La Luz Trail

In the morning, dad and I went to Borders and had a productive time at the coffee shop. It does seem though that coffee shops are not as plentiful or crowded as it is back in California. It would be hard to go to one when there are plenty of trails to be explored and mountains to climb.


We went to the base of Sandia Mountain, not far from the Tram, and hiked along the La Luz trail. It was an easy trail, slightly muddy and wet from the snow. A combination of cacti, low shrubs, and grasses decorated the landscape. As we climbed higher, the trees gradually became taller and it was more wooded. Although it was in the winter, this seemed to be a popular trail with many visitors. I wasn't quite used to the cold air, but look forward in finishing the route in a month or two, when the weather is warmer.

After, we had a delicious dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. I noticed how the Sweet Tomatoes here is different because there is more soups that have the New Mexican style, and there wasn't a rice dish. Saturday night seemed very popular and crowded, so the Cottonwood Mall area had a lot of activity going on.

I've been a little bored, and not sure what to do with my time. I'm sure when I start working I will be scrambling to find time to sleep. Just thinking about work and what lies ahead makes me nervous, but I suppose that's because I haven't started my first day of work yet. Tomorrow.. my first church to visit!

Settling in the Southwest

Today was the first day I moved into the home. Today, a lot of time was spent purchasing organizing bins, bath, and food items. My new furniture is a table which folds in half, a folding chair, and another clothing drawer for my seemingly endless amount of clothing. I was really happy with the price and the functionality... although I would love to have a matching furniture set the next thought scares me. If I had to move, I would not know what to do with things where I need more than one person to carry it, or it wouldn't fit in the car. However, I am exhausted from traveling and moving, and hope that I can stay here a long time before thinking about moving again.

In the past, it was so easy to pack and move, because I fit most of the necessary things in 2 bags. Since I don't know how long I would be here, I really wanted to bring the things I used often at home.

I've only been here a few days and I am already missing my home, my church, and my friends! I definitely feel spoiled because my dad has been helping me such as tagging along for shopping, showing me new outdoorsy places to explore, and setting up the wireless. We named the wireless network name as "Fremont" and the password is a big secret.

For this month, I am praying to quickly find a church community, some friends, and to work hard and improve quickly at my work. Although I do miss home, I quickly remember all the blessings that God has shown me and look forward to what the next month has in store for me.

Settling in New Mexico

The last two days have been an adventure. We left on Monday morning, 8AM, after loading everything in the trunk and back seat. Dad and I took turns driving through the California Valley, the Mojave Desert, Arizona, and finally New Mexico. As we climbed elevation there was snow on the ground. The only food I trusted was Subway, which I had two days in a row.

Today, we met up with Amber (my future landlady) and her daughter, Dustin. They were very friendly and in the process of remodeling and moving furniture out. I unloaded my luggage and we will stay a night near the Balloon Fiesta Park and closer to Sandia Peaks.

My room(s) are really lovely, and painted, and it is really everything I could ask for. I can't believe how quickly I found the place and really thank God for having everything work out. I feel comfortable with the ladies and the neighborhood.. and look forward to exploring more.

We did some exploring today, and literally 1 mile away from the home I am living there are the following: Costco, Albertson's, Smiths, Walmart, Target, Lowes, Kohls, 2 Fabric stores, innumerable eateries, and a mall! However, the neighborhood is very quiet and what is neat is that the bike trail starts just one street over!

Life here seems a bit different, and I know it will take some adjusting to from living in California. I can't wait to meet more people, find a church community, and learn as much as I can about work. I also look forward to exploring the scenic areas near here. On my future wish list, I would love to have a camera because I can't borrow my dad's camera as easily anymore. Of course, I have much saving to do since I may have some more expenses in the future.

New Jersey Flash Floods

This summer, is an unusual summer. It seems to rain and thunder every other day. Before we left to go to Trader Joe's, we didn't check the news. If we did, we would have heard that a flash flood warning was issued.

The trip to Trader Joe's took about 20 minutes. I got my usual 1lb blueberries, sandwich supplies, and bananas. On the way back, the rain started pouring heavier. I noticed there were puddles and small streams forming alongside the roads.

On the highway, there was a sudden outburst of rain and lightening, causing cars to immediately slow down to about 30-40 mph, with their blinkers on. We pulled to the side of the road, trying to wait it out but the rain just kept on coming, so we pressed on.

The decision was to either take the back roads, or continue on the high way in traffic. Jenny decided the back roads would be safer, but as I saw the puddles become more like ponds, I wasn't so sure about the route.

In one intersection, the water main was overflowing, due to the sudden flux of storm water overwhelming the system. There was also a power outage in the large intersection, and chaos ensued as to how cars would cross it. On one side, it was entirely blocked off by a large pool of water, at least a foot deep. Mall shoppers had only one way out of the mall, and by the example of one car which was stuck in the water, were at a dilemma of how to get out. Some cars started driving on the right bank, which was covered in grass and slightly slanted. The stream of cars along that route decimated the nicely mowed lawn. However, for power cars, such as a truck that was a 4X4, they had no problem going straight through the water.

After this intersection, we passed by many neighborhoods which were also blocked by large puddles of water. Even some driveways were emerged! To get back, we tried to go under the bridge in Morris Plains, but as we got closer, we saw a firetruck blocking the way, and a fireman putting out flares to mark the safety boundary. As I got closer, I saw a car underneath the bridge, with water up to the window shield. Help was on the way to help get the drive out of the car. There was no way we could have gone through that route, and we weren't sure of the back roads for an alternative way home.

There were also many trees and debris knocked down in the middle of the road. One tree, apparently struck by lightening, ended up blocking 3 out of the 4 lanes of the road. I remembered another way home, because I take it everyday from work, so we were able to get back safely. It took more than an hour to get home.
Because of this, I decided not to go to church today... giving me thoughts on what it means to be a fair weather Christian!

The New Jersey Shore: Ocean Grove

Spray-on Sunblock

First of all, I want to thank the inventor of spray-on sunblock. It is no mess, no rub, non-greasy, and saved my life. A couple strangers asked me to put on traditional sunblock, to protect their really scary (hairy) backs. Just my luck, I had a thing of spray-on sunblock so I was saved the experience of having to do that. Bleeuugh...

Ocean Grove
This weekend I went to Ocean Grove, which is part of "the shore." On a nice weekend, there is traffic backing up for miles as New Yorkers try to escape the city to enjoy a nice day on the beach. It is important to get to the beach early, to secure a good parking spot, which could be up to half a mile away from the beach!

What is interesting is that there are a series of beaches all linked to each other, and they were traditionally towns containing a certain ethnic group. For example, Ocean Grove was mainly a methodist community, Bradley Beach a jewish one and so on. It appears Ocean Grove is still owned by the methodist community, who leases out land for 99 years. There is also the "Tent City," where families live in these simple homes made out of tents with simple furnishing. In the summer, many people rent out these homes or stay at a bed and breakfast along the shoreline.
This place is also nick-named "God's square mile," and has Christian concerts and organized activities all through the summer. On the boardwalk, there is a Pavilion where there are sermons and music going on throughout the day. It's like taking Santa Cruz beach life, Jersey Shore, and American Christian culture, blending it together, and you get Ocean Grove.. hmm..

Only in New Jersey do they seem to charge for beach admission. It is about $7 to get a wristband, to get unlimited access for the day. I took surfing lessons, and had a really great instructor. Even though I was really bad, he was really encouraging in a surfer way. Although snowboarding seems similar to surfing, I never feel comfortable or stable when trying to get up. On land, the sequence of steps seems easy, but when subject to the quickly changing water, I seem to forget what I learned! Anyway, I was about to get up about half-way before having my board run into the sand. My next goal is those 14-foot waves off the coast of Hawaii. Duuuude, I'm so stoked.

Metal Detector
I met up with my roommate later, and I met her friend Miriam. The first thing I noticed was that she had a large metal detector for finding treasure. She really wanted to find at least one diamond ring, or a piece of gold. But all she ever seems to find is loose change, Canon batteries, and other odds and ends.
However, she is more likely to have a passerby ask her what she's doing or found, than for her to find a treasure. This is a bizarre hobby, so I was thinking of what kind of strange hobby I would want to have when I am older. My mother makes a lot of rainbow jello, my dad tries to do a triathalon every week, so I need a hobby for myself. Some possibilities include:

1) Making Clothes for Cats

2) Becoming a Hippy and living at an Eco-Village, shunning Modernization and Technology except for solar panels, internet, and a toaster oven.
3) See all the volcanoes in the world
Any other suggestions are welcome as well!

Update

• I burnt my hand with the pot while cooking today, so it is very ouchie.
• Two days ago, a deer jumped out of nowhere while I was driving, and I almost hit it! It was a very scary experience.
• The fourth cat, Cloey, passed away. She was 18 years old, and a very good cat, because she always hid under the bed. The owner says that for the first year as a kitten, she hid in the downstairs closet. Cats are prone to have interesting personalities just like we do.
• Grandmom let me know at the last minute that my cousin Marian and Josh would be in town! I was very excited to know they would be closer than Washington DC, so drove quickly down to West Chester, PA. Uncle Curt, like usual, was grilling a lot of good stuff. It was great seeing family.
• 
• My group decided that they needed to send me home, to Fremont, for whatever mysterious reason. It was really nice to be at home, and see my friends as well as church friends. Only drawback was that it was very hot, and I wasn't used to hot weather after being in New Jersey.
  

• Today was the directorate barbecue. I missed the payment because I wasn't here last week, so I just snuck in anyway. I was scared there was security hiding behind the trees and would escort me back to work, but that wasn't the case. We were given 3 hours of leave, as well as all you can eat BBQ. There were ribs, burgers, hot dogs, steak, italian sausage, chicken, wings, and pasta of all kinds. In addition, there was unlimited beer. There was a dunk tank set up, and many people took turns trying to dunk the directorate leader. There was supposed to be a game between us and the rival group, but it looks like that will be postponed to the next time.
  

There it Lurketh

Very late at night, I here foot patter impatiently pace across the rug, just outside my door. From time to time, I also hear a shuffling of something against the door. Sleepily, I woke up, and turned on the lights to find...

My room is under siege!!! The paw reaches out further towards my direction, and I wait if the paw has backups. Pretty soon, a white paw tries to reach under.

I have enough food to last me in the room for about a night and a few hours. Every hour or so, I hear a faint meowing, which surely is the warcry of whatever lurketh outside my door.

It isn't possible to stay in my room all day, because of work. The moment I get ready to open the door, a stampede of cats run into my room. Defeated, I have to deal with cats all over my stuff.


Looks like the cat has got my mouse. Thus, the siege of Joyce's room of the 4 cats resulted in the cats winning and taking over.