ENGAGED!!!!!!

ok.. so i got engaged last night..yes, you read correctly.. ENGAGED.. just in case you're wondering.. how it went down.. what did he do.. how did he ask.. just read on.. :)

we went to the bel air hotel, actually i should say that we thought we were going to the bel air hotel.. at some point on the dark canyon road, we made a wrong turn.. but eventually came across all these valet guys, people and music.. though it didn't look like the entrance we have gone through before.. we walked in.. at the door, they asked us our names.. and we were all.. huh?? so we said we were just there for the bar.. and they were like.. umm.. yeah, ok.. so we asked where we were.. they asked us where we were going.. and we go "is this the bel air hotel??".. and they're all "no, it's a private residence".. and OMG.. did we laugh.. all of us.. me, jeremy.. the two girls basically keeping people like us out.. it was a good time..

we eventually made our way back down the hill.. and made a left.. then a right.. and then who knows what.. and ended up at the hotel bel air.. .. the site of our second date.. which means a lot to both jeremy and i because of the fact that it is absolutely perfect.. very romantic and secluded.. regardless of all that though, on our second date (2 years ago) he didn't make a move.. we sat by the fire.. were drinking.. it was the perfect time and place.. but that was it.. over the last 2 years.. that's something Jeremy and I have talked about a lot.. i always tease him about it.. how he didn't make a move in a completely ideal setting.. (picture above)

last night.. we went out for dinner.. and went to the hotel for a drink afterwards.. we walked the grounds.. passed the fireplace (from our 2nd date).. and just walked down one of the many secluded paths.. .. there was a bench there.. so he asked me to sit down for a second.. and i did.. i had no idea what was coming next.. he said so many great things.. it was perfect.. but the part that stood out most was when he said that the last time we were there he didn't make the move that he should have and that he wouldn't make that mistake again.. he said he wanted us to look back at this place and this moment and not remember what he didn't do.. but what he did do.. and that is.. start a new chapter in his life with me.. and right then.. he got down on one knee.. pulled out the ring.. and said "will you marry me?".. obviously i said yes!

how cute and romantic is that????? he's the best.. i love him.. and for those of you that haven't met him.. you will.. he's here to stay :)

i still cannot believe it..

conflict-free diamond-wearing me! :)

2 years today..

ok.. so it's been 2 years.. 2 years ago today i wrote this.. (and if you don't believe me.. scroll down to march 5th, 2006)
-----
hello everyone.. ok, i know i don't usually blog on the weekends.. but i had to write something real fast.. i went out on a date today.. and people.. it was great, he was a true gentleman and funny.. yeah ... how rare is that?? Just wanted to write in so that i can remind myself of this post in a few weeks / months.. whatever the need may be..

happily surprised,nounou :)
-----

the title to that post was "wow".. and i still feel that way.. southern comfort in reality.. as great as he was back then.. has gotten better with time.. aged like a fine red wine.. well.. maybe not the best analogy since i don't really like red wine.. but you get what i'm saying.. over the last two years.. we have been through many many ups.. and unfortunately some pretty low downs as well.. through it all though.. he has been a true gentleman.. true to himself.. true to others.. and though he thinks that i never listen to anything he says.. he'd be wrong.. with him, i've learned patience.. i've learned to be a little bit more accepting.. and most important of all.. i have learned to think things through before going on a rant.. as i usually do.. i know that my friends and family that are reading this are probably rolling their eyes going "yeah right".. but it's true.. i promise.. think about it.. it's been a loooooong time since i've flipped out on any of you.. right.. RIGHT?? :)

anyway.. so it's been 2 years.. since then a lot has happened.. i have changed jobs.. i've had TWO major immigration issues.. which, have been sorted out.. the most recent of which was last week.. we've moved in together.. well, he's moved in with the roomie and i.. and it's like three's company.. except better.. lol :) i'm actually working in something that i like.. there's a lot of travel involved.. but we'll see how many of those i go on.. considering that with my lovely passport i need a visa to pass by the bathroom.. but we'll see..

ok.. so i'm off.. i will be going to a salsa class tonight.. and southern comfort is off to a guitar lesson.. i think that he's going to serenade me at some point this year.. at least that's what i have been asking for every waking minute of every single day..

i think the odds are in my favor..

nounou.. the girlfriend :)

i turned 30.

so, me.. again.. i guess i'm not good at updating this anymore.. oh well.. about that 30-day challenge.. as usual - i started off well and then became a total slacker.. what else is new huh? :)

anyway.. i'll get back into this weekend.. let's see how long i'll last.. but i have a bunch of events coming up.. and i definitely need some sort of change.. my birthday party on cinco de mayo.. the kid's graduation in mid-may in houston.. mexico city for memorial day weekend.. and then southern comfort's brother's wedding in louisiana.. so someone needs to get in shape kids!!!

what else?? hmm.. that's about it.. oh yeah, yesterday was my birthday.. yippeee.. and i mean that totally sarcastically.. but southern comfort did his best.. he sent me flowers to work, which was super sweet.. and then he got me a few gifts (on writing children's books.. which is the new thing that i'm into).. and then we went out to a super-nice dinner.. so a good night in general.. i think it would have been way better if it wasn't my birthday..

yeah, i'm a total party pooper.. ew.. i annoy myself :(

my 30-day challenge!

helloooooooo everyone..

ok.. well, again.. it's been a while.. i have no excuses except that i really didn't have anything going on.. not that i do now.. but my legion of fans has been asking me to blog.. so here i am.. back by popular demand!! :)

so, as you know, one of my resolutions for 2007 is to get in shape.. i didn't want to start january 2nd like everyone else does, because.. well.. statistically over 75% of those people are no longer there come february.. so i decided to start january 31st.. and i kicked off with a 45 minute cardio session.. treadmill, eliptical and stairs.. it was tiring.. but in a way it was good because i've been in a moody state for the last few weeks (98% job-related).

so that was the 31st.. then i went back on thursday and did a kickboxing class.. which KILLED me.. we started off with jogging for like 5 minutes.. if you know me, i don't jog.. i might walk faster.. but jogging and i don't work.. so that was the first 5 minutes.. and then lunges back and forth and back and forth.. and then after that.. we had to do push-ups.. and FINALLY the class started.. and it was a killer.. honestly.. she's not the usual thursday-class teacher.. but she was awesome.. i pretty much died after that class.. but ugly betty and grey's anatomy revived me.. thank god for good tv on thursdays!! :)

i took friday off.. you know.. i needed a break.. and saturday.. i could have gone to the kickboxing class but my left calf muscle still felt super tight so i decided to do something more low-key and ended up going for an hour walk.. in my neighborhood.. it was nice and pleasant.. until i got home and my calf got even tighter.. until by the middle of the afternoon i could hardly walk.. well, no.. i'm exxagerating.. i could walk.. i just couldn't put my heel down on my left leg.. so that was a great way to spend the weekend.. wearing heels is good for something i guess!! :)

yesterday.. aka.. superbowl sunday.. i took the day off.. since i couldn't walk yet.. i lathered up my leg in icy hot.. which smells HORRIBLE... yeah.. poor southern comfort.. he had to put up with my sexy walking abilities for the last two days.. but don't feel too bad for him.. he laughed a lot as well!

so, i woke up this morning.. and my left leg is muchhhh better.. my heel is almost all the way down.. meaning i'll be ready to go back to the gym tomorrow.. anyway.. that's when i do weights.. so it's not running around.. i should be back in my cardio classes by wednesday! :) that's the plan.. i'll keep you all posted on my 30-day challenge.. and even though i'm not posting any before or after pictures.. i'll find a way of sharing information with you! :)

5 days in!
nounou :)

oh yeah.. since this is about my whole fitness thing for the month of february.. i have to say that if you caught the superbowl then you know that the Colts are the new Champions and none other than my hubby Peyton Manning was the MVP.. 2007 is going to have to be a great year just because of that!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

for 2007...

hey everyone.. does anyone actually still read this?? i wonder.. hmm.. oh well.. if you're still reading.. then you must either love the way i write.. or be related to me in some way.. i'm guessing it's the second! :)

anyway.. i hope that you all had a very merry christmas and that your holiday season is going well.. as for me.. it's all good.. i went down to mexico city to spend the holidays with the family.. came back up here a few days ago (with a plane that lost an engine before take-off.. fun, i tell you!).. and tomorrow will be flying up to san francisco with the boyfriend..

so.. it's almost another year.. let's see here are my lists on 2006..

the best parts:
the roomie.. she's great to live with
the boyfriend.. enough said..
joining the gym (i still need to make that part of my routine)
being legal

the worst parts:
a job i am way too overqualified for but that i can't leave because of above-mentioned "legality"
applying for jobs and knowing that this same visa situation will be an issue
it's my last year in my '20s and i'm nowhere near where i wanted to be by 30

what i want to accomplish next year:
get a new job
figure out my relationship
accomplish some of my "to do" list.. the contents of which are TOP SECRET! :P
be nicer to people that i'm close to
try to express myself a bit better
accept people for who and what they are.. no changes..
make some sort of difference in this world
get information and get started on getting a teaching certificate
be a better salsa dancer

that's the plan.. we'll see if i get any of it done in the next 12 months and 3 days.. fingers crossed..

nounou..

finally.. some condemnation..

so, you would NEVER see this headlined in any newspaper or god-forbid any news channel.. but here's what the UN had to say about what went on in Lebanon this summer..

http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&9A86039D230C03A9C225722D005E45C0

U.N. Team: Israel Guilty of 'Collective Punishment' in Lebanon

Israel's military attacks against Lebanese civilians in July and August constituted "collective punishment" and violated international humanitarian law, U.N. human rights investigators said Tuesday.The U.N. Human Rights Council in September appointed Ambassador Joao Clemente Baena Soares of Brazil, Judge Mohamed Chande Othman of Tanzania and Professor Stelios Perrakis of Greece to investigate Israeli attacks on civilians.

The report by the commission of inquiry highlighted "a significant pattern of excessive, indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) against Lebanese civilians."

"The commission has formed a clear view that, cumulatively, the deliberate and lethal attacks by the IDF on civilians and civilian objects amounted to collective punishment.

"During the conflict, Israel justified its attacks on civilian infrastructure saying it was being used by Hizbullah.

The report conceded that some infrastructure "may have had 'dual use,' but this argument cannot be put forward for each individual object directly hit during this conflict."

"Further, the commission is convinced that damage inflicted on some infrastructure was done for the sake of destruction," it added.

The four-man inquiry called on the U.N. to provide wide-ranging assistance to Lebanon, both in terms of economic reconstruction and humanitarian and medical assistance to the victims of the conflict.

It also said an arbitration commission could be envisaged between the interested parties to examine issues of reparations.

The decision by a majority vote of the 47-member U.N. council to set up the inquiry team was controversial.

Western countries said its terms of reference were too one-sided to provide objective conclusions because it did not even consider Hizbullah rocket attacks on Israeli towns.

The experts noted in their report that they were "bound by the mandate given to it by the Human Rights Council," and that their commission "was not entitled, even if it had wished, to construe it [the mandate] as equally authorizing the investigation of the actions by Hizbullah in Israel."(AFP)

Beirut, 21 Nov 06, 19:11

me..

Pierre Gemayel 1972 - 2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6169978.stm

so maybe it was premonition.. but i knew it was going down.. for those of you that haven't read, Pierre Gemayel (only 34 years old) was assassinated today - (his family is the equivalent of the Kennedy's in Lebanon) we all knew.. anyone that's been reading the news knows that the situation was shaky at best since this summer.. and so.. here we are again.. on the brink.. yet again.. it makes you wonder how people that are generally so smart.. so full of life.. so driven to succeed wherever they are in the world.. let this happen.. in our own country, we become passive... lifeless.. victims of circumstance.. conspiracy theorists.. blaming everyone but ourselves.. and in reality.. what does it come down to? it's our country.. as adults, we should have learned by now that we are responsible for it..

i know that it's easy for me to talk when i am sitting comfortable here in LA.. but the truth has always been there.. lebanon was looking better.. superficially.. but the underlying problems have never been resolved.. it was going to blow up sometime.. and maybe this is not the time.. maybe this is when we'll step back and say ENOUGH already.. and take charge of our country.. as Lebanese citizens.. not as muslims or christians or druze.. at the end, we're all living there.. does it really matter what the religious affiliations are??

and that's what worries me.. that people will split up.. into their own religious groups.. and that won't help any of us.. they say that all this is being done because of the upcoming results of the harriri assassination.. different groups don't want to officially know who was behind it.. because, well.. then something will need to be done, won't it? then the actual parties involved in committing that crime (and countless others since then) will be held responsible.. and honestly.. logically speaking.. isn't that how it's supposed to go?? it's 2006.. every action has a reaction.. whether it's personal, professional or political.. haven't we all learned that lesson yet?

anyway.. hopefully i will be happily surprised by the events in the next few weeks.. hopefully we, the lebanese.. will put our country before our religion.. and if that happens, then we will know that we have learned from the past.. and that we are ready to face a truly stable and promising future..

hoping,
nounou

lebanon..

hey everyone.. during the summer most of what i wrote about was what was happening in Lebanon.. and even though the bombs have technically stopped dropping, the situation is far from resolved... one of my friends, whose been living in London for the last few years finally made his way back to Lebanon for a few weeks.. he lived there during the war in the 80's and early 90's.. he was there, he knows what it's about.. and that is what he sent..

most of the people reading this are maybe used to these kinds of pictures coming out of Lebanon and the middle east in general.. but if you only knew.. it's nothing like that when you are there.. but there is nothing that i can say to convince you of that if you've never been.. Lebanon is unlike any other country i have ever lived in (and trust me, there have been many).. it's just such a shame.. that the people that are supposed to protect a country.. lead a country into the future.. can't get over themselves enough to get the job done. it's a shame that most of our politicians really don't give a damn.. isn't this their country too?? here is what lebanon was a few months ago.. i'm ending this entry on some more accurate pictures of the country that i lived in for 5 years..



it's a total shame..
nounou