gamble ['gam-b&l]
to take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit
Synonyms include: bet, chance, risk, venture, wager
Las Vegas - it just never gets old! In the number of times that I’ve been there (which I couldn’t even count), and with the countless permutations of company (family, friends, 5 people…30!), not to mention the array of weather conditions I’ve had to withstand (snow and piercing heat) it’s always a different experience.Great idea, Ise and Nick, to have your engagement shoot there and then inviting us to tag along! The drive there (for the evening batch, which consisted of Ja, Bev, me, Cile, Jeff and James) was not as long as I had anticipated. Of course, we did keep ourselves pretty occupied in van either watching dvd’s (James and Jeff did anyhow), sampling music from 2 ipods and 2 nanos (the music in people’s playlists are quite telling), not to mention playing “name that tune,” in addition to Cile’s longtime talent of creating scenarios (hahaha remember those?), we cruised through the 105 degree heat (at midnight, mind you) and arrived at the Aladdin Hotel to be greeted by the first batch who got there (Nick, Isa, Ate Tin, Gwen, Leia and Fernie). Most wasted no time and sat down at either a blackjack table or a slot machine (Oh Cile, I’m sorry Fernie stole your mojo. Hahahah!)The next day we ate brunch at the Aladdin Spice Market Buffet where, HELLO - they had cotton candy! What buffet carries cotton candy? I WAS FREAKIN’ EXCITED! Haha! Man were we full after though.
So to calm the full tummies, Leia, Gwen, Fernie, Ate, Jeff and I decided to brave the 113 degree heat and walk to Caesar’s Palace. OH THE HEAT! It felt like a thousand needles piercing into my skin – it was so freakin’ hot! But not before the head housekeeper opened our hotel room door with her own key asking to talk to someone cuz why?Well, I was watching TV when she came in, one of the housekeepers. First she advised that rooms that have a large amount of cash out in the open are not to be cleaned. I have no idea why she’s telling me this so I nod my head in agreement. But, she says, our room was cleaned before the maid had seen the cash lying there on the table. “Ma’m," she said, "when this happens we have to call security." I notice the two men in uniform standing there with her and then it dawned to me...CILE'S FREAKIN' FAKE WAD OF CASH SITTING THERE ON THE TABLE! One of the security guys was like, "Is everything ok?" HAHAHA! So I explained to them that it was only the top bill that was real and they breathed a sigh of relief and went on their way. After that little incident, we followed Nick, Isa, Ja and Bev from Aladdin to Venetian (on foot!...in the scalding heat) like a camera crew. It was quite a production... We had Cile videotaping everthing while James helped with crowd control, blocking people out of Ja's way so he could get a clear shot, etc. Fernie, while helping also with crowd control, also carried a backpack of Isa and Nick's shoes, water, etc. Ate was the wardrobe lady, carrying a garment bag in case the couple opted for a wardrobe change. And I was Nick's sweat control specialist, handing him a towel between takes to ease the moisture on his face. Geez, talk about production!
And then, soo tired from the day's events, we got all gussied up and...kicked it in the room (mostly the big bathroom) and talked...about whores, breaking up over the phone, etc. FUN NIGHT!
Then we walked down the strip again, some people looking to gamble, others just wanting to kick it. Fernie and I opted to hang out at a little bakery/cafe at Paris whilst everyone did their business on the casino floor. THEN, we ate a real meal, at like 2:30 am, back at the hotel. Can't go to Vegas and NOT have late night meals! The next morning, Ate and I went to mass and then came back to the hotel where Bev came storming in at 9 am, "I got us free breakfast!!!" Hahaha, girlfriend had played so much at the Aladdin casino that she got to know the pit boss and some dealers so well! Since we were in a bit of a hurry, Bev and I went to get the breakfast while everyone else packed up the van.
With no time to lose, we feasted like beasts while Ja filled up the car at the gas station! HILARIOUS! Definitely one of the funnest, most memorable Vegas trips I've ever experienced! So...when we going again? hahaha! Maybe I'll sit at a blackjack table and see if I can be as lucky as Bev...

work on a Monday after a weekend in Vegas...oooooohhh soooo gonna be a long day.....

WELCOME BABY HOLDEN!!!

Look at my cutie new nephew!!! That's my Ate Cheryl and her husband Eric. They live all the way in Boston. Hmmm, gotta go pay them a visit next year.

WHO WANTS TO COME WITH ME?!

cinch ['sinch]
a firm grip; something easy to accomplish; a sure thing; a certainty
Synonyms include: assert, clinch, confirm, cross heart, declare, guarantee, conviction, credence, sure thing

There are just times when a 6-piece chicken nugget meal at McDonald’s or even the S-8 at Thai BBQ doesn’t cut it anymore. These days our young adult pallets crave more than the lard and salt-laden foods of the fast and franchised. Don’t get me wrong. I will be the first to volunteer a Del Taco run at 1:30 in the morning. But these days, we often look for more than just a quick bite it seems.

Sometimes we look for a certain ambiance, depending on our mood of course. Eating at restaurants where your number-assigned orders are announced over an intercom may be a great place to go after a fun day at the park or the mall. Other times, we want to dress like grown-ups (though fashion is not 100% indicative of maturity…at least not for most of us hanging on to our youth) and sit in a restaurant where servers don't wear name tags attached to lanyards hanging from their necks; where food takes longer to prepare and is presented on black and granite rectangular porcelain plates; and where the chef, proudly but modestly, brings out your order because, well, he happened to prepare it himself and he just happened to be friends with you. What are the chances? Haha...Last Saturday night, happened just this way. We put away shorts and t-shirts to opt for button-down polos and cowl neck sweaters. We sat in a lounge area by the bar, sipped from wine and martini glasses like sophisticated young adults and devoured far from mundane dishes like proscuitto pizza, lobster mac & cheese and chocolate creme brule. The room was dim, lit slightly by candlelight and soft gallery ceiling lamps indoors and the moonlight shining through the windows from outside. A soundtrack of beat-worthy music played a random selection of tunes while we enjoyed our meal, subdued by the ailments of the long and muggy day, but seeming to find contentment and serenity in the company of good friends and good food...

and then we went back to the apartment so I could sober up before the drive home; and so I could watch James and Pat play video games until 1:35 am. Oh well, so much for sophisticated and mature...

inspiration ["in(t)-sp&-'rA-sh&n]
divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind
Synonyms include: afflatus, arousal, awakening, encouragement, enthusiasm, exaltation, illumination, insight, motivation, muse, revelation, thought, vision

Maya Angelou, you always know what to say when days like today come around...

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance. "

- Maya Angelou

company ['k&m-p&-nE]
one's companions or associates; a guest or guests; the state of friendly companionship
Synonyms include: association, corporation, enterprise, establishment, firm; aggregation, assemblage, community
Man, this new company I work for is wow! This past Saturday was the SAGE Family Fun Day at Vasa Park in Agoura Hills. I got up at 7:30 am, which is considered "sleeping in" for me. Ate and I met up with Kay and Pat and then headed off for a quick morning of shopping at the Camarillo Outlets before the picnic. When I say "quick" I mean it. We got there at 10:45-11:00 am and left by noon. Talk about efficiency! After that hour or so of walking around, we got hungry and decided to head off.
Vasa Park looks to be a private one. We had the whole park area to ourselves, and it was complete with a playground, moonbounces, photobooth (where they took our pictures and printed them out with cardboard frames like we were at Disneyland. Only this time it was FREE!), etc. The theme of our day was "Fiesta" so we grubbed on a Mexican buffet complete with churros for dessert! Dang those churros were good! The highlight of the day for me (besides seeing my boss, who is usually soooo quiet, dancing in a sombrero) was hearing Kay's name get called for a raffle! She freakin' won a Canon 5.0 megapixel digicam with photoprinter! WHAT THE HECK! Look how happy she was! Hahaha! YAY GRAMS! Our company doesn't kid around with these prizes. They gave away $100 giftcards to William Sonoma and Restoration Hardware, $200 giftcards to Crate & Barrel, two way radios, Ipod Nanos, Canon camcorders - GEEEZ! Suffice it to say, it was a great time had by us all!

Happy Birthday Joellee!

(haven't seen you in forever!)

study ['st&-dE]
the pursuit of knowledge, as by reading, observation, or research
Synonyms include: contemplate, cram, examine, excogitate, meditate, ponder, read up, refresh, think
Poor Tin didn't get much sleep this week cuz she had finals (during my last quarter at UCI, there was time where I didn't sleep for 28 hours straight; not because I was studying, but because I was so panicked about my United Nations final!). She didn't want to study on our desk in the room or my parents' desk cuz the computers are there. And so she doesn't fall asleep, she studied on the floor on my yoga mat...where I found her keeled over on Saturday night at 2:00 am with her biology book under her arms. Then last night, she didn't feel comfortable on the kitchen table...SO SHE STUDIED ON THE PIANO! Oh little sister... She's done with school now and next comes summer league for basketball. Hope you guys can come watch her play some time. Then in August, Tin'll be a junior! AAAAAAAAACK!

fiancé ["fE-"än-'sA]
a man to whom a woman is engaged to be married
Synonyms include: affianced, betrothed, engaged person, future, husband-to-be, wife-to-be
In today’s entry, the man playing this part is Nickelson and he is engaged to be married to our good friend Melissa. Last Saturday afternoon, a few of us spent some time with the lovely couple and their families – two families who, in 6 months or so, will be united by their precious Nick and Isa.

I still remember the first time Isa told me about Nick. It was Fall 2000 and I was living in Washington, D.C. In addition to letters and cards that I received from her ever other week while I was away, Isa used to call me every weekend like clockwork. “It’s free on weekends so of course I’m gonna call you!” she used to say and that’s one thing that will always remind me of how lucky I am to have her. So one weekend she called and we chitchatted for a little bit and I asked her what was new and, I guess she didn’t know how to say it but she said something like, “I met someone. I met a boy.” A-ha! No wonder she was being all weird on the phone! Hahaha! Anyhow, she had been seeing Nick for a few weeks I think and before we got off the phone I remember sensing something in Isa’s voice. Maybe it was just me, but she sounded quite happy.

The following weekend she called and gave me the address to Nick’s family’s website. There, displayed, was a picture of Isa with Nick’s arm around her, on HIS FAMILY’S website! I thought, hmmm…So I met Nick shortly after I got back from DC and all I could think was, “Dang, this dude is CHILL!” It doesn’t take long for anyone to grow fond of Nick. He’s one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and he gives Isa this peace that I hadn’t yet seen before she met him.It's our first COF wedding!!! Congratulations Nick & Isa! We're soooo excited and happy for you both!

hellfire ['hel-"fIr]
the fire of hell, considered as punishment for sinners; a place of eternal fire envisaged as punishment for the damned
Synonyms include: everlasting fire, everlasting torment, lake of fire and brimstone

Hahaha, I entered this word on dictionary.com not expecting one result but ‘lo and behold! A “hellfire,” at the earthly bar we frequent, however, is a shot of some stuff I can’t remember (I know there’s 151 in there – yuck!) that is set aflame and then immersed in a tall glass of something called “monster.” After the shot glass is dropped in you CHUG IT! And then a few minutes later, YOU FEEL IT!
I had one hellfire the first time I went to Saints & Sinners and I was good for the entire evening. Ate Tin-Tin had a hellfire and more. Look at her!
She turned bright red, her natural eyeshadow appeared above her lids, and a bunch of hives and rashes came upon her arms and hands.
Her eyes got all glassy (this happens to me too. What the hell kind of symptoms are these!). She was getting all crazy, dancing and talking out of her booty. It's that pent up pre-school teacher persona breakin' out apparently. Miss Christine was no model of propriety that night.
And then there's Gweeenie, who pushed her foot straight through a styrofoam cooler! Hahahaha! I think we laughed for like 10 minutes! She's usually so quiet, smiling all the while, just listening to people. On Friday night though, Gweeenie was laughing all night and poking her foot through things! Oh man, I'm cracking up just thinking about it!
And then to alleviate Ate's itchiness, Rach got her some cold wet paper towels. When they appeared to have dried out, James took it upon himself to give her fresh ones. Unfortunately, he didn't wring the paper towels and Ate had them on her arms, dripping with water. It got all over her shirt and she looked like she was lactating! She just kept saying, "James! You made my boobs wet!" hahaha...

And that was Larnie's homecoming...Larnie, do you miss us or what?

bakery ['bA-k(&-)rE]
a place where products such as bread, cake, and pastries are baked or sold
Synonyms include: bake shop, confectionery, pastry shop, patisserie

To alleviate, even just a tad, the effects of rising gas prices and the hassle of the daily commute, Grammy Kay and I take turns driving to work on Thursdays and Fridays. On these two days of the workweek, we get to the office at 7:00 am: Kay gets her hour of overtime and I either read/write in the kitchen until 7:30 or take an hour lunch. Typically it’s the former. We came in at 7:05 am yesterday and I wrote two pages of whatever in my journal. It was a task long overdue.

We PLANNED to get to the office today at 7:00 am, but we got sidetracked. This morning’s commute became “The Great Bakery Adventure of Grammy and Anna.” It was Kay’s turn to bring in breakfast for her department and she didn’t think she had enough food, so we drove down Ventura Blvd in search of a bakery. “WESTERN BAGEL!” I yelled! And then when Kay went to u-turn, “COFFEE BEAN!” I yelled again. Hahaha! So Grams bought some pastries at Western Bagel (not bagels), we got our Coffee Bean morning treat and then headed off to work. We could still make it to work by, at the latest 7:05 am right?

So we made another stop at Doan’s Bakery , this place that we happened to drive by. “Let’s see what’s in there,” Grams suggests. So we u-turn, stop by and come out with a newly-baked, still warm chocolate chip croissant and it was MMMMMM YUMMY! The chocolate was actually spread evenly inside the soft, flaky croissant so much that it was oozing out on the ends. EVIL!...pure, decadent, savory evil!

So, we got to work at 7:30 am. Oh well, we tried…

regression [ri-'gre-sh&n]
reversion to an earlier or less mature pattern of feeling or behavior
Synonyms include: backsliding, fall, lapse, recurrence, regression, repetition, retrogression, return, reversion, setback

Gee, how long have Rachele and I been holding it all in? Hahaha!

downrtpnay: justin's gonna be on the mtv movie awards
downrtpnay: he looks so dang good
Dcgal23: i miss that guy
downrtpnay: me too
Dcgal23: like i really miss them
Dcgal23: i listened to CELEBRITY on the way to work on wednesday
downrtpnay: man "just the two of us" is one of my happy songs
downrtpnay: always puts me in a good mood
Dcgal23: ME TOO!
Dcgal23: i love that song!
downrtpnay: yup!
downrtpnay: we should have an nsync viewing party one of these days to relive our youth hahaha
Dcgal23: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
downrtpnay: dude the HIGHLIGHT of my senior year at ucla was when we were watching i think the billboard music awards
downrtpnay: whichever was in vegas that they hosted
downrtpnay: and when they won an award justin said "HI RACHEL"
downrtpnay: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Dcgal23: hahaha
downrtpnay: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Dcgal23: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Dcgal23: I'M FREAKIN' LAUGHING!
downrtpnay: i was like screaming at my roomies
downrtpnay: SEEE
downrtpnay: SEEE
downrtpnay: HE LOVES ME
downrtpnay: my friend taped alll the nsync stuff like u guys
Dcgal23: oh man iya and i were soooooooo good about that
Dcgal23: i remember the radio music awards when they performed ByeByeBye" for the first time
Dcgal23: iya called me and we were YELLING! "OH MY GOD THAT WAS SOOOO AWESOME!"
downrtpnay: hahaha
downrtpnay: i remember when the celebrity dvd came out i was sooo sad that they didn't show a lot of justin during "gone"
Dcgal23: celebrity dvd?
downrtpnay: like when he got down and dirty on the floor
Dcgal23: hahaha...wait
downrtpnay: i mean
Dcgal23: what celebrity dvd?
downrtpnay: pop odyssey
downrtpnay: hahaha
Dcgal23: oh phew YOU SCARED ME!
downrtpnay: HAHAHA, you're all looking it up on amazon sorry
Dcgal23: hahaha
downrtpnay: ahhhhhh look at this. i hate bsb
downrtpnay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFxRHS4Y-I&search=nsync%20concert
Dcgal23: OH HEEEEEEEEELL NO
Dcgal23: you remember when they came out on mtv talking about how *NSYNC copies them
downrtpnay: no i don't
Dcgal23: i think it was john norris interviewing them
Dcgal23: and he asked them how they felt about *NSYNC's succes
Dcgal23: and stupid ass kevin was like talking about how they saw garth brooks flying over his audience and said they wanted to do it
Dcgal23: "and next thing you know," kevin says, "*NSYNC does it"
Dcgal23: and he's all, "it's like, find your own identity"
downrtpnay: boooooooooooooooooo
Dcgal23: i was like WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!
Dcgal23: didn't you just say YOU wanted to copy garth brooks?
Dcgal23: i wrote the freakin' angriest comment on mtv.com
downrtpnay: HAHAHA
Dcgal23: it was like 2 paragraphs long
downrtpnay: you're so funny
downrtpnay: speaking of flying, i love this song
downrtpnay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGCouVPiowU&search=nsync%20
downrtpnay: man jc can sing love it
Dcgal23: NONE OF THE BSB CAN!
downrtpnay: i know
downrtpnay: i really hope justin decides to take a vacation in the caribbean when i'm there. i'm gonna attack him
Dcgal23: hahaha
Dcgal23: i really wanna have an *NSYNC night
downrtpnay: YES lets do it
downrtpnay: i'll wear my "i heart JT" shirt
Dcgal23: i'll wear my nsync tshirt...
Dcgal23: AND MY GLOWSTICKS!...ALL OF THEM!
downrtpnay: ohhhh i'll wear my backstage pass thingy
downrtpnay: hahahaha
Dcgal23: HAHAHA...I LOVE YOU JC!
Dcgal23: have i ever told you why i love his voice?
downrtpnay: y
Dcgal23: esp when he sings a slow song, it sounds like he's whispering into my ear!!!!!!!!
downrtpnay: HAHAHAHAHA
downrtpnay: wow
Dcgal23: HAHAHAH!
downrtpnay: man everytime i watch justin's concert and he asks the audience "does anybody wanna be my gf"
downrtpnay: i shout at the tv
downrtpnay: MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Dcgal23: HAHAHA!
downrtpnay: OH MY GOD JUSTIN I WANT TO HAVE YOUR BABIES
Dcgal23: HAHAHAHA
Dcgal23: I LOVE YOU *NSYNC!!!!!
downrtpnay: AHHHHHHHHHHH
downrtpnay: i miss them
Dcgal23: me too
downrtpnay: especially them dancing...waaaaaaaaaaaa
Dcgal23: =(
Dcgal23: they were seriously sooo good!
downrtpnay: i know
Dcgal23: DANCE AND SING
downrtpnay: britney is the stupidest girl in the universe
downrtpnay: how could u cheat on this shit
Dcgal23: don't get me started on her
downrtpnay: with a guy that looks like a werewolf
Dcgal23: NOT CUTE AT ALL!
downrtpnay: nope
Dcgal23: look what fantone said: orchids126: remember when i first met you and u said r u related to joey fatone
Dcgal23: hahaha
downrtpnay: HAHAHA
downrtpnay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGbNQ1-Ty_A&search=nsync%20
downrtpnay: i love when they sing a capella
downrtpnay: omg justin looks so yummy
Dcgal23: cuz they CAN
Dcgal23: cuz unlike SOME haters...they can actually sing
Dcgal23: YOU BEATBOX JUSTIN!
downrtpnay: i have always loved this song
downrtpnay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQb0II6EYaw&search=nsync%20
Dcgal23: ME TOOOOO!
Dcgal23: rach we could do this all night
downrtpnay: i know
downrtpnay: i hope they'll reunite to sing for me and justin when we get married
Dcgal23: they should
downrtpnay: ahhhhh i loved this version
downrtpnay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYbIwoNfvjc&search=nsync%20
downrtpnay: jc looks good
Dcgal23: JC PLEASE CAN I JUST HAVE YOU FOR ONE NIGHT!
Dcgal23: when they were on Rosie O'donnell, iya and i called each other during every commercial to discuss
downrtpnay: hahaha
Dcgal23: any last comments about nsync
downrtpnay: I LOVE THEM...and i'm not embarassed to admit it
Dcgal23: amen!

moded ['mOd-ed]
used to describe one who has just made a fool of herself or gotten an unexpected, negative result
Synonyms include: embarrased, ashamed, crestfallen

So I've been wanting to see RENT on stage again after I saw the movie. FINALLY, the tour cast is here in L.A. for only 5 days and I was determined to see it for a second time! I even signed up for that GoldStar thing to get the cheaper tickets. However, I was unable to ask who wanted to go (the limit is 6 tickets) and when, so I decided today to just buy however many tickets I could on ticketmaster because I'm sure SOMEONE will want them. So, there I am on ticketmaster.com and, lucky me, there are 8 tickets available for a Thursday night in July so I enter all my info until I get to the credit card section. I figured I'd use my credit card in lieu of my checkcard because, well, there isn't enough funds in the checkcard. I just paid a crapload of bills this week, including my gas bill. Need I say more? Anyhow, when I reached for my wallet I remembered that I put away my credit cards so I wouldn't be tempted to use them. By the time I get to my credit card's place of exile (it's in a drawer, tucked between the pages of a blank journal), I got back to the comp to see that my alotted time, 2 freakin' minutes, had lapsed. AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!! See Anna, this is exactly why you have to hide your credit cards from yourself! Because of impulsive moments llike this!

frame ['frAm]
to build by putting together the structural parts of; construct; to conceive or design; to arrange or adjust for a purpose; to enclose in or as if in a frame
Synonyms include: anatomy, architecture, body, build, casing, construction, cut, enclosure, form, disposition, feelings, humor, mindset, mood, shape, spirits, standing, state, temporary psychological state, tone Bad eyesight runs on both sides of my family. Hoping for a life with 20/20 vision is like wishing for the power to walk through walls – it’s just not going to happen. I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 9 years old, a third grader for sobbing out loud! Actually, when I first found out I had to get glasses, I was kind of excited. I wanted to be different and, seeing as to how the majority of my classmates didn’t require such an accessory, I was happy to stand out. I just never realized how much trouble it would be later on. And I experienced it all - the juvenile stabs at my already awkward sense of self – four-eyes, nerd, etc. As if being the chubby little gnome wasn’t torture enough. When I look back at old, heart-wrenchingly embarrassing pictures of me in those huge glasses, I want to hide! Most of you have seen me in those big ol’ frames. OH MAN! It’s just sad. No wonder I was always the girl who the guys talked to…to get to my other girlfriends! Though what’s my excuse now? Haha…kidding…

Thankfully there exist contact lenses; although, I only got them in high school because we participated in a cheerleading competition and the thought of my glasses flying into the air after a toe-touch, or possibly falling on my face after a turn changed my attitude about them. My mom wanted me to get them so I could wear eye make-up. “I don’t wear make-up, mom” I told her. “Well, you can if you have contacts!” AAAAAAHHH! I used to have to wake up AT LEAST 15-20 minutes early if I wanted to wear contacts because it took me forever to get them on. The thought of sticking my finger in my eye was just not appealing. Eventually though I got the hang of it.

Last week I went to the eye doctor for my bi-annual check-up. I got some new contacts and some new frames. I seriously tried on about 20 pairs of glasses! The poor optician was handing me one after another because I just looked all kinds of awkward in some of them. I was so determined to get some plastic frames. Sadly, most of them don’t come with nosepieces, which I just can’t have because I have no nose to keep them from resting on my cheeks! But I found some cute ones eventually (See above). Well, you guys judge if they look right on me. They’re Michael Kors and it comes with the cutest case Anyhow, I was just so tired after trying on so many that I ended up with the 3rd pair I tried on, the very least of the 20+ evils. Oh nearsightedness...

Thanks Dallas! SUCK IT UP RAJA BELL AND STEVE NASH!

Wow, a new team of ballers to detest. There's been so many: from the Bad Boy Detroit days (Chauncy, what happened to you guys this season?), to Drexler and Porter-led Portland, to cowbell-toting Sacramento, to no-reaction Duncan's San Antonio...AND NOW PHOENIX!

GOOOOOO MAVS!

shutter ['sh&-t&r]
a mechanical device that limits the passage of light; especially : a camera attachment that exposes the film or plate by opening and closing an aperture
Synonyms include: screen, shade, shield

aperture ['ap-&(r)-"chur]
an opening or open space; a hole; the opening in a photographic lens that admits the light
Synonyms include: gap, opening, orifice, outlet, passage

“4 more shots and my count is 900 for the day, Ja.”
“You’ve taken almost 900 pictures? Stop it! Gimme that camera!”

Hahaha…oh Master Ja, you underestimated me didn’t you? I’m a shutterbug, trigger happy and all, what can I say? It’s a real wonder why I never thought of taking up photography as a career. I take so many pictures, enjoy nothing more than sharing them with others and, when time allows, laying them out in a scrapbook that I might as well have gone to school for it then take it up as a living!

So, I helped Ja and Bev with 11 hours of coverage last Saturday afternoon. From 12:30 pm at the bride’s house, to later that afternoon at Christ the King Church, to 11:30 at night at the Castaway for the reception, we clicked like there was no tomorrow! I’ve witnessed a wedding from yet another point of view and it is one I won’t soon forget.

The wedding photographer has such an enormous responsibility! So huge that I got really scared when I realized that Ja and Bev were serious when they asked me to help. You guys weren’t kidding? Hahaha! I got my crash course from the two of them (with tidbit hints from James) before my first gig. But between trying to memorize and then understand “shutter speed” (1, ½, ¼, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000...HUH?), “aperture” and ISO, and making sure I didn't miss any moments, I had to shake my head to reset and then come back. It was all good though! I was really nervous that day, but I have good teachers too (booty kisser or what?!) so after awhile, it wasn’t so scary anymore and I got into normal Anna-mode with a camera in my hand. Ya'll know what that's like.

Probably the hardest thing about this for me is going to be to try not to get distracted by what's going on. I've gotten so used to having to pay attention to 20 things at one time as a wannabe wedding coordinator, that I almost forgot that when I'm with Ja Tecson Photography, I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER. Hahaha! I have to remember that I've got to work this freakin' 10 lb camera and not my trusty clipboard. I missed my clipboard that day. hahaha! So, next assignment? An engagement shoot in Las Vegas baby! I can’t wait!

bond ['bänd]
A uniting force or tie; a link:
Synonyms include: affiliation, affinity, association, attachment, connection, friendship, link, network, obligation, relationship, tie, union
Jhoette, funny guy that friend of ours. He came back for a week because he had to take care of something that he SHOULD HAVE taken care of the last time he was here. We did what we could with the 5-6 days that he was here…again. An evening at Alcove is always a pleasure! I just love the ambiance in that place! It’s always a bustle with all types of people (a few celebrities even! We saw Izzy and George from Grey’s Anatomy one evening!), talking about all kinds of things. I encountered one group drinking coffee whilst they discussed their screenwriting project. I mean, how cool is THAT?
On the night before he left, we had dinner at El Coyote, followed by a sit-in at Susina Café down the street (which Cile fondly called Cocina so on the way there everyone was like, “where the heck is this Cocina cafe?” hahaha!).
So we sat at the Alcove patio that one night, eating our sandwiches, sipping our tea and coffee, enjoying our pastries and just basked in the ease and quiet of our evening. We spent an evening in noisy El Coyote, where our playfulness seemed to shine much brighter than usual. We’ve been friends for so long that times like these feel nice. We’re so knowledgeable of each other’s history (because we witnessed it all firsthand) that cheap shot comments flow from our subconscious to our tongues like water through a river. We go into every conversation knowing we’ll probably get clowned about something that happened 10 years ago; yet the degree of laughter is always the same.
I asked Jhoette if his friends in the Philippines were like his friends here, who have absolutely no shame. “My friends back home are nothing like you guys,” he said. “Their humor is different and sometimes they just don’t get what I’m saying. I’m glad I came back here again. Being with you guys again, now I feel kind of re-charged.” Aaaaw, thanks Jhoette. Now, DON'T COME BACK UNTIL YOU FINISH DOCTOR SCHOOL! hahaha...

Meet our friend,
Gwen Antonio, R.N.!!!

CONGRATULATIONS GIRL!!!

traffic ['tra-fik]
the passage of people or vehicles along routes of transportation
Synonyms: cartage, flux, gridlock, influx, jam, movement, transit

Quick blog...The whole week's commute was almost unbearable. But it was never because of an accident. There were just sooo many cars on the road at one time. So today I left the office at 4:06 pm, hoping and praying that today, heaven would smile on me and say, "Anna, you've had a long week. How about some smooth sailing?" Alas, it was not meant to be so. Typically, I don't hit traffic on the 101 South until I get past the mountains to maybe Calabasas. But today, it was backed up from beyond MY exit. 10 miles away I realized exactly why. Check it out:
Sorry I can't make the picture bigger. It's only from my camera phone (yes, Anna does take pictures even when she's driving). This freakin' camry drove OVER the center divider. There were no other cars around. How the heck!