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25 Random Things About Me
I posted this on my Facebook because it’s the new thing going around, and since I worked so hard to come up with 25 random but interesting facts about myself, I figured that I’d post it to my blog too.
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1) I was born and raised in San Jose and have never lived anywhere outside of San Jose.
2) My first vacation ever was a trip to Disneyland when I was 11. I went with my Aunt, her husband and son (who is on Facebook and tagged in this note.)
3) I have done voiceover work for over 20 video games. You can listen to my demo here: http://voice123.com/evelyn
4) I think I get my creativity from my dad. He tinkers with big expensive things like granite cutting and furniture building while I tinker with smaller things like… card making and crocheting.
5) My husband Christian and I have been together for 8 1/2 years and have been married for 2.
6) Christian is exactly a foot taller than me.
7) I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 23 because I had/have a fear of driving. It’s uncommon that I drive and rare that I have a passenger with me (that’s pretty much never).
8 ) I worry that I will hurt someone by doing something unintentionally stupid/careless with my driving someday. I think I really believe that asians can’t drive. At least this one, anyway. I don’t think that helps my fear.
9) My parents owned a Chinese fast food restaurant in downtown San Jose when I was a child up until the time I started junior high school. It was called Mr. Tung’s Restaurant and it was a block away from San Jose State University. It could have been the next Mr. Chau’s but with better food…
10) I fell off of a stage in high school… twice. The first time, I pretty much walked off of the edge and my head landed on the edge of a platform (it was during a blackout/scene change during a live show and I misjudged where I was stepping.) I made it to intermission before we stopped the show though. No concussion, just lots of pain. The second time I did it, my backpack broke my fall so it was painless. I thought there were stairs where there actually weren’t.
11) I won money in high school for singing in a musical for American Musical Theatre Honors night and used it towards a vocal technique class. One of my classmates later became one of my bosses at Yahoo!. Small world.
12) I love fast food but rarely eat it. If it didn’t make me feel so sick and fat, I’d probably have fast food every day. Taco Bell mexican pizza, Jack in the Box monster tacos, McDonald’s chicken sandwiches, KFC original recipe WITH potato wedges – those are just a few of my favorites… *sigh* miss them…
13) 7 and 13 are my favorite numbers. Blue is my favorite color. Night time is my favorite time of day. Smiling’s my favorite.
14) Sometimes, I miss my mom’s cooking. She lives 10 minutes away, but the whole driving thing keeps me from crashing her place for dinner.
15) I was always intimidated by my dad as a kid. Now, not so much. Not at all, really. He has his goofy and weird moments like me.
16) My parents don’t celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas, but I really REALLY want to make them celebrate with me. It’s just not really an option at this point.
17) I LOVE taking pictures, but hate having to sift through them to decide what to upload and what to hide forever.
18) I enjoy creating and manipulating in Photoshop and wish I had more opportunities to do it for projects, not just for myself.
19) I love “In My Life” by the Beatles. I don’t know if it’s my favorite song in the whole wide world, but it’s up there on the list.
20) I also recently discovered how much I like “Helter Skelter” by the Beatles.
21) Chile Picante is my favorite flavor of Corn Nuts. Nacho cheese is my second choice.
22) I get annoyed by people who try too hard to be funny or fit in, but I have moments when I’m out with a group and don’t feel like trying at all and wonder if they’re annoyed by my lack of trying. Sometimes, a girl just doesn’t feel social… it happens.
23) When I order a create-you-own ice cream at Coldstone (not one of the signature creations), it is cheesecake ice cream with strawberries & graham crackers at least 90% of the time.
24) I was pied in the face with a whipped cream pie in high school once and was PISSED. I am not a good sport when it comes to pies in the face, so please don’t ever do it.
25) I paid less than $90 for my wedding dress and over $100 to have it dry cleaned.
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Unsatisfying Start to 2009
Christian and I decided to get some shopping done today and boy was it not what we imagined or wanted… at all. We went to Michael’s with my 50% off coupon but I wasn’t able to find a great big-ticket item to use it on. I ended up using it to save a whopping $2.50 on treat bags. We then went to Borders to use up a $10 gift card I received from participating in a focus group at work. We were on the hunt for calendars since we didn’t get all of the calendars we wanted for Christmas. No good wall calendars at Borders (at least not at the one in Milpitas). I picked up two desk calendars (Scrapbook stickers and “How to Cook Everything”) but no calendars for Christian. We went to pay for my stuff and the cashier scans my card and tells me it isn’t valid. Apparently, whoever scanned it to put money on it didn’t punch in the number correctly, so my gift card was useless.
Moving on to the Great Mall:
Since there were no good wall calendars at Borders, we decided to try the calendar store in the Great Mall. After unsuccessfully scouring the Great Mall parking lot for 15 minutes for a spot, Christian dropped me off to shop on my own while he continued on his hunt for a space. It only took him a total of 25 minutes of roaming the lot before he found a spot. I met up with him at the calendar store where there were no good calendars left. We then decided to go to Old Navy since I had a gift card and it was right across the way. The place was packed and things were a mess. I found a couple of things but really wanted a knitted sweater that I saw hanging by a 50% off sign so I had the cashier price check it for me before ringing me up. Of course, it was not 50% off… even though all of the sweaters were hanging in that same 50% off section! Idiots.
We headed to the Skechers store because we are both on the hunt for new shoes so we can chuck our worn out ones. I found a pair that I liked – no wait – I found a single shoe in my size that I liked (its partner was the display shoe with scuff marks all over it). Christian found a pair that he liked but not in his size. He asked an employee if he could check for a size 14 and the guy automatically shot him down and told us that they didn’t carry 14s in the store. Total lie. We’d purchased multiple size 14 shoes from that store in the past. Granted, this time there really was no size 14 for that particular shoe (we insisted that he check the back for us anyway) but to not even put the effort in before shooting us down just pissed me off a little. Whatever. After that disappointing venture, we decided to leave the mall.
Next up – Target:
I found most of the items on my shopping list there, so that wasn’t terrible. The annoying part of this trip was the clearance suitcase that we found for Lily that we weren’t allowed to buy! I wanted to pick up a little suitcase for Lily to hold all of her food, treats, and toys when we drop her off at my parents’ house or take her on trips. It was annoying to pack three little bags for her, so having one suitcase would have been nice and organized. We came across a cute pink camo rolling suitcase that was clearanced for $17.50 with just enough room for all of her stuff. When the cashier scanned the item, the computer gave her an error and then bold red text appeared on the screen that said, “DO NOT SELL THIS ITEM.” Apparently, the suitcase was recalled and they were not allowed to sell it. We just wanted it for our Dog! Lame. Stupid. Pissed me off.
The only fully successful shopping destination we hit was Walgreens. We were in and out in 5 minutes – no fuss. Of all places. *Sigh*
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Thanksgiving Weekend
Happy Thanksgiving!
Christian and I are in Las Vegas, Nevada again this year to enjoy Thanksgiving with his aunt. We flew out here yesterday morning and his parents flew out here last night. It’s a tad rainy here, so I expect to be drenched for Black Friday shopping tomorrow. We checked out the Planet Hollywood hotel yesterday, had lunch at the Spice Market Buffet (I hate waaaay too much), and Christian played a few hands of Blackjack.
The turkey is in the oven, appetizers are out, and there are a bajillion people over at his aunt’s house (okay, not a bajillion, but maybe 12 or so). I’m excited for dinner. Thanksgiving meals are always so good. This day always makes me wish I was home with my own family though. Just a small part of me. It’s not so bad because my parents don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. I just want to force them to one year though, ya know? Today is like any other day for them, except that they are spending it with our dog Lily while we’re away.
Black Friday shopping will begin around 3 AM for us at Fry’s. I don’t think that getting in line at 3AM will be early enough to score the laptops we’ve been asked to buy for people, but whatever… we’ll see. Store opens at 5. Last year, we lined up at Best Buy at 3:30AM here in Vegas and the line was already wrapped outside of the parking lot. Did I also mention it’s raining here? It’s going to be a cold, wet Black Friday.
We head out to Cheesecake Factory for lunch tomorrow with his family and will be flying home tomorrow night. Someone is going to have to roll me on to the plane at the rate we’re eating. I’m feeling a tad blubberish at the moment.
That’s the update from Vegas. Hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying their Thanksgiving Holiday!
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Obama For Yo Mama
That’s a quote from Stefania’s tee shirt. I can’t get it out of my head.
But hey…
Can we say YAY!
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Bad, Bad Girl
Lily is in a destructive mood today and I don’t have the time or energy to deal.
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The Block
Who wants to be my favorite friend and get me a copy of this CD????
Reunited New Kids release a CD
By Solvej Schou Associated Press
Article Launched: 09/03/2008 06:03:46 PM PDT
They’re far from new, no longer boys. In fact, New Kids on the Block have definitely been around the block since making “tween” girls scream with joy in the late ’80s and early ’90s before breaking up in 1994.
Baby-faced Joey McIntyre attracted fans on TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” in 2005. Mark Wahlberg’s older brother, Donnie, has sustained an acting career. Four out of the five guys, all pushing 40, have kids.
The pop-R&B’s group’s new reunion album, “The Block” (Interscope), comes 20 years after 1988′s “Hangin’ Tough” went multiplatinum. The guys, including Danny Wood and brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, look handsomely rugged now, a sure draw for old-time female fans, today in their mid-20s to 30s.
Songs such as “2 in the Morning” and “Summertime” have an strong retro groove: “I think about you in the summertime, and all the good times we had, baby,” the guys sing in unison on this upbeat, head-bopper. “2 in the Morning” makes a cheesy reference to TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy” but offers the kind of late-night R&B soul made for couples in need of soothing.
The album’s myriad producers and writers, including Bryan-Michael Cox, Emmanuel Kiriakou, RedOne, Fernando and Nazaree, layer on the sleekness.
“Click Click Click,” a breathy slow jam riding on hand claps and vocal trills, takes a page from the handbook of Justin Timberlake.
There are throwaway songs (i.e. the lyrically cliche “Sexify My Love” and “Twisted”), and appearances by Ne-Yo and Akon don’t necessarily boost NKOTB’s cred. But “Full Service,” while run through the synth ringer, effectively features NKOTB forefathers New Edition crooning along to a bouncy rhythm.
CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: “Grown Man,” a melding of old-school and new featuring the Pussycat Dolls and producer/singer Teddy Riley, is a catchy, swaggering number, with the Dolls adding a musical twist on Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools.” “I’m gonna give you some grown man,” the guys boast behind loose drum beats.
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Dislikes
I very much strongly dislike walking my dog. I will be dislocating my wrist or shoulder one day, thanks to her.
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48 Hour Film Project – Photos
Here are the photos from Saturday’s project:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleepyeve/sets/72157606808836166/
This is Bodbrane the Wizard working his magic:
Movie to come later this week!
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San Jose 48 Hour Film Project 2008
The 48 Hour Film Project for San Jose started 7:30 PM Friday and ended 7:30 PM tonight. The genre Christian & Jason pulled was fantasy. The required prop was a pin. The required character was Chris or Christie Doyle the drummer. The required line of dialogue was “What just happened?”
Christian & Jason, of course, went in full force and came out with an excellent end product (in my opinion). I spent Friday night – Saturday morning cranking out two wizard costumes and assembled several props. Christian had to take Lily to obedience class alone Saturday morning because I was way behind schedule and was still assembling wizard robe #2. Thank goodness class ran late because that bought me an extra 15 much-needed minutes to sew sleeves on! I played photographer all day Saturday while the guys shot their footage. At about 5 PM, I started feeling the onset of exhaustion and realized that my mind was a little gone when I started texting in Gibberish to Jason’s wife, Sharon. After 40 sleepless hours, I finally hit the sack for a much-needed 11 hours last night. I still feel completely exhausted, but it’s very satisfying to know everything we accomplished in a mere two days.
I’ll post photos and pictures as soon as they get uploaded.
The film will be shown on the big screen at the Camera 12 theaters downtown this coming Wednesday for those of you who are in need of plans Wednesday night and want to support us (at least help vote for us to win the audience award!) It’s the Camera 12 Cinemas on Second street. The films start at 7:30. Hope to see some of you there!
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Family Giving Tree – Back to School Drive
Christian and I went shopping for our donation to the Back to School Drive being hosted at Yahoo!. Shopping was always my most favorite part about going back to school. We loaded up on tons of goodies for a low-income 6th-8th grade girl. We weren’t allowed to buy red or blue backpacks, so I chose purple (because pink was just a hair too girly). I hope she likes everything we got her.
Yes, that is Purell anti-bacterial gel. Cleanliness is important so don’t knock it.
If you have the opportunity, consider making a donation too. You can make a monetary donation or buy a backpack for some lucky kid. Visit the Family Giving Tree website for more info.
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RIP Pillow
Lily ripped my handmade pillow (1 of 2) that I made for our couch almost 3 years ago to shreds. She pulled the blanket that was on the couch because it was sitting a little too close to her crate and the pillow must have moved right up against the crate bars. I’m a little sad and a little mad. Cuteness will not win this owner over this week. Nope.
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Lily’s First Day of School – Follow Up
Lily went to her first session of obedience class yesterday. The session was an hour long at Sirius Dog Training with Eleanor Stewart in South San Jose. Great instructor. She’s super-nice, direct, and uber-knowledgeable. Lily was only second-worst in class. She wasn’t THE worst, but her excitement (causing her to constantly whine) certainly put her up there. Lessons learned for next class:
- Don’t feed her breakfast in the morning or she’ll be done with treats before class is over.
- Bring paper towels in case she decides to hurl in class (Lily didn’t do this, another dog did).
- Bring tiny bites of soft, chewy food instead of her usual crunchy treats – she takes too long to consume those.
I’m uber-glad that she didn’t pee in class from being so excited, but I certainly hope that we work with her enough this week to make that more manageable by next class ’cause it’s a little embarrassing.
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Lily’s First Day of School
Today is Lily’s first day of obedience school. We leave in about half an hour for Sirius Dog Training – south San Jose location. It will be 6 weeks, an hour a week on Saturdays starting at 9 AM. I’m not expecting any miracles, but I’m hoping to learn how to get her to listen to us. Walking is one of the biggest problems we have with her, so we’ll see what they have to say today. I’m not too sure about what to expect. Look for a follow-up to this post!