I admire the people who are able to maintain long-distance relationships. In fact, I think that their bond is stronger than some relationships that are not-so-long-distance. Actually, I'd rather be in a long distance relationship that is genuine, than one that is not long-distance, but really only hits the surface. Many people wish for "true love" and a deeper sense of being loved by someone else, but can they really maintain it? When I was about 14 years old, one of my older (and wiser) cousins told me that a relationship is "a lot of work". At the time, I didn't understand. Even when I had my first boyfriend at 17 I didn't understand. Now, 10+ years later as I reflect on my current relationship and others, I understand. A relationship is what you make of it. If you put in your time and energy, even if it means you have to "go out of your way" sometimes, then you will make it last. It really is true that you'll reap the benefits of your labor. So, my advice to all relationship members is this: if you want to maintain your relationship, put in the time and energy, or you run the risk that one day your significant other decides you're not worth their time and energy, since you didn't make them worth your time and energy in the first place.

[Disclaimer: The term "relationship" does not necessarily have to apply to romantic relationships.]

On the Metro Blue Line to Long Beach, Wednesday, March 10, 7:40am:

Boy, was I sleepy this morning! All I wanted to do was nap as soon as I stepped onto the train! I go to pick out a seat and lean my head back on the pole and close my eyes. Aaaahhh, looking forward to a 1-hour nap before heading into the office. As the train starts to go, I notice that my seat and all the seats in my train car are facing opposite the direction that the train is travelling. Ugh, how annoying to sleep facing backwards, but I'm too tired/lazy to get up and move. The passenger behind me, however, has a better idea. (He looked like a Mexican Charlie Chaplin, by the way). He turns himself backwards so that he's facing the same direction as the motion of the train. He's leaning his back and his head on the pole and back of my seat, with his knees and legs resting on his seat. Ok, that's cool, I've done that before too, but then he starts to shift his weight and I start to feel a hard pull and PAIN at the base of my neck. Mr. Chaplinorito, you're pulling my HAIR, sir! Not wanting to make a scene, I just slouch down a bit to release the tension, and figure if I just sit still like that, I should be fine. I'm fine for 5 seconds or so until gravity kicks in and Mr. Chaplinorito starts sliding down the back of my seat. OUCH, you're REALLY pulling my now hair Mr. Chaplinorito! Ok, no more sitting still. I grab my hair, yank it out (ouch, slowly, ouch) from behind my seat and the oblivious Mr. Chaplinorito, and move to the empty seat next to me. Boo, this seat doesn't have a pole for me to lean my head on. Lucky for me, Mr. Chaplinorito and his entourage got off at the next stop, I shift back to my old seat, rest my head back on the pole, and now, where was I? ZzZzZzZzzzz....

On the Metrolink to San Bernardino, Tuesday, March 2nd, 7:15pm:

There was a drunk guy on the Metrolink on my way home today. Normally, I would expect this to happen on the Metro Rail, which attracts all sorts of people since it's not as "expensive" as Metrolink. It was quite surprising (and entertaining!) to have him along for the ride among the usual "polite" crowd; it's always interesting to see how the "working" or "upper" classes react to "other" classes. I wondered if the conductor was going to throw him off the train for being drunk, but I guess they wouldn't have good reason to do that if this guy had a valid ticket (it's not like they could give him a DUI). Anyway, he was conversing across the aisle (loudly) with the passenger sitting next to me, raving about how we're all here just trying to make it in this world. He was slurring most of his words, but I was able to catch a few things here and there, mainly because he kept repeating them. He talked about his life and how hard it's been on him growing up, living in the streets and doing all sorts of 'bad' things. He talked about his brother who's done good for himself, but he's a 'cheat' and that's all he is, a 'cheat'. He talked about how he used to do a lot of 'stuff' and got shot right below the heart. He even pulled up his shirt to show everyone the bullet wound. The passenger next to me was actually very engaged and seemed interested in this guy's rantings. Another guy asked, "So after you got shot, did you quit doing all that bad stuff?", he blurted "Hell No!", and they started laughing. I had to get up to get off at the next stop, so I didn't get to hear the rest of the convo, but I can say that that was definitely one of the highlights of my day. :)

I've been requested to write about my train experiences by a couple of people. Just when I thought well, I have nothing recent to write about, something like this happens.

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On the Metro Red Line to Union Station, Tuesday, February 23, 6:45pm:

Stepping onto the Red Line, there's a little boy singing praises to God at the top of his lungs. Wait, at closer observation I realize it's not a little boy at all, but a short, stout hispanic woman in her 40's, just sitting there singing very loudly like it's no one's business, on a subway packed with passengers who can't wait to get home. No one acknowledges her. As I'm stepping off the train at my exit, she prays repeatingly, "God help us, and Thanks for your help," and starts laughing uncontrollably at the irony of her statement. Bless her heart.

So, out of my boredom, I took a survey! Hope you have fun reading it out of YOUR boredom! :)


45 of the most random things you probably never need to know about me!

Whats your name spelt backwards?:
HNYUQ


What did you do last night?:
record the Thieu Nhi kids' points into our database & SLEEP @ 9pm :)


The last thing you downloaded onto your computer?:
A pdf/xps creator add-in for Office 2007 (yay now I can uninstall the PDF Redirect program--which I must say is a good substitute for Adobe)


Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery?:
haha ouch! I don't think I'd be alive today if I did... scary!


Last time you swam in a pool?:
tooooo loooong agoooo... 


What are you wearing?:
jeans & a cute top my mom bought me at the outlets <3


How many cars have you owned?:
3, but legally 2 (the first one was under my dad's name)


Type of music you dislike most?:
grungy/heavy metal alternative (I can't understand what they're saying!)


Are you registered to vote?:
yes, but that doesn't mean I always vote (I know, I'm a bad citizen...) :T


Do you have cable?:
no, but I wouldn't have time to watch it even if I did :(


What kind of computer do you use?:
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 14" (I love the BIG screen!)


Ever made a prank phone call?:
hehe yessss


You like anyone right now?:
well, does LOVE count? 


Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?:
Bungee jumping -- getting older makes you wimpy :P 


Furthest place you ever traveled?:
Vancouver, Canada (or is Cabo San Lucas, Mexico farther?)


What's your favorite comic strip?: 
Calvin & Hobbs b/c they have Math jokes!


Do u know all the words to the national anthem?:
Yes! Don't you?

Shower, morning or night?:
morning -- ideally it would be after my workout routine, but I still have yet to implement that workout part... 


Best movie you've seen in the past month?:
AVATAR!!! Go see it! :D


Favorite pizza toppings?:
Ham, Pineapples, Jalapenos, Bacon, CHEESE, steak!


Chips or popcorn?:
Caramel Popcorn! (the Cracker Jack kind with the toy inside!) 


What cell phone provider do you have?:
AT&T -- call me! it's free mobile to mobile! :)
 Have you ever smoked peanut shells?:
no... sounds stinky... 


Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?:
no, but they're fun to watch (until I start wishing that I was that fit) :P 


Orange Juice or apple?:
OJ! Apple juice gives me a tummy ache sometimes :(


Who were the last people you sat at lunch with?:
the Nghia Si kids in my Thieu Nhi <3333 


Favorite chocolate bar?:
Twix! twice the yummy!


Who is your longest friend and how long?:
Bryan Do ~ 25 years ? Not sure about this one...


Last time you ate a homegrown tomato?:
I don't think I ever have... have you?

Have you ever won a trophy?:
yes, for being the most dedicated Show Choir member my Freshman year in HS! oh how I miss singing and dancing on stage. (I think that's why I love "Glee" so much) lol


Favorite arcade game?:
Ms. Pac-Man!!!!!!!!! It's FREE at Nickel Nickel! :)
 Ever ordered from an infomercial?:
yes... I fell for it.


Sprite or 7-UP?:
in other words Coke or Pepsi, right? I vote for Coke (so whichever one is tied to the Coke Co. gets my vote) :)


Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work?:
yes (to work) and it saved me some time figuring out WHAT to wear! (I'm very indecisive)


Last thing you bought at Walgreens?:
toys for my nieces & nephews for Christmas -- they had the best Black Friday deals on toys!


Ever thrown up in public?:
no, I haven't thrown up since I was a kid. I guess I have a pretty good stomach... watch I'm going to jinx it :P 


Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love?:
millionaire! money doesn't buy you everything, but it comes very close! (I think I'm biased because I've already got the love part)


Do you believe in love at first sight?:
yes, but I don't think it will last without work :T 


SPONGEBOB or JIMMY NEUTRON?:
Spongebob Squarepants!


Did you have long hair as a young kid?:
no, my dad kept having it chopped short -- BOWL CUT!


What message is on your voicemail machine?:
Call me and find out :) (some people say I sound very "peppy" lol)


Where would you like to go right now?:
home!


Whats the name of your pet?:
El Erico :) hehe jk! I don't have any pets...


What kind of back pack do you have, and what's in it?:
does messenger bag count? it's full of a bunch of material for Thieu Nhi


What do you think about most?:
God & the future. It's so ambiguous... :)

We all live in the same place, on the same earth, in the same environment. We have different lives, but we are all called to live in harmony and community with each other. Although we're all unique in many ways, we inevitably live in the same nature as everyone else. It's a delightful thing.

I have learned that everyone around you is your friend. You just might not have met them yet.