.:shy:.

weekend family fun

as mentioned before, i wanted a weekend just for the three of us. with so much going on, i felt a need to reconnect.

i also realized, though, that doug and i are really in need of a weekend alone. it may not happen until the end of february but i'm looking forward to it. i'm wondering if my parents will be brave enough to take on both hobbes and chaeli. or my aunt and uncle might take hobbes just because they are more experienced with him. i don't know - i'll have to see.

it was a good weekend though i wish i started it with my cold completely gone. i think it is gone now but i still woke up a bit stuffed up in the mornings and finding myself still needing lots of tissue on saturday.

a lot of our plans were somewhat reversed but in the end, that turned out to be better!

friday night, doug and i got to watch 'the last air bender' while this was the 2nd time chaeli saw it. i know it got realy horrible reviews. i'm guessing the acting was  pretty much the reason. but to be honest, doug and i liked the concept and the action enough - we're hoping that he will continue with the trilogy. in the end, though, i could see a lot of kids liking this movie.

saturday morning, chaeli came with me to the supermarket and helped me shop. i must say, it's great to have her at the age where she can go fetch a plastic bag for me, open it and hold it on both sides while i fill it with produce. chaeli also got a chance to pick out her own valentine's day cards. she chose iron man for the boys and tinker bell & fairies for the girls  in the class.

in the afternoon, we went to that indoor dog park up north. fun but i'm not sure how often i will go back. it's definitely a cool place to visit on a very cold day where both chaeli and hobbes need to burn some energy. but because the business was new, they do not have a huge clientele for the play sessions just yet. however, the owners, a nice, young chinese couple, own three dogs themselves. they also invite family friend's to bring their dogs for the afternoon. plus, there are also some dogs there for grooming - while they wait, they get to run around in the big room as they promise a cage-free grooming services as well.

in the end, there were eight dogs, including hobbes. it ended up being a fun time, especially as the couple were very nice to socialize with.

saturday evening, doug roasted what ended up being our most successful roast beef (i splurged and bought the best prime rib roast), accompanied by neeps, tattie and of course, haggis. doug had his scotch and i was kicking myself for not having a chance to go out and buy some irish bailey (since i'm not a scotch drinker). it wasn't so much for having some during dinner, as i had some red wine with our robbie burn's day feast, but it would have gone beautifully with my midnight bath later on that night.

after dinner, as it was late, we ended up watching 'might joe young' since it was on tv. i've been meaning to get chaeli to watch that movie - it's one of my favourite disney family movies. just as i suspected, chaeli welled up a bit at the end when she thought joe wasn't going to make it. she's been much more emotional about sad endings or moments in movies. but she's also starting to learn how to cope with these emotions. i think it's hard, now that she has hobbes, to see animals suffer.

today, being sunday, isn't always ideal for any fixed plans. it's now 9pm and i'm still needing to make chaeli's lunch for tomorrow, my own food for work, as well as fold laundry. still, chaeli and i had time to practice her words for next week's spelling test and then later in the afternoon, we all played jr. monopoly - twice! i have to admit that the junior version is much faster. because it can't drag out like the original monopoly, you don't need to reserve a whole evening. is it wrong that as an adult, i think i might prefer the children's version?

we also carved out some time for chaeli to write her very first letter to her penpal - who happens to be our friends' niece in s. korea. i think it will be good for both girls - not just for them to practice their english language, but also to cultivate the art of writing letters and practicing their social skills.

anyway, for start, chaeli would talk about something about herself and then in turn, ask her penpal the same question in respective to the subject. for example, chaeli would state her age and then ask her penpal for her age. or she would talk about hobbes and then ask her penpal if she had any pets. and so on - alternating statements of herself with the respective question. it just basically ended up being how chaeli decided the form of her letter should be - i suppose it's a good start. and she also included a v-day card for her penpal. i'd better  make sure to mail it off early this week!

dear friend - please come home soon...

after watching the news yesterday about the riots and violence in egypt, the first thing i did was get on the internet and start to email/twitter to a friend who is there now (long-term work project).

i knew even as i was typing that what i was doing wasn't exactly helpful. the egyptian government had already turned their 'off switch' on the country's internet. but it was a knee-jerk reaction. something i felt i needed to do. just in case.

i then emailed her sister (my best friend) to ask if they had any luck contacting her. thankfully, they did. over a very static-ridden connection - one landline her company had available for them to call home - my friend and her brother were able to get confirmation that their sister was safe and staying somewhere where they could continue being safe.

it's something, at least. small news over a bad connection - something that happens to be better then nothing.

so for the next while, all my prayers go out to her.

so ready for the weekend...

this is my 3rd day back from being sick - while i'm definitely much better then i was at the start of the week, i still feel extremely weak.

this is what happens to people like me. we go-go-go and have the amazing strength to hold off on getting sick. as soon as a big moment in our lives has passed, that's when it hits us like a ton of bricks. i've seen this happen to me over and over again.

at the same time, it does give me a good enough excuse to slow down. at least until i'm back to 100%.

so this weekend, we've got some fun family stuff planned.

to start, we're thinking of taking hobbes to an indoor dog park. it does cost us $7 (for the whole family) for 1.5 hrs but it's worth a try. we'll also be having a belated robbie burns day celebration, followed by family movie night.

tonight, we're probably just going to order in pizza and have family game night.

so looking forward to this weekend!

one of the cons of being ill (as if the pros out-weigh the cons)

i've been back to the daily grind after being home sick for 3.5 days.

about five people in the span of just this morning alone, have told me to keep away from them in fear of falling ill themselves.

how comforting.

 

snubbed ubb - day 2

i stayed home again today. feeling a smidge better then yesterday but only got my voice back (sort of ) near the end of the afternoon. both days, i actually had to email my manager to let him know i was still off sick because a voicemail from me would have just sounded like some random squeeky noise.

i got a chance to watch 'the switch' which was definitely a nice movie to take in while one's head is fuzzy (both from the sinus congestion and cold meds). i normally do like jennifer aniston but she wasn't at her best in this movie. no, no - she wasn't bad. just not one of her shining moments. i suppose the spotlight goes more to jason bateman. and even jeff goldblum (though his character was like a lot of past characters he has played - the neurotic, playboy-like friend, trying to talk some sense into the main character - still, very likeable).

it just got me thinking - i'm so happy jason bateman has been having such a better come back. he's come a long way since 'the hogan's family'.

so i am back to work tomorrow.

and i really wish i could have some bailey's irish whiskey right  now - but apparrently, one mustn't mix cold meds with alcohol. damn. it's robbie burns day, too.

snubbed ubb

ugh - my nose is totally stuffed, my sinuses are achy and my throat is a bit phlegmy.

the worse? i had the weekend all to myself - but how did i celebrate this much needed solitude of mine? by getting sick. not ideal at all.

but anyway - i tried to salvage the alone time as best as possible. even though the majority of my weekend was spent in bed.

doug and chaeli had a last minute trip to t-bay to see my in-laws. i chose not to go - work has just been crazy with a lot of overtime. and even if i didn't have to put in some overtime this weekend, i was just completely exhausted.

hobbes stayed with me though. in fact, when i started to come down with this cold, he really stayed with me. for most of sunday, he was glued to the side of my leg. faithful dog - but a little bit of a space hogger.

i managed to at least do two things from my list of me-time things to do:

1. finished watching the final season of the L Word. I was actually really excited that the first episode showed them wheeling away a very dead jenny from bette's and tina's house. unfortunately, i still had to endure the annoying jenny as the rest of the episodes was a built up to the climatic ending. it's not just that jenny is one of those characters you love to hate, but in all honesty, as much as i loved the show as a whole, i wasn't at all convinced that the jenny character was believable enough. perhaps because her persoanlity really went through too many different transformations from season 1 - i felt as if the writers couldn't make up their mind what to do with her. and i also found it really hard that all those other ladies actually stayed her friend for that long. if it were me, i would have kicked her out of my life a lot sooner.
2. watched twilight eclipse. fun and an improvement from the first two movies. but when jacob first makes his appearance in the movie, they did that cheesy soundtrack in the background. that almost killed the whole thing for me. overall, it was entertaining but really, what i'm truly eager for is part I and II of 'breaking dawn'. i have a lot of questions and curiosities of how they are going to illustrate the last book on the big screen.

okay - i'm hoping another night of sleep (good sleep) will allow me to get back to work tomorrow.

faces i want to see more of

i realize that my top ten post and it's runner up list were very negative in the way of starting 2011 off. so while i sit here having ramen noodles to help comfort this nasty cold i've come down with, i've decided to compile a top ten list of faces of the media i want to see more of.

this wasn't an easy list to make. when i first started to think of names, i was coming up with celebrities that are already pretty hot on the media front and really do not need any more attention (even if it's been well deserved). the purpose of my list are those who i feel need to be more visible in the upcoming decade - some of whom i'm truly hoping for a great come back where they can re-invent themselves for the limelight.

10. Kyle Howard

He had some guest appearances in Friends and was a permanent co-star in My Boys. But the first time I noticed him was in Friends where he played one of Ross' goofy, surfer-dude-like student. A really, really tiny role - but I noticed him none-the-less. He's the dorky, goofy but cute type and while I'm not sure if he could ever land a lead role, I'd like to see him in more supportive ones.

9. Mandy Moore

Maybe it's the mom in me, but while Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera were shaking their pom-poms and leaving little to the imagination, here's a girl that stood her ground by letting her sweet voice, winning personality and cute looks give some hope as a proper role model for our daughters.

8. Dido

Love her voice and want more of it. She's definitely not gone from the music industry but I'm hoping for a huge surge as she makes a come-back.

7. Michael Vartan

He always seems to be on the cusp of bigger things. And while I know he's not the best actor, I still love that boyish smile of his. Funny thing is that I remember him most for this made-for-tv movie where he played Sir Lancelot in Merlin. Not the best production but I found myself swooning for his character.

6. KT Tunstall

I read somewhere where she knew she was never to make it big - at least not for the long run. And it seems that she was fine with that. Well, I'm fine with it too - so long as she keeps on producing that wonderful talent of hers.

5. Katherine Moennig

She was the famous Shane on L Word, which I recently just finished watching its sixth season. I loved the character Shane - and I think the success was owed to Moennig who made the character seem so believable.

4. Rose Rollins

She was also on the L Word as military Tasha. Loved her! And honestly, I can't believe Cover Girl hasn't nabbed her yet for her flawless skin and natural beauty.

3. Jackson Rathbone

I know the past decade was all about Edward v.s. Jacob in the whole Twilight hype (which is still ongoing) but my favourite vampire was Jasper Hale. I thought Rathbone did a beautiful job portraying this complex character. In fact, if Stephanie Meyers decides to write more for the Twilight saga, I think Jasper's history would be a very interesting one to write (though it would be better if it was written by some one with better talent). So while most girls (and women) were swooning over Edward, Jasper caught my attention more and more on the big screen.

2. Gina Gershon

And not Gina Gershon as the sex kitten back in her earlier days of her career. I want to see her in the more down-to-earth roles. She's got more curves now and her harsher lines have definitely softened. To me, I think she's more beautiful then ever. Give her more romantic comedy roles!

1. Christina Applegate

She knows how to play that comedic role just so. Even if she never makes it to that big, Oscar leading role, I have been waiting and waiting to see more of her. She needs more romantic comedy roles and by the way, doesn't she look stunning in green?

missed the top ten list by just a smidge

after posting my top ten annoying famous faces of the decade, i decided that it would be more complete if i also shared some of the ones that didn't quite make the list.

5. the kardashians

i think out of all the socialites, these ladies top the cake for me in that the way they became famous was just simply lame. maybe i just don't understand this whole subculture of socialites. growing up, i don't think there were as many out in the media. so this whole nicole ritchie, paris hilton and now the kardashians... ugh. it makes me a bit sad that our society is so hung up on these people's lives.

4. kanye west

i admit i went back and forth on this one. i actually do enjoy a few of his tunes. but at the same time, i'm almost at awe with his stupidity. i think, though, the main reason he didn't make it on my top ten list was because, well, i'll admit it. his stupidity has also resulted in some great entertainment.

3. ke$ha

it's not that she's weird and out there. that doesn't bother me at all. if it did, lady gaga would have made it on the number one spot of my top ten list. it's just that everytime i see kesha, all i can think of is, "dirty!" i don't mean in the perverted sense. i mean, like, just dirty. as in... "i'm sure she showers but she just doesn't look like she does."

and i hate the whole $-sign instead of an 's'.

2. olsen twins

this was also a toss up to some degree. and it's not that i despise them or anything. in fact, i kind of get this hunch that they are very sweet and intelligent girls. which actually makes me more mad when i see them posing not just in a seductive, sexy way... but pressing their bodies into each other! they're sister! i don't get this... why should they need to feed on the perversed fantasy of many minds out there just to get attention? in fact, i see this often. i once use to know these twins (very pretty) and when we went clubbing, they were practically grinding up against each other. i don't have any siblings but i'm going to guess that this shouldn't be considered normal behaviour.

1. bruno mars

i just can't stand his smooth face. he's too... pretty.

annoying salesman

me: "hello?"

guy: "hello mam. i'm calling you to offer an opportunity for your business to be in our directory. a survey in your area showed that your company would be benefit greatly from our services."'

me: "what servies?"

guy: "we will make sure you are in various, popular directories so customers can be directed to your business."

me: "this might not be the best time - we're transitioning and moving locations."

guy: "mam, this offer will expire soon - it's important that you take advantage of it now."

me: "okay... but..."

guy: "i just need to confirm your address."

me: "go ahead, then."

guy: "123 somewhere drive. is that correct?"

me: "no it isn't... what city?"

guy: "mam?"

me: "what city do you have for us?"

guy: "sorry, mam. i don't understand. i gave you the address already."

me: "yes, but we have many locations and i need to know which city and province you are refering to."

guy: "um... i don't understand."

me: "okay, well, i can't talk about this right now because as i said, we're busy with our move. just email me and i'll read everything for myself."

i gave him my email address, he repeated it back, taking it down totally wrong and i decided not to correct him.

something tells me that he's calling from overseas and that i should be leery of this offer. but at the same time, what person does not know what the word 'city' means? do they not have cities where he's from? i am not trying to be disrespectful to another culture... but honest, i can not think of a country where they do not use the word 'city' as part of their address.

maybe i am wrong?

top most annoying famous faces of the decade

The following is a list of my personal pet peeves of annoying famous faces. It's purely just for fun but if I had to create a top ten of people I would like to leave behind from the media, these are my picks.

10. Dr. Phil

Strangely enough, I didn't despise Dr. Phil at the very beginning of his career. In fact, I even watched several episodes of his show and felt that some of his advice made sense. Well, of course they made sense - it was common sense, really. It didn't take long to get sick of him.

9. Larry King

I know, I know - the man has had some really important interviews in the past. I should have some level of respect for him. But he doesn't age well. Just look at him - he belongs more on the radio.

8. Sarah Palin

It's not that I would have voted for the democrat party if i were american. I just am still at awe that this lady was appointed as the possible VP of the free world. What made it worse was listening to my ex-boss go on and on about how amazing she is as a leader of the people.

Really? Amazing???

7. Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton

It was a tie between these two mug shots. I don't know what it was that bothered me more - Lindsey looking more and more used as the drugs and alcohol started to take over her or the fact that Paris was riding on the coat tails of her fathers fortune. Either way, I was just sick of listening to celebrities getting arrested and these two topped the list!

6. Tyra Banks

I use to admire Tyra Banks for her guest role as Fresh Prince's girlfriend and long time buddy from the hood. Plus, she was and still is gorgeous. Then she had to do the America's Top Model thing, open her mouth and basically make me question whether or not this show was really about modeling or exposing would-be models for endorsing the stereotype of being airheads for not seeing how completely fake Tyra is.

5. Rachel Ray

Her own show on the Food TV Network? Was some one on crack with this decision? And who the hell is this Rachel Ray anyway? Where did she come from?

Though I do think her existence has done one good deed for me - Anthony Bourdain is anti-Rachel Ray. It's one thing that bonds me closer to Bourdain (whom I love). Other then that, if I have to watch her eat one more bite or take in one more spoonful while exhagerating a "mmm... this is SO GOOD!" I may have to hurl a brick at the TV.

4. Jamie Oliver

I still love The Naked Chef series and wish they would bring it back as re-runs. But sometime, during my pregnancy while I was green for the entire first trimester, Jamie's face started to look more swollen. And his lips started to take over the focal point of the screen. As i watched those lips move, almost too big to even close properly, I could almost envision the spit drooling out the sides of his mouth.

And that's when I went from 'Love him!' to 'Ugh - I can't stand looking at him!'

I do still stand by his recipes, though.

3. Kate Perry

I think she's got a strong voice. And I do like some of her songs. Some. Actually, just two. The rest is just so-so to me and I often wonder how she ever gets to the top of the charts. Is it her boobs? She does have nice ones. But why do her eyes always have to be so wide?

She also ruined it for me forever when she appeared in Sesame Street wearing what I can only describe as lingerie.

2. Tom Cruise

I will admit it. In grade 9, like many young teens, I had the hots for Tom Cruise. And it was mainly because of Top Gun. When I watch that movie now, I realize why I have spent so many past years falling for jerks and arrogant idiots - why did I crush after a character such as Maverick who acted and believed he was god and that all those around him must bow down to him?

As the years progressed, Tom Cruise himself started to look like an elf of some sort. I've actually been told he's a very nice guy and I believe people I know who have met him. But since I've never met him, I can safely say that his face truly does annoy me.

1. Justin Bieber

I'm really not sure if I need to explain myself here.

But one of the saddest things about welcoming 2011 is that this kid is still hot on the charts.

Fine, fine - I'll try to live with it. But some one please - at the least - give him a haircut!