San Diego Weekend!

The first weekend in January my girlfriends and I went to San Diego.

Arrived Friday night, checked into our Holiday Inn Express Hotel and drove to Coronado Island.

We ate at Lil Piggy’s BBQ. The portions were leaning towards the small size. We ordered (2) Three Meats Platter. Beef brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and ribs. Our sides: Mac & Cheese, Corn fritters with honey butter, and beans.

The BBQ Ribs and chicken were very moist. The other meats were pretty average. The corn fritters + honey butter = To Die For! The one thing lacking from this BBQ joint is its own original BBQ sauce. They had a mango Habanero one but their regular BBQ sauce needs some TLC. All in all, I’d come here again and I would know what to order but if I find out Phil’s BBQ is way better I am not returning to Lil Piggy’s.

Saturday: USS Midway

We ate lunch at Point Loma Seafood

Quite a busy and chaotic place. Everything tasted very fresh. Deep-fried shrimp–to die for. Cocktail sauce is very flavorful and really complements the fried shrimp. The fried cod was average. The crab cake was very different and I’m still not quite sure what to make of it. Their coleslaw is definitely nothing special.

Then we headed over to Balboa Park.  Lots of things to see and plenty of Museums to visit.

Then we went to dinner at Bronx Pizza.

Awesome prices for speciality pizza. We ordered one whitestone pizza half with spinach and garlic. Then we ordered a half deluxe and half porko: meatball, sausage, and pepperoni. The white sauce pizza is a MUST. The regular pizza was fine.

We then went to Old Town San Diego for some flavored tortillas. Yummy!

Did you know?!

Last Saturday it hit me…

The main ingredient in salad dressing is soybean oil.

Do you know what soybean oil is?

Vegetable oil.

The vegetable oil we fry foods in.

Gross.

Oh and by the way, it’s the same for mayo.

Welcome to my Randomness XXIV

I’m going to my cousin’s graduation ceremony today…

 

Congrats Manang Jom!

 

Graduating from Nursing School

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I’m getting off at 12:30. I have an interview at 1. Then out to Bakersfield.

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I know it’s the middle of nowhere but that’s where the rest of the fam-bam resides. Perks?! SONICS TIME!

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Pitiful, I know. There’s a Sonics in Rancho and in Fullerton. It’s just not the same. I’m hoping I can get there a little before 4pm…

for you know what… HAPPY HOUR! 1/2 on drinks.

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I love me my limeade. Ok, moving on. I can eat a burger on a wheat bun. I checked the allergen information.

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Pitiful, I know. Yet again. I must find a way! Even though I know I most definitely cannot partake in any tots. 😦

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Such sadness. Oh well.

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This Saturday commemorates the Holidays. My mom has a work Christmas party at non other than…OUR HOUSE.

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I sometimes wonder why everyone loves to have parties at our house. Mind you…our house is not that big. It’s spacious because of the way we assemble our furniture but it’s not big enough for a PARTAY! Only get-togethers 🙂

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Nonetheless everyone dooms dons the Torres Residence as party happening central. Oh well. It’s fun and all.. Our parents raised us to be good hosts/hostesses but when it’s all over and done. You party-ers have left.. it’s almost like spring clean-up like non other.

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We clean beforehand and clean afterwards.

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Wednesday the office closed at 5 instead of the usual 6. I text my sister to see what she was up to. She was just clocking out.

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Then she called. FRANTIC. “Will you help me?! I need to write about 50 books.”

Me: Oh no no no. I’m not in school anymore I don’t need to write reviews.

Her: Please! I’ll pay you.

Me: Oh ok how will you pay me back?

Her: I don’t know…but I will!

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I hope this child knows that not all older siblings are as kind as I am; to give up my early evening to skim through a few books and write a paragraph on it.

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As I was laying in bed telling a friend of mine what amazing deed I had done… It hit me! How she was to pay me back. Do my chores for a month.

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Next evening. She expected me to help her again. I told her the payment terms. She wanted three weeks. I would not back down. I’m not a business major to be steered any which way!

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A month it is! I had won. Ah hahahaha I win. Can you hear Izma from the Emperor’s New Groove? You know where she’s a cat and she wins. Upon her evil laugh and ‘I win’ statement she’s falling …

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Anyway! I don’t do chores for 3 months. Yet, I did wash dishes last night and cooked dinner for the family.

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Only an hour til I leave. Oh the brilliant Melanie forgot her gps. Off to google maps.

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I have to anticipate any location I may want to visit. Oh I didn’t know what to wear for the weekend so I have 3 different outfits to choose from complete with a complementary scarf.

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I have a feeling I’m going to buy something else to wear. I’m not particularly fond of what is laying out in my car right now.

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Here it goes again. Having to find somewhere to change into interview appropriate attire.

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Til next Friday 🙂

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Oh and check out the MeMe

 

 

Sushi Time…

Wednesday night I took my brother out for some sushi…am I not such an awesome sister? Anyway, it doesn’t matter that I was craving sushi so he benefited; I did offer.

 

So! We went to Haru Sushi in West Covina across the Westfield West Covina mall.

I didn’t remember to take pictures until the first roll was almost done.  I know, fail.

 

Caterpillar Roll: Eel and avocado on top and shrimp tempura inside.

I don't remember the name of the other roll. Avocado on top, spicy tuna and shrimp tempura inside.

 

Sunday Lunch Shogun at La Verne. Treated my friend Courtney for her birthday and Dar wanted to be consoled since the rest of the family is out-of-town for the week on vacation.

 

Kamikaze Roll: Top-avocado Inside-spicy tuna, cucumber, and california roll.

Half the roll had sweet sauce the other half was spicy. Yummy!

I also ordered a spider roll. It was absolute fail. The crab tempura helpings were minimal. It got lost in the california roll.

 

As you can see…all of the rolls have the sweet eel sauce. Mhmmm yummy. I have to because I can’t have soy sauce, LOL.

 

Any sushi lovers? What’s your favorite roll?

Welcome to my Randomness XX

I had two stories to tell now none come to mind. Wow…talk about getting old.

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I remember!

Anyway, I was reception relief yesterday since my subordinate didn’t come to work. I haven’t been up to the reception desk in about a month or so?

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A client calls. Need to speak with Jack, please (Names changed, of course)

Me: I’m sorry Jack is out of the office for an event. Would you like to leave a message or be transferred to his voicemail?

Client: That’s what you told me last week. Did you ever give him the message?

Me: I’m sorry, this is the first time I’ve been at the reception desk since last month. I work in the accounting department and we’re short-staffed at the moment.

Client: Oh. Well, when will he be back?

Me: I’m not sure I know he had training last week and there’s an event this week. If you leave a message I’ll e-mail him your information. Jack returns phone calls accordingly.

Client: Ok, I need a loan and I was referred by Wells Fargo…

Etc. So goes the conversation.

Sometimes you can tell someone is prolonging the conversation. I was getting that type of feeling with this guy. Hey, what can I do? A client is a client right? Go with the flow, keep him engaged, interested, and portray that I really care about his needs and how our services can meet those needs… yada yada.

Yup, I was right. He just wanted to prolong the conversation. Unfortunately, he asked for my name and yes I gave it.

His conclusion/goodbye. Ok, sweetie thank you so much.

GAG.

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He was probably in his mid-thirties. Not that anything is wrong with that age. It’s definitely not the age for me. 🙂

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We were supposed to have an Alumni Volleyball game tonight. We aren’t having one. It got canceled. I’m totally disappointed.

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I was so looking forward to this game!

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At least tomorrow I still have my Saturday league. I’m going to need to find something after this Saturday league is over though.

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November 1st starts the end of my life. Not that I’ve had a life right now anyway. For sure, I’m going to start studying again. This time I’m determined. Studying 3/5 week nights I’m available. Saturday afternoon studying. Sunday afternoon reviews.

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Let’s hope I stick with it. I have 2 months planned out. I also have a weekly to-do list. I also have a daily to do list: M, T, W, S/S each day has several goals.

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Since I love lists and crossing things off my list…this should help me stay motivated and determined. I’ve also accounted for Holidays.

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The second story I really wanted to share has completely eluded my mind.

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OH MY GOODNESS! I remember now! I think I remember at least. Vegetable oil. Everyone uses vegetable oil, right? Well, we also have olive oil, virgin olive oil, etc.Sometime this week in the evening I was really itchy. I couldn’t figure out why. I took Benadryl and it somewhat subsided. The next evening I was looking at the ingredients for pan de sal. Filipino bread. AMAZING taste. Anyway! It said vegetable oil. I randomly thought to look at the ingredients for vegetable oil just because I was in a weird mood. I don’t know what I was expecting but definitely not what I found out!

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There was only one ingredient for vegetable oil: SOYBEAN OIL

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I immediately stopped eating. That further complicates things considering almost EVERYTHING is cooked in vegetable oil. I think fewer people would actually use vegetable oil if they called it what it really was: soybean oil-sounds weird.

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This morning I came into work later than usual. I was actually able to talk to my dad. I don’t ever see my dad because I’m usually out of the house by the time he wakes up. He was awake a little earlier because he’s attending this online trading seminar. I opted to go into work late just to chat with him even if it was for 15 minutes. I love my dad. He’s always smiling. Honestly sometimes its hard to tell if he’s serious or not because he has those smile wrinkles.

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The only downside to this Saturday evening volleyball league…I’m unable to go out-of-town. My family is visiting my grandpa (he lives 3 hours away). I haven’t seen him since…oh dear. I don’t know when. Probably the summer time. Because in August my skin wreaked havoc and in September my volleyball league started. I miss him. My dad is just like him… lol.

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Any randomness you care to share?

Welcome to my Randomness XIX

This whole week has been a gloomy-sky kind of week.

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But today the sun actually played peek-a-boo…

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Oh and I don’t like gloomy skies. I would rather have it bright and sunny or completely dark. None of this gray and in-between stuff; be one or the other please.

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Still no word from any interviews about second interviews or job offers; this is getting really discouraging.

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A blessing in disguise about my job though it has allowed me to pay off two student loans. I think when I get my retroactive pay from the last 2 pay periods I’ll cut the remaining loan in half.

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I’m glad I still live with my parents. I’m not planning on moving out anytime soon since I love traveling and plan to travel quite frequently.

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I must confess my posts have been nothing substantial and I must apologize…I’m finding myself withdrawing from everything and everyone. I apologize, please forgive me. I’ll do better, promise!

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Funny conversation a few nights ago….My friend, Donnie, (name changed, of course) texted me. Basically saying he was done with girls for right now and “these things get more complicated as ppl get older….”

Me: Oh yeah. My thoughts are focused on self right now and that’s not a good thing. Because I’m getting used to it and thinking about someone intruding—bad thought

Donnie:  Well you can focus on me! I’m having the issues right now haha

Me: Lol and who will you be focusing on?! Haha. I’m so against being intruded upon. I think the only relationship I’d want is long distance.

Donnie: Haha….well I’ll be long distance…wink wink. BAHAHAHAHAHAHA

End of conversation

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Danny and I were supposed to attend Longoria’s event at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre last night for her Documentary Premiere. Unfortunately, we got stuck in traffic and weren’t able to go. To console ourselves we went to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.

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Yes! I know I went there last Saturday but this fried chicken is sooo gooood!

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I am picky about fried chicken… and fried chicken with waffles and syrup.. AMAZING!

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Don’t you dare comment and say ew..gross, either. We cannot be friends if you do not even try this stuff!

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The other day I went to Albertson’s to stock up on some snacks. (I keep the snacks in my car or leave them at work because my brother will eat them in a day) Anyway…as I was walking out of Albertson’s I hear someone’s car alarm go off. I reach my car and it is still going off… I’m now looking for this car…

 

Oh...that's why ....

 

 

End of story.

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Enjoy your weekend and hope you enjoyed another segment of welcome to my randomness!

I love my mom…

I came home Monday night to a silent house. It was cold, rainy, and dreary outside. I was a hungry gal.

I open up the cupboards… hey! They’re full-ish!

Oh wait!

SOY?

Soy Protein?!

Mind you, when I didn’t know I was allergic to soy-I was the only one aside from my mom that regularly drank this stuff…

PEANUTS!

Almond Milk

Apparently, my mom forgot she has an allergic to everything person living in her house.

BUT WAIT!

Half-empty bag of….

Something I CAN eat!

I have found my substitute for POTATO chips! Not that I really liked potato chips but when you can’t have something you tend to miss it…Can I get a witness?!

Not that the above bold statement fit into what I am stating I just felt like inserting it in there.

My mom did go grocery shopping. She had high aspirations of cooking fajitas that evening for our lunches the next day. First she steamed asparagus and the Brussel sprouts because she bought a bunch of veggies and didn’t want them to go to waste…. Then she got distracted. What did she end up doing as it was getting close for her to get to sleep?

She marinated SALMON. If I recall…salmon is a BIG no-no.

I came into the kitchen and saw her with the salmon. She looked at me,  soy sauce in hand ready to pour into the pan…”Oh, you want to eat this..?” She places a salmon fillet into a separate pan….before she fully places it in there…”Uh, mom, that’s salmon…”

Mom: “Oh, oh, yeah that’s right.”

Way to go MOM!

Apparently to console me, she was cleaning up the pans she used to steam the asparagus and Brussel sprouts, “Melanie! Drink this juice because you can’t take anymore vitamins.”

“Yeah, mom that’s because it has soy in it.”

I drank it like a good daughter would. I had asparagus and Brussel sprouts for lunch the next day.

Just another random episode of my life…

LA County Fair

Friday, I went to the LA County Fair.

I must interject, the weather has been absolutely horrendous last week 2/7 days were cold/gloomy days. The rest of the days were 80-100 degree weather!Today I feel like a piece of bacon cooking in a frying pan.

I involuntarily parked in the VIP area. I got lost in the parking lot and couldn’t find the general parking. It was already 10pm were they really going to do something about it? Just to let you know the parking lot is confusing.

We saw the animals.

Clydesdale Horse

My friend Sarah paid to ride the mechanical bull. She stayed on for about 3 minutes.

Sorry it's blurry.

I like being random and taking pictures with cardboard cut-outs to place my face in:

Chuckwagon Cut-outs

We didn’t eat the Chuckwagon BBQ but Bubba’s BBQ instead. This is about $13 we got 2 plates of these and shared it with 6 people- 2/6 were guys; 1/6 was my brother. We were full.

I went to the food counter to grab knives, forks, and napkins for everyone. The guy at the counter told me I could take the whole thing. I told him, “Sure I’d sell these utensils for $0.25 each.”

I’m assuming a girl trying to get a guy would ask if one could take him.. sorry buddy, you’re trying with the wrong girl.

Just smile and walk away…

Yummy...

We also walked around the shops…I sent this picture to my sister, she said I should buy it for my dad’s birthday. I decided not to.

My brother thinks I'm weird. Now you do too 🙂

My friend bought a fried Klondike bar. I had some but I couldn’t taste the chocolate or the ice cream. I just tasted the fried mixture stuff. I do love fried ice cream though so I’m pretty sure a fried Klondike bar would be amazing.

Fried Klondike Bar

There were more fried stuff you could buy…

I’m not quite sure how you can deep-fry cheesecake…

We also stumbled upon this…

Bacon fetish...

Yes, chocolate covered bacon. I had to interrogate someone about this. Upon further investigation, they are already packaged. They are refrigerated. Can I just say GROSS! Cold bacon?! Oh and the picture looked like regular potato chips just imagine them as chocolate chips. (Sorry, no picture it was dark and the sign background of the bacon chocolate picture was yellow.) I didn’t ask about the bacon wrapped Oreos. I would have probably thrown up…

We ended the night with funnel cake. I didn’t think I needed to take a picture since those were one of the normal things people eat. 🙂

Please, for my sanity…

There are just some things I would ask you not to do or to do, for my sake.

PLEASE

1. Do not step on your brakes every 5 seconds when the car in front of you is 15 feet away. It’s really annoying to find that out when I pass you.

2. Do not diddle-dawdle when you are waiting for the light to turn green. There are people behind you waiting for the light to turn green as well and want to see how many cars can go through before the light turns red.

3. When you tell a joke, please do not be the first person to laugh. It makes it awkward when the joke wasn’t that funny.

4.  Is it too much to ask for a definite yes or no answer when I’m texting you about plans? I don’t understand what K means.

5. While we’re on that subject.. KK doesn’t help either.

6. When driving and you are on your phone please stay in the slow lane. Somehow older people on their phone in the fast lane makes people agitated, me included.

7. When you cut me off and I honk at you, I honked at you because you cut me off. Don’t look at me like I’m some crazed woman.

8. I wouldn’t honk at you if you were going faster than me. Speed up!

9. I understand FACEBOOK is the new thing but if you really wanted to keep in contact with me you’d use your phone, you have my number. I don’t understand how me getting a FACEBOOK helps our relationship because you don’t even send me a text every now and then. I know your phone is always with you. Facebook is only with you when you log on, just saying, I don’t understand.

10. Instead of assuming I’m looking at the calorie intake, ask me. It saves you from looking like a doofus when I say I’m looking at the ingredients because I’m allergic to a lot of things…

Thank you in advance,

Melanie

Welcome to my Randomness XIV

My life has been quite uneventful this week.

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I’ve been sleeping on the couch this week.

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I found bangles that fit from H&M (finally) . I have tiny wrists so its difficult to find bracelets/bangles that stay without making my wrists look even smaller!

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Some reflexology lady is coming to my house tomorrow after lunch.

We’ll see how it goes!

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Paid off another student loan! One more to go 🙂

I can also cross that off this list.

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Looking over that list… I’ve crossed a few things off 🙂

• Renewed Disneyland pass and added WOC viewing!
• Bought a KBF pass went 3x in the summer.
  
• I went to SD-Pastor Merritt’s church and Chicago
• I went to the beach-Manhattan Beach/Huntington Beach
• I went to Hollywood, Roscoe’s, Pink’s and OC.
  
• Went on a 2 week spending fast vs. one week 🙂
  
• Still working on that knot.. hopefully reflex lady can help.

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I’m going through withdrawals. I need to get out of LA County again..

Yes, I know I just went on “vacation” but literally one day out of LA was totally not enough!

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I’ve been drinking more than a gallon of water this week. CRAZY! I’m just always so thirsty…

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I’m slowly getting used to not eating the untouchables. I still have to buy a journal to list everything I eat.

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My new snacks have been cereals. All of the actual snacks have soy and peanut contamination, lol. I’m thinking of making my own granola/trail mix, with cereal. 🙂

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This past week I have- I had LIFE cereal, Kellogg mini wheats, and craisins. Yummy munchies

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Another volleyball game tomorrow! Oh, we won both sets, undefeated, no matches lost.

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My goal: get my overhand serve back. I haven’t been practicing unlike last year where I did it all the time for volleyball.

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I’m going on another spending fast. This time I’m leaving all my credit cards at home. Meaning, my gas tank can never be close to empty and I cannot forget my phone anymore.

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Have an awesome weekend everyone! I’ll be studying, yeah… [severe sarcasm]