241. Chiro Sway

I have had the most intense and horrifying tension headache for the past 14 hours.  No amount of salonpas patches, alieve, hot water bottles, or sleep could make it subside.  In a last ditch effort to make it go away, I opted to go to the chiropractor today.  I'm not a fan of the sound of cracking bones, in fact it makes me nauseous, however, I was desperate.   Lucky me I got an appointment right away and it was close by so I ran up the hill in no time.

After a few minutes of awkward and painful twists and pokes I heard the most disgusting 5 cracks echo in my ear.  I almost threw up on the doctor.  I guess I was holding in a lot of tension in stress (really?! you think?!?).  The doctor fixed me right up

My inspiration of the day comes from what he actually said after he was done cracking me back into place... "Sometimes it's not a surface issue.  70% of the time it stems from within."  He knew there was something else going on to cause the tension and he recommended I learn to relax and try to unravel my mind every night.  Otherwise, I'd have to come back on a daily and my insurance does not cover that. lol.  Good observation doc; I'm working on it!

240. CECE Sway

Cece

 is our 17.5 year old (that's 83 in dog years)
Chow Chow Collie mutt.

She likes to relax and bask in the sun.

She's a wonder dog - that is all.

239. Tailgate Sway

Bring your gloves!  It's frackin cold @ Qwest today.  My fondest memory of the day was a little boy coming out of the SilverCloud elevator... I wish I could have taken a picture of him. He was about 2'5, maybe 5 or 6 years old, wearing a throwback jersey that stopped at his ankles, a Seahawks helmet that was way too big for his head, dragging a teddy bear with a mini Seahawks jersey on.  He started out the window of the lobby and waved at the tailgaters coming down the street... Priceless kid!

Second point of inspiration today came from hawkville in itself.  I was lucky to get a chance earlier in the season to Tailgate w/ Jon Jon so I knew what to expect.  I can't begin to describe the intense emotion and pride that engulfs you when you get stadium side.  The energy in the air is amazing!  I'm sure the rounds of drinks and the food have something to do with it too.  This little bite of heaven was presented to us from a neighboring tailgater...

Corn Waffle base topped with

slow cooked Brisket topped with crispy Bacon

drizzled with homemade Caramel Burbon sauce

Thanks Whats Turby Eating!

238. Thanksgiving Round 4

This morning I got up with an extreme stomachache *shakes fist at holiday milk* and in a mini rush.


Round 3 of Thanksgiving for Kenji and I. Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. We are the non traditionalists; we never have turkey and all the fixins'.  There was once a lichon, cornish game hen, ham... this year we celebrated in Chinatown @ New Hong Kong over dim sum lol.

It's hard to get the family and significant others together at one given time. And to be able to do it around a single table is next to impossible. As dysfunctional as we may appear and sound... I can't help but smile and theses rare occasions. Details will be spared, I just wanted to relish in the memory as I’m driving (riding) away.

I am forever thankful for my complete Thanksgiving weekend.

237. Milky Sway

It's almost midnight here at Lake Tapps.  I'm super full from a humongous 'post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner' hosted by JJ and his family.  My cheeks hurt from laughing (but in a good way) and playing all kinds of crazy games.  It has been such an amazing night filled with amazing food and people.  SO, instead of calling it a night... why am I consuming milk right now?  But it's not just any milk... it's super fantastic, thickened, sweetened, special Target brand milk.  You might laugh but this just got real serious... we really did just fill one glass per person and toasted lol.  You can't even fathom how FK this really is.

Red Velvet and Mint Chocolate holiday milk

*CHEERS*

holy shit my stomach is going to be sooo mad

236. Thanksgiving Sway

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I can't believe how fast the year end is coming; I'm still trying to play catch up from summer and now the holidays are just around the corner.  I just wanted to do a quick Thanksgiving post before the hustle and bustle of the day starts to set in... better grab my stretchy pants for later...

I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and I know I do not express it as often as I should.  I have learned the magic of the simple things.  My hope and wish to you tonight is to love and cherish those simple words, acts, gestures and moments.  They are what shape us and carry us and keep us humble and sane.  Be thankful for what you have, the people you have around you, and the abundance of opportunity that awaits you.

With that said - have a laugh and go get your grub on!

235. Snow Day

Yesterday was an official "Snow Day" and I was NOT mad about it at all.  I'm not fan of the cold but having a day off in the midst of all the chaos of year-end was nice.  It was freezing and the roads were completely iced over so commuting was not an option but it was beautiful.  The icicles glistening and the powdered snow swirling in the light breeze... it was nice to see from my window in my PJ's with my cup of hot cocoa.  I didn't take an cool pictures (this was out of sheer laziness) however, I got a fun picture to share when I returned to work today...

It's 2 FEET of SNOW!

You get it!? lmao

234. Heather Sway

Happy Birthday to my feather friend Heather :)

Hoping she is enjoying her surprise Las Vegas adventure today!

One of my favorite pictures of us...

Making fun faces through glass windows
after consuming a bottle of absolut pear *gag*

 Hotel Landis (Hell) in Vancouver BC

Circa Summer 2007

233. Baby Ayumi

Baby AJ  has officially been named

Ayumi Chu Yamamoto

Gender:  Girl

Origin:  Japanese

Meaning:  Step and wonderful

Pronunciation:  (AH yoo mee)

Form of:  Itself (Ayumi)

232. Quoted Sway

“Try and fail, but don't fail to try.”

 - Stephen Kaggwa

231. Welcome Baby AJ

Welcome Baby AJ (name still tbd)

Best wishes to mama Angela and papa Masa.

Baby Chu-Yamamoto

Born November 20, 2010 @ 12.54am

6 lbs 18 inches

Photo credit: Paul Maranan

 "Suddenly she was here. And I was no longer pregnant; I was a mother. I never believed in miracles before."

Ellen Greene

230. Holiday Sway

Bright lights and Christmas wreaths @ Redmond Town Center!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas :)

229. Ladies Sway

Long past due - Ladies Dinner 

We're all anxiously awaiting Baby AJ's Arrival!

"Life has no pleasure higher or nobler than that of friendship"

Samuel Johnson

228. Bella's Bday

“There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.”  - Elizabeth Lawrence

Happy 2nd birthday to my niece Bella :)  I hope you giggle all day baby girl!

227. JJ's Bday

"No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth."  Robert Southey

Happy birthday wishes to my stummy twin, you are such a 'requirement'.  Wishing you a happy day filled with lots of food and good company. 

226. Citizen Sway (again)

Celebrating the upcoming holiday season over a large mug of peppermint hot chocolate with friends @ Citizen.  Hoping to catch up on my blog and enjoy the company with me!

 Cheers!

225. Manny Sway

My new 2010 Dunny Collector Dunny - named "BOOM"

Dedicated to Manny Pacquiao for his fight victory last night!

224. Robert Sway

A special birthday shout out to Robert, Roberto, RSS, S +13 :) aka Prince of Laos!

Wishing you a happy birthday and a feast that gives you good poop!

223. HOME

"When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home."

Thornton Wilder

After a long road adventure we have finally returned home!  I am so exhausted yet so very grateful for the opportunity, the hospitality, the new and old friends along the way, the family time, and the bonding time that we experienced. *yawn* 

222. Dawn Sway

"The light which puts out our eyes is darkness to us. Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star."

- Henry David Thoreau

Dawn in Daly City as we start our trip home...

Today I'm thinking of you Grandma Ising...  miss you.

221. Tastebuds Sway

Sadly - I have no pictures for this post... but it was the highlight of my SF trip.  Last night we went to a restaurant called Tastebuds with a majority of my cousins.  Far too much time has come and gone since we've all really spent some time together, chatted, and ate a meal around a table.  I'm laying here in bed relishing the memories of last night - the random conversation and for some reason I'm picturing prosthetic limbs and laughing to myself.

Thank you to my SF cousins for a great night - you are all missed and thought of often!

220. SF Sway

Day 2 in San Fransisco and Kenji and I are playing tourist in the city.  We tend to hit some of our favorites spots every visit - so here is one of my favorite places that not many people know about... Fort Point at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge (SF Side)....

We also wanted to pull some FKMs and found a spot called American Cupcake that serves Red Velvet fried chicken with a side of cream cheese mashed potatoes... AMAZING!

219. SF Feast

After a long journey from LA to SF - we arrived in Daly City (Filipino Central) just in time to greet my aunt and uncle coming in from the Philippines.  I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to be surrounded by family after such a long road trip.  Nothing says love like a true feast - Chef Virgie style!

218. Team Pride Sway

Stupid/Ghetto Home Depot Center

Carson City, CA (LA)

Sunday November 7, 2010

Game 2 of the MLS Semi-Finals

Seattle Sounders FC vs LA Galaxy

I am so proud to say -

We were there. 

All decked out in our Sounders gear, on our feet and yelling the whole time.

Seattle Pride in the oppositions face felt so good!

217. Sema Redemption Las Vegas Leg

Sad that yesterday was our last full day in Vegas.  Sad that I feel like my time here has been way too short.  Sad that I'm still completely exhausted.  BUT so incredibly happy that I went on a random road adventure with my Kuya Franny yesterday... it's been much too long since we've seen one another.  Great coincidence that we're in Vegas at the same time.  With a few hours to kill and a rental car what was our destination/adventure of choice? 
COSTCO!! 

LMAO - I've never experienced a Costco outside of Washington so I was not prepared for the schmorgesborg of excitement that was waiting for me.  It's like a kid in a candy store with no supervision!  WOMP

I had high expectations for our last night in Las Vegas.  I wanted to party and toast to a successful Redemption Trip and play with my cousins that were in town.  The night started out strong with Friday Dinner @ M Resort to experience the FK goodness of Studio B Buffet.  Unfortunately, those FKMs ended up in severe itis and I passed out at 9:30 pm.  When I got up all pumped and ready to head out at 2:30am, everyone was down for the count.   *sigh*  So last night in Vegas ended like the first night - TKO.

*Solo cheers* to a successful SEMA Redemption Las Vegas leg!  Many thanks to the road companions; Chuckie and Randy; for accompanying Kenji and Ari to Vegas.  To JJ for his hospitality and flexibility to host while putting in a full work week!  To Mikey, Greg, Tiny, Rich, and Vanny - sorry we didn't see you much but thank you for the love and the fun times and laughs - we'll reconvene @ home with an FDC :)  To my travel companion DJ Skeeet (LMAO) thanks for getting me on the plane!

We're now LA bound for the night... en route to see Indo :)  Oh boy!

216. Moments of Laughter

This is probably one of those "you had to of been there" moments.  But everytime I look at this photo I laugh my ars off. Yes - that's me on the right - and no - those aren't my legs on the left.  I saw the Las Vegas Strip in a whole new way this afternoon...

VIVA SEMA!

215. Ari at Sema

Ari parked in front of the North and Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center for SEMA 2010

SEMA Redemption!

Seriously - I teared up when I turned the corner and saw her sitting there in the sun.  Not many people get a second chance at this and we are so grateful for the opportunity and support to be here in Las Vegas again.  Words cannot express how good this feels...

214. LTD

I'm exhausted from a night of sleeplessness from anxiety, stress, pain, oh and food poisoning/allergic food reaction... however - I AM HERE IN VEGAS!

Right now I'm watching my good friend Randy spank the crap out of some racing teachers @ Fast Lap.  I laugh but if any of you know Randy - you know how excited and enthusiastic he is about cars and karting.  It's not just a hobby; its a deep rooted passion of his that he loves to share with everyone he meets.  It's fantastic; it reiterates that whole saying about when you see someone in the midst of their passion you see them in a whole new light.  The joy on Randy's face right now is making me smile like crazy and I'm half asleep.

Tonight he's in Livin the Dream mode - I can only hope that we all experience the same joy, love, and passion at some point in our lives...    It looks amazing!

213. Cookie Fortune

212. Locks of Love

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides wigs and hair pieces to children that are suffering from medical conditions that cause hair loss.  You would be applauded to see how expensive quality hair pieces are... this foundation helps take that financial burden away from families that need to focus on their child's well being as opposed to the cosmetic aspect.

From the Locks of Love website: Our mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

HOW TO DONATE

• 10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece.
• Hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut.
• Hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed in.
• Place the ponytail or braid inside of a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope.
• If you wish to receive an acknowledgment for your hair donation, please fill out the hair donation form, or write your name and e-mail address or mailing address on a full size separate sheet of paper and include inside the envelope. We cannot acknowledge donors who do not send their name and address according to these instructions.

All hair donations must be mailed to

Locks of Love

234 Southern Blvd.

West Palm Beach, FL 33405-2701

What's the point of this post you might ask?
This is the pre-shot

Here's my donation from this evening - 
YUP 13.5 inches chopped off today...

Thanks to Salon Seven in Bellevue Square

What's it look like you ask?

Aww you'll just have to see me in person I suppose...