End of October

So I have some time to kill before I head out to my brother's place and sign some paper work for him since he's offshore. I'm starting to have itchy fingers to help my brother to sell his house. It's over a year now. Hmmm... Nah. I need him to step up and do something. This is his chance to man up and do something around here. But seriously, I think the Realtor is taking advantage of my brother. They probably taking their sweet time and knows my brother doesn't know any better anyway, but who knows... selling a house isn't easy. So if my brother manages to go through with this process. Pat on the back for him*

So, my check came home to fix my car. I just haven't have time to go drop it off at Hoai's place. I saw him this past weekend and told him about it. BTW, I was right and Vinh was wrong about the process. =) I think I'm going to drop it off next week when I leave to Boston. I'm so excited!!! And also Nervous!! About the trip and my Boards. It's next Tuesday. I've been busy studying! I have a whole weekend of work, but I'll be studying in between rounds too. I been going to the Starbucks at the beginning of Veterans. I went there one night when Barnes was packed with people. It's better that way too, so I won't get distracted from my studies. and the view and atmosphere is nice.

I have so much to write about I don't know where to start. It's been a busy month.

Vinh and I went Painting!! It was so fun I went back the very next day to paint again with my little sister. Now, we've been painting at home. I already bought some supplies to paint at my house. I went to Micheal's and Hobby Lobby to buy painting stuff on sale too! Spent about 50 bucks for everything. Shopping with coupons and looking for deals. Nice! We painted a Hello Kitty already and Yoshi is on our agenda next for a house painting party when we have the chance. But I must say, going to a studio to paint is a must do experience.

This past weekend was Dung's birthday and my sister's baby baptism. Honey had to drive us to Biloxi and back to New Orleans and then Lafayette and back again. sleepless but well worth it. They rented a place for the weekend in the woods by the water for fishing and outdoorsy stuff. While driving there, I was thinking of Friday the 13 stuff, like it was so scary I could just imagine Jason running out from the woods... And it is October and near Halloween too. Ekk! When we first got there, the first thing they do is welcome us with a shot. Let me just say, the time Vinh and I was there, 5 bottles were done. From Hennessy Black and X.O.'s. Not to mention the ones they finished the night before and after we left. We ate some of Dung's famous baked spaghetti. Yummy! We BBQ'd and even had a bon-fire and made smores until it the started to rain. At night, we went out to the Hard Rock and danced and drank some more. Vinh and I left early back to New Orleans though.

We napped and woke to go to Lafayette for my nephew Eddison's Baptism. Vinh and I had to go pick up the pig at Hong Kong that morning for my mom before we head off. I also had a Flour Power cake for them. It was a nice raspberry white cake with fresh fruit and everyone loved it. Much lighter than the chocolate strawberry shortcake I ordered for my workplace last time. It looked real pretty but too overwhelming. Can't wait til Mardi Gras time and try their Banana Foster one. I have one more coupon for it. Anyways, Vinh drove my dad's new Tundra to the church with my parents and I as passengers. Kinda weird but cool too. Our car was stuck all the way inside and couldn't get out. Oh yeah, Vinh asked my parents for permission to take me to Boston. =D it was cute. I think my dad really likes him. He didn't mind that Vinh was driving his new car. He even joked about us not even being married when we were taking a picture with Eddison. It's amazing how Vinh is very comfortable with my family. I hope I can be the same way when I visit his family in Boston.

I have to much to write about... but what I need to do is just live my life.

I want to put the Christmas Tree up early this year. At the end of last year, I bought purple ornaments on sale. It was dirt cheap but so pretty!! I can't wait for a new theme this year. Purple and gold... Or Purple and white, or Purple and silver. Well, it'll have to wait til after Boards and Boston trip.

Fall Trip

Honey booked our tickets to Boston in November!!!! So, I've made quite an agenda for myself next month. I'm going to take my last Boards finally. I made that decision about 2 weeks ago and lately I've been going to study for it. It's actually hitting me that I've reapplied to take it again. Last time I failed the Clinical Simulation by 1 point. Yes, it Sucked! I orginally scheduled it to take it November 12. But I might have to change it to before the trip so I'd really have to buckle down and study for it. SO it'll be anyday before I head out to Boston. I asked my parents already but I need to tell them when I'm going now. >_< My parents are usually very restrcitive of me, But hopefully they'll ease off of me and let me go. I'm a grown 25 year old for goodness sake!
The past two days, while the weather is nice, Vinh and I spent the whole day together. Wednesday morning I went straight home after work to Nap. I woke up around 1 and went to Northwestern Mutual to sign for my policies. It's officially done. Then surprised Vinh and his parents by paying them a visit. It's been awhile since I sat and chill with them. This was when Vinh and I made plans to visit his family in Boston. They've been waiting to meet me and misses Vinh alot. He's been meaning to go visit them for the longest, but things just been coming up. But now is a good time, and just like that, our fall trip is booked. =) Anyways, Vinh wanted to take me out to a dinner date to Crazy Johnnie's Thursday but changed the plans to Wednesday instead. It didn't matter... so we went. Dropped my car at Barnes and he drove to Crazy Johnnie's... The prime rib was wonderful!! It tasted like Vietnamese roasted pig/duck with dipping sauce and the beef literally melted in my mouth. I had it cooked medium. Yummy!! Then we headed off to Barnes to study with my little sister. (He's preparing for the Boards too.) Unfortunately, it was full there so we went to Puccinno's instead. I'm blessed to be so happy in love. He opens the door for me still... *sigh* I love it when he drives!! Tien gets off work 11:30pm so he took me back to pick up my car and I went to the gym with Tien. I deem it was a productive day! knocked out til noon the next day. Thursday, we took my car to his friend Body shop to check out the damages and see if he can fix it when the insurance people contact me. They still haven't yet. I'll call them later. Turns out to be a good deal. And Tien told me about him too... Why didn't I just fix it?!
Anyways, Vinh and I was debating about the whole insurance adjustment process and what's the best thing to do right now. It was a steamed long debate. We were in his car in front of Lynn and Co. for a good 20 minutes before we walked in because of our convo. We'll just see how it'll all play out about my car in the next few weeks. ^_~ I know I'm right. Hopefully. Ha! Agenda today was to go Hoai's place, get estimate, swing by to get his hair cut, have dinner, go study, and gym again. As I was waiting for Vinh to get his haircut, I noticed it was slow today so I asked if it was okay for me to dry trim and re-layer my hair. Just to get rid of dead ends. Turned out to be a much more productive day with Vinh than I planned. We enjoyed the COmpany and conversation while getting our haircuts. Thao cut Vinh hair while Van did mines. We were all talking and chilling when I found out that Van lives near me and I know her little sisters. We talked about eyebrow tinting and Van's cars in front of her house. Laughed alot! Quite enjoyable until we were all done and was hungry. We were driving off and saw Lotus. So we just decided to go across the street and try it. It's the new Lotus sushi bar and lounge? Looked like a night scene kinda place. Not bad, but not to die for. His buddy worked there so it was a nice mellow dinner. Plus, we were the only ones there. Haha! It was around 5:30pm when we had dinner. Vinh noticed my gas was going low so he pumped gas for me too. *I LOVE IT WHEN HE DRIVES FOR ME* he notices everything. Then we dropped by his place again so he can shower. He has this thing about the little hairs making him itchy after a haircut. I stayed and chit chatted with him mom. She still pressing on the engagement/wedding stuff. >.<' I'm really speechless of how to answer her or approach it to Vinh (It's up to him really... put a ring on it babe!!)
Then we head off to Puccinno's and studied until Gym time again. He had his half tea/ half lemonade and I, a frozen puccino that I let melt and slowly sip on. and yes we do actually study!! I sit inside with the computer while he sits outside. And when it gets too cold inside I shut off my compter and go outside and read notes. It was lovely sitting outside with him. =) I can really see us, just be like us there years from now, instead of notes we'd read reading books/magazines. And still listening on our iPods and playing words with friends. *lovely sigh* Those are my fantasies these days. Anyways, I had alot done these past two days plus QT time with Vinh.

*edit: I called Insurance for update about my claim. They said it takes 2 weeks up to 2 months, especially New Orleans to send an electronic copy of police report. IDK WHY?!! So I just got back from traffic court and paid 20 bucks for a copy and faxed it to State Farm. and the waiting continues... I'm going to sleep for work at night. *

Very Cherry

Maybeline Color Sensational Lipstick in Very Cherry. Can I just wear it everyday?! Other than to work of course. I been experimenting with red lipstick lately. So far, I like Lacome's Red Stiletto. But it's expensive for a red lipstick I will hardly wear. So I settled with a drug store brand. Works just as well. I bought it at Walgreens. I been buying alot of lip products. The worst buy is a Loreal one I kinda want to throw out. Maybeline Color Sensationals are pretty good. I have Coral Gleam and Sugared Almond in their pearls collection along with the Very Cherry in their reds. I only have one Revlon lipstick. Here's me with Revlon Soft Nude. It's a very popular color that I found out through make-up Guru's/Bloggers. In real life it goes on real nude-like but in photos, my lip looks pink. Maybe it was fading and my real lip color came through. I love the earrings I'm wearing. I got those from Francesca's. I wear mostly earrings and sometimes necklaces. I hate wearing rings and bracelets becuase it keeps me from doing things. I work with my hands alot and hate for jewlery to be in the way. I finally have a nice make-up collection and organized the vanity in a way I have everything in front of me. All my brushes, make-up, frangrances, jewlery, contacts, and hair products each have their own section on my dresser. I love the big mirror! I want to find an pencil eyeliner that won't smudge. But I need to go through all my eyeliners I have right now before I buy more. Since I'm asian, I think eyeliner and mascara are two items I would spend alot of money on. My eyeshadows are palettes from coastal scents. I used to buy maybeline eye shadows quads. But ever since I have the Coastal Scents, I haven't use the Maybeline much except for traveling. For foundation, I started and stuck with Bare Minerals. It works great for me and til this day, I still recieve compliments of how nice my skin is. It's mostly because bare minerals is so light, it's like I'm not wearing make-up. And to maintain good skin, I used to use Acne Free (generic for Proactiv) But Tien reccommended to me Neutrogena Advance Solutions. I noticed it works much better than anything I ever used. It clears my skin and prevent blemishes really well. I alternate with Philosophy Puirty when I'm not breaking out as much.
Recently, a friend told me her secret to her nails. She buys glue on fake nails. So, I also got some press on french tips nails. Since it costs like $50 bucks to have them done and only 5 bucks for fake ones, why not?! I work with patients so I can't have them on for too long, so why waste all that money to have your nails done for only two days. I thought I'd give it a try. I don't know if I like them too much. It's super long... maybe next time I'll get the kid version. I bought short ones but it's still long to me. I love browsing at drugstores for make up and knick knacks like this.
Flash and big smile!! Honey says he can't kiss me with that lipstick on. LOL!! Last month, I bought a jar of Imperalis from Lush, turns out it wasn't good for me. My dry areas were perfectly moisturized, but my oily ares started to have blemishes here and there. So, I went back to my old routine and sure enough it went back to normal. So I returned it and then they told me to try Vanishing Cream. So far, so good. But I want to give it a good month of use before I give it the clear. I also gave away my Pop in a Bath bubble bar to Tien so she can try it. I'm on my last handful of The Comforter. I want to repurchase, but I also want to try new ones.

Blood Test

So, about two weeks ago, I bought life insurance and they had a blood test done as part of my application. Good news, I'm approved with a much less expensive premium for the same coverage that I applied for. I never had a blood test done before until now. I finally open the results today. Everything was normal and I'm HIV negative. But my Cholesterol and Bilirubin are both elevated. So there's two things I really need to change. I'm only 25, good gracious I need to stop eating fatty stuff. I knew my my cholesterol would be high. I know I'm overweight. Good thing I've been trying to hit the gym more often. But the Bilirubin?! I'm not much of a drinker... really, I suck at drinking. And to think, my liver is doing bad already?! I can deal with that! I can stop drinking altogether. I don't drink a lot anyways. But the hard part is my cholesterol. I will be monitoring it more often and for diet: less intake of fried food. Of course, hit the gym more often.I've been trying to get in 3 days a week. I know I can't change all my eating habits... But no fried food, I can do. My biggest weakness is really desserts and cheese. I can do without fried food, but sweets and cheese will be harder.

I was watching Dr. Oz and he's doing this thing called "lose 10lbs, add 10 years to your life." All my life, I've been struggling with weight gain/lost. At one point in my life I was doing good at losing weight. I did it for my sister's wedding and wanted to fit into a dress. I lost 20lbs in three months. It was lovely, then school started again and I got in a relationship. Then gained it all back and then some. That relationship ended and started some uncontrollable weight gain. I was stressed/depressed. Especially when I was at LSU, school was stressful. I always told myself when I get out of school, I'm going back to that routine I did for my sister's wedding. Well, I did for a short while during the last semester of school to fit into a dress for graduation... and I lost 20 lbs. And I did it!! But then right when I fit into that dress, I got into another relationship with Vinh and started working night shifts at the hospital. Blah blah blah. It's just all lame excuses really. I'm now at my heaviest of 180. And No motivation dress. So this time around, this is my approach with my weight issue. I've lost 5lbs since I started again. I mean I would say 10lbs, but it varies day to day. but I can say I've lost about 8. But definitely the five is off. I'm trying to stay under 180 and then slowly stay under 170 and hopefully I get lower and lower in increments of ten. What is my goal weight?! I want to be realistic and hit 140 and then if I'm lucky 135. I've always been a chunky girl. No lying to myself about that. But If I can lose more weight without losing myself and who I am. I'm going to try to get to 120. I know, that's like 60lbs from where I am right now. I don't care how long it takes me. But day by day for now, I'm just trying to reach the next ten and just go from there.

Facetime

8/27/10: This morning when I got out from work, I decided to go to the gym. Worked out for an hour. Since I have the weekend off. I might as well stay up and enjoy my Friday. Stay up all day and just sleep at night. Even though I just worked two 12's the last two night. I wore the new shoes I bought. The Nike Free's. Disappointment when I felt my pinky toe hitting the inside of the shoe a good 20 minutes into my run/walk on the treadmill. =(

8/30/10: Work was slow, So they let me go home early. I knew I wasn't going to fall asleep anytime soon. So I went to the Gym.

9/1/10: So, two weeks ago, Northwestern Mutual called me to check up on me and see if I still wanted to meet with them to go over some things about West Jefferson 403plan. I decided since I don't make anymore car notes and been spending too much money on shopping... it's time to put it into future investments. So I bought Life Insurance. =) I worked last night and didn't get much sleep but I had to meet up with Kieu after that. I went to dinner with Vinh and Kieu. She wanted to chill with us before she she have to head back to Puerto Rico. I was coughing and feeling bad so I went home early and slept.

9/2/10: I'm really Sick. Went to the doctor, got two shots in the hip!! OMG I never got a shot on my butt before. I was very sensitive!! LOL! I twitched and tensed up and everything. And to think I stick needles in people wrists for a living. *cringes* I can do 5-8 ABG's easy breezy in about an hour or so. One after another like boom boom boom. From time to time, there's a hard stick. But most of them I can do. I'm getting really good at sticking people. =)

9/6/10: I went to the mall today. Return some stuff to Sephora and Steve Madden that I bought online but didn't like. Went to Whole foods and got a me pulled pork sandwhich to take my medicine. Then I went to try Pinkberry frozen Yougurt. Found out Bee Sweet Cupcakes was just down the street! But it was closed on Labor Day. I'll come back another time. Went to Chi Hong's House and played in the pool with Nia and help Thao-vi wash her car and Hong's car.

9/7/10: I feeling much better today. So my mom asked me to take her to the mall and buy her working shoes. She only wear SAS shoes in Clearview. Then she asked me to take her to Lakeside to look at earrings. She end up buying rings instead because the earrings she looked at wasn't to her liking. My dad came home from shrimping and bought home a bunch of crabs. Vinh came over because he haven't seen my dad in a while. We end up cracking crab claws for my mom to make panko fried meatball crab claws. Of course we ate while we cracked claws. Both Vinh and I prefer eating the claws instead of the crab's body. I know we're funny.

9/8/10: Vinh went and got himself the new iPod Touch so he can play words with me and also facetime. We did it at work. It was amazing!! I really Like seeing him everyday! =)

9/10/10: I woke up at 1 today and curled my hair and did my makeup. *Dinner date with Vinh.* It's been a while since we both had the weekend off. We wanted to go to Jacques Imo's but there's a wait of over an hour for a table. NO No! So we went back on Carrollton and ate at Lil Tokyo instead. Went back to his place and I talked to his mom and his dad about their marriage ove rthe years. They never argue, his dad never raised his voice at her. I was amazed. That's where Vinh gets his personailty from, his dad. Humorous and Kind.

9/11/10: Today, I went to Lafayette to go see my new nephew! He is so Cute!!! I wanted to go by myself, but I went with my mom. I couldn't say no to her. But I said No to Vinh.... Well, Vinh offered to come along so that he could drive. And, for his peace of mind, know that I'd be safe. But I told him I driven before by myself back and forth to Laffyette all the time during the hurricane, no problem. But his point is that now that I'm dating him, he should drive, to anywhere. He's sweet, lovely, and kind. But I told him last night at dinner that I wanted to go shopping (by Myself). I will feel really bad if he had to tag along because he doesn't like shopping at the mall. I won't shop as freely and comfortably as I want. I would try to rush and hurry up. If I went by myself, I could spend all the time I want without feeling guilty. I told him I'd call him when I started driving, get there, when I'm going home, and when I'm home plus facetime. He said Ok.

9/12/10: Went downtown to the French Market with Chi Hong's family. Then went to spend a day with my little sisters. Went down Magazine St. I wanted to go to Bee Sweet, turns out they're closed on Sundays. Went to Secure instead. Very Pretty and Nice inside. Shared a Sunday and a box of maccaroons. It was pretty pricey and not all that great. Oh well, now I know. Then went home took a nap with Noah. I love that fatboy. He's so Cute! and his parents came picked him up. Then watched VMA's.

9/14/10: Some luck, I got rear ended going home from getting some cupcakes uptown. It was Happy Hour, Buy 2 get 1 Free at Bee Sweet Cupcakes from 5-6pm. It was delicious, but got messed up from the accident. I called insurance people already. But I have to wait for Police Report for further investigation. Sigh** It's time to fix my car front back and side to side and all around now. There goes my little saving bundle. Waiting for Vinh to wake up.