Quote of the Day

"The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is to be taken too seriously."

-Nicholas Butler

My new potential tattoo

I first encountered the "lovebirds" at the Highland Games about 3 years ago. There was a vendor who was striking pendants with whatever design he had available. After watching this demonstration for a few minutes I knew I had to have one. Now this contraption was something to see. A big man in a kilt cranked a huge weight up to the top of this striking device, put the design and the blank medal in their appropriate spot, rang a bell, yelled "STRIKING!" and released the weight, which came down with a thunk (kind like the sound of a hammer hitting an anvil). You have to see it to appreciate it. Anyway, I picked a double sided pendant with a chinese dragon on one side and a pacific northwest symbol for the "lovebirds" on the other. The lovebirds of course symbolized me and Doug and the chinese dragon represented strength.

As I contemplate my next tattoo, I want something that was a happy symbol and not the one of angst that I currently have. Now some people would look at a sun with a yinyang in the middle as something positive-but when I got it my life was filled with angst. The sun with the yinyang for me represented strength and balance that I needed at that time of my life. Something I felt was sorely missing. Your first boyfriend breaks up with you while your mother is in the hospital undergoing a triple bypass (which he just called another sugery-jackass), and no one there to support you, to help you get through it. At that time, both my mom and then boyfriend were against tattoos-so as part of my coming of age-I decided to get one. My cousin Belinda was my accomplice-as she was the one that took me to the Purple Panther Tattoo parlor on Sunset Blvd to get my tattoo. She knew I was emotional at the time, but didn't ask questions, just supported what ever I wanted to do (bless her heart). So we walked in, picked my design, the guy drew it out for me, it was exactly what I wanted, and got it done. My mother came out of the surgery just fine, and I had my sense of peace and balance. I finally did something for myself. She did notice about 2 weeks later, and didn't blow a gasket. She said that it was already there, and there was nothing she could do about it. She was grateful that it was on my back, so it didn't show all the time (just when I chose to show it).

Well, that was about 6-7 years ago. Now I am at a point where I have achieved my strengh and balance. I am happily married and mom to the best little boy in the world. His chaos brings balance to my life, and makes me get my priorities straight.

The tattoo bug has hit me again. I need a happy tat now. So the lovebirds design I found will be the next one. I will also get my existing one retouched so I can have happy memories when I look at it.

This version of the lovebirds I found on the jewelry site of David Morgan came with the background. I am paraphrasing-so I might not have it exactly right- but there were two tribes in the Pacific Northwest that have two main clans-one represented by the eagle and the other by the raven. These two tribes were traditionally not supposed to intermarry, but do, so symbols interlinking the eagle and raven are traditionally given to the marrying couples. I feel this appropriate for me since my marriage is a mixed marriage in a few different ways. Doug is of Irish/Swedish descent (also kn own as Caucasion)and I am Pilipino/Spanish/Chinese descent (also known as Asian-Pacific Islander). Not only that, Doug is Methodist and I am Catholic-which also is called a mixed marriage. So traditionally in two ways we were not supposed to intermarry-but to hell with tradition...

Photo credit: David Morgan

Quote of the Day

"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" -Oscar Wilde

Pissed Off Song List

Here are the songs that I like to listen too when I am incredibly pissed off or really stressed (in no particular order):

-My Give a Damn's Busted (Jo Dee Messina)
-U and UR Hand (P!nk)
-Good Bye Earl (Dixie Chicks)
-Anything by Linkin Park

Happy New Year

Five minutes till midnight and 2007 will be over and done with-just a bunch of memories. Thankfully the majority of them are good-as my little boy gives me something new almost every day. Doug is "sick"-allergies he claims, and I am getting over a bad cold that I have been fighting since Christmas.

Hayden just woke up crying-he is in pain, stomach ache most likely. Put him in a hot bath, it kind of worked-gave him some milk and he was able to go back to sleep. Countdown? What countdown. I rang in the new year sitting in a tub with my munchkin trying to make him feel better. Not what I was planning-but I was with my family and called my mom.

All is good. Welcome 2008.

I can officially cook (kind of)

Yeah Me!

I have made my first batch of French Onion soup (without the aid of an official recipe) and it turned out great. Doug ate the whole thing and didn't throw up afterward or otherwise get sick. I thought that I wasn't very good at this cooking thing-but the more I dabble the better I get. I might get this stuff yet..

Another Christmas in the books

This was Christmas #2 as parents, but I really don't count last year as Hayden was only about 8 months old and didn't really know what was going on. Everyone told me that this year would be different and that Hayden would really enjoy it. Well they were right, it was different and he had a wonderful time, despite having a temp of 103. You would never know that the little munchkin was burning up as he just played and played. This year was all about him. He made out like a bandit, toys and clothes. He has started his Thomas the Tank Engine collection. I wasn't sure if he "got it" yet-but my boy is much smarter than I give him credit for. This is due to the fact that he is MY child, and that the wonderful woman (his Tita Marcela) who takes care of him is giving him the love and stimulation that I can't because I am at work. I thank God for sending her to us at the time we needed her most. I also thank Anna-Aileen's nanny for telling her about the job.

This Christmas was once again filed with wonderful food and wonderful memories. Hayden was not into unwrapping the gifts, but once they were open, boy did he want to play with everything. At one point he just stood there looking at all his loot wondering what to do next.

As I look back at everything that happened in 2007, I have plenty to be thankful for. It was a hard year-having lost our beloved Minute-but despite the bumps and the sadness, watching my family grow, and being able to spend time with my mom made up for it. We have a new addition to the family-Lappy, and chihuahua/terrier mix who is CRAZY!

But man do we love him. I just know that Lappy and Hayden are going to be buddies. Our resident old man Olie has perked up. He is showing his age, but still the same Olie.

I am looking forward to 2008. Even years seem to be good for me. Got married in 2004, had Hayden in 2006. I feel good things for 2008-I think it's leap year!

My son is playing with his new trains-I can hear him going "choo choo"-I think I'll join him....