Be.

just call me...

2011-07-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

a tumblr, because that's where you'll find me.

"See you later, Sweet Potato. Adios Cinnamon Toast. Hasta Luego Rutabaga. Now it’s time for me to go."

Mealtime woes.

2011-02-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

Mealtimes have never been easy for us, but lately they've been incredibly difficult. If K4 isn't spitting food out, he's swatting the spoon sending food flying. Needless to say my patience is running thin & it usually ends with both of us in tears & food everywhere. It started to get even more stressful after we saw our pediatrician for our 1-year checkup. Apparently k4 hadn't gained any weight since his last appointment, instead he lost a pound and our pediatrician was less than impressed. She said she was giving us 3 months to put weight on him or else she was going to start poking and prodding, thus intensifying the mealtime stress.

To say this hurt my mommy ego is an understatement, it pretty much killed it. Saying my kid is underweight, is telling me he is under loved. I realize this sounds ridiculous, but I am my mother's child and if you've ever met my mom chances are she's fed you. A.LOT. And that's how she shows love. As a result, I can't help but equate food with love.

I needed help. So, I did what any mom would do…I took to facebook & got some helpful tips & words of encouragement, but most importantly I got assurance that stressful mealtimes happen not only at my dinner table.

We tried everything. Finger foods, own utensils, lots of cheering…you name it chances are we tried it, but it took my sister-in-law to pin point the exact reason why mealtimes were so stressful for us. And it boiled down to mess. Sticky mess. I couldn't stand it. I hated it. And she told me to…GET OVER IT.

So I did & now mealtimes are less stressful. Messy, but far less stressful. BEST.ADVICE.EVER.

Scrapper.

2011-01-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

I claim that my hobby is scrapbooking, but for it to actually be a hobby would mean that I have to do it, & I don’t. I mean if you were to look in the office and see the stacks of paper, the bins of stickers, & the cup of different scissors you might just believe that I do some serious scrapping there, I even own my own paper cutter. But here’s the thing, even though I love of scrapbooking, I also love sleep. I also am a fan of mindless activity ie. facebook & the jersey shore. So, the truth of the matter is, when it comes down to actually doing my claimed hobby or watching jersey shore, snookie wins EVERY.TIME.

Now, I ‘m not one to make new years resolutions, it’s like failing before I even start, but this year I made an exception. This year I resolve not only to finish up the projects I started, but to also spend less time on mindless activity.

First project up…My Belly Book aka my pregnancy journal. The first thing I got when I found out I was pregnant was a pregnancy journal, except I wasn’t consistent filling it out & hate my handwriting, so I decided to make my own scrapbook style. I had been curious about digital scrapbooking, so I thought my belly book would be a great opportunity to try it.

I’ve tried it & after this project is done, I think I’m done. I like to feel my paper, hear the sound the scissors make when I’m cutting, find & pick the perfect embellishments. I like to glue things & arrange things. The act of scrapbooking is almost meditative for me and it’s what makes me happy. Sitting in front of a computer screen does not. So maybe, digital scrapbooking is not for me.

On the positive side digital scrapbooking is much cheaper & there is no mess to clean up. But the biggest pro about scrapping digitally is that it allows me to multitask.

Here are some pages I created while not only watching the drunk shenanigans on the shore, but also rocking my kid to sleep, updating my facebook status, & doing some online banking...

California vs. Louisiana

2010-09-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

I’m beyond tired. I’m exhausted.

And that’s the reason why it’s been 6 months since my last post. If it came down to updating my blog or sleep, sleep wins. If it came down to mindlessly facebook stalking or posting an update, stalking wins.

Stalking & sleep aside, I break this 6 month hiatus to share some news and though most of you already know this, blogging is therapeutic for me…

We’re going home.

Home like Louisiana, home. Ruston home. Sloppy roast beef home. Collard greens & ham hock home. Sweet tea home. Conservative home. Republican home. Bible belt home. Steel truck nuts home.

We’re trading in the 8 lanes of the 405 for the 2 lanes of the 20. Trading in the billboards that offer a size 0 waist and flawless skin to billboards offering to save our souls. We’re trading in near perfect weather for 98% humidity. We’re trading in the cement for lush greenery, the beaches for the lakes, the California crazy for the Louisiana crazy. We’re trading in 50 grocery stores for Walmart.

And we’re actually okay with this. Excited even. Don’t get me wrong there were reasons why we left Louisiana, but after discussing it in great detail & even making a pro/con list the pros outweighed the cons.

And when we filtered out the nonsense of our pro/con list…one thing was clear: In Louisiana we would be able to provide more opportunities for our family without sacrificing our individual needs, dreams or happiness.

So the decision is made and the coordination of logistics has begun. We’re coming home, but as different people with different priorities than when we left 4 years ago. Not to mention our twosome is now a three. We have no regrets or feelings of defeat. We’re grateful & happy and looking forward to what our future holds as a family and individually.

So, that’s our news.

BUT, we aren’t closing this chapter on California just yet. Over the next handful of months we have left here we plan on soaking in as much California as we can & hug the necks of the people we will miss the most.

favorite parts.

2010-04-12T17:29:00.001-07:00

father nose best.

2010-04-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

title credit to the father.

Frenemy.

2010-04-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Reminder.

2010-04-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

As I jump back into my career & face my anxiety, fear, & guilt, I'm reminded quality over quantity. Which puts things in perspective & making it easier to deal with.

It's not about how much time I spend with K4, it's how I spend my time with him. And the milestones I miss, I'm comforted knowing he'll do them again. and again. and again. Each time just as exciting as the last.

Took a incredibly amazing mom & woman to remind me of this and that I'll be okay, K4 will be okay, & it's okay to be a working mom. Thanks Manang.

“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.”

- Oprah Winfrey

I have a question or two...

2010-04-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

It's April. IT.IS.APRIL. When did that happen?

Time needs to pump it's breaks & slow it's roll, it's moving way to quick.

K4 turned 3 months Tuesday, where did my newborn go? has it already been 3 months? is it really time for me to go back to work?

Monday marks the official day of my return into the work force and the thought sends me into a panic attack. I’ve been away for 7 months…seriously, that long?

Is it TMI to share that my tummy issues aka IBS, has once again reared it’s ugly head?

I recognize that it’s ridiculous to think my baby is going to forget who I am because I’m away from him for 12 to 14 hours of the day. BUT, that’s 12 to 14 hours of snuggles, laughs, smiles, & tickles I’m going to miss out on. We were just starting to get used to each other & now I have to leave him? I am now kicking myself in the butt for the hours wasted on postpartum depression…

How am I going to juggle, being a wife, a nurse, a student & now a mom? Where am I going to find the energy? Am I ever going to get a consecutive 5 hours of sleep again?

What’s making all this easier to digest is the fact that my wonderful mother in law has come to be a full time “Gram,” making this the perfect time to jump back into things. I keep trying to focus on the pros. But, how come the harder we try to focus on the positive the negatives like to show up in bright neon lights with a foghorn in hand?

So, this is my last weekend as a full time mommy & in two days I throw on my scrubs, dust my stethoscope off, & head back to work. It’s like riding a bike, right?

I can do this. I can do this. can't I?

sound of music.

2010-03-16T23:28:00.000-07:00

Where the Sidewalk Ends.

2010-03-07T21:19:00.000-08:00

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

-Shel Silverstein

Always the last to know...

2010-03-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

You’d think since I live with him, share the same bed, wash his underwear, even went half on a baby with him, I’d be on the up and up on his latest projects. Well, I am, most, always the last one to know. Which again was the case with his latest project…

Apparently, the web caught wind of his new project, which apparently is inventing the hip-hop comic book remix and making hip hop cool again. Special shout out to Music Nerdery, for not only recognizing my husbands talent, but his ability to make people laugh out loud.

I may not completely understand, the album/comic collabo, but I can appreciate the illustrations & his artistry. What makes him even more amazing is his ability to crank these illustrations out, all while being a completely hands on daddy & an amazing husband.

Dirty thirty.

2010-02-23T09:20:00.000-08:00

It's my favorite day of the year!

Happy Birthday, Ken!

Labor & Delivery.

2010-02-08T18:24:00.000-08:00

On the morning of December 29^th my doctor took a look at my blood pressure, my miserable face, my swollen hands & ankles & said I was done.

OBVIOUSLY! I was done a long time ago, but whatever.

So, we left with the instructions to meet with our perinatologist to determine the safest possible route of delivery, in other words to find out if I was going to be able to physically push K4’s 90 percentile head out of me. Vaginal or cesarean, we were hours away from meeting this being that had been making me blissfully miserable for the past 38 weeks.

After making sure his head was proportionate to his body & that he wasn’t 9 lbs., the doctor said I was good to deliver vaginally. Actually, he said his wife was about my size and she delivered his 8+ lbs. son vaginally, therefore I shouldn’t have a problem. I would have rather him base his decision on my personal situation or even better yet, medicine, but whatever.

Around 5 pm we make our way to the hospital game faces on, READY. Then reality sets in once were in the delivery room…HOLY SHIT WE ARE HAVING A BABY...HOLY SHIT WE ARE GOING TO BE PARENTS…HOLY SHIT THIS IS HAPPENING.

I’m tagged team by 2 nurses, one is asking me questions & the other one is hooking me up to monitors, sticking needles in me, & (OUCH) checking me. They stick a patch on my cervix to assist in ripening, it stays in me for 12 hours.

At midnight, my blood pressure is high enough that it puts me at risk for seizures, so they start me on magnesium & place me on bedrest. (bedrest=placement of urinary catheter, damn my luck, OUCH)

So, I spent the early morning of the 30^th feeling congested, having hot flashes, and extremely uncomfortable.

6:45 am, they remove the patch & start the pitocin.

At 9:30 I’m 4cm & ready for my epidural. By 10 o’clock Ken says it’s the most relaxed I’ve been in 10 months, except of course when the epidural loses its effectiveness, thankfully my anesthesiologist is there to manually push a stronger dose of the epidural medication. Until, I’m about 8cm & the epidural wears completely off. Conveniently my anesthesiologist is in a c-section & K4 is telling me to push, so now I’m having to breath through the contractions, which I’m feeling 150% and NOT PUSH, I’m told it’s not time, WTF none of this was part of my birth plan. They remove the existing epidural & attempt to place a second one, three tries later it’s in and I can’t feel anything from the waist down, WONDERFUL. At some point my water semi ruptures, so my doctor has to fully break it with what looks like a crochet hook. After that they tell me I’ve lost a lot of fluid so they have to place yet another device inside me, SIGH. An intrauterine pressure catheter is placed, to measure the exact force of my contractions & just in case I need an amnioinfusion.

Before I know it, it’s time to push. An hour, 2 cuts, & a vacuum to the head later K4 is out of my body. I don’t cry. I cried when I read Twilight and I don’t cry at my own child’s birth? Is there something wrong with me? My arms and legs are mush. Then I feel the stitches, every pull of every stitch, in and out. I can hear Kenny, my brother & sister-in-law, oohing & ahhing. I’m exhausted & still wondering why I’m not crying. Shouldn’t I cry at the own birth of my child? I just lay there quiet, uncomfortable, yet relieved.

They change the sheets underneath me & rip the tape off of my back…the pain never ends…

They put him on my chest. I finally cry, then we both fall asleep.

He’s perfection. We’re in love & ready for the ride of our lives.

Things every pregnant woman loves to hear.

2009-12-28T19:39:00.000-08:00

"Woah. You. Are. Round."

"Just by looking at you, you look normal, but when you get past your face and see your belly, DAMN. I mean at least you didn't blow up..."

"I was pregnant with twins & was never that big."

Nothing like a self confidence boost @ the husbands annual Christmas party.

ANY.DAY.NOW.

FOCUS.

2009-10-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

Something which I have had trouble doing since I've been pregnant. Apparently along with growing a baby, you develop an attention span of a goldfish, which is one of the many reasons for my lack of blogging. Sadly another reason is my obsession to achieve a high score in bejeweled blitz, a game perfect for my goldfish brain, 1 minute game intervals.

So, a few updates...

1. Merritt S. Nipper, Kenny 4's best friend, was born on October 13, 2009 @ 7:52 pm. Kenny 4 & Merritt were destined to be best friends, after all their fathers have shared a 10" x 10" living space for a year, have ran hundreds and hundreds of miles together, attempted to make fake id's in front of a faded blue terry cloth towel, fastened a trash can to one or the others head with duck tape after a night of underage drinking, pierced each others ears, and have supported some ridiculous hair style choices. All joking aside, they've been each others wing man since they were 16, so it's only natural that their boys follow suit. We are anxious to see what kind of trouble these two will get themselves into & Kate & I are prepared to blame it on their fathers. Disneyland trips & 18th birthday celebration plans are already in the works.

Welcome to the world, baby Merritt, we can't wait to snuggle you. We have completely fallen in love with this new addition to Team Nipper.

2. After a couple of hours of weird, painful abdominal cramps that turned out to be contractions we found ourselves in a room on the labor and delivery unit 3 months before our scheduled unit tour & 4 months before my due date. Medication was given to me to stop the contractions, followed by a couple of liters of IV fluids, and I'll spare you the unwelcomed, unlubed pelvic examines that also followed. I was eventually discharged home thankfully still pregnant, sore, & on bedrest for 2 weeks. As of last week my doctor placed me on pregnancy disability leave for the remainder of my pregnancy, my only job is to be happy, be healthy, grow a baby, & keep Kenny 4 inside until January. Sounds easy enough. As I enter my 3rd trimester, I finally enjoying pregnancy and embracing motherhood. I may still be the most exhausted I've ever been in my entire life, but I'm definitely the happiest.

3. Nursery is done, ahead of schedule.

4. My belly button remains an innie. I expect at any moment this will change, but plugging it with my finger any time I yawn, sneeze, or cough seems to postpone the inevitable.

5. On a recent visit, Jonah, my amazingly gifted nephew, asked his Uncle Kenny, what he would like to achieve as a father. Caught completely off guard, Kenny 3 responded "I would like to not drop the baby." I'm hoping that the babywise classes we are scheduled to take in early December will help my husband achieve this.

and 6. Babycenter.com reminds me I have 80 more days till we meet quite possibly the best mash up EVER.

nonstop.

2009-09-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

bananas, waffles, slathered in syrup.

bacon.

lucky charms cereal & milk.

stove top chicken stuffing.

pizza.

popcorn & a icee.

reese peanut butter cups.

hickory smoke potato chips and french onion dip.

red beans and rice.

raisins.

apples.

grapes.

lemon pound cake.

i've consumed all of the above in the past 11 hours & i'm still HUNGRY.

Papa's got a brand new bag.

2009-08-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

Right before bed it's Kenny 3's time to spend with Kenny 4's. I simply just lay and remain quiet and let my boys get to know each other. It usually involves tons of belly kisses, pleads for felt movement, whispers of future to do's, and a couple of silly Shel Silverstein poems. More recently Kenny 3 has decided to introduce his mini me to the world of music and after spending at least 15 minutes finding the right song, he puts the earphone buds to my belly. It started off with a little bit of Stevie Wonder & the Jackson 5, until the other night he decided to introduce Kenny 4 to James Brown...

Papa's got a brand new bag played and half way through the song, Kenny 4 decided he had heard enough and moved to the opposite side of my belly. I laughed & told number 3 that his son didn't care for James Brown. Disappointed Kenny 3 picked up Where the Wild Things Are & started to read.

Turns out, Kenny 4 may not be a fan of James Brown, but he is a fan of his daddy's voice, which was apparent when he repositioned himself on the other side of my belly to snuggle up closer to his dad.

Ken beamed & I cried. Our little family of 3 is already taking shape. Life is good.

What do I know...

2009-08-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

apparently nothing.

this just keeps getting better and better.

14 weeks.

2009-07-21T11:24:00.001-07:00

Lima Bean @ 14 weeks and 4 days. Got two views this time around, a profile picture and a picture when lima looked at us. Our bean decided to bunch the cord between his/her legs preventing us to see if he/she is a "cheeseburger" or a "hotdog." At first we sweetly thought that baby was looking @ us and waving on the second picture, the more I stare at it, the more I think he/she is flipping us off laughing at us, reminding us he/she runs this, & when he/she is ready he/she will show us her "cheeseburger" or his "hotdog." If ever...

Name a pregnancy symptom..

2009-07-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

You name it -- chances are I'm experiencing it...

ultimate exhaustion -- check.

frequent urination -- check.

constipation -- check.

sciatic pain -- check.

carpel tunnel in my wrists -- check.

nausea/vomiting -- check & check.

heartburn -- check.

headaches -- check.

dizziness -- check.

Am I miserable? No. Quite the opposite actually.

Would I do it again? Without a doubt.

On another note, it's Comic Con season again....

place to stay per my Aunties -- check.

sharpies -- check.

business cards -- check.

freebie promotional items -- check.

booth time -- check.

spending limit lecture -- check.

crisp clean captain america shirt -- check.

nervous husband -- check.

pep talk -- check.

Ken's all geared up ready to charm the shit out of some scantily dressed anime women and men dressed in tights and capes. It's going to be an amazing time. My lack of energy and aversion to smells of vinegar and feet, is keeping me from going this year. I am however, sending my wonderful mother-in-law in my place, to do the beaming with pride and shedding of the proud tears. Ken will again be at the SLG booth this year Friday, Saturday, & Sunday from 10 am to 11 am. This year he'll not only be promoting Tales to Suffice & getting you hyped up on the upcoming issues, but he'll also be co-promoting another project he was a part of called, Strange Eggs Jump the Shark.

I am incredibly proud of Ken, as my husband, as an artist & writer, & most importantly the father of our lima bean.

Digging Deep.

2009-07-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

After a day of vomiting landed me in the ER and completely wiping any ounce of energy I had on reserve, I lay in bed on the second day and tearfully asked my husband where I was going to get the energy to do this for 6 more months...

In search of the right thing to say, Ken convinces himself that I am pregnant with a superhero & that the reason why I feel so drained is that our superhero needs ALL of the energy. Ken is able to sleep better at night.

I call the bestest for some rational advice...except she's convinced that I am pregnant with a half vampire/half human, referencing Renesmee, from Breaking Dawn.

Superhero or 1/2 vampire, girl or boy, it's sucking me completely dry. Ideally this was not how pregnancy was supposed to be like. In my head there were no ER visits, no constant headaches, or extreme feeling of weakness so much I could faint at any minute. I didn't envision myself lying on my bathroom floor after vomiting the 46th time or that the distance from the bed to the bathroom suddenly felt like 46 miles. Pregnancy in my head was maybe a couple weeks of nausea followed by beauty & fun...13 weeks in I'm digging deep to find the beauty in pregnancy & praying & hoping that fun will soon ensue.

Dance.Dance.Dance.

2009-06-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Up until about a week ago, the nausea was a constant reminder of my pregnancy. Thankfully for about a week now it's subsided, of course catching a whiff of something that doesn't agree with me (like honeysuckle soap) or better yet witnessing a patient vomit will send me on a dry heaving frenzy, but none the less nausea free.

But as I watch my body morph, continue to deal with this exhaustion and inability to read correctly, I still had the impulse to take another pregnancy test, just to make sure...

I didn't of course, but the thought crossed my mind, especially after the idea of buying an ultrasound machine was unrealistic...My heart and mind were put at ease when I saw this today

Our lima bean 10 weeks and 3 days old. Shortly after our doctor took this picture, our bean gave us a show, waving it's arms and legs. Ken and I would like to think lima bean was dancing and showing off for the camera, none the less it was an amazing image and Ken and I both agreed that we could have watched our bean all day if we could.

I think the baby knows how incredibly happy we are out here that he's totally partying it up in my belly, guess that would explain my exhaustion.

lima bean.

2009-06-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

We took one.
Then we took 5 more.
They all said the same thing.

And even after the positive pregnancy tests, the all day sickness, and the extreme exhaustion...it wasn't until we saw our lima beans heart blinking that it finally hit us....

HOLY SHIT WE ARE GOING TO BE PARENTS!

Shut Up!

2009-05-03T00:38:00.000-07:00

Shut Up!

Flutter.

2009-03-04T23:02:00.000-08:00

7 years ago I had butterflies in my stomach as I got ready for our first date.
5 years ago I had butterflies in my stomach when you got down on one knee & asked me to be your wife.
4 years ago I had butterflies in my stomach when we met at the river and vowed in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, till death do we part.

And here I am sitting on the couch, watching you on the computer & listening to you unnecessarily beat on the keyboard, & you still give me butterflies.

You still give me butterflies, send my heart racing, give me chills, & make me smile. I would have never imagined it would be this good.

the bee's knees.

2009-02-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Kenneth Wayne.

29 looks good on you.

Virginia, No. California, No. Germany, No. Louisiana, not exactly.

2009-02-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

Everyone gets asked, “Where are you from?”

Majority of people have a quick answer, but if you grew up military it’s not always that simple. Especially when I prefer not to divulge too much info about myself to a stranger. Recently I’ve been just answering with “Louisiana” hoping it’s an easy out, but since not many Filipinos find themselves “from” Louisiana, I still get asked “how” and “why”? Making me have to explain my military brat origins of having no origins, the many perks of growing up as a military child.
I was an exception I think, I did very little moving, my father would extend and re-extended assignments, so we ended up living in the same area for long periods of time. That wasn’t to say everyone else’s family was like mine, so even though I stayed fairly grounded, I had a constant rotation of friends. Adapting to the kind of lifestyle where you didn’t allow yourself to get close to anyone, because that was easier than saying good-bye. Yet another perk of growing up as a military child.

So, when it comes down to childhood, I envy anyone who is still friends with the people they went to grade school with, my little brother for instance. He still rolls with the same crew he ate lunch with in 3rd grade. I don’t get it, I don’t understand it, but I envy it.

I say all this because, there have been a handful of people from my childhood that I have regretfully lost touch with. It’s been decades since we last had contact, but I’ve thought of them and have shared our stories to anyone who would listen. Since this whole myspace/facebook era started, I’ve tried to look for them but with no success. Until a couple of days ago and have been playing catch up with some long lost friends. I’m thrilled to have found them and I certainly don’t plan on letting decades come between us again. Its nice to know that there are people out there that can validate my memories, it makes my life feel a little more concrete and normal.

...which brings me to a perfect point in the post to post childhood pictures...and as I dust off the old albums and flip through pictures...honestly, I'm not ready for that type of reminiscing or humiliation, maybe when I can come with with a good excuse for my Cross Colours outfit and Starter jacket...

Guess?

2009-02-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

My families version of charades.

and my dad attempting to convince us he's representing "Winter Wonderland."

Fitting enough, we're heading into the mountains this weekend for some birthday snowboarding and snowtubing. I'm hoping we don't hurt ourselves.

"When it snows, ain't it thrilling.

Though your nose gets a chilling.

We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way.

Walking in the winter wonderland."

I see you.

2009-02-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

I don't like to brag...

Unless it's about my husband, then it's one of my favorite things to do.

So, with that said he's landed himself not just 1 but 5 pages in a new anthology titled, I Saw You, a collection of comics about life's missed connections. His name & his work hangs out with some big timers in the comic industry, some pretty amazing artists including Keith Knight, Liz Prince, & Jeffery Brown.

It'd be one thing if he wasn't so damn awesome, but he is constantly giving me reasons to brag, boast, & thank my lucky stars he's mine.

So, order it & enjoy.

Perk.

2009-01-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

In addition to today's historically amazing event, I woke up to this waiting for me. Tales To Suffice #2 is just about done & I'm getting my first sneak peek. Special wifey edition.

Jealous?

I've become

2009-01-17T23:49:00.000-08:00

a fan.

who knew vampires could be so incredibly addicting.

I resolve to...

2009-01-05T20:59:00.000-08:00

So, with the new year comes resolutions, apparently. Here are mine.

1. Become less anxious when it comes to cooking, in turn cooking more.
2. Walk 50 miles from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA with a good friend for an amazing cause.
3. Finish my wedding scrapbook.
4. Paint & share.
5. Call more often.
6. Getting rid of this obsession.
7. Go to the dentist.
8. Greece...
9. BSN
10. Convention table, for KW comics.

What's yours?

For this smile.

2009-01-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

I'd do anything.

But, wait.

2009-01-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

I didn't even post my top 8 of 2008 and it's already the second week of the new year.

I was inspired, and I too wanted to share what made my 2008 so great. So, even though it's late here's my top 8.

08. Finding my happy place, my heaven on earth.

07. Witnessing 2 of our bestest friends marry their soul mates.

06. Becoming an aunt, again, again, again, & again.
(Jadin Beckford, James Parker Robinson, Hudson Nipper, & Ryleigh Merritt)

05. Big Bang Theory.
04. Awesome investment.
03. Obama.
02. Normal heart rhythms.
01. Tales To Suffice.

So, there you have it. Is it too late to ask you what's yours? I don't think so.

Hope everyone has a great 09.

Family.

2008-12-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

With the holidays just around the corner, the first round of family is Cali bound Saturday. I'm excited and overwhelmed and wished I had 3 weeks off of work and school to enjoy them, oh the reality of life.

This was taken 5 years ago and has been my only picture with my entire family in it. My hopes this holiday season is to finally get an updated picture. I'm excited to see faces and hug necks because it's been way to long.

Reason 303,460.

2008-12-10T13:12:00.001-08:00

He's an amazing uncle.

Hot Cross Buns Superstar.

2008-12-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

*Kuya, there is no need to thank me for blessing your home with the sweet sounds of the recorder(s), what are little sisters for, anyway.

Baby Brother.

2008-12-07T20:15:00.000-08:00

I can't believe he's turning 21 tomorrow. I also can't believe in the 21 years he's been on this earth he's had more hairstyles than anyone I know. So, in celebration of his 21st birthday, I thought we should also celebrate his choices of hairstyles.

(click image to enlarge)

Happy Birthday, Budda. I love you, love you.

Baby, it's cold outside.

2008-12-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

not really, and Ken begrudgingly turned the air conditioner off. I refuse to have the air conditioner running in December: open a window, strip down to your boxers, take a cold shower, whatever needs to be done, the air conditioner will remain off.

It's hard to get into the holiday spirit when it's 88 degrees outside, none the less, I love the Christmas season. I especially love decorating for Christmas & with all the decorations up, the tree lit, & the house smelling like cinnamon, it's a shame that in a couple of weeks it will all come down.

Each year with our pajamas on, Ken's breath smelling like eggnog, and Temptations and Mariah as background music, we decorate our tree. Each year I rediscover our ornaments and each year I get bit by the nostalgic bug as I unwrap them. We don't have a theme, although by looking at it you may beg to differ, because we are partial to superheroes and a certain feline, in any case our ornament collection is pretty eclectic: pickles, snowmen, & even a man shoe. But I have my favorites, the ones that get the prime spots on the tree.

We got the kissing fish from Mom Keil, who gave them to us in 2004, Ken & I's second Christmas together. Ken says by his mom buying us "kissy fish" (his words not mine) it meant she wanted him to marry me. 4 years later, the glitter & paint may be chipping off, but the magnets are still attracting, a lot like us.

I found this hand painted clear glass ornament, while Christmas shopping with 2 of my bestest friends, Jen & Ash. Long lunches & spending way too much money always made for a great day.

This was given to me by our good friend Brad, who has an amazing Christmas tree, filled with the most incredible collection of Christmas ornaments, so it doesn't surprise me that he picked this beautiful ornament out. I actually went to Pier 1 to buy it after I had seen it being advertised but unfortunately they were sold out, so I was extremely thrilled when he gave this to me at his annual Christmas party.

Yes, their boobs, & yes they are displayed on the front side of the tree. They're hand crafted by Kate & I laugh every time I see them & it just reminds me of how much I love her & her boobs.

This is my new favorite I actually got this one this year from a pal/coworker, who in the short time we've known each other knows I love candy, especially lemonheads, the best part of this ornament is the candy that's inside.

You should come visit & have some eggnog, that's of course if Ken hasn't already finished it, we'd love to have you over.

HEY YOU, it's another review.

2008-12-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

"...laugh out loud..."
-Hilden of Robot Panic

HEY YOU!

2008-11-26T10:49:00.000-08:00

"....a clever comic...a promising debut by a talented creator. It's more than sufficient..."
-Jason Sacks of Comics Bulletin

"...funny book...highly stylized...very good project."
-Adam of Pete's Basement Episode 32 (starts around 08:54)

"...really funny..."
-Pete of Pete's Basement Episode 32 (starts around 21:36)

"This book is hilarious....laughs on every page..."
-Greg Burgas of Comics Should Be Good (scroll to mid page)

"amazing, genius, buff, & talented, everything I like in a artist..."
-Rowena Keil of Shameless Promotion

Tales to Suffice is out today! Pick it up, you won't be disappointed, promise.

Reason 303,459.

2008-11-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Blog worthy advice.

I'd like to share some wisdom my husband threw me last night before bed.

"When you get bit by a bat you won't feel it. So, if you wake up and there is a bat in the room, you must immediately go to the hospital and get a rabies shot."

*side note: our previous conversations did not relate to bats. Batman-yes, but not bats.

Woah, November you are moving way too fast!

2008-11-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

We started November off with a quick trip to the bay for the Alternative Press Expo (aka APE). Surprisingly in the 24 hours we were in San Francisco we packed a lot in including a trip to "The Rock." We knew we weren't there to be tourist, so we weren't disappointed when we couldn't tell the difference between the bay bridge and the golden state bridge or when we were greeted with rain, rain, and more rain. We weren't even disappointed when it came to the unappetizing breakfast calzones but it was all worth the 6 hour drive to finally see Tales to Suffice in all it's glorious printed form. I got choked up yet again not only seeing my husband get his hustle on and sharing his amazing talent to the world but to see his published comic book sitting on the SLG table, he shook his head in embarrassment when I wanted to buy 30 copies. This being my second time as a convention wife, I think I'm getting the hang of it, this time around though I didn't scare any of the other artists by shameless, enthusiastic promotion of my husband. I held back and let Ken whore himself.

This is me, a year older. Turning 28 was harder than I thought. I spent the day before under a blanket in bed, eating left over halloween candy, and drowning in realization of how the number keeps getting bigger, the hair is getting grayer, the metabolism is slower, the girls are less perkier, and mind is getting crazier. Luckily, Ken planned a relaxing, rejuvenating birthday weekend in Santa Barbara to get me out of this self loathing mood. With nights falling asleep to sounds of crashing waves and mornings waking up to beautiful sunrises what more can an old lady ask for. It was the exact place I go to in my head to harness my chi, gather myself, calm myself, center myself, or get away. It was my happy place in true, tangible form and I hated to leave, but was comforted knowing it's existence.

It has been an incredible birthday month so far. I'm a lucky, spoiled girl and with an amazing husband, wonderful friends, and a loving family I am truly blessed. I guess getting older isn't that bad, especially when it gives me the excuse to eat 2 birthday cakes and my weight in gobstopper cupcakes.

Pics and Pics!

Catching up.

2008-10-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me this morning while in the shower how crazy busy it has been for the Keil household. I realized this when I saw what was growing in my armpits. I evidently have become European. Maybe far too much information to share, but it just confirms the crazy busy. I confess that lack of grooming is due to pure exhaustion. The good kind of exhaustion, though. It's hard to get back into that day-to-day routine, when you've been spoiled with 2 weeks of playtime. It's also hard to jump back into reality knowing that the faces that make you happy aren't part of that day-to-day routine. Oh, the joys of growing up. All that aside, we’ve had a wonderfully exhausting past couple of weeks.

First the bestest came for a 5 day intro to SoCal. Hollywood, Disneyland, & Venice Beach gave her just a taste of my new stomping ground. Before I knew it was Sunday & we were back at LAX saying goodbye. We’ve already started planning our next adventure, but this time we’ll invite our other halves. 5 days weren’t nearly enough, and I miss her like something fierce.

Two work days later we were on the plane to the ATL, for the Valdez extravaganza. There are a few people I would climb ladders for, even a lesser number of people I would iron for. But for the Valdez’s I would not only climb ladders and iron, I would do it in heels. One of my favorite boys got married to an amazing girl. I knew she was the one when he told me she could recite/rap the entire Andre 3000 verse on Throw Some D’s Remix. The day was perfect, and hands down the best wedding DJ. We love Diwang and have fallen in love with Becca. Congratulations guys! Thankfully the last of my boys reassures me it will be at least a couple of years until I will have to iron or pluck eyebrows.

So back to reality, back to that day-to-day routine, back to shaving my armpits on a regular.
Check the pictures here & here.

Baby Fever.

2008-09-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

Luckily, when my maternal clock starts to alarm, I have friends I can live vicariously through.

I may not be ready to have a baby, or be able to cook, or iron my table linens, but I can however make a hell of a diaper cake.

The best part is when you become a new auntie. Introducing Jaden Mckenzie Beckford. He's the most amazingly beautiful baby & I can't wait to see what he does!

Congratulations Dain & Joy, it was a crazy rough journey, but I gotta say it was totally worth it. I love you both.

productive & motivated.

2008-09-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

it's what i'm not.

Trail mix.

2008-09-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

Ken & I decided to do something out of the ordinary, we played outside. Sunday, we voluntarily spent the whole day with nature & had way to much fun. Ken did a pretty good job summing the day up, but he did forget to mention one important thing, which was that we crossed 'eating trail mix on an actual trail' off of the life's to do list. Maybe I'm ready for a camping trip, well maybe RV camping trip, or maybe a bed & breakfast.

24.

2008-08-30T01:27:00.000-07:00

When they brought her home from the hospital, I imagine for me it was a roller coaster of emotions: excitement, happiness, curiosity, confusion, jealousy....Every emotion a girl has when they become a big sister or in my case an ate. Technically she's my cousin, but we've played like sisters, we've fought like sisters, our parents even dressed us alike, so I don't see her as any thing other than my little sister. So, in celebration of her 24th birthday, I've compiled a list of 24 things that make her great & what I absolutely adore (envy) about her.

24. She got the good hair.

23. She wears a size 0.

22. She can eat whatever she wants & still look amazing in a bikini.

21. She can sew.

20. She's an amazing writer.

19. She glides in 5 inch stilettos.

18. She can carry a conversation with my husband about hip-hop.

17. She's always is dressed cute & looks good in everything.

16. She's a great dancer.

15. She's incredibly intelligent.

14. She's a good listener.

13. She's a guys girl.

12. She's free spirited.

11. She owns brass knuckles.

10. She's Miss Independent.

09. She's courageous.

08. She's outgoing.

07. She's witty & quick.

06. She's funny.

05. She's stubborn.

04. She's blunt.

03. She knows how to correctly serve in ping pong.

02. Her energy is contagious.

01. She's talented.

Happy Birthday, Jess, I love you!

fears. especially of grammar.

2008-08-30T00:08:00.000-07:00

I started my first online class at UOP Tuesday. I imagine it's the easiest class I'm going to have to take on this road to my BSN & since Tuesday I have had a total of 2 nervous breakdowns & at least a handful of panic attacks, some of which happened while I was at work, you know the work that requires me to keep people breathing.

It's a intro class, the kind of class you take your freshman year of college, the one that teaches you about good note taking, time management, & how to use the library. Pretty standard stuff, pretty much a joke, but yet gives me chest pain & heart palpitations. And to make matters worse, I have to remember what a predicate is (sorry mom) and know where I should place a comma or a semicolon. Hello, read my blogs, I obviously suck at grammar. Unless you can surgically take out a predicate or suture a comma, I don't know why I have to know where they go or what they are.

Its nursing school Ro all over again, you know the one that was incredibly stressed out, the Ro that couldn't relax, the Ro that was on anti-anxiety medication, the Ro that ate 3 steak, egg, & cheese bagels in an hour, she's back & more neurotic than ever.

I'm overwhelmed & scared of failing. period.

baby brother messages.

2008-08-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

i am woken up to this text message from my brother this morning.

*side note: He's in his 4 quarter of nursing school, which is obstetrics.

"So, I got my book for this quarter online and I got it yesterday. So being I'm dealing with babies and vaginas this quarter I thought to myself hmmmmm it should have some pics of a baby coming out. And i've heard what it looks like & how big it gets. I thought this should be kinda cool. Holy shit it is not cool. The book def has pics. Real ones not sketches. I cringed at the site. I'm sorry ate I'm sorry that one day that'll be you."

He makes me laugh & I miss him like something fierce.

This is what is currently living in my belly.

2008-08-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

He's there for a number of reasons, but primarily he likes to tap on my uterus, punch my abdomen wall, & poke my lower back all while wearing a bow tie and a top hat.

100 thangs.

2008-08-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

100. I've lived in Virgina, California, Germany, & Louisiana.

99. I'm a registered nurse.

98. I heart scrapbooking.

97. I'm addicted to shoes.

96. I'm addicted to purses.

95. I'm addicted to pink.

94. I'm addicted to all things hello kitty.

93. I'm always cold.

92. I'm most comfortable in flip flops.

91. I eat mayonnaise with my fries.

90. I keep up with 3 different calenders.

89. I sang in my churches choir for 10 years.

88. I'm a karaoke mic hog.

87. I breakout in hives when I'm in a casino.

86. I have a panic attack when I'm in a large crowd.

85. I paint pictures & have only showed them to a handful of people.

84. I can drink apple juice all the time.

83. I spend entirely to much time on myspace.

82. I hate his ex girlfriends.

81. Wanna buy me a drank, my favorite is an amaretto sour.

80. I have to eat my strawberries with sugar, the exception is if I had chocolate.

79. I have to eat at least every 4 hours or else I turn into a monster.

78. I have bad phone anxiety.

77. I suck at keeping in touch.

76. I have a 4 inch scar on my right butt cheek, from a mishap after the second season of Alias.

75. I have tiny toenails.

74. I can keep a grudge for a long time.

73. I've had 2 perms in my life, one of which were just my bangs.

72. I'm literally going blind.

71. I got my first karaoke machine at the age of 5.

70. I'm in a historically founded African-American sorority, "Z-Phi."

69. I can't sleep without my husband.

68. I'm obsessed about cleaning my ears.

67. I am terrified of going to the dentist.

66. I'm most comfortable in my pajamas.

65. I want to go to Greece.

64. I love Rocky Road Ice Cream.

63. I hate licorice.

62. I'm a terrible speller.

61. I sing along to a song way to loud and always make up my own lyrics.

60. I can't get enough of him.

59. My birthmark is on my inner left arm.

58. I had two security pillows growing up, I called them "baboos," & I slept with them up until I was a sophomore in college.

57. It aggravates me when my hair is in my face.

56. I'd wear my hair in a ponytail everyday, all day, if I could.

55. I'm addicted to reality t.v.

54. I can count to ten in 4 different languages.

53. I've got 10 pillows on my bed.

52. I like even numbers & obsessed with symmetry.

51. I still haven't finished my wedding thank you cards, I've been married for 3 years.

50 . I'm the middle child of three, but the only girl.

49. I like to eat dessert first.

48. I like to be in control.

47. I hate my hips.

46. I own the entire series of Gilmore Girls.

45. I was born in Hopewell, Virginia.

44. My birthday is on November 07, 1980, making me a scorpio.

43. I started off a nursing assistant before I was a RN.

42. I hate the taste, smell, & thought of beer.

41. I nearly drowned in Lake Washington when I was 6 years old.

40. My first car was a mazda protege'.

39. I prefer a canned coke than a bottled coke.

38. I've had my ears pierced twice & they've closed twice.

37. I can't function without my cell phone.

36. I find sanctuary in Ikea.

35. I steal pens.

34. I'll tell you what I bought you.

33. I'm obsessed with post-it notes.

32. My wardrobe consists of 3 colors, black, tan, & pink.

31. I hate surprises.

30. I use my bluetooth hands free device even when I'm not driving.

29. My husband always saves the last page of his sketchbooks for me to doodle.

28. Before I met my husband the thought of marriage broke me out in hives (literally).

27. I punched my husband in the face when he proposed.

26. I eat chocolate everyday.

25. I'm horrible with remembering birthdays.

24. I'm not good with dates in general.

23. I own at least 8 pairs of sunglasses & at least 24 scarves.

22. I spend way to much money on panties.

21. I bite my nails.

20. I call my mom & dad everyday.

19. I hate to be wrong.

18. I failed my California drivers license test once before I passed.

17. I can't sleep without him home.

16. The first song Ken & I danced to was the "Bunny Hop" by Da Entourage.

15. I hate ironing

14. I tuck my hair behind my ears.

13. I get my news from perezhilton.com

12. I've only been on two sports teams in my life, in 7th grade I was on the softball team & in 8th grade I was on the field hockey team, I never played at any of the games.

11. I was on flagline in high school & loved every minute of it.

10. My favorite flower is a gerber daisy.

9. I kissed Kenny first, after that I knew I didn't want to ever kiss anyone else.

8. I don't mix my mash potatoes & gravy together.

7. I like making lists, I love crossing things off.

6. American Gladiators, The Hills, & Battlestar Galactica are set on series record on our Tivo.

5. I find stress relief in cleaning.

4. I hate my husbands driving.

3. I can be overly dramatic at times.

2. I use 3 cups of laundry detergent for one load.

1. I love my life.

Okay, your turn.

Grits vs. Cream of Wheat.

2008-08-22T00:27:00.000-07:00

I call it grits, Californians on the other hand call it cream of wheat.

I was reminded where I was the other day at work.

I was assigned the team that was right across from the nurses station, I had a slightly confused patient, who also happened to be hard of hearing. It was breakfast time, also the time most of our doctors make their rounds on their patients, point: the nurses station was busy. I was assisting my patient with her breakfast.

Me (as I'm removing the lid, also talking loud enough so she can hear me): What will you have in your grits? (giggles)

Patient: What?

Me (louder, because she obviously can't hear me): Grits honey, what will you have in your grits? (laughter)

Patient: What?

Co-worker (from outside the room): Ro, it's cream of wheat, not grits, you aren't in Louisiana anymore! (outburst of laughter)

Turns out they were laughing at me, & when I asked my patient what she'll have in her cream of wheat, she replies, "butter."

Guess you can take the girl out the south, but you can't take the south out the girl.

Braving the unknown.

2008-08-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

Leave the preconceived notions behind.

Hold the giggles back.

Put aside your fears.

Find your local comic shop, here.

Tales to Suffice, is set to come out in October, but you can pre-order your copy, now. Today. Tomorrow. Ask to see the August issue of Preview Catalouge, flip to page 192 or 193 (thumbnail ad) & order a copy or 2 or 3 0r 60, whateves, it's totally a piece of cake & so incredibly worth it.

If you still can't bring yourself to step into a comic shop you can pre-order online here, here, & here.

On another note, Ken did a interview with J.K. Parkin of Newsarama. Check it out here, & yes Carol Lann, he is pretty awesome cartoonist.

reconstructing events

2008-08-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

that's what I found him doing last night.

Ken couldn't remember whether or not he took his medication. My question to him was simply, how many times have you found yourself in this situation? So, to officially make him an old man, I bought him a pill sorter, now he won't overdose on baby aspirin & antiarrythmic medication.

I love this man.

Russel Brand, who?

2008-08-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

the question that officially makes me old.

apparently, he's hosting the MTV video music awards.

and apparently I'm old & uncool.

however, i should gain some cool points because i made a flat paper robot out of foil.

i'm not very good at sewing or molding, or cutting for that matter, but it was fun none the less. So, what's the next crafty challenge?

earth shakingly, certifiably, wickedly, luckily, cool.

2008-08-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

seems to sum up these past couple of weeks.

Tuesday, July 29th, Ken & I experienced our very first California earthquake, which lasted 30 seconds to long. Long enough to question whether or not we preferred hurricanes or earthquakes, I think we've decided to stay, until the next one I imagine, then we'll have too reevaluate.

Ken & I still can't believe how amazingly well this year's Comic Con went & how exciting it was to have people get excited about the debut of Tales To Suffice. A few days after we came back from San Diego, we get some pretty certifiably cool news that Tales To Suffice had made The Preview's Certified Cool List. And because our heads haven't already exploded with happiness, Tales gets a full page ad in the Preview Catalogue (page 192 of the August issue). It's so incredibly, unbelievably awesome, I can barely put into words.

Tales To Suffice is scheduled for release in October, but you can go to your local comic shop & pre-order a copy, you'll more than likely need the to know that the publisher is SLG (Slave Labor Graphics), but ask to see the August issue of the Preview Catalogue, flip to page 192 or 193 (thumbnail ad) & order, it's totally easy. The print run is determined by the pre-orders, so the more pre-orders, the more they print, obviously.

While my husband is becoming celebrity status in the comic industry, we also got a much need visit from my mother-in-law. I truly am lucky to have such an great mother-in-law, because I hear they aren't all so wonderful. We enjoyed a Saturday at the beach, a Sunday at the theater, & a Monday shopping, before we knew it we were back at LAX saying goodbye, it went by way too fast.

It's been a pretty crazy couple of weeks, & if the rest of August plays out like it has been, I may just need a nap.

"There is no crying at the Con."

2008-07-28T22:19:00.001-07:00

This is what Ken says to me during the drive down to San Diego for ~~Nerdstock~~ ~~Comic Con~~ "The Con" 2008. With all the excitement of Ken actually being a "professional" this year, I completely forgot about the crazy/hectic/madness that is comic con. But the sudden smells of tuna, the storm trooper stepping on my feet, the 8 dollar bottle of water , the vast amount of camel toe, it was all worth it when I saw Ken sit behind the SLG booth,straighten out his postcards, & take his sketchbook out. It was in that moment, we mentally crossed off "get comic published" on our Life's To Do List. He's made it & I am proud, proud, proud of him, needless to say I cried at Comic Con. But, what can I say I'ma sucka for published artists.

beaming with pride.

2008-07-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

He not only smells incredible, but he also is an incredibly talented cartoonist, designer, & writer. For the next 4 days, he gets to share his hard work, with approximately 120,000+ people dressed in Battlestar Galactica costumes. Comic Con won't know what hit 'em.

Have I mentioned how proud of him I am...words can't even express.

Let's do this Ken.

Every girl should have...

2008-07-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

1. a hello kitty computer bag to tote around her cute ass macbook. I totally became a proud of owner of a macbook & I truly don't know how I ever tolerated a PC.

2. girlfriends. I admit most girls annoy me & I tend to get along better with guys, making my girlfriends few & far between. Unfortunately, my bestest girlfriends are scattered about the continental U.S. making me not only miss them terribly, but making it nearly impossible to arrange an estrogen filled day. So, I was super stoked when the invite came up to have lunch with 3 of my favorite coworkers. I accepted & looked forward to it. A day with no boys, just girls, I was long overdue.

Saturday afternoon we met & over pineapple rice, thai noodles, skewers, sticky rice & mango, we talked, laughed, & stuffed our bellies until we could barely move & even when the waitresses tried to make us leave we stayed put and talked, laughed, and stuffed our bellies even more. The day summed up in one word, refreshing. I don't think they will ever know how much I needed that. I enjoyed their company & listening to their stories.

Thanks to Catrina, Joy, & Mariana. Lets do it again, soon.

Done Did.

2008-07-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

i cut my hair off & now i am a lot less cranky.

it's pretty much the best summer idea ever.

new addiction.

2008-07-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

FAIL blog.

25 minute confession.

2008-07-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

It was noon when I strapped the girls down, put my running shorts on, threw my kicks with arch supports on my feet, with every intention to run my scheduled 25 minutes. It was 2:00 pm when I packed my bag with my ipod, a bottled water, towel, & my gym lock. It was 3:30, when I finally left the house to head to the gym, instead of north I went south, instead of pulling up to the gym, I pulled up to the mall parking lot. Instead of going on the treadmill, I went on escalator, found myself in See's candy shop buying a customized box of chocolate. To go with my sweet box combination, I sniffed out Mrs. Fields, making a lap twice, deciding against cookies, & made my way to McDonald's, bought a 10 piece combo, a cheeseburger, & a much needed coke (which didn't even make it outside the mall)....

Needless to say, I never made it to the gym to do my 25 minutes.

I feel extremely guilty, but I gotta say, my inner fat girl is totally satisfied.

Fonzworth Bentley.

2008-07-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law noticed my eldest nephew, Joshua, carrying a ziplock bag with 5 $1 coins, one morning before school.

Manang Ann: What's that for?

Josh: I'm bringing it to someone.

M.Ann: What?

Josh: ...nevermind...

M.Ann: Jonah, why is your Kuya bringing money to school?

Jonah: He's paying someone.

M.Ann: What?

Jonah: Kuya told (insert kids name) he'd pay him $5 to tie his shoes.

I know I shouldn't be proud of my nephew for this one, but it's so baller. He's like the P. Diddy of the playground.

What's yours?

2008-07-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

Currently on the ipod:

1. I Decided: Solange Knowles.

2. Dirt of My Shoulder: Jigga.

3. I'm a Hustler Baby: Jigga.

4. Blue Magic: Jigga.

5. Damaged: Danity Kane.

6. Viva la Vida: Coldplay

7. Forever: Chris Brown.

8. See You Again: Hannah Montana.

9. Shut Up & Let Me Go: Ting Tings.

10. Lucifer: Jigga.

11. Sexy Can I: Ray J.

12. Stronger: Kanye.

13. The New Workout Plan: Kanye.

14. Lollipop: Wheezy.

15. Bleeding Love: Leona Lewis.

Undeniably, a motivating workout mix.

So, what's yours?

pocket full of sunshine.

2008-07-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

You down with UOP (yeah you know me).

2008-07-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

I found this the other day, it's a portion of a "Personal Notebook" assignment for my Management/Leadership class during nursing school.I have 2 more years to do this.

So, I'm doing it, I'm going back to school.

(& still training for a 5k)

I named it...Ratatouille.

2008-07-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

because, that's what inspired it after all.

Ken is in charge of supper at least 3 nights out of the week, a deal we discussed prior to me graduating nursing school: the days I work he's figures out what's for supper, the days I don't work I'm responsible, it's worked out so far & we make a good team.

But, I've come to expect 1 of 3 things on the days I work:

1. We go out to eat.

2. We have frozen pizza or lasagna. or

3. We have salmon.

So, I'm slightly confused when I call Ken up & ask him what he has planned for supper & his reply is, "something different, it's all in my head."

This "something different" that was "all in his head," was crazy & not the least bit appetizing when vocalized. But, it turns out is pretty damn amazing.

...lemon-pepper marinated salmon, scrabbled eggs with cheese, topped with fried bacon, & drenched in hollandaise sauce...

It was quite possibly the most awesome thing he's cooked. So, I give it 5 stars & tag it as my favorite...he can most definitely add this devinely delicious concoction to his repertoire.

i've decided...

2008-06-30T19:07:00.001-07:00

to run a 5K.

(i'm so serious, right now.)

the k mysteries.

2008-06-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

Lying in bed after work, going over the events of our day.

k: Do you eat cereal in the morning?

r: I did this morning.

k: Oh...I noticed the milk had expired, so I used water instead. It didn't taste funny?

r: No...but now that you mention it my tummy has been feeling weird all day...

So, let me get this straight...you noticed the milk had expired & placed it back into the refrigerator instead of...throwing it away.

k: yes.

Lesson learned: Don't trust, always check the expiration date.

understand.

2008-06-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

assuming that because i don't speak tagalog, that i automatically don't understand it, too, is foolishness. so, talking about me in front of me, because you think i don't understand, is well... pangit.

so, i don't speak the language? it doesn't make me less of a filipino.

So, I'm not dying.

2008-06-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

Which for the past week I've been feeling like I was.

Okay, I admit I wasn't "dying," maybe more like getting punched in the stomach & stabbed in the lower back at the same time constantly, or maybe it was like doing the ab wheel continuously....either way it sucked, but today I finally feel like I'm on the up & up. Thankfully, all the CAT scans & the lab draws, the palpating, the percussing & the many, many urine samples I've given are negative...turns out I'm just stressed. So, stress relieving activities need to be in my immediate future. Official prescription from my Internist.

First things first on this road to a more stressless me...get the apartment so fresh & so clean. Nothing beats unwinding with a Mr. Clean Eraser & my Scunci Steamer. Next an appointment with quite possibly the best scalp massager on this side of the valley, Liz works wonders. Then for the weekend my husband & I are leaving the cell phones & the to do lists at home & heading to the beach for long days of picnicking, biking, feeling the sand between our toes, & some reading of books, mine are recommend by Kate, who never seems to steer me wrong when it comes to a good read.

Things are already looking up.

After watching 'Into the Wild.'

2008-06-16T16:40:00.001-07:00

Ken said he wanted to try growing his beard out....AGAIN.

It was a bad idea then.

& it's a bad idea now.

Seriously, I think he's handsome grizzly or clean.

I just have a preference.

Separated at birth.

2008-06-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

MC Search & My husband.

Pop Goes the Weasel, indeed.

Down for the count.

2008-06-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

It started Tuesday & I tried to fix it myself.

Which put me in the ER on Thursday.

And now it's Saturday & here I am...I can barely walk & I'm poppin' pills like it's candy.

I hate being the patient & according to my husband I'm really bad at it, maybe it's true.

Regardless, kidney infections, aren't fun.

discoveries.

2008-06-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

My husband recently told me he discovered hip hop when he was in kindergarten. That he was taping N.W.A. & Public Enemy off of the radio when he was 8. Certifying him a true hip hop head.

In kindergarten I had just discovered that a half elephant & half kangaroo was called Eleroo. When I was eight I played my Jem tape in my Teddy Ruxpin. Certifying me a CHILD.

I admit before we met I was as hip hop as Nelly & Petty Pablo. Ken introduced me to this whole new world, making me realize before him I was certifiably wack.

So, with that said...

It's a summer of amazing concerts, kicked it off with the Heart of the City tour & tomorrow Erykah & The Roots @ the Greek Theatre. I'm so excited to see what's next...

"If they don't serve sweet tea, I just as soon not eat."

2008-06-09T01:58:00.000-07:00

for only a week. it was good to be home.
everything we hated, ended up being what we missed the most.
lucky for us not much has changed.
and it hurt to say goodbye.

it went by way too quick & now not only am i homesick for the amazing faces we had to say goodbye to, but for everything that makes louisiana home.

Team Nipper.

2008-05-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning, thinking about their laughs, his hugs & her oreo balls. A year without seeing their faces & hugging their necks is not only too long, but totally wrong. I miss them like something fierce.

"...the kind of missing that's so immense in its imenseness that all you can do is miss immensely." (perfectly said.)

When it's 102 degrees outside...

2008-05-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

We bust the blank babooshka dolls out (that we happen to have on hand) & get creative.

While I think I'll keep my day job, I think my husband may have found his calling. (Yeah, he did The Avengers. Yup, he's a nerd & yes I think it's sexy.)

Because when stuff comes together...

2008-05-16T23:43:00.000-07:00

It makes for a happy bride-to-be.

Let's do this.

Nurses.

2008-05-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last week was nurse appreciation week. It was also teacher appreciation week, national postcard week, astronomy week, national wildflower week, & life coach week.

Let's face it I didn't even know it was nurses appreciation week until Friday, & that was only because my hospital gave us ice cream, a chopping board, & a 10 minute lecture about how our money can work for us (which the scuttlebutt is that last year they got massages, but with budget cuts and all...).

So, here's to being able to hold our pee for at least 12 hours, sore feet, early joint replacements, back problems, anti-anxiety medication, dry hands, 5 minute lunches. Let's celebrate the doctors who yell then ask what orders to write, the constant breaking of patient to nurse ratios, the weird color spot on our crocs, & the betadine stain on our scrubs. Let's jump for joy at our job security & the depositions, the "great pay" & long hours. Let's rejoice for waking up from sleep to silence the IV pump, or the drug addict we are feeding demerol, dilaudid, & morphine. Let's revel in the fact we listen to patient's whine all day & deal with overly demanding family members.

We do what we do because we love it, we are dedicated, we are passionate, we make a decision to get up in the morning and do it again and again, even if it means coming home achey & crying.

So, really...you're just going to thank a nurse for a week. Humor us, thank us next week too.

favorite.

2008-05-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

Big Things Poppin'.

2008-05-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

I call J up to hear her voice.

R: Hey, watcha doin'?
J: Driving from the mall, you?
R: Me too.
J: Just spent way to much at Victoria secret.
R: No shit, me too. My favorite bra broke this morning, so I had to replace it.
J: ME TOO! Then I went crazy on the underwear, which I don't need.
R: I know me too.

Crazy that we had the same exact afternoon? I guess so, although to us it's normal. This kind of stuff happens all the time, that's why she's my best friend. Mike and Ken, know with one comes the other, you can't separate us. It's a two for one deal, like it or leave it. Lucky for us they both decide to put up with our shenanigan's.

With that said, the countdown has officially begun, for the first of several weddings Ken & I are a part of this year. We're so excited & extremely honored. Also, we recieved quite possibly the best save the date card, ever.

So, heres to looking forward to seeing faces we've missed so much, long awaited hugs, delicious burrito bars, skate parties, & happily ever afters.

Giant Heart.

2008-05-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Two of my husbands favorite things. Broccoli & a cold New Castle. Both of which he couldn't have for 4 months, because of the medication he was on. Now that his heart is beating normally he's officially off the medication that makes him a hemophiliac. What does this all mean? Less frequent doctors appointments & lab draws, long runs, cold beer, & little trees that make him feel like he's a giant.

Makes for a more happy household.

Column A & Column B.

2008-05-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Katie is obsessed with Disney Princesses. Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, you name it she loves her. Her current favorite is Princess Giselle. So, we're cuddle up on the couch watching Enchanted yet again, as Patrick Dempsey's character Robert is about to kiss Princess Giselle, my 3 year old niece looks up at me & tells me her favorite part is when the prince kisses the princess. My heart melts & at the same time, I don't want her to find out that they aren't all princes. Later, that evening, I'm telling my prince about it...his response:

"You need to show her What's Love Got To Do With It, so she can pick a little from column A & a little from Column B."

Only column A please, no column B.

Reason 303,458.

2008-04-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

My husbands bedside table...

Confession.

2008-04-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I clean I wear my tiara and red heels,

just because.

Gifted and Talented.

2008-04-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

Backstory: Jonah, who is in second grade, is reading Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary. He's also learning how to write letters. So, the assignment was to write a letter (to the teacher) explaining why they are gifted and talented like the main character in the book. According to the teacher, common responses from her students were, "I'm talented and gifted because, I read well...I'm good at math." This is my nephew's letter...

OMG.

2008-03-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

www.nkotb.com

Breathe.

2008-03-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

The decision to move to SoCal was a piece of cake.

Everything after that however...

The downsizing.

The cramming our lives into 8 ft of truck space.

The good-byes.

The cross country drive, in separate cars.

All that stress, even before we crossed the state line & then when we did it was far from easy.

The 3 month living in a 125 sq. ft. room.

The job hunts.

The commute in L.A. traffic.

The ridiculous cost of living.

The constant homesickness.

The apartment search.

The cramming our lives in a one bedroom apartment.

But a year later...

We both have jobs we enjoy going to (most days) & they are 15 minutes away.

We can navigate through side streets and avoid getting on the interstate, whenever possible.

We are not only managing to pay our outrageous rent, but we're saving & having fun.

We've met some incredible people making the constant homesickness a little bit tolerable.

Our charming 1 bedroom apartment in the middle of it all is perfect.

The decision to move to SoCal was pretty easy...the decision to stay even easier.

Celebrating Life's BIG Victories.

2008-03-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

Going into the hospital for a second cardioversion to correct your heart arrythmia.

Getting hooked up to the monitor.

And as it turns out your heart is in a normal rhythm (slow, but NORMAL).

Can't quite celebrate with a cold new castle yet, but we're getting there.

I forgot them at home.

2008-03-26T19:13:00.001-07:00

My big girl panties that is.

I realized this today as I watched Ken get his blood drawn, yet again.

Almost 2 months of blood draws, doctor's visits, EKG's, & a cardioversion, you would think we'd be accustomed to the routine, on the contrary. Some days are easier than others, today was one of those days that I wanted to crawl into bed, fall asleep, wake up & it's gone. But here we are, preparing for yet another cardioversion, scheduled for Friday.

As a nurse, I take care of patients that live with A-Fib, most of them between the ages of 70-90 so I know that this is far from life threatening. As a nurse, I know this is manageable. But as a wife, who is watching her husband go through all this....

it sucks.

Spring.

2008-03-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

It's officially here.

Pollen and all.

Itchy nose.

Scratchy throat.

Runny nose.

Sneezes.Sneezes.Sneezes.

To be so amazingly beautiful outside,

makes me feel so miserable.

Separated at birth.

2008-03-24T21:45:00.000-07:00

Kristi Yamaguchi & Myself.

*Brought to attention by Kenny's 85 year old grandmother. Thank you Grandma Keil.

Catch the fever.

2008-03-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

Of course he has to do me one better.

The Awesomenomicon.

Copy Cat.

Celebrating Life's Simple Victories.

2008-03-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

*Hitting the snooze button one too many times, then realizing you have 15 minutes till you have to be at work & all the traffic lights are green.

*Turning off your 5 am alarm & realizing it's your day off.

*You are the 6th person in the check out line at Ralph's & you're the first to notice a new register to open.

*Finding your size in the 75% off sales rack.

*An extra candy bar falls out of the vending machine.

Sleep Clinic.

2008-03-17T10:08:00.001-07:00

A conversation between my slightly sedated husband & his anesthesiologist.

K: Can I get that stuff over the counter?

A: No.

K: You should totally open a sleep clinic up & give people this medicine. You'll be RICH! It'll be GREATNESS.

A: I'd lose my license & I'd go to jail.

K: Naw dude, if the police try to bust it, just give them the medicine, & they'll go to sleep. IT'S. GENIUS.*

*No honey, you are, especially sedated & YOU.ARE.MY.HERO.

Superstar.

2008-03-16T09:57:00.001-07:00

Heart of Rock and Roll.

2008-03-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

So, two shocks later, it's still there. The procedure itself went smoothly, the outcome another story. Unfortunately, the heart arrhythmia is still there. So, on to plan B, which includes a new medication & a second cardioversion in two weeks. Needless to say, we still remain very hopeful & are determined to do whatever it takes to nip this in the bud.

On a more happier note, look who's a superstar.

(you should click the link)

There will be a signing on Saturday March 15, 2008 @ 1pm-3pm, if you're in the area stop by Wizard World @ the Los Angeles Convention Center.