Feeling Good

Changes at work and my feelings of fatigue have kept me from updating my blog. I thought about it each night, but I knew I just had to rest to manage my energy...

Our temp is gone now; her last day was Tuesday. She was re-hired temporarily because I was going through my chemotherapy. I now find myself busier than ever. I would love it extra if my brain and fatigue would cooperate, but I just do the best I can.

For the past three days, I've felt so much better. My good energy has been extended in the evening. You can't imagine how wonderful that is! Yesterday I left work at 7:30pm and still had enough energy to go grocery shopping by myself until 9:30pm. Dinner was served at Sprinklesville at 10pm. Not too bad...

This morning I made the resolve to see my hairdresser Tania so I could get a couple of packages of Korean brand faux eyelashes. She was ecstatic to see me judging by the long hug she gave me. As we talked and I updated her on things, she couldn't keep from hugging me. She ended up giving me four boxes of eyelashes and trimmed my wig a little to her satisfaction for free.



Tania is a very Christian woman. She kept telling me how great I looked and how she could see an inner glow about me. I told her I was wickedly blessed and she agreed. I was humbled when she told me that I have a rare heart especially when I can go through what I am going through and still find a way to give to others. She had no doubt I would receive continued blessings.

My next trip was to the craft shop to buy some components for the gift for my surgeon next Friday, my last chemo. Oh -- I didn't tell you -- Tawny is coming to my chemo along with my aunt. I am very excited to have both family and friends represented. Tawny is working extra hours to make-up for taking the day off. I appreciate her sacrifice for me.

For my last chemo, I am buying some sparkling cider and some plastic champagne glasses to toast with the girls and my surgeon. I can't wait to complete my last chemotherapy, but I am reticent to see how I will feel the following week as the chemicals work through. Sigh. I just have to get through it.

I also have to get a biopsy on my thyroid next Wednesday morning. My primary care determined to rule out anything that may be there. I had my ultrasound at a separate facility last Tuesday morning and in the afternoon I received a call from my primary doctor's office with the recommendation. Many people have benign nodules on their thyroid. I am releasing my feelings on the outcome whatever it may be. There is no reason to worry about something I know nothing about right now. I just make the necessary appointments and show up.

This evening was time for some fun. Jeff and Tawny came over for dinner and Scrabble. I made a creamy lemon garlic chicken with pasta and broccoli and some garlic bread to go along. We feasted like kings! Oh my gosh was everything good. For dessert, I scooped some fudgey chocolate ice cream and for a lame attempt at healthy, I topped each heaping bowl with fresh raspberries. Hee.

We went two rounds of Scrabble. Tawny and I each got to start the board. For some reason, when we start the board we are actually able to branch out, but when Jeff starts the board, we get pigeon holed into a corner of the board. Next time, we are playing with nine tiles each instead of seven to make it more interesting.

This coming week is jam packed with stuff but I will try to update you with something even if it is just with pictures. I am doing mighty fine thanks to your prayers and support.

Love,
Sarah xxoo

Feeling Good

New Do

My hair received the cut I have been planning for weeks and I love it! Tania, my stylist, was loathed to make the cuts needed to achieve the shorter look. She seemed sad until I encouraged her and turned it into a positive thing by reminding her that I was cutting away old energy and that I was looking forward to a sexy new look.

Here is the carnage on the floor. From the longest point in the back to the shortest section in the back was about a 12-inch cut. Tawny teased that some of the clumps on the floor resembled small dogs. Silly girl.



This is not the official photo. This is the "It is 10pm and I am too tired to brush the hair and take a more proper and flattering photo". Ugh -- you can't even see the dark red color just a dark color. Tawny says I look like a Japanese anime character and is waiting for me to have blue streaks in it. The odd thing is that doesn't feel short in the back. My aunt was sure startled when she saw me because I do look like my mother. I did forewarn her; the resemblance was just too much.



After our salon visit, Tawny and I made a brief stop to use my gift card to buy Bare Minerals make-up. We then zoomed to one of my favorite clothing stores for Tawny to buy an alternative interview blouse. Instead she found a nice autumn green shirt and a lacy black camisole she can wear underneath other blouses. My clothes are three sizes too big now -- it feels like I am wearing my big sister's clothes. I only had enough energy to buy a new top and a pair of jeans WITH proper buttons and zip. No elastic waistband!!! Ha. Since we were meeting some work friends at a bar, I wore my new clothes out of the store and Tawny exchanged her shirt for the green one, too.

Oh -- I must tell you this: When Tawny emerged from the dressing room, she thought she lost me. She was afraid that I had already left to go to the car. With my new haircut and clothes, she didn't recognize me at the counter waiting for her!

Within minutes we were at the appointed meeting place near work where I had my co-workers, who hadn't seen me since I left on leave, gawking with disbelief. They said I looked great, but definitely different. We were all very happy to be reunited again. I may see more of them when I visit the office on Friday. Man, did I get very tired by then, but it was worth it to be milling around doing things I would normally do. I felt alive again.
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New Do

Fluctuations

To tell you that I am a little miffed at not being to update my blog for the last couple of days is an understatement. The road to health can have its bumps especially when there are other people involved. In this case, it was a nurse overeager to demonstrate her prowess in front of a trainee at changing the dressing for my wound vac which resulted in me being miserable for two days.

Long story short: It was "installed" on my person incorrectly. The negative pressure fluctuated incessantly. The only way the beeping and alerts would quiet down was when I was laying down horizontally on my bed. This was even after they came back a second time to tweak the hose connections the following day. Another nurse changed it properly on the third day thank God! The best news out of this whole ordeal is that my wound is healing very well.

Anyhoo... After a phone convo to firm up a visit from Possum last Thursday, she had remarked that I was the busiest and most sociable sick person she new. Ha! Last weekend Kimmee and Kathy each visited me. On Tuesday, I bribed Tawny into sneaking me out for a spell. We started with a seafood lunch at a favorite Greek place followed by manicures and pedicures at my salon where I received a warm welcome for coming back from surgery.

Next Tuesday I am getting a drastic hair cut; it will be short in the back to follow a long angle towards the front. A reverse bob or something like that....? I'll post a picture when I do one of my self-portrait pics. A tinge of sadness creeps in every now and again as I think of how long it is now and how patient I've been at growing it the last couple of years. This act is to both cut away "old energy" from the new woman I am becoming as well as to prepare for what might be a by-product of chemotherapy treatments, hair loss. It isn't something to be really sad about considering the state of the world. I think the new "do" will be a hot look on Sprinkles. After all, why be boring? Other people (IE numb, faceless plebeians) have it covered...

My dad and stepmother were supposed to visit at the end of this month. They had planned on visiting me and my three other sisters on the way down from Chicago. All is now postponed as my stepmother is getting breast cancer surgery on Monday. She has a small lump that is stage one and will have to receive radiation treatments. Freakish isn't it? Cancer is prevalent in most people's lives nowadays. That's the way the cookie crumbles I guess.

On a much lighter note, here is a photo of my pedicure. I live in Florida where a bit of floral whimsy is expected on nails. Yes, that is a viable reason! This cheered me considerably and makes me giggle every time I see it. The feet may not be dainty -- how can US size 10 cement blocks be sexy? -- but I think they are still cute!



Kisses,
Sprinkles
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Fluctuations

Reunion at Disney

Why did I ever agree to get my hair done at 9am? The salon was on the other side of town about 25 miles. I was miraculously 10 minutes early for Tania (tah-neeyah) who was surprised to see me. I have a lot of hair to darken which takes time. The warm red I have enjoyed was starting to annoy me and the cover-up of the old blonde hair at the bottom third was looking tired. It was time for a change to darken my tresses. I also felt that I needed to be taken more seriously. There is something about darker hair that exudes a perception of a higher IQ. (Don't argue with me - you know your AGOL is correct.)

My new hair color looks like a dark wine (almost black) indoors, but when the sun hits it I feel like a Japanese anime character. The sun illuminates the color into a brilliant wine. Dig it! It is a perfect foil for my geisha white skin - not to mention to goes well with my new wine lipgloss. Helloooooooooooooooooo Shallowville! After the hair came the trip to the nail salon. More Shallowville.

Truth be told, I could have waited for both appointments but I was meeting my old friend Trish from San Francisco in Orlando where she and her boyfriend were staying at a Disney resort to spend time with his family for a few days. It has been about 12 years since I have seen Trish in person and I wanted to put my best foot forward. She did the same thing the past few days, too.

The bad part was that their flight came in at 7:35pm at Orlando International. By the time they settle in it would be about 9pm. She made dinner reservations at 9:30pm. I tried to prepare for the lateness in things by taking an hour nap in the afternoon to make my drive easier. You may recall I suffer from night blindness which increases when I am tired.

Did I tell you I also had to drive to the other side of Tampa for a Korean dinner at Kim's for 5:30pm? I made it on time and ate some homemade delicacies including seasoned sesame leaves which was a pleasant surprise. My excuses were made to the dinner party a little after 7pm. I still had to stop at the store to get Trisha some much needed underwear her boyfriend forgot to pack. She called me while I was at the salon earlier in the day for the favor. I also bought a 4-pack of Starbuck's doubleshot espresso and drank one on the way to Orlando. Damn my car really zooms at 80mph or was that the caffeine?

Trish's boyfriend met me in the lobby and led us back to their room where a teary-eyed Trish greeted me. It would seem that time stopped on our faces since the last time we saw each other. Funny how our faces haven't really aged. The moment was surreal.

We honored our dinner reservations with a decadent meal. My Korean feast was still settling in my stomach so I had a small appetizer to go with the extra large margarita I was drinking. We had planned on me staying over, but it didn't work out. Several texts to Tawny back and forth had her worried about my late drive home. I was thankful she took my doggie out twice and asked her to leave my key under the mat. My drive home began after midnight and got home safely thanks to a long conversation on the way home with Angie in LA and another can of doubleshot espresso.

I have mixed feelings about my reunion with Trish. While our faces have not aged, our personalities have and trying to reconnect in a matter of a few hours was not enough to re-establish things. Still we made do and she very much wants me to visit her in San Francisco. We'll see. I was safely home at 2am.

Coffee injections should be invented, legalized and sold commercially. Just saying.
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Reunion at Disney

Working on the Weekend

A trip to Shallowville had me skipping my four-mile morning walk with Kristey. It was justified. I had a hair appointment this morning. My dark brown roots were no longer complimenting the nice fiery red strands. I know. It was dire.

Our normally fun appointment was more sedate. Michelle was on antibiotics and her mouth was swollen from surgery. Thankfully, she was able to cut, color and style. I had places to go.

First stop after was at a McDonald's drive-thru for a late lunch to be eaten at work. Yes, I went in since I was already half way there and I brought my laptop. There were more cars around the building and the parking garage than I expected.

I set up camp at my desk by starting my laptop, spreading out my lunch and engaging the fan to be on and oscillate. The building turns the air down during the weekends. Thank God for my very nice tower fan so I wouldn't feel suffocated with no air moving.

Why was I at work? Well...no real reason, but to get some work done. I had some interruptions. Kristey called me and we chatted for a bit. Sharon returned my call. She invited me to a nice restaurant bar by the water later in the evening after she and her visiting buddy had dinner. I told her I would let her know by 8:30pm.

The funniest part about being at work on a Saturday was scaring the cleaning crew. They accessed my area of the building and was greeted with the lights on and Amy Winehouse blasting from my cube. They do not expect anyone to be there on the weekends. Two of them came over to specifically say hello and to let me know they were on my floor.

The best part for me was blaring CDs of Robin Thicke, Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Brian Setzer Orchestra (swing) and a some middle eastern mixes while I worked.

I left work around 6:30pm and ended up catching up with Kathy on my cell on the way home. We made plans for the middle of the week. By the time I picked up dinner and got settled at home, I didn't want to drive back about 23 miles to meet up so late. I have to watch out for my night blindness when I am tired. One or two drinks at the bar after staring at my computer screen for several hours definitely puts me in the realm of fatigue. I made a quick call and my apologies to Sharon.

My body knows when the weekend is here. For some reason it signals to sleep early and to sleep in late. What the hell is that about? That quirky Circadian Rhythm was dancing the slower rumba when it should be jumping to the samba. Sigh.


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Working on the Weekend

Possible Lightbulb Moment

Exhausted from the past two weeks and most recently from a cold, I guzzled coffee down to jump start my body on the way to see my hairstylist for a late morning appointment. She is always glad to see me as I am normally in a playful mood to make her laugh. I had doubts of my own powers this morning, but it came as soon as walked in.

Michelle: Go change into a gown darling...
AGOL: What you got designer now? Good because you know I am not cheap!

This made her laugh because she wasn't expecting it. My visit went insane from there. I can be quite the showgirl (as opposed to showman) without too much effort. She bragged on me to a lady whose hair was processing as Michelle touched up my roots. I told about the layoffs and the lady mentioned that her husband had gotten laid off. He has an extra hobby that they are trying to launch into a viable income.

For the most part helping people and giving ideas are a natural part of me. She described their business and when she contacts me, I will provide a link to her husband's uniquely handcrafted recycled glass art. Anyhoo ...before I knew it I was giving her some simple and free or low cost marketing ideas and online links. I explained about blogs and cross-referencing multiple sites. She became really excited. Right before she left, I gave her one more idea. Where do I get that? I said that she'd have to e-mail me from my blog... In the back of my mind, I had a lightbulb moment. What if I could parlay this into a side gig? I am a compendium of online knowledge and I am too creative for my own good with enough smarts to generate ideas. WOW! (KH, if you're reading this...I have more ideas already!)

My attention was diverted back to Michelle. We caught up on each others lives in detail and soon she was washing my hair of the colorant she had applied 30 minutes before. The devilish side of me was in full force as she began to cut my hair. I began to tell her about a recent sex partner and how he was good enough to trim his nether regions which is a requirement for me. Why? As much as I love giving a man special attention, I don't relish doing double duty of flossing my teeth at the same time. I know dental hygiene is important, but damn. OMG -- Michelle had never heard of such a thing. She died laughing and had to step away. Very quickly she was snorting and screaming laughing. She had to sit down. I have gotten her laughing pretty hard but never to this degree. Good thing it was just as two in the salon at that particular moment. There's more, but I can't share online to protect that person.

Oh gosh...Michelle would get herself under control and then burst out in the middle of styling my hair. She worried that she would lose control during a formal dinner outing that evening and during an intimate moment with her boyfriend who did take her hint/advice of doing the same thing before they ever became intimate... A long-time female client of hers walked in and she made me explain to her what made her laugh so much. I asked the lady if it was okay to explain since it was sexual in nature. You have to get an idea of people's comfort level first and permission before telling certain jokes, you know. I then explained it in such a manner that was innuendo instead of the crude way Michelle and I were discussing it. The woman was well in her 40s but she still had the grace to blush. I guess Michelle and I are a little too comfortable with the subject. It was a good diversion for all and sent Michelle into more gales of laughter.

With my hair a brilliant fire in the sun, I drove to get some dog food/treats for Cabal and sundry items for me. After I had been home a while, there was a commotion outside my apartment door. It was my neighbor moving out. She and her girlfriend had broken up months before. Unable to break the expensive lease, she's been toughing it out to keep living here. She was leaving after two years. This was sad because my upstairs neighbor was moving out, too, after five years. The upstairs gal was frustrated at getting things remedied within her apartment. Of course, she isn't assertive like me when it comes to such things. Where she is passive, I require a status report and call regularly. Hey, I am paying for that service. I have since had a wall in the bathroom replaced and received a new dishwasher. Still...I've been here for a little over three years. Maybe I should move, too? It is too expensive and too much an undertaking with all my stuff.

The evening had me puttering around my apartment while thinking of the marketing moment earlier. I see many artists and when I see them, my mind is already generating ideas for them on who they can get maximum exposure... I guess I am still working on that part of finding my bliss. The idea that you enjoy doing something so much, you would do it for free. My dilemma? I have too many things I would do for free. Um..no...not that unique flossing bit...not commercially anyway. Wink.

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Possible Lightbulb Moment

Vietnamese Nail Salon

OMG OMG OMG - This is like going to my nail salon!!!



...courtesy of my Asian mafia at work. LMAO.


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Vietnamese Nail Salon

Sprinkles Day

It felt great -- great to have a day I could claim as my own...

I dropped my handbag and planner in Michelle's salon before going to the boba smoothie shop to get our favorite flavors. The owner was flirting with me. I wasn't sure at first and I can be aloof to such things, but he kept at it. This is going to sound bad but I am not generally attracted to other Asians. He was cute and had a muscular build, but I had no desire to play "sticky rice" as my cousin in LA has described to me.

Two hours later, I felt more like myself after having my roots retouched and general shaping of my hair through Michelle's expertise. Hello, Shallowville! We had some good laughs. It was made bittersweet by Michelle's recounting of the new man she was dating. He seemed her dream come true, a spectrum opposite from her ex-husband. Little details of his whereabouts don't seem to add up lately and she suspects him of dating another woman while dating her. Gosh, I hope she's wrong or she will never trust another man again. I think he forgets that she is wicked smart and can add timetables, too. Here's a hint gentlemen: Over explaining yourself can be a sure sign of guilt.

Made a quick stop at one of my clothing stores. I bought more workout gear on clearance. Four workout pants, two matching windbreaker jackets, one tee shirt and a pair of trouser socks came to a whopping $44. My casual pants usually begin at $55 at this store. These were past the end of the season items from last fall. The store was in full swing for late spring and early summer. Yoga style pants that were $45 were on sale for $4.99. I was super thrilled enough to call Angie in LA to brag about my deals.

My next stop was to get my nails done and check off another box on my Shallowville list. The old man from a few months ago was my nail tech today. He was talkative. I asked him what he had done when he lived in Vietnam. He said he had been an electrical engineer and a lieutenant. Age had been his enemy so he switched to doing nails when he got too old as he said. It was an easy profession to get into coming into the States. We also discussed the Vietnamese restaurant I have been frequenting which he approved and was able to make some other recommendations around the city.

The afternoon dissolved and I found myself hustling to get home so Cabal could be walked, fed and played with before I jumped in the shower. Tawny was having a party tonight with our friends. A couple who used to live here were visiting and staying with them a couple of days. It got loud as the libations were consumed. I had the best time. The only portion that bothered me was the push from the couple visiting for me to consider Dan as a dating option. He's a decent guy, Sarah. Why aren't you guys dating? I never disputed that he was a decent guy and quite frankly, he is a wonderful catch for a single girl.

There must be a rift in the space-time continuum somewhere for this subject to be coming up lately. Have they ever considered that he may not like me? It was as if it was my doing we were not together. Maybe I don't want to be with him either after all the BS in between the 10 years we've known each other. Just because we get along and seem to have this special rapport, doesn't mean we're dating material to each other. Of course, seeing us demonstrate this rapport tonight didn't help. Any dates we've had have been stilted with him not saying a whole lot back. He clammed up. As much as I love to talk, I can't keep the conversation up the whole time; I need feedback. I know our close friends mean well and only want to see us happily enjoying the same kind of happiness they have. Still, I was able to leave the party with a comforting feeling from an evening with great friends topping a day with Sprinkles-filled activities.
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Sprinkles Day

Happy & Lucky in Siamese

My heart was conflicted today. The middle ground I found myself comfortable with was that I didn't have plans to workout per se even though I had plans to diagram my plans to workout. I had set this activity after my late afternoon hair color appointment.

When I arrived at the salon, Michelle was mixing my shade of goo. I quickly dropped my bag and headed outside a few doors down to get both of us our boba drinks. Yes, I was thoughtful in including her because I knew she probably hadn't eaten most of the day and it was 4pm. The fresh fruit mixed in with the floating large tapioca pearls would give her some energy and fill her tummy. (Does my compulsion ever take a rest? No. You will see.)

Michelle and I caught up in each other's lives since we last saw each other in January. I told her of my epiphany and she concurred that it was true. She has the same issues too with her children. As an Asian mom, she tends to overkill on helping them and has suffered heartache at her daughter's disrespect and selfishness. (Jeezus, if I am blessed enough to be a mom, I hope to not be a Smother, but a Mother.) Anyhoo, we found ways to laugh about stuff. She also mentioned that I was her last appointment for the day and I could come over for a drink.

Uh....umm....where was that focus and not being rude, you newly resolved AGOL?

The one thing I didn't mention yesterday that I've talked to Rob about was my intuitive side. When I heard Michelle mention the drink, my first instinct was to withdraw, but all I could hear was the call out for Love behind it. She has no family around and no real girlfriends to come over when she is available. My heart tugged. You might recall that she reminds me of my late mother. Her home was three minutes from the salon and it would only be a couple of hours of my time. How could I say no? SHADDAP -- I know how you say the goddamn word.

We sat outside by her pool drinking tumblers filled with vodka and cranberry juice while she smoked to wind down a bit. Later she turned music on to current dance music to which I made her change it to classic disco which always makes me happy and later made her too because she lived it.

Michelle's son had bought her two Siamese cats to keep her company now that she's been divorced several months. She named the brothers Happy and Lucky, two things she aspires to be these days. She deserves both.


(L-R: Michelle with kitties Happy & Lucky, orchid collection brought in from outside because of the freeze warning tonight, wine collection (I love the rack!), Happy on kitchen rug, Lucky on air hockey table investigating orchids)

The alcohol certainly lifted both our spirits. Michelle soon made a delicious Korean flavored dinner of mandu (Korean eggrolls), her version of coleslaw, delicious mackerel marinated and seasoned in spice, super spicy potatoes (yowza!) that I did not finish, fresh rice from the cooker and a side of serious kim chi for her. We hungrily dug in with chopsticks. The kitties kept climbing on each of our laps curious as to all the commotion going on above them. It was fun at the table with the disco tunes playing in the background.

The odd thing for me was I know that Michelle's favorite color is a true yellow (like my late mother), but her home was in varying shades of cream, white, black and gray. My lovelies, we're talking inside and outside the home! It was beautiful to look at, but not inviting or warm. I may have to put a message to her when I visit her next weekend to drop off framed pics of her and her kitties. [Yes, I fucking know, this is too thoughtful. Arrgh. Maybe I need a more serious boyfriend to keep me occupied than a couple of place markers. Not expounding on this. I have received enough lectures.] I will recommend yellow paint, new furniture or new brighter pillows or tablecloth, new bedclothes and brighter accessories before the summer party I told her she should have...

I do not regret not saying no, but it is things like these that take me away from goal. Finding balance in pleasing others and focusing on my own things are paramount. My family and friends focus on their stuff and that is why they thrive. I need to find the real meaning of thrive very quickly, if you please.
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Happy & Lucky in Siamese

Mental Health Day

Took the day off ...Sometimes you need a mental health day. Do you know what always cheers up, Sarah Sprinkles? A trip to Shallowville! I had my hair cut and colored in the afternoon. Alex Haley was writing another sequel about my hair. The request was for three inches to be cut off, but Michelle countered with two and a half. Go figure.

Somehow we got to talking about Cinderella. I told her that I grew up poor and hadn't been able to afford Cinderella so we had to make do with Hookerella instead. She almost died. Mind you, I do wait to tell her the funniest jokes or tease her before or after she's cut my hair, never during. No joke is worth a botched haircut. Well, Michelle kept yelling Hookerella! with her Korean accent which makes her pronunciation hard on the letter 'r'. We giggled like rotten school children.

Oh! The result? Fabulous hair. We don't do ugly.*

....................................
*Shit, not for that price. Michelle must have lost her marbles over the new year. She had casually mentioned raising prices because of her own rising cost of doing business. Okay - whatever, I thought. This wouldn't have rubbed me the wrong way except she was gushing about a new handbag she was getting. It was showcased in a ladies magazine which she showed me: Prada...! Grrr. I asked, Oh, for $2000? Michelle replied, No for $2200. Maybe it wasn't me who needed the mental health day...
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Mental Health Day

Cooler Sunday

A cool breeze accompanied Cabal and me as we walked the complex. No other souls were walking around at 7:00am. There were a few cars driving about but essentially it was an AGOL and her beautiful beast surveying the dawn. Thankfully the water sprinklers were not on anywhere; however, the birds' songs were filtering through the branches from above.

Received an update from my old school friend Sheila. She's a design editor at a local paper in Colorado. The poor girl has been having a time of it with her supervisor quitting and her cat causing her to injure her foot.

(For those close to me, you know my cat rule: Only one pussy cat per household: Me! Sheila would not have had that problem had she followed that rule for herself. Yes, I do like cats, but I tend to be allergic to them and the little things love to rub and purr themselves silly all over me. Weirdos.)

And then...Sheila also had to call 911 on her neighbor's visitors who were causing a ruckus by her home last night. I told her she needed some martinis as soon as possible. It would be a start.

I called Myrna near noon and had her laughing for almost 30 minutes straight. At some point she started to cough and choke and I had to let up. It started with me bragging that I passed an online survey that invited me in as a member. She and husband were both rejected when they took it years ago. I played with that for a while and moved on to other subjects. I can make anything ridiculously funny. I have the Filipino side of my family to thank for that skill.

My nails were filled in by my regular gal Mary's brother Jimmy. She was busy air brushing some tacky design on a hookerella's nails that took a very long time. I skipped the pedicure and will come back on Saturday.

I wrote a slightly scathing note to my bank. I am having an ATM/debit card replaced due to age and the magnetic stripe wearing off so I put the order in online late Friday. The representative responded on Saturday said that my current card would still be valid until I received the new one next week. Imagine my surprise at attempting to withdraw some cash at two of their locations (just to make sure). The machine informed me that my card was invalid. I'm expecting a call by 10am before my first meeting tomorrow. Grrr.

Next week will be H-E-double hockey sticks...My temp will be on vacation from Tuesday through Friday. I will be doing her job while she is gone and Bridget gets to be both of us during the same time. I am not relishing splitting my time between her cube and mine. Sigh. I need to put a positive spin on the thing. Please feel free to chime in with ideas. Really. Anything at all. I mean it.

...Going to watch an episode of Doctor Who now.

Cooler Sunday

Sarah & Tawny Get Salon Happy

Raced to meet Kim for The Saturday Four, but when I got there and called her, she said she had a migraine and wanted to do it tomorrow instead. It didn't matter to me so I drove off. The extra time gave me room to get some cash for my hair color appointment, fill up the car on gasoline, get some pics printed and go home to get ready before picking up Tawny on the way.

When we arrived, I gave Michelle her AGOL style wrapped gift that contained the pic I posted last Saturday set in a frame so she can display it in the salon. She loved it, thanked me for being sweet and cheering her up. Now Michelle wants me to take a picture of her in a yellow dress (for nefarious reasons) so I will have to do that later.

Michelle was primed for my hair coloring. While she did that, I had Tawny go to the Asian smoothie store and get us some goodies which we enjoyed as our late breakfast. All three of us joked and laughed while Michelle labored over my hair making sure every strand was coated well with product. It turned out quite beautiful and I will post pics on Monday at the latest. It is a softer look and perfect for this AGOL.

Tawny was in desperate need of a cut herself and hadn't been able to find someone to cut her hair that pleased her. I urged her for a consult with Michelle which she took me up on while I changed from my salon smock back to my own clothes. It was only a few minutes. I opened the restroom door and saw Tawny getting her hair washed by Michelle. What the heck? How did that happen so fast? Before I knew it, seven inches had been cut from the back of her head and Michelle got more off around to shape it.

Tawny getting her hair flipped by Michelle. Damn that hair dryer was hot!


We left the salon happier and several dollars lighter. Eek! After three and half hours in the salon, we enjoyed a late lunch at the Asian Bistro. Damn it was good, too! We were a Happy Asian and a Happy Caucasian. Ha! Drove Tawny home where her husband was waiting to take her to Disney in Orlando to see the newly remodeled Haunted House. She texted me that he liked her hair which was really great for her. Hooray. On the other hand, my Pretty Boy Dog greeted me the same, no word at all on the new fabulousness. Hmpf!

Sarah & Tawny Get Salon Happy

Happy Asian Comforts

Giddily anticipated doing The Saturday Four this morning. The weather was cooler and not the steam bath it has been during these walks. Kim met me for a quick version. She slept on her back wrong and I had my hair appointment. More cars were driving around than there were available spaces by the time we made it back. Felt the pressure to vacate; it was a popular destination this morning.

Went home, had a small breakfast and played with Cabal before getting ready for my hair appointment. When I arrived, I told her I wanted my hair darker and she said that she didn't have time today but I could pick out what I wanted. I settled on a Dark Blond Mahogany Brown which my current highlights will still show through but with some red and brown tint. Basically the chestnut lift I am looking for. Even if she had the time, she didn't have enough product. She had one bottle and my hair would take three! I have thick hair and lots of it. Next Saturday I have another appointment with her.

My Korean hairdresser Michelle. Sometime I will tell you the story of her life. If you know of a more mature intellectual gentleman who is single, she's game. She's recently divorced, stands 5'4" on a good day without her high heels, old enough to be my mother, owns her own business, outrageous and amazingly sweet.


Bought some tropical smoothie with mango and boba (large tapioca pearls) right after my hair appointment and called Tawny to see if she and her hubby wanted to go to lunch. She declined since their plans were already set in motion. Set off for getting my nails done instead.

My tour through Asia today led me to my Vietnamese nail technician who, in the middle of doing my hands, cajoled me into getting a spa pedicure. I only agreed since she would be the one doing it. There's something to be said about looking down and seeing your toes cute again with bright deep reddish fuchsia color. While I sat on the spa chair having my feet done, her brother came over and continued working on my hands. I did feel like a goddess. It's been a long time since I've felt that way. We givers tend to forget ourselves since we're too busy making sure everyone is taken care of and having a good time.

The afternoon was beginning to wear and I was famished -- on to the Chinese-owned Asian Store. They had some cooked offerings and I was grateful to not have to cook or settle for a sucky lunch. Bought a whole tilapia fish and cooked blue crab to go with my rice at home. Picked up a few more things before breaking down and driving over to the Philippine Store for some ready made veggies. Felt guilty for not supporting my own Asian people. (I stopped short of going to a German restaurant to complete my cultural heritage.)

My Asian treasures from my adventures today. So deeeelicious! Will be feasting on these the next few days.


Tawny told me that Kathy hadn't been feeling well. Called her to make sure she was okay and she was indeed feeling better. I regaled her with my Asian tour. I think she enjoyed hearing me joyful and giggly. It's been a while and I am determined to sustain it tomorrow.

Being around Asian immigrants made me happy today. It's this invisible camaraderie because you know how life is in your mother country and knowing that no matter how hard life gets here, it is still worth the agony and hard work. Our sense of humor takes over because crying is a waste of time when some things are out of your control. You cope by turning the sad parts into outrageous caricatures which makes you laugh the sadness away and everyone shares in that laughter. From my experience, Asians have the most outrageous sense of humor, usually bordering on the bawdy. It's all good.

Happy Asian Comforts

No Drab Bird

Woke up alert and became more so thanks to cups of java. Bought some coffee pods again and dusted off my Senseo.

The drive for renewed energy has found me changing things in my surroundings the last two weeks whether it is the new mats for my car and front door to a new theme in my bathroom among many things. Cabal was not immune either. I spent about 30 minutes grooming him carefully during my Sunday morning television news magazine. No AGOL marbles were lost when he refused to cooperate with me during his hair trimming. He loves the brush but doesn't care for the scissors.

Had my nails done in the early afternoon and followed it up by taking the drive-thru car wash. I figured I shouldn't stop there so I used the car vac machine in the complex and then later parked in a shady spot by my apartment so I could detail the inside for 20 minutes and finally throw out those obsolete maps stuffed in both front doors. When it was dark and cooler, I sprayed foam shine onto the tires. Yup. Way into my car today.

With all this activity, I am still not fairing that great on Sundays. Perhaps someone could recommend a good exorcism plan for ridding yourself of Englishmen in your psyche? Okay, only one in particular because I still like a lot of English musicians and actors. Maybe I should take up eating large quantities of Marmite? That vile goo would cure anything that ailed you, but I am too afraid to eat even a teaspoon of it again. I get chills and trigger my gag reflex just thinking about it.

Oh, God. I am not even drunk blogging, but I am admitting that I still miss him and his friggin' Hoobie Hoos (don't ask). I had three different groovy shirts custom-embroidered for him relating to them. Each shirt had a nice graphic design and appropriate text. How many women would get t-shirts made as a response to someone's singing? He took the response incredibly well.

Guess I'm just a different kind of bird; my feathers are not drab that's for sure. Lord knows I've tried for 36+ years to make them drab and blend in the crowd, but the false color just keeps coming off. When they are bright again, I say to myself, Why be boring? Other people have that covered. Then the mad cycle starts again...Sigh. I'd better go beddy-byes now and heat up some warm milk for my new sleeping ritual.

No Drab Bird

Sacred Sunday...evening post

Haven't been motivated to do chores since November of last year. Wait --- that sounded bad. What I meant was that portions of my apartment are relegated to certain days to make clean-up easier, but I haven't been as diligent with the Q-tip test since November. Today I seemed to tackle most of the chores (sans Q-tip test). Felt a peculiar joy in eradicating dust.

Almost missed getting my nails done...almost. Something must have been in the air at the salon. My nail guy was quiet and they were speaking in more frequent bursts of Vietnamese. Just as well, he can be quite inquisitive. Nails gleaming a new French manicure made me feel great then I remembered that this Cinderella was in the middle of cleaning.

Did I mention I am obsessed with separating laundry that I end up with four loads to do? Thank God for the water level regulator on the washing machine because my laundry falls into a light load for delicates, medium loads for light and darks and a heavy load for towels and such. If really obsessive, I separate just the socks for bleaching which would make that load number five. Yes, the freakshow is in full effect.

Still had to iron my new tablecloth when it came out the dryer before I placed it on the sidetable. It reminded me of the times in the Philippines we would wash our clothes and bedclothes by hand. I grew up thinking that ironing our sheets and pillowcases from drying on the outside line as normal. Too bad we didn't have a modern washer/dryer and fabric softener. Denim trousers could stand up by themselves if positioned correctly and give you a nice exfoliation when you put them on as a bonus.

Marinated some pork chops with olive oil, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and salt/pepper before baking. Served with freshly cooked jasmine rice and a side of steamed spinach. Mmm. My home was smelling like a proper home. Too bad I didn't have any eggs, I would've made a cake for a home baked smell later. Doesn't matter. I have enough air freshener plug-ins smelling like vanilla and pumpkin.

Watched Fox Channel for The Simpsons, The Family Guy, etc. Felt like being entertained with demented humor. Must be all the fumes from the cleaning products. It worked like a charm.

Speaking of demented, check this out: Filipino Inmates Dancing to Thriller.

Sacred Sunday...evening post

Damn, It's Stormy

The Saturday Four was a 2.5 mile hustle with Kimmee. Everyone else flaked out or had some other thing to do. I just wanted to finish in time to go home, shower and make it to my hair appointment.

First the first time ever, my hairdresser was late. I mean not just running late with clients but not inside the salon. She'd been having some remodeling work done in her house and hasn't been able to sleep with all the chaos. A pill solved that, but made her sleep through her alarm. Thank goddess she still did a good job with the color and cut.

Been putting off going to the grocery store. Cabal was running out food and treats so I had to go for him. Over an hour later and a full cart from meandering around the grocery store in the same plaza as my hairdresser, we both had food. Went outside and saw the telltale clouds.

Rushed home like a mutha to beat the storm and to put away the frozen stuff. The grocery store I just spent some shekels in is a quite a ways from my apartment. Did beat the storm and took Cabal out before all hell broke loose. It wasn't a 30-minute storm, but a few hours of storm complete with loud cracking lightning. Quite the show.

IM'ed briefly with Yummy who almost didn't make it to the date. He fell asleep watching boxing. I would! Let him off the hook early so he could catch up on his beauty sleep. Funny man. Maybe I need some, too!

Damn, It's Stormy

Sunday Scorcher

Started my day skyping with Yummy. He's still not feeling like himself thanks to a stomach bug he caught last week, but he was well enough today to run around later with some visitors by the sea. Yesterday he spent much of it at home on the sofa. He's not much of a couch potato; he'd rather be productive like concentrating on his writing.

On the other hand, I proved to be a couch potato this morning thanks to my sleep deprivation of the past few days. Snoozed most of the morning before I decided to get my carcass up off the sofa. Had some cold pizza for lunch before zooming to my nail tech.

It is so hot (mid 90s) outside that I almost scorched my fingers on my steering wheel. It was barely maneuverable. Yikes! I searched around to see if there was a more shady spot I could start parking on the weekends since my car is parked under garage cover during work hours. The air conditioning couldn't cool the car fast enough.

For the first time in a long time, I had to wait over 30 minutes at the salon. I usually just stroll in and get waited on right away. Boy, am I spoiled! My nail tech replaced the Vietnamese magazine I was reading with some American entertainment junk while I waited. Those people in between the glossy pages are so boring! Rehab, divorces and bad fashion choices have been made newsworthy. Puhleeze.

My favorite bookstore was crowded this afternoon. Not sure how much of it was a direct result of Father's Day. This one has self-service kiosks that allow you to search for your own books. Out of seven searches, I had one available in the store. I count myself somewhat victorious.

Spent the rest of the day catching up on reading. I forget how much I love reading until I force myself to sit and do it. Reading at work during lunch is just impossible unless I remove myself from the break room. Not reading anything others might find interesting, just informational pages relating to Project AGOL. Yummy always reads cool stuff and seems on the pulse of cool reading. He's writer and so he should. Now if I can get him to write a more detailed review about each one...

Called my dad in the evening to wish him a Happy Father's Day. He has not received my musical card yet even though I sent the friggin' thing on Tuesday. Argh. Dad said that they have a substitute mail carrier at the moment. Let's hope he gets it tomorrow if not next week.

Project AGOL Update: Created a new account on youtube.com in preparation for future video uploads. I am going to experiment first with uploads from my cellphone and my digital camera. This oughtta provide some laughs while I get my act together.

Sunday Scorcher

You Will Be Re-assimilated

If this day just would stop feeling surreal, that would help me in my re-assimilation back to Trampa time and Trampa things. I barely remember details just relevant things like talking to Yummy in the early morning and late afternoon. He's been up to his elbows in paint. His pet project has been painting a selection of walls in his home. I think he has another coat to apply tomorrow...

I couldn't wait to get the length of my nails to get cut in half! Typing was becoming a chore. I felt happier going from a French manicure to a more lively Italian Red.

Armed with newly manicured nails, Brighton-themed tourist mementos and Cadbury and Galaxy chocolate ingots, I drove to my aunt and uncle's home. They had missed me and had been worried for me traveling by myself to England and to visit, in their eyes, a stranger.

Through my pictures, I was able to show them how much fun I had exploring Yummy's section of England. They also saw him as a real person in candid shots scattered through the over 375+ pics I took. The English culture and terrain were very different and I wanted to capture as much as I could.

My aunt was preparing food and didn't get to see all of the photos. Surprisingly, my cousin Ida was dropped off by her husband so she could spend some time with us and to have my aunt alter a dress for her.

During my UK trip, my aunt had a special sit down bathtub installed in the second bathroom so Nan could have a private bath when she felt like it. It was a pretty penny but impressive with the jets installed where your back would be and your legs which will be great for Nan! Three of us were inspecting it and oohing and aahing over it.

Standing to my left was my aunt and standing to my right was my cousin Ida and we were facing the big mirror for some reason after our admiration of the new bathtub. Ida pulls up her shirt to adjust her bra. I get mischievous and pull up my shirt to flash them, but not to be outdone was my aunt who pulled her shirt up and flashed the rest of us! Oh my God -- what a bunch of cuckoos! We laughed so hard.

Ida told my aunt she had the smallest boobs in the battle of the big boob trio in the mirror. My aunt replied that we got our big boobs from her mother, my grandmother Angela.

Before I knew it, we were having a Filipino meal on one side of the table and American on the other. To add to my feeling of surrealism, my aunt had my uncle put on a cassette with folk songs in the Visaya dialect from her childhood. It was to be "fiesta" soon in Lawa-an and she decided we were to have an impromptu celebration of our own.

I left early so I could make my skype date with Yummy. My evening was made early again by my jet lag and I had to make sure I got up for work the next day. Not looking forward to it either.

You Will Be Re-assimilated

Around Town

First order of business today was getting my hair colored and trimmed. I needed to feel more like AGOL again. When I arrived at the salon, the energy had changed considerably. The furniture had moved and she was offering more services. Some kind of good feng shui occurred here and I was very pleased. My hairdresser Michelle was in fine spirits, too!

Michelle just went through a much needed divorce; found out later today from Kristey that she was trying to get back with him. I don't get smart women sometimes. Her aunt had stopped down and administered a 10-day treatment of acupuncture -- a treatment I had been begging Michelle to get since allopathic medicine hadn't helped her get better. A lot of it was her negative emotions manifesting in her body.

My hair had been nicely touched up and Michelle cutting it when I received a surprise call from His Royal Yummy. I feel like an idiot during these surprise calls because I get all googly and marshmallowy. What a sap! I usually walk around with brass ones. I instantly turn into mush with Yummy. We were making a skype date today. I had afternoon plans and he had evening plans so were trying to sort it out. We agreed on 6pm AGOLtime/11pm Yummytime.

I was a bit unnerved for it seemed the salon had quieted down and began listening to my end of the conversation. Even worse, I got all teary-eyed after the call and I looked at Michelle and said to her, "He's so nice to me." She replied, "But you're nice to him." To which I iterated, "Yes, I am always nice, but he's so nice to me." She knew what I meant. It is difficult to find a man who is genuinely nice and who treats you nice, too. I was on a marshmallow cloud the rest of the afternoon.

From the salon I had to rush home and freshen up for my lunch date with the girlies at this tiki bar by the beach about 35 miles from my apartment. It was a quick drive on the weekend and most of it was highway driving. I met Kristey, her neighbor Traci and Myrna, who will be staying with Cabal for week one while I am with Yummy.

Tawnyia had been text messaging me while I made my way around this beach bar. She also reminded me that her husband wanted me to sing his birthday song to him. I called Jeff on his cell and sang Maligayang Bati in the car just before I entered the bar. He was happy that I continued this tradition that has been going on for years. Other people have requested the same tradition of having their birthday song sung in Tagalog...

When did it turn so hot? The sun was reflecting horribly from the pavement and the gulf waters just several yards away from us. We sat under an umbrella outside enjoying some breeze, but it was still warm. Even the margarita drink didn't cool me off so I switched to cola.

The girls were subdued maybe because of the heat. We talked about my upcoming UK trip with Kristey grilling me on what the emergency number was for 911 there. I must be the only one not worried. Usually I am freakish about these things, but they've taken over. It's not like I am going to Mexico or Morocco. I still love them for caring though.

My timing home was sooner than anticipated so I texted Yummy to let him know I was home since he wasn't online yet. He called me from the pub he and his friends were in. I was treated to another talk with lively Anton and this time with Anton's wife, Anna, too. I enjoyed the way she spoke, very English-y. Yummy teased me that I should start hearing different English people speak now so I would get used to it. Hmmm.

We talked for a short bit later right before Jeff and Tawnyia picked me up to go their studio space downstairs at the art (old cigar) factory in downtown Trampa . There was an art show and live performance art going on upstairs which we investigated and only became mildly interested in before returning to our own fun. Here are some pics I took tonight.


(Jeff & Tawnyia's Studio Name. Dig it.)


(Art happens here! Loved playing with paint tonight. Second room behind for kilns, equipment and supplies.)


(Very pretty. Tawnyia made this tonight. It was a custom order for a gal at work.)

Didn't get home until 12:30am. I wasn't feeling tired until I started sending these images from cell phone to my e-mail address for uploading on my bloggie. It was a good day spent.

Around Town

Estou Bem, Obrigada

My Sunday did get better. I even learned a few words in Portuguese so I could reply to a comment on the previous entry. Close to Spanish and French but still no cigar.

I updated all my e-mails and another Internet site that has been needing attention which made me feel much better and connected again. The weeks have been passing by so quickly that some people haven't been updated unless they already have a link to this blog...

My toes and nails match color today thanks to a very nice and relaxing salon visit. I used to think that getting my nails done was a necessary evil for overall grooming, but now it is a good way to get pampered. I give all week and it's nice to be waited on even if it is every two weeks. What color? Cheri Melon (bright watermelon red). If you gals opt for a French mani, your toes should always be some kind of bright red or pink. It is an AGOL rule.

Stopped at the Chinese restaurant next door from the salon and then promptly to the gas station to fill up for the week. My tank was reaching vapor levels. I remember in Wyoming when gasoline was $0.76/gal. Currently it is $2.55/gal at the Trampa station I visited. Yes, it could be worse in Europe and in places like California (hello Angie!). Still.

Yummy heard me enjoying some of my Chinese food while he told me about his afternoon in London visiting an old friend. It was one of those where you're not excited to go, but you go anyway since your friend asked you and you're already hooked for the invite. I don't like those myself, but you do it anyway. What are friends for?

We talked for a bit until it was time for him to go to bed. He had asked how my salon visit went, but I had to go and take it to the Drag Queen Level of conversation. I tortured the poor man with a dissertation on the greatness of my new mascara and how I can now start applying it again on the bottom lashes after 'a decade of no bottom mascara application'. Laughter and resignation. Yup, that's what Yummy had to add. Soon after it was time for some serious shuteye or Mr. Grumpy shows up. I can't wait to meet Mr. Grumpy or was that Mr. Crabby? Either one will be a pleasure to chat with, I'm sure. Wink.

PS For clarification: I am not a real Drag Queen, but I play one on TV. Ha!

Portuguese: Estou Bem, Obrigada (I'm okay, thank you)

Estou Bem, Obrigada