Loren’s Life

Halloween was fairly uneventful this year. We did not decorate or anything. I didn’t even get around to buying a pumpkin. In the past, the kids’ dad would carve our pumpkins. He’s a real pumpkin master. He would carve three or four pumpkins each year in spooky themes, sports themes, patriotic themes, etc. Yes, he actually does have good points and special talents. But anyway, this year, no pumpkin.

My daughter has had her costume planned for the last few months but then my son became sick at school today. He’s not one to fake being sick but I knew there couldn’t be any way he’d fake illness on a candy and fun filled day like Halloween. He didn’t even want to think of trick or treating. He came straight home and went to sleep except for the few times he was in the bathroom - poor sick baby. He then tells me, “Mom, I really doubt I’m going to school tomorrow. There’s a 74% chance that I will be staying home.” Where did he get that probability? 74%? Okay…

Daughter was very disappointed that she was missing out on trick or treating. She made her anger well known all evening and was therefore sentenced to cleaning her room from top to bottom. Hmm, perhaps this chore thing works well as punishment. My house will sparkle by the time the weekend rolls around.

I watched a movie I’d heard about called “Better Luck Tomorrow”… I thought it was an interesting, thought provoking movie. The movie follows a group of Asian American high school students, especially the protaganist, Ben, through their double life of overachievers/thugs. I was especially cheering for Ben to stop being a thug - the ending surprised me. Of course, I’m usually surprised at endings - I’m not so good at guessing what will happen.

Does anyone have a movie that they’ve seen that they would recommend?

Loren

Isn’t there a show on VH1 called Best Week Ever? I think I’ve watched it a couple of times, maybe it was pretty funny? I’m wondering who is having the best week? I don’t think I know anyone who has been having an easy time. I’ve been receiving sad news from friends and family for the past several days and wonder what’s going on? Why do bad things happen to good people?

I used to think I had the worst life of anyone I knew. I thought most other people had it pretty easy in comparison to poor me. I went to a counselor once and she told me this viewpoint was “childish”. I resented her for saying that. Looking back, I think it was meant to be a reality check, even if I didn’t see it at the time. But I was young and some terrible things did happen in my life. As I get older and meet more people, I realize that everyone does have their own cross to bear. I’m still convinced that some people have lighter crosses!

I’ve never read the Bible in depth but I do have my favorite sections. The following has always stayed with me:

* Matthew 5:3 - “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
* Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
* Matthew 5:5 - Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
* Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
* Matthew 5:7 - Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
* Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
* Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
* Matthew 5:10 - Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Anyway, although there seems to be pain and grieving and worry all around me, my cat is probably having the best week ever. Right now she’s dozing on my bed after getting lots of attention from me and my son. She is so affectionate and adorable, I really never imagined owning a cat would be so rewarding. Sigh…

Loren

So I’ve realized that I’m not writing as often as I’d plan or as often as I’d like. I’ll be in the car, or at work, or in bed and thinking of many subjects I could write about. Then, when I am ready to write, I either don’t have the time or my computer is slower than a turtle. Maybe I just plain need to make some extra time after the kids go to bed.

As far as comments, I love getting feedback. I don’t feel bad if someone doesn’t comment, since I know I read many blogs and often can’t comment - usually because I’m at work. Today I got my first odd comment. I did not approve it though I’m curious who would take the time to tell me that they think I’m gay and that they love me, with an expletive tossed in for good measure. Whoever it is, I hope they have their own blog since they have more time than I do.

Anyway, I’d like to give a Shout Out (even though I’d never use that term in real life) to my mom, who sent me a huge box of clothes. I am very excited to have something to wear to work since jeans are looked down upon. I know it’s good to dress up a little to go to work, I’m just not really a dress up kinda girl. Maybe I can work toward that instead of wearing my basic black shirt/blue jeans uniform every day of my life. I need someone to nominate me for one of those wardrobe makeover shows. To have the crew show me how to put myself together to radiate my true inner self - ha ha.

I think I’ll plan to write again tonight or tomorrow. Now that it is in writing, I have to stick to it.

Loren

Leimamo’s post about having her hair straightened made me think back of my hair history. For the past oh… 10 years it’s been long, all one length, straight and brown. Ahem, except when I was 20 and got my first sorta real job (not fast food). I had my hair cut to just above my shoulders and when the Supercuts stylist was almost finished I asked “Can you give me bangs?” mmm… Bad Idea! She gave me bangs, cut to the middle of my forehead. I cried and cried!

But that wasn’t as bad as the short, boyish, pixie cut I had for what seemed to be my entire childhood. My childhood hair memories consist of my mom chasing me with the scissors. I was like her own little Beauty Head Doll with hair that actually grew back! Sorry Mom, I love you! Actually we did fun hair stuff too, like home perms that took forever and never lasted more than 3 weeks. Using Sun-In until my hair was blonde - a nice contrast against my black eyebrows… Nice, too when it was so damaged from the color and perms that we had to let it grow out. So in one high school photo the top half of my head is brunette and the bottom blonde. Later in high school I wanted to have Manic Panic bright red hair. I wasn’t allowed to use Manic Panic (too punky for my parents taste) so I used Henna instead which I kind of liked the effect of.

I used to color my mom’s hair for her too. Sometimes she’d get the little cap with the holes in it, the one that you pull the hair through with the crochet hook thingy. That was fun. Or the paint on highlights. To this day, my mom has her hair colored and cut often. She’s brave! She’s a teacher, a wonderful kindergarten teacher but I still wonder if maybe she should have went to beauty school!

I think all of this is why I’m terrified to have my hair cut. I get it cut every year or two to get rid of split ends. I know I should do it more often, every six weeks is recommended right? The few times that I have had more than a few inches cut off, I feel depressed. I’m not saying that my hair is ALL THAT but I do receive a lot of compliments on it, more than any other physical feature, so it’s very important to my self confidence.

I would like to do something a little bit different with it. Like layers or something. Like my cartoon avatar girl, she has cute hair!

Since we moved to Hawaii, we have new hair issues, like UKUS. I think it took a year to finally get rid of these lovely little creatures. I probably could have paid for an interisland trip with the $$$ I spent on various chemical and home remedies. We used Rid, Walmart brand Rid, Long’s Brand Rid, Nix (which finally did the trick), Olive Oil, Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil, Mayonnaise (that was sick), Robi Comb (a motorized comb that supposedly catches and zaps the ukus), every single lice comb sold in the store, hair color (after I read the haircolor chemicals might kill them and my daughter ended up red hair, hee hee), on and on. To top it off, my best friend came to visit from California and went home with her own little crawling souvenir. Knock on wood, they’re gone, hopefully for good. They are kind of cute after a while, I wouldn’t say I miss them though.

Loren

What makes me smile today…

My children, always!!! Even when they drive me nuts! My daughter is one perceptive girl, she never misses out on a thing which means you can’t hide anything from her, but it is also amazing to see what she’ll come up with next. My son, who is supportive of me and affectionate.

My friends, who will listen to me for hours upon end and day after day complaining about the same problems. I swear they’ve probably considered making a recording to play back during our conversation with key phrases like “he’s not going to change”…

Rainbows and Rain!

My kids’ dad’s genuine, happy, full of love smile that he has when he sees them.

Laughing with coworkers and having a good time at work. Today I was cracking up over a teensy yet hilarious mistake my coworker made when I had to answer the telephone. I composed myself long enough to answer politely and identify myself. My customer’s first words were “I’m trying really hard not to cry”. Well, I’m not being insensitive, but she didn’t have to CRY over her small, easily resolved problem.. Anyway…. I knew I better not even let a snicker or a giggle out or she’d think I was laughing at her!

My cat, she’s such a pumpkin! When she’s not climbing the curtains.

My clean car - thanks to the guys at McKinley Carwash!

Melona Bars

Babies!

Warm Pandesal Bread and Coffee for breakfast on a cool and cloudy morning…

Inside Jokes between friends, like Jamba Juice, Ghetto Princess…

Sharing my high school yearbooks with my kids.

And happy to alive and healthy!