(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:

The End of an American Family

Photo courtesy of WireImage

I was online this evening when I found out that the last surviving member of one of America's most famous families passed away today. Actor, producer and director David Nelson, son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and older brother of musician Rick ("Ricky") Nelson, passed away today from colon cancer. He was 74.

When "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" premiered on ABC in 1952 (it ended its run in 1966), it was the first time that a real family portrayed a fictional version of themselves on television. I would like to think that "Ozzie & Harriet" was one of the first reality shows there ever was. The wholesome Nelsons played this idealistic American family of the 1950's. In fact, many storylines revolving around what the real Nelsons were doing in their daily lives were incorporated in to the show. Eventually, Ozzie and Harriet's youngest son, Rick, when on to gain fame as a teen idol.

Sadly, now all four members of the Nelson family are no longer with us. Ozzie passed away from liver cancer in 1975; Rick was killed in a private plane crash on New Year's Eve 1985; and Harriet died of congestive heart failure in 1994. And now with David's passing, the end of an era is gone. A little known fact about the "Ozzie & Harriet" show: it was the longest running sitcom to date, until 2003 when "The Simpsons" cartoon series broke that record.

It's unfortunate that there will never be another show like "Ozzie & Harriet." However, the Nelson legacy will continue to live on. David's niece, Tracy Nelson, is an accomplished actress, who was a regular on "Square Pegs" and on "Father Dowling Mysteries;" Tracy's brothers, twins Matthew and Gunnar, of the 90's rock group Nelson; and younger brother Sam, a record executive and the lead vocalist for the L.A. based indie band H is Orange.

David is survived by his wife Yvonne, four sons, a daughter and seven grandchildren.

Here's a funny clip from "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet."



And here's a video of David's nephews Matthew, Gunnar and Sam paying tribute to their father, Rick.

Happy New Year!

All good things must come to an end. 2010 started out great, but then towards the end of the year, things turned out a little sour. In January, I continued working and taking classes. Then Cupid's arrow missed his aim again in February. Showers poured in between March and April, which also resulted in me getting laid off from work. And then in May, I took my first trip to Vegas--in which I ended up getting sick about two days after I got home.

Then came the warm days of summer. Between June and July, I took up Zumba for the first time. It was fun until my back when out on me for about a week. Then summer came to an end when I returned to school in August. I really thought I wasn't going to be able to handle all the classes I scheduled myself for, but somehow I managed to. During this time, I met someone and thought we had a mutual attraction, but it was never meant to be because he rejected me a few months later. Between September and November, I wrote a few more articles for my journalism class, which were published. In November, my family and I celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents home without my nephew, who is stationed in Oklahoma and couldn't make it home. Finally in December, I enjoyed a much needed break away from school. I'm catching up with tasks that need to be taken care of and I'm taking the time to get together with friends. However, December was also a sad month for me; however, it also gave me a new perspective of what I had to look forward to in the upcoming year.

I just want to say how thankful and blessed I am to have such an amazing family and close friends. I'm anxious to see what positive, new experiences, adventures or opportunities are waiting for me. Also, I'm intending that God grant me and my loved ones with good health, prosperity, wealth and happiness in 2011. Happy New Year!! :)

Happy Holidays

With Christmas quickly approaching, I wanted to take this time to reflect on what I've observed lately.

I recently received a Christmas photo card from someone I've known for about 20 years. In fact, one of her maternal aunts married one of my paternal uncles, so we have cousins in common. Back when I was in high school, we used to work together and we became really close. The last time I saw her was this summer when our aunt had a 60th birthday party. This friend works in town, so the other day I stopped by the store she works at and bought myself lunch before I headed to school. We only chatted for a bit, but she insinuated that her phone number was still the same and that I needed to keep in touch. I gave her a taste of her own medicine and told her that I had been waiting for her to return my call months ago! Anyway, in the brief conversation we had, she told me that she finally met a man seven months ago who is treating her well; however, he is much older than her.

So when I received her card recently, I noticed it had not only her and her two sons, but it also had her new boyfriend and three young children in the photos, which could potentially be his grandchildren. Anyway, I'm really happy she has finally found someone.

What makes me sad is that what I thought would turn out to be a great year for me didn't happen. The two major bad points were that I lost my job and that I got rejected by a crush--again. The good points were that I continued to progress in college and passed with decent grades, I had a few more stories published, my health has been good and I reunited with three childhood friends. The last two weeks haven't been so great. I don't think I've shed a tear since probably Tuesday. I think what I really need right now is for my heart to heal and for me to stop being so emotional.

A friend just asked me if I was ready for Christmas. I told her no. Then I told her that if she was referring to having Christmas spirit, then the answer was still no. I'm really happy that my family and I will be spending Christmas together, with the exception of my nephew, who can't make it home.

My definition of Christmas is that it's all about being together and sharing good memories with your loved ones. I intend that this will be a joyous Christmas and that whatever I'm feeling I'll be able to shake off before 2010 ends.

Unrequited Love

Yet again, cupid has missed his aim! Today I took another risk and finally told my crush I liked him. I mean, I had to know because I've been getting mixed signals within the last two months. To make a very short story even shorter, I got rejected--again. Oh well. Life goes on and I am moving on/forward again.

I will take comfort in the fact that when I finally decide to write a book, I will definitely have enough anecdotes to devote a chapter or two to this subject.