New Year's Resolutions

Once again, I have been ignoring my blog. The new year started with a flurry of activity, from the intersession to beginning my last term of law school. I want to take a few moments and actually write about my goals for the new year.

Form a Better Body

• -Gym at least 4 times a week (if you miss this weekly goal, then make it up the next week, or do some sort of physical activity to make it up)
• -Eat out max, once a week (this will save you money too!)
• -Don't buy more than a 12-pack of beer per month (buying booze for friends does not count)
• -Bring your own lunch at least 3 times a week (try for 5)

Be a Better Lover

• -This means avoiding the drama that comes hand in hand with relationships.
• -Realize when problems are being caused by your own ego or insecurities and not the other person.
• -Don't take the significant other for granted.
• -Be patient
• -Do some sort of "gesture" at least once a month, holidays don't count
• -Seriously, be patient

Form better study/work habits

• -Do not procrastinate, start early!
• -Do something useful at work each and every hour, don't just spend time on FB, they are not paying you for that and it just means that you will be forced to do it later at home.
• -Actually be there at 9am
  

Save Friendships of the Past

• -Get over yourself and let go of anger/pain/resentments people have caused in the past
• -Don't ignore old friends
• -Reconnect with those you have lost touch with

That's all I could think for right now. There might be an addendum later.

Collage!

 

(Trying out new Picasa for Mac)

Happy New Year...

This is my first post of the new year, and I must say that it has been a great year thus far.

The bulk of the New Year's Eve I spent hunting for needed components for Becky's present(s). I learned that finding roses in Pasadena on this day is near impossible (because of the Rose Parade) and expensive. Finding a farmer's market on this day also proved to be difficult. I ended up making her a basket full of fruits and vegetables. My only regret is that I did not take a picture of the basket once I was done. She loved it. I also spent a large part of this day walking down Colorado Boulevard looking at the people camping out for the parade, even saw a birdie (see below).



Although I did not do what I planned for new year's it was still a great night. I did not end up going to San Francisco for New Year's because my host was having personal problems and withdrew her invite. Instead Miriam and Nate and I attended an LPN event at Cicada in downtown L.A. I invited them to come over to my place for New Year's Eve so we could have a couple of drinks before heading out and take advantage of the train into downtown which was going to be running all night. I was lucky to witness their midnight kiss below:



They spend the night and I made them breakfast, and they fell asleep on my couch (so cute!):



That day I drove up to Santa Barbara to surprise Becky with her presents. We spend the weekend together. I won't go into details for the entire weekend because nobody cares, but here are some highlights: eventually we got back down to LA for an REI used sale and ice skating at Pershing Square, we also went to Santa Monica to a vegan restaurant (RFD), and Office Space.

Sunday night I ended up going out again with Miriam and Nate to bowl at the new Lucky Strikes at LA Live in downtown. This is a really cool place, and make me glad that I live in LA. Nate and I bowling below:



Fast forward and my first day of class (intercession) today. I actually enjoyed today, it was a great class. For some odd reason I find myself very happy right now. I finished my leisure book. I have to read a lot for school and have to do work related stuff, but all of this gives me a sense of purpose and belonging.

I think I might actually do new year's resolutions this year (I usually don't). More on that later.

So yeah, in conclusion ... great year thus far. May God bless my future and the future of all my friends.

Holidays...

I've finally had some down time. Yay!

After finals I visited Jim and Ami in their new house near San Diego. Visited an old friend Laura near Anaheim.

Work. Yes, I still work at a law firm that does not give winter breaks like school.

Besides watching Buffy and reading for fun, I've been in Riverside a lot.

I spent time with the family. I think my brothers got the best present this year. I got them the new Guitar Hero (now with drums and mic). So most of my quality Christmas family time was spent playing video game drums. So much fun! I was this close to stealing their present.

I also had a wonderful time with old friend from high school. Some of them I have not seen for years. Below is Erin, whom I had not seen in almost six years!



A stalker picture from the get-together last night, outside where it was cold.



As a side note, too many of old high school crushes (which basically included all pretty girls in my grade) are getting married. There is that feeling of feeling old again.

In the next few days I might drive back to Riverside and head out to Sacramento/San Francisco for New Year's. Fun.

Dealing with babies ...

Today I learned how untangle my arm from a girl without waking her up. She refused to stop crying unless I held her. Eventually she fell asleep, but when I tried to put her down she started crying again. So my solution was to slowly untangle myself from her and transfer her to the couch, gently, without waking her up.

Slick.

Picture of my sucess below

Ouch...

Seriously, what is up with the universe this week? Every single day since my birthday has been filled with drama of some sort. A blast from my past, unexpected romance, death, finals, work, confessions. My brain hurts, my nerves are shot ... ouch.

I am actually looking for a little downtime. Instead of going out and getting drunk to celebrate the end of finals Friday, I am going to be taking care of a one year old and a three year old. Of course it's silly to think that taking care of those two is going to be downtime. Still it's different, and I look forward to that.

I think I will pick up that book that I been saving for winter break: "Revolutionary Road" (Richard Yates).

Happy Birthday to me ...

I'm finally 24. Slowly, but surely I am starting to feel old. All my friends around me are getting married and having kids. Yet, somehow through all of that growing up, I find myself still in school. Still, I'm old. No longer will I be able to surprise people by telling them that I am a 3L and still 23. Oh well. At least I will be an attorney at the ripe age of 24.

The night before my birthday was my copyright final which was intense so say the least. I think I passed, there is not much more than that I can say.

I ended up going to my firm's Christmas party, very late. Had a beer, met Becky. Went back to my place for mojitos. The next day we eventually got to arboretum. This is a gorgeous place and I will certainly come back when I have more time to look around.

The rest of my birthday I spent in Santa Barbara without much incident, but certainly well enjoyed.

This has been one of the very few times where I actually end up having a lot of fun, but actually have no pictures to prove it. Andy time later today.

So in conclusion. Yeah, I'm old ...