Signing off

For a while...

To mend


Attraversiamo,
jake

Girlfriends are God's Gift

Last night I hung out with long time girlfriends. There were a total of 13 people and you guessed it, I was the 13th wheel. I've known these girls for many years now and through 2 cycles of my Bachelorette life...aka, two boyfriends...the quest to find Mr. Right. What I love most about my friendship with them is that no matter what, we all accept each other unconditionally. No judgements are ever passed, the understanding is boundless and the sex talk is enough to keep the fireplace burning for a very, very long time ;)

The night is young, the cocktails unmixed...

I'm taking a picture of Bebe and she's taking one of me

Yummy, Spicy as heck food - that's Laos food for you

Buddy and I

The hottest mom I know - she has 2 kids!!

Easy, Breezy, Lemon-Squeezy

Grins are getting bigger

Now the fun starts...

Trying to achieve the hot, bed hair look...



We all failed miserably...

Vintage picture of Bebe and I (circa 2004)

A woman should have...

• a youth she's content to leave behind
• a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age
• one friend who always makes her laugh...and one who lets her cry

A woman should know...

• how to fall in love without losing herself
• what she would and wouldn't do for love or more
• how to live alone...even if she doesn't like it

Girlfriends are the best!!!

jakey

This morning I woke up juggling

So I've been vacillating on whether to continue with my trip to So-Cal or not. I'm supposed to fly out tomorrow night but circumstances beyond my control have left me somewhat bi-polar. That stupid "Hot & Cold" song by Katy Perry has been playing in my ear for several days now....ugh! I really hate that song now!

It's Super Bowl weekend, Woo hoo! Normally by this time I already have everything planned and ready to go but because of my indecisiveness, I am left with no plan :( Choices especially when you can’t have more than 1 sucks in my book! I’m a strong proponent of why limit yourself to doing one thing if you can do two or three. Why settle to just hitting 1 bar when you can hit up 3 bars on the same block. Why have just Earl Grey when you can add Peppermint to it. Why not have two desserts by sweet talking your date to order one from the menu as well. Life is good and choices make it even better. Herein lays the difficulty. I can’t be at two places at a time. Had I proceeded with my original course of action I was going to be watching the game with my cousin, her hubby, a surfer dude and his crew. But I opted to stay local because I would rather watch the game at the comfort of my own home amongst close friends...another problem. The close friends have all made plans already and I hate crashing parties...not my cup of tea.

Sometimes, too many choices get in the way of achieving what you really set out to do. It can even be a hindrance to your ultimate goal. Choices complicate things if you let it just like my weekend plan. Once I had more time to reflect on my given choices, I opted to stay home. I chose to stay here and be with myself and a close friend. Someone who knows me inside and out and all my little quirks but still find me pleasant to be with. Yup, I'll be hanging out with my dear friend Marge. She's always pulled through for me. I’ll be chillin with her this weekend and her little dog too (in my Wizard of Oz witch voice).

For my Birthday last year, I dragged Marge with me to Hawaii, last minute. When I had the crazy notion to go on a cruise to Mexico, you guessed it, she battled the sea sickness with me. When I wanted to step out of the norm and celebrate Oktoberfest in a real Bavarian town, she booked us a flight to Seattle and drank German beer all day in Leavenworth, WA (A Bavarian town). When I was puking my guts out from drinking one too many Corona’s, and crying my eyes out over a break up, Marge stayed up with me in the wee hours of the morning offering words of comfort.

Marge, if you are reading this, “Thank You” from the bottom of my heart. You are a true friend and I will miss you dearly when you leave. I love/hate the way you put me in my place. I love/hate how you always know exactly what to say, when to say it and how to say it so that I will question everything that I thought was the right thing to do which turned out to be the complete opposite. I love/hate that you are “right”. And I especially love/hate that you are going back to the Philippines because that means that I’ll have another reason to go there but I won’t have a beer drinking buddy anymore :( Baseball season is starting in a couple of months. Who’s going to cry with me when the Red Sox loses? Who’s going to teach me mad skills in bowling? Who’s going to go to the batting cages with me at 10:00 at night?

Oh well, such is life. People come and go. Sometimes they stay for a long while and others only for a short amount of time but enough to leave footprints in your heart.

Choose the people you let in and out of your life wisely. Surround yourself with people that will tell you what you need to hear versus what you want to hear. Sometimes when you think you are being given a choice, it's best to not pick. Just stay put and nurture what you already have. Choices can also hide behind the veil of temptation.

I choose to be in the moment and not get lost in the "what if". I choose happiness over uncertainty. I chose to stay.

Viva La Mexico

Leavenworth, WA

Carnival Cruise Line

Catalina Island

Does this boat make my butt look big?

Aloha

jakey

Ois guade winsch i dia zum Gbuadsdog Mozart!

Translation: Happy Birthday Mozart!

Yup, it's another one of our Classical Giant's natal day. Just like my beloved Beethoven, who was 14 years his junior, Mozart was also highly influential in the great Classical Era. He composed over 600 works and that doesn't include his collaboration with his friend Haydn. That's a lot! He started composing at the age of 5, talk about a real, bonafide prodigy! So he lived for 35 years into 600 works, minus the first 5 years of growing of course, which meant that he composed an average of 20 works per year. That is quite an accomplishment.

Let's see at 5 years old, I know for sure that the only composing I did was the endless non-sense chatter about my pretty dress, pony, barbie and shiny new shoes....ha ha ha! I was attending pre-school that I know for sure because my mom used to drop me off at school every morning on her way to work.

Back to Mozart, so as brilliantly talented as he was, he was also dirt poor. Although he was highly acclaimed and sought after in his time, he also made no more than that of a house servant. There were even records of him writing a plead letter to a friend borrowing money. Can you just picture one of the most amazing composer of all time who continually break the barriers of time and wrote notable Opera's such as The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute (his last work) was a starving artist? But that's how it was back then. In fact, when he died, no mourners attended his funeral. Only his understudy and two other musicians were there. It was only after his death that his reputation rose substantially. Oh, and he was buried in a commoner's grave. Wow!

It's also my boss' 53rd Birthday today. Mozart would have been 253 years old today. So they are exactly 200 years apart. That's pretty cool in my book. And I absolutely love my boss. Not the eros kind of love, that's gross! More like the father figure kind of love. Yes, I know I have my own dad that I love unconditionally by the way, but if I can have a second dad, my boss will definitely be it.

Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart



Seavas pfiati,
jakey

Instant Message

Has anyone ever made you a tape or a CD with a compilation of "I like you", "I really, really like you", "I think I'm in love with you" or the ultimate "I love you" songs? I had a conversation over the weekend that reminded me of the good ole days. Back in high school, this guy in my calculus class had a major thing for me. Too bad the feelings were not mutual because he was really sweet. He made me the best "I want to be with you" compilation. It started off with ABBA's song "Take a chance on me" later redone by Erasure but he got it right by sticking with the original. Then he added some oldie but goodies like Simon and Garfunkel, Lulu (to sir with love) and ended with the Gin Blossoms' "Follow You Down" love them!

So I found myself looking for the damn tape last night and I can't find it :( I have moved so much just in the last 4 years of my life that it's probably in a box somewhere between the Southbay and the Northbay. Needless to say, it's in tape heaven now. I found this though. Hilarious I know! Yes I was once a young buck. I was 11 when this picture was taken. This was my last year in my elementary school back in the Philippines. Yes, I was a very naughty Catholic School Girl ;)

Life, love and the pursuit of happiness was much simpler when we were younger. All it took was a tape to relay the message of love. Now a days, we have e-mail, social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook, texting, unlimited phone capabilities to relay a simple message of "Hey, I like you" or "I'm thinking about you" or worst "I don't like you anymore so I have removed you from my Top 8 friends!". Isn't that absurd? My ideal version of "instant message" is not signing in to my Yahoo account and sending cyber kisses. Instant message for me is simply reaching over to my left, grabbing his hand, a light squeeze and a wink. That's instant message for you!

Over the weekend, my favorite "instant message friend" and I went to the SF Academy of Sciences. As I watched the coral reef exhibit with the plethora of tropical fishes, I've decided that I am going to Hawaii again for my Birthday this year. I want to snorkel with the fishies. No more of snuba. This year I am committing to actually scuba dive. I am a ball of excitement just thinking about it. Scouting for prices. I really want to check out Kauai but Oahu is the cheapest and fastest way to get to paradise :)

Aloha,

jakey

Ya Lublyu Piva!

Translation: I love beer! (in Russian)

So my love for beer saved my heiny once again.

I had the work day from hell! I've been working with this Russian couple for 4 months now on a purchase. We all got along famously up until this morning when they were scheduled to sign at 10:00 am but there were no documents to be signed!!! Long story short, I am surrounded by idiots. Somebody dropped the ball in Operations and caused a big effing, massive blowout. Got in to work at 9:00 am with 40 e-mails in my Inbox, 35 of which came from realtors, sellers, and buyers of this single purchase transaction. On top of the e-mails were voicemails from the parties involved and they each proceeded to leave a message twice! Yup! welcome to my heart stopping, jaw dropping, I want to kill myself job otherwise known as Sales.

By mid-afternoon, knee deep in shit, the couple showed up at work and ready to duke it out. I explained the whole thing to them and also told them who's ass they can sue because it won't be mine :) Things got calmer and conversation shifted to more personal stuff, thank God! I remember thanking them in Russian (Spasibo) and they both looked at me like I just grew a second head. I proceeded to explain that my ex was Russian and I learned maybe a handfull if that of phrases. Only the important ones namely: I love beer, snow and you...ha ha ha! Oh wait, I also know how to say goodnight :) They loved it! Russians are so dramatic and emotional. They get really animated, at least the ones I've met. So we laughed and the next thing you know, my boss offered them beer and they said yes. Yup, we have a bar here at work. You have to keep medicated in this industry. Fifteen minutes later, I finished my bottle of Spaten and joined them in fairytale land.

Everything was settled by the end of the day. They are signing first thing in the morning and I personally made sure that the docs are at the Title company. It is now 7:30 pm and I'm still at work. Wow! I'm just as crazy as the ruskies :)

Moral of the story, don't deal with Russians...I kid, I kid. I actually enjoyed them a lot. The guy is brilliant in his own right. He's kind of like this mad scientist and I mean that in the nicest way. His wife is really sweet as well.

Actually, there's no lesson. I just needed to vent.

Spokoinoi nochi (Peaceful night to you),

jakey

Forking! is good for your health

So I got to ride on a motorbike again over the weekend. Yes, the same orange bike with the ridiculously cute owner :) It was definitely a much better experience this time around. I wasn't such a complete hysterical mess. I actually remembered to breathe normally this time around versus hyperventilating which caused the helmet to fog up profusely!...lol...yes, I'm dork!

With the unusually warm weather we've been having of late, I was able to enjoy some beach time over the weekend. It was such a gorgeous day. We rode the bike over to Muir beach, had a picnic, drank beer, ran around the beach like freakin' 6 year olds, and had a grand ole time.

Saturday night in the city, we saw a hilarious show called "Forking!". The story was about these 6 college kids, sharing a typical college house. One of the roomates needed health insurance for her really messed up knee and the other needed a greencard. The twist to the whole thing was that the audience got to decide how the plot will unfold and choose who's going to "fork" who. It was crazy, good times. Of course in the end, the girl got her insurance and the guy gets to stay but not before they all pretty much "forked" each other. It was funny as hell. At one point, the audience picked the two dudes to get it on. That was hysterical!!! I'm still laughing thinking about it. In the end the whole audience, including myself are all just a bunch of sentimental saps who chose love, marriage and happily ever after for the cast members. Which reminds me, my most dreaded day of the year is coming up soon enough. Nope, not the inauguration, I have a different set of feelings for that. I'm talking about Valentine's day. Yes, the holiday created by Hallmark. Poop! I think this year, I will celebrate by writing myself the most romantic love letter ever written, buy myself a bouquet of Ecuadorian red roses and a box of out of this world chocolate. Yes, I'll be so cliche like that I would make myself barf and then pass out for the rest of the day :) Or, I could work myself to death but it falls on a Saturday this year. Oooh I know, I can go on a silent retreat that weekend up in Pescadero somewhere. Choices...choices...

Okay, fine I'll stop with the sarcasm. I will try my best to genuinely have a mind blowing good time that day. I will choose to have a different experience this year and it will be unforgettable in a good and positive way. In fact I will write a special blog that day and tell you all the true story behind St. Valentine or the love of Czar Nicholas II to his wife Alix. Stay tuned...

jakey

Bolts not Colts...boo not woo!

Yes, I am licking the wounds from the ass kicking that the Chargers layeth on the Colts. Damn Chargers and SD people! There's hope. I have one more Manning I'm rooting for. All I can say is that he better pull through. All the shit talking I've been dishing out has been coming back to haunt me!

My friend Ryan from San Diego came up for a visit. He was here for the Economic Conference in the city...nerd alert! Aside from all the crap I got from the Colts losing, I had a pretty fun weekend.

Ocean Beach - It was a beautiful day in the city



Breakfast at the Cliff House - Damn him and his River's Jersey too!



Clift Hotel - I think we could have fit one more on that chair



Rave:

So, we checked out Infusion Lounge on Saturday night. It's the new hippie, happening lounge/club in Union Square. First off, the place was beautifully decorated. It's very Asian inspired meet Black Widow. There's no line yet since it's only their soft opening so we got in with no waiting time at all. Bathroom is unisex which is totallly fine except I've always had a problem with sharing public bathroom with men. I've read somewhere that every 5th guy that walks out of the bathroom does not wash their hands...Eeewww! The back room dance floor is pretty cool. Again, going with the Asian motiff, they have this huge gong as the center piece of the room.

Rant:

About 75% of the loungy area of the club were ropped off for VIP. This is SO LAME since 75% of the people there including my group were regular people (non-vip). So more than half of VIP area were empty while the rest of the lounge were packed. No place to sit or mingle. Don't they know that the people that are already in there are the ones that matter because they are the ones, like me who will write about their club? Not that my opinion matters much but it would take a really amazing DJ for me to go back.

Tight squeeze



We got tired of not being able to move about so we left "Confusion Lounge" and cabbed to Bubble Lounge. Now this place is more like it. Plenty of seating for the loungers like myself. Music was perfect and I was able to hold meaningful conversations like this...

Obnoxious guy: So how come you're not drinking Champagne? This place is known for the best bubblies you know, it is called Bubble Lounge (in his semi-condescending voice...)

Me: I don't drink Champagne, it gives me headaches

Obnoxious guy: What! okay, let me get you a hot lady's drink then...

Me: Dude! How about you scoot over, give me your money and I'll buy myself a manly beer... (ha ha ha! he walked off, mouthing inaudible sentences)

Fun times!



A little bit of sad news. I had my follow up foot appointment today and took x-rays of my foot. Doctor said that there's still some soft tissue damage and healing to happen and the bone is not setting properly so I have to take it easy on the activity until it gets a little better. I feel totally fine though but you never know what's happening underneath, I guess. Yes, it's my fault. I really pushed myself, now I have to pay the price for being so obstinant. My next appointment is not for another 6 months! What do I do until then? Any fun suggestions? This sucks :(



jakey

Alone With Everyone

I rung in the New Year with my nearest and dearest. I've always held the belief that whoever you spend your New Year's celebration with will be reflected in the year ahead. My lack of coherence in the New Year's resolution left me hoping for...nothing and everything at the same time. I had no wish. I didn't need fireworks or a cute guy to kiss. Just knowing that whatever I'm doing with my life is...working. The resolution is in the works and I'm excited.

Cousins, sisters, me...

Do I look anything like my dad?

I spent New Year's day in solitude and it was perfect. I went on my usual hike. The fog was heavy but that did not deter me from climbing all the way to the summit. As I was finishing my hike the sun came out and the mist dissipated. A hazy morning does not mean a cloudy day. Afterwards, I took the train up to the city and had a lovely afternoon at Samovar Tea Lounge. Okay, so this is one place worth checking out for you tea lovers out there. I stumbled upon this place about a couple of years ago. It's behind the Metreon in the Yerba Buena Gardens. I wanted to go to SF MOMA but alas they were close for the New Year's so I spent the whole afternoon tasting tea. My first meal in the New Year's was the Salmon Japanese Maki Bowl...

Wakame seaweed salad w/ sesame miso dressing, seasoned brown rice, steamed kale w/ ume marinade, toasted nori, and pumpkin flavored miso soup - yum!

For dessert, I had Oolong tea infused with wildflower honey from Sonoma and coconut rice pudding - delish :)

In case of day off, break glass...

I sat in the train looking out the window, passing by rows of homes, commercial buildings, people walking, children playing in the yard, and someone on a bike making the journey from one side to the other. But I can't hear any of it. Only my thoughts, the music in my iPod and the gentle vibration of the train. This is something to do, this practice in staring, wanting nothing to do. In solitude I find that being alone is to be with God.

The server at the tea lounge said something yesterday that had my mind spinning. She said that it takes several brews to get to the center or the essence of the tea. Interesting thought. Then I started applying that concept to everyday life. Let's take dating for example. It takes a handful of dates to even get a slightest idea of what the other person is about. Sometimes you don't even get past the first date; the whole thing falls apart in the first 15 minutes. Then there are times when you think things are going well and you are hoping for the best but the exact opposite happens. So you pick up the broken bits of your heart and move on. BUT once in a while, you do get past the dating hump and start walking the path to building a relationship. This is the point where you start seeing the essence of the other person. The part where you start falling in mutual love with each other. Afterall, Love is our essence. Great love takes nurturing and when it's real, it will withstand the test of time. My all time favorite love story is that of Czar Nicholas II and the love of his life Alix.

safe in the net,

jakey