!!!

layers when it's cold!

coming home after being gone all day (or many days)!

springtime!

hawai'i!

connection!

beach, of course!

{edit}

I've been on a movie watching kick these past two weekends, mostly because I've needed a way to relax after the loooong week. I want to hole up inside my room and veg out for days at a time. Here's a list of what I've seen.

Penelope: Starring Christina Ricci. About a young girl who has inherited the family curse: she has a pig snout. The only way it can be lifted is if someone of her kind (the rich, blue-blooded type) will love and accept her the way she is. Her parents matchmake to find a willing partner to save her and her family.

A Cindarella Story: Starring Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. A modern twist on Cindarella with cell phones and e-mails and high school drama.

Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity: Starring Sandra Oh. A young Chinese American girl uses Taoist magic to try to improve her mother's situation. After her spells misfire and affect other people, her mother finally finds what she needs.

Last Kiss: Starring Zach Braff, Rachel Bilson, Casey Affleck. About a man about to turn 30 who freaks out about the finality of his life because his perfect girlfriend is pregnant. He sees the rest of his life as void of surprises. So when Kim along and comes on strong, he can't resist.

me with mama at yogurtland.

mis padres y yo at the temple for new year. yay for ox!

2008 in review

personal events:
1. getting hired on at girls inc. (august)
2. injuring my ankle (april)
3. tattoo (september)
4. thien moving home (september)
5. trip to hawai'i (december)
6. camping in tahoe (may)
7. going to the ellen show (october)

movies:
1. "slumdog millionaire"
2. "prince caspian"
3. "definitely, maybe"
4. "dark knight"
5. "hancock"
6. "juno"
7. "bucket list"
8. "wall-e"
9. "indiana jones"

favorite songs:
1. "lucky (feat. colbie caillat)" by jason mraz
2. "i'm yours" by jason mraz (album version)
3. "the best you never had" by leona lewis
4. "2am" by slightly stoopid
5. "forever" by chris brown
6. "come over (feat. sean paul)" by estelle
7. "good life (feat. t-pain)" by kanye west
8. "love song" by sara bareilles
9. "one step at a time" by jordin sparks
10. "say it again" by marie digby
11. " a milli" by lil' wayne

concerts:
1. alicia keys - may
2. jack johnson - august
3. bloc party - july
4. bloc party - december
5. death cab for cutie - june
6. marie digby - july
7. rebelution - january

friends:
1. zerlina w
2. keiko t
3. mits t
4. rafa s
5. doni k
6. mle
7. lisa k
8. francyne n
9. mindy l
10. naco

activities i spent most of my time on:
1. driving
2. television
3. volleyball
4. sleep
5. remembering

trips:
1. hawai'i - december
2. temecula - april
3. oakland - september 11
4. san diego - march
5. las vegas - july
6. oakland - september
7. las vegas - september
8. oakland - january
9. san francisco/santa cruz/oakland - july
10. oakland - february
11. tahoe/oakland - may
12. oakland (with mom) -

shows:
1. "ugly betty"
2. "pushing daisies"
3. "samantha who"
4. "chuck"
5. "house"

books:
1. "the only 127 things you need"
2. "the secret"
3. "true love"
4. "norwegian wood"

lessons learned:
1. if i start a book, i need to finish it.
2. staying active = endorphins = happy.
3. closure comes when it wants to.
4. being present is being mindful.
5. be patient with healing.
6. shitty first drafts eventually bring something you like.
7. what you think is what manifests in your life.
8. perfectionism is a way to live life with minimal mess but messes can be good.
9. a facilitator helps you be an expert in your life by asking good questions.
10. the best gifts are the ones filled with aloha.
11. be honest -- there is less to remember.
12. you don't forget someone you love; you learn to live without them.
13. move in the direction of fear.
14. i'm tired of trying to be friends with people who aren't trying back.

[inspired by a conversation with gypsygrig]

the worst feelings...

feeling alone while surrounded by people

fingernails on chalkboards

not following your heart

disappointing someone you care about

leaving someone who you feel happy spending time with

the best feelings...

waking up next to someone you love

someone who you can be yourself around

being active

real hugs

feeling someone else's feelings for you

for jo.

16 facts about me.

1. crying takes over my body, mind, and spirit and leaves me feeling fully alive.
2. i am drawn to people who are by themselves and seem to feel as out of place as i do at social functions.
3. my locus of control has been impacted by my cultural upbringing: i feel like destiny has its plans all set for me.
4. i get excited about trying something new (i.e. piano, biking), but if i am not good at it or do not see immediate progress, i get over it quickly.
5. i feel like i will be lost and unsatisfied till i find my passion, my purpose, in life.
6. writing is my preferred method of communicating.
7. i have problems with my t-zone and i wish i knew how to help it.
8. i am sheltered.
9. i do not get restful sleep at night, probably because i hold onto all of my unsaid's and undone's, so i remember a great deal of my dreams.
10. i used to eat rock sugar, and though it hurt sometimes, it was worth it.
11. crunchy foods are my weakness, especially chips and tostada shells.
12. i drive like my mother and i am very proud of that.
13. the next thing i want to learn to do is drive on a race track.
14. if i could have been GOOD at anything, i would have wanted to be an amazing singer.
15. i am thorough.
16. i want to be happy. again.

recently watched movies:

* "indiana jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull"
* "little black book"
* "the nanny diaries"
* "the chronicles of narnia: prince caspian"

so far, "prince caspian" is in the lead with new releases. hands down!

life doesn't work out the way you plan.

you shouldn't miss out on someone because you're waiting for someone else.

relationships aren't just about feelings; they are also about what you can learn from them and the other person.

everyone can benefit from a gym class.

it's easy to get lazy about living a greener life; try to surround yourself with green (social group, podcasts, etc.) so that you don't lose the momentum.

rest your injury so it doesn't last longer than it should.

show those around you that you care, even if it's something small.

- just things that i needed to hear. maybe you could use it too...

no one can get in the way of what i feel for you

[edit]

i am almost done studying for my bio quiz. but i still have to catch up on a chapter and learn it by next week's exam. but i am all over it.

i adore thefray. and she has really helped me to realize that i need to move forward and take care of my business.

so it isn't true that all pisces are dreamers who cannot get anything done! here i go! solid, reality testing. my to-do lists.

starting now. going for as long as possible.
* sleep by 12am. (healthier skin and better health)
* be present in the moment. (less stress)
* return phone calls. (consideration)

new projects.
* read my books written in spanish. (improve my spanish)
* watch movies i know well in spanish. (improve my spanish)

to watch.
* sisterhood of the traveling pants.
* 27 dresses.
* eternal sunshine of the spotless mind.
* high fidelity.
* before sunrise.
* la misma luna (3/19/09).
* the motel.


priorities.
* maintain important relationships.
* maintain my health and happiness.
* get a job and get experience.
* enjoy my life.

this is not the time or place for us to speak like this

i hope what i learned about communication will help me become less passive-aggressive and more assertive.

so this year i hope i don't...
* black list people
* leave people hanging on
* cool off and not readdress the issue
* deny reality
* yell at someone because i repressed my own feelings

a heart like a lion, burning like fire

2007 continued.

7 top songs on repeat:
* "because of you" - Ne-Yo
* "way i are" - Timbaland Feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.
* "big girls don't cry" - Fergie
* "i still remember" - bloc party
* "realize" - colbie caillat
* "echo" - incubus
* "blue light" - bloc party

7 things i tried:
* guitar
* moving away
* quilting
* making earrings
* skateboarding
* following my heart
* cooking

7 movies i remember watching:
* pirates of the caribbean 3
* the bourne ultimatum
* harry potter and the order of the phoenix
* a walk to remember
* ratatouille
* my neighbor totoro
* waitress

7 things i wanted to do but didn't
* learn to drive a manual car
* buy a ukulele
* ...
* ...
* ...
* ...
* ...

you can be sure that it will only get better

2007...

7 lessons learned:
* i can take an active role in my happiness but i have to be open to the outcomes.
* direct communication is better in the long run.
* hard times show you who is really there for you.
* timing is a big factor.
* you probably will not be happy if someone changes to be what you want.
* you cannot see the end from the beginning.
* your fear is probably worse than the actual thing itself.

7 key people:
* zerlina
* keiko
* mitsuko
* mindy
* minh
* keven

7 highlights:
* birthday surprises
* sunrise
* maui
* wedding season
* living in hawaii
* finding direction
* family gathering

7 new favorites:
* "ugly betty"
* UH Warriors
* green tea azuki bowl
* quinoa
* salad
* Colbie Caillat
* Island Snow

7 challenges:
* saying no
* feeling torn
* moving away
* recording a song
* confronting
* being patient with life
* moving on