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!