Last two weeks…..

- Met up with a lady friend I met a year ago for dinner. Dinner plans started off rough but worked out at the end. Broke the news to her few days later after she text wanting to “date” seriously. 

- Met up with NP in LA. Hung out at The Grove. Watched the Lakers game at a lounge and had dinner. Spent a few hours after drinking coffee and etc… She finally had the chance to give my Christmas gift. Lakers wall clock :-)

- Picked up on trying new food places for the sake of Yelp.

- Work has been intensely busy as expected for January. Alot of changes happening at work = crazyness!

- Updated my resume, online profiles, getting my feet wet on new job opportunities in LA and OC. Considering SD and SF. Fresh start is beginning to appeal to me. 

-  Two outings with my co-worker and his girl roommate (whom her nickname is TBD at this time). Possibly someone I’d like to pursue despite my co-worker says otherwise.

- The way how the Lakers are playing. My tolerance for certain things have grown and other things haven’t.  

-  Resiliency of taking opportunities not taken for granted at random places to meet random women (ie. gym, store, walking Kimba)

That said, I ran into an old co-worker from my current company while leaving the gym after work. Goes to the same gym after work. 

Also, ran into the same girl and her black lab while walking Kimba this morning. She remembered the last time we ran into other when Kimba was a pup almost 10 months ago.

I don’t know what it may be. I’ve been wanting to give up dating Asians/Pacific Islanders and finding interest on dating Caucasian/White ethnicities.  I can perhaps list many pro and cons on dating Asians ethnicity. I’ve always been accustomed on wanting to date within my own ethnicity or Asians in general because I find Asian women the most attractive physically. However, my luck on the personality-side of things haven’t been as fortunate. With that said, an open mind and an open heart when dating again can start.    

Ongoing….

NP wants to go to a Lakers game in the next month or near by birthday. Also, see Billy Elliot at Pantages in April.  

Week off in March for my cousin’s wedding in Kentucky.

sickest move….now to work on this on the court

there are dreams filled with hope and joy…..

wake up to realize the reality sinks in and the girl of your dreams is already engaged to someone else….

sigh….

Wicked Spoon

Who knows what this is besides being my dinner?!?

As some or all reflect the past year, we think about what events have occurred or the accomplishments in our personal life.

Reviewing the 2011 goals, completed 9 out of 23 goals —> 39% accomplished. 

Perhaps I could have accomplished more.

One thing learned this year, never have the idea of “relationship” overwhelm the mind or primary focus. The mindset ought to be working on accomplishing goals in your personal life of trying new things, traveling places on your bucket list, acquire a new hobby or skillset improving your career-driven self worth or step out of the comfort zone norm. 

Finding the “someone” to love and be with is sometimes beyond our control. Some find success through different outlets and sometimes not. I think everyone’s life differs and the people that we may consider as “potentials” may result as “difficult” scenarios because it/they may not always be clear cookie cut. 

I come back to a friend’s saying: “Find what is happiness in your life. The “person” you do find in life will compliment your happiness and accept you for just who you are.”

Hope everyone has already found your happiness in 2011. If not, may you find what it is in 2012.  

Boston’s with Len

On Friday morning, my manager, team lead, and myself reflect for a moment the course of the past 12 months during my self-review. 

Not quite sure many knew but a year ago, I was on the verge of being terminated from work. Possibly the worse feeling ever a person can feel. I cannot describe in words the vivid situation sitting 3 months prior getting written up for what I felt is beyond my control.

I came to terms with myself and worked to prove myself. I wish and hope the best in everyone that no one ever goes through anything similar to what I went through. It’s a constant reminder of I went through in college knowing I cannot endure life without God.

I will get an opportunity to share to the youth/college age in our upcoming youth rally on Friday. Seeing Len’s post earlier today on Teej sharing during a woman’s conference, it couldn’t make me any more proud of her. I have no idea what she had shared but I can only imagine if she had ever pictured herself speaking in a women’s conference at all several years beforehand.

As I prepare for Friday, I can’t help but think the good, the bad and the ugly during my college years. After college, God still continues to work and stir things up in life. We take for granted the things we have or the faith we believe in. We lose sight on the goals and we cannot reach them on our own. A constant reminder we need to exercise our faith in a living God and there’s always a light at the end of tunnel no matter the circumstances are.

So after a few weeks talking to one of my co-workers, I decided to check out “Drive” for 20s and 30s (singles) at Mariners Church in Irvine. 

The church is 2nd largest in Orange County behind Saddleback. With that said, I realize why I feel more appreciate belonging to a small church. For once, I understand how a newcomer feels entering a church. 

Nonetheless, I decided to randomly sit at one of the tables when the night started. The people at the table were pretty nice and one or two feel a lil more genuine in their faith when they talk. The rest I feel like are “just there”.

The church is pretty heavily involved in activities for my impression which is nice. I feel the depth of Christianity walk is somewhat lack thereof. Perhaps I’m judgmental first time impression of a big church or bias. That’s just my take on it. 

My co-worker finally showed at his usually time 30 mins after it actually “starts”. Decided to stick to the table I was at during the night and “mingle” with the people. 

The night was pretty good overall for the fact I venture out of the apartment during the weekdays and its NOT to a bar/happy hour. 

At least I have something more to share when I speak to the college/high school kids in our rally on the Dec 16th at the church. 

Flawless Execution for next time…

Back to the gym post Thanksgiving…happy to de-stress from work especially the past two days….

Nonetheless, I feel jumping off a cliff after a missed opportunity with a random asian chick at Target earlier tonight…..

1) Could have jokingly said something when she dropped the windshield wiper after she dropped it not once but twice.

2) As I was putting my stuff in the trunk, I noticed her by the sidewalk and she literally walked on my side of the parking lot aisle. She had a jeering smile as she walked passed me… 

3) She walked over to the other side of the parking lot aisle after she passed me….

What must I do to push myself and man up…. I am reminded why I am not with someone…..my instincts are slow to react

After a crazy few days in Vegas,fly back in time for Pacquaio, church, racing back to OC to kick off another season of basketball and arriving late 10 mins into the 1st half (8pts, 1 steal, 2 assists, 2 rebounds) but we fell short of a win.

I’m exhausted….

1) Learn a new language (I have the full Rosetta Stone suite that I never took advantage of, figured I should start now)

2) Study/Obtain a technical certification —> Attempted in September but course cancelled

3) Attend a Yelp event

4) Develop a new layout for our church website

5) Discover a mixed drink I can call “my usual” at the bar. —> LA Water or sake

6) Reach 220 lbs —> 4/2/2011

7) Reach 215 lbs  —> 9/26/2011

8) Reach 210 lbs  —> 10/27/2011

9) Reach 205 lbs

10) Reach 200 lbs

11) Reach 195 lbs

12) Share my testimony —> Co-worker

13) Road trip to up north (San Fran, San Jose, Vallejo, Berkley, etc…) 

14) Learn to drive stick

15) Archive all my music digitally (past 10+ years) into one location

16) Complete the Harry Potter Book Series

17) Complete a Ted Dekker book (couple years since I last read his books)

18) Complete a 20 mi bike ride under 1 hr

19) Compete in a race competition —> Warrior Dash

20) Run 2mi under 20 minutes —> 11.5 min/mile ughhh

21) Score 15+ in a single basketball game for the city basketball league I play w/ co-workers

22) Able to “find” and “bring home” a “potential” (no comment…) so my parents can be relieved and stop fixing me up overseas in the Philippines…. —> Entire So Cali on the train for a look-out for me as well

23) Vacation trip w/cousins or friends (i.e. Tahoe, Vegas, New York, etc..)

Baked Tilapia seasoned with garlic salt, pepper, oregano and olive oil plus steamed vegetables.