Liz and Robby’s Wedding

Brian and I had a great time at Liz and Robby’s wedding in Shawnee over the weekend. Here are some of my favorite photos.

Liz and Robby’s snowy exit…

Brian and me with the groom…

Kasey and me…

Kevin and Kasey…

Best man, mother of the groom and groom…

Me and the bride…

Cake cutting and toast…

Garter toss…

Brian and me with the bride and groom…

Another photo of Kevin and Kasey…

Group photo…

Brian…

Robby and me…

Kevin and me…

Me and Brian…

January 23, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Events

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I Want These Shoes

Brian and I went to try on some shoes at Dick’s Sporting Goods over the weekend. I mainly wanted to see if he liked the fit and feel of the Nike Free Run+ running shoes before I ordered “his and hers” Nike ID Free Runs for us for Valentines Day. We haven’t decided yet, but I think that’s probably what we will do as we don’t really have a special Valentines trip or celebration planned this year.

As luck (or bad luck) would have it, I found a pair that I wanted. Why? Because they matched my 80′s Zumba outfit perfectly. LOL. Yes, I’m silly like that. I try to match my shoes to my workout clothes or my workout clothes to my shoes.

You’ll be proud of me, though. For someone who has no “will control” (as Brian calls it), I resisted the urge to add to my sneakers collection. I’m pretty sure these shoes will go on sale eventually. When they do, that’s when I’ll pounce on them. LOL. I mean, how many people really buy purple shoes?

Incidentally, if anyone out there is feeling generous, I wear size 6 in Nikes. Hey, I had to give it a shot. I did get a free Ladder Golf set a couple of years ago just by simply blogging about it.

January 17, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Wishlist

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Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0

Brian bought a Samsung Galaxy Player from his coworker who had won it at the SAP Conference last November. Brian’s coworker bought an iPad 2 for himself for Christmas and couldn’t find use for the Samsung. He decided to offer it to Brian for $75. It was supposedly a deal we couldn’t pass up. LOL.

The device is basically an MP3 player that is on an Android platform so you can install various apps on it. It’s just like our phones, only bigger. Makes watching Netflix movies more pleasant. Though, we wouldn’t really do that because we would just as soon watch Netflix movies on our TV when we are home. Speaking of TV, since it’s also Samsung, the player can communicate with our TV just like our phones can using the AllShare feature. It’s nice when all of your technology works together seamlessly.

At the moment, I mostly just use it to listen to my Pandora music stations when I’m getting ready for work in the morning. I also have my Kindle app loaded so I can read my books on it, but I haven’t really had time to do that. Anyway, I’m not sure what else to use it for? Any ideas?

January 15, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Toys

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Weekend vs. Work Attire

This is how I dress on weekends…

This is how I dress at work…

I prefer to dress pretty conservatively when I am at work, so I have clothes specifically for work and clothes for everyday life. There are some articles of clothing that can overlap (like cardigans and such), but in general these don’t mix. Even on our jeans days (when I can be more adventurous in my clothing choices), I stick to very strict dress rules. Thus, I have some jeans that I will never ever wear to work (e.g. ones that are distressed or worn-in or have holes, even if these are intentional because of the style).

Today I realized that I’m not alone in my wardrobe philosophy. Contrary to popular belief, “business casual” does not mean “anything but jeans.” I think sometimes people forget the “business” part. There is a clear distinction between “business casual” and “party casual” and “weekend casual” and there are other people (besides me) who can tell the difference. What a revelation! Now I don’t have to feel like such a nerd for dressing like a nerd at work. LOL.

Who cares if the people at work think I dress boring or lame? I can dress fun too, but you’ll have to come to Suede on a Friday night to see it.

January 10, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Outfits

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Spending Quality Time with Brian

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We started our day with chocolate-iced cinnamon rolls. It was a sweet start to a sweet day.

I originally planned on going to both Group Power and Zumba, but then I figured hanging out with Brian while we leisurely had our cinnamon rolls for breakfast would be much more fulfilling (despite how bad it is for our diet). Anyway, I could still get my workout in Zumba.

After breakfast it was time for the gym. Brian did his own workout while I was doing Zumba. Steph borrowed him to spot her for a bit after class. Brian and I just met up at the standing ab workout station (I’m not sure what it’s formally called) when they were finished. I did a few upright leg lifts and knee lifts already, but I had to do some more when he finally came over just to prove that I could really do them. I think I’m improving because I actually did several today as opposed to my first try at Gina Ann and Coley’s basement when I only did five. I think I’m going to make that part of my regular workout.

We tried to go bowling after a quick lunch at home, but they had some kind of event at Northrock Lanes. The lady told us to come back at 4 pm. Luckily, we don’t live too far away. I decided to catch up on my House Hunters and House Hunters International recorded shows while Brian did some work. We also had just enough time for a little something-something before it was time to go back to the bowling alley.

Because we are highly competitive people, we decided to make a wager. We usually wager for sexual favors; however, as we had just gotten done with it, neither of us were thinking about sex. I couldn’t think of anything, so it was Brian who came up with our bet this time. He wagered blender hand-washing duties for the rest of the month. I accepted. It’s not fun so we both found it to be a bet worth winning.

It was kind of an off day for me, but Brian was off too so I still won. Brian’s scores were 124, 129 and 136 respectively. Mine were 139, 158 and 167. I usually get better as I get warmed up so I’m thinking had we done five games, I might have been able to bowl a 200-game today. We usually have to calculate who had the better average because our matches are pretty close but, having won all three games, it was a clean sweep. Brian averaged about 130 compared to my 155, which is actually really close to my normal average when I used to bowl in a league over ten years ago. I’m not sure what Brian’s normal average is as I don’t think he ever bowled in a league before. I’m thinking about joining a bowling league again. Although, Brian thinks that I’m too busy as it is. When would I find the time for a league? I’m sure I could find the time if I really wanted to.

After bowling, Brian did some more work before playing video games. I did some work while he played video games. After he got gaming out of his system and I was tired of working, we decided to watch a movie on Netflix. Tonight’s pick was Tangled. It was quite good actually. After our movie, I demanded some quality time.

Brian was like, “What do you mean? We just got done watching a movie together. We had several hours of quality time today.”

“You need to turn off the TV and sit here and just talk to me. That’s quality time. No TV, no movie, no computer, no phone, no distractions. Just you and me. What time is it now?” I asked.

“Ten forty six,” Brian replied.

“Alright,” I said. “You’re going to give 14 minutes of nonstop quality time starting right now.” Brian and I both started laughing hysterically because what I said came off completely absurd. Who times their quality time?

After we regained our composure he said, “That’s messed up. Your definition of quality time is a lot different than normal people. To normal people, what we just did, watching a movie together, that would qualify as quality time.”

“Just because we’re in the same room together doesn’t mean we’re spending quality time,” I said. “We were watching a movie. You were paying attention to the movie. I was paying attention to the movie. Neither of us were paying attention to one another. That’s why this world is so messed up. Couples think that just because they’re doing stuff together, they’re spending quality time. If you’re there but your mind is elsewhere, that’s not quality time. Like when we’re in the car and you’re driving and I’m trying to play Words and we’re trying to have a conversation with one another, that’s not quality time. When we’re sitting in bed and we’re both on the computer and one of us is trying to have a conversation with the other, that’s not quality time. If we’re hanging out, but either you or I am really thinking of work or all the things that I have to do later or the next day, that’s not quality time. I would rather have ten minutes of good, uninterrupted quality time with you each day than several hours of all that fake quality time.”

Brian was like, “So does debating about quality time count as quality time?” We both laughed again. Mind you, we were both sitting on the loveseat with Brian laying on me so that I could rub his head and earlobes while this conversation was going on.

I said, “Yes. Debating about quality time counts as quality time. Although, I’m not sure that I’m getting as good of a quality time as you are because you’re thinking about how good your head rub feels instead of thinking of me. Maybe we should ban head rubs from our quality time in the future?” LOL. I was just kidding. Head rubs and earlobe rubs are always going to be part of our quality time. How else could I ever get Brian to stay put? We actually went about ten minutes over on our quality time, but it was well worth it.

I had at least thirty minutes of real, honest-to-goodness quality time with Brian tonight. What about you? Did you get to spend some quality time with your loved-ones today? Was it more like Brian’s idea of quality time or was it more like mine? What is your definition of quality time?

January 8, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Relationship

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Not Your Typical January 1

While everyone else was sleeping off their hangovers yesterday morning, Brian and I were wide awake. We both got up early and put in a few hours of work.

We have this Filipino superstition that what you’re doing on the first of the year is what ends up happening the rest of the year. For instance, if you’re broke on the first of the year, then it’s going to be a really rough year. If you’re having fun on the first of the year, then it’s going to be a really fun year. LOL.

Our tradition has always been to have sex either at midnight or sometime on January 1 to ensure that we have a good, active, happy sex life the rest of the year.

Last year, we were stuck in Las Vegas on January 1 and all of our travels the rest of the year were wrought with mishaps just as our superstition foretold. Remember how I got stuck in Atlanta a couple of months ago? When we got back from the East Coast this summer, we almost got stranded in Kansas City when our car wouldn’t start. When Brian was coming home from New Hampshire, Wichita got hit with a crazy storm and they wouldn’t let their plane land. The plane circled several times until they were almost out of gas. They finally had to get rerouted to Oklahoma City for refueling. Then they had to wait for a different pilot. I was stuck waiting for him at the Wichita airport for at least five hours, not knowing what was going on or what to expect. I think the only trip that went according to plan was Brian’s trip to Vegas for the SAP conference. But that’s because he did some serious reconnaissance. Not only did he have a Plan B, he had a Plan C and Plan D just in case. LOL.

This year we wanted to ensure that we had a productive work year so we both go up early on January 1 and decided to do some work. If our superstition holds, we should be getting up early and should be productive the rest of the year.

We also both made it a point to go to the gym. I did my usual Sunday Zumba fitness class with Amie and then Brian came and joined us for an intense ab workout after class. We’re hoping that by working out on the first day of year, we will continue our focus on our health and fitness throughout 2012.

That night we went to the Cole’s residence for movie night. We watched the movie 2012 on the first day of 2012. How fitting, right?

The one thing we made sure to avoid was shopping. We didn’t want to start the year off spending money because we wanted 2012 to be a year of saving. We did buy pizzas at Papa Murphy’s, but I don’t think food counts unless we don’t plan on eating the rest of the year.

Last year was really fun and was a really great year for us all the way around, but it was also a very expensive year. We made some really good investments by switching gyms and getting some personal training to really focus on our health and fitness and we’ve had some really good results, but we spent a lot of money on BS also. I guess we really didn’t have a choice but to replenish our wardrobe after we both shrank in size significantly. Now that we have all the clothes that we need and are pretty much at the size that we want to be (I still want to lose 10 more pounds, though), we’re determined not to spend any more money. We have to save, save, save for that mortgage down payment (specially since we actually lost money on our first house).

So there you have it. That’s how we spent the first day of the new year. We actually got up early again this morning. Brian set our usual alarm because we wanted to get up as though we were going to work today. Figured this way, we won’t be sluggish when we both report back to work tomorrow.

I’m really excited for what this year will bring. Barring any disasters like the world ending etc. I think it’s going to be an amazing year that is even better than the last. Happy New Year, everyone!

January 2, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Confessions

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The Year that Was… 2011

We started off the year a little rough when we got stranded in Las Vegas on the very first day of the year.
Brian and I celebrated Valentines in Lawrence.
I experienced my very first Zumbathon when we did the “Party Hearty” benefit for the American Heart Association. I had a blast attending both the East Central and West Central events. Later in the year, I got to participate in the “Party in Pink” Zumbathon for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
I was thinking that I would pick up disc golf this year. I bought the necessary gear and everything, but the summer came and went and Brian and I never did find the time to go to the frisbee golf park.
I kicked butt raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters. I surpassed my $500 goal and raised over $800 this year. For the first time ever, I was the top fund raiser for our area. Although, I think that was only because Amy decided not to participate this year. =P
Jenni returned to Catholicism. Surprisingly, hell didn’t freeze over.
Grandpa’s health started failing this year so we decided to bring our annual Easter celebration to Cherry Creek. Grandpa passed away on December 13. Brian took his passing surprisingly well. I think it was because he had been coping with the idea of losing his grandfather for months.
Hai moved to Denver.
I hired a personal trainer and started getting really serious about my health and weight-loss goals. John helped me go from wearing size 6 pants to where I am now — in size 2 pants and even some 0s. Switching gyms really helped. We dropped our YMCA membership and joined Genesis instead. I’m finally back to being myself again. Brian made me get rid of all of my old one-piece bathing suits because I look decent in bikinis again.
We saw James Taylor perform twice. The first time was at the Intrust Bank arena in May and then the second time with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood in Massachusetts.
We attended the Symphony in the Flint Hills for the first time. It was really cool. We discovered Wamego, Kansas and a couple of wineries on the way home the next day.
We spent 4th of July in Boston and the East Coast area. We had a lot of firsts that week. It was our first time in Connecticut, where we discovered a new vineyard with our pals Jay and Becca. (That’s Connecticut with a “C” not with a “K” – mind you.) We got to see the sights and casinos and go river tubing in Farmington. We got to ride Segways for the first time. Tour the Sam Adams brewery. Watch a baseball game at Fenway Park ON 4th of July. Visit Martha’s Vineyard for the first time.
I got to Slip ‘N Slide for the very first time at Carolyn’s 2nd birthday party. It was quite comical. I don’t think I’ll ever live that down.
I started the Invisalign process. I’ve never had braces before so this is a whole new experience for me.
I had my first ambulance ride and trip to the ER during what was the most exciting anniversary celebration ever.
We returned to Healing Waters for the first time after boycotting them for several years.
We met Cousin Tracy’s fiancee Jeff for the first time.
I learned that I have nodules in my thyroid. They’re not cancerous, but Brian is still lobbying for the removal of my thyroid.
We celebrated the first anniversary of Brian’s UN-sobriety at Zoobilee.
I got to experience Holiday Galleria for the first time, thanks to Gina Ann. We got to hob nob with some really sexy firefighters.
I got to play paintball for the first time. I didn’t play the year before. I only took pictures.
I got to visit Nashville for the first time through a business conference. It was my first time at the Grand Ole Opry.
Kevin and Kasey got married. It was also this year that Kevin returned to the family.
We made our annual Black Friday shopping trip, but with more people this time.
I got to undergo my very first biopsy, which wasn’t really scary until right before the procedure.
Brian and I got to watch a production at Mosley Street Melodrama for the first time.

I’m sure there’s tons more stuff that happened that I’m missing from this list. 2011 was quite a year. I look forward to many more fun years just like it, minus some of the “excitement” that happened that we could all do without.

January 1, 2012 | Posted by Ching under Life

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Our Little Talks

I received my first issue of “Men’s Fitness” today. A gift from my Sister-in-Law Jenni for Christmas.

Here is how the conversation when.
Me: If I look like Robert Downy Jr. when i am his age I will be Ecstatic!
Ching: You’re going to have to start doing a lot of drugs.

These are the types of little conversations we have.

January 1, 2012 | Posted by Brian under Life

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Stocking Up at Thai Binh

Another thing we did while on Christmas break was do some grocery shopping at the Asian supermarket. We needed to stock up on staples like rice and suka. We were almost out of Jasmin rice. We use Milagrosa. I know that brown rice is better for you nutritionally, but I can’t give up my white rice. I like to eat it with everything.

White rice is to me what Datu Puti suka is to Brian. He puts it on everything. So we stocked up on that too. We got four bottles, which should last us a while, as long as I can keep Brian from practically drinking the stuff. We also got some tocino and longonisa and some other stuff.

Speaking of drinks, coconut juice was on sale so I got myself several cans.

They also had whole papaya and large avocados at the store.

I didn’t buy any though, because Brian doesn’t like that stuff. It would have been difficult for me to consume them before they spoiled and I don’t like wasting food.

December 31, 2011 | Posted by Ching under Shopping

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Brian Wants an iMac Like This One

We were at Best Buy the other day over Christmas break looking for some new workout headphones for Brian. He got these really cool Skullcandy earbuds. For something under $20, they’re actually pretty good.

While at Best Buy, we stopped by the Apple section and played around with the floor models. Brian wants one of these gigantic iMacs. I had it in my mind that I wanted a 13″ MacBook Air. However, after playing with it and a MacBook Pro, I realized that I can get a much better computer for a lot less if I’m willing to compromise on thickness and weight. So I’ve decided, I’m going to start saving up to buy a MacBook Pro for my birthday next year. Add that to my list of resolutions. =P

Hopefully, around this time next year, I’ll be typing my resolutions on a MacBook. Gotta start saving!

December 31, 2011 | Posted by Ching under Wishlist

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