Monday, April 30, 2007

What a nice weekend!

So my weekend was pretty relaxing. Baby and I tried a new sushi restaurant in the Galleria area called Sage 400 Friday night. FYI- this place was phenomenal! Although Baby and I spent almost as much on our two glasses of wine (yes, we're wine snobs and we're not ashamed to admit it!) as we did the whole sushi dinner, it is still a restaurant worth revisiting. I haven't said that about many restaurants lately seeing as I've been disappointed on my last couple of outings to new places, so this was a welcome change. Afterwards, we went home to watch the basketball playoffs and fell asleep to the Rockets getting their butts kicked.

Saturday, I went for a mani and pedi while Baby did some yard work - thank goodness he didn't ask me to help! Then we went to the Galleria. If any of you know me, then you know I absolutely hate the Galleria. I usually hate shopping in general mainly because clothes are not made for short women who are NOT built like miniature stick-figures. 90 percent of the time, I leave the mall depressed and without one item...except maybe another pair of sexy shoes. I have all these great shoes and no outfits to where with them :(

Anyhoo, Baby asked me if I wanted something from Tiffany's but instead I got him to buy me something that was almost PRICELESS. We entered Express seeing I was on a search for a pair of slacks for work. Express is probably the one place I can buy their Editor slacks in a 4-Short and NOT have to get them altered. I'm sure you're saying, "well, I'm sure they have a big selection." Let me correct that thought. They had about 8 different colors of the Editor pant. In the whole store, they were only able to find two pairs. TWO! Damn them! One was in black, which I can always use another pair of black slacks, and the other in grey. Although it wasn't the color I really wanted, I had to jump on the fact that they had them in my size. In addition, I found a short-sleeve dress jacket that could be worn with slacks or jeans that did not require altering as well. I felt like I hit the motherload! You have to understand that these finds are probably the most items I've found at one store that actually fit...EVER! I might walk out of a store with one item (that still had to be taken to the tailor), but never two...let alone three! Baby opted to buy them for me as my gift seeing as he realized that this gift was definitely more meaningful than shiny jewelry that he could buy me at any time. These were clothes that actually fit and made me happy. Yes, it might seem strange that I preferred work clothes over jewelry, but unless you've seen me leaving a mall devestated and almost in tears, you probably would never understand. Granted, these slacks aren't cheap nor was the jacket since nothing I wanted was on sale (go figure!) so he probably spent more on the clothes than he would've had I picked a little silver necklace or earrings at Tiffany's. Oh, well. He loves me and bought me something that made me oh so happy. That's all that counts, right?

We also invited my family over to Baby's house Sunday for lunch. He cooked Chicken Tetrazinni and I made Red Wine Vinegar Asaparagus and Shallots - YUM! I have to say this... Baby must love me to put up with me, my mom, my sister, her husband, and my 2-year old niece. The day was great, but definitely wore us out. We were in bed before 9pm, and I'm sure I was asleep by 10pm. What a weekend!

Ole!

Last Thursday night, the gang decided to get together for a little Tex-Mex for my birthday. Nothing says celebrating your birthday like big sombreros and margaritas. Unfortunately, I was still on antibiotics so I was still on non-drinking mode :( I guess I'll just have to make up for that while I'm on my relaxing vacation in Scottsdale, AZ this weekend :)

Queso makes me HAPPY!

Tres Leches makes me even MORE happy!

Getting Baby to wear the sombrero makes me HAPPIEST! Ha!

Couldn't Dealer pass for my long lost sister?

My Girls

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

The BIG 3-0!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

WOOHOO!!!

Friday, April 20, 2007

Under the weather

For over a week (yes, even when Baby's parents were in town) I have been feeling pretty crappy. So the whole getting vomitted on when you already feel like shit really did help situations any better. It started off as allergies, progressed into a sinus infection, and snowballed into full-blown coughing, fever, and overall just plain SICK! I've been on antibiotics for the last 4 days and have another 6 days to go. Horrifically, that means no drinking on my actual 30th birthday next week. And no birthday celebratory drinks with Doc on his last weekend in town. WHAT?!?!?! Do I even like Doc when I'm sober?!?! Do I like any of my friends when I'm sober over a weekend for that matter?!?!?! Oh, well. What can you do? I can't afford to be sick another week, so I will begrudgingly behave.

Hope you all have a better weekend than I do!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

"Lady" of the Night

Most of you know that I live in the great kitschy area of Montrose in our great city of H-town. I love the novelty and artsy-ness of the area as well as many of the old colonial homes nestled in the tiny little neighborhoods. The downside is that there are many a street hustlers that wander aimlessly about both in the shadier neighborhoods and the good neighborhoods. I suppose it all falls down to no zoning laws in Houston. Just like beautiful homes can be built right next to a crackhouse, a prostitute will work the corner of a busy nightlife street as much as they will a residential one a block away. Aaahh such is the life of inner city living...

I had quite the entertaining thing happen to me last night. As I pulled into my street to park my car, I saw a not-so-attractive tranny prostitute working the corner a street away from my place. As I noticed that my normal parking spot was taken by some random car (neighbors must have had company over), I had to drive to the end of the street and pull back around to park on the opposite side of the street across from my humble abode rather than right in front of it. The next thing you know, the tranny starts walking up to my car. I start thinking, "Oh, great...'she' thinks I turned the car around to pick her up." Nice... At the same time, I was on the phone with Doc who thought the unraveling situation was pretty entertaining. The second I put the car in park, the tranny tries to open the passenger car door. I crack the window to inform her that I live here, and am not looking for a score. "She" looked quite embarrassed (do prosts get embarrassed about misunderstandings like that or simply consider it part of the job?), and quickly walked away. She headed down the street and back to the main road. Poor tranny prostitute. I think she's new to the game. She didn't sound like she spoke English well, and is probably new north of the border. Suppose that's why I don't think she realized that even just a couple of blocks away from the gay nightlife scene makes a world of difference and puts you onto a quiet, sleepy, family-oriented neighborhood. If for whatever reason, the life she's living is one she cannot or chooses not to change for something more respectable, I hope she learns the ropes soon. If "she" keeps mistaking heterosexual, little Asian women coming home from their night job as a new "John", she will definitely starve.

Monday, April 16, 2007

He is such an exaggerator...but things still went well

So I've decided that Baby has this weird notion that people are more conservative than they truly are. Granted, I know he usually gets all uptight and P.C. around work people - which can be understandable depending on your work environment - but he tends to do that with just about everybody. Which for me, as we all know my nature to be outspoken and forthright, can be a polar opposite of Baby's ways of interacting. I suppose he wanted me to be on my best behavior with his parents, therefore, telling me all these things. What did he think I would do? Show up in leather chaps and no pants, and talk about how Baby and I rarely know what a weekend is like sober?!?!? Jeez... I love shock value, but I usually wait until at least the third time I meet someone ;)

First off, the meeting of the parents went extremely well. The whole "they don't curse, they don't drink" thing was not entirely true. Although they didn't spout off four-letter words like sailors, his parents did enjoy a glass or three of vino. All in all, I didn't feel like such a heathen. I found common ground with his mother that she enjoyed eating every hour just like I did. And I saw exactly in his father where Baby gets the whole rolling of the eyes accompanied by a "why are you always hungry? What's wrong with you?" scenario.

Saturday, I met up with Baby et al at his place before the performance of Wicked so that we could ride together. Let me inform you that the performance was everything the reviews have said about it...it was SPECTACULAR! The sets, the lighting, the acting, the singing, the choreography were phenomenal. I would be willing to see it again...and again...and again. Maybe I will take Doc the next time I visit him in NYC since he has yet to see it.

In addition to a great Saturday of theatre and an extremely tasty dinner at Grotto Ristorante, we decided to take them to the Museum of Natural Science for the Rome exhibit on Sunday afternoon. Coincidentally, the International Festival was going on in the park across the street from the museum, so we walked around there for a bit prior to heading to the museum. Japan was the country they honored this year, and there were performances, tea dances, and food galore. After taking in enough of that, we started off to the museum.

That is when a complete Rice Spice moment happened...squeamish beware that you are being forewarned that this story is not for the queasy...

Once we entered the museum, we realized the ticket line zig-zagged throughout and the wait would be quite a while. I decide to take a quick trip to the restroom. As I was washing my hands to leave said public restroom, a young girl (about high school age) comes running in to throw up in the trash can next to me. In her effort to get sick in the trash can, she back splashes her vomit all on my back, the back of my jeans, and a bit in my hair. Horror washed over me, then a wave of absolute rage. The girl continued to vomit, therefore, I felt it would be a cheap shot to punch her in the back of the head so I refrained with all the energy in my body. A woman was nice enough to use baby wipes to assist me in my cleaning efforts, but the damage was done. I smelled of puke and was not a happy camper. The girl's mother was in there helping her, and made no effort to make eye contact or apologize. Where were these people raised that they couldn't even offer up a simple, "I'm sorry"?!?!?! Huh?!?! Where I ask?!?!? The second she finished getting sick, they simply walked out of the restroom. Bitches!

After regaining my senses, I ran to Baby (because his cell phone was dead...damn him for never charging it!) to inform him and his parents we were leaving. Luckily, I caught them right as they were at the window to purchase the entrance tickets. So there I was in the car, the first weekend meeting Baby's parents, on my knees facing the rear window in the backseat as not to get any of the excrement on Baby's new car seats (he just bought the new Jeep Grand Cherokee last week), windows down to help air out the foul smell as Baby drove me home to get cleaned up. What are the odds?!?! At least his parents will forever remember me and why we didn't get to see the Rome exhibit...ugh! I'm sure that'll be a great story to take back home to their friends in Florida...

Well, I suppose that things couldn't go smoothly the WHOLE time they were here. Even though I think the meeting went well, I could've lived without getting thrown up on! Makes me wonder what I should do for an encore the next time they come out to visit...

Friday, April 13, 2007

Meet the Parents

As some of you, if not all, know that Baby and I have been together for over 2 years now sans the couple of months of his brain falling out of his head and rubbish spewing out of his mouth - all of that is water under the bridge now though because I am wonderful and forgiving ;) Even though we've known each other for many years prior to our relationship entanglement in addition to the years together, I have yet to meet his parents. It shocks many people that it has gone this long. To be honest, part of it was that for a long time since my last long-term relationship, I had the whole "I don't do the meeting of the parents" bit down to a tee. The other part was that they lived in a different state, so it is not something that could easily be done should they live in the same city. Also, Baby never brought it up so neither did I....which caters to my first reason of never liking to meet parents.

They arrive tonight to spend some QT with Baby all by his lonesome which I think he really needs to do. I, on the other hand, will be with Doc since he is in town - woohoo! I will officially be introduced to Ma and Pa Baby tomorrow afternoon before heading to the Hobby Center to watch the Tony Award-winning Broadway show Wicked. Baby was lucky enough to find matinee tickets on eBay at the last minute and snatch 4 seats together. What are the odds? I'm muy excited! Afterwards, we will do an early dinner.

So now I have to worry about a first impression. Hmmmm... According to Baby, they are Southern Baptist who don't drink and don't curse. Don't DRINK?!?! Don't CURSE?!?!?! Do they even know who their son is???? The first thing I thought was, "Shit, how the hell am I suppose to pull this one off? I need a glass of wine to think about this." Ha! Seriously though, I'm sure things will be fine.

I'm know many of you who know Baby and my history and some of the adversities we faced regarding our relationship will be extremely curious as how this meeting will turn out. No worries. You'll get an update after the weekend. Cross you fingers that they don't smell the devil on me the second they get a whiff of my pheromones...

A new blog I stumbled upon

I have found a new blog that I am now addicted to reading. Check this out! Her blogs are extremely entertaining and well-written. Why can't I be this witty?!?! Ehhh....I suppose it's because although I have spurts of amusing posts, I often times am to lazy to be witty and simply give you updates of what's going on in my life. Oh, well... I accept I am no Dooce, and will never be able to quite my day job for a life of blogging. Man wouldn't that be nice to have your blog support your income!!!

In addition, I added my new find as a link to my blog under Those Who Blog and Do It Well. I think that by doing that, she was able to link back to me seeing as she left a comment in the previous post of my super sexy pineapple picture. Aaaaahhhh technology! Gotta love it.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Today taught me that I really am turning 30

Not that I'm at all scared of the big 3-0. I actually enjoy the idea of being in my 30's. I still have 13 more days to go, but I have yet to feel like the sky is about to fall or that I'll become depressed because I'm not already married with wee-Rice Spices running around. That part I can handle. I accept that I don't follow the standard Southern mentality that I should marry young, raise children young, and then live my life. Because to be honest...when do you REALLY get to "live life" after you've had kids? When they're adults and married themselves? Jeez! I'll be 50 by the time that happens. Call me selfish, but I prefer to have some fun before I become shackled to the responsibilities of a family.

The reason I got the five fingers across the face today about my age was at about 6:45am this morning as I was almost done with Day 2 with Trainer. The first day, we went through the basics of using most of the machines and some free-weight techniques - stuff I pretty much already knew. Today was my full fitness assessment. I filled out this long drawn out questionnaire about where I want to be physically, what my goals are, yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah. I could've summed it up in one sentence: I want my 21-year-old body back! Seeing as Trainer did not know me back in my six-pack days (the stomach, not the beer), I filled out the stupid forms. I decided that I just wanted to lose a bit of weight and just overall get toned. Not too bad, right? We'll see...good on paper does not always translate as good in reality.

After all the forms and body measurements (MY THIGHS ARE HOW MANY INCHES?!?!), we did a few things to measure my physical capacity. We checked my strength and balance while doing squats, how many push-ups I could do in a minute, how many sit-ups I could do in a minute, and how long it took me to fast-pace a mile on the tread. I don't think I did terrible, but let me tell you something. I recall the days when I could do double the push-ups I did this morning as well as more than double the sit-ups. It was an eye-opener into how much my body has changed. Luckily, Trainer has given me a glimmer of hope that I could be back to what I was or at least pretty damn close. I've set attainable goals, but just need the time to squeeze it into the schedule....grrr!

Overall, I'm happy that Trainer didn't laugh his ass off at me during the assessment or found my inability to do 100 push-ups in the allotted time frustrating. He made me feel that we could reach my goals pretty easily. Although, he could just be blowing smoke up my ass so that I'll keep using him. From here on out, his sessions with me will be $60 an hour...yikes! I better look like Madonna after a month seeing as I plan to use him twice a week for the first month, then ween him off to once a week, then to not at all. I figure this is a much better way to spend my money than going out to eat or binge drinking with friends. Why can't they develop an alcoholic beverage that makes me as thin and sexy as I think I am when I'm drunk?!?! That manufacturer would make BILLIONS!!!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Pictures that make me :)

I was going through my Kodak Gallery photo albums trying to find a specific picture when I got side-tracked and started going through all the other old albums. These two pictures made me smile...

~Me as a Pineapple at the Dole Plantation in Hawaii~

~Diana Banana on her birthday last year copping a feel on Axel Rose...NICE!~

Monday, April 09, 2007

Wish me luck!

Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with a trainer at my gym. The goal is to lose 10 lbs by mine and Baby's trip to Peru on Memorial Weekend. Possible? Absolutely. Will I need the assistance of a young, beefy, certified workout expert? Probably not, but I figure I might as well have eye candy to pass the time. And I figure he could put me on a better workout plan to work on all my "problem areas" aka everything between my neck and knees. Everything outside those zones I'm pretty happy with ;)

Anyway, he's already forewarned me that we'll be working on upper body during our first session. I can tell you now that I'm in trouble. I have great cardio and leg strength from running, but my upper body is one big ball of saggy, flabby mush. Maybe he can make me look like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2. That would be awesome. Honestly, I'd just be happy to not have arms that jiggled as much and thighs that aren't double the size of Baby's chicken legs.

Wish me luck that my first meeting with Trainer doesn't kill me...

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Rewind...

Here are more pictures from the Gala from Firecracker. I actually like these pictures better because I don't look like people found me napping at the bottom of an empty tequila bottle like some of the previous ones :)
~Me and Baby looking oh so HOT!~

~Me and Firecracker~
I'm guessing that since Firecracker is half-Caucasian and half-Filipino, she may be the mold of my future children


~Clockwise: Dealer, Blondie, Firecracker, Curly-Haired Wonder, and Me~

~The Ladies once more~

Still waiting on two people who had great pics...

The beach house was an absolute blast! We had 15 people running in and out of the house throughout the weekend. Friday night was a bit a smaller group of us (maybe 8 people), so it was a lot more intimate and nice. We drank, talked a lot of trash, and created some pretty funny memories (i.e., JAG wanting to put me into the dishwasher because for some reason he always found me next to it like it was my new BFF or something...yes, lots of scotch makes this little lady love her appliances, I guess).

Here is just a few photos from the beach house last weekend celebrating Grove and my combined 30th birthday. Two other people have great pics, but haven't had a chance to download them yet...slackers! Here are just a few.



~The Beach House Gang helping Grove and me celebrate our 30th birthdays~

~Why is it that the kitchen is ALWAYS the place of congregation?!?! Closer to the drinks, I suppose...~

~We should never be left alone to our own devices...Grove found a life jacket that he decided to wear for the rest of the night. Getting suited up thanks to Blondie and Grill~

~Late-night crew - I title this photo "Pajamas and Watermelon Shots"~

~2 Words: Ghetto Nachos~

~Blondie and me eating the infamous ghetto nachos at 3am~

There were pictures of the crew having turned the living room into a dance floor. Unfortunately, I didn't get any real good shots of that. I'm still awaiting those pictures. All in all, I wouldn't mind doing this all over again next year. Maybe not specifically for Grove and myself, but maybe for the entire March and April birthday troop seeing that there are at least 6 of us. Good times, good times...

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Just to keep you entertained until I update...

This little girl is absolutely adorable!!! She's not Filipino, and I can't understand a word she's singing, but you have to give her credit for enthusiastic dramatics. I'm guessing I was just as dramatic as this little girl when I was a kid seeing as I use to sing, of all things, "Hello" by Lionel Richie to my grandparents on home videos we sent to them in the Philippines. Good GAWD I was a ham!



If you have problems accessing, here is the link to the longer version if you can't get enough of her :)

Also, I found this absolutely sweet. It's me and Baby...hehe.



Have a happy Tuesday!

I know it's like I'm neglecting this blog...

Yes, I had a fantastic time at the beach house this weekend even though it rained the ENTIRE time we were there...I mean, except for when we were leaving, that is. Typical. Anyway, I'm still camera-less and awaiting people to send me photos of the weekend. Once they do, I will post a formal update.

Hope all is well for all my four readers ;)

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Slow day in Blogdom

I can go on and on an on about how stressed I've been lately, how it's taking it's toll on my health, and how the stress is even straining my relationship with Baby...BUT...I won't.

Since I have nothing else to talk about, I figure I'll jump on Single Girl's "4 Things Train."

Four jobs I have had in my life-- (going backwards)
1. Executive Assistant in a leading privaty equity firm specializing in energy
2. Reservations Agent for one of the only original six legacy airlines of the domestic U.S. who actually turned a profit last year
3. Coder and legal administrative assistant at an energy company
4. Receptionist at a psychologist's office through college - man, can I tell you some CRAZY stories!!!

Four Movies I could watch over and over--
1. Braveheart - who didn't love this movie?
2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Daily ritual around the holidays
3. Dirty Dancing - Because "Nobody puts Baby in a corner!"
4. The Breakfast Club - the original Brat Pack were the shiznit!

Four places I lived-- (mainly Houston, so I'll say what areas)
1. Channelview
2. Galleria
3. Midtown
4. Montrose

Four places I have been on vacation-- (my faves)
1. Island of Oahu, HI - By far, my favorite place to be
2 The Netherlands (Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Rotterdam, Delft)
3. Las Vegas
4. New York because I get to spend time with Doc

My favorite foods:
1. Sushi - spider handrolls and unagi are the bomb yo!
2. Shrimp Etouffee
3. KFC original chicken w/cole slaw and mashed potatoes - I know that is 3 things, but it's a value meal. I never eat one without the other two ;)
4. Just about all types of seafood

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Catching up on much needed sleep
2. Either on the beach or on a boat in Hawaii (or any beach/coast will do at this point)
3. ANYWHERE romantic with Baby far, far away from work and responsibilities
4. Picking up my cash option pay-out check from winnng the multi-million dollar lottery - don't we all?

Monday, March 26, 2007

Starlight Gala: Beautiful Pictures and over $100K for ACS

Starlight Gala benefitting American Cancer Society had a successful evening this past Saturday. The facility and decorations were gorgeous! The people looked extremely elegant. Going into the event, we had already raised approximately $100K towards American Cancer Society Houston. I'm still awaiting the final tally as to our grand total after the evening's successful casino gaming, mystery gift box sales, and silent auction purchases.
Dealer and me at the beginning of the evening. Don't we look gorgeous????
Baby and me at our table. Once again, the poster children for interracial dating.

The Boys: Noodle, Fireman, Baby, and JAG


The Ladies (clockwise): Dealer (she's a pharmacist, so it's all legal), Blondie, Firecracker, Curly-Haired Wonder, and Moi

The Ladies again - yes, the wine has officially started to affect me

Having a great time with the whole gang!

I almost made it all through the night without blacking out...hehe. Nothing like a classy broad in a fancy, red dress falling all over the place, right? Thank GAWD I saved my drunken stupidity until after we left...or at least until after all the attendees left! Let's just say wine was a slow creeper for me. Didn't even see the edge coming until I was already over it...at least Baby was there to drive us home...yay, Baby!

Friday, March 23, 2007

I'm starting to believe this astrological horoscope b.s...

I've always believed in destiny, but I've also believed that one can steer their destiny in the right or wrong direction. Always ending up where you were suppose to, but taking odd forks in the road now and again to get there. Almost like that bad, but cult classic movie Final Destination or it's many other sequels. If something is going to happen, you can fight it...but you still end up dying from a massive slab of glass crushing you as you walk across the street a few days later! Ok, maybe not that dramatic or gruesome, but you get the idea.

As for astrological signs and horoscopes, I give them some merit... but not much. First off, I'm a Taurus. You're saying to yourself, "A-HA!!!! That's why she's so stubborn!" Yes, yes... however (and a BIG HOWEVER), every time I find something new explaining the "Taurus Personality," they tend to contradict one another. One book will say I'm materialistic and another will say I'm frugal. A website will say I want stability in homelife and some article will say I desire to travel the world never rooting in one place for too long. Makes me wonder if they're looking at the same stars, if some are looking at the astrological map upside down, or smoking a little something-something.

Back to the title of my post... After my long drawn out schpeel from last night/early this morning on the last post, my horoscope on MSN.com seemed to be pretty relevent. Interesting...

Taurus (April 19 - May 19)
You've got a lot on your mind right now, dear Taurus, and others might be interpreting your quiet behavior as aloofness. Go right ahead and let them think so. You've got some real issues to think through and decisions with important consequences. You will be able to smooth their ruffled feathers later. Right now, focus on taking care of yourself.


I guess I still have more thinking to do...

Although, I wanted to thank both Diana Banana and Single Girl for their support. advice and kind words are truly appreciated! Everything you two said are pretty much the same things that I've come to the conclusion already as well as what Baby and Doc have expressed over the last few years. I think this may very well be the last year I do this craziness with Job#2. I just need to suck it up, and let it go. I guess now, it's all about timing...

Can't sleep... thinking about my life...

I was laying in bed tossing and turning. So I finally decided to sit up and start blogging. Although... I am still being lazy as I post from my blackberry in bed ;). Maybe blogging could help me fall asleep? At this point, I doubt it but at least I can unload a couple things.

Lately, I've been feeling run down and worn out. I know that it comes as a shock to you that 100-mile-an-hour Jacky is running out of gas. Maybe I can blame it on turning 30 being right around the corner and causing me to be more introspective...or just plain old and tired. Granted I've been fighting off the wonderful upper respiratory yucks going around that EVERYONE around me has/had been harboring and the record-breaking pollen count has had me living off decongestants and considering stabbing my eye out to relieve the sinus pressure in my head, but I've also been a bit out of sorts about life lately.

Banana's been dealing with planning some major life changes professionally that has triggered me to thinking about my own situation. Again. I posted a while back about being down, and this was one of the reasons why. Just one, mind you. There. Are. More. But, one issue at a time, right?

All of you know that I work two jobs. Jobs that I have expressed gratefulness for because, let's face it, many people would love the jobs I have. However, I'm starting to get that reoccuring feeling that I don't think I should keep going with Job# 2. I say it every year, but this time...I think I mean it. I'm tired, I'm not as happy as I used to be about the perks it offers, and I'm getting the feeling that I'm not doing it for the right reasons anymore.

Maybe it is that I'm getting older, but I want to have a normal life...or at least my "dream version" of a normal life.

My version of a perfect day would be to wake up at 5am, be at the gym from 5:30 to 7:00 (run for about a half hour and do strength training/body sculpting the other hour), go home and get ready for my day, be at Job# 1 by 8am, work until 5 or 6pm, actually experience "after-work down time", have dinner with Baby (food and my Baby - two things I heart), actually spend time doing "nothing" with Baby such as watching mindless tv shows like American Idol (it feels like 85% of the time we're together, we have to be somewhere or do something), and being in bed for a 7-8 hour night's sleep by 10pm. Doing that at least 3 days of the week would be grand! Hell, I'll take 2 days!!!

This is my typical day (if I don't say 'eff it' and sleep in that extra 1.5 hrs by skipping the gym): wake up at 5:30am, hit the gym til 7am, at work by 8am, work Job# 1 until 5 or 6pm, head to Job# 2, work from 6:30-10:30pm, get home right before 11pm, get ready for bed and unwind, and fall asleep somewhere between 11:45pm and 1am for a whopping average 5.5 hrs of sleep. At age 21 when I started this gig, I was kicking ass and taking names. At 29.9 yrs old, I'm getting my ass KICKED and have almost forgotten my own name half the time because...well...I just don't have that kind of gusto anymore.

So I'm thinking my best bet is to take some really phenomenal trips with my friends and family this year as the free/discounted travel will be history when I say 'sayonara' to Job# 2, THEN I can turn in my letter of resignation some time right before the Thanksgiving holiday. Maybe mid-October after my annual Hawaii trip. Now the question is... Can I wait that long??? Can I make it to the Fall without ripping all my hair out???

Damn, this post is REALLY long and I need to be up in a few hours! Grrrrr...