Here are some random thoughts that will make up one long blog.

It's my first nephew's birthday today. Happy Birthday Jake! Yay! I wish I could be there to celebrate and bring cupcakes to his class, and all that other fun stuff, but I can't... so we sent this birthday package from LA. It was truly a family effort, which was cute, and I really do love birthdays. I don't know if I feel like I have to make a big deal of them because I always wanted my family to make a big deal of mine and maybe I felt like they didn't? Or I just think people should be able to feel special every once in awhile, but MOST definitely at least once a year.

There were some other goodies in it for Jake's mom, and some for Brandon because we didn't want him to feel too left out, although really, at this age they won't "really" remember. Or so I think. But that's how we roll. We didn't really include anything for my bro-in-law, so I feel a little bad, but I got him a cool Christmas present, so I'm okay with it.

I ran into Neighbor Crush tonight. Of course I finally run into when I'm coming home from the gym all sweaty, hair retarded, and scummy. Some dude friends (and I've read online...) say that it's okay, it's actually "hotter" because you see the girl all "natural" - but I don't believe them. Luckily my pores took a break from the sweating profusely streak, and it wasn't that bad. And I was wearing makeup - so I didn't just sit in my car until he walked in. Because that's not awkward. We chatted about sushi and running and then afterwards, I was kicking myself for saying "You're all dressed up" instead of "You look nice" or "Yes, Asakuma, it's really good, I do recommend it" instead of "Yes, Asakuma, we should go there sometime!" It really is the little change in words that makes a difference. Unfortunately for me, my brain does not think that fast. FAIL. I wish I could just say the things that pop into my head because sometimes (not that link) they are good conversation topics that could lead to other things. And I need to not just be the fun friend girl. Someone needs to step it up over here. ARGH.

For some odd reason, I'm gonna hope that it's not just coincidence that he's the neighbor I see most, and don't really see much of other neighbors - but opportunity is only going to knock on my door so many times. Aaaand I just keep wasting them. Maybe I really should sign up for eHarmony. Everything is easier online.

Speaking of eHarmony.. I got a "nudge" from a dude tonight. To quote eHarmony: "[dude] has requested that we "nudge" you because you have not responded to his latest request for communication. "Nudge"is a friendly way of saying 'I am very interested in getting to know you better, please login and start communicating with me.'" That is the most unflattering way to define "Nudge" and puts you way at the bottom of the list Mr. Needy. I mean, really, I'm being unfair having this profile and these matches without a real intention of replying just yet, and I guess it has been 8 days - but this is the internet, and it's quite possible I'm busy or just not interested. Funny enough though is that he was kind of at the bottom of a "hypothetical" list anyways. So this nudge becomes negative. Yet, if it came from Mr. Goodwill Ambassador, I bet I would be all flushed and flattered. Maybe.

AND I don't know why but I was really amused by these pens I saw at Staples. You squeeze them and the eyes pop out, I thought it was the funnest/cutest thing ever. Good thing my mom was there to stop me from buying one of each character, there were like 20 different kinds.