For heaven's sake...

If you're a friend o' the Sugarfox, you must already know that I'm not the 'sweetest' amongst God's creatures. Nope, not even close. I mean, I don't pride myself on being aggressive, temperamental and, in some instances, mentally unstable. But, I accept who I am and most of you (at least those on speaking terms with me) have accepted this fact as well.

So naturally, I'm constantly surprised that I've been blessed with such a great family, tons of loyal friends (who would die for me, right?!?) and an unbelievable life!! I feel the need to share in my good fortune. So, I randomly decided to sponsor a little girl in Thailand by the name of Natthaporn..after watching one of those sad commercials they run like 24hours a day. In any case, she is adorable!When she was three, they sent me a picture of her with her family. She wore a little white short-sleeve button down shirt, a blue skirt and the cutest little blue rain boots. She's definitely my sponsor child...that sense of style is uncanny! Recently, her sister-in-law (married to her brother who I think is only 16...yikes!) wrote a letter to me on her behalf. This is an excerpt from the letter:

"Recently her school had school games. Natthaporn ran a race and won a gold medal. Then, she and her friends enjoyed relishing ice-cream."

Isn't that crazy?!? It's as if I raised her, myself. The running...the competitive spirit...the hangin' out with my homies...and 'relishing ice-cream'??? Come on, that's all me. I plan to go get her one of these days, say "mo cuishle"* and bring her back to the states. Where she can meet a nice boy on Match.com. Of course, y'all will be invited to her wedding. I hope she stays unmarried until I pick her up....probably not... if that sister-in-law has any say in it. (Note to self: send extra money for a chastity belt...)

Till the next blog consider getting a sponsor child, too. This, also, helps with that nagging biological clock :-)

Laters.


*note: this reference will be lost on you if you haven't seen Million Dollar Baby. And if you haven't seen that movie, like, where have you been?!? And why are you reading my blog?!? You need to stay on top of these pop culture references or you'll never keep up with the Sugarfox.

How crazy do you have to be???!!!???

I'm not sure how many of you chronicle readers know that I currently have a house guest, Ann, who is staying with me until she purchases her own place here in Chi-town; this should happen soon, since she just put in a bid and will close on the property at the end of June.

Up to now, I've struggled a little with having a roommate because of our complete difference in personality, taste and sleep patterns. None-the-less, my overall experience with Ann has not been terrible UNTIL this past Sunday. I went out late on Saturday (5 A.M.) and, naturally, did not wake up until noon on Sunday. I hazily walk into my living room. Ann was watching the boob tube and looks up smiling at me...

Ann: (coyly) Nga guess who I met yesterday?

Nga: (confused and not a little hung over) Who?

Ann: (I will replace this person's name to protect the innocent) PJ! You know? Your PJ.

Nga: WHAT!?! How? You don't even know him.

Ann: I remember him from the pictures (Pictures she saw on my computer 4 months AGO! Cuz she's a snoopy butt.)

Nga: What?

Ann: Well, I recognized him from the pictures. I have this amazing memory for faces...

Nga: OH MY GOD!!

Ann: I went to a street fair yesterday and recognized him. I went up to him and asked him if his name was "PJ". He thought he met me before but I told him I was your roommate.

Nga: OH MY GOD!!

Ann: He asked how you were? (This is because PJ and I haven't spoken for over 5 months b/c things just didn't work out) I said you were doing great. You were renovating your kitchen and you were so generous to let me stay with you.

Nga: (with murderous glare) Ann, you have no idea what you did!! What kind of freak introduces themself to someone else's ex!?! Who you only know through a picture. Ann? No one even knew we were seeing one another. PJ and I agreed to keep it on the DL. Now, to him...I apparently talk about him constantly and have a life size poster of him over my bed with the words "Nga and PJ 4ever!!" on it. OH MY GOD!!!

Ann: No...no...I told him I saw his picture on your computer

Nga: OH MY GOD

Ann: ...and that I saw it months ago...and besides he kept saying you were a nice girl.

Nga: Oh my god!! What is he suppose to say, you psycho?!?

Ann: I'm sorry, Nga, I guess I was drunk.

Nga: No, Ann. When I'm drunk I wake up with strange bruises not horrible character defamating stories!! You were not drunk. You're stupid!

Ann: I'm sorry ... if it makes you feel any better...he's still really cute!

Nga: NO!! That doesn't make me feel better. You complete moron!! When I get back you better be ready for some PAIN.

(Storm out of MY OWN HOUSE. I took Crazy for a 45 minute walk...and have since cooled down. No harm was done to my complete idiot of a roommate.)

If there was ever a chance that PJ and I could just be friends...Ann made sure that would never happen. Thanks, Ann, one less guy for me to worry about.

Extracurricular activities...

Fridays are now my 'down' days; so, I'll take this time to update chronicle readers about my weekly activities outside of work.

So, let's start with the Running. I run 4 times a week logging anywhere between 15 to 40 miles (a week.) I volunteer to lead a pace group (currently 9:30 to 10 minute pace) with the Chicago Area Runner's Association (CARA) out of Jackson Park (63rd/Lake Shore Drive). We meet every Saturday morning at 6:30 A.M. for our 'long' runs (eventually running up to 20 miles together). Additionally, I run with a running group called Team Fabulous during the middle of the week which meets in downtown at Monroe and Lakeshore Drive.

Associated to my running group is my second 'activity' and that is to volunteer at the Living Room Cafe where members of the running group prepare meals for the homeless. This tradition was started by a socially conscious member of the Jackson Park CARA team, Jim McGowen. Each month a menu is prepared and members are drafted to purchase the ingredients, prepare the food, take orders from the customers (hence the cafe concept) and serve. Needless to say, I get alot more out of this volunteer work then I put in. Nothing gives you perspective like spending an evening with others with greater needs then the latest Jimmy Choo shoes. I plan to run the marathon for the Inspiration Corporation (who is the overarching organization for the Living Room Cafe). I will be badgering you all for donations later.

Outside of running, I play tennis with my partner, Jan (pronounced Yan). We're in a mixed doubles league with eight other couples. Amazingly, we are currently tied for the No. 1 seed. In an effort to improve my tennis, I am also taking lessons each week (Mondays) with my coach "Earl" who is not only a tennis guru but also a philosopher with some very insightful observations beyond the tennis courts (but that's for another blog posting.)

Tennis and running are great activities for the body but what about the mind?!? Well, that's what my book club is for. My very close girlfriends from high school started a book club 3 years ago and we've met approximately every month to talk about our book selections (which is chosen on a round robin basis from all 6-8 members.) Our current book is by Anchee Min "Empress Orchid". I'm pretty vocal at these 'get togethers' if and when I make it to the meetings. As an English Lit major, they all dread my book selections!!

Finally, my very last (and 'favoritest') activity outside of work is to spend quality time with my family, my friends and my dog, Crazy. Some upcoming 'known' events with the above: Akira Breast Cancer event at Galleria Marchetti (where yours truly will be the MC), weddings (Yen, Joslyn, Jackie, and Christine) and my sister, Dai's annual pilgrimage to the windy city. I will need to add swimming to my list of activities since I plan to spend eight days in Costa Rica at the end of this year learning how to surf. Kowabonga!

Technical Genius .... I am NOT

So, you're wondering why I have an enormous image of myself on my Blog. Clearly, only a truly self absorbed person would do such a thing. Would you believe I've been trying to post an image on my 'profile' and somehow it landed on my blog. Oh well, technology sales person I am but technology wiz I am not. Good thing my boss doesn't read this!! I keep this side of the Sugarfox on the DL at work.

Laters.

Nga