Who wants to talk about waxing?

Once upon a time, when I was a young buck of 18, living in the big city of El-Lay, I decided to get my first (and since, only) brazilian wax. On the day of the appointment, I threw back a shot of vodka and made my way over.

I entered the salon, feeling my nerves rise, and was taken to a room in the back. They then instructed me to put on these XXL paper panties and lay back on the table. Looking back, there really was zero need for those paper panties. I mean, homegirl was going to see everything (and I mean everything) anyway, so a pair of giant paper underwear wasn't really covering me exactly.

I had no idea what kind of pain to expect, but I was aware it would hurt some. So as she slapped on some hot wax, I braced myself for what was to come. She laid a strip on top of the wax then said "1, 2, 3," and did a quick RIIIIIPPPP of the strip, pulling off the hair and, what I was CERTAIN, my first layer of skin.

This was me immediately after:

HOLY EFFING HELL that was the worst pain I had ever experienced in my life (aside from, years later, my boob job). With each pull, I let out a loud cry of pain. She then had the audacity to shush me! Lady, you're the reason I'm in this torture chamber, at least let me scream a little!

When she was done, I hobbled off the table, holding my swollen and BLEEDING hoo-hah close, whispering apologies and vowing I would never do that to her again. I would simply shave for the rest of my life!

Fast forward 9 years.

I have come to learn throughout the years that what I experienced was rare and should never have happened. Apparently waxing ISN'T supposed to make you bleed? Huh. Who knew?

So. After talking with a few friends, I decided to give it a try again. I know, call me crazy. But after 9 years of shaving, I just feel like it's time. I mean, surely after almost a decade, things have progressed in that department? Plus, I would love to go weeks without having to think about things down there, while also not looking like an amazon woman. Also, I hear the more you do it, the less your hair will grow back in the future, and I'm all about that. In fact, if I could snap my fingers and be hairless from the eyeballs down, you bet your sweet ass I would be snapping till kingdom come.

Anyway, two friends recommended this place a few blocks away, called Stript Wax Bar. They only use hard wax, too, so no more strips of fabric sticking and ripping off a layer of skin. They also give you champagne before your appointment to calm your nerves. Perfection. I plan to pop a few Ibuprofen before my appointment as well.

The appointment is next Friday...Can you tell I'm a little nervous?

I asked the lady on the phone if I should take a few shots before going in. She laughed and said it was up to me. Seeing as my appointment is at 10 in the morning, I probably won't....actually, when has time ever been a factor for my alcohol intake? Kiidddinngggg.... (not really).

Have any of you had a brazilian done? Any tips for pain relievers?

I hope this is worth it.

xoxo

Same day, 3 different years.

I found 3 different pictures, all taken on the same exact day, over the last few years.

February 17, 2012

February 17, 2013

February 17, 2014

I thought it was pretty neat to look back and compare just how different each scenario was and how, with just one year's time, things can change so much. 

(Don't give me too much credit for this idea, it wasn't all mine ;)

***

February 17, 2012: San Diego, California - Sunset Cliffs

Verner and I had been dating for about 7 months here - it was still very new, it felt. I remember he took me out to this spot in Point Loma so I could practice with my new camera after hours of watching Lost together. We sure did a lot of that back then, in the peak of marathon training. Long Runs followed by even longer sessions of Lost episodes. It was fantastic. Anyway, he had yet to say "The L Word" to me, but I remember we drew a heart in the sand with a "V+M" inside and it made me very, very happy. ;)

February 17, 2013: Bali, Indonesia - Ubud

Here, halfway through our 6-month world travel adventures, we spent the day riding bikes through villages in Ubud, Bali. Behind us is the Batur volcano. We ate lunch right there. This was definitely one of my favorite days we had in Bali. We rode past families living in these tiny little shacks of a home, bathing in streams outside, old women walking topless (oh the freedom), and moms and dads working hard in the fields, with the sun beating down. But I just remember how happy everyone was. How the kids were so eager to shout out all the English they knew: "Hello! How are you?" Not really understanding or caring what our answer was. I remember how everything felt so surreal. It was just me and Verner, riding on these bicycles with our young tour guide named Komang. It was amazing and I felt so thankful for that eye-opening experience.

February 17, 2014: San Francisco, California

Just a week ago, I remember standing on the Golden Gate Bridge halfway through my 7 miler, and thinking, Wow. This is my home. This is my home? I'm going for an afternoon jog and I'm doing it on The Golden Freaking Gate Bridge?! Bananas. I had no idea I would live here. Even still, Verner and I will say to each other every now then, "We live in San Francisco." (We like to state the obvious sometimes.) But I mean, who knew? We were in BALI last year, San Diego before that! 

I wonder where we'll be next year, February 17, 2015. Maybe San Francisco, maybe San Diego again, maybe the moon, who knows. But isn't that exciting? The not knowing? Isn't it great to think there are so many possibilities and opportunities ahead of us? Just think about where you were one year ago. A year before that. Isn't it great watching this little thing we call life pan out? I gotta tell ya, I'm really liking it. Oh yes I am. 

xoxo

Viva Las Pooped

Doesn't The Dizzle look so dapper up there? I sure think so. In fact, I think it's high time we found more reasons to dress up these days! Gym clothes and sweat pants are just not cutting it anymore.
Comfortable, yes. Sexy, no.

The wedding was a success. Open bar, check. Yummy food, check. Good balance between the 80's, 90's, and today, check. And yes, that is a giant red paper flower the bride is holding, courtesy of Etsy. Why pay thousands on real flowers for just one day, she says! It really was a grand time being with all the girls and getting glammed up for Becky's special day. On a serious note, I have come to the conclusion that I need eyebrow make-up. Those things were popping. And I liked it.

It must also be mentioned that I somehow went the entire 2 days without withdrawing a single dollar from my bank account. This has never, in the history of Mish + Vegas, happened. Yet, I was still able to win $30 at Craps and Roulette and treat The Dizz and myself to a Boofay breakfast the next morning. And might I add, at this Boofay, we only had one plate each. No seconds! I was astonished. And lazy. This was also a first for my buffet happenings, and worth mentioning, IMO.

It was great to see my mama as well. I sure am getting tired of this Georgia/California long-distance relationship. Can you hurry up and move back to the West Coast now? K, thanks.

I have one more piece of information to share. Something very important and also a first for this gal. I was hit on by a lesbian. A very cute one, might I add. She mentioned several times how much she liked my booty, and well, I must say the compliment was welcomed. I mean, I HAVE been doing the 30 Day Squat Challenge, for Pete's sake! SOMEBODY had to notice. So, thank you.

Mishi, out.

xoxo

Will you or will you not be seeing 50 Shades of Grey in Theatres?

I love doing these Q&A's with sponsors. 

1) It allows me to ask random, weird, and sometimes awkward questions (which is something I love to do).

and 

2) I find reading these answers a great way to really start to get to know someone.

Amber blogs over at Mr. Thomas & Me (see below for super cute and adorable photo). She's sweet, she's funny, and she has a way of looking at life's situations and learning something from it. Plus, she uses gifs. And well, we all know how much I love gifs.

Anyway, we did a little Q&A, see below!

Me: Describe your blog in 3 words:

Amber: Mr. Thomas & Me. Oh wait, that's it's name. Let's go with: love, life, and laughs. 

Me: Will you or will you not be seeing 50 Shades of Grey in theatres? Be honest.

Amber: Honestly, no. I haven't even read the books. I still have one of the Hunger Games books to read and the second movie to watch... I guess I don't hop on those bandwagons until after the hype has come and gone. (Maybe I'm too busy blogging?) 

Me: What would be your Death Row meal?

Amber: Carne Asada fries. Call me simple or cheap or unhealthy, but I can't get enough of them... Unless you ask my butt, which says I get too many. 

Me: First thing you'd do if you won 1 Million dollars?

Amber: Pay off our house. We just bought the thing and I love it, but that mortgage payment is a doozy EVERY single time it disappears from our account. 

Me: Favorite thing about blogging?

Amber: The DIY home decor. I know I'm supposed to say the community and my readers and the creative outlet -I do love them-, but right now I'm busy being a DIMyself home decorator on a budget (hello mortgage!) 

Me: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Amber: In five years I'll probably have a trail of little blond kids chasing me like a mama duck and a dog dragging me down the street while Mr. Thomas works his tush off for us. There'll be more tattoos, no picket fence, and a whole lot of laughing. 

Me: Go-to alcoholic beverage?

Amber: Dirty martini with extra olives. Or a vodka tonic. Or, in the morning, a spicy bloody mary.

Hope you all enjoyed this little Q&A as much as I did! Head on over to Amber's blog and say hi!!! You can also find her here! Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Happy Weekend, ya'll!

xoxo

Las Vegas Wedding!

Welp! The Dizzle and I are packing up a few last things right now and we're jumping on a flight directly to Vegas and we're GETTIN' MARRIED!

Verner has always admired Michael Jordan, so we figured A Little White Chapel ceremony would be best.

Okay, sorry. Obviously I'm joking.

But we ARE packing up right now and we ARE going to Las Vegas for a wedding, but it will NOT be ours and it will NOT be at A Little White Chapel.

Oh, and did I mention I'm a bridesmaid?

(Always a bridesmaid, never a bride...just kidding. Sort of.)

Fortunately, we were able to pick out our own dresses, which means there is a FAR better chance I'll wear it again. Want to see the dress from a crappy iPhone pic? Yes? Okay, great, here you go:

I thought the little bling on the side would be appropriate for a Vegas wedding. ;)

I'm so dang excited right now!

1. I get to see one of my very best friends, Becky, and be a part of this special day for her.
2. I get to go to Las Vegas and be in those wonderfully, smoky casinos with a drink in one hand and a pair of dice in another (every Asian's dream).
3. I get to see my Mama who is flying out from Georgia to be at the wedding too! (Is it bad that the casino made #2 and she only made #3?)
4. I get to have a little Mini-Vacay with The Dizz!

Want to know what I'm NOT excited about?

Today, at exactly 2:20pm, I will be boarding my very first Virgin America flight ever since the incident of them FIRING me. I'm crossing my fingers I don't see anyone I know from training. I'd just rather not endure that awkwardness.

Okay! Wish me luck (so that I win millions in the casino).

Have yourselves a fab weekend and follow me on Instagram if you'd like to see the fun Vegas Shenans! ;)

xoxo

I should be ashamed of myself.

I am deeply surprised and ashamed of my lack of knowledge and awareness of what specialness today holds.

Yes, today is a Tuesday.
Yes, it is the 18th day of February.
And yes, it took me until 8:00PM to realize.

Today is National Drink Wine Day!!!!

And would you believe I didn't have a single bottle in the house to drink?! (We have quickly come to the conclusion that we cannot keep a bottle of wine in the house with the intention of drinking it 'at a later time' other than right that second. It's just impossible, really. I admire those who own wine racks and can actually keep wine long enough to store in said rack.)

So as soon as I found out this wonderful news, I scooted myself over to Safeway and grabbed a bottle of Bogle. I then very confidently and proudly (as if I knew all along) told the cashier, "Today is National Wine Day!"

And THEN - - The older, creepy man standing in line behind me says, "Oh yeah? Heh heh... WE should drink it then!"

No sir, WE should not.

So then I replied, "I intend to!" Emphasis on the "I". Zero emphasis on the "We."

Anyway, here I am. Crisis has been averted and I shall never make this mistake again.

And yes, those are 50% off Valentine's M&M's that were purchased to aid me through this time of month that I loathe so much. #ifyouknowwhatimean

Also, I very much so intend to share my special Day of Love here on this blog, but I've just been lazy. Just so you know, I ran 7 miles yesterday, which means I can basically use that as an excuse to not do anything else for at least 3 days after. Except play Candy Crush. Those candies aren't going to crush themselves.

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying your special Tuesday with a nice big glass bottle of wine.

Happy National Drink Wine Day!

Cheers!

xoxo

And now's the time I get REAL sappy on you...

^^^Valentine's Day, 2013 in Malaysia @ the classy Hard Rock Cafe^^^

Dear Sweet Honey Boo Boo (just kidding, we both know I don't call you that),

It's 10:52pm, the night before Valentine's Day, and you're fast asleep next to me. I thought now would be a good time to write you my annual love note for this day of love we've got coming around. I'm not even sure where to begin, but I keep looking at this picture and it's making me smile a lot slash want to cry tears of emotional happiness. Maybe it's just because it's Crazy Connie PMS week, or I'm being super nostalgic, but for some reason, I'm feeling really emotional right now. But you know me, when am I not emotional?

I just want you to know how much I love you and how I wish there were better words to explain it other than those simple three we throw out throughout the day - 'I love you' just doesn't seem to cut it anymore, you know? We should make up a new word that means the most, most, MOST love we can have for someone. Like... "I MAGOO you." And then when I say it, you'll just know. Like, wow...she really DOES love me.

So yeah, I magoo you, Boo. I magoo the shit out of you.

***

Almost every day I meet someone (while driving) who asks me how I came to live in San Francisco. I usually have this spiel down pat, it's been asked so many times: Well, my boyfriend and I were living in San Diego and we decided to sell everything we owned to go travel for 6 months. So then after the 6 months, we decided to live in San Francisco and try it out! I can guarantee I've said it over one hundred times, so to me, it's lost a little of the surprise factor, but to the person hearing it, they always say something along the lines of, "Wait, what? Where did you go? That's incredible!"

And you know what? Yeah. It is incredible. I remember so many times in my life, before I even knew you, I wanted to travel the world. To leave the "norm" and find that something more. I longed for it, I wished for it, I dreamed about it. But I never knew what to do to make it happen.

Then you came into my life.

And somehow, just like that, we made it happen. We figured it out. You made my dreams come true, Boo, and I can't thank you enough for that. I don't know what I did in life, I don't know how this Universe works, but something happened to bring us together and create all of these amazing things and sometimes it really just blows my effing mind. (Yes, I said 'effing' in a love note.)

***

I remember this one night, several years ago. I had just broken up with yet another boyfriend and I was with my mom at a Panda Express, crying that I'd never find the perfect guy for me. So she got out a piece of paper and a pen and told me to come up with all of the qualities I wanted in someone. She said to not hold back and to be as specific as I wanted. It seemed a little silly at the time, but I went along with it anyway. For some reason, I kept that paper all of these years, thrown in with old diaries and such. But I remember coming across it several months ago and sitting down with the memory. And would you believe you fit every. single thing I had written down that one night in a Panda Express? Every one! And trust me, I got specific. Again, I don't know how this Universe works or if there's a God. I don't know if "The Power of the Mind" truly works, but I will say this: I thank my lucky stars you were born and better yet, that I get to be a part of your life. You are one of a kind, Verner Dixon The Third, and you make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

I magoo you, Boo. I magoo you a lot.

Happy Valentine's Day, my love!

Love,
Me

xoxo

Valentine's Day Surprise???

^^^And just like that, the rain has left and the sun is back. Which has been much better for all of these running shenans of mine. Let's hope it sticks around a little longer.^^^

So as you know, this Friday is Valentine's Day. The Dizzle still won't tell me what he's got planned for us! Normally I'm very good at ruining surprises and figuring out the plan ahead of time. It's not that I want to do this, in fact, I love surprises! I wish I was surprised more often! But there's just something about this keen brain of mine that seems to always ruin said surprises.

But not this year!

This year, The Dizz has been very careful keeping it a secret for what he's got up his sleeve.

The only thing I know is this:

Verner and I share a Google calendar that has his work schedule and then anything else that's coming up. But mostly we have it is so that I stop asking him a million times a day what time he has clients at. So ANYWAY....I was looking at the calendar and noticed this:

From 10am on he blocked himself to be UNAVAILABLE for work. Which MEANS....we must be doing something during the day. Because if it was just plain ol' dinner out, then he could have seen his regular clients throughout the day like he normally does. Right? Right.

So now I've got a hundred things running through my head of what this "day surprise" could be! But I really don't want to ruin it, so I'm not even going to guess aloud!

Although, I DID ask.... "Soooooo what kind of surprise are we talking about here? Are we talking something BIG and SPARKLY that perhaps goes on a particular finger kind of surprise? Eh? EH?" All with a wiggle of my eyebrows and what I can only imagine was a creepy stare.

He quickly responded: "HA, no. Not even close." #shotdown

So okay, we know it's not that.

But I'm still excited to see what we'll be doing!

Last night I reminded The Dizzle that this will be our third Valentine's Day together! 

-The first was in San Diego and we found really cheap tickets to this really cheap play that was so horribly done and it was so amazing and entertaining. Oh, and it involved vampires. So that was cool.

-The second was last year in Malaysia in the pouring rain. We ate at the local Hard Rock Cafe. It was splendid.

So this year, in San Francisco, will be a whole new experience. I'm excited. :)

What will YOU be doing for V-Day? Do you celebrate with a nice dinner? Do you sit at home and just stare longingly into each other's eyes? Do you cast spells on ex lovers? Do you go out with all your single ladies? Or are you like, wait what? It's Valentine's Day?

xoxo

Drought Schmought and extra hugs.

It has been raining buckets all weekend long. And what is it with weather that makes people feel the need to talk about it to anyone and everyone? I did some Uber driving over the weekend and weather was brought up with every single person I gave a ride to.

Me: How's your day going?

Anyone Else: Oh, pretty good. Can't believe all this rain!

Me: I know, it's crazy. I miss the sun! But hey, this is a good thing because we seem to really need it, what with the drought and all.

That drought. What's up with that? Rationing water? What's up with THAT? How would we even do such a thing? Should I start hoarding water bottles in my closet-slash-storage? How serious is this situation really?

I honestly don't know much about this said drought, but when I talk with people I kind of sort of act like I do (hence me bringing it up in conversations with complete strangers). Do you ever do that? Just go along with a topic and pretend you know what's happening when in reality you're like uhhh....I have no idea what's going on here. Like, for example, this one girl started talking about where our water is coming from and different lakes and how it travels and how there are certain types of toilets that save water and something about farmers I think were thrown in there and on the outside I was like, "Oh yes, mm hmm, I know, I know."

But really, on the inside, I was like....huh?:

Maybe I should start reading the news more so I don't sound like a complete idiot on my blog.

Anyway!

The rain is nice and all, I suppose. A change in scenery never hurt anyone. But then I had to run 6 miles yesterday in it, and well... I wasn't exactly loving that. But I did it, oh yes I did! And today is my "rest day", so resting I shall be doing. Even though I enthusiastically told The Dizzle I would be doing laundry and dishes and sweeping from top to bottom all. day! I mean, I suppose I can squeeze that into my resting time today...but only because it's him we're talking about.

Speaking of The Dizzle...he's feeling a little down today.

He has this client that he's been training for 3+ MONTHS because she has been wanting to do a life-changing career move and get out of this job that has made her miserable and instead become a CHP officer (and we all know how I feel about doing something drastic to get out of your unhappy situation! I've been rooting for her from day one!). They only do tests once a year to be accepted into the academy! They make you do some insane things to pass this physical test, one of them being 24 PUSH-UPS in just one minute! I'm talking full on MAN push-ups, lower yourself all the way down within a fist distance of the ground, no girly knee action kind of deal.

Anyway, last year, she tried out and was only able to do THREE. So she had to wait a whole other year and decided to hire a personal trainer to get her there. So, like I said, for over 3 months Verner has been working with her and she got up to TWENTY-SEVEN! 2-7! I was so impressed! He was truly so proud of her! Yesterday was test day, the day she had been waiting for for an entire year. But sadly, she was only able to do 23 push-ups for the test. We don't know what happened or what went wrong, but she just couldn't muster that one extra one!

So he's really bummed. And he keeps wondering what else he could have done to prepare her. I think he feels like this is his fault. I feel bad. I can't imagine how bummed she is. I just have to keep hoping that things work out for the best and that this can one day be looked back on in a positive light and a chance to learn, however hard that is to imagine right now.

Air hugs are being sent to her today (and I don't even know her!). And extra hugs for The Dizzle.

Hope you have a great Monday, friends!

xoxo