El laberinto del fauno

El laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth)

My bf and I went to this movie on Friday. Yes, if you decided to watch this, you would have to read the subtitles.
It's hard to say if I would recommend it. Part dark fairy tale, part dreary reality, it's certainly creative, and beautifully done. And it has impact... but, it was literally somewhat painful to sit through, because of some of the scenes... believe it or not, none of the scenes that were unbearable were the ones containing grotesque monsters like the one above.
Anyway, the movie was definitely amazing enough for me to feel like it deserves a shout out.

WAH??? beautiful?

omg... this is so funny...
ok... in Korea, this guy sees this picture on the internet, associated with aim, or some forum or something, right? And, the picture is of this beautiful girl, and he becomes infatuated, head over heels, determined to find her... (I think it's kinda creepy... ) He gets some tv show to follow him on his trek to find this girl that has enslaved his heart... In the end, he got quite a surprise... turned out she was a Haduri expert (which is very popular amongst young folks there)... I guess it's a form of photoshop... Those are actually the same face?!? wah??? I guess so...
lol... serves him right for focusing so much on the exterior... it's kinda mean to the girl because afterwards, he decided to circle everything on her photo, saying things that even her hand was not slender and long...
but still funny... not sure who I'm laughing at, but funny...god... I can be so mean... why oh why am I this way?

Weight Loss Trick: Make germinated brown rice

Instructables:
The most touted health benefit to GBR is the amino acid GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, that is created during germination. GBR apparently has twice the GABA of regular brown rice, and ten times the GABA of white rice, from 6 to 40 mg of GABA per 100 grams of rice. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that seems to have the following benefits: promotes fat loss by the stimulation of the production of Human Growth Hormone; increases the sleep cycle giving deeper rest; boosts the immune system; lowers blood pressure; inhibits development of cancer cells; assists the treatment of enxiety disorders.

So basically, you get some brown rice, keep it in warm water for 16 hours. To find out how to do this, click on the link.

Tiny Baby goes home

The world's smallest baby is going home...
kinda scary looking because it looks so fragile...

Evil President Bush

AH!! What is he doing now?!?ok... I'm not too much of a bush fan... I'm heterosexual.. no... I'm kidding...
anyway, I can't believe I just wrote that...

His taxes are geared towards the rich, especially the insanely rich... and WHY WHY are there still US troops in Iraq???

Bush helps the rich

and screws the minorities

and, on another note... I cannot blame Bush for this... but, what is up with so many of our soldiers being so damn immoral?!?
Yet... another case... Some of our troops (I'm sure) are amazing people... but some decide that as long as they are overseas, they can do anything to innocent people?!? raping adolescents... and killing civilians, taking embarrassing nudy pictures (embarrassing to the US and to the individuals in the photos)...because you're not in your own country, you can be absolutely disgusting??? ugh... and these are just the ones that get caught (most of which have been caught on camera or photos)... who knows how many cases of this stuff really happens...

YET another horrendous story

whoa... pretty 3-D fantastic

LINK

Absolute Disgust

I didn't know this, but some people find a thrill in killing and beating up homeless people.

I don't know why but I get so angry when I read stuff like this, but I could almost see the smoke coming out of my ears. This kid below is serving 15 years for killing a man in one of the most heinous ways... People like this should get at least life imprisonment... screwed up...The way he talks about it makes me boil even more inside...

These people who do this are the scum of the earth. They deserve less than nothing.

CNN

When Nathan Moore was 15, he and two of his teenage friends beat homeless man Rex Baum to death. Now 18, Moore is serving 15 years in a Wisconsin prison.

my sister visited!

Last weekend, my sister decided to visit me. We did the usual shopping girl stuff, and we did a mini celebration of Chinese new year at the local small China town... we even took some photos... but unfortunately, something happened to the pictures and they cannot be retrieved... never happened to me before... but I think I know why it "errored."
Anyway, sorry... It sucks for me too... cuz it would have been nice to have a nice pic of me and my little sis... oh well...

True: 5 year old mother

alright... first and foremost, I must warn those of the faint heart, people like me, that the link has a picture that really just makes my hair stand on end... it's VERY gross for me to see a nude 5 year old with a pregnant belly, and lactating breasts... ugh... it makes me vomit just typing that...

Anyway, there once was a girl who gave birth at 5. It seems impossible, but I guess she started having regular periods at 3... pretty crazy stuff.

The sad part of the story is she never revealed the father (another source of eeww), and she grew up thinking her son was really her brother until the ripe old age of 10... poor little girl...

SNOPES

Tracking Device: size of dust!

I'm so scared... but I don't think that the range is all that good...

LiveScience

friends...

oh... I miss my friends from the good old Midwest. They sent me so many sweet messages when I was listed as single on facebook for less than 24 hours...

A Longer Life

I saw a pretty interesting documentary last night.

Basically, they removed one gene from the DNA of a rat, and this caused the aging process to be half as fast. So for instance, it's the equivalent of an 80 year old looking and feeling like a 40 year old. Anyway, this gene basically plays a big role in insulin levels. Without it, insulin is much lower.
I guess insulin is also controlled by food intake. The more you eat, the more insulin is released. Thus, eating less food is extremely beneficial...
Also, they mentioned red wine. Red wine increased a mouse's life by 10-15%. However, for a human to get the same benefits, they must drink 10000 glasses a day... obviously, this would harm you in other ways... so it doesn't really work out.

A link I found: CBS NEWS

Ten Things to Ask before Marriage

According to NYtimes, one should always ask the following questions before marriage.

1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?

2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?

3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?

4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?

5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?

6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?

7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?

8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?

9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?

10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?

11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?

12) What does my family do that annoys you?

13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?

14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?

15) Does each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?

It's an interesting little list... something useful for anyone who is not married...

Worst V-Day Ever

Arg... Not only did I spend the beginning of V-day alone, wide awake, crying and miserable... I had a stupid b-friend that was just not there. He left because I yelled at him (two days ago) because I thought he was lying (the evidence was against him)... it's been a little over two months since I knew for sure that he's lied. I feel like freaking cursing... so pissed.

My favorite part of it is this: I get on the phone with him and he says, "Think of this as your punishment." Turns off his damn phone and that was all.

F***ing cruel... 99% of the time, he can never empathize, even with someone who has cared for him for so long. He may have some good qualities... but he's probably one of the worst in one of the most important aspects of a good human being.

He's so damn righteous... He freaking lies for 4.5 years, and then thinks he should never hear about it... oh the things he has done... it's not just one type of thing... and then nothing special to make up for it... I can't even talk it through with him, because he won't allow it!

He was content enough when he was causing me pain... as long as I wasn't there to bitch at him.

What's even more funny is that he refuses to be open about what he's doing after all of this. He's never been open, except MAYBE for the last 2 months... and now, he's requesting that he just can't be open about everything. I need to KNOW that he CAN tell me those things (since he has never been truthful about it for 4.5 years). so angry it makes me laugh...

I don't freaking care anymore... I keep all this crap bottled in me, while ALL his friends know so much! I don't think it's even occurred to him about my privacy. Besides, this is afterall, MY post... His damn pictures are censored... and I'm pissed!

The worst part of it is that I used to see him in an imperfectly perfect way; in my world, he was the epitome of ideal. His actions hurt me in a way that I don't know how to express outside of pure rage and tears. He knows I was the greatest girlfriend, and I treated him royally. I only wish he wanted to make me feel whole again.

My little sweet cat was there with me throughout the night. Whenever, the bf decides to jet and stay away the whole night... she mews a whole lot, but she's so worried that I'll disappear too that she lays right next to me all night, even if she's wide awake. It's so sad... She's the biggest sweetheart in the littlest, furriest body... OH GOD... I am on my way to becoming a crazy cat lady... lol...

Quote of the Day

I know a lot of you don't like Dr. Phil... well too bad...

Guy: I cheated 2 years ago. Why is she not over it yet?
Dr. Phil: Time does not heal. That is a misconception. She is in the same place that she was two years ago when she got that phone call; she still feels the exact same pain and turmoil. Healing only comes when there is behavioral, emotional, and romantic support and change. She will never forgive you until she feels you understand the depths of how much you have hurt her.

Pretty nice for Valentine's eve... huh?

Our Early V-Day: Me, Bunny, and Cat

DAMN... I have no intel stock!

World's First Programmable Processor

OOO... so cute....

the kitty looks so attentive... and those funny little ears.. this fuzzy would be a good friend for Bebe...

Anyway, I got these pics from here... I don't really care about the article

whoa... excessive! Valentine present

If was paying $250 for 6 roses... ok... I wouldn't... period...
umm... you'd think that the roses would be bigger though... not impressed by me.. most of the money is in the skinny stems.. If the blooms were bigger... only then... no no... not even then..

IF YOU WANNA BUY ... or more likely just look

Go get a wii instead... if your girl would rather have 6 bizarre long stemmed
roses for valentine's... that's just weird....

Greed... and Diamonds

You know... I've briefly gleaned on this subject before, but I'd like to revisit it.

It all started with that movie, "Blood Diamond." I understand that it depicted a 1990s civil war in the African nation of Sierra Leone, and it is not a present day movie. There have been many regulations and laws set in place to avoid the promotion of blood diamonds since then. And, officials all claim that 99.8% of diamonds are "blood free." Nowadays, all diamonds shipped to the U.S. must be accompanied with a "blood free" certificate...

Now this is just ridiculous... who bloody cares about these stupid little glittery rocks... I mean I understand that they're different from the lab created ones... they didn't sit in the earth for a long ass time .... and I understand that they are indeed the "sparkliest" of the sparkly... but at the risk of human lives? God, you know... and if you just decide to blindfold yourself, and believe that 99.8% (which isn't all that high anyway)of diamonds are "blood free,"... why would you ever EVER want to have a rock that possibly symbolized human slavery, death, torture to also symbolize a life together with your soul mate?

Think of the Ivory Coast; it's still happening today. It disgusts me knowing that women indeed do know, but they still need to get a rock bigger than their best friend's.

Diaper wearing crazy woman astronaut

Man... I had so much respect for astronauts... turned out they can be just as crazy as crazy gets...

From the AP here:

An astronaut drove from Houston to Florida, donned a disguise and confronted a woman she believed was romantically involved with a space shuttle pilot she was in love with, police said. She was charged with attempted kidnapping and other counts.

U.S. Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak, 43, who flew last July on a shuttle mission to the international space station, was also charged with attempted vehicle burglary with battery, destruction of evidence and battery. She was denied bail.

Police said Nowak drove from her home in Houston to the Orlando International Airport — wearing diapers so she wouldn’t have to stop to urinate — to confront Colleen Shipman.

Nowak believed Shipman was romantically involved with Navy Cmdr. William Oefelein, a pilot during space shuttle Discovery’s trip to the space station last December, police said.

Dressed in a wig and a trench coat, Nowak boarded an airport bus that Shipman took to her car in an airport parking lot. Shipman told police she noticed someone following her, hurried inside the car and locked the doors, according to the arrest affidavit.

Nowak rapped on the window, tried to open the car door and asked for a ride. Shipman refused but rolled down the car window a few inches when Nowak started crying. Nowak then sprayed a chemical into Shipman’s car, the affidavit said.

Shipman drove to the parking lot booth, and the police were called.

During a check of the parking lot, an officer followed Nowak and watched her throw away a bag containing the wig and BB gun. They also found a steel mallet, a 4-inch folding knife, rubber tubing, $600 and garbage bags inside a bag Nowak was carrying when she was arrested.

Inside Nowak’s vehicle, which was parked at a nearby motel, authorities uncovered a pepper spray package, an unused BB-gun cartridge, latex gloves and e-mails between Shipman and Oefelein.

If convicted of attempted kidnapping, Nowak could face a maximum of life in prison.

According to NASA’s official biography, Nowak is married with three children.

Some People are Talented

Man... some people are so good at making mii's... This makes me want to go home right away and try try try... to make one that looks like myself....

Taking Care

Just a little shout out to my babe.
Thank you for taking care of my sick butt...
Thanks for the runs to the grocery to get me lemon and chocolate (alas, I could not resist, god I'm horrible)...
Thanks for cleaning the kitchen, giving me a head massage... and staying home with me to watch the Super Bowl..
You're such a good boy. I love you!

Crazy Hispanic Voodoo Lady

Just when I think I've heard the dumbest thing, I'm proved wrong...

LA WEEKLY:
Norberto Castro made a good life here, but a witch spelled his doom

I can't believe that this woman would kill a man based off of what a "witch" said... what a weirdo and a freaking PSYCHO... violent tendencies+belief in spells+stupidity=crazy psycho.
Man... this reminds me of the dark ages, or me when I was a little kid and thought that if I focused real hard on a cheerio, I could make it move! lol... so sad that my wishes to be a superhero were never granted...
oh... by the way... I can't believe you can earn up to $300 dollars a day selling ice cream... and it was tax free... DAMN!

haha... babe... You should appreciate me more... Aren't you glad that I don't go to witch stores and buy black candles for hexes... wooo...

Day 5: SOO SICK

I am SOOO sick...
I feel ick... ick in my nose, ick in my throat... ick in my head... My little body has been overtaken by masses of gooey yellowy muck ... no kisses from my babe to my little sandpaper mouth... and, my productivity is almost zero currently... sorry about the lack of posts recently...
I guess you'll have to be entertained with my posts of my lovely kitty (I'm not going to post ugly pictures of sick me)... I'm entertained by her anyway...
OHH... she loves her catnip! That thing has no leaves really anymore.. good thing it's hardy... Her cat grass was a waste of money... I give her enough furball gel where she doesn't need it. Oh my sweet Bebe... I don't care if you guys don't like this post... I sure do!

No Chocolate. No Diamonds

TREEHUGGER:

The U.S. chocolate industry has faced multiple deadlines requiring new protocol, and yet little has changed. Under pressure from Congress, in the Harken-Engel Protocol, the U.S. chocolate industry agreed to voluntarily take steps to end child slavery on cocoa farms by July of 2005. This deadline has since passed, and the chocolate industry has failed to comply with the terms of this agreement.

So in July 2005, International Labor Rights Fund filed suit against Nestlé in Federal District Court on behalf of a class of children who were trafficked from Mali into the Ivory Coast and forced to work twelve to fourteen hours a day with no pay, little food and sleep, and frequent beatings. What was Nestlé's response to court questioning? "We are only buyers of a product.”

So, after watching Blood Diamond, it would be disgusting to request a diamond... Such a stupid silly stone for so much... The sad thing is is that most of the people who know this knowledge will still want such a shiny rock.
ugh... but chocolate too? geez... now that's hard... but, I guess chocolate becomes hard to swallow after knowing this.

Growing Breasts

I guess even prepubescent boys can grow breasts...

HEALTHFINDER :

Gynecomastia is associated with an imbalance of estrogens (so-called female hormones) and androgens (so-called male hormones). Young boys don't produce much testosterone, so there is nothing in the body to counteract extra estrogen, such as might come from mistakenly taking a mother's birth control pill or, more concerning, an estrogen-secreting tumor.

The condition is unusual. "I may see a patient every year or every other year with this, a pre-pubertal boy who has some breast development," Reiter said. "Usually, it's a tiny amount, and you never find out what it is, then it goes away," he explained.

But when Dr. Clifford Bloch, co-author of the study and a pediatric endocrinologist in Denver, saw five boys with the problem, he decided to investigate. All of the boys, he soon realized, had used over-the-counter health-care products containing lavender and/or tea tree oil on their hair or skin.

When tested on human breast cancer cells, the oils appeared to mimic the activity of estrogen and also suppressed male hormone responsiveness. After discontinuing use of the lavender and tea tree oils, all of the boys saw the problem resolved.

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart!

It's my sweetie's birthday... He's so old! He's 24, but just as hot and sexy (or even more so) as when I first met him at the tender age of 17!
I love you babe, and I hope you're having a delightful day! :) kisses...