Ready for the weekend with all the festivities with family.

I had a fun time tonight with my MPH folks.  Definitely a good hang out choppin it up and just eating a nice meal.  I feel like these occurrences will be the norm as our lives progress beyond the program.  At least I hope so.

I can’t believe the semester is almost starting and I still have so much to do.  I swear, time flies by so quick when you’re having fun.  I already feel it, this semester is going to be gone in a second.  I just want to enjoy the moments that are left.

No more things to talk about.

vincent

Sara took us to the spot right outside the padres stadium called lolitas. Nice little bar restaurant where we caught the end of the saints/Seahawks wildcats game.

Prior to that, fashion valley mall was the destination where we encountered dance central. The Microsoft store had a stand outside the entrance where people played and watched. Of course Ricky and I had a battle to the musical stylings of poison! Fun times.

Ended the night watching movies and having casual drinks. Jersey shore re run to top the night.

Fin. Until next time.

Vincent

It was kinda cool venturing on a campus other than sf state. Checked out their student union as well a’s their rec center while we waited for Jean. We stumbled upon nutella to go, a rarity in the bay, and of course I has to twit pic it. Funny that everyone wants one. Swapped like 8 packs as pasalubong. Sweet.

We ended up chilling with Jean and some of her friends at a restaurant called que pasa, similar to the Chevys in our area. It was a real nice time catching up and joking around with Jean for the short time we had. Really reminiscent of the times when she was my neighbor. Miss her.

It just goes to show, it is possible to maintain friendships even if they span a great distance. Little detours and efforts to see people make a difference and you’ll never know what will come of these mini adventures. It’s like how my group of friends maintains a a connection with RayRay and Erwin.

Well as we drive in to the night, I mentally prepare myself for the rest of the weekend’s festivities. Excited to say the least

Until next time…

vincent

After a painful run (for Jar) around parts of the lake, we had to retreat and return to the apt.  There I continued the work out so I could get my daily fix of physical activity.  I was looking at my running shoes and noticed that some of the areas are shaven off by the usage…light bulb shoots up and made me realize….duh that’s why my feet hurt [dumb ass moment].  But workouts…do you sometimes feel like you do stuff but their doesn’t seem to be a difference.  Sometimes I feel like I don’t see any progress…but then again, maybe I’m just being impatient and want to see results..now.

Well dinner with Jar afterwards.  Definitely conversations ranging from nostalgia to the future over pasta dishes at olive garden.  Good times to say the least.

Something that Jar pointed out that I do is that I play the smart ass card.  Always gotta say something about something if I don’t agree or question it.  I say it’s being critically conscious.  What can I say!?!  Lol.

Tired.

Socal bound tomorrow.  Hoping to have a mini escape and trade in some good vinyls while enjoying the wonderful world of disney with a different set of folks.

vincent

I guess my “being” for the day will be captured by a word that kind of highlighted the day or stuck out.  I tried (subconsciously) to free my mind and then just think about the first thing that came to mind when thinking about the day.  and the winner…Peruvian.

Ended up the day with Marie and Mark going to on a West Portal adventure to a Peruvian restaurant called Fresca.  Definitely not the same old menu we’re used to…let’s just say it’s not a Cha Cha Cha type of restaurant.  Overall pretty good, and a bit pricey.  I guess it all balances off when the company brings in their own flavor to add to the table.

Conversations ran rampant as we caught up with each other and for me, to openly talk about my processes up to this point.  I think there is a type of healing and wholeness when you verbally express certain things in your mind that you keep in.  Maybe it’s just be and the type of person I am, but talking it out really helps.  I can’t imagine someone holding things in…I’d explode.  But then again, I’m not that person.  But yeah, sometimes, just saying it out loud, allows you to hear your own voice in another perspective, especially with other people around you.   I think there’s a lot of power…wait empowerment in letting yourself have a voice.  Sometimes I hear the things that come out of my mouth and I end up thinking…”WTF?”  But good conversations all around and may we embark on another food adventure in the near future.

Side note: Late night showing of rated R flick Zombie Strippers…starring Jenna Jameson.  Two words…Pool Balls.  Enough said. Haha.

On another note…

*Mini random resolution: Finer dining especially in SF (and try to document each experience)

Restaurant: Fresca
Type: Peruvian
Location: West Portal, San Francisco
Food: Dungenous crab salad, steak salad, yucca fries, ceviche (HELLA SOUR), Pork chop/rice, beef heart

YUM.

vincent

So this series of “Today I am…(this one is obviously yesterday because it’s past tense…lol) was inspired by my good friend Terri with her “Today I wore…” series as part of her daily accounts of fashion stylings.  I think that this is just going to be a fun way for me to start an entry and have some type of hook that kinda bridges all these thoughts, blogs, entries, etc. together.  Plus, I think it’s a regression back to that little kid that I was that wanted to be everything.  Definitely a modern day version for me to experience my imagination and how life can really be a good vehicle for that.

So yesterday I was..Japanese.

Before I go into that, I need to preface these entries with a lot of other tidbits.  I have been watching a lot of How I Met Your Mother and these stories are a little reminiscent of all the fun and shenanigans my friends and I seem to get into.  I was thinking, why not document this and one day look back (without the same feeling of disgust of looking at my pre teen angsted xanga) and laugh at all these stories.  Because when you think about it…aren’t we all living these TV shows we all know and love in some way or another.

Anyways.

Let’s begin this story…So ever since Terri and Mary moved to Union City, hang outs with them in the City are not as frequent as desired.  So with them coming to the City, it called for an occasion.  Hungry, food adventures were definitely in store and the target type…JAPANESE.  Target acquired…Sushi Raw…and target…total fail.  CLOSED.  So off to Japantown.

And of course…google maps took us all the way down Mission, but to our benefit allowed us to experience the wonderful lyrical stylings of Nicki Minaj.  ”Shitted On Em” for the win.  Isn’t it funny how certain songs and lyrics really just trigger memories?  They inherently just become part of this soundtrack of your life.  Like, you play these songs over and over again, like it’s an inside joke…Wait, it does become an inside joke.  Until you’re super tired of it and on to the next one.  And once you hear it again, the memories and nostalgia comes back.

Well, ate at Japantown.  Dessert at Genki’s…or how we like to say JANKY’s.  Then off to Ster’s for Pretty Little Liars.  ”Got a secret, got a keep it…”  Annoying theme song but quite catchy to say the least.  Surprisingly was able to follow the story line with the help of Mary.  It’s pretty much a young desperate housewives meets gossip girl.  Shout out to Lucy Hale from American Juniors.  Haha.

Then a kick it at 11k with Nella, Ryan, and Jar, which entailed alcoholic beverages (a drunk hot mess ryan), this drawing guessing game, Seniores, and Craigslist Killer.  WOmps for the movie at the end.  Not that great.

All in all, a wonderful night with wonderful friends.  Feels like the old days and hope that these days become a little bit more frequent for my sake .

Until next time.

vincent

Date added: 1.11.11
1. Hike Mission Peak at least two times
2. Run a marathon
3. Write more
4. Read at least 3 books or more
5. Take a big trip [preferably outside of the United States]

In lieu of Resolution #3, I will use this medium to write down the thoughts/commentary that I usually exchange within my head and with others as a means to really exercise and put it down on paper. There’s somewhat of a reality reached or a reality start point when things are put on paper. LEGIT.

More resolutions to come and I hope to keep track of them.  Also, reflections on the roller coaster of the year that was 2010, soon.

vincent

*Checked into the Hudson Hotel
- Super quaint room with a peep show bathroom
- Overall hotel was hipster like
*Shake Shack
- Shack Burger was delicious.  It melts in your mouth.  Mary’s shroom one was even better!
- Upper West Slide (Custard ice cream).  Too much for my taste.  If you like this type of dessert you’d enjoy it.
- French fries .  Nuff said.
*American Museum of Natural History
- Spent the whole afternoon there
- Watched the planetarium show (Journey to the stars)…which ended up being a nap time
- Cool exhibits included the Asian, PI, and Central/Southern America
*Dinner: Dallas BBQ in Times Square
- Total soul food
- Shrimp/Wings combo (WINGS!!!!!)
- 1/2 Chicken combo
- Baby back ribs combo
- Drinks
*Top of the Rock Voyage
- Ended up in the Island Def Jam building and talked to a guy
- Radio City Music Hall picture
- Rockefellar Plaza
- Duane and Reade trip to buy snacks and water

Day 2: Saturday, July 17, 2010
*Columbus Circle: Picture taking
*Central Park Walk
- Baseball fields/carousel
- Bagel breakfast
*MOMA
- Sound bytes exhibit was weird but cool (talking about week days)
*Halal Cart
- YUMMY!!!!! Chicken over rice
*Starbucks
*Manhattan Mall Journey
- Daffy’s = EW!
- Macy’s = Crazy BIG
- H and M
*Bryant Park
- Walk through
- Ate a Tart and Chamomile Mint Tea from Le Pan Quotidian
*Kas Arrives
*Bar Hopping with Jon
- Pop Burger: Mini sliders/bomb ass fries
- Park: Meat packing district bar with a wide age range of folks – yuppies (2 drinks)
- BOB: lots of reggaeton, Jon’s friends b’day, 2 hen shots
- Hipster Dive Bar: Hella left!
- One On ONe – Irish bar playing hip hop; fun meeting asians and two black girls; long island galore
- Passed by pommes frittes…NOOOO!
- Pizza near pommes frittes
- Hotel at 4am!?!

Day 3: Sunday, July 18, 2010
*Breakfast at Georgianos’ Cafe: waffles and eggs
*Walked through street fair
*Rush Tickets to Promises, Promises
*Central park fail…too many transfers
*Promises, Promises
- 1st act…sleepy
- Kristin was amazing…gave chills
- Stage door after wards for pictures and autographs
*Columbus Circle Mall (Borders)
*Fuji Sushi
- Ate ramen/ceviche sashimi
- Stupid..they wanted 15% gratuity
*Serendipity
- Fire nation worker made us order one per person…frozen hot chocolate overload
- Saw rats scrambling outside
*Empire State Building
*Times Square and Stairs
*Cab back to hotel

Day 4: Monday, July 19, 2010
*Breakfast @ Starbucks: Sausage sandwich – used internet
*Battery Park
*Ferry ride passing Statue of Liberty – eye sunglasses of Lady Liberty (Note: Smaller than expected)
* Ellis Island: Cool cultural barbie displays
* SoHo:
- Late Lunch at Balthazar – Roasted Eggplant Sandwich was delicious and fettucine and french fries too
- Shooping and walked – Uniqlo damage!?!
*Union Square
- Stand 4 for marshmallow malt shake
- Six point sweet action beer
- Shoestring fries
*Back to the hotel to rest
*Halal Cart
*Times Square
* Forever 21
* Cab Back to Hotel

Day 5: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
*The Met = AMAZING!!!
*Dylan’s Candy Shop
*Coach truck: free ice cream – earl grey tea was yums.
* HOME!

It was super hot.  Heat wave status.  Fun experience.  Favorite attraction was bar hopping, hosted by Jon.  Favorite restaurant was Balthazar.  Favorite late night eats…halal cart.  Favorite museum..the MET!

FIN.

Here I go…

This past month has a been a really big learning experience for me.  I think this whole idea of empowerment speaks volumes of how much it can really lift your spirit and change whatever outlook you have on a certain topic/concern.  I’m constantly reminded about the importance of listening, not only to others but yourself.  This neglect of self can truly create something ugly within and I think we don’t take the opportunity to really nurture the source that is you.  You can’t really love others, if you can’t have that love for yourself, right?  I’m learning to process more nowadays…and I mean it in the big whole process of processing.  I hope I’m making sense. Haha.

But yeah…what I speak of the ugly…I’m talking about that negative nancy or debbie downer that just creeps in your head.  The one that loves to come out when he/she knows you’re at your all time low.  Vulnerability and self consciousness is its fuel for survival.  BLAH!  Not the best thing to have in your head when you’re alone with your thoughts. That’s when your self validation needs to kick in.  Gotta get that positive polly (haha..just made that up) to be in full force.  I know that my need for validation and reassurance is at its all time high when these dark thoughts are looming.  And when it is in reference to other people, I have to remind myself that I should have faith in other people.

All in all I think I’ll just wrap it up with some the four key phrases in life that will go a long way (thank you prof. begonia):

1. I love you
2. I’m sorry
3. I forgive you
4. Thank you