Story of a Blind Boy

A close friend of mine sent this via email to me last week and I have shared this with few of my friends as well. I thought this was worthy of a blog post. This story means different things to me.... one is, if you position your message well and positively, you can get better results in life. So, cheer on and the world will cheer back to you!

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way."
I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling. And even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it. If you like, share.

Memoirs of a Long Distance Aunt

My life is always joyous and meaningful in a lot of simplier ways, and I had a glimpse of this joy and meaningfulness when I visited my family in Houston back in April, saw my dad and my mom again after a loooong time... and met the "other man" who gave new sparkles in my eyes... He is my nephew, Robertson, and my dad called him "Betsoy"... ha-ha-ha!! I knew then that when I came back home to Utah, my life will never be the same again. I was right so!

New "About Me"

This past month of April passed by too fast and too furious for me, and shame on me that I had no single post! When I get all my pictures in my Houston visit loaded here in my laptop, I'd like to share with you all here in my blog why my recent birthday (yes, I'm older again!) was the most fun of all!

Today, I have updated my Blogger Profile "About Me" as it was inspired by a verse that was discussed in the church I attended today. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7"

Here's my blog-worthy "About Me"... I am a self-taught and self-empowered motivator, and I believe in the power of my personal written words. I use my blogs as an extension of my being, my doing, my thoughts, my creation, my power, my discovery of my destiny… I am ambitious and I set myself to achieve success and to realize all my dreams. I believe that God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7). This is why I believe I can do amazing things and can manifest all my personal potentials and greatness that God gifted me. Although this makes me feel like I’m not humble enough, but when you believe that your potentials and greatness are your gift back to the world, you can be astounded when you can touch someone’s life with it… contribute to make the world a better place, make life more meaningful and God’s grace a delight to experience.

I hope that inspired you today.

To your power and greatness,
Czarina

Be Frank With Purpose

Hello friends! How's April Fool's day treating you? Recently, I was challenged to handle a very awkward situation. When I want to make a big change in my life and when I want to move forward with clear conscience, it is important for me to make sure that I am not carrying a "baggage" inside me.

I knew that I had to do this at one point, and that right time came when I need to finally make this call to this person and deal with some senseless issues (that are just time-wasters for me). You are now probably wondering, "what the heck am I talking about?" Well, I wanted to blog about this experience because I want to teach others "how to be frank with purpose" to someone close to them and how to leave the conversation without feeling guilty or having to regret that you were able to say what you need to say to that person.

So... how can you be frank to some one with purpose? I said, "with purpose." What an AHA moment! This is so interesting and I'm laughing at myself now, as this topic is so cliche to me! I feel like I'm Oprah here! Ha-ha!

Being frank "purposely" is like beating someone in the head but hoping he didn't end up mentally retarded. That's a joke! But seriously, it is saying an awful truth to some one's face even if it hurts to say it but that's the only way to say it so it sticks to some one's head.... No sugar coating, but just saying the plain and ugly truth (be frank), and telling this person that you are sorry for his circumstances... But this is not your problem and none of your business (with purpose). Then move on.

This is not my first time to be frank purposely with someone. I've done this a number of times and it may feel bad at first, because I may be perceived as "not nice" but eventually, I will thank myself for saving me some frustration or grief at some point. Now, when you have the guts to be frank, don't be rude and don't let emotions rule you, but speak humbly and do it with class and then move on with poise!

Got Busy on Facebook + Image Makeover in my Blog!

Hello to all my fabulous friends out there! I wanted to change to a friendly tone from now on here in my blog. I want to sound like how I would talk to you, if you ever met me in real life. I'm always bubbly and fun, and I thought that's how this fabulous blog should be... like me for real.

I have updated the look of my confessions blog today, because it needed a new face and a new spirit. It's been soooo long and it has begged me for a makeover and a face lift and two shots of botox! So did you like my new updated fresh look? I'm sure you won't miss the old cowgirl here.... ha-ha-ha!

It's been a couple of weeks since I blogged and let me tell you, I've been busy! I've been busy in FACEBOOK, seriously! It has been my outlet to find and share my joy and inspiration to my friends. I was micro-blogging there almost daily and it was sooo fun, especially to interact with new and old friends and my kababayans.

So I liked posting quotes that emphasizes on the things that I wanted to attract to come to me... like success, love, patience, relationship, friendship, overcoming fear, even reading! Whatever I felt passionate about that day. Until one day, I got a comment that I should post my own quotes... after some few blah moments, I finally found my own keys to my own wisdom box! Here's what I quoted:

"It's not the perfect hair, make-up, teeth, outfit, or figure that makes a woman truly beautiful. It is what she believes and feels inside.... It is her value and wisdom. It is her power and humility. It is her grace and kindness." By Czarina Trinidad 3/18/2010

I thought that was pretty good for my first original one! I want to discuss this further in my next post so keep checking me here if you want to hear what I have to say about a topic that I'm passionate about.

Keep believing in "you,"
Czarina

What I Really Wanted To Be When I Grow Up...

Didn't you have to come down to your knees at one point in your life, and ask yourself "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

Back in January, one of my clients had asked me this and I had a brain-freeze because of too much Cheetos, I was seeing lots of orange. I thought I knew myself too well... but sadly, I had no clue at that moment.

When I was a kid, I thought, "I wanted to become a nurse, or a lawyer." Then when I was in college, I thought, "I wanted to become a flight attendant." The reality after college, I chose to go a different path, and worked in a prestigious 5-star hotel in Manila and aimed for a sales manager position, which had been the case as I had planned. I migrated to the US, married my best friend and made some of our dreams come true. So, I thought I already have a pretty good success story, but I was not convinced... It's not even close.

Let's go back to answering this cliche question of what I wanted to be when I grow up... This is almost like a very spiritual moment for me. I prayed really hard.

I remember my favorite Bible verse. If ever there was a case that every Christian should "own" a verse, here's mine: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13. I have this engraved in my heart since 1999.

It was truly an AHA moment when I looked back in my blogs and in almost all of my public profiles, as I found the answers there. Part of what I wanted to be when I grow up, aside from becoming a professional career woman that I am now, is to become a model, an actor, and a writer.

In my biggest leap of faith this year, I have planned to set myself to success, to empower myself to create opportunities to achieve all these lost childhood dreams, and mentally picture this happening in my mind and affirm every day that "with God, nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37). To start living and breathing this affirmation, I have started creating a "Memoir" of my self, and bought my own domain, http://www.czarinatrinidad.com/. In this personal website, I will write my life's purpose and dreams... my own mission and vision... and it will be out there in the world to see on how God faithfully declared His plans for me.

Johnny Weir: My Favorite American Skater

Johnny Weir is my favorite American Figure Skater. I've been a big fan for a long time. I've been looking for Johnny Weir's video of his short program performance in Vancouver this week and no luck on that. This video that I just embedded here (from the US Championship back in January where he qualified to compete in the Olympics) is the same performance and costume of his "I love you I hate you" performance this week in Vancouver.

I wanted to share here his video performance because he's so graceful and his fun and free spirited personality really shines... I can see myself in him! Even if he only ended in the 6th place in the Olympics, he differentiated himself and he stood out above the rest... He's earned more fans than the others. I can see in all his performances that he is realizing all his dreams on ice, whether he wins a medal or not. His passion and belief in himself affirms "I'm beautiful, I'm smart, I'm strong, I'm fabulous, I can do it!" That's exactly what the Fabulous Pinay affirms to herself every day.

Winter Olympics Opening Night, Intimate and Emotional

I was just a newbie here in Utah when Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. I lived then in Park City where most events happened. I have become a huge fan since then having seen some of these live competitions where I almost froze to death. I have enjoyed the women's moguls and ski racing, the half-pipe snowboarding, figure skating, and even the most absurd ones like the ski jumping, luge, skeleton and bobsled.

Last night, my husband and I, and the kids, welcomed in our living room the Canadians' opening night celebration and the first day of the 17-day 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It was awesome yet intimate, and I was once again proud of my US and Canadian Teams!

But sadness still glooms the room because of the death of this young luger from Georgia. Knowing few olympians here in Park City, I knew how much you have to go through to be even qualified to race in the olympics, and to be the best of the best to represent your country.

In 2002, when I was at the Utah Olympic Park, where the ski jumping, luge, skeleton and bobsled events was held... I only have one thought of these althletes. They are CRAZY and out of their minds! The ski jumpers jumps up 120 meters high and lands on their skis, must be paper thin and short like 5 feet, and the luge, skeleton and bobled (should be tall like 5'10" and heavy) races more than 90 miles an hour. I can't even imagine driving my car that fast at 90 mph!

I'm sure I'll have more fun stories of this winter Olympics later on. But for now, I mourn with some fans.

No Inspirational Stories But These...

My mind hurts for just thinking of what could be so inspirational about me to talk about here. When I just wanted to be silly and goofy and a little mean sometimes (because I really don't get to do that in real life!) Let's see if these recent situations can count...

Last night I was in Walgreens to get a few items, and all of a sudden, I felt the ground shaking around me when I heard this little girl screaming at the top of her lungs! I went around the other aisle to check what was that about, and saw this toddler throwing everything out of her mom's cart while crying her soul out from her potty mouth (telling her mom to shut up!). What I saw was this little wrathful villain child giving her poor mother some bloodbath in the baby aisle. Alright, I love to have a kid, but no, thanks. I thought that was inspiring for me to just keep a simple life.

In the news this evening is about this mom in Salt Lake who blogged about her encouter in saving her baby from drowning. She got 200,000+ hits in her blog. I thought that was inspiring on how to popularize my blog. Maybe I can share here that early this week, I panicked in tears when I gave a small grilled pork chop with small bone to my boy Shih Tzu, Shilo, and he just swallowed the whole thing! I screamed and cried like a mad woman while I was rubbing my dog and I was worried that it will get stucked in his throat, or intestines, or that it will puncture his internal organs, and cause him to bleed to death, so I was ready to call 911! My husband came running down and saw me shaking the poor dog upside down and he tried to calm me down! How can I calm down when Shilo could die because he swallowed this bone that I gave him? My husband comforted me and told me, "It's just a little bone, honey. It will come out so just watch out for it." I've been watching it to come out for 3 days now, and there's nothing... Shilo is alive and well and still begging me for some more pork chop. So, was that drama inspirational enough?

Sorry, I'll try again next time.

Fierce Versus Fabulous: Challenge to Change

I had called an interview with my alter-ego, Fabulous Pinay, today to straighten out both our identities here. My goal is to pick her brain and see if I could convince her to take on a challenge for me.

ME: Hello, Fabulous Pinay. I wanted to comment about your earlier blog as you were sort of mocking me, and you were trying to make fun of my new career blog.

FP: First of all, I wanted to say hello to all my fans out there! And thank you for meeting with me today, Miss Sasha Fierce.

ME: My name is Czarina Trinidad, and not Miss Sasha Fierce. Fierce is the word that I used a while back to define my self reinvention. As you know, I have started my new blog about my personal branding project and I am just concerned that your identity may be hurting what I'm trying to do.

FP: I know what you're trying to do. You wanted to be more FAMOUS than me. You are just jealous because I'm cuter and funner!

ME: I am not jealous at all. But I do wanted to be just as FAMOUS as you. I just wanted to ask you if you could stop mocking me.

FP: Did you get offended when I said you could eat men for lunch? Then spit them out? Whip and kick them? Not let them rule and walk all over you?

ME: Let's be serious here. I wanted to ask you if you could reinvent yourself as well. Like be an expert of something and write about it. Maybe you could gain more readers. For example, are you an expert in fashion? Do you have an opinion?

FP: OMG! I want to tell those women wearing these horrible looking shoes. Those boots called UGG for ugly. And those called Crocs for crocheads! Why do women think they're cute in it? I don't care if they're comfy... it looks retarded to me. I'm sorry. I can never be caught dead on those shoes.

ME: I appreciate your opinion, although a little outrageous there with some risky words. That is something that I was hoping you could change to something positive about the way you say things in this blog. Can you take that challenge? Like to sound inspirational? For example, can you say something "nice" about ambitious women?

FP: Hmmm... I want to say something nice about the men in the lives of these ambitious women, like their husbands for example.

ME: Okay, go on. If I'm your reader, I want to hear something positive.

FP: There is nothing hotter than a man who cheers his wife to succeed and achieve her dreams, and there is nothing sexier than a man who is not intimidated by her ambitions and her shoes.

ME: That's fantastic. Can you take my challenge to be the new inspirational Fabulous Pinay in this blog? As they say, keep writing something nice and nice readers will come. And you can still be cute and fun!

FP: Oh, thank you, Miss Sasha Fierce! I can take that anytime.

Who's this "What's Your Fierce Face?"

Wait a minute. Who is this new chic trying to face me out here in my own fabulous vlog? Who is this "what's your fierce face" talking about changing "what's your fierce tone" here in my vlog? No, no, no. The Promdi gal may have left but the Fabulous Pinay still rules this blog and remains the queen. I am fun and I am cute, and there ain't no changing me.... There is no intervention happening in this place. Sorry to my audience if I'm ruining your expectations.

So, here's my word to you, Miss I Am Sasha Fierce Your Face.... You can get your own blog and write about what you do, and what you are fierce about. You can talk about what you're good at like empowering yourself and becoming some high powered career woman in teased hair, dark lips, black suit and pointy stilettos eating men for lunch and then spitting them out.... But aren't you that already? So what else is there to talk about....

Okay, stop this alter-ego now.

What I'm trying to say here really is that I have created a new blog that you all should be aware of and this is my new URL, http://czarinatrinidadatwork.blogspot.com/. Since I can't be the real me here in the Confessions of a Fabulous Pinay blog anymore (never, ever)... I thought it will be nice if I can be just a normal human being like everyone else with unique passions, career goals, talents to share and dreams to fulfill... and write about it (of course!). So if you know me and wanted to watch out what I'm doing to become a better person and a dynamic professional in 365 days... Please cheer me if you believe in me...you have to subscribe and follow my new blog that I call "My Personal Branding Project."

Ok, Fabulous Pinay, you can have your own lights, camera, action, now.

Intervention of My Self Reinvention

I have a personal testimony to make. Far long ago, sometime in 2009, something must have happened to me that I never noticed until now. I was unconsciously changing myself - in the big sense of the word. I feel that my Fabulous Pinay alter-ego here is barely hanging in there with all her heart and wit.... because the Promdi girl that I once knew is no longer existent... What a sad day for me to finally say goodbye to my older promdi version and let her lay to rest in peace now, leaving us all her wonderful and fun stories of a small girl in a small town with big dreams.... I'm glad she was able to write her stories in my blog at the very start called the Promdi Series, and now her memories will forever live.

Few weeks ago, I admitted that I have changed. I don't know how long ago, but I have reinvented my whole self. I didn't know how it became possible, but I am liking now my new version. I want to call it my FIERCE version. Fierce has a lot of definition. But the one that matched my fierceness is the one that means "furiously eager and intense," "powerful," and "passionate". Or better yet, in the slang dictionary, it means "really good." Like some fierce coffee!

2009 was a tough year for me and for a lot of people here in America. I decided that if I had to do something different, it will be to change and reinvent myself to keep up with the ever changing trends in the work force industry. So I became more daring, more fearless, more courageous, more adventurous, more valuable, more visible, and more motivated. I can't even remember if I blogged about it, but I knew I had something going on in me. And this is me now.

In short, I am changing my tone and point of view from now on here in my Confessions of a Fabulous Pinay blog. The Fabulous Pinay has now grown up in her journey in this blog. She is now a woman of strength and inspiration. She will no longer insult her waistline, humiliate her weakness to Cheetos, underestimate her confidence in her dreams, or under appreciate her un-motherhood, and will no longer degrade other women who refuse to wear bras... or to promote smelling like mexican food if she needs to go to a mexican car repair place... or to encourage other straight married women to fall in love with Adam Lambert's adorable gayness. She may still be funny and witty when appropriate, but her main purpose now is to share more of her true self and in the long run, may no longer use an alter ego.

Only Our Temporary Home

I'm balling right now, oh well, since last night. Not because I have to shovel this one foot snow from the overnight storm that dumped on us, but because I was listening to Carrie Underwood's new song, 'Temporary Home" from Youtube as I wanted to share it in my Facebook. Now I can't help but to blog about it...

I try to avoid watching depressing news everyday but I can't ignore anymore this recent apocalypse in Haiti. This is a sign of the times. A big flashing neon sign from our Creator and He is telling us that this is only our temporary home.

I can relate to this song personally. It is powerful and deep. And I don't have to go as far as Haiti to tell you... But I just have to look around me, at people I know who are my closest friends and relatives... Kids struggling through their parents' divorce, teens not getting the right attention, single moms who try to make ends meet to support their children, sick people fighting for their lives, or ordinary families just simply working so hard in America to keep their house and their jobs in this unstable economy... and I can go on and on.

I know this is only a temporary home for me, so whatever great opportunities come my way, I have to grab it... Whatever sadness and adversities, I have to win it. Whatever prosperity and success, I have to share it. Whatever daily blessings, I have to be grateful for it. Whenever God gives me one more day to live, I want to make it a happy day. And that's my choice.

Check out this new beautiful song of my favorite singer, Carrie Underwood. And I hope that whatever your temporary home is like, I hope you believe that you can have a choice to make it worthwhile, even for just a day.

My Life Defined by High Definition and Constipation (and Future in Acting? LOL!)

Last month, I got us a new PS3/Blu-Ray Player. I now know the difference of high definition TV, and I never expected it could change my life forever. HDTV, if you'll let me define it, means I now can see Megan Fox's sweat and freckles, Angelina Jolie's deep wrinkles, Amy Adam's pores and blemishes, and Meryl Streep's fine lines all over her face, and I thought that was just absurd and unreal. I brought my quest and addiction to this high definition vision to my eye doctor yesterday during my annual eye exam, and I asked him that I want a super power high definition contact lenses! And gladly he said, that there is now such a thing and it's called toric lenses, and guess what, they even have it in my Freshlook Colorblends in color green!

Constipation. Yes, I want to talk about it. I thought I was going through such miserable phase of my life this week when I felt my body is refusing to you know what. I blamed it on my cold medicine. I blamed it on the weather. And I blamed it on my PMS. I even blamed my dogs. I finally realized that this is only a state of my mind. So here's what I did, instead of me stressing out and thinking about bloating, breaking out more blemishes, shame and hair loss, etc. because of this constipation, I have to reverse my thinking. So I thought about thinking about the toilet. Like how beautiful it is, and how peaceful I can be when I'm in the toilet. The toilet. The toilet. The toilet. And it worked and it's over.

For you all following my talent audition blog, I did get a call last week, and they wanted me to come back for a second audition and workshop with a casting director in late Feb. I may sound excited in my blog but the reality here is that I thought I walked in in a wrong audition. I was hoping it was a modeling audition! So I thought this second invitation was unexpected. But hey, I plan to show up and see what this audition really is all about and if this has any part of my future. Stay tuned.

Pursuit of My Long Lost Childhood Dream

You must have seen somewhere here in my blog page that I described myself as an "Actress-Model wannabe"... Well, today was a big day for me as I had a chance to turn back and see if this long lost childhood dream is still alive and breathing....

Today, I went to a talent audition here in Park City. I was very excited. So I did what I have to do to prepare for it. Last night, I turned down a dancing and clubbing party with my friends, and healed my sinus headache, cold and sore throat. I gargled, cleansed my nasal passages with the Neti Pot, and knocked myself out with Benadryl. I woke up this morning feeling so much better and thought that it will be a very interesting day. But I don't know what to expect. All I know is they are looking for actors, models and voice over talents.

Is this an audition for America's Next Top Model, or for a new Victoria Secret campaign? I was hoping for the second one! Will I be ready to strip down my shirt and shoot a testimonial of how this Miracle Bra changed my whole life? What accent am I going to use when they make me talk? I practiced with my husband if I sound convincing with my Russian accent, or if I should talk like Penelope Cruz. And not only that, the big deal for me was... What am I going to wear? Should I arrive in this audition like a dazzling and glittery Hollywood celebrity in a spectacular furry and sequined outfit, or should I wear my tiara and ballgown and sparkly gloves and my angel wings like some enchanted Princess.... Whatever! I didn't want to be late so I looked like what I looked like yesterday going to work.

It was held at the Silverado Lodge at the Canyons Resort in Park City at 12 noon. There were few kids, and a couple of older people at that time... so I thought, this is not going to be very competitive and I felt comfortable right away. After filling out a couple of forms, they made me practice a short dramatic script. My character was Scarlet, a frustrated, undereducated 36 year-old woman married to her unsupportive husband, Mike, in a heartbreaking scene... and I'm supposed to show some tears somehow when I said the lines... "and now it's all my fault! (pause) But I never asked you to marry me."

The frustrated actress in me was reconceived and was reborn at that very moment when I was whispering my lines as I practiced behind my big hair, trying to sink in to that emotional character. The photo shoot and filming only took a couple of minutes. I looked at the camera as Scarlet as I said all my lines emotionally, and broke into tears, a la superstar Nora Aunor.

So that was my day! Hopefully they'll call me back in two weeks for a second round of audition. (So I can blog about it more!!) So, wish me luck!

2009: Indulge in Reminiscence

I had a reunion with my Dad and my sister again in California in February. Believe it or not, this is at my Uncle's wake, but we're all smiling!

I met my one and only godmother, Cora Lua (2nd to the right), for the very first time in my life during my uncle's wake in California last February.
A surprise birthday for my wonderful husband in February!
An unplanned birthday party for me in April.
A Peninsula Reunion in California in May! And my reunion to my old fling, Mr. Jose Cuervo.

A fun day in the sun in Malibu Beach with Ronald.

A girls Tea party in the summer time!

A country wedding of a friend last July.

I hosted a Miss Asia Utah Pageant at the Asian Festival in Salt Lake City. With me are the judges (former beauty queens) and my wonderful friends in the valley.

My cousin's wedding in California in October and my reunion with my family there.

Zermatt Resort Sales Department during the Halloween. I was a Japanese Doll!

Thanksgiving Party at our house with our friends!

At the 96th floor of the John Hancock Tower in Chicago! I took my husband for a drinking challenge one night. We were not caught "walking under the influence!" It was very memorable.

Zermatt Sales Holiday Party at my place!

Trinidad Family (in Utah) Holiday Photo Shoot!
New Year's Eve Party with my closest friends! What a HOOT!

Leaving 2009 as a royalty in my own world!

Our family's highlight and best Christmas blessing of the year! My brand new nephew in Houston... Everyone, meet Baby Robertson!

Now I can see that my life is a party after all!

And I am blessed having a loving family and supportive friends!

2009 was a very good year! MWAH 2009 and more MWAH for 2010!

Let's Talk About ME

"Me, Me, Me, Me!!!"

That's what personal blogs are all about, especially my blogging. I had an issue about that, too. (Oh, yeah, I'm not done about my issues, yet!) I've been doing this for a while now and it became a fun hobby and routine for me, and sometimes, I think that people thought of me as a super self-absorbed and a self-centered diva.... an egotistical, narcissistic, selfish, arrogant bitch! That's true. But that's not true. OK, fine, it is true. That's what it's supposed to be.

People read my personal vlogs because they want to know me and they hope I have something funny to say. I write my blog to share my thoughts and extremely important experiences and highlights of my day, or of my life in general. For example, my silver white hair shining on top of my head, or my smelling like Mexican food.... When I say something cliche, or a metaphor, symbolizing me or my emotions and opinions, readers react differently and they can take me so seriously. It was really not a big deal but I get bothered at times. I have to get over that, and be like Paris Hilton, who just smiles all the time, whether she's loved and hated at the same time.

But who the hell cares! I shouldn't. This is my blog and I'm going to own it. So enough with my tenth round of blogging issues, and let's start talking about the reality star of this awesome vlog... ME, ME, ME, ME!

Confessions Must Go On...

I didn't realize for sometime now that I have not been writing as much lately and I must have lost all my readers, if I ever had any. They must have thought that I was just another lame blogger after all. My 2009 confessions was not impressive to me at all.

I know what kind of happened to me. I believe this happens to a lot of new bloggers who are confused about their niche! I have no niche, period. I could not identify with any niche in blogging and that's hard. This is not a diet or beauty blog. It is not a travel, tourism, art, music, food, political or technical blog. That means that if I want to make this blogging work for me in an ideal world, I need to identify my audience and give them something that they want. I thought I failed in that category as this blog is too personal and I don't know if I have something to give to any audience at all.... And then I stopped blogging.

But what the heck? I knew few friends enjoyed reading my thoughts and my funny childhood stories. And even some few people I don't know from the other side of the globe. I must have given them something they like. Something that I can connect with them. I don't know what it is but there is this little spirit in me that said "keep blogging, keep blogging!!"

And that's what I'm going to do. Confessions must go on! All say now, AMEN!

My Blah Moment of the Day - Service Engine Soon

I'm going to welcome the new year later....

Last night as my husband was driving home from Salt Lake City, I told him that my van (yes, I drive a Dodge Mommy Van!) has "Service Engine Soon" lighted for a while now, and I asked him what should I do. He suggested that I bring my van to this mexican auto repair place in town to have it checked.

ME, dramatic: I feel I'm always getting ripped off by these mexican auto repair place, like they charge me more than they should....(didn't tell him that sometimes I feel they look at me like they haven't seen a woman before.)

Hubby, smarty: Next time you go to a car repair shop, you should not look like you, you know what I mean? Leave all your bling-bling and high heels at home, take off your make up, mess up your hair, wear a baseball cap, wear some sweat pants, and smell like habanero sauce... then you will not be ripped off.

ME, thinking: OK. So I need to look like Maxima Lavandera, and smell like mexican food.... That's HOT!

I thought my van said "Service Engine Soon" and not "Service Make-Under Soon".....

"You Look Like You're From The East Coast"

I remember few weeks ago, this cashier at a local store here in Heber, asked me if I was from the East Coast. I smiled and said, "No, I'm from here in Heber." And he looked funny at me when I walked away.

So, when I was in California and in Minneapolis last week, I have received some comments from random folks (who don't really know me) and said to me, "You look like you're from the East Coast!" It didn't bother me, but when I was in the Twin Cities, I received the same comments.... I didn't quite know what it means. I asked myself, "Was I rude or arrogant, and what is that look from the East Coast?"

Having been sick since I came back, and for few days now, I had to find out what that means. I asked my Facebook friends and even my aunt in New Jersey, and their comments were positive and that I should take it as a compliment, a good one in fact.

I googled and now I understood that it was a fashion statement... I must be looking good like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, strutting in my 4 inch high heels, my huge flower ring, and bling-bling necklace, and looking like a high powered Manhattan bitch in my black suit. And I must be wearing my fierce "I'm-independent-I-can-take-care-of-my-self" attitude.

So... I started to make my own observation, here in our little Utah town of Heber. After work, I walked in the grocery store, and people were shopping in pajamas, sweats, slippers, torn t-shirts, messed up hair, some looking like crap with no make up and no bra (God forgive them)... and I was in my work suit, on my platform suede booties, looking sharp and shiny. And now I realized that I'm different... but not really from the East Coast.

So whatever happened now to the promdi lad I once knew who has turned into a country western rocky mountain diva? I guess she's hiding in the closet.