My Notebook

What kind of pizza are you?

2005-10-03T18:44:00.002-07:00

Meatball Pizza

Unusual and uncompromising.
You're usually the first to discover a new trend.
You appreciate a good meal and good company.
You're an interesting blend of traditional and modern.

What's Your Pizza Personality?

Another true test

2005-08-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.

In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved.

You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

In this moment, you think of love as something you can get or discard anytime. You're feeling self centered.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Another fun test

2005-07-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core.
You often find yourself on the outside looking in.
Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works.
You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

The last straw

2005-06-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those days that I wish I hadn't gotten out of bed at all. First I had to go to the lawyer for another affidavit and then to the bank to withdraw the last of my IRAs. The whole business with the lawyer took me less than 30 minutes, but I wasted 2 hours at the bank because the place where I'm getting the mortgage couldn't fax the buy-sale contract. Then I ran to Sana to hand in what I hope were the last papers. So my morning was a big waste of time.

But hoping that things ran smoothly afterwards was too much to ask. I got home and mom told me that Pixie had another seizure. Okay, that was that! I'd planned to take him to the vet tomorrow, but with this 3rd. seizure this week, I knew I couldn't wait anymore. So I ran with him to the same vet that had performed the operation in his mouth 4 years ago. Dr. Moore ran a few tests on him, and the final diagnose is that he has heart disease. *sighs* Yes, he is dying. His heart is bigger than it's suppossed to be. It can't take much more. His lungs are accumulating a bit of water. She gave me some pills for his heart and told me that I'm to keep him relax at all times - meaning no barking, no chasing after whatever moves in our backyward, no getting happy, etc. Meanwhile, he keeps sleeping in my bed. He's too scare to sleep alone anymore. And to be honest, he can't be left alone either.

How does that affect me? I'm constantly feeling tired. At night, I can barely sleep because I wake up with the slightless movement Pixie makes. Then the new house deal is also getting on my nerves. At times I feel all happy about the possibility of a new house. But then there are times in which I question my own sanity.

It's a rollercoaster

2005-06-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

So far the day has had enough ups and downs to make me dizzy. I wasted my morning, and I mean wasted. I went to the bank to transfer money from my bank account to my check account. Then off I went to Mayaguez to cancel the other IRA I have with a bank there, so I could get all the paperwork and handed it to Sana. Well, I got there and waited for 30 minutes. When I told the assistant what I wanted, she asked me for an affidavit. So I pointed out to her that she hadn't given me the papers for it. She told me a lawyer would do that. I replied her that the other bank gave me the form and all the lawyer had to do was sign it. She told me they didn't do that. Shit! I didn't have time to go back home for that, so I went straight to Sana instead and delievered what I had. Luckily as the secretary was photocoping the papers I'd brought, the man handling my case showed up. I told him what had happened and he was surprised that they'd ask me for the cancellation of the IRAs. Anyway, he promised to fax the stuff.

Then after lunch I called the same lawyer I went to yesterday. I asked how much they'd charge me, and the secretary told me the same fee. Fine. I'll go tomorrow to get the damn paper then.

While I was on the net, I found out some discrepancies between my Visa and the one the bank I have it with is showing now. I phoned them, and the customer attendant told me I had the old Visa, but I could changed it if I wanted to for the new one although the numbers would change. I said fine changed it. Three minutes later I've got a better Visa deal than I had before. Woohoo! I can still use the old one until the new one arrives.

Of course, due to this I had to call my internet provider and change the credit card number. No problem here. The process lasted less than a minute.

Another eventful day

2005-06-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

If I'd known getting a mortgage was such a pain in the ass, I'd have reconsidered buying the house. *sighs* Before I went off to lunch, I got another call from Sana. This time the lady wanted me to fax them a copy of the cancelled check. I was like, "What cancelled check?" She said, "The one with which you paid the owner." I told her I'd not given him any advance, and I wasn't going to either until I knew for sure (100% sure) that I was getting the loan. So she told me that I had to at least send the cancellations of my IRAs and the deposit receipt in my bank account. What the hell?! So I asked her why she needed that, and she told me that they couldn't consider my loan petition unless they had those papers. Great! *grrr* Off I went to the bank to get the bank. If you think cancelling IRAs is easy, think again. While there, I had to go to a lawyer to have him sign some papers. Meanwhile, the assistant made the rest of the paperwork. I got back to my job two hours later.

Then when I got home, mom told me Pixie had another attack. *sighs* Two attacks in three days. That's not good.

Pixie woke me up

2005-06-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

Today I feel tired and sluggish. I woke up at 3:30 am to the sound of Pixie's yelping with another attack. It was pretty bad one this time. This is the second in a week period. *sighs* After the attack he made me get up three times and open the door so he could drink water. I took him out to pee once. He was disoriented so he couldn't go back to sleep. I was awake until 4:00 am keeping an eye on him. Finally, he went back to sleep if a bit restless yet.

When this all started I thought he'd suffered a bad epileptic attack, but now he has had about 6 of these attacks in little over a month. This is going to far, and I no longer believe these attacks are caused by epilepsy. The thought that he might be suffering arthritis, a common disease in Chihuhauas, has crossed my mind lately. Although it scares me to think that maybe it's his heart. If it weren't for the labs I have to give today, I'd take him to the vet right now.

Papers and more papers

2005-06-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

I just came from Sana Mortgage. I handed in some more papers. Hopefully the last ones, although I still owe them my dad's SS papers. But they told me they're not in a hurry 'coz that paper isn't that important. Gosh, I never knew there was so much paperwork involved in a house loan.

It's been eventuful!

2005-06-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

Today was quite eventful. The appraiser was coming today at 10:00 am but I had a group at that hour. Luckily nobody showed so at 10:25 am so I went by to see what was happening. When I got there, the owner of the house came out to receive me. I gave him some papers to sign. The appraiser was almost finished by now, but I got to meet him anyway. Funny thing, he was an ex-student of mine from Colegio San Jose. Okay, so things ran smoothly on that area.

Then tonight while I was eating pizza, Pixie wanted me to let him out. I did and went back to eat, when I heard his yelping. He was having an attack. So I quickly opened the gates and reached him first. Mom took him from me so I could go back to eat.

Things are happening...

2005-06-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

The appraiser just called me. I told him to call the owner of the house, so I gave him the phone number. According the appraiser, he is coming tomorrow to appraise the house. Wow... I thought this wouldn't be happening for a couple of weeks now. But gosh, it's been only 3 days.

Made up my mind

2005-06-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Pixie was back in my room

2005-05-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

Last night Pixie did it again. He was sleeping in my bed, as he always does when I read before going to sleep. So at 1:00 am I carried him to his room and locked him, hoping he'd not wake me up. Half an hour later he was yelping again, that terrible sound he does now as if he was hurt. I jumped off bed, and he tried to slip into my room. I took him out in case he needed to urinate. When he entered again, he went straight to my room, where he hid under the desk. At this point I was too tired to coax him out from under the desk and put him back into his room. I picked his bed, put it in my room, and went back to bed. Slowly he came out from where he was hiding, and sat in the middle of the room and whinned. So I got into bed with me. I guess I was so tired, I felt asleep regardless of all the walking around he did. Last night he was a bit restless.

Today I went home for lunch. He still behaves sluggishly. He walks around fine. He even jumped all over me to get into my bed. But he isn't curling up or sleeping in his usual favorite position. I don't know whether is sore from his little fall or scare from the epileptic episode. He is just not acting like he used to up until Sunday afternoon. I don't know what else to do. But I don't know how long I can keep having him sleeping with me at night. *sighs*

I'm tired and Pixie is sloggish

2005-05-16T09:55:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to bed at 1:00 am, which is when I put Pixie in his bed. At 3:30 am I heard him whinning just he'd done earlier last night, so I jumped off the bed, thinking he was suffering from another epileptic attack. When I opened the door, he snuck into my room and tried to climb into my bed. I knew he must still feel a bit scared himself after the attack. So in order to get some sleep, I brought his bed into my room, put him on my bed, and then went to sleep. Or at least I thought so. But Pixie kept moving around restlessly. For some reason he was tense, and he transmitted that to me. For a long time I laid there, trying to sleep, but my mind kept turning with terrible thoughts about Pixie's health. Finally, after an hour or so, I was able to get some sleep. However, Pixie woke me up at 6:30 am, when it was about time for me to get off bed.

Right now I'm at work, and I feel so tired. I keep yawning. But that's to be expected after getting so little sleep. As for Pixie, I just came from lunch, which I usually take at home. He was laying on his pillow, and didn't move to welcome me. He was trembling, but I figure that's due to the cold. It's been raining and cloudy for the past 6 or 7 days. He barely got up to go out to the patio - twice. He walked slowly, his tail between his legs. I don't know if he's tired too or if it's something else. *sighs* Pixie isn't getting any younger. He'll be 14 yrs. old this July (if he makes it - something tells me he won't).

Pixie had a bad attack

2005-05-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

Pixie just scared the hell out of me. I went to the bathroom, and he was just fine, following. When I got to the bathroom, I heard him whinning loudly. So I looked and there he was lying in the middle of the hallway, unable to get up, his eyes wide with fear. I didn't know what was wrong with me, so I ran to him, while tonz of all negative thoughts popped in my head. Either he was having a heart attack (although Whitty used to suffer them and he didn't behave like this) or something bad had happened to his body. I didn't know what though but whatever it was it was bad. The worst part was that mom wasn't home and I couldn't take dad's car if I needed to take him to the vet. I could grab Pixie and run down the street to the vet if needed be, but I didn't think I could make it on time to save his life. So I tried to make him stand up, but he couldn't balance himself. That's when I realized he was having an epileptic attack. I grabbed him and sat outside with him until it passed. The whole attacked lasted perhaps 10 seconds, but it felt more like 10 minutes. I was so scared, I started shaking badly. Gosh, I'm still shaky and hyperventilating.

I finally made my offer

2005-05-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today when I went home for lunch, I saw my next-door neighbors, who are selling their house, cleaning it. At first, I just said hi to them but didn't approach them about buying their house. But after eating, I went back out, and taking a deep breath, I went up to their house and talked to them. They kindly showed me their house. I've been in it before, but that was years ago, and I didn't remember it well. Anyway, we talked about money. I told them I was willing to pay $135,000 for it. Of course, they're a few things that have to be repaired, and I told them. They agreed that some of the things to be repaired were necessary. As for selling me the house, they told me they'd think about it. Okay, I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

When I should have been born

2005-05-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

Your True Birth Month Is September

Thinking

Sensitive

Secretive

Systematic

Understanding

Good memory

Calm and cool

Does work well

Likes to criticize

Loves wide things

Kind and sympathetic

Hardly shows emotions

Concerned and detailed

Able to motivate oneself

Suave and compromising

Clever and knowledgeable

Quiet but able to talk well

Tends to bottle up feelings

Loves to look for information

Trustworthy, loyal and honest

Careful, cautious and organized

Choosy especially in relationships

Loves sports, leisure and traveling

Must control oneself when criticizing

Likes to point out people's mistakes

What's Your True Birth Month?

What my birth month says about me

2005-05-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

Your Birthdate: July 2

Your birth on the 2nd day of the month adds a degree of emotion, sensitivity, and intuition to your life.

The 2 is a very social number allowing you to make friends easily and quickly.

Yet you are apt to have a rather nervous air in the company of a large group.

You have a warmhearted nature and emotional understanding that constantly seeks affection.

You are more prone than most to become depressed and moody, as emotions can turn inward and cause anxiety and mental turmoil.

It can be hard for you to bounce back to reality when depression sets in.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

My Irish Name

2005-04-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

Your Irish Name Is...

Sinead Martin

What's your Irish Name?

The "talk"

2005-04-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I just came from the meeting with my boss. Just as I thought, she wanted to talk about the "contract" for the PhotoShop workshop. Geez, am I a genius or what? *rolls eyes*

A bad start...

2005-04-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

Last night, I could barely sleep. I was fine after doing some meditation and watching a movie, so I went to sleep feeling more refreshed. But I heard Pixie crying at 3:00 am. I was going to get up but I heard mom open the door of his room, so I figured she'd take him outside if he needed to do something. I stayed awake until I heard her close his door again. But about a minute later, I heard him crying again. I waited to see if mom would get up and attend him. When she didn't, I did. I'd barely opened the door, when he passed me by and went straight to my room. I tried to get him back into his room, but he hid under my desk. I was too tired to try to coax him out, so I hopped into bed. When I did, he came out from under the desk and wanted to sleep with me. I thought he'd stay for a little while, so I put on my bed. He curled up beside me and slept the whole night next to me. I'm not used to have Pixie sleeping in my bed so I could barely sleep. I woke up this morning feeling too tired to go to work. Of course, Pixie barely opened his eyes before he went back to sleep. Anyway, here I am at work, yawning. And the meeting is in 15 minutes. Ugh!

The call...

2005-04-13T12:52:00.000-07:00

I just came from teaching one of the labs and entered my office when my co-worker told me that my boss had called and wanted to meet with me tomorrow. I asked her what my boss wanted to talk to me about, but she said my boss didn't give her any explanation. That's okay. None is needed. I'll bet I know what she wants to talk about. The now infamous workshop contract. Deep inside I was waiting for her to call me. Not disappointed in that area. Although I had expected her to call me sooner. So I phoned her to set up the meeting, but the secretary told me that she was already gone. Geez, great! *rolls eyes* I'd hoped to be able to settle this once and for all today, right now. Anyway, the meeting is going to be tomorrow at 9:00 am, when I arrived. Why so early? I figure bad news are better served early in the morning. Me? Pessimist? Nah. I'm a realist. I'm not expecting them to honor the contract. They're playing the blame game with me, and I'm going to lose in the long run.

What color am I?

2005-04-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

YELLOW

You are very perceptive and smart. You are clear and to the point and have a great sense of humor. You are always learning and searching for understanding.

Find out your color at Quiz Me!

It's raining!

2005-03-31T17:20:00.000-08:00

After almost four months, it's finally raining. The air feels so much fresher. Pixie doesn't like it though. He hates to get his paws wet when he goes out to the backyard. *lol*

Night's Kiss (a bit of a spoiler)

2005-03-19T18:10:00.000-08:00

Last night I finished reading Amanda Ashley's Night's Kiss. Although I've always enjoyed her vampire romance books, this one...well, let's just say that I wasn't 100% thrilled with it. The first part of the book was about the hero traveling back in time to save the heroine from being burnt as a witch (which she actually is). He brings her back in time, and there is where the book gets monotonous. That is until the warlock (the villain) enters and the pace of plot picks up. He seeks vampires to "study" (in very nepharious ways) their blood, when in reality he wants to become immortal like them. The ending was a bit forced with the whole "finding a girl giving birth in an alley", etc.

Trista's website is ready

2005-03-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

Even though most of the work for Trista Ann Michael's website was done weeks ago, I stalled on polishing it. First, because I'd put it up for critique and wanted to see what people thought of it. I'm happy to say that everyone liked it. And some very good suggestions were made to improve it. So I've been working all day improving it. It's been very trying to say the least.

Finally I found it

2005-03-13T12:11:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for a good silver chain for my triquetra pendant. I didn't want one that was too thick, or too long. Most of the places I went were selling gold chains, which I couldn't care much for. And the very few silver ones I found were of poor quality. But today luck struck out! As I pass this little kiosko at the mall, I saw this silver chains and I had to stop.

Today's workshop

2005-03-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

Today I gave the PhotoShop workshop. Yep, the same one I've been pondering about for a month. Still this morning I was clueless as to what to do. I'd downloaded a few images last night to possibly use them during the workshop. (Good thing I did, 'coz the internet connection at work sucked today!) Yet I wasn't sure how I'd present the whole thing. Luckily, like two hours before the workshop, my co-worker found an old handout from a PhotoShop workshop

It's here!

2005-02-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited! Finally the iPaq that I won on Ebay arrived this morning. I quickly opened the box. Man, I can't believe it! It IS brand new. Tonight I installed the program in my PC so I can hook the iPaq to the PC so I can upload stuff.

Speaking of upload, I already uploaded one ebook. *grins* Hopefully I'll start reading it this week.

I won the bid!!!

2005-01-30T17:25:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it! I won the bid for a HP iPaq 2215 (NIB) on Ebay. I'm so excited! I've been watching this auction for the past 4 days, and I was afraid the bid will go too high. Luckily it remained under $220, until the last minutes of the bid, which went up to $250. Twelve seconds before the auction ended, I put forth my bid and I won it.

The universe is picking on me

2005-01-29T17:30:00.000-08:00

I really believe this! I don't know why but it's making I logged into Ebay just to check out on HP iPaq 2215, and I found one in a one-day auction. And again I was outbid. And for $5 - again! Geez! Is there something you're trying to tell me, universe?

She liked it!

2005-01-29T14:25:00.000-08:00

I just finished talking to Dr. Saciuk on the phone about her textbook. She didn't have enough words of appraisal. In short, she LOVED it. Sure they're minor "cosmetic" things to do to it, but nothing that can't be done later. Now that she has given me the "greenlight," I can start working on the cover. Now that's going to be a toughie. I hope she hasn't fallen in love with cover in the galley. I don't have that photo. I'll try to find a similar one, but I hope she can with the other concepts I have. Anyway, I'm so excited about this project and launching my own publishing company!

It's been a weird Saturday

2005-01-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

It all started this morning when the mailman called saying it had package for me. I thought it was the yellow "Livestrong" wristbands that came with my donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for Cancer. To my surprise it was a package from the printer with another galley copy of Dr. Saciuk's textbook. I knew I hadn't ordered it but I accepted it anyway. Since I hadn't been able to contact her, I took this galley book with me. Luckily as I passed by her house, I saw her son and gave him the galley book to give to her. Since she hand't called me at work, I was afraid she'd leave to Ukraine without seeing the galley version. Now I know she will. I just hope she'd call me so we can discuss the look of the book. I sure want to have that out, so I can make the necessary changes and be ready for the updates she'll give me.

Then off I went to pick up my mail. The package with books I'd ordered through Barnes and Nobles had arrived. That was good news. The bill for the Visa also arrived. Luckily, I had my checkbook with me, so I made the check and mailed it right there.

The galley copy is here!

2005-01-26T17:02:00.000-08:00

I couldn't believe it when the mailman called saying he had a package for me. The galley copy of Dr. Saciuk's textbook has finally arrived. And just in time. She is leaving for Ukraine next Monday.

Well, this is annoying

2005-01-25T05:45:00.000-08:00

I lost the opportunity to buy an iPaq 2215 for $250 on Ebay because I kept waiting for the HP representative to email me with a better offer. Well, today I got the email saying that he couldn't find any new or refurbished. Just great! *sighs*

The Universe conspires

2005-01-22T17:54:00.000-08:00

I definitively think the universe is conspiring against me. I just missed the opportunity to buy a HP iPaq 2215 on Ebay. I saw someone selling it brand new on Ebay a couple of days ago, and I was watching it closely 'coz I was planning to buy it. Well, I just logged on Ebay and found out that someone else already bought it. This sucks!!!

Lost another bid on Ebay

2005-01-19T10:20:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I lost the bid to the Dana Wireless - AlphaSmart in the last 30 seconds. I was the highest bidder until someone outbid me for $5. When I tried to bid again, the internet froze. By the time I got in the auction was done. Drats!

What kind of soul I am...

2004-12-12T22:58:00.000-08:00

You Are a Hunter Soul

You are driven and ambitious - totally self motiviated to succeed
Actively working to acheive what you want, you are skillful in many areas.
You are a natural predator with strong instincts ... and more than a little demanding.
You are creative, energetic, and an extremely powerful force.

An outdoors person, you like animals and relate to them better than people.
You tend to have an explosive personality, but also a good sense of humor.
People sometimes see you as arrogant or a know it all.
You tend to be a bit of a loner, though you hate to be alone.

Souls you are most compatible with: Seeker Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Scorpions Rules!

2004-12-11T02:51:00.000-08:00

Just a few hours ago, I came from seeing Scorpions in concert! I wasn't sure if I could. I mean, c'mon at my age I couldn't see myself banging my head and going through the whole heavy metal concert scene. But I did! Yikes! I can't believe it's been two decades since I saw hard rock band, Scorpion, for the first time. It was in July 13, 1994 to be exact. I've still got the concert stub. Back then, a young, unknown band named Bon Jovi opened for them. Man, it was an awesome concert then. And the concert was great now! But... I'm definitively getting to old for these concerts.

Thank Goddess It's Friday!

2004-12-03T08:19:00.000-08:00

That means that the day will be a slow one. I've got a few things to do before ten, but the rest of the day will be a relaxing one. I'm so glad the week is over. It has been one full of tension. Okay, I admit the last two days have been blissfully quiet and slow. A most welcome change indeed. But the fact that I've got to get up early in the morning to come to work didn't exactly endear the past days to me.

It was a great day!

2004-12-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

I can't complain. After all the hassle and buzzle of the past week and a half, things are back to normal. I had a slow day at the office, thank goodness. While there, I was able to toy around with a few internet goodies. One of them was to set up these personal blogs. Woohoo! I figured how to make them work into my own domain. Hehehe! Another good thing. I got the Harry Potter 3 movie. Tonight, I'm watching it. I deserve a break after all I've been through.

Starting my morning

2004-12-02T08:04:00.000-08:00

Today I didn't want to wake up. Mornings are getting chilly, and the blanket offered a warm place to spend the morning. But I got up and off to work I went. Things are quiet here - for now. I won't mind the slow morning. I've got tonz of work to do, and I want everything done before 5:00 pm. Hopefully things will stay like this - or is it too much to ask?