SO here's how Sunday's drive to LAX went. It was a very interesting experience, to say the least.
I got back to West Covina at about 9 pm because I figured I would have just enough time to feed the dogs and get the car and drive to LAX by 10.15 pm. Their flight landed at 10 pm, but I knew customs, so I knew they wouldnt be out till at least 10.30 or even later. But when I got there, Lisa was still there because she was cleaning, and she said she would feed the dogs. I talked to her for a little bit, and then at about 9.20 or so, I started to get ready to go. Ok, so I had to drive the 4runner, which is a much bigger car than any other car I have driven. I was a little scared and freaked out because everything feels so different. I didnt know how to move the seat forward because I dont have as long legs as Joel and Lu! Lisa came out to help me, and she asked if I was going to be ok, and I said, I HOPE SO! She crossed herself and said, God bless you! God bless the whole car!
The car is a lot heavier than mine is. It takes a little more on the gas to get it going, and I felt like I had to brake a lot earlier than usual to stop. Man, it took a while to get used to it. I actually drove at speed limit because I couldnt get the car to go any faster! And also because it's not my car! I kept to the right lanes most of the time because I was going so much slower, I didnt want to hold up traffic. I was driving on the 605S and there was a van stopped on the side of the road with its left signal on. I knew it wanted to merge, and I saw it from a long long long way off. I thought, well he's got time to do it because I am so far behind. But he chose to merge when I was right behind him. I hit the brakes and the horn at the same time. I was so mad! I was cussing the driver out in my head. Of course I was shaken, but I kept going. It was tricky to handle a new car and drive a route I'm not too familiar with. I've been to LAX before, but still, any route to any airport is tricky because of the exits. But I found it ok, and I actually got into the airport ok! Now the trick was to find the right parking garage for the right terminal!
The left lanes in LAX disappear into either a parking garage or an exit. And there are signs that tell you. So I knew I had to keep right for a while. But I was one lane too much to the left, and just before I got to the parking garage I needed to be at, I hit the lane for the airport exit! I could not believe I did that! So I had to go round AGAIN to airport return and this time I got it right. I found a parking space, and I thanked God i got there ok. I was so late by that time I thought how am I going to find them? Then of course I had to walk the wrong way and I walked AWAY from the international terminal! I must have walked to terminal 6 before I stopped to ask, and they told me I had to walk all the way back the other way. I was so tired by then! But you know what? When I got there, Joel, Lu and Joshua werent out yet! They came out about 5 mins after I got to the terminal, so that was great! I told Joel, I'm not driving anymore. You have to do it.
Dad told me they had a lot of luggage, and I almost got Chilin to go with me just in case they couldnt fit everything into their car. But they did! Which was great. We got back to their house at about midnight. Joshua was out like a light midway. I was about to crash too. I was SO tired.
I got my stuff from my family the next day when I went to their house for dinner. Lu cooked LAKSA! I was so happy. And my new contacts are wonderful, and the perfume smells really good, and the SOAP! THANK YOU MUMMY FOR GETTING THE SOAP! I told Lu I will take a shower at their house one day so that they can smell it, and she goes, yeah so I know why I had to carry this big bottle of soap all the way back from Singapore!!! And Ai, thanks for the book! Oh and I got pictures of mum and dad too! Joshua's almost as tall as mum, which I thought was quite amazing! And Lu gave me a durian cake thing, which is still in my fridge, and I'm really excited about it!
So that's my adventuresto LAX. NEVER AGAIN!

Two short things today.
One is I've been here a year! That is amazing in itself. Time sure flies!!
And Two, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!!!!

Well, it's been a week since I last wrote. I had a lot to write about, but you know what? I've forgotten most of it. I saw dad for the first time in a year through a video thing that was hooked to the phone at Lu and Joel's house. It was great to see him again. He still looks the same!
I went to Shana's birthday party on Saturday, and I had Indian food. YUMMMMMMYYY!!!! I havent had Indian food in forever, and it was SO good. I wish I had more space in my stomach to eat everything. I didnt a single person she invited. They were all Indians, and family I guess. I was the only non-indian and non-family. They had hired a magician for the party, and we got talking. He showed me some really cool closeup tricks. It was amazing. It was exactly like how they show on magic shows, where people sit around a table while the magician performs his magic. I was watching really closely, but I still couldnt catch what he did! But then again, he's been doing this for the past 20+ years, he should be really good. Anyway, I was really thrilled to be given the chance to watch closeup magic. After the magic show we had the cake, and it was a really good cake. I had two pieces. Then we had dinner, which was wonderful. I wanted to leave earlier than I did, but when I told Shana I was leaving, she said, Youre leaving?? So I stayed and watched 101 Dalmations with them, and left after that. So I got into Ventura really late, and I was all intending to go straight to bed, BUT Baober had other ideas.
He was the only one/dog up at that time. Everyone else was in bed. So he comes bounding in and begs at me, picks up his toy and shoves it at me. I had to play with him for a bit before I told him, Boab, I gotta go to bed, I am so tired. Poor dog, he has either dry skin problems or flea problems, because he keeps scratching, and he's got 3 tags on his collar, so I hear the jangling all the time. ANYWAY, he decides to keep me company that night, and so throughout the night, in my sleep, I heard him jangling beside me. I think I might have even been awake enough to tell him to go outside and scratch! But he sure is a cute dog. Jeff shaved him, so now he looks even smaller. I liked him better with more hair, but nothing changes his character. One time I threw his frisbee and it landed on the dining room chair. He stood up on his hind legs, used his front paws to push the frisbee towards him before grabbing it with his mouth and bringing it back to me. It was the funniest thing to watch. So I just HAD to do it again to see it.
Next Sunday will be the last Sunday I will see Becky at church in Ventura. She's going home for 2 weeks, then she's touring with the Continentals for the summer, and then she will be starting school in Azusa Pacific University in Sept. She will only be 1/2 hour away now, but you know, Ventura was so fun because she was there. I am so going to miss her company there. Things are changing for her, and I am really excited for her, but I think she's also apprehensive about what's about to happen. I wish her all the very best.
I had to get my bridesmaid dress altered, and it looks good. I cant wait to see my friends again in Missouri, I'm ready to leave. I'm so thankful to Rachel and Nicolette who are willing to put me up for free there. That totally helps in finances!
I got a haircut today. I thought I could hack leaving it long for the wedding, but I couldnt. I caved in today. I had a 2 hour break, so I went and got a hair cut. I like it. It's not too short that the hairdresser cant do anything with it at the wedding, but it's short enough for me to feel comfortable. I told my hairdresser that I thought hairdresser's can either make or break my day, and she laughed. She agreed though!
Aura and I finally had dinner together again yesterday. We went to TGIFridays. And we had a good time talking. She had some things on her mind which I didnt know about, and we talked about it a little. Basically she told me what had been going on, and to say the least, it's a mess. But God is in control, and Au, I hope things will work out. Then we went to Barnes and Noble, and she caved in and bought a classic for $5, which was a steal. But the book is so small, I'm convinced it's an abridged version, but she doesnt think so.
I had a nice time chatting with Yuko and Motoko again today. Poor Yuko, she looked so tired today. I hope she gets some rest!
So it is now 12:17 am, and I need to go take a shower. I'm sure I had more to say, but my brains are a little fried right now, so I'm going to get clean and then go to bed. Goodnight!!

So I did something kinda dumb last night. I was at Lu's house feeding the dogs because I wasnt sure when Lisa was getting back. The water level in their drinking bucket seemed low, so filled it up and brought it outside, and realized I locked myself out. I looked through the glass doors to the inside and thought, OH YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! And then I remembered Joel got in one time throught the doggie door, and I looked at it, and it looked awfully small. I honestly thought there was no way I could squeeze myself through it. I thought I was going to be stuck midway, like how they show on cartoons. I also had to stop and think how I was going to manouvuer myself through. I finally figured it out and as I was pushing myself through, Shari, the dog who was inside the house came over and started to sniff and me and lick me, and I was like, Shari, get out of the way, I'm trying to get in! But I did get inside, and I'm very thankful for the 20 pounds I lost before this!
Today I went to get my bridesmaid's dress altered. The lady tucked in quite a bit, and the thought that came to me afterwards was that, I cant gain anymore weight, because then I cant breathe in this dress! So I have to be very careful these next few weeks. I guess I'm ready to leave LA to visit MO. I am a little worried about flying. I have since 9/11. I'm praying for safety all the way!
Today, Motoko, Yuko and I had some free time at the La Habra school because some of our students didnt show up, and we happened to have a break at the same time. It was really fun to just stand around and chat about nothing in particular. At one point, they were talking in Japanese, and I just watched them and listened, and then I said, I love listening to you guys speak in Japanese. They both looked at me, and in unison, said, Ohhhh sorry! Then they started to speak in English again.
I got 2 new students today, sisters. Nice kids, intelligent too. So I'm hoping I dont have too much trouble with teaching them. They are the cousins of another student of mine who's lesson just happens to be just before theirs. So I have a whole family to teach!
I got this morning off, and I was fully intending to get an oil change for my car and bring it to the car wash. But I forgot about it and stayed in bed till about 11. It felt so good.
Ok, I need to take my shower now. So goodnight, one and all!

Former president Ronald Reagan died today. I dont know what the greatest moment of his presidency was, but I'll always remember his line "Mr Gorborchev, Tear down this wall!" Goosebump city.
I'm glad this week is over. I was planning to leave for Ventura earler, but Lisa, the girl taking care of Lu and Joel's house and pets had to leave for Santa Babara for a job interview, so I'm staying later to feed the dogs before I leave. Then I will feed them again Sunday night because I wont be in LA in the morning. I think they'll live.
Nothing exciting after a nice vacation. The next vacation I have I will be flying back to MO for Lisa's wedding. I might just sit in the sun again tomorrow for a little bit because I still need a little bit more color. Dont worry Mom, I wont sit out too long!
I'm going to take a nap, because I can!!

So today is the first day back at work after a nice week of vacation. I really didnt want to be at work! But actually, the day went pretty quickly. And I'm glad I got the break, because I felt much better about teaching today than I've felt in a while. And my students werent too bad too!
So the weekend was really nice. The wedding was very pretty. The bride had 7 attendents. That's A LOT! The reception was Japanese style. They had cranes, and they had instructions on how to make it, and they left origami paper on the tables for us to try. Well, all I can say is, it was too confusing for words. I think most of us ended up with crampled pieces of colored paper. It was kinda funny. The MC at the reception started off by saying, Ladies and Gentlemen, if I can get your attention away from your failed attempts at origami... It was funny to see everyone trying to fold the blasted cranes. I made so many creases on my paper, I had to get another one. Then I made just as many on the other piece of paper, so I gave up. It was a lost cause. A lady stopped me after the ceremony and said, You have a very nice touch on the piano. I was very flattered, because if someone says that to me, it means they know something about playing the piano, and it made me feel good that I havent totally lost touch!
Then on Sunday I sat in the sun in the afternoon for about an hour and got a little burnt. Lauren and I had gone to the beach on Friday when I went up to Ventura, and we kinda got a little burnt then already, but not much. Then on Sunday, I got more burnt, and I didnt feel it until later that night. And now you can really tell where I got tanned and where I didnt!
Becky and I went for a nice long walk on the beach on Saturday after I got done with the wedding, and it was so nice. The weather was perfect with a slight breeze and the sun out. We had a nice chat about her future plans. Then we had Ben and Jerry's ice cream on the way back. It was REALLY good. I had mine with the wafer cone. Yummy!!
I left for LA after dinner on Sunday, and had a really nice lazy Monday. Went shopping and bought another 2 shirts, because there were sales all over the place. I saw some really cute stuff, but then I thought, but that's not me! I dont wear things like that. So I didnt get them. But I do like what I got. I dont want to buy too many clothes yet because I dont know how much more weight I will lose. I hope to lose a lot more!
I cant wait for my next break. Like when I was in school, I LIVE FOR BREAKS!!! Another teacher and I were talking today, and I said, I wish it was longer and he said, yeah you need to take a whole month off. I miss my 3 month summers! The next break I have I will be back in Missouri for Lisa's wedding. I return to LA on the 3rd of July, so I will spend the 4th of July in Ventura. It should be fun. Last year I was by myself, and it wasnt very exciting.
Ok, it's now 12.30 am, so I'm going to bed. Goodnight!