So, since four day, I have been on the every two week plan for going home. Last weekend I came down to good ol' Long Beach for a quick visit with my mom's long-time friend, Craig, who was visiting from London. It was good to see him, since it's been about four years since the last time.
Anyway, Sunday before my train ride back up, we all had to take a family trip to Lows in order to buy some outdoor heaters that were on sale. I dropped my mom off and went home to pack. She and Justin then arrived back with two large heaters sticking out of the back of his truck-bed and then Gary rode up on his bike with Katie. Justin had to go back and get one more, so he asked if I would go back with him. I told him that I would and after loading it into the back, we started back home. Easy, right? No. We were driving down Bellflower, when all of the sudden one of the bungee cords holding the heater down, came off. Luckily the entire thing didn't fall out, but it rolled to the edge and began bouncing like a teeter-totter, scraping on the road. Both Justin and I yelled and began trying to pull over as quickly and smoothly as we could as not to upset the balancing heater. We tried to re-secure it, but it almost fell out twice more in the less than a mile from home. Yeah, pretty amazing.
After that excitement, we all piled into the car to head up to Union Station. We had a nice dinner first in LA and then I got on the train to go back. I found Barrett on the train and we enjoyed the ride together.
So, though it was a short weekend, it was a good one. I'm going back in another two weeks for something else and then after that, it's Thanksgiving. The semester is flying by!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
"I was struck by lightning, walking down the street" (not really...it's just a song title that applied
So, the other night, Santa Barbara was in the middle of one of the most amazing thunder storms that I can remember to hit California in a long time. Amy and I were so excited about it, that on our way back from dinner in the D.C. we decided to play and run around in the rain, getting soaking wet, with thunder rumbling and lightning flashing overhead. We were in the parking lot outside of Armington (my dorm) building "D" when a simultaneous bolt of lightning and crash of deafening thunder cracked right over head. We screamed and grabbed each other and the next thing we knew the fire alarm in the building next to us began going off. Apperantly the lightning had struck the building (so the rumors said) and they evacuated everyone to the "C" lounge, which was packed with dripping wet bodies. It took the fire department about an hour to come up and shut it off, so Amy and I escaped back to our building (A). Amidst power outages, we stopped by the second floor and Brent made us some delicious hot chocolate, while Dean ran in and out, shouting about how glad he was that he had just charged his AM radio...hilarious.
Pretty eventful Monday night if you ask me :)
Pretty eventful Monday night if you ask me :)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Home Again, Home Again...
Last weekend was our "Fall Break", where we get a four day weekend. I arrived home Friday night after a rather stressful travel experience. I was supposed to get on the 4:30 train, but when it pulled into the station, an announcer came on over the loud speaker and said that the train had been overbooked, therefore, they were not letting anyone board and we would have to wait for the 6:17 train. People were so upset (including me), but there was nothing to do. Luckily Barrett was with me, so it wasn't too bad. We ended up just walking up State St. and getting some Indian food for dinner. We were able to get on the 6:17 train, which Grace was also riding, and my mom picked me up at Union Station around 9:00. We got home around 10:00, I kicked Justin out of my room (actually he went willingly; he even cleaned up and changed the sheets for me) and then my mom, Justin and I decided to go to a movie. We went and saw Social Network, which is the one about how facebook got started. I thought it was really interesting to see how a college student simply had an idea and created this way of communication that is now such a big part of our social world. Anyway, after the move got out (around 1:30) Justin goes "Oh, my gosh! I forgot dinner! I'm so hungry!!!". So, we all made a late night Denny's run, returning home around 3am. Exhausted.
Saturday and Sunday were pretty relaxed days. I babysat Katie Saturday evening, which was fun. Monday, my mom, Katie and I went downtown to city hall and met Gary for lunch along with his secretary, Anne; one of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet. Monday night, Justin and I saw another movie (The Town), which was fun and then turned in early cause he had work in the morning.
Tuesday my mom and I got to hang out for a while and we were then supposed to meet Justin in LA after he got off work and before I went to the train station. However, we were stuck in traffic and then Justin calls me, saying "I just got two free tickets from my old soccer coach for the Jack Johnson concert tonight! Want to go?" Um, yeah I wanted to go. I turned to my mom and ask her what she thought, since I was supposed to be going back to school. She just goes "You know, I don't really want to sit through all this traffic, so if you aren't missing anything important tomorrow, just go." So, we headed back to Long Beach, picked up some delicious Thai food and then Justin, my mom and I ate it in our formal dining room, which was kind of fun since we never eat in there. Justin and I then ran out the door to go to the concert, which was in Irvine and was supposed to start about the time we left. But, we figured it was just the first band playing for the first hour, so we wouldn't miss much.
We arrived at the Verizon amphitheatre around 8:00 and were forced to park in the middle of nowhere. We accidentally went down this deserted path through the bushes and ended up near a high chain-link fence, where people were heading into the amphitheatre on the other side. The security guard told us that we would have to go all the way around, which was like a mile. We walked a little ways down and Justin goes "Man, I wish we would just jump the fence."
"Why can't we?" I replied
"Because you don't ask girls to jump barbed wire fences, Danielle."
I glared at him, told him to hold my stuff, found a place where the gates met, hoisted myself up and through the top gap of the gate on the fence, jumping down and landing on the other side and turned around and smiled at him, quite satisfied. I told him that was the last time he should tell me I couldn't do something "because I was a girl". He just laughed and threw my purse and the blanket over to me.
Finding seating was terrible! But eventually we found a space on the lawn and enjoyed the music and some good conversation. We left early to beat the rush, which was a good idea. Really fun night though. Jack Johnson is awesome and a great performer. Also, it was really nice to hang out with Jus for a while. I'm really glad he moved out here.
When we arrived home, it was about 10:30, so we had some soup and my mom, Justin and I hung out in my room, staying up talking until 1:30. It was awesome; I love conversations with them. Overall it was a good weekend.
I ended up oversleeping and missing my 9:00 train (dumb LA traffic). Justin did try his best to make up for the lost time, but it just wasn't happening. We arrived at the station five mins too late, but I just got on the next one, which was fine.
That was the first time I'd been home all year and it felt really nice. The rest of the semester I will be going home a bit more often. For two random weekends and then for Thanksgiving.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Over and out.
Saturday and Sunday were pretty relaxed days. I babysat Katie Saturday evening, which was fun. Monday, my mom, Katie and I went downtown to city hall and met Gary for lunch along with his secretary, Anne; one of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet. Monday night, Justin and I saw another movie (The Town), which was fun and then turned in early cause he had work in the morning.
Tuesday my mom and I got to hang out for a while and we were then supposed to meet Justin in LA after he got off work and before I went to the train station. However, we were stuck in traffic and then Justin calls me, saying "I just got two free tickets from my old soccer coach for the Jack Johnson concert tonight! Want to go?" Um, yeah I wanted to go. I turned to my mom and ask her what she thought, since I was supposed to be going back to school. She just goes "You know, I don't really want to sit through all this traffic, so if you aren't missing anything important tomorrow, just go." So, we headed back to Long Beach, picked up some delicious Thai food and then Justin, my mom and I ate it in our formal dining room, which was kind of fun since we never eat in there. Justin and I then ran out the door to go to the concert, which was in Irvine and was supposed to start about the time we left. But, we figured it was just the first band playing for the first hour, so we wouldn't miss much.
We arrived at the Verizon amphitheatre around 8:00 and were forced to park in the middle of nowhere. We accidentally went down this deserted path through the bushes and ended up near a high chain-link fence, where people were heading into the amphitheatre on the other side. The security guard told us that we would have to go all the way around, which was like a mile. We walked a little ways down and Justin goes "Man, I wish we would just jump the fence."
"Why can't we?" I replied
"Because you don't ask girls to jump barbed wire fences, Danielle."
I glared at him, told him to hold my stuff, found a place where the gates met, hoisted myself up and through the top gap of the gate on the fence, jumping down and landing on the other side and turned around and smiled at him, quite satisfied. I told him that was the last time he should tell me I couldn't do something "because I was a girl". He just laughed and threw my purse and the blanket over to me.
Finding seating was terrible! But eventually we found a space on the lawn and enjoyed the music and some good conversation. We left early to beat the rush, which was a good idea. Really fun night though. Jack Johnson is awesome and a great performer. Also, it was really nice to hang out with Jus for a while. I'm really glad he moved out here.
When we arrived home, it was about 10:30, so we had some soup and my mom, Justin and I hung out in my room, staying up talking until 1:30. It was awesome; I love conversations with them. Overall it was a good weekend.
I ended up oversleeping and missing my 9:00 train (dumb LA traffic). Justin did try his best to make up for the lost time, but it just wasn't happening. We arrived at the station five mins too late, but I just got on the next one, which was fine.
That was the first time I'd been home all year and it felt really nice. The rest of the semester I will be going home a bit more often. For two random weekends and then for Thanksgiving.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Over and out.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Good and the...Not So Good
Every Thursday any student that wants to, has the opportunity to go down to the local park and bring a meal to the homeless and sit and talk with them. This semester I have been going pretty consistently, which has been amazing. I attended a few times last year, but that really isn't the same experience. It has been such a blessing getting to know some of the people and beginning forming relationships with them.
I make a point to talk to one guy, Seann, at least for a few minutes each week. He always greets me with a huge smile and a hug and then begins telling me about and showing me all the photographs he took during the week. He has a passion for photography as well as singing and the Lord. He always ends up teaching me some type of lesson, intentional or not. This Thursday's lesson included knowing how to take a compliment when it is given to you. In his words, "It is great to be humble and all that, but people really just need to learn to say 'Thank you and you also'. This week he also asked me two questions I am still pondering: "What is your greatest fear?" and "What is your vision for how the world will be in 2012?". Gotta think about those ones for a while.
In addition to talking to Seann, I also have had the privilege of getting to know a guy named Taylor, who is 21 (the youngest homeless person I have ever met) and trying to make it on the radio. He is currently working an internship at a radio station and loves it. He is such an inspiration to show what following your dreams means, despite financial or family situations. He has this incredible drive that you can just see from the minute you begin talking with him.
Two other people I have been blessed to get to know are Cynthia and Don. Don is probably in his 50's and Cynthia is his mother. Every week Cynthia sits in a chair as people gather around her to hear all the great stories she has to tell about her life. Don has this amazing capacity for kindness and love and truly has an interest in wanting to know you if he is speaking to you. He asked me about my hobbies, my background and what my plans are for my future with such a genuine spirit; you don't' find that everyday.
Anyway, these are just some of the new friends I have made through the start of this year, but it truly has been an eye opening experience. I hate to sound cliche, but really I am just blown away by how much I have learned from these people and also how much I am learning about who I want to become and what it means to live my life the way I want to. It's hard to explain, but I definitely know that changes are in progress in my life...good changes.
Along with these great feeling I get from going to this every week, it has made me really dislike other parts of me. Many times I feel like a total hypocrite for being so on board to show love to these people that may live a little on the outskirts of society, yet some people on my campus I am not willing to do the same for. Why is it that I can so easily desire to care for outcasts from society, but outcasts from the social circle of college, I so willing want to shake off because it presents too much stress or it isn't genuine from my end? I've still got some figuring of things out to do. But, that is what life is about: learning. It isn't always easy, but it has to be done, and usually it pays off in the long run. I just hope that I do the right thing.
I make a point to talk to one guy, Seann, at least for a few minutes each week. He always greets me with a huge smile and a hug and then begins telling me about and showing me all the photographs he took during the week. He has a passion for photography as well as singing and the Lord. He always ends up teaching me some type of lesson, intentional or not. This Thursday's lesson included knowing how to take a compliment when it is given to you. In his words, "It is great to be humble and all that, but people really just need to learn to say 'Thank you and you also'. This week he also asked me two questions I am still pondering: "What is your greatest fear?" and "What is your vision for how the world will be in 2012?". Gotta think about those ones for a while.
In addition to talking to Seann, I also have had the privilege of getting to know a guy named Taylor, who is 21 (the youngest homeless person I have ever met) and trying to make it on the radio. He is currently working an internship at a radio station and loves it. He is such an inspiration to show what following your dreams means, despite financial or family situations. He has this incredible drive that you can just see from the minute you begin talking with him.
Two other people I have been blessed to get to know are Cynthia and Don. Don is probably in his 50's and Cynthia is his mother. Every week Cynthia sits in a chair as people gather around her to hear all the great stories she has to tell about her life. Don has this amazing capacity for kindness and love and truly has an interest in wanting to know you if he is speaking to you. He asked me about my hobbies, my background and what my plans are for my future with such a genuine spirit; you don't' find that everyday.
Anyway, these are just some of the new friends I have made through the start of this year, but it truly has been an eye opening experience. I hate to sound cliche, but really I am just blown away by how much I have learned from these people and also how much I am learning about who I want to become and what it means to live my life the way I want to. It's hard to explain, but I definitely know that changes are in progress in my life...good changes.
Along with these great feeling I get from going to this every week, it has made me really dislike other parts of me. Many times I feel like a total hypocrite for being so on board to show love to these people that may live a little on the outskirts of society, yet some people on my campus I am not willing to do the same for. Why is it that I can so easily desire to care for outcasts from society, but outcasts from the social circle of college, I so willing want to shake off because it presents too much stress or it isn't genuine from my end? I've still got some figuring of things out to do. But, that is what life is about: learning. It isn't always easy, but it has to be done, and usually it pays off in the long run. I just hope that I do the right thing.
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