In just a few hours, it'll officially be the year 2010. Can you believe it? It's no lie that the older you are, the faster time seems to fly. I remember thinking my summer breaks were ions and school would never come. Now, entire years are flashing right before my eyes.
I don't usually make resolutions for the new year. Why willingly create a situation where I'll disappoint myself? LOL If anything, I'll try to get back on track with my Bucket List. I've let it slip these past few months as life just seemed to overwhelm me. I'll work harder at achieving some of these goals.
Anyone make any resolutions for 2010? Be creative. We all know we could all stand to lose a few pounds or eat healthier. What about something off-the-wall? Climb Mount Everest? Surf a gigantic wavce? Eat Rocky Mountain oysters?
December 31, 2009
December 20, 2009
Look Back On Life
Driving home today I saw this young, teen couple walking down the street. They must've been around 18 years old and looked so happy and in love. I remember being that age and this time of year would've been the first winter break of my freshman year in college. I laughed to myself because I remember that first semester was pretty turbulent in terms of school, life and love. Some days I'd swear I was about to die of unhappiness. Other days were the best times of my life. It's weird how emotional you are when you're young.
Back in the day I remember crying a lot more than I do now. I remember feeling like I was so in love but that my heart was broken into a million pieces. I remember thinking no one's ever felt this way before and that if it hurt this bad it must be love. Real original, right? LOL
I remember telling myself that awful saying, "If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it's yours forever. If it dosen't, then it was never meant to be." I constantly told this to myself because I thought I was being the bigger person. I thought this was what you did when you truly loved someone - you let them be who they were meant to be even if, in the end, their life didn't include you.
But looking back on it now, I think I was just scared. I was scared to really love someone, to lose control and let fate take its course. I told myself it was better for him if I let him go because our paths never seemed to match each others. It always seemed as if I were a minute too slow or he was a few steps behind. I was unwilling to get off my path and try his for a while and vice versa. So, I told myself that maybe some day we'd sync up and it'd work out but today just wasn't the day. So in the end I let him go.
Several years after college I actually found his profile on one of those social media networks. I wasn't purposely looking for him. (I'm not that insane.) I was just clicking on friends of friends of friends and came across a familiar handle. He would always use very peculiar and unique nicknames and this one caught my eye.
After clicking on the profile, a photo confirmed that it was indeed him. He looked the same as I remembered, except older and more muscular. I was so shocked to see him (sort of) after all this time, I just about had a panic attack. His profile summary said he was married, but this wasn't too surprising. We were, after all, in our early 20s by then. It was also about this time that I was reconnecting with other friends via this social media network so I sent a quick note to see how he was doing.
After several notes back and forth he called me from Iraq, where he was currently stationed. This was around Thanksgiving and his birthday, and it was just really weird to hear his voice after so long. I can't say that I actually recognized it, but it did feel familiar to me somehow. Even though we were just catching up with each other's lives, it felt as though we'd never lost contact. It was interesting in a Twilight Zone kind of way.
We talked a bit about the old days and stuff that had happened. It did my ego good to hear that he'd never forgotten about me and had even tried to locate me a couple years after we lost touch. We said we'd definitely keep in touch this time and contact each other if we were ever in the area. He said he'd call me when he got back to the States. But, of course, this never happened and we simply slipped away from each other again. (This entire thing is terribly romantic in that British, Jane Austen/Emily Bronte kind of way, isn't it?) Anyway, thinking about it now, these couple of phone calls were probably a good way to close that chapter of my life.
All of this seems like an entire lifetime ago. Back then I used to obsess about it. Now it rarely comes to my mind. At times like these when I do think about him, I wonder what he's up to and hope he's doing well. I guess there's something to be said about that awful saying after all. If it doesn't come back, it's not meant to be. And at this point in my life, I can honestly say that I'm content with that.
Back in the day I remember crying a lot more than I do now. I remember feeling like I was so in love but that my heart was broken into a million pieces. I remember thinking no one's ever felt this way before and that if it hurt this bad it must be love. Real original, right? LOL
I remember telling myself that awful saying, "If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it's yours forever. If it dosen't, then it was never meant to be." I constantly told this to myself because I thought I was being the bigger person. I thought this was what you did when you truly loved someone - you let them be who they were meant to be even if, in the end, their life didn't include you.
But looking back on it now, I think I was just scared. I was scared to really love someone, to lose control and let fate take its course. I told myself it was better for him if I let him go because our paths never seemed to match each others. It always seemed as if I were a minute too slow or he was a few steps behind. I was unwilling to get off my path and try his for a while and vice versa. So, I told myself that maybe some day we'd sync up and it'd work out but today just wasn't the day. So in the end I let him go.
Several years after college I actually found his profile on one of those social media networks. I wasn't purposely looking for him. (I'm not that insane.) I was just clicking on friends of friends of friends and came across a familiar handle. He would always use very peculiar and unique nicknames and this one caught my eye.
After clicking on the profile, a photo confirmed that it was indeed him. He looked the same as I remembered, except older and more muscular. I was so shocked to see him (sort of) after all this time, I just about had a panic attack. His profile summary said he was married, but this wasn't too surprising. We were, after all, in our early 20s by then. It was also about this time that I was reconnecting with other friends via this social media network so I sent a quick note to see how he was doing.
After several notes back and forth he called me from Iraq, where he was currently stationed. This was around Thanksgiving and his birthday, and it was just really weird to hear his voice after so long. I can't say that I actually recognized it, but it did feel familiar to me somehow. Even though we were just catching up with each other's lives, it felt as though we'd never lost contact. It was interesting in a Twilight Zone kind of way.
We talked a bit about the old days and stuff that had happened. It did my ego good to hear that he'd never forgotten about me and had even tried to locate me a couple years after we lost touch. We said we'd definitely keep in touch this time and contact each other if we were ever in the area. He said he'd call me when he got back to the States. But, of course, this never happened and we simply slipped away from each other again. (This entire thing is terribly romantic in that British, Jane Austen/Emily Bronte kind of way, isn't it?) Anyway, thinking about it now, these couple of phone calls were probably a good way to close that chapter of my life.
All of this seems like an entire lifetime ago. Back then I used to obsess about it. Now it rarely comes to my mind. At times like these when I do think about him, I wonder what he's up to and hope he's doing well. I guess there's something to be said about that awful saying after all. If it doesn't come back, it's not meant to be. And at this point in my life, I can honestly say that I'm content with that.
Vision Update
I went for a follow up last Tuesday to check out the pressure in my left eye. Apparently it's finally about normal. After some testing and whatnot, the doc said that my vision is off by only one diopter for each eye. They both are also plagued with slight astigmatism.
The good news is that this will not require Lasik to fix and can be done in the office. He said for me to come back in a month and re-check my eyes. If everything is stable and consistent, we'll go ahead and do the procedure that same day. Upon healing, it should clear up the last bit of nearsightedness that I have. I can't wait.
This is great news! However, I suppose this means that I'll have to put off the shark dive I was planning to do with a friend in January. Hopefully she understands. Maybe we'll go sometime in the spring? My eyes should've healed by then, right?
The good news is that this will not require Lasik to fix and can be done in the office. He said for me to come back in a month and re-check my eyes. If everything is stable and consistent, we'll go ahead and do the procedure that same day. Upon healing, it should clear up the last bit of nearsightedness that I have. I can't wait.
This is great news! However, I suppose this means that I'll have to put off the shark dive I was planning to do with a friend in January. Hopefully she understands. Maybe we'll go sometime in the spring? My eyes should've healed by then, right?
December 15, 2009
Christ, Another Cold!
I'm sick again and don't want to talk about it. Every time I alter my sleep schedule, I somehow get sick within the next couple of days. That's a horrible immune system I have. I've got the stuffy nose and sneezing going on. I'm also getting chills off and on. I really hope it's not the flu. I didn't get a flu shot.
December 11, 2009
. . . And I'm Back
Just returned home from my Vegas jaunt this morning - 3:30 a.m. this morning to be exact. I was supposed to arrive at 12:15 p.m. yesterday, but our plane had some kind of mechanical failure light pop on. We were midway down the runway when the pilot put on the breaks. Thought it'd only take an hour to check out, but they ended up sending us back to a hotel to wait it out. Because of this, I'd say there are about 200 people tired out of their minds today.
While many people would love an extra day in Vegas, it'd be a lot better if they'd known ahead of time. Many of the people, who must've been older than God, pulled all-nighters on Wednesday since we had a 5 a.m. call time. This turned out bad since we were stuck in vegas for another 12 hours or so.
At the hotel, we were given meal vouchers so at least the food was free. But how many times can you really eat a buffet? The flight home was long and made longer when we didn't lift off till about an hour after scheduled. This time, in the new plane, a door light wouldn't come on. They had to call in the maintenance people to fix it.
Despite this, I had a nice time in Vegas. I got to go shopping and see Jersey Boys at the Palazzo. We tried to see the Platters, Coasters and Marvelettes, but the show got canceled. This is the second time I've been in Vegas and haven't gotten to see this show. It must be a sign. I ate at Olive Garden (yum!) and saw some hotels. I got in some gambling time and wouldn't have lost so much if we left on time. But since we were delayed 12 hours, I ended up putting a bunch of money back into the slots. Damn it!
The weather was a nippy 30-40 degrees the entire time we were there. I think after the first day we became immune to the cold. After a while it just felt nice and not OMG freezing. We were able to walk around in capris and a long-sleeved shirt with a light jacket. A positive thing about arriving in Honolulu at 2 a.m. is that the temperature was 74 degrees. If we'd arrived at noon as scheduled, we probably would've fainted from the 80-degree heat.
While many people would love an extra day in Vegas, it'd be a lot better if they'd known ahead of time. Many of the people, who must've been older than God, pulled all-nighters on Wednesday since we had a 5 a.m. call time. This turned out bad since we were stuck in vegas for another 12 hours or so.
At the hotel, we were given meal vouchers so at least the food was free. But how many times can you really eat a buffet? The flight home was long and made longer when we didn't lift off till about an hour after scheduled. This time, in the new plane, a door light wouldn't come on. They had to call in the maintenance people to fix it.
Despite this, I had a nice time in Vegas. I got to go shopping and see Jersey Boys at the Palazzo. We tried to see the Platters, Coasters and Marvelettes, but the show got canceled. This is the second time I've been in Vegas and haven't gotten to see this show. It must be a sign. I ate at Olive Garden (yum!) and saw some hotels. I got in some gambling time and wouldn't have lost so much if we left on time. But since we were delayed 12 hours, I ended up putting a bunch of money back into the slots. Damn it!
The weather was a nippy 30-40 degrees the entire time we were there. I think after the first day we became immune to the cold. After a while it just felt nice and not OMG freezing. We were able to walk around in capris and a long-sleeved shirt with a light jacket. A positive thing about arriving in Honolulu at 2 a.m. is that the temperature was 74 degrees. If we'd arrived at noon as scheduled, we probably would've fainted from the 80-degree heat.
December 5, 2009
Pack It Up, Pack It In
Well, not exactly House of Pain, but I'm packed and ready for Vegas. Megabucks, here I come! I think I've definitely overpacked though. The weather in Vegas is supposed to range from the 30s to 50s so compared to Hawaii, this is freezing! I packed a gazillion sweaters and jackets, tights and pants. I'm only in Vegas for about 4 days but I have about a week or more worth of clothes. I don't know if the weather will be super cold so I also have some thinner pieces, in case layering is enough. I don't know how mainland folks can live this way. Must be nice for shoppers.
December 3, 2009
Vegas Vacation
Is it sad that all I care about is not being at work? The count down to vacation isn't about the traveling. It's simply about not having to work. With that in mind, I only have one more day before I can relax into my vacation.
I don't fly out till Sunday and still have to do some laundry and pack. It's going to be freezing up there - probably in the 50s during the day and 30s at night. Good thing I picked up a thick jacket in preparation for Japan. At least if I don't get into JET, I'll still have made use of the thing.
I've got a tentative itinerary for the trip that is packed with shows and tours. The first night my BFF and I plan on going to the Plaza Hotel & Casino, which is just around the corner from where we're staying at the Cal. Depending on how fast we can get there from the airport, we wanted to catch Rat Pack is Back. Yes, we'll be the youngest ones there but who cares? It's the faux Rat Pack! Who could pass that up?
On Monday night, my sister and nieces fly in and we're planning to do a Haunted Vegas Tour that includes a seance. The reviews I read were mostly positive. I don't know if my younger niece will be down with the seance though. It might just freak her out.
Tuesday is Jersey Boys night for me and my BFF. My sister will be at a work function and my nieces will be on their own. Afterwards, the plan is to go clubbing. Know of any good spots we should hit up? We wanted to check out Minus 5 Ice Lounge at Mandalay.
On Wednesday, my sister and nieces are going to Criss Angel. I'm skipping that and will have a free couple of hours. Wonder if I can hit the Megabucks during that time? It only takes a minute, right?
We fly out on an 8 a.m. flight on Thursday. Because of this, we'll probably pull an all-nighter and just gamble or hang out. No sense sleeping for a couple hours when we need to be up early anyway. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep on the plane ride home.
I don't fly out till Sunday and still have to do some laundry and pack. It's going to be freezing up there - probably in the 50s during the day and 30s at night. Good thing I picked up a thick jacket in preparation for Japan. At least if I don't get into JET, I'll still have made use of the thing.
I've got a tentative itinerary for the trip that is packed with shows and tours. The first night my BFF and I plan on going to the Plaza Hotel & Casino, which is just around the corner from where we're staying at the Cal. Depending on how fast we can get there from the airport, we wanted to catch Rat Pack is Back. Yes, we'll be the youngest ones there but who cares? It's the faux Rat Pack! Who could pass that up?
On Monday night, my sister and nieces fly in and we're planning to do a Haunted Vegas Tour that includes a seance. The reviews I read were mostly positive. I don't know if my younger niece will be down with the seance though. It might just freak her out.
Tuesday is Jersey Boys night for me and my BFF. My sister will be at a work function and my nieces will be on their own. Afterwards, the plan is to go clubbing. Know of any good spots we should hit up? We wanted to check out Minus 5 Ice Lounge at Mandalay.
On Wednesday, my sister and nieces are going to Criss Angel. I'm skipping that and will have a free couple of hours. Wonder if I can hit the Megabucks during that time? It only takes a minute, right?
We fly out on an 8 a.m. flight on Thursday. Because of this, we'll probably pull an all-nighter and just gamble or hang out. No sense sleeping for a couple hours when we need to be up early anyway. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep on the plane ride home.
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