Kim’s Pho

To avoid bumming on the couch and looking at my watch to find that I’ve been sitting there for the past 4 hours watching TV instead of doing something productive… I’ve been:

1. Re-learning how to knit. My mom taught me a while back. So far, I’ve been going at this rectangle thing I’ll adorn as a scarf in the future (if I ever finish it). Once I complete it, I will move on to another knitting style.

2. Reading. Starting off easy, I’ve already read Harry Potter. Loved it. I am not so much of a fiction reader. I think it screws with your reality and what you believe. I prefer non-fiction. I am currently reading Chelsea Handler’s “Bang Bang”. I mean, her first chapter is on her discovery of masturbation *gasp*!! This autobiography/memoir/whatever is soooo out there, it’s quite comically intriguing. I also just received the twitter giveaway of “Delivering Happiness” by Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh. Very much looking forward to this read.

3. Working Out. Or rather, attempt to. I would utilize the gym more if my key actually opened the door. I pay for it (via rent), I might as well put it to use!

4. Ballroom Lessons. Hey…I really have nothing else to do. I’m still unsure when these future acquired skills shall be put to use, but whatever! I’ll be learning the two-step, merengue, salsa, cha-cha, tango, etc. and I’m excited! Maybe throw me on an episode of Dancing with the Stars?! No? Ok.

5. _X_ Lessons. Whatever lessons ‘X’ is, I’m QUITE enjoying it. That is all.

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If I can get up and do something, everyone else can also. Think about it…30 minutes for a brisk jog/bike ride or 30 minutes on the couch watching a show you can DVR anyways. Do the right thing!

-KTP

http://www.filipinoinguatemala.com/

Not me, I’m not Filipino. But my friend Ron Fortin is. He had an opportunity to head The Scheel Center in Guatemala. I think he is very brave, respectable, and unselfish to take on such a great task. The location requires adjusting to a new country and culture. He is making a difference to the community and its kids through education and healthcare.

A great story and experience, and I hope you’ll be able to read and donate to aid their endeavors as well as help overcome natural struggles. All donations are beneficial only to the students, families, school, and community.

So…

DONATE

DONATE

DONATE

-KTP

So me and a couple of my friends were talking about divorce (since a couple of friends are getting one). The trend today is 40-50% of married couples end up in divorce. So of 16 people in my office, 2 are single, 6 have been/will be divorced, the rest are married. That fits right in with 42% divorcees. Also, 7 people have iPhones, so that really tells you how much of this world owns one. But anyways…

Our discussion led to, why do people get married? (I feel like I have written about this before.) My sister has decided that she does not want to be married nor does she want kids, however she will be very ok with a whole lotta dogs (kids). Guys respond, “she’ll change her mind in a few years” and girls (including me) respond, “she’s 23 – that’s the age where YOU KNOW how you want your life to be.” Sure you “want” it be a certain way, but we also accept that it might not end up that way.

I want to get married. I guess it’s sort of a show, but it’s also tradition. And I’m fairly traditional all thanks to my family. Or some people get married cause they’re pregnant, and they want the child to have a mother and father to make a real family and to eliminate speculation from others.

I want to have a ring, have a tea ceremony, and enjoy a badass reception. BUT that’s what I “want.” I want a ring cause I don’t need anyone to support me, so the ring would be a gift that I would truly treasure. And since that’s the one thing I can’t buy myself, I want it to be the biggest rock that my fiance can afford. I want to have a tea ceremony cause I’m traditional. I want to have a badass reception cause I’m OCD on planning unique and memorable parties.

So…why NOT get married?! Not committed, not committed enough, scared of divorce, scared of gossip, not old enough, too old, scared of expectations, not stable, not stable yet, you hate sharing — everything, don’t know.

-KTP

The results of my 2nd doctor’s appointment…ever…

-I WAS hypoglycemic (thought it was hyperglycemic, but she explained to me the definitions). Since I gave up sweets for Lent, it did me good. Doc goes, “see…diet DOES affect your overall health.” Yeah…so I’m going back in a couple weeks to get my blood sugar and cholesterol levels measured. Since my grandma has diabetes, she thought I may be a little more at risk. But she commended my efforts to lay off the sweets =)

-I have runner’s knee. A couple years ago, it was my left knee. But now, my right knee has been shifting/semi-popping out of it’s socket and going back in. PAIN. Doc told me no running on concrete =( I have to use the elliptical or stationary bicycle for a couple months then ease into regular running again.

-I have to take vitamins, wtf. jk. I know I’m supposed to, I just never do. 600mg calcium/400mg vitamin D.

-So, my last tetanus shot was in the 90’s. Hey man, that was nearly 2 decades ago. So since tetanus shots last 10 years, and I was overdue, they MADE me get a shot! Fckin hurts. I mean, if I step on a rusty nail tomorrow, I’d have to get one (another one) anyways, so why give me one now?!

Other than that, I’m a pretty healthy gal. Thank goodness!

Like when they ask you, “how many drinks do you have per week?” Can doctors add the question, “how many drinks do you have per weekend?”

Cause I wouldn’t consider myself an alcoholic cause I don’t have a bunch of drinks everyday. But I’m not an alcoholic if I have drinks on the weekend…right? How do I calculate my amount of drinks if I have like say, 4 or 5 during one Saturday night…crap that sounds like I have 4-5 drinks per week, which is consistent with a drink per day. Mannit! But then, there was a check box with ‘binge drinker’ which technically is drinking a whole bunch at once, during let’s say – the weekend. Like OMG, I’m a binge drinker! Of course, you don’t want to say it like THAT, cause isn’t there judgement behind it? Like you’re labeled a raging alcoholic or something? I dunno.

-KTP

1. SoGo Market Cafe and Takeout [http://www.sogo-sa.com]

2. The Bubble Room [http://thebubbleroomsa.com]

3. Bin 555 [http://www.bin555.com]

4. Big’z Burger Joint [http://www.bigz-burgerjoint.com]

5. Copa Wine Bar [http://www.thecopawinebar.com]

6. High Velocity @ J.W. Marriott [http://www.jwsanantonio.com/High-Velocity-60.html]

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More things seem to be building around my area, so I’d like to start off local. I’ll build on this list as I check it off.

I have listed 2 wine bars, as I’ve never been. Always wanted to try it and become more knowledgeable, but no one else wants to try new!

-KTP

I’m studying to take the FE exam (for the 3rd time). Taking it this many times is ok, especially since the 1st time was forced to get an idea of the exam format, and the 2nd time I failed by a measly 2 points. Hopefully 3rd time’s a charm, cause I wouldn’t have any excuse except that I didn’t put enough effort into studying.

One of the subject is ethics. And though it is one of the few section of questions with multiple choice word answers, it is one of the hardest. With equations, you can always formulate a way to find an answer. With ethics, it seems, nearly every single one of the answers has been put into play by my company or a representative of a brand or manufacturer; therefore, any of them could be wrong or right.

For example:

Q: Which of the following could you accept within most codes of ethical behavior?

A:
a) a trip to the Bahamas from a vendor to learn about that vendor’s products (ok…seems some ppl accept this before. should you accept such a big, all-inclusive, paid trip?)
b) a pen-and-pencil set sent by a blueprint reproduction company (we always get calendars, pens, pencils, etc. now I’m starting to wonder if receiving gifts is a bad thing.)
c) a smoke Thanksgiving turkey sent by a previous client in gratitude for a previous successful job (sure, we get a few “congrats” and “thank yous”. we also get gifts during the holidays, but mainly from reps. are we to send back the food?)
d) a monetary incentive sent from a vendor in a counter where such incentives are legal and common (it doesn’t sound right to accept straight up money, right? this is the answer to choose, right? but we do receive donations for our charity projects.)

So can you guys figure out the right answer? It seems to me, there’s a gray area where many exceptions can be applied to the rule of ethics. How am I to distinguish what is seemingly MORE right than the other? Cause I’ve seen all those examples practiced within my profession.

The correct answer is c). Technically, any gift, no matter what the value and no matter whether the gift is legal or illegal, is unethical if it influences you or biases you toward the giver. a) b) and d) are all intended to gain favor for future work, where choice c) is a method of saying “thank you” for past work.

So am I supposed to say something when they give gifts? It is really THAT unethical to go be a whistleblower? Meh!

-KTP

Lindeburg, Michael R. FE Review Manual: Rapid Preparation for the General Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. Belmont, Calif.: Professional Publications, 2006. Print.

^^Had to google how to do a works cited, but had to give credit to the author of the question.

So my high school friends and I had a discussion about happenings back in the day. We mentioned things like folded notes in all varieties: coded, a “hey how are you” note, a dramatic story note. These notes were passed around to friends to hand off to other friends. One of my best friends still has a shoebox full of these past notes. I half want to read our youthful thoughts, and I half want to dispose of any nonsense written in those things.

There were also slam books. Honestly, I had to dig deep into my memories to remember that my group did once create a slam book in high school. This slam book was then passed on around the school.

A Slam Book is a notebook (commonly the spiral-bound type) which is passed among Junior high school students. The keeper of the book starts by posing a question (which may be on any subject) and the book is then passed round for each contributor to fill in their own answer to the question^[1].

Slam Books can also exist in virtual formats. Web based slam book sites have attracted controversy for hosting virtual slam books in which individuals or organisations are targeted for criticism that constitutes bullying or defamation.^[2]

Cliffs: you slam someone in a slam book. Or if you’re nice, you leave good comments. I remember coming upon my page to have (luckily) 1 sour message. It was kind of hurtful, yes. However, I still wanted to scroll through the pages to read everyone else’s comments. Are we just cruel to each other and ourselves? The point of the slam book was to anonymously compliment or shit talk. In the end, what good does it do? To hear compliments from crushes you have no clue who they are. To hear shit talking to come to the realization that some people dislike you. What if you didn’t know your page in a slam book existed? Maybe you’re better off.

I think the next time I head home, I’ll be rummaging through the drawers to see if anything surfaces.

-KTP

Started off 2010 with a trip to Breckenridge, and man it was awesome. One of those rare (once-a-year) trips that I enjoy to the fullest. Relaxing actually, even if I fell on my butt often and soreness was ever-frequent. I’m glad I went, and now I look forward to the next trip, whenever that may be. It probably won’t be for a while as I kind of just want to save. Dunno what I’m saving for, but we’ll find out once it’s spent.

Just finished off another 70-hour week. The days just bleed into each other. What’s sad is, I think I got used to it. I may be tired, but I’m not all that stressed.

Just 95% finished my electrical set for my first medical buildings, complete with a CT scanner and a linear accelerator (machine that shrinks/magically eliminates tumors). Basically, my boss said, “don’t fuck up”… makes sense, cause these machines literally affect people. After completion is a great feeling of accomplishment as this was my first solo project. This was the first one where bossman was hands off unless I specifically asked for his guidance. Very exciting for me.

My company’s health insurance went up 30+%. Figures with the heart attacks, pregnancies, throwing out backs, strokes (at age 32!!). So we have a new health plan that is especially fitting for me since I’m health[ier] than most. And even when I am sick, I never go to the doctor anyways. With the health problems happening, my company will now invest time into going to the gym! And I’m very excited for our corporate membership at…Incarnate Word =) yup! University wellness – nothing beats it. And it’s conveniently across the street.

BTW, you must check out my friend’s site for his up-and-coming PedalHouston.com Check out his highly energetic blog: http://pedalmikester.wordpress.com

BTW2, my “things I want but don’t need list v. 2009″ remains as checked-off. Though I will be replacing my ipod shuffle (old version, NOT the new one) as I gave mine to my grandpa so he could listen to Vietnamese music. The rest of that list does not consist of necessities to me. Ergo: “don’t need”

-KTP

1. iPod Touch – I feel like I will be out of touch with music once my 1st gen video iPod dies. [ended up getting an ipod shuffle for gym purposes. works great! guess I'll save out for if I get an iPhone]

2. Snowboarding trip going in January!

3. One quality, everyday-use purse – enough of the Charming Charlie cheapos!

4. Sterling silver hoops overstock.com, holler

5. Dyson vacuum – never thought I would be so excited using my old roommate’s vacuum. hands down one of the best inventions ever.

6. Lasik - This might actually be my only legit “need”, though it will likely take multiple trips to correct my legally blind eyes. I will endure the recovery (and cost) to not deal with hard contacts or ant-killer glasses any longer.

7. Sunglasses with polarized lenses – look…after working at an eyeglass store, all frames are the freakin’ same with the exception of brand name. Polarized lenses reduce glare in the worst conditions and are a necessity regardless of the frame.

8. Surround sound system – to pair with my new TV

9. Women’s golf clubs – cause I can’t keep using men’s clubs.

10. Rockets jersey – though I’ve made use of my T-Mac jersey since ‘04, it’s time for a new one. And I proudly support my Houston Rockets in the land of the Spurs.

11. Hats – I’m continuing my quest to be a “hat person.” [got my hats - waiting for the right sports season to sport them]

Get better soon.
Get better soon.
Get better soon.

How am I going to last through Halloween weekend like this? Ironically, I was sick at this exact same time last year. The 5K last year is equivalent to the 5K weekend this year. I paid for a timing chip, so I better do something. Just don’t want to exert all my energy.

“H1N1!,” everyone screams. Not exactly sure how serious that is over the regular flu. Haven’t really given time to research it. Just gonna wing it unless it gets really bad.

-KTP