25 Random Things (About Me?)

Okay, I get tagged a lot on this "25 Random Things About Me" in Facebook but I refuse to write in Facebook notes. So, I'm gonna do this here instead in my own personal blog! So, here's a short and sweet 25 random things "you may not know" about me.

1. I could live with just bread and cheese and peanut butter. I eat only 100% wheat.

2. I don't care about chocolates and roses and diamonds. If you want to please me, give me banana-que and halo-halo!

3. I'm not impressed with expensive brands at all, like Louis V, Chanel, Coach, etc. But I have a few knock-off LV in my collection!!

4. I shop clearance items only. I can make myself look like a million bucks at a $40 ensemble.

5. I'm all about the hair and the shoes (and accessories!)

6. I'm a makeup freak and an anti-aging maniac.

7. When I'm 40, I plan to do all the lifting and tightening in my face/body if necessary!

8. I don't cook fish in the house. But I order it a lot in restaurants.

9. My fantasy right now is to be dancing a sexy salsa in Dancing with The Stars, be glammed-up and spray-tanned and wear a skimpy outfit full of bling-blings, and move my hips like a mad tornado.

10. I'm basically blind since college. I wear dark blue or dark green contact lenses. And thick glasses at night.

11. I don't eat balut, bagoong, tuyo, tokwa't baboy, pinakbet, okra, talong, ampalaya! But I love sisig, bopis, spicy greasy peanuts, and sampalok!

12. I wear high heels all the time. Flat shoes make my legs and back hurt a lot.

13. I color black on my black hair! I cut my own bangs, and when I cut them too short, I really look dumb.

14. I love cayenne pepper. I put it on everything. Soup, stew, fried anything, and even on my orange juice and lemonade!

15. I love rootbeer float!

16. If I will allow myself to eat some bad food, it's got to be McDonalds!

17. I'm so dependent on my blackberry. I can't live without it!

18. I love my PC (red Dell XPS M1530)! It can make me busy when I get bored.

19. I never lie about my age. I'm turning 34 next month.

20. I love anything western and country!

21. Big cities doesn't really excite me. I love my simple, small town/countryside lifestyle in Utah. I will never trade my life here for anything else.

22. I floss everyday! My dentist said I just saved myself $5K for taking care of my teeth.

23. I don't like burning candles in my house.

24. Caesar Salad is my favorite salad.

25. I painted the interior of our house, and all the rooms and bathrooms!

My Blah Moment of the Day - The Bachelor

So the biggest news this week for me is... not the doom and gloom in California's capitol, it's not the snow storm in New York, it's not even Tatiana coming back to Idol this week, and definitely it's not the infamous octo Mom on food stamps... it is the unbelievable finale of The Bachelor reality show.

I admit, I have a love and hate relationship with this show for many seasons now. Literally, I hate it and I love it! I don't care what people say about this show (my husband absolutely hates it!) if this is scripted or not, or that it's not real, or the producers are not sensitive of the feelings (especially) of the women in this show. Really, I do not care! What makes me like this show is to watch beautiful, smart, young and independent women (who doesn't really need a man in their lives) join this show (25 fools of them!!) to fall in love with the same handsome pathetic loser looking for "true love" and then propose to the last girl to become his "wife" on TV!

You must have already heard this heartbreaking news that Jason (the "bastard," I mean the Bachelor) dumped his fiance (Melissa) on national TV an hour after he proposed to her to kiss and make up with the girl he first dumped (Molly). And this dumb blonde took him back instead of .... This was my BLAH moment because I was screaming like a maniac all night in my disbelief of this shocking twist and actually got sick to my stomach (or should I say the truth, I want kick Jason's ass!)... I can't believe how entertained and involved I was! I was updating my status in Facebook every freaking 10 minutes! I remember, the last moment I was crazy like this on TV was the election night back in November!

Long story short, if I was single and "hot" and desperate... I will never drag my self coming out to this show to find a husband. Just simply seeing my "future" husband kiss and make out (in the hot tub, tent, etc.... allow your fantasy to go on...) and do it all first with 24 other women before he proposes to me... is the reason he is the wrong man for me, or for any other girl.

Just for the fun of it, here's a YouTube video of "The Bastard"... when he was interviewed by Jimmy Kimmel in his show. You want my honest opinion? This guy will remain a cursed bachelor-loser forever.


My real fantasy now is to have a very different version of The Bachelor reality show, which will be a hit all over the world. How about doing "The Gay Bachelor" where the contestants were 25 gay men and drag queens? It will be a riot... as that will be the end of the world.

My Oscar Bets! (and their birthdays!)

I picked these photos online tonight while watching the Oscars on TV, and I didn't realize that these actresses that I truly admire were the same age as me!

Angelina Jolie (born on June 4, 1975)

Kate Winslet (born October 5, 1975)

Penélope Cruz (born April 28, 1974)

Czarina Aileen Palomares (born April 19, 1975)

a.k.a. Czarina Trinidad

My Proposal Story

I'm having a dry spell in writing lately but I can't let Valentine's pass by without posting something Valentine-worthy. I thought it's my only chance to be "romantic" and share something very personal here in my blog.

I watched Oprah's (I record it everyday) Feb. 13 episode and it was about wedding proposals. My (lost) memory turned back the time when my husband asked me to marry him. I was in the Philippines back then when he proposed to me on my birthday in 2001... over the phone! It was nothing romantic like in the movies but in a heartbeat I said "Yes! Why not, poknat!" I thought I wasn't serious that time so after a week, I told him, "can I think about it?" Then, I would say, yes, then, no, then, maybe, then, not sure, then, i don't know... I was confused and this went on for a month or so! I didn't bother telling my parents or even my friends... But I prayed to God to give me a sign if this is right!!

Until I watched the movie "The Wedding Singer" with my friends in Glorietta... Let me share with you this most beautiful song and video that made me shake in tears and finally realized that he's the one I want to grow old with and share the rest of my life with...


Long story short, after seven or eight Valentines and blissful married years, he still makes me smile every morning.... and most importantly, I still hold the remote control!

Bonus video!! I found a Tagalog Version of this song!!

My BLAH Moment of the Day - Stretching the Rock Star

Last Saturday was my first day of 1-hour session with my very first personal trainer. I was so excited but I wasn't sure what I was paying him for me to do. I could not believe how sore I was today after a couple of days. I did a very different kind of cardio, toning and some new and weird floor stretching that impressed me very much. It was nothing like I've ever done before. It was amazing though as I didn't realize that I was that flexible after being old and rotten out of luck in my work out habit.

First, he stretched every muscle and fat combo in me on the floor like I was Barbie being twisted like a witch's voodoo doll! Then he kneeled down and lifted my one leg up high and locked down the other leg with his knee like we were in some kind of kama sutra position. He then asked me to lift up my butt while he was holding both my feet up, then he wrapped my legs down over my head... I didn't know how he did it but I felt like I was turned to a human spring roll in a second! It was a very unpleasant sight for sure (seeing my meaty bootylicious right on top of my face)!!

I finally had lost my shame at that very degrading moment. The only thing I remembered after that life changing drill was Pink's song in my head... "So what? I'm still a rock star! I got my rock moves, and I don't need you!" (Whatever that meant to my lost shame.... )

Fabulous Pinay on Booty Camp

Last week, I decided to join in our company's Biggest Loser competition. It was based on the principle of the famous reality show here in America, only in a friendly work environment. There is an individual and group prize for the biggest loser of percentage of weight and fat. The competition started February 1st and will conclude April 30th.

My "Before" information was a requirement in this competition. So, I weighed-in last Friday with my personal trainer. My "Before" strategy was to be as fat as I can on my first weigh-in. So I ate a big platter of pasta, cinnamon coffee cake, and my peanut butter passion ice cream (for one last time the night before), and I had peanut butter toasts and coffee for breakfast and I drank lots of water before I weighed in at 10AM.

I was very conscious of my body during this weigh-in process especially when it's another male measuring my fabulous body. So, he measured my neck and arms, and when he got to my chest part (ahem!), he quite noticed I was heavily padded. He gently asked me if I could measure myself without the "pads!" I said, "Excuse me? Did you mean to say that I need to measure myself without my bra?" He nodded and smiled. OK. I thought I could cheat that way but I didn't want to argue so I did what he asked me to do. When he got down to measure my belly-button belly, I was holding my breath, like I was sucking in my belly! He looked at me again. I kind of guessed and asked... "Now what? You want to measure my expanded-tummy version? There you go! So are you happy now?" I released my tummy as he started laughing, "You are sooo funny!" Whatever.

So, now we go to the tricky part. He pinched me with this thing that's supposed to tell you how much fat you have in your body. He pinched my arm and my belly and he happily announced, "You have 26.4% body fat!" Like it was a miraculous revelation to me that day! I said, "What does that even mean to me? Like in every inch of meat in my body, I have about a quarter inch of fat?" He laughed again and I said in a serious tone, "What's so funny about that?"

I realized after that that I owe my self and my body some appreciation and motivation to win this contest so I signed up with him to train me for a few weeks.

To pump myself up next time I see him on our first training session, I created my own playlist in my Ipod and these are the Top 2 music in my list that I wish to play if I ever have to do some cardio. I called this playlist "My Girl Power Trip!" I got these videos on YouTube and they are not your typical girlie-girl music! Presenting to you Katy Perry and Pink! (The're both crazy like me!)





And by the way, I had the honor of naming our Biggest Loser team of five voluptuous women and it's called the "Bootylicious Team!" Later on I found out that the meaning of "Bootylicious" is "sexually attractive especially in the buttocks!" Huh?? They all loved it so I guess we're sticking to it, although I don't think there's anything bootylicious in me than my new punk attitude towards this Biggest Loser competition!

Salmonella Who?

"Salmonella who?"

That was my first response to my husband when he told me about Salmonella last night.

First, I thought Salmonella was some new R&B or country singer. Then I thought, it was an Italian Pasta and Seafood dish. Or so I thought I was blonde....

"Bad news for you, honey, but there's a nationwide Salmonella Peanut Butter Recall! It's all over the news!" he said.

"No way!!! You're joking, right?" I cried out of disbelief.

This is what happens when I don't watch the news anymore! Before I face this upcoming torture, I researched this today and yes, there is a bloody peanut butter recall all over America right now. I'm not going to explain this much in details because there is such a thing now as the Internet and you can research about it yourself.

But, please! This is causing me such a big deal of pain in my booty! Giving up my peanut butter is like giving up my stilettos and high heels! This is just impossible.

So today, I went through my snack drawer at work, and my pantry at home and believe it or not, these are my favorite things that I have a lifetime supply of... everything with Peanut Butter flavor, also known to me as "better than chocolate!"

But wait! Here's the part that made me feel like it's the saddest moment of my life... that is giving up my Peanut Butter Passion Ice Cream... (God, why? What have I done to deserve this?)

So, as my hubby cuddles me for emotional support, he said, "Honey, I still love you even if you have Salmonella." I asked him, "How will I know if I have symptoms of Salmonella?"

He smiled and said, "Your eyelids will turn green!"

Fabulous Pinay Clone Has A Video Blog?

OMG! Is this a horrifying apparition of a ghostly image of my self or what? What is my CLONE doing here in my vlog? Why can't she just leave me alone? Can somebody please take her back to her planet Cloneton where she belongs? And what is that weird accent and weird laugh about? This clone video is so funny and disturbing!

My First Fabulous Pinay Video Blog!

I'm too tired and too lazy to write today. So, this is what I did! I took a video of myself talking! I thought my friends, family, and vlog followers would like to see me in person or in a video LIVE! (kinda, sorta!) This is very amateur I would say, because I shot just half of my face half the time here! But I had fun doing this and I think I would want to do this again! Hope you like it!

My Blah Moment of the Day - Cleavage

When I talk to men or to people in general, I look at their eyes, and I will notice when they look away or look somewhere else. If you’re a woman, you probably know where this conversation is going, right?

So this morning, I was sitting at my cube when a male co-worker has asked me where he could leave the boxes of office supplies. I pointed out nicely to him which way it was supposed to go when I caught him looking at my… cleavage!! (I was wearing a tight jacket with a plunging neckline inner shirt, so I unbuttoned the chest part so I could breath!). He said “Thanks” and walked away smiling! I thought to my self…. That was so lame of me! Why did I just let him walk away without being embarrassed?

A minute later, I thought this is what I should’ve done. I should’ve stood up in his face, unbuttoned my jacket all the way, and confronted him, “Hey, you! Why are you looking at my girls? Huh? You think they’re fake? Uh-uh! It’s the new Victoria Secret’s Miracle Bra, honey! Go tell your momma, your sisters and girlfriends they’re having their annual sale right now. And get one for yourself, too. They’ve got one for your man-boobs! Then you come back here and we’ll compare our cleavage! How’s that for a deal?”

I remember my husband keeps asking me many times on what will I do if some random guy just grabbed my @ss or my b@@bs! I told him, “Ay naku, mahal, nakikita mo baga areng mga pata kong are, ha? Ay isang matinding tadyak laang nare at mababasag na ang lahat ng mababasag sa kaya!!” The gentlest way to say that in English, but not the literal meaning of what I just said, is “Honey, I will just kick his crotch so hard until his b@lls would come out of his nose!”

The Story of My Heart at the Body Worlds Exhibit

I didn't know what story to highlight in my blog this week. Should I share the positive outlook I gained from Jim Carey's comedy,YES MAN movie? Or my laughing and crying over two chicks killing each other over the same wedding date at the BRIDE WARS movie? Or my romantic date with my self under the stars and bright full moon last weekend while hiking in the middle of the woods of the Wasatch Mountain State Park on my flippin' snowshoes?

Or my mind-blowing experience at the "Body Worlds 3 and The Story of the Heart" Exhibit in Salt Lake City on their last day on January 11th?


I have attached here this video clip that I found in YouTube so you could understand what it is and why this is such an unforgettable experience for me and my husband. And why you should go to this exhibit if it happens to be in your area (it's a travelling show!).

In my lifetime, I've been to a number of art and historical museums, from paintings and photographs, to sculptures in different cultural level, but they were all man-made type of exhibit. I've also been to exhibits of preserved wild animals and dinosaur relics. But there is nothing like the Body Worlds. It was an exhibition of authentic plastinated human bodies. Human bodies like what you and I have that were created only by God, in HIS image.

I was so excited to come to this particular Body Worlds Exhibit because it focused on the Human Heart, thus the title is called the "Body Worlds 3 and The Story Of The Heart." If you care to know, I'm a registered Heart Donor (as stated in my Utah ID). Meaning, if God decided to take my life away, I want to give away my fabulous heart to donate to someone needing a heart transplant. So, I came to know what human hearts really look like. They have a lot. Different kinds and sizes... They were pretty interesting and...

Gross! In our first 5 minutes inside this exhibit, somebody passed out, like literally fell on the floor! This exhibit was pretty intense so if you have a thin stomach and sensitive to these kinds of visuals (dead bodies, brains, nerves, internal organs, skeletons, and such) then you should just stay home and watch "The Bachelor" reality show and just figure out why smart and beautiful women can do stupid things on TV, like find true love. When my husband saw this lady collapsing in the middle of the room, he quickly grabbed me to make sure that I was fine, err, no... to make sure that I'm there if he passed out next! Luckily, we were both brave enough to finish the exhibit and made it through two hours of grueling educational tour of our human anatomy with the help of dead human bodies turned to "human beef jerky." (Now that I just mentioned it, I am not eating beef jerky anymore!)

What really touched my heart in this exhibit are the parts where they showed the developmental stages of an embryo until it was a 30 week-old fetus, the difference between a non-smoker's lungs, and a smoker's lungs (Shocking difference!! The smoker's lungs were black!!), and the story of a heart-donor recipient who lived for 5 more years, the story of a broken heart and its physiological effects to the human body, and the functions of the heart and its diseases and cures, etc.

It also states there that a person with a happy heart has a healthy heart and will/can live longer, more meaningful lives. Therefore I conclude, my fabulous heart is a happy and healthy heart, and my charming husband is absolutely taking good care of it.

A Positive and Promising 2009 for the Fabulous Pinay

It was nice to be back to work this week after the holidays! My partying with friends and relaxation at home definitely gave me a boost of renewed energy and enthusiasm to finally change "gear" to become more positive and fabulous in 2009.

As I draft my New Year's resolution for 2009, I wanted to look back in 2008 to see where I've gone terribly wrong, and how I can avoid it. I recognized that I was easily distracted by negative people, and I have dwelled myself in some negative statements, and I have entertained depression at some point. I have tattooed my forehead that it will NOT be the case for me in 2009.

My 2009 resolution is simply to change my attitude and outlook in life for the better: To be, to live, to think, to speak, to breath, to want and to attract positive! It will start from nurturing and believing the positive power within me, and it will grow and shine out of me so I can experience life and love to the fullest, and chase my dreams with more passion better than ever before.

To put it in layman's terms, I will pray harder, work harder, and play harder. I will love deeper and laugh even louder like no one cares! I will sing and dance more like there's no tomorrow! I will want more, give more and receive more. I will write dramatically happier thoughts and deliriously crazier encounters in my blogs that will consciously confuse, disturb, disrupt and affect my readers in a positive way!! I will be crisp-er, mean-er and fun-er, and will be quicker and faster than ever... like a white and pink glitter-stripped zebra racing with horses, with flames bursting out of her hot butt. Yup, that will be me.

My Blah Moment of the Day - Airport Security

I've turned myself into an expert traveller for the last couple of years. I knew exactly what to bring or to wear, or what NOT to bring or to wear to pass the strict airport security. Sometimes, the security personnel would even announce their "rules" in a funny way like, "Those folks from Texas, please remove all your buckles and belts, and your cowboy boots, and your hats! I know they're all pretty on you but they will not pass security!" Or, "No bottled water, orange juice or any form of liquid will pass through the security, except for up to 3 ounces of baby formula!" I happened to be stucked in line at the Chicago airport, and I really, really needed to pee really bad, if you know what I mean! So I asked the security, "Will my full bladder pass this security check?"

Detrimental Blogger (That was me a year ago!)

I was a detrimental blogger (used to blog in Friendster) in the beginning of 2008. I wasn't sure if this blogging was for me, and didn't know what kind of character I should put on. I changed my identity many times and at this point, I'm sticking with the gutsy Fabulous Pinay image, as you can see in my new YouTube video above this article.

Before I officially start blogging for 2009, I want to share with everyone one of my favorite posts (and I think my best post) in 2008.

Detrimental Blogger
February 15th, 2008

About two weeks ago, I started blogging here in Friendster and I honestly did not know what I was doing. I had mixed awful feelings about it. I was very nervous of what I say about me and my past experiences. I was curious about what my closest friends and family would think of me. Should I keep going and remain passionate in my blogging, or should I just have to find something better to do like teach my dogs to sing ABC? What if my parents would come across this and find out that I used to drink Red Horse using a straw? Will my father be mad at me and disown me forever, or maybe he’ll buy me a round of drink with spicy sisig on the side? What if people think that I’m exposing too much of myself in the cyber world and that they hate my guts? What if I’m just wasting people’s time as they read my non-sense posts? So many questions and confusions have terrified me that I did not sleep and did not take a shower for a week. I asked myself, “What is this stupid thing that I’ve done?” To calm my self down and before I shave my head, I thought I better research more on blogging to make sure that I’m not putting my stinky foot in my mouth here in front of my beloved family and friends. I went online and I found some helpful tips, guidelines, and interesting rules that I’m tempted to break.

I could potentially become a professional writer after college if I only pursued it. So if I became a journalist, I will write something like this: “Utah is magnificent this winter.” But as an amateur blogger, I can write something like this: “This winter is killing me. Shoveling snow in our driveway almost every night is driving me crazy. This has been the worst winter for me in the past 6 years that I lived here in Utah. But what I love about it is when I wake up in the morning to a bright blue sky, a shimmering blanket of snow covering our deck, the smell of crisp clean air, and the perfect view of the beautiful Wasatch Mountain in the backdrop… where else in the world would I want to be and see something so spectacular!”

In the blog writing article, it was emphasized that I should feel free to say what I want to say and give my honest opinions. That’s really not my cup of tea. It only confused me as there were no clear warnings on honesty. Should I be writing what’s really going on in my head? That’s very dangerous. So if I was a fashion critic, I will write: “She wears a seductively low plunging neckline.” But in my blog, I can write: “I can’t believe I’ve ever seen such long boobs in my life!” If I will write an editorial, I’d say: “There are more effeminate men out there in the work force.” But in my blog, I can write: “Hold your horses, ladies and gentlemen, give way to these closet drag queens taking over!” At work, if I’m emailing a client, I will write: “Please keep us in mind for your next meeting. I hope you’ll consider bringing your conference to our resort in the future.” In my blog, I can write: “Are you insane? You must be kidding me. You’re a pain in the butt!” And if I was consoling a friend, I will write to her: “You don’t deserve all these loneliness and pain that you are going through with this man. How long do you have to be in this misery?” In my blog, I can write: “Quit being a pathetic loser! You can shoot yourself or kick his balls and leave the devil in hell!” You see, honesty in blogging is just ridiculous and it won’t work for me.

But what really caught my attention in my research is that I need to be funny and should amuse my readers, and that I should not take myself too seriously. Well, that’s even tougher… I’m going to have a hard time on this one. I now realized that blogging is not for me after all. I’m too boring with nothing much going on and nothing fun to say. Well, I guess it’s time for me to move on and change careers… I decided I’ll just become a “misfortune teller.” Anybody out there who wants to know their next bad luck?

Good Sentiments to Welcome 2009!

Hello my friends, I thought these words of advice are worth sharing to you all and might help to bring greater clarity in your life.

There comes a point in your life when you realize
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
and Who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

Be Kinder Than Necessary Because Everyone You Meet Is Fighting Some Kind Of Battle.

A sharp tongue can cut my own throat.

If I want my dreams to come true, I mustn't oversleep.

Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important.

The best vitamin for making friends..... B1.

The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts.

The heaviest thing I can carry is a grudge.

One thing I can give and still keep...is my word.

If I lack the courage to start, I have already finished. One thing I can't recycle is wasted time.

Ideas won't work unless I do.

My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open.

The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.

The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime! It is never too late to become what I might have been.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.. Forget about the one's who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Give a note to everyone you don't want to lose in 2009, including me, if you care.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Santa is REAL!!

Remember this Little Black Dress (and matching accessories) is what I asked Santa this Christmas? Well, he read my blog wish and he paid attention!

Now I believe Santa is real!! (Remember Gretchen Shoes?)

I love you, Santa!

Piolo Pascual Fan

OK, I admit. I'm Piolo Pascual's fan, only because he resembles my husband (I'm sure you know which one is my husband here in the above photos!). But recently on my way to Chicago, I encouraged my self to listening to ballad music (instead of my usual country-rock music) to relax me on this long flight. So, I played Josh Groban and Piolo Pascual on my Ipod. And what a revelation! Piolo has a beautiful and passionate voice on his songs, and I sorta, kinda like to fall in love in his music.... Eeeeww!

Yesterday, I found myself singing Piolo Pascual's songs again as I shovelled the foot of snow that dumped on us over Christmas day. So, to mock my new crush "Papa Piolo," I recorded my self just miming and emoting on his "Ikaw ang Buhay Ko" song (You are my life, in English!) using my snow shovel as mic, and my back deck full of snow as my own stage... and my neighbors as my audience, and my puppies as my screaming fans in the background!! ha-ha!



To all who are not Piolo's fans yet, here's his video for you to see and hear your new crush. (To all the ladies, hold your pants!! No kidding!)

My Greatest Christmas Gifts EVER

I can't help but be emotional today (day after Christmas). All I asked God for the whole year is to HEAL two of my closest friends who are battling cancer. It's been a hard year for me just accepting this and realizing how precious life is. I prayed to God that I don't need anything else this Christmas but for my friends to SURVIVE this trial in their lives. God has answered my prayers. God bless my friends, Jose (with wife Lisa), and Marlyn. Please continue to be strong and have faith. You both inspired me, and made me more thankful than ever for your love and friendship. I look forward to celebrating more Christmases with you. (Sorry, if I didn't ask permission to post your photos here, but you all look good and happy here... It's just perfect!).

Story of a Lost Ski Bunny in the Windy City

I am fortunate to be able to travel a number of times a year for sales mission for my company. This December, my destination is the Windy City of Chicago!

Chicago is my favorite city of all! Since it's my third time now to be in the windy city, I found that Chicago is so easy to navigate as the downtown area is well planned. I instantly felt comfortable walking around on my own and discover new places, and still be able to find my way back to my hotel safely in one whole piece. I knew I was going to walk a lot on my free time, so I was smart enough to prepare for the worst weather in Chicago! To fight the freezing wind and possible snow while wandering outside, I brought with me my thickest SKI JACKET! ... And my story just begun!

City Preview: This is Barack Obama's and Oprah Winfrey's hometown. The hotel that I stayed at was soooo huge that my whole town could fit in it. Parking fee was $25 for one-hour or 24-hours. Lots of city busses and cabs for people who don't want to drive. There were literally thousands of people out in the streets walking to shops, restaurants, to train stations, everywhere. There were scary looking beggars in every corner. As a small mountain town diva, I easily got overwhelmed and claustrophobic!

Chicago Story: There were no signs of recession in this city. In Michigan Avenue, people shopped in expensive stores like Louis Vitton, Gucci, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, etc. They all dress up in their fancy hats, fur coats and wool jackets, and nice boots! Crazy people lined up to be able to get in the Apple Store! I was brave to walk inside Macy's Department Store. There were blood-thirsty shoppers in every square foot of this forsaken place. I thought I was in a club but I was not! So, before I could pass out of suffucation, I managed to get my self out of that place.

My Story: Ski Jacket in Downtown Chicago? What the h--- was I thinking? The first 2 days I was out, I looked like an outcast-ski-bunny in the city! I mean, I looked terribly weird. I was having a beauty meltdown. The ski jacket served me it's purpose. I was SWEATING to death... from my head, my neck and my armpits! I wanted to try out some tiny clothes in one store but I was afraid I was going to stain all over it. The only time I appreciated my ski jacket was one night when it was negative 20 degress outside! My gloved hands were frozen... and the strong wind felt like there were blades brushing through my cheers. So this is what bad weather they are talking about... and oh boy, it was cold!

Here's my only self-portrait in Chicago in my hotel before my hair and make up get messed up outside. The rest were taken as I walked down from my hotel to Michigan Avenue. The more I looked up at these skycrappers, the more I love our beautiful mountains in Utah.

Santa, what I want for Christmas....

.... is this little black dress from Saks Fifth Avenue Display window on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. Price tag: My two months mortgage!!!



I never really believed in Santa Claus. So... I'll be hunting down an equivalent of this in my $50 budget.