Hello Friday..

Ever have those days, where you wake up, stare at the alarm clock and just want to throw it across the room, because the utter thought of getting out of bed makes you want to hurl? Well, that is how I've been feeling for the last two days. I've been feeling very sluggish, tired, achy, feverish and just plain BLAH. My head feels like someone kicked it in two places, and my nose is runny, and I feel dizzy. I know I caught a cold from my daughter, and my youngest has had a presistant cough and runny nose too. I've been home with him the last two days, and although it's not a problem at work at all, there is just that feeling of "guilt" that I'm not at work, or that I'm letting someone down for not being there. I know it sounds stupid...but being at home is so nice sometimes, I'm thinking--"Gee I could really get used to this." Ever get that feeling?

Well, I'm going try and not feel that way anymore and do something constructive. It's amazing how much housework I can do when I don't feel particulary well. Perhaps that is why I'm feeling guilty because I know I could be at work right now doing "work" that is relatively more enjoyable than cleaning a toilet or picking up my son's smelly socks. Well, Nick is sick, so that is my excuse. If he should cough more than once or show any signs of a runny nose I will immediately get a phone call from the office nurse to come and pick him up before he contaminates the whole classroom with his germs. Schools are getting really anal about that now. I actually had his kindergarten teacher ASK ME to not bring him in one day because he "looked sick" to her. What?! Okay, whatever. I've never had that asked before, and when I told my mother, my mom thought the teacher was "uma maluca" (crazy lady) because he did not look at all ill to her---nor to myself. Oh well.

Thanks Teresa for the heads up on the following video. I apologize if the language offends anyone. I'm just in one of the those moods--if you know what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h05ZQ7WHw8Y

For some reason I can't upload this video on here. It involves too much thinking, and my poor head cannot figure it out right now.

It is almost April, and I'm thinking of the many reasons why I love the month. It's my birthday month, it's Easter, and it's my anniversary month which means that hubby and I can get away for another weekend in Monterey-one of my favorite places here in California. We are going to stay at the hotel we stayed at when we got married--6 years ago. It doesn't seem that long ago, and it is kind of strange to think it's been 6 years already.



Beautiful Monterey, April, 2008

We decided to not jinx the whale boat trip. Instead of booking for it, and taking the necessary pills not to get sea sick, and then get a call that the trip is cancelled due to choppy seas, we are going to book it when we get there. Those pills we took ruined the whole day...we felt sluggish and tired all day. Kind like what I'm feeling like today!

I'm also thinking about the summer. No big vacations this year-have to save up for that trip to Portugal next summer for the wedding of Tania and Ruben. :) We do have a family reunion in June for Rich's side of the family--sounds like fun. Thinking of another trip to Disneyland. Okay..I'm thinking too much. My brain is started to hurt and pound again. Until next time--- :)

Cold & Alone...

No...I am neither "cold and alone" by no means, and for that I'm very grateful, but for some reason the internet thinks otherwise.

I've been bombarded by emails from the SNUGGIE people and EHarmony recently, ever since I got on Facebook. My "status" states clearly "married"--doesn't that mean anything--shouldn't it FLAG something? Apparently I don't know myself better than the evil internet who thinks I must be single and alone, and because of that, I am cold at night because I have no one to snuggle with, so I obviously need that Snuggie, and because of this, it wants me to find someone on EHarmony so I won't be "alone anymore". The internet is looking out for me. How sweet, but no thanks.



How attractive! It reminds me of a bath robe worn backwards. There is no back--it's like a hospital robe without the annoying strings! It reminds me of something an occult group might wear to a bonfire meeting or an execution. It's a wonder it doesn't come in "midnight black".

Okay, the Snuggie may be a marvelous invention, and I do know a few people who have found love, or thought they found love through EHarmony. I don't want to put them down, but I'm not cold, and I'm not alone!! These emails are just so annoying. Where were they when I WAS cold AND ALONE?! Where were you then, Snuggie and EHarmony?!

It's Spring!! YAY!

Remember my neighbors, the Stuarts? Mary, my dear neighbor who always kept her front yard looking like the gardens at Disneyland? Well, we were shocked the other day when we noticed that her entire front yard was torn up for a total remodel. What?! Why or why?! It was beautiful! Well, the workers are out there again this morning, and there is no doubt that it will be even MORE beautiful. Time to fix our front yard and cement that big piece of dirt husband has been parking in. I'm sure it makes Mary shudder each time she sees the dirt stained tire marks on the sidewalk. The weeds sprouting all over in the backyard is making husband want a pool more than ever. If he had his way, he would cement the whole backyard. Perhaps a cement "pond" will happen in the near future. The Stuarts don't have a pool. They have a gazebo with a garden and a water fountain--very pretty. They used to have Koi fish until the raccoons came by in the middle of the night one summer and ate them all. We get big raccoons visiting us, and we have a large amount of fearless squirrels running about. What if they fell in the pool?! Do squirrels and raccoons swim?

I'm definitely need to put my son Nicholas in swimming lessons. NO pool until this little boy knows how to swim! I've always been nervous in the water-ever since I was a young child, but I've always wanted a pool in the backyard ever since I was a young child---doesn't make sense, I know. It's like living on a island all your life and never learning how to swim. You'd be surprised how many people there are like that. For example, my mother has never owned or worn a bathing suit. I've only seen her wear shorts---bermuda shorts. In her day, only "cabritas" (wild goats--aka: wild girls) wore swimsuits. You were either a "cabrita" or a "tom boy"...if you dared to jump into the sea! Better to sit on a rock in "proper attire" with a umbrella/parasol to keep the sun off of your delicate skin! See---they may have had a point there. I don't think they had SP sun block screening back then.

Have a great weekend! Is it still snowing in Ohio, Lisa? :( Wherever you are, put on the Snuggie or, if you are lucky and get to enjoy the sun today, smear on that sunblock or carry your parasol, cabritas!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Here is some history of why St. Patrick's Day is celebrated. It doesn't say why people tend to drink a little more, or dress in green; and no mention of leprechauns whatsover, but enjoy. P.S. I learned today that Leprechauns are not even Irish at all. The leprechaun was introduced through Walt Disney---the tale of the leprechaun is purely an American character. I don't know about you, but I feel a little cheated and betrayed.

Saint Patrick from: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89
St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.

Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.


Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish.

There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story.

Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote

"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.

Why a shamrock?
Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.

In His Footsteps:
Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.

How To Catch A Leprechaun

Leprechauns: Little Irish shoemaking elves that have a love for gold. You know when one is about when you hear the tapping of hammers. My son's homework assignment for the month was to make a trap to catch a leprechaun. All of the projects from class will be due tomorrow, in hopes to trap a "wee" one. What the class will do IF they trap one-I have no idea!



It was a fun project. I used an empty cardboard napkin container, some cardboard lined with shelf paper. from some Avon Boxes, some glitter, some gold necklaces and pretend coins, some crayons, and a lot of clover, weeds, and rocks and dirt from the yard. Nicholas is pretty proud..I just hope it doesn't all wilt overnight. How the hell am I going to carry this to his classroom tomorrow? It shall be interesting.

Acai e bom! :)

Acai (pronounced: A CY Eee)

I had my first Acai this morning, and I'm happy to report that I liked it! In fact, I liked it a lot! My Acai was called the Carmen Miranda (of course) and it had mango, pineapple and bananas, granola & very dark purple yogurt blend. It was very, very-satisfying, and I couldn't finish my bowl-will eat the rest later. If you like fruit, and yogurt, you would like this. That is my Acai review; nothing like Oprah's review of course, but that is my review. I give it two thumbs up---a Fonzie "Hey"

Free Lunch

Free lunch..

There is apparently such a thing!

Our boss woman wrote a letter to the management of this dumpy building, highlighting all the horrible job conditions we have had to endure working in the building while construction was going on, and because of the letter and the threat of us eventually leaving the premises once the lease is up (it ends early this summer) the building’s owner and manager wants to take us “out to lunch.” We are all going a free lunch from the sandwich place across the street next week. Yipppee!!

Free food is good!

I just wish this office building would stop shaking. It is driving me crazy!! They are doing construction work in the ground across the street, and this building is vibrating and shaking!! It feels like we are having never ending after shocks! I hate earthquakes, and that is what if feels like. I have to sit away from the back of my chair so I don’t feel the vibration on my back. Yes, it’s that bad. I swear, the building must have been imported from China. I’m not kidding!

Yesterday I got an email from someone I haven’t heard from in years! It was nice that she remembered my email and sat down to send me an email. We met through a mutual friend from our past. This mutual friend is not really a friend anymore to either one of us and there is good reason why. It’s a long story that would take me many entries to write about, but basically it’s a story we have all heard before-if not in real life, in soap operas.
This woman left her “boring and uneventful” life to be with a motorcycle gang member (Portuguese motorcycle gang member-yeah, the worse kind let me tell you..ha haha), and this person did drugs, and beat her up and eventually took everything she had…etc. It’s a sad, sad story, but this woman really never “grew up”. She married too young in life, and discovered she was “missing out” on adventures when she started getting chummy with various married men she met on the internet. Oh, the scandal of it all, I know. Who knows who is really at fault. We all can’t play a “victim” all our lives. We eventually have to take responsibility for own one actions at one point. Her husband was a pretty nice guy in my opinion; but who knows what really went on. All I know is the guy eventually divorced her, and married a woman who my ex-husband fixed him up with. This woman is my ex-husband’s wife’s cousin. Yes, it’s a soap opera I tell you! Fortunately for me, I moved and she didn’t have a new phone number to contact me back at, but the last our mutual friend heard from her was when she was calling the house various times in the day making prank phone calls. This is after this friend accompanied her on many occasions to bankruptcy court, trying to get her life back on track. Wheww..

I know you are all wondering (?) if I’ve yet to try the Acai next door at the Brazilian café. I have not yet---but I have been admiring the big bowls of fruit (with peanut butter?!) a co-worker has been buying over there. I think tomorrow I will try it. I haven’t been back there since I was “slammed” with the comment of “not wanting to speak Portuguese” not because I felt “slammed” but simply because I cannot afford to buy $3.00 coffee every day. Going there is a treat. I will give you an Acai review hopefully next time. By the lack of comments, I don’t think any of you had tried it yet. I will let you know.

My head is pounding. Not quite sure if it’s the lack of protein (no meat for the last two ½ weeks) or the vibrations coming across the street.

Have a good week!

Edwin

I woke up this morning with the realization that it was someone's birthday. This is my note to my brother, Edwin-1957-1961

Although I never met you big brother, you'll always be known to me as my "little brother." I grew up with only your pictures to know you by--your toothy smile next to our big brother Eddy. There are pictures of you playing with the neighbor's dog, dancing in the livingroom, playing cars and trucks, and those pictures of you and Eddy wearing matching suit Sunday clothes, posing by the water fountain at the Water Dept.

I grew up hearing I looked like you. I remember the look on my father's face when he said it-it was a bittersweet look. I saw the resemblance in your baby pictures-and I sometimes would claim them as my own. I also grew up being reminded daily NEVER to run across the street, and to always ride my bike on the right side of the road, because dad always said, "I already lost one, and I don't want to lose another."

To this day, I often wonder what life would have been to grow up with two big brothers around. I will never know-I will only know that I have missed out.

Happy Birthday Edwin-you would have been 52 years old today-but you will always be my little brother.

I love you!

Your younger sister, Julie

Acai, anyone?

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As you may remember, I have written previously about the status of my work area. My office building is in the middle of a major face-lift of repairs. They have completely ripped out the toilet facilities, and slowly have been ripping the carpet apart, painting the building, etc. At this point, after a month of remodeling, there isn’t one thing that has been completely finished as of yet. There have been some improvements however.

Last week, they took out the disgusting, over-flowing (I’m not kidding) porta potties out, and have replaced them with a trailer type bathroom. There is a men’s and women’s section. I am very happy about that because apparently the workers were using the porta potties and they were not “aiming” well. I don’t know this first hand of course because I NEVER used those porta potties, referred as the “blue room”, but I’ve heard stories from people who have. There is nothing worse than sitting down on a “wet” seat, is there? Anyway, these NEW toilets can be best described as ones you see in airplanes. There is a constant fan going, and a generator motor running, and it’s very cramp in there, but if you close your eyes and use your imagination, you can pretend you are in a plane going somewhere nice, like Fuji.

It is rainy and wet today, and the workers are not here today, but there is a construction crew across the street putting in stakes, and drilling in the ground in an empty lot. Each time the drill goes into the ground, our building vibrates. I’m not kidding. Before I realized what was going on, I thought I was experiencing after-shocks or an earthquake. I noticed things around me vibrating. Even the back of my chair was shaking. Lovely! Why the owners of this building did not choose to just simply tear down this piece of crap building to the ground and start anew is beyond me.

Today I decided to stay away from the new Brazilian coffee shop. That coffee mocha I had yesterday was tasty, but---it was very rich. It kind of made my stomach do somersaults later in the evening. I have to try the Acai. Have any of you had that before? Perhaps tomorrow I will be brave and try the Acai. I know Oprah loves the stuff, and I know it’s good for you; and I heard it can help you loose weight.



The Brazilian lady was hoping I would read the 3 page article of the benefits of the Acai while I was waiting for my mocha. Instead, I went on and on about my love for the accents of her native country. Perhaps that annoyed her enough to tell me to start speaking English. A long time ago, when I was divorced and single, and dating, (before I met the love of my life, Rich), I met a guy from Brazil. I’m not kidding—his name was Fabio. When he spoke, I just sat there listening in total awe. We only dated a few times. Last time I heard from him he was on his way to San Francisco to get a fake social security card. Not good, I know. It is for the best that I never saw him again. I’m guessing he got caught trying to get that fake social security card, threw him in jail, and then deported him back home to Porto Alegre, Brazil. Anyway, some co-workers of mine went over to the new Brazilian coffee shop yesterday afternoon, only to discover the place closed at 3 pm. They were very disappointed. I guess the coffee shop goes by Brazilian time…not American. Viva Brasil!



I’ve given up meat for Lent. It’s not as hard as it seems. I figure, I could drink Acai’s and veggie burgers until Easter. I’m not a real meat eater anyway---ask anybody. I eat for the most part like a rabbit or a chicken; a little here, a little there.. My downfall is chocolate. I know I should have given up that for Lent instead of meat. Oh well, may be next year.

Okay....You guys don't recognize me..hey?

Here I am looking over at Angela's friend, Elisabetta. It was a funny moment, but I don't know remember what exactly was said...that diet Pepsi just hit me, if you know what I mean. From the look on Vivian's face to my left, it was a very funny moment.



I'm the one in the back holding the diet coke and the lime!!

I know the picture is a little dark, but I assumed you knew what I looked like. I have to remember, one must never assume anything!

I always hate when I go against my better judgement, and get lazy, and just assume. It makes me feel like an idiot. For example, next door this new cafe place opened up, finally! I am so happy! No longer do I have to go next door to the gas station for coffee! Now I can go next door to the new cafe! It's a Brazilian Acai/Coffee shop, and my fellow co-workers and I have been awaiting for the opening for almost a year now. My friend, Alphonse (whose girlfriend lives in Brazil) especially has been awaiting for it to open. He has been waiting for more coconut milk for months now ever since he got back from Brazil. Well, to make a long story short, I happily went next door, where I was greeted by two very happy workers. The place was empty, and I was the only customer. I could tell right away that the girl at the register was Brazilian--the accent is a dead give away. Well, I assumed she would appreciate my spoken Portuguese, but nope---she said rather blankly said "I like the English language." Okay..whatever. I'll never speak Portuguese to her again. I warned Alphonse already. He was all excited to be able to speak Brazilian/Portuguese to the business owners.

"I can't even say, Obrigado?" (that means thank you)

He was a little disappointed. Oh well! I will say though, I had the best Mocha I've had in a very long time!

Oi, que legal!

Happy March

It's a rainy day in San Jose, California. What is that saying? March comes in like a lamb and leaves like a lion? Well, it's been a gloomy looking day with light rain off and on. My orange tree apparently is enjoying this weather. We have NEVER gotten so many oranges on our tree like we have this year. These oranges are SWEET too. I think the tree overheard Rich say that he was going to chop it down. It went down during a winter storm a few years ago, and we managed to save it, but it is growing a little crooked, and there is one branch limb that is hitting our window. However, because of it's production of oranges this year, Rich has decided that the tree will stay..but that limb has got to go.

I can't believe it's March already. Spring is almost here. Clocks go back in a week! Longer days! Just a month until Spring break! Just 3 1/2 months until summer break. Wow...weird!! Seems like I'm still putting away Christmas stuff.



Above is a picture of me and the girls on Dia das Amigas---Friendship Day. We went to the Improv last month. It was fun--hope to do it again one day soon.

So, have you done your taxes yet?

Well, the HUGE tax deductions I now take out of my payroll have paid off. The first time in years since we got money back from the IRS. YAY! Perhaps I can get that new oven and fridgerator I've been wanting. The stove came with the house, and the back burner doesn't work. The fridge is one that I have had since 1997-I got a year or so before my divorce with my ex-husband. During the divorce we kind of fought over it. I hate it. Why? It's a two door, and the freezer side is so narrow you can't even fit a pizza box in there.

It's been an uneventful weekend---which is good. My friend from work came over yesterday. I signed her up as an Avon Representative, and she is all excited. I'm glad. We may do some parties together---more Christmas Boutiques..it shall be fun.

I haven't advertised lately, so here is my shameful plug:

http://julielangley.avonrepresentative.com/

If you want to get an Avon email with weekly specials, let me know and I'll put you on my email list.

Have a wonderful week people! :)