It's Kinda of a Rescue Story...

If you know me, I'm a huge dog lover. Ever since I was a little girl, back in Indonesia, I've always wanted a dog, but I can't. My mom was too scared, even to the little Chihuahuas. And on top of that, being a Moslem country, dogs are considered "dirty" animals, so you can believe how poor is the animal rights over there (that was yeaaaarrsss ago... I don't know about now).

Anyways, I've been a huge fan of Hope For Paws ever since I watch several of their rescue videos. Thank God for Eldad Hagar. In a way, I used his method to bribe the dogs.

So I was just exiting my parking lot at work and was waiting on the traffic light... and I saw these 2 dogs, drinking from the puddle of water in front of my car (to the side of it, to be precise), super thirsty and started running away because the car next to me had to turn right. I started going, "OMGOMGOMG don't GO THERE!" and hoped they moved to the pavement. Thank God they did. So I pulled over and tried to call them. Of course they started to go crazy and ran away. I was so sad. Then I parked my car and thankfully they kinda followed my car.

Eldad has his own method to get the attention of dogs. He bribes them with Cheeseburger and once he gains their trust, then he puts them on his leash and carries them in to safety.

I tried to recreate his method... But 1) I don't have any cheeseburger; 2) I don't have a leash :(

All I had was a pack of Filipino Skyflakes Saltine Crackers. Yes, Crackers.

But it worked. Took me 30 minutes to convinced the younger dog since she had trust issues (her tail was tucked in). The older one, the male, was easier as he was super interested with the crackers. As soon as he was super close, I grabbed him, cuddled and put him inside my car. It was so hard to get the girl in the car. I had to block the boy so he won't get out while trying to convinced the girl to get in. She was terrified with the car but I kept on doing positive reinforcement and she finally hopped in. I said a little prayer.

This is the boy

Immediate cuddle time in my warm car

Right when I got home, I fed them 3 CANS of dog food. All gone within minutes. They gulped down water like never before. I got layers of blankets and old carpets and lay them on my garage floor and the boy started to roll around and wanted his belly to be rubbed. I got some old toys of Chimmy's and played catch with them.

Unfortunately, I can not keep them. I live in a small condo, with carpets, and a dog name Chimichanga who thinks this place is his shrine. I wanted to introduce him to them, and I even had him on a leash. But the 2 dogs started to run and hide and growl and Chimmy, being the i-am-super-brave-but-i-am-actually-a-chicken, got scared and ran for safety. Fail. Plus, I don't like keeping dogs outside. Esp during cold season. Even leaving them in the garage (which gets cold in the morning) breaks my heart. I would keep them in my room, but I haven't bathe them nor know their history. 

Fortunately, I just found a No-Kill Shelter in Ontario called West End Shelter. They don't believe in Euthanize for Population and they don't turn away any pets. Matter of fact, when I drop these two precious, I want to fill out their Volunteer Application. I think I've found my shelter! YAY! Another 12 Things crossing off my list. 

I pray these two lovlies will find their forever home. They don't bark, super chill, very friendly (once they trust you), loves to jump on you and give MAJOR kisses.

I hope the shelter will give me updates on these two dogs.

I'll keep all of you posted. 

Two doggy kisses,

Rima

January's Goal

New Month, New Goalz. That's how I rollz.

Let's recap *groans* December goals, shall we?

1. Learn to make Orange Chicken - *buzzer* 0 point. Fail. I didn't have the time to do it. Since we're short staff at work and the demand of people *cough Dr Sohn cough* wanting me to bake, I just didn't have the time nor energy to try this. One day, my friend... One day.
2. Eat more Fiber/Whole Grains - I would give myself 1/2 point for this. I am still trying to make myself eat more fiber/grains, which I am with my "rice" and "breads" but I haven't been adding fruits and more veggies in my diet. I really really need to go grocery shopping!
3. Save $$$ for Alaska/Paris - *dingdingding* 1 point. Well, the Alaska trip is on hold for me because I am planning for a mini EURO trip in March. Say whaaaattttt... So alas I did save some dough in my bank account.
4. Bake Something New - *dingdingding* 1 point. I made Shortbread Cookies, Marbled Red Wine Brownies, Cookie Butter Cupcakes with Whipped Chocolate Caramel Ganache Buttercream. Now if only I had the time to learn how to make a simple Apple Pie.
5. Learn to be more patient - This was in a personal level, and so far I think I managed fine. So I give myself 1 point for this. I still CUSS a lot :( But at least I just cuss, and let it go. He he he.

Total Score: 3.5 out of 5. Not bad, eh?

Now lezgo for January 2013. Woot.

Yes. My handwriting is weird.

1. Juice Again - I really abandoned my juicer. Poor thing. I miss having the energy that green juices give to me! It freshens me up in the morning! I need to get my veggies and fruits stat!
2. Clean up my closet! - I do this annually and donate unused and unwanted clothes/household items to Goodwill. Ya know, tax write up! Hehehe...
3. Organize my 1 week Euro Trip - Yes. Bolu the Bunny is heading to EUROPE! I'll be in Barcelona for the first half of the week, ending in Paris for the last half. YES PEOPLE. IT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN! Rima will be heading to the CITY OF LIGHTS! I'm sooooo excited. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend Pastry School, BUT, I am planning to take a 3 hour Baking Class somewhere near Montmarte. Hey... It's a fraction of my dream... Can't complain on that, right? SHIZ. I'M GOING TO BARCELONA AND PARIS! Oh and for Barca, I'm gonna witness the epicness of Lionel Messi with his kickass team playing against AC Milan at Camp Nou. People, I'm crossing off a goal in 12 Things! Woot!
4. Major Car clean up - Ok, my car is a complete mess. Under my driver seat, it's filled with crumbles. It needs a wax job. It's bad. Poor car. I need to find like a Car Spa. Seriously.
5. Organize my computer & phone files! - I do this every year too! My computer and phone needs space so must decongest them so they can be fresh and just like new!

Linkin up with my Sister, Melissa! DO IT!

bunny kisses,
Rima

Repost: 12 Things

<a href="http://www.bolubyrima.com/search/label/12%20things" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p518/bolubyrima/bolucrap/12things.jpg" /></a>

What is 12 things? I created this 12 things about almost a year ago when I was making a list of things I want to do/accomplish by the end of the year. Why 12? Because there are 12 months in a year... I was thinking that maybe I can accomplish one goal per month. I thought, "you know, it's doable to do a goal per month..." 

It can be from something simple to a complicated one (if you wish). It could be something that you've been dying to try but just didn't have the time to (or guts to!) do it and now it's the time to put it on the list and accomplish it! ANYTHING. There are no restrictions because these are your own personal goals for the year. 

Create the list, then at the end of every month we will do a Revisit: 12 Things, to see how our progress is... And at the end of the year, we'll do a huge wrap up post and throw a partay... and start writing new 12 things for the following year!

Proof of accomplished goals (aka pictures/blog posts) aren't necessary but it's recommended. It's pretty cool to have them as documentation and it's a great thing to look back to and give a pat on your back for accomplishing them :)

For my last Revisit: 12 Things, click here.

2012 12 Things: here

For my Bucket List: here

So, for 2013... These are my 12 Things:

1. Attend a Baking/Bread Class. I know the dream is to do it in Paris, but $$$ is still the issue. So while I save up for that, I found classes at Le Pain Quotidien and Sur La Table. The awesome thing is that both of those places that offer the classes are so close by Rob's place, and available during the weekend. Another secret goal is to have him attend the class with me. Hee hee hee.
2. 30 days Work-Out trial. This will probably be the ultimate challenge for me. I dislike working out. Period. But I do love the affects it gives me after, especially doing hot yoga (I just purchased a $10 coupon for a local Hot Yoga place. Let's see if I use it or not). And, I really wanna tone up. I currently pay for a gym that I never go to (typical american of me) and I just don't like going there because now the gym is just like a effin' fashion show. I just wanna work out in my undies without being judge. So I will purchase the Jillian Michael's 30 Day shred DVD and gonna try it out. At least I can curse at her at my own convenient. I need to get a workout mat since I have carpet and it hurts my knee when I do aerobics on it (or maybe it's just me creating reasons to not work out). I wanna have awesome abs. 
3. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter (a unsuccessful goal from 2012). I did oriented with the Humane Society but I did not continue because I wasn't comfortable with the Euthanize for Population protocol that they have. So I applied at my local Animal Shelter and currently waiting for the orientation that will happen in February. I just hope I can attend it because lot of things planned might happen in February. 
4. Watch a live soccer game. I love watching Soccer, or in Rob's world "Futbol", live. The energy of the fans are so contagious and empowering. So far I've seen David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi (!!!), Landon Donovan, with their teammates played live. My major goal is to watch Manchester United play. So far ManUtd haven't visited LA yet, but if they do, Girl's gonna go cray. I hope some great European teams will come over to LA so Rob & I can watch them live. I didn't see any for 2012 (we've been going every year in our relationship), but Rob flew all the way to New York to watch Argentina VS Brazil (He's a Argentina fan from birth). Can't wait to see for 2013.
5. Try a new crafty skill. I'm a undedicated craft nerd. I love crafts, but I can't stay consistent with a certain type. I love trying out and experiments on crafts. I wanna learn how to knit, but hot damn it looks complicated. But we'll see. I'm still browsing on crafts that I want to try. A Beautiful Mess made me wanna do all crafts! Hee hee hee. 
6. Attend a Bucket List Concert: Bon Jovi, U2, Coldplay (can't get enough of them!), Celine Dion. I love going to concerts. I've trying to go as much as possible of bands/singers I love since 5th grade (my first concert was Boyzone, this awesome boyband from Ireland). 2012 was pretty remarkable because I got to see Coldplay and front row pit for No Doubt. Bon Jovi is doing a concert in April, but not sure if we're gonna go or not. I don't mind watching Coldplay again (like I said, I'm a nerd for Coldplay). Celine Dion would be great too. But I heard her tickets are so expensive, of course.
7. The Color Run in Los Angeles (Feb 2013). Right after I did my Color Run in San Diego, I immediately signed up for the LA one. I recruited some friends to join me so this would be so fun!!
8. Make/Bake a Pie. This is something I haven't mastered. I'm not a big fan of pie. The only pie I'll eat is Apple Pie. Ok and maybe a good Pumpkin Pie. The crust doesn't look so hard to make. But we'll see. I know my dad will love this.
9. Take more pictures with my film cameras and create an album. I collect cameras. One day I want to create a shrine for my collections. With the convenience of having your digital camera in hand to snap snap away, I lost my touch with the art of film. Right now all of my cameras are stored in a box at Rob's apartment. I can't wait to get my hands on them once I move. 
10. Swim with the Dolphins. For Rob's birthday last year (2011), we went to Sea World. When I saw the dolphins, I told him I wanna swim with them. So this must happen. Haha.
11. Medical Missionary, again. This might happen, if the timing is perfect. A friend of mine introduced me to an Executive Director for an organization. This time it will involve children. Y'all know how I am with children. Honestly I love kids. Peds was my first choice to work at after Nursing School. Until now, I still get impatient with children, ESPECIALLY when their parents don't do crap about them. Spoiled kids irritate me like no other. But give me a sick kid or a kid in need, I'm all over that. I'll make sure that child gets better. So I do hope this Medical Missionary is a go.
12. Take a picture with Ariel, the Little Mermaid. Yes, Ariel is my all time Disney Princess. Until now, I have yet to take a picture with her. When that moment comes, I'll be bawling. Ok, not really. 

So these are the things in my 12 Things List. I hope I can accomplish all 12 of them. Like I said in the beginning, at the end of each months, we will do a Revisit post to see our progress. 

This link up will be open til Dec 31, 2012. IT'S FOREVER OPEN! Feel free to post the above button on your blog, spread the word, visit other bloggers, give moral supports, you know... the good ol' drill. 

If you want to participate after the link-up is close, still do it! You can link back with us during the Revisit posts. 

I'm so excited! Print up your list, make it pretty, post it everywhere around your living space. Ok, maybe that's too extreme? Not!

Moonbeams & Bunny Kisses,

Rima

Things I Love Monday, week 50 - 52

Oh wow. I've abandoned this entry for a long time. This used to be my baby, but when life gets busy, priority change. Oh well. Also I haven't been updating my diary/journal/agenda so it's kinda hard for me to trace back the days and memories that happened. But no fret. Why complain? Just move on.

With my diary right next to me, I'm looking back on the things that I've done the past 3 weeks. Some are good, some are bad. That's life, right?

In the past 3 weeks...

• There were way too many Neuro IR cases at my work. Not good. Why? It ties down our room and our staff. And it's just damn long. Gotz to stop yo!
• I made Shortbread cookies. Yay! Great success. They were yummy!
• The Sandy Hooks, Newton, CT tragedy. No words can describe the feeling of everyone that day.
• My brother turned 25! Damn. I'm old. 
• Rob & I got hooked on Homeland. OH no.
• My Youth/Young Adult Secret Gift Exchange was a great success. 
• Experienced AMC Dine-In which is in Marina Del Rey, the first AMC in California to serve food (like a restaurant), drinks, including cocktails, wines & beers, with reclining leather seats and a server for your convenience! Pretty nifty I say. It's pricey (the ticket for the movie is $17.50... Plus food/drinks) but it's good for a date night. Food was great too! We watched the Hobbit and I love it! I've never seen any LOTR (ok go on and hate me), but the Hobbit was great! Rob lend me his LOTR DVDs. Now if only I have 9 Free Hours to just sit down and watch...

• Prior to the movies, we had Indonesian Food (nom) and headed to Suite 700, on top of the Shangri - La in Santa Monica to enjoy a beverage and the beautiful sunset.

• Then Christmas Eve & Day, I was on call. Of course, with my lame luck, I got called in for both days. My first one was for a Korean man (all the way from LA county) who fell 500 ft in Mt. Baldy while hiking. Poor friend. He did well and we saved him. The other one, I was having my family Xmas Lunch, enjoying the company and my green tea ice cream, and I got called in for a Chole Tube. Gah, the fluid that came out was nasty. Gross.

• Rob & I planned our next trip. Super excited. We bought tickets for an important soccer game. Seriously can not wait. Oh and we're going to see Bon Jovi at the Staples in April. Hellooowwww... 12 Things goals are getting crossed already!
• Had a great time spending the last days with my sisters and good ol' friends. I bargained with my mom since I spent Christmas with my family, that I MUST spend time with my friends. Haha... Win. Well, since my sisters love m baked goods, I made them Marbled Red Wine Brownies. Twas a hit. Awesome.

We dined for dinner, eating Pho, and I had an amazing cup of Soursop Juice. I was in heaven. Haven't had that in a longggg time. Even Rob was super happy. Yum. Jeje, her hubz, Rob & I were super happy to see Kuma-Chan aka Baby Adam! He's getting so big and chubby. I want to bite him. This was Rob's first time meeting him since he was born. Kuma-San meets Kuma-Chan.

We also had lunch on New Years Eve to celebrate our sister's, Jeje, upcoming birthday (Jan 4th) since we all won't be around for it. Better to celebrate now than never, right?

No, we are NOT ready for kids yet.

• New Years eve, we both celebrated holding hands while we listened to our 2012 Theme Song, Yellow by Coldplay, and we picked a new one for 2013, I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi. We do this every New Years Eve. As we head down to Buca Di Beppo to meet our friends, we were literally screaming in the car to the Bon Jovi song. Romantic, I say.

Of course you may recognize Gaby's face below. We rang the New Years with our friends at UVA Bar @ Downtown Disney. The service was horrid, because of the crowd, we missed seeing the fireworks. Rob & his friend, Adam, waited for 20 minutes at the bar to get our drinks, we literally missed the countdown. Womp. So I quickly yelled at him "HAPPY NEW YEAR" and quickly kissed him on the lips before he loses his spot at the bar. Sad. Haha... On TOP of that, his Mojito & my Long Island Ice Tea was HORRIBLE. Gah. Nasty. Well at least my friends's drinks were bomb. Damn.

We played the classic Honesty Game "Never Have I Ever..." and really grilled Gaby down. Epic. It's fun hanging out with your friends.

• Spent the First of 2013: BEING LAZY ASSES. Rob & I just like did nothing for the first couple of our waking hours. I ended up making muffins and he yelled at the TV playing FIFA on his Playstation. Well, he cleaned up his closet and will donate those stuffs to Goodwill. Awesome. He also did his laundry. I craved for sushi so I had sushi. Yum. 

So 2012 has been epic for me. I was tempted to do a recap, but that'll take too much time for me. I guess, I can read back from my TiLMs. Glad that I do this segment so I can look back and reminisce. 

Cheers to 2013!

moonbeams,

Rima