| 2009 |
[Thursday, January 29th 2009] |
It's been awhile since I've posted. I usually just post on my blog but decided to make a little appearance on livejournal. Occasionally, I stop by Livejournal to catch up on friends' entries. It's nice to read new things about the goings on of people's lives or to read their current emotions. There's a bit of privilege in that.
2009 is going at warped speed. At a macro level, 2009 is full of changes. This country has a new leader in which I'm happy for. This country is going through such terrible times with its economy - and the effects reach one and all. 2009 is full of everything and it's only the first month. On a personal level, I'm getting married in less than four months and I am very excited. I know that in four months, I will be a different person. For sure, a different name. =) Even this livejournal name won't be accurate in four months. (I have had this livejournal for years and it has really held many memories for me.) Over the years that I've had this livejournal, I've gone through many different kinds of barriers, problematic moments, and exciting times. It's interesting to see what was so dramatic back then, can seem so simple now. I went through 2 phases of layoffs at my work and thank God I wasn't impacted in either rounds. The stress of the thought of losing my job and then the stress of seeing friends lose their jobs is such a different kind of drama compared to the drama back in high school. Both equally important. It's interesting to just step back and look at yourself. Look at what you've accomplished. Look at the experiences you've had. Life is so interesting if you let it. I'm embracing 2009 and all of its changes and challenges.
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| Engaged! |
[Friday, September 5th 2008] |
August 15, 2008
Ann Arbor, MI
Diag Area
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| It's been forever.. |
[Sunday, May 18th 2008] |
I have a blog now, and I tend to use that more so than livejournal. I actually just go on livejournal to check up my friends' livejournals instead of writing my own stuff. =P
It's easier to post pictures up on blogger than on livejournal...
I like to make cakes and cupcakes now. Well, I've always liked it, but I'm getting into it more and more. I've also made a fondant cake too for the first time. =)
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[Tuesday, January 22nd 2008] |
2 actors that i love are dead. it was so weird to hear all of this today.
honestly weird. and for me to post about it, really weird. but i really thought they were great actors. they could have lasted, well, more heath ledger than brad renfro, ti'll he was super old. he could have been like a robert redford. for brad renfro, he started out really strong but didn't get as huge as he could have. but anyway, i was just pretty shocked that they're both dead. that's so nuts. i used to love brad renfro when i was young. him and elijah wood. heh
anyway, i just wanted to write this out.
personal note:
life has been good, the new year has started off nicely.
work has been nice and busy. tim will be here in a couple of days and i'm very excited. =)
the family is good and healthy. it's all nice. and i'm very thankful.
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| Christmas Season |
[Thursday, December 20th 2007] |
| [ |
mood |
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brRr, i'm cold |
] |
i'm in michigan now.. i flew in yesterday. it feels so nice to just do nothing. heh i won't be back in salt lake ti'll jan 2nd. =) i'm picking up timmy from the airport tomorrow, so that'll be nice. so far, i've hung out with family. i went to lunch w/ kat and carla today at a yummy restaurant (the alibi). i got to play with my niece samara yesterday. she is so so precious. she's so sweet. she's like a baby doll. hehe and her cheeks!! hehe i just wanna pinch 'em! =)
the weather has been ok over here so far. it's just cold, but not too bitter.
i just watched pride & prejudice tonight. i love that movie. and it's probably one of my favorite stories of all times. one of my favorite movies for sure. i can watch it many times.
hmm.. what other random babble can i type... i baked some otis spunkmeyer cookies tonight. i placed them in a nice red tin and tied a cute bow around it. i'll give it to thao tomorrow when timmy & i visit her at her work. it'll be a surprise visit since i haven't talked to her yet. heh
i'm really in the Christmas mood this year and i'm loving it. it started pretty early too. and i usually don't get into that much in the previous years too. odd, but a good odd. i like it. better to be in the Christmas mood than to be blah about it, that's for sure.
i boxed and bowled last night. on the wii that is. hehe it was fun. i played against my bro. good times good times.
ok, i think i'm done. =)
i'll write more later.
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| Thoughts |
[Tuesday, September 25th 2007] |
| [ |
mood |
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 grateful |
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I say this often, but I still really think that time is going by so quickly. The crisp cool air of autumn is here.. and it made me realize that the cold weather is upon me here in utah. i moved out here in december pretty much. and the fact that the weather is getting chilly again means i'm coming up to my 1 year mark in a couple of months. that is so so crazy to me. the past year has brought me so many emotions and thoughts. so many ups and downs. tears and smiles have mishmashed throughout the year for me. i have to admit - it was pretty intense. i have learned so much about my faith, myself, my family, my friends, and my boyfriend. i'm twenty-four now. and i actually really feel like an adult now. 23 brought so many new changes in my life and i overcame them the best way i could. i'm not perfect and i know i didn't do everything perfectly.. but it was my way. all i know is i tried. i could have definitely done things differently but i'm glad i did it the way i did. i'm glad i kept my thoughts the way i kept them. keeping positive about life in general is such a huge effect on your overall disposition.
i've said this a couple of times already too.. but this is one thing i'd like to keep on saying .. i'm at the happiest state of my life thus far. i have said that sentence a couple of times now. at independent times. the fact that i can say that and keep on saying that makes me genuinely grateful. i'm so grateful to God for blessing me with the life that i have. for the people in my life. and for the safety of my days and nights. all of it, i'm grateful for.
i've realized that as i get "older".. my beliefs and thoughts are changing.. they've somewhat become old-fashioned - just every now and then. or maybe classic is a better term. i dunno how to describe it. maybe i just have a more mature way of looking at life now compared to years ago or even 1 year ago. i guess that's just part of life and truly maturing. you can look back on your days and not have any regrets, but you look on to your future with a new set of eyes.
on another note..
i registered my car today. i'm officially in utah now..driving around with my utah license plate. who would have thought i'd end up in utah... heh
life works in such interesting ways.
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| Welcome Samara! |
[Monday, August 27th 2007] |
| [ |
mood |
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Happy |
] |
| [ |
music |
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"Me, Myself, and I" -Beyonce |
] |
My oldest brother and sister-in-law had their first baby last Thursday, August 23, 2007!
It's pretty exciting to have little babies in our family =) We have 2 little girls now - Lily and Samara. hehe I can't wait to meet Samara. and lucky me, I get to see Lily for her 1st birthday in september!! =)
Hello Samara =) =)
Tatay (my dad), My Bro, and Samara =) **this picture is precious**
I'm also very excited for this week. My girl friends are coming! They're coming here Thursday and Friday... and then we're all heading out and taking a roadtrip to Vegas on Saturday for Labor Day Weekend. =) =) I'm excited.
Then after that, Timmy will visit me for my birthday weekend. I'm soOo giddy. I've been cleaning my apartment for the past couple of days =) I love it.
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| Random |
[Sunday, August 26th 2007] |
Post seven random, interesting facts about yourself, and then tag seven other people:
1. I just vacuumed my apartment & it made me happy.
2. I'm not so freaked out about turning 24 anymore..
3. I organize things on a shelf at stores if I'm just waiting in line..
4. After using a public bathroom, I open the door with my right middle finger (if it's a pull-type). I think all public bathroom doors should be a push-out type.
5. I've never used Caveat in a sentence (out loud) and I really want to.
6. I love driving with my windows open on a nice summer night.
7. I'm very picky with pens and the feel of the paper I use.
I tag...
Timmyk
Mr. C. Cheung
NJ
Dr. M. Weston
Rocker
M.Watson
J.Bronson
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| kinda sorta freakin' out |
[Tuesday, August 7th 2007] |
 so lately.. i've been kind of freaking about getting older. turning 24 in a little over a month has gotten me to think that time is running out for some reason. i mean, just do a little math and honestly, it'll freak you out too. especially if you're a girl. anyway.. i know i shouldn't worry about that and that i am still young. but it's just one of those things.
i've never freaked out or even given a second of thought to getting older. but for some reason, the number 24 is just weirding me out. i guess the whole adult thing is finally settling in me. i'm out and about, working, and doing my thing over here in utah. i feel older. and the back to school commercials aren't helping either. "summer vacation" is over. but i didn't really have an official summer vacation - though i have made plenty of trips to account for all of my summer vacations of college, it feels like. and i know, my "summer vacations" are long gone. i'm not in school anymore. (though, i'll go back to school eventually) so, it's a weird feeling. technically, it's been over a year since i graduated. damn.
anyway.. i think the freaking out has phased away. which is a good thing. i kinda felt off last night. i slept but i know throughout the night my mind was just rambling in my sleep. i woke up in a funk. i feel better now.. i just had to re-evaluate and get myself to think that i am STILL YOUNG. NO NEED TO FREAK OUT.
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| Back in SLC version 2 |
[Sunday, August 5th 2007] |
I really haven't been updating this that much hm? =P
I just got back today from my 2nd Michigan trip. I left on Thursday, Aug 2. It was a pretty short trip =P I'm still pretty exhausted from it, actually. I went for my oldest brother & sister-in-law's baby shower on Saturday. It was a luau/Hawaiian theme party. It was a good turn out and it was really fun. I had a great time just relaxing and hanging out with family. Even got our nails done on Saturday morning with Kat and ate Carla =) hehe I got to hang out with Carla (not the sister in law) on Friday. got some delicious Indian food and hung out at Somerset Mall. Good times. =)
( More Pictures )
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| Back in SLC |
[Saturday, July 7th 2007] |
I just had a great vacation. I flew out to Atlanta on Friday night and arrived early Saturday morning. Timmy picked me up and then we checked in to the Westin. We hung out in Atlanta.. checked out the CNN Center. We had a great dinner at the Sundial Restaurant. Headed out early the next morning to make it to church in Chattanooga, TN. We had a lot of fun in Tennessee. We ate a lot of really delicious foods. It was so so nice spending time with Timmy.. It went by so quickly.
Nothing beats the feeling of walking in the airport terminal of your vacation destination.
Yummy Martini @ Sundial Restaurant's Lounge
( More pictures.. )
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| mid June |
[Tuesday, June 12th 2007] |
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where is this year flowing to? i swear, it's going sooo quickly. and i find myself not updating as frequently as before.. it's a sign of getting older maybe. old for livejournal? perhaps. heh but not yet.
so.. i went to michigan during memorial weekend and i haven't posted any pictures from it. instead, i just made a quick slide show because uploading them invidually takes too much effort =P heh so, here it is:
it was a great time. i had a lot of fun with my family, friends, and timmy. it was probably one of the greatest vacations i've ever had. it was just really nice and relaxed. and i ate a lot of food. and honestly, i've missed goooooood food =) we went to mackinac island. and i've never been there before so it was pretty cool. it was really cold though =P
and now, i'm back in SL,UT. hah salt lake, utah that is. haha just working and working out. i really want to get into working out now.. and not feel so pudgy. =) it's been goin' well. i joined curves and i'm liking it. i want to do more outdoor stuff out here. i just want to stay active..
work is going well. i'm liking it a lot. the people are cool. the work is pretty interesting. everyone should apply for an american express card! go go! =) gotta support the brand right? =)
i want to hang out with him.. always.
i can't wait to see my family again too..
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| it's been awhile.. |
[Sunday, May 20th 2007] |
May May May and June is around the corner. woww..that's all i can say is woww..
so, i went to Chicago again on May 11-13th for ria's birthday celebration and it was honestly a party all weekend. as always, it was a great time seeing the girls again. i love them so much. they're amazing people =) and so so fun. i honestly have the coolest friends =) hehe
we went to some clubs on that friday night - spoon and zzzzz(some other club that i can't remember the name of). i met Ando from Heroes at Spoon. Hah. that was interesting. saturday, we had dim sum and bubble tea in chinatown. i ventured on my own to downtown to meet up some of my michigan friends. later, the girls and some dudes went out for an amazing dinner at Tango Sur - not for the vegetarians. hehe and partied at a club called Suite. as always, the pregaming happened at the apartment. i even invited some U of M friends to party with us. good times =)
i can't wait for my next trip.. this thursday to michigan!! =) i get to see my family and my timmy. =)
( pictures! )
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[Monday, April 16th 2007] |
i can't believe what happened today.
my prayers go out to all of the families for their loss.
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| Bangs! |
[Sunday, April 15th 2007] |
i did it! i got 'em!
i haven't had bangs since elementary school. and i was honestly thinking about bangs all day yesterday. i was at the mall and i saw a girl with bangs and it just made me want to get 'em too. i wanted something different. lately, i've felt renewed/refreshed and i wanted my physical appearance to reflect that feeling. it was kind of scary to get bangs..especially during that first *clip* of the scissors. =P hehe
anyway.. here's how it turned out:
i was getting excited about 'em while i was sitting on the chair. the girl who cut my hair, Heidi, was pretty awesome. i liked her hair too =) and yeah, the experience was overall very nice. i'll probably go there again and to her again, when i need another cut. =)
this weekend was pretty nice. i went out dancing last night.. it was so random. i was all ready for bed around 11:30pm and i get a call from a friend of mine to go out. so, i got dressed in honestly 10 minutes and then brushed my teeth and bam!, i was ready to party. we went to a club called Green Street. clubbing in SLC is so weird. honestly. the music selection is so awkward sometimes. anyway, we still had a good time - of course =)
ok, now i have to iron my laundry =P
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| it was 80s day at work |
[Thursday, April 12th 2007] |
| [ |
mood |
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time time |
] |
| [ |
music |
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time time time time |
] |
i decided to be mildly 80s today at work. i just wore a bunch of colored jewelry and a nice 80s-esque top. i got some comments on my outfit.. it wasn't the full-flown stereotypical 80s outfit.. but it was enough and that's why i say i was mildly 80s. one coworker said that someone told her i was wearing 80s stuff today and she was like "really? but she looks nice." heh, i thought that was kinda cute/funny. i also got a comment that i was an "american idol girl" because i guess the contestants are all about looking 80s now.. i dunno, i haven't watched that show since the first season and when they had 2 filipinas on it.
anyway. so, work was pretty entertaining today. and semi-busy. i've been getting busier at work and i'm liking it. it makes the time go by faster. speaking of time goin' by quickly, it's already thursday today! meaning tomorrow is friday!! how crazy is that.? this month is halfway over and i'm still thinking it's march!
a lot has happened to me recently.. some things just really surprised me (in a good way). and it's weird to think that some things are a complete 180 of what they have currently been. i'm not completely sure on how to handle it yet. but i'm just staying happy because technically, it's a happy change. it was just a shock to hear some stuff this past week. it's all been so nice. the past 3 months have been a roller coaster of events and emotions. and in some ways, i'm glad it happened. those 3 months got me to think in this whole different way and i'm glad i had the opportunity to be able to have that time to really think about everything in my life. as cheesy as it sounds, i think i grew up a little in those 3 months..
this past monday (the 9th) marked my seventeenth year in the united states.
it has been 17 years. wow.. it's incredible to think of how long i have been here. i've been here for most of my life but i'm glad i still have roots in the philippines. i'm still connected to it. but 17 years is a long time. and so much has happened in those 17 years.
and now, after 17 years, i'm completely on my own.
that's my first passport picture. i'm the one with the short bowl hair cut and a big head. =)
seventeen years later, i'm just in my apartment =) taking pictures of my big head.
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| i really should be sleeping.. |
[Monday, April 9th 2007] |
Easter.
it definitely caught me off-guard today. but it was a nice off-guard moment.
i really should be asleep right now.. it's almost 12:30am. and i got up and out of bed to just go on the computer to find anything to make me sleepy. i did my Federal taxes today. so that felt nice to do. i also used my slow cooker for the first time. my first meal from it wasn't really that impressive but i plan on making better things in the future.
i went to church today. i like going to my church. it calms me down. today, i just kept thinking about everything in my life during mass. my mind was just spinning with thoughts. he gave me so many things to think about in a matter of 15 minutes.. it felt surreal.
i spent saturday at the park. the weather was perfect.
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marygraceguerra's journal
