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Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Ikebana

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This week's ikebana arrangement :-)...

Labels: Arts

Posted by Unknown | 9:55 AM | 2 Comments |

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One of my books arrived!

Current Mood:

I've told you about my flamenco hobby. Another hobby of mine is Ikebana :-). I'm in no way an expert, but I do enjoy it :-).

Ikebana is Japanese flower arranging :-). In most Ikebana arrangements, the space between the flowers is as important as the flowers themselves. It's a whole zen thing :-).

What I love about it is that I can make an arrangement with minimal material. When I buy flowers, my biggest problem is what to do with the leftovers :-).

One of the books I ordered arrived yesterday :-). There are some GREAT ideas and tips in there :-).

Labels: Arts

Posted by Unknown | 4:49 AM | 0 Comments |

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Ooohhh...

Current Mood:

{gasps} ...brand new down comforters for ten dollars...!

{talks to self} You don't need it. You don't need it. But what a bargain! You don't need it.

Posted by Unknown | 4:32 AM | 0 Comments |

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"My name is Cecille... and I'm an eBayholic."

Current Mood:

Okay, I've got to stop shopping on eBay now. I just added up all my expenses and eBay took up a BIG chunk of it.

I think I'm all eBayed out though, so that's a good thing :-). I just have two more auctions in progress and then I think I'm going to stay away from the site for a while :-).

Posted by Unknown | 4:22 AM | 0 Comments |

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Monday, March 28, 2005

Thank goodness :-).

Current Mood:

Wanna know how much money I saved this weekend because I'm such a cheapskate? :-)

On impulse, I bid on 9 CDs and one book. If I had won all those auctions, I would've spent an additional $87.46. I've already spent $32.58 with two more auctions still ongoing. If I win THOSE two remaining auctions, I'll be paying an additional $29.08. If I won EVERYTHING I bid on, I'd be shelling out a total of $149.12.

Thank goodness for outbidders :-).

Posted by Unknown | 5:00 AM | 0 Comments |

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AGGH My laptop!

Current Mood:

Jack, one of our dogs, got his foot caught in my laptop's power cable. He panicked and ran and, you guessed it, brought the whole table down--with my laptop still on it.

Everything seems to be working fine except for the port where you plug the modem in. One of the metal prongs inside broke. I'm going to call Dell today to ask them how much it's going to cost to have it repaired.

I'll take a picture of the modem plug that actually may have saved my laptop's life. You can see that it was that plug that definitely received most of the strain. Because that plug held out as long as it did, my laptop didn't hit the floor as hard as it could have.

Labels: Laptop, Retail

Posted by Unknown | 4:51 AM | 0 Comments |

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Saturday, March 26, 2005

Japan and eBay

Current Mood:

I've been on a big Japanese and eBay kick lately. The Japanese kick started when I got that taiko drum music CD. Steve and I really enjoy it, it's such a cool album :-).

Yesterday we were at Borders and I ended up getting ANOTHER Japanese music CD. We like this album too: it's got taiko drums, but it's also got bamboo flutes and japanese strings :-).

Plus we went to a Japanese restaurant for dinner :-). When we were still at Borders, I almost got a miniature zen gardening kit, but after seeing that it was $30, I figured I could look for it on eBay.

Which leads me to my eBay kick. Man, I have been bidding left and right lately. But you know what? eBay is great for people like me: impulse-buying cheapskates :-). I can bid as much as I want, but because I'm so cheap I always end up getting outbid--which is good because one or two days later I find that I don't want what I bid on as much anymore :-).

Posted by Unknown | 4:45 AM | 0 Comments |

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Coincidence?

Current Mood:

My family back in Manila usually does the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, so I asked Steve to come with me to Church so he and I can do Stations together.

We got to church and there was no one in the parking lot except for this one car. We saw the lady in it walk to the church doors, then turn around and go back to her car.

Steve and I reached the doors, and the church was locked. I didn't even consider the possibility of a church being closed on Good Friday. There was a service at 7pm, but I would think for sure by 4 someone would be there.

Anyway, we finally decided to try a different church and were walking to the truck when another car arrived. It was our priest. He came to prepare for the 7pm service. We asked him if it was okay that we do stations that afternoon, and he said yes. We thought it was pretty cool that he arrived just as we were about to leave.

So Steve and I started doing stations, when the lady I talked about earlier entered the church and came up to us. "Excuse me, may I join you in praying the stations?" She didn't have a prayer book with her. We said "of course," and we did the stations together.

At the end of it all, I found the events just so weirdly intertwined that I felt it couldn't be just a coincidence. I can just see God saying, "You don't have a prayer book? Don't worry, I'll send this couple out to church, you can pray with them. Church is locked? Don't leave just yet, I'm sending the priest over to open it for you."

Posted by Unknown | 4:01 AM | 0 Comments |

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Friday, March 25, 2005

A Knight's Tale

Current Mood:

Last night Steve and I watched A Knight's Tale. I love watching the extra features--you learn so much more about the movie and the cast and the production :-).

For example, if you've seen the movie, you might remember the swordfighting contest scene. Geoffrey Chaucer is introducing the hero, Sir Ulrich, and at the end of his speech the crowd just falls silent. After a second or two, one of Sir Ulrich's other varlets starts to cheer and the rest of the crowd follows.

That wasn't part of the script :-). They filmed in the Czech Republic and the crowd didn't understand English--they didn't know WHEN to cheer :-). As a matter of fact, while Chaucer is giving his introduction, two women in the crowd prematurely raise their hands :-).

The director said they were going to do the scene over, but then he realized that it would be funnier to keep that as part of the movie :-).

Posted by Unknown | 5:39 AM | 0 Comments |

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Gotcha :-).

Current Mood:

Don't you just love it when you finally figure out a complicated Excel formula and your spreadsheet is now behaving the way it's supposed to?

I'm such a nerd :-).

Posted by Unknown | 5:36 AM | 0 Comments |

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Thursday, March 24, 2005

Happiness is...

Current Mood:

Happiness is when your husband pampers you by drawing you a hot bath, making you some sleepytime tea, keeping you company in the bathroom, then snuggling in bed with you until you fall asleep :-).

Labels: Happiness, That's My Husband...

Posted by Unknown | 4:23 AM | 0 Comments |

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Oops

Current Mood:

I went to work without waking Steve up yesterday. He didn't see me until I got home last night.

First thing he does is look me up and down. Then...

"Okay, what you're wearing does NOT go together."

"Yes it does...!"

"No it doesn't."

"It worked this morning...!"

"How awake WERE you?"

There's nothing more embarrassing than when a MAN tells you that what you're wearing doesn't go together. I swear though, it wasn't BAD, it's just that the color mix could've been better.

Posted by Unknown | 4:11 AM | 0 Comments |

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005

My avatar's ready for Easter :-)

Current Mood:

This is my current Yahoo Messenger avatar :-). It's so cute I just had to show you :-)...

Posted by Unknown | 5:30 PM | 0 Comments |

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All set! :-)

Current Mood:

I dropped the checks off at the leasing office. We're on the waiting list now, and we're at the top of the list :-). We were told that residents have to give 60 days' notice if they were leaving, so we won't really know until April or May if an apartment will be available in June. If there's more than one available, we get to choose which one we want :-).

On Sunday we were told that the apartment complex is currently 100% occupied. Steve's mom said that was a good sign, because that meant people like living there :-). She said she would've been worried if the complex was only half full.

Posted by Unknown | 4:28 AM | 0 Comments |

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Monday, March 21, 2005

More pictures of the apartment

Current Mood:

Yesterday Steve, mom and I went to the apartment to pay for part of the security deposit (so we could be put on the waiting list). I should've brought my checkbook with me--they didn't accept cash. Oh well. I'll drop by today.

I did get a chance to get a few more pictures of the apartment with my digital camera, so I could show you more of it :-)...

another shot of the living room--this is a little more clear :-).

two shots of the kitchen

the big closet off the living room

Steve in the bathroom

The bedroom

Posted by Unknown | 9:16 AM | 2 Comments |

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Sunday, March 20, 2005

What a day...!

Current Mood:

I got my reimbursement check the other day. I'd totally forgotten about it so when it came, it was a lovely surprise :-). So Steve and I went shopping today :-).

We had to cash the check first though, so we did that at Bank of America and then I found out that Steve also wanted to close his account at First Tennessee. When I asked him why he would want to do that, he said, "Because they wouldn't let my wife open an account."

I have to admit, that gave me warm fuzzies :-).

So we closed his account at First Tennessee, and off we went!

First on our list were birthday gifts for people with upcoming birthdays. We wanted to make sure we got those taken care of before we spent any money on ourselves.

Steve wanted a Bruce Lee DVD, so I got that for him :-). I also got a DVD of Monty Python's Life of Brian (the timing's actually kind of funny considering next week is Holy Week). I also got A Knight's Tale (it was on the bargain rack), and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the director of Spirited Away, which I loved :-)).

I also got 4 new music CDs:

Kodo Tataku is a Japanese album where the main instruments are the taiko drums. I've always loved the sound of the taiko drum :-). Listening to the album is quite fascinating, really--the emotion you feel is a mix between calm (from the bamboo flutes) and anticipation (from the drums). The album definitely makes you think of Japan :-).

12 Girls Band is, well, a band of 12 girls :-). They're from China, I believe, and they use all sorts of oriental instruments, mostly string. Their style is more modern.

Feng Shui - Music for Balanced Living and Mediterranean Nights were impulse buys, but I'm glad I got them :-). Feng Shui helps me relax, and I later learned that Mediterranean Nights was often nominated for Best Intsrumental Album of the Year.

The BEST purchase of the day though was a HoMedics Therapist Select Shiatsu Massaging Cushion. I've always wanted a massage chair but found those too expensive. The Massaging Cushion is a GREAT alternative. It doesn't vibrate like your other typical massage cushions. Oh no, this thing has rolling spheres that just DIG into your back and knead--and this thing kneads HARD. The spheres go up and down the length of the backrest (but you can choose whichever setting you want: upper back, lower back, or full back).

After appreciating the cushion at home, I decided to check out the HoMedics website to see if other people liked the product as well. There was a LONG list of great reviews, mostly from people who have had back surgery or are suffering from fibromyalgia. A lot of the reviewers say it's better than their physical therapy.

Too bad this thing doesn't have a battery pack. If it did, I'd take it with me whenever I would need to make that 20 hour flight to Manila :-).

Posted by Unknown | 4:26 AM | 0 Comments |

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Saturday, March 19, 2005

The MSO this year

Current Mood:

I'm excited about the shows the Memphis Symphony Orchestra is doing this year :-). Here, lemme show you the three I'm most looking forward to:

Classical Mystery Tour - Saturday, September 24, 2005 at 8pm
Vincent Danner: conductor
Classical Mystery Tour: Beatles tribute band
The Fab Four is back! From their classic black suits, mop tops and Sgt. Pepper uniforms to their uncanny sound and performance style, Classical Mystery Tour captures the Beatles as they haven't been heard in more than 30 years. You'll love them, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Bugs Bunny on Broadway - Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 8 pm
George Daugherty: conductor
What's up, Doc? Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and friends appear on the big screen at the Cannon Center with the MSO accompanying these Looney Tunes live. Conducted by Emmy-Award winner George Daugherty, these timeless cartoons move to the sounds of the masterpieces of Wagner, Rossini, Strauss, and many more. Enjoy a combination of unforgettable animation and spectacular symphonic music.

"Bob" from Sesame Street - Sunday, October 30, 2005 at 2:30 pm
Vincent Danner: conductor
Bob McGrath: actor
Brought to you by the letter "B!" Parents and kids alike will love to see children's television icon Bob McGrath in concert. Bob, with other performers, will join the orchestra for all your Sesame Street favorites, like Rubber Duckie and People in Your Neighborhood.

Posted by Unknown | 4:04 AM | 0 Comments |

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Friday, March 18, 2005

A work in progress

Current Mood:

One of the things I can readily admit is that I'm not naturally as good a manager of people as I would like to be. I don't know why; I guess I never really developed that skill as I was growing up. I've always preferred to be a follower than a leader--probably because it's easier to impress when you're a follower than when you're a leader.

So when Teresa asked me asked to manage some people remotely in Manila, I got nervous. My mind automatically thought about failure and the higher-ups being disappointed in the job that I do.

But at one point Teresa said, "It'll really help me," and strangely enough, that made me feel a little more brave about it. So I said yes.

Anyway, I'm a work in progress. I guess the only way to conquer a fear is to challenge it head on.

But man, I'm glad it's Friday :-).

Posted by Unknown | 4:14 AM | 0 Comments |

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Wednesday, March 16, 2005

I'm so cold--and it's March!

Current Mood:

My body's so confused.

I come from the Philippines, where summer starts in March. And now I'm over here where it's so cold it's near freezing. In March! That's just so weird.

Co-workers have even talked about some years when their kids went easter egg hunting in the snow.

...That's just not right.

Posted by Unknown | 8:53 AM | 0 Comments |

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Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Constantine part 2

Current Mood:

In the movie Constantine, I liked:

how they made Constantine live at the end. I've seen too many other movies where someone who used to be bad would die a selfless death and that would automically get them into heaven. I liked that Constantine didn't get the easy way out; that he would have to prove himself everyday.
how they casted Lucifer. He acted his part well :-).
the scene where the priest dies and the store clerk was actually an angel. I never would've guessed :-).
the way they animated the angels' wings--makes me wish I had wings :-).
how they had established, and even had it written in the devil's bible, that evil brings evil upon itself. Satan couldn't even trust his own son. Now that I think about it though, good has to watch out for the radical types on their side, too :-).

Posted by Unknown | 5:14 AM | 0 Comments |

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Monday, March 14, 2005

Constantine

Current Mood:

After looking at the apartment, Steve and I watched Constantine. We were told that it was a really scary movie, but the scenes aren't anything you wouldn't expect from a religion-based good-vs-evil movie. You've got your demons, possessions, angels, things like that. The movie is based on a Vertigo DC Comic.

Plotline: John Constantine (played by Keanu Reeves), saw demons as a child. To escape it, he committed suicide when he was a teenager. He didn't die all the way though--he was officially dead for two minutes, then paramedics were able to bring him back.

According to Catholic faith, the souls of people who commit suicide automatically go to hell. He was in hell for two minutes, which for him felt like a lifetime because time stops down there. Anyway, he came back and knew he didn't want to go to hell again. So what he's doing now is trying to buy his way back into heaven by exorcising demons and other forces of evil for the Catholic church.

The rest of the movie builds around the son of Satan crossing over and starting the end of the world. However, for the son of Satan to do that, a divine source has to help him.

I'm not telling you anything else at this point--you'll have to watch the movie :-). It's really cool :-). There are many philosophical things that I liked about the movie, but I can't tell you any of them right now without revealing the plot :-). Besides, my entry is long enough as it is.

Maybe I'll tell you tomorrow :-).

Posted by Unknown | 4:39 AM | 0 Comments |

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Our first apartment!

Current Mood:

We visited the apartment I told you about yesterday :-). I really liked it :-). All 1-bed/1-bath apartments are on the third floor, but the great thing about that is all 1-bed/1-bath apartments have 11-foot ceilings in the living room. Does that make a difference? Oh heck yeah. It really opens up the place and makes it look bigger.

See the picture from yesterday, the one of the living room? That's the one we looked at. Take a look at the window. See that arched addition? That's something that only the 1-bedroom apartments get. The 2-bed/2-bath apartments don't have that arched part (those apartments are either on the first or second floor).

So imagine the ceiling being lower--probably at the midpoint of the arched window. That's the usual 9-foot ceiling height. See what a difference an 11-foot ceiling makes :-)?

The lady we were talking to said that there aren't any available 1-bed/1-bath apartments for June yet, but it's still too early to tell. Residents have to give 60 days' notice before they move out. That means we won't really know until April.

Next week Steve and I are paying half of the security deposit so we could be put on the waiting list. I asked how long the waiting list was and she said we'd be the first on it :-). The waiting list is longer for the bigger apartments :-).

I'm also bringing my digital camera next week so I'll have more pictures to show you :-).

We found our apartment! We found our apartment!

Posted by Unknown | 4:00 AM | 0 Comments |

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Saturday, March 12, 2005

A second option

Current Mood:

Steve and I checked out the apartment I was telling you about earlier. It was exactly like in the pictures, it was gorgeous. I fell in love with it.

It was also expensive, though. The apartment would cost between $825-$915 a month. That doesn't include the cost of utilities, pets, and the garage. That's a little too steep for me.

We did, however, find another alternative--and I think this might work out even better. The leasing office is closed on Saturdays so we'll have to visit it tomorrow to see the model unit, but their one bedroom-one bath apartment doesn't go higher than $800. And the rent includes some utilities as well :-).

Here, let me show you some of the pictures :-)...

Posted by Unknown | 5:37 PM | 0 Comments |

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Working with the company president

Current Mood:

I always feel so privileged when I get a chance to work with Teresa. We conducted management training two weeks ago and last week started certifying the front line managers for our new client (Quality Assurance specialists, Team Leads, etc). We also certified trainers.

I used to have just a working knowledge of our training model, but now I have an intimate knowledge of it. Working with Teresa has finally made it all click in my head. She even mentioned it when we were talking about next week's schedule. "I totally trust you with certifying," she said. "I can see it when you give feedback now: you're definitely more comfortable with the model. You know the skills I'm looking for, I have no doubt in my mind."

Teresa's always busy, and I feel lucky that she took such a big chunk out of her schedule to do management training--and to teach me how it's really done.

Posted by Unknown | 5:17 AM | 0 Comments |

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Thursday, March 10, 2005

Moving out soon

Current Mood:

Steve and I have been looking at apartments :-). We're planning on moving out in June. Mom and dad have been absolutely wonderful, and mom keeps telling me we can stay for as long as we need, but I don't want to impose any longer than we already have.

We're checking out this place on the weekend: it's my favorite one so far based on the online description :-). Here, let me show you the floorplan and pictures: