I am tired of apologizing for who I am and what I believe.
Life is way too short. I'm not going to spend it apologizing for being me. And I'm not going to change it either.
Showing posts with label me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label me. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Some things just stick with you...
My son is now 6 years old and I have become more aware that whatever I say/do, he'll always remember. Okay, I admit I do have memories going back to when I was 2, but they're kind of hazy.
Some of my favorite things of my childhood were the day trips we'd take with my Dad. Cultural stuff. During our school breaks, my father would occasionally take a day off from work and take us on "adventures", like a ferry boat across the bay, day at the zoo, long bike rides on Sundays, and, of course, museums. My Mom was not into museums and such, so we'd have some alone time with Daddy.
I always loved the Museum of Natural History at Quinta da Boa Vista, in Rio. I remember vividly the noise of the floorboards creaking when you walked in. But the most impressive thing was what my Dad said about the exhibits. There was a wax face of a woman, and the nose was missing. It was so gross and terrifying to a perhaps 5yo -can't remember how old I was. Well, I guess the woman suffered from some sort of flesh-eating disease, but my Dad said she was like that because she got a germ from drinking water from the faucet. That was totally ENOUGH for me, I was so deadly afraid I'd never drink water from the faucet (in Brazil the water is not exactly safe to drink as in the US).
I also remember this field trip we took in kindergarten, to this huge firehouse. AMAZING! The firefighters demonstrated so many things, they jumped from buildings, they used a rope to go down a wall, they slid down the poles. Oh, yeah, there was the thick white foam we played with. I remember the white cafeteria, the sandwiches and the little cups of groselha juice (yuck, I hated that, I drank nothing). We had another field trip to the beach, and I deadly afraid of going into the water because the kids found this huge sea urchin, and I didn't want to hurt my feet. Oh well...
Bringing the past back has its price. I had an argument with my Mom yesterday. She can't believe I remember this stuff. My friend's daughter turned 9 - I feel old! - and had a manicure to celebrate her birthday. So I reminded my Mom that I also had my first manicure when I was 9. I grew up around women mostly - 4 aunts and 1 uncle (I'm also the oldest of all my cousins and there was only one boy). So, naturally, I watched everyone getting their nails done - one time my Dad's cousins came over with blue nail polish on and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Anyway, just about every week I was asking my Mom if I could have my nails done. Finally, at the occasion of my cousin's baptism, she finally gave in. As my Mom was doing my nails, my 6-yo sister walks in and demands to have hers done too, which my Mom promptly agrees. What? I waited so long for this, and my sister just gets it with no effort. Just to add insult to injury, my 3yo cousin wanted to copy us so my aunt did hers too. I was devastated.
So I had an argument with my Mom that the oldest kids always suffer, since they have to conquer everything, and the younger ones just "get lucky". She agreed with me, since she's the oldest of 4, and my Dad is also the oldest, so I complained to her that they should have been more responsible, that they should have denied my sister to get her nails done until she was 9.
But life is not fair, what can I do? Everything that took me years to get, my sister just had it handed to her. Except, of course, her driver's license. THAT she had to wait 3 more years to get. Oh yeah, but she can't ride the bus to go to her friend's house and do a group assignment. I'd have to drive her... Oy vey!
Some of my favorite things of my childhood were the day trips we'd take with my Dad. Cultural stuff. During our school breaks, my father would occasionally take a day off from work and take us on "adventures", like a ferry boat across the bay, day at the zoo, long bike rides on Sundays, and, of course, museums. My Mom was not into museums and such, so we'd have some alone time with Daddy.
I always loved the Museum of Natural History at Quinta da Boa Vista, in Rio. I remember vividly the noise of the floorboards creaking when you walked in. But the most impressive thing was what my Dad said about the exhibits. There was a wax face of a woman, and the nose was missing. It was so gross and terrifying to a perhaps 5yo -can't remember how old I was. Well, I guess the woman suffered from some sort of flesh-eating disease, but my Dad said she was like that because she got a germ from drinking water from the faucet. That was totally ENOUGH for me, I was so deadly afraid I'd never drink water from the faucet (in Brazil the water is not exactly safe to drink as in the US).I also remember this field trip we took in kindergarten, to this huge firehouse. AMAZING! The firefighters demonstrated so many things, they jumped from buildings, they used a rope to go down a wall, they slid down the poles. Oh, yeah, there was the thick white foam we played with. I remember the white cafeteria, the sandwiches and the little cups of groselha juice (yuck, I hated that, I drank nothing). We had another field trip to the beach, and I deadly afraid of going into the water because the kids found this huge sea urchin, and I didn't want to hurt my feet. Oh well...
Bringing the past back has its price. I had an argument with my Mom yesterday. She can't believe I remember this stuff. My friend's daughter turned 9 - I feel old! - and had a manicure to celebrate her birthday. So I reminded my Mom that I also had my first manicure when I was 9. I grew up around women mostly - 4 aunts and 1 uncle (I'm also the oldest of all my cousins and there was only one boy). So, naturally, I watched everyone getting their nails done - one time my Dad's cousins came over with blue nail polish on and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Anyway, just about every week I was asking my Mom if I could have my nails done. Finally, at the occasion of my cousin's baptism, she finally gave in. As my Mom was doing my nails, my 6-yo sister walks in and demands to have hers done too, which my Mom promptly agrees. What? I waited so long for this, and my sister just gets it with no effort. Just to add insult to injury, my 3yo cousin wanted to copy us so my aunt did hers too. I was devastated.So I had an argument with my Mom that the oldest kids always suffer, since they have to conquer everything, and the younger ones just "get lucky". She agreed with me, since she's the oldest of 4, and my Dad is also the oldest, so I complained to her that they should have been more responsible, that they should have denied my sister to get her nails done until she was 9.
But life is not fair, what can I do? Everything that took me years to get, my sister just had it handed to her. Except, of course, her driver's license. THAT she had to wait 3 more years to get. Oh yeah, but she can't ride the bus to go to her friend's house and do a group assignment. I'd have to drive her... Oy vey!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Run, Liesl, Run
My life has been so frantic. I have been working my butt off, planning T's 6th birthday party, having my mother as a guest and preparing to go away during the holidays.
I am so glad I've read a lot this year. I have no books in my queue, which is so unlikely...
So, how about "V", huh? I'm a little disappointed, not nearly as good as the original... It may get better, we'll see.
I am so glad I've read a lot this year. I have no books in my queue, which is so unlikely...
So, how about "V", huh? I'm a little disappointed, not nearly as good as the original... It may get better, we'll see.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
10!
Exactly 10 years ago I boarded a plane from Rio de Janeiro to Washington, DC, connecting in Newark, NJ. The immigration line was so long when I arrived I missed my domestic connection and had to be on stand-by for the next flight.
It's easy to remember the date. The day I arrived was the day JFK Jr. died. I remember seeing all the commotion in the airport, people looking at the monitors, their sad faces. It took me a while to grasp what was going on, I was still sleepy.
It was supposed to be a 2-year stint, but hey, I'm still here!
So, I guess, happy anniversary to me!
Hey, Mauro same to you!!!!
It's easy to remember the date. The day I arrived was the day JFK Jr. died. I remember seeing all the commotion in the airport, people looking at the monitors, their sad faces. It took me a while to grasp what was going on, I was still sleepy.
It was supposed to be a 2-year stint, but hey, I'm still here!
So, I guess, happy anniversary to me!
Hey, Mauro same to you!!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The last post of the year
Wow, where did the year go? It seems every year goes by faster and faster.
This year was pretty rough. I spent most of the summer working my behind off, including weekends. I had to endure painful moments thinking of my grandmother's illness, and now my grandfather's. I lost my great-aunt a week after my birthday.
But there were good parts too. I joined a book club. I turned 30 (that was not so bad LOL). My not-so-little T turned 5 years old and is smarter than ever. I ran into my old friends during a trip to Brazil. I spent more time with my parents, especially my dad who now retired. I had my kitchen and powder room remodeled. My goddaughter came to visit. Yeah, I guess life is still good.
Then, there are books... I kept a new year resolution, I read more. I mean, a lot more. I started in February and slacked during my trip to Brazil, but even like that, I was able to read all of these (chronologically, last one on the top):
The Boleyn Inheritance (Gregory)
Marley & Me (Grogan)
One Fifth Avenue (Bushnell)
The Other Boleyn Girl (Gregory)
Married Lovers (Collins)
Blindness (Saramago)
The Constant Princess (Gregory)
The Opposite of Love (Buxbaum)
Memoirs of a Geisha (Gould)
The Secret Life of Bees (Kidd)
Nineteen Minutes (Picoult)
Jane Eyre (Bronte)
The Ivy Chronicles (Quinn)
The Friday Night Knitting Club (Jacobs)
Bee Season (Goldberg)
The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
Most of these were pretty good, but the worse by far was Bee Season. Ugh!
In 2008, I was also able to see more movies in the theatre than I had done in a while.
Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa
Blindness
The Dark Knight
Space Chimps
X Files: I want to believe
Mamma Mia
Wall-E
Kung Fu Panda
Sex & The City Movie
Nim's Island
Horton Hears a Who
The best movies I saw this year were Wall-E and The Diving Bell & the Butterfly (even though the latter is technically 2007).
The worst? The X Files!!!!!!!!!!! It let me down... And Tropic Thunder, another 2 hours of my life I've wasted...
Well, Happy New Year, everyone! Health, Peace, and $$$ in your pockets as well (cause we need it, right?). Here's a wish for better days!
This year was pretty rough. I spent most of the summer working my behind off, including weekends. I had to endure painful moments thinking of my grandmother's illness, and now my grandfather's. I lost my great-aunt a week after my birthday.
But there were good parts too. I joined a book club. I turned 30 (that was not so bad LOL). My not-so-little T turned 5 years old and is smarter than ever. I ran into my old friends during a trip to Brazil. I spent more time with my parents, especially my dad who now retired. I had my kitchen and powder room remodeled. My goddaughter came to visit. Yeah, I guess life is still good.
Then, there are books... I kept a new year resolution, I read more. I mean, a lot more. I started in February and slacked during my trip to Brazil, but even like that, I was able to read all of these (chronologically, last one on the top):
The Boleyn Inheritance (Gregory)
Marley & Me (Grogan)
One Fifth Avenue (Bushnell)
The Other Boleyn Girl (Gregory)
Married Lovers (Collins)
Blindness (Saramago)
The Constant Princess (Gregory)
The Opposite of Love (Buxbaum)
Memoirs of a Geisha (Gould)
The Secret Life of Bees (Kidd)
Nineteen Minutes (Picoult)
Jane Eyre (Bronte)
The Ivy Chronicles (Quinn)
The Friday Night Knitting Club (Jacobs)
Bee Season (Goldberg)
The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
Most of these were pretty good, but the worse by far was Bee Season. Ugh!
In 2008, I was also able to see more movies in the theatre than I had done in a while.
Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa
Blindness
The Dark Knight
Space Chimps
X Files: I want to believe
Mamma Mia
Wall-E
Kung Fu Panda
Sex & The City Movie
Nim's Island
Horton Hears a Who
The best movies I saw this year were Wall-E and The Diving Bell & the Butterfly (even though the latter is technically 2007).
The worst? The X Files!!!!!!!!!!! It let me down... And Tropic Thunder, another 2 hours of my life I've wasted...
Well, Happy New Year, everyone! Health, Peace, and $$$ in your pockets as well (cause we need it, right?). Here's a wish for better days!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
You make me feel loooooooooooved
Just say it like in the Paula Cole song hehehe.
I'm just a bit philosophical, it's the holiday season, let it go, ok? :P
I've had a tough time regarding friendships for the past couple of years or so. I sometimes feel like I don't have any friends locally.
Nearly 2 years ago, a 5-year old friendship ended. It was a rather ridiculous way of ending it. But it did, and it stayed that way. While it was incredibly painful and unbelievable what happened at the time and immediately afterwards, I moved on. Now I don't think we could ever be friends like that again. Or just be friends, period.
A few months later, a really good friend moved all the way to the West Coast :-)
My best friend also lives in the West Coast. Then I have a couple of friends in Florida and Georgia.
Then I have a couple of friends at work. But it's not the same, I mean, we don't usually hang out other than in the workplace or the weekly lunches, right?
So, back in February, I joined a book club. Yes, I admit, it's very desperate-housewifey. But I did, and it felt really good. The ladies were extremely nice and I felt very much at home. So I started attending regular books discussions and socials.
Time goes by and now it's August and I'm in Brazil. I get an email the book club is ending because of a spat that was going on among some whiny members and I go nooooooooooooooooo.
So, in a nutshell, the nice members of my book club got together and started a new book club, smaller, only with the great ladies from the previous one. And it's much better, and the events are way more fun. And they love me, they really do.
I brought my camera along to the past couple of events (Xmas lights walk and Cookie decorating party) and posted the photos on the group website. They made me honorary photographer of the group. Now I'm looking forward to the next events, me and my camera.
I feel good, and I feel loved once again :)
I'm just a bit philosophical, it's the holiday season, let it go, ok? :P
I've had a tough time regarding friendships for the past couple of years or so. I sometimes feel like I don't have any friends locally.
Nearly 2 years ago, a 5-year old friendship ended. It was a rather ridiculous way of ending it. But it did, and it stayed that way. While it was incredibly painful and unbelievable what happened at the time and immediately afterwards, I moved on. Now I don't think we could ever be friends like that again. Or just be friends, period.
A few months later, a really good friend moved all the way to the West Coast :-)
My best friend also lives in the West Coast. Then I have a couple of friends in Florida and Georgia.
Then I have a couple of friends at work. But it's not the same, I mean, we don't usually hang out other than in the workplace or the weekly lunches, right?
So, back in February, I joined a book club. Yes, I admit, it's very desperate-housewifey. But I did, and it felt really good. The ladies were extremely nice and I felt very much at home. So I started attending regular books discussions and socials.
Time goes by and now it's August and I'm in Brazil. I get an email the book club is ending because of a spat that was going on among some whiny members and I go nooooooooooooooooo.
So, in a nutshell, the nice members of my book club got together and started a new book club, smaller, only with the great ladies from the previous one. And it's much better, and the events are way more fun. And they love me, they really do.
I brought my camera along to the past couple of events (Xmas lights walk and Cookie decorating party) and posted the photos on the group website. They made me honorary photographer of the group. Now I'm looking forward to the next events, me and my camera.
I feel good, and I feel loved once again :)
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Just tired
The past week has been really busy with work and stuff...
- Tue, Nov 25th - T's birthday/get to work early/sit in traffic/pick up friend @ BWI
- Wed, Nov 26th - get off work early/go to Dave & Busters
- Thu, Nov 27th - drive to Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima, Freedom Park/Thanksgiving dinner
- Fri, Nov 28th - drive to Philly/run Rocky steps/eat cheese steak/meet friends/sighseeing/drive back to DC/shop @ Target
- Sat, Nov 28th - drive to Baltimore/lunch, sightseeing & Ace of Cakes/drive friend to BWI/stop @ Ikea for returns
- Sun, Nov 30th - attend Flamenco show @ Strathmore/hurt my knee
- Mon, Dec 1st - stay home from work/limp my way up and down/take son to pediatrician/take son for ice cream treat/take son to take photo with Santa/shop therapy @ VS
- Tue, Dec 2nd - son stays home with temperature/wacky morning @ work/knee still hurts a bit
I'm still alive!
- Tue, Nov 25th - T's birthday/get to work early/sit in traffic/pick up friend @ BWI
- Wed, Nov 26th - get off work early/go to Dave & Busters
- Thu, Nov 27th - drive to Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima, Freedom Park/Thanksgiving dinner
- Fri, Nov 28th - drive to Philly/run Rocky steps/eat cheese steak/meet friends/sighseeing/drive back to DC/shop @ Target
- Sat, Nov 28th - drive to Baltimore/lunch, sightseeing & Ace of Cakes/drive friend to BWI/stop @ Ikea for returns
- Sun, Nov 30th - attend Flamenco show @ Strathmore/hurt my knee
- Mon, Dec 1st - stay home from work/limp my way up and down/take son to pediatrician/take son for ice cream treat/take son to take photo with Santa/shop therapy @ VS
- Tue, Dec 2nd - son stays home with temperature/wacky morning @ work/knee still hurts a bit
I'm still alive!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I already voted!
Okay, I still owe a Halloween post. But I've been really really busy - and tired - to post. Have I mentioned my parents are here too?I voted, today, for the first time since becoming an American citizen, back in February. Got to the polling place @ 6:15. Had a book in tow. It was chilly and about to rain. There were about 30-35 people ahead of me. But it was no big deal and I was out of there by 7:20. All done.
If you're out there, I suggest you head to your polling place ASAP. It's going to be a zoo tonight!
BTW, why don't they do this on a weekend? It would be so much easier to vote! People work, you know? My employer sent us an email yesterday saying we had a laughable 30-minute grace period to get to work.
P.S. I will not discuss who I voted for. I loathe politics and radical partisans. Plus I think that people who voice publicly their options to get their "fans" to join in are ridiculous, but to each its own. But I think as citizens, we have the right and duty to vote.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
You can open up your mouth and you can say AH at the doctor's
I'm sick. I've been in bed since Sunday night. Sore throat, fever (up to 104), entire body aches. I went to the doc and she prescribed antibiotics. The strep test was negative, but she thinks it's strep anyway. I hope it is, so the antibiotics will work. If it's the flu, the I'm doomed.
Obviously, I haven't been to work this week. And my boss keeps emailing me with questions (like I have the energy to sit in front of a computer; if I did, I'd be at work).
I haven't had anything to eat. Just tea. It *really* hurts to swallow.
Oh and the antibiotics gave me side effects. But don't worry, I'm not going to enlist them.
Obviously, I haven't been to work this week. And my boss keeps emailing me with questions (like I have the energy to sit in front of a computer; if I did, I'd be at work).
I haven't had anything to eat. Just tea. It *really* hurts to swallow.
Oh and the antibiotics gave me side effects. But don't worry, I'm not going to enlist them.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The chronicles of a carioca: the shoes, the beach and goodbye mole!
Hubby is going to kill me. I'm hoping the thrill of seeing me and T again will offset his rage :P
I have been comparing the price of merchandise here in BR with the US. Things seem so much more expensive in Rio than I anticipated.
The thing is, nice, quality shoes in the US are usually imported from Brazil or Italy. So I decided that shoes were a good investment. So I bought a couple of pairs. I mean, ok, I bought 5 pairs of shoes! :P
I am the bargain lady, so 2 of the pairs I was able to get at a discounted price at a store. I mean, really good prices.
The other 3 are jellies. Do you remember jelly shoes from the 80s? They're a weakness of mine. I admit it. I am addicted to Melissa shoes. Melissa is a brand of jelly shoes that started in 1979 and became really big around that time. I had several pairs growing up. Recently, it became a very popular again and even high-end designers have released custom Melissa shoes.
These are the ones I bought. They're so incredibly comfortable!
I bought a pair of Melissa Joy in black and 2 pairs of Melissa Hello, in black and in red. The heel is a bit higher than I'm used to wear, but the inside is padded and it's incredibly great to walk on.
Changing the subject...
Even though it's winter in Rio de Janeiro, we have been experiencing a variety in temperatures. From 60 to 97F. My aunt often says in Rio there are 2 types of weather: hot, and a cold front.
60F and my aunt was wearing a hood and a scarf - I am serious!
Anyway, we were able to enjoy the beach last week, despite the cold water. The sad thing is I met one of my best friends today, and she asked why I didn't go out in the sun. I did! I am *tan*. The thing is I usually look like Casper (LOL).
But now I can no longer be under the sun. I went to the doctor today and had a mole between my eyebrow and my hairline removed. It was getting bigger and bothering me, so she applied some local anesthetic, grabbed the scalpel... voila! Only one stitch and I'm as good as new. I was calm during the whole procedure and nearly fell asleep. My mom went with me and was like "Ew, I don't want to watch it". Too bad.
Other than that, I have been eating like a pig. But I think I lost some weight. The jeans are looser. My dad and I have been going for walks whenever possible, and I have been sleeping long hours. I think that helps.
P.S. My grandma is not doing well at all. But I don't want to talk about this right now.
I have been comparing the price of merchandise here in BR with the US. Things seem so much more expensive in Rio than I anticipated.
The thing is, nice, quality shoes in the US are usually imported from Brazil or Italy. So I decided that shoes were a good investment. So I bought a couple of pairs. I mean, ok, I bought 5 pairs of shoes! :P
I am the bargain lady, so 2 of the pairs I was able to get at a discounted price at a store. I mean, really good prices.
The other 3 are jellies. Do you remember jelly shoes from the 80s? They're a weakness of mine. I admit it. I am addicted to Melissa shoes. Melissa is a brand of jelly shoes that started in 1979 and became really big around that time. I had several pairs growing up. Recently, it became a very popular again and even high-end designers have released custom Melissa shoes.
These are the ones I bought. They're so incredibly comfortable!
I bought a pair of Melissa Joy in black and 2 pairs of Melissa Hello, in black and in red. The heel is a bit higher than I'm used to wear, but the inside is padded and it's incredibly great to walk on.
Changing the subject...
Even though it's winter in Rio de Janeiro, we have been experiencing a variety in temperatures. From 60 to 97F. My aunt often says in Rio there are 2 types of weather: hot, and a cold front.
60F and my aunt was wearing a hood and a scarf - I am serious!
Anyway, we were able to enjoy the beach last week, despite the cold water. The sad thing is I met one of my best friends today, and she asked why I didn't go out in the sun. I did! I am *tan*. The thing is I usually look like Casper (LOL).
But now I can no longer be under the sun. I went to the doctor today and had a mole between my eyebrow and my hairline removed. It was getting bigger and bothering me, so she applied some local anesthetic, grabbed the scalpel... voila! Only one stitch and I'm as good as new. I was calm during the whole procedure and nearly fell asleep. My mom went with me and was like "Ew, I don't want to watch it". Too bad.
Other than that, I have been eating like a pig. But I think I lost some weight. The jeans are looser. My dad and I have been going for walks whenever possible, and I have been sleeping long hours. I think that helps.
P.S. My grandma is not doing well at all. But I don't want to talk about this right now.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
100 things about me
I saw this on a different site and decided to give it a try. Good luck to you if you try to read everything :)
1) My favorite color is red
2) I have really cute feet. My aunt used to say they Fred Flintstones' (you know, kinda plump and wide :P)
3) I wore a retainer for many years until we went to a different orthodontist who said the treatment was all wrong. So I had to put braces on when I was 18 :(
4) I'm a Navy brat
5) I went to 8 different schools before I graduated high school (see above)
6) I love New York
7) I hate, absolutely-will-not-ride roller coasters
8) I almost died riding the Splash Mountain, which is considered mild (see above)
9) I am afraid of the waves on the beach and will only go into the water up to my knees :P
10) I love soccer and have been a Vasco da Gama fan since I was in my mother's womb
11) I speak Brazilian Portuguese and English fluently.
12) I am almost fluent in Spanish (due to lack of practice)
13) I can probably read in French and Italian. I have taken French classes before but I can't remember much.
14) I secretly wish I had a pod in my head like in the Matrix movies and I could just upload stuff that I always wanted to know/learn
15) I am physically flexible as a brick. My definition of a split would be opening my legs on a 30-degree angle. It appears to be genetic since my sister has the same problems.
16) I've always wanted to play an instrument, especially guitar
17) I can play castanets - badly!
18) I started dancing at 2 1/2 years old. I have danced ballet, modern, jazz, tap and flamenco.
19) I danced flamenco as entertainment for a restaurant for a few years
20) I love to travel and there are so many places I'd like to visit
21) My first crush on a celebrity was Christopher Reeve (Superman)
22) I had a crush on Tom Cruise for many years. Since I was 7, until he started preaching that scientology thing
23) I was raised Roman Catholic. I respect all religion views, but I don't want to be preached about them.
24) I was in the honor roll since kindergarten
25) I am geek and proud of it
26) I love nerdy thing, like watching X-Files marathons, writing LOST theories and collecting Star Wars little figures
27) I am a movie buff
28) I have a bachelor's degree in social communications/film
29) I love the arts and always wanted to act
30) I auditioned to the Actor's Studio and James Lipton himself, but was turned down at the last minute
31) My favorite super hero growing up was She-Ra. I wanted to be her.
32) Some of my favorite directors are Woody Allen, Christopher Nolan, Kenneth Branagh, Tim Burton
33) I love everything done by Pixar
34) I hate 3-D movies
35) I like the Wiggles more than my son does
36) I'd love to see a Greg Page live concert
37) I love to meet boardies
38) I love photography and graphic design
39) I hate taking care of laundry = folding and putting it away
40) I drive a stick shift and will only drive automatic if there is no other way (hubby too)
41) I am a big Volkswagen lover
42) I'd consider buying a hybrid Ford Escape V6 if they made it with a stick shift
43) I hand-code HTML
44) I love home improvement projects
45) I love going shopping at the Home Depot, with my dad
46) I love museums, galleries and the like
47) Some of my greatest childhood memories include day-trips my father would take us on during the summer break: ferry boat rides across the bay, natural history museum, imperial family museum, Petropolis, riding a bike at parks
48) I totally suck at sports, and was always the last one picked for a team (when I was secretly hoping I wouldn't be picked at all)
49) I love playing ping pong and I'm really good at it (at least used to)
50) My nickname in high school was Snow White
51) My favorite Disney Princess is Snow White, hence why I was happy with my nickname
52) I never had a pet (I do have a Webkinz pug, though :P)
53) I love reading
54) Anne Rice is one of my favorite authors. I love her vampire chronicles (*her* vampire stuff, not Buffy and the like)
55) I can't stand Nicole Kidman
56) I went to college when I was nearly 18, graduated a 4-year course in 3 years, and got my diploma by the time I was 21.
57) I don't usually cry during movies
58) The Exorcist never scared me, but Poltergeist game me the creeps, and nightmares for a week.
59) I will watch very bizarre, independent, crazy, b movies.
60) I can't stand westerns
61) I love music and my taste is very eclectic
62) I sing in the car. Loudly.
63) I love karaoke
64) I absolutely cannot stand "The Wizard of Oz". I have it on a list of movies "people may use to torture me like in The Clockwork Orange"
65) I love trinkets from places around the world and I have a cabinet displaying them
66) I love magnets
67) I would love to move to Florida and work for Walt Disney World
68) I had my appendix out when I was 21
69) If I could have a superpower, I'd love to have the Mary Poppins finger-snapping (and everything gets cleaned-up/put away neatly)
70) I am a picky eater - and I used to be worse
71) One of my favorite dishes would be top sirloin coked medium, polenta, farofa and sautéed potatoes (I'm drooling just with the thought)
72) I never chewed gum (really!) or smoked cigarettes
73) I don't drink alcohol. I don't like the taste
74) I gave up soda and only drink it seldomly, and if at somebody else's house.
75) I love chocolate but I don't like the ones with fruit or nuts in it (unless it's hazelnut cream... yum!)
76) When I was little, I watched The Sound of Music EVERY DAY
77) E.T. freaked me out. I don't think I'm completely over it yet. I refused to go on the Universal ride. It's too much for me.
78) I often have expensive dreams (i.e. with celebrities)
79) My shoes are size 7. 6.5W will likely fit as well.
80) I have a sister who is a dentist and every time I see "teeth stuff" I buy it for her
81) I remember the lyrics to almost all of the songs we sang during my first communion mass
82) I will remember people's faces but I am terrible with names, even the ones I have just learned (think Dory, from Finding Nemo)
83) I love planning birthday parties
84) I decorate cakes
85) I started wearing glasses when I was 4
86) I have photophobia; I even wear shades when it's cloudy
87) I never leave the house without shades (see above)
88) I read a couple of gossip websites a couple of times a day
89) I can quote lines from SATC
90) I love decorating the house for Halloween and Christmas
91) I love carving pumpkins
92) I hate peanut butter and just the thought of it makes me nauseous
93) I start tap dancing if I'm still for a long time (waiting for the elevator, the train, etc)
94) I am a Martha Stewart wannabe (except for the whole stock thing)
95) I hate politics
96) I think I should go to church more often
97) I volunteered at a film festival 10 years ago and watched 47 movies in those 2 weeks
98) What gets me through the day is the thought of my son running to give me a big kiss when I pick him up @ school
99) I love being a mom
100) I should be asleep right now
1) My favorite color is red
2) I have really cute feet. My aunt used to say they Fred Flintstones' (you know, kinda plump and wide :P)
3) I wore a retainer for many years until we went to a different orthodontist who said the treatment was all wrong. So I had to put braces on when I was 18 :(
4) I'm a Navy brat
5) I went to 8 different schools before I graduated high school (see above)
6) I love New York
7) I hate, absolutely-will-not-ride roller coasters
8) I almost died riding the Splash Mountain, which is considered mild (see above)
9) I am afraid of the waves on the beach and will only go into the water up to my knees :P
10) I love soccer and have been a Vasco da Gama fan since I was in my mother's womb
11) I speak Brazilian Portuguese and English fluently.
12) I am almost fluent in Spanish (due to lack of practice)
13) I can probably read in French and Italian. I have taken French classes before but I can't remember much.
14) I secretly wish I had a pod in my head like in the Matrix movies and I could just upload stuff that I always wanted to know/learn
15) I am physically flexible as a brick. My definition of a split would be opening my legs on a 30-degree angle. It appears to be genetic since my sister has the same problems.
16) I've always wanted to play an instrument, especially guitar
17) I can play castanets - badly!
18) I started dancing at 2 1/2 years old. I have danced ballet, modern, jazz, tap and flamenco.
19) I danced flamenco as entertainment for a restaurant for a few years
20) I love to travel and there are so many places I'd like to visit
21) My first crush on a celebrity was Christopher Reeve (Superman)
22) I had a crush on Tom Cruise for many years. Since I was 7, until he started preaching that scientology thing
23) I was raised Roman Catholic. I respect all religion views, but I don't want to be preached about them.
24) I was in the honor roll since kindergarten
25) I am geek and proud of it
26) I love nerdy thing, like watching X-Files marathons, writing LOST theories and collecting Star Wars little figures
27) I am a movie buff
28) I have a bachelor's degree in social communications/film
29) I love the arts and always wanted to act
30) I auditioned to the Actor's Studio and James Lipton himself, but was turned down at the last minute
31) My favorite super hero growing up was She-Ra. I wanted to be her.
32) Some of my favorite directors are Woody Allen, Christopher Nolan, Kenneth Branagh, Tim Burton
33) I love everything done by Pixar
34) I hate 3-D movies
35) I like the Wiggles more than my son does
36) I'd love to see a Greg Page live concert
37) I love to meet boardies
38) I love photography and graphic design
39) I hate taking care of laundry = folding and putting it away
40) I drive a stick shift and will only drive automatic if there is no other way (hubby too)
41) I am a big Volkswagen lover
42) I'd consider buying a hybrid Ford Escape V6 if they made it with a stick shift
43) I hand-code HTML
44) I love home improvement projects
45) I love going shopping at the Home Depot, with my dad
46) I love museums, galleries and the like
47) Some of my greatest childhood memories include day-trips my father would take us on during the summer break: ferry boat rides across the bay, natural history museum, imperial family museum, Petropolis, riding a bike at parks
48) I totally suck at sports, and was always the last one picked for a team (when I was secretly hoping I wouldn't be picked at all)
49) I love playing ping pong and I'm really good at it (at least used to)
50) My nickname in high school was Snow White
51) My favorite Disney Princess is Snow White, hence why I was happy with my nickname
52) I never had a pet (I do have a Webkinz pug, though :P)
53) I love reading
54) Anne Rice is one of my favorite authors. I love her vampire chronicles (*her* vampire stuff, not Buffy and the like)
55) I can't stand Nicole Kidman
56) I went to college when I was nearly 18, graduated a 4-year course in 3 years, and got my diploma by the time I was 21.
57) I don't usually cry during movies
58) The Exorcist never scared me, but Poltergeist game me the creeps, and nightmares for a week.
59) I will watch very bizarre, independent, crazy, b movies.
60) I can't stand westerns
61) I love music and my taste is very eclectic
62) I sing in the car. Loudly.
63) I love karaoke
64) I absolutely cannot stand "The Wizard of Oz". I have it on a list of movies "people may use to torture me like in The Clockwork Orange"
65) I love trinkets from places around the world and I have a cabinet displaying them
66) I love magnets
67) I would love to move to Florida and work for Walt Disney World
68) I had my appendix out when I was 21
69) If I could have a superpower, I'd love to have the Mary Poppins finger-snapping (and everything gets cleaned-up/put away neatly)
70) I am a picky eater - and I used to be worse
71) One of my favorite dishes would be top sirloin coked medium, polenta, farofa and sautéed potatoes (I'm drooling just with the thought)
72) I never chewed gum (really!) or smoked cigarettes
73) I don't drink alcohol. I don't like the taste
74) I gave up soda and only drink it seldomly, and if at somebody else's house.
75) I love chocolate but I don't like the ones with fruit or nuts in it (unless it's hazelnut cream... yum!)
76) When I was little, I watched The Sound of Music EVERY DAY
77) E.T. freaked me out. I don't think I'm completely over it yet. I refused to go on the Universal ride. It's too much for me.
78) I often have expensive dreams (i.e. with celebrities)
79) My shoes are size 7. 6.5W will likely fit as well.
80) I have a sister who is a dentist and every time I see "teeth stuff" I buy it for her
81) I remember the lyrics to almost all of the songs we sang during my first communion mass
82) I will remember people's faces but I am terrible with names, even the ones I have just learned (think Dory, from Finding Nemo)
83) I love planning birthday parties
84) I decorate cakes
85) I started wearing glasses when I was 4
86) I have photophobia; I even wear shades when it's cloudy
87) I never leave the house without shades (see above)
88) I read a couple of gossip websites a couple of times a day
89) I can quote lines from SATC
90) I love decorating the house for Halloween and Christmas
91) I love carving pumpkins
92) I hate peanut butter and just the thought of it makes me nauseous
93) I start tap dancing if I'm still for a long time (waiting for the elevator, the train, etc)
94) I am a Martha Stewart wannabe (except for the whole stock thing)
95) I hate politics
96) I think I should go to church more often
97) I volunteered at a film festival 10 years ago and watched 47 movies in those 2 weeks
98) What gets me through the day is the thought of my son running to give me a big kiss when I pick him up @ school
99) I love being a mom
100) I should be asleep right now
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Just like Nelly Furtado...
...I am Portuguese-descent. I have a hint of French in there too. And I often say that my very wavy/curly hair is from the Moor invasion of the Iberian Peninsula :)
Both sides of my family come from different regions of the country and also Madeira Island. But I'll explain this on a different post.
I wanted to comment that Portuguese people are extremely precise on the use of their language, and that can sometimes cause confusion. Not mentioning a few good laughs.
The excerpts I have posted below are true stories that my family has experienced while visiting Portugal in separate occasions. If you don't have the patience to read them all, that's okay. :P
***We're lost and asking for directions
- Excuse me, sir? can you please tell me if this road will take me to *city name*?
- No, it won't.
- Oh, I see. Can you please tell me how can I get to Interstate *road number*?
- It's this one.
- But you just said this road will not take me to *city*.
- The road doesn't take you anywhere. The car does.
***We've arrived in Lisbon and get a ride with a friend to find the Avis rental car location. We're told the location is on the right side of the trains station. We get to the train station, go around the block and there is no Avis there. Luckily, we find another Avis in downtown Lisbon.
- Good morning. We had a reservation at the Avis by the train station but we couldn't find it. Can we get our reservation here?
- Certainly, but what do you mean you couldn't find it?
- We were told it was on the right side of the station. We went around the block several times and couldn't find it.
- But it was on the right side. You walk into the station, and the Avis counter is on the right side.
***Walking and trying to get to the street where my grandfather used to live.
- Excuse me, sir. Can you please tell me what do I do to find *street name*?
- Certainly? You walk up this road here. You will come across an intersection. Don't mind this road. Now, keep going further. You will come across an intersection. Do not mind this road. Keep going a bit further. You will find an intersection. That's the street you're looking for.
***We get to a shopping mall around 3pm, starving, and try to sit down at a restaurant for a meal.
- I'm sorry, sir. But now we're closed right now. It's OUR lunchtime.
And to McDonald's we went...
Both sides of my family come from different regions of the country and also Madeira Island. But I'll explain this on a different post.
I wanted to comment that Portuguese people are extremely precise on the use of their language, and that can sometimes cause confusion. Not mentioning a few good laughs.
The excerpts I have posted below are true stories that my family has experienced while visiting Portugal in separate occasions. If you don't have the patience to read them all, that's okay. :P
***We're lost and asking for directions
- Excuse me, sir? can you please tell me if this road will take me to *city name*?
- No, it won't.
- Oh, I see. Can you please tell me how can I get to Interstate *road number*?
- It's this one.
- But you just said this road will not take me to *city*.
- The road doesn't take you anywhere. The car does.
***We've arrived in Lisbon and get a ride with a friend to find the Avis rental car location. We're told the location is on the right side of the trains station. We get to the train station, go around the block and there is no Avis there. Luckily, we find another Avis in downtown Lisbon.
- Good morning. We had a reservation at the Avis by the train station but we couldn't find it. Can we get our reservation here?
- Certainly, but what do you mean you couldn't find it?
- We were told it was on the right side of the station. We went around the block several times and couldn't find it.
- But it was on the right side. You walk into the station, and the Avis counter is on the right side.
***Walking and trying to get to the street where my grandfather used to live.
- Excuse me, sir. Can you please tell me what do I do to find *street name*?
- Certainly? You walk up this road here. You will come across an intersection. Don't mind this road. Now, keep going further. You will come across an intersection. Do not mind this road. Keep going a bit further. You will find an intersection. That's the street you're looking for.
***We get to a shopping mall around 3pm, starving, and try to sit down at a restaurant for a meal.
- I'm sorry, sir. But now we're closed right now. It's OUR lunchtime.
And to McDonald's we went...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Oh, my dreams, it's never quite as it seems...
I am a big dreamer, I admit it. Not only I have very vivid dreams, I often remember them too. Have I mentioned my dreams have an expensive cast too? Yeah, I often dream of celebrities. But they're usually alive, you know?
One time I had a crazy dream when I was at an arena and told J. Carmody I'd help her mop the floor after a Wiggles concert if my son could meet the guys for a photo op. She went backstage, and I sat down in a booth to rest and Greg came and had a cup of coffee with me. Yeah, it was spooky. I don't even drink coffee.
So, anyway... Last night, I had a dream with Heath Ledger.
It's weird, because I always thought he was such a great actor, with a lot of potential, but it wasn't like I had to watch a movie because he was in it. Although I admit he had such a presence onscreen! Anyway, now just because the guy died it seems he became everyone's favorite actor and - may I say this? - I just hate that. You don't have to say you loooove someone just because a person died.
So, back to the dream. We're in Batman universe and he's the joker (no, I have not seen the movie yet). He's right in front of me, but I'm so scared of the idea of the Joker (super villain, that is) that I refuse to look at his face. I can hear and recognize Heath's voice, though, and I can hear and feel him breathing. How weird is that?
Anyway, he gives me this device that I'm supposed to push (sort of like an alarm clock) if I need his help). So, something really bad happens, like some really bad people start this chaotic thing in the city. So I push the button, and yell for him, and he comes to the rescue. Weird, right? cause if we're Batman/Gotham City world, shouldn't I be calling for the bat guy instead? Anyway, the joker came and saved the day. So I woke up and realized this is the real world and Heath is still dead.
I'm not even going to TRY to figure out what this dream meant...
One time I had a crazy dream when I was at an arena and told J. Carmody I'd help her mop the floor after a Wiggles concert if my son could meet the guys for a photo op. She went backstage, and I sat down in a booth to rest and Greg came and had a cup of coffee with me. Yeah, it was spooky. I don't even drink coffee.
So, anyway... Last night, I had a dream with Heath Ledger.
It's weird, because I always thought he was such a great actor, with a lot of potential, but it wasn't like I had to watch a movie because he was in it. Although I admit he had such a presence onscreen! Anyway, now just because the guy died it seems he became everyone's favorite actor and - may I say this? - I just hate that. You don't have to say you loooove someone just because a person died.
So, back to the dream. We're in Batman universe and he's the joker (no, I have not seen the movie yet). He's right in front of me, but I'm so scared of the idea of the Joker (super villain, that is) that I refuse to look at his face. I can hear and recognize Heath's voice, though, and I can hear and feel him breathing. How weird is that?
Anyway, he gives me this device that I'm supposed to push (sort of like an alarm clock) if I need his help). So, something really bad happens, like some really bad people start this chaotic thing in the city. So I push the button, and yell for him, and he comes to the rescue. Weird, right? cause if we're Batman/Gotham City world, shouldn't I be calling for the bat guy instead? Anyway, the joker came and saved the day. So I woke up and realized this is the real world and Heath is still dead.
I'm not even going to TRY to figure out what this dream meant...
Monday, August 4, 2008
I know I talk about movies too much!
I'm sorry if I am boring everyone.
The truth is movies are a big part of my background. It's what I've always wanted to do. I do have a Bachelor's degree in film, a degree I didn't get to use for many different reasons. Mostly the timing was always off.
But, deep inside, I do hope my son becomes a Pixar animator/director LOL.
Now, seriously, I have started thinking about a career change. I still don't know what's going to be, though - yes, here comes the work talk again.
Today I called my former manager - in the same company - and asked to have a chat with her. I was in her office for 45 min! I was open with her, I know I can trust her. I told her how miserable I was in my position, and ultimately was looking for something else and hoping to start interviewing soon. She was so incredibly supportive! To begin with, she asked me how much I was making to see if she could perhaps fit me in the department she manages, she said she'd love to have me back, but there was nothing. At this point I just want out of the company, and she understood.
I asked if it would be ok to put her down as a reference for a job. She immediately said yes and wished me all the best in my search. She even offered to help spice up my resume and to proof future cover letters. That's how cool she is. You must bs asking yourself how come I no longer work under her. When I took maternity leave with my son, they transferred my position in the firm. That's how I ended up where I am now.
During the last 15 min of the chat we discussed pain-in-the-neck co-workers, family, friends, and George Michael - because she was there too, with her entire department!
Then I had to go back to my desk to hear about the 0.5% of the job that had not been completed. I defintely need out.
Let's focus on good things, like 2 Wiggles concerts on the same day, in about 2 weeks!
The truth is movies are a big part of my background. It's what I've always wanted to do. I do have a Bachelor's degree in film, a degree I didn't get to use for many different reasons. Mostly the timing was always off.
But, deep inside, I do hope my son becomes a Pixar animator/director LOL.
Now, seriously, I have started thinking about a career change. I still don't know what's going to be, though - yes, here comes the work talk again.
Today I called my former manager - in the same company - and asked to have a chat with her. I was in her office for 45 min! I was open with her, I know I can trust her. I told her how miserable I was in my position, and ultimately was looking for something else and hoping to start interviewing soon. She was so incredibly supportive! To begin with, she asked me how much I was making to see if she could perhaps fit me in the department she manages, she said she'd love to have me back, but there was nothing. At this point I just want out of the company, and she understood.
I asked if it would be ok to put her down as a reference for a job. She immediately said yes and wished me all the best in my search. She even offered to help spice up my resume and to proof future cover letters. That's how cool she is. You must bs asking yourself how come I no longer work under her. When I took maternity leave with my son, they transferred my position in the firm. That's how I ended up where I am now.
During the last 15 min of the chat we discussed pain-in-the-neck co-workers, family, friends, and George Michael - because she was there too, with her entire department!
Then I had to go back to my desk to hear about the 0.5% of the job that had not been completed. I defintely need out.
Let's focus on good things, like 2 Wiggles concerts on the same day, in about 2 weeks!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Zzzz
I'm tired and overworked.
Yesterday I made a cake for a little boy. His father is hubby's best friend since college and he and the wife are getting divorced. The guy's Mom is in town and she's a very sweet lady. The little boy didn't have a birthday party last month, so I offered to have cake at our house. We had a nice cookout (steaks, potato salad, etc). Then we had cake & ice cream.
So, after they left, T was watching a Spongebob marathon. I laid on the couch and remember looking at the clock. It was 4pm. I fell asleep, and woke up thinking I had a little 10-minute nap. It was 6:30pm! Thank God T is independent and our house is alarmed.
Now it's Sunday morning and I'm working.
Yesterday I made a cake for a little boy. His father is hubby's best friend since college and he and the wife are getting divorced. The guy's Mom is in town and she's a very sweet lady. The little boy didn't have a birthday party last month, so I offered to have cake at our house. We had a nice cookout (steaks, potato salad, etc). Then we had cake & ice cream.
So, after they left, T was watching a Spongebob marathon. I laid on the couch and remember looking at the clock. It was 4pm. I fell asleep, and woke up thinking I had a little 10-minute nap. It was 6:30pm! Thank God T is independent and our house is alarmed.
Now it's Sunday morning and I'm working.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Money makes the world go around
Yep, I got a 5% raise. It's not much, really, and I was expecting a lot more. One of my co-workers quit and I will be acumulating both positions until we hire a junior position to take some of the load off of me. My manager told me she asked HR for more, but that's all they were willing to give me now. Well, maybe when I take over the position they can give me more money.I'm not greedy, but I know I have the lowest pay in my department, even though I do more work than everyone else. The others have "seniority", but the seniors are often asking me to solve the problems and clarify issues. Sounds like I'm the one with most experience, right?
Anyway, I told my boss it was nice to get a raise, that it would help with the rising gas prices :P
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Nothing new
Just working my butt off and being mom & dad for a week. Hubby is out of town in a work conference. We just had our 7-year anniversary.
Oh, yeah... Yesterday a guy hit my foot with a very heavy suitcase when he was getting out of the metro. I wanted to yell at him and explain that the suitcase had wheels so he didn't have to carry it, or hurt other people, but I didn't have a chance. Not even a loud "ouch" prompted an apology. It still hurts, but at least my big toe is not purple under the nail.
Oh, yeah... Yesterday a guy hit my foot with a very heavy suitcase when he was getting out of the metro. I wanted to yell at him and explain that the suitcase had wheels so he didn't have to carry it, or hurt other people, but I didn't have a chance. Not even a loud "ouch" prompted an apology. It still hurts, but at least my big toe is not purple under the nail.
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