Ugh sick and plugged up. This is not how I expected to start off the New Year.

Can anyone tell me why we are even open this week? No one is around because they're all on vacation like normal people should be. Yesterday was quite mindless and so is today. And tomorrow will probably be similar.

Mandatory holiday vacations for all!

Wow! Its been over a year since I've put in a post. Tragic. Obviously a lot has changed in one year. But there are certain memories that feel like they were just yesterday....

Hallo everybody!

Greetings from Puerto Rico! I just returned from cruising and boozing in the Caribbean and now I am sad.  Its so weird how attached you become to people in ONE week.  Everyone that I met was so great that no one wanted it to end. We loved the people who sat at our table. We loved the crew. We loved the boat and everything that it had to offer.

Although I am sitting in a quite gorgeous hotel (Dom, you'd LOVE the style), the Normandie Hotel, it is freezing due to the air con and I am at a loss. Why? We don't know anyone here, the staff is friendly althougn not the same and we miss our new friends. We had lunch today in Old San Juan with my cousin and some of our crew buddies which was great because it was the last chance we can hang out like that. As we were shopping at Marshall's of all places, Zoltan, our assistant waiter came in through the door and I jumped for joy. Seeing him made me happy because he made our dinners so enjoyable (also b/c he was the only crew member that we just happen to bump into). 

its crazy to think that all of these amazing people from all over the world, LITERALLY, came together to work on this cruise and how as the year goes along, their contracts expire, they will go home to their country of origin and maybe not work together for a long time or if ever.  This makes me not like ship life.

But there are other parts of ship life that sound so amazing---being able to travel all over the world for free basically and not have any real bills to pay for. An interesting point was made at dinner last night by Dimetrius, our token Greek at our table who said, "A lot of these people come to work on the cruises because they come from poor countries that don't have a lot of opportunities." And for some reason, I never saw it like that. I just thought it was great that the crew was so international. We have made friends from Canada, France, Chile, Mexico, Honduras, Romania, Hungary, and England.  We never one met anyone from the States.

Anywhoo, I must go and have a pity party. :P

Hope to see everyone when I get back!

So I saw a bulletin on MySpace about typing your name into google (i.e. "Karla needs") and see what comes up.

What comes up? "Karla needs a good fucking." And then I found the rest....please enjoy. Thank you Furry Murry's xanga:

This is what my beloved snuffy filled in

I fuck Karla.
Karla is a fuck up the ass.
If I were alone in a room with Karla, I would fuck her.
I think Karla should fuck.
Karla needs good fucking.
I want to fuck Karla.
Karla reminds me of fucking.
Without Karla my life would be fucking good.
Memories of Karla are some good fucking times.
Karla can be fuckeroonie.
Worst thing about Karla is fucking.
Best thing about Karla is fucking.
I am the fuckerness with Karla.
Karla should fuck with me.
Karla has some good fucks.
Karla's favorite thing to do is fuck me

Dont you just feel the love?

I feel that its time that I update considering that I haven't in weeks.

I have started to read "The Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama; it was collecting dust since I bought it in high school and didn't really read it then. I feel that now is an appropriate time to read it.  After being an adult for awhile, I find it to not be as fulfilling as I thought it would be. Granted, I haven't been in this adult existance for a long time but still. Its not that I'm not happy, I just think that a void is starting to grow.

Work is good--busy and overwhelming at times considering that I was thrown into the deep end. Plus, they still don't know if I'm remaining as an office bitch or as Q&R. (For those of you who do not know, I work at Capitol Campaigns and Measures Q&R are the biggest thing happening in Sacramento for its the new arena deal which is causing a tizzy).  I go to bed around the same time I usually do, sometimes earlier. I wake up in the morning around 7 to get ready to go to work. I go to work and then I come home; sometimes around 5:30...sometimes a lot later. When I come home, I should work out or read or do something worth while and stimulating yet I have become a drone in front of the television although I sit in front of a screen for most of the day.

I am now understanding why Americans are becoming obese.
~~~~~~

If our purpose in life is to seek happiness, I wonder how I will find it.

Today started like any great, lazy day---at 5PM. Woke up circa 12:30 and dicked around online and then ate. Watched some TV and finally decided to get ready at 3:30 to go to Nordies and the mall....WHICH APPARENTLY CLOSES AT 7. WHO DOES THAT??

I did not find my purse that I wanted....boo. However, found some great accessories...yayer! Zully bought the hottest dress from Forever....absolutely gorgeous turquoise/ocean blue (it was the one we saw in Concord Dom!) for effing 22 dollars. We proceed to find amazing...AMAZING Guess shoes at Nordies...for 100. So, it averages out. :P

Got ready to go out to Hollywood. My cousin knows a girl who works for a promo company who throws clubs at the Loft..which was the VIP area of Highlands....since we went to Hollywood & Highlands...Due to the poshness...or so I thought; I went with white pants and my infamous boob shirt. First off, bars/clubs in LA serve small, expensive drinks. Secondly, they do not dance to "ghetto" or anything that has a good beat song. Rather they deal with crappy pop and mid tempo songs. So needless to say, for some time it was just us dancing. Then we figured out that we could enter the actual club...DERR...it wasn't that much better in there yet more crowded so it was easier. Zully and Kim got swooped on quite fast as they were both hot....and then one of those homies came to dance with me and I was NOT feeling this dude. I turned to him and said, "You look like my cousin." And he goes, "Well that should make you feel more comfortable shouldnt it?" I gave him the "Ugh no." loook. Hahha. He soon left. I liked the plethora of couches and seating that they had...that was a bonus. Esp the cute cute guy in the black polo. Whom we later met at the bar and his name was David....but apparently he wanted us to sit with him...although he did not offer to buy us a drink. He used his passport too...although it was a US passport and he was not foreign like we thought he was. Interesting person I guess. NOT. Bounced around...danced around...sat down next to some dude that reminded me of guys from back home. Our feeties were killing us, the couches were nice and there was carpet. MMM carpet. HAHA. Anyway, did a lot of couch dancing and gave the cousins a lap dance....because it was a good song! Finally got to dance to the new JTL song...fun! Went back to the main room and then it happened....E-40 CAME ON. Holla! And apparently I was the only one who really knew the song around me. Clearly, I came from the Bay. So here I am getting all into it and then this guy comes out of NOWHERE and starts to dance with me. I was not opposed because he was cute...and borderline gay. Still can't figure it out. Anyway, he was very....hands on. Which wouldn't have been horrible but you can't be THAT hands on when you're dancing to E-40...I can't get stupid and grind on you at the same time!!! Geez. Best part....he knocked his forehead into mine when he went in. Sorry bro. Ain't happening. Went to the outside patio upstairs...it sucked. At this point we decide to leave Hollywood and head over to Alhambra for chinese food.....and here comes my subject line.

So we get to Garden Cafe...which has a random ass array of food from chinese to japanese to american (with steak and potatoes).  The service is quite slow and that was boo. We got our appetizer before our drinks...which was weird. The girls got some teas and I got water....when the waiter came over he said, "Those three guys over there bought you your drinks." Oh? Thanks boys. We looked over and smiled but I dont think they saw us b/c of other people. So about 10 minutes later two out of three approach the table and said, "Hey, just wanted to say that we thought that you were all so pretty and wanted to buy you your drinks but you guys had ordered two the waiter said so we bought you one....which is kind of weird." Something to that effect. I thought that was weird, so I'm thinking the waiter wasn't about to change the tabs. But hey, I got a free refill so that's almost as if he bought two...right? Thanks Phil, Jerry and Frank. They wanted to hang out but Kim said, "Sorry we're from out of town....I'm from Dallas." And I said,"Yeah I'm from the Bay." and my favorite...Zully: "I live in Oakland." HAHAHAHA. They were nice boys though but realistically, where would we go? Your house? I think not. So I found it strange that the third homie didn't show himself....five minutes later, he comes said homie with Frank....Homie (Jerry) says, "Hi, I realize that we don't know your names...." intros happen blah blah blah. Anyway, I said that they were very sweet and that I hope they had a good night. I pay the bill and we leave. Note: I'm so effing full right now which is why I'm awake and posting.

As we're walking to the car we notice the funky ass smell that comes out of the back of the restaurant...I say, "It smells like Chinatown." After I said that these two guys come out from behind the building. At first I thought they were kitchen staff b/c who else is back there? Since I walk so fast, I almost ran into one of them so I said, "Oh I'm sorry" and kept on going.   Then I heard, "Excuse me." I thought the guy was talking to Zully b/c she was the last one. And I thought he was going to hit on her.

Dude: "I'm sorry...this is a weird question...don't worry we're not going to attack you." (Something like that) But yeah, I just have a question...."

Wingman: "Can I have your number? Just kidding."

Dude: "This is the first time I've done this....we were sitting inside there and when you girls walked in we thought you girls were so attractive. (The man has a point...we were the hottest girls there, I'm not going to lie....also note: he was staring only at me.) Have you ever just been attracted to someone? I was really attracted to you..."

Kim & Zully: "Who are you talking about??!"

Dude: "Well...you since I'm only looking at you. (i.e. me) I felt this instant attraction, and I know its weird but I couldn't leave here tonight without trying....what are you doing after this?"

Me: "Going to bed and sleeping."

Dude: "No but really...what are you doing?"

Me: "No...really. Going to bed."

Dude: "Do you want to get coffee?"

Me; "WHERE? Its 4am."

Dude: "We can go back inside."

Zully: "They just turned off the lights."

Dude: "We'll find someone place...come lets go get some coffee?"

Me: "How?"

Dude: "You get your in car and follow me somewhere."

Me: "Wait, what's your name?"

Dude: "I'm Frank"

Wingman: "I'm Joe" (Note: Joe...not cool.)

Me: "Wow, tonight has been all about Franks."

Frank: "Really? Frank's not that common of a name. Has another Frank asked you?"

Me: "Actually yes...so how are we going to do this? Frank, do you have a card?"

Frank: "No. I'll give you my number and tomorrow if you'd like call me. And if you feel more comfortable with your cousins then that's cool."

Kim: "Huh? What do you mean by that?"

Me: "I'm bringing you guys with me."

Kim: "Oh."

(Get Frank's number)

Joe: "Dude, don't be rude and not get her number." (No, Joe, no.)

Frank: "Its up to her if she wants to call me."

Me: "You're a good man Frank."

During some point of this whole conversation, I asked him what his last name was...its Chang. And then he asked us, talked about being cousins and not sisters...blah blah blah and I congratulated him for having the balls to do so.

End result?

Apparently I do well in Chinese cafes....at 4am. WEIRD.

ps. No A- Lister to be seen. Oh well. Free iced tea and potential free coffee later? Sounds good. Hahahahahaha. Oh So Cal....

For the record...today ROCKED.

Went to Seal Beach in the early afternoon to grab some lunch and sit at a cafe and be productive. I applied to three jobs and was working on a forth. During our time there, we noticed a particularly good lookiing individual walk in and my cousin Kim and I proceeded to have a dialoge via aim to discuss his finer points. She tells me to come over to check out this "email" of hers...and this is what I see:

http://imdb.com/name/nm0001038/

Low and behold, sitting right behind me was Josh Charlies of Dead Poets Society fame....had the girl not said "Josh" we would have not though so. Anyway, he's doing is thing...some random dude came in, bought a tape from him? The encounter lasted a grand total of 2 minutes. Hmm...what we doing over there Mr. Charles??? ANYWAY I was trying to throw away our lunch garbage but the litlte push door on the can was too small...so I tried to pry it off and it fell to the ground in a giant crash. OOPS. So later when Josh was leaving (note he was making some nice eye contact with both...mostly Kim b/c she was facing him) he was trhying to throw something away in the garbage....right as I was asking Kim, "Hey, isn't Carissa a project coordinator?" and he leans in and says, "Yes she is." :: swoon :: Haha that was awesome. And so as he was trying to fanagle the garbage can, I said, "Well, dont' be like me and knock it to the ground..." tee hee. Semi flirted iwth a C list celeb. SCORE!

Afterwards we walked around Seal Beach and saw the town which was quite Irish---on two blocks we saw four very Irish places: Irishers, O'Malleys, Hennessey, and something else...oopsies. Anyway, it was pretty sweet to see it.

Went to Orange to go to Lucky Strike which is this awesome adult playground...i.e. bars, tvs, pool and bowling. It was really cool. Met a bunch of Kim's old co workers and was just a lot of fun. Had dinner with the family...nummy nummy Thai food. Sooooo good!

Came back to Zully's, showered and got changed. Wore my new awesome black halter from H&M....and we headed off to Dimples, the first kareoke bar in the western hemisphere. This place is in Burbank so there's a good chance of seeing famous people. Five dollar cover, not so bad....but then 5 drinks cost me 37 effing dollars. DANG SON! You'd think they'd come in pint glasses. But noooooooo they were the tall skinny glasses of froggy's fame. There was this wonderfully gay man who just danced his heart out; loved him. But then later on....the best thing happened....

DENNIS HASKINS WALKS IN THROUGH THE DOOR. (Yes...yes yes...as in MR. BELDING!!!)

My life is complete. Or so I thought. So sweet, here comes in this definite B Lister and he shoots us a couple of smiles and does his thing. I went to the bathroom and walked by him and when I came out, he and his homie were blocking the way. However he was sitting down so I tapped on his friends shoulder and said, "Excuse me...sorry!" And Dennis says to me, "Just kick his ass" to which I said back, "Nooo...I'm not THAT mean." And I smiled like a fool. I hated how some people at the bar were so dumb and said, "MR BELDING!!!" just immature. In fact as soon as he walked in the door, he sang Piano Man and all of these drunkies came up on stage and he kicked them off after some time; that was cool. I don't like the whole, "OMG!!! I KNOW YOU!" thing....I just think its rude. I like the knowing smile. When he was on stage he said, "No Saved By the Bell theme songs" and made a crack about how did get him money.

More kareoke fun....and then who walks by me??!

TIMOTHY BUSFIELD.

(First time I loved him....as Pointdexter in Revenge of the Nerds....and then as Danny Concannon on West Wing http://imdb.com/name/nm0124079/)

OMG. Had I known that he was there, maybe I would have said something to him. At this point the night is winding down so I was like, "Hey, lets leave" so I could walk by him...shot him a smile and kept on going.....OMG! He's a definite B+ lister...I can't wait for tomorrow night!!!

Again, today was AWESOME.

Last note: the owner of the bar told Kim that she was kinky and was going to spank her if she didn't sing...HAHAHA

I love that it only took me ONE HOUR to get from Sac to Burbank!!! That's so effing awesome. Btw, Bob Hope Airport you stole a piece of my heart. I got to walk out of the plane down the stairs like old school days. <3 it.

Highlight of my day: (btw, it makes me sound like I'm 12)....one of my favorite customers who just happens to play bball and baseball for UCD or at least did...since he was a senior, knocked on the glass to say hi to me b/c I didn't say hi to him while he was the store b/c i was super busy.  It was a whole like, "Hey! You didn't say hi to me..." haha it was great. It made me smile for the rest of the day. =) Yes, I am a girl.

Anyway, so in So Cal I plan to apply for jobs, go to the beach and go out at night and be fab. Perhaps stlak Kathy Griffin too...haha just kidding. Celebrity stalkings creepy!!!

Welp! I'll update as things change.

ps. tonight i've managed to laugh uncontrollably on the street corner...picking up rocks to help Zully make gold for her little kiddles tomorrow morning.

pps. i think i'm slightly over it. "Over me? When...when were you under me?"

I hate feeling like a dumb girl and getting all bajiggity.

end of story.

ps. my eyes are burning. i guess i should take out my contacts.

Last week was pure celebratory graduation drinking.

This week is pure celebratory newly 21 year old drinking.

The weekly recap:

Monday: I was due for some nummy nummy Truffle in Paradise ice cream. And then....Naaaaaaaaaachoooooo Libre! "Chancho, sometimes a man likes to wear stretchy pants...just for fun!"  or...."Would you like to join me in my quarters tonight for some...toast?" But my favorite...FAVORITE line was "XOXOXxOo"---"Kiss, Hug, Kiss, Hug, Big Kiss, Little Kiss, Big Hug, Little Hug".

So many effing birthdays this week! First it was Ricky...then AJ...and then Adam...and then Quinn...and now a co worker. 3 out of 5 of them turned 21. Crazy .  [Note: These are the sequential days of the week]

(Tuesday) Ricky's Birthday: Post comedy night drinking fun...lots o yummy beer in the tummy. I forgot how great it was to get drunk off of beer.

(Wednesday) AJ's Birthday: $1 PBR at the G Saint for Funk Night---we got funky to Izza's favorite song. I LOVE IT.

(Thursday) Adam's Birthday: Well...due to Adash's geographical location...it was merely a phone call. Also, we were preparing for Quinn's big night.

(Thursday/Friday) Quinn's Birthday: A whole lot of debauchery--mostly on everyone else's part. I drank more in the beginning of the night to make sure that people can get home okay. Bar hopped and snapped tons of pictures to remember the night for those who couldn't remember it!

(Friday/Saturday) Morg's Birthday: That's tonight...no se si voy a ir.

I don't understand why I didn't have this much fun before this last couple of months. School's over and I need to become a real adult soon. Maybe this is my last attempt to have so much real fun? I don't know. All I do know is that I want to keep on having this much fun until we have to move away...

Ack.

Away.

Not like we're going to be very far away but still, nevertheless. At least we'll know lots of places to crash if we party back in Davis. That's always comforting. ;) I think.

Today as I was driving through Davis, I was belting out "Confidence" with a smile on my face, drumming on my steering wheel, wishing I could actually drum out this song. Although counterintuative to the lyrics, this song makes me happy.

i cant find my confidence today
and i don't feel like ever waking up
you don't look so bad your self today
hear the words i say
i speak them you just run away

and i can't show
you how real
how real things could be yeah...
and i believe
that you could feel
that you could feel something whoa...

when your close there's things i want to say
but i end up just not speaking at all
and if i spoke i fear you'd look the other way
a smile's not displayed
my confidence erased (Ohh...)

and i cant show
you how real
how real things could be yeah...
and i believe
that you could feel
that you could feel something whoa...

and i cant show
you how real
how real things could be yeah...
and i believe
that you could feel
that you could feel something whoa...

Ah...this is why I hate dating. V Squared agrees:

"Janice, I apologize to you if I don't seem real eager to jump into a forced awkward intimate situation that people like to call dating. I don't like the feeling. You're sitting there, you're wondering do I have food on my face, am I eating, am I talking too much, are they talking enough, am I interested I'm not really interested, should I play like I'm interested but I'm not that interested but I think she might be interested but do I want to be interested but now she's not interested? So all of the sudden I'm getting, I'm starting to get interested... And when am I supposed to kiss her? Do I have to wait for the door cause then it's awkward, it's like well goodnight. Do you do like that ass-out hug? Where you like, you hug each other like this and your ass sticks out cause you're trying not to get too close or do you just go right in and kiss them on the lips or don't kiss them at all? It's very difficult trying to read the situation. And all the while you're just really wondering are we gonna get hopped up enough to make some bad decisions? Perhaps play a little game called "just the tip". Just for a second, just to see how it feels. Or, ouch, ouch you're on my hair."

For the record, I'm a bit disappointed at myself for missing the last week of school. EVER.

Funny conversation that just occured. [Emphasis added by me]

zcktomcat: well gotta hit up the judo :-)
PhNxNdRgOn: Haha okay
PhNxNdRgOn: do your thang
zcktomcat: :-D
zcktomcat: lates ;-)
PhNxNdRgOn: see ya
zcktomcat: i didn't forget about that dinner offer either :-P
PhNxNdRgOn: haha okay good...i'm STOCKED up to my neck in groceries
PhNxNdRgOn: i need people to eat
PhNxNdRgOn: maybe next week
zcktomcat: hehehe i'm good at that
PhNxNdRgOn: or this weekend
zcktomcat: some say... the best
PhNxNdRgOn: OH REALLY?
PhNxNdRgOn: however, as much as my competative itch is...itching, i'm not going to challenge you
zcktomcat: lol at the DC!
PhNxNdRgOn: OOOOOOOH
PhNxNdRgOn: INTERESTING
PhNxNdRgOn: ew
PhNxNdRgOn: no.
PhNxNdRgOn: haha
PhNxNdRgOn: SUSHI
zcktomcat: sushi nobu!
PhNxNdRgOn: OOOOOOOOOH
PhNxNdRgOn: wait, this is counterintuative to my graduation plans
PhNxNdRgOn: how about post grad?
zcktomcat: hehehe the eating contest or cookin?
PhNxNdRgOn: eating contest
zcktomcat: sounds good to me
PhNxNdRgOn: i need to slim down like 3 millimeters to fit into the dress that i want to wear
zcktomcat: hehe take some judo!
PhNxNdRgOn: CHOP!
PhNxNdRgOn: see, can't do it
zcktomcat: i droped some serious lbs :-)
PhNxNdRgOn: yayer
PhNxNdRgOn: i dont deal well with....steps...or moves
PhNxNdRgOn: i'm more of a free spirit if you will =)
PhNxNdRgOn: however, i want to take up boxing
zcktomcat: hey if your bad ass enough to stand up to juri, your bad ass enough for judo
PhNxNdRgOn: or kickboxing...but none of that wussy cardio stuff
PhNxNdRgOn: LoL
PhNxNdRgOn: true, true
PhNxNdRgOn: i like that!
PhNxNdRgOn: =)
PhNxNdRgOn: you've just made my day
zcktomcat: :-D
PhNxNdRgOn: okay....go and judo....
PhNxNdRgOn: :P
zcktomcat: hehe bye
PhNxNdRgOn: bye bye

Conclusion: I am...a bad ass. :P

Let it be known that I am alive, safe and made it out with a bunch of bruises and scrapes.

IT WAS SO WORTH IT--the experiences, the new friends, etc...it was so bomb!

ps. No LA trip...meaning...I need to figure out something for that weekend!

As I'm listening to the ever so popular 107.9 and they were playing that song by Fort Minor sprinkled with people's thoughts on graduation---it got me a thinking.

As the quarter is coming to an end...it just seems that things are beginning! From now to the end, there are so many things going on, so many things to do. This weekend, Houseboats; next weekend, Shefi's awesome one woman show and parental dinner; weekend after that is Grad and everything that comes with it (i.e. 50 members of my family) and the weekend after that--MOOOdesto! For a great weekend at the Shorts; and finally after that--LA HERE I COME! For Izza's and Patty Cake's graduation party plus more family time and whatever else LA has to throw at me (and I'm hoping for some good things to be thrown!) So crazily booked its not even funny.

How was it possible that only four years ago we were finishing high school, wrapped up in senior events like prom, planning for college, etc? Now we're faced with planning for life, living it and enjoying it.

Four years ago, I tentively made plans with new roomie Dominqiue about what to bring into the dorms...little did I know that she would become my best friend and life partner (and little did I know that she was ahem...not of color). I've said it once, I'll say it again---Ski Ski is the best thing that has ever happened in Davis.

Four years later, we have made tentative plans for what to do next year and we'll see where the road takes us.

And now I have to pack, write a paper, and hopefully grab some sleep before embarking on the four longest days in my life. =P

peace.

Although I don't SAY this...I often feel like this.


Mostly b/c my target demographic includes really ghetto people or the really awkward band kids who think they have a shot with me b/c I'm not like overtly hot. =P

I hate it when you miss phone calls b/c you forgot you left your phone in your car...FOR HOURS.