The Junkie

I haven't told many people, but I have addictions. None of them healthy, all of them posing a possible detriment to the wallet & my figure. Here they are:

Addiction #1 - McCafe Iced Coffee from McDonald's

(One every day M-F = $12 a week)

Addiction #2 - Accessories

(137 necklaces...and counting)

Addiction #3 - Cheese & Crackers

(I'd like to say that I prefer some fancy French cheese, but, no...Kraft Cheddar Slices & Ritz crackers satisfy the hunger)

Addiction #4 - Shopping

(I really have tried to stay away from ALL shopping for a week. Can't do it.)

Addiction #5 - Putting on Make-Up

(I'm heavily criticized by my loved ones for wearing too much make-up. I can't help it...Blemishes are a Bitch)

Addiction #6 - Icee's

(Blue Raspberry preferrably...the brain freeze is SO worth it)

Addiction #7 - Chips & Salsa

(No matter where I go, if it's on the menu, I'm ordering it)

Addiction #8 - Onion Rings

(No matter where I go, if it's on the menu, I'm ordering it)

Addiction #9 - Scrapbooking & Crafts

(If you craft, you know that this is an EXPENSIVE habit)

Addiction #10 - SDO

(I can't get enough...ah ha)

Pet Peeves

Everyone has a pet peeve. You know...one of those minor annoyances that is particularly annoying to you but not so with anyone else. Unfortunately, but probably not surprisingly, I happen to have more than one pet peeve. In fact, I have several. Ok...ten to be exact. Here they are:

Pet Peeve #1 - Tardiness

When people are late, this REALLY annoys me. When you're late, this shows total disrespect for the person you're meeting. To me, there is no such thing as being "fashionably late." I have a friend who is notorious for this and it infuriates me.

Pet Peeve #2 - State Workers

Let me clarify. Not ALL state workers annoy me. It's the ones who get paid the six figure salary, that my tax money goes to, who do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I happen to know a few where I work and it really shocks me to think that even though they have law degrees, they have NO CLUE what they're doing.

Pet Peeve #3 - People Who Talk & Laugh Loudly In The Workplace

One word-Inconsiderate

Pet Peeve #4 - Dirty Keyboards

Gross.

Pet Peeve #5 - People Who Take Up 2 Parking Stalls

Don't they know that they're MORE likely to get keyed than if they had taken just one space?

Pet Peeve #6 - People Who Try To Use "Big" Words

My vocabulary isn't the best, but I don't try to sound smarter than I am.

Pet Peeve #7 - When I Can't Tell If Someone Is Male or Female

Perhaps this is my own problem because if they decide to go out of the house looking as though someone could mistake their sex, they probably don't give a rip anyway.

Pet Peeve #8 - When People Don't Make Eye Contact When I'm Speaking To Them

If I had boobs, I would understand. Let's focus, people!

Pet Peeve #9 - When Someone Asks You A Question & They Don't Wait For An Answer

Irritating.

Pet Peeve #10 - People Who Pick Their Nose In Public

Obviously Madame Secretary has no problem with this.

Diana Krall in Hawai'i

We have season tickets to the Honolulu Symphony and got to see Diana Krall on Friday, March 20. She graced the stage with her amazing playing. She was unbelievable & beautiful. She opened with "I Love Being Here With You." Check out a video from her Live in Paris Tour. She sounded EXACTLY the same!

Jem is Truly Outrageous

Remember Jem & the Holograms? Cartoons now-a-days just aren't the same. Here are 10 cartoons that I miss in addition to Jem & the Holograms:

1) She-Ra (Talk about Girl Power)
2) MonChiChi (I actually had a classmate in high school that looked like a MonChiChi)
3) Rainbow Brite (I used to have a Starlight pony doll)
4) Thundercats (Ho-oooooooo!)
5) Scooby-Do
6) Care Bears
7) My Little Pony
8) Barbie & the Rockers
9) Alvin & the Chipmunks
10) The Smurfs (la-la-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la-la)

ChurchJobs.net

I was checking out job sites today and found this website: http://www.churchjobs.net/

This job site posts hundreds of jobs nationally for those interested in finding a position in the ministry. This looks like a great site for job seekers, especially during these difficult, economic times when so many are being laid off.

The Banana

I'm a banana. Yellow on the outside, white on the inside...Asian on the outside, White on the inside. When Scott and I go to a Japanese restaurant, I'm the one who's given the chopsticks and he's automatically given the fork. I NEVER use chopsticks -- always a fork. I don't even care for Japanese food. When I travel, "mainlanders" ask me in a loud, slow voice "DO-YOU-SPEAK-ENG-A-LISH?" as if I just got off the boat from Japan and have "Foreigner" written on my forehead. While I love the Asian culture, here are 10 Stereotypes made of Asians that are disproven by me:

Stereotype #1 - We all like Anime

(What is Anime?)

Stereotype #2 - Asian women get their eyes enlarged

"the double eye"

(I really don't mind seeing through my pair of paper thin slits I call eyes)

Stereotype #3 - We squat

(I do squat, but only when I work out)

Stereotype #4 - We bleach our hair

(Confession: I don't bleach my hair but I do bleach my whites)

Stereotype #5 - We slurp

(The only thing I slurp is a Slurpee from 7-11)

Stereotype #6 - Our parents desire for us to be a child prodigy in the arts

(My mom just wanted me to graduate from high school)

Stereotype #7 - We all use chopsticks

(Does using a chopstick to hold my hair up count?)

Stereotype #8 - Asians love to Karaoke

(I'm not allowed near a microphone)

Stereotype #9 - We give the peace sign when taking a photo

(Don't get me wrong, I'm all for peace in the Middle East)

Stereotype #10 - Asian women love CaucAsian men

(Ok. you got me on this one...I'm with a CaucAsian...Our babies will come out cuter)

It Sucks Being Jealous

Check out my best friend, Megan.

I felt left out & got desperate.

What Does It Mean To Go Green?

They say Green is the new Black. It seems that there has definitely been a shift in our thinking, or at least more of an awareness, of being a little friendlier to our environment. Many people may still be a little scared or intimidated of "green living." Many of my friends think it's "just for the hippie people" or just for, "rich people who can afford the cost of sustainability." Not true! Here are 10 simple ways that we can have a positive impact on our environment without spending a lot of money.

1) Use a reusable shopping bag when going shopping.

2) Use natural cleaning products.

3) Use CFL Lightbulbs - They emit less CO2 & are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.

4) Use your own insulated mug instead of getting your cup 'o joe in a styrofoam cup.

5) Recycle!

6) Buy rechargeable batteries or recycle your batteries.

7) Save paper and communicate electronically if possible.

8) Install a low-flow shower head.

9) Compost your food scraps and use it for your garden.

10) Turn off & unplug your appliances when not in use.

The Bison

A.K.A.: The Buffalo. This bison may look small in the picture, but it was a gigantic, stink, beastly thing.

The bison are among the most dangerous animals so don't provoke them! They can easily out run humans and jump over barbed wire. Many states and colleges have the bison as their official mascot like the Bison Glee Club at Oklahoma Baptist University.

www.okbu.edu/academics/finearts/music/groups/gleeclub/html

Crazy.

Coors Brewery

I visited the Coors Brewery in Golden, CO. with my mom and dad. It was a neat, FREE, self-guided tour. Adolph Coors was only in his late 20's when he started Coors. Pretty impressive, and even more so now as Coors is the largest single-site brewery in the world. The tour ends with not one, or two, but THREE free tall glasses of beer. You get to choose from the different brews. Coors beer is so clean, crisp, and smooth. Maybe it is something in the water in Golden?
Check out www.coors.com for information about the tour. It's worth seeing if you're ever in Golden, CO.

What Hawai'i Really Needs

Target had its grand opening this weekend (finally!) Thank goodness for Whole Foods, too. This got me thinking...What else does Hawai'i need? Here's my top 10 (and yes...most of my list IS food related).

1) Panera Bread

(you can't go wrong with the Frontega Chicken sandwich, a cup of French Onion Soup & a Large Iced Green Tea)

2) The Corner Bakery

(I could really use a tomato basil soup right now)

3) Red Robin

(Their Starters are SO yummy!)

4) Chick-Fil-A

(Waffle potato fries dipped in BBQ sauce...so good)

5) Sonic

(This IS the ultimate Drink Stop)

6) In-N-Out Burger

(They'll never come to Hawai'i. Too bad 'cause they do have yummy fries)

7) Olive Garden

(Can you please stop showing your damn commercials in Hawai'i & just get over here already?)

8) Bloomingdale's

(I love the big brown bag)

9) Ann Taylor Loft

(Turn the Kahala store into a LOFT)

10) Ann Taylor Factory Store

(I can't help it, I love Ann Taylor)