A little time travel.

Today, is one of those regular days. I woke up to the news about the Dallas shooting, and other shootings (Middle East). I re-read the news about the fire in San Diego a couple of weeks ago, and how it brought back memories of what happened 2 years ago - the Bernardo Fire, and how afraid I was with the possibility of our place burning into ashes.

I got up, made my coffee, and went on with my normal routine. I checked my phone for news, emails, messages.

This morning, I realized that my daughter might not have a childhood - that she might just glue her face to her phone, tablet, computer, or whatever technology is out by the time she is 7 years old (or younger!).

Then, I recalled my childhood.

Oh, how I enjoyed playing outside, despite my dad getting upset with me being out all the time.

When I was a child, I enjoyed flying a kite made out of news paper and sticks, attached to a string / thread.

I enjoyed going to the store and buying paper dolls (Sailor Moon).
I enjoyed physically talking with my friends, pretending to be Power Rangers, and pretending to fight monsters.
I would play Lava with my friends in their house.
We would make dance moves to As Long As You Love Me by the Backstreet Boys.
I learned how to play volley ball at the age of 9. It was the start of my love for sports, and when I was in grade school, I was a member of the volleyball varsity team. It was one of the proudest moments of my life.
I would stay outside until 9PM to play with my friends.
On Christmas, we would go to houses and sing christmas songs and share however much money we get.
One Easter, I made boiled some eggs and painted the eggs and gave them to my friends. They told my my egg was not cooked enough, LOL, but it was fun making it though.
I played with guns, and trading cards, and plastic swords with my friends.
I played video games with my friends.

On Friday nights, I would always wait for Shaider (Japanese hero), or sometimes, Ultra Man.

On Sundays, I would get upset about going to church at night. Masked Rider Black would be on TV - so I would go to church in the early afternoon or morning. I would also get upset when I miss watching Time Quest (with the kettle that lets you travel through time), and Ranma 1/2 (character turns into a female or a male depending on the water temperature). On weekday nights, I watch Ghost Fighter (Yu Yu Hakusho), and Fushigi Yuugi.

I learned how to play guitar when I was 10 because of my friends. My mom had a Gibson acoustic guitar, which I used (until my bratty stage kicked in and I smashed it on the ground when someone threw a plastic ball to my face).
I received my first guitar when I was 12 as a graduation present from my dad.
I got another guitar when I was 15 as a pre-graduation present from my mom.
At 16yo, one of my god parents gave me an electric guitar with amplifier for a present.
When I turned 18, one of my friends gave me a guitar (Ovation) as a present.

This is the kind of childhood I shared with people. I enjoyed and loved every bit of it.

Long lost family?

So a few weeks ago, I received a call from my dad. He told me about these godparents who were looking for me.

Once, twice, thrice they called at home looking for me. My dad said they were from Vegas, and my godfather is one of his buddies from work.

They couldn't catch me at home, because I'm always at work.

My grandfather wouldn't stop bugging me to return their call. When they called, I guess he talked with them for half an hour - and my grandfather would instantly "fall in like" with people who he gets a pretty long conversation with.

One afternoon, I decided hey, why not give them a call?

I dialed the number, introduced myself, and TADAA it's them on the other line.

A few hellos and "how are you?" exchanges were made. And then...

"Kay, do you have a life insurance?"

Really?

Life insurances, I believe, is necessary. There are different kinds of life insurance. Metlife, Financial One, Geico, Farmers, etc.

I have no idea how to talk to them now. Yeah, of course they give me life insurance rates and so on, deals and what not. But, seriously?

Call me to sell insurance? Wow. Unbelievable.

I received a couple of calls from them already. Selling me more insurance, I guess. I already told them from our last conversation that I already have a life insurance, and they still want to sell me their insurance. They said they'll drive up from Las Vegas to San Diego so they could talk about this with my aunts and I personally.

Personally, I've nothing against it.

It's just that awkward moment when you want to catch up with long lost godparents whose good friends with your parents and they end up selling life insurance to you after asking how you've been.

^_^

Holy Week.

So, what are you giving up for the Lenten Season?

I MISS BLOGGING

OMG I miss you all!

And I miss blogging.

It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS.

80 days before Christmas.

I love the feeling of the cool breeze kissing my face. Every time I open the front door, it embraces me with a welcoming feeling.

----------

My dad said he's coming over to visit on November. And my sister is coming on December. I'm so excited (:

----------

This is bad. I'm gaining weight, and losing discipline with my eating. This is major bad news.

----------

It would've been fun to be able to blog everyday. But due to the numerous blogs that I have, plus my disorganized list of priorities, I am unable to do anything. Add it with a little procrastinating. @_@ I know that I can fit everything in 24hours, but for some odd reason, I just put a lot of things off.

----------

Updates! Updates!

I sent my transfer from AL to HC on some late September date, and I still haven't heard anything from the DoN. I wonder if I'll even get in?

I was actually looking forward to it. Regardless of the gossips and the rumors going around, I want to start working at HC.

It hurts to know that one of my co-workers at AL is sort-of pulling me down with her. Not that she's all the way down, but I told her that I want to transfer because I will learn more at HC than at AL passing medications. She kept telling me that I will never learn anything at HC and that it's hard work.

Uh, what's more hard work than working at KH during the day? I think it's slavery right there in your face. That's why sometimes, I hate working there. Define labor. @_@ To top it all off, I think it's uncompensated employees defined, too.

I want to work at the HC because patients there are physically unable to care for themselves. I think I'm done with people who are mentally and psychologically out of state. And I believe that I will learn more if I work there.

She, on the other hand, kept telling me that I will not learn anything at the HC. That's complete BS, I believe. In KH, we do all the patient care, and I learned a lot. In AL, I learned how to pass medications. And got familiar with different medications (which are mostly vitamins, supplements, bp meds and sleeping pills).

I know I can do more, and I have more to learn. I don't want to miss out on opportunities to improve myself. So no matter what she says, she will be talking to my hand for the rest of the night.

No Arms No Legs No Worries

I came across a video on YouTube that made me cry. :'(

Meet Nick Vujicic, pronounced 'Vooy-cheech'. Born in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia, without any medical explanation or warning, Nicholas Vujicic came into the world with neither arms nor legs. Imagine the shock his parents felt when they saw their first-born brand new baby boy for the first time, only to find he was what the world would consider imperfect and abnormal.

More here.

I was inspired with the video that I actually cried. And then I looked at myself.

I remembered myself at one point in time that I was about to give up; that I told myself "I have no more tomorrow. Shit happens, but why does it always fall on me?"

He give life changing words, daily pieces of inspiration. I wished I would've seen this video sooner.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me. I am so sorry for all the things I've done wrong. Please forgive me. Dear God, come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may be the person you want me to be. ♥

Kudos, NICK!

Transfer.

Last week, as I was clocking out from work, I checked the list of open slots in different departments for hiring (like I always do). I would joke to my colleagues "Maybe I'll do better in the dietary department. I'll wash the dishes. Less responsibilities."

There was a long list at the bottom of the paper. 4 openings at the Health Care Center.

I thought to myself - why not?

After consulting resources about the opportunity, the pros outweighed the cons. As much as I don't want to leave my comfort zone, I realized that it's about time that I set changes and take the next step.

I've been procrastinating for the past 3years, and it's about time that I walk away from gravity.

One of my colleagues said "Don't miss out on this, or you will regret it."

I sat down in front of my computer for 2hours yesterday morning trying to figure out how I can start my transfer request do the other department. My fingers lay still on the keyboard, as I think about the words to fill in my blank page. I have the request to transfer form filled out with my name, current department, date and signature. But I haven't filled in the space for "Qualifications".

I began to doubt myself. Maybe I am not suitable for the position. Maybe I am not experienced enough.

I scribbled qualifications on the notepad, and started re-doing my resume.

Then, I began typing in my letter.

Dear Director of Nursing,

After signing my name at the bottom of the page, I started my letter to my boss.

Dear Director of ALSCR,

My heart was pounding as I held the printed pages on my hand.

At 3:20pm, I walked to my boss's office. She wasn't there. I left the letter with the Request to Transfer form in her box and walked away.

I realized that I forgot to sign the paper. *doh* That was stupid. @_@

A couple of hours later, my supervisor whispered to me. "Laura wants to talk to you."

I started to have butterflies in my tummy (but not in a good way) as I walk to her office.

She was on the phone.

I left, and came back 30minutes later. Still on the phone. @_@

Why does she have to make this hard for me??? I asked my co-worker.

You'll be alright. Don't worry about it. He said, with a little pat.

I walked to her office again, and she was finally available. Uh-oh.

She invited me in, and held the paper up.

What if I said no? She said, smiling.

I frowned.

Have you talked to the people at the Health Center yet?

Yes. But I heard the DoN is still on vacation.

She is out for 2 weeks, yes.

I don't even know how this process goes, so I wrote a letter to you, and wrote her a letter, too. I even printed out a copy of my resume. It's updated.

Well, I want you to improve your skills, but I don't want you to go. If this is what's best for you, I will sign the paper and you can hand it tomorrow to HR. They'll take care of it. I just wish you didn't have to go. You worked really hard here. And I'll be sad to let you go.

She handed me the signed paper.

Thank you so much.

I walked to the office and laid my paper on the counter by my purse. I noticed that by her signature was a little note.


This made me smile. But a little sad, too. Oh well, caramel.

Vampyr!

A vampire placed a pretty single stem sunflower outside the balcony door of the glass-built penthouse where the mass was held one gloomy afternoon.

With an evil smirk on her face, she mouthed "You're going to die.". She grabbed a bouquet of pretty purple flowers, walked into the glass balcony door, and to the friend sitting to my right.

"You're going to die, too."

And then she flew away.

My friend and I looked at each other, our hearts pounding almost right out of our chests.

She held my hand tight. "We're not going to die."

Love in all shades.

^^

Cheesecake Factory

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY !!!!

Voted as the favorite chain. (Click here for details)

We only have a couple of them down at San Diego. And they're not close. One is at Chula Vista (2015 Birch Rd Ste 705). The other is at Fashion Valley (7067 Friars Rd) .

I remember coming there one night after work - LOL so many people. I went in, and the line to be seated extends until outside. But they have great food, good (so-so) customer service, and awesome cheesecakes.

Anyone wants to go with me? :3

WatchOver Voodoo!

My very first Watch Over Voodoo!

Drove all the way to Carlsbad for it. I want to collect every single one of them. It's $8.99 each (+tax) so I might think about it. There are over 30 WatchOver Voodoos. And they are all CUTE.

I hung mine on my rear-view mirror with my gold-steel guitar pick. Why not? :3

What can be more beautiful....

... than a sunset by San Diego Skyline for a post-hard-work surprise? ^_^

I mean, seriously? What? (:

Missing out.

I've been missing out on most of my posts, only because I spend most of my time outside (since I bought my car). Wasting gas - technically not really. Barnes and Noble is a cool store to keep my brain from exploding. And as far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best places evarrr...

My so called circle of friends is starting to grow, and I have a number of people I can say I hang out with now. After 2 years of pure emotional turmoil, the struggle is starting to pay off.

I've been to random impromptu places - such as Torrey Pines beach, Birch Aquarium, and just about getting lost at few freeways that are new - making wrong turns and illegal U-turns. If I would summarize it, I'd call it adventure.

There are a couple of rough edges to it, some of which I couldn't quite press flat.

Gym Gym Gym. Been going to the gym for a month already. Missing a few days because of work. /flex

I should update this regularly. Blogs keep me sane. I miss you all!♥

Heart.

I bought them pizza last Monday - just because I want to. Sent money to Jamih, and this is what I got in return.

♥

iKane

iKane Rock.★

Christmas.

I can’t say that yesterday was the worst Christmas in my life, but I have to admit, last year was better than this year.

Aside from the fact that I had all my wisdom teeth (4 of them) taken out last Tuesday (and that I couldn’t even chew rice without sauce in it), I spent my first few hours working from 7am-10am and then the remaining 3pm-11pm as well. Of course, the time and a half pay is good, but it’s different when you spend it with people close to your heart.

It’s tradition to us that we celebrate it together - like we did last year. We had dinner together (day before Christmas), and then hung out together the rest of the day during Christmas with the rest of the family at my Uncle’s big house. Foods, karaoke, laughing, stories, picture taking, and more food. Some of our relatives from LA came down to visit, too.

New Year’s day was spent at Long Beach. They called again today and invited us to spend the New Year there. But I have work, and will be working my butt off again for the remainder of the holidays (I believe), so there isn’t a hint of chance that there would be any changes with my Christmas day and New Year’s day.

——————

Other news : Had a not so good news from a co-worker. Will make a separate post (conversation).

——————

I hope everyone else had a good Christmas!

Counting Blessings.

This post is for Dycee, whom I believe will never read this post.

She is the reason why my circle of friends expanded (well, virtually, but who gives a rat's ass?).

Thank you. Thank you for sharing these people with me.

Probably one of the nicest unconscious Christmas presents evarrrr.

*hugs*

Good Morning.

It's almost Christmas.

Yesterday, I worked at the dementia/Alzheimer's area - switched places with one of the employees for assisted living to have someone to pass the medications.

The area was calm and nice, cozy, if I may say.

The activity for the afternoon was putting up the Christmas tree.

I watched the patients in silence as they put the ornaments on the branches. It crushed my heart, and I almost cried.

It was so beautiful to watch them hanging the colorful balls.

One patient said, "I'm done. I didn't put everything up so someone else can take their turn."

Isn't that heart warming?

Chrismas is my favorite holiday ~ well, it used to be. I think it still is. Because the memories of Christmas when I was back home still makes my heart beat fast.

Christmas carols made me sigh as they play on the radio last night.

First rest day!

Saturday.

Today is my first rest day from my 7-day work. I started last Saturday, and I do enjoy what I'm doing.

Working at the retirement facility isn't so much "work", except it is emotionally draining.

I had this conversation with one of the residents two nights ago.

Resident: Do you like to drive?
Me: Yes. But I don't have my own car, yet.
Resident: I should've known. I just gave my car to my daughter in law. I am too blind to drive.

Haha! I would've had my own car c/o the resident - but I can never accept something like that. I don't want to owe anyone anything.

How is everyone doing?

Congratulations!

I recently applied for a job by chance. I saw the ad, and thought "Hey, this is just right down the street, why not check it out?"

I received my interview on Friday, and was called by the employer yesterday to come in today for signing.

Yet, I couldn't enjoy it the way I thought I would.