Loser.

The other day I realized that in a month, I'm gonna be 30! 30...geez...10 years ago I thought that sounded so old. Throughout my 20's I looked forward to turning 30, but now, the more I think about it, the more I feel like a L-O-S-E-R.

When I turned 21, I made a list of 10 goals that I wanted to accomplish by the time I turned 30. I've accomplished NONE of them.

So, as I fall deeper into depression and wallow in my sorrows of being THE biggest loser, I'll share with you my list of things I didn't do.

1) Get my Graduate degree
(I've tried, and tried, and tried...aaarrrggghh!)

2) Run a Marathon
(One of these days...Maybe I'll set my goal as the oldest woman to run a marathon...I think that's 85.)

3) Get Married
(I hope to get this one done before I turn 40.)

4) Start my own business
(I guess it would have helped to pick one of my 70+ entrepreneurial ideas and just run with it.)

5) Travel Internationally
(Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Paris, India...**sigh**)

6) Buy my own place
(Perhaps this is the year with a $8,000 tax deduction for first time home owners)

7) Retire
(Not gonna happen within the next 30 years, either)

8) Start an art collection...of my own art
(So many things to draw, so little time)

9) Travel to all 50 states
(24 down and 26 to go...i'll knock off Wyoming this May)

10) Write a book
(Everyone else is doing it...why can't I?)

Would've, Could've, Should've

I was sitting in a strategic planning meeting for four hours today. During that time my mind drifted and various thoughts popped into my head. Occasionally, I'd think, "Man, my butt hurts," then, I'd shift cheeks. Of course "What the hell am I doing here!?" crossed my mind, too. Then, I thought..."Instead of being here, what else could I be doing with my life?" So, here's my list of what I would be doing, could be doing, or will do (one of these days) with my life.

1) I'd open my own business

(I'm not sure what kind of business, but I have a running list of 70+ entrepreneurial ideas that I can't seem to get myself to do as much as I want to. The other requirement is that I can work from home.)

2) I'd become a full time student

(I LOVE being in the classroom and learning...as long as I don't have to take any tests.)

3) I'd go to culinary school

(This would so be worth all the weight gain.)

4) I'd volunteer

(There are so many organizations that I wish I could volunteer at full time like the Humane Society, church, HBA, the Art Academy, etc.)

5) I'd be a personal shopper

(Instead of spending my money, I'd help others spend THEIR money :-) )

6) I'd be working out
(Instead of 0-2 times a week, I'd go 0-3 times a week.)

7) I'd go into teaching
(If I liked kids and didn't mind correcting papers, I think I wouldn't mind teaching)

8) I'd be an artist
(I love drawing and I wish I would spend more time pursuing one of my passions.)

9) I'd rethink about getting into the "non-profit" world
(Sometimes I wonder if taking a lower pay is worth the mission that you're working for. My theme song should be "For the Love of Money" by the O'Jays...you know, the song from "The Apprentice.")

10) I'd sleep all day...just like Sparky
(I'm such a lazy ass that this trumps #'s 1-9)

It's OK to say NO!

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5)

Sometimes I wonder if I get caught up in doing too many things. I like to get involved in many different projects. Whatever gets me excited and pumped up, I'm gonna be there and give every ounce of effort to make whatever I'm involved with a success.

Lately, though, I've been having a bad attitude and it hit me like a ton a bricks. I over commit myself to projects & events, put in a lot of effort, and when everyone else on my committee doesn't meet my expectations with their quality of work, I get irritated and tend to be VERY critical.

The Bible says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds." (Ephesians 4:22 NIV)

My inner disposition and how I treat others is so much more important than trying to make people happy by getting involved with all sorts of activities. My attitude and actions should be Christ-like and Christ focused...not ME-focused...and I've learned that I need to choose wisely about what activities and committee's I decide to participate in and remind myself that it is OK to say NO.

Fascinating People

I attended a lecture tonight with Richard Parsons, the Chairman of Citigroup and former Chairman and CEO of Time Warner. He's the member of President Obama's economic team and has many prominent connections including the Rockefeller Family, Mayor Bloomberg, and Rudy Giuliani.

One of the cool things that I like best about my job is that I get to meet many interesting people like Richard Parsons. So, it got me thinking...what other fascinating people would I like to meet? Here's my list...of living people only...and the first question I'd ask them or what I'd say to them.

1) Michael Jackson
(Why did you cut off your nose?)

2) Tiger Woods
(Can you give me private lessons?)

3) Billy Graham
(How do you know that there's a God?)

4) Evan Williams
(How do you continue to come up with so many ingenious, entrepreneurial ideas?)

5) Harry Connick, Jr.
(Will you compose and play a song for me? Oh, and also include it in your next album?)

6) Oprah
(Why do you make it so damn hard to get tickets to your show?)

7) Stacey London
(You can make the oddest shaped people look fabulous! Can I PLEASE take you shopping with me?)

8) Suze Orman
(Will you help me, girlfriend?)

9) Jerry Seinfeld
(You're the funniest person ever)

10) Rachel Ray
($40 a day?! Are you freaking kidding me?! I know you wouldn't REALLY order the cheapest thing on the menu if you weren't doing a show called "$40 a day")

The Evolution of Ann Taylor

Everyone that knows me knows that I like Ann Taylor. I used to work there for nearly 7 years because I couldn't get enough of the clothes. Nothing could keep me away from the 40% discount I received. I loved the classic look and clean lines of what Ann Taylor USED to be.

Since I left, though, it's almost been a struggle for me to get back into the store to shop. Not because I'm never at the mall, but because the store has been going downhill.

No longer will you see classic suits and dresses like the ones pictured above. Even the quality of the clothes isn't what it used to be. I understand that retailers need to cater to those who keep up with the trends, but what about the people whose conservative taste and longing for the elegant & classic look can no longer find ONE thing to buy?! It's way too trendy and at their price point, the age group that they're trying to fit can't afford to buy the clothes! I would much rather go to Banana Republic and buy something at regular price because the quality is so much better, than get something on sale at Ann Taylor.

It's not surprising why sales have been way down.

Loud Mouth

I finally figured out what it takes to survive at work. I need to have a loud mouth. Being Asian doesn't help me much because I was brought up thinking that I need to keep my mouth shut and my head down. I've learned, though, that that doesn't get me very far.

I need to be like the others that I work with. Some people that I work with, they have no shame in proclaiming to others how hard they work, how much others loooove their work, and how many brilliant ideas they have.

Any opportunity they have to "one-up" someone else, they take it. Every chance they get to get their digs in to make you feel like what you do is not as important as what they do, they seize it. And, any time that they have to make colleagues think that we could never have managed without them, they remind us. More importantly, they let those around them know when others praise them for their work.

In fact, they are praised ALL the time. Why? Because they aren't afraid to open their mouth.

I finally figured it out. I don't know why it took me this long. In order to get ahead, I need to be a loud mouth, too.

Once You Go Black, I Mean Mac, You Never Go Back

I feel like I'm still living in the dark ages. I recently opened a Facebook page (only to deactivate it 2 days later because I hated EVERYONE seeing who I was talking to and what we were talking about), I learned what Twitter was a few weeks ago, and now, I am entering my first entry using a Mac.

I love it!

Why is it that ALL Mac users look so cool? I feel so unbelievably cool as I sit on the couch and type. (I know...call me "dork.") I'll be signing up for some tutorials at the Genius Bar next.

It's like being on a first date. I'm checking things out on here, figuring out what I like (love the feel of the keypad for starters) and what I don't like (menu bar changes as you change applications). But, it's the start of a beautiful relationship and perhaps one day, just like the road to marriage, you find the one you want to be with forever and you never look back.

Snip, Snip, Snip

People say that you can never have too many friends. On Facebook, everyone wants to be friends with everyone. The goal is to become "friends" with as many people as possible.

One thing I've learned as I get older is that it's OK to outgrow friends. We age, we meet new people, our tastes and interests change, we get married and we simply outgrow our old friends.

So, my question is, how do you know when it's time to breakoff old friendships that aren't fulfilling and worthwhile? I like the analogy of "snipping people off of your tree." Here's the list i've made of determining when it's time to prune the tree and snip off the old branches (i'd also like to add that I don't have an open door policy when it comes to friends. Once you're snipped, you're snipped. So, I really do think long and hard before I take out my shears):

Snip #1 - When the friendship is a One-Way street
I learned that the friendship is not worth it when you're the only one doing all the phone calling, emailing, remembering to send birthday cards, etc.

Snip #2 - Lack of respect
Chances are, if your "friends" treat you with a lack of respect, they'll continue to do so the longer you stay with them.

Snip #3 - They're just simply annoying
I seem to attract a lot of annoying people. I initially want to be friends with them, but, they either turn out too loud, too self-absorbed, or too dependent on the friendship.

Snip #4 - They're Unreliable & are full of excuses
Having a friend who's unreliable should be added to my list of pet peeves.

Snip #5 - When you go out, they NEVER bring their wallet
Or, how's about this --when the bill comes, they're either slow to pull out their wallets thinking that you'll take care of it or, they leave enough money to only cover their portion (tax & tip not included).

Snip #6 - They're racist
I'm totally cool with having friends who differ on religion or politics, but call me a derogatory name and I'll snip you off so fast, you won't even know what hit you.

Snip #7 - They steal from you
This needs no explanation.

Broken Promises

It hasn't been a hundred days yet and our President has already broken a promise. Do you remember in New Hamshire on the campaign trail where he made the promise that the "Public Will Have 5 Days To Look At Every Bill That Lands On My Desk"? How many days did the public have to look at the nearly 1100 page, $787 billion dollar Stimulus Bill? Oh...about 24 hours. You want a list of more broken promises by Obama, check out www.politifact.com and take a look at the Obameter.

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)