Apr 5, 2006
Regrets
I personally cannot bear a future of what ifs, so I find myself always choosing the harder route. For all I know the easier route could be deceiving as well.
I find fear to be a factor of a lot of things in my life. I am afraid to offend, so most of the time I quietly seethe about things rather then bring things up. That is not always the best thing to do, because I might blow up on someone someday!
You always hear things about people losing their inhibitions when they are older and are able to say or do things that they were otherwise shy about years ago. I wonder if that will be me...
Mar 29, 2006
Camera
One time, after meeting No Doubt and taking pictures with them, my good friend Gata dropped my camera in all our excitement. It was new at the time, but I really didn't fret. I think I was just more happy that we just met Gwen. And probably more worried about the film we just took. We tried getting it fixed under warranty, but the warranty did not cover problems due to it being dropped. And we couldn't hide the scratches near the problem itself, the flash mechanism. But Gata so nicely paid to have it fixed for me, and that was that. It was really no biggie.
Well, just recently I got a new camera. Last night I had my mom take a picture of me after Erica so expertly did my makeup. (Could I have a make up artist live with me full time!) After snapping the picture, she dropped it. Yeah, you heard right: SHE DROPPED IT! The lens was out, it slammed to the tile floor with this horrible noise that still echoes in my head. I was devastated. One of my buttons gets stuck slightly when pressed and that irked the heck out of me. Anyway, of course the warranty does not cover that so I put it out of my mind for a while and then felt silly after getting so worked up over a material thing. In my clear thinking I took out a metal clip that I had, and worked with the metal surrounding the button. Voila! The button no longer gets stuck.
All in all, I was annoyed that it happened, and that will probably be the last time I ask my mother to take a picture again, but at least the camera is okay - for now.
I really have the worst misfortune when it comes to cameras!
The fateful picture. Ha ha.
Insomnia
Last night it happened again. I was exhausted and had no idea why I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 3:30 am. So of to the shower I went. I chose to use a shower gel that had lavender for aromatherapy. I still felt awake, so I burnt some nice smelling incense that I bought from China Town a while back. It seemed to do the trick, I was out within minutes.
I don't know whether it's a sense of excitement, or anxiety about things I have to do...I think my mind is just awake and constantly working. At night I think it is important to have some unwinding time with a cup of tea, just to make a smooth transition from the hectic day to the bed. So tonight I plan on taking a shower and sipping some herbal tea before hitting the sack. I hope I don't wake up tonight!
I shoud take Ambien and sleepwalk and gorge on food in the middle of the night instead of waking up. At least I can multitask in my sleep! :) Ha.
Mar 27, 2006
Mar 22, 2006
Weird Memories
My aunt was driving the stationwagon. My mom was in the front seat, and I was sitting by myself in the back. We were on our way to somewhere when some young teenage-or early twenty something boys in a car flagged us down and told us to pull over. I remembered worried expressions on their faces. They said something was stuck underneath the car. So my aunt pulled over, I remember it was by Steinway street...I could be wrong. We all got out of the car. The young guys had a hammer, and I remember them going underneath our car banging around. One guy emerged with a black plastic garbage bag in hand, and they all gathered round us telling us that the car would have exploded had they not stopped us. They were asking for payment for "saving our lives." Next thing I knew, my aunt was pulling $10 or $15 dollars out of her wallet, and they were gone. Just like that. Thinking about it now, those guys were pure scam artists. My aunt was naive, and they took advantage of it. Thinking about that experience brings up a disturbed troubled feeling. It was sort of like I sensed something wasn't right, but I was too young to do anything about it. I must of been like 5 or 6.
In this world we are all victims somehow. Sigh...
Mar 14, 2006
Furniture
I bought two beds, one twin daybed from Ikea
that has a bottom trundle to accomodate 2 if need be:
&
A queen bed for couples or spoiled brats
who need a lot of room when they sleep: Queen Bed
Both beds are white, but the queen one has a cloth headboard which I could cover with funky fabric to change the look once in a while. So, we're ready for guests! So far I already had Cathy & my aunt Bernie stay with us. At the end of the month, my mom is coming accompanied by Erica and little Aaron. It should be fun...Anthony's dad and cousin are coming shortly after they depart. Man, we haven't even moved and we are having a string of visitors. Is this a foreshadowing of things to come?
It's Finally Happening....
Its funny how a couple of months ago, everyone and their mother was asking "when?" They would usually stop in mid-sentence as they saw my icy glare. For they knew as much as I did at that point.
So when, you ask? Well, the answer is: NOW. It's happening now.
Aaaaaagh!
Mar 8, 2006
Johari Window
Marie Formerly Known as Brat's Johari Window
Hey, who's brave enough to explore the Nohari window? Come on, somebody set it off...
Nohari Window
Mar 7, 2006
I know, I know....
Mar 6, 2006
To A New Begining....
I left it in my grandmother's care and it stayed in the corner by the window. I forgot about it after a while and weeks went by.
Yesterday I looked at the window and was shocked that my orchid had bloomed once again. It's cliche, I know, but I have to say it marks a new begining, a new life.
Feb 27, 2006
My Weekend
Friday, we went to MoMA and saw Edvard Munch's work. I must say, I did enjoy it a lot despite the crowding. This guy was a dark depressed artist who questioned life and death - the absoulute cliche of an artist. I especially liked some of his work on wood grain - they seemed psychedelic and way ahead of his time. Also the pictures depicting strong emotions were interesting to say the least - this guy was painting his life experiences. And of course the famous "Scream" - I read how he described what he felt - and wondered if this guy was experiencing a panic attack...he definitely was experiencing a strong sense of dread. I've heard that feeling described to me before, although I've never personally experienced it.
Sunday we had brunch at Cafe Bar - which is turning out to be the best kept secret of Astoria. I have no idea how long it's been there...but the omelettes are superb. The coffee on the other hand...not so good - and if you plan on ordering a tea, do me a favor and bring your own tea bag or thermos unless you want to pay $4 for a cup. On the whole, the funky relaxed atmosphere was a welcome change to a busy crowded diner - a scene that has been replayed much too often. The food is excellent, I suggest you try it and invite me while you're at it - it's my new top breakfast/brunch place.
Sunday evening, my little cousins Briana and Nicholas (Nicky) came over. They are too cute. Briana gets shy-I have no idea why. Saskia was over this weekend, so it was one big renion.
Feb 17, 2006
...Dad....
I want to meet the other trillion bro's and sisters I have. Also, I have an abuela! I'll go to DR and meet all of them....
Feb 16, 2006
Yo! What's up? Call me!!!!!!!
Feb 14, 2006
Bodies - The Exhibition
somewhat grossed out, but interested. That's exactly what
happened when I went to see the Bodies exhibit by South Street
Seaport this past Saturday.
The place was already begining to fill by the time we came
which was about 10:30 am. I didn't expect to see any young
children, but there were a few there. The rooms had full bodies,
posed - each to show you something different. They were
skinless, and stripped down and dissected to show you
muscles, bone, organs, etc... In further detail, they showed
organs or parts of the body in glass cases accompanied by a
short paragraph. Each room focused on different things. They
had this one room totally dedicated to nerve endings. It looked
like a sweater, that's how many nerves are inside, it's amazing.
When it came to organs showing tumors, I was especially
disturbed, mostly because I get paranoid...the breast cancer
was not pleasant.
The most interesting part (to me) was the babies. Yes, babies.
There was a disclaimer telling anyone to exit if need be, but I
walked right in and found that room to be the most amazing.
They had a pair of siamese twins that didn't make it, they were
joined by the stomach. They had a baby with a spinal defect, but
besides those, there was nothing really disturbing in there. They
had little embryo's, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 15 weeks - so amazing
how you could track the growth and the developement. They
had other embryo's with some sort of dye used to differentiate
the tiny bones. I glanced over to my side and saw a pregnant
woman looking at one. They had a woman cut open and you
can see the little infant inside...truly a sight to see.
The next rooms had cross section after cross section and
bodies sliced in half. It was in-your-face and you couldn't avoid
it. After each room, I increasingly was looking for the end of the
exhibit, as there are only so much "Bodies" I could take. At the
end you are able to hold a heart, brain, liver...but as you can
guess, I opted not to.
In the end I am happy I went. I understand more about
what's inside me and am even more amazed about the many
functions the many organs have inside. It's a once in a lifetime
thing, and you get a view that only doctors or people who do
autopsies have. You'll lose your appetite for a day, but it's well worth it.
Oh how wonderfully we are made!
Double Take
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In doing a work-related search (honest!) I came across a cat that looked like my very own Max. Real max is pictured on top, while the wannabe max is pictured on the bottom - found in Google Images. I also found a cat looking just like Isabel...what's up with all the cats that look alike?
They're still one of a kind in my eyes!

(Isabel wannabe)
I Guess they all look the same...






