Raquel's Blah, Blah, Blog

Alive and well

2009-11-27T09:47:00.001-06:00

Hello friends! See? I am alive and well. This picture was taken yesterday at Thanksgiving. I am trying out a new face pose by not showing any teeth; it seems to lessen the overwhelming presence of my cheeks. I am also sporting new eyeglasses--rimless. What do you think? My sister says I don't look as mean, my aunt says I don't look like regular Boo, my zumba instructor loves the new look, but the general consensus is that you can see more of my face, which is a good thing, right? ALL THESE MIXED MESSAGES!

Besides stuffing my face with the yumminess that was Thanksgiving, my time has been spent at work, at the gym, or waiting at home to get ready for work or the gym.

What have YOU been up to? I want to know all your juicy details.

That's marketing ... 101

2009-09-04T23:38:00.008-05:00

I can appreciate the humor in this commercial, but why does it always have to be the scruffy guy representing the competition?

Things like this have the opposite effect on me.

Weekend with the kiddies

2009-08-11T21:37:00.005-05:00

I took Khayleb and Emma to the county library to join the summer reading program. Emma was infatuated with this boardful of magnetic letters and numbers. THEY GET A HARMONICA when they complete the program. Yay, I'm all for exposure to instruments! To their parents: you're welcome in advance!

Next up was the playground where they filled in between their toes with sand. The hour or so we spent there cemented the fact that Emma is indeed blunt and unafraid. After pushing her on the swing for MANY minutes, I tried the vacant (adult-size) seat out myself. She loudly exclaimed, "Auntie Boo, you're going to break it!" It meaning the steel, concrete-enforced swing set that was planted firmly into the almost impenetrable ground. DAMN, THIS GIRL! Emma also doesn't hold back in asking fellow playground visitors, "Excuse me, are you done?" At least she's considerate. And besides, how can you say no to this face?!

Khayleb, oh, Khayleb. My best little guy is digging a hole to get to China, it appears. (He's got some Chinese blood in him, so it makes sense.) Khayleb is at an age where he gets my humor and giggles and looks at me like: omg, Auntie Boo, did you just say that?! And then giggles some more. He's growing up quickly (even though WTH; he looks so tiny in this picture), and I just want to hoist him on my back to take with me everywhere I go. Everywhere I go.

Of course, their pre-dinner with Auntie Boo was ice cream! Emma's order was "pink" ice cream. Khayleb, as shown by his brown, sweet face cream, opted for Rocky Road.

Other activities included an intimate "British" tea party with Emma. SpongeBob and iCarly TV time because I DO have restroom needs. Also, Khayleb and I played Chongka'.

What you don't see captured here is two bambinos jumping on my bed and yelling, "My mom doesn't make us jump on the bed!" And then there's laughter and glee as they fling off my bed and onto the futon on the floor where apparently, they are trying to master their "karate moves" and frog stance. And omg, Auntie Boo, did you just jump on your own bed and jump on the futon?! Do it again, come on!

What you don't see captured in a picture here is just how much joy and appreciation I have for these two kids. Sure, my back hurts from carrying a certain someone because her "legs hurt," but mostly it's because I'm lifting her to nuzzle her yummy neck, and sure, Khayleb asks me hard questions that I should know the answers to but don't. I am drained the day after they sleep over, but damn you, damn you, it was wonderful having them.

Two Guam queens

2009-07-18T08:25:00.008-05:00

Miss Earth Guam 2009, Malou Santos, was a very good sport about me mimicking her pose. On Wednesday, I met her at the Guam Liberation Day celebration in DC, which is celebrated here one week earlier than Guam.

It's always so nice to meet people from Guam here in DC. I do get homesick once in a while if not for the food, blue skies, and blue waters, but for the people. There are levels of humor that only people from Guam get. There are behaviors that only we understand. There are intonations that are meaningful.

Guam will always be home. And damn, we are a beautiful people. We should all wear tiaras.

Almost 35

2009-07-09T21:15:00.005-05:00

So tomorrow I turn 35 years old. [Hey, pick up your jaw.]

I'm trying to think of something profound to share in this post, but all I can think of describing is how good my life is right now. I am happy. The j.o.b. is the best j.o.b. I've had. Almost all my family is close by. And best of all, I feel healthier than I've ever felt before.

So tomorrow I'm going to celebrate my birthday with my family by having a fabulous dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. Then we're going cosmic bowling. Perhaps I can show them all the dance moves I learned at Zumba. (Oh, yeeeah.)

And then.

I'm going to extend my birthday to Saturday by watching Bruno at the theater.

I know; I'm so WILD. ;)

Special thanks to you, 34.

Here we go. Happy 4th!

2009-07-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Boom boom kid

2009-06-28T20:27:00.003-05:00

I don't know this kid, but I wish I did!

Project Nephew

2009-06-25T22:55:00.000-05:00

Every little boy related to me MUST learn how to kamyo (grate) a coconut. According to Khayleb, a beverage nearby is most appreciated.

Dear Body

2009-06-11T19:07:00.005-05:00

I was going to write a long post complaining about how some of the fitness blogs I read are starting to disgust me, but I realized I might just fall into that category of body-self-loathing-and-whining. Most of the posts I have read lately are written by women who think their bodies are absolutely repulsive when they only weigh 150 pounds.

150 pounds! That's a wonderful weight to be! I bet.

From here on out, I will not speak ill of my body shape or size, but be happy that I am able to walk, lift, jump, dance, shake, stretch, pedal, flex, youKNOWwhatimean.

You silly women out there, let's just stop it.

Dear Body, I realize it is taking us longer than we think to move that number on the scale to the left, but I accept you. I accept the healthiness that is becoming you and the energy you produce throughout the day. So thanks; let's keep doing what we're doing. Without the whining.

BodyStep on!

2009-05-07T22:15:00.008-05:00

Are you tired of my exercise-themed posts? Well, please endure one more. Writing about my workouts encourages me.

Today I went to BodyStep for the first time. This is the kind of class that uses a stepper and allows you to use as many risers as you'd like. The exercise takes a lot of coordination, but it's achievable. I almost fell/tripped over my feet about three times, but no injuries! I did sweat buckets which always makes me feel productive.

After an hour of BodyStep, I did an hour of Zumba--back to back!

I. Am. Exhausted. And in pain. But a good kind of pain. What hurts most are my hips, calves, and obliques. (Awwww, look at me writing about my obliques.) This is all thanks to not only today's workout, but all that damn sprinting I did at Sports Conditioning.

I plan to attend more BodyStep classes because my ~~hips~~ entire body needs it.

Sports conditioning commentary

2009-05-05T19:49:00.009-05:00

Sports conditioning. Sports. Conditioning. I went to this gym class today for the first time. And OMG, even the fats between my thighs and my ass hurt like a mo'fo.

I was thisclose to walking out of the class after the first five minutes, but my inner warrior encouraged me to stick it out. I really had no idea what to expect except for the little description provided on the schedule.

People. I had to run, sprint, skip, jog backwards, do push-ups and planks, jump on a stepper, need I say MORE? Nonstop! Plus I had to do it in a team of three--imagine me partnering up with two complete strangers who have no idea of my fitness level (if I even have one) and who look in tip-top shape to me. If you are brave enough to try this workout, drag along two of your close friends/relatives who understand your fitness level. Suffer with those you love, I say. My two teammates included one male and one female.

I had to apologize that I needed to take a break during the FREAKIN' LONG sprint-fest. At first they were sure, sure, no problem. The guy clapped and encouraged me each time I finished my leg of the sprint, and she clapped a few times too. Towards the end of the class, I sensed she felt I was not worthy to be on the team, when really, who the fuck is counting? Do my leg for me, bitch.

Perhaps I would exude the same vibe as she. Perhaps the scowl on her face was just an expression of pain. Eh, maybe I'm not a team player. All I know is that if I'm ever in that position where someone on my team is not as fit as I, then I will be super-friendly and smile through the pain.

I achingly stumbled back to my car with five facts.
1. I need to buy sports bras. Pronto.
2. I cannot attend this class again until my fitness level improves. Dramatically.
3. I will attend this class.
4. Men are damn awesome to have on your team.
5. Haha, do my leg for me, bitch.

BodyJam win

2009-05-04T21:21:00.003-05:00

I have been very hesitant in attending the BodyJam class at the gym because THIS VIDEO SCARED ME. (There was no back flip involved in today's class, thank God.)

But today, after BodyPump, something came over me, and I planted myself in a spot in the group exercise room as the instructor prepared her music. Now, because I have the rhythm of a corpse, I expected the worst. I expected to possibly sprain my ankle, dislocate my shoulder, or even break a bone. But you know what? No injuries! Unless you count sore hips and outer thighs.

I loved it. Maybe not as much I love Zumba, but I definitely enjoyed the class and will attend again.

Out of the eight Les Mills' programs, there remains two that I have yet to try--BodyVive and BodyStep.

BodyStep scares me, but I think I will give it a shot too. Why the hell not.

Guess who celebrated her third birthday this month

2009-04-26T23:16:00.000-05:00

Emma.

Comments from mom

2009-04-18T22:38:00.007-05:00

My mom says the funniest things.

[On the phone with my dad]
Oh, hon, the Amish Market has the most beautiful strawberries! Oh my goodness.

[Observing me hum a zumba tune in my room]
Hey, Boo, you're so lively.

[Responding to whether I should try wearing contacts again]
Oh, Boo, you'll look so beautiful.

[Responding after I pointed to a guy I thought was a little cute at the market]
No, Boo, he's not attractive at all.

[Regarding my dad and his phone calls]
Mom: Boo, your dad called me probably 30 times yesterday! Can you believe him?! Ugh, your father sometimes.
Me: Well, wouldn't you have gotten mad if he HADN'T called?
Mom: Oh, you better believe it.

Safety and first in, first out

2009-04-12T22:52:00.005-05:00

My mom and sister asked me recently (at two separate times) why I use pants when I go to sleep. And by pants I mean light, comfy, stretchy, cotton bottoms.

And the answer is:
In case a plane crashes into my bedroom; I don't want to be the only one in the neighborhood who's rummaging through stuff with my butt hanging out. Without a bra, I don't mind, but I must ensure that my sexyparts (ahem) won't make more national news.

Another item I explained was my shelving of towels and t-shirts. I rotate those items. I pull from the top, and the fresh batch of laundry goes under the pile waiting for its turn.

Okay, I'll admit it; I treat toilet tissue, hand towel, and my eating utensils the same way.

Safety and first in, first out, yo. That's what's on my mind.

The importance of napping

2009-04-08T20:22:00.009-05:00

If only I'd taken naps when I was a teenager. I probably would've been crafty enough to invent something and retire when I was twenty. Then I could zumba, read, do puzzles, and travel whenever I wanted to.

I remember being "told" to take a nap when I was a kid. During summertime, my grandma would march the grandkids into the bedroom for a nap. We protested, we tried to force our eyelids to stay open, we hated the idea of not being outside playing hide and seek or Mother May I.

But damn it, did we wake up refreshed and energized, and you could count on a competitive game of Red Light Yellow Light Green Light.

I'm going to poke and tweet you!

2009-03-31T16:30:00.003-05:00

For the past two days, I've been at a conference called Computers in Libraries. I'm a bit ashamed of myself because the many sessions that I attended all make reference to how wonderful Facebook and Twitter are. That is the future, they say. I DON'T HAVE ACCOUNTS ON EITHER.

One speaker from Yale said that MySpace is dead and long gone. I DO HAVE AN ACCOUNT THERE, go figure.

So does this make me behind the times? Am I a bad librarian for not "poking" people on Facebook or "tweeting" on Twitter? Am I even saying that correctly? Do I need to relinquish my Motorola cell phone for an iPhone or BlackBerry to do such things? Do I really need to be as mobile as my colleagues?

SO MANY librarians brought a laptop to the conference, and I wondered what exactly they were viewing and typing while the speakers spoke. I suppose they were tweeting. I suppose they were blogging about the conference. Who knows? I for one cannot devote my attention to a speaker and peruse the internet at the same time. I'd feel guilty for not paying attention. Plus I would walk away more confused and would feel like I just wasted the speaker's and my time.

The conference ends tomorrow, and I'm really happy I went--or rather, that my work has the cash monies to send me to conferences. I have definitely learned a whole bunch of new stuff, and now that I feel compelled to poke and tweet, I will.

Do you poke? Do you tweet? How do you like The Facebook? The Twitter?

Kids!

2009-03-13T23:15:00.001-05:00

[In the kitchen chit-chatting.]
Me: So, Emma. What do you like to do?
Emma: Just play.

[Emma recording me on video.]
Emma: Say something, Auntie Boo.
Me: What do you want me to say? Ask me questions, then I'll talk.
Emma: What's your problem?
(Of course I gasp and end taping.)

[Regarding sleeping with me.]
Me: Emma, you can lie down on the bed with me to read, but what can't you do?
Emma: I can't sleep with you.
Me: That's right. And why can't you sleep with me? Am I too big for the bed?
Emma: No, the bed is just too small.

Thatta-girl.

How could you not love her?

And her Spidey-brother?

I need these kids in my life.

See Emma run. With your heart.

2009-02-22T11:00:00.006-06:00

I swear; this little girl has captured my heart. I forget the fact that she sometimes answers my yes/no questions with a "maybe." Or the fact that she stretches the neckline of my shirts as she climbs onto my back or my lap. Or the fact that her favorite words THROUGHOUT the day are: "Auntie Boo, look. Auntie Boo, look." As in, Auntie Boo, stop what you're doing and look at what I'm doing.

She does this thing where she asks me if she can do something, I respond "no," then she asks me again as if I didn't hear the question correctly, I respond "no" again, and then she replies with a drawn out, "ooookaaaaayyyyyy." As if I was giving in to her. These kids nowadays.

Damn it, I love her.

Bonus: She's all into cuddling, hugging tightly, and getting the remote control for me.

I was flowing all right

2009-02-11T21:05:00.006-06:00

Today I didn't feel like going at it on the crosstrainer or treadmill, so I wandered over to the group exercise schedule board. At 5:30, a class called BodyFlow would be starting. Why not, I thought.

Boys and girls, I stretched, twisted, and bent in places and ways I didn't know possible. BodyFlow is a Tai Chi, yoga, and Pilates combo workout, meant to leave you long, strong, centered, and calm. The workout concludes with a few minutes of meditation (which was my favorite part because I was lying down, closing my eyes, and duh). The instructor said softly, "Now close your eyes and think of a peaceful place, and imagine yourself there right now. The surroundings, the feelings you have at this place--let your mind and body take those in." Or something like that.

I imagined fishing on Guam's blue waters, but then I realized I don't like the person with whom I fished with at the time, so I moved on to visualizing myself napping on my La-z-boy recliner in the middle of the day--and success; I was way relaxed.

I liked BodyFlow enough to attend again because hey, I'm all for being centered and calm. My only problem is I need to control, hmm, how can I put it gently, my FartFlows? They were the short, silent kind because I was trying my best not to let one RIP. Whether it smelled, the peeps surrounding me would have to answer that. Any tips on how I can control this "other" flow? Dude, my body was contorted. Okay? Contorted.

Below is a 30-second clip of BodyFlow, but the link above shows a better demo. Happy flowing! Stop laughing at me.

Monday update

2009-02-09T21:20:00.003-06:00

I cannot shake this head cold. Someone, please chop my nose and/or head off, PLEASE! Blowing and wiping my nose is a bitch because my skin is naturally dry in that area, and I look unkempt if I don't immediately apply lotion.

I have been sick for the past three days, and the fact that I had to call in sick on Friday does not sit well with me. Ya know, new job and all. Eh, at least my new coworkers heard me hacking and saw me constantly with Kleenex tissues and Halls cough drops all day today.

The three days also included NOT going to the gym, although I toughed it out tonight. I do love me some BodyPump. I tried out a new group exercise class called BodyAttack and thought it was kind of silly and awkward. Bleh.

In lighter news, today I answered a reference question from a dude who worked in the Secret Service. I never thought I'd do that!

Plus, I am looking forward to visiting my little sister this holiday weekend. We might take a road trip to a White Castle. I'll be Harold, and she will be Kumar. Or maybe we'll mix it up and switch. It would be super-effin-funny if we met Neil Patrick Harris on the way.

A little over the first four minutes should give you a preview of this so-called White Castle experience.

Don't worry; I'll take pictures. Maybe even video.

A gangsta spy among us

2009-02-02T19:34:00.002-06:00

I took nephew Khayleb to the International Spy Museum in DC for a special KidSpy Fest where he was able to choose his diguise (hence the gangsta look), learn about ninjas and ninja paraphernalia (see blow-dart), and meet a real (retired) spy and polygraph expert, among other spy activities.

Gangsta ninja spy--watch your neck!

Dusting for fingerprints. The scar on his cheek was part of his disguise.

Spy goggles--not meant to detect low-lying, impatient children.

My favorite part of this field trip: Khayleb's excitement over the ninja demonstration.

Least favorite: Photography wasn't allowed inside the museum-museum.

16 things about me

2009-01-29T21:15:00.003-06:00

Instructions: Once tagged, write a note with 16 random things, shortcomings, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged. Oh, and tag the person who tagged you.

1. I take tagging seriously.

2. If I could change one part of my body, it would be my neck; I want a longer one. If I could repair another part--pretty please, I want perfect eyesight.

3. I strongly believe that some people need to learn how to take "no" for an answer. I'm tired of people being offended no matter how nice I am about politely declining an offer. Get. A. Clue.

4. I grow hair in all the wrong places. When I'm on my deathbed, all I ask is to be plucked in those places.

5. One of my goals is to make more effort on becoming more current with the library profession.

6. I had a dream I taught a zumba class. Maybe this is a goal.

7. I have (finally) realized that exercise gives me energy and is a perfect and healthy outlet to relieve the stressful bits of life. I'll probably always have to shop at the fat girl store, but I don't mind. I have no illnesses, and I am thankful for that. I love food, and I am falling in love with exercising.

8. Bell's Palsy--I've experienced it twice in my life, and it is not pleasant. If you know anyone who has it, please encourage them to try acupuncture. Multiple sessions fixed me.

9. I daydream about being a better wisecrack.

10. Four notes about my new job: I have to be better behaved now. The likelihood of having to deal with problem patrons is nil. I am learning a whole new area of librarianship, which is very exciting for me. The surrounding restaurants around my workplace look promising.

11. Stay tuned for the results of my arm-wrestling match with my brother.

12. Some of my RSS feeds include PostSecret, The Well-Dressed Librarian, Steamy Kitchen, and Bodies in Motivation.

13. Gym notes: I went to an hour-long belly dance class tonight which confirmed my non-gracefulness, but eff it; it burned calories, and I'll go at it again. I'm trying to build up the courage to take a cycling class, but the little bicycle seat terrifies me. I sure do miss my zumba instructor in Texas. Brenda gave me one of those hip scarves as a going-away gift, and the instructor in this area DOES NOT COMPARE to her zumba expertise. Frick.

14. You can bribe me with chocolate-covered pretzels.

15. I get along better with men than with women.

16. Family, exercise, good food, and sleep make me a happy camper.

Okay, go.

Cookies vs. Naps

2009-01-04T14:12:00.006-06:00

My cookies never look pretty. They end up turd-shaped despite my attempts to make them look normal.

Ah, at least they taste all right and make my place smell very, very nice. Want some turd-lookin' cookies?

Bleh, who am I kidding? Sundays are for naps.

The gentle giant

2009-01-02T20:49:00.009-06:00

I am terrified of dogs. This type of fear is called cynophobia.

Seriously, I've been this way since I was little. It takes a lot of time, trust, and courage for me to pet a dog. Yesterday, my favorite oldest sister Zina visited and brought her two big dogs, Marx and Nala. Marxie is a rottweiler, and Nala is an English Mastiff. Let's just say I hit it off better with Nala. Petting Marxie would be too advanced for me.

I need to go to dog therapy, because will you just look at Nala? I kind of want one exactly like her.

Damn, this is so out of character for me, but I am researching English Mastiffs. Can you imagine me in this picture?

Thanks for stopping by, Gin. Miss you! P.S. You'll be great!