I can’t believe that I will be 30 years old in 6 days.  I’m just so confused as to how this happened.  I look younger….I feel younger…If it looks like a 23 year old and acts like a 23 year old….then it must be….an almost 30 year old Filipino girl named Anna.

Working at a Law office, I must lay down the facts, to prove to myself that I am indeed almost 30:

1. I work at a Law office
2. I like wine more and more
3. I didn’t know Taylor Swifts song (the video that won on the VMAs)
4. My heels hurt
5. My husband pointed out that he can spot cellulite on my butt (aww)
6. I have a husband
7. I’m using SPF in my moisturizer
8. I bought a one piece (and a bikini)
9. My baby cousins…have babies.
10. HGTV is my favorite channel right now

Proof that I’m not almost 30:

1. I don’t wanna list these traits…there’s too many and it’s kinda pathetic cuz I am almost 30. HAHA!

HAPPY BERFDAY TO ME AND THE HUSSSSSBAND!  Vegas here we come w/ all the homies!  I <3 my friends.

I’m more beautiful than I look.
You are worth more than you know.
He’s not as dumb as he seems.
She isn’t as mean as they say.
Your life isn’t as long as you think.

She’s more broke than she looks.
He is worth more than you know.
I’m not as hopeless as I seem.
They aren’t as cool as they say.
You know more than you think.

It’s been one year and 12 days since our wedding!

It’s crazy that I’m zipping by the chapters in my life so fast.  Married, buying a house, and thinking of having a baby soon.  So cliche right!?  It’s weird because it’s just the natural flow of life…or my life, I should say.  Everyone is different.  I’ve tried to swim the opposite way, not wanting to grow up, but shoot…I ain’t a salmon.  Wow, if it were up to Nick, we would have had a baby yesterday!  Yikes…but fun.

I don’t know why I’ve been feeling poetic lately.  I guess it’s because it’s easier for me to express myself artistically.

This poem is dedicated to my husband:

My Favorite Song

You were my friend for so long.  We would laugh, dance, and play.

You were my secret admirer.  I didn’t realize that I made your day.

We were just friends…I tried to push you away.

You let me go, but first you let me know, that you were here to stay.

A song stuck in my head.

Some how my insticts brought me back to you,

I got you out of my mind but realized I missed you.

You were the music that pulled me through.

Like my favorite song that I just need to play,

that beautiful song that makes my day.

God is the songwriter and you are the music.

You were, are, and will be… my favorite song.

Our music was meant to be.

We dance for everyone to see.

HB and hb.

One day we’ll have a family.

I’ve already met our children in my heart.

I love them so much already.

A quiet song that will get louder and louder,

be patient and you will see.

And they will be…

Our…

favorite song.

So before we left for our honeymoon/1st anniversary cruise to the Caribbean…my parents, took us out for a yummy Chinese dinner, at the fancy (jk) TNT restaurant.  It was delishhh!  These were the fortunes the four of us got.  Pretty fitting.  Haha…

From top to bottom:  Dad’s, Mom’s, mine, and nuggs’

Woo!

Is it better that your life is a mystery?

I think I would have rather not known…

the sadness, the obstacles, all the shit you’ve been through.

What good does it do now?  For me to know?

I can’t travel back in time, I can’t re-write the pages, I can’t be there…when I wasn’t.

There is so much I don’t know about your life…so close but yet so far.

Like a bird flying in the sun.

But now I know.  Now I understand.

And as I get closer to the moment when I have my own…

I will also be the sun.

This lady was even worse then“A PHONE MUMBLER”….

I called this insurance co. for 2 things:

1. Name of the adjuster handling the case
2. Her address

our convo:

me: Hi, my name is Anna i’m calling from ______, re: claim # ________….I was just calling to get your address so I can send you a Letter of Rep.

the rude/stoops LADY: Letter of Rep? That must be short for something….

me: Letter of REPRESENTATION… *ummm how can you be an adjuster and not know what “LETTER OF REP” stands for?!?!?

the R/S Lady: Okay. Our address is ____________Sioux Falls, South Dakota

me: Can you spell Suvall for me please? *I couldn’t understand her and I was not familiar with that city

the R/S Lady: *really quickly S.I.O.U.X

me: Okay, Sioux Falls

the R/S Lady: Yes. F.A.L.L.S *in an annoyed voice

me: kayyyy i knew that part…Leslie, how do you spell your last name?

the R/S Lady aka. Leslie: Raddix, how do you spell your last name? *without spelling hers, mind you

me: uhh….G.O.L.L.A…i’m sorry how do YOU spell YOUR last name?

Leslie: (*in an annoyed voice and speaking way too fast, like her name is F’in COMMON…no, your name is WEIRD!*) — R.A.D.D.A.T.Z

me: Were those “A’s” as in Apple? Or “E’s” as in Egg?

Leslie: A.T.Z

me: Okay is that an “A” or an “E”????????

Leslie: R.A.D.D.A.T.Z

me: *omg….can you not answer a stupid queeeestion/!??!? “A as in APPLE?

Leslie: Yes.

me: Thank you that’s all I needed *and i’ve never had this much trouble with an adjuster before…I wonder how you are ever able to spell your name for people or tell people your phone number etc….Do you think that everyone should already know how to spell your last name???? Sorry I’m not from SOUIX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA!!!! GEFFFFIT!

Leslie: Okay.

Me: Thanks so much, BYE. *FOREVERRRRRRR!*

There were 1,000 things I wanted to blog about in the month of August.  So of course I did nothing!  Ugh.  Well, here is my attempt to make up for my laziness.  I was hoping that because August was so busy for us that Aug 28th (DAY WE LEAVE FOR OUR VACAYSH) would come sooner!  But nope…not really.  We’re just so excited!  Everyday I re-count the days on my calendar just in case I miscounted the day before.  So…..8 more days it is and then we’re off to the Carribean!!

What I’ve been up to this month to pass time until our vacaysh/honeymoon/1st year anniversary:

• HOUSE HUNTING with the hubs and Uncle Chan (our realtor).  Yes he’s really my uncle and that’s not a nick name like Skinny Bigs.  I have pics to post…but it’s just toooo mahtz!
• playing with friends in town:  Reese, Cobey, Jazz and baby Caydes. (pics coming!)
• Birthdays
• BAHAY HUNTING
• Meetings w/ Battalion Ent.
• Rehearsals
• Interview with Seattle Pinoy T.V Magazine
• Interview and Photoshoot w/ D-List Magazing -  cool huh!  Nick and I pretended to be Angelina and Brad for a couple days going to interviews and such!
• Teaching our usual classes
• HUNT FOR A HOME
• Cousin’s Wedding
• Anniversary Party
• REHEARSALS
• SHOP for CRUISE STUFFF….ooooh I bought TWO swimsuits at Macy’s yesterday for a total of like $40…..it was hella on sale! I almost got a “miracle suit”…it literally looked like I lost 10lbs like the tag says! but
• Butch Queen’s Show
• Jon Burdine’s going away party but   (watch out LA! You’ll love him!)
• watching ABDC!  go monkees!
• and more bdays, baptisms, bridal showers (THE UJE)
• and of course WORKING….

Pics pics pics…hmm….pics are needed huh.  OH GOLLLEEEE!  We have a digital camera finally!  but uhhhh i’ll use that later.  Still have to figure it out. HA.

Here’s some pics from the D-list photoshoot/interview day:

The shoot took place at HOTEL MAX , “the most artistic hotel in Seattle”.  Here’s me and my HB in front of the hotel.  An old lady volunteered to take the picture for us after she saw us trying to do it ourselves.  It took her literally like 7 minutes to take this one picture.  HEhehe.  Cute.  Guess 70 yr olds don’t know how to use a blackberry for pictures:

Here’s Kristen aka PUCK aka KETCHUP (editor in chief of D-List) doing my make-up cuz her make up artist had to bounce. She did a good job!  It was cool to see her in action at what she does best.

She says her new thing is “eyebrows”.  I’m soooo not used to having my eyebs filled in that I felt kinda like “evil caneevil”…

I kinda got used to it and liked it.  I think if I were to do this on a regular basis i’d do it a little lighter.

The shoot was fun.  The photographer had us dance in slow motion.  Yikes!  It was kinda hard to stay cute and not like a slow motion krumper with stank face.  Guess we’ll have to wait and see.  September 1st…grab your issue of D-List featuring  Seattle Artists like yours truly

ps.  An EZELLS opened up in Lake City.  OMG.  Delish.  The chicken is TO DIE FORRRR!  Nuggs, Kimk, and I are gonna go every last friday of the month.  HAHAHAHA…you’re welcome to join us.  Well if we know you.

Our Ezell’s order consisted of:

1. 8 piece chicken w/ 2 large sides of coleslaw and mashed potatos
2. Biscuits
3. 3 honey mustards, 3 hot sauces, 3 honeys, 3 BBQ sauces
4. Peach Cobbler
5. We tried to order FRIED OKRA (but they won’t have that available until next month…after their “GRAND OPENING”

Loved this lady.  She was so sweet and funny…and her lip gloss was POPPIN.

Well, it’s like the ULTIMATE summer here in Seattle @ a whopping 103 degree record high yesterday….Yay. So I decided to write about something summery.

So yeah, BRIGHT FUN NAIL POLISH!

I just wanted to encourage you to go ahead, slap the colorful stuff you usually save for your toes….onto your finger nails! It’s summer!

Hot nail polish trends for right now…well since spring….

are neons, corals, and traditional pastels in not so traditional colors…like lavender.

I’m wearing “orange flame” right now ) it’s the only fun color I have. BOO!
If i’m feeling gloomy, I just look at my nails. Haha….How conceited is that? If I’m feeling down, I just look at myself and then I am happy once more. I want yellow!

Also. Since we’re here. Go ahead and trade in your brown or black eyeliner for something more fun…like BLUEEEEEEES or GREEEEEEENS!

or EEEEEEEEEEEEEESERP. that’s not really a color! Tricked ya! April Fools!

ENJOY THE SUN and HAVE SOME FUN…I wanna take a ride on your disco stick??

Uhhh sorry, just rotate your head please.

THE UNIFORM PROJECT

Wow. 365 days 1 dress????!!! Well 7 dresses (so she don’t get nasty)….but of the same color and design!

THE UNIFORM PROJECT was conceived and executed by Sheena Matheiken.

The uniform dress designed and made by Eliza Starbuck.

I think this is amazing. Such a great challenge in style and creativity…and all for a GREAT CAUSE: “THE AKANKSHA FOUNDATION”

I can’t believe how committed this girl has been to this challenge. But shooze, if I were getting “ACCESSORY” donations from EVERYONE I’d do it too!! I want my stylista/fashionista/designer/DIY friends to donate to this chic! Aneeks (bad mutha), Jhong (Prahjek), Gabe, Joanna, NOOE, CHERYL KOO??? It’ll be fun! Do it!

AGAIN, make sure to check out the website. It’s pretty sick. Look at her daily pics of some cute ass outfits!

THE UNIFORM PROJECT

I wish I was this creative when I was going to St. Matthew Catholic school for 4 years in a freaking uniform. We would just wear our socks differently or roll up our sleeves, hike up our skirts (hoochies in the making haha), wear different styles of collared shirts. A V-neck sweater or a cardigan. Pants or a skirt. That’s why SHOES were so important. I begged for the cool keds, the shiny black shoes w/ ribbon laces, the gangsta ELISE’s, etc…but I never got Jordans. Those were TOO MAHTZ! Annnnnd I hated it when I had to wear my BUTTERFLY COLLARED button up. I felt so girly/nerdy/old skool!

I remember the “un-cool” were said to wear the “light blue” sweaters. heheh! how mean! Glad I was cool rockin my butterfly collar and sparse bangs. ha. Oh man. Puberty.

Anyways, MY FAVORITE days so far (THAT i’ve seen) is Day 88, JULY 27th and Day 83 JULY 22…. But I also loved JUNE 17 and 18 and FRAAAACKKKK JUNE 20th is FULL THE F OUT. GET IT GIRL. GEFFINIT F’Sho.

anna's banana

Where do you draw the line?  When do you just throw the banana away?  I hate wasting food…so if the banana does not have black spots in the inside…I will ATTEMPT to eat it still.  NO MATTA WHAT COLOR THE SKIN IS.

LOVE CROSSES ALL BOUNDRIES.  CROSS COLOURS. ha.

WTF.  My boss puts his bananas in the fridge until they turn completely black.  Anyone heard of such a thing?!??!?!  Then he eats them.  Oh so iggnant.

Well, I’m here pressin words for word press just for the sake of writing.  Been super busy…don’t know where to start. Busy with what you ask?

1.  WORK.  It takes up my life!!! ugh! ahhahaha

2.  More work…but more fun.  TEACHING.  We teach Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Take our class.  Get hip and make yourself hop!

3.  HOUSE HUNTING-Kinda scary but fun.  HELLA grown up.

4.  Battalion Ent. – Working with up and coming artists!

5.  The family parties, baptisms, weddings, shows.  When is there not one?

6.  CHILLIN, PLAYING, RELAXING.  This is on my list of priorities.  If I don’t get to do this….it’s not worth it!!!

So life has not slowed down here.  I go to bed earlier than I used to when I lived in LA…but I don’t really feel any less busy.  Still tired as usual…but still enjoying life.

I’ve been having fears of DEATH lately…not my own, but people I love.  Why am I so paranoid?!?!?!  Well good thing is that it makes me cherish them that much more.

Annnnnd the sun is out.  Nothing more beautiful than Seattle in the sun.  Really.  Well not really.  Can’t wait to play on some islands next month for Nick and I’s ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY/ HONEYMOON.

DUDE.  1 YEAR?!?!??!?!?!  Oh EM. GIZZLES.  I love him.

This is at TROPHY.  I think it’s as good as SPRINKLES.  Can’t make up our minds.  BUT FAHHHHK!  Can one love cupcakes anymore than I?!?!?

Ps. TROPHY’s HOT CHOCOLATE IS TO DIE FOR!

I was sitting at my desk at work, going about my usual day…working while planning the rest of my evening…when I hear my boss say in a loud and shocked voice:

MICHAEL JACKSON IS DEAD!

I literally yelled from the other end of the hallway:

“WHATTTTT?!”

I never yell at work!  I was in shock.  It just seemed unreal.  Michael Jackson has been inspiring me my whole life.  With a big family, there has been a lot of death in my life with the older generation passing.  An odd and sad fact, but a handful of my friends have lost a parent.  I have felt and seen a lot of real and deep heartache.

The passing of Michael Jackson hurt less of course, but felt different.  Like my friend Jose said, it was kind of like feeling sick to your stomach…and a dull ache in my heart.

His music is beautiful.  His dancing unreal.  His talent has inspired millions.  Yet his life was so hard.  He made many mistakes which made him so so human.  Those mistakes were broadcasted to the whole world.  Unlike with other superstars….the whole world listened.  I can’t imagine the life he lead.  The supression.  I can’t imagine the life he lead, the stardom…being bigger than life!

What I can imagine is his beauty within.  No one can make music like that.  I really don’t have the words to explain.  I wish  I did.

***********************************************************************

Some people made me angry today and yesterday.  I’d like to share that too.  But I also like to share that I am over it.

Here’s the facebook status convo (haha):

Andrew: didn’t MJ die back in the ’90s? Oh wait, that was his career. Sad when anyone dies, but let’s face it, he’s been dead for a while, he just never got the memo. That’s been his corpse walking around for the last decade, doing bad things and ruining his early legacy.

Matt:
Matt Dillon at 4:29pm June 25
How do you really feel?!?

Anna Rivera Golla:
Anna Rivera Golla at 4:41pm June 25
There is no early legacy, just LEGACY. His music touched my life and always will
He deserves respect.
andrew!

Roheela:
Roheela Shah at 4:50pm June 25
um, in case you didn’t get the memo, he had a tour scheduled starting SOON, with 50 sold out shows. he might’ve made some bad decisions my friend, but his career was in NO WAY dead.

Andrew:
Andrew at 4:54pm June 25
Respect for the dead, may he rest in peace. But his own actions lead to the destruction of his legacy. He should have pulled an Elvis, and got out after HIStory.

Jackie:
Jackie at 5:35pm June 25
Wow, hopefully no one speaks of you in such a bad manner when you pass!! Everyone has their opinion but to say he’s been a walking corpse is pretty bad…just my opinion!

Beckie:
Beckie at 7:19pm June 25
U crack me up – Lol! Amazing how many people are defending him actually…

David:
David at 7:07am June 26
haha I’m with ya Andew!

Anna:
Anna at 8:46am June 26
Whether you’re a fan or not…it doesn’t matter. What matters is “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”…which isn’t always such a big deal…but DANG on the day that any HUMAN dies I think that rule should apply a little more. It’s not only disrespectful to him, but to his family, friends, and fans. His influence … Read Moreis worldwide and his music is genious. His inspiration fueled the careers of thousands of musicians, singers, and dancers…maybe even some artists that you hold close to your heart. If you have one! (just kidding)….(on the last part).

I just found this flat out rude…but i’m done now!
And yes, it is AMAZING that people are defending him. Speaks for itself.

***********************************************

*END

It made me so mad to the verge of tears.  Which kinda made me laugh a little bit.  I didn’t realize it, but I guess I’m an MJ fanatic too.  I’m over this because it takes longer to reach people through anger….it’s easier to reach them through inspiration, friendship, love…and in Michaels case:

MUSIC…and all of the above!

Ps.

My top 3 MJ songs:  “I just can’t stop loving you”, “The girl is Mine”, and “The way you make me feel”