A Wedding & a Possible Reunion

First of all, Happy Easter! I hope everyone had a good holiday.

Well, there are 5 days left until the big wedding of the century. NO, I'm not talking about Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton. I'm talking about my oldest niece's wedding, which is April 29th. :)

This will be the first wedding in my family which we'll be celebrating since my parents' wedding (ok, so my two older siblings and I weren't alive when they got married. We came along later!), which took place almost 52 years ago. When my sister (the mother of my niece) got married, she and her now ex-husband got hitched during a civil ceremony and only two of her friends were in attendance. Anyway, I can't wait to relax for a few days and enjoy my mini vacation in sunny San Diego!

A little anecdote: My family and I used to joke around with my two nieces when they were younger (they're now 27 and 25) that my oldest niece would marry Prince William and that my youngest niece would marry Prince Harry. I find it amusing now that the niece who was "destined" to marry Prince William is also getting married on the same day!

Another event that has been on my mind lately is my 20th high school reunion. It's supposed to happen sometime this year, but if it's anything like my 10-year reunion--oops, I mean 11-year (YES, you read this correctly)--then it will probably not happen on time. :( Oh, oh! I spoke too soon! I recently got word that one of my classmates may be organizing our reunion, which will likely be held this summer. Hmmm...I won't believe it until I actually receive an invitation. ;-)

If indeed we're having our reunion this summer, I'm hoping the smart, cutie I never spoke to will be there. We've known of each other because we attended the same elementary, junior high and high schools, but it's ironic that we never spoke to each other or even had a class together. Honestly, I was a little intimidated by him because 1) he was cute (and still is) and 2) he used to hang out with the popular crowd and was involved in school politics. I'm not holding my breath, but it would be a nice treat if he was at the reunion...solo, of course...so we could finally chat. :-)

There was a time where I was hesitant about wanting to relive my high school days. I was never fond of school. In fact, I was one of those students who did well, but never got involved in any of the drama or was in any cliques (thank goodness). I was above all that because I usually kept to myself. However, since graduation, I've reconnected with a few classmates and am glad I did. Many people have changed because they now have families, but I think for the most part they still run in the same circles (i.e. popular, smarties, jocks, cheerleaders, alternatives, country folk, etc.).

The most difficult years for me in high school were 10th and 11th grade. I remember one week where I just didn't want to get out of bed and go to school. During this time I felt really alone. As I mentioned before, I never felt like I was a part of any crowd and I usually spent most of the time in the library--either doing homework or reading the newspaper. In my sophomore year, I had the idea of wanting to enroll in independent studies. By doing this, I would do all of my homework at home and would attend school only once a week, which is when I'd turn in all of my homework. I had my mother make an appointment with the school administrator so we could discuss me getting in to independent studies. After carefully reviewing my student record and asking me questions, the administrator thought it wouldn't be a good idea for me to do this because. as he pointed out, I was a good student.

Alas, there were a little over 200+ people in my graduating class, including one who ended up becoming famous for having been on two reality shows and on the cover of a magazine--among her other claims to fame. Anyway, it will be good to see some of my classmates, who I haven't seen in ages! The ones who I remain close with are the same ones I still stay in contact with.

We shall see what happens!

Another Crush Off the Market

It is with my deepest regret to inform you that another hottie and a former crush of mine is now officially 'off the market.' Carter Oosterhouse, a former Trading Spaces carpenter and HGTV host of 'Carter Can,' became officially engaged last week to actress Amy Smart. According to Radar Online, they've been dating since last November, but it seems that they hit it off right from the start. And it looks like these two Midwestern natives also share a passion for being eco-friendly.

Congratulations to the lovebirds! Now if you'll excuse, I think I hear my pillow calling me for a good cry! :-(

Sources:

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/04/amy-smart-engaged-carter-oosterhouse

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/exclusive-amy-smart-carter-oosterhouse-engaged-2011214

Here We Come...Walking Down the Street, again and this time very slowly

I'm sure some of you old schoolers out there all remember the theme song to the TV show "The Monkees."

Yes, before NKOTB, Backstreet Boys and *Nsync, there were four 20-something-year olds, two actors--Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz--and two musicians--Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork--who showed up for a casting call in L.A. in 1965. The four guys were hired to play members of a struggling rock 'n' roll band. Alas, The Monkees were born! The show ran on NBC from 1966 to 1968 and the group's funny antics plus their catchy Pop music was a great recipe for the situation comedy.

Well, this year marks the 45th Anniversary of the show's premiere and the former quartet-now trio (Michael Nesmith doesn't tour anymore since having inherited his mother's Liquid Paper fortune), who range in age from 65 to 68, will be going out on the road this summer. They tour the U.S. beginning in early June and will arrive in California in early July. I'm hoping to attend their Northern CA show along with a few friends. Rumor has it that Michael "Mike" Nesmith may join the band on a few dates in the U.K., but has no intention on touring with the Micky, Davy and Peter in the states. Although The Monkees was a made-for-TV band/group, they were one of the inspirations or reasons why I'm majoring in Communications/Media Studies.

Here are several retro Monkees music videos, which may in fact be the first music videos ever played on TV, pre-MTV! By the way, Nesmith has been dubbed as the 'Father of MTV.' He's been credited for having invented the channel since he created a half and hour pilot for a show that was never made. He later sold the rights to Time-Warner, who played around with the idea and turned it into MTV.

http://www.monkeeland.com/tourdates.html

Videos:

It's a Sad Day

My heart just got broken after I came across the People magazine article about actor Michael Vartan, who got married today. Ok, I think I'll go cry on my pillow now. :-(

Seriously, are there any good, single, intelligent, humorous, nice guys left in this country? ;-)

(Un)Happy Single Awareness Day!

It's that time of year again when many single people despise this day and its significance! It's commonly referred to as Valentine's Day, but for single people, we refer to it as Single Awareness Day.

I think this day also serves as another reminder that I'm still single and that I don't have any prospects. This day also serves as a reminder that I have relatives who have recently gotten in to a (new) relationship, have gotten married or are going to be getting married. In fact, my 40 year-old cousin just got married last month--after a short courtship; my 27 year-old niece (my sister's daughter) is getting married in late April; and one of my cousin's daughters--also 27--is getting married in November.

I recently took one of those silly quizzes titled "What will 2011 hold for you?" and it indicated that I'd be getting married this year. With the luck I've been having, I exclaimed, "Yeah...right!"

When I was younger, I used to play M.A.S.H. with my cousins and I remember one of the questions I was asked and it was at 'what ages do you think you will get married?' My answer was always something like 26, 28, 30, etc. Well, let's just say that I've already passed all those ages. :-(

I believe I always knew what my future was going to hold. Sometimes I have a hard time accepting the cards I've been dealt with, but it is what it is. I just have to accept the fact that if I'm not meant to be in a relationship then God must have something better planned for me.

For those who are in a relationship, then Happy Valentine's Day! However, if you're single like myself, then Happy Single Awareness Day!

Here are two great songs pertaining to my current status. Enjoy!

Everything is coming up roses!

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine sent me a link to a posting she thought I might be interested in. The link was tweeted (a term commonly used on Twitter) by the editor of an online blog based in Los Angeles. The editor mentioned that if there were any interested writers out there to contact her. That evening I emailed her and the following morning the editor emailed me back. I told her I was interested and if it was going to be a problem contributing since I live several hours north of the city. She assured me that since everything is done online these days, anything is possible!

Thank you to my friend "C"--who lives in L.A.--for sending me the link! Without her, I may have not seen it. She said that I was the first person she thought of when she read the tweet. It's comforting to know that I still have a few friends left who are looking out for my best interest. :)

So when the editor of the blog and I made contact, she asked me if there was a story I wanted to write about. I remembered that I had read that actor David Nelson had passed away the night before so I asked if I could write about his passing. The editor gave me the ok to write the story, so I finished it and emailed it to her before deadline the same day. Well, that evening the story got published!

I'm trying to come up with more ideas for stories, but sometimes I'm beaten to the punch by actual staff writers that work for the L.A. blog. Although the position is voluntary, I see it as a stepping stone for my future career. It will also allow me to make more contacts who actually live in the area.

I'm so grateful for any opportunity I can get because it gives me a sense of satisfaction that someone really believes in my writing.

And the award goes to...

If there was ever an award handed out for Hottest Actor, I would have no choice but to give it to two lucky recipients! The first one would go to Auckland, New Zealand native Martin Henderson, who has appeared in films like "The Ring," "Torque" and "Smokin' Aces," and in the Britney Spears' video "Toxic" (fast forward it to 02:48 to see his cameo). Boy, am I glad he moved to the States to start his career! He can now be seen as "Dr. McKiwi" (like as in "McDreamy" and "McSteamy")--oops, I meant "Dr. Ben Keeton" in ABC's "Off the Map." Hmmm...I think I have a fever and only Dr. Keeton can cure it! ;) Ok, that was the dorkiest thing I have ever said or written! But a man with an accent is always a good thing in my book!

The second, lucky recipient of the Hottest Actor award goes to Chris Pine, who has appeared in films such as "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," "Bottle Shock," "Star Trek" and "Unstoppable." The UC Berkeley graduate is the son of actor Robert Pine, who played "Sgt. Getraer" in the 1970's show "CHiPs." Chris's baby blues are just so mesmerizing! ;)

A little known fact: both of these actors appeared in the 2006 film "Smokin' Aces." Ok, I must now go watch this film!

Here's a recent interview Martin did on "The View":




And here's the second half of Chris's appearance on the "Jimmy Kimmel Show," Nov. 2010: