Thursday Five

It's time for Thursday Five..where we post..

5 things that have made us..

Joyful
Excited
Grateful
Appreciative
Elated
or just plain
Happy

this week..

Once you're done posting..go to Keely's at http://www.mannland5.com/ and link on up!

My Five:

1. Getting the "Sweet Blog" award from Staci over at Random Ramblings of a Military Wife. I was so stoked to receive this, especially since it's coming not just from a cool gal, but a fab and fellow military spouse!

I'm supposed to pass this on to ten other bloggers, but I'll save that for another post in the next day or so...so look out guys!

2. The Army Equal Opportunity Program ensures that its Soldiers are aware of cultural diversity within their ranks. As such, each heritage is celebrated and recognize during each month throughout the year. For those of you that don't know, May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month and since I am Filipino (Asian) and Samoan (Pacific Islander) this observance holds special meaning to me. My brigade hosted the observance for all of Fort Bliss today and it was literally a "standing room only" event. I MC'd for the event and was able to see dance performances from the islands as well as a martial arts display. The dances brought me back to my childhood because, as an Army brat, I grew up dancing and performing every May for post events like this. I can't wait for my little bug to learn dancing. If she's got daddy's moves, I might just have a star on my hands :) Days like this also make me miss the islands so badly! I wanna go back soon!

The observance was actually featured on the local news. Check out this link: http://www.ktsm.com/news/fort-bliss-celebrates-asian-pacific-heritage

3. Malu called me just before I left work today (and early, I might add! well, early for me!) and we were able to talk for almost an hour. He had been "on missions" all week and it had been days. I love hearing his voice and how patient he is as he listens to me whine (mostly) about the pregnancy and work. He always asks what he can do to make things better and of course, I just want him to come home. Two more months! And it's funny. He asked me if I've forgotten what he looks like since it's been so long. Is this guy kidding? I have his pictures everywhere. And every other post on this blog has his picture on it. Oh, what the heck. I'll post one here too. How could I forget this guy?

And Lucy? Well, she just HATES the camera. The flash freaks her out...reminds her of lightning--and she HATES that too.

4. Joining in on the Apron and Tea Towel Swap over at Kimberly's Korner. I recently participated in her Flip Flop Swap and that was just so much fun, I had to do this one too. You guys should too. Head on over to her blog and find out what you need to do!

5. And, of course, finishing up our 28th week yesterday! Yup, one week into the 3rd trimester and all is well. No baby bump pic, but I'll try to post one soon!

Happy Thursday everyone! Woo hooo! Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!

Thursday Five

I love doing Thursday Five with Keely over at http://www.mannland5.com/. So many crappy things happen during the week and I could go on and on about these things and be so negative. Thursday Five helps me to put things in perspective and gets me to realize that there is more good that happens in my week (and even in one day) than bad.

If you want to join in, it's easy...Blog about five things throughout the week that has made you HAPPY, GRATEFUL, JOYFUL, ELATED, APPRECIATIVE OR ALL OF THE ABOVE. Then, head over to http://www.mannland5.com/ and get linked to all other Thursday Five participants!

And here goes!

1. I have to thank Kimberly at Kimberly's Korner again for putting on the amazing Flip Flop Swap! She could not have partnered me with anyone sweeter than Summer at Summer's Story. I got my package in the mail yesterday. When I saw the box, I couldn't contain myself. I think Lucy thought I was a maniac as I tore the thing apart in seconds.

She got me the cutest, most comfortable slippers. They are just my style--casual--and in my favorite colors. They'll go with practically anything I wear.

And she didn't stop there! She got the baby some of the cutest lady bug stuff! You know how I'm crazy about lady bugs. Vaosina will love them!

It's so crazy. Summer and I have been bloggy friends for only a few weeks now, but I feel like we've known each other forever. You guys should head on to her blog and get to know her too. She has a very inspiring story and a beautiful family. Thanks for everything Summer! Now, Kimberly said that she's thinking of doing an Apron Swap sometime down the road. I'm soooo there!

2. My lil' bug and I are, as of today, officially into the 3rd trimester! 28 week mark! Yoo hoo! We're getting so big....take a look!

3. As you can see in the picture...I can also now officially put my hair up in a small bun/pony tail! Yay! I've been trying to grow it out and it was in that "in-betweenie" phase forever. And it helps since it's getting hotter out here.

4. After my 3-hour glucose test today, I hit up the first restaurant I saw just down the road from the hospital. And yay! It was Vietnamese...one of my faves. I helped myself to a vermicelli rice noodle bowl complete with BBQ beef, grilled shrimp, cucumber, carrots, that special sauce they make, and eggrolls. I was finished in about 8 minutes, I kid you not. I was starving (I did fast for 12 hours and then sat in the lab for an additional 3--I was dying!). I thought it was well deserved. Not only that, I had a honeydew boba drink! Yum!

5. And I think she's crazy, but my best friend Chrissy is planning another baby shower for me over the memorial day weekend. Another best friend of ours, Melody, is flying down from Virginia for it and a bunch of girls from work are going to be joining us. So what was originally going to be a nice small lunch with Chrissy, Melody and I will now be a big lunch/baby shower for me. I have great friends. Love you guys!

Tomorrow. Is. Friday!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait for the weekend. Sleep, sleep, and more sleep. And I'll try to squeeze in cleaning the house and attempting to work on the nursery. We shall see!

Ten on Tuesday

1. OMG, I just saw the preview for the new Robin Hood movie, starring Russell Crowe. Robin Hood was my favorite movie in high school...the one with Kevin Costner. I'm so excited to see this version. And Russell Crowe looks the best that he's looked since The Gladiator--same haircut and all. Nice!

2. I felt better going in to work today and I have to say that it's because of this stuff the OB gave me yesterday for my sinuses. It's a sinus rinse made by NeilMed Pharmaceuticals and is basically a nasal irrigation system that cleans out all the "yuck" in your sinuses. Having chronic sinusitis, it would have been nice to know about this years ago. The way you use the system is kinda weird. You shoot the saline solution up one nostril and have it drain out the other nostril and though your mouth. Then switch nostrils. But the relief you feel afterwards--is unbelievable.

3. Continuing on with our "hole in the wall" ladies' lunches....my co-worker girlfriends and I went to Rosco's at the suggestion of our friend, Maddie, who couldn't go with us today because her hubby just returned from his deployment! Yay Maddie! Anyway, this place was in another run-down part of town, but they serve the most delicious hamburgers ever! The place is so dingy looking outside, but it was jam-packed and we were barely able to grab ourselves a table. I should have taken a picture of my burger, but didn't have my camera on hand. I had a cheeseburger and fries with chili on the side. To die for!

4. Remember how I blogged about my friend Chrissy meeting Jack Johnson the other day? Well, the next day after she had sobered up...she told me that she did meet Jack Johnson, but not the one I spoke of. Just another singer who had the same name. What are the odds? So funny. I'm somehow knew it was too good to be true! Now I don't feel so bad about missing that night.

5. I sent flip flops out to my Flip Flop Swap partner, Summer, yesterday. This event was hosted by Kimberly and was such a fun idea. I hope she likes what I got her, as she likes the bling-blingy kinds of slippers. I can't wait for her to post about them when she gets the package. You guys should check out both these ladies' blogs. They're great!

6. OMG...I'm up to 80 followers now. How cool is that? As promised, I will be doing a giveaway, I'm just thinking of ideas. Thanks to everyone for becoming followers. It means so much to me.

7. Speaking of giveaways, I've entered so many the last few weeks and I have yet to win. I never have that kind of luck!

8. Can you believe that I start my third trimester on Thursday? This means I technically start my 8-hour work days. Let's see if I can actually pull this off. I haven't had 8 hour work days since I've been in the Army. But if I don't actually start doing it sometime soon, I'm going to wear myself out. We don't want that to happen. Wish me luck, guys!

9. Malu sent me a just-because-I-Love-You email yesterday. What great timing. I got it while I was home on quarters. He somehow always seems to know when I need to be loved on! I love you baby.

10. Lucy just wanted to people-watch on our evening walk tonight. She just plopped down in the middle of the grassy field and watched all the other walkers pass her by. It was so cute. When we do walk, she walks about 10-15 feet in front of me and looks back every 5 or so paces to make sure that I'm there. Either that, or she's making sure I don't pass out. Gosh, I can't wait until Malu comes home so he can play and run around with her. She's been getting jipped by mommy! Sorry Lucy!

And that's it you guys. Hope you have a great hump day tomorrow!

Flip Flop Swap and a New Bloggy Friend

The Flip Flop Swap, hosted by Kimberly at Kimberly's Korner is well under way! I am so excited! Unfortunately, the chance to participate is over, but Kimberly has a great blog anyway, so just head on over and check it out! At any rate, the person you've been partnered with is no surprise. And Kimberly let me know today that I will be getting to shop for some flip flops for Summer of Summer's Story. Coincidentally, Summer and I met just last week through Friday Follow and I consider us new bloggy friends. She has a beautiful blog as well as an inspiring story that you should check out for yourself! Summer has informed me that not only does she have small, teeny feet (she wears size 6), but she likes bling-bling flip flops. Let me tell you, I cannot wait to find them. And I have until the 1st, so I guess I better start looking!

Thanks again to Kimberly for hosting such a fun event and for introducing me to a sweet new friend! And oh my goodness, I just noticed that I'm up to 60 followers! 15 more and I do a giveaway!

Hope everyone's week has gotten off to a great start!

Thursday Five

I love Thursday Five! Not only because it's fun, but because it signals the end of the week. Yay! Tomorrow is Friday! Woo hoo! I'm so ready for the weekend. If you haven't done Thursday Five before, here's how it works:

Blog about five things throughout the week that has made you HAPPY, GRATEFUL, JOYFUL, ELATED, APPRECIATIVE OR ALL OF THE ABOVE. Then, head over to http://www.mannland5.com/ and get linked to all other Thursday Five participants! It's that simple!

So here are my five:

1. Today wrapped up the 24th Week of my pregnancy. Here is a picture of me taken sometime this past week (please ignore the mismatched pajamas!). Yes, little girl, we are getting pretty big! Some funny things to remember about this particular week:

a. My NCOIC, MSG (Master Sergeant) Williams, says to me at the beginning of the week--"Ma'am! You're waddling!" Yes, I do. I'm a waddling fool. I bet I'm funny to watch, especially in a unit where you're surrounded by dudes all day long.

b. Emotions are running rampant and I still cry at anything. Last Saturday, I took the Jeep to the car wash. Across the street is an IHOP and I was dying for pancakes. I mean dying. So while I'm waiting for the Jeep to be fully serviced, I walk on over and ask for a table. The hostess asks, "just you?" And my eyes start watering. Since there was a long line, I went outside to wait with all the other people, but got so sad about what she said that I left and returned to the car wash instead. At that moment, Malu calls and the full-on waterworks start, right there in the car wash waiting area. I cried about how I wanted pancakes, but had no one to go with. And Malu just proceeded to calm me down, saying "don't cry, baby" in Samoan (and I had to ask for a translation because I don't speak or understand much Samoan--how sad). We talked for almost an hour and of course, I felt so much better afterwards. But the pancake craving? Has not subsided. After the car was washed, I went to the store and bought syrup and pancake mix!

2. My new lady bug obsession=happiness! I just think they're so cute. And all my friends know about this lady bug fetish I have going on. Remember how I said in a previous post how I have the coolest friends at work? Well, my friend, Maddie Finch, gave me and the baby this gift today. So precious! Thanks Maddie!

3. The way that Lucy gets excited every time I come home from work every day NEVER gets old to me. I could be in the worst mood ever and once I get through the door, no more! And I feel like she knows when I'm in one of my crying moods, especially lately. She'll come and cuddle up right next to me on the couch. I love her so much!

4. Today my friend, Melissa, and I were able to convince our boss to go home early today. We all walked out of the office at the same time (despite some serious prodding on our parts, mostly Melissa's--our boss is a workaholic). And when I say early, I mean 6:00 p.m.! Well, any day we leave the office and it's still daylight out...that's early. I love early days!

5. Joining the "Flip Flop Swap" over at Kimberly's Blog called Kimberly's Korner. Go to her blog to find out all about it. Bottom line is--you could end up with some really cool flip flops for this spring/summer! Not only that...Kim's blog is so awesome. I love it...and she's the sweetest!

Happy Thursday everyone...well, what's left of it!