Lightsabers vs Superman
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 10:35PM Can a lighsaber cut through Superman? Yahoo! Answers has the answer:
Via The Inquisitr.
P.S. - Please go check my private blog for a new post!
Fark's 20 Best Headlines of 2008
Monday, January 5, 2009 at 9:11PM The popular funny news site Fark has recently listed their top 20 headlines of 2008.
Head over there for a good laugh, or if you have 5 minutes to kill. I guarantee you'll LOL. :-)
Stealing Your Neighbor's Wireless
Monday, January 5, 2009 at 8:42PM Today's UserFriendly forced a nice chuckle out of me (click to enlarge):
;)
However funny this may be, I couldn't ignore the fact that the reason for its humor is due to the prevalence of the act.
Do you think stealing your neighbor's wireless is ethical?
On one hand (from a geek's point of view), I feel that if someone doesn't know the importance of network security, they deserve to have their wireless stolen.
However, the fact still remains that you're still using something that someone else is paying for, without their knowledge.
I once knew a guy in college who discovered that he was receiving free cable at his apartment.
He had such strong convictions against stealing that he destroyed the power cable to his television. This way, he would not be even tempted to watch the free cable.
A bit extreme, yes. But when I found out about this, I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of admiration. Then I questioned myself: would I be able to do the same?
Probably not. I would be over the moon for being able to save an extra $30 a month.
How about you?
Bring on the Pain!
Monday, January 5, 2009 at 2:13PM Back in the days when I had a lot more free time and the luxury of The Bank of Mom & Dad supporting me, I was a regular feature at my local gym. Fifteen minutes on the elliptical, thirty minutes of strength training, and another fifteen on the elliptical (or a few laps in the pool) to cool down.
I have never been skinny. In fact, I've always struggled a bit with my weight, because unlike most Asians I was cursed with a curvy body. However, during this year of religious workouts, I was at my most fit with tight limbs and a 25" waist. I didn't have a six-pack, but I had a well-defined line extending down my tummy. I also developed a habit of visiting tanning salons during this period (bad, I know) so I looked tan, trim, and healthy.
I strove to get this body back for the wedding, and I'm sorry to say I failed. The stress of wedding planning while purchasing my first home led me to gorge on calories and depend on my old college frenemies, coffee and cigarettes, whenever I felt fat.
Now, after turning 28, I've decided that I want my old body back.
I realize this may not be realistic; after all, I am 8 years older than when I was at my fittest and my metabolism has noticeably slowed. However, I am not getting any younger. If now isn't a good time to start, when is?
Unfortunately, gym memberships can be quite costly. In addition, their hours are not always ideal and I've never liked working out in front of strangers.
I have decided to turn to exercise DVDs as a result.
The first is the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred:
Although I've never watched The Biggest Loser, I read so many wonderful things about this DVD that I needed to try it. There are 3 levels, each 20 minutes long, and you are to start at Level 1 and progress to the next as you start getting more comfortable with the workout.
I started at Level 1, thinking that it wouldn't be too bad. After all, I can still run 3 miles comfortably - this can't be too bad, right?
Boy was I wrong!
The next two days after the workout were pure torture. I think even my earlobes were sore. I hobbled around the apartment, moaning and groaning, while J proceeded to call me a "silly girl" and asked why I overdid it.
"But I didn't overdo it! That was just Level 1!"
Needless to say, the workout works. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
The next DVD I purchased was the New York City Ballet Workout:
There are two DVDs in the set, with the second designed to be more intense and advanced.
The main reason I purchased this set is because I had been thinking about taking adult ballet lessons. I have always admired dancers' bodies, with long, lean necks, lithe limbs and perfect postures. In addition, I am such a klutz that I figured ballet could help me become more graceful and ladylike.
I've only done the first DVD since I am still a beginner. The workout didn't seem too intense, so I was surprised to see that I was sweating up a storm. At the end of the DVD I felt refreshed and somehow leaner than before...and I realized that this is one of those workouts that will force you to exercise those muscles you didn't even know existed. In other words, pain the next morning, hobbling around like a gimp again, etc.
I will be rotating these two exercises through my new regimen, and will do my best to work out at least 5 times a week. I will definitely keep you updated on the progress, and I'm pretty excited!
Are there any exercise DVDs you recommend? What are your favorite weight-loss tips?
The Importance of the First Date?
Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 7:46PM CNN recently interview our First Lady-to-be, and asked her about her first date with Barack Obama.
What a first date! A visit to the Art Institute of Chicago, a stroll down Michigan Ave, an artsy/cultural film, and drinks atop the John Hancock building.
I am very fortunate to have experienced all four, and let me tell you that if given the choice, this would've been my ideal first date. (Well, aside from a visit to a Broadway musical. But that's being nit-picky.)
I thought back to my first date with J, and I have to admit that it was nowhere near as spectacular. In fact, neither of us can recall a first date, because we had been best friends for months beforehand. I guess if you count the night that J made the first move as our first date, it would be dinner at a local sushi joint and retiring to my apartment to watch Finding Nemo, which I had just purchased on DVD.
At the retreat I attended last week, our guest speaker picked me out of the audience to illustrate a point. He asked how my husband had made his affections known to me...more specifically, how did he let me know that I am the one? What special gesture did, and does he do, to show his love for me?
"Um...not much," I replied.
The audience laughed. The speaker asked, "Wow, and you married him?" before continuing on with the sermon.
After the sermon, I asked myself if I should be bothered by this. I thought of my friends who've had utterly romantic, whirlwind romances. Whose significant others work on projects for weeks, sometimes even months, to showcase their romantic gestures. Whose significant others spend thousands of dollars on special occasions and lavish gifts display their affection.
And I realized, J and I aren't like this.
Now this isn't to turn my nose at the others described above. Rather, we show our love through different ways.
J was different from all the relationships I've had. He has never bought my lavish gifts (aside from my engagement ring), but the special smile he reserves only for me outweighs all the LV handbags and Tiffany jewelry I received from past boyfriends...put together. He has never planned grandiose events/surprises on my behalf. However, the way he cupped my face in his hands to tell me "Happy birthday. I love you." last month still makes my heart melt. He is willing to submit and let things go, even when I am being unreasonable and just plain stubborn.
There was a point last year when I was seriously doubting my our relationship. I asked myself if I could go through with the engagement, and questioned my decision in saying "yes."
However, there were two small but significant events that helped me in my decision. Both were relationship advice, and I feel that both need to be repeated.
The first is from the popular blog Dooce:
"When I was single, I decided I wouldn't marry a man unless I could be proud if we had a son who turned out exactly like him."
After reading this, I realized that if I had a son who turned out exactly like J, I would be over the world.
The second advice is from the late Randy Pausch:
"When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you, it's really simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do."
How simple and strikingly true! I was reminded how J was the first guy who really did call when he promised to, who always tried his best to come through on his promises. There had been so many guys in my past (and even now, through work and friendships) who just do not follow through. But I know that I can count on J 100%.
Sure, J may not be the most romantic, most verbally expressive guy I've dated. But keeping these two advices in mind, remembering the little things he does to show his love for me...I know I made the right choice, and boy am I glad I did.
So to answer the question I posed as the title of this post, no, first dates are not important. Are good first dates (and all that follow thereafter) nice? Sure. But they are not a requirement. Just look at us.