Mamas tostadas..MmmMmMm Good :)

Bucket List

I've always started one of these, but have never gotten to memorializing it. More or less I've started lists that have ended up as scratch paper or crumpled balls in the trash can. So here is my first attempt at creating a real bucket list. Some things which I wanted to accomplish a while back I am actually going to still put on my list. Fortunately, I have recently had the privilege to start expanding my horizons and trying things that as a kid I could only dream of...

[ ] Visit every country in the world: (X)North America, ( )South America, ( )Africa, ( )Europe, (X)Asia, ( )Australia, ( )Antarctica
[ ] Visit every state in the United States: -will list soon-
[ ] See the Grand Canyon ( ), Pyramids of Egypt ( ), Great Wall of China ( ), Eiffel Tower ( ), Statute of Liberty ( ), Leaning Tower of Piza ( )
[ ] Swim in Greece
[X] Go on a Cruise
[X] Ride a Subway
[ ] Swim with dolphins
[ ] Watch the ball drop live in Times Square
[ ]
[ ]

Exhausted...will continue later..

lol

Just a few pics that made me giggle...

I know you've got all of the class in the world but come on J...

...and Paula, all that bashing you do on idol and this was the best you could give us?!?

Two perfect examples of where "if you've got it, flaunt it" definitely doesn't apply. Haha

Photos courtesy of US magazine

HAH!

In my face. He made some for women.

Never fails to make my day whether it be his music, statements or shoe designs.

Gotta love Kanye to tha.

Photo courtesy of www.kanyeuniversecity.com

Genious.

Kanye West makes magic once again.

Wish LV would make these in womens but pretty sure they're gunna go mens only...dang.

2 a.m. and I'm writing cuz I'm still awake...

Only there is no mistake to unravel. I definitely love him.

["2 a.m. and I'm writing cuz I'm still awake...can you help me unravel my latest mistake, I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season...~Anna Nalick]

Harrison Joseph Wade is truly a blessing from God.

For maybe the 4th time in my life (the first being when I got my car, second when my cousin came home from Japan, third courtesy of H), I cried happy tears tonight...about 20 minutes ago actually.

He just inspires me to be the best I can in life and is the true meaning of a genuinely amazing person. His love and kindness cause some of the best emotions I have ever felt and my chest literally warmed up listening to him tell me how much he cares. I love him immensely and am/will forever be grateful to have him in my life.

I love you Harrison Wade and I promise, in fact I vow to God, that for as long as I live I will try my very best to do everything in my power to make/keep you happy and never hurt you.

Thank you God. You couldn't have sent me a better friend, love, companion in life.

1/20/2009 - a day of HOPE, HAPPINESS and HISTORY

"My fellow citizens,

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them— that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence— the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive ... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America."

[courtesy of MSNBC.com]

For the first time in my life I can honestly say that I feel proud, even honored, to be an American.

As history unfolds, I am blessed to be able to watch, love, LIVE the AMERICAN DREAM.

I miss..

My family.

My Boo.

APX/The Cruise

..and White Poni

almost time to go home to them all. Bitersweet feeling...leaving my cuzzo and the babies to see the rest of my loves.. =)

sjkdakdasdmasl UGHHHH!

Just spent two hours "updating" my myspace (cuz I haven't in a while)...got up to make dinner and when I got back the mother-flubbin thing froze and all my changes went with it.

Eff myspace. 

Shitspace.

Nail day!

Its Saturday morning and I'm gunna take a shower in a bit so I can go get my naillllssss diddddd. Holler haha.  I'm really excited because the Japanese are like soooooo sanitary and they totally cater to customers.  My cousin said the nail thing is like a 3 hour process, an hour and a half for your toes, same for your hands.  

Last night was fun.  As bad as it sounds it was the first Friday I've stayed in in a lonnnng while and it was nice.  I'm kinda jet lagged so I tend to fall asleep at like 7 p.m.  JST haha but last night I was a trooper and stayed up til midnight!! My cousins friends April and Andrew came over [April is pregnant =)]...I take that back, first we went to "The Ramen House" and had these tonton noodles which are like Ramen noodles with meat and veggies in it, and some BOOOOMMMBB fried wontons.  Then they came over and we all decided to play Monopoly.  I thought I would fall asleep though, so I told them I wasn't going to play...Three hours later I was still at the table, watching them play. I was like damn I shoulda just played but I had fun anyway, just talking and stuff. 

Tomorrow were going to this gigantic aquarium.  Can't wait to get out and see what Japans all about.

I really miss my family, my cuzzy and my boo...not so much work, sorry Crystal haha (I miss you BRF, just not the work itself).  Anyway I talk to my mommy everyday of course and I talked to my poppa a few days ago.  He said its hecka cold..eew. My sissy got her braces put on and I can't wait to see them..because I know shes not gunna post any pictures with them showing...Buddy says he misses me...ok he says I'm stupid but I know that really translates into "I'm bored out of my mind, please come home so I can bug you all day!" HAHAH...my momma probably misses the crapola out of me but she wont say it until I get back because she wont want me to be sad...

My boo is so cute. Everytime I call him he sounds so excited and my poor baby has a cold..THAT I GAVE HIM. Sorry babe...were going to the City when I get back anddddd were going to Disneyland in March!!!!!!! IM SOOOOOO EXCITED!!! I haven't been there since grad night and I used to go every single year so you know I cannot even wait...and going with him makes it even more amazing!!!

Anwyays gotta go shower and eat some of those good ol Crunch Berries! 

<3

Konichiwa!!!

Hello from Okinawa!!! 

The time here is currently 7:15 a.m. and I have been awake for about an hour and a half so we KNOW I haven't adjusted yet...because truthfully, I can't even get up by 7:30 for work everyday...my allergies are acting up and well, lets be honest, my body doesn't adjust well to anything. My throat is itching and my eyes won't stop watering..but I bet by the time I leave here I'll be just fine.  LOL

This is such a crazy experience.  The picture (above) is of my monitor on the plane. It was hecka high tech!!! They had like a choice of 10 movies, games, news channels, music, a map showing you how far/long until your destination. Insane.  I didn't even need my iPod! For having been in either an airport or on a plane for 21 hours, it went pretty quick. I pretty much did the baby thing...ate, slept, played solitare and brick attack, watched a movie, slept, ate some more.  I was kinda disappointed that the Tokyo airport is distant from the actual city, but I saw the tall buildings and lights from a distance...

When I got to Tokyo I tried asking the security guy how to get to currency exchange so that I could get money to buy a phone card and it was so frustrating! HAHA. I kept saying "currency exchange" and he kept pointing down, but there was no stupid escalator to go down, only one to come up! So finally some kid helped translate for me and he told him the same thing, so I was like, "I understand that its down, but how do I get there?" and the security guy just took my passport and my arm and took me some back way and I was like woah woah woah but I had to just trust him or I was never gunna call home to tell my mom I got there safe haha...Then I go to this little restaurant/souvenier shop and try to pay for something and the girl is like trying to have a conversation with me in Japanese! I just kept saying I don't speak Japanese, in English cuz I couldn't pull my little "I know Japanese" helper book out quick enough...but she just kept on going...so I just paid and then said "Arigato!" and walked away haha...By the way, United should warn you that planes that go from Sacramento to San Francisco are little "express" commuter planes, much like private jets, that you will have to walk out to them in the rain, and that there is no way in hell that you're carry-on luggage is going to fit in the overhead compartment, unless all your carry-on is is a fanny pack.

By the way, my cousin is crazy...she was so excited to see me that 27 hours after delivery, she was at the airport picking me up! Haha gotta love the cuzzo.

 

I'm so excited to be here!!! My nephew is ADORABLE!! To me he seems tiny but I guess he's bigger than my goddaughter was at birth...regardless, any baby who fits into pre-mature clothes is super little to me.  He does this cute little face scrunch thing when hes not happy, and hes tough for a little guy! I got to experience his first "waterfall" during a diaper change hahaha...everyone say hello to baby Michael Patrick!

 

 

Now my goddaughter, she is BEAUTIFUL. Like literally. We go to stores and everyone says your baby is so cute! I don't even tell them shes my goddaughter, I just smile and take the credit hahaha. I thought it would take her a while to adjust to me and during the car ride back from the airport she did kind of shoot me some stern looks but now she loves me! She can't quite grasp 
"nina" so I either get called "nana" or "MOMMYYYYY!" haha. And shes so good with her brother! When he cries she comes out of her room in a hurry and goes "brudder?" and one time she even pinched Leti (my cousin) because she thought she was hurting him lol.

 
 

We're trying to take it easy for a few days because after all my cousin did just have a baby, so we've been doing a few things, but only on base.  Japanese people are so sanitary and we did go to McDonalds off base and they dress up! Like the men are in polos and slacks and the women in button-ups and pencil skirts...AT MCDONALDS! Everyone drives Scion looking cars because I guess the parking is super compact off base and there are Skylines everywhere...only reason I know what those are is because my brother always talks about how fast they are and how they are illegal in the states..

eveyone drives on the wrong side of the road, steering wheel is on the right side (passenger) of the car, and even escalators go to your left (whereas we go up on our rights and down on our rights when walking up stairs...)

Oh my gosh! At Burger King yesterday, my cousin said "Hi can I get a number one" the lady said "with cheese?" and my cousin said "hi. I need an order of chicken tenders.." and I'm like "No, wait, she wants to know if you have cheese!!! Waiiittttt! Do you want cheese?!?!" and by this time I was like leaning over her, screaming...and she was like "I know!" but I still hadn't heard her respond so I was confused and just thought..what the heck?? Wellllll Hi is Yes in Japanese!!! HAHHAHAHAH So she said yes and because I just heard hi again I was like..what the hell shes trippin...lol...so funny, we were like in tears laughing...

Alright gotta go. Peace out...Arigato Gosamiazu or whatever they say out here. Miss my family, cuzzy, and the boo-ness. Luff you guys!

<3

Hellloooo 2oo9

Out with the old, in with the new. Really excited for what this year
might bring...

Hopeful for the following:
-having the best relationship/friendship ever with the man I love. HJW.
-an amazing trip to Japan to see my cousin, goddaughter and new nephew
-possibly buying a house
-turning "21+1"
-Disneyland with my boo
-paying off my debt
-having a healthier immune system
-spending more time with my parents, siblings and family in general
-developing a more healthy sleeping/eating routine
-travel, travel and more travel!

:) Thanks 08, you've definitely been eventful..
-NY with my BFF/Cuzzy
-turned 21
-May 15, 2008: 18 hours in holding
-cuzzys 21st in tahoe
-Lindas 21st for my first cruise: Ensenada and cabo
-Nov. 5th car accident where I got rammed into a building
-Being "Santa" at Christmas
...and best of all...
-Falling in love. [[such an amazing thing]]

So here's a toast to 09..love, health, happiness, travel, prosperity,
economic stability, God and of course Obama B)