More Reasons to Love This Man!

My fellow "Blockhead" (H) e-mailed this to me and a few other BH friends last night and I wish I would've sent it to Jonathan via Twitter. Oh well, because he ended up posting this link early this morning. This interview speaks for itself. More celebrities need to take a lesson from Jon. He's the most down-to-earth, sweetest person you're ever going to meet! :) Did I mention that he was gorgeous too?! I can't wait to see him again this summer!

The interview was taped on April 28th at the Debbie Gibson "Electric Youth" benefit in West Hollywood, CA. Click on Debbie's website and you'll see many more photos from this event, including some of Jonathan! http://www.deborahgibson.wordpress.com

It's times like these that I wish I were living in Southern California right now! By the way, I don't think I could've done a better job at interviewing him, but I'm still hoping for a chance someday! :)

Perhaps, 3rd Time is the Charm

I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but I've had a lot going on that I finally needed to vent some of my frustration out.

Back in January, the assistant to my boss offered me a position in which I'd be working directly for her. The job offer came at a good time because, as a student employee, the pay sucks. I gladly accepted the new position, for which I was to have started in February. Well, here's why I'm frustrated.

The person who offered me the position didn't realize that there was one more step to follow before submitting the paperwork to Human Resources. And because of the problems California is currently facing with its budget, this paperwork also has to go through one more channel: a meeting in which my boss has to attend. Well, yesterday I found out that this meeting has been rescheduled again, which makes this the 3rd time now!

As much as I appreciate the bosses assistant for thinking of me for this "promotion," I'm going to have to keep looking for something better and/or stable. I do realize that it may take a while to find a new job, but I intend to stay positive and I know I will eventually find something I'm well suited for.

Edit: I just got selected for an interview, which will take place next week. I pray that I do well because I've been asked to do a presentation during the interview and I'll admit that I've always shied away from doing public speaking!

Because my focus is currently on school and work, I'm going to need a day where I can just relax and have fun, so that's why a few friends and I are getting together in five weeks and driving down to Fresno to meet NKOTB, again! Yes, hopefully the 3rd time will be the charm and I will put away my shyness for one night so that I can actually have a real conversation with my crush, Jonathan Knight!

For those who have NEVER been to a New Kids show, what in the h*** are you thinking?! Kidding aside, you are totally missing out on two great hours of entertainment! And for those, like myself, who have already been to a few of their shows, well, we/I just can't get enough!

Below is a sneak peek--aka spoiler--of their first 2009 U.S. show from last Saturday! If you don't want to watch it, then turn away now! For the record, let me just say that I absolutely LOVE this song and can't wait to see it performed live soon--sans the thrusting performed in the original video (Video 1)! Enjoy! :)

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Last week, a co-worker of mine--who happens to be the bosses assistant--asked for my personal e-mail address, so I gave it to her. My first thought was, "Ok, what did I do wrong?" A couple of minutes later, I opened the "confidential" e-mail, which stated that the boss told her that she could hire a part-time employee to take over some of the specific duties she shouldn't be doing. She told me that she was happy with my work and asked if I'd be interested in this position. The pay is actually a LOT better than what I'm currently making, which is music to my ears! In addition, I can still have the flexibility of taking classes, plus I could work a few extra hours. I told her that I was going to think about it and I'm actually supposed to meet with her this week to further discuss the job.

I'd say that within the last few months, I've been fortunate to have had some things happen to me, which I had hoped would lead me into fulfilling more of my goals this year. I have tried putting all my positive energy into finding a new job and, well, with the help of my vision board, I think things are starting to fall into place! Staying positive is something I will continue doing because I still have a few other goals I'd like to accomplish this year. :)

My winter break is over and I started classes again this week. I'm slowly getting into my two Anthropology classes because I've never been one to like anything associated with science (or math)! I haven't taken a science class in YEARS, so that's why I'm a little scared! What's funny is that one of my instructors is five years younger than me, so at least I can relate to her in that sense.

And what would my blog be without some NKOTB news! Recently, fans were e-mailed a message stating to "save the dates" for a very special event. Well, as many Blockheads had speculated, the event turned out to be a cruise!! The Block's ship will set sail from Florida to the Bahamas from May 15 - 18. When word got out that this event could be a cruise, I said, "There's definitely NO way I'm going!" Twenty years ago, the Kids did a "Magic Summer" cruise, which I didn't take part in because I couldn't afford it. Well, fast forward to the present and I still can't afford a cruise! I've never been on one before and yes, a trip to Florida (where I've always wanted to go) and the Bahamas (really, any island will do for me) would've been great, but I don't have the means nor the time to go. Actually, I have finals around those dates, so it was poor planning on their part! ;) No worries because I'm still holding out and saving my money for the upcoming tours in the spring and summer! 

My Vacation with New Kids on the Block

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! I actually got home from my vacation that morning & all I'll say is that I don't want to see another long line of people at the airport for a long time!


My friend M and I just spent 5 days vacationing in semi-sunny So Cal. We left San Francisco the day after my birthday (November 22nd) and our flight was a bit delayed, so we didn't arrive in LA until 4:00 p.m. After we picked up our rental car, we drove right to our hotel, which was near LAX. We didn't do much on our first day, except drive to downtown LA to check-out where the Nokia Theatre was located. We then drove to the Beverly Center in Beverly Hills, which supposedly is this 8-level mall, though we only saw 4! Many celebs have been known to be spotted at the Beverly Center. We were there for about an hour and on our way out, I noticed this familiar looking guy having drinks with some friends: Dr. Travis Stork, formerly of ABC's "The Bachelor" fame and who now appears on the Fox TV show "The Doctors." That was the highlight of the night...well, that and ordering room service!

November 23rd:
The one major highlight of our LA trip was that we had tickets to the American Music Awards. This was our first time attending the AMA's & all I kept thinking was it was so surreal that we were there! As we were waiting in line to get into the Nokia Theatre, I saw another former "Bachelor", Charlie O'Connell (younger brother of Jerry, also an actor) crossing the street with his off-again, now on-again girlfriend, who was also on the show. I also saw Ken Baker, a celebrity journalist, who now works for E! News. Ken walked right past me & I saw him once again when we were inside Nokia. I wish I would've gone up to him & asked him for some advice about the Journalism world. I'd love to do what he does for a living! Anyway, as we walked to our seats, my friend M said, "You did very well," which she was referring to the good aisle seats we had, which were in the Orchestra section, HH. As we waited, I receive 2 texts from two friends. As I'm trying to text one of them back, my friend (M) sitting next to me tells me to look up at the large TV screen or JumboTron: it's NKOTB being interviewed on the Red Carpet! I wish we would've had time to stand near the Red Carpet, but unfortunately we were stuck inside waiting for the show to start. I surely didn't want them closing the doors on us! And because they didn't allow cameras inside, I didn't bring mine. I wish I would've just taken the risk of bringing it with me because we saw a few other people with theirs.

By now it's 5:00 pm and the AMA's are starting. Christina Aguilera performs first and does an outstanding job, belting out a melody of her top hits. The second act to perform was none other than the New Kids! They performed a melody of 5 songs (which was similar to what they do in concert) and at one point, Donnie tells everyone to stand up and dance, so my friend and I, as well as many others, did just that! Once the show broke for a commercial or another artist and/or group would perform, I was checking to see if I could spot the guys in their seats. I believe they were seated towards the right-hand side, towards the front, which was on the other side of where we were seated. It was way too dark inside the theatre to see where they were. After the awards were over, we walked back about three blocks to our car and all we wanted to do now was to go back to our hotel and rest our feet because they were killing us! I also don't want to see a pair of short heels unless they come in the form of sandals!

November 24th:
We leave LA around 12:00 pm and begin our drive to San Diego. Suprisingly, we ended up taking the scenic route by accident and arrived in 1 1/2 hours, thanks to M's driving. I texted my cousin, who I was going to meet up with for dinner. I hadn't seen her in over 18 years, so I was looking forward to the reunion! M called her cousin, who now lives in SD, and we met up with him at his job, which is at the Hard Rock Cafe. We decided to kill some time before we picked up my niece at the airport (she was flying in to attend the concert with her sister & I), so we went to Horton Plaza, which is the 6-level mall across the street.

After picking up my niece at the aiport, M dropped us off at my other niece's apartment. I hadn't seen my oldest niece (my sister's daughter) in a few months, so it was good to see her again. M & I agreed that we'd meet at the restaurant where her cousin worked at to have dinner. At the last minute, my cousin texted me telling me that she wasn't going to make it. We proceeded to having dinner and I ended up ordering a Pomegranate Martini, which I had never tasted before. Let me just say that it was very good, but after a little while, I could tell it was finally kicking in!

Dinner proceeded and unbenownst to me, my friend M ordered me an ice-cream sundae to celebrate my birthday, which had been 3 days prior. I ended up getting sung Happy Birthday to since there was no way I was going to stand up on top of our table and be humiliated! I must say that I have never tasted a sundae that yummy! After dinner, we walked back to the mall and then went our separate ways until the next morning.

November 25th:
My friend M & I headed for the SD Airport to pick-up our friend T, who was flying in from San Jose. As soon as we picked her up, we went looking for the guys at Cox Arena, which is located on SDSU's campus, which is quite a beautiful campus. I wish I would've had the time to take a tour of it, which is where I'd like to attend school. Maybe next time. We arrived in the back of the venue around 10:00 or 10:30 am and already noticed 8 other women there! I noticed an online friend of mine there from Arizona, who happens to have several NKOTB tattoos all over her legs! We spoke for about 10 minutes and she told me that she'd been there since 6:00 am. She said she didn't have tickets, but she wanted to see if she could get some FACE TIME with Donnie & the other guys. After seeing 3 tour buses parked inside the venue, it didn't look like any of The Kids were on there or were coming out, so we left after 1 1/2 hours. We went back to my niece's apartment and picked up my other niece so we could go have lunch at this Mexican restaurant I had heard about on my hometown guy's Food Network TV show, "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives." By the way, that friend from Arizona got lucky and succeeded with her mission because at around 5:00 pm--which was about 7 hours later from when I saw her--the guys started arriving and she got a photo taken with Donnie, though he was on the other side of the gate!

T, M and I parted ways again because they had to be back at the venue at 4:30 pm since they had 5* VIP. My 2 nieces & I didn't arrive at the venue until about 6:30. We noticed the local news there and watched the cameraman pan his videocamera up and down the line where we all were standing. When we finally made it inside the venue, I went straight to the merchandise table, but unfortunately the track jacket I wanted was all sold-out. My nieces bought me a belated birthday gift, which was a t-shirt with all the tour dates. :) We finally made it into the arena and found our seats. The entire time leading up to this event, I told my nieces I had a surprise for them, which was that our floor seats--which weren't close to the main stage--were right next to the B stage, which is the rotating stage the guys perform 3 - 4 songs on. The show went on as planned, with Lady GaGa as the opening act, then proceeded by Natasha Bedingfield, whose music I absolutely love!


I had warned the girls sitting right to the left of us, who were closest to the B stage, that the guys were going to come back near us during the show. However, I didn't expect a very large group of people to gather & surround the B stage about 4 songs into the show. :( Obviously, these other people had been to other shows or knew what to expect, so there was NO way me & my nieces, who are all height-challenged, were going to get right in front of the stage. Of course, the venue's security laxed, but they certainly had a problem with people videotaping portions of the show. Well, the two women who sat next to us were happy to oblige and let me stand right in front of them, while my nieces stood on top of their chairs and took pics of the guys while they took this stage.

Two of the best highlights from the SD show were when the guys were on the B stage. I raised a small cardboard sign I had made only hours earlier and hoped it would catch Jon's attention. Well, it worked because he actually saw it, acknowledged it, and mouthed the words, "Thank you!" :) The other highlight came during the end of their song "Click, Click, Click". When the song ends, they stand still and pose for the camera, which is then displayed on the JumboTron. Well, usually--as Joey explains--Jonathan doesn't have to do anything except stand there because he's so good-looking, but this night was exceptionally special because NO one expected Jon to do what he did: he placed both hands on his...ummm...package! I guess the Shy One isn't so shy after all! Of course he won the pose-off for that night! As usual, Jon did his booty dance, which is always a favorite of mine! Two hours & fifteen minutes later, the show was over.


This was the first NKOTB show my nieces got to attend (they're 25 & 23 years old). I asked them how they liked it & they told me that they really enjoyed themselves, but they both agreed that it's worth paying the extra $$ for 5* VIP, which enables you to get a seat within the first 10 rows. You see, all 3 of us are height-callenged, so we need to see what's going on at all times! Well, things haven't changed because I got my nieces hooked on attending some future NKOTB concerts with me! Well, I'm looking forward to doing this again tomorrow, with having had only 4 1/2 hours of sleep!


November 26th: I had to get up at 4:15 am because we had to drop off our friend T at the airport at 5:00. We left SD and arrived in LA around 10:00 am and decided to go have breakfast first. I called my friend M2 and checked to see what her plans were for that morning. She wasn't going to be able to meet me until the show that night, which was fine. After breakfast, we drove to Beverly Hills because we wanted to try to find Sprinkles, which is this cool, little cafe that sells delicious cupcakes. It's a fixture in LA & they've now started opening more shops throughout California. My friend, M2, warned me that we should get there early because sometimes there are long lines (she knows from experience since she works near there). Well, we ended up finding the place, but had a hard time finding parking. We kept passing several parking structures, but M never wanted to pull into any of them. We ended up parking in an underground structure with valet service (we should've just gone with a garage off the street that had NO valet). Unfortunately, we got lost in the little shopping center that houses the garage, until I finally noticed the street! We walked for about 3 blocks and somehow lost sight of where we were. We ended up just leaving and decided to drive towards the Nokia Theatre. We didn't see much happening, so we left back to our hotel to rest a little bit so that we'd be ready for the show that night.

I checked the weather forecast before I left for So Cal & it said that there'd be a slight chance of showers. Well, it certainly came down in LA on our last night there. I was inside out hotel room when I noticed it pouring outside. By the time we left the hotel and headed towards downtown for the show, it was just sprinkling.

The one downfall of any big city is the traffic & LA is no exception. Before we headed out that night, I asked the hotel clerk if she knew of a shorter route so we wouldn't have to take the freeway. Thank goodness she found an easier way to get to Nokia and it only took us 20 minutes. As we walked out of the parking garage, I found several people gathered across from where the tour buses were parked. We wanted to get in line, so we headed towards the front of the venue. More people gradually came & started lining up and at 7:00 they let us all in. Yet again, I didn't find my track jacket, so I guess it wasn't meant to be. We found our seats, which I already had an idea as to where we were sitting. Our seats were in the Orchestra section again, only this time we were in the 8th row, which actually felt like 5th row! We were very close to the stage! We certainly lucked out with our seats, but a few of my friends did even better because they had front row (most of them bought 5* VIP)!

So the LA show went on without a hitch! There were a few special highlights, like when Jon took the videocamera and started filming the audience. Well, he spotted me and once again I saw myself on the JumboTron (I have a friend who witnessed seeing me again)! And I didn't even have to wear my lucky t-shirt! The other highlight came during the Click pose off. My friend C, who was in the front row, handed Joey a note and it said that we (the audience) wanted to sing Happy Birthday to Jon! This was planned out for weeks by several fans on the forums and we all finally made it happen! So we all sang to Jon and each one of their back-up dancers gave him a hug, as well as each of the guys. When it was Donnie's turn to give Jon a hug, he gave him a kiss on the lips--which Jon was NOT expecting at all--and a pat on his behind! It was all done in fun {they're like brothers since these two, along with Danny, have known each other since the 1st grade}, but it was such a hilarious moment! Since there was no room for the B stage at Nokia, they had the guys run through one specific aisle on the opposite side of us (I was really hoping they'd come by me) & finished off one of their songs in the Loge section.

I was told just before Lady GaGa performed that 98 Degree singers and brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, along with Nick's girlfriend (entertainment reporter Vanessa Minnillo) & Drew's wife, were also in the audience. I hope they're not thinking about a reunion tour because I think it's too soon for them to be getting back together! There was also a rumor that Batman star Christian Bale was in the audience. This could only happen in LA!

My friends and I had such a great time! We left with some fond memories of all the shows we were able to attend. As the new NKOTB song goes it's "Officially Over." Well, for at least a few months. I've been hearing rumors that the guys will be touring again next summer, which at least two of the guys have actually confirmed. A reliable source told me that they'll be coming back to Cali in the spring, which I hope is true! Unfortunately, that doesn't give me enough time to recuperate financially (ha, ha)!

For those, who weren't able to attend a New Kids shows this year, "Get your mind right," as Donnie Wahlberg would say, and start saving up for next year because I guarantee you'll have a GREAT time!!


I'll leave you with a few special moments from these 2 concerts I was fortunate to attend. :)


Here's a highlight from the San Diego show:


And here's the highlight from the LA show:

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

I'm a bad girl for not having posted this yesterday (Nov. 29th), which is actually Jonathan Knight's birthday! I still can't believe he's celebrating this milestone. He's definitely aged quite well and if that's what 40 looks like, then where do I sign up?! I think his secret to aging so gracefully is that he laughs a lot and seeing how goofy the guys act on & off-stage, it certainly is working for him!

I know for a fact that he flew to Mexico on his special day because the guys are performing three shows there before they take the next few weeks off in December and then start their European tour in early January.

I'm glad I was able to attend the last two NKOTB shows in Southern California. I will tell you all about it in my next blog, which also reveals a little moment I had with the birthday boy in honor of his special day!

I can't wait to see Mr. Knight again in '09! And this time I promise I'll be more gutsy and will say more than four words to him!

And here's a tune by the birthday boy himself!

Another Year Older & My Last Adventure for '08

Well, it's that time of year again when I can add another laugh line or wrinkle to my face. Yes, I celebrate another birthday! I can honestly say that this year has been like a roller coaster...I've had a few ups and downs. I had a little health scare in early August, but thank God it was just a false alarm. I was laid off in early January, which put me in a funk the next few months. Not long after did I hear a rumor that a certain 80's singing group, who I loved as a teen, was reuniting. Once the rumors were true, my life started getting a little better.


Speaking of that group, as you know, I was fortunate to have met them twice this year. Will it be 3rd times the charm come next week? Whatever is meant to happen will happen. Unfortunately, I don't have VIP tickets this time around, but I do have great seats! My friend M and I are headed to Southern California to see the last two shows: San Diego on Nov. 25th & LA on the 26th. We leave for LA on the 22nd, attend a special event {I'll fill you in on the details later} on the 23rd, and will then drive down to San Diego & stay with my niece on the 24th. My other niece is flying in on the 24th and she, her sister and I will be attending the SD show together, while my friends T & M will in the VIP section. My nieces have NEVER been to an NKOTB concert and I can't wait to tell them the surprise on the day of the show: our seats are right next to the B Stage! This is the rotating stage in back of the arena, where the guys will head to in the middle of the show and will perform a few songs. I'm going to do my best to catch Jonathan's attention again because, after all, his birthday is on the 29th! Finally, M & I drive back to LA on the 26th to see the guys for the last time this year. I'm going to be so sad when it's all over. Well, at least I have something to look forward to for next summer!

I really intend to enjoy myself during my little vacation/adventure. I'm going to meet up with a few other Blockhead friends--some from the Bay Area & others from So Cal--at both shows. Then hopefully on the last day we're in town, three LA friends and I are planning on getting together to celebrate our fabulous November birthdays! :) Hey, who knows. Maybe I'll run into Michael Vartan while I'm in LA. That would totally make my year!

Details to follow upon my return, on Thanksgiving Day. :)

Good fortune - Part II

Today I was at school just minding my own business when I came across a nickel, so I picked it up. About an hour or so later, as I was on my way to the library, I looked down in front of me and noticed something green. Someone had dropped some cash on the ground, so I looked around me and picked up! I instantly placed it inside my purse without even counting it and continued walking. I thought I had found $11 because it was all wadded up. When I came home and took the money out of my purse, it turned out to be $15! Ok, this is the third best day of my life!

Again, I keep finding money and I'm intending that it means that only good things will be happening to me soon! I recently applied for a new job, which I didn't get, so I'm hoping that this is a sign that either something I wanted is just around the corner or that it'll be coming to me in the near future! Only time will tell and I'm trying to think positive thoughts all the way through.

Let's help this good fortune will help me get some solo FACE TIME with The Block on Thursday, at Concert #1 because I'll be competing for FACE TIME with Jon, Donnie, Danny, Jordan, and Joey on Friday, at Concert #2, with about 199 Blockheads! :(

Awkward Moment

Yesterday morning as I left my Journalism class, I stopped by this little hut at my school that sells snacks. As I approached the cashier, this woman in a black trench coat, who seemed rather strange to begin with, asked me, "What Victoria Secret perfume are you wearing?" I looked at her and replied, "I'm not wearing any perfume!" After I said this, she proceeds to get a closer to me and takes a wiff! I can't believe how STRANGE this woman was! First I thought she was just hanging around campus and had no where to go, but it turns out she is a student. I hope I never run into her again!

The countdown begins TODAY for NKOTB Concert Week! Just 6 more days until Concert #1, which is Thursday, and Concert #2 is on Friday, which is actually the day I get to reunite with Jonathan again! All I'll say is that NO one better get in my way of asking him for a hug! Oh, and if he wants to give me a kiss, I won't shy away or say no! ;) Hey, he gave away one or two pecks on the cheek to some Canadian fans, so hopefully he'll still have some more LOVE left in him for this Cali girl! So excited! Details to follow next weekend! :)

The Perfect Guy

Ok, I just have to give props to the woman who created this YouTube video of my crush...oops, I meant our crush, Jonathan Knight. Pay attention to the song on the video. Does it sound familiar?! ;)

Btw, Mr. Knight really isn't the perfect guy, but he is perfect for me! lol

A (K)night I will soon remember!

Ok, so my favorite band, New Kids on the Block (if you haven't guessed it by now) are coming to town! For weeks I had been wondering when they'd be touring the West Coast. Well, on May 16th, during their performance on the TODAY show, the new dates were announced and I am now on countdown mode! :)

I had every intention of going to the L.A. show, scheduled for October 8th, but opted not to go because of school and the fact that my friend, H6 (the # distinguishes her from the others since she & the other 5 have the same name), couldn't make it. Then there's the San Diego show, which is now taking place two days before Turkey Day. I plan on attending this show with my (almost--eek!) 25 year old niece, who lives in SD. I know two shows might be a bit too much, but hey, I'm making up for lost time! If I could attend more, I would. I've read that some other fans will be attending 4+ shows!


I still remember the first time I saw the Kids in concert, which was in December 1989 at the Oakland Coliseum Arena. Unfortunately, the last time I saw them was in April 1994 at the Konocti Harbor Resort. The Konocti concert didn't really count since Jon wasn't there. :(

However, I predict that the best concert ever & the one I'll never forget will be on October 10th, when 3 of my new friends (all women, of course) and I have VIP tickets for the San Jose show! Ok, so we have to drive about 2 hours, but it'll all be worth it! Our VIPs include a pre-party show, some cool gifts, awesome seats, and a meet & greet with the guys! Though my friends & I won't know exactly where we'll be sitting 'til the day of the concert, we're all ecstatic because our dreams are finally coming true! Someone pinch me because after 20 years, I may finally get to meet my celebrity/non-celebrity crush, Jonathan Knight! :)

I must say that 2008 started off a bit rocky for me for various reasons. I'd say, though, that within the last 3 months or so, I've felt a lot happier than I did before. I just have to remember to stay positive and be grateful for everything I do have!