Last night, I went with Belinda, et al to this Mexican restaurant for karaoke. The place was small and a bit cramped with all the people there. All Latinos. Belinda sang a song or two. I sang a Paulina Rubio song. And Belinda and I did one of our famous :) duets: "Always" by Atlantic Starr. We did the only English song that night, heh.

When I entered the place, I saw this guy sitting at a table and I thought to myself, he looks familiar; I think I know him... And I thought back and decided he was probably this guy I met last year when I went to Tammy's birthday party at the restaurant her sister works at. It was this guy that worked there who I thought was kinda cute. Later on that night before he was about to leave, when he walked by me I touched his arm. And he looked at me and was like, "hey, wassup, girl." lol. So cute in his fob accent. :) So we spoke briefly asking how the other was doing. Then he asks if I have a cell now to get my number. I'm thinkin' - this fool ain't call me the last time I gave him my number! :-P But he goes into his phone and my name was in there, then I give him my digits. Wonder if he'll call this time. His English seemed pretty good. I don't remember if he really spoke it that well the last time I saw him. But then, I just spoke to him in Spanish that one time.

So when I first walked into the place and we're heading to a table, this guy stops me talkin' 'bout he likes hair like mine, with curls and what not. I think he gave me some line, and even touched my face. I just smiled and said thank you. And he was sweatin' me the whole evening. You should have seen him. He asked if we could get to know each other outside of the bar. I said maybe, but I suppose I'm leaning more towards "maybe not." I tell ya, I need to learn to say what I really mean and stop being too nice. He also told me I spoke Spanish very well, that I spoke it better then all the Central and South Americans and Boriquas and Dominicans and what not, that he understand everything I was saying. I think he was just referring to how I enunciate and mostly speak "proper" Spanish. Weirdo. When he asked me what I was, I told him to guess. First he guessed the Philippines... He also said Peru. Ha.

Anyway, at least Belinda didn't get arrested this time. :) haha. Got home around 2 or 3, I think. I woke up about 7 for some reason, the alarm on my phone went off. I don't remember setting it. So I let my dog out and fed him. Then I went back to sleep cuz I'm lazy like that. I was in and out of sleep during that time. And funny, I think I kinda started thinking about that Cambodian guy I met the other night and then he called. This was around 10:30 this morning and we spoke for two hours. Still don't know how I should feel about him. But he seems like cool peeps.

He's told me several times how he perceived me as a conservative person. Good observation. :) He also told me he thought I was Cambodian when he saw me. He even said that he knows this one Cambodian girl that looks just like me. And it turns out he's not full-blooded Khmer. He was born in Phnom Penh and speaks the language, but his dad is actually Chinese/Vietnamese and his mom Chinese/Khmer. He wants to learn Spanish and I wanna learn Khmer, so we got a good trade off. I'm gonna impress my mom now. :)

Hmm... I wonder what today will hold in terms of what I end up doing. There's a chance I'll go to the movies with Tara and Taneka. I should try to be studious and read some books.

This week was the worse in terms of commuting for me. Getting him between 9:30 and 10:30 every night this week and having to wait for my stupid parents to pick me up is a pain in the ASS!! Although, Tara was kind enough to get me last night and I got home "early". Like 9:15. :-P

Wednesday I went back to the deli in the building down from mine since the one in my building was closed. This time I talked to the brother of the one Palestinian guy I was chatting with last time. We were talking about Arabic and accents and stuff. He said my accent was nice - not Gulfi (the countries in the Gulf, e.g. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait), but that it was more Levantine (FYI: the Levant is the countries of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine). Heh. That's funny, cuz I didn't think I had really developed an accent yet, at this point. But I guess since my dear friend Nadine is Lebanese, perhaps some of her speech has rubbed off on me.

Yo, last night was a crazy night. I ended up going to the club with Belinda. Danced a tiny bit of salsa, a bunch of merengue, then some bachata. And then danced to reggaeton. Got tired of all that and went to look for Belinda, who hadn't come back from the bathroom like she said she was going. Found her in another room. Ended up dancing to some old school joints - eighties/early nineties jams. Met some Cambodian peeps. There was a rack of 'em. I gave my number to one cuz he was askin' if we could hang out some time. I'm cool with that. I wanna be with my Asian peeps some time. And there was this other Khmer guy. And I thought he was kinda peepin' me so I made an excuse to go over to him. Examined his necklace and either asked him if it was Buddha or if he was Buddhist - it was kinda dark in there.

So I was dancing with this dude and then I think I stopped and was talking to another one of the guys. Then the guy with the Buddha necklace later comes back for me to dance with him. He was tall and skinny. And he had cornrows! Imagine that. :) Anyways, we exchanged numbers and I've talked to him several times since. Hmm... We'll have to see wassup with that cuz I don't know what to think about him...

Okay, this is why last night was crazy - Belinda nearly got arrested! A-ha. It's kinda funny now lookin' back on it. Somehow a dude she was dating and his roommate started scrappin'. Dude was fed up with how his roommate would always try to get with the girls he was seeing. And Belinda had mentioned how the roommate had made passes at her. So, guess he couldn't take it no more and punched the guy. I didn't see it happen. I was busy talking to one of the guys that worked in the club. Then I heard a bit of a commotion behind me and saw some kind of scuffle but didn't think nothing of it, really. Later I saw the roommate and he didn't look to happy. I asked him what was the matter and he just shook his head. Then he told me my friend was outside getting arrested. I'm like, WHAT?!? Ya know?

So I go outside the club and see my girl pushed up on the hood of a police car being cuffed. I went over to her and she's all talking about her constitutional rights and how he needs to read her her rights cuz she hadn't done anything wrong. And the guy who was tryna cuff her was an asshole, naturally. Why do people think a fuckin' uniform gives them license to be jerks? Belinda told me to get her phone. I'm like, where is it? She said she dropped it on the floor inside. Luckily when I went back in and after I looked on the ground not seeing anything, I talked to a guy that worked there and told him my friend had dropped her phone when the fight broke out. So he produces from his pocket the cell phone.

I go back out to Belinda and she's just wondering if her neighbor/friend had called cuz she wants to know if she's alright (due to some other unrelated drama). So she has me listen to the voicemail. And that fake-ass cop tried to tell me to back up. I just looked at him and did not budge cuz I do not like to be talked to in any disrespectful way, especially since I wasn't doing anything wrong. Anyways, I bet if he wasn't tryna come off as some hardass, it would have been much easier to handle this whole biz.

Basically, according to Belinda, he cuffed her cuz she was trying to stop the guys from fighting. She said that when he grabbed her, she wasn't even doing anything, not touching anyone. And she said something about the cop guy saying that when a cop tells you to back up, you need to back the fuck up. Ugh. When I first saw Belinda, I was tryna tell her not to talk back so much, to chill. Of course it was futile to say it. But I was telling her, don't worry, I'm your witness, and some crap about my dad's a cop... lol. And I was telling her not to say anything and we'll take down his info and what not. She said she couldn't even see his badge and that she didn't think he was a cop.

And later the cop was saying he'd let her go if she stopped actin' up, but she was still tryna run her mouth and we're tryna hush her up still. Then another fight breaks out right by the cop car and Belinda's like - see? You're gonna arrest me and I haven't done anything and let those guys fight? Anyways, he eventually let her go so we were like, let's go. And on our way to the car, there was a police sitting in one of those police vans. Belinda wanted to ask her a question. Belinda goes, "Excuse, me officer. Sorry to bother you; I know you're really busy but..." And then she proceeds to ask the officer her opinion on if the asshole cop handled the situation correctly, or, if he was allowed to handle it the way he did. The lady was like, since she wasn't there to see it herself, she couldn't really say with certainty, but that basically the cop was allowed to do what he did. What the fuck ever.

Anyway, that dialogue with the cop was cut short when we nearly were hit by a rogue vehicle! Man, this guy crossed the street, hopped the curb and went up on the sidewalk and hit this fence. (I think a fence was there. I don't know how accurate my details of this story are cuz I did have a few drinks. :-P). Anyway, the guy quickly backed off the sidewalk and sped back onto the street, but then a cop car turned its lights on and the guy eventually stopped and got out the car and all. But we just were tryna get away. Belinda and her friend were tryna walk forward to where the car was parked. But I hesitated to move cuz I didn't wanna move forward and somehow be in the line of that crazy driver. I was ready to walk back to make sure I couldn't be in his path.

I ended up driving. Belinda couldn't drive. And I wasn't sure about the friend. So we started driving and the friend is like, we gotta go back for his roommate. Guess he cooled off a bit. We scoop him up. Drop him off at where they had parked there car. Then the original trio, we go to this diner and eat. Why does everyone ask if Belinda and I are sisters? We don't look alike? It happened at the club and diner. Anyway, I got to use my Arabic skills with this Jordanian guy that worked there. I thought he looked Arab, so I asked where he was from and then busted out an Arabic greeting to him. His eyes lit up, lol. And we began a convo. That was cool.

And, hmm... Dropped dude off at his place then Belinda and I went to my house to crash. It was after 6 in the morning when we got home. Yeah, long evening. And she and I are heading out tonight. Hope she doesn't get into too much trouble at the karaoke bar. :-P

Alright. I've written enough. Bye-bye!

I HATE COMMUTING!!

I HATE COMMUTING!!

Anyway, we've got some treacherous weather. Black ice and shit. I left work and was walking to my mass transit stop and crap - I fawkin' fell! And then when I was riding home with my dad, the car skidded a bit. Dangerous.

I went to my Arabic class last night. And Hebrew kept seeping into my head, intruding my thoughts. I was thinking of Hebrew terms for the words I wanted in Arabic. I turned to my classmate for aid since he could understand how my mind was working since he studied Hebrew as well.

I have class tomorrow night. That means I gotta leave work early. I have yet to work a full 40 hours a week. So, I should go try and get to bed now so I can maybe, just maybe, get to work early.

Man, the weekend is already more than half over. I slept a lot of it away. I hope the rest of the day goes by slowly. Yesterday, accompanied Tara to run her errands. We ate at Quizno's. Had to use my coupon since it was the last day for it. Need to get more coupons cuz $2 off a sub is a pretty good deal.

Then in the evening, Shawn scooped me up to go to his party for a little gathering. It was cool. Got my drink on a little. Kept droppin' pretzel sticks. Staggered as I walked, lol. End of the evening, ended up having a "discussion" with the guys. A stupid one where I had to defend myself where race is an issue and the arguments being thrown at me were doo-doo. But I still handled myself AND I was drunk. And what? :-P

Ken took me home. It was around 5AM. We ended up sitting in the car for a while talking about race issues and politics and what not. Heh. Oh, and though Ken kept his mouth shut during the argument, he totally knew where I was coming from and basically, agreed with me. It's cool. Sometimes it's best not to say anything. How's that one saying go? Never argue with a fool cuz you'll never win? But Ken was about "being the better person." Hey, I am, too. But sometimes I just can't help myself!

It's funny, with this blog, I reveal a lot of what's on my mind or stuff that's happened and I write in my particular dialect. But... I do censor myself quite a bit due to cultural sensitivities. I know that some of my friends or even strangers who read this blog wouldn't understand certain forms of expression or concepts dealing with race and language. So sometimes I'm vague with what I say. Like I won't go into detail as to what the aforemention argument was. Gotta avoid contraversy for the sake of those who can't handle it...

Anyway, is everybody up on their current Middle East events? Well, I wanna bring ya'll up to date. Allow me to share with you a brief article:

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38 Palestinians Killed Since Last Suicide Bombing
AMJ Calls for an End to Selective Outrage over Mideast Civilian Deaths

(Washington, DC 01/29/04) Today's bombing in Jerusalem, which claimed the lives of 10 Israelis, was the first suicide bomb attack in over four weeks. During that period, reported by the media as a "lull" or "calm" in Mideast violence, Israeli occupation troops killed over 38 Palestinians and maimed over 314 others. Many children, along with two teenaged mechanics, were among the victims.

"The killing of innocent civilians is appalling and must end, regardless of who the perpetrators are," said AMJ Executive Director Khalid Turaani. "It is also appalling that many comatose pundits who have been silent as Israel has gone on with its daily killing of Palestinian civilians, have only today awakened to the terrible deaths of Israeli civilians."

Since the last suicide bombing, Israel has killed over 38 Palestinians and injured over 314 others. Only yesterday, over ten Palestinians were gunned down by Israeli occupation troops in the Gaza Strip. The UN reports that in the last two weeks alone in one Gaza refugee camp, almost 600 Palestinian refugees were made homeless when Israel bulldozed their homes.

"Where is the outrage over the continuous plundering of Palestinian land, of Israel's daily killing of Palestinian civilians? Why does our media find discussion of Palestinian deaths beyond the pale of the permissible and the politically acceptable?" asked Turaani.

When pundits claim that today's attack broke the "relative calm," it unfortunately makes clear that Palestinian lives are considered dispensable and their deaths unworthy of outrage. "Attacks on innocent civilians can never be justified or condoned, but we have witnessed selective outrage for too long. On a very basic level, media coverage could contribute to Mideast peace by expressing equal grief and outrage at all loss of life," concluded Turaani.

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And do you know what those asshole Israelis did after the latest suicide bombing? They go into Bethlehem and destroy the house of the suicide bomber. Now, what the hell? Yeah, I'm sure that'll solve things. I guess they're tryna intimidate and show that they won't stand for no mess. But sounds like something a kid would do; something immature. Anyways, how would you feel if one of your relatives committed a crime and so the government in retaliation demolishes YOUR house. Yeah, sounds logical. *rolls eyes* Everything's so fucked up with this world...

Glad the weekend's here! I just want some R&R. Not that I've been working so hard and really need it. I'm just lazy like that. And I been eating a whole lot this past week. Dunno what's my problem.

Anyway, went to dinner tonight with my sister and one of her old friends. And I ordered a combo platter even though I wasn't hungry and the burrito I ate for lunch was still sitting heavy in my stomach. They ordered Chipotle at the office today.

I talked to the Persian chick in at my job today. Turns out she's married, though I feel like she's my age and I wouldn't have thought of her as being married. And her husband's Palestinian. That's cool. I met some Palestinians Thursday afternoon. I went into work late that day cuz I had some bidness to take care of in the morning, so I arrived at work after noon. And when I finally decided to eat, it was 4. To my dismay, the deli in my building was closed for the day. A delivery guy or whoever he was suggested I go to the next building over since there was a deli there. And that's where the Palestinian guys worked. I noticed the one guy had a necklace with Palestine on it. So I chit-chatted with him. I would like to meet more Arabs so I have more opportunity to practice Arabic.

I went to my Arabic conversation class. Got there late cuz I got a little lost. I had forgotten to bring the address of the place with me. D'oh! Anyway... figures once again I am a minority in the class. Story of my life, pretty much. I'm the only Black girl. I can't say Asian, since there's this Japanese chick in there. Another girl is of Lebanese descent, but basically, she's American. Anyhow, I hope I'll like the class. I signed up for Level I, but the teacher-guy and I both agree I should move up at least to the next level. So I need to remember to handle that on Monday before the next class. But shit - I need this class. I'm gonna be beast at Arabic once I get accustomed to speaking it more. :)

Well, my computer is gettin' on my nerves. I think I need to buy a whole new battery for it or something. So... laterz!

I didn't go into work two days in a row. I blame the snow. And my laziness. But I did some work from home. And I've lounged around quite a bit and ate more than I do during a regular week of work. I don't make sense. When sedentary, I eat a lot. When up and about just commuting to work and working all day long, I starve myself. Whatever. But I'ma eat lunch tomorrow this time. Got my Quizno's sub in the fridge...

Sunday, Tara and I went to Quizno's for dinner (it was breakfast for me, even though it was after 5pm :-P). Then we headed down to the city to Wholefoods so we could connect with Claire and Victor. And coincidentally, bumped into Rohan there. Rohan was the friend of Claire's that I just met last Thursday. He happened to stumble into the same aisle Tara and I were in. But didn't really get to politick with Claire and Victor. Unfortunately, it began snowing that evening, so our plan to chill at Border's afterwards was cancelled because we didn't wanna get stuck in any snow mess.

Talked to one of my Canary friends online the other morning. He's currently in Brazil. I'm telling him about the snow we got and he's talkin' 'bout how hot it is down there. He's gonna be down there about 6 months. That's so cool how he'll just work really hard when he's home in Spain, then just decides to go live somewhere for a few months. I would do the same had I not taken the whole college track. I think I have a nomadic spirit, sorta.

Hmm... I should try to get to sleep soon. I need attempt to wake up and get ready for work and actually make it there this time! And I still have yet to meet with the owner of the company to discuss going from contractor to permanent employee. Also, after work I have my first day of class. My Arabic conversation course was supposed to begin Monday, but due to the inclement weather, it was cancelled. I can't wait to get my Arabic up to par with my Spanish. That would be tight. Wonder how long it'll take, though...

Anyway, think I should take my dog out one more time tonight to pee. Bye! :)

Okay, so it was long before Lisa came. We're talkin' 11 when she got here. Funny cuz initially she was talkin' 'bout leavin' around 8/8:30. Anyway... We got to Catherine's place and two people were leaving as we got there. Then several other people left not long after that. We just got there too late. It ended up being me, Lisa, Catherine, her boyfriend, and one of my friends who came up. And this friend of mine. I hardly know him. I met him in person only once before. I'm sure he's mentioned in a previous blog. Belinda saw him the other night at the club and he was asking about me. Ha. Why he sweatin' me? lol. He's an attractive man, but I'm not feelin' him in that way... And oh, my gosh - his 'breaf' was kickin' last night! :-X

Anyway, we directed Lisa on how to get back home then I had this guy take me to another area of the city even though things was shuttin' down at that point. It was about 2:30 in the morning. Was tryna meet up with another friend whom I'd only met in person once. Ha. The internet's a funny thing. :-P He been tryna see me since we first met and since he's goin' away to school soon for some military stuff, so I thought I'd try to meet up with him. He's sweatin' me, too. I don't like this. Why the guys I'm only interested in on nothing more than the friendship tip wanna hook up? Not cool cuz I'm just too nice to tell 'em straight up, even though I should. So anyhow, first guy is ready to go home and asks if I got a ride cuz he'd take me home if not. And so I verify that I got a ride and hang out with the second guy and his friend. We got our jumbo slices of pizza. Good stuff.

When I walked pass certain guys and we'd make eye contact, I would put on my innocent smile. So funny, kinda flirting with these dudes I would never ever wanna pursue anything with. Oh - and it turns out the other guy we were with - I had recently corresponded with him online. So funny. He said he was thinking to himself that I was familiar. Again, small freakin' world.

Okay, so don't know what I'ma do today. Not motivated to do anything. There's a study group this evening that I don't know if I'll make the effort to attend. And even if I did decide to go, I don't gotta ride. Argh. I need to get me a car or move soon. "First dude" been tellin' me he could help me get a car at an auction since he knows what cars are good. He sells cars. Last night he said he could get me one for 500 bucks. Hehe. Hmm...

Alright, I'm out!

Gettin' ready to go out tonight. Waitin' for Lisa to come scoop me up so we can go to the apartment of this one chick we both studied abroad with in Mexico...

Thursday after work I met with Claire. Our plans to go see "Battle of Algiers" were cancelled to go meet up with one of her friends whom she hadn't seen in months to go to power yoga. But, we didn't make it on time to go to the yoga class. Instead we three went to some vegan/vegetarian place run by Black Hebrews. heh. We sat and talked. I tell ya, I'm tryna surround myself around smart, conscious people. But they can't just be smart. They gotta be "down," too. Cuz not all smart people are "cool." Anyways, I'm sittin' with these young intellects. Conversation consisting of terms such as "nerve ganglia"... "energy"... "fractals"... Talking about some good documentaries or music. I gotta get outta my dumb stage. Claire has inspired to actually make more of an effort to increase my knowledge.

After we finished our food, we went to go see a friend of the guy we were with. He wasn't home at the time, so we dipped into this chill cafe down the street for quite a bit. Then we went back to the visit the one friend and parlayed for a while. Cool peeps. But hangin' out with these people who are into yoga and are vegans/vegetarians... I don't think I'll adapt their lifestyles, but I definitely wanna engage in the mentally stimulating convo.

Well, I think I ought to get dressed. It shouldn't be long before Lisa starts heading my way...

Year o' da Monkey!!

Year o' da Monkey!! oo ee ah ah

Happy New Year, my peoples!!! It's Vietnamese lunar new year once again! After work, went with my mom, her friend, and my sis to someone's home, a Viet family. Got some grub and then my mom's friend brought me and my sis back home while my mom stayed. I gotta wake up early for work. But I really wish I could actually participate in some New Year's celebrations one of these day! Ahh... guess there's always next year. :-P

I was sure slackin' at work today. My supervisor didn't come to the office 'til 5 in the afternoon, so that left me with no one checkin' up on me. Well, the supe called a few times. But by his not physically being there, I was workin' pretty slow. I hope tomorrow will be a fruitful day. And I'm gonna try to leave early enough so Claire and I can go get dinner before we check out a flick.

Alright, I need to get some rest. Peace out!

Another one of my co-workers quit. This is the second one since I started working. Jamie quit so unexpectedly, I was told. He just put his coat on and walked out. Both Jamie and Carmen seemed to quit for the same reasons - they didn't feel they were meeting our project manager's expectations. They felt pressured. So my supervisor calls me up and let's me know that I'm meeting his expectations. LoL. That fool wouldn't wanna see me quit just like that. Yet he did want me to quit my last job without giving them the proper two-weeks notice. Anyway...

So my boss, the owner of the company, took me out to lunch on Friday to offer me a permanent position. I'm still debating it. It has some pretty good benefits, I suppose. But I just don't know what I wanna do. I need to give my answer this week, though. I think I'm mostly scared of having new or extra responsibilities. I don't know how well I'll put up with the pressure. I don't wanna crack like Carmen and Jamie did. We'll see. I'm thinking I'll take the job.

Friday night I hung out with Justin and Belinda. Went to this one spot that was overpopulated with white people. So we just had one drink each and bounced. The place we ended up in was better in that it was not so homogenous. And we stayed there the rest of the night. It was an alright place. Can't say that I'd care to go there again, though. I got back home at 2am, stumbled outta my clothes and put on my night clothes and conked out.

Saturday I did absolutely nothing. And Sunday, Tara and I went to the movies. We saw "Along Came Polly" and we liked it. Both of us could see ourselves in Ben Stiller's and Jennifer Aniston's characters. Like a combination of both. But Tara would be more like Ben and I more like Jen. Anyway, we headed to the Macaroni Grill for dinner. Then it was off to Border's to read for a while. I brought this book I had bought a few weeks ago: "I Saw Ramallah"; an account of a Palestinian man who finally goes back home to Palestine after an absence of thirty years. It's an English translation expressing all the vast array of emotions of the Palestinian in exile vis-à-vis a return to the homeland. And then since Border's closed at nine, we drove around a bit until the next movie we was to start: "House of Sand and Fog." I had never even heard of this film, but Tara wanted to see it and so I went. It was okay. Tara thought it sucked. I guess it seemed like it should have been a made-for-TV movie. And it did lack some depth. Ah, well...

Then when I got home, I watched my "Alias", which I had some VCR timer to record. And that's my weekend.

Here it is - midnight and I should be sleeping. Like last week, I'm sleep deprived. I travel to work, just wanting to sleep at every step of the way, then fight Mr. Sandman at my desk while sitting in front of the computer. This just can't go on. I've got some important stuff to do tomorrow. Hope I don't yawn at the wrong times or nod off during anything...

Anyway, after I went to check out a room in this house, I met up with Claire again and we had lunch at my favorite Viet spot. Then she brought me home and met my dog and - *gasp* - my stupid dog peed on her! That monstrosity knows not how to control his bladder. How embarrassing... Then later that night, I went with Jeannie and another friend for a basketball game at my alma mater. Damn, it was a cold night! Oh, yeah - and we won. Goooo, Retrievers! :)

Last night I met up with Claire again after work. We went to a free concert that I had heard about the very same day. It was cool. Marcel Khalife, a Lebanese oudist. An 'oud is a Middle Eastern string instrument. I guess like a lute or whatever. It was accompanied by a piano and a bass. East meets wests. Jazzy and oriental sounding. I prefer vocals over instrumentals, so when Mr. Marcel began singin' I really enjoyed it. And when the audience was singin' - sounded really pretty. Lotsa Arabs there. Saw Nadine there. And then Shireen. Oh, and met a really cute Palestinian-American guy. Man, I need to go hang out at the Arab functions. :) Oh, my supervisor told me to get him a CD. Luckily I had a single check on me cuz they weren't accepting credit cards and I had no cash. So I bought myself a CD, too. And I even got it signed. That's when I saw Shireen. She was standing in the autograph line (although she had nothing to get signed, hehe) and she let me in. She was telling me to talk to Marcel Khalife in Arabic. I did the minimum and he wrote in Arabic: "To Sheena, With Love" and then his name. Yay!

Okay, I should try to get some shut-eye since I have to wake up so freakin' early!

Whew - long day at work today. Left the house around 6:30am; didn't walk back in 'til around 10pm. The thing is, everyone pulled some extra hours cuz we gotta meet with our client tomorrow to go over the progress of the project. And figures - the day I decide to bring a lunch insteada starvin' like the other days, the boss treats us to lunch. But yeah - my paycheck's gonna be fat! And I'll be quite disillusioned by it, I'm sure, since it'll be the raw figure pre-taxes. I looked at the sum on my invoice (I'ma contractor, so I gotta bill the company for my services) for a single day of work at my new job and was like, dayum! It was about as much as I made in a week at my part-time retail job.

And I'm sleep-deprived. Haven't been getting to bed early and having to wake up early... Not cool. I was tellin' Jeannie, I need to find me a job where I can go in at, like, 1 in the afternoon. And leave at 3. PM. hehe... But it's Friday tomorrow! Yay! The weekend is here! I just may get up with that one girl I met last week. We're tryna go to my fave Viet restaurant. Turns out she likes that place, too. And we've gotta catch up on our girl talk...

Well, end of blog. Bye!

On Sunday, Belinda came and got me and we went to this 'phở' place around her way. It was a'ight, the phở gà I got. But it really wasn't all that. I've had better. And Belinda's phở bò had a fly in it. Or two. :-P Our waiter was this mixed Viet/white guy. He was diggin' Belinda. And he said she looked more Asian than I. Haha. Cuz Belinda thinks I look more Asian and that she hardly does. But I knew she was mixed like me when I first saw her. Anyway, I was askin' the Viet guy about this Vietnamese thing I'm interested in (remember how I said I had a tattoo idea). He said he has a friend who does tattoos. I dunno if he'll ever get back to me, but that'd be tight if I could get a design worked out cuz I only have a rough idea in my head. Look at me - entering the workforce and still tryna get tatted up s'more. :) Thass how I do. Gotta keep it gangsta. Sike.

Anyways, after the Viet place, we went back to Belinda's place for a bit to chill. I never did get a chance to kick her butt in Scrabble 'en español.' I'm tellin' her - she don't want none! Truth be told, I've never played Scrabble in Spanish. But I'm sure I could still beat her.

Then yesterday, had to go to the jobby-job. But afterwards, me, Tara, Belinda, and my sis went to that Mexican restaurant. We were the only ones in that place when we got there. But eventually some more peoples rolled up in there. Anyhow, 'cause of me and Belinda's knowledge of Spanish, the waiter(s) got confused. Thought we were Latina. In fact, thought we all were Latina. But Belinda told Chuy that none of us were. And I even added how all of us had Black fathers (hehe - that sounds funny, right?). And he just couldn't get over it. Kinda insisted that we were Latina. So I proceeded to point out all our 'ethnicities': Tara - Puerto Rican, Belinda - Dominican, my sis - Brazilian, and me - Cuban. And then the other waiter guy guessed that we were all Puerto Rican. LoL. Fun.

And so my sis re-enlisted in the Air Force and will be gone by the end of the month. She tryna sell her car off on me. But I dunno. I ain't been workin' but for a minute. And I am definitely not tryna pay car insurance... And plus, I'm tryna move, too? This will take some consideration. I gotta make sure my budget's right... But coincidentally, one of my friends IM'd me tonight and we were talking... He said he'd help me get a car at an auction since he would know what cars were good or not. That'd be cool. I'ma consider that.

Hmm... I should get ready for bed soon. I hate not getting my 8+ hours of sleep. Well, sometimes I've found I can handle lack of sleep. But shoot - this 9-to-5 bidness has got to go. I miss not being able to sleep in for as long as I want!! And the fact that I have to commute does not help. Well, hopefully, once I move I'll get to sleep in a little. Night-night!

Happy 2004

Happy 2004

But what's so happy about it? Nah... Just another year... Actually, it is kinda a new year for me in a few different ways. Gotta new job. 'Bout to get me a temporary new place. Think my life will be a little bit different in terms of how I'll be spending my time due to acquiring a nine-to-five, the location I'll likely end up in, and how I'll be spending my free time. I need to make out some kind of plan to help me manage my life in the short term...

I'm tryna think what has happened since my last blog that I could write about, but I really don't feel much like blogging either... Umm... Didn't really do much for New Year's. Was 'bout to be stuck just chillin' in my room that night. I was sippin' on my Vietnamese beer and apartment hunting when I got a call from Ms. Jeannie Vieve around 11. Ended up accompanying her over to Jamar's where we met up with him and his friend, then headed over to Jamar's house. We didn't really do much but sit around and talk. Drank a glass of Remy Red and watched South Park. Called people to wish them a happy new year. That was about it. Then I had to work my stupid retail job at nine in the morning (got there late as usual). I was supposed to work there Tuesday through Friday of this week. But luckily, I was able to get a co-worker to take my Tuesday and Wednesday. And then I got another co-worker to take my Friday last minute. So glad I didn't have to work there. I just wanted to be a bum.

On Tuesday, I finally had lunch with this girl I'd been corresponding with online for quite some time. Maybe several months? Anyway, very smart girl. An intellect. I need more friends like that. My mind needs stimulation and growth. And since I'm not searching for knowledge on my own, I figure I can obtain a bit of it from the company I keep. Then after work I hung out with homeboy for some grub and convo.

Oh, and that day at work, my supervisor had asked to talk to me and he wanted me to follow him somewhere else. I was like, oh, shit - I'm in trouble! I couldn't understand why he couldn't just tell me what he had to say right there. So I followed him down the hall to the conference. But thank goodness. Had nothing to worry about. He basically wanted to tell me he wants me to stay with the team, that if I was interested, he could make suggestions to the company owner to get me a permanent position (as opposed to my temporary one). He said how he really likes me, etc... That's pretty cool. I just hope I don't disappoint!

So I'm looking for places to live closer to the vicinity of where I work cuz I despise commuting. I've physically checked out two places that weren't bad. But I still wanna explore, so I'm gonna check out another place on Monday. I'm thinking that when I temporarily relocate, I'll sign up for an evening Arabic course. My Arabic is definitely rusty after barely using it and I still need to take my proficiency exam. Also, me and Nadine need to start studying for our comprehensive exams. I've gotta get my shit together!

This afternoon, Jose, Justin, and I went to a local Mexican restaurant. And then we went to an auto show, which basically seemed like a big car dealership. It was okay, I guess. Saw my old roommate there cuz she works at a car dealership. That's funny cuz last month I saw my other two roommates (separately) at the mall where I work. We all lived together my last year of undergrad. One I saw when I was standing at the entrance of my store greeting people. Turned out she also worked in the mall. Also that day, I saw my old suitemate from freshman year. Then last weekend or the one before (can't remember which), I saw one of my roommates when I was chillin' with this Persian guy whom I met in my store around Thanksgiving.

Well, that's about all I can recall from the past week's time... Nothing too spectacular or fabulous. I need to hurry up and move since I can't/won't be leavin' the country anytime soon...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Seven more days 'til the new year...

Well, I put my two-weeks in at my retail job. But I'm gonna stay on the payroll on some sort of contingent status. I'll have to work, like, two days a month. I started my new job at the consulting firm. It's a 3-month gig and I'm on a contractual basis. After that time is up, we can see what we wanna do from there. Perhaps I'll stay with the company, or maybe I'll get my "dream job" that I'm waiting on... We'll see. I actually went into work at the new job on Tuesday while I was off at my retail job. My new supervisor would much rather I start full-time right away, but I didn't wanna be cruddy to the other job and wanted to give notice. But my supervisor did make the point that I'll be losing money by staying there...

Last night I swung by Tara's place to drop off her gift. When I was leaving, I wanted to say "Merry Christmas," but for some reason, the word "happy" came out and I told them I was about to say "Happy Birthday." So I ended up saying "Happy Birthday, Jesus" and left it at that. :)

Then I went over to "homeboy's" place. We and another one of his friends were supposed to go to the movies. But that ended up not happening and we just chilled at his place. I left his spot shortly before 1AM, then headed over to Jeannie's to give her her gift. Got to her house around 1:30 and we sat and talked for about an hour and a half, then I went home.

Now here I am wondering what we're gonna do today. We'll have our family meal. But then I wonder if we're gonna head over to my grandparents' for a minute to drop off gifts. And I'm quite hungry right about now. Gonna go scavenge...

It's 5:30 in the morning. Time to go to sleep. :-P Friday night, Justin and I headed to Belinda's for some drinks and convo. That was cool. And then I got dropped off at a local spot to meet up Robert, where he had been gettin' his drink on with Dana and one of their friends. Had to be Bert's designated driver and actually ended up letting him crash at my place.

Then I had to freakin' work late Saturday evening. From 3 to 11 was my shift. And they only gave me a 30-minute lunch. You're posta get an full hour if you work at least 7 and a half hour. Them bitches. :-[ Anyhoos... Afterwards, me, Jeannie and a couple friends went to a bar in the city for drinks and atmosphere. Then we headed to IHOP for a late-night snack. I'm full. And tired. Time to sleep. And unfortunately I gotta work tomorrow afternoon. Bleh.

So I had my interview yesterday morning. Had it with 3 different people. First, the hiring manager, then the project manager, and then, the owner of the company. I'm not any good at interviews and I didn't feel really confident about it. But I also didn't feel really bad about it either. I just didn't feel I made the impression I could have. At the end of my interview with the owner was over, he told me they'd get back to me before Christmas. Boy, he wasn't lying! The first person I met with had called me a couple hours later. I wasn't able to answer her call at the time due to bad reception, but she left me a message asking for my thoughts and feelings about the interview and to see if I was indeed interested in the job. I didn't end up talking to her until a few hours after that. But basically, I was offered a position. I told her the job was ideal to me, but that I'd get back to her. Cuz I still need to figure out what salary I should ask for. My ex-prof who put me on to the job in the first place thinks I could ask for more. So, I'm trying to get in touch with her before I call this job back. But look at me - trying to get employed. And if I take this job, my azz will probably relocate... And I get to put my 2-weeks in (if I'm feeling kind) at my retail job. :)

While I was on my way to the interview, I got a call, but again, couldn't answer it cuz I had no service where I was. It was "homeboy" calling, wishing me luck and saying that yeah, we should get up together for lunch. So, we did. We met up and got some grub. Yay - free food! Just kidding. Even if he just got food and I had to sit and watch him eat it, I would do so gladly. :-P Sike, sike. So BaJiGGiTy!

Tonight, Tara, Belinda, and I went to PF Chang's for din-din, then walked around the mall. Saw a couple familiar faces at the mall. One of my friends works in the mall and hadn't seen him in quite some time. And then there was this other girl who recognized me from undergrad. Funny... Belinda thinks I know everybody when we go somewhere. Like, to her it seems I'm always bumping into people. I don't think so...

And right now it's late and I'm tired. I started watching "Finding Nemo," but I think I'll put it off 'til later to finish watching it cuz I gotta freakin' work in the morning. But wow. Didn't know Nemo was deformed. And I also didn't like him in the beginning for the way he was a brat and defied his father. Anyways...

I've got a job interview lined up for Thursday morning. Hope it goes well. Then maybe I can leave the damn mall once and for all. And maybe I'll get hired for enough hours that would make me eligible for some benefits, such as health care cuz I sure don't have any now. If something happens to me, I'm pretty much screwed, right?

Anyhoo... mentioned my interview to "homeboy" and perhaps we'll do lunch afterwards since I'll be closer to where he works. That'd be nice. Still bajiggity...

What a momentous occasion! My dog appears to finally be lifting up his leg to pee. Thank goodness. Wouldn't wanna have a gay dog... :)

Hmm... I think I may have bombed one job offer, but I'm pursuing another, while I wait for the job I "really" want to come through. It'd be cool if I could turn my back on the retail biz once and for all! It'll be a great day for me when that happens. :-P

I did some splurging today. There was a close-out sail and I bought some DVD's and CD's. Some of the DVD's were for friends, but all the CD's were for me. So much money, even if they were 40% off the ticket price.

Well, I'm in the middle of one of the movies I bought: "Punch-drunk Love." It's kinda weird. Not your "typical" romantic comedy. A bit on the dark side, if you ask me...

Let's see... it snowed again. And I had to work today. And the people still came out. What is wrong with you people? Don't ya'll have homes? J/k... It wasn't so bad today, I guess, since I had a relatively short workday. Although, it was still tool ong for me.

So I didn't end up doing anything Friday night. And I didn't hang with Patricia for her birthday Saturday night like I was thinking of doing. Instead, I hung out with "homeboy." Finally got to take him to "the" Vietnamese spot and to my fave Viet restaurant. Too bad we went kinda late cuz we didn't get to walk around to the other shops, since most everything was closed by the time we left out the restaurant. Then we ended up watching "Office Space."

And tonight, I hung out over at Tara's and we watched a couple flicks. I finally got to see "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." I really liked that movie. Then we watched "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

I'm feeling quite tired now... I may retire for the evening real soon...

Winter's finally here, I guess. It snowed a couple days last week. And I had to go to work. And the idiot customers still came! Why don't you people stay home! :-P Anyways, it's raining now and the snow has for the most part been washed away...

I told myself I was done with the tattoos. And it's been a few years since I last got inked. But recently, I've been toying with the idea again. Thought up some ideas for a couple more tats that I might like to get some day. One idea that I have would be a major piece and I'm in search for the perfect rendering of it.

Not a lot has gone on with me lately. Not much to tell... Last week, Tara, Justin, and I went to Panera Bread in the mall for dinner and then a game of Scrabble. I been working at the stupid mall. Reduced my hours cuz them fuckers wanted to give me 40 hours a week and I'm a part-timer! Sure, I need money, but I do not like that job enough that I'm willing to give them any more of my time. And before I got rid of some of my hours, there was a point where they had me down for 7 days in a row. I don't think so!!

Went out with Jeannie and a couple other friends Saturday night after I got off work at nearly 11pm. It was so-so. The snow may have kept some people from going out. Had a couple drinks, danced a little. Then we went to Double T for some grub. Got home at 5:30 in the morning, woke up at, like, 8:30am, took a brief nap a couple hours later, then had to go into work. It was a long day of work, but wasn't so bad. I was even kind enough to help a customr shop. She was so pleased she took my name down.

Then I called out of work Monday morning. Partly cuz I didn't wanna go, but also cuz my mom kinda wanted me to. That's cuz her car was messed up. The muffler broke, probably cuz of the snow/ice. My manager wasn't too pleased. Later in the afternoon I called the job up saying I had a ride if they wanted me to still come in. My manager was like, we don't need you now; we needed you in the morning. But then she asked me if I was working the next day, which I wasn't, and if I could come in for a few hours. I felt bad about skipping work so I volunteered to come in. And the power went out during the day. Had to kick the customers and shut the gate. Caused a little problem with the registers. Like the computers weren't putting the taxes on the transactions.

Saw an old friend at my job that day. Anybody remember Miesha from high school? Yeah, she was there with a couple friends. She's in the area for now; maybe we'll hang out some time...

Did anybody feel the earthquake? I sure didn't, but my sister did. That's, like, the second earthquake I've "been through" that I haven't felt. The other was when I was in Mexico back in '99.

Lemme fast-forward to the weekend. I wanna hang out with Patricia as she celebrates her birthday. Hopefully, I'll be able to get to wherever it is she decides to celebrate. And I also may hang out with these guys I met at my job a couple weeks ago. Maybe.

Thanksgiving was good. Went to Philly to visit fam and ate good food. Wish I had some leftovers... Thanksgiving should be everyday! :-) But then I'd be a fat-ass. hehe... Anyways, I arrived back home painfully full. And then I had to wake up freakin' early for my stupid-azz job. Our store opened at 6AM the next day.

It wasn't super busy when we first opened, but it got a little hectic after a few hours. One customer even spent, supposedly, 20 grand. This fob I work with, Mario, was ringing her up and was joking with her saying, "Can you adopt me?" And she, the customer, was like, "I don't have time!" Meaning, she wanted to get her stuff and check out ASAP. She was this Korean woman whom we suspect maybe has a business or whatever so she can resell the merchandise. Funny, she would bring stuff to the register, then go back on the floor to grab more stuff. She even grabbed me when I was walking by. She took me by the wrist and pulled me toward a certain area, pointed to a purse on a display shelf for me to get for her.

Anyways, I hate retail and I really dread going to work and my feet are killing me by the end of the day. And though in general the customers aren't that bad, there have been a few that just want me to get smart with 'em. And shiet - the customer's not always gonna be right in my book! :-P I just may get snippy with them, or remain calm and seemingly unresponsive and refuse to submit to their every desire.

So I had to work all freakin' weekend. Didn't do anything for leisure. Only yesterday after work, Belinda came and got me so we could go watch a documentary. It was called "Girlhood" and it followed the lives of two teenage girls from Baltimore as they were placed in a detention center. The film opens with words on the screen stating how violent crime among females in this country has doubled in the last decade. Check the Maryland Film Festival page or the Baltimore City Paper. It was a good documentary. I'd recommend it. Only an hour and a half long.

Sunday I went to the museum with Belinda. It was cool, but rather expensive ($9 admission, $6 w/ student ID). And we didn't even finish looking at all the art. So anyways, this museum has these changing exhibits every few months. The current one features artwork by elderly people; work done in their 60s and up... And there was some stuff created by young people; youth who had experienced a lotta harsh realities. There were some paintings by a Frank Bruno, I believe, that I really liked. Apocalyptic-type shit and what not... Neat-o stuff. Very vivid images and colors. Then after the museum closed, we walked around the harbor a bit.

Oh, yeah - how funny is it that I just found out that Belinda works with my old middle school Spanish teacher! What a "small" world. (Those who know who my junior high teacher was will be able to appreciate this pun, hehe).

I had to work today and my feet hurt. Damn the man for making me work a full 8-hour workday! :-P And I can't believe they've got me workin' 40-hour work weeks for the next month. I don't care if it is the holiday season! :) See, if it wasn't retail work, I wouldn't be complainin' like this. But things are kinda lookin' up on the job front. I do have some prospects. I'm a hot item. :) Oh, and I met some cool people at work today. An Indian guy and a Persian guy - both friends. Maybe we'll hang out some time. They seemed like cool peeps.

And tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Thanks-give these! Sike... I think I'm gonna try to eat some stuff now. I need to stretch my stomach cuz it was not cool last year when I got full after eating only one plate of food! I only get to eat like this once a year, so I wanna be able to enjoy this day! So... Happy Turkey Day, ya Turkeys!! =)

Another week has gone by... and not a very eventful one. I did absolutely nothing Saturday night. Sunday after work, Belinda came over and we hung out a while and listened to some songs we could sing duet at karaoke. We started out for our karaoke spot, listening to and practicing a song we would sing. But much to our dismay, when we got to the bar we discovered that they no longer hosted karaoke there. How disappointing. Now we must look for a new spot that will have a decent selection of Spanish-language songs to go along with their American collection...

And the next day I was supposed to have off of work. I was on the computer and hence tying up the phone line. So when I got off in the afternoon to check our voicemail, I hear a message from one of my co-workers saying that it was, like ten twenty-four and I was supposed to be in at 10 and that I was a no-show... I'm like, WTF? Those fuckers had changed my schedule without me knowing. Now, I took the schedule that one of my managers had written me when I went in for my orientation and accepted that one. I don't recall anyone saying that this was a tentative schedule that they were gonna change up on me. Bastids... So my days were changed and I even had to close one night. I had requested days! But it wasn't so bad when I had to close. The store was pretty slow. But afterwards when we had to clean up, I started to remember one of the reasons I hated that store. The manager on duty sent me to women's shoes to straighten up. Gosh, you people are filthy pigs! Why can't you put the damn things where you found them?! :-P
Oh, and on Sunday I remembered another reason when I had to relieve a co-worker for lunch and she works in the fitting room. That place can be a big pain. But it wasn't too, too bad that day.

Tuesday after work I met up with my special friend for dinner. We were supposed to go to this Korean place he likes, but it was closed. So we went to a Thai restaurant nearby. Then we went to the Barnes & Noble right there and looked around. We were trippin' off this one book in the humor section that I eventually got Tara for her birthday and he got it for his co-worker. It was so silly... It had a bunch of photos of these, like, toy chicks (as in baby chickens) and these crazy captions.

Anyways, I gotsta bounce cuz Jeannie is here and we're going to the mall...

Hmm... let's see if I can recount some of the events of the past week...

Justin and I went out Friday night. Was supposed to see one of my old friends who was celebrating her b-day at a bar/restaurant. We never did end up seeing her, but we did have a couple drinks and talked. I got twisted from two martinis. I was feelin' it before I even finished the second. Me and Justin then went to IHOP to feed our bellies before goin' home. We hadn't intended on staying out too late cuz we both had to work in the morning. I went to work Saturday morning still drunk.

That evening, went to Friday's with Tara to meet with some friends for someone's birthday. I usually like that restaurant, but it wasn't a good night. The service was subpar and we were there too long waitin' on stuff. Afterwards, Tara and I caught a showing of "Elf." It was alright. It had it's funny moments, but I wouldn't rush to go out and see it. There was a part of the movie where we were both laughing so hard that we couldn't stop or breathe. But we weren't sure how much of it were we laughing at the movie or at each other. Heh. :-P

Then on Sunday, Tara and I again went to the movies. This time we saw "Love Actually." I liked it. Cute film. I would recommend it before "Elf."

We were supposed to have gone to karaoke that night, but change of plans. Justin and called Tara up asking if she wanted to shoot pool and I ended up going, along with another friend. We were there several hours and got home at midnight.

Then it turned out my mom came back home from her vacation a lot earlier than expected. A week earlier, to be exact. She came home with no warning cuz, as it turns out, she got fed up with her daughter and grandkids. She just couldn't take it anymore and decided the very day of to change her return flight. So when my mom arrived at the airport, neither my sis or I was available to receive her car. I had gotten on the internet not long after I got back from the pool hall and so was tying up the line. And then my sis had already gone to bed and turned off her cell. Long story short, my mom ended up calling one of her friends and staying the night there.

On Tuesday, Justin, Tara, and another friend, and I went to Borders to get our read on. Justin was reading some book on becoming a manager, Tara "Crime & Punishment", and I "The Stranger." It was nice and we'll have to go again. And that very morning I finally went and got me a cell phone. Haven't had one of those in a minute and I didn't really like having one of my friends call me via Tara's or Justin's phone.

And Thursday night Tara, Taneka, and I went to a birthday bash sponsored by Tara's company. We all had some drinks and got intoxicated. I went to work with a hangover, ugh. It didn't last the entire workday, but it wasn't too pleasant. But tell me why - this morning my mom pages me (you know the page button on telephones) so that I would let my dog out. I wake up and feel that I'm laying on something. It's my purse. Turns out I went to bed fully clothed in my dress and tights with purse, jacket, contacts and all. I was asleep under my covers just as I had come home except I did have the sense to take off my boots. :-P

Then tonight (Friday night), I went to the movies with a co-worker. It's obvious he's interested, but I'm not. I wonder if I should have declined? Or maybe have just made sure to make clear that I am not interested in him in "that way." Anyways, we went to see "Commander and Master." It wasn't all that. Not a real attention grabber for me and the ending was like "Wha?" to me.

Okay... I think I should attempt sleep soon. Gotta work in the AM, as well as stop by the store beforehand since they're having a potlock thingamajig tomorrow.

Started my part-time job. Ugh - I so do not wanna work. Had orientation today. It's gonna start once it starts gettin' busy for the holiday season. How do I get on welfare? Anybody? :-P

Went to the gym with Tara tonight. That took a while to get me to workout. My sister and Jeannie have been asking. But that's normal for me - to be asked to go and I create excuses. Then after a thousand times I finally make it out.

I gotta work tomorrow and Saturday. I so do not want to! Hope I make it without quitting... :-P

Went to hula class with Jeannie last week. It was alright. Interesting... but since it was not a beginner's course, I was messin' up. I'm not really good with "organized dance", especially having to know hand and feet movements...

Got me a job. A part-time one. Really don't want it, but it's about time I start bringing in some sort of income. It's at a place I once worked at two and a half years ago. Being in that store made me feel like I didn't wanna be there. But I'll be in a different department and supposedly there have been many changes, so, hope I'll last.

So far, Jeannie's the only one who's met my new friend. We went to his part-time job last Thursday. She approves. :-P And I hung out with him today (or yesterday, rather), passing on doing the karaoke thing with Belinda. Blah - I'm gonna try to go to sleep. 'Night!

*Sigh* - what a single phone call can do. It was almost insatiable for it's brevity. Yet it also hit the spot. :) I had called at about 11:30pm, got the voicemail, left a numeric page, got a call back an hour later, and received some affirmations. Yes! Can we say, "bajiggity"? :-P

Robert's posta call in the morning. He still hasn't seen my puppy so he's just may stop through. (Paste this: http://depgai79.tripod.com/dog/rocpillow.jpg into your browsers. Isn't he the cutest thing?)

Attended my first car show Saturday with Jeannie, Shawn, and Ken. It was a'ight, I guess. Maybe if I was a lil more into cars it would've been different. This guy asked to take my photo... and one of the guys with a camera that was hooked up to the large screen started to focus on me several times and I tried to pretend I didn't notice. Then he when he came off the stage he told me I was so shy. heh...

The ride to the show, which was in Jersey, was not too bad. But the way back - blah! Took us about twice as long due to those in the front seat not knowing precisely where we were and going all the way down a parkway that we should have exited long before. So much for Daylight Savings... :-P

Earlier was a nice day. The average temp throughout the state was in the early 70's. I hung out with my new friend. Chilled at his place, ate (he had made bulgolgi; it was good), went to Ruby Tuesday's for some drinks, then went to see "Kill Bill," and then went back to his place to watch televison and what not. He explained some football basics to me cuz I'm clueless when it comes to sports. And we listened to some music. He played this one Outkast song for me. I don't know if it was actually directed at me or if it was just for my listening pleasure... Spent all the day with him, didn't even get to go to karaoke with Belinda. There's always next week. Unless I hang with "him" again. :)

Gosh, I don't how to weigh my job options. What to do, what to do? Anyhoo...

I had another outing with dude from Saturday night. :-D While I was waiting for him at the train station I bumped into a friend of mine who was also waiting for someone. It was Miguel and I got his info so he could possibly help me with what to do about jobs.

So me and this guy friend went for some Indian food and then to this one trendy coffeehouse for a drink. It was another pleasant visit with him. He's an intellectual and I like that! I don't seem to meet many of those that I'm actually interested in! And the feeling seems to be mutual. I wanna go to museums and watch foreign films with him. We'll just see what happens! :-P

Argh - I friggin' forgot to set my VCR to record 'Alias' tonight/last night! Dammit...

Anyways... Sunday, went to mass with my sis and mom, went to buy some items, then we hit up Friday's for lunch. Then not long after being home, Justin hit me up. We eventually went to Border's together where we played Scrabble and he won. Also saw an old friend of mine from undergrad there. Coincidentally, I had just seen that he was on Friendster the night before and added him as a friend. Next thing I know, I'm seeing him in person after not seeing him in a couple years...

Next, we met Belinda up at our Sunday-night spot for our karaoke session. I got back home around 11:30 and Justin and I indulged in another round of Scrabble, which I lost again! Damn that letter Q. Both times I got stuck with it! And Justin wanted to play again, but I called it a night cuz he had to wake up mad early and set out on the road and I wanted to check my e-mail cuz dude from Saturday night said he had sent me mail. It was a brief note, but nevertheless, cool that he wrote me.

Hmm... I think I'ma try to hit the sack. I need to try to sleep at a fairly normal time cuz I gotta take another test on Tuesday for the Army language thing that I been lookin' into...

And another run-in with someone... Yesterday, I was out with my pooch and someone was driving through my street. I saw him lookin' and I figured he was checkin' out my dog. When he pulls around, he asks if my dog is a puppy and if he's an American Bulldog (about the 3rd person to think so). Then he asks if he can pet him. He comes out and I'm chattin' with him about dogs. Then I tell him he looks familiar and ask if he's from around here. He tells me his name and immediately I say "Spanish class." I couldn't remember if I had a class with him in high school or college, but he confirms that it was high school and I name our teacher and he goes yeah, she didn't like me and so on. Funny. He was kinda cute. But then he had to go and mention "my wife." hehe...

Also yesterday, I hung out with Tara. We went to Rocky Run and then proceeded to the theatre to see "Mystic River." It was an alright movie. We didn't particularly care for the ending and pretty much felt the same way, but I ain't mad that I saw it.

Then today, I met with an old friend of mine, Patricia. Haven't seen her in maybe 2 years. We've kinda-sorta been in touch since then, though. We grabbed a quick bite to eat then went to some stores to look for apparell (sp?). I hung out with her a couple hours before we parted ways. And I hate it when I'm waiting for my ride to come and some idiot tries to talk to me. Why are some guys so dumb that when a female is OBVIOUSLY not tryna give him no play, they insist on making a fool of themselves or being pretty darn annoying? I just don't get it...

Anyways... I just got home maybe a half hour ago. I went to get some drinks with this guy I met from the internet. I had corresponded with him some months ago, but then we lost contact. Then I decided to hit him up with a note just to say what's up and we got back to talking and chatting. I had suggested to him that we hang out sometime and so, since he was gonna be closer to my neck of the woods this weekend, that's exactly what we did. He's a nice guy. I wouldn't mind seeing him again. I think we'll be in touch...

Small world...

Went out with Belinda last night. We went to this club - I'd call it more of a bar/lounge - that I've been to before on 3 separate occasions, but not on this particular night of the week. It was salsa night and we arrived early enough to go through the lessons. Belinda already knows how to dance salsa, but she wanted to learn how to lead. I have learned some basics before, but while I think I've got enough rhythm (hey - I am half black! ;)), I feel that I'm not coordinated enough. I don't know what it would take for me to really internalize it all. Anyways, so we went and we danced and it was alright. We'll see how much of this stuff I actually remember. Thing is, when I dance to something, I'll just do my own thing, feel the music in my way. But with salsa, there's a certain beat or measure. And everyone counts in a slightly different way and I just can't hear "it" in the music where I'm posta be counting! So, basically, I just have to have a really strong leader to guide me and for me to follow.

So, regarding the title of this blog - I met a few people at the club last night. One was this guy whom I took to be Arab. And he was - Egyptian. Well, he was with two other fellows, one of which later approached me talkin' about some "I thought that was you." Now, I had thought this guy looked vaguely familiar, but I didn't sweat it cuz I figured it was just one of those things, you know, where some people in this world just resemble other people, or that perhaps maybe I didn't really "recognize" him. So, he comes over to me and I'm all tellin' him how I thought he was familiar, etc., but part of me is thinkin' that this some guy I know, whom I've met, and I must've seen him before, but - I can't remember his name. I actually almost thought he was someone from my undergrad days, but somehow different!

Long story short - he's a guy from the internet. Second time I've bumped into someone unexpectedly off the 'net. He had "thought that that was me", but was unsure. And his other friend had recognized me as well, I guess. Funny, the friend, I never would respond to when he'd written me a couple times. I almost respond to the one dude whom I did correspond with, but in the end I decided to and we had exchanged several notes. Anyways, I gave him my number and who knows if I'll hang out with him some time. I'm not interested in him 'like that', but I defintely don't mind new friends. Plus, we do have something in common, which I had learned from our 'net contact - though he's Puerto Rican/Mexican, he studied Arabic in the military. I'm tryna do things with my Arabic now and I actually have a couple of good leads. Don't be surprised if one of these days I send you an e-mail from Iraq! :-)

I finally saw "Bend It Like Beckham" yesterday. I been wantin' to see it since I heard about it last semester. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and could empathize with the protagonist's being torn between two customs/cultures. It was also fun to see London in the backdrop and to recognize some of the scenery.

Also yesterday, Tara and I headed to the mall so she could get some grub and there we played a game of Scrabble. I won, of course. :-) Nah... I actually found out later that we both used illegal words. Heh. Oh, well...

Sunday, Belinda, Tara and I went karaoke again. That was okay. I hate feeling nervous and having my voice "shake" when I sing. But apparently Belinda and I did a nice rendition of "A Whole New World." We need to work on s'more duets since there's a karaoke machine at her mom's house...

Earlier that day, my mom, sister, and I went to Spanish mass. My sister and I thought that one of the guitarists playing with the choir was rather good-looking. Gonna hafta go back to that parish! :-P I just may. Ms. Ramos was saying I should be a lector there some time. Perhaps I will one of these days. She also said there's some bilingual service coming up soon.

After mass we went with Ms. Ramos to this Mexican restaurant nearby. It was alright. Very filling, too.

On Saturday, Tara and I met with Belinda, then headed to this place to paint ceramics. There are these pieces that are pre-fabricated and all you gotta do is paint them however you like. I helped Belinda by painting some Picasso imitiation on a coaster, while she recreated a Klimt piece. (We didn't do it from memory, but from a picture in a binder.) Then afterwards, we went to the Korean supermarket to pick up some grub so Belinda could cook for us. It was the 3 of us plus a friend of Belinda's for the evening. We helped her prepare the food, had a nice meal and conversation, then relaxed. Belinda and her friend played Scrabble, while Tara and I were trying to take care of Belinda's Sims. (You know the computer game? It's crazy. I need to get some!)

Last Thursday, Tara and I had gone to see Woody Allen's "Anything Else." I wasn't exactly interested in seeing it, but I didn't exactly object to seeing it. Anyhoo, it was a'ight, I guess. Nothing special. Nothing I'd care to see again. I actually busted out laughing on a part that wasn't really funny. Tara said it wasn't nice. But I couldn't help it. I won't even say what it was cuz I could be incriminated. :-P Got two quotes from the movie that I can remember: "Jews start all wars" and "Too much rejection causes cancer."

Then on Friday night we went to see "School of Rock" with Jack Black. That was actually more entertaining to me. It was fun. Somewhat corny, but what can you expect from silly movies?

Oh, yeah - my dog went to the vet for his follow-up on his mange and some booster shots last week. He weighed in at about 49 pounds, which was nearly a 20-pound weight gain in about a month. Justin asked me what do I feed him. Why, other dogs, of course. =)

Geez... the month is pretty much already over. Where did it (the time) all go?

Friday Tara, Justin and a couple others met Taneka, her boyfriend, and a friend in the city to hang out for Taneka's b-day this weekend. We ended up in a small club for the night. It was so-so. Not a bad place, but not so spectacular either that I'd care to go there again...

Then Saturday night Tara and a co-worker of hers headed again to the city for another promotional event - Russel Simmons & his bro, Reverend Run were at a nightclub following a meet&greet they did. We saw them, but did not meet them. And we pretty much didn't care for the place and so we left early - around 12 or something.

We headed to IHOP for some grub afterwards where I saw a cute Bulgarian waiter. I need to go back there or straight to Bulgaria! ;) But our food wasn't that great. It was cold. At least mines was. That didn't make me too happy. But our waiter was nice enough. Or maybe he was smiling cuz he thought it was funny that we were eating food that someone probably spit in. :-/ Ever wonder what really goes into the preparation of your food?

And last night, Tara and I met Belinda at this Mexican bar/restaurant for some karaoke. It was also Belinda's b-day this weekend as well. So Belinda and I finally got to do our Spanish karaoke. It was cool there. We plan to go back, maybe make it a regular thing. The guy who was hosting the karaoke, a Nuyorican, was wondering how or why it was that Belinda and I were so into the Spanish songs since neither of us were Hispanic. Heh...

When I first spoke to this guy, I said something in Spanish and then he said something to which I responded in English and then he got confused. Cuz I told him I didn't speak Spanish and then he was like, I thought I just heard you say something... And then I said something that made him ask if I was Puerto Rican. I told him no and to guess. He was like, you look Native American or First Nation (whatever the heck that is) or Filipino. And I was like, nope and he did end up saying Vietnamese so he got cool points for that. :)

Anyways, last night after I got home, I rewound my video because I made sure to set the timer to record "Alias" while I was out. And, boy, was it in interesting show. I think my sister will be getting me the first season DVD for Christmas. Yay!

Rest In Peace, Professor Edward Said (influential Palestinian intellectual)

Anybody watch the Miss America Pageant the other night? I didn't even know it was comin' on 'til I saw some internet news headline about it. So, I quickly turned it on so I could see the representative of our state. Remember - it's someone we went to high school with. She looked good - her hair looks better. She seems to be the same person as she always was. But I did not like her walk. Like she had a stick up in her butt. And she won the casual-wear round. What the hell kind of outfit was that? I thought it was ugly. But hey - I'm not hatin'. Just simply statin' the truth. Anyways, homegirl was a finalist. That's really good! The commentators seemed to be rootin' for her. Cool stuff.

Man, the army recruiter is comin to get me in about 4 hours. I'm gonna be takin' an Arabic test, so I'm here tryna go through my old notes and refresh my vocab and everything. I don't think I'm gonna cram a lot between now and then. But hopefully, I'll retain some things. And I hope the test won't be as hard as I'm dreading it's gonna be. I wanna make a good impression, but fear that I won't. Inshallah it will all go well...

My dog pooted... and he peed on my hand!!

I was in the kitchen yesterday and my doggy was sittin' on the floor watching me. Then I hear a little "rip." You know, the sound a zipper being zipped might make. Or when you stick your tongue out at someone and blow - that little "pbbblt/pbbft". LoL.

And then there was last night... Belinda and I had gone to the mall and then she bought me "Scrabble" and so we were playing it. We were playing in peace in my room when this little furry baby barges into my room! I caught him and was trying to hold him back, but he kept insisting that he had to enter further into the room and pounce on Belinda or something. Well, while I'm trying to subdue him to keep him from ruining our board of tiles on the floor, I feel a warm liquid on my hand. WTF?!

And then Belinda assists with getting the dog out cuz since I was sitting on the floor when he ran it, I was at a disadvantage. He had caught us off guard. But then... while my dog and I are outside of my room and I am washing my hands, my stupid mutt rushes back into my room, and destroying, once and for all, our Scrabble game in progress. That's okay. Belinda was winning that round. LoL.

The other night, Tara and I had gone to Friday's for a drink with one of her co-workers. Then the two of us proceeded to Damon's for dinner. It was my second time at that place and I didn't like my food the first time I went. But I am not one to write things off just because of one bad experience. But I'll write it off now - Damon's sucks. Once again, my food was not good!! I'm never going to that place again. The appetizers were actually so-so. But the entrees are booty. They should shut that place down and put something else in its place. :-P

Remembering Sabra and Shatila

(taken from an e-newsletter i receive from American Muslims for Jerusalem - and for those who don't know me who may have stumbled across my blog, no, I am not Muslim. the aim of this group is just as relevant to any other justice-seeking American out there)

"This week, the Bush Administration vetoed a Security Council resolution calling on Israel not to expel or kill President Arafat - the latest in a long line of vetoes that leave Palestinians with no protection from Israel's persecution and land theft. Over the past three decades, our government has used its veto power over forty times to shield Israel from international criticism of its illegal occupation and to block enforcement of resolutions calling on Israel to end the military occupation of Palestinian land.

"Palestinians have pleaded with the United Nations to provide on-site monitoring of the situation in the occupied territories, but the Bush Administration has vetoed even this request. As a result, Israel continues to severely violate Palestinian rights and force Palestinians into ghettos throughout the West Bank and Gaza with impunity.

"This latest veto by the Bush Administration is particularly dangerous. It can embolden Israel to kill a democratically-elected Palestinian leader, as many in Israel openly advocate.

"The veto of the UN Security Council resolution calling on Israel not to expel or kill Arafat fell on a tragic anniversary - the 21st anniversary of the massacre of the Sabra and Shatila refugees in Lebanon by an Israeli-allied militia from
September 16-18, 1982.

"While the Israeli military watched and supervised, the Israeli-allied militia slaughtered the refugees of Sabra and Shatila from 6:00 at night on 16 September 1982 until 8:00 in the morning on 18 September 1982. The victims during the 62-hour massacre included infants, children, women (including pregnant women) and the elderly, some of whom were mutilated before or after they were killed.

"The Israeli military, which was in full control of the area where the refugee camps were located, let a deadly Israeli-allied militia enter the refugee camps, decided to help the militia kill the refugees by lighting up the sky with flares so that innocent men, women and children could be found and killed, and forced refugees who were trying to escape go back to be killed.

"US journalist Thomas Friedman of the New York Times said after the massacre: "Mostly, I saw groups of young men in their twenties and thirties who had been lined up against walls, tied by their hands and feet, and then mowed down gangland-style with fusillades of machine-gun fire." While the world watched and did nothing, anywhere between hundreds to several thousand Palestinian and Lebanese refugees were massacred under direct Israeli supervision and assistance.

"Even an Israeli government inquiry found that Israel, and specifically Ariel Sharon, were responsible for the massacre. Sharon was forced to resign as Defense Minister and the Commission recommended that he never again hold senior office in Israel. He is now Prime Minister of Israel, threatening to kill or expel the democratically-elected leader of the Palestinian people."

"cuando se habla lo escrito, se pierde lo dicho"

That's from a movie I just saw on MPT tonight: The Blue Diner. I liked it. It's a nice little bilingual, independent film.

Remember how I said I took the practice ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, i.e. the SAT's of the military)? Well, I took the real test on Monday and scored a 99 again. That just says I did better than 99% of other people who took the practice test. My recruiter said this means I have the possibility of getting any job in the military allowed to women. But like I said before - I'm just looking at all my options. I don't plan to sell out to Uncle Sam any time soon. I must say that when I was at the MEP station (Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)), I felt a little arrogant. I felt this superior feeling to the others who were about ready to sign their lives over to whatever branch of the military. I think it was cuz I thought they were mainly high school students and I'm not too fond of them. :-P It's just that as I got older, and then to see how some kids act, it annoys me. Mostly cuz I didn't act the way they did when I was their age.

And then the even younger kids, like the ones in my neighborhood. My goodness, they are too grown! A little anecdote - I was with my dog and talking to some of the little rugrats. Two of 'em had these jelly bracelets on and I was reminiscing how we (the children of the '80s) used to wear them and stuff. But I'll be damned if there isn't a sexual implication to the once innocent plastic jewelry. Something about depending on the color, this color designates certain sexual acts to be done with the person who breaks your bracelet. Yikes! What the hell is all that about?! And the things they mention about who did it with whom and who got a big this or that. The more I interact with the youth, the more I vow to send my children, should I be so lucky to have them some day, to private school. Better yet, I wouldn't want them raised in this country. The kids these days are too precocious in ways they shouldn't be. I think many of us knew things we shouldn't have as children, but did we all act upon this extra knowledge or speak of it so openly and extensively? I don't think so. It's ridiculous. *smh*

BUSH from a forward I received

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:

• I attacked and took over two countries.
  
• I spent the U.S. surplus and bankrupted the Treasury.
  
• I shattered the record for biggest annual deficit in history.
  
• I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12-month period.
  
• I set all-time record for biggest drop in the history of the stock market.
  
• I am the first president in decades to execute a federal prisoner.
  
• I am the first president in US history to enter office with a criminal record.
  
• In my first year in office I set the all-time record for most days on vacation by any president in US history. After taking the entire month of August off for vacation, I resided over the worst security failure in US history.
  
• I set the record for most campaign fund raising trips by any president in US history.
  
• In my first two years in office I allowed over 2 million Americans to lose their jobs.
  
• I cut unemployment benefits for more out-of-work Americans than any other president in US history.
  
• I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.
  
• I appointed more convicted criminals to administration positions than any president in US history.
  
• I set the record for the fewest press conferences of any president since the advent of TV.
  
• I signed more laws and executive orders amending the Constitution than any other president in US history.
  
• I presided over the biggest energy crises in US history and refused to intervene when corruption was revealed.
  
• I presided over the highest gasoline prices in US history and refused to use the national reserves as past presidents have.
  
• I cut health care benefits for war veterans.
  
• I set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously take to the streets to protest me (15 million people), shattering the record for protest against any person in the history of mankind
  
• I dissolved more international treaties than any president in US history.
  
• I've made my presidency the most secretive and unaccountable of any in US history.
  
• Members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in US history. (The 'poorest' multimillionaire, Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her).
  
• I am the first president in US history to have all 50 states of the Union simultaneously go bankrupt.
  
• I presided over the biggest corporate stock market fraud in any market in any country in the history of the world.
  
• I am the first president in US history to order a US attack and military occupation of a sovereign nation, and I did so against the will of the United Nations and the world community.
  
• I have created the largest government department bureaucracy in the history of the United States.
  
• I set the all-time record for biggest annual budget spending increases, more than any other president in US history.
  
• I am the first president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the Human Rights Commission.
  
• I am the first president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the Elections Monitoring Board.
  
• I removed more checks and balances, and have the least amount of congressional oversight than any presidential administration in US history.
  
• I rendered the entire United Nations irrelevant.
  
• I withdrew from the World Court of Law.
  
• I refused to allow inspectors access to US prisoners of war and by default no longer abide by the Geneva Conventions.
  
• I am the first president in US history to refuse United Nations election inspectors access during the 2002 US elections.
  
• I am the all-time US (and world) record holder for most corporate campaign donations. The biggest lifetime contributor to my campaign, who is also one of my best friends, presided over one of the largest corporate bankruptcy frauds in world history (Kenneth Lay, former CEO of Enron Corporation).
  
• I spent more money on polls and focus groups than any president in US history.
  
• I am the first president to run and hide when the US came under attack (and then lied, saying the enemy had the code to Air Force One)
  
• I am the first US president to establish a secret shadow government.
  
• I took the world's sympathy for the US after 911, and in less than a year made the US the most resented country in the world (possibly the biggest diplomatic failure in US and world history).
  
• I am the first US president in history to have a majority of the people of Europe (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and stability.
  
• I am the first US president in history to have the people of South Korea more threatened by the US than by their immediate neighbor, North Korea.
  
• I changed US policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.
  
• I set the all-time record for number of administration appointees who violated US law by not selling their huge investments in corporations bidding for government contracts.
  
• I have removed more freedoms and civil liberties for Americans than any other president in US history.
  
• In a little over two years I have created the most divided country in decades, possibly the most divided that the US has been since the civil war.
  
• I entered office with the strongest economy in US history and in less than two years turned every single economic category heading straight down.
  
  RECORDS AND REFERENCES:
  
• I have at least one conviction for drunk driving in Maine (Texas driving record has been erased and is not available).
  
• I was AWOL from the National Guard and deserted the military during a time of war.
  
• I refuse to take a drug test or even answer any questions about drug use.
  
• All records of my tenure as governor of Texas have been spirited away to my father's library, sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
  
• All records of any SEC investigations into my insider trading or bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
  
• All minutes of meetings of any public corporation for which I served on the board are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
  
• Any records or minutes from meetings I (or my VP) attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review.

Spread it far and wide, especially about one year from now when he's 're-applying for the job'...........

It's sad that John Ritter died the other day. I often watch Nick@Nite and see the old "Three's Comany" re-runs. :( And he was oh-so-young! I just saw him not long ago on one of the late night talk shows. *sigh* - the brevity of life...

I was at the zoo the other day with my sister. It sucked. Where the heck were all the animals in captivity at? There was scarcely anything to see. Booorr-iiingg...

I went to the club tonight. (Well, now it's morning.) Went with Jeannie, Jamar, and his cousin. I really didn't wanna go cuz I've not been in the mood for clubbing. We went to Dream. It turned out to be an alright night. I saw one person I knew, but dammit - I hate stuff on the DL. I was told "shhh" about seeing this particular individual. Man - I have no drama in my life, so I don't care for the drama or secrets of other people's lives. Anyways...

I danced in the little platform on the second floor. That was crazy of me. What was I thinking? :-P I had enough to drink. Didn't drink much, but enough to be feelin' it. Got my swerve on a bit... Met some peoples. Nobody I was TRULY feeling, but I gave my number out, nonetheless. One of the guys was someone who worked there and he turned out to be Boriqua. Silly him - he said he thought I was Boriqua. Cool.

Danced with this one Bolivian-American dude. Wasn't really feelin' him but gave him my number. I'm stupid. And he was gettin' kinda protective when I was talkin' to some other peeps outside the club afterwards... Not cool...

Met these other guys who rolled together - an Afghani, a Trini, and a Pakistani... I love international crowds. Wonder if I'll hear from them again.

When I went to the bathroom with Jeannie, I was talking to the ladies that worked there - one was from Brazil and the other from Honduras. I was practicing my Spanish on them. Why did the Honduran woman ask how old I was askin' if I was fourteen or fifteen. D'oh! And you gotta be, like, 21 to get in the damn club.

Last night Tara, Justin, and I ended up going to get something to eat. We were gonna go shoot some pool but it turned out that Justin didn't have his wallet on his person and then I discovered I didn't have my driver's license on me. Tara was clearly annoyed, but, ah, well - c'est la vie. So we went to this all-night diner place. There were these Arab men that worked there and I was tryna holla at our waiter. Hehe... He was Palestinian-American. Say word. :)

So, I went to see that Army recruiter just to see what's up. You know, explore some options. I don't have any plans to go into the military, but I did take the practice ASVAB test. Got a 99. Gonna take the real ones this Monday. Robert's goin' in, though. As an officer. Good for him, I guess.

Anyways, I'm tired. I need to sleep. I'm a little drunk. :-P

Isn't the weather just wonderful these days? I love the crisp, cool air in the late evening/early morning along with the clear skies allowing for a view of the constellations. This late summer weather is just lovely...

Anyways, went out tonight with Tara. It was another one of the promotions her company put on at a club in the city. (It's more like a bar/lounge.) Timbaland and Magoo were there. We didn't like Timbaland (or as Tara calls him, fatass, lol) too much. And that butthole said that me and Tara weren't black. He obviously wasn't talking about skin color cuz he's just as light as us. But I guess our features weren't African enough for him. Whatever. He sucks.

Met some cool peeps there. Copped a couple digits of two guys that worked there. Another guy who was part of this group that performed was tryna talk to me, but I wasn't really feelin' him. He wanted my number and I gave him some excuse, so he gave me his. And I gave my number to this young bwoy. (He was 20.) Anyways, it was alright, but the shit ended hella early. How you gonna stop a party at 12? So, we ended up shootin' the breeze wit' peeps outside for maybe an hour or so.

My stupid dog got into the mud yesterday. I have to give him a bath twice a week with this special shampoo for his skin condition, so, I got the mud off him that way. But then, the little butthole got all muddied up again later cuz when I came home that afternoon, my dad was drying him off and had the house running. And after all them damn baths, he still stinks! Sheesh. :-P And I hate giving him that bath with the shampoo cuz the vet's instructions are to let the solution sit for 20 minutes. I don't wanna make my dog wait that long. [If you're interested in what my baby looks like, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://depgai79.tripod.com/me/puppy.jpg. That's him after bath #1 yesterday. :-P]

Man, I gotta go see this Army recruiter later today. Thanks a lot, Robert. I had no intentions of ever gettin' involved wit' them, but Robert was telling me about some job with Arabic and I wanted to check it out. So I called the recruiter up and one job was for a native speaker and then there's another for those such as me as a linguist. We'll see wassup. Military for me is supposed to be my last resort option - like after hell freezes over. J/k. And of all the branches, I never considered Army. Anyhoo...

The other night (Wednesday evening), I got to chat with a guy from Mexico. I hadn't seen him since Spring Break 2001 and we hadn't been in touch. But I sent him an e-mail out of the blue recently and then he added me to his MSN. Ha - he wants. hehe... Well, I got another place to stay should I decide to head back south of the border for a visit.

I F'd up my sleep again. Been goin' to bed late and sleepin' all the live-long day. Ah, well...

I registered for a zero-credit course for this semester, $75. It's just so that I'll remain as a student in the system since I haven't yet graduated. Man, I cannot wait to be able to say I'm finished. I will never again go to school after that. I don't think. Unless it's just to study languages. I dunno. That's what I say, that I never wanna be a student again. Anyways...

Went to dinner with Justin this evening. We hit up Damon's. It was a'ight. We both ordered the same thing, but Justin thought it was really good. Different strokes for different folks. ;)

I made a pillow for my doggie. When I had gone to Target with Jeannie last Sunday, I purchased two cheap bath towels for about 3 bucks, which I later sewed together. Then while earlier today/yesterday when my dad was in PetSmart I ran over to Michael's to grab a couple bags of polyester filling. I took the towel and stuffed that bad boy, sealed it up and put it on the floor. My dog already likes it. :) You should see all the positions he sleeps in: hind quarters stretched back and front legs straight ahead of him, on his back, upper body on his side with his back legs up in the air, or whatever other crazy way he can think of.

Oh, shoot... I gotta find that number Robert gave me for a job. He's lookin' out for a kid. I really need to get into gear. Wish I had more connections!

Mangy Mutt!!

Guess what, guys? My dog has mange. EwWw! lol... He took his first trip to the vet today to get vaccinated and what not and I asked the vet to check out his skin. So, he's gotta be on meds for the skin mites. Luckily, they're not transferrable to humans. She (the vet) said mange is common in my dog's breed (both in APBT's & AmStaffs). She said same goes for Boxers and Boston Terriers. She also said it's a good thing we don't plan to breed him cuz the mange gets passed down to the children and that my dog probably got it from his mama.

So my dog was good with the car ride and at the the vet. Only thing was that it was a little struggle when they had to take him to the back room to be weighed and then again for some shots. He's about 30 pounds now. I wonder how big he'll get. He even got to go to PetSmart. That's cool how you get to bring your animals up in there. :)

Okay, all this talk about dog is making me hungry. Just kidding. But I didn't eat a thing today. Time to feed my belly.

It's already September... people are going back to school and I'm just vegetating. Time to get my butt into gear and handle this Master's degree!

Anyways... hung out with Jeannie yesterday. Went with her to run some errands. When I was in the mall I ran into someone from the past: Hugo. For those I went to high school with, Hugo is the father of the two children little Miss Vanessa had before we graduated. And he was with the two little rugrats who were strapped to his sides. Hehe... They were just clinging to him. They're so big now! Like 6 and 7 years-old. Can you believe? So I was talking to Hugo for a long time. He's a bit chubbier and his curly locks have intermingled with some gray strands. He's been living in NY and comes down every now and again. His brother (Bernardo) is still locked up. I gave him my number, for some reason. And he didn't waste no time in calling. Talked to him tonight for a little bit, although I didn't really want to. But whatever...

So, yesterday I was with Jeannie and then we went to her house cuz she was gonna cook something and I was hungry and we have no food at my house. Hehe. Had to get my grub on, ya know? Was there for some hours and didn't get home 'til about 1 in the morning.

Today I didn't really do anything. I slept a lot of the day away. Chilled mostly. When I went to take my dog out for a walk, met some neighborhood kids inquiring about my pup. Some kids talk a little too much. And what I mean is that they give away too much info. You know, like telling me about someone they know who fights their pits. What if I were to tell the authorities? Or that they use a faulty address so they can go to a school in a different district. Heh... It's whatever, really. The one girl was nice. She was telling me how her family had recently got a puppy - a Rottweiler. And she was saying how he don't like girls, but he likes her. That reminds me of how I was reading on some message board about dogs and someone was talking about how her pooch didn't like men - specifically, white men. hehe. This girl's brother had asked me how old I was and was like "30?" Then his sister goes, "Never ask a woman her age." LoL. Wow. "30." That's a new one. I never usually look a day over 16. :-P