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?