Friday, July 2, 2010

So It's July

So it's July... one month closer to the big day. Ironically, the next two weekends my time is dedicated to going to other people's more fabulously decorated weddings.

Ugh, planning for October is giving me a headache, and I'm a little stressed out that my invitations haven't gone out yet. THey aren't back from the printers, which is fine and no one else's fault, but I feel like I have to get this show on the road. I know they are going to look fabulous, but the thought of the 31st makes my stomach turn, mostly because I'll need to smoke crack in order to get all of things that need to get done for that day.

The irritating part is, when I asked my fiancee, the love of my life, if he was worried about our wedding... he told me no because "It doesn't matter as long as I'm getting married to you." Which sounds sweet, and it is, but it's a cop out because that leaves me to stress about the little details alone. I wish I had a wedding planner, then they could do all the work. lol

UGH.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Revlon Make-up Brush and Hard Candy


So earlier this week, I walked into Longs (now owned by CVS Pharmacy) and I picked up this crease brush for about $7 or $8 (see above picture). I've used it all week and I love it! It may not be from Mac or Sephora, but it works so well for me and adds depth to my eyes. I'd post pictures, but my stupid drunk-ass lost my digital camera, so I'm working on getting a new one. Before picking this brush up, I made due with what I had and I just used the same brush for my crease as I did for my outer corner. It did the trick, but having a separate crease brush is AWESOME. :) Considering that brushes can be expensive, this one definitely gets you a lot of bang for your buck. You really can't go wrong with a $7 or $8 make up brush.

That same day (I was running around pricing glass bowls and stuff for my reception in October), I walked into Wal-Mart and saw the Hard Candy make up line.




Above: Hard Candy Baked Blush Crush in Bombshell
Above: Hard Candy Kaleyedescope Baked Shadow Duo in Rush Hour

These are my two new favorite things I have in my make-up arsenal. The colors are very pigmented and they blend beautifully. They last for a long time too, but really, you can make anything last as long as you use a good base. I use Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Yes, I know it's a bit pricey, but it was well worth the investment. I've heard that Revlon Concealer works well too as a base.

I was looking for a more natural look and since I have brown skin, I wanted something that looked natural, but that made my eyes really pop. I used the pink on my inner lid, the brown in my crease, and then a more matted, darker brown for the outer corner. I've had the matted darker eyeshadow for awhile. It's nothing special. The shadow blended beautifully and looked awesome on my skin.

The Baked Blush Crush worked well too! It lasted through my whole shift and it gave me a nice natural sun-kissed glow without the sunburn. It was a little dark for my taste, but it still looked nice.

All in all, Hard Candy is my new favorite make up line and I'm excited to try some of their other products. It's inexpensive and it's high quality! Perfect for my budget! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves make-up but can't afford Mac or Sephora! If you want to see some more of their products, feel free to go here. Hard Candy's make up line is available at Wal-mart, so the next time you're there looking for random crap, stop by the cosmetics section. You will not be disappointed.



Friday, May 28, 2010

What is reality?

I'm not going to lie, I've been neglecting my blog because ever since I got my new itouch, I've been using that to go on the internet instead of my computer. It really is the internet at your fingertips and I love it. Not only have I been using my itouch for the internet, but I've been working out a lot and working lots of hours at the restaurant I work at, so free time to myself has been devoted to catching up on TV. I'm not gonna lie, I love reality TV. There's something about watching other people who have lots of things that I don't have but are still so unhappy with themselves and their lives that makes me feel better about myself. That, and it's an escape from the real world.

The Hills- This week's episode was a bust. I have to admit, as much as I hate Spencer and Heidi and think they are seriously fucked up, I can't help but miss their presence on the show. They just get weirder and weirder and I have a huge feeling that their story will end up in tragedy and be on E! True Hollywood Story: Spencer and Heidi. I'm calling it, and you all are my witnesses.

The City- Whitney is stupid for not listening to Kelly Catrone (sp?). She obviously has her best interest at heart, and knows the industry... so why doesn't she just listen to her when it comes to what she should do with her line? I don't get it.

Real Housewives of New York- This is on last week's episode. Holy crap, Kelly is effing crazy. She's nutz and she needs help and medication and I don't even know what her deal is. She'll probably watch the episode and not even blink because in her mind, her reaction is not crazy, it's perfectly normal.

Basketball Wives- I have no idea what episodes I watched last week, but dang, it doesn't matter how much money you have, you just can't take the ghetto out of ghetto fabulous. These women, as beautiful as they are, they are constantly throwing drinks in people's faces and talking a whole lot of shit. Living their lives is just not worth it. The houses and the cars are not worth the drama.

Brandy and RayJ- I want $10,000 for my birthday.

Well, that's all for now. I don't think I'll be watching reality tv today. I'll be too busy playing with my itouch. :)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Life Lessons

1. Stay out of other people's problems. If someone calls to tell you what's wrong with them, don't say a word, because if you put in your two cents, you will get attacked... believe me.

2. Don't sweat the small stuff. If you can't control it, focus on what you can control and don't stress out about the little things.

3. Prayer works. If you ever feel down about yourself or your life, pray for a better day and God will grant your wish. (This happened yesterday when I was feeling down on myself because of other people's bull shit. Other people's problems were really bringing me down, and I knew I had to do something to get me through my double shift.)

4. You can get more done with sugar than you can with vinegar... uhh.. I think that's how it goes. Bottom line: You'll get a lot more done if you're nicer to people. Sure there's the saying that nice guys finish last, but if you want help and if you want people to respect you, have a backbone but BE NICE.

5. ALWAYS TIP AT LEAST 17% AT RESTAURANTS... unless the service is EXTREMELY SHITTY. Servers are people too. They are trying to make a living. Yah, they get paid hourly, but most of the time, their paychecks are shit... so help them out. If you go out to eat, then you should be able to afford to tip properly. If not, then go to Jack in the Crack or McD's.***

6. Always say please and thank you. ALWAYS.

7. If you are a parent, control your young. If they go nutz in a restaurant or some other public place, it is your job to get your child under control... otherwise you end up looking like trash.

8. Stand up for yourself and for what is right. Don't you ever let someone walk all over you and if something is going on in your family that isn't right, it is your job... if you care enough... to say something... at least something to try and stop it. Sometimes, you end up getting attacked for doing this by EVERYONE, but at least you know you've tried. (This may conflict with 1, but choose your words wisely.)

9. Always make time for your significant other, whether it's pillow talk before bed, or a half an hour conversation after work, or on the couch watching tv. If you don't want it to end, then make time.

10. Love life and always remember that when the situation seems dire, and you feel like there is no hope, God always provides a way out. It is up to you to walk through the door that opens.

11. YOU and YOU ALONE are responsible for your own actions. It's easy to blame God or other people for your situation in life, but that's the easy way out. Take responsibility and fix it if it's broken. Stop relying on some magical power to fix it for you. God can only do so much, it's up to you to actually take action.

Yes, I know 11 is an odd number, but that's all I have for now.

***Yes, I am a server. But it's only fair to the servers. A lot of times, they are working their asses off to help your table and others, so be nice to them. When I go to restaurants, I always tip 20% or higher.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

My Dog


This is my dog, Ramsey. In this picture, she is giving me that look she gives me when I know she thinks I'm being stupid. This particular day, I kept calling her to look at me so that I could take pictures. Do you see how her upper lip curls? lol I love her.

She's a rescue dog. We got her from the Humane Society. Apparently, she was roaming the streets of Waipahu. For those of you who don't live in Hawaii, Waipahu is a bit on the ghetto side. It's an old plantation neighborhood, but parts of it have emerged as one of Oahu's premier ghettos. Yes, there are ghettos in Hawaii, but most people who come here don't want to see that part. Anyway, because she had such a rough life in the early months of being on this earth, she eats just about anything. Yes, she eats the normal human food that people usually give dogs like hot dogs, spam, bacon, etc... she can even here the can of vienna sausage opening from a mile away no matter how quiet you're trying to be. She also eats lettuce, bananas, apples, oranges, and other vegetables. Because of her "life on the streets" she'll eat anything. lol

She's super affectionate and gets excited every time I come home. Nothing can beat that feeling of being unconditionally loved. Ramsey (that's her name) doesn't care about what I think on certain issues (see below blog) or what time I come home (as long as I come home) because she's always happy to see me. She never belittles me or makes me feel like I'm unimportant. When I'm hungover (yes, there has been those times) she will sit with me in the bathroom while I'm throwing up from the night before. She never compares me to anyone else and I know that she thinks I'm the greatest. Most of the time, I prefer her over hanging out with humans because sometimes, talking to people can just be so exhausting. Not that I can't ever talk to people. I wait tables, so I get paid to get to know people, but sometimes talking to people about their lives and their issues can just be so tiring and emotionally draining, especially when you feel like no one listens to you.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Civil Unions

Last week was the close of the 25th legislative session in Hawaii. In a last minute move, the House brought back HB444 or the "Civil Unions" bill on the last day at 3 in the afternoon. Mind you, they've been in session since 10 a.m. The bill passed but the outrage from the religious right wasn't felt until a day later because everyone (including myself) thought the bill was dead.

This divisive issue has been huge since last year at the start of the 2009-2010 biennium when the bill was first introduced. The offices were flooded with faxes, emails, and phone calls asking the representatives and senators to vote either for or against it.

My particular boss voted against it.

I'm not going to lie, this issue makes me uncomfortable because there is so much judgement on both sides. So much hate is spewed from both proponents and opponents of civil unions. It disgusts me to see Christians yell hateful things and condone discrimination against a particular group of people when they themselves should understand the very meaning of discrimination since they were persecuted in the very beginning of the religion. It also disgusts me to see proponents of civil unions yell hateful things at Christians using their religion against them... either way, hate is not the way to go.

I am in a peculiar place on this issue. There are times when I feel guilty for wanting the bill to go through because others will judge my walk with Christ. I know it says in the Bible that homosexuality is sin and that homosexuality is wrong, but I just can't condone such blatant discrimination against my friends and my family. Everyone has a gay or lesbian relative or friend. I'm pretty sure if it were a choice, they wouldn't choose a life of discrimination. I truly believe that it's natural, and if it is natural, then doesn't it mean that God created them too? Are we as Christians supposed to hate one of God's creations and subject them to an incomplete life of discrimination?

Even growing up as a Catholic (the Church that says that some discrimination is okay) I could not stomach the thought of telling someone else how to live their life when this issue first arose in 1993. Who are we to tell someone that it's wrong to love another person? Who are we to tell someone that they can't marry their life partner even though they have been together for a number of years? The main argument from opponents of this issue is that same-sex marriage and civil unions will ruin marriage. Haven't we heterosexuals done that ourselves? In the US, 1 in 2 marriages fail. With a 50% success rate of marriage, don't you think marriage is already ruined? My friends who are gay or lesbian will have no effect on me in October when I get married.

I hate this issue and I hope that in the name of equality in our pluralistic society, that this issue will be laid to rest soon.

So does it make me any less of a Christian for wanting equality in our society? Is my stance on this issue the sole indicator of my faith in God? Is it really fair?

There is no winning on this issue with anyone, everyone pretty much has their mind made up. Who am I to try and change it? But this is my blog and I can say what I want and this is what I think of the whole issue.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Practice Makes Perfect!

As promised, here is a picture of my hideous pedicure with Sally Hansen's Do-It-Yourself French Set. I suck at painting nails... my skills are comparable to a four year old. Nevertheless, it's alright, better than nothing and hey, maybe I'll get better at it, practice makes perfect. My feet look frikkin' huge in the picture. I promise I'm not a man.

Please do not click and look at this picture bigger than it is. You don't want to scare yourself.

My huge, wide feet are genetically passed down to me from my father. It probably also doesn't help that I spend most of my time either barefoot or in slippers. My own father used to tease me and say that I have duck paddles for feet. lol I hate my feet and I hate when people look at them, yet, I am posting a picture of them on the internet. Go figure.

Hopefully, practice makes perfect and I'll be able to get better at painting my toenails. At least I didn't have to tip anyone for this hideous job.

Agh.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Work it out!!

Today was Day One of my workout schedule. Needless to say, it was a challenge, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. That probably means that I have to push myself more. I wanted to take it easy today because it was the first time I've worked out in months. I used to do yoga and kickboxing five times a week, but once I made my commitment to finish school and work myself to death, I just didn't have time to go back.

So today I:

*Ran two laps around Kapolei Park (Yes, I know, it's not that far, but just bare with me, okay?)
*did fifty lunges
*did a hundred crunches
*twenty push-ups (I hate push-ups and I really suck at it.)
*forty leg-lifts on the left, right, and then both legs.

It's a pretty mellow work out, but I'm glad I did it. Best part: it was free!!!! Screw you 24 and your $50/month membership!!!

Can't wait to get back in shape!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

End of the 25th Legislative Session

I'm feeling a bit somber today.

Although we've accomplished a lot this session and although I feel like we've done a lot of good work, I can't help but feel like a Debbie Downer today. It could be that after today, I will be working only one job, but it's other things like the stress of planning the wedding, paying my friend back money that she loaned my fiancee to pay for his lawyer, and the uncertainty of whether or not the future is still as bright for me as it was a year ago.

I can't help but feel a little down because right now, I'm just feeling like I'm too young for all of this. This is the life I chose, I might as well deal with the consequences.

Sometimes, I just want people to step up to the plate. I want them to accept responsibility and stress out a little bit about life instead of me taking on too much. Why does it feel like I'm the only one really worried about how things will turn out?

All sadness aside, I have to say that this office has done a lot. We've managed to help save a lot of jobs and non-profit organizations and a few individuals along the way. I feel good about this session and about all of the hard work I put into the student events I planned.

I learned a lot about myself this session and that has definitely been good for me. I've learned to "go with the flow", how thankless a job in public service can be, and also above all, how to learn to keep my attitude in check. I'm still working on it, but we'll see how it goes.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Trying To Do The Best With What I Have

I'm feeling the budget crunch so what am I going to do to cut down on spending?

1) Stop eating out so much and eat at home. (I need to eat less anyway so I can lose weight.)

2) Stop shopping... I have enough clothes anyway.

3) Stop getting monthly pedicures... Though this is something I will truly miss, it is necessary because I can't afford to pay $25 every few weeks to get a pedicure. I just bought Sally Hansen's French set last night from Target for $5. Hopefully it will work out... Will post pics later. Although I'm cutting this habit out of my life, I refuse to stop getting my eyebrows waxed because that's just a necessary evil.

4) Convert to drug store products: I love make-up. I love Mac and Sephora, but those are two expensive stores and make-up is an expensive hobby. So I am on the look out for cheap, quality, comparable drug store products. I just signed up for http://www.makeupalley.com/ where there are all sorts of product reviews. Definitely a helpful site.

5) Instead of joining 24 hour fitness, which was my plan after session, I'm just going to work out at home. I have some weights at home that I can use and running on the side of the road is definitely free. Still kind of bummed about this, but that's alright, I can make due.

6) Stop going out/Limiting my alcohol intake. I'm going to stop going out on the weekends and stay home. It's so easy to blow $100 at a bar in an hour even if it took 4 hours of waiting on tables to earn it. I have to save money and I'll be working more so going out and getting drunk should not be on my agenda.

Those are my 6 ways of cutting costs. Hope I can do it. Any other suggestions?

Monday, April 26, 2010

A Small Thank You Goes a Long Way

Session is ending soon, and as I look back on all of the hard work and long hours I realize that a small thank you really does go a long way.

A few months ago, I organized an event for a Boy Scout Troop to come to the capitol for a tour, a mock hearing, and lunch. The event went smoothly except for one glitch that was resolved and and quickly forgotten. I had given the tour because it was a bit last minute and the regular person who normally does the tours wasn't available.

Today, my office received a stack of thank you letters from the troop thanking my boss and I for the awesome experience they had. My contact with the group sent me a thank you card and said that the tour I gave had a "lasting impression" on the scouts of the troop.

This gesture really meant a lot to me because often times, work in public service is a thankless job. Luckily, this was one of those instances when our office did indeed receive a thank you.

It's times like these that make me realize that a career in public service really is for me.

Friday, April 23, 2010

On A Budget

After next Thursday, I will no longer be working two jobs... I'll just be down to one.

That means, a day off, more time with my dogs, and more time at home. It also means... I'll be on a budget.

A few days ago, I went a little nuts trying to figure out how I'm going to survive on my limited income. I made a personal finances binder with a monthly budget of $1600 a month. That means I'll have to work 4 shifts at the restaurant I work at and make $100 each shift. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for working more at this job. So far, I love it... but I'm scared that when I NEED this job, I'll start to hate it because I'll be putting additional pressure on myself and it will no longer be enjoyable.

It also puts additional stress on me because I have to be planning my wedding and there are all of these unnecessary expenses that need to be taken care of before this stupid wedding gets off the ground. A few days ago, I was ready to throw in the towel, but I realized after focusing on solutions, (not problems) that no matter what, this wedding needs to happen in October. The next few months will be stressful for me... I just hope I can keep up with myself and all of the things that life is throwing at me.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Hawaii Rents Skyrocket


It's impossible to live on your own in Hawaii!!!
With the average wage in Hawaii only about $12/hour, it's impossible to get a decent rental unit unless you get paid more than double that much!


Hello

So I decided to start a blog about the random musings about my life. I don't really know or care if anyone reads this, but if they do... then good for them.

This blog will consist of make-up tips, political musings, current events, and other random things. So keep reading and subscribe! I'm just getting started so the entries will be haphazard at best.

Thanks!