Day 320 of San Diego

BOO!!!... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! 

Jaylee and I had a great time tonight!!! The folks and I first visited Grandma J's house. I met Jaylee there. I said Hello to grandma, Uncle Jay, and Aunt Jill. Jaylee and I left the house immediately to Trick-or-Treat. It was difficult to see! I had to use a flashlight to light my way. 

We visited Grandma O next. We skipped Trick-or-Treating around her area. But when we visited Aunt Reen's neighborhood, almost everybody recognized my costume and acknowledged it. The little kids screamed. The adults appreciated my taste. 

The last family we visited was Aunt Dotti's. Their house was completely decorated!!! I removed my mask then. Everybody was tired. After spending time with Aunt Dotti, Uncle Norm, and the cousins, the gang left for Grandma J's house again. We said Goodnight. 

Jaylee is sleeping over. I don't know how long she'll stay for. We're watching Ghost Adventures right now. 

I'm glad I had fun!!! I'm guessing Jaylee had fun, too. 

Day 319 of San Diego

I'm watching Alien with the folks. My parents can't avoid the itch to critique the movie's mistakes... I'm enjoy it!!! Reminds me that I should wish for Alien: Isolation as a Christmas gift.

Today, I only had Math. My ENGL teacher had to fly to Detroit. I don't remember the reason. She was supposed to leave on Friday, but the school councilors (or whoever schedules a teacher's events) screwed it up. However, if my teacher tried to change the date, it would've cost her around $500. So, she squished our class time for Thursday and Friday into Wednesday.

Tomorrow, I have a Math exam. I'm a bit confident. Yet I'm staying away from becoming cocky. If I become cocky, I'll most likely fail the exam because of Karma. I appreciate Karma's work when it isn't negative and smitten onto me. I prefer positive Karma, thank you very much.

I started my essay! I'm proud to say that I'm almost finished with it. I'll type up the last paragraph once I arrive home after Math.

Then, I'm going out to Trick-or-Treat with Jaylee!!

I can't wait to show her my costume... She'll love it!!

Valley Flames

Wildfires rage in a valley behind iconic Half Dome in California’s Yosemite National Park. Judge Helbig captured the photo at 3 a.m. using a one-minute exposure.

Day 318 of San Diego

Stress alert!

I have never been negatively overwhelmed for Halloween. But there are many obstacles I must conquer in order to have a pleasant All Hallows Eve. Firstly, I need to confirm the weather. My phone claims it's going to rain... However, is the rain during the day or during the night? If it rains mostly during the day, I won't mind. Yet later evening hours have to be clear! Secondly, I need to do well for my Math exam... I must study and memorize complex rules. My time limit is only fifty minutes. That seems like a decent amount of minutes. Trust me... it isn't. Thirdly, I have a rough draft essay to turn in before midnight. I would have plenty of time if I didn't plan to Trick-or-Treat with my young cousin, Jaylee. But I'm not breaking a promise for homework I can manage in one day.

My issue with writing my topic is trying to model a lyrical essay. I'm not much of a poet. I have difficulty wording metaphors or excluding narrative or trying to express something through images/sensory. Trying to write about an object out of my possession is hard... For some reason, if the object is in my presence and I'm able to touch it or smell it, etc., I'll have an easier grasp on explaining it in a more rhythmical fashion.

I'll try tomorrow.

Day 317 of San Diego

"Raindrops are falling on my head."

Today, I am exhausted... School whooped me into shape on remembering never to procrastinate EVER. Although I'm not procrastinating, it feels as if I am. My Math teacher was right about last weeks warning on this week... The homework is taking me a couple of hours (long hours...) to complete. I have a paper due Friday... I haven't started it... I probably won't be able to until tomorrow... Unless my Math teacher hands out MORE homework. We have practice exam sheets to finish! I would like to finish them before the ACTUAL exam!

ENGL wasn't as bad. We wrote about our topic - what questions I may want to answer, what are the hidden meanings behind the object I chose, etc. I am VERY happy the paper is only one page...

Update on the Rainier Beer R: Everything is okay! The R is still shinning its light! Maybe the crane was helping with maintenance.

That's it!

Goodnight!

Through the Woods

Rain dampens the forest floor along a trail in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Located in the Northern Rocky Mountains, the “crown of the continent” spans more than a million acres of rugged natural terrain. Among the features preserved within its borders are lakes and forests, alpine meadows, and valleys carved from the glaciers that give the park its name. (By: Gary Migues)

Day 316 of San Diego

Time to lock down.

A shooter is on the loose near where I live. He shot someone (who isn't in critical condition) before fleeing the scene. Enforcement thinks the motive was robbery. I constantly check West Seattle's Blog for updates on the situation. The last update was an hour and a half ago stating the suspect hasn't been caught yet. Around seven, my dad called for mom and I to listen outside. He said he heard gunshots. We tuned our ears and, sure enough, we heard several popping noises similar to that of gunfire. Earlier than that, we heard sirens blaring every few seconds!

Jeez... Did we spontaneously teleport to The Bronx?

On a positive note, I didn't have ENGL today. I'm a little worried about my ENGL teacher... She has a history of horrible health issues. She shared with the class that once she caught an illness which paralyzed her for a couple of days.

I'm sure she'll be in tomorrow. :)

Sliding back to the negative, as I was driving to school, I noticed a large crane next to the R symbol (symbolizing Rainier Beer) on top of the previous Tully's building. I'm hoping the crane isn't taking down the R because of the European company buying Rainier Beer. At least, I thought I heard the scoop of Rainier Beer being sold to a European company. If it isn't true; hallelujah! If it is true; goddamn it. Rainier Beer is Washington's beer!!! It was named after a mountain in Washington State!!! Why would Washingtonians allow a European company to buy something representing our state? It's a bunch of phooey.

What's also a bunch of phooey is the fact that we didn't have another windstorm today! Grandma said we would. She must have heard from the news. I don't trust weathermen and women...

However, if we have a windstorm tonight, I better pray my phone is charged! I'll need something to wake me up at 6 AM... And I don't plan for it to be the weather!

Lord of the Seas

“Off the coast of Guadalupe Island, great white sharks gather to feed on sea lions,” writes Marc Henauer of this scene he captured near the island off Baja California, Mexico. “It’s an ideal place to observe these majestic animals in their natural state.”

Day 315 of San Diego

Last night, we had a CRAZY windstorm! 

Also, the electricity went out.

MY WISH CAME TRUE!!!

But I should have wished in more detail... I was home alone when the electricity shut off... 

The folks were at a party. Around 8:00 PM, the lights began flickering. Around 7:00 PM is when the wind started picking up. It whistled and shook the house. I grabbed a flashlight, just in case. I knew I would have a panic attack the instant it went black.

I was right. 

I stood up from where I sat. I called grandma immediately. I turned on the flashlight and pointed it upward to spread the light. I asked grandma if she could come over. She said she was feeling sick. She invited me over, saying she had electricity. I did that. 

I switched off switches, I packed my laptop, I grabbed my purse and drove hastily to grandma's house. I told Mason what happened as well as my parents. 

After driving around a downed tree in the middle of the road, I arrived at my grandma's house. We watched a Tinkerbell movie. Every so often, we would see lightning in the distant hills. We listened to the gusts of wind. We talked story about what's been happening since the last time we saw each other. 

About ten, mom sent a text saying her and dad were home. But the electricity was still out. I didn't mind that the electricity wasn't on. I only minded that I would finally be accompanied. 

I thanked grandma for her hospitality. I drove cautiously back home. The folks and I lit candles. I informed Mason that I had to preserve my phone battery. We fell asleep downstairs. 

At four in the morning, the electricity turned on. Groggily, we celebrated until falling asleep again. 

Today, we still had electricity. I hung out with Mason over IMVU while watching Matt and Pat play horror games. A few moments ago, Mason and I finished a fun session playing Destiny. We finally beat the game!! I'm sure we would have beaten it in a couple of days if we didn't goof around with Strikes or Patrols. Nonetheless, great game!

Now, we are waiting for the release of LittleBIGPlanet 3!!!

 

Day 313 of San Diego

Dammit!!

You readers are distracting my time with Mason and interacting with StumbleUpon!

Does anyone know what StumbleUpon is? It's a useful app AND website for anyone who loves searching through the internet, trying to find interesting pages or articles or images, etc. You create a FREE account, select your interests, before constantly clicking a button named "Stumble." You may Like or Dislike pages, you may save them for later, or you may continue browsing. I'm addicted to it. I say it's more addicting than when I was addicted to Facebook.

Glad that phase is over...

School was okay... Somewhat of a drag. Us Math students received a ton of homework. Thankfully, not all of it is due on Monday. However, our teacher keeps warning us about next week. Not only is our second exam next Friday, but our teacher says the criteria we'll be learning will be a bit tough.

Don't worry, guys. I'll make sure to bring my Thinking Cap.

ENGL wasn't as fun as I was hoping... We had to walk around campus interviewing strangers about what object is significant to them and why. I grouped with two other girls. I should have stayed solo... We were too shy yet too determined for the project. No one was outside (since it was a blustery day), but we didn't want to bother anyone studying. One of the girls has an intruding attitude. She jumps into people's space prior to telling them why she and two other girls are requiring their presence until awkwardly asking questions and then suddenly leaving. Me, on the other hand, cautiously approaches people with a smile. I sit beside them until calmly asking if I can interview them. I tell them the reason before proceeding with the questions. I want the interviewee to feel comfortable, not feeling barged in upon.

At home, I took a two hour nap. It was worth it. <3

I will complete homework tomorrow...

Maybe.

Success

An Atlantic puffin returns from a successful fishing expedition in this picture captured in Iceland. A puffin can grip 20 or more fish in its beak. Those with chicks make up to eight food runs a day. (By: Peter Allinson)