So I was a bum yesterday and didn’t post - and ended up missing the chance to wish my brother a happy birthday. However, since neither Jason (birthday boy) nor Kevin (oldest bro) read this, I figure it’s not a big deal to be a bit belated. I adore my brothers and, even though I don’t see them that much anymore, I think about them a lot. Jason, the hottest 29 year old bachelor I know, is one of my best friends and I have never really thought of him as an older brother. Kevin fills that role enough for the both of them. In fact, if anything, I sorta feel like he’s my younger brother. He just has this quality about him, I can’t explain, but I’ve always felt protective of him. He’s just not as brash as Kevin and I. My mother used to say that I should have been a boy and Jason the girl, mostly because I acted so rough and tough as a child. Hmm, I guess I’m not making the biggest case for him as a bachelor, eh? Well, I will end with this. He is one of the most intelligent people I know (far exceeding my own minor genius), very laid back, and never one to stir the waters. Relaxed and thoughtful, he’s an amazing person and I am very lucky to know him.

On another note, I want to thank Priya for throwing a great party, three years ago tonight. I’ll say this much - I had a good time.

Beth is a wonderfully persuasive friend - hell, how do you think I ended up here - and as such, mailed Priya and I gifts to jump start our affinity for Florida living. She made us both 2-disc CDs entitled: “Music for Moving to Florida.” Jesus, she even included a Kenny Chesney song, and you KNOW she hates country. Haha. Beth, did you realize that the first line of that song references Austin? Funny. I just wanted to thank you for being a fabulous PR person for the state that Nate likes to call “the Redneck Capital of the World.” You can ask him why (if you even need to).

Along the same theme, here are more Toby pics. I bought him this Polo yesterday. It’s hot.

A lot of people tell me that I’m crazy. In all honesty, they are right. But now I have a partner-in-crime, Nate, and while his craziness factor will never surpass mine, he puts up a good fight.

Case in point. He has an awesome new digital camera and went online and found a way to make your own blue screen for $30. He puts it together on Sunday and that night we arranged for the animals to have their very first school photos taken. Yes, I’m serious. We thought it would be hilarious to have each of them pose on a table and Nate would photoshop a cheesy background, reminicent of our school day pics. Does anyone remember having pink and blue lazers, huge crayons and pencils, or the cheesy lake background where you leaned on a fake wooden fence? Oh yes you do! So here’s what Nate created:

1. The Blue Screen

2. Molly with the Blue Screen

3. Poof! New Background

4. Toby and his Goofy-Ass Grin

5. Bob looking all prestigious

Today is a very important day, it’s the Birthdays of both my Dad and Nate. I started early for Nate and made him my world famous (or, apt famous) lasagna. I made it yesterday because, as we all know, lasagna is most excellent the second day. I also had the kids do an art project for him. And by the kids, I mean the animals. And by the animals, I mean Toby (Dog), Molly (Bunny) and Bob (Cat). You can check out their creation on Tell Him Fred. Basically, I got a small canvas, painted it black, and had each of animals place their paw prints on it with a different color. It turned out really cute, but I’m afraid that the carpet, comforter, and bathroom floor suffered some damage. Apparently, pets don’t like it when you force them to stamp their paw prints; they all freaked out on me and went ballistic around the room. My jeans and sweater look like I came from the 80s (Turqoise, Hot Pink, and Bright Yellow). Acutally, I’m pretty sure I had an identical outfit when I was 8.

I did it. I finally finished the quilt for Barb’s Chinese Baby. You like that name, right? I decided to take quilting lessons last month, so that I could make her a blanket using Classic Pooh fabric (her theme). I had been interested in learning how to quilt, because my great-grandmothers were awesome at it and because I am a big nerd. I think the shock came when I realized how much it costs to make a stupid quilt. Seriously, I had always thought of them as scraps of fabric, how much could that possibly be? A LOT. First, you have your starters: cost of the class, cutting board, two big rulers, blade, two different sewing machine foots, and super fancy thread. Which was about $140. This is basically a sunken cost, you’re not getting it back. For each quilt you need: fabric, spray glue, stuffing, border ribbon, and decorative ribbon. For the Pooh quilt, the fabric was really expensive because it’s a kids’ print. So this one was around $100. Future quilts should be a lot less if I choose some regular fabric. Ok, I’m done talking about boring money. Promise.

Barb had her third baby shower this weekend and received so many gifts that she’s going to have to buy a new room for all this stuff. She had a shower with her co-workers, with her husband’s family, and this was her side of the family and neighbors. Seriously, she had to back to her registries TWICE because there wasn’t enough stuff on it for people to buy. And buy they did. I have never seen so many cute baby clothes in one spot; kids these days are so lucky because they’re clothes aren’t tacky. So anyway, the quilt was a hit. Here it is in all its glory:

Ok. So I’ve resisted writing about it until now, but I think the time has come to give my thoughts on this year’s American Idol. Basically, I think it’s cruel and unusual punishment to have the losing contestants sing after they have just been voted off.
I’ve always been addicted to it, but this season I had extra incentive to watch since my co-worker knows one of the contestants. Ayla Brown, from Massachusetts, is her son’s girlfriend. So I’ve been keeping track since her audition here in Boston. While I know I am slightly biased, I believe that she has an awesome voice. The judges, however, have always felt that she doesn’t connect with the audience and that her performances are “mechanical.” While I believe that may have been true for her initial audition, which I attribute to nerves and her background as an athlete (where you are constantly criticized and have to build up a tough skin), I truly think that in the last three weeks she has shown emotion and spirit. I think they were reluctant to jump on the Ayla bandwagaon because they felt she was an over-achiever who has had a privledged life. She has a full scholarship to Boston College for basketball, her father is a Senator, and her mother is a local newscaster. I agree, she has many advantages, but to fault her for that is hypocritical. Brains and talent, isn’t this what they strive for on Idol? Obviously not, since the judges are in love with country-bumpkin Kellie Pickler. Also, a few of the contestants already perform in real life (Taylor and Mandisa) and one recorded a CD that will be released after the show (Ace). It seems hypocritical of the judges to suggest that she doesn’t deserve publicity from this show when others have already started their careers. Her performances of “Reflection” and “I Want You to Need Me” were strong, and led both Paula and Randy to admit they were “pleasantly surprised.” Basically, they wanted something to slam her on and she wasn’t going to give it to them. So they had to give her backhanded praise, saying that she must “really want this because you’re working harder than anyone else.” It was as though they were criticizing her for her effort. I don’t know, I may be reading into this too much, but how they treated her really irritated me.

So, she was voted off last night. Which I was ultimately ok with, because I knew she wasn’t going to be the overall winner. But, and I’ve said this before, it’s just wrong to have them sing after they lose. Really. For someone that the judges felt had no feelings, Ayla is the only person I’ve seen on the verge of tears after being elimated. She was clearly upset and even Ryan Seacrest tried to console her and had the judges tell her what a “winner” she was. Seriously, it was sad. Then the poor girl had to go up there and sing an upbeat song. It’s as though they said, “Here! Go up there and sing the song that lost it all for you!”
It was uncomfortable to watch.

I speak with my Mom about once and week, and these conversations usually revolve around the ailments that she is suffering from, what is on Thai television, what our neighbors are up to, what is going on in people’s lives that I do not know, if I am losing weight, and why I haven’t returned to school. Normally in that order. She called a few days ago to tell me that she is getting an ultrasound.
What for?
“I no know, they think something wrong with my liver.”
Something wrong with it?
“Yeah, it no function right, they say something about enzymes.”
Enzymes? Too many? Too few?
“Uhh, I no know, maybe too many? Is it too many?”
She always asks me questions that I couldn’t possible have the answer to. In fact, she does this to everyone. When I was in high school, my friend Megan called looking for me.
“Is Kristina there?”
“No, you know where she at, E-Megan?” (My mother always inserts an “e” in front of everyone’s name)
“Umm, no. That’s why I called you.”
“Oh! I no know, I hope you know!”
“Hmm, nope. No idea.”
“Ok, bye! If you see Na, tell her I am looking for her!” (My mother has decided that the best nickname for Kristina is Na. Very attractive.)
Anyway, back to the exam. So it’s always a fun (aka frustrating) game with my mother, trying to guess what the hell is wrong with her and what kinds of problems she has. She can’t sit up because her head hurts, she can’t walk because her leg hurts, she can’t breathe because of her sinuses, and so forth. The last time I took her to the doctor, I apologized to him beforehand. I mean, there really is no excuse for craziness. Of the dozen or so medicines that she takes, I bet she only knows what half of them are for. Which means that the chances of her being able to explain them to me are slim to none. I then speak with my father, who explains about 10% more. Her liver enzymes are extremely high and they don’t know why. Helpful.
She called again last night to add that she was getting a Cat Scan done also. For her brain she said, there was something wrong with her brain. And for a moment, I thought, this is it. She has a tumor. She really has an illness. This hasn’t all be for none! I felt panicked. Then I spoke with my dad, who casually says “Yeah, they want to do a CT of her sinuses.” Her sinuses? That’s it!? I give up.