2~3 More Days.

Guess what? I have two more days until the hotel and three more days until I fly to Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas.

lksdjfkliowejaklsdf,mv,.xcngaroisdklfjsd!!!!!!! D;

Life's Changing. HOLY CRAP.

I'm not on this as much as I want to be. I'm sorry.

If some of you haven't noticed, I'm leaving in three weeks and four days (25 days) and when I talk to my friends about it, some of them mention that I don't seem excited to leave like the others and honestly, I'm not. I'm not excited because I left all my excitement back in June - When I was ORIGINALLY suppose to leave - and so right now, I'm left being anxious and nervous.

I'm slightly jealous over some people that I was suppose to leave with have their first duty stations while I'm still here, just barely leaving for BMT... I'm not discouraged at all though, I'm happy for them and I know everyone has different paths in life... I suppose mine was postponed and there is possibly a reason why I'm still here.

Who's The Psycho Kid?

Every Thursday is volleyball from 9pm~11pm and sometimes, we want to hang out with each other longer so we'll plan to go to Denny's or TGI Friday's. Last night was... Interesting.

Dodgers vs. Mets

So yesterday, it was "Mormon Night" at the Dodgers Stadium (baseball team) because Elder Urchdorf was throwing the first pitch and most of the people that came to the game were Mormon. LOL. And we took up all the good seats (aka the all-you-can-eat section) and I went with everyone from my church and I arrived with Glenn. We got seven hotdogs, three nacho plates and four Cokes. HAHA. The game wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be but it was definitely better than the Mariners vs. Angels game that I saw when I was still living in Seattle. I mean, seriously? Dodgers - 0 Mets - 9? LAME. But it was still good because we got to eat all we can eat. Also, I taught Glenn the ways of Korea. HAHAHAHA. And a bunch of K-Pop that almost made his head explode. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Now, later today, I'm going to go see my old friend John (who's my friend from Japan and was my best friend in kindergarten) and his family. They are coming from Las Vegas so they have to pass by here before they head to San Diego (where they live) so we're going to have dinner or something like that and it's going to be awesome. :)

Good day,
Otter

My Birthday Outfit.

I had an amazing birthday dinner. 10 out of 30 people showed up but they were the 10 people I felt the closest to within my church and I'm happy that I got to celebrate it with them. We went to the Cheesecake Factory and had a blast. Even though Joe ordered a birthday cake, the people that worked there didn't pay attention so when he wanted it to come, they said "What cake?" and then all Hell broke lose from there but he waited until we were outside of the place. I got a cheesecake from them because they made a mistake but I wanted everyone to enjoy it as well. While I got my cake, everyone sang to me. I looked at each and every one of them and I felt super emotional... Watching them sing, smile and laugh made me realize how much I love them, care about them and enjoy their company. They are the reason why I come to church and Institute.

(I look all grimy... Ew.)

Thank you Joe, Glenn, Scott, Mark, Milo, Allen (<3), Jed, Andi and Emily T. for coming to my little get-together birthday party and spending this night with me. I love you guys very, very much.

Happy,
Otter

Allen Hugs.

I think Allen is getting comfortable with me...

Joe, Glenn and I met up with Allen and our friend Celest at the Riverside Plaza in front of Johnny's Burgers. And then Celest left, then Allen was about to leave. He slapped-bro-handshake with Joe and Glenn and then he hugged me. OMGOMGOMG, HE HUGGED ME AGAIN.

I literally felt like I was going to poop out my heart. <3

TEEHEE,
Otter

OMFG, UPDATES. FINALLY.

So here's some updates that I wasn't able to post up in time because there's just so much going on:

Bleh, Sorry Friends!

Sorry, I've been MIA a little bit... I've been a little slow to post up blogs on this page.

To be honest, I haven't been feeling like myself. I've been emotional lately.

I know that I'm leaving soon so I'm not motivated to do anything like working out or planning awesome events because I'm leaving soon, you know? I just don't want to "party" because it will remind me of "hey, you have to party hard because you're leaving soon!" and it makes me sad. Because I've made so many friendships with so many people and I love the people I go to Institute with and to know that I'm leaving them in four weeks makes me really sad. :(

I Admire Allan.

So there’s this guy that I want to introduce you to; his name is Allan.

He’s the typical blonde hair, blue eyed, piercing yet capturing voice, all-American guy and he’s a member of my church. He’s a funny and an outgoing guy even though he’s very shy but once you get to know him, he’s not quiet. He did his mission in Europe, he knows how to speak German and French and he knows American Sign Language so sometimes you’ll see him translate our sacrament meetings in ASL.

Why am I talking about Allan? Because I recently found out something that makes me admire him even more.

What is that you ask? Well I found out that his mother, father and sister are deaf.

He is the only one that can hear and speak despite the fact that his mother, father and sister are deaf. He doesn’t talk about his family much but ever since I found that out, my admiration for him went to another level.

A lot of people take voices, speaking and talking for granted and there are some that wish some people would “stop talking” but I can’t imagine not being able to hear or speak and communicate with others. What more with having deaf parents? I can’t imagine not hearing my father or mother talk to me and it would pain me even more that my parents can’t hear me.

It’s little things like this that make me feel more grateful for what I have and to spread charity to those around me because there are so many things we overlook and to know someone who has been going through this all his life really touches me. It makes me admire them even more because of their patience, strength and endurance.

Where To Begin...

041312: I decided to hang out with my neighbor since he was needing to find an apartment to move into. He was thinking of moving out to Los Angeles because the apartments are bigger and better but a little more expensive and he was looking into Koreatown. (MMMM, Korean BBQ) But it was raining so much! It was crazy and the weather was like, 40~45 degrees! And we didn't have an umbrella so we were talking through K-Town in the rain and when we saw the apartments, it was either that the lobby man was a jerk and we couldn't see the apartments or at least have a floor plan or the apartments were just ugly. So we made a trip out there for nothing, really... And we were stuck in traffic for hours. It took us like four hours to get home. It was soooo bad it took us an hour and a half to just drive six miles. HORRIBLE. And it was the "phantom traffic" which is the kind of traffic that's the worst for no reason; no accidents, no blood, no horror... Just traffic because people drive slow. But, since it was raining, I told my neighbor that it was "pizza weather" so we arrived home, cleaned up his place a bit, changed Salome's kitty litter, took Ivy out, bought some pizza and wings and watched "Training Day". Good day, even though my butt was sore.

041412: Today was a eventful day. The morning was a little rough, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed but it was good when I went to the Museum of Science with my churchmate Joe. (he's the Samoan guy that baptized me) and we also stopped by Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles which is really good~ It's good old fashion soul food for your soul. Homemade waffles, some good fried chicken, collard greens, homemade chili on fries and more chicken bits, and some good cold coke. I'm sorry but that's some good sh*t. It's so good, you better come in with your pants unbutton because they are no joke! But the museum of science was amazing, I learned a lot about the universe and the earth and even ourselves. (even though I already knew, it's good to refresh) and the next time we go, we're going to go to the Museum of Natural History. I CAN'T WAIT! And now, I'm home, uploaded all the stuff on Facebook and I'm food as heck right now with a bunch of left-overs. I'm excited to go to church... I miss everyone. I feel like I haven't seen them in forever! But I came home with tension and it's weird. My best friend is crying, her boyfriend is stoned and she's in the bathroom, crying and I really need to go number two. I might have to ask my neighbor if I can use his bathroom. LOL. I hope not.

Sigh, now I have to get changed and situated before bed. I got church tomorrow! :)

Stuffed,
Otter

YSA, FHE and Friends.

Today was Break the Fast and it's amazing that a lot of people came and brought food! Also, today I met with Cassandra! She's from Switzerland! Both of her parents are Swiss but her mother was born here in Riverside. And her whole family is apart of the LDS church and she came with the Sister Davis. She got to experience the YSA (Young Single Adult) Ward! (Which they don't have in Switzerland) and I have to tell you - I'm not a lesbian - BUT SHE IS FREAKING BEAUTIFUL! And she is 6'0" tall! (when you subtract her two-inch heels) and she is just a lovely person~ She stuck by me the whole day and I introduced her to so many other people within our ward and I felt really good. She really loved it, she met with a lot of people. After church, we (Sister Davis and I) went to drop her home and I got to meet her parents! Her mother is BEAUTIFUL! Ohmygoodness! Her mother has flawless sign, beautiful eyes and her father was really handsome. She speaks German/Dutch to her mother but then again, they all speak four languages. Haha. Her father is a 70's in the Mormon community and that's a big deal! Haha.

Tomorrow, we have FHE (Family Home Evening) and we're all going to go to San Bernadino and we will be joining in the BBQ with the North Park YSA Ward. :)

I love meeting new friends and I love getting to know the ones that I already am friends with.

Good day,
Otter

PS: Blue Fox texted me at 2pm today saying that he did pass out last night but for some reason, my phone died. It was weird. Sigh. I miss him.
PSS: I also got a wedding invitation to Immanuel and Heather's wedding! I CAN'T WAIT! :D

Otter's Baptism.

Picture 1: Greenwood cutting cake for everyone!
Picture 2: My second mother and I.
Picture 3: Elder Opeda and I! (DON'T WE LOOK ALIKE?!)
Picture 4: Elder Preator, Joe, Me and Elder Jeffery

Of course, pictures are not allowed during the baptism so you can't really see me getting dunked but I did wear a one-piece jumpsuit that reminded me of an astronaut suit.

Everyone sang for me and I was getting ready to get baptized...

Joe and I went into the baptismal font and he held my back and I held his hand and he said a small prayer and then dunked me!

Pre-Baptism Stuff.

So church was good. The only problem was that my baptism was announced more than five times during the whole time! LOL. And I had to keep announcing myself and stuff but it was all good since I knew almost everyone in the church anyways. It's just... Funny.

ANYWHO, Mother Davis brought in some chili! She totally fed the whole church (well, those who can actually make it to the kitchen in time) and not surprisingly, I was the second to arrive to get myself a cup (or three) and of course, the first one was Chubbers. HAHA!

While I was stuffing my face with chill and crackers, my mom called me but I didn't feel it vibrate in my jacket pocket so I didn't know but she did leave me a voicemail and it went like this:

"Hi Otter. It's your mother. I'm just calling you as my very last chance to try and convince you not to convert to Mormonism. I know that it's 4pm there so church is over... I swear, you cannot be a Mormon! You cannot leave me! If you go through with this... I don't know... I will convert with you! YOU CANNOT LEAVE ME!... Okay. Call me back after you get this."

PT and Flu?

Soooo... PT... KILLER.

I arrived at the office at 7:30am, ON THE DOT. And where was my recruiter? LATE. Oh yeah, who's awesome? Me. Two others showed up and then my recruiter showed up and the reason why she was late was because she discovered a new running route for us. (Damn you, Ssgt!)

She had all of us gathered and counted us. Then she drew out the map of our route, after we all confirmed that we understood, she let us go out of the office, stretch and started running. I was so nervous, I would have soiled my pants.

But, I was a trooper. HUAA!

1.8~2.0 miles. 90 push ups. Roll over. 90 "scissor kicks". Roller over. Plank for a minute. Roll over. 90 bicycle crunches. Roll over. Stretch it out.

That kicked me tooshie but I feel great! Even though I stopped at like, 100 yards away from the office. BUT, I'm not as big of a pansy as I thought I was. Woot!

Then I came home, and realized that I still have to walk the dogs. HAHA. And then guess what I found out? Not only is Emily sick, but so is her boyfriend. Great. It's not an ulcer, she has the stomach flu or food poisoning. Thankfully, I'm super healthy. So I rarely get sick. I haven't had a cold in three years and I've never had the stomach flu before nor have I ever been food poisoned. Haha.

Last night, I bought chicken noodle soup for Emily, with some saltine crackers and 7-Up for her stomach. And that should be like, four days worth. If she's not back to her old self by then, she needs to go to the hospital or back to the clinic. Thus why I always tell them to eat veggies NOT JUST BABY SPINACH, I'm talking about hardcore veggies and protein and some good carbs. Not that lame Mexican diet with flour, corn and freaking potatoes and hot sauce. That stuff is weak.

So now, I have to take care of two four babies. (that includes the dogs)

Yay for me (not),
Otter

PS: See how great of a friend I am?

Stay or Move Out and Updates

I haven't blogged in a while and I finally know how it feels to not really blog. It feels a little weird.

Anyways, so I'm four days in and I like it but I feel like me being here is making things awkward around here. I mean, living in with roommates all of a sudden could be a burden, almost I think... That's one of the reasons why I was a little hesitant to come here because I knew I'd be with him and his roommates and I wasn't sure how they would be liking the idea.

I feel like I make things awkward here because I don't attend the university so I'm just... Staying here. I need to step up my game in finding a job though.

I've been feeling this way since the night I came here and now, I'm thinking that I can't stay...