Well, woke up feeling refreshed! Kristy and i got ready for our day, though we took our time. No rush! We packed everything and checked out of our room. Quick breakfast at Mcdonald's and we were off to Biola. When we got there, i was able to meet Kristy's new roommate, Scarlett. She seems like a good roommate to keep Kristy company and she's full of surprises as i got to know her. i pray that this semester would be a good one for both of them.
So Scarlett was really cool to help Kristy and i move the stuff from the Accord and to provide extra room to transport more stuff from storage to the campus. I was pleasantly surprise that she is a solid driver, so i didn't have to worry too much about her following. Overall, the move was smooth, really smooth! Thank God! Scarlett had to head off to work after the move, so Kristy and i went ahead with our own plans.i planned on doing an oil change for the Accord, so that's what we did at the nearest Jiffy Lube. i normally wouldn't trust these guys because they can be shady and cheat those who don't know better about their cars. Thankfully, that went by smoothly too. Less than 25 minutes, we were out the door with an oiled car.
Lunch was at a local Japanese restaurant and it was...alright. Definitely had better and i wish i planned the trip in more detail so that we could eat better. Doesn't matter for now...i only had so much time available.
Another Target trip, but for Kristy's supplies. Long story short, we were out and ready to cool off from the heat... We went to a Taiwanese Tapioca cafe and had an afternoon refreshment. Weird to think that i was counting down the time i have to get to the airport and pray that i won't miss the flight, but i can't shake the feeling that it'll be difficult for Kristy to drop me off at the airport. Sorry, again reflecting on my army days... It is hard to live away from a family support...but at least Kristy has good friends on campus.
We went back to Biola to pick up Michelle Jung. Michelle was going to accompany Kristy on the drive back to campus from LAX. Driving in LA can be a pain and having Michelle around makes me feel secure and i'm pretty sure my parents would feel the same too. Anyway, traffic en route to LAX was surprisingly smooth. No major congestion. We got to the airport in around 30 minutes, which gave me...oh, about 2 some hours to kill. Easy!
i checked in and went to my gate. After knowing where it is, i explored the area to see what i can get for dinner. Checking the clock, time seems to be plentiful, so i went to one of the more quieter bars and got a bottle of Newcastle ale. Sat aside and enjoyed it while writing notes from yesterday's sermon. Got interrupted by a lady that claimed the seat i was on. Don't want to make a big deal about it, i moved to another table. At least she wasn't mean...
Dinner was McDonald's...again... However, i was craving a Big Mac. The thought of it perhaps, enough to trigger a response to buy one... What advertising campaign did that, i wonder. After dinner, i went to one of the shops and i was determined to buy a little gift for Annie. i got something cute, but for security sake, i cannot disclose what it is...yet. Ha!
Prior to boarding, i stood at a platform that overlooked the parking area for the planes. i must have stood there for 45 minutes just amused by the workings of the crew on the ground, the planes taxiing in and out and the planes landing and taking off. When time came to board, i went according to instructions. i must say, this boarding is different from International flights. It's free seating, so boarding priority is based on the number on the boarding pass. Lining up for that priority is also unique to me. We have to stand in places of the line that correspond to my number. New experience noted here! Now i can add that to my traveling experience!
Thank God for a trouble free trip! Again, i know i was worried in my mind, but my heart was in total surrender and in faith. Amos picked me up from the airport and here i am now; in the safety of my home. Working tomorrow, but at least i don't have to worry about the heat...
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Day 325 of 365: Dry Heat
Much was expected from this Sunday's sermon because it was going to be taught by Pastor Joel Lee, a candidate for the youth pastor position. Unfortunately, he dropped out... Instead, we got to hear from Reverend Peter Tow. His message was good, but somewhat lengthy. i appreciated the fact that he was aware of it and had it moving along. One thing interesting was that he is a fellow countrymen! He's from Singapore! Had a good chat with him after service, but i was in a rush to send Kristy down to LA.So began the trip that felt like a road trip! An epic one that pitted Kristy and i against hordes of crazy drivers on a long drive down to LA! Actually, it didn't feel like that for me. Maybe because i packed so little. And little did i pack! i forgot to bring a couple of things. Among them items were shorts, shampoo and body wash. A visit to Target i see when i arrive to LA... Anyway, our first stop was at Sonic's Drive-in. We had a good chat on the way there and the experience at Sonic's wasn't like those in the 50's, but i say it was close enough. It's awesome when they really skate your food over! Typical American food fare, but it was pretty good!
So on with the drive! i wanted to let Kristy learn how to pump air into the Accord's tires and we stopped at two gas stations that were ghetto as the Projects and pack with people like it was a picnic on Labor Day! Both had no air stations... On the third try, we found one, but there was a car blocking the pump. From there, i decided to try the neighboring station, which had one, but not within the station lot. It was located outside the lot between the station and the main road. Almost like it was mounted on the sidewalk. Weird... Well, this air station didn't have a hose, so that's a no-go. Back to the blocked one! This particular strip of parking spots was full except from the one empty spot that was furthest away from the air station. Bummer, but oh what chance that the driver, of the vehicle that blocked my objective, came back and i waited for her departure. This is where it got complicated. Another car, a Passat, wanted to park at the empty spot that i was blocking. i backed up to give that to her while the other car, a Scion Xa, was starting to back out. Just to my left, i see a Ford Heavy Duty truck backing out too and now i have to wait for two cars to finish their maneuvers before i can close in on the air. Passat lady then popped out of no where and walked in front of my car as i position my car for the spot. Now she was somewhat indecisive. She stopped in front of the car and walked back to her car and that's when i move forward to claim my spot. Just when i started to move, she reversed directions and almost, like forgetting i was there, walked into my line. Argh... We got our air and moved along.
Driving...driving...driving... Stopped at a gas station/fast food joint for a break and Kristy took over until the mountains where i filled up and drove the rest of the way. Yay...not long before we hit LA...traffic...
Surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. Traffic was smooth for the most part except for a good stretch prior to entering the city itself. We got to the motel at about 8pm and checked in. You get what you paid for... $44 really gets you a basic room to sleep in. This room has a TV no bigger than a mini-fridge, no closet, no hair dryer, half a roll of toilet paper, and a weak shower head. The trade-off was the good night's rest.
But before sleeping! We went, briskly, to Target for my basics. After that, it was a simple dinner at Denny's. Simple and yet their sandwiches weren't that bad! Maybe i was hungry... Well, that was that...went back to the room, showered and rested for a day of dry heat and lots of moving. Joy...
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