.

look familiar?

2010-07-27T19:13:00.001-05:00

yeah, thats me

2010-07-13T19:40:00.003-05:00

So i've been job hunting over the pass few days. Applying anywhere I see "now hiring" sign and checking somethings online like craigslist, etc. Check out what I find in my inbox just now. Senior financial analyst, sure. No problem. Right up my alley.

And I saw this on the news the other day:

Police: Man Assaults, Threatens El Paso Officer

I went there on Wed to apply but Dad didn't like the place. Good call, eh? Those aztecas - thought i left Juarez behind!

revamp

2010-06-06T14:10:00.003-05:00

so. i have decided to start blogging again.
i think.
well, i supposed time will tell. if anyone can tell me how to get rid of this huge undefined egg over here on the right, i shall be eternally great full and shall kiss the bridge of your noise in appreciation.

farewell.

Best (or worst?) Sneaky Song Rips

2010-05-07T20:25:00.009-05:00

#1
Mountain Man

Travelin' Man - Stevie Wonder

#2
Do it Again - STEM

Hear You Me - Jimmy Eat World

#3
Coming of Age

Black or White - Michael Jackson

This one is the all-time #1 takes the cake of song rips. Behold the rapturous feelings!

Rapturous Feelings

Got to be Real - Cheryl Lynn I laughed SO hard when I heard this the first time (it plays in the Pink Panther film), I was like "crikey! that song sounds oddly familiar!"

And apparently, we (and the "we" in this context is extremely relative) aren't the only ones! From Fergalicious to Smoke on the Water and Sanitarium, some our favorite musicians are sneaky thieves! Click here for more. (..and fine, I'll admit some of the examples used in the above link are somewhat...dodgy, be that as it may, some of them are TOTALLY spot on. so don't chew my head off.)

If anyone knows of any more, do tell, and I shall add them to the list. There is definitely one of Vas' songs at the tip of my tongue but just cannot be placed. Eh. One of these days.

P.S. I am not trying to ruin anyone's taste or enjoyment in music. I just found my discoveries to be interesting, and somehow amusing. Have a brilliant day!

theoretical math?!?

2010-04-06T15:10:00.003-05:00

so my bro comes back in my room after lounging around on the couch with his guitar and mp3 player all morning, and shoves his school books back in his drawer

me "uh...did you do ANY school this morning?!?"

bro-looking-sheepish-and-slightly-foolish "uh...yeah...I..did some lessons in theoretical math..."

(bro shuffles off)

me "riiiiight"

(P.S I'm back in Juarez. UGH!)

i heard your voice

2010-01-16T05:10:00.004-06:00

but it was a fat American
and it made me angry because
my heart almost jumped out of my throat
and it was only he - how dare he? how dare he have a voice like yours!

its cheating.

Hail 2010! May you smile on this auspicious union of Akash & Priya

2010-01-13T09:50:00.018-06:00

Apparently I haven't posted in over half a year, that's pretty messed up. I think it's because i've sort of semi-moved to facebook (which I highly recommend - forget about this hi5 stuff) and I really hate having to keep up with more than one of these online social things. But I love my blog. I commit to actually using it, YES, its my new years resolution! There has definitely been too many things that have happened in the past 8 months of my life to write about so I'm just going to flip through my pictures folder and write about the stuff I have pictures of.

To begin with, I got married! I look sort of dodgy in a lot of these photos...thats because I was riproaring hungover (not recommened when attending weddings btw, esp if its your own). and before alarm bells begin to ring, no, I did not actually actually get married, a group of friends and i got together and held a mock indian wedding party for fun and as a way to experience indian culture first hand (and from the safety of your home).

This is Priya; a sheltered young girl at the tender age of 20 fearfully contemplating her future with a man she has never met (arranged marrage, naturally, and these pale faces are her parents)The cheeky fellow who married usrelatives of some fashion

Here is Akash, the slightly-too-happy groom, with the soon-to-be in-laws

and here is our friend again, with his son whose only wish is to follow in his father's honorable footstepssome locals...not sure whats going on

still not exactly sure what is going on...

cautioning Akash that to set alight our tied garments signifying our wedlock is very bad karma

giving some necklace

touching of the feet to show respect..or something..

the happy couple

congratulations

After a weekend honeymoon in Goa, the native place of husband Akash, a speedy divorce was acquired when it became evident that Priya's dowry was significantly less that expected!

THE END

Then I went to Japan for Sept-Oct, met all the nieces and spent all my money on my older sister and her post pregnancy nursing cravings and alchoholic tendancies! (and obviously im joking so don't get offended Mary). She wouldn't lend me her camera so I couldn't take any photos of the time I spent in Tokyo & Chiba travelling with Jan & Josh (love u guys..miss you) and catching up with some old freinds (MIKA! UR BEST!! XX). OH! and I pierced my nipple. and cut most of my hair off.

I don't want to re-post all the photos so you'll just have to go to facebook.

and now im tired and shall crash....tomorrow I shall post more..promise....xx

jesus christ!

2009-07-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

aye

2009-07-05T02:20:00.001-05:00

When you are old

2009-07-02T05:33:00.002-05:00

When you are old

Your dreams will dance just like mine

Your feet will be defined

And too many features wrinkle lined.

Your yesterday will shine

So much more brightly than your tomorrow

And memories stretch and stretch and wretched be

When they flee.

Your sorrow will outlive you

The past will better become you

When you are old.

"When I'm big,
I'll love you well I'll love you proper I'll love you good.
When I'm big,
I'll know the truth and share it too -
And smile, confidently, and call you child..."

women are made of water

2009-06-19T03:50:00.002-05:00

women are made of water
they're liquid silk
dark and light
clear and impenetrable
towering snow edifices
scratching craters in mars
a tiny droplet
morning dew
condensation's icy brew.
women are made of water
born in a cloud
you're lost in a fog
hailing the ground
and cracking your windshield!
flooding your house
starving your sand
snowballing from the palm of your hand
encasing a life, drowning a few
the most beautiful beauty
dancing in winter
and melting at your touch, your slightest whispering breath.

My Home (part 1)

2009-06-07T11:42:00.014-05:00

So earlier today I was contemplating the meaning of life and other deep issues and then a random thought popped into my head "you never blog!!" and I felt strangely guilty to myself. I figured you might as well get introduced to my home then, to start with - since most of the people who pop in here are not from India. I'll see about getting some exciting photos of my neighborhood for you too (to let you in on the vital facts of indian life - like sleeping walas in their autos who like to park in front of our gate, and the herd of cattle that live in the park opposite our house and like to leave little & big presents all over our road, TYJ).

This is Yuliya, a ND recently imported from the frozen wilds of Kazakhstan who is having a hard time leaving her former circus ministry behind - but God Bless Her for her sacrifices.

Another ND from Indonesia (Ms.Jinadasa), pictured here in traditional wedding wear from the 10th century.

Raj Jordan - Former pastery chef at Decadent Delights (3 time winner of Tanzanian cuisine) who continues to delight our brunch table with Decadent Disasters to Dieters.

Faithful Steven English who teaches full time at our City School about valuable and useful things like how to: Make Soap in 25 Easy Steps Using Items From Your Kitchen Cupboard (i'm dead serious!!). Aside from this, he likes to tinker about in his chemistry workshop on the roof and create innovative items for daily use.

Jonny Bauer of the Shiek Bauer Bedouin clan, notorious for two things: their vast and expansive harem (rumoured to be the largest and most varied in the Middle Eastern region) and their Baghdad Bombshell Babes chain of underworld clubs that supports the continual expanision of the aforementioned harem. He was converted by a good Christan German Woman who he now intends to settle down with and is very excited by the fact that she does not wear a burka.

Dan Braotishishihih (or something like that) Romanian underwear model renowned the world over for his famous Jockey spread in the late 80's, continues to model in Bangalore as a fruitful fundraisng method.

Asha Daniels, former heiress to the muti-million Jack Daniels franchise, left it all behind to head up our FF department and is an established Follow Up shepherd (as pictured here, counseling a lost soul desperate for the truth).

This is Michael - who likes to accost me at random intervals through the day to keep me sharp and on my toes (ever seen Pink Panther? something like that, yeah)
Thought I'd throw this one in -see, i'm famous!

Mandy and Me

2009-05-23T09:53:00.008-05:00

This is my friend Mandy. I like her. She's pretty.
.............and did i tell you i pierced my nose? Well I did. It was very dramatic. A couple of weeks ago, Ang and I were shopping down town and I decided that I finally had enough of this debate in my head of whether to get one or not and to just go and bloody do it. So we stumbled into jewelers/silver street and everything was closed! I was so dejected but I managed to find one hole-in-the-wall place that charged RS100 (20 pesos/two dollars/200 yen) for the job and the pierce. So this man just casually shoves the thing in as i'm squeezing my eyes shut and clutching Ang's hand for dear life. Agh! It didn't actually hurt much but I worked myself into some sort of paranoid frenzy and my hands started shaking and I felt nasueated and for some reason I couldn't hear properly. Hrm. The friendly man then picks up a handy spray bottle and starts spraying me all over the place! I was spluttering and all "GOOD GOD! What the heck is that for?" and he casually shrugs and says "for refresh" REFRESH! Get a load of this guy!

and now i want another piercing. Any ideas?

my love

2009-05-06T03:02:00.007-05:00

In a spurt of energy, I gave my love a mohawk. Needless to say, the mother was not too pleased so I was forced to remove it after a glorious three days. Ain't he adorable? No one in the house had proper gel so I couldn't get his hair to stick up properly.

Goa 2

2009-03-12T11:45:00.019-06:00

Our Kids

2009-03-12T11:37:00.003-06:00

Soccer

2009-03-12T11:22:00.006-06:00

John & Karishma's Wedding

2009-03-12T10:05:00.015-06:00

El Road Trip

2009-03-12T09:23:00.015-06:00

Performing at Dunes

Michael and his muscles

just trying to keep up

Rakesh (AM) teaching our boys a thing or two about carrom

This is Josh (MM attached)-he rocks!

Danny's 16th birthday

Goa 1

2009-03-11T02:59:00.017-06:00

I'm home!! I've been gone from Bangalore for a good three weeks....went on a mini road trip, then had our Feast and Vacations in Goa...and now I'm home. I'm awfully tan. and bloody hell i'm 20!! I try not to think about this bit too much - last year was bad enough with my parents eyeballing me and making comments about how I need to find a "mate" since i'm getting on in years (thanks pop, 'preciate it).

This is the sweet five star resort the our Boss supplied for us to stay in, and I tell you, those beds were of the LORD. The property belongs to the radisson and apparently its among the top three resorts in Goa. Ain't God good? I wish I took photos of this place at night...they have loads of fountains and colored lights, it was so pretty.

Happy Birthday Joanie!!

2009-01-29T09:06:00.007-06:00

Everyone! Joanie is 18 today!! FREAKY HUH???

Special notice to boys on PS, or MM, or on Babes, or NOT IN THE FAMILY: Please, kindly, keep your hands away from this young lady. She has a horrible weakness for the likes of you. Make it easy for her to be good, AMEN?

Anyhow, since I figured most of you have already seen buckets and buckets of those sexy photos that Joanie takes of her self on a daily basis when locked up inside her room, you may as well get to know the other side of her on this auspicious day. You don't mind, do you Joanie? HAPPY 18th!! And I was on PS when I turned 18 too, how SISTERLY! GBY and don't give in to the Devil or those sneaky boys either.

P.S. I really honestly meant to call you...but i'm sort of sick and bedridden so I can't for the life of me drag myself out to a stinky STD booth....I'll try on another auspicious day, OK?

So this is Joanie in her natural form, and me trying to be all cool with it. Those macho HCS days, yeah.

Back on the ranch.

Desperate Prayer

Ok I'll stop here then....don't hate me Joanie
P.S. Mikey and Reuben say Happy Birthday too.

mother and daughter

2009-01-12T07:10:00.002-06:00

spitting image, eh?

2009-01-11T21:30:00.002-06:00

-what does it all come down to? love? Love
if you like and i like,for the reason that i
hate people and lean out of this window is love,love
and the reason that i laugh and breathe is oh love and the reason
that i do not fall into this street is love."

ee cummings

Special India Deal: Harem for all-time low price

2008-10-31T14:10:00.001-06:00

Bangalore is a harem. But I have yet to discover its owner…perhaps they rotate? I have met approximately 24.5 people in Bangalore, all of them (minus kindly U.Andrew) were women. I do not know why the men have fled for greener pastures…it doesn’t get any greener than this. Maybe I should advertise.

Looking for love? Have you always wanted to meet and woo a true Indian beauty? Are you tired, lonely? Do you lack female company? Come to Bangalore where the women are many, Indian, and beautiful! True love awaits you! Competition is scarce and scanty! We are land of yes, I do!

Yes? I do?

i like words

2008-10-25T07:42:00.000-05:00

my little friends
my smudged pens on paper ends

listen

2008-10-21T03:27:00.004-05:00

i have a voice too
like him like her like you
its smaller and longer
with words you've forgotten
long ago
or perhaps will never really know

but still

listen
just like i've to you
and him and her and others too
i'm two
i'm three
i'm four
i'm five
i'm me i'm yours and i'm alive.

just chilling and freaking out

2008-10-19T02:56:00.001-05:00

Chicago snippet:

October 16^th, 2008

Right so I’m in Chicago, and I have 8 hours to kill. My options are: pay the deranged Americans 7.99 to use their wireless network and commence a mini movie marathon, sit in Terminal 5 and wait for Air India to arrive, or I can sit in the food court and pay 5 dollars for coffee!!

I’m in the food court. Screw the internet. Screw the Terminal.

In other exciting news, I had approximately 0 hours of sleep last night. Good ol’ Pop provisioned a hotel (Holiday Inn) about 5 minutes away from the airport to maximize my sleep and minimize my travel. Brilliant, eh? Too bad it didn’t work, I guess the combination of nerves, paranoia, and sheer terror must’ve kept me awake.

Oh well, PTL. The American airline flight was the best flight I’ve ever experienced as far as lack of turbulence, take off, and landing but the SERVICE. Jeez. They’re awfully rude buggers; extremely unhelpful with bad presentation, manners, and speech habits. The man who checked my luggage THREW it onto the conveyer belt.

I’ve 30 minutes of battery. Shall read my 5 paperbacks . Will most likely pay the FBA’s (Fat Black Americans) ridiculous sums for lunch at some point.

Alyx

P.S. Chicago is GREEN!! I haven’t seen so many growing things all year, its great!

Ocotber 18^th, 2008

So I’m here. The house is about 3,000.5 times bigger than the home in Juarez. The room I’m currently staying in is the size of the kitchen, dining room, and living room combined. The bathroom is the size of my former bedroom. I have no idea what a body does with such space. It’s brilliant.

I like traveling, you meet all sorts of people. Italians are fantastic! I’ve decided that Italy is going to be the first country on my wish list for travel. They’re beautiful and happily noisy and I love Italian (the language). You should see what their stewardess’ wear; these tight red suits with red stockings and pumps. Danish women are pretty darn beautiful also. Beware of Arabs! They eyeball you in a sort of casually intense way, make minimal attempts at conversation, and hand you their cards when they leave with more intense looks and tell you to “keep in touch” as if you were long lost cousins and reunited at last.

I’ve noticed that Obama is a bit of a fad, I’ve seen him on old white women’s handbags, bumish rasta’s t-shirts, sharp white lad’s jeans, and so forth. He’s stuck to their computers, cars, and hats. I’ve never seen this before with presidential candidates. He’s a celebrity.

Hot Tips for travelers:

1. Americans like to confiscate your things. If you have any liquid cosmetics, they will remove them from your luggage gleefully while spouting nonsense about “only liquids under 5.oz permitted” and “labels must be clearly stated.” He didn’t check my handbags, but opened my carry on and went straight to the toiletry bag for confiscation – he didn’t even bother looking anywhere else. I figure they have a mandate to remove X amount of liquid items per young female who is likely to have them, and that’s all they care about. SO! If you like your L’oreal foundation, put it in your WALET or BRA. Or else put some junky liquid cosmetic within easy view so that it can be snatched greedily and they won’t bother looking for more.

2. Americans are also trigger happy when it comes to metal detectors. I had ZERO metallic items on me (aside from my piercing), however the metal BUTTONS on my jeans keep shrieking and so I had to be searched personally where I partially removed the offending jeans so it could be proven I was not concealing any miniscule circular weapons of mass destruction. So always wear underwear and opt for non-metallic jeans.

3. Air India is very unpredictable. They like to give you boarding passes with question marks in the “Gate” field. They like to confidentially say “Gate 11 madam, yes madam” and then put “Gate 10” on the computer screen for your flight. Finally, they also enjoy announcing that “Flight**** is now boarding at Gate 4” which, incidentally, is about 1.2 kilometers away, in something that looks suspiciously like a basement. So be prepared for relocation, do not listen to music or do anything that will distract your ears from announcements about your flight. Also keep in mind that they may not announce your gate change (they didn’t announce mine in Chicago), and if your boarding time comes around and the gate you’re waiting at is boarding for VIENNA, take a walk. If you’re lucky you may just find your flight boarding right around the corner. Or in basement, who knows?

4. They do not have information desks at the Mumbai/Bombay airport. Grab anyone who looks like they work at the airport. After sifting through proposals, scathing looks of disdain at being addressed in English and “please join me in my lounge” offers, you’re likely to find a helpful soul.

Happy flying!

happy birthday

2008-10-14T18:24:00.004-05:00

Why do you paint?
For exactly the same reason I breathe.

That’s not an answer.

There isn’t any answer.

How long hasn’t there been any answer?

As long as I can remember.

And how long have you written?

As long as I can remember.

I mean poetry.

So do I.

so i'm going to Chicago

2008-10-11T20:21:00.001-05:00

denmark.
mumbai.

oh, and Bangalore.

PRAY FOR ME!!! Leaving at 7AM on the 16th.

India 2003 - photos

2008-09-17T18:43:00.034-05:00

spawn of cyclor!!

2008-09-17T00:09:00.003-05:00

So I sent my passport and visa form by certified mail to the Indian consulate last Saturday. All the while hyper Ike has been all over the news, and, idiotic me, I didn't once make the connection that the consulate is in HOUSTAN where they don't have any ELECTRICITY. I finally found out today when I logged on to their website to find out how this visa situation is progressing when I notice this blaring red EMERGENCY notice explaining how they're visa office is closed INDEFINATLY due to the electricity factor!

Brilliant.

The main thing about this is the time factor, as the passport will just be sent back since it can't be delivered. So! I have to wait for it to get sent back...so I can cancel my old application and start a new one...so I can find another consulate to send it to...meaning I have to wait longer to book my ticket as the prices jump up into the unreachable thousands.

But I bought my computer today. Yippieeeeeee

India

2008-09-15T22:01:00.004-05:00

I was about to write something up when I noticed this post I never published. I wrote it almost a year ago. It's funny to read it now, knowing that i'll be flying to Bangalore in 3 weeks (by faith!). I'm in New Mexico right now, but when I get back I'll post photos from the last time I was in India.

The other day Iman came to dinner with a suspicious looking jar. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that it was labeled “Mango Pickle” which was some sort of salsa concoction loaded with turmeric created with “stringent hygiene” in the most “quality conditions”, their logo being “promise of purity”!! Hehe, only in India.

It made me remember.

When I was fourteen, a massivious group of us departed from Japan for a one month road trip to
India. Seven girls and seven boys, with only two who were FGA’s, the rest were young people. And the FGA’s were neat anyway, basically young people at heart. I remember trying to find my seat on the plane, and yelling out to the rest of team, in all my teenage adolescence “Hey! Guys! Can I , like, trade with someone?? I’m sitting way over here and like, who knows who has the seat next to me! Some strange Indian man or god knows what!!” A short and very very Indian looking man with a polo shirt and teethy smile then turned to me and said “that would be me” bobbing his head from side to side all the while….I was very disturbed. Our new bottle FGA traded seats with me, God bless him.

I remember landing in Delhi when it began to dawn on me that I really wasn’t in Japan anymore. I went into the bathroom at the terminal and was shocked and horrified to find begger women sleeping on the floor. Then exiting the terminal, as a wave of humidity and smelly Indian bodies accosted me; all staring, all yelling….I thought it very rude because in Japan people are mellow and silent and polite. I remember crashing on someone’s living room floor and then being bounced on a stinky bus without doors and rattling windows, on Indian roads filled with potholes and no streetlights, road signs, or common courtesy; for hours and hours as we made our way to Poona.

There were stupid, corny, things like the overnight bus to Goa, the three of us squashed into a teeny overhead compartment, “singing” eminem (yes we were "out of it"). “Sneaking” beer from the kitchen. Running and hiding when volunteers were asked for JJTs and dishes.
There were crazy things like being stranded at midnight, unable to find a rickshaw…until at last we find one, hop in, only to discover that our driver is high. Our tiny apartment in Goa, where we slept on all available floor space, lived without electricity, and washed our clothes by hand with our drizzling faucet in our only bathroom.

There were strange things like questionable substances with odd names like “masala dosa” “palak paneer” that you were supposed to eat. The fact that everyone spoke English…except it wasn’t really English, if you know what I mean. The random herds of cows, goats, and other cattle that roamed the streets unhindered. “Bathroom breaks” on the bus, where the driver pulls over at any random spot on the road and expects you to do your business. Lets not forget….STD for low price!

There were funny things like our Japanese-speaking landlord whose wife would come up and mutter to us in Japanese with a cross face whenever we were making too much noise. The sprayed on sign on the backs of all large vehicles displaying the only rule of the road “Horn OK Please.”

There were nasty things like humidity and throngs of mosquitoes living in the corners of our room that we had to smoke out (literally) every few days. Bathrooms with little faucets and buckets in the corner instead of toilet paper. Getting grabbed(molested) all over when passing through crowds or on packed buses.

And, of course, there were good things like being away from home and school, the Ambatts, Fishermans Cove, M.G. Road, cheap ice cream, witnessing, communal diaries, and Coffee Day!

Then there were sad things like coming home, discovering you don’t care how “rude” or in your face Indians are, because they are ALIVE and not stiff and formal like people at home. You don’t care how perfect everything is, you want India with their strange signs about how “we are closed because we are currently not open.”

Anyhow! That was India for me! And yes, I’m going back someday, to live…come with me?

not really a solution

2008-07-30T23:00:00.000-05:00

Come away! O, human child!

To the woods and waters wild,

With a fairy hand in hand,

For the world's more full of weeping than

you can understand.

-- W. B. YEATS

she's blogging!

2008-07-19T11:34:00.003-05:00

Well not her, exactly. That's Katie, my fat niece. I mean her mom, Mary.

http://thekato-jonesfamily.blogspot.com

cute stuff

2008-06-25T21:07:00.007-05:00

Curled my sisters' hair about a month ago, and just got the pictures now - aren't they cute?

i loved you

2008-06-08T14:54:00.002-05:00

I cried when I heard. I'm crying still. You were hardly older than me...we're freaking 19. I'm confused. I don't know what to think. I mean, underneath it all I know God's in control and His plan is perfect but all the rest is a whirlwind of confusion.

I didn't know you too well Meilani. But you were a friend and friends aren't supposed to die. People in faraway countries die. Old people die. Poor people in Africa die. We don't. We're not supposed to. We're supposed to get married and have babies and travel and do and be and live, live, live.

I know everything I feel is only a fraction of what your family feels and that makes a bit of my heart just crack and bleed; it's not right; it can't be. But I know it has to be right because God is right....God is just; God is perfect and someday we'll understand. Someday it will be right; it'll make sense. Someday i'll be able to say like Job and yet not like Job "thou He slay me yet will I trust in Him." Thou He slay you...you...

God I want to trust You. I will trust You.

ten red utopian teeth here

2008-04-27T21:55:00.000-05:00

heaven lies no surprise be
neath be
lieve

Beyonce and us

2008-04-03T20:02:00.008-06:00

Well, them, that is. A friend of mine, Mickey Inoue (search for the long haired squinty eyed fellow) sent me these photos a few months ago of his home in Romania doing a CTP at a cancer ward.

Nifty eh?

click here for more

Love from 11,000M

2008-03-05T21:10:00.006-06:00

My day started at five this morning.
Bus option number #1 was full. Road to bus option#2 was closed. Jolly good. Spent forever
gettting to Observatorio and finally arrived in Toluca just as my flight was boarding at 9:20.

Do you know, there are generally lots of these useful people hanging around airports, with carts and things, trying to help you with your luggage for a tip. I've been bombarded by these people several times, when I went for 5-7 day trips and had no need of them. Today however, as I struggled about with my 45 kilos there were NONE of them! But TYJ for helpful mexican men.

*Intermission*

My sister, Joan, is the coolest person around.

End of intermission.

Yeah ok so that's Joanie for you.

I have a question, why do tears always set in at very unconvinient and unnatural times? Why don't they come at meaningful times like when you're saying goodbye to people and such? Why do you they just sort of spring up on you when you're surrounded by random people who look at you funny?

Eh.

I miss you.

You're what?

2008-02-26T15:35:00.003-06:00

"You're what??" "You're what??" "Why?"

"In a week?"

"Oh...ok...NO"

"caica"

Receiving end:

"from the moment i saw your email in my box i knew you wanted to come to my home!"

"it's good to hear you're on the right track"

skype: alyxmj
gmail: allthingsyummy@gmail.com
yahoo: luv_isblind_imnot@yahoo.com

for encouragement, donations, and shrieking; joyful or otherwise.

Thanks!

sweetie

2008-02-20T22:37:00.005-06:00

Gallio: "After, Auntie, can you put me in the garbage too?"

a coffee shop christmas

2008-02-16T20:31:00.002-06:00

Zihuatanejo

2008-02-06T21:39:00.001-06:00

Vacations are of the Lord!! Especially when they are seven days outside of Mexico City.
That's Sharfer and some random fresa. Will post rest of the photos once I find them. Need to find the Christmas and New Years ones also...

Bizzare

2008-01-24T15:41:00.001-06:00

Something I stumbled upon at youtube today.

que chido guey!

2008-01-12T22:10:00.000-06:00

Family Portrait

2008-01-06T20:53:00.000-06:00

assorted favorite people no.2

2007-09-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

"My home"! A fantastic bunch of people I would be proud to live with.
Mike. Sometimes you just click with people, sometimes you feel they just relate...

Manu is smashingly good looking, has a sexy wife, and an adorable child. That coupled with being also ridiculously sweet and great fun makes for a wonderful person! ILY

Olivia Hayes! When I first met her I was a little bit intimidated because she seemed so quiet, serious, and "together". This lady and Sam are the cutest couple I have ever seen, and just seem to fit in their weird oddity perfectly.

Jon Leathe
I
love
you

Christina is a beautiful, fun loving, and outgoing Italian who insists that she is "shy". I first met her when she arrived in Mexico, when we picked her up from the airport and was very glad to be able to attend the core with her. I really admire happy people because I am not generally a very happy person. They amaze me.

Heather is one of those calm quiet people who are really the exact opposite. She is also a Pisces and so is automatically fantastic.

Andres ! Has a voice like a character from an animation, wears funky pajama pants that are somehow cool because they were given to him by my sister, is cute and, unfortunately, lives in Columbia so I will probably never see him again.
so...
ATTENTION!!
If anyone has his email or other contact information please give it to me and I will be eternally greatful.

Who's fucking you?

2007-09-28T14:16:00.000-05:00

Jesus' bride, or Satan's whore?
There are no virgins!
Who's fucking you?

Damn straight. And I am home. Miss me? Not that I ever post anyway.

Residents of the Prince Suite...I MISS MY ROOM!
My shepherding group...(good luck guessing who the shepherd was)

Assorted favorite people

FOREVER XTREME!

And, lastly, I love you!

India

2007-08-03T22:07:00.002-05:00

The other day Iman came to dinner with a suspicious looking jar. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that it was labeled “Mango Pickle” which was some sort of salsa concoction loaded with turmeric created with “stringent hygiene” in the most “quality conditions”, their logo being “promise of purity”!! Hehe, only in India.

It made me remember.

When I was fourteen, a massivious group of us departed from Japan for a one month road trip to India. Seven girls and seven boys, with only two who were FGA’s, the rest were young people. And the FGA’s were neat anyway, basically young people at heart. I remember trying to find my seat on the plane, and yelling out to the rest of team, in all my teenage adolescence “Hey! Guys! Can I , like, trade with someone?? I’m sitting way over here and like, who knows who has the seat next to me! Some strange Indian man or god knows what!!” A short and very very Indian looking man with a polo shirt and teethy smile then turned to me and said “that would be me” bobbing his head from side to side all the while….I was very disturbed. Our new bottle FGA traded seats with me, God bless him.

I remember landing in Delhi when it began to dawn on me that I really wasn’t in Japan anymore. I went into the bathroom at the terminal and was shocked and horrified to find begger women sleeping on the floor. Then exiting the terminal, as a wave of humidity and smelly Indian bodies accosted me; all staring, all yelling….I thought it very rude because in Japan people are mellow and silent and polite. I remember crashing on someone’s living room floor and then being bounced on a stinky bus without doors and rattling windows, on Indian roads filled with potholes and no streetlights, road signs, or common courtesy; for hours and hours as we made our way to Poona.

There were stupid, corny, things like the overnight bus to Goa, the three of us squashed into a teeny overhead compartment, “singing” eminem (yes we were "out of it"). “Sneaking” beer from the kitchen. Running and hiding when volunteers were asked for JJTs and dishes.

There were crazy things like being stranded at midnight, unable to find a rickshaw…until at last we find one, hop in, only to discover that our driver is high. Our tiny apartment in Goa, where we slept on all available floor space, lived without electricity, and washed our clothes by hand with our drizzling faucet in our only bathroom.

There were strange things like questionable substances with odd names like “masala dosa” “palak paneer” that you were supposed to eat. The fact that everyone spoke English…except it wasn’t really English, if you know what I mean. The random herds of cows, goats, and other cattle that roamed the streets unhindered. “Bathroom breaks” on the bus, where the driver pulls over at any random spot on the road and expects you to do your business. Lets not forget….STD for low price!

There were funny things like our Japanese-speaking landlord whose wife would come up and mutter to us in Japanese with a cross face whenever we were making too much noise. The sprayed on sign on the backs of all large vehicles displaying the only rule of the road “Horn OK Please.”

There were nasty things like humidity and throngs of mosquitoes living in the corners of our room that we had to smoke out (literally) every few days. Bathrooms with little faucets and buckets in the corner instead of toilet paper. Getting grabbed(molested) all over when passing through crowds or on packed buses.

And, of course, there were good things like being away from home and school, the Ambatts, Fishermans Cove, M.G. Road, cheap ice cream, witnessing, communal diaries, and Coffee Day!

Then there were sad things like coming home, discovering you don’t care how “rude” or in your face Indians are, because they are ALIVE and not stiff and formal like people at home. You don’t care how perfect everything is, you want India with their strange signs about how “we are closed because we are currently not open.”

Anyhow! That was India for me! And yes, I’m going back someday, to live…come with me?

If the shoe fits

2007-08-01T15:01:00.000-05:00

Frustration is your own,
I'm sorry for your pain.
Anger has taken hold,
I'm sorry again.
You've been hurt, I've seen.
You've been mistreated, I've heard.
But what, have you learned?

That bittersweet hatred,
Clenched in your fist.
Held to your heart,
As a dear friend.
Does it make you smile?
Does it make you happy?
Does it give anything worth having,
Save to soothe a bruised ego?
Why do you spew,
All that poison held within.
As if it could help heal,
You, or anyone?

I never said I didn't love you.
I never said I'd stop being your friend.
But I also never said...

I'd lie to please your pride.

My Family-with additions

2007-07-18T01:44:00.000-05:00

Being a professional Home Manager

2007-06-25T19:42:00.000-05:00

Sarah | Mexico
June 8, 2007

I'm thankful for the HMTP! Since the new Home governance structure started, I've been serving the Home as a Home shepherd, but during the last elections I was elected as one of the Home managers. Somehow I had the subtle mindset that the Home shepherds' job was sort of superior to the Home managers, although the Word explains that they are equal. I'm thankful that the HMTP explains more about their equality, and how we need to abide in our calling by giving our best shot for the ministry or job that the Lord has given us. These "new discoveries" are helping me to feel more challenged in being a Home manager; they give me the desire to give my best shot and be a professional Home manager.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Alyx,

I just saw what I wrote on TRF on the new Mo sight on NEWS section, saying "being a professional home manager". I didn't want to write that on TRF as I didn't want it to be dandy example. But the Lord told me to write it so I did. Now it is on the MO sight.,,,, And now I am Shepard..... Oh well, PTL, that is life. If you see it, it is me, your MOM

much love,

MOM

See? My Mommys cool like that.

Gabi Gabi

2007-06-16T14:05:00.000-05:00

His two latest

So Holy - Gabi Ft. 50 Pesos

Love Song - Gabi

And this one just for good measure! (Since I don't think you can find it anywhere else online these days).

Get the Mop - Gabi Ft. Mike Paone

Gabi insisted that I post this photo...don't worry he doesn't actually look like this, promise.

To my fellow XD-ers

2007-06-11T00:28:00.000-05:00

Want to know something? Have you ever wondered who Zhan Shi is? Well I have only just recently found out and so must share it with you. It's.....Miguel! Ha!

....okay now you can all laugh at me because you knew all along and I'm just slightly stupid for only now finding it out.

Or you could tell me who Clea Vage is.

Shibuya

2007-05-31T13:02:00.001-05:00

There are endless throngs, moving masses.
Seas of human waves; their feet;
Stomping, marching, dragging, walking.

All of their eyes trying desperately hard,
All of their faces painfully blank,
All of their ears plugged in.

Each content in ignorance; knowledge.
Each convinced of individuality; conformed.
Everyone lost and longing to be found.
Or thinking their found,
Giving up on being found,

My people.

Meri Curisumasu

2006-12-26T22:29:00.000-06:00

Hello muffins;

No this is not an actual post, don't get so excited. One of these days I will grace you.

Until then, content yourself with some happy photos and the happy news that we finally opened our new home.

I give you, the Coffee Shop Home.

And we love you. Cheers.

Chicas.

Dan knows how it's done.

Guess

2006-12-05T20:55:00.000-06:00

Like a thousand running feet,
An army marching across.
You caress and crash,
Smooth and slash.
Every silent, sliding curve,
Each harsh, jutting obstruction,
Every inch of uncovered skin,
Every rooftop.

No it's not a riddle...well sort of.

Boxed

2006-12-01T18:07:00.000-06:00

I'm in a box my dear,
This prison cell here,
They call it home.

I'm alone in my belief,
And in this grief,
They call it home.

But if your floor wasn't painted green,
And if your ceiling wasn't painted blue,
Would you know it too.
Would you it's true.

The Beach

2006-10-26T09:45:00.000-05:00

I just wanna love You.

That’s all.

And that’s everything.

ENGAGED!!!

2006-10-13T15:31:00.000-05:00

What a studmuffin!

Awwwww oh awwwwwww.

We are SO going back for the wedding.

PREGNENT!!

2006-09-02T20:42:00.000-05:00

HA! HA! HA!
I couldn't stop laughing when I heard!

BABIES BABIES BABIES I WANNA BABY TOOOOOO, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

"HOLAH WIT ME NOW AIKI!!' (hahahaha)

We're aunties. Aunties for real.

Lesson

2006-08-13T21:27:00.000-05:00

To those of you who take care of babies or young children often;

It is best to not wear a loose-fitting tube top without a bra.

Just BTW

2006-07-24T18:25:00.000-05:00

I want a baby. Seriously. It's time.
He will be a boy and his name is Robert. I know I know, that is such a boring, dull, unoriginal name and coupled with something like JONES of all things make it even worse. But see, it isn't my decision. He picked it.
He will be a boy, and not just any boy, but a B-O-Y.
We will wrestle and play soccer.
We we will rollarblade and fall and skin our knees and we will get up and start again.
We will climb trees, tall trees, and hop fences, jump rope, and run. Every day. He will run faster then me.
He will be an avid reader and I will teach him to read by the time he is four.
He will not be afraid of water.
He will not, I repeat, will not be a Sag.

And on second thought his name will not be Jones. His name is Robert. Robert Lanthier.

iro iro

2006-07-24T18:19:00.000-05:00

I haven’t been getting very good sleep lately. It’s all because of our weapons factory next door. That is to say, sleeping beauty in yonder bed. It’s phenomenal I tell you. It goes rumble rumble, snort snort, and chugs like a train and everything. Liz or I pinches it’s noise when it gets unbearable or excessive. Just thought I'd share that with you.

Aaand…
I’ve begun a learning spree.

I’ve learned to cross stitch. It’s like embroidery but easier. I’m almost done with a butterfly.
It is, of course, purple. It is, of course, riddled with mistakes. And it is of course, beautiful. I feel so….uh, colonial.

Drumming. Don’t laugh! Stop smirking Joanie! I am going to be a GREAT drummer one day, just you wait! David is terrifically encouraging, I do my thing and look at him all questioningly and he kinda goes “Uh...” scratches his head, “Well….it’s….kind of like that, except…you’re hitting the hihat like a, well, like a girl”. So now no longer! I whack it good and hard, yes, I do.

The other day I was watching the oc/jett/teen group practice for a show, and I realized how spiffy Irish dancing is. So I’m learning it. It’s exhausting, my treble is funky, but I will learn. I will I will I will. One of these days you’re going to flip open a paper or turn on your TV, and behold! Michael Flately presents Feet of Flames featuring..Alyx! Yes yes, the day will come. And one day when I am rich and famous Carolina, I will remember you. Promise.

Scorpion

2006-07-12T23:10:00.000-05:00

In my bed this morning.
MY bed.
I am traumatizied.
What a way to start your day.

I flushed it down the toilet.

Happy Happy Birthday

2006-06-21T20:45:00.000-05:00

Her name is Mary.
Yeah she's my sister.
She's kinda old today...like, freaky deaky NINETEEN.

I don't know whats going on Mary. How do you get SO OLD?? I think you should just get married and have lots and lots of sex and babies. No really, just go up to Aiki and just tell him "Hello Aiki, I am madly in love with you and I think we should get married and have lots and lots of sex and babies." What do you think? Just go and throw out that backpack that is chock full of condoms, you really don't need it.

Anyways, have a happy happy birthday ok? And WRITE ME! Aki says Happy Birthday too ( apparently he doesn't have your email but he actually KNEW it was your birthday today, pretty cool).

Oh and one last thing.
*turns around and thrusts hips out and begins to swerve like only I can*
FIESTA! FIESTA FIESTA FIESTA!
Heehee.
Bye.

Not My Idea BTW

2006-06-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

Joanie just tagged me, and since I have nothing else to really blog about so I might aswell.
OH...Mary you should so open a blog so I can tag YOU!

Tell an outstanding memory you have of your parents. Nai.

As a child, did you have a fear of something in particular such as nighttime, water, dogs, etc? I know this is SO common, but I was honestly terrified of the dark. I'd lie there on the trundle bed staring at the patches of intense blackness under the couch or whatever it was, imaginaing all sorts of terrible things...AHHH

Where's your favorite place to be kissed, besides the obvious? Depends.

What's the earliest childhood memory you have? Some Dan was shooting his neon yellow water gun at me at the HCS pool....then he got bored of that and started fighting with Josh. The next thing I know Joshy is lying there with a bloody nose and a whiny voice, with some aunties hoovering about. Yeah not really my earliest but that's the first thing that comes to mind.
Where and when were you born? Give an interesting fact about your childhood along with it. '89 in Japan somewhere. Ah yes here is an interesting fact, I had my first...er, you know, monthy joy, when I was a few days old (according to my mother). She was, needless to say, somewhat concerned and asked that doctor what's up with that. He said I had "active hormones." Hmmmmm.

Would you walk around town completely stark naked for $25,000? HA, what a ridiculous question! OFCOURSE. I so would any day, all day, every day, if it was safe and the weather would permit it.

If you had the power to exterminate any type of music, what would you eliminate? Why? None. Because you need to trash to truly appreciate beauty.

What movie last brought tears to your eyes and really touched you? Why? The Passion of the Christ. So real, too real.

When reading the Word, do you absorb more when reading, listening, or both? I must see the words.

What is a quality that you feel is important in a friend, and who is someone you see this quality in? I like real people, like Seiko.

What's your favorite type of sport or other outdoor activity? SOCCER! Yess yesss. And tampolines are DIVINE, rollarblading is a JOY, and jump roping is WONDERFUL. Oh, I like to climb trees. Eheh.

What's your favorite dessert? Ah, forget it. I love food. There is NO way I can pick any one thing. But I miss apple danish.

Name three good qualities belonging to the person to your immediate right. No one is about but the last person who was; 1.Gives me hugs (okay okay so I have to DEMAND them, but anyways ptl) 2. Is HILARIOUS 3.

If you had been the first person on the moon, what would you have said as you stepped onto the surface? Sigh...I wish I was on the other side.

Where in the world have you always wanted to visit? India.

What three famous living people would you like to witness to, and why? Ken Watanbe!! Do I need to say why? Nakata....Koizumi..haha, nah, just Ken Watanabe.

What's your favorite joke? I don't like jokes. For some reason they really don't make me laugh. I like people who are walking jokes, or make jokes though.

Who is someone in Heaven you would like to spend a day with, in the flesh, if it were possible? And what would you do together? Ahh ahh my Josh. We would do anything and everything. Sigh...I miss you.

What's your favorite aspect of the Christmas season? I'm not really into Christmas actually. Oh but we went iceskating every christmas, I like that.

What's your idea of a fun party, or something you like to do to relax and chill? For a party; As long as there are people who are my friends or I know, with good music, I can generaly have a fabulous time. Now on the other hand...when the room is chock full of people who I have never seen before in my life, and the only thing to drink is gross cheap red wine...yeah. PTL. To chill; man, I am ALWAYS chilled.

If you had to go to any (other) mission field, where would you go? And why? Japan; and why? DUH. Ack I miss you.

What is something in your life (not a person, but a thing) that if gone tomorrow forever you would really miss, and why? My legs. And why? DUH.

I TAG FLORENCE!! Ha. (this is "edited" so go to Joanie's blog and help yourself if you wish to be long winded.)
May the revolution contiune.

headliner

2006-06-10T22:04:00.000-05:00

La, i'm here.
So this is what happened. I'm all chilled at our "landing strip" waiting oustide the domestic departures gate, as my plane doesn't leave for another 40 minutes. Mum's all paranoid I'm going to "get lost" (like I can at an airport this small), so she's all insistant about me waiting inside. I'm trying to tell her that the door is shut and the lanes are CLOSED, obviously they don't want people going in yet. But nooo, she won't have peace till I am inside.
But you know, MOTHERS. So, going through the lanes, I open the door.
Some dudes rush up all alarmed as if I'm some sort of terroist.
Dude the first "Adonde vas?" So I hand him my boading pass and say, "Mexico."
Dude the second "Oh, that's the other gate" pointing at the international departures gate.
I blink.
"No way man, that there goes to LAX. I'm going to Mexico City, you know, CIUDAD de Mexico? Mexico D.F.??"
"Yes, it is the other gate"
Like what part of international does this man not understand...
"You can't wait here anyway, we're not open."
"Fiine..."
I turn to leave and dude the second holds the door open, gesturing to international "it's that way", all cocky.
Whatever.
"Oh wait wait!' Dude the first runs up with some book in his hands and points to it "She DOES go here!'
Dude the second "Oh...so sorry, so sorry. My mistake."
Yeah your mistake that would've cost me my flight.

BAH.

I have nothing further to say except that I have concluded that all family homes should have a trampoline in their backyard. Behold, I have spoken.
So let it be written, so let it be done.

Phillip Edson

My neighbor Phil is a drunk old man.
But I like him because he makes me laugh and lends me his computer.
It's weird you know, he'll pass by you all serious then spontaenously he'll turn around and do some "Willy Bemen" pose or something...hmmm.
Ladies, if you want his email I will be more than happy to share it with you...heh. Oh and he'll be 16 in a few weeks. Because you're dying to know.
Love you Philly....

Yawn

2006-06-05T23:37:00.000-05:00

Okay so it's late and i'm on breakfast.

But I figured you should know, in case I haven't told you already.
I'm leaving day after for the Mountain Home.

I'm happy.

Just kinda ticked off about the suitcase factor; Mary broke TWO, and then took the other two intact ones with her...leaving me with...none. Or maybe one, I'll have to go check.

I absolutely HATE packing, with a vengance. I abhor it.

She told me to remember to "bring warm clothes" How SWEET is that??
This heat was biginning to really irk me. It so cramps my style!

Yes, i'm happy.
And to appreciate...

Anim Rose Vinson (on the left)

Because she is awesome posseum and she is the only person that I can say is truly, honestly, completely, WEIRD. From the deep dark recesses in her mind to the tips of her pale expressive feet. Yep, weird.
And she'd SLAUGHTER me if she ever found out I posted her on the internet...but she never gets online so I'm safe...I think. Hehe. ANIM I LOVE YOU! KGFG.

The Bra: Friend or Foe?

2006-06-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

Does Wearing a Bra Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer?
Some Alternative Health Experts Think So.
From NaturalLand

Bras, something most women wear every day, may be affecting their health. According to Nina L. Diamond in her book Purify Your Body: Natural Remedies for Detoxing from 50 Everyday Situations (Crown, 1997), chronic constriction of breast tissue by a bra may be hazardous to women. The tightness of bras constricts the flow of lymph, which flush the cells, tissues, and organs of waste products, toxins, and other chemicals (deodorant).
Sidney Singer and his wife Soma Grismaijer go even farther and link wearing bras to breast cancer in their book, Dressed to Kill. Singer states that, "Disease is usually caused by something getting in the way of our bodies doing what they're able to do." He believes that, when constricted, the lymph fluids become backed up, pool in the breasts, and bathe the cells in toxins and cellular debris. This reduces the cells' ability to function properly, making them very susceptible to irregular cell growth. To test his theory, Singer compared women in Fiji, half of whom wear bras, half of whom go without. Singer found the bra-wearers get breast cancer at the same rate US women do. But the Fijian women who don't wear bras have almost no incidence of breast cancer. Both groups share the same living environment and diet.

Diamond offers a few suggestions for bras and breast health:
1.Wear the correct bra size. Make sure it's not too tight.
2.Never sleep with a bra on.
3.Go braless as often as possible.
4.Wear a bra less than 12 hours daily.
5.Do self massage of the lymph glands under each arm, next to your breasts, at least a few times a week.

I'd like to call your attention to this again "Go braless as often as possible."
Heh.
But then again for people like her, going without a bra isn't exactly an option.

Again, I am not trying to get all girls to chuck their bras. I'm just trying to explain one of the more minor reasons I do not believe in wearing them.

Now, I know that some of you believe that being without bras cause saggy breasts.
Personally, obviously, genearally speaking, I disagree. But I do realize that running and hopping about without adequete support cause strain on the larger breasts, which I agree would contribute to sagging brea in later life. But only if your tits are large enough, and you go often enough without adequete support. And even then...you never know. So much depends on your genetic makeup, body type, diet, and most of all, if and when you get pregnent. I know a teen girl and her tits went FLOP after one baby, and I know some others who had a few and theirs are in fine shape.

Lover, lover, lover

2006-06-03T00:53:00.000-05:00

It is not true that the poet paints a life which does not exist. He only extracts and concentrates, as it were, life's ethereal essence, arrests and condenses it's volatile fragrence, brings together its scatterd beauties, and prolongs its more refined but evanescent joys.

-William Ellery Channing.

G-O-N-E

2006-05-25T23:59:00.000-05:00

Gone.

(*Best Justin Timberlake voice*)
She's...
(*cocks head to side in sexy pose*)
Gone.
(*swerves to side in sensual Timberlake style*)
Ooh...
(*warble warble*)
Gone!

Except I am so much more sexier than gross Mr.Backstreet.
But that's not the point.
The point is, she is gone. Flew off to greener pastures.

You wouldn't belive this airport. They have the nerve to call it an "International Airport" because it boasts of ONE flight to LAX.
Picture this: You're driving through a desert, they say you're going to an International Airport but you're a little bit confused on that part because all you can see is dry earth and scraggly trees plus the road you're on ofcourse. You doze off. Then your little brother goes "Hey! Look! We're too late! There goes the plane!" Ahh, you think as you watch some dark speck in the sky twirl off in the distance, we must be getting there. You gaze earnestly into the horizon and THAT'S when you notice a building. With TWO airplanes beside it. They look like the kind that takes 30 passengers, max.

Hmmm.

The words i'm thinking of are "landing strip" but hey, if they want to call it the International Aeropuerto de Culiacan, that's their choice.

Anyhow, here is all of us. Except for a certain someone ( I won't name any names), who was a little more concerned with her beauty sleep then seeing her sister off. Bah, Aquarians.

And then just me and you.
As you can so plainly see, I even wore a torture device (otherwise known as a "bra") for this momentous ocasion(actually it's cuz we were in public but whatever). That's why my smile looks strained. See, it's kinder hard to smile proper when your lungs and ribcage are being severly constricted.

This for Flo, Steve, Masa, and the rest of you lucky folks at the HCS : The tamarindo is on it's way!!

-edit-
May 27th
Alright I just realised that I forgot to I appreciate.

<--Here he is. I don't think he likes this photo very much,he's all messed up. Don't ask me what Joanie is doing..I have no idea.

So here is to AIGO SHIMONAKA!
I appreciate you because, because, just because.
Because I love you.
And you're great fun and so sexy, the funnest person in the world to tease, your laugh makes ME laugh even if what you're laughing at is TOTALLY stupid, and you look like Koji! I don't care if you say "Uh, Alyx, I'm BEFORE Koji, so HE looks like ME", because I met HIM first.
Thanks for all your hot tips and good advice, will definatly keep those in mind. Heh. Chatting with you makes me miss you, ahhh! One day I shall return to Japan and you WILL have your locks back. I will run and jump and knock you over with my affection and shriek "AIGOOOO!" as you try to keep your im-so-cool face and be all suave and unaffected! Keep going for God and stay hot! Stay you (one and the same).
Oh, and I love your cologne.

Now this is a much better pictue of Aigo, looking ever so suave and "together", the other Shimonaka is Koji. -->

anyone care to name this?

2006-05-24T22:43:00.000-05:00

...I don't have a title for it. And don't ask me why I didn't capitalize. I just...didn't. Somehow I think it looks better without.

I went to church last Sunday.
They had you in a box.
Four walls, glass top.
And you were bleeding.

Why did your eyes so blankly stare?
As if you couldn't
See me there.

I went to church last Sunday.
Watched them file in.
Pink wedge, flared skirt.
With eyes unseeing.

I was there, were you?
Wondered if I'd ever find
Someone who knew.

But it's...

Empty now, nearly ten.
Nothing left but blotchy red
Candle wax.
Echoing through this hollow room,
Nothing left but dusty broom
Sweeping.
Silent now, eerie too.
And in this place...
I can't find you.

I have discovered...

2006-05-20T14:29:00.000-05:00

Something terrible, horrid, nasty.
It's this....my blog is boring! Agh! I do believe that is the worst thing that could ever be said of anyone or anything. It is the ultimate insult for me, to be thought of as boring. So we shall have to do something about that! Well, to start with, I suppose I ought to explain why this blog has been boring. Because...it's not me! At least, it's only a sliver of me, those rare happy bursts, oh you know. That, and the fact that i'm not a very good writer. I can talk forever and keep you entertained but when it comes to writing I kinda suck. Other reasons are that there are just somethings that you cannot do online and with only words to use. For example, I cannot be walking around naked on my blog (which is something I do at least once a day), I can't dance for you(darn!), can't tell you stories or make jokes very well because all of my impersonations and jokes need to be partially acted out in order for them to be funny! See, there's so much of myself I just can't post! So what you do get comes off as boring. DARN.

Today is attempt no.1 to remedy that.
If it's still boring..well hey, at least I tried.

I have a single white hair that grows out of the side of my cheeck. I just thought you should know that, since it's just SO vitally important. And i'm serious you know, it's very weird. The first time I found it I think I was 12 and Mitch was like "hey ang, you've got something on your face" and he like leans over to brush it away...except it won't go away. Then I hold it up and am like "duuude, it's GROWING OUT OF MY FACE!" Anyways I gave it a swift yank and that was that. Nowadays I just check it's progress every so often and tweeze as necessary. Mary has one on her forehead. It made me wonder...what if we all have one (or two!), except no one ever notices them? Strange.

I think Steve (McNair) is the sexiest male on the face of the earth!! -sorry just had to say that.
Ez is sexiest male number 2. -don't choke ladies...and hey, timbrel agrees with me!
Yesssss ah yesssss.

I am addicted to food. I just feel I must tell you so. And don't be all "duh alyx we all are!", because see, I am different. I really really like to eat. Good food just makes me sooo happy. Only problem is, I hate working out, FIERCELY! With a vengence! So there' s a little problem there. Actually I hate being fat even worse than I hate working out so it's not really so much of a problem.

I'm sick of my template. I really really liked it at first but then I realized that there are hundreds and hundreds of people using the same template so that just turned my wayyy off. SOMEONE MAKE ME A NEW ONE!...please?

Oh and one more thing, I started this blog to post my poetry on aswell. Strangest thing is, ever since i've started this blog, I haven't hardly written anything. Irony. About the only thing i've scribbled lately is...
Oh time holding fast,
Storm never ceasing.
Fly from me,
Leave me be,
In this agony of weeping.
On one depressing day. Pathetic huh. Wait..I think I have written a bit more, except it's too personal. I think i'll just start posting thing i've written before.

My sister is leaving in about four days. Japan, be happy, rejoice!. And Mexico, ...well you can't really miss something you never knew. Your loss.

To conclude, I will appreciate. I think i'll do this everytime I post.

Florence McNair
I appreciate you!
Because she is never boring.
Because she had conviction when we were thirteen (or how old were we?) and told me off when I was out of it. Actually, I was always out of it, but she told me off when I was just going overboard.
Because she is funny and makes me laugh and did weird things like giving us sex ed and making us sign some hot pink barbie book.
She's smart too and has a glorious glorious rich, full voice.

And a thought for your day.
'When the Devil comes in and leaves you in broken pieces, God can come in, take those pieces, and create the most beautiful stained glass window the world has ever seen."

Groovey.

Hollow

2006-05-17T23:42:00.000-05:00

Do you know what it's like,
To cry without tears?
To ache,
From the depths of your soul to the tips of your fingers.
To long,
With all that's within you.

Except...
There's nothing within you.

Darn darn darn I just violated my blog...this is like, supposed to be my "happy place", and I've promised myself to only post when I'm feeling "happy".
I suppose that's why I don't post very often.
I'll probably take this down later.
Oh just pray for me.

Prophet

2006-05-14T21:58:00.000-05:00

Yes ah yes! Like, finally! I am happy to say that the album PROPHET by
SALT OF EARTH is now available for downloading.

Go to The Hollow Blah to download.
Many thanks to Jer for uploading.

FREAK OUT!!

Favourites

2006-05-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

Well Ryan started it. Joan passed it on. So here we go! Ten favourite people and someting especially nice to/about them. And then tag, yay. Ofcourse this is not in order of "most favourite to least favourite" or anything like that okay. I'll just put it from youngest to oldest alright.

1. Katrina
My princess. Six years old, autistic, and my sister. She will never read this, and even if she ever does I doubt she'd understand it. Someone who can always make me smile, or cheer me up no matter how rotten my day was, she's just...perfect. Smart, beautiful, happy, and simple. And she loves me. She loves me.

2. The "Esakyse"
Yeah yeah I know it's not one person...but you guys are like...an entity! I don't know what to say except I love all of you ever so much.
Miss you.

3. Mika
Yahahaha Mika is just the coolest grooviest chica ever! Jolly, fun, loud, talktative and always always laughing about SOMETHING! Somehow she is just always in a good mood...how do you do it Mika??

4. Aiki
My honorary brother! And I don't care if you don't like to be referred to as such because that's just what you are, sorry. He will make you laugh, laugh at you, tell you your jokes are stupid, tell you YOU'RE stupid, steal away your sister and never return her, and he'll say he loves you and never write. Oh...oops that wasn't especially nice..hehe. Haha, but Aiki? Thanks for helping me out that last night before we left. I really appreciated it.

5. Yuto
One of the few people who has seen me for what I really am and still loves me. I've been the meanest person in the world to and with him. I am irritating, annoying, loud, sarcastic, and just plain nasty. Thank you for understanding me and accepting me anyway! I probably will have to marry you someday...I don't think anyone else could stand me for very long, ha!
You rock.

6. Richard
He makes me smile. I have nasty days, good days, boring days, dull days, terrible horrid rotten days, but he always make my day better somehow. Once he told me that "i shall never be angry at you" ...and I said he would. Are you still? I'm sorry. I love you! ... believe me.

7. Mary
Huh. What can I say. What do you say about a person who just thinks the same way as you? Always knows what you're thinking and why? Tells you to just shut up and get over it when you're having a bad day? Makes you laugh when you cry? Tells you everything and demands you do the same? Thinks you are cool and laughs at your jokes?

8. Reuben
Ah yes, this guys is like a...a relative. One of the few who is still allowed to call me by that...that name..."Angela", ugh. He will pop up in your inbox faithfully, even when you haven't written him in God knows how long...he'll call you for Christmas and birthdays even if you are halfway around the world and more. You're just....just the greatest Reuben!

9. Michelle
You make me feel guilty...in a good way, lol! Like, convicted! More by your sample and the things you do then by anything you say. I thought it was really cool of you how you always went out of your way to include people and to do things with the younger teens and Jetts.

10. Izumi
She taught me alot, had so much patience... I know I was difficult, sorry. If it wasn't for you and the rest of the home I'd probably be on my way out of the Family right about now.
Thank you.

And I tag...YOU.
Every single one of you who reads this!
And I don't care if you don't have a blog, send it to me and I'll post it!

-edit-
Okay okay I changed my mind, I don't like this "I tag everyone" thing because I just realised that NO ONE will do it then! Oh but i'm serious about those of you who do not have blogs.

So here we go.

1.Danny
2.Joe-Yes I know you've already been tagged but you haven't done it yet.
3.Charissa
4.Sammy
5.Lil Ninars!
6.Dave
7.Seiko
8.Andy
9.Amanda
10.Joykee

Addiction

2006-05-07T21:44:00.000-05:00

It's beautiful.
I like it.
And you'll like it too! I promise!
No actually....I don't promise that. But I do promise that it will stick in your head and replay itself over and over...and weather you enjoy it or not, that is your own affair.
But I think you will...
Hehe.
Catchy!

http://members.aol.com/phxfam/IfIKissYou.mp3

(By Ira)

Oh and I found it one day when I was going through various archives, this particular gem from The Crooked.

So how does one do this, hm?
You tell me.

We Three

2006-05-04T23:41:00.000-05:00

Oh, just more of us we took in the van today on the way to the theater...to add to the below collection.

30 days

2006-05-03T21:42:00.000-05:00

I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again...

Well no, actually, I'm not.
She is.
She's going home.
She's leaving ME!! Aggghhhh! You better take care of her Aiki. And don't even think about leaving me snide offliners about how you're "getting you're babe back!"

Grrrrr......

(p.s. I am happy for you though)

A vain post

2006-05-03T21:29:00.000-05:00

Okay people, if a scissor waving sister ever leaps up with gleaming eyes and shrieks "Let me cut you bangs!!" For God's sake say NO!
I promise you'll regret it. Not only will you look like a boy or a beatle or something equally stupid, you'll have the added pleasure of being partially blind in your left eye, and have an itchy and sweaty forehead aswell. Oh joy! Well well it's good for my pride right. Like, ALL that pride I have! Hehe.

Swim and Swelter

2006-05-02T08:03:00.000-05:00

It doesn't look very high does it? Yeah, that's what I thought. I'd be watching these people go up to each level and peer over the edge with quavering knees and wonder what on earth they were doing! I also thought the girls who went up and just looked around, shook their heads, and climbed down were a wimps! But now, no longer. The light has dawned and now I understand...IT IS TERRIFYING! Well, the first level isn't really, but when you go up to the fourth...yeah. I swear the ramp was shaking! (or maybe it was just my knees, hehe). And I didn't even jump; I just looked! Ahhhh well. One of these days...

Anyways; so the reason we're at a pool is because Flor provisioned the home tickets so we all went for freeday. Huge, massive, olympic size pool and a smaller one for the kids too.

It was fun till we got in the van to leave at around 2 PM. See, the engine wouldn't start. And actually, that very morning Phil mentioned that he'd been having problems and that the it cost about 300 pesos to tow the van home. Hmmm! Good to know! We tried a few things that I didn't really understand as I know nothing about cars, engines and all that...but nothing worked. So here we were, sweltering in this van that wasn't being very helpful, with chlorine hair, pink noses, and no more food or cold water.
We decided to go to Walmart, they have an aircon. And usually a place to sit in relative quiet so I could have wordtime. We hike on over and step inside past those sliding doors to find sweet relief and....mariachis!! Agh! It's like, for God's sake!! There goes the wordtime. Spent about an hour walking about, eating food samples, flipping through magazines (congratulate me, I found one in English)...yada yada, and finally go back to the parking lot thinking that the men must have solved the problem by now...apparently not. Oh well. We swelter some more and finally decided to have it towed. We take a bus home. We get home at 7:30 PM.....hm! Thats about five hours of sweltering and walmart-browsing. Adventurous freeday? Yeah well TP! I'm on happy hour.

Linkys

2006-04-28T14:18:00.000-05:00

Okay, I've added two new links.

Danny of Acapulco is this guy I don't really know at all, but he is rather entertaining. He is also rather crude and unedifying, but nevertheless, he makes me laugh so that's that. Oh, and he's the leering beer-waster on the far right.

Nyx Martinez is someone I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with. I remember reading her work and seeing her art wayyy back in those Zine days. So to those of you who are into art and/or poetry, check out The Sailor's Daughter. She's pretty excellent. I don't have a pic of her, but I'm sure you've seen her face around, like on The Creed blog or in some of the Links.

Also, I am looking for a home! (FD, in Mexico!) I've already sent out a want ad...and I just found out I spelt my email add wrong so I had to send it again (Agh! Stupidity!), but anyway; if you're interested, let me know.

Take a little walk down memory lane

2006-04-26T22:27:00.000-05:00

Well well well, what do you think? Aren't we cute! I remember Martin kept saying how I looked really familiar and he was SO sure he met me before, but I swear I didn't remember anything of the sort. Don't ask me who this other chica is because I have no idea. Maybe you can help me out. Anyway, so I come home and lo and behold I find those photos in my childhood albums! You ladies should see Martin now, he's all handsome and everything. And Martin? If you ever see this ( I know you won't) I just would like to say that I LOVE YOU! and that you really need to.....WORK ON THE SONG! NOW!!

That's all.

Oh, and I love the rest of you too.

TP!!!

Male

2006-04-25T08:38:00.000-05:00

It's said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

But I disagree!

I think the way to MY heart is through my stomach!!

Stress

2006-04-22T17:32:00.000-05:00

Math is stressful.

And it makes me angry.

It really, really does.

It makes me scream and get histarical, pound my desk in frusteration, and grow white hair. I'm serious about the hair; the other day I found a pure white strand...very disturbing.

Ask my sisters if you don't believe me!

Definitions

2006-04-16T21:44:00.000-05:00

Beautiful
Beautiful is everything God made.
Beautiful is the person, that I never really noticed before, until he offered to do dishes for someone who's had an exhausting day.
Beautiful is how I suddenly see you when you smile.
Beautiful is how I feel when you look me in the eyes and listen to me as if I was all that mattered.
Beautiful is pulchritudinous!! (hehe).
Beautiful is Joe.

Pretty
Pretty is the flower, the blade of grass, a cloud.
Pretty is dainty toes and cascading hair.
Pretty is nice, plain, and yet strikingly exquisite in it's simplicity.
Pretty is Suzy.

Love
Love is inexplicable, undescribable, undefinable, yet real.
Love is trust.
Love makes us do weird things that don't make sense.
Love is why I forgive you.
Love is God.

Cute
Cute is your crooked smile, your dorky laugh, and that weird accent in your voice that I just can't place.
Cute is every expression on my baby's face.
Cute is how you looked when you were five(what happened!).
Cute is Cherish.

Ugly
Ugly is that female who I thought was hot until she opened her mouth and starting talking down to everyone.
Ugly is that twisted version of beauty that some severe goths have...actually that's more sad than ugly.

Ugly is...well I won't say.

Fugly
Fugly is f-f-flamingo ugly!
Fugly is waistpants.

Ecstasy
Ecstasy is black chocolate; bitter, hard, and crunchy.
Ecstasy is icecream; rum raisin, cookies and cream, and vermont maple.
Ecstasy if frozen mango and lemon meraigne pie.
Ecstasy is starbucks.
Ecstasy is taste orgasm

Semana Santa

2006-04-14T20:24:00.000-05:00

Jesus isn't funny,
He doesn't want your money.
He's the easter bunny,
And the egg.

Now, what on earth does that mean? I have heard this song several times and have not yet understood. What do rabbits and eggs have to do with each other anyway, much less Easter??
In other exciting Easter news, yesterday we went to the beach for OR as most shops around here are closed. Basically it was hot...and hot...and oh so very hot. I came home as a happy Alyx with my skin several lovely shades of red and pink,yay.
Got some cool skirts.
Saw some hot chicks.
Ate some good food.
Yeah, good day.

Lucid

2006-04-12T12:08:00.000-05:00

I don't know where I'm going but I'm walking. Down some street that doesn't seem to have an end. It's dark and the only light comes from the headlights of the cars that speed by and the few shops that are still open at this time of night.

It starts to rain; slowly, softly, and the creamy velvet dress I'm wearing begins clinging to my skin. My sneakers squeek annoyingly with each step I take, a high pitched squeek like one of those dolphin pens with an almost dead battery.

“Why am I wearing sneakers anyway? This is kinder weird...” I think.

The rain comes down harder now, and my dress is saturated, heavy, and constricting. I feel like I can't breathe and I hate the squishy feeling I have each time I take a step and the water in my shoes seap inbetween my toes.....and suddenly I realize I don't care. I don't care what I look like, I don't care what anyone thinks of me, I don't care I don't care! I just want to take this stupid dress off! Why am I wearing it anyway? And forget these shoes, they're irritating! And yes I take it off, all of it. The dress is thrown into a thorn bush, the socks into the dirt...and those stupid sneakers are in a drain somewhere.

I think I like the rain now, it tastes good; clean and pure. It feels good too. Laughing, I smile and start to run...and run....and run. Suddenly I'm glad this street doesn't have an end.

Sigh.

Now why don't I have dreams like that more often? It was so real, I swear I can still taste the rain and feel the wind whipping my hair into my face...

Delicious.

The Way

2006-04-08T18:51:00.000-05:00

"There is a thing, formless yet complete. Before Heaven and Earth it exsisted. Without sound, without substance, it is all prevading and unfailing. One may think of it as the mother of all beneath Heaven. We do not know it's name, but we term it Tao.”
-Tao Te Ching By Lao-Tse

We don't know His name either, dear.

That's because He doesn't have one.

Poetry

2006-04-05T20:54:00.000-05:00

Poetry is
More than words.
It's what you read,
Between the lines.
The beauty you see,
In ugliness.
And in plain,
Normal things.

Poets are
Mad, insane freaks.
Psychotic, depressos,
Moody, emotional,
And occasionally bad spellers.
Have extensive vocabulary,
Or none at all.

Poetry doesn't
Have to rhyme.
Or have rules,
Of any kind.

Poetry comes
From deep within.
A place no one
Has ever been.
And if it's not
Then it's not
Poetry.

can't get enough

2006-04-05T20:48:00.000-05:00

Yup, that's me going for more.
True love.
It's official.

My One True Love

2006-03-31T16:44:00.000-06:00

Oh to thee, delicious creation, my everlasting love!! O creamy, frothy, Caramel Latte...to thee will I be eternally faithful.

Heehee.

Gotta love it.

Mexican Sushi

2006-03-26T22:09:00.000-06:00

I've eaten at lots of sushi restaurants here in Mexico.
When my plate is served I often spend a few moments just looking at my food and wondering what on earth it is.
Besides the side serving of grated carrot (they always always serve you this, I don't know why), my sushi usually includes avocado, mayonaise, creamed tuna, and etc, which is then wrapped in nori first, then rice, and last of all, rolled in raw egg then in...get this...bread crumbs! Then deepfried ofcourse. A few days ago I had this plus a stuffed chili pepper with some mashed shrimp, mayo and rice inside. I don't know how that classified as Japanese but ptl.
If they actually have hashis, they sometimes have “authentic Japanese chopstick” written on the paper cover, plus some old Chinese kanjis for added ...uh, oriental flavour.
My shoyu is never just shoyu. It has either limes, sugar, cayane pepper, or a combination of all three mixed in with it. And maybe some chopped negi. The only time I've ever seen wasabi, it was a brownish colour and tasted like sour grossness. I didn't eat it.

Once I went to a restaurant that had a kanji covered circular slab thing hanging on their wall. It was kinda cool except for the fact that the slab was...uhm, upside down. What was weird was that the manager of the restaurant was Chinese. Go figure.

Oh and ramen can come in original flavours like spicy shrimp with tomato.

But you know...even with all this deepfried avocado stuff with mayonaise and salsa on top, it actually tastes good, believe it or not.

And I like it.

But I miss nato.

I'll do it for You

2006-03-25T02:33:00.000-06:00

Dance through shatterd glass of blue
Without shoes

Thinking

2006-03-19T23:13:00.000-06:00

I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall ever see.

For still there are so many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think
of people long ago,
and people who will see a world
that I shall never know.

But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein

Painting by Yasushi Matsuoka.

Sunsigns

2006-03-15T21:49:00.000-06:00

Disclaimer: These are just my thoughts and opinions on the various sun signs (emphasis on opinions!). And no matter what sign you are, or what personality traits and quirks you were born with, when it comes down to it, it really doesn't matter. Because the things you go through in your life will change you. And more importantly, God can change you, depending on how much of yourself you give to Him. And hey, maybe He already has.

Now, to begin! I will start with Aquarius. I don't know what the official first sign of the Zodiac is or I would start with that. Someone once told me it was Sagittarius? But then, he was a Sag so I don't know if I believe him...ahem!

Aquarius
They love their sleep! Oh, don't ever ever deprive them of it. Nap time is as essential to them as drinking water is to the rest of us.
They generally are not very intellectually inclined, but are very very smart in practical things, you'd be surprised at what they can learn and how fast! And often, they even learn without anyone teaching them. They just...absorb! My mom, an aquarian, is always surprising me with all these things she knows how to do that none of us are aware of. My younger sister, also an aquarian, also learns how to do things like that *snaps fingers*, dancing, instruments, cooking, you name it! Unfortunately this talent often makes them a jack-of-all-trade-and-master-of-none, because they can become content with the fact that they are capable of doing a vast majority of things and therefore never stick to any one thing and develop a mastery of it.
They're spacy.
When angry, they get quiet. Ooh so quiet, it's scary. But don't worry, Aquarians are generally happy, laid-back, relaxed people so temper flares shouldn't be high on your list of worries.
Aquarians get along with each other.
They do not like to lend or borrow things.
You can often tell Aquarians apart from others by their excessive use of the word "friend". Don't ask me why.

Pisces
I am Pisces, and am therefore rather biased in my opinion that....pisces rock! Hehe.
Pisces, all Pisces, are food and book lovers. I haven't met any who are not.
They love to know things and ask why.
They have very good memories for the things they read, this is why they always want a copy of what is being read in word time! (Unless they don't care about the Word and are more interested in napping when you're not looking).
When they are angry, frustrated, annoyed, irritated, hurt, or flaming mad, you will often not know it. Why? Because Pisces are excellent at hiding their emotions, they do it all the time without realizing it. The problem with this is, it has a tendency to build up inside and then explode out on some unsuspecting innocent bystander who happened to bump their elbow. Don't take it personally. Sometimes it doesn't come out for years though.
Emotional, moody, and sensitive! That's what they are, unless they're super on the attack against it. But most people never know this, for the above mentioned reason.
Pisces like each other, because they relate and understand each other. But they do not usually become good or close friends.
Money slips through their fingers because they love to buy things for people, and give money away. They take a joy in sharing and giving to those they love and don't have a problem with lending anything and everything, and because of this, things often get lost, sniff. Another reason things get lost is because they can be rather scatterbrained, and always forget where they left things(like hairbrushes, toothpaste, pencils, makeup, etc).
Are not very picky when it comes to things being neat, and people often view them as messy, which is (usually) not true. They are just not picky! Every so often they go on a organizing spree and arrange everything beautifully. Then for a week they don't care!
Pisces girls are vain.

Fun fascinating fact : Did you know that Pisces are the rarest sign in The Family? We so rock.

Aries
A little bit weird, a little bit crazy, a little bit sexy, a little strange. All aries girls I have met were either hot or sexy(as in, an attitude that makes them sexy, not necessarily their appearance), whats up with that? They tend to be rather blunt.
Aries guys are special, horny, and...thats all I have to say.

Taurus
Are very passionate about food, don't interrupt them when they are eating or you'll wish you hadn't. And when they are hungry, they want to eat, now. Not in five minutes, not in ten minutes, now.
They know what they want and get very frustrated when they can't have it. Especially when it's right there in front of them, within reach, and don't understand why they are told "no".

Gemini (this is pronounced gem-in-I as in you and I, as opposed to some who say gem-in-ee!)
Geminis are insane. And they know it, and use it! Are often popular and well-liked for this trait.
They laugh at their own jokes, itsumo!

Cancer
Behold, the full moon ariseth! Watch out! You may think these normal, quiet people are just that, normal. But that is so far from the truth! Cancers have a weird/crazy streak that shows itself on occasion, and that's why it shocks us so much, because it's rare. People often blame it on the full moon.
They love family, are vain, and practical minded. Very emotional. Cancers are good at expressing themselves on paper. They don't make friends easily, but the friends they do have are close and last.

Leo (I don't have the photo for Leo, because Mika didn't send it to me! Ahh!)
Another fun fascinating fact (hehe) : Leos are the commonest sign in The Family. Some say it's a tribute to Mama.
Proud!
The like to be the center of attention; find a crowd and most likely you will find a Leo in the midst of it.
Very serious outlook on life.
They carry themselves well and know what they are capable of (which is usually quite a lot).
Often appear to be stuck-up, but they aren't, not really.
Often get along with and understand the opposite sex better than their own.

Virgo
The mellow sign.
Who doesn't love Virgos? They are so easy to get along with, to talk to, to be with, and are very understanding, or, at least, try very hard to relate. I think Virgos are my latest favorite sign.
People often whine that Virgos are without character, but that's just because they are so versatile! The don't insist on being passionate about trivial things and push their trips on others (unlike some). They adapt, they change, they flow around the rocks instead of pushing against them.
The only outstanding trait I've ever noticed was their meticulousness. When cleaning, organizing, arranging, man! They are soo insistent about everything being "just right" and exactly so and perfect. They are very very neat and tidy. They don't really like to lend things because they can never be sure if it will be taken proper care of, especially clothes. One virgo guy once moaned to me about how these people at a border crossing messed with his "deliciously arranged clothes", ha!
They love cleaning. But you know what? Some of them, being so picky about everything else being just right, don't bother with their own personal room (although this is rare).

Libra
Extreme sence of balance, and fairness. Will fight tooth and nail to see that "justice" is achieved. This can be good but it depends on what kinda sense of values they have and what exactly they define as "justice".
They like to think they are "free". One 18 year old Mexican libra once loudly exclaimed to me "I'm libra! I'm libre! I'm horny, I'm free!"

Scorpio
Scorpions are hornballs, I am convinced! Or then again, maybe we all are and they just like to admit it. I knew this one scorpion girl, who would spontaneously jump up and look at me with wild eyes and tell me exactly how many years, months, days, and HOURS (I'm serious!) till she would be "of age". Or would be studying her textbook then burst into erratic laughter at some sexual word picture that would suddenly jump into her mind.
Some say that scorpion guys have amazing eyes...but I don't think so. I think it's just that they are constantly flirting with their eyes!

Sagittarius
Sags are proud of their sign. If you ask a Sag what sign they are, they will either say with pride "Sagittarius!" or they'll refuse to tell you, saying "I don't believe in sun signs, I don't like being put in a box" or something to that effect.
Leadership abilities, confidence.
Very passionate about their beliefs.
Although they seem to be very together they are actually; sensitive, get hurt easily, cry easily, and are emotional.
Like to research all they can about a particular subject before coming to a concrete decision or judgment. But once they do decide something, almost nothing will make them change their mind, unless it's another Sag. Because of this, they are usually right. And since they are usually right, on the rare occasion that they are wrong it's basically impossible to convince them of it.
Sagittarian males do not have crushes or "flings", they fall in love. Passionate, head over heels in love. Or, at least, they think the do, which is the same thing to them.
They are firm believers in equality and like to stand up for the underdogs, the oppressed, whatever.

Capricorn
I don't know much about capricorns...except that I like them. We usually get along great. They are very easy to talk to and fun to be with. Once you start talking with them you feel like you know them.

If anyone wants to add to this post, leave a comment and if I agree, I will add it!

Proposal?

2006-03-12T01:40:00.000-06:00

Hmm..well there's something you don't expect to ever see in your inbox!

Guys, just to let you know, when you ask a girl to marry you, it usually works better if it's, like, in person! Just a thought.

And don't bother asking me who sent it because I won't tell you.

Cutie

2006-03-08T15:46:00.000-06:00

Little sister Natalie.

Talent?

2006-03-08T15:41:00.000-06:00

The poor things had come to an end of their short life, so this was my attempt to salvage the remaining few...I don't think flower arrangements are my thing!
Notice the bird of paradise...she had her wings clipped (they were drooping).