I'm Back with a Downpour of Good News!

Yes, I'm back again from being on sabbatical from blogging! Well, it's been a slow news day these past few months, until about a week ago when I was 'drenched' with some good news!

I had left work a few minutes early last Thursday. Well, when I came into work on Friday, I started reading my e-mails when I noticed one from the director of our office. She was congratulating me on the article I wrote. I then began to wonder what she was talking about. Hmmm...well, the last article I wrote was almost two years ago and it was for class. I was told that it would get published the following semester, but it never did. I had even e-mailed my former instructor to inquire when it would be getting published. She told me that the newspaper had two new editors, so it was up to them as to which stories made it in. Evidently, mine never made it to print until last week! YAY! Needless to say, I told my "supervisor" the good news and she asked me if I'd leave a copy for the office. Well, it turns out a few days ago, she placed a copy of the newspaper, which had published my article, in the lunch room and placed a Post-It on the front page mentioning my article. What a way to embarrass me; however, I did receive several compliments from my co-workers.

Well, you can guess how surprised and excited I was about the article. But I was also not expecting to hear more good news soon after! About three weeks ago, I went to take a job exam and then the following week, I took another exam for the same organization, but for a slightly higher position. Well, this week, I found out the results for both exams and I passed! However, because there is always a high volume of people applying for these positions and taking these exams, you must pass it and have received a certain overall percentage in order to get on the waiting list. Once you pass the exam, you receive a ranking number and wait until your number is picked, and until you're contacted for an interview. Unfortunately, the list only stays active for a few months. And once the list expires, you have an opportunity to take the exam again when it's offered. Needless to say, I ranked #12 on exam one and #20 on exam two. However, soon after I passed the first exam, I received an e-mail informing me that I qualified for the bilingual vacancies and to call them for an interview, if I was interested. Well, I'm still waiting for the call back regarding the interview schedule.

After having been on a job search for the past nine months, I'm learning to have more patience and I believe it's slowly starting to pay off. I'm going to continue practicing being positive and surrounding myself with positivity so that I may reach my goals. I intend that the next path I'll be on is to become employed at one of these organizations. Disclaimer: I haven't given up on my dreams just yet. I have to put them on hold for the moment, but will try to find time to work around them and hope that they will become a part of my future. :)

Happy 2010!

Saying good bye to 2009 is leaving me a little melancholy and sentimental, but saying hello to 2010--the start of a new decade--is giving me hope of possible things to come.

The beginning of 2009 brought me a little false hope of advancement at work. I was going to be given the opportunity to take on more responsibilities, as well as receive better pay. Unfortunately because of how office politics work, I had to wait until early spring to relish in my promotion. However, it was then taken away in July when we experienced budget cuts.

In April, my fellow BH (Blockhead) Sistahs and I got together once again and drove to Fresno, CA to go see our favorite group, New Kids on the Block, perform again. Then in July, my friends and I got together again to attend their Full Service concerts in Concord and Irvine, CA. We had the best time meeting the guys again and getting together to share our childhood memories!

During the summer, I thought that love could be on the horizon when I ran into last crush...only to be given false hope. I learned a valuable lesson from this and it's to make myself happy and to focus on what I want in my life.

Late summer had me saying good bye to my one and only nephew, who joined the Air Force and was on his way to Basic Military Training in Texas. He graduated from BMT in early October, which allowed my parents, sister, two nieces and I to travel to San Antonio to see him graduate and be honored as one of the top graduates! We also got to do a little sightseeing at the River Walk.

Early fall brought me back to So Cal to take my parents to visit my mother's family, including her four siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. I always have a great time with my mother's side of the family. They're what I consider 'crazy' because they know how to tell the right jokes and always reminisce about the 'old days.'

The holidays brought my family together once again, in which we celebrated Thanksgiving with my cousin and her family, at her son's house. Then my immediate family--including my nephew, who was on a two-week leave from the Air Force--spent Christmas at my parents house.

Needless to say, I'm ready for 2010! I have faith that good or positive things will happen in the new year. Here's hoping that 2010 brings you much happiness, prosperity and good health! Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, I survived another year! Between my last birthday and today, I found myself spending a lot of time traveling, which I had always hoped to do. I spent most of '08 and '09 traveling up and down California to go see my favorite music group, NKOTB. Thanks to them, I've gotten to meet a lot of new friends and have become addicted to Twitter! Coincidentally, I have been the happy recipient of two tweets by none other than the leader or 'charismatic one' himself, Donnie Wahlberg! He's just as much a sweetheart with a big heart, as is Jonathan Knight, who you all {yes, all three of you!} know I've been crushing on since I was 16 years old!

Earlier this year, I got promoted at my job. I was getting the run-around at work and waited three months until the paperwork finally went through...only for the promotion to be taken away at the beginning of July when the California budget crisis led me to take a major pay cut. :( At that moment in time, I told my supervisors that I was going to have to look for another job, which I am still looking for. Yes, it's THAT bad in California!

Around May, I got reacquainted with an 'old' crush. I got the nerve to stop by his place of business a few times, but never had a real conversation with him. Eventually, my heart got broken yet again a few months later when I saw him with his ex-girlfriend. I quickly moved on.

About two weeks ago, I took my parents to visit my mother's siblings and their families in Southern California and Baja CA. The last time we saw the family was three years ago when we attended my cousin's memorial service. I love visiting my extended family (and yes, I have many, many cousins), who I don't get to see very much. On the last day we were in Baja, my cousin Ben gave and said something to my parents that ultimately made me become an emotional wreck. So up until the time we left, he made fun of me because I was still crying! My Baja cousins ALWAYS make us feel welcomed when we go to visit them. I will blog more about my Baja trip in another blog.

A few months ago, I started experiencing more feelings of regret. I've felt that I haven't accomplished much in my life nor do I get the respect I deserve. I went back to college a few years ago, but am only taking a few classes here and there since I really need to work. I intend to continue with school and complete all the necessary classes so that I can eventually transfer one day, but it may take me a while longer.

I'm not sure what lies ahead for me, but I can only hope it's something good and for which I've worked hard for. My current motto is that I'm going to focus more time in making myself happy. I have yet to see what is out there for me. It may be a new job in another city or traveling. Whatever it is, there may be some challenges along the way, but I have faith that I'll overcome them.

Here is to another year of living with good health and happiness, and exploring all the possibilities that are yet to come!

Saying Good-Bye to Mr. Cutie

This morning, my cousin invited me to go see her best friend compete in her first 1/2 marathon, which took place in the town we all grew up in. My cousin picked me up around 9:45 am and we drove over to city hall, where we were expecting to meet up with her best friend.

As we arrived to the marathon site, we noticed my cousin's friend chatting with other competitors, so we walked up to her and started asking her how she did. About 30 to 45 minutes of being there, we walked across the street to meet up with the best friend's older brother and some of her friends. As we stayed to watch the second marathon, I then noticed this guy riding this old-style bicycle and riding along side him was this woman, who I can confirm was his ex or former girlfriend. :( My heart literally came out of my chest. As they rode their bikes past me, they set them down and gathered with a few of their friends, who were all there to cheer on their friends participating in the marathon.

It's probably safe to say that they're now back together, which means I am giving up--again--and this time it's for good. I think deep down I knew it was too good to be true. I'm now realizing that I would have never had a chance with him. A guy like Mr. Cutie doesn't come around often, especially where I'm from. In an odd way, I felt like the Molly Ringwald character, "Andie", in Pretty in Pink. Obviously he has found his equal in his ex-girlfriend, so I guess all I can say now is that I hope they're happy.

Love is definitely a funny thing. After you get your heart broken several more times, you start to question if there is something wrong with you. I'm putting faith in the fact that I'm a good person, who has the qualities that a man will like or love about me. I do hope I will find love...or that it will find me...someday. I think I deserve some happiness in my life and I will just have to practice more patience until I find it.

Dancing With The Stars is back!

Ok, I'm gradually getting back to blogging again. I thought my first blog back would be to fill you in on what I did this past summer, but network TV has interrupted that blog for now!

Season 9 of ABC's Dancing With The Stars premiered tonight. I've been watching this show since it first aired, with the exception of possibly one season {and no, it wasn't the first season in which NKOTB member, Joey McIntyre, appeared in}. I really try to make an effort to vote for who I think puts their heart and soul into the competition, and who I believe deserves to win. This season is a no-brainer! My vote is for Donny Osmond (yes, the Donny Osmond), former 70's teen idol and one of my first crushes when I was just a mere three or four-years-old (ok, so my crushing started a little bit early)!


Having followed Donny's career now for the past 30+ years (YIKES!), I can truly say that he's a fierce competitor! He's going to perfect every dance move each week because 1) he wants that trophy and 2) that's just the way he works.

Right from the beginning, I sensed that Mark Dacascos of the Food Network's Iron Chef America would be Donny's best competition. I think it's just too early to say who's going to win it. If I were a betting woman, you know my money would be on Donny!

Despite having to practice every week for DWTS, he is also currently doing weekly shows at the Flamingo Hotel in Vegas with his sister Marie. Note to self: I must catch their Vegas show soon because it's been 24 years since I last saw them in concert, which also happened to be the first concert I ever attended!

Here's the link to vote for your favorite competitor, which also includes Kelly Osbourne, model Kathy Ireland, actresses Debi Mazar and Melissa Joan Heart, and singers Macy Gray and Aaron Carter. Obviously you know who I'll be voting for!

Here's a little blast from the past. Hey, maybe Donny will incorporate some of these dance moves, which his brother (Jay) taught him and Marie for the original Donny & Marie show!

APB on LSP

As you've (this is intended for my 2 or 3 "fans", who follow this blog) probably noticed, I've been a little MIA or absent from the blogging world. My summer off from school went by way too quickly! A few exciting (well, at least for me) things happened to me during the summer, which are worthy of a blog or two; however, I just haven't had a chance to sit down and post. And now I'm a little preoccupied with trying to keep on track with school because I've got so much to do in so little time.

Anyway, I intend to update my blog soon. Until then, enjoy this little treat!

Hanging Out with Mr. Cutie

I can't believe the great night I had last Saturday! My friend S and I, and her friend M, went to Mr. Cutie's POB (place of business). Before we headed over there, we had dinner at this restaurant I've been to many times before. The initial plan was that we would have dinner and then walk over to you-know-whose place because there was going to be live music. As soon as we finished dinner, we were nearing the stoplight to cross the street when who do I see but Mr. Cutie! I told my friend, S, "OMG, there he is!" Well, as we were about to cross the street, some guy on his bicycle crossed Mr. Cutie's path & they started talking...right in the middle of the street! I obviously couldn't say anything right then and there, so we continued walking. After we arrived at his POB, S and I ordered some wine. Mr. Cutie was no where in sight. I wonder where he had wandered off to. Well, about an hour later, he arrived. By that time, I had already finished my wine & unfortunately, I didn't get a refill because I had to drive home. Heck, I could have even walked home!

The entire time M and S were teasing me, but also encouraging me to go talk to Mr. Cutie. Well, about this time, more people came into his place and he was mingling with the regulars. Obviously, I am NOT a regular! I know for sure he noticed me, but the entire time I just kept talking to my friends. If I stared at him the entire night, I didn't want to give him the impression that I was totally into him! At one point, he started talking to the woman who was sitting at the large table in front of us (who was accompanied by several others) and had his back towards us. Shortly thereafter, he turned around & asked if he could take the chair that was at our (small) table, which wasn't being occupied. I think my friend, S, answered at the same time, but I answered, "Sure, go right ahead!" Ok, so I was really thinking of saying, "Hey, it's your place and you can do anything you please!" Maybe he thought we were expecting more people. Grrr! I let the opportunity to talk to him pass me up.

Since the music started late, we didn't leave until about 1 hour and 45 minutes later. I had to call it an early night because I had to try studying for finals and my two friends needed to drive back home. I didn't let S persuade me to leave through the door closest to where Mr. Cutie was. We ended up leaving from another side door, which was closer to me. I'm sure he noticed us leaving, but we had to go.

Of course I regret not initiating a conversation with Mr. Cutie beyond him asking me if he could use the chair at our table. I mean, HELLO, this is his place after all! You know what I really wanted to say was, "Instead, you should pull up a chair and join us!" Note to self: Work on my flirting techniques because it needs a LOT of improvement!

After we finally left, we walked around town and then resumed in the parking lot where our cars were parked. Of course, I wanted to kick myself for keeping quiet the entire night (ok, so I didn't want to interrupt him talking), but I have faith there will be a next time and that I WILL talk to him!