Coolest Thing Ever

I love Coke as in Coca-Cola. I'm very loyal when it comes to brands. I get really irritated when ap goes to Target and brings home Crest instead of Colgate or Gain instead of Tide, etc. Coca-Cola tops Pepsi period. Even when we go out to eat, I have to ask the server "do you have Coke or Pepsi?". If it's the latter, I always opt for an Iced-Tea or just water.

Last night when we went to one of my all-time faves Rubios for dinner, I could not believe what I saw! I love Rubios even more now, as if that was possible. They had the new Coca-Cola 100+ flavor fountain drink dispensers. It's this digital techy big red machine that looks more like a big red television but you touch the screen and choose your coke flavor, anything from flavored Dasani to Orange Caffeine Free Diet Coke! I tried all the 5 or 6 different Diet Coke flavors. It was just so cool. I just kept staring at it even while we were eating to see people's reaction. I just hope these invade all eateries and restaurants soon. Check it out~! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Lnn7KULHc

2nd Anniversary

I have a hard time believing it has already been 2 years since ap and i got married. Where does the time go? I guess it's somewhere in all the holidays, birthdays, weddings, fights, make-ups, losses, gains, moves, game nights, Charo nights that we've experienced in the last 2 years...time is all in there somewhere. If you look back at every event and encounter, I guess it's not hard to believe. But just thinking our marriage has come 2 years already is so hard to believe. It feels like just yesterday I found it awkward to have someone call me P.Park. Now no one calls me P.Bang anymore and when I do get called that, it's awkward yet refreshing in some weird, odd way.

So much can happen in 24 months. I think our 2nd year of marriage brought us much more surprises and curve balls than the first. I don't know about me, but I can definitely say ap has become a better husband, person now than last year and the year before, etc. He fulfills my expectations of a husband greater than I ever imagined. He calms me and gives me faith, makes me a better person emotionally and spiritually. I attribute this to our down's more than our up's in our first 2 years of marriage. They've matured both of us but more than him than me...I have ways to go I think. :) (I of course would never tell him this). 3 lessons we live by and keeps us sane through any turmoil...God gives us only up to what we can handle, everything happens for a reason, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

It is our 2nd year anniversary but ap and I have been together for 6 years now. I told my gf's and ap how it makes me so sad to think we've already lived 1/6 or so of our lives together and only about 5 times more of this is left and I have so much I want to experience with him and I don't think 30 years left is enough...they all looked at me like I'm crazy. They said they think the other way around...I have 30 more years of this with him??!! They're joking of course, but I just think differently I guess. Am I the biggest pessimist or what! AP says to stop thinking like that. :) I pray everyday that our years together go by slowly, but looking at how fast 6 years have gone by, I'm sad!!

Here's to our first 2 years and many many many more years to come! I'm sooo not one to get all mushy but I love you yuhbo!

Last year...

Yesterday...

Newest Obsession

I have a tendency to get obsessed about everything. TV shows, snacks, song, food, hobby, boy bands - you name it. Once I'm hooked, that's all I'll eat, watch, do for like 2 weeks! My latest obsession is Starbucks' Iced Peppermint White Choc Mocha or regular Mocha w/wc. The key is the Peppermint! I love anyting with mint. Mojito, mint chocolate chip ice cream, Junior Mints - you get the point. I especially love Starbucks Peppermint during right around now until the Holidays. It really gets me in the mood for what is my favorite time of the year. I get excited for our wedding anniversary, then it's Thanksgiving and then Christmas & NY! The world just smells different around this time of the year. I fight so hard to drive passed the Starbucks right next to work. It's either turn left to go to our building or right to turn into Starbucks. I swear, this morning, I meant to turn left. But...here I am with this magnetic thing on my desk once again. It's funny how our taste buds and cravings change. I used to think Starbucks was disgusting and was a CB&TL kinda gal, then I discovered Pete's and thought there was no coffee like it. But now, I can see why there's a Starbucks on every other block of OC/LA and they still do well. As much as I love it, I really do need to cut it out cold turkey. It's damaging to the bank account. Little bit adds up! I've always said I'm just going to buy the Peppermint syrup and make my own, so this year, I'll really commit to this. Although, I just know it won't taste the same, but still, I have to remember - sacrifices!

Go Angels! :)

New Home

You know you're getting old when you are tired after just 15 minutes into a move when you used to be able to move a sofa, mattress, bed with just your husband before. The big "30" is right around the corner and I'm trying to avoid it if at all possible. The weird thing is, I don't "feel" 30 mentally, maybe because I'm the youngest in the family and have always been immature (haha) but oh man, my body feels 30 for sure. Not to mention new wrinkles here and there.

This past weekend was our move that I have been looking forward to for what seems like years! I have been convincing ap for us to downsize and after several months of propositioning, he gave in. 1) I wanted a fresh new start in a new place. Our old apt was too dark w/out much natural lighting and I wanted to let go of everything bad that happened while we were there. Our 2 years there brought us so much joy but also heartache I wanted to leave behind in the dark apt. People always say your home should be bright w/lots of natural light. I never believed in feng shui and stuff like that but I'll see if this holds true since our new apt gets lots of sunlight. 2) We really do not need a 2nd bedroom. Ap is a hoarder! Do you know anyone that still has his college Ikea desk lamp, alarm clock from high school that has ddae all over it, 4 game systems, and 3 racks full of 90's CDs - who still listens to cd's!!? Yea...he doesn't like to throw things away. The only way to have him get rid of what I call junk he calls treasure was to get rid of an unnecessary bedroom that was purely a storage in my eyes. I went through everything and convinced him to sell, donate, throw things away. I throw everything away while ap holds onto every little possession. I wear the same things every week while ap takes up 3/4 of our walk in closet. We ended up selling 2 TVs, game system, camera, and still have boxes full of stuff to sell. My rule was if you haven't used it or even touched it in the last 6 months, you don't need it! We decided we'll buy something useful and nice for our new apt with the money from selling all the junk/treasure...he was happy with that idea and I haven't looked back since! And while ap was at work, I did all the packing and threw out the trash in the dumpster instead of waiting for him to do it because I got rid of things he won't even notice are gone but would have protested in throwing away if he was home. I had to take advantage of the time he wasn't home! 3) Cut down expenses big time. We knew there would be sacrifices we'd make while ap is going to school. He only has another year or so left so I have to cut our expenses any way we can. I could not pass up cutting $400/month. Basically, we were paying $400 a month for ap's storage. LOL. 4) I hate a balcony facing a courtyard!! I used to sleep through wars but as I get older, I am a lighter sleeper and am sensitive to every little sound so when obnoxious, rude neighbors sit out in their balcony talking at 2am, I wanted to cry! Now our balcony faces the opposite side with our garage right below us and the balcony gets so much sun light that I can work in the balcony now, which is so nice!

Everytime I moved since ap and I have been together, we did it ourselves without really any help needed. OMG, not no more! I am useless now! Thank God ap's friends came over to help because I passed out after an hour I think. Now, the thought of having to move again next year or so is frightening, but next time, we will have one less room/storage to move and throw out. :)

sister's wedding contd...

Going back to work after a long weekend is the suckiest thing in the world! I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with my new in-laws. Sister's new SIL lives/works in Spain and they're given so much time off from work throughout the year! And they get what's called "double pay". At first I thought she meant bonus and thought, oh yea we have that. Nooo, the Spaniards know how to take care of their employees! They're paid twice in July and again in December just because. And they get 2-3 hour lunches. I barely have time to run to our cafeteria across the hall and have lunch at my desk! I told ap we need to move to Europe.

Ok, so on to more important stuff. My sister's wedding really was the most romantic, cozy, classy wedding. It wasn't outrageous or lavish. Totally proved it does not take thousands of dollars spent on unncessary wedding extravagence to create the most memorable wedding. And I thought I was the crafty/artsy one in the family! My sister really proved that wrong because about 75% of everything for her wedding were her ideas and DIY's. From the mailbox letters/postcards escort card idea to her arrangement of flowers and to the s'mores fireplace and lounge area - everything was just perfect. And these are all not very costly things but they're more meaningful than any extravagent wedding ideas.

Here are some pictures ap took. My favorite part of the night was dancing with my mom and aunt and watching all extended family members there having fun, laughing and dancing. We rarely get to see each other so it was wonderful. Having gone through some tough times recently with the passing of my uncle, seeing everyone there to share our love for each other after everything was so heart warming. Oh, and I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful my new brother-in-law's family is. I can hang out with them everyday - they're so fun!!

The Bride holding back her tears...My favorite woman...Our bm dresses actually turned out really pretty. It definitely did not look like this in the beginning....I could write a novel about the story behind this dress but I won't bore you. Don't you love how each dress' straps are different? Of course, you can only imagine how long it took me to decide which of the 3 I wanted knowing how indecisive I am. I must have asked everybody I knew for their opinion including ap who seriously thought they all looked exactly alike.
The guests found their personalized letter the Bride/Groom wrote by hand individually which also showed where they were seated. How thoughtful and cute is that! And these cards/letters were on adorable paper.My sister totally broke away from the traditional table setting and flower arrangements by having long rectangular tables with ceramic bowls/cups with floating candles and flowers. It is so much prettier and cost efficient than the traditional centerpieces we're used to seeing. Me & the beautiful sis/Bride. And finally...the highlight of the night was dancing with my aunt...in fact she danced with everyone whether she knew you or not. I don't know where she gets her energy! I refuse to believe she and my mom are 60. My aunt doesn't dance like 60 for sure! And there is Yumi enjoying her mom's dance with me. :) Speaking of energy, I am getting old...I was so tired by 9pm. The Bride/Groom and their friends went out to downtown LA to continue the festivities....and they're older than me! But in my defense, I woke up 1 hour earlier than the rest of the girls because I had to "tame" my hair for the makeup/hair girl. Uuugh my hair!!!Sorry for the long post! I had more fun than my own wedding...is that allowed? But I really did because 1) I didn't drink (just 1 beer) & still had fun 2) I was relaxed 3) I could actually remember the day/night 4) family's presence and love were felt more than ever.

Now...if only the other sister can be convinced to take the plunge.

sister's wedding

Finally! I have time to update...it'll be just a sneak peak. The newlyweds & the new in-laws are coming to pick me up soon for a tour around Irvine. hahaha. The grandest thing to show them around here I guess would be the best TJ Maxx Home Goods ever or SCPlaza.

Here is just a bit of what the wknd's festivities were like. Much more to share...it seriously was the most beautiful, intimate and fun wedding ever. It was 10 times better than my own wedding. I'm sad it's all over though~~ I love planning weddings! **I have to also mention the greatest thing I found over the wknd. My sister hired the BEST wedding coordinators EVER! I cannot even put into words how wonderful the girls were.

Rehearsal Dinner & before the start of the ceremony:

Before the start of the ceremony. The site was just amazing!:

precious!

I go to my sister's to play with her little ones more than to hang out with the sister herself. Oh, her dogs AND her espresso machine but the little ones still come first. She's dog sitting the most tiny precious little yorkie this week. I remember when my sister got her very first dog, a yorkie named Star, back in 2003 and remember how precious she was but this little one named Coco is just too cute.

Look at those eyes!!Cannot forget mentioning my nieces though. My sister really does treat them like they're human. I have to say, they're cuter than most humans I know. Sometimes I just want to take Mong *the Shitzu* home with me and then I remember I have to pick up her doodoo, walk, feed, and bathe her and then think maybe not!
We're talking about one of them being the ring bearer for Lena's wedding. I nominated Mong just because she's more alert, smart and my favorite. But I guess it is up to the Bride who favors Toy more. I've been telling her she'll end up waiting 2 hours for Toy to make it down the aisle. We'll see what happens!

skin doctor

If there is a PhD in extraction - she deserves it. Renee (I don't even know her last name or name of her shop!) is sent from God. Seriously. I've had facials and extractions done before and even went through a package of like 10 facials/extractions but nothing/no one compares to what I experienced this past weekend. I just tagged along w/my sister without much thought or expectation. I figured - you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. I was so wrong. We ended up going to her home since her shop was closed for the day. Her home is in long beach so it worked out better for us distance wise. At first, I thought...a facial at her house?? We went in to barking dogs and a Chinese hahr ah buh jee who led us to the living room to wait for Renee. I sat there reading Chinese magazines, not knowing what the heck it's about, but it looked like Chinese US weekly. (We were hoping to see a Korean celebrity in it but didn't.) And then tah dah~~~ Renee showed up.

She is so so so thorough. Thorough is not even a word to describe her. She's meticulous and so detailed and just perfect. I sat there watching her as she extracted my sister's nasty pores and pimples and I swear...it was like Discovery Channel for me. She educated me on what she was doing step by step, extraction by extraction. My sister clung onto me screaming for her life and I was getting nervous cuz I knew I was up next. It took 90 minutes...a whole hour and a half! And it's only $50!!! She did the whole nine yards - cleanse, extract, mask, moisturize - for $50! I was up next and I seriously cried at every single extraction. The tears just wouldn't stop! I looked like a complete idiot.

It was all worth it. As painful as it was, she was so thorough, educational, helpful and most importantly - my face felt 20lbs lighter from all the gunk she took out (it was like going to MYT) and it actually worked! I look much more refreshed, smooth and clean. I cannot wait for another visit. And she walked us out to our car and waived us good-bye until we we were out of her sight...isn't that so sweet!! It must be an Asian thing, but I was so touched. I love things like that. :)

when 24 hours is not enough

I came into the office today to catch up on some work. I'm falling a little behind and when you start falling behind with my job, it's a mean, ugly cycle...can never catch up! I had training all week in the mornings so work hours were really cut in half. I won't use that as an excuse...I've been lagging because I can't seem to get up in time for work because of my night hours prepping for the etsy shop. 24 hours just does not seem enough! Today: I'm at work now, will go home around noon to finish up my cards to list on etsy, take photos of them, go to the asthetician with my sister, rush to make it to our friends' daughter's birthday, come back and try (try is the key word) to list some items on etsy and open up the shop. If I can accomplish at least 2 things on this list today, I've succeeded. I'm at work - so I can knock 1 thing off! What is up and running is the blog: www.parywinklepapergoods.blogspot.com. It's a start, I guess. I really want to do this to pass time and as a hobby but my personality gets the best of me. It's all or nothing for me with just about everything. OK - need to get back to work so I don't fall even more behind than I already am at my real job.

new venture & the click

after much consideration and talks with ap, i will be making some paper goods to sell on etsy soon. gocco has got me even more hooked these days than ever and although the cost to use it is a bit on the pricey side, the fun/results are invaluable. i remember coming across etsy while planning my wedding and it was like heaven! there is so much creativity and fun there. i am amazed everyday at how crafty and ingenious a lot of etsiers are. am i ready? heck no. i'm my own harshest critic and the biggest pessimist. my coworkers have a joke and call me pessimist pary (or positive pary to be sarcastic)**below will show you why. but i'm just itching to gocco and there is no point in gocco'ing if i cannot share it with anyone. so that's what's been keeping me up late at nights - the r&d. i might be a pessimist but i'm a "planning" pessimist. i like to plan ahead because the unknown frightens me. i'm just getting some goods ready so i can open the shop with more than just one item to list. lets keep our fingers crossed i can move quickly!

speaking of my character at work...have you ever had a client hang up on you? well, it happens quite often than not when i have to break it to people that i cannot approve their loan, especially in this economic climate. well, when someone just "hangs up on you" hangs up on you - I can take it. they're angry - i just made their life miserable...i get it. but when i have not even declined your loan and you're a jerk to me just because you're a mean person - i have a hard time taking it. i won't go into the details about my job, but the worst kind of aholes are the ones who speak to you calmly, yet condescendingly (enunciating every other word), and coldly (hello! i CAN just put your file underneath the 43 other files i have! yes, so be nice to your underwriters/processors because they CAN do that.). well, so when this kind of an ahole hung up on me the other day - I had to call him back. "Mr. Layton - did you just hang up on me? I'm calling back just to make sure, because I do not remember you telling me you wanted to terminate the call so would you like to terminate the call or do i need to review the conditions of the loan with you again?" I totally expected another click but he actually just sighed, literally. maybe he was tired of talking like an ahole & that's why he hung up!

need a break

Thought i'd update real quick as i wait for my dinner date to arrive. ap is out of town for the weekend so my friend will be over to keep me company for the night. And seriously - all i've been thinking about is what we should eat for dinner. Sometimes, i think about dinner ideas all day! So indecisive....but I think I'll suggest The Counter tonight. Some sweet potato fries sound so good right now. We deserve the treat since we couldn't make it for wine tasting to SB with Caroline - I really wanted to go and see the newly engaged girl's glow!

With the hubs out of my hair (haha~!) for the day and sister at a wedding she's part of, I actually got more gocco work done without them. Usually they help me...well, ap just opens the door to let the ink air out when I ask, so scratch that - I actually got more work done without sis. She's the best support & help but sometimes, you know when you just work best alone? Today was that day. Gocco is so fun & amazing but the task can seem so daunting before I begin. But today, I got on a roll! Here are some cards I finished up and add'l little somethins' I made. I need to gocco personalized names on the boy/girl silhouette cards, but c's almost here so I wrapped it up for the day.

I actually wanted to put the wording horizontal but I couldn't do it with my small gocco space so I just did it to the side. I think it turned out better than expected though.

These Eiffel Tower cards are on Paper Source Luxe cards so there's more texture which really fits the print and its mood than on just plain smooth cardstock.

In case you didn't notice - those bicycles are tandem. Hence, "better together". Totally got the idea while listening to Jack Johnson! :)

I need to personalize these. How cute will that be! Can't wait.

These were made from scraps of paper I had leftover. I didn't want to just throw them away so they worked out perfectly! These will add such character to any gift!

Ulrich is in town this weekend so we'll probably spend tomorrow with him so I think my gocco can be put away for the weekend. Next up is to tackle invitations & calendar. Thank God I ran out of cardstock today because I would've started on the invitations and probably make c just sit and watch tv in the living room and forget about dinner. She just called and said she's passing Culver City - ahhh I'm about to pass out from hunger! I think I'll make myself a sandwich while I wait...otherwise, I don't even know if I'll make it to The Counter.

got gocco?

Everytime I passed by my gocco box just sitting there, I always felt a pinch of guilt...I left it alone and lifeless for so long! I've been itching to use it for months now, but with crazy work schedule and life's little bumps here & there, I've been neglecting it. Preparing my sister's shower got my crafty motor running and I remembered how fun & useful gocco was. So this afternoon, I put together some flat notecards. I just used leftover cardstock to see how my trial would turn out since I'm still waiting for the cover samples to get delivered. I need to find out what cardstock/cover would work best. These are not finished just yet since I have to wait for them to dry to add wording, but I love the antique feel and intricate details gocco creates, like the Eiffel Tower. Never been to Paris but heck, this sure makes me want to be there right now!

I also ordered extra supplies yesterday since gocco supply prices keep increasing. If I wait to order them later, I know I'll be paying more so even if it means being greedy now, I gotta stock up. Which also means I better get my money's worth! By next week, hopefully this drawer will be full & colorful. It'll be like Christmas for me~!

This past week, ap brought home a tart he made in class. My midnight snack. He knows me too well. :)

Shower & BP wknd

My sister's shower and bachelorette party weekend went smoothly & I survived without having a panic attack or a hangover. I wish I could've done more or this and that, but I'm just glad the bride & guests had fun. It was a long, full day of good food, drinks, fun & friends. Can't get better than that!

My sister Irene seriously needs to consider catering or culinary school. Delish!

Yumi is leaving for Philly in two weeks! I thought SF was too far, but now she's going to the opposite side of the country for 2 years! I'm just glad she's not going alone.

Where's the Groom?

We went down to Newport for the Bachelorette Festivities same night. Dinner at Tommy Bahama's was awesome...we got so much comp'd!

The Bride & her gf relaxing by The Island Hotel pool. Hands down, The Island has the BEST shower water pressure! It almost knocked me down a few times - it's that good!Next is the wedding...I'm still trying to get some days off at work the week leading up to the wedding so that I can fulfill my MOH duties, because honestly, I haven't done jack so far except the shower & bp. I think it's my sister being a control freak like myself though...she likes to do everything herself. She found the best aethetician in town, she claims, so she's taking me in a couple weeks. Crossing my fingers I don't come out looking like I have mosquito bites all over my face. I also took my dusty gocco & supplies out to start on some projects. Although I milked gocco's value for my wedding, it's still a waste to have it just sit there under the bed when I know all the wonders it can do! The sad part is, all gocco suppliers have pretty much stopped carrying them & slowly even online suppliers will run out of their inventory so I have to stock up on supplies like NOW when they're available. Prices keep inflating too. Darn it!

Crisis

Oh where does the time go! I just knew I'm too lazy to keep a blog. Blogging vs. napping...the latter always seems more enticing - can't help it! My sister's shower is this weekend. I still can't believe her wedding is less than 2 months from today! My last entry was about her engagement! My sister had the Bridesmaid dresses custom-made. I tried on the finished dress this past weekend and I seriously felt a punch in the gut. I got so fat! Sigh...am I letting myself go like this? It was really depressing. I think it's because we don't have a full size mirror in our room and the only one is in our guest room which I hardly ever go in. So every morning, I never got a chance to see how pudgy I was getting (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). I need to go out and get the Wii Active or Fit or whatever it is or sign up for Bikram again - something, anything!

I must say, prepping my sister's wedding/shower has been more fun than when I was planning my own wedding. The stress level is not as high and I'm just enjoying the process a lot more. Watching her stress out is definitely more fun, too. haha~

These are the favors for this weekend's shower. Hopefully none of the shower guests read this. The tissue pouches were so fun and simple to make. I contemplated whether I should keep them just 2 colors but decided I'll make them in various colors so guests can choose whatever colored pouch they want. Our dining area has recently been invaded with shower supplies, decorations - thank God there's only me and ap in our small apt. Slowly but surely we've been see our eating space get smaller and smaller. But after this weekend - we can have a full blown K.BBQ at home that we used to have before tissues, scissors, punches, and ribbons took over!