Pet Expo

I think the term "cat lady" described my day at the pet expo. The pet expo show-cased a building of numerous cats and cat competitions, cat and dog booths that gave out samples of food and pet adoptions.  Outside, there were different dog shows that one could view. There was a jumping dog competition, which meant they measured the distance the dog could make by jumping into a pool of water. The other show was called Jump!, which was this group that trains dogs to do cool frisbee and jumping tricks (I thought maybe I could train kaiah to do them...) So you're probably wondering why I'm writing about this 'cause who really cares, right? Well I care. I care because I went to a place where only a certain population goes because they love their pets so much. I entered the cat center where cats were being show-cased and many show-cased with ribbons attached to their carriers for placing in certain competitions. I immediately thought this was a huge joke, why would you set up a cat carrier on a table and shove your cat in there and show it to thousands of people?? But as I stood there, staring at this cat, I realized that it had nothing to do with a competition. It merely had to do with how proud these owners were, how proud they felt that they were the owners of these animals.  They wanted to show people how wonderful their bond was to these creatures and in return ask for nothing but the joy of 8 hours showing that to strangers. We all desperately want to create bonds with people but we oftentimes fall short and create these "bonds" with material things, things that shouldn't matter to us.

I've been house-sitting for the past 12 days. Eddy, my new canine friend I looked after had the spirit of a puppy and the energy of a toddler. He somehow got into my things and tore up my favorite underwear, yes I have favorite underwears... My first reaction was to get extremely angry and take my frustration out on him but then I caught myself--I found myself idolizing something that was materialistic, something temporary that had no meaning. So I picked up the pieces, said a farewell to my bird underwear and then it made a new home in the garbage can.

"Cat lady" can be a term often used in a negative connotation but after the pet expo, I don't see it that way, I see a full heart that has so much love for those creatures. I never have been a fan of cats, and still am not, but something I do have in common with cat lovers is that I understand what unconditional love means with a pet. And if I could, I would show case my dog so everyone could see how lucky I am to be so loved.

Furry best friends

Let me tell you why I love dogs so much. When I was born, my parents had a dog already, her name was Nana. The cutest boxer you would ever meet.  My memory of her has many holes and missing parts but what I do remember the most is sitting on our black leather couch one morning, crying my eyes out, preparing myself to say goodbye to our beloved Nana. She was now very old and also very frail. At the time, I was 5 years old and for some reason, I was ok with the idea of putting her down, letting her go to heaven--I understood why we needed to but a feeling I didn't understand anymore...

All dogs have numerous personalities. Like my very own kaiah, she is as hyper as can be but her heart is so big she can hardly contain her love for humans and dogs.  My good friend jackie's dog, Paige was rescued and due to her history, lacks a lot of trust in people. But she has been in good and trusting hands that her fears have decreased. Whitney's dog, Stella, is small and skinny, which can be intimidating in a big world but has the most pizzaz and confidence i've ever seen. We don't realize the similarities between humans and dogs. All we want is to be accepted, comforted and loved, which seems so simple and yet a struggle for many. Dogs are vulnerable, they can't stand up for themselves or explain in words why they chewed up your shoe. And yet, they will trust you with everything, give you whatever you need.  Why is that so easy for dogs and yet so hard for humans?

My 18 year old dog Kumi likes to lay on the cold stone floor in my house--her coat is as thick as a comforter and the coolness of the floor keeps her comfortable. Someday, she won't be here on this earth with us and I will need to remind 22 year old Gabi that the 5 year old Gabi was able to say bye and let nature take its course. I will need to let my fears diminish and trust that my puppy will be ok because she would have trust. Without my dogs, I am not a good person. They have taught me patience and kindness. I wonder what I will learn with Kaiah in the next 10 years or so...what a wonderful journey this will be...

Uwajimaya

This morning, I embarked on a mission to Uwajimaya. My abuela drives this elderly asian woman every Friday to Uwajimaya and to the chinese produce store on Jackson. Due to my abuela being out of town, I took on the role of driving Mrs. Campbell (that's her name).  Although our language barrier is often an issue, her mumbles and my 'excuse me??' get our conversations moving as we drive to the international district. When I walked into Uwajimaya, all the colors and smells immediately reassured me why I loved the asian culture so much.  The candy section is like this wonderful mystery. I can't read what it says but I know that if it's candy, it'll be delicious. The details and art that goes on these wrappers is enough for me to buy the candy.  My favorite aisle, the noodle aisle.  There is a whole side dedicated to different kinds of packaged noodles, it's like i've gone to heaven. The food court is filled with numerous smells, asian meats and pastries. My nose is so tickled with delightful smells I don't even know which to focus on.

I'm not sure why I am so attracted to the asian culture. Maybe it could be that my only friends up until high-school were ALL asian or maybe it's just because my curiosity drives me to new likings.  Either way, culture is at its finest when it's expanded and explored.

As I unloaded Mrs. Campbell's groceries onto the check stand, I was amused by the choices she chose and the options I may have never chosen for myself.  We are two different individuals but were linked by Uwajimaya. As we enter the car, she hands me this asian pastry and says 'you--eat.' Thank you, Mrs. Campbell, for sharing with me, your culture.

I am perfect.

That statement above is false. But don't we all strive for a sense of perfection?? I definitely don't and never have. I have always been content with the fact that i'm average. Average size, average weight ( I hope!), average looks, and average dog. But today, I turn a summer leaf over. From this day forth, I am going to try and learn how to bake. I love sweets and sugars, but I suck at baking.  Once a week, I will try a recipe, either from my good friend Julia Childs or some other random cook book my mother owns.  My mom is an excellent cook so why can't I possess those genes??? I will report my progress on here and show you what i've made.
 Wish me luck, as I enter the world of determination and sugar.

Wonderful People

I felt that it would be appropriate to write about my close friends right now; as many of them are graduating, or will be graduating soon.  My parents always taught me to surround myself with good people, people who would bring the best out in me (hence the tattoo on my arm).  My girlfriends have been more than just friends, they've been my family and my inspirations.  These past four years wouldn't have been this way without them.  So, my hat's off to you ladies, for being strong, intelligent and kind humans and for always believing in me.  I am beyond proud for the accomplishments you have made and will continue to make.  Because I know you, I am a better person. So thank you.

Now, go make billions of dollars so you can support me :D

A tribute to Lady GaGa

Coolest lady ever.

 

"For a little while, I thought girls were just jealous, which is why they were mean to me. Maybe they were jealous of my fearlessness. But I think I genuinely used to rub people in the wrong way. I’d talk about things and do things that were very ostentatious, and over the top, and very vain. And it’s part of my artistic aesthetic. I think you’re born an artist. It’s like being gay. You’re born gay, and then you discover that’s who you are over a period of time in a world where maybe being gay is not the normal thing. Then you look it in the eye and you say thank you, and you put it in your heart and you lock it up and you go. When you’re 12 years old and making clothes with plastic flowers attached to them, and trying to choreograph shows at your school that are entirely too sexy — you start to be like, Okay, this is my aesthetic. My aesthetic is in so many ways exactly the same as it was when I was younger, I’m just smarter. And I know how to execute the ideas. And I have a bigger budget." --Lady GaGa

 

Lemon Water

I do not like drinking water--as do many people. But we all know how important it is to drink it. My favorite drink is lemonade but the sugar content is high and that's isn't good for you either (why is everything good, bad??) LUCKILY, according to some recent studies, fresh squeezed lemon (or bottled lemon juice) in your water helps your digestive area.


"Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently thus controlling constipation and diarrhea."


So, go grab a glass of water, pour or squeeze some lemon juice in your water and drink up twice a day. Cheers!

Anyone out there?

Blogs are silly to me. I swore I'd never have one...

I don't really expect anyone to read this but if you do, you will enter the long and dark road to Gabi's head.

I'm known as Bob. Many of my friends and colleagues call me that. I don't have any colleagues. I'm not a writer, just a thinker.

If you can never know who I really am, just know that I love my dog Kaiah and I don't go a day without wearing something in my hair (headband, clip etc.)

Now I will leave you with a picture. See you all soon.