Work Work Work

I have 161 orders left to do. I have a quote of 35 orders per day. I am the only one working on these orders.

Swamped?

Nah.

But I must work.

Plans - Failed.

My plans for the weekend:

1. Bowling outing tonight with the CIC people at 8pm at Cal-Bowl in Long Beach. It should be fun.
Attended. Three people flaked. I saw two people from high school that I last saw in my Electronics class at Poly. Cool.

2. Basketball game on Saturday, 3pm at Best Fit Gym in the City of Industry. I am going to score at least 15 points.
Attended. Shot terribly and scored only 4 points. We won the game though.

August 23, 2008, 3:00 PM @ Best Fit Gym

Here is the boxscore:



3. Ken's Birthday dinner somewhere in L.A. This is also tomorrow (Saturday).
Attended. The spot was at Lawry's on the corner of Wilshire and La Cienega. I've never been here prior to that night and I'd have to say that was some good meat.

AND..

4. Clean my room. I have a lot of little things sitting around. They gotta go.
I spent almost a whole day cleaning my room and it's finally done. Let's just say that my room is the cleanest it'll ever be and I want to spend more time in it now. There was some crazy cleaning going on yesterday in my room. I'm happy.

5. Clean the kitchen. I mean clean it inside out. I've done the dishes twice this week which is sick. I've been doing it every night the previous two weeks and the kitchen is still a mess. This is the weekend the kitchen will meet Mr. Scrubber.
I didn't get a chance to clean it inside out but I washed every single dish, bowl, and cup. I did as much as I can. Failed.


6. Clean my bathroom. I gotta clean this baby up.
I straight up got friendly with the toilet water and introduced my sink to Mr. Comet and his buddy, the green scrubber with his counterpart the yellow sponge.

7. Set up two bookshelves. The desk in my room is useless and taking up mad space. It's being replaced by two $20 bookshelves. If you need a bookshelf, go get 'em at IKEA for $20 each. Solid deal.
Bookshelves are out of the box and in use.

8. Wash my car. I'm a super clean freak so everything has to be cleaned thoroughly.
Done.

9. Do my homework. Stupid Spanish class is hard.
I don't have the book and I don't have the copies of the book because someone (who was suppose to make extra copies at work to give to me) forgot them at work. Failed.

10. Read the Kite Runner. I've been stuck on page 185 or so for the longest.
I read two short chapters and am now over the 200-page mark.

11. Watch a movie. I wanna go see Batman before it exits the theatres but everyone I know has already seen it. I might have to go solo on this one. Sweet. Cheaper that way hah. I might have to just settle for a movie on the big screen in the back house though if there's no time.
Didn't watch a damn thing.

What Lies Ahead

It's August 22, 2008. Friday. 2:42PM PST. I am at work. LegalZoom.com, Inc.

My plans for the weekend:

1. Bowling outing tonight with the CIC people at 8pm at Cal-Bowl in Long Beach. It should be fun.

2. Basketball game on Saturday, 3pm at Best Fit Gym in the City of Industry. I am going to score at least 15 points.

3. Ken's Birthday dinner somewhere in L.A. This is also tomorrow (Saturday).

AND..

4. Clean my room. I have a lot of little things sitting around. They gotta go.

5. Clean the kitchen. I mean clean it inside out. I've done the dishes twice this week which is sick. I've been doing it every night the previous two weeks and the kitchen is still a mess. This is the weekend the kitchen will meet Mr. Scrubber.

6. Clean my bathroom. I gotta clean this baby up.

7. Set up two bookshelves. The desk in my room is useless and taking up mad space. It's being replaced by two $20 bookshelves. If you need a bookshelf, go get 'em at IKEA for $20 each. Solid deal.

8. Wash my car. I'm a super clean freak so everything has to be cleaned thoroughly.

9. Do my homework. Stupid Spanish class is hard.

10. Read the Kite Runner. I've been stuck on page 185 or so for the longest.

11. Watch a movie. I wanna go see Batman before it exits the theatres but everyone I know has already seen it. I might have to go solo on this one. Sweet. Cheaper that way hah. I might have to just settle for a movie on the big screen in the back house though if there's no time.

League Updates - August 2008 (2)

LegalZoom Softball
Season #1: 4-8-0, no playoffs
Season #2: 4-8-0, no playoffs
Season #3: 8-4-0, no playoffs
Season #4: new season starts first week of September.

LegalZoom Basketball
Season #1: 7-0 season [finished 1st], 2-0 playoffs [won championship]
Season #2: 5-3 season [finished 5th], 3-0 playoffs [won championship]
Season #3: 7-1 season [finished 1st], 2-0 playoffs [won championship]
Season #4: 5-2 season [finished 1st], 2-0 playoffs [won championship]
Season #5: new season starts August 27th.

Hitmen Softball
Season #1: 7-3-0 season [finished 2nd], 0-1 playoffs [eliminated in semi's]
Season #2: 8-2-0 season [finished 2nd], 0-1 playoffs [eliminated in semi's]
Season #3: 0-10-0 season [finished last], missed playoffs.
Season #4: 2-7-1 season [finished last], missed playoffs.
Season #5: Unregistered.

LBC Basketball
Season #1: 5-5 season [finished 5th], 3-2 playoffs [reached semi's]
Season #2: 7-3 season [finished 2nd], 1-1 playoffs [reached quarterfinals]
Season #3: 6-4, season [finished 4th], 0-1 playoffs [eliminated in semi's]
Season #4: new season starts in a month or two.

CrookedStraight.com Basketball
Season #1: 5-5 season [finished 3rd], 0-1 playoffs [eliminated in 1st round].
Unregistered.

NotGuiltyBrand.com Basketball
Season #1: 3-7 season [finished 5th], 2-1 playoffs [lost in finals]
Season #2: 2-8 season [finished 5th], missed playoffs.
Season #3: 4-3 season, currently in season.

Done Hitmen

Hitmen softball is done for now (email from the man in charge, Dave)..

Hi, guys.

Today's the last day of registration, and I've decided I'm not going down to the reg office today. First off, I simply don't have the money from everyone. Normally, that's something I'll live with, but we've also been so wrecked with attendance issues that I simply don't feel like it's worth my effort to do this this time around.

I'll try again come next season, which should be about three months away. If there's enough interest, I'll put another team together. Or, if one of you wants to do it, I'll join that team.

Registration closes at 5 p.m., or when the last slot is taken. If you want to register the team, I'll send you the roster and information, and you can call the L.B. office and see about paying over the phone. Beyond that, there's really not much else to say. Those who've already
given me their money, I'll send it back.

Thanks.

August 16th, 2008, 3:00 PM PST @ Best Fit Gym

I didn't play in this game because I was in Utah. I heard we won by a lot:

Zion in Pictures - 8/16/2008

Personal Missions - Update

I'm about to list some things that I will get done before 2008 is over. People often call them, and list them, as goals. I choose not to because goals are usually unfulfilled wishes. People either set the bar too high or can't hold up due to bad habits, emergencies, and what have you. Its just excuses and laziness if you ask me. It's also lying to yourself. It's abandoning the plan because it's the easy way out. It's failure cause of bad habits (I'm guilty of all this too so don't be too ashamed hah). So yeah, don't lie to yourself because it's one of the worst things you can do and it's contagious. Just do what Nike does. Just do it.

This is my to-do list.

1. Read 5 books.

I just finished reading Tuesdays with Morrie and am currently reading The Five People You Meet in Heaven and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.

The Five Books (all recommendations from friends):
The Time Traveler's Wife (purchased)
The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Done)
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (Done)
The Kite Runner (currently reading - page 185+)
Death Watch (purchased)

2. Take a class for Fall Quarter to run the brain blood flow. (Online registration completed and signed form has been mailed in), (retrieved my username and password from campus), (class registered - class starts 8/19/2008)

I am aiming for a mid-August, two-days a week introductory Spanish course. It will run to December at LBCC. I took three classes in 3 different quarters last year (Spring 2007, Fall 2007, and Winter 2008) at UCLA's Extension Program. I got two A's and one B.

3. Complete grad-school application for Masters in Math Education (along with some credential program, possibly a joint program). I am aiming to get back into full swing in the Fall of 2009 at CSULB. I am planning on becoming a teacher because I don't see myself working at a 9 to 5. I need the free time and I need to make a difference. You gotta get the criminals and druggies early. "Why become a lawyer and help defend someone when you can become a teacher and stop that someone from ever needing a lawyer in the first place." (done minimal research)

***The first 3 bullet points are all education-based. I am a firm believer in education and knowledge. It's one of the best investments one can make. Besides, a smart person is cool and sexy hah.

4. Do push-ups or lift weights 3 times a week. I have a gym-set right outside my room so this should be easy. I will start to do push-ups before my league games. I'm in like 55 thousand leagues so that'll definitely help. At last count, 2 softball leagues and 3 basketball leagues.Also, I will start to hit up the gym for lunch breaks at work.
Lunch workouts:
(monday 7/28, wednesday 7/30, friday 8/1)
(monday 8/4, wednesday 8/6) - wedding on 8/8
(monday 8/11, wednesday 8/13) - out for lunch on 8/15
(tuesday 8/19,..)

5. Spend the rest of my time with friends and family.I will end it with those 5 bullet points. There are plenty of other things I want to do, like travel, watch movies, date women, etc. but my priorities lies with education, health, and love. I will interconnect all three together at the same time if possible. I just gotta find the right balance. A well balanced life is a complete life.
(brother's wedding 8/8) - family
(camping - zion 8/15) - sisters & hs friends
(cic bowling - 8/22) - hs friends
(cruise - 8/29) - college friends

Zion

I'm off to Zion for the weekend.

Departure Time: 11pm

Here is what I bought last night from Food4Less at Cherry and Willow: food for the trip..

Foster's Chicken Thighs - $5.71
Water Bottles - 3.50
Sliced Ham - $2.68
Cheese Singles - $1.50
Bacon - $2.50
Flour Tortillas - $2.98
Loaf of Bread - $1.28
Cereal Fruit Bars - $1.88
Pretzels - $1.67
Skippy Peanut Butter - $2.78
Welch Grape Jelly - $2.18
Granola Bars - $1.78
Green Grapes - $1.48 / lb
Nectarines - $0.49 / lb

The Wedding Weekend

It's a good thing that 4 of my 5 sport's league are currently in the offseason because I have been one busy hombre.

My brother had his Tea Ceremony thing on Thursday night for his wedding. It was actually kinda boring but all was good cause the family was together. I got home late and missed the walk-in that they do with everybody trailing the bride and groom. That's what LA traffic will do to you. Whatever. I got to do my eating and chilling so it's cool.

I took my nephew to the batting cages that night and realized that my swing needs major work.

As for the wedding on 08/08/08, the traditional American reception was on the Queen Mary which was pretty cool except for that fact that it was hot as hell.

Being there brought back some memories as I used to work on this ship the summer before eighth grade so I still remembered where everything was. The restaurants have changed a lot. No more pizza spot on Sun Deck and no more ice cream parlor. I was kinda sad to see that the ice cream joint that I used to run is no longer there. I guess a tip to me - it failed cause I'm no longer there hah.

As for the reception, I dont remember the Reverend's name but he's the same dude that tied the knot for my oldest brother. He's pretty solid and I'd recommend him if you're getting married though I don't recommend getting married hah jk. But all in all, it was a great day for Tuan and Letty. Great joy and happiness and I wish them the best. Very very very good people.

After the American ceremony, the Asian reception capped off the night at a restaurant called Regent West in Westminster. The restarant was a good size but I thought it was a little small. The 8 or 9 course meal was the per usual stuff. The opening meal (the salad) was pretty bomb. Our table killed it in a heartbeat. We had some eaters at our table. I sat with my cousins and little brother. We're a bunch of animals hah. My oldest brother Minh actually ran the show with the mic and he did a superb job. He should give up that suing stuff and become a comedian.

Right.

I had a game on Saturday..


August 9, 2008, 3:00 PM PST @ Best Fit Gym

Needless to say that we blew a 16 point lead and lost by double digits. I'm not sure what happened but all I know is we didn't win.

Here is the boxscore from that game:



After the game, I went home for some food and then off to Cherry Park to play some tennis with Pitou, Rady, and Richard. We played a bunch of 2 on 2 games and of course my team won every single game. I think I was 5-0 or something. I even won with Richard on my team which is like a super duper upset victory hah.

It was also here that I found out that I won a lot of money. I was a little pumped and then something bad happened. Ah, the Karma. Ups and Downs. Left and Right. Right and Wrong. Yin and Yang.

Upon leaving Cherry Park (I had parked just 2 cars down from Pitou who had fixed the computer that I bought from him for $300), I told to give me the computer (it's a desktop computer, and it was the big fat modem). He tells me to just get the computer at the pho place because we were heading out to Pho Saigon in between Cerritos and Long Beach on South Street. I tell him to just give it to me but he says he's too lazy. Okay no big deal.

So we drive to Pho Saigon, all four of us in four different cars. While driving there, I keep telling myself that he should give me the computer after we finish eating or else someone might see it. I swear I told myself that at least two times.

We get there and Pitou says to take the computer right now because he's gonna be too lazy to transfer it after we eat. I was like whatever okay. He carries the computer over to my car and I open the door for him. While he puts it in, I lock the front door and start walking towards the restaurant while he finishes up. After he does his thing, we go inside and eat.

After we finished eating, I get to my car and the first thing I do is look into the backseat of the car where Pitou had loaded the computer. No sign of it. My heart drops a little and I quickly walked over to Pitou's car to give him the bad news. He says in astonishment, "For reals?" I said yeah.

Some finishing notes to finish off this story:

1. Pitou doesn't remember locking my car. Great.
2. They also stole my radio face and left the stereo. What the hell?!
3. I found out the next day that they had also popped the trunk and stole my Jordans. Damn those suckers smell like garbage and they still took them hah.
4. I had received a text message from P2 regarding tennis: "You better go, I'm not liable for computer loss from my car." A little foreshadowing hah?

I canceled a Hermosa Beach hangout with some college friends that night because I was afraid some more bad things might happen. Sucks.

That was Saturday.

On Sunday, I wake up to go play tennis again. This time with Karen and Sereywath. Man, it was hot this morning also and we were playing around 11am. We sweated it out for an hour plus and called it a day.

After this, I went home for lunch and a little chilling before heading to Westwood for my softball meeting (for my work league). The spot was right next to my sisters' apartment in UCLA. I parked my car at their place and walked there. Next time I'm telling them to pick it up. They're actually camping somewhere and weren't there that weekend. What a waste of gas but I can't say that because I got to see a cool person that day hah.

Work has picked up again. I'll try to be more prompt with my postings the next few weeks. Til then, be safe, be happy, and keep smiling because I love you. For reals!

League Updates - August 2008

LegalZoom Softball
Season #1: 4-8-0, no playoffs
Season #2: 4-8-0, no playoffs
Season #3: 8-4-0, no playoffs
Season #4: new season starts first week of September.

LegalZoom Basketball
Season #1: 7-0 season [finished 1st], 2-0 playoffs [won championship]
Season #2: 5-3 season [finished 5th], 3-0 playoffs [won championship]
Season #3: 7-1 season [finished 1st], 2-0 playoffs [won championship]
Season #4: 5-2 season [finished 1st], 2-0 playoffs [won championship]
Season #5: new season starts August 27th.

Hitmen Softball
Season #1: 7-3-0 season [finished 2nd], 0-1 playoffs [eliminated in semi's]
Season #2: 8-2-0 season [finished 2nd], 0-1 playoffs [eliminated in semi's]
Season #3: 0-10-0 season [finished last], missed playoffs.
Season #4: 2-7-1 season [finished last], missed playoffs.
Season #5: new season starts some time in September.

LBC Basketball
Season #1: 5-5 season [finished 5th], 3-2 playoffs [reached semi's]
Season #2: 7-3 season [finished 2nd], 1-1 playoffs [reached quarterfinals]
Season #3: 6-4, season [finished 4th], 0-1 playoffs [eliminated in semi's]
Season #4: new season starts in a month or two.

CrookedStraight.com Basketball
Season #1: 5-5 season [finished 3rd], 0-1 playoffs [eliminated in 1st round].
Unregistered.

NotGuiltyBrand.com Basketball
Season #1: 3-7 season [finished 5th], 2-1 playoffs [lost in finals]
Season #2: 2-8 season [finished 5th], missed playoffs.
Season #3: 3-2 season, currently in season.

Losing Again - Calling Out Names

August 1st, 2008, 7:45 PM PST @ Joe Rodgers Field

This is sweet. The weekend following where my league teams go undefeated, we then turned around and followed up with a solid losing weekend.

Our Hitmen softball team's done for the season and we made sure we left on a losing-note. We lost by 10 or something. We actually have one more game but we're all going to my brother's wedding this Friday.

The wedding guy didn't play in this one but it wouldn't of matter. We suck.

I'm calling out Lyno for having a horrendous season with the bat. I have no confidence that he will get a hit every time he goes up to bat. And our shortstop Steve has yet to regain his swing. We need to start up the scorekeeping again to see who's on-base percentage is worst than Andruw Jones.

Batted: 3 for 3.


August 2nd, 2008, 3:00 PM PST @ Best Fit Gym

I was unable to attend this game because of my brother's wedding rehearsal at the Queen Mary. It was a good, fun day with the crazy family. The best part of course was the hired taco man. I think his name was Enrique or something

As for the game, I heard we lost. Oh yeah, we lost to the last place team. Sweet.

I went to go play poker at Ravuth's house later that night around 9pm with P2 and we both won against some weak players. Ravuth included hah.


August 3rd, 2008, 3:20 PM PST @ Banning HS

Our LBC basketball team first and last playoff game was a good one up to the 5 minute mark left in the 4th quarter. That's when everything went to shambles. I hate to say it but I'm pretty disappointed. I really thought we could of won this game and I wanted to win it so bad. My teammates bailed on me with 5 minutes left. Manny substituted for me because he thought I said I wanted a rest but I didn't tell him such a thing. He came in and the team just quitted. We were only down by 2 points and all of a sudden it jumped to 11 and the game was pretty much over.

Tuan had a bad game and he was calling out Tom's complaining and whining afterwards. I definitely agree that Tom's yelling and screaming kills the team morale and focus. I've already told him but he just doesn't listen. Funny thing is that he used to complain about my friend Sereywath's complaining hurting the team and now he's taken that roll. Ironic.

Calling out names: Too many turnovers. Tuan's bad game. Tom's complaining. Manny quitting.

And now we're eliminated from the semi's by a team loaded with 4 dunkers, including some former Stanford Cardinals dude named Julius Barnes.

I actually held him scoreless in the 2nd half, giving him the open jay and he missed every time. He was killing Tuan in the first half: blocking his shots and scoring at-will.

Julius Barnes video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMLYt3zk-3A&feature=related