freshman [fresh-muh n]
a student in the first year of the course at a university, college, or high school; a novice; beginner
Synonyms include: frosh, neophyte, novice, newcomer

Tin’s a freshman in college…HAHAHAHA! What the hell is that about?! She’s commuting (as are the majority of her friends), so I cornered her this morning before her first day for PICTURE TIME!!!

She went to bed relatively early last night, but said she couldn't fall asleep. Nerves? Anticipation? Excitement? Probably all of the above! I can't ever forget my first day at UCI. Cile and I both had a 9 am class on Monday morning. She had Asian Art History and I had Chem 1A with Joe and Carlo. Wow, that was 12 years ago...

Anyhoo, ENJOY COLLEGE TINSTERS!

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY,

ROCHELLE!!!

I HAD to use this picture! They all went horseback riding for Edwin's birthday this past March and the top of Rochelle's head was BARELY aligned with the the horse's ass. We were freakin' dying! LOVE YOU BOBBERS!!!

Happy 30th Birthday,

Kobe!!

I know we're all wishing for the same thing =)

HAPPY 5th ANNIVERSARY BLOG!!!

Wow! Anna's been venting for 5 years!

Thanks for reading, everyone!!!

OH MY GOODNESS!

What the hell is the matter with me?!

I put on 2 different earrings this morning and I JUST realized it right now. hahaha!

I think I need another vacation...

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!!

I FREAKIN' LOVE IT SO MUCH!

confidence [kon-fi-duhns]
1) full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing; belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance; 2) a confidential communication
Synonyms include: backbone, certainty, fearlessness, belief, credence

For a long time (longer than I’d like to admit), I thought confidence was something you were given; something you are rewarded each time you experience any type of victory or accomplishment; something that only the few were worth of. I learned eventually that true confidence comes from nowhere and no one else but within. In light of the Olympic games, I just can't help but watch in admiration and awe. Having witnessed every athlete gain confidence with each medal they've won, or gain greater confidence despite falling short, I beg of myself this question: In what state does MY confidence lie?

My initial answer is that it's just fine...it's great in fact! But damned if I can't help lose some of that gusto when I fail to get something done, fail to be someone I'm supposed to be or fail to AVOID being someone I'm NOT supposed to be. FAIL FAIL FAIL...that's been my greatest fear since the first time I ever got rewarded for something I did right. As sweet as victory feels after a seemingly heartbreaking defeat (which comes in endless forms and circumstances), I sometimes can't help wondering when I'll meet failure again thereafter.

But going back to these Olympic athletes...I think of everything they've had to sacrifice and I think of the number of times they must've failed and wanted to give it all up. Then I see and, good Lord can I also feel, their victory (I've been a hot mess since August 8th, crying every chance I'm given), and it makes me want to throw all my petty issues and confidence breakers out the window because I know how good it will feel when my failures turn into more than I could ever have imagined.

I have a calendar hanging in my cubicle, with each month a beautiful photo of a landscape and beneath each image is an inspirational quote. Under a breathtaking view of a lake and a mountain, August's quote appropriately reads:

"A champion is a dreamer that refused to give up!"

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY,

ISA!!!

Be thankful for what you have.

When Life gives you a 100 reasons to cry,

show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.

Be the change you want to see happen,

instead of trying to change everyone else.

Life is a mystery to solve,

not a problem to resolve.

Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

Each day is as special as you want it to be...

MAKE it great!

~ Chaplain Rosana Slezeviciute

Happy 30th Birthday, Cuz!!!

I have more pictures of Matt's childhood to post. You'll die laughing and I'll die cuz he'll kill me. hahaha! Love you man! You are my bro!

Happy Birthday

to my biggest (and probably only) fan!

There, Mark. Now you can say you got your picture posted on annaventing.blogspot.com! hahahaha!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

CHRIS!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

RACHEY!!!

The Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing was

FREAKIN' AMAZING! I will forever be in awe!

And by the way, I think I'm going to take up Tai Chi =)

mileage [mahy-lij]
the aggregate number of miles traveled over in a given time
Synonyms: wear, use

It finally happened!

I bought my beloved 2002 Toyota Rav4 on December 2, 2001 (I remember because I got home that night and Britney Spears’ birthday was being mentioned on every entertainment show! And hey Joemama, I got my car on your birthday too! haha!). It was my first major purchase; the first big thing I ever bought with my own money, earned from my first full-time, post-undergrad job. Holy shit, I thought to myself, I'm a grown up.

And that's just what Raven (yes, Raven the Silver Rav4) and I have done together - grow up. You create a real relationship when you're responsible for something as necessary, and yet as needy as a car. It's like a child who requires constant care and service; a mobile refuge when you need a quick getaway; a convenient location for conversations between friends and family; and in my case, the only space for at least 10 hours a week that I have just to myself.

Yes, we've gone through a lot together, my car and I - trips to Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego - everywhere; a dead battery right before work, a defective transmission that decided to show face in the middle of rush hour traffic, followed by a replacement transmission that made it run like I just drove out of the lot for the first time; a couple of accidents, endless trips to the Toyota dealership and the gas station, etc. I hope to blog about the next 100,000 miles.

Check out what 100,000 mile service requires:

2002 RAV 4: 100,000 Miles - 60 Months
Air Conditioning Filter
Automatic Transmission Fluid or Manual Transmission Oil
Ball Joints and Dust Covers
Brake Lines and Hoses
Brake Linings/Drums and Brake Pads/Discs
Differential Oil
Drive Belts
Drive Shaft Boots
Engine Air Filter
Engine Coolant
Engine Oil and Filter
Engine Valve Clearance
Exhaust Pipes and Mountings
Fuel Lines and Connections, Fuel Tank Band and Fuel Tank Vapor Vent System Hoses
Fuel Tank Cap Gasket
Nuts and Bolts on Chassis and body
Radiator Core and Condenser
Steering Gear Box
Steering Linkage and Boots
Tire Rotation
Transfer Case Oil

I don't even know what half of this stuff is...which brings me to an honorable mention for this milestone - my dad. I refer to him on everything that has to do with my car. I emailed him this morning to tell him that I reached 100k and he emailed back:

Hi Leng,
Your car still going to last for years as long as you maintain it regularly.
Congrats on it's 100,000 miles.
Dad

That's the plan, father!

Happy Birthday, kiddo!!!

After a long night of partying in Vegas, Ja fell asleep "reading." We found him like this, with the magazine opened to just the first page. HAHAHAHA!!!

God of love and peace,
we come to You in times of stress and overwork.
We know that You will refresh us in
the wisdom of Your bounty.
May we never forget Your blessings
to us each hour in the day.

*Thanks for the prayer, Aimee!! Miss you, pinsan!!! =)

Gosh I miss blogging...