"Epic" Fail

First of all, I failed at updating this blog. And I'm sorry for that. After the last post I busied myself with packing and getting everything together before coming back to the U.S. I thought of posting something short so my blog stays alive, but never could find the opportunity to. Nothing much happened during those times except for going around buying stuff I would be needing for a new school year.


Then after getting here (like less than a week before school started), I frantically ran around buying stuff for the new dorm. We finally got a kitchen and many more things were needed for that. Trash bins. Utensils. Cutting boards. Dish drying rack (who ever thought of buying this moving into a new place until they realize there's no place to dry the dish on?). Knives. Etc. And food. Now that's important: the food.


After settling down I drowned in my workload. One of my classes (a required history class) gives me 60 pages of reading each time. SIXTY! Are you kidding me? I have to read for other classes too. Bottom line is I'm behind in most of my reading and am trying desperately to catch up. Plus, I have an upcoming test for the history class on Monday. Oh, sadness.


Second, I failed in keeping up with my exercise routine. Ever since I got back home, I never actually went out to run or anything. Sad times. The important factor was how hot it is over there. Another is because there were a lot of workers around building new houses in the community and such (it's not to safe there). And, like I said earlier, I've been kept busy with work since I got back and couldn't really get myself to go out.


However, change finally arrives.


I started my exercise routine again. I'm going to a cheap Group Fitness offered at the university and such. I felt so bad because I have become so unfit. Seeing all those other girls in there pushing through the classes like it was nothing while I stood there panting like a dog in a summer day. It was horrible. But it is also a motivation.


I also have another motivation.


I will be going on my first backpacking trip in two weeks! Well, hopefully anyways. The date is set for Oct. 7-9 which is perfect because we have a faculty conference that Friday, thus, no class that day. :) I don't know exactly where yet mainly because the AT&T network around the Los Angeles area is down right now and won't be fixed until around 2 am (seriously? can't you maybe try to fix it a little faster considering how long it's been already?).


Anyway, I just found out about this trip yesterday. I will definitely get more details soon. I'm sooo excited!!!


Lastly, I failed at keeping my camera by my side. Sigh. There were so many things I wish I could have recorded but I stupidly "forgot" to bring my Cybershot (meaning I convinced myself it will just weigh my bag down and I wouldn't even end up using it in the end: totally bad argument). Like this weekend.


I came down to L.A. because my mom's here. I ended up buying a few things for my trip and honestly wish I can post some pics here, but that's impossible without my camera. Oh well. I guess a description will have to do for now. When I do get a hold of my camera though, I will post pictures!


I bought a sleeping bag. 15 degrees one. It's a Sierra Designs. I love how the whole thing looks like a cocoon and has these worm-like ridges. I feel like a little caterpillar in there. Plus, mine's pink. :) I also bought the mat that goes underneath the sleeping bag (by the way, I had to look up how to spell "mat" because I kept thinking that it's "matte").


Then there's the "bladder." I called it the hydrating water system thingy majig. The woman that was helping me (regrettably, I forgot her name) recommended one for me. It can hold up to 2 Liters of water. Then I got another pair of Thorlos' Light Hiking socks.


I am so psyched about this trip! I hope I don't hold the people that are bringing me back because of how slow I am or something. Exciting times to come!!


But now, back to studying...

No AC?!

Nothing much really happened since my last post. I've been going to Chinese classes with my mom, the concert every Saturday night, watching soap at night, and doing the usual following my mom around like an imprinted duck. I have also been practicing and getting prepared for the charity song I will be recording soon (hopefully next week).


The one thing that happened though was my AC breaking last night.


I mean, it works. It's still blowing out air and all. But it is definitely not cool air. We slept with just a fan blowing at us last night. My mom kept on waking up and trying to make the AC work by turning it off and on again. It's like 85 degrees outside! I can imagine it's somewhere close to that in the room.


The mechanics should be coming today. Some time.


Moving on to a better subject, I went to my grandmother's sister's husband's birthday a week ago. I know, it's kind of confusing. We keep in contact with a lot of our relatives. I forgot how old he's supposed to be. Somewhere around 80-90.


He is really nice. He's always happy to see me. Oh, how I love old people...

He asked to take a picture with me but never looked at the camera LOL

That's his wife (my grandma's sister) and him

Looking happy!

Hmmppfff!

The birthday feast (let's not call it a party) was right outside their house. I got to enjoy a little bit of good weather mainly because it was overcast (thankfully, or else it would have been super hot).


A couple of days ago I also took some pictures of my dog, Dapple, sunbathing at our window. She's a true American in that sense. Always catching the sun in the morning. Her tummy's actually a little tanned!

"Mmm, the sun feels so niiiice."

She's wearing her PJs!

"I got sunshine in my eyes~"

That's it for today.  :)