Thursday, February 23, 2006

Jury Duty is complete for 1 year!
And I didn't even have to do anything except call in last night and again this morning! Yippee!

Back from Seattle
Alan and I took a mini-vacation to Seattle over the long weekend for 4 days. We took Friday off and Alan took Monday off (I had a holiday!) Seattle was very very cold but sunny - we were lucky we didn't see a drop of rain! Some of the highlights:
  • Pike Place Market: we saw the famous 'flying fish' booth where the workers throw the fish around; saw the brass pig and walked around the marketplace
  • First Starbucks: we visited the first ever Starbucks. It's interesting how the logo changed from the original one. There were so many Starbucks in Seattle - almost one on every block. I definitely got my fix of Peppermint Hot Chocolates!
  • Space Needle: cool buiding, cool view of the city from the top
  • Pacific Science Center: Me being a 'scientist' and all, this was my favorite museum. There were lots of cool exhibits, but my favorite ones were about the human body, having to do with all your senses and things like that. We also got to see a free IMAX presentation on Ancient Greece, during which I unfortunately fell asleep for a couple of minutes.
  • Argosy Cruise around Puget Sound: took a one-hour cruise around the bay and learned a lot about the buildings and sites in Seattle. Passed by the house where the Real World Seattle was held.
  • Seattle Aquarium: lots of different sea animals. Loved the very colorful fish, especially the tank where they had a 'Nemo' fish with a 'Dori' fish together
  • Woodland Park Zoo: (can you tell that we got the City Pass Seattle?) It was freezing when we went to the zoo, and it seemed like we were the only ones there without kids with us. Anyway, got to see a grizzly bear up close and a female lion pacing right behind the glass in front of us. Good thing the glass was thick.
  • Shopping! - Since we were staying at the Crowne Plaza Seattle right in downtown, we pretty much walked everywhere since it was so close to everything. We found our favorite spot from day one: Pacific Place shopping center - with the food court and an AMC theater on the top floor. I think we went there almost every day! I also ended up buying some stuff at the Gap. And Alan of course had to stop by the big camera store.
  • AMC movie: We saw The New World, which I thought was good, but Alan didn't think so. I think he even almost fell asleep. Boo.
  • St. James Cathedral: a beautiful church and we even went to a mass where there were some new Catholics being confirmed!
  • The Wedding Singer musical: We even got to see a pre-Broadway musical! It was playing Seattle before it goes to Broadway so we got tickets beforehand. It was very similar to the movie but with more songs. It was fun with all the 80s type music!
Overall, it was a great trip! Alan and I had never been there, so it was a good experience going somewhere new. And of course, Alan took lots of pics, so once I get around to getting them off his computer, I'll post some up here.

Friday, February 10, 2006

Because you're mine, I walk the line
I'm so in love with this CD right now - the Walk the Line soundtrack. I keep listening to it at work over and over - I can't get enough. I even want to sing outloud - but then I realize that I'm at work and that wouldn't be such a good idea. Something about it just makes me happy. I've seen the movie and I loved it!! I definitely want to buy it when it comes out on DVD. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon did such a good job playing Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, and actually singing as them too. I love Walk the Line and how he sings the verses in 5 different keys. Awesome.

I kinda want to learn how to play the guitar so I can learn all these songs. :) And I want to get all the original CDs and listen to those as well.

Is this considered country music? If so, bring it on! You all probably already know that I love country music, considering our wedding song was Forever and For Always. Proud of it! Bring on the Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Shania Twain. Or maybe it's considered early 'rock and roll'? I love this music - like old school Elvis and the Beatles. Maybe I was born in the wrong generation. I could totally see myself being crazy about them and going to their concerts and stuff. Wait, I did that in this lifetime :)

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Halo-Halo

Halo-Halo: A medley of beans and fruits mixed with ice, ice cream, and condensed milk

Which Filipino Food Are You?
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Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Where have I been?
Nowhere really. Just been lazy to blog.

January Events
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Girls Night Out - took advantage of Dine About Town SF and went to C&L Steak for dinner, followed by dancing with the girls. Then went to see Brokeback Mountain the next day! Great movie!

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Johanna's birthday at PPQ Dungeness in SF - really good crab!! and garlic noodles too!

Double-feature movie with mom! Went to see Walk the Line (another GREAT movie - I love the soundtrack!) and when I went to buy the ticket, the girl mentioned that it was a "double feature"! I didn't know they did that anywhere - especially not at Century 20. Anyway, we stayed for the next movie Capote, which wasn't my favorite type of movie - but I can see why he won for Golden Globe best actor.

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Covad Holiday Party at the San Jose Marriott - good food (international stations) and it was good to meet some of Alan's coworkers!

Chris's birthday at Hukilau Cafe in San Jose - yum yum Hawaiian food and good music/entertainment!

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Kit/Melannie's wedding - cousins' wedding this past weekend in Sacramento. It was really fun - Alan and I were the MCs and Alan was the unofficial photographer - I think he got better shots than the real one. Fun wedding, especially w/ family and open bar :)

Back to what I love
Started up a volleyball team at work and have been playing regularly! I love it! I didn't know how much I missed being on the court until I got back on there. We play in a league in Hayward, at lunch once a week at the park near work, and now open gym in Berkeley (just started going tonight). I'm glad I'm getting more exercise, and playing my favorite sport!