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- Keep it alive in 2005 -
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Friday, December 31, 2004
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Man. Another year almost done, and another chance to look back and be thankful. I'll have a 2004 year in review with photos probably after the ball drops.
This year has had it's share of bliss and sadness, but you must have both - to really know how blessed you are.
I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions, but I do believe in making a good start for the year. 2005 will pose some challenges, probably some of the biggests decisions of my life. It won't be just 'another year'.
I want to be the best ME I can be, and 2005 is the year to keep my dreams alive.
I wish I could be with ALL my friends for New Year's, Lord knows it's amazing enough to see another year pass. I hope you all have a blessed 2005 and here's to making things happen.
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- Ho Ho Hilarious -
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Saturday, December 25, 2004
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I will admit, this has to be the silliest Christmas we've had in a loooong time.
Our family always opens presents on Christmas Eve, and we have a few more that will be opened tomorrow once a few more family members arrive. This was our night to relax, kick back, and let the antics begin. Let me remind you all, that this evening was brought to you by completely alcohol-free Crystal Egg Nog. I know, hard to believe.
My aunt Helen is the best. She really loves to take everything to the top. Before we ate, my sister and I got a little camera crazy:
We had already had dinner and were getting ready to arrange the gifts to let the present-ripping begin...when in walks my dad and my aunt...
Ho ho holy crap, is that DAD in a Santa suit? I couldn't stop laughing, since dad made a pretty anorexic st. nick if ya ask me. And with that, the family put on our santa hats and proceeded outside to terrorize the neighbors with Christmas Cheer.
Dad made his way down the block, running and skipping, when he ran into my aunt's neighbors who happen to be in their garage watching a slim-fast Santa coming up their driveway. "Merry Christmas!" He shouted. He taps their car out front..."Merry Christmas - look what Santa's brought you! A new car! Sorry that it looks so much like the old one." They all laughed, but I could have swore I saw someone dialing 911 on a cordless.
We all got our pic with Dad, Santa...
And of course some snap shots of Santa's freaky little elves...
Even after opening our presents, singing to the neighbors, we still had a slight obsession with the santa suit. Ok, maybe I'm the one that started that...
Facial Hair - just what I asked Santa for...
Our Santa wig was leaning more toward a Rod Stewart/Tina Turner look, but everyone had their whirl with the hair...
Dad...
Me...
And yes, even my poor grandfather...
Hey, who let the reindeer out?
Tonight was a blast.
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Ape gives this Christmas a Thumbs Up
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- Christmas in SoCal -
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Friday, December 24, 2004
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Greetings!
I hope everyone's having a great holiday so far. I made the trek yesterday and am finally here in San Juan Capistrano. (For non-Cali readers, that's 50 miles south of LA) My dad's family lives here, and I believe some family from Oceanside/Carlsbad and even as far as Arizona will be coming in Christmas Day.
The weather is incredible here, about 70 degrees. I drove by Costa Mesa and some of the churches were completely decked out with white lights. That's one thing that's awesome about Christmas in a big city, there's so much to see.
Alright, it's off to shop for Christmas dinner. Happy Holidays everyone :)
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- Confessions of a Blogging Slacker -
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Thursday, December 16, 2004
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That's December for ya.
Sorry all for the lack of Ape-Life insight, I've been ridiculous busy. But starting now it's going to be all down hill...
Tomorrow I get out of work early, and will be picking up a rental, driving to the huge town of Visalia to pick up Freak #2, from which we'll be driving to the extremely small town of Los Angeles to see Freak #3. Apparently, Freak #3's company is hoopin' it up in Hollywood this year, and we've been asked to help crash the Christmas par-TAY ;)
Oh, a huge thank you to my sista, Tiasha, over in B-more for sending me a lovely 'present'. I can't wait to see you and the other fools of short track soon. Speaking of short track fools, calling Anita and Janie to the front desk - would you terribly mind emailing me with your addresses? Thank ya muchly.
That's what I'm thinking about this Christmas - how thankful I am to have such amazing friends all over the US, and how important it is to surround yourself with real people. I'm proud and blessed to know you all.
When I return I'll have some pics, plus I share some shots of Sac-Town's Christmas spirit...
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- 3 gifts to get, 2 weeks off work, and a Computer Final that's finally done -
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Sunday, December 12, 2004
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Yep, that's sums it up.
I'm not too fond of being horribly busy, but somehow this time of year just doesn't let you take things slow. I finally finished my finals and school is done for the semester, and I'll soon be enjoying my 2 week holiday off work for Christmas/New Year.
Usually, I'm pretty good about taking care of Christmas shopping early, but I still have a few items left to snag - and with my life in danger, no less.
All one needs to do is take one trip to the mall from November 25-Jan 2 to completely and utterly kill the holiday cheer. First of all, I know it's California, and it's no where near freezing temps outside, but it's damn cold for this time of year and the young 20-something think they can saunter into the mall wearing a long tube sock. Talk about putting the HO back in the HOlidays...and stupid me, like an idiot I figured that making it out of the mall would be a safe venture. I was nearly reduced to a speed bump by some chicks trying to haul ass to the Virgin Megastore for the 1/2 off deals. Yeah - they almost sliced my torso HALF OFF.
I went into the mall chipper and came out swearing like a sailor and yelling at a 5 year old saying, "What are you lookin' at?"
Let's just say I'm in desperate need to find the holiday spirit again. I'm not going to lie, I've had trouble finding 'Christmas' for the last 3 years, mainly since my grandmother's death. I'm actually going to spend Christmas with my family in Southern California this year, just for a change of pace, I think. My grandmother was all about Christmas, and without her it's been pretty...empty.
But, I'm determined to put my energy toward counting my blessings and thanking God for giving me another amazing year.
A big part of those amazing moments are my short track trips. I cherish every relationship I've found in or because of the ST community, and I don't ever take that for granted. Here's a few shots of our 'tour de Chicago' right after the Madison World Cup.
Me and Molly in Downtown Chicago
CHICAGO!
That's what I call Deckin' the Halls
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- I suppose an update is long overdue -
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Tuesday, December 07, 2004
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Yeah, sorry 'bout that.
Back to back world cups can wear you out! Of course, a 4 hour plane ride from Chicago to Cali isn't a picnic - add to that a 5 1/2 hour drive to Sac, and that just about did me in!
Before I go on, I want to say a big "I Love You" to Lupes, and despite the passing of her beloved grandmother, she's been going strong. Lupes, Madison wasn't a world cup without you.
Well, Madison was fun. Although, one of the highlights was this lunatic Polak that took us in from the frozen streets of Chicago, and said, "Hey, get in this house before you ruin my reputation in this town..." So grateful that she let us crash at her fabulous pad, and what a tour guide/hostess! I mean, she directed us to the ghetto in a matter of minutes, had us bowling in 23 ft of snow, and then told us it would be hot going by Navy Pier, so suggested we were shorts and tank tops. Now, we drove by Navy Pier about 345 times. Call me a Californian, but I never felt the heat.
Actually, I was so numb, I couldn't feel anything.
Oh, and the Polak knows how to pick 'em, cuz C.P.A.B is one cool kat. You know you're in when the blonde/short jokes start flyin' within the first 15 mins of meeting. Molly and I spent some great nights roaming around Chicago at night. Took some fun pictures of us with the hotels and high-rises in the background. Beautiful place to visit. I must give shout outs to our girls, Tiasha and Janie. Man, what a wild last night in Madison we encountered! You guys are so much fun, and most importantly, just plain real people.
Speaking of real people, I just love our US ladies. They've been underrated for so long, and are really working their asses off this season and giving the world something to look at. It was wonderful to get in some good chats with Allison and Bridie (B, I wish now I could have come to Canada!) and got to meet Allison's parents for the first time. Super great people, and you can tell they love and are so proud of their daughter. Again, I think the minute the short jokes begin you know you're 'in', since Allison took her turn at me - standing next to her she laughed, "Hey, I never realized how short you are!". I then showed her that I was even wearing heels. Yikes.
But I have a special short track corner of my heart for Hyo-Jung "Hallie" Kim. This chick (along with Allison) was on FIYAH in Madison, and her style is very similar to a certain Japanese-American we all know and love. I remember hugging Hyo-Jung before she went out to the podium to receive her first Gold. Later that weekend, I talked with her at the banquet. I wasn't quite sure if she remembered me, but I asked and she said "Of course! From the lunch in CS." I just had to have a pic with her, and now it's one of my fav comp pics:
It's amazing watching these athletes grow and continue to blow our minds on the ice.
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Name: April