Just an initial draft about my summer vacation. Still needs a lot of work. But it's almost 2 months since vacation started so thought I'd post now and clean up later. So here goes:

06/05/2005

The day of the wedding was so stressful. Had to wake up early to help Brian's mom and sister decorate. Turns out that we had to set up the tables and chairs and put on the table linen and chair covers. I completely forgot about printing mom & dad's wedding picture that I scanned (after spending hours trying to get it scanned and put in a format that can print. Didn't have time to buy a shawl. Didn't have time to buy the balloons. Uuggh. Michelle and I were supposed to be ready by 12 noon for pictures. We ended up  taking a shower at Liz & Brian's and didn't get back to the Old Homestead until 1 o'clock. Then we waited around when I could have gone back to the house to get the pictures and to get balloons. Double ugghhh. Michelle and I ended up being in only three shots. Jordan, Jermaine and Patrick weren't even in any of the pictures taken before the wedding.

Wedding ceremony finally started at 3pm. Then we had dinner. Lame. The cater sucked. She didn't even have enough food for leftovers eventhough 20 people didn't show up. They also limited the amount of food that people can get. And most people didn't even get seconds. Then there was dancing. I didn't dance. I just watched people. Then it was time for the money dance, but I couldn't find the pins. At around 9pm people were still dancing but we had to start cleaning up. Started picking up the garbage, folding tables and chairs.

06/06/2005

Then we all slept in late--mom, Auntie Ely, Bernard, Michelle, Patrick, Jordan, and Jermaine. Then we went shopping at the Oriental store so Liz had food at their gift-opening "party". It was cool how the families got together. The twins came over and started playing with Jermaine and Ryan.

06/07/2005

Took Michelle, Jordan, and Jermaine to Benicia to play on the big slide and go to the Skater Park eventhough they didn't bring their helmets. Oh how I miss Benicia. Then the entire family (except Liz & Brian) went to the baseball game (SF Giants vs. Kansas City Royals) with the tickets that Liz got from work. Then we picked up the van at SFO. Jermaine sat in the passenger seat. He looked funny because he was so small compared to the seat.

06/08/2005

Michelle, Patrick, Jordan, and Jermaine woke up late (as usual). We finally left for the roadtrip around 11 (2 hours later than I wanted). Had to take the long way to I-5 Highway 4 instead of 680/580 because I had to drop off Bernard's work phone at his office in Oakley. We had one stop at Kettleman Junction to get gas. I was hoping there'd be a Starbucks there because I was in dire need of a coffee fix after driving for almost 3 hours. But there wasn't one. I didn't to stop again until we got to Valencia (at 5:30pm) so I can get a frappucino. We hit some traffic. I thought we could make it to San Diego before dark but everyone was hungry. So we stopped at a filipino restaurant in Cerritos for dinner. Then we had make a bathroom stop at Carlsbad. We didn't check into the hotel in San Diego until around 10pm. If we hadn't had to make the detour through Oakley and had left when I'd wanted. Oh well! I told everyone we had to leave by 9am.

06/09/2005

I got up at around 6am and got ready. Everyone else got ready and we loaded the van and were able to leave shortly afer 10am.Got up at 6am. We drove to Coronado so we can take pictures. It was a overcast day so the beach was a bit chilly. But Jordan and Jermaine still wanted to play in the water. So I we waded in knee-high water. Ten we went to Old Town to take pictures and buy souvenirs. Then we went to La Jolla to take pictures. We made a stop at Oceanside to take care of the Mt Diablo bill. Called
them to get the fax number. Went to Starbucks to get a frappucino and got directions to Kinko's.

As I drove to Kinko's, I started to remember James. Saw North County Mall. Michael offroading. Vista, Escondido, San Marcos. Wonder where he is.

Left San Diego County around 4:30 and got to Anaheim around 7pm. Michelle and I went shopping at Food4 Less. Then I went shopping at Target to buy a PS2 game for Jermaine's birthday while Michelle went to order food at Panda City.

06/10/2005

It's the third day of my 2005 vacation. I was sitting in the Anaheim hotel alone waiting for my laundry to finish. Dropped off mom, Auntie Ely, Michelle, Patrick, Jordan, and Jermaine at Disneyland this morning (after waiting for Michelle and Patrick to stop arguing). Then I was off to the office to get my laptop fixed. RP said he would work on it and to come back in 30 minutes. So I went to get lunch at Koo Koo Roo (miss it), get gas, get cash, and shopped at Bath & Body Works. I got back and RP said it wasn't done. So I did some errands: wrote check for HJTA, wrote down the rest of our itinerary, filled out the wireless router rebate forms, flipped through the Pottery Barn catalogs I brought so I can re-decorate the house.

My laptop was fixed around 2 so I checked and filed emails, checked to make sure I completed my timesheets, and made reservations at Williams, AZ. The Econolodge suites were taken so I had to settle for another place. Oh well...at least I'm
done. Can't wait to see Grand Canyon then go to Vegas then Yosemite. Talked to SK and SA. Helped PS fix a Word document that MO sent him. WM tells me not to help him. Told him I was in the office. I finish checking my timesheets when WM comes by and talk for a while.  After I was done checking emails said bye to PS and WM. Left around 3:30.

As I was driving to Anaheim, I saw a silver Lancer with licencse plate that said CWBY FN. Saw an SUV with a sticker that said "Island Pride" and a Guam seal. Saw a silver viper. Got to motel at 5. Gosh 1 1/2 hours from Marina del Rey to Anaheim...most of it stuck in traffic.

6/11
Checked out around 9:30. On the road to Arizona. Stopped by Rancho Cucamonga. It was smoggy. Couldn't even see the San Bernadino mountains. We stopped at Barstow to go shopping at the outlet, get lunch, and gas up. Then we stopped at Kingman, AZ to get more gas. Stopped at a rest area about an hour and a half from Kingman for bathroom break. Took another bathroom break at Seligman. Windy and rainy. Checked in at the Best Value Inn around 10pm. We were hungry so we got dinner at Denny's. The boys were naughty.

6/12
Checked out around 10. Gas. Can't find credit card. Back to hotel--no credit card. Back to Denny's--no credit card. Found credit card in wallet. Grand Canyon. WOW! Coyote at Grandview Point. Village. Bright Angel Lodge. Hungry. Feeding squirrel. Angry. Go on shuttle bus to Pima Point and Hermit's Rest with Auntie Ely. River. Leave around 4:30. Kingman. Hoover Dam at 9:30.

Check in at Residence Inn Hughes Center around 10:30. Buffet at Rio closed. Cute guys. Roulette table. Tried to sleep but was annoyed at the boys.

6/13
Wake up around 6:45. Shower and get ready. Laundy. Breakfast around 8am. Tabayoyong breakfast at 9:15. Annoyed again. Lunch in room. Circus Circus to play games. Got dinner around 7pm. Walked the stripped.

6/14
Breakfast. Checked out around 9:30. Circus Circus for rides. Left around 12--an hour later than planned. Shopping at Las Vegas Outlet. Couldn't find Michelle and Patrick. Shopping at Primm. Arrived at Bakersfield around 9pm. Stayed at Bernard's hotel. Got dinner at Taco Bell/Pizza Hut.

6/15
Left around 9am so we can get to Yosemite before 1pm. But got into a car accident on Hwy 99 near Selma which is close to Fresno. Spent 4 hours at the hospital while Michelle, Patrick, and Auntie Ely got checked out. As soon as they were released, got food at Jack in the Box.

Stopped in Manteca to get gas and Starbucks. Hurried to the Bay Area. Unloaded and cleaned van in 15 minutes. Left for the airport to return the van and pick up Raquel.

6/16 Back to work.

6/17 More work.

6/18 Shopping at Costco. Brought mom to Santa Clara.

6/19 Sacramento. Shopping at Folsom Outlets.

6/20 Work

6/21 Work. JR tells client about my accident.

6/22 Work

6/23 - Choir practice. Dinner at Fuddruckers.

6/24 Work. Charmed sisters. Bring mom and Auntie Ely to airport Friday night.

6/25 - Chris' Baby Shower, shopping. Hang out at Auntie Irma's.

6/26 - Church, Fuddruckers, Target, Broadway Plaza and downtown Walnut Creek, Sunvalley Mall.

6/27 - Work. License plate falls off.

7/2/05 Weekend - Pre-Birthday celebration for Jermaine at Scandia. Fireworks at Benicia. -

7/9/05 Weekend

7/8/05 Friday evening - Rented videos and shopping at Walmart for tents. Bought back-to-school supplies for the boys.
7/9/05 Saturday - Didn't get to go camping so we watched Fantastic Four. First ran errands--returns at Ann Taylor Loft, Bank of America, buy tickets. Movie. Old Navy. Church. UCSF to visit Auntie Tessie. Fisherman's Wharf.
7/10/05 Sunday - Shopping. Lunch. Crab. Golfing. Mt Diablo. FoodMax shopping. Party.
7/11/05 Monday - Had a dinner party and watched Hide & Seek.
7/12/05 Tuesday - Worked from home in the morning then drove to the airport in Liz's car to bring the luggage. Miss the boys.

yesterday morning i wanted to leave early knowing that it was a spare the air day which meant bart and other mass transit was free so the cars would be fuller than usual. but i couldn't find my keys. i had fogotten that siah was playing with them and i put them under one of the chairs. good thing. i found the keys and took the usual train. when the train pulled into the walnut creek station a cute guy got on. i noticed him but being my usual self tried not to look at him. then i closed my eyes and took a nap thinking about jel and about hc and about my birthday. every now and then i'd open my eyes because i was worried the woman next to me would need to get off (didn't get a window seat because the train was busier than usual). we pulled into the embarcadero station and started to put my glasses on. yeah he was cute. he got off at the montgomery station just a few seconds ahead of me.

worked started out a bit low key. but then i got swamped. counts. files needed asap. frustrated. and knowing my birthday was next week just didn't help...knowing there's no one special to share it with.

i was ready to leave work around 5:45pm but i took my time knowing that the trains would be full. i was the last one to leave the office. i went to the powell station and the train showed up 5 minutes later. then the train pulled into the montgomery station and the same guy cute guy came on. then he sat on the seat across he aisle from me. again, i tried to avoid looking at him, but at the corner of my eye i noticed that he was working. i tried to take a nap but again i was sitting in an aisle seat and was worried that the woman next to me would need to get off. i knew he'd be getting off at the walnut creek station so when we pulled into the lafayette station i put on my glasses. yep it was him.

then this morning as i was getting off the train i saw the cute guy again so i was pretty happy. but when got to work and started reading my emails, i immediately got po'd again. another file we weren't told about. to top it off, no one responded to an email i sent in the morning. this and i had a bunch of other things to do. i ended up leaving work late so i knew i wouldn't be able to go shopping like i was planning or water my plants before the sun sets. plus i knew i wouldn't see that cute guy again. po'd. frustrated.

Another week until my birthday. Good thing about birthdays. I get the day off. Unfortunately, I had to schedule a meeting with an insurance agent about medical claims from the car accident almost a couple of months ago because it's the only time I can meet him. Then, I think I'll go shopping then have dinner with family probably at Claim Jumpers again...just love their mud pies.

Haven't blogged in quite awhile and haven't had a chance to finish my blog about my vacation...too busy with work and helping Raquel & Marie get settled down. Plus, I miss my nephews. I wish they could move here.

At least Bev, Manny and Josiah slept over. I love spending time with my godson. He's so cute, so funny and sooooo smart. He's getting so much bigger.

Raquel and Marie are in Watsonville. Marie's mom will be going back to Guam on Thursday so they'll be there until then. I'll try to buy new mattresses before then.

It was only a few hours since I left the airport after dropping off Michelle, Patrick, Jordan, and Jermaine when I started to miss them a lot. I was at work and went to check the status of their flight and it looked like it left the gate at 1:47 even though the departure time is 2pm. I didn't realize that their flight is about 11 hours. I'd forgotten how long it is. I really miss them even though they got on my nerves. I hope Michelle and Patrick will be able to move here soon. If not, I'm hoping to see them next year when I go on vacation in Guam.

Woke up late this morning. Didn't even hear my alarm clock which had been ringing for almost an hour. Didn't realize why I woke up late until I got in the shower--another James dream which caused me to subconsciously stay in bed wanting to have another dream about him. Dreamt I was going to church carrying my choir binder, my purse, and a backpack. On my way in I bumped into James. We talked for awhile to catch up but I had to warm up so I told him that I'd talk to him after mass and left my backpack and purse with him. I was so happy he was there. But after mass, James was waiting for me, but I had a choir meeting. So I told him to wait 10-15 minutes and if it was longer that I'd meet up with him soon. During the meeting, I was anxious to leave and realized that James had my backpack and purse. So as soon as the meeting ended I left. I went to look for him. I noticed that he was getting into his truck and tried to run after him but he didn't see me. So I ran to my car and followed him. My dream ended just when he was getting out of his truck. I wish I knew what happened after that...

Jermaine's birthday is tomorrow...if he was in Guam it would be right now since they're 18 hours ahead. But since this is the first time he's spent his birthday here, we've been celebrating it all weekend. Friday we just hung out at the house and had a barbecue with Auntie Irma, Bev/Manny/Josiah, Auntie Tess, Hazel, EJ, Warren/Melissa, Austin/Melissa2, Michael, Liz, Bernard, Michelle/Patrick/Jordan/Jermaine, Raquel, and Marie. Then on Saturday night we went to Scandia. We went late because it was too hot to go earlier. Anyways while everyone slept in late I ran errands (returns, shopping at Target/Design Expo/Mattress stores). At Scandia I treated everyone (Michelle/Patrick/Jordan/Jermaine, Bernard, Raquel, Marie, Hazel, EJ) to pizza and drinks, go carts, and batting cage. I would have liked to have gone in one of the go carts but I didn't feel like going with everyone. I was really looking forward to the batting cage. I went 3 rounds of 24 pitches. The first round I hit most of the pitches...some fouls and popups. The second round I hit more pitches less fouls and popus but I got one that hit the top of the pitching area and another that was a comebacker. The third round I hit even more pitches and got only a couple of fouls and popups but I got a couple of homeruns. Gosh I missed playing softball. Next time I'll do the fastball softball pitches.
Sunday night we went bowling. I paid for Michelle and her family. Marie, Raquel, Bev/Manny/Josiah, and EJ went with us. I feel bad for not paying for them. I didn't bowl although I wished I could but I had already spent too much but I got to spend time with Josiah. There was a cute guy in the next lane who seemed to like kids because he kept playing with Siah. Too bad. He had a girlfriend...and she was Filipino. Then we had a late dinner at our house.
Monday we went to Arleen's for a party. The boys went swimming and the adults stayed back to watch Rex Navarette the filipino comedian. He was hilarious. I gotta get his DVD. Then we went to Benicia to watch fireworks. Haven't watched fireworks at Benicia in a couple of years. Last year Bernard didn't want to drive me so I stayed home. The year before we went to Sacramento. I miss Benicia...it has that hometown kind of feel. I like going there to see if I know anyone from high school like the guys I liked. Plus, we get to watch three sets of fireworks--Benicia, Martinez, and Pleasant Hill. I love watching fireworks it's so romantic. Especially sitting on the lawn in the dark with beautiflul lights. The fireworks show was pretty good. They psyched us out a couple of times. But Marinez' fireworks show was a little longer.
Well tomorrow is Jermaine's birthday so we'll have another party at the house with barbecue, red rice, fried shrimp, lumpia, and cake. Gotta remember to get the cake tomorrow.