Cristela CP blog

I volunteered for a coworker's church group at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish/University of Southern California Trojans football game this past Saturday. John and David joined me at the concession stand north of the press box. It was cool to get into the game 'cause it had been sold out for months or whatever. We had great seats by the 30-yard line for when we weren't working. But man, it was super busy! We didn't have a chance to watch much of the game or tailgate for that matter. It was fun though and for a good cause. We enjoyed walking around campus by Touchdown Jesus (Hesburgh Library) and taking pictures. It was just a bummer that Notre Dame lost. I know, you'd think I'd root for USC 'cause I'm from CA, right? The thing is I didn't follow college football back then. (Read my previous post on Football .) Oh well. There's always next year. Go Irish!

I participated this morning in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event at Howard Park in South Bend. I'm pleased to have raised $485, 97% of my goal, to benefit this cause. Thank you to all for your support! I'm grateful that my little family, John and Sirius, joined me for the 5K walk, as well as our friends, David and Deb. We were part of my company team, Wellness Warehouse.

I'm currently working as a resident contractor at an aerospace company. I've been in this industry for 10 years. I'm definitely glad to have a job. But man, I do wish I could get hired on as a regular, full-time employee again with more pay. I took a 27.5% pay cut from my last job in CA to this one in IN. Major bummer. My budget has really been impacted. It hurts! People say it's ok 'cause the cost of living is lower in IN. But I say it's relative. The rent may be slightly cheaper, but not by that much. Everything at the mall still costs the same. Tax is only 0.75% less at 7%. The only thing that noticeably costs less are movie tix, lol. And I still have some of my CA bills! Anyway, I digress. I had forgotten what it's like to be a contractor. Less benefits, less pay. But it gets you in the door. A lot of companies strictly go through employment/placement agencies now. I hadn't been a contractor in like over 8 years when I moved last y...

I've never been a big fan of football or other sports for that matter. The most involved I got in sports has been NASCAR, and only Nextel/Sprint Cup at that, and only because I'm in an ESPN Stock Car Fantasy group online, hehe. I've been to a couple races at California Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but that's another story. As for NFL football, unless I'm entered in a pool, I normally don't follow or care. The exception would be the Super Bowl for its halftime show and party opportunities, hehe. If I have to root for an NFL team, it's generally for the Washington Redskins since I grew up in the DC area. Otherwise, it's occasionally for the New England Patriots, my father's team, since we used to live in MA. As for college football, I cared even less and never watched. I don't even know/understand all the rules. This brings me to my point. I am surprised at myself when it comes to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish! I don't mean...

I don't go out as much as I used to. Don't get me wrong, I still like to hang out once in a while. But I'm not pressed. And I don't mind being home with my snuggly doggy. I think I got burnt out early 'cause I started clubbing when I was 16. Wish the hubs would party less. He's still going strong, hehe. He calls me anti-social. I say I simply prefer the company of people I already know. It seems like an effort to make small talk with strangers sometimes, no? Anyway, I went out with John and a couple girlfriends, Heidi and Deb, on Friday night. We had dinner at Hacienda in Mishawaka and then off to karaoke at Center Street Pub. It's not my fave venue, but I do like singing karaoke, a Philippine pastime, hehe. After that, we checked out a local band at Riverside Tavern. It was fun, except for the drizzly rain. I know I've mellowed out from my techno/dance days. But I'm not a total hermit crab, hehehe.

I moved this post from my website-related blog since it fits more here. I signed up to walk in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in South Bend, IN on 10/10/09. This is an important cause to me. I hope to make a difference in increasing awareness and in helping find a cure. Please support me by donating $5 or more or by joining my team in the walk. Thank you.

I am a long-time user of Twitter , back before it became all the rage. It seems like everyone and their mother is on it now. If you don't believe me, look me up on When Did You Join Twitter? My username is cristelacp. I like microblogging in 140 characters or less. It's quick and easy. Unlike regular blogging, I don't have to formulate proper sentences and such, lol.

I'm an American Filipina. I'm the 2nd of 3 girls. I'm married to a US Marine. I'm a doggy mommy. I love my family! I've lived on both east and west coasts of the US and now find myself back in the midwest, not far from where I was born. I've sort of come full circle I guess. I work in the aerospace industry in document control, supporting configuration management. I've dabbled in web design here and there. I like to hand code in HTML. My fave software is Photoshop! I don't care for drama, especially in the workplace. But unfortunately, it finds me sometimes. *sigh* I enjoy indoor rowing. It's a total body workout in half the time as using the treadmill, which works great for my schedule. I like to travel and experience various places and cultures. However, lack of funds and minimal paid time off are realistic obstacles, lol. I love taking pictures! More sharing later.

My little sister Cay has inspired me to blog again. I really sort of gave it up 'cause it took too much time and effort. But she's right. It's fun and interesting to revisit your own blog entries later on. Here are my other blogs. Blogger - dream in digital - photoblog Blogger - blog - website-related notes and such MySpace - just stuff (inactive) This blog will be for random rants and whatever I feel like venting about, hehe. We'll see how long this one lasts... More to come.