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Three strikes, you're out!

3 Strikes

Strike 1 – This one's for you, Mona – Aunt Flo arrived this morning, so my day was already set up for failure. I was grumpy and bloated and the best I could do was throw on black pants and a frumpy blouse.

Strike 2 – I woke up with a tiny sty in my left eye. Because in all my wisdom I thought it would be a good idea yesterday to use my old mascara because I didn't want to waste it – even though I had already been using my new mascara for a week...which leads me to my next strike…

Strike 3 – No makeup. And not just no makeup, but no makeup AT A PRESENTATION AT 8:00 A.M.! A presentation that other people attended. People I know! So people I know, and would have preferred not to look like a schlump around, saw me 1) bloated, 2) with a sty, and 3) with a tired pale face.

So you take my 3 strikes and add them to a presentation that explains the difference between a DB and a DC plan where the presenter asks "so what's the difference between DB and DC", and you get a very frazzled me. I don't know what the difference is! Who is DB?

You're out!

I have forever quit Café at the Park/Java Beach– again. I have never once been impressed with them. In fact, of the six times I have visited Café at the Park/Java Beach, three of those visits were sorely disappointing, two were so-so, and only one was satisfactory. I have tried and tried, but I will try no more. For reals this time.

Something else I will no longer do - I will also no longer make fun of Sandra Lee. Have you seen her Chefography on the Food Network?

~~~

I haven't forgotten, I just fell asleep. The WWII will change this evening.

Split Pea Soup

I used to enjoy split pea soup with my father. Eating Split Pea Soup is the only time I ever enjoy eating peas. I made my first batch a few weeks ago - a twist on the traditional version:

I used:

• Chicken breast
• Chicken stock (or water and chicken bullion cubes if you live on Saipan)
• Carrots
• Onion
• Garlic
• Black Pepper
• Celery salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pound of dried split peas
• A bit of dried parsley

All I basically did was cook it all together. And it was good. I assume it had less fat than traditional split pea soup with ham hock.

Next time I will use:

• Ham
• Crimini mushrooms
  
• Chicken stock (or water and chicken bullion cubes)
• Celery
• Carrots
  
• Onion
• Garlic
• Black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pound of dried split peas
• A bit of dried parsley

And, by the way, Katelyn loved "Papa's Soup". She ate it all up!

Sticker Face

Me: "Why were you in Time Out?"

Maui: "Because you put me there."

________

After her brother jumped on the couch behind her...

Mele: "Why do I smell Mikey's ax?"
Me: "..."
Mele: "...??..."
Me: "Why do you smell what?"
Mele: "Mikey's ax. Why do I smell Mikey's ax?"
Me: "I'm sorry sweetie, what did you say?"
Mele: "Something smells like Mikey's ax. You know, his spray? His Axe spray?"

________

No Traffic + Milli Vanilli = Good

(This post was written yesterday, February 21.)

It was a breeze getting down to the Plaza today during lunch ("Marianas Business Plaza" just sounds too business-like); there was no traffic so there was no interruption in the wind blowing through my hair – and I had my sunglasses on so my eyes weren't squinting and smudging my eyeliner, that's always a plus. And since Milli Vanilli was on the radio I could get my groove on...."it's a tragedy for me to see the dream is oooovver, and I never will forget the day we met, girl I'm gonna miss yooooou..." What? Whatever, you know you didn't need to click on that link.

No, I didn't eat at the 360. I was at the Plaza to pay my cable bill. I didn't complain to them like I intended to...about how they never gave me any kind of warning or FYI before they disconnected my cable internet service last Friday. However, I will complain to you, my internet friends, about MCV's offensive off sky blue walls that suffocated me more and more every time my eyes were burdened with looking away from the customer service lady. And the blue ugliness was only amplified under the fluorescent lights. Is this some sort of motivating color that is supposed to make you want to pay your bills on time? It doesn't work.

I didn't know what I was going to eat because I was starving but I had some food back at the office that I didn't want to waste. However, my stomach assured me that the food at the office would still be there later and, if needed, could be eaten tomorrow. It also assured me that it would be OK to spend a few bucks. So I did. I went to Shelly's and bought a slice of spinach and gahlic pizza. And it. was. great! I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures to show you to make you jealous of my pizza. You see, when I headed out to the Plaza I decided not to bring my camera with me because I didn't think there'd be anything to take pictures of - I mean, I can't take pictures while I drive anymore because my camera requires two hands to operate it thanks to the battery cover that pops open every three seconds because scotch tape is not meant to be a battery cover locking device, plus I don't really think it makes for safe driving. Besides, I scarfed that sucker down so quickly even Cookie Monster couldn't have kept up. This is what was left of it:

And this:

And this:

There would have been less left over if they served it with a butter dipping sauce like Papa John's. Yeah, because I need an extra four pounds on my thighs.

~~~~~

Interested in buying Avon? I happen to know a pretty good rep, she doesn't charge shipping or anything. Email me for info (address is in the sidebar).

Wednesday What Is It?

What is it?
Here's how to play.

Wednesday What Is It? Results

The results of last week’s Wednesday What Is It?

Hibiscus!

5 points to Kirida!
2 points each to Bruce, Tamara, Boni, The Saipan Blogger, and Sheila (whose vote was cast on time in person and is forthcoming on the blog - just this once).

Knitting blindly

I saw you Dr. David, as I tried to knit up a decent pair of socks. And I would have, too, if I didn't cast on 56 stitches, but 64 at first. Who was it that thought it would be a good use of valuable knitting time to start a pair of socks while in the waiting room of your Optometrist's office with dilated eyes? Oh right, that was me.

This afternoon I sat in the reception area at the Marianas Eye Institute and cast on 56 stitches for my second attempt at knitting socks. Emily called me into her room where I did some eye chart stuff. I went back into the waiting room and knit a few rows. It was fantastic! My socks were right side out and there was no twisting - but I had a feeling that 56 stitches were too few. No time to rip it apart, I was called into Dr. Robertson's exam room where he did some eye doctoring and Melonie dropped the stinging sulfuric onion dilating drops in my eyes. "Did you bring your glasses with you today?" the doctor asked. "No, should I have?" replied the idiot Deece. I returned to the reception area where I waited for the drops to take effect.

So I picked up my knitting, ripped it apart, and cast on 64 stitches. During the cast-on process I essentially went blind; I couldn't see far and I couldn't see near save for about a 2-inch space somewhere around halfway bent elbows. Yeah, so that was fun. No seriously, it was fun. I think I busted out in laughter three or four times. My yarn got all twisted. I lost control of my needles. I attempted to turn it right side out, but I think I turned half of it inside out instead. One of the funniest sights one can ever witness is a determined second-time sock knitter working with 5 teeny tiny needles and dilated eyes.

This is what I ended up with:

This is the wonderful Knit Picks sock yarn that Missy gave me for Christmas. Anyway, I ripped it apart and started again. This time nothing is twisted.

This is my first attempt at sock knitting. Yes, I'm also the idiot who doesn't read patterns thoroughly before she starts and uses some mystery fiber worsted weight yarn instead of wool or wool blend like the pattern calls for. (What's up with the light? This should be grayish green, not fugly colored.)
Let's move on, shall we? Here are the yummy treats of love James gave me on Valentine's Day:
"What's in the box?" you ask...why TRUFFLES!Look, see...

Here's another one:

Want some of your own? Go to Expressions on Capitol Hill.

Ain't he sweet!

My nephew found this guy cruising around our front porch last night. I've never seen crab in a baby food jar before.

The same nephew totally siked me out! I delivered small bags of Valentine's chocolates and other candies to his house last night. I went after the younger kids were asleep, but he was still up - I needed to deliver them after the kids were asleep, but before we all left for work or school in the morning. He feigned embarrassment that I brought over so many bags of candies but he didn't get anything for me. I told him that he didn't need to get anything for me and that the candies were from his cousins (Katelyn and Jacob). Can you imagine how surprised I was when I received this candy gram at work today?

That sweet little sneaker!

For the best chocolates and other candies on island, visit Expressions on Capitol Hill. Near Coffee Care. It usually opens around noon, M-Sat.

Wednesday What Is It?

What is it?

Here's how to play.

Wednesday What Is It? Results

The results of last week's Wednesday What Is It?

Hair Gel!

Also acceptable: Gel.

5 points to The Saipan Blogger!

Don't forget to tell your friends about the WWII.

Pakawhat?

"You don't like his pakalolo....you like his pakalolo...." a little girl's voice sang from the back seat of our Explorer. Is that my daughter?? Whose pakalolo? James and I looked at each other in shock!

"You don't like his pakabobo....his bakalobo....you like his pakabolo...." James and I looked at each other and laughed.

~~~

• The Hunting Game - wow! You can't make something like that up.
• Sunshine - entertaining. I enjoyed it until it was over. Looking back on it upsets me a bit.
• No Reservations - cute little chick flick, a great date movie.
  
• Becoming Jane - now I want to read Pride and Prejudice (for the first time). Don't judge me.
• Eastern Promises - um, wow!
• Feast of Love - I didn't not enjoy it. But I wouldn't watch it again.
• Georgia Rule - I cried.
• Heartbreak Kid - Ben Stiller is the master of awkward humor. His raciest movie yet.
• The Company - not the ballet movie. The cold war mini series. Very very good.
• Even Money - Not bad.
  

Can you tell that I was home sick for over a week?

Come fan...

Come stroll down Chalan Memorias with me. I'm late. Boni tagged me, so here goes:

20 early-ish memories of Saipan. I remember when…

1. I could buy an ice cup for 5-cents after Kindergarten outside of Sister Remedios.
2. Middle and Beach Roads were two lanes.
3. Joeten Kiyu Public Library first opened.
4. Karen’s parents used to drop us off at Hotel Street (now known as the Paseo) and we’d wander in and out of shops stopping occasionally to speak with the bar girls.
5. there was none of this Korean bbq marinade mix for salt. Back then you made your salt from scratch.
6. DFS was 1-story.
7. you could buy a ticket at JM Cinema to watch the first movie and stay back to watch the second flick for free. (Or was it actually a 2-flick ticket?)
8. my dad would take me to eat at
1. Len’s when it was just a small place in Susupe with great spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread,
2. the original revolving restaurant at the Nauru building and I’d drink Shirley Temples with lots of cherries,
3. Okame for the best yakisoba around, the masks were pretty cool too, and
4. Ship Ashore - the only things I remember eating there are lobster tails and mud pies.
9. the Art Council/gallery place on Capitol Hill was once called the Convention Center. The place where I would pirouette across the floor during ballet lessons. The place where my sister’s school performed Toy Land.
10. Saipan Community School stopped at 6^th grade.
11. families filled the government houses on Capitol Hill. And Ken, Julia, and I owned the neighborhood.
12. my cousins, my sister, and I called the cops because we heard knocking on my living room windows (my parents weren't home). The cops claimed it was the plumeria trees blowing in the wind. But we knew better. In my dreams I am still still tormented by that house. #1326, it's blue now. But I know that it's always been blue...
13. I'm pretty sure I remember being at the beach in CK when the canoe came in once.
14. I watched the meteor shower from my porch with Roberto and Ace. The stars were at their brightest that night.
15. I learned to drive at the old airstrip in Koblerville.
16. I camped out at Managaha for the first time - I didn't sleep a wink.
17. we never got carded.
18. we used to watch the 4th of July fireworks from the beach at American Memorial Park.
19. Seiji, Ace, and I would drive through Kagman and get lost on purpose.
20. I freaked out as my brother-in-law carried me from the beach on Saipan to Bird Island. He tried to calm me down by saying, "look, it's just blue water" and I freaked out more.

Wow, that was a little tough. I have a lot of memories of Saipan, but many are not appropriate to post here and many are just memories that don't directly speak of Saipan. But that was fun - thank you Boni.

Baby Syrup

Me: "Would you like plain oatmeal with bananas? Or with brown sugar and maple syrup?"
Katelyn: "With brown sugar and baby syrup."

Wednesday What Is It?

What is it?

Here's how to play.

Wednesday What Is It? Results

The results of last week's Wendesday What Is It?

Zorries!

Also acceptable: Flip Flops

1 point to Tamara with an answer of leather shoe!

A Night of Excellence

That’s Excellahnce, you know, pronounced like the Lindor Truffle commercial. No? I know I’m not the only TV junkie in blogland. If you want to get specific, I’d consider myself more of a commercial junkie. Now that Friends is off the air, what else is there to watch? “Oink, moo, oink, oink, moo…” Is there no one else that shares in my love of corporate advertising on the old boob tube!?

Last Tuesday night James and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. Instead of taking me to Seaside like I originally asked and instead of going to the 360 like James suggested, we went to Raraina at the Aqua Resort. And it.was.excellent! I don’t know why we even considered other restaurants on our anniversary.

...Three years ago James and I were married under the gazebo outside of the chapel at Hotel Nikko. Our family friend, Judge Govendo, officiated our marriage. There was no wedding party. My sister and I made peach ribbon roses to decorate the aisle that was made of white wooden folding chairs. My mother walked me down the aisle of soft green grass while my brother-in-law and his brother played the Hawaiian Wedding Song on Ukes. When Ken asked for the rings I went blank; I had forgotten the rings in the car. It was a tiny, simple, and beautiful wedding. Our reception was held at the Rey’s Lounge at the Aqua. Balloons were strewn around the dance floor, favors of shimmery bags filled with pillow mints sat at each placesetting. The tables came alive with the tropical centerpieces my mom and cousin made from Ginger, Birds of Paradise, orchids, and ferns plunged into banana tree stumps...

We went back to the Aqua for our first anniversary. I had the Lamb Chops and James had the Prime Rib, it was fairly busy that night at the Raraina, but it was wonderful. We didn't celebrate our second anniversary - at least not by going out. But our third anniversary was perfect, even if we couldn't spend the whole night out.

Non-alcoholic foo foo drinks. The blended watermelon drink (right) is the most refreshing thing I've ever tasted!
Caesar Salad for two, made tableside.

Prime Rib. Captain's cut.

Lamb chops for the lady. They were melt-in-your-mouth perfect! And I've nver had tastier roasted garlic. Somehow it tastes better when it costs more.

Lamb chops after

Prime Rib after. Notice how the potatoes were not touched.

Creme Brule for dessert.

Not pictured, Aqua's tasty coffee and Tuna Carpaccio appetizer.

(Sorry for the crappy pictures. I had to use the video camera.)

A few contests I'm entering

So, I really enjoy my regular weekly Wednesday What Is It? contest and I love that so many of you enjoy playing (and if you haven't ever entered but are thinking about it - do it!) but I'm finally entering some other people's contests. And if you knit or crochet, you might want to enter yourself:

1. Not Pretty To Watch is having a contest that will bring her out of the doldrums.
2. My House of Wool is celebrating her blogiversary with a contest. Tell her you found her blog via Great Expectations!
3. Where Angels Fear to Treadle needs help - she wants to know how to find more time to knit.
4. Tamiknits want to know how you found out about her contest.
   

I'm still sick. I haven't been this sick in I can't remember how long. This really sucks. Perhaps later I'll feel OK enough to post my 20 memories of Saipan.

Also, I don't want to hold a garage sale and I don't like the online Saipan garage sale so if you or anyone you know is interested in buying some baby stuff, send me an email (it's in the sidebar).

• stroller
• high chair
• bouncer
• exersaucer (soon...maybe in a month or two)
• playmat
• Snugli
• diaper bag