Columbus Blue Jackets

I have always loved watching hockey game. Last year we didn't get to watch because of problems that the NHL had to go through. Luckily this year they were back on the track.

....and so, JJ and I got the chance to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Detroit Red Wings the 18th of this month, unluckily they were defeated. In a game there is always a winner and a looser. Maybe next time they get lucky :-)

Rick Nash # 61 was my fave player. He was a native from Branton, Ontario. One of the NHL's top players.

(photo from Nationwide Arena)

I kind of fascinated by Jody Shelley #45. He is a native from Nova Scotia and has played with Halifax team in his first few years as a player. He always gets into fight every single time we watch their game...:-) He was dubbed as the tough-guy! Columbus Blue Jackets signed him for a multi-year contract.

(photo from Nationwide Arena)

Columbus Blue Jackets on Power Play at Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets

JJ and I enjoying the game


It's Me after the game :-)

Why Women Cry?

This was forwarded to me via e-mail and thought I'd share...

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him.

"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"

"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"

God said:

"When I made the woman she had to be special.

I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.

I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.

I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.

And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."

"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

If you liked the story you can copy-paste it to your blog and share. Something good will happen - You will boost another woman's self-esteem!

*I would like to acknowledge "Shree" for this wonderful stoy

Happy Birthday Nanang

My Mother turned 67 years old today! Still strong and healthy despite of some sickness that comes and goes. Thank's a lot to the wonders of the internet. I was able to order a flower for her online and sent her a gift certificate from SM department store. My sister jovy sent me a message via chikka as soon as my Mom received the flowers. That was the first flower she ever received, i think :)

I felt good having my Mom surprised on her birthday and thanks to the constant nagging of JJ because I was having second thoughts of buying flowers as they are pretty expensive...but he said, it will diffinitely make her happy on her birthday, besides it will come once a year :)

So here you go....Nanang, you deserve this flower, its very simple yet it comes with love from Tatang, your daughters and respective partners and most especially from your Apo's. Hopefully on your next birthday it will come with bears and balloons. I hope you like it, although Jovy said it really smells good and very classic! Happy Birthday once again!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe how screwed up the phone system this holidays. I have been trying to call my family back home since christmas using my Sarimanok One rechargeable phone card. All it did was ring the phone on the other end but nobody picks up my call. Apparently, it wasn't ringing on their end. Christmas ended and I wasn't able to talk to anyone back home.

After christmas, I tried again...same thing. I don't know which one has the problem. Either the Sarimanok One or the Smart Communications. Which ever has gone wrong, made me pissed off!

JJ bought me a Skype kit which gives me a free 30 minutes call. I tried to use it at exactly, 12 midnight in the Philippines hoping it would work but to my dismay. What is going on? Somebody tell me? Is this how bad the traffic is for the telecommunications? They have to do something.

Naf, of me whining. New year is coming i should look on the positive side.
I just enjoyed myself blogging about Star's improvement. I also submitted a bio and a picture of her at PetsMart.com hopefully they will choose her one of these days as the Smart Pet of the Day.

How do you guys celebrate the New Year? Until now, we had no plans yet. JJ and I were stuck infront of the pc ever since we got up this morning. We were talking about getting a shower and hit the mall or watch the Kingkong and tonight will hit the Sportsbar. Thought I had to make some food for us to share this midnight. The clock is ticking! Any new years resolution for you guys? Let's share one day.
Meanwhile, Johnson's family is wishing all of you a


Cheers!

Santa Was very Nice

Since der was no kids in da house, we da old wans did not wait for the christmas morning to open our gifts! Heheh why wait? Dba?

Santa was so nice to me dis christmas. Few days ago I got gifts from my friend Michelle, some under garments from VS, an additional picture frame for my collection and socks. Yesterday, another friend gave me another picture frame (dey know i collect picture/photo frames), a night gown (i have to wait for spring/summer before I could wear it), and more under garments -huh?? and a pink earrings, thanks Lyn!

Yesterday, I caught JJ wrapping some of his gifts for me so he indeed up not wrapping stuff he bought from the Thinkgeek which is the black shirt with "There's no Place like 127.0.0.1" (127.0.0.1 is the Loopback address of the computer which basically means There's no Place like Home), he also added those silly HTTP under garments (agen?! wth?!) one says: 411 Length Required and the 413 Requested Entity Too Large.

Anyways, as we open gifts Dad was wid us and of course Star. Dad seemed to have fallen inlove with the little critter. Star on the other hand loved him. She liked to nibble with his beard just like jj's goatee. Star's toys were accumulating and by the way she has already learned to go up and down our stairs. I thought her about a week ago. She learned how to go up but she was scared to go down. One day, I taught her how to go down step by step and she learned it pretty quick. Now. climbing up and down the stairs has been one of her exercise routine.

Anyway,I got VS gift card from JJ worth $75. Next, I got a white gold Ruby and Diamond Cross Necklace and the free 14K Necklace with Pearl pendant (he got me a Ruby necklace instead of the earrings), finally, JJ got me one from Brookstone which is the Tempur-Pedic Comfort-step Slippers (i might send it back because small size is still too big for me), Dad on the other hand got me a shirt from Abercrombie & Fitch, a candle from Yankie Candle and a candle burner.

Yay, I'm happy I got most of the stuff from my list and then some. I might still be able to get that sunglasses from Rayban in replacement of the Tempur-Pedic Slipper OR this Bang and Olufsen A8 Headphone from Apple Computer Store as a replacement for my old headphone for my Rio MP3 player. That iPod Nano seems so tempting but JJ just think they are just too popular. Also it only has 2GB or 4GB while mine does have 5GB.

What JJ got from ME? Oh, he was so happy that I got him the Bose Speaker System. Although he kept saying I shouldn't have bought him the expensive one's. But I figured he deserved to get something pricey. If I can send most of my earnings for my family back home, why not for my husband, right? Besides I won't be working all my life. Time will come I'd be staying home if ever we decided to have kids. So I wanted to buy him something from my earnings.

I also got him something that he can use everyday which is the Coffee Mug from Thinkgeek. Star got him the Ethernet Croosover Adapter. Jen ur right! Da wans I did not buy for him, he indeed up buying it for himself. He woke up early this morning to clean da house while I cooked for our food for tonight and then off he left to buy the Remote Control he's been wanting from Bestbuy.

He also got a shirt from Abercrombie and Fitch from Dad.
Basically, he got all he wanted except the new Xbox360! Yesterday, he also bought xbox games worth $80+.

Dad on da other hand, got 2 Performance Fleece Pullovers, a Plasma Mug with Electronic Coasters (its creates this one-of-a-kind lighting effect) and a $100 gift card from Kohls.

How about Star? Momma got her more toys to chew on! Dada got her also a toy from Discovery Channel Store! What a spoiled rotten puppy!

Overall, everyone is going to bed with a big smile on our faces and a tummy full of food.

Merry Xmas everyone!

JJ's Christmas Wish List

Wow, I just got JJ's christmas wish list sent thru e-mail ---> from JJ: ok, here goes: some of this too expensive and some are goofy I would be embarassed if you bought. But use your best judgement. I'll enjoy any of these stuff I think. ---> signed, JJ

These are his wish list:

Phatnoise Digital Car Audio System from Volkswagen.
How much? I don't wanna know 'coz Im pretty sure its beyond my budget.

Logitec Harmony 15-Device Universal Remote with Color LCD and Smart State.

Price: 249.99 with $25 mail-in rebate. His been wanting to get this because I always get confused with all the remote controls we have. I have to pindot a lot of bottons pa before I can watch tv programs or movie using the dvd player or vhs player, hear music or radio. He bought one from Sony before which is about $500, at nagamit lang for a short period. So I'm not sure if I will get this or not? Pero it made a good review naman from the customers. We'll see.

Bose Companion Multimedia Speaker System (3 piece). He was so impressed with this when we went shopping at Prime Outlets a month ago. Pero mind you, bago pa lang tong speaker system nya sa kanyang pc, upgrade agad? How much? $239.99 lang naman!

SwissmemoryThis is Swiss Memory USB
Regular 1GB is $159.99 /
Aluminum 1GB is $159.99.
Gorgeous Swiss Army Knife with Built-in USB flash drive.

Flavia Fusion. Blame the idea to his fren. State of the art technology. Make head turns, kuno!Those who have husbands who love to drink coffee or a tea drinker like me...you might be interested with this. $99.99 lang naman plus Drink Medly which is $29.99

What else is new? Time to upgrade Call of Duty...now Call of Duty 2! I don't think so brother! heheh your butt should be off from sitting infront of the computer...remember doc says loose 20 lbs.? I'd rather get get you and exercise machine, pero baka kalawangin lang...sayang $49.99 ko.

This one. Yakang-yaka ko to! $14 lang naman eh! Emancipation of Mimi CD by Mariah Carey.

Now, for the useless but interesting (to me at least) gadgets. (according to him)


The perfect gift for your 32 year old child! In my case if I will get this for him would be perfect gift for your 33 yrs. old husband. This is an office toy from ThinkGeek - a remote control microblimp costs $129.99

Another toy from ThinkGeek which is Dynaflex Powerball Gyroscope in glowing blue.
Basically the blue LED light starts to glow once the Powerball begins rotating and will glow even brighter as the rpms are increased. Sounds cool for $39.99?

The Universal Chart for $26.99 from ThinkGeek.
This print illustrates in detail the Milky Way in other words this shows a unique look at our Universe.

This is for the SUV daw - a mini torch flashlight for $26.13.With a turn of its head this little flashlight puts out a mighty bright halogen light.

A calendar which features the artwork of twelve Demotivators as well as a plethora of depressing dates, another one from ThinkGeek for $15.99. This 2006 Calendar is simply perfect for gift for person who has everything, but still isn't happy about it.

If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon. This is from ThinkGeek worth $15.99

This might be a good choice, for $12.99 im pretty sure its very usable pang palit2x nya dun sa isang coffee mug nya. Made of stainless steel with famous Caffeine Molecule printed in black on the front. Also from ThinkGeek.

This is Ethernet Crossover Adapter from ThinkGeek for $6.99. You can carry this adapter on your keyring and forget about those stupid numbers. Having this adapter on your keyring quietly shows the world your status as a prepared geek. (really?)

Lastly, he wants this Linux Fish for $4.99 at ThinkGeek. With this he will surely get an awkward stares from clueless passersby when he is driving down the freeway with this chrome plated fish on his vehicle.

Hmmm...notice daming choices? Daming naka lista ha! I'm pretty sure mamayat ang aking bulsa nito. I was trying to weigh which one is the most that he will surely need? Most of these fall into the "want category" but I checked on my lists and they were the same thing...they're not really "needs but just merely wants". I used to tell my nephew back home to use the basic of Economics which is Want vs. Need. Needs are the one's you can't go on without it like shelter, food, clothing, something you have to have. While Want are something you like to have...meaning you can survive without it - not very important in order to live. I have one conversation with JJ one time. I told him my observation about the kids here in America. They get a lot of toys or presents on christmas and birthdays. They get not only 1 or 2 presents but a lot! I said how lucky they are! When I was a kid, I could only count on my fingers the toys that I own and was given as a gift. I remember I only had 1 Ninang who always give me a gift on christmas and birthday, but that was only when I was a kid. She practically stopped giving me gifts when I was a teenage. JJ said yah, I had all kinds of toys when I was a kid. A lot of gifts are not only from my parents but from my relatives, aunts and uncle, family friends. That made him not being able to appreciate the small things or the cheap stuff. Oh well, its christmas time anyway. My motto: Its better to receive than to give! ('.')

My Christmas Wish List

This is a very interesting topic for me. Hmm.. JJ and I have been talking about making a wish list for christmas.

Star was our christmas gift for both of us. She's really been doing well exploring her new home. Potty training still was hit and miss. Infact, JJ just bought us a power washer for our carpet. Thank goodness the carpet is back to its life...even more cleaner and fresher now.

OK so here's my wish list: (edited for jj's convenience)

This is a Soap Genie Automatic Soap and Lotion Dispenser from the Sharperimage. I like this because of the no-drip technology and the musical chime that not only fun for kids but for adults like me. It is also a smart, economical and sanitary way to keep everyone hands cleaner and helps the kitchen and bathrooms free from cross contamination.

I know I don't really need this since I already have one from Ray-ban which is my first christmas gift when I got here in 2003. But this is new Babe he-he-he! Maybe I can upgrade? For your convenience, this is model number 511212. This is UVA, UVB, UVC Protected. Lens material is polycarbonate and the frame material is metal.

I also know I already have a Ruby earrings...SMILES! but when you get this for me it comes with a Pearl Pendant and a 14K yellow gold chain FREE! I can give you the coupon from IDG jeweller. The price range is just right - wink! (coupon is right infront of my pc)

Yup, you can also get me a either Signature Cotton Bra's (preferably in pink color - triangle bra - with or w/o wire) which is on sale today for 2 for $39 or from Victoria's Secret Pink (either color or style will do). You can also get a matching color of underware. And - I have a complimentary card here which is $10 off when you purchase $50 or more. I am going to put the complimentary gift card in one of the red stocking and will not checked on it until after we exchange gifts, BIG SMILE!

How about an Address Label Software? I'm not really sure which one I want but i'm sure you can figure it out. Maybe you can download online or buy me one from Bestbuy.

This is a Return to Tiffany oval tag bracelet made with Sterling silver(white gold is too much to ask). This is a little bit pricey but if you get this for me, I'd be settled with just one christmas gift. Mind you, this is one of the cheapest from Tiffany and Co. Engraving is also an option. If you want, you can match it up with a necklace...he-he-he! I searched it again at Tiffany and Company's and for some reason it won't show up. (it did show up last night) maybe you can call 800-843-3269?

This is a geek shirt thing...heheh you think ur the only geek? you know where is this from!

Ok, that's all for now. I may add if there is anything I remember that I like from Santa.

Welcoming Star!

This is Star our little bundle of energy. She's been with us for 3 weeks. She's been growing like a weed since she got here. Getting heavier and even more playful than she was before. When she gets wound up, beware because she is unstoppable. She can run faster than her feet can! Can you imagine that? Sometimes she just runs in circles for no reason which is good for her exercise. It makes her fit and healthy puppy. She keeps moving around, running or jumping to bite our fingers...ouch! That's one of her bad habits. No matter how much we say NO! She pretends like she never hears us. When she realizes she does something bad she would lye down and show her sweet face which automatically melts our hearts. She also kept us really busy playing with her at night before bed time and her potty training. We have been taking videos of her barking at the dancing Santa and the singing Elf and Reindeer. We have a train underneath our Christmas tree that makes her crazed especially when its moving towards her. She would run away and hide and then come back when she feels like the train has passed by.

Star is diffinitely a joy to be with. JJ and I has fallen in love with her and we are glad to have her with us for Christmas. We welcome Star to the Johnson Family!

The Walking Gold

I guess we are ready to have another pet. It's been few months since our fish died. We did several trips to pet store for either a puppy/dog or cat or a bird. I mostly liked puppy/dogs. JJ likes cat. If we won't settle for either one, then maybe will go for a bird. I don't know.

Anyway, we went to Humane Society this afternoon. Looked particularly on dogs and cat's. There were a few cat's that JJ like the most but they were already taken/adopted and is just waiting for shots and pickup. They have a lot of dogs but none of them are the kind of breed I like. I am particulary into miniature dogs like Maltese, Pugs, Chihuahua, Terrier, Pekingese, Pug and Shi Tzu. So anyway, none from the Humane Society made either one of us fall inlove with. Next stop, we went to Micro Center. I bought a Scrapbook Designer that costs me $39.99 with a $10 rebate. We'll see if I can keep up with this project. Then we drove to Petland somewhere down Bethel Road. There, a miniature English Bulldog captured my heart. He was so adorable. He is super chubby at 8 weeks old. The tail was very tiny. That time he was feeling very lazy (indeed a couch potato) just slacking off with another dog in the same cage. When the lady gave him to me, he started licking my fingers and tried to be friendly. I can tell he's asking me to take him home! hehehe! His hairs were so silky. Too bad I can't have him. He is just too pricey at 38 hundred!I have to give him back to the lady because I don't want to be soo attached with him. I know I already was.

On our way home, JJ was telling me what would be his name if we had bought him. SAMSUNG. Yes, his price is as much as that Samsung DLP tv that he has been wanting to buy. I said, then maybe we can call him Sam Sung DLP. He answered, No. It would be Samsung DLP Johnson. LOL!

Here's some of his photos: Isn't he cute???

Taba-ching2x!




Side View - Back View:

It's Me and the Pup:

Getting-to-know-me-and-you assignment

Hi Ligaya, as promised here's my piece.

1. what time did u get up this morning? 10:49AM. i was up until 4am. i can't sleep because i was feeling a little sick, my throat was scratchy and i kept sneezing. jj was piddling with his website. can't sleep without him.

2. are you a morning person or a night owl? more of a night owl. jj and i loves to piddle with our square-headed partners.

3. what was the last film you saw at the cinema? Jarhead at the new Rave Theatre.

4. what are your favorite tv show? A lot! news at foxnews like The O'Reilly Factor, History Channel, Discovery Channel, TLC, 24, American Idol, The Correspondents, TV Patrol, The Man Show, Beavis and Butthead <--- yes i watch this show!

5. what did you have for breakfast? i baked an Orange-Glazed Bluberry bread, made some scrambled egg, bacon and coffee for our breakfast at 12:40PM

6. what is ur middle name? Cristobal

7. what is ur favorite cuisine? filipino, chinese, italian, mongolian, mexican and japanese foods. any spicy foods

8. what foods do u dislike? i don't like steak at all. no burger. sushi? so-so.

9. favorite day of the week? saturday and sunday

10. what is ur favorite CD at the moment? i actually listen to my rio mp3 player. last year i burned a CD which is mostly from Regine Velasquez...i downloaded from the internet for free...shhh!

11. what is ur favorite sandwich? Chicken Salad sandwich on Artisan Sesame Semolina from Panera Bread -no spicy mustard, no onions - Calories 730! Arrrggghhh!

12. what characteristics do you despise? chismosa! thou shalt not talk behind my back esp. pag hindi maganda. if u have problems with me, tell it right infront of my face.

13. what do u do most when u are bored? im gonna start to whine with hubby. asked him to go with me at the mall, or watch a movie, or go to his fave tech store...basically do something out from the house. kung ayaw talaga, food trip na lang! with my square-headed bf.

14. if you could go anywhere around the world on vacation, where would you go? hmm...this is hard but i've always wanted to go to Europe - Italy, Paris? then go to Hongkong, Japan, I also want to go to Hawaii so I can visit my cousin. Visit the Virgin Island again...

15. favorite brand of clothing? i could go for cheap stuff from kohls, old navy and forever 21. for pricey clothing, i go for bebe, guess, gap, victoria's secret, aeropostale, pacsun, wetseal, and billabong. For jeans, i got for levi's and union bay. Shoes i like mostly from DSW and Nike shoes.

16. where were you born? rizal, bansalan davao del sur

17. what is your best childhood memory? gardening at the back of our house, helping my mom make a lot of iced candies - everynight!

18. do you have pets? our fish died few months ago. we did several trips to the pet store though. and tomorrow we might be going to the Humane Society....to look for something we can adopt.

19. any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? nothing at this moment.

20. what did u want to be when you were little? when my teacher would asks us before what do we want to take up in college, i would answer i want to be an artist! but i meant an actress. kala ko before ang english ng artista ay artist! LOL but i wasn't gifted with looks and golden voice. so when i was in HS we have this Convocation Program. I was the one who makes the script for our drama. Same thing in college, pero i don't want to be the lead person. I love to direct and be a supporting actress at the same time. we usually end up first or second place, not so bad huh? i also like to perform in dancing from grade school to high school. i stopped when i was in college dahil daming competition and school is so demanding. my degree earned wasn't planned at all, i just decided to take a risk because i got this FAPE scholarship.

21. different jobs you have had in your life? i was a college librarian at uic 1997-2003. when i got here, i decided to take entry level jobs because they are much closer to our house (can't drive yet at that time, sometimes i have to walk)...and i was still adjusting the lifestyle - new environment. sabi naman ni hubby i don't have to work daw, but i have a project in the phils. so nagpipilit mag trabaho...hopefully next year or so, i'd be a full time wife and a mom? we'll see.

22. which comes first, the chicken or the egg? this is a silly question but my answer is chicken. just like when God created Adam and Eve....

Who's next? Hmmm....whoever is interested na lang cguro.

A Weekend Full of Fun

JJ and I had a great weekend.

Friday: Slept too late until it was time to go shopping at Prime Outlets, Jeffersonville. I joined the One Club and in return they gave me this Power Savings Coupon Book.

Sunset View at the Prime Outlet:

Saturday: It was a month ago since I posted that JJ and I are going to watch The Celtic Tiger starring Michael Flatley. It was a powerful 90 minute performance broken up into two acts which tells the story of the Irish people throughout time. The experience was so great. God, I love how he would dance with the top shoes and create a wonderful sound/music. Can't beat the graceful dancers dramatizing the spirit of Ireland and its history through the use of powerful imagery and dynamic music.

I didn't get a good picture though. Even if we got seats at FL3. We are at line N which is 14th rowm from the stage. The seats were not elevated...how I wish I had a booster chair! Duh! Ang kano/kana naman kc ang taas2x ng mga leeg! JJ doesn't like the idea of me taking pictures too..instead I should just watch daw and refrain from taking pictures.

After the show, we went to Mongolian BBQ for dinner. It's been awhile since we had one at Easton.

JJ won't take No for an answer to stop by at a Billiard Hall or not. I personally don't like it because in the first place, I am no good with playing billiards. Second, places like this were smelly. It's true. When we got there I feel like my heart stopped beating for awhile. I was suffocated with the cigarette smell. I can also imagine whoever is using those cue stick! Ewww the germs! JJ finished 2 bottles of beer. Finally, we head out after 3rd game. Of course I am the looser!

Told JJ I wanted to drink at Wendells Pub. At 1AM I am surprised they were closed! We then checked out this new Sports Bar close to where I worked. They were open. The place was cool. I can see its clean...maybe because its new? Or maybe because cigarette is not allowed inside? Hmmm...I can see myself and JJ frequently visiting this place.

I finished 2 glasses of Amaretto Sour and 1 bottle of beer for JJ. Good thing this place is not too far from our house. Just about 5-6 minutes drive.

I felt a lil bit buzz when we got home. I feel happy. JJ kept telling me how he was having a good night. I thought that was it but JJ started opening another bottle of beer and gave me a glass of Jack Daniels Down Home punch. It's been awhile since we went bar hopping.

Went to bed around 3AM. Woke up Sunday at 1PM. Got some lunch at Chipotle. Watch a movie and then spend time piddling around with computers.

....Ahhh...life without work!