The Hills: "Reality" TV at its best

Happy Hump Day everyone! Here's a little video for your Hump Day viewing pleasure.

The Hills: Season 3 continued...
DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA. I'm not a dramatic person and i like it that way, so instead of creating drama in my life, i leave it to Reality TV to provide it for me. Hence my obsession with "The Hills."
I'm a HUGE fan of the show and can't wait til they air the rest of the season.
So to tie me over, i've been watching this video, a preview for the rest of the season, over and over and over again.

March 24. Mark it on your calendars. I'm not going to even pretend like i haven't already.

I'm a 23 year old single mom with two daughters...

Starting this week, I'm getting a dose of reality by playing mom for two middle school girls, Jenny (12) and Jane (14). Their parents are in Israel for work and decided that I would not only be the most dependable but most responsible and loving individual to care for their precious little ones for the next 2 weeks. You see, I used to be their Sunday School teacher probably 7-8 years ago back in Eugene so not only have i known them for a few years, they know I love Jesus too which is a huge plus in their book. Nanny Hannah to the rescue!

So as what all loving mothers do, I'm going to blog about them for the next 12 days. Oh and not only that, I'm also going to post as many pictures I can, just show you, how with my guidance and immaculate parenting skills, they have grown up to be such outstanding citizens in today's society.

Asian kids are the best. I feel very confident making that statement. Growing up, I never had this "free time" that all my other schoolmates talked of. After school, i had either piano lessons, flute lessons, swimming lessons, math tutor, writing tutor, volunteering or Bible study until dinner at 8, which was followed by shower time, reading and then finally bed time. So really, even if i wanted to be a troublemaker, there was no time for me to do so. Brilliant. I'm pretty sure all other Asian parents do the same with their kids as well. Absolutely brilliant!

Back to the girls. Today after school Janet studied Algebra for an hour, followed by an hour of homework, 30 minutes of piano and she just finished vaccuming the stairs. Jenny spent her afternoon doing all of her homework, watching YouTube videos, loading the dishwasher and writing up a 2 page book report that she asked me to assign to her because she was bored. Really?! Not only that, Jenny didn't practice her violin after school because she woke up at 7:15 this morning and practiced before school instead. Wowza.

Ok, well now its time for me to let them have a little fun. We're gonna watch American Idol and play Scrabble :) Be jealous. night! :)

Tuesday's Tune: Jack Johnson's Angel

My brother is my music guru. Whenever I make a trip down to Eugene, i end up getting sucked into his computer for hours, blowing off plans to hang out with real people and instead, I find myself sitting on my bed, making cds from his 5,000+ song collection. From Atmosphere and Damien Rice to Lily Allen and Say Anything, he pretty much has it all. The 3 things my bro and i bond over are music, food and golfing. Yeah, not gonna lie, we're pretty cool :)

Anyway, over the weekend, he gave me Jack Johnson's newest album, Sleep through the Static and the cd pretty much stole my heart. I loved it right off the bat, just like his other cds. The 4th song, "Angel" just kills me, kind of like the first time i ever heard "Bubbly" by Colbie Callait. The lyrics are so genuinely sincere and I'm pretty sure it can't get any sweeter than this song. You can tell that he wrote this song about someone he truly loves, probably his wifey.

If i were a boy, I would learn to play this song on the guitar and serenade an unsuspecting crush or current lover. It would woo them over in a heartbeat.

"She gives me presents, with her presence alone." Really? Gosh. I love this song so much, i looked at my itunes play count yesterday and i listened to it 60 times?! In one day?! No biggie.

K, i'm gonna go listen to it another 60 times, better start now. Hope you like it as much as I do. Just go out and buy the cd, you won't be disappointed. Promise.

SUPER Tuesday: "Yes We Can"

If this video doesn't inspire you to care about this year's presidential election, I'm not sure anything will. Former Black Eyed Peas member, Will.i.am gathered together a group of celebrities and musicians to create a song and video in support of Obama, called "Yes We Can." These celebrities and musicians include, but are not limited to: Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Scarlet Johansson, John Legend, Nick Cannon, Common, Nicole Scherzinger and so many more.

After the outcome of the past 2 elections, Will.i.am decided he wanted to get involved early on but wasn't sure who he wanted to support, and then came Obama's New Hampshire speech and Will.i.am was in. He wanted to do just what Obama said, create Change, because why? "Yes We Can." And in a matter of just 48 hours, he rallied up enough support and resources to create the song and video which first aired on ABC News Now's "What's the Buzz" segment on Friday (2/1/2008)

"I'm not trying to convince people to see things how i do...I produced this song to share my new found inspiration and how I've been moved...I hope this song will make you feel...love...and think...and be inspired just like the speech inspired me...," said Will.i.am

"Wake up Dwayne, you know who it is!"

Yesterday was SuperBowl Sunday, yes yes it was. A day full of pigging out, excessive drinking , and a whole lot of sitting in front of the TV defending your team and critiquing the commercials. Go America!

Last night's game was pretty uneventful, I think, until David Tyree of the Giant's made that AMAZING helmet catch with 1:15 left in the game. I was cheering on the Patriots but i can still recognize and acknowledge a fantastic catch even if it was on the opposing team. So congratulations Giants fan, well deserved win. Even though it would've been nice to see the Patriots end their flawless season with a SuperBowl win. Oh well, i guess there's always next year. Anywho... on to the commercials.

eh... there are always the standard Budweiser commercials which are generally pretty entertaining, but the 2 commercials that stood out to me this SuperBowl were the eTrade baby commercials and the Charles Barkley and Dwayne Wade T-mobile commercial. Genius.



"Either play better or call in sick!" haha, so funny.
I couldn't find a video of the eTrade baby commercial yet, so here's a link to the video on their site: eTrade SuperBowl commercial

Tune of the Day: Ghetto Gospel

Tips from My Online Life Coach

Every now and then i feel the need to hear some wise words of wisdom, some food for thought, a time where i can just take a moment to stop and think and reflect...

Which is why I decided to sign up with the My Life Coach blog to receive life tips from Coach Michele. I'm not exactly sure how i found the blog and I don't even remember signing up to receive their eNewsletter, but earlier this week i opened my inbox to find a nice little surprise waiting for me, some "Soul Food" as I like to call it (No, not actual food like macaroni and cheese and fried chicken, even though those are both good for the soul as well).

This is the first eNewsletter I've received from Michele but I really like her suggestions, especially #4 and #5. If you like her tips too, go to this site and sign up to receive her newsletters: http://www.mylifecoach.com/newsletter_jan_08.htm

Creating Your Ideal Life
*******************************
Feeling Great About You – 10 Suggestions

by Michele Caron

1. Make very few promises. Keep them. Especially promises to yourself.

2. Speak-up about what is true for you.

3. Don’t be around people or circumstances that are not healthy for you. Instead, endeavor to be around people and in places that energize you!

4. Know what you love. Focus on maximizing those things in your life.

5. Be really “present” with others. Be peaceful in your own mind and heart, listen, observe, and be in the moment. (Really, this applies to all moments of your life, not just around others!)

6. Forget about how you’d like to look. Love how you look right now.

7. Feel free to be yourself. The right people will love and appreciate you, the wrong people don’t matter.

8. Forget about judging others; who’s right and who’s wrong. Everyone is doing the best they can in the circumstances they find themselves in. Including you. Instead, just concentrate on what is true and best for you.

9. Live a lifestyle that you know is healthy for your body, heart, mind and spirit. If you are not, don’t judge yourself, just start making it better today.

10. Connect with the wonderful feeling of love and all of its variations as often as possible.

© Michele Caron, 2008. Michele is a consultant, entrepreneur, and Life/Career Coach. She can help you create your ideal life! Simply contact her at michele@mylifecoach.com for a free initial coaching session by phone. There are also many career and life resources at her web site, www.MyLifeCoach.com. You may redistribute or post this article on the web, as long as this copyright notice and link remain intact.

Daniel Day Lewis' Tribute to Heath Ledger

The 2008 SAG awards were on TBS last night. Daniel Day Lewis won the award for best actor in his portrayal of a greedy oil hungry businessman in "There Will Be Blood." In receiving his award, he made a very touching speech and tribute to Heath Ledger. When an attributed, well respected actor takes the time to acknowledge the work and talent of their peers, one cannot help but be touched by the level of comraderie and respect they have for each other. It made me cry.

"Its always been the work of other actors and there are many actors in this room tonight including my fellow nominees who have given me the sense of regeneration and um... Heath Ledger gave it to me... in "Brokeback Mountain" he was perfect. And that scene in the trailer at the end of the film is as moving as anything i have ever seen and i would like to dedicate this to Heath Ledger."

Here's a video of Daniel Day Lewis' speech followed by a video from last year's SAG awards when Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger presented the film "Brokeback Mountain"
Enjoy. Its nice to know that he was appreciated





RIP Heath

RIP Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger was found dead in his bed by his housekeeper and masseuse today at 3:35 PM EST. Word on the street is that he died of a drug overdose. He was only 28-years-old.

I first fell in love with Mr. Ledger in 1999 when he starred in the film "10 Things I Hate About You" as Patrick Verona. What a waste of a beautiful beautiful man. Other than Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Leonardo DiCaprio, he was probably one of my first celebrity crushes.

Seeing as how the theatres have just started promoting the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight" where Heath plays the Joker, I think his death is and will generate an exceptional amount of buzz and anticipation around the film.

I obviously never met Heath Ledger, but i did see his ex-wife Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda at a quaint little breakfast joint in Portland called Besaw's (NW 23rd and Savier).

Its really a tragedy and so sad to see him go... only 28. This is just another reminder that life is short and we need to appreciate who we are, those we love, what we have and to live life to the fullest.

It's 2008! Time for some new resolutions

Happy New Year everyone!

With the start of a new year, comes a new list of resolutions.

I have a good feeling about 2008. It's gonna be a good year for me, i can tell.

So this year, my goal is to make some SMART resolutions. Ya know, Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely, SMART!

Well here I go with my list, wish me luck!

* Read 8 books (specifically Poisonwood Bible, Brothers K, the World is Flat)

* Make a minimum of 3 posts a month

* Give up 1 thing a month (Jan. i'm giving up soda)

* Brush up on my Japanese

* Pay off my UO loan and 20% of my CU loan

* Do 1 new thing a week

* Watch less tv and work out more
* Go to church more
* Learn how to say "no"(something i really struggle with)
* Learn the Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance by Halloween

I'm pretty sure i had a few more that I can't remember at the moment, so I guess this is it.
Well cheers to 2008, to you, to your family and to your friends!

Peace. I'm out.

- Kangsta