Congratulations Mrs. Bardem!

Just as I deduced, Penelope Cruz is pregnant. Her Spanish agency finally put all the speculations to rest. The actress married fellow actor Javier Bardem back in July without any fanfare. She is currently filming Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with Johnny Depp in Hawaii. She is four months pregnant. Congratulations Penelope! I am always happy to see one of my favorite people receive such blessings.

Remembering Michael Joseph Jackson

One year ago today, the most unbelievable news was delivered to the world. I honestly thought it was some kind of cruel joke that even CNN wasn't catching on to. But, alas, it was true. The King of Pop, Michael Jackson was dead. Today, June 25th, marks the one year anniversary of his death.

What does Michael represent for you? For me, he reminds of the happy times and fun I had growing up in Japan. I remember my dad buying the Smooth Criminal Laserdisc. Yeah, we were up on the latest technology! My dad, brother, sister and I would dance to all the songs and laugh at my dad's terrible dancing. It was soo wonderful. His songs fill me with such great memories and bring so much joy. I'm sure it does to so many people around the world. So please, remember to tell your loved ones how much you love them before it's too late. I haven't told my mom and siblings how much I love them lately. No better time than now. I'll leave you with my favorite Michael Jackson song Human Nature.

Oprah, May I Work For You? Pretty Please?!

Oprah has to be the world's nicest employer. If there's another one, then this post dedicated to you too! Yesterday I read news that for O magazine's 10th anniversary, Oprah gave her employees $10,000 each plus an iPad. What caught my eye is the $10,000. $10 freaking THOUSAND people!! What I would give to be handed that kind of money for years of service. What would you do? Well, here's what I would do:

1. Pay my brother's fall term tuition.
2. If I had anything left, I would go on vacation to Bali; my dream destination.
3. Plus, because I really need it, a smartphone that I can use to update this blog during my work breaks.

But alas, that is not my life. In fact if I'm to be honest, the entire sum would go towards my brother's education. That's where my measly bonus has gone every year so far. But even without the bonus, and the iPad, I would just want to work for a nice boss; even if it is not Oprah. I hope the universe is listening.

Is Alicia Keys Pregnant?

I hadn't received a call from my sister in a while. Usually I'm the one to call so it was a pleasant surprise to see her number pop up on my caller id. The conversation went something like this:

Hey, what's up?
Please tell me Alicia Keys is not pregnant.
Geez, hello to you too.
No, seriously. I'm watching her UK performance and she so looks pregnant! How can she seriously have a child with that Swizz Beatz?!
I know right?! She's carrying a gut full of human.
That's not funny sis; I really hate that bossip phrase.
But it's funny! Yeah, how can she possibly be serious about having a baby with a man whose divorce is not yet final.
No, how can she have a child with a guy who has so many baby mamas!
I think he only has two. One before his current wife.
Still....
I know...But then again, she could be thinking that even if the relationship doesn't work out, she's got money in the bank...get it?
You just had to insert a Swizz Beatz song, didn't you?
I know I can't help it.

After I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but think further on this topic. We are seeing a lot of celebrity women having kids outside of marriage. Some with some questionable men. I've wondered many times what I would do if I was to become pregnant now. My foot is firmly planted in the corporate world and in adult life. However, the one argument that I have against having kids right now, apart from the fact that there's no man, is that I don't have the money. I just can't afford kids right now; man or no man. But if my bank account looked anything like A. Keys or even Lauren London, would I have a child just because I want one and I can care for the child financially? What about a constant male figure/influence in my child's life? This responsibility can not be left to my brother, uncles or male cousins. I know how it feels to have a father but not a dad. This is not an emotion I would want my child to ever feel. Sis, thoughts?