New Years Eve Road Trip!!!

I had no real plans for New Years seeing that I planned on staying in and watching movies. I got a message from my friend to come down to Reseda (Southern California) and party with them so I decided to take her up on that offer. I'm leaving right after work and making my 6 hour trip. While I'm down there, I'll be trying to plan accordingly the food establishments that were kindly recommended to me. Pictures to come soon!!!


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Recap of Blackjack Tonite

Played for 1 hour and left $200 up. All that money is going towards paying off Credit Card debt.

I celebrated by watching some Everyday Italian to get even more stoked. I love how Giada is so expressive when eating her food!



I get to sleep in tomorrow because everyone has to come in to work at 8am. Goodnight y'all!

$200 in my hands

off to play blackjack. Wish me luck!

What I've been loving lately

House series

I started Season 1 and currently working my way up to Season 5. This show is so addictive and each character brings their own unique presence to the show


Bill Simmons Podcast

Referred to as "The Sports Guy" Bill Simmons combines sports with pop culture references and no apologetic stance of being a passionate Boston sports fan, his podcast is an underground hit with people of all backgrounds and sports knowledge. Best of all, it's free on iTunes!



Blackberry Bold for the Verizon Wireless Carrier.... (TBA)

Verizon Wireless has made a tentative announcement that the Bold, which is currently available for AT&T will be released 1st quarter of 2009. I've been drooling over this phone for over a year as I can't wait to pony up the money and buy one as soon it gets released through Verizon.

Bye Bye Hair

Shaved my head. Used a #2. Got a few compliments already and I was flattered to hear them. :)

Never Look Back, Different Directions

9 days away until 2009. What lies ahead for me? It's tough to say but here are 4 big goals that I'm looking forward to in 2009 that could be life changing for me...

Continue Becoming A Minimalist
I'm making good progress going through my belongings and either donating them to freecycle or posting them on craigslist. Part of becoming a better person is to not be so attached to material possessions, especially items that I have no use for anymore.

Save Money/Build A Surplus
As part of becoming a minimalist, I sold my Wii, Wii Fit, and Rock Band 2 band kit. All that money I got, I put in my savings account. My goal is to be completely debt free by the end of January sans my car payments and to continue putting excess monies that isn't tied to rent and utilities to my savings and Roth IRA.

Focus More On Cooking
I've been following the blog The Crepes of Wrath since it's inception as it provides great recipes for simple dishes from main courses to desserts. I had have always a knack for cooking, especially serving to my friends. I want to step my game up and try more challenging dishes. I am looking into taking a cooking class at DVC as a way to learn and also meet new people.

Drive Cross Country in June
Take 14 days off work and start in Walnut Creek, CA and drive East on 80 until I hit Chicago and loop back on the infamous Route 66. I want to visit the America I've never seen, eat at truck stop diners, see national parks, and other interesting parts of America.

Peace to my Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit

No Joke, I think I May Be Developing An Addiction.....

I think I'm slowing becoming a gambling degenerate. The past 3 weeks I've been obsessed with gambling whether it's blackjack, roulette, or sports betting. After seeing this picture from 4th of July where I won the biggest amount of money ever, I have these urges to go back. Considering I sold a lot of my useless junk around my room, I have a surplus of money that I can use at my own leisure.

That's me pointing at my stack of green chips, $25/chip so roughly $300 for one hand. Keep in mind that this isn't a big casino in Tahoe so this brought the attention of the pit boss along with other dealers that I was playing so reckless, yet winning so much at the same time

Apologies to Vegans and Vegetarians

Thanks to the fine people at Holy Taco it is my goal for to make this cheesy bacon delight as part of my New Years Resolution.

New bed spread!!!

I've always wanted flannel bedding growing up so I finally made the decision and paid $19.99 to get this christmas theme bed set

Burberry Appreciation

Might splurge with my Christmas money that my relatives usually give me each year for these awesome, yet expensive jawns

My new thing is going to thrift stores and estate sales to find and sell items on Ebay as a way to make some extra money. Upon my arrival a few days ago I found this gem



The best part was that I bought it for $4.00 and sold it on ebay for $38

Big Dreams

I decided I want to pursue graduate school but....

-I dont know where to apply to
-I dont know if I want to be in debt and commit to another 4 years of school

But I do know....

-I want to do research involving sports and perhaps the aspect of fantasy sports
-I want to continue working full time and might entertain transferring to a new office

Any ideas or suggestions?

Happy Birthday Lauren

26 years young!!! :)

-Made you baked mac n cheese w/ bacon bits
-Watched Kung Fu Panda and House
-Mini chocolate birthday cake with HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN

Hope you enjoyed your special day!!!

Smooth As Butter

Smooth As Butter

Menu is so ridiculous I gotta try it out!!!

Wishful Thinking

I have repeatedly told my family and friends I dont want any presents or gifts this season. I have everything I need. But I still can think what would be awesome to have if I had extra disposable income.




Levis 514's- Such a solid style. Why pay extra $$$ on designer and/or "boutique" denim when Levis stands the tests of time




Lacoste Essential- Went to Macys tonite to try out Lacoste per friends recommendation. Ended up testing 4 different Lacoste colognes and Essential was by far the best one. $49.00 is too steep at the moment.



Alphanumeric Simpson Plaid long sleeve- Simpsons inspired, looks really sharp and goes well with Nike Air Max 95's



Calvin and Hobbes collection set: Contains all the Calvin and Hobbes comic books and strips in leather bound casing!!! Still pretty pricey, hope to have this in my collection since I do have a tattoo of Calvin and Hobbes






Sorry for the poor pictures, I had to take them myself :|

Female Vocalists

Feel free to get the albums here:



Eisley- Room Noises
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SK0RJIIJ

For fans of: Teagan and Sara, The Hush Sound, Rilo Kiley, The Cardigans





Fiona Apple - Tidal
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7NZ0QUIV

For fans of: Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, Cat Power

(Thanks to Ani for recommending me this album. I'm hooked!)

Rearrange

Got a new futon from Miguel along with speakers and ended up spending most of Sunday rearranging my room. Slowly but surely getting rid of smaller stuff and trash lying around my room.

Transitions

Keeping it brief because I was suppose to be in bed over 2 hours ago but I'm making the transition to becoming a minimalist in my current living situation. So far I've donated a lot of clothing that I don't need and sold my hardcore shirts on eBay. I've been searching my room for stuff to give away on freecycle as well. I've been cleaning out my pantry and donating food to my food drive at work and trying to finish off all my food in the house before I need to buy more. This is all in attempt to achieve my 3 short goals that I have in order to make myself a better person. Details to come soon...