Any suggestions?

I'm in a state of bewilderment. The original plan was to go to New Zealand this winter but the cost of flying into that country, lodging, car rental and other expenses add up to where it is cheaper for me to go back to Paris. But then again I don't want to go back to a place I have already been when there is a world full of unexplored places to see. When I mentioned this to the 'rents they suggested I visit some of their friends in Asia or more specifically Cambodia, Thailand and maybe even do a stop over in Hong Kong. I can save on lodging because I will be staying with family friends and they will help with guiding me to what is there to see in their country.

But what is there to see in Cambodia and Thailand? I am not familiar with these places. My travel thoughts have been geared toward the already explored places like New Zealand and Europe. Should I go to some place where not many things are known? What famous sights are there to explore in Cambodia? What kind of food do they have there? And besides the beaches of Thailand what else is there to see?

My anxiety is showing. Can you not tell?

Currently reading :
Lonely Planet the Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World
By Roz Hopkins
Rel

What is a VESTA?

My class on the VESTA yesterday went well. I spoke too fast but there was enough digression and sharing of stories between me and one of the other teachers we were able to fill in an hour. When I practiced my lecture the night before it was only 40 minutes and that included the pictures on the power point. I just hope the trainees will be able to retain some of what I taught.

What is a VESTA? The VESTA is the phone system that is used to control the 9-1-1 call center. This software allows information to flow from the telephone system, to the CAD (computer aided dispatch), into radio and then out to the field units. Your VESTA is composed of the Computer screen, plantronics box and a manual phone pad.

The VESTA is better understood when you actually use it. It is one of those things that need hands on training because a lecture and pictures won't really do it much justice. But it is an important equipment in my line of work along with the CAD.

Another hat on my head

Today I will have to put on another hat, the hat of a teacher. It has been a while since I've taught anything besides Sunday School. But we have an Academy for the new trainees and I was asked to teach a session about the VESTA.

Now I have 30 slides and my lecture is about 6 pages long. It has to last 1 hour but I have to keep my adult learners intrested. The topic is something I could cover in 20 minutes and I'm trying to strech it. So here's hoping that my lecture this morning will go well.

What I did on my summer vacation

Do you remember in school when you used to come back from summer vacation and the teach er would make you write an essay about what you did for the summer? Well it may not be my summer vacation sicne I only took two weeks off but it was most of my summer vacation. One of them anyways.

So here is what I did for my summer vacation. I caught up on sleep. Realized that I couldn't really get used to the sun, it still burns my eyes a little bit but sunglasses have solved that problem. Went down to visit Anne and ended up spending two nights alone catching up on NCIS Season 3. But I'm glad that Ari finally got his just desserts after killing Kate (who was my favorite NCIS agent BTW!) Then it was a little shopping in Modesto before I had to drive back home to make it in time for my parents anniversary the following day. My mom decided to take her daycare kids on a field trip to the zoo on Thursday. I am still amazed at how those little legs can get around so quickly! But the kids enjoyed seeing the lions, giraffe, penguins, flamingos and all those creepy reptiles. They also enjoyed eating McDonalds and playing around in the playground area. Later that night I took my parents to "The Dead Fish" where they ate Dead fish stew, a delicious short rib(where the meat melted off like soft butter!), my brother had the double shrimp and crab dish while I went for the petite fillet mignon. The meal was delicious and eaten with gusto. Then on Friday I had a hair appoitment and I was tempted to get my hair cut short but I really, really liked my "Paris hairdo" and so I opted to just have my hair thinned by adding really soft, feathery layers since my hair is thick. Anne came up and while we didn't get to hang out the full two days she was up here. We did get to watch a few movies (Benchwarmers [which is hilarious and a bit crude but still overall funny, a movie along the style of 'Dumb & Dumber' or 'Napoleon Dynamite'] and Mistress of Spice [its a Bollywood movie with one of the most beautiful women in the world and Dylan McDermot]) but that was after I went to work to do some "fairy work". We slept in on Sautrday and ended up going to the Mall and spending money. I did find a dress that I could wear to my cousin's wedding next month, but I'm not sure the style is me the main color of the dress is brown and that is a color I try to avoid wearing since my skin is plenty brown already LOL. But the dress has a pattern with lots of pink and peach, it is a nice dress made in the current "trend" of fasion today. I'm not one to follow trends but I couldn't wear a black & white dress to a beach wedding in the morning. It isn't proper. So now it is Sunday and tomorrow is my last night before I go back to work. I plan to just relax and read before entering my stressfilled work space again. Plus it isn't like I've been away from work because I ended up showing up there three times while I was on vacation. The reason why I leave the country on myvaction time kept popping up these past two weeks. If I don't leave the country I seem to end up finding a way back to work!

So that is what I did these past two weeks for my vacation. I didn't think I would be so busy but the time flew by and I'm glad I never got used to the "dayshift" schedule. It is more of a swing shift schedule that I ended up getting used to but then again I never really switch to dayshift untless I leave the country or mainland USA and vacation somewhere far away!

Trip planning

I like to plan and set my trips a year in advance. So like next year I already have a trip to the Orient in mind and I'm trying to see if I can sqeeze in a trip to Europe or Latin America (I hear they're a whole lot cheaper and there is more bang for your buck in these countries!). But for now the trip in the near horizon is to Hawaii. . . specifically Ohau, Hawaii. My cousin-Jon will be getting married at the end of July on Waikiki and my mom did not want to miss that. Plus both my mom and my brother have never been to Hawaii before, the layover in the airport as you fly to the Philippines does not count.

I want to climb Diamond Head and see the view of the city below. Of course Pearl Harbor is a must! As well as the Polynesian Cultural center, where it was nominated as the best Luau in Hawaii. Then I read about this place called Valley of Temples where they have a replica of a 950 year old temple found in Uji, Japan as well as other temples in a very peaceful surrounding. The Dole pineapple plantation is located on Oahu and then there is the North Shore. Fortunately the hotel we booked for the first part of our stay is located on the North Shore. Then the last half of the week we will be in the Waikiki area.

So I'm trying to coordinate with my girl cousin-Jena about our schedules and what to do. The three of us will be flying out on Monday and Jena's side (the grooms immediate family) will fly in on Wednesday. I know that my mom will want to spend some time with her brother so with two cars and 10 people coming together on Wednesday, the coordinating of plans and things to do seems enormous. There are so many things to do and I'm not one to just lay still at the beach. Just ask Allison or Ratchet who went with me to Hawaii last time! Right now Jena and I are playing e-mail tag. But I'm excited at the prospect of planning the details and going on another airplane ride next month. That is when my "real" vacation will take place.

Day at the Aquarium

It has been a long time since I went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. So for my birthday I wanted to go but I had to spend time with the family, and it ended up being the day after my brithday. I must say I enjoyed looking at the fishes. The jellyfishes just amaze me, they look so simple but yet they are so complex. One can truly see God's handiwork in them! I also liked looking at the different kinds of fishes. They had a "Wild for Otters" exhibit and it was fascinating watching these animals play and look at the people staring back a them. We even got to see the penguins being fed. However I still dream of the day I can go to Valencia, Spain and visit the Largest Aquarium in Europe and see the Beluga Whales. But for now the nearest aquarium will do. Here are some pictures of the trip.

They say that age is all in your mind. The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body.

Reflection

My birthday is tomorrow and I thought about what had happened to me in one year. I know that reflections usually happen on the eve of a new year but I'm feeling sentimental at the moment. So here is my list:

1. Solo trip to Paris where I discovered many things including God's presence back in my life, that I am a strong woman inside (which is what I always envisioned myself to be but it was confirmed during this trip), I enjoy my own company and can travel by myself.
2. I became a trainer at work.
3. Went on a road trip with two different friends to Southern California.
4. Visited Hearst Castle for the first time ever, even though I've lived in California for over 15 years.
5. Returned to California Adventures with my little brother and my friend, Allison where I still love the ride 'Soaring over California'.
   
6. Got to see "Bob" again after 5 years.
7. Met two men with the same name who surprised me in many ways and stirred my soul
8. Went on a weekend visit to Charleston, SC where I saw the Citadel and bought my life changing red shoes.
9. Managed to keep a friendship intact even though work situations changed and a psycho girlfriend was invovled on his end (fortunately she is gone!)
   
10. Went on my first date.
11. Met a new friend while travelling
12. Started a blog.
13. Became the owner of a PDA (which has changed my life!)
14. Learned abotu ABL (Adult Based Learning)
    

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Wanted: your opinions

One of my guy friends wrote this about an age old question: "What do women really want?". Now mind you I think he makes a good point but I don't think he got the right answer. He categorized it and put it in a box, but it was intresting reading none-the-less...and yes he is a "metro-sexual". So tell me did he get it right?

What women REALLY want

"The answer to this question is sought after by many. I have in fact put alot of thought into my answer to this question and have decided to share it with you all (since most of my friends are indeed SINGLE). Men are generally confused when it comes to women and what they want. They go out of their way to impress women with what they can do or how they look or this or that. The thing that most dont understand is that women dont necessarily care about all of the big things, its the little things that they notice and desire. To sum it up in one word, I will use the word passion. Women can tell when you are passionate about something, whether its the hockey game or music, or them. The key to channeling your passion in this arena is to understand the 2nd great facet of women, and that is sensuality. By sensuality I merely mean the complete immersion of the senses. by the surroundings. Everyone, not just women, are emotional beings. The guy who gets the girl is the one who learns to channel emotion through everything he does. Noticing the potential emotion and passion in everyday simple things will cause most women to melt. Take food for instance. No I am not crazy, I said food. Food can convey emotion, passion, even sensuality. If you are a single guy the first thing on your list is to learn how to cook. Learn to cook well, and then learn about the food and then the other foods and wines that can compliment the food you serve. Every tool out there can invite a hot chick to dinner at a $100 restaurant. What can set you apart is if you invite said hot chick over to your place for dinner. Not only can you prepare an excellent meal, you can match the music, the drinks, everything to match the food. This entire package of scent, sound, taste, sight will create an entire environment appealing to the senses. Another thing to learn is the way that you present yourself, keeping in mind your key is to envelope all of the senses. Dont just look good, smell good and sound good too. If you dont know how to dress, learn. Learn things like how to wear a suit and tie, and the difference between Burberry, Polo, and Hermes. Learn your scents too. Smell is vital in the fight. Dont be a guy who just wears ONE type of cologne, it gets boring. Have about 3 or 4 in your arsenal, and make them good. Smell will strike the woman early on, and will linger in her brain long after you leave. May I suggest Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Blue, Armani's Aqua di Gio, and Vera Wang. Learn to speak; become educated. Being able to carry a conversation about more than basketball, boobs, or chicken wings will score you points. Now, lets talk about touch. Women dont necessarily want you hanging and kissing all over them. Remember, the key is to create an entire bath for ALL of the senses, not just one. Dont overdo it, its tacky, usually uninvited, and not hot. Think about how to appeal to all senses. Soft touch, spaced out through your time together, thats a winner. Just the soft touch of playing with her hair or an occasional tap combined with what youre already providing for the other senses can be a lethal combination.
Finally, learn to refuse. Women are so trained by society to believe that men will automatically accept what they give. Once you can captivate a woman to the point of interest, dont just cave in once she wants you. That just tells her you are putting on a show. Rather, continue to carry yourself with confidence. She will pick up on that confidence, and it will captivate her even more. (She knows that you know that she knows........hot). Nothing is quite as fun or enjoyable than knowing that youre getting a woman's attention but not acknowledging it. Take these truths my dear friends, and remember, once a woman lets you into her mind, only you or your stupid actions can remove that.
Ciao."

** the statment above is not the opinon of this blogger therefore it may not be a full indication of my ideas and beliefs. I just found it intresting =)***

I'm still alive

Sorry I haven't written in a while. Life gets busy and these past two weeks was no exception. Last week was filled with committee meetings and work, work, work. Then on Monday night my baby brother graduated from High School. My how time flies when life keeps you so busy! My dad has been tearing up all week whenever he thinks of my brother leaving for college, while I laugh at him and my mom just chuckles. It is very odd for my dad to get so emotional but he is very close with my brother. I guess when you miss the first five years of watching your first child growing up the first time around you make up for it with your next child. But then my brother has always been a favorite in the family, he has such charisma. I can still remember him as a little baby with those chubby cheeks and thighs running around the house and laughing. Now sometimes I look at him and think "is that my little baby brother all grown up and shaving?" Anyways I found some old pictures of me and him through the years...the eight year gap didn't really bother me too much I actually rather enjoyed it. It was nice to help out my parents with "parenting" my brother and yet I get to maintain my sister status.