"Fashion" Comeback

Since when did raver bead bracelets come back in "fashion"? This week especially, I've seen so many middle school students donning up to half a dozen on each arm, including many of my own students.

Um, please don't tell me that they are going to raves. Ironically, this is also Red Ribbon Week. Let's hope The Future of America is saying no to drugs!

Jolly Rancher Square Lollipops

This is what I do when I am procrastinating reading/studying...I do things like searching online (and in stores) for the original Jolly Rancher square lollipops, and then I contact Hershey's, the maker of Jolly Rancher candies, to say this:

Hello, I have been looking wherever I can (supermarkets, drug stores, candy stores) for the original Jolly Rancher lollipops, which are the square-shaped. I have been disappointed in my search and apparently, others who have shopped online at Amazon.com have come across the same disappointment. Do you still make the square lollipops (without fruit-center chews)? Those of us who love the originals swear they taste different - and better - than the fruity-chewy-center ones now (and the original hard candies). If they are discontinued, why were they and will you ever bring them back?

I know I sound desperate...but it's b/c I am! I just want to satisfy my 3-week long and counting craving. :( They're just not the same as the small, individually wrapped pieces either! I hope they respond. Like by sending a huge box of the original lollipops. Maybe they won't b/c I had the audacity to point out/remind them that the original lollipops are the square-shaped ones, as if they didn't know.

Back to studying, until I think of another harebrained idea to "research."

The Great California Shakeout

Today, our school participated in the Great California Shakeout, a state-wide earthquake drill. In preparation, I spoke to my students beforehand. First of all, I don't know what to think about this -- so many of my students remember a big earthquake from last year....why can't I?? It wasn't during school hours so I can imagine what probably happened at home: I'm sitting at the dining table at my laptop with my back to the turtle's tank. Husband is sitting at his computer or on the sofa. The ground shakes and we hear what sounds like thunder rolling and we look at each other and say, "earthquake!" and both get up and hold onto the turtle's tank. It ends and we stare at the turtle to see if she's spazzing out. Life returns to normal within minutes.

For my kids, it's something different. They clearly remember what happened and what they were doing. One student said he ran outside with his friend, but his friend had the wherewithall to grab his laptop before going outside. I was pretty impressed. He was cracking up saying how lots of people ran outside...in their pajamas. That got me to ask them what one possession they would grab if they had the time/chance. One said his money. Another said his money and a bat. The last one said shoes, clothes, money, and food. The first one (that said money only) then added his iPod. (So much for ONE possession...)

Ever since I was little, I always tried to think about what I would grab if a devastating natural disaster hit. I can't say much has changed -- I'd still grab my Hello Kitty. Just don't tell my students...

30 is the New 20, Right?

On Friday, I celebrated by 30th birthday by doing what I wanted to do...relaxing and eating well!

I took the day from work since our original plans were for us to spend two nights in Anaheim and go to Disneyland on my birthday. Plans were then changed a few weeks ago but for a very good reason.

So Friday morning, I went to watch Husband's boxing lessons and took a pleasant leisurely walk around the huge park (2.2 miles). Afterward, I visited Mom. She really wanted me to visit b/c she just got back from Taiwan and visited my oldest aunt on her side. Together, they bought me an adorable blingy Hello Kitty watch! It's so crazy but I love it! It's totally fun and cute for those days that I am feeling a bit adventurous and wanting to wear a "novelty" watch. :)

So what if I'm 30 and still love Hello Kitty?

After that, I drove back home and then we ate a light snack while we waited to meet up for dinner. I ended up taking a nap since I wasn't feeling so well. Dinner was at Porterhouse Bistro, one of our favorite restaurants. Sadly, 33% of our company couldn't make it! (FBIL and his mom.) We had a yummy dinner with Bro and Lynn. Dinner was interesting since I tried new dishes. I had their soup of the day which was a butternut squash puree. I also had their Porterhouse steak and hands down the best french fries around. Dinner* was of course the signature chocolate lava cake. Yummy goodness!

[*I actually meant "dessert"! Thank you BSILF for pointing that out! Although really, these days, dessert could very well be my dinner! I eat my lunch for breakfast. My meals are all haywire!]

I was pretty sleepy by the end of the meal so we came home and I pretty much went straight to bed.

On Saturday morning, our plans changed a bit, too. Our original plans were to go to the Jewelry Exchange, have lunch at Trump National Golf Course, and then end the afternoon with a pleasant walk around Lake Shrine. Well, hitting 1/3 of our plans wasn't too bad. We went to the Jewelry Exchange to fix my engagement ring and I got a lot of my other jewelry cleaned. (When I got my wedding set back, I put it on and cheesily said, "I've missed wearing these!" It has been a few weeks since I knocked my centerpiece loose. I have no clue how!) We didn't see anything that I really wanted for my birthday, though, so we left.

Afterwards, we stopped by our Chen cousins and went out to a delicious Italian lunch (Roma D'Italia in Tustin/Irvine). It was soOoOo delicious! Husband and I haven't had Italian food since our European honeymoon so it sure brought back nostalgic memories. I ordered a delicious spinach ravioli in alfredo sauce and had some salad and bread with a lot of mozzarella cheese melted in the center. Yummy!

So, we didn't make it to Trump but that's okay b/c I think it would be a lot more "appropriate" for our anniversary. We also didn't make it to Lake Shrine since we would have gotten there when it closed if we did. Plus, I was just so tired by the afternoon. When we got home, I had a special package from BSILF waiting to be opened. BSILF had sent all the way from NY a very special gift for me -- a beautiful, soft, black shawl! I can't wait to wear it! Lately, when I leave for work in the mornings, I breathe in the cold, crisp air and tell myself how I can't wait for Winter to come. I love bundling up for outside and then coming in to warm, cozy places.

All in all, my birthday weekend was really nice and mellow. It's funny how it turned out. A few years ago, when my bro, Husband, FBIL, and others were celebrating their 30th, it was a big event so I imagined mine would be something along those lines, but in the end, it was super chill and mellow with wonderful company, delicious food, and lots of R&R. Not much more I would ask for!