You know yer fat when at least 3 people have indirectly told you that you are gaining weight. Damnit! The thing is that I do realize it, but am not doing anything about it – well, except for trying not to eat as much. I guess since my breakup, I have just been pigging out… and I’ve been telling myself that I need to get back into the gym or at least start running after work. It’s just so hard for me to get myself back into that routine… But I feel that I have to since I am always feeling bloated and am really unhappy about how I look.

Today me and Maikuti drove down to Vallejo to visit Nanay (Mom) and Tatay (Dad). We first stopped by the house to say hello. It was really good to see them; I haven’t seen my parents for about a month or so. They were just finishing eating their late lunch and watching TFC (The Filipino Channel). There was news about this Rico Chan, popular young filipino actor, who just died in his sleep. So we watched for a while, then headed out to eat.

We ate at Empire Buffet. Damn there was so much food, and we sure did eat a lot. It was funny ‘cuz Maikuti had to unbutton his pant button. We then did a little shopping at Big 5’s, then Wal-Mart. There we looked at plants and I was able to get some home stuff. I also found a book called “Got To Be Real”. In the pet department, I took a look at the fishes and saw a really active and cute lionhead goldfish that was sure courting the other goldfishes (I guess goldfishes get horny too). I wanted to get him, but I wasn’t going straight home, so I didn’t.

We then went back to my parent’s and I took some photos of plants, flowers and this metallic ladybug-like bug in the backyard. Nanay baked some carrot cake muffins and a filipino dessert called bibinka – yumm!!!

Tatay was at the front fixing my car. It actually started and maybe working soon. Dang!

Before we left, I borrowed their video camera, so MC can record his DVs to VHS. My parents watched as we drove off, and they looked so cute waving goodbye to us. They are the cutest!!!! I love them so much!

We then made on more stop visited Kuya (brother) Eddie, Ate Angie and kids. Just wanted to say hello and see the kids and what they are up to. They are apparently starting summer vacation.

We stopped by Ikea… and by the time we got home we were both so pooped and just wanted to lay down and relax.

Me and Maikuti went to Vallejo to have lunch with my whole family to celebrate my Lola’s (Grandma’s) birthday and my parent’s anniversary. We went to this Chinese buffet place called Imperial Empire (or something like that) and there was alot of us; 18 total. The food was really good and they have tons and tons of dishes – it’s the biggest buffet place I’ve seen. There were two tables, the grown-ups sat together at this long table. Me, Maikuti and all my nephews and nieces sat at this big round table and got to play and make fun or each other. It was really fun. I love spending time with my family, especially the kid. Once we were done, you bet we were all so stuffed!!!

Afterwards, Me and Maikuti went to get his oil changed at Wal-Mart, which was good, because I got to do alot of shopping for home stuff. Damn their prices were so low. I haven’t been to one in a while. So I got some cat liter, some cactus mix, soap and conditioner, a plant, hangers and other stuff.

A friend of mine sent me a email questionnaire thingy that’s kinda like a slam book. Here is what I emailed back to her:

Subject: Getting to Know You…

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS?
1 bedroom apartment in Alameda. 1 roommate (Temporarily helping out a friend), 2 cats and plenty of goldfish and guppies.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW?
Harry Porter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – J.K. Rowling

WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Kensington

FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
I’ll have to think about that.

FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
How (Graphic Design)

FAVORITE SMELL?
Citrus, Honeydew, Rosemary, Lavender, Acqua di Gio

FAVORITE SOUND?
Faint chimes, water rippling, dance music

WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Uncertainty, quick deadlines, being mad or having someone mad at me

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
Am I gonna be late for work again? or How long is this boner gonna last?

FAVORITE COLOR?
Yellow Orange, Black, Grayish Blue

HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
2-3

FUTURE CHILD’S NAME?
Forrest or Tyler

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN LIFE?
Love, Happiness, Family, Friends and hopefully finding Mr. Right

FAVORITE FOODS?
Sushi, Tempura and Fried Chicken

CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
Vanilla

DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST?
Sometimes

DO YOU LIKE TO SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
When I’m lonely, stressed, depressed, sad or just want someone to hug. I got a teddy frog named Henry.

STORMS – COOL OR SCARY?
Cool, unless it’s really bad and causing damage

WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
White 2 door 1987 Ford Escort (Still have it, but it’s dead)

IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE?
Pablo Picasso

FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
Don’t drink much but if I had a choice: Smirnoff Ice or Corona

WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?
Capricorn

DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI?
Yup yup

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Graphic Designer

IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR?
Silver, Platinum

EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
Yes

IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?
Half full

FAVORITE MOVIES?
Circle of Friends, Joy Luck Club, Sum of Us, and other romantic comedies

DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS?
Nope, but I can type fast

WHAT’S UNDER YOUR BED?
junk, mostly oversized portfolio stuff

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?
3

FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
maybe gymnastic, I really dunno

SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Wincy is very sweet, cute and makes me smile with her oddities

PERSON(S) YOU SENT THIS TO WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Divine

PERSON(S) YOU SENT THIS TO WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Ricky, Arjay and Alexis (haha)

More to come…

I arrive at Castro and John and them are gonna be late so head for Hortica Urban Gardens (a plant store in the Castro) so I can buy some cactus mix. Well they were closed so I start heading for Cafe Flore.

At the corner of Market and Castro, there were alot of people on the corner. I was thinking that there were an unusually large number of people waiting to cross. But when the light turned green, almost everyone was still standing on the corner. I cross and notice alot of cops on motorcycles. then I realize that there are tons of people lined up alone Market from Castro to Noe.

Then it hits me that the torch is coming. Actually I heard a couple of guys saying that. So I decided to stop for a while and watch.

I got to see a brigade of cops followed by RVs and vans, then someone jogging with the Olympic Torch. midway down then hill, I saw the woman pass the torch to another man, who then starts jogging down the hill and turn left on Market. There is olympic music blasting from someones apartment above, sirens and horns are blaring and the crowd cheers. I was actually a pretty cool site. I’ve never seen this in real life and I didn’t even know this was happening this evening.

A coworker of mine has been working on a short film about the dot.com boom’s demise. Me, several coworkers and a friend of mine were actors or extras in the film. I had a little role was one of the employees who still had a job, who was listening to the boss explain how other employees in the company are in another room being told they don’t have a job.

Today, we got to we a screening of the film and I was impressed. It was really cool, especially seeing a piece that a fellow coworker did. He really did a good job and hopefully we’ll see more in the future.

The funny thing about the movie was that I was totally true. Alot of the extras in the film who were coworkers then have been laid off. It’s sad to see, but it’s a reality.