Holy Colee!

My garden is sprouting!!! It's been raining everyday since I planted it, but somehow it has managed to grow :)

Grow little sprouts! Grow!

Oh yeah, it was a totally rainy icky day, so Monica and I celebrated her belated birthday by spending our entire Monday inside the movie theater. We saw Indiana Jones, Prince Caspian, and Iron Man. Talk about a range of emotions to have compressed into less than 7 hours. I probably could have done with out the aliens, but other than that, I really enjoyed all 3 shows.

I learned 2 things from this experience. 1-standing in lines before movies is pointless. We got there right as the movies were starting and we had perfect seats for all of them, even though the theaters were packed when we got in. 2- Order the super nachos. They are the only food item I have found in a theater that actually felt like I got my money's worth. $5.75 and there were so many of them I couldn't finish. Trust me, for as much as I love nachos - THAT is a feat.

This evening I went up to visit Monica while she was dog sitting. The house she is at has PS3 and a Wii... Yeah, I am a Karaoke superstar :) OK, so I was really good at the 80s stuff, but the current Pop... not so much.
As far as the Wii goes, it's only my 3rd time ever playing. The first time was at a party with way too many people all needing to take turns, I am not a very good sharer. The middle time was when Matt brought his over. That was much more fun. I learned how to drive knitted cows into scarecrows AND found out I like to box.
This time we were not really sure at all how to play the games they had, so we spent a little time realizing my video driving skills are not improving - yay mariokart- and then we played a game that taught you all kinds of poses with the controller. Since I am far from being considered a "Natural" it was probably super useful.

Ok, so the dog she is sitting is called a Doodle, yes, really. It's a retreiver/poodle mix. It's like the biggest poodle you'll ever see. Big black dog with floppy ears and curly hair. Slightly creepy, very good natured, but I think I will go for something a little smaller, should my future hold dog ownership.

Round 1

David Cook – U2 will always be king, but that was AMAZING

David Archuleta – Ok, so I never really noticed how he does close his eyes a lot…I hate that song, it’s not his fault.

Round 2

DC – It felt like an 80s rock song, that’s a good thing. I think Simon got irritated by being accused of being a Cook fan… He’s swung the other way very fast

DA – He reminds me a lot of Reuben. He is GREAT at his thing, in this case Ballads, but when he gets out of his chosen genre he becomes extremely ordinary. But hey, lots of people get by with one genre… I mean, check out Frank Sinatra

Ps – May 13th has been declared Frank Sinatra day :) Now is the time to buy your sport coat and hair gel.

Round 3

DC – Have I mentioned I am a fan?

DA – I could listen to him for a long time, but I can’t really watch him. Hey, that reminds me, did anyone else see Justin Guarini in the audience a while back? Is he still around??


I am pretty sure I am going to be kicked out of the state, but I am voting Cook.

I’m trying to decide on the judges… do you think they are just trying to throw those Vegas odd makers off? Or maybe trying to help Cook lose so that he makes more money?

So that's what we'll do...
He never said how big it had to be :) I planted a bucket garden last night. I planted 2 tomato plants, kholorobi, radishes, spinach, a jalepeno, and green onions :D Cross your fingers... I've never had my own garden before. If it grows you're invited over for salad and salsa :) If it doesn't you can still come over, I'll just have to go to the store first.

Last week was an awesome week. First of all, I got to go home. I spent Mother's day with my mother, funny how that works. We actually went up to my aunt and uncle's home for a fabulous dutch oven dinner. Monday was Cannon's birthday... I am still not sure how he is 9, but that's what he keeps telling me. Alice made him a cake shaped like a cowboy hat. It was uber tasty.
Wednesday I took the day off to make lunch for the quilting ladies. It reminded me of one of the reasons I love Dingle so much. Things go full circle. The ladies that quilt range in age from my mom's younger sister, all the way up to the ladies that are the age of my grandma. At least a 40 year span if not more. These same awesome women that were my mom's mom's friends are also my mom's friends and for that matter, they are my friends. Make that a 60 year span. There is a lot to be said for having social circles of people your own age, but I really have learned so much from watching these women, not just that day, but my whole life. They have gone through so many different things, heartaches,joys, births, deaths, love and loss. It is great just spending time with them to see the women they are today and learn about the things that have made them that way. Don't get me wrong, some of them are a little crazy ;) but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thursday I took the day off, to sleep. That got ruined by a work call, oh, and making sure Cannon got on the bus with his lunch for his field trip, but that was fun, so I'll blame the 7 am work call. I also got to mow the lawn. In the afternoon Mom and I went to the chiropractor, which I loved and Mom hated. We took the scenic route home from Soda through Nounan. It was really pretty. I don't think I have ever been all the way on that road before so it was neat.

Friday I really just took the day off... I took Mom's bike and Heather and I went for a bit of a bike ride around the village. I got some much needed sun. I am SUCH a pasty white girl. My legs never turn, but at least my arms and face can tan ;) I also went for a ride around the village with Kelly, but we drove. In the evening Mom and I did a little more yard work... very very productive day:)

Saturday was Scrapbook Day! at the library. They have scrapbook day twice a year. I had missed it in Novemeber because of the Turkey Shoot, so I was glad I got to go this time. It took all day (9-6 with a lunch) and I finished 3 layouts... I am the slowest scrapbooker ever, but they are super cute. Now I just need to, you know, put some pictures on them. I even won a prize :) yay:)

Sunday we got to go to church in our pretty new remodeled building. It's not perfect, but it's ours and it's beautiful. It will make a lovely place for a wedding and open house...

OK, so that's the deal, that's where I've been all week.... now you know

David C – it was unmemorable that by the end of the song, I had already forgotten what it was he sang… bad sign, especially because I like him.

Syesha –how can she not think it was a Tina Turner impression when she wore the same dress?? Tamyra did a better job when she was on Mad about You a couple of years ago. Also, is it just me or does she have the most versatile hair ever?

Jason – I still want him to cut his hair. He actually changed the song a little, imagine that.

David A – So far the only song that showed off any range tonight.

Davis C – weird song, well done.

Syesha – the tears were a bit much.

Jason – I know I am probably communist, but Bob Dylan is kind of hit or miss for me. And Jason forgetting the lyrics, was not so cool, but I still actually liked this one better.

David A – A classic, different enough to say it was, but true enough to know why it is a classic.

Desi and Berns


My girls :)


Butch - as the baby Jesus, an uncanny resemblance I think ;)


The Squid

The next 3 are the view out of my window at the hotel...

In no particular order


The view from my room at the Bellevue


The view from my room at the Pen


The soldier's cemetery


Monument - outside


Monument - inside


Alabang Town Center - at night


Alabang FL team :)


Pia - and my fabulous yellow vest


My girls


The FL team with Noreen and Pia

Ok, the next ones aren't from Alabang, but they are worth having on here :)


Kevin :)


Jason

I will be home tonight. I won't lie. I am fairly excited about it. I've had a fabulous couple of weeks, but I hate living out of a suitcase and eating at restaurants every meal.
When I got off the plane in Japan, it was just after noon, Sunday. When I got off the plane in Minneapolis, it was just after noon, Sunday. Um, yeah... talk about confusing. One thing I know is that tonight, I will sleep well.

The business lounge here is very lovely. I scored a great seat to wait my 5 hour layover... yeah, really... Ugh. Anyway.. that's where I am, and where I am headed.

Happy Sunday.

Well, maybe it’s not a fruit, but it IS a flavor. One of the popular flavors of treats here is ube. Ube translates, literally, to purple. Technically, ube is a tuber like sweet potatoes. That’s probably the easiest way to describe how it tastes as well.

Speaking of food… Tonight Desi took me to a BBQ place for dinner before work. Cebu is famous for its BBQ. Which makes sense when I think about the miles – no exaggeration - of BBQ stands between CVG and the Marco Polo where I am staying.
It was pretty cool; you basically walk past a meat counter and pick up everything you want them to grill for you. I must admit the bags of shells that were still moving caught me off guard, but Desi says it is so you know they are alive. It means they are fresh, not dead or diseased. We had pork, and sausage, and a kabob, and chicken, and scallops on the half shell, and a squid, and some kind of shell, and a coconut to drink… oi… It was all soooo good. Now if I can manage to stay awake through my shift, I’m going to call it a win.

She also brought me a little bag of treasures.. honestly, a bag. It's beautiful and hand woven and I may be a purse aholic. She snuck in some peanut kisses and dried mangoes and some guitar keychains. Cebu is also famous for guitar making... I had no idea. I am learning so much today :)