so today is valentine’s day.. and instead of feeling sorry for myself for not having a valentine for the 25th year.. (i’ve only had a valentine once in my life and that was ages ago) i decided to go out there and do something good for someone else.

i went to volunteer at a women’s shelter. i met women who have been abused and mistreated (to say the least) .. these women stood up for themselves.. realized that they were better than this.. they didn’t deserve it.. and found a way to leave..  i wouldnt have wanted it any other way than to spend my valentine’s day with them.

there was an event there called “Pretty For Me”.. there were people there doing hair, makeup, and nails.. some say these things are all superficial.. esp. makeup.. but you know what? i like it.. i like making people feel good about themselves.. and if makeup will do that.. then so be it.. that’s life.. when these women looked in the mirror after i applied their makeup.. you should have seen their faces.. they were soooo happy.. they told me that they had little self esteem after being put in the shelter.. and that being pampered for the day.. it made them feel good about themselves.. even though i could only help for this one day.. it’s one day of them being able to look at themselves and know that they are beautiful.. and maybe this one day will make them realize that they are worth it.. that they deserve to be pampered.. that they deserve a second chance.. that they should never listen to a “man” that will try to tell them otherwise..

it was extremely hard for me to be there.. because i dont know what it’s like to be in their situation.. to have to give up everything and trust that there are good people out there that will help you get back on your feet.. can you imagine how much these women have been through? some of them came to me and the hurt they were feeling was written on their face.. my goal was to make them smile.. i didnt know if i could do it.. or how i would do it.. but with God’s grace.. i was able to.. even if it was just asking them to smile so i could apply blush.. =)

i may not have a boyfriend.. and i may be lonely.. but at least i dont have someone who is beating up on me..and now these women don’t either.. they took a stand..  i know these women will come out better and stronger.. they so deserve it. they are my heroes.

happy valentine’s day.

i keep wanting to update.. but life has been too crazy..

miss you, xanga.

i’ll be back soon.

happy lunar new year!

Models: Heather & Bo, Photographer: Pamela @ PAD Productions, Makeup Artist: Me

so i decided to make a new blog more geared towards the “other” side of me.. the more creative.. girly side.. there i will be posting about makeup, fashion, creativity, advice, etc.. i don’t know how much you’ll appreciate it if you’re a guy.. but if you are a girl.. i look forward to sharing lots of girly things with you! =)

http://tokyostargirl.wordpress.com/

please save it & come visit me there from time to time.. i will try to post as often as possible!

ps. no i am not leaving xanga.. i will never.. i am a LIFETIME member =)

:: i didn’t actually wear this out.. just threw it on right before i took a shower to see what it would look like ::

:: this is the look i had on today ::

Happy birthday to my favorite gaysha.. ELLLLLLLLLLLL !!! (those hot pink cheeks are for you, bebe)

figured if i want to make it as a makeup artist.. i need practice… i have to try to do at least one “look” per day.. that’s my goal.. let’s see how far i get.. haha

:: my eyelashes look pretty full.. and to think.. i didn’t even wear mascara *gasp* ::

How I spent my Christmas…

:: at Jeff’s parent’s house – Christmas Eve was spent at their house eating clam chowder and then we all went to midnight mass ::

:: my sister & bro-in-law ::

:: me & mommy ::

:: to 2 families! ::

CHRISTMAS DAY

:: mom opening up the present I made her “Mommy in Japan” photo album ::

:: I got Jeff “1,001 Ways to be Romantic” hahaha ::

:: triplets ::

:: jeff realizing he’s marrying Asian! ::

:: traditional Christmas dinner  along with mom’s eggrolls! ::

The day after Christmas.. 

:: we had a springroll party at jeff’s parent’s house ::

:: dee made it right in time to join us! ::

WEDDING REHEARSAL

:: this pic cracks me up.. the guy with his hand raised is the pastor =)  ::

:: practicing for the big day – the unity candle ::

:: my sister’s neighborhood all light up ::

REHEARSAL DINNER at THAI @ SHIRLINGTON

:: the beautiful couple – i love this pic of them ::

:: cheers to foreverrr ::

:: sistar. mommy. me ::

:: the bride & groom with their flowergirls ::

:: dee & i trying on dru’s glasses that allow us to see santa/snowflakes in all the lights ::

:: ross is sistar’s andrew ::

:: sistar with the boys ::

:: oh so happy ::

THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING…

:: ice skating! ::

:: at mccormicks enjoying happy hour ::

:: the boys & me in front of the gingerbread houses at the hotel ::

:: if you know me.. you i LOVE ice skating! ::

:: my assistant director from japan was in town and came to ice skate with us.. also my friend peter who lives in va came out, too ::

:: i <3 my crazy dee ::

it’s not often that i open a magazine.. go to the horoscope section.. and have it speak volumes..

“There is a big focus this year on relationships. Your personal magnetism goes way up. People are attracted to you to help you in your career or to connect with you in your business. This also means improvement in existing relationships or drawing to you that special someone you’re looking for. This is one of those periods when it may seem that whatever you undertake seems to go well for you, as though this is the way life should always be. We would all like to believe that, but this is just a particularly good time for you, and you should take advantage of whatever opportunities come your way. Some of you are traveling more, writing more, or just having more fun than you have had in a while. People that you meet this year help to further your life along in so many different areas. The only word of caution here is that you don’t overload your schedule and exhaust yourself by having too much fun.” OutSmart Magazine, January 2008 

ive been going through a lot of ups and downs lately.. more downs than ups.. but i won’t get into that and leave you feeling sorry for me..

anyway.. on my way home today as i was parked at a red light.. all these thoughts were running through my head..and then i start comparing my life to the lives of those around me.. (aka my successful friends – and yes.. that means YOU)  i was thinking to myself.. “gee my life sucks”.. and as though it could only get worse.. out of nowhere.. BOOMMMMM a car hits me from behind..

we were at a red light… both of us were stopped waiting for the light to turn green.. i dont really know how it happened.. perhaps he just wasnt paying attention.. but yeah.. there is no outer damage on my car because i drive an suv with a hitch..so basically the hitch saved my car from damage, but gave their car damage..

now im sitting here in pain.. my head and back hurt really bad.. i tried sleeping for a few hours and woke up because the pain was so bad.. i was pretty shaken up and in a lot of pain when it first happened.. i couldnt even move for a good 5 minutes.. i didn’t really know what to do b/c i’ve never really been in an accident before.. well i have.. but i wasn’t driving.. anyway.. i got all their information and their insurance called me today already.. looks like i have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow..

so the moral of the story is… right when you think your life sucks.. know it could always be worse!

i am thankful that it wasn’t a serious accident and that my injuries are only minor. praise God!

all the words in the world will never be enough to let you know how amazing you are..

we love you.

:: that’s me.. the little one in yellow ::

MOMMY’S SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY

(her real birthday is tomorrow, January 7th)

:: we threw my mom a surprise birthday party and boy was she SURPRISED! she had absolutely no clue.. it was awesome! ::

:: some of our family in houston ::

:: my mommy the comedian.. quan asked what kind of cake it was and my mom replied, “Honey.. it’s BIRTHDAY cake!!” ::

:: thanks to all my wonderful friends who came out to celebrate with my mom! my mom has a special relationship with all my close friends and i think it’s beautiful ::

:: then to end the day bao took her (birthday hat and all) for a birthday ride in his new z4! ::