Day 10 of San Diego

We calmed the 21st birthday issue. Mason is still a little unsure about what might happen, but I understand why. We can't tell the future. I know I say I won't get drunk, yet I don't even know how I'll know I'm drunk. I've never been drunk before! Or buzzed! Or... all of the other levels you deal with while drinking alcohol. I probably won't drink many beverages. Most of the alcohol I've tasted was either too strong for me or tasted gross. I guess I'm picky with my alcohol.

And I'm not completely interested in it!

However, I do want to have a few drinks on my 21st just as a celebratory thing. Not to feel the buzz of becoming drunk, not to get out of control... only to test the waters. Only to use it as an accessory for the party. Afterwards, I might not have another drink until something special comes up.

So, my day was not too shabby. I hung out at home as the folks, I think grandma J, Uncle Jay and Aunty Jill, Willow and Jaylee went to take pictures with Santa Claus. I suppose Santa decided to give the folks an early gift from the Bose store because my parents came home with a large Bose speaker. Thanks, Santa! Now bring me Johnny Depp.

I'm excited for Christmas! I made an actual Christmas list this year. Mason is on top while all of the "wants" are below him. :)

If Mason comes home for the holidays, I will crap my pants.

I better not wear any pants, then...



Karte Sakhi Cemetery, Kabul

An Afghan man walks in the Karte Sakhi Cemetery during a snowfall in Kabul, Afghanistan, on February 4, 2013.

Day 9 of San Diego

My depression is worsening. I've probably said this tons of times, but I'm seriously thinking of taking anti-depressants. I don't know when. I don't even know how much they are or how strong the dosage should be. All I know is that I'm really down in the dumps these days.

I know it has only been a week since Mason left. I guess that's the hardest time - while the pain of him leaving is still fresh. I'm sure after a month, this depression will settle into subtle grief.

Today was... another day. I watched a baby bird die this morning. My dad took him away from Fluffy who caught the little bird. Unfortunately, Fluffy hurt him more than we knew. Dad placed the tiny bird in a shoe box with some tissues for comfort. I stuck by the baby bird's side until he passed away... I'm glad I stayed with him. I'm glad he didn't die alone.

Last night, Mason and I got into an argument about me drinking on my 21st birthday. He has a history of alcoholics in his family (as do I) and he despises people abusing alcohol. He hates alcohol. And when I mentioned my 21st birthday possibly being in Vegas, he feared I would become an alcoholic, too. Which isn't me! I don't want to get smashed on my 21st. I want to remember what happened!

For an hour or two, we fought about the subject... Hurtful things were said... Fears were being used for blaming mechanics... We both messed up. We both took the situation too far...

In all honesty, I don't even know if I'm going to Vegas for my 21st. I don't know if I'll drink on my 21st. But I do know that I love Mason very much and I wish he would understand that, when I say I'm not like anybody else, I mean it.

Day 8 of San Diego

A traditional Thanksgiving feast today. I wish Mason was with us. To me, it would have been more joyous. 

I had an alright time, nonetheless. I love it when the family gets together to celebrate about something. We're a bit chaotic, but that's what makes us enjoyable. :)

I didn't eat much. I never eat a lot during Thanksgiving. 

Well, I never eat a lot PERIOD.

I think I was too depressed to really have an appetite... 

I miss Mason... I miss him more than anyone could guess. 

Happy Thanksgiving anyway!

P.S: Hanukkah and Thanksgiving were on the same day this year. This won't happen again for another 77,000 years!

Day 7 of San Diego

Oh man... This fatigue is wearing me out... Literally!

I almost fell asleep in both classes. Right now it's hard to focus on finishing this post.

I don't have much to say... I did wake up with a blood-shot eye, though... Pretty weird.

I also ran over a branch. I'm glad nothing was damaged... Or, so what I've seen.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I still feel like smashed crap. I don't believe I'm contagious. I don't want anyone suffering through what I had to deal with.

It almost feels like I'm catching another virus... I don't really know if I'm getting better. I hope I am.

I know I am severely depressed. I'm dreaming strange dreams... Two nights ago, I dreamt about a man drowning kittens. Why? Why must I dream that way? What did the drowning kittens symbolize? A call for help?

Thankfully, it was just a dream. I don't think I could handle seeing something like that in real life.

Anyway, enough about depressing things. I'll end this post here.

I wish you all a joyful and fulfilling Thanksgiving!

Cherry Blossoms, Nakameguro

Nakameguro in Tokyo is one of the most famous places for admiring the blossoming cherry trees in the middle of the city.

Day 6 of San Diego

I could pass out any second now... I'm extremely exhausted. I don't know what hit me! But I need to finish this post before I find myself face-first on a keyboard.

My day went okay. I'm still fighting this flu. I took a math quiz this morning and ended the day with a boring writing assignment in ENGL. We had to write for 30 minutes straight, trying not to pause in the process, about a feeling we had while reading the book "The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian." We wrote about scenes that connected to what we felt. Since I'm still considered "sick," I couldn't think properly. Paying attention wasn't possible today.

When I got home, I did nothing... I watched gameplays of Kingdom Hearts and hung out on IMVU alone.

Until Mason bought WiFi. :)

Sadly, he jumped on thirty minutes ago as my sleepiness started to take over. Maybe tomorrow we'll have a longer IMVU session. Maybe, if I'm tired, I'll take a nap! I like naps. <3

Nuns, Jerusalem

Church of Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, Israel.

Day 5 of San Diego

Mason is as messed up as I am.

Today he broke down. He kept telling me how much he missed me and asking when we were going to call each other. I told him we could call right after my chiropractic appointment. We usually call before bed, around 9-10 PM. But this evening, we called at 5:30. Currently, we're still on the phone.

Before we called, Mason watched a few of PewDiePie's videos to cheer him up some. Once we were on the phone, he sounded happy. Yet as the phone call continued, he started to notice I wasn't in the same boat... I reminded him how depressed I am without his presence. I'm empty. Even my mom is beginning to realize how saddening it is while Mason is away. It's effecting all of us.

Mason's good mood dwindled. He again started telling me how much he missed me. I asked if he wanted to multitask, to keep his mind from wandering into dark corners. He said he didn't want to play his Zelda game because (surprisingly) he was bored with it. I asked if he wanted to play Minecraft. Suddenly, Mason became very quiet. I immediately guessed he was holding back tears. I wondered if he was sad over playing Minecraft because we played Minecraft together while he was home. In a croaked voice, he answered, "Yes."

I totally understood where he was coming from! For example, I can't watch the movie Forrest Gump without Mason because, since we consider that movie "our movie," it upsets me to watch it alone. I'm sure as time goes by, Mason will be able to play Minecraft by himself. But for now, it's still a touchy subject.

I miss Mason very much... We all do. Did you know Mason and I haven't spent a single Thanksgiving together?

Ganges River, India

These kids were playing in the Ganges River in Varanasi, India. The moment this kid saw me with my camera, she posed with the huge flag in her hand and made my day.

Day 4 of San Diego

I hate being sick for the fact that I hallucinate like someone on drugs. Last night, I hallucinated about fighting off my illness. It repeated throughout the night. I tossed and turned, trying to think up of anything else to dream, yet nothing changed. My body ached, I was dehydrated and went from hot to cold in a matter of, what seemed like, minutes. Every time I tried to blow my nose, I would give myself a headache. It was Hell...

I must've had a fever. In the morning, I searched what causes bad dreams when sick and someone answered that it had to do with having a fever.

I did have a terrible dream, though. I was angry at my dad and constantly called him awful names. It was chaos. Until I woke up and began tossing and turning once more. 

When morning came, I felt a little less sickly. My body wasn't achy, my nose wasn't too runny, and I felt hydrated. But as the day went on, I started feeling even better. The progress is gradual. At least it's progress!
I didn't do much today. Laid back. Hung out on the computer. Took care of some stupid math homework. That's about it...

Day 3 of San Diego

I'm sick...

I don't know when the virus hit me, but it let me know it infected me this morning. I woke up sucking down SNOT. Yummy... What a delightful breakfast...

Throughout the entire day, I continuously told myself I wasn't becoming sick. I told myself it was because I was menstruating and that often gets me weak. Yet there's always that douche-bag part in your brain in which begins spazzing out, telling you you're sick. But you sit there, arguing like a lunatic until you finally come to your senses and realize, "Goddamn it... I am sick."

Mom and dad have been sick for quite some time. I felt immortal since I wasn't becoming sick like them. But today changed my beliefs... Not only has my period become an absolute mess, my face feels like it's filled with mucus. My whole face ACHES. Of course, down below it aches because of... you know... But my FACE! ... My FACE!!!...

I think I'm turning into a zombie, guys. The zombie apocalypse starts with my family...

I GET TO BE FAMOUS!!!!

Sexiest zombies you'll ever meet.

... And kill... :(

Only joking. Mom thinks we caught the Flu.

Might as well call it the zombie virus, but whatever...

;)

I can't believe I caught the Flu! It sucks the big ones!!! I need to take a lot more naps and drink my OJ. I do NOT want to be sick for Thanksgiving. That would BLOW.

Anyway, with that said, I need to head off to bed.

OH! Before I go, I want to send out a shout-out to my latest follower Saige (I hope I got that right) THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING TO A FUTURE ZOMBIE, SAIGE!!!!

Sooner or later, all you're going to read is:

kjsihhaaaaaai iujwrou28   q38u9qhroeu98 q398y ewr aknfihswugwryfg 1 i33 jhwquy138 489  8899 54 wqhwiufjnw?>WTL$T{_4nw ui34i  ajrh w  oijsfi I wiiwio 413:
!#P[-=2n rui wry  arioeuyr q 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!123kqour9a   RI ur u4i 5
'G  9y w894ry89y4ajd  idjfir

Again, thanks. :)

Stuttgart City Library, Germany

Visitors browse the Stuttgart City Library, a media center opened in 2011 and lauded for its clean and open design. Your Shot community member Shu Koumura shot on tungsten-type film and used an E-6 bleach bypass development process.

Day 2 of San Diego

I went to school today. I was second guessing, but I had to turn in an essay that was due yesterday. 

School was alright. I didn't want to learn anything. My brain is mush. I came home and took a three hour nap. It felt good. <3

At 5, I got adjusted. The Dr. was shocked to see me since I skipped all of the appointments while Mason was home. He asked where my folks were and I told him my mom is sick and my dad is... well, I don't know why he didn't go with me. 

But I got adjusted. I needed to be adjusted. My back is killing me...

Tomorrow, I have no plans. I think I'll nerd out with some math homework and anime comic books!

Day 1 of San Diego

Mason's smell lingers in my bedroom. His empty Coke can and unopened bag of chips sit on the upside-down lid of a stool. The leather couch sections still stare at the three televisions. But Mason's not here anymore... He left this morning at 10:55. 

Last night, we made our last moments as sweet and subtle as possible. The whole day was relaxing until evening showed up. Tension grew. Tears formed. We knew what was coming... We tried staying awake. But I can't stay awake past 2 AM without doing anything. Yet we didn't know what to do... We were trained on the fact that Mason was leaving the next day. However, we ended up going to bed anyway. 

We didn't fall asleep right away. We talked. We cried. We romanced. And then... we fell asleep in each other's arms. 

This morning, at 6 AM, I woke up exhausted. My body rejected this day. I wanted to sleep through it. I wanted this day to be nonexistent. I wanted this day to vanish and the next day to pop up with Mason still home. 

But that wasn't the case... 

He packed. Mom drove us to the airport at 9. I walked with Mason to the bag check-in station before having to leave. Nevertheless, I stood with Mason, holding him and crying with him. We didn't want to let go. I didn't want him to leave. 

After ten minutes, we said Goodbye. I went home and sobbed. I sobbed so many tears, at one point, I didn't know why I was crying. I was just... crying! 

Every time I looked at the Star Wars Lego ships we built, I remembered that day. Every time I did a specific thing, such as not grab something to eat, I would hear Mason's voice in my head telling me to eat. Every time I went upstairs, I waited for Mason to rustle under the covers of my bed until leaning upward, groggily smiling at me. 

But he's gone.

Now I'm in my empty room, on the phone with Mason. Fluffy snuggles beside me where Mason would be. I found a dog-tag on my bed's shelf stating an influential phrase excerpted from the bible. I never saw the tag before. I asked Mason if it was his. He said Yes and that, if I wanted it, I could have it. 

I'm not much of a God person, but the phrase was perfect for a day like this.

Day 17 of Second Leave

He leaves tomorrow morning.

Day 16 of Second Leave

Technically, it is the nineteenth... But this was supposed to be yesterday's post. I'm sorry, readers... I'm too busy watching Mason play GTA 5. Him and Alex were doing flips on a skate ramp until a dude with a nice ass million dollar vehicle started playing with us, joining us in our flipping bonanza. Mason, Alex and I were dying laughing.

I took tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday off to be with Mason before he departs. We're staying up late, being with each other until the end. Last night, Mason began to think about him leaving so soon. I comforted him as we fell asleep in one another's arms.

It sucks how fast time can fly by. I mean, look at this post! I was having fun and WAH-LA! I'm writing a late post...

I might add today's events if anything eventful occurs. Other than that, this was my day yesterday. I hope today will be just as great.

---

Hi guys. Quick update.

Mason and I slept in after staying up until 2 AM. We played games before eating dinner with Mason's mom and her friends. Mason and I took turns on babysitting our nephew while Moira cooked food and did other things. Ash, our little nephew, is too cute! That boy will grow up to be a heartbreaker. :) Haha.

Tomorrow, Mason and I want to spend every last second together... Mason leaves at 8:30 AM on Thursday... Everyone's pretty upset about it...

Time, you are a cruel mistress.

Holy Week Procession, Guatemala

This photo was taken during a procession in Antigua Guatemala during Holy Week.

Day 14 of Second Leave

Today was slightly messed up... But it turned out to be okay.

Yesterday, Mason and I planned with Alex to go see Bad Grandpa today. After the Seahawks took care of the Vikings, Mason and I drove to Alex's house to pick him and his girlfriend up. Nevertheless, though we told them we would pick them up at 3:15, they still weren't ready once we got to their front door... Fifteen minutes later, Alex and his girl popped into my car. 

I drove like a mad woman... I didn't want to miss a snippet of Jackass: Bad Grandpa. Mason saw it in N. Carolina. He said it was hilarious. The trailer made me die laughing! I needed to see it. 

We arrived at the theater just in time. Mason and I purchased our tickets before Alex and his girlfriend did. There was a complication... Alex's girlfriend didn't have an ID. Supposedly, she's 18. Alex is 20. I guess it was New-Employee day since the people working told Alex she or he needed to be 21 or over to watch the film. Mason and I were pissed. So, instead, Mason purchased the tickets on one of those Do-It-Yourself machines. Yet again, that didn't work because the person who would look at your valid tickets allegedly needed to see your ID, too. Now we didn't know what to do... Peeved, we just decided to go eat at Red Robin.

After a twenty-minute wait, we grabbed a booth. I ate very little considering Mason's irritated mood and some disappointing news. Apparently, one of our friends smokes cigarettes now... He's in the Marines along side Mason. Mason thinks he started because of the stress. I became saddened... Our friend could have chosen a different route. Mason says our friend won't become a chain smoker (once I acknowledged the fact that cigarettes are cancer sticks) but he doesn't know. We all don't know, yet we can hope he won't become one. 

Lately, Mason and I have been getting into discussions about judging other people's doings or how people react to things, etc. Everyone has their own scripts and cues on the world. Some people throw out opinions as if they're facts. But opinions should be stated as an opinion instead of blatantly stating something that couldn't possibly be a fact unless you have the facts. For example, when Mason claimed our friend won't become a chain smoker just because he says so, is an opinion, not a fact. How does he know? He can't foretell the future (so I've noticed) That's why I get irked when people believe their opinions are the actual facts. 

I lost my appetite. I only ate a few pieces of chicken until asking for a To-Go box. 

When we finished our dinner, we walked over to PacSun and bought cheap clothing (since the store was closing) Afterwards, we went home.

Now, Mason and I are watching Hoarders before bed. 

Day 13 of Second Leave

The folks left for Vegas this morning for a marathon. I drove them to the airport at 5:30 AM before sleeping in until 10:30 AM.

I wanted to go to Vegas and join my parents (but I would have ran the 5K) yet Mason leaves next week. I want to spend every last waking breath with him. <3

Today, Mason and I played games, played games some more, watched Ted, then played games again. 

I love the weekends. :)

Day 12 of Second Leave

A storm brewed today. Outside my house and in my heart. The whirlwind inside me whistled and screamed the truth about humans; they freakin' suck. Can an alien race from another galaxy wipe us off, please? With our current progress, nothing will change for the better... Only my opinion, though.

Today was okay, I guess. 

I'm glad it's Friday. I don't have much homework and Mason and I get to stay up together. Unfortunately, I won't have the best of time playing video games like Mason does because nobody wants to play with me... So, I become extremely lonely. 

At least Mason's having fun. 

I won't talk about why I despise humans. All I'll announce is that our psychology sucks the big, hairy, dirty ones.

And why is it every time I'm angry, people want to be silly? Why? They want to be silly about the situation? Slightly mocking my anger with it? Serious? ...

I want to act more like Ender, in a psychological perspective. And I mean Ender from Ender's Game. And I haven't read the books, I just watched the movie with Bryndis and Mason today right after school. Great movie! It's a buy. 

If you haven't read or watched Ender's Game, please do. Ender's way of dealing with a negative, pressured environment is amazing. I think we should all adapt to that kind of psychology. 

Day 11 of Second Leave

Game night with Alex and Mason! Alex brought over his latest girlfriend while Alex and Mason play GTA 5. I was working on math homework for the past few hours... The math is becoming ridiculous. However, I'm proud of myself for remembering formulas and slightly understand word problems! My dad's boss couldn't figure out a math issue... It went like this: A ball and bat equal $1.10. But the bat is a dollar more than the ball. How much does the bat cost? The equation: 1.10 = x+x+1. The 1.10 is the total of the bat plus the ball. The ball is x and the bat is x+1. The answer is $1.05. Whoo-Hoo! Intelligence!

Today, I learned more math and in ENGL, the class talked about the movie Smoke Signals.

I was happy to be home afterwards!!!

Mason and I snuggled in bed before gaming and waiting for Alex and his girlfriend to come over.

Now, time to head back to the gaming session!

Day 10 of Second Leave

Mason and I visited Lincoln Park this early evening! We had fun!! It's been a while since we visited there, breathing in the fresh air, people watching, kissing in The Circle of Trees, and acting like Baboons. Hanging out at Lincoln Park with my hubby makes me utterly cheerful. That park is OUR park. That park is where our first dates happened. That park is where I gave Mason his first kiss AND his first relationship. <3

We love Lincoln Park!!!! Never take it away!!! Please. :)

Today was fine. School was boring. In ENGL class, we're watching this movie called Smoke Signals. It's about the modern-day Native American. Interesting movie. Sort of stupid. But I'm enjoying the story.

The class is also reading an autobiography on a guy who is Native American. He tells his life as a Native American, living on a reservation, poorer than poor, and dealing with a wash of White people. I thought the book would be boring. Turns out, it's addicting! I love autobiographies that are told in a relaxed, not-worried-about-sounding-analytical tone.

Well, I'm going to head back onto Minecraft and help Mason build our giant house on top of a giant ass mountain.

Bye!

Day 9 of Second Leave

This day was a little better than yesterday... But I was depressed while at school. I kept thinking about how upset I am over Benny diagnosed with cancer. Then I started thinking/beating myself up over getting emotional while Mason's home!

Why must I put so much pressure on myself for being human???

I don't know if I'll ever get that answer.

Nonetheless, today was fine. Mason and I played the latest Gears of War (Judgment) until I switched to LittleBIGPlanet. Finally, we ended the day with Jurassic Park. But we fell asleep in the middle of it...

Of course we're still not getting any good sleep! How can I?! How can WE?! IMPOSSIBRU!

I do miss sleep, though. I'm thinking of sleeping early tonight. Yet Mason wants to stay up and watch PewDiePie with me.

Ah, the things I do for love. <3

Oh! By the way, happy 11/12/13. :)

High Tide, Chioggia

In autumn, the high tide often submerges Chioggia, a small town in the Venetian Lagoon, creating reflections and an enchanting atmosphere. This phenomenon is called acqua alta, which means high water.

Day 8 of Second Leave

I received horrible news... My dog Benny has cancer. The doctor said he may have 6 weeks to live... We're praying this isn't true. I've been upset ever since 5 PM.

Today was laid back. Mason went to see his mom while I stayed home, typing up an essay. 

After Mason was done visiting his mom, Mason and I went to Gamestop to check out video games. He bought a new game, but I only bought points for the PS3.

I hope tomorrow will be a better day. I'm trying to stay positive. Like I said, I don't want Mason to deal with negativity while on his Leave. I want to make this break a good one. 

Day 7 of Second Leave

How about those Seahawks, huh? They MUTILATED the Falcons!! I guess Mason being home brought my team some good luck, eh?

Today was laid back. Mason and I did not go anywhere. We were going to see Alex, but decided to stay home and play Minecraft. 

I'm glad I don't have school tomorrow. I've been slacking on the homework. I still have an essay to write!!! Ah well. I think my teacher said to have it in before 11:59 PM on Monday.

Hopefully...

I've also been extremely emotional... A lot of things are bringing me down... Little things. Most of it has to do with Mason. But I'm trying not to be upset around him. I want him to have a nice, fun time while home. Not frustrating and a waste of time.

Anyway... Go Seahawks!

Day 6 of Second Leave

Hey! Mason and I are defeating baddies right now on Minecraft! So, I'm going to make this quick!

My day was nice and easy. Mason and I didn't hang out with his cousin like we expected. Instead, we had fun building on Minecraft.

Tomorrow, we'll be watching the Seahawks game with the family. Afterwards, we'll meet up with Alex and chill with him.

Got to go!!! Off to become a legendary hero!!!

Day 5 of Second Leave

I'm too tired to even care about this post, but I'm typing it anyway. Haha.

I didn't go to school today! I hung out at home, playing video games and watching Pewds with May May.

Tomorrow, Mason and I might chill with his cousin and sister. Really, who knows. 

On Sunday, Mason and I may see Alex and hang out with him. 

Long week. 

Day 4 of Second Leave

Quickie!

Today wasn't too bad. I told my math teacher I wouldn't be in tomorrow. She was cool with it. We're only doing review currently. 

The weather was interesting. Rainy. Windy. But at five, Mason and I ignored the dreary forecast and hit up Spuds for dinner. 

But before Spuds, we bought Star Wars Legos!

After dinner, Mason and I watched movies on Netflix while building one of the Star Wars ships. 

Now, we're watching Pewds!!!!! 

Hey, has any of you Minecraft players seen the HUGE mushrooms from the latest update? Well, they're pretty awesome! 

Day 3 of Second Leave

Just to sum up the day: I took a math test this morning. I believe I did exceptionally well since after I turned in the finished test, my math teacher walked up to me, wondering if I wanted to continue mathematics. I said yes, but I would only keep going until I completed a 100 leveled class. She claimed I would be good in a calculus class if I decided to join one of them. I doubted I would be so skilled, but she assured me I would do fine.

We'll see, I guess.

In ENGL, another lecture on racial ties in the U.S. of A. Things are becoming clearer now to the advantages of a white skinned human being compared to those with colored skin...

When I was done with school, I rushed home to hang out with Mason. I wasn't swamped in homework this time (I didn't do any of it because it's not due until later on) and we were able to play games together! Just like how it used to be! <3

I'm taking Friday off. I won't have ENGL class on Friday, so why not cancel math as well? On Monday, the school is closed. FOUR DAY WEEKEND!!!!11

I'm already getting used to the restless nights with Mason. This four day weekend will NOT be a chore.

Commuter Train, Tokyo

Panning shot from a pedestrian deck. Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

Day 2 of Second Leave

Tonight will be a quick post but with a lot of information. Be prepared! I'll start with yesterday and move up to today...

Yesterday:

The whole day, I was strung on adrenaline. I almost thought I was about to pass out when thinking too much on Mason coming home. After school, I only finished math homework. I was lucky having my ENGL homework due today though I assumed I had to do it last night. I didn't know whether we would discuss about the assignment the next day (and I wouldn't understand because I didn't complete it) or we were only supposed to post it online and that was that.

When I couldn't make up my mind on if I should finish the essay that day or wait for the next, I emailed my teacher, practically apologizing for not finishing the assignment in which claimed would be due the next day. I also asked if skipping the assignment would tremendously decrease my A grade. She told me that, pretty much, my percentage would drop noticeably if I didn't complete the paper.

However, I didn't see her reply until this morning... Oops.

Thankfully, the paper wasn't due until midnight tonight.

Now, I know I didn't write about the surprise my immediate family and I did at the airport for Mason when he exited the terminal, but that was only to stay safe. I didn't want ANYONE to get a hold of that information, be a douche, and let him on our surprise.

This is what we did... Those pictures of posters you saw in the previous post were posters I made on Saturday for some of the family members. The family members who joined me in the surprise was grandma and grandpa J, mom, dad, uncle Jay, aunt Jill, my cousins Willow and Elise, and aunt Dotti. We planned the surprise for a good week. While dad and I waited to see Mason coming down the terminal, the family would hide by a wall beside the terminal exit. We waited and waited and waited as random citizens left the terminal. And finally, after ten minutes, through my bad, blurry vision, I saw Mason! I pulled out my phone, signaled the family to pop and cheer and hold up their signs, and once they did, I recorded Mason smiling at our surprise as well as panning over to the family to show their excitement, too. After a brief moment, I ran up to Mason and hugged him tightly. 

Unbelievably, when we hugged, it felt like Mason never left in the first place.

Today:

Mason and I caught hardly any Zs last night. Our minds were too busy being happy from the arrival of Mason. However, I was pumped up while getting ready for school. Half of the reason was because less hours equals adrenaline rush when awake. The other reason was I woke up beside Mason and knew I would come home to him after a long day of studying.

The horrible thing, though, was when I accidently deleted that awesome video of Mason walking out of the terminal with my family blaring at him and shaking their colorful signs... Waiting for class to start, I tried trimming the video, and I trimmed the portion that I wanted to keep... Being tired has its consequences.

I wanted to head home after my little mishap... I contacted my mom to see if she took video. She did, but only of Mason and I hugging. I asked Dotti if she snapped pictures and recorded video, but she told me her video could've been messed up since she thinks she accidently recorded the poster (while holding it up and holding her phone up with it) instead of Mason exiting the terminal. She did take a few pictures. Yet, picky me, I didn't fully accept them.

Pissed, I moped through the whole school day... I apologized to Mason for becoming a Debby Downer... Honestly, I don't want to show negative emotions towards him during his Leave. I want every day to be a happy one without me complaining about something stupid such as a video.

To be frank, I don't trust my memory. Hell, I'll sub-consciously place something down and automatically forget where I placed it. I almost forgot to bring the posters to the airport because, in a rush, my mom wanted me to give her my drivers license. Hurried, I sub-consciously laid the posters down on a chair, handed my mom my license, and we left. I'm glad we weren't very far from home when realizing I had forgotten the posters.

Anyway, the rest of today was cool. Mason and I visited his mom. Sid, his dog, could barely stop freaking out at the sight of Mason and I waltzing into his home. We stayed at Mason's mom's house for a decent three hours, sharing stories, playing with Ashton (Mason's nephew) and watching T.V. as we ate home-made nachos.

Mason is staying with the folks and I. We're having a blast together even though I am swamped in homework... Just an hour ago, I finished a stupid ENGL assignment that blew my mind on how irrational it was... Mason and I bitched about it the entire time I typed up my answers. Haha. <3

Time for some good old fashion rest. Goodnight, everyone!

Day 1 of Second Leave

He's home!!!

Day 86 of North Carolina

I am a complete mess right now...

Is this normal? I can't even pinpoint the emotion I'm dealing with right now! Relief? Anxiety? Pure happiness? All of a sudden, I'm crying and I don't know how to control it. What am I supposed to tell myself? How am I supposed to ease this clogged up feeling? My brain is jumbled - over-whelmed - I have no idea how to explain it.

Mason's coming home tomorrow.

Today was alright. The Seahawks, luckily and miraculously, beat Tampa Bay. I didn't watch the full game... It was too ridiculous to truly care about. However, I was present for the last touchdown. Thank God we managed that. If the Seahawks lost to a 0-7 team, we would have been laughed at for a millennium. The only thing the Seahawks should be scorned at is for, most likely, thinking that Tampa Bay would be an easy team to beat due to their unbelievable loss count. Nevertheless, when something is desperate, they'll do their best to grab a victory. That's what Tampa Bay wanted, and they did great to try and win.

Talk about those three touchdowns in a row. My God, that's when I lost it. I went upstairs and pouted. I thought the Seahawks were about to get their ass whooped on! Amazingly, during over-time, the Seahawks made a field goal and surprisingly won the game. Now, we're at 8-1. Take THAT to the Superbowl!

... Well, wait until the Seahawks's offense and defense is a little more acceptable before throwing them into a challenge like that...

I believe the Seahawks will make it to this year's Superbowl. Don't you?



Cyclists, Thialand

Cyclists participate in the Trek-Shimano Century Ride along Chao Lao Beach in Chantaburi, Thailand.

Day 85 of North Carolina

The mood swings have arrived!

I'm trying really hard not to focus on Mason coming home in two days... It's driving me CRAZY. Today, he went to watch a movie with his pals and I became extremely upset... I told him I was upset because I wasn't joining him to the movie. All the other times he went to a movie with his friends, it didn't upset me. But now that I'm able to reach out and grab the date in which Mason's coming home on, I am terribly sensitive with him doing things that I'm not a part of.

It's almost been a YEAR since we haven't done stuff together... We deserve quality time with one another.

Tomorrow I have to finish my homework. I was thinking of skipping school on Monday, but I shouldn't. Unfortunately, it sounds like next week will be busy for me... Great.

If I get pummeled with homework, I might have to ask if I could excuse it so I can have some time with Mason. <3

The weekends will be fun, though. I guarantee that. :)

Oh, why can't these hours move a tad faster?

Snake Charmer, China

A snake charmer performs with his pet snake during a spring festival in China.

Day 84 of North Carolina

Was anyone safe last night??? I hope so. I don't want to lose any readers. It would be a dire consequence... ;)

What am I talking about, right?

... Nobody reads my blog...

ANYWAY!!!!

I'm happy it's Friday. That means in three more days, I get to see Mason. Man, I have a load of plans for us: Watch movies at the theater, visit Lincoln Park, eat at Spuds, stay up until five in the morning over the weekends, play video games until our eyeballs pop out of our skulls... All that fun stuff!

I feel as if I need to make MORE plans... An over-whelming stock of "What should we do today?" answers. I am ready to do anything and everything. Does Mason want to run on a certain day? I'm on it! Does Mason want to go to my grandparents lake property? No problem!! BBQ? Okay! Gaming party with the guys? You got it!

I do have to maintain my sanity, though. If I think too much on the subject that Mason's coming home within reach, I'll flip and possibly have an anxiety attack from excitement. I mean, we've never been apart from each other this long... And now, he's coming home? Really? Is it that time already?

Thank God.

Mountains, Chile

"We have mountains," my wife said as she shook the bed. We were staying in a B&B on the edge of Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. There was only fog instead of mountains. I set up my cameras anyway and pointed them toward the park. Art happens when light and shadows play on granite and snow.