Writing a Novel

My cousin Tom had a great idea of writing a novel by joining the National Novel Writing Month. I thought, "when all of the other kids wanted to be teachers or police officers, when asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, I always said a writer." That was my dream throughout my childhood, but then I grew up and realized I needed to find a passion that would make me money so that I could pay my bills. So, I gave up that dream temporarily... but I'm going to try this whole National Novel Writing Month.

Wish me luck!

Dodgers Sweep Cubs

Sorry Cubs, it's going to be 100 years of not going to the World Series. Maybe next year. When the Dodgers aren't in it, I cheer for the Cubs because they are the underdogs. But, because my Dodgers are finally in the Playoffs since not having been here since 1988, I got to go for my boys in Blue!

Dodgers sweep Cubs! Very exciting! Let's hope that the rest of the playoffs go just as well for the Dodgers as this first series!

A few good things in Portland

It's been raining the almost the entire time I've been in Portland. And, I've hated the traffic I've experienced here. But, there are a few things that I like about Portland, Oregon:

Portland is Green:

Everywhere I went in Portland had special toilets that allowed people to save water. And, the handles are green because they are coated to protect against germs.

Plus, they recycle everywhere! There are places to drop materials for recycling everywhere.

I had a wonderful view outside of my hotel room (even though it was raining almost the entire time I've been here):

The above looks like it could be a beautiful place to have a wedding - if it's not raining.And, I was trying to be artistic.

There is no sales tax, which was nice when I did a little shopping. Whatever was on the price tag was exactly what I paid!

And the best part is that there is free Wi-Fi everywhere, including hotels, the convention center and the airport. This sure comes in handy when you're traveling alone.

Although I found a few things I like about this city, I can't wait to go home. I leave tomorrow at 10am! I'm so excited to finally go home - it's been more than a week and a half!

Portland Traffic

Today I was stuck in Portland, Oregon traffic for a few hours total. I pretty much stayed within a few miles, but to get to everything, it took forever.

For example, my hotel is very nice and has a nice view of the Columbia River. However, there really is no food around except for Subway. So, I wanted to go to a place called Janzten Beach where there is a lot of choices. It's only one exit north on Interstate 5, but unfortunately it took me about 45 minutes from my hotel to the places to eat. Why? I think the main reason is because the traffic lights have no strategic timing. I was turning right to do the 360 degree turn to get to the freeway, but there were people coming from the opposite direction. By the time that the opposite traffic was past me, the next set of opposite traffic was coming. It was ridiculous!

Why did I take the Freeway when it was only one exit away? I had to cross a body of water (the Columbia River) to get there, and the only way to get across was to go on the Freeway.

So, Southern California traffic is horrible. We all know that, but at least we know it's because there are just too many people. They are constantly doing new things in Southern California to try and relieve traffic. Here in Portland, I really think they need some City Planners to come and make some changes. Woo... I can't wait to get out of this raining town! It's been raining since I got here, and right now it's pouring outside! Two more days and then I get to go home - WooHoo!

Game 2 - Dodgers

It's exciting! Dodgers are leading the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in the National League playoffs!

Sure, many of their runs came on errors from the Cubs infield, but we'll take it! And way to go Manny for hitting another homerun! The Dodgers scared me tonight in the 9th inning, but they pulled through! Way to go Dodgers - they need two more wins to then go up against either the Phillies or the Brewers.

Let's go Dodgers!

They are not mavericks!

Thank you Joe Biden for finally standing up tonight and telling Sarah Palin that she and John McCain are not Mavericks!

Maverick is defined as a a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates. Even if McCain and Palin have made a few decisions that were different from their party, that doesn't make them mavericks. I truly believe that if either one of them were a Maverick, they wouldn't have a chance of winning this election. Why? Because people don't like much change. That is why we will probably never see a president that is not a republican or democrat. The two of them still stay very close to their party, and so I don't think they are mavericks.

I just hate hearing that word coming out of her mouth as the answer for everything. "John McCain is a maverick because he stood up for this." "I am a maverick because I said thanks, but no thanks to the bridge to no where." It's ridiculous. They have just picked up on this media label and have ran with it and I cringe every time I hear it, especially when it's coming from one of their own mouths.

Plus, I don't like anyone associating my fiancé with John McCain or Sarah Palin (his name is Maverick).

So again, thank you Joe Biden for standing up and telling them that they are not Mavericks! That was my favorite part of the debate tonight!

Spokane, Washington

I just got done with a two day visit to Spokane, Washington. This was my first time in Eastern Washington.

All I have to say is that Eastern Washington is a completely different world than Western Washington. When comparing Seattle and the surrounding areas with Spokane and the surrounding areas, I can't believe that they are even the same state. The feeling in Eastern Washington just is so different and not as modern. I can definitely say that I would not want to move to Eastern Washington.

Random observation that I found in Spokane: I think the White/Caucasian population has to be at least 90%. When I was attending the college fair, the majority of the people of color that I saw were the college representatives... and even counting them, there weren't many. I'm used to places where people have different skin colors. That's one of the things that I like about Seattle... it's so diverse.

One random observation about Seattle: I think Seattle is the Hapa capital of the world. What is hapa? Hapas are people that are half Asian, and half something else... usually white. I just find this interesting because once I have kids, they'll be hapa. Hapas are EVERYWHERE in Seattle.

All right... Spokane - Not for me. Seattle - Love it!

Now I'm off to watch the Vice Presidential debate! Exciting!

Let's Go Dodgers!

The Dodgers win the first game of their National League playoff match up against the Chicago Cubs! Three homers, including one grand slam by James Loney. Plus, my "cousin" Russell Martin and Manny Ramirez hit homers! The first win of the series, and they won it on the road! This is so exciting to have the Dodgers in the playoffs - it has been long enough!

Let's Go Dodgers! Game 2 is tomorrow in Chicago again!

Oh no - I think the vice-presidential debate is running at the same time as the game. What to do? What to do? It's too bad I'm not at home where I could watch two televisions at one time.

Don't Vote

Election 2008

The 2008 Election is huge! It's huge because we have a Black man running as a Democratic nominee and a woman running as the Republican nominee for vice-president. That means that no matter what, whoever win this election, it will be the first time ever. That's exciting. But, it's also huge because this country needs change, and it needs it fast! We're still in a war that we're not winning. The economy is going farther downhill every day! The number of people in poverty continues to grow yearly! There are problems and we need change!

In the Los Angeles area I haven't seen many people with stickers on their car. I understand because I don't want stickers on my car either. But, I also haven't seen many people wearing pins or shirts for their favorite candidate. Am I just not looking in the right place?

The reason I brought this up is because when I was in Seattle, I saw Obama and Biden pins and shirts EVERYWHERE! People behind the registers at the airport had pins. Waitresses and Waiters at restaurants at the Pike had pins for Obama as part of their "flair." Students and parents that attended the National College Fair that I was at outnumbers those that didn't have pins or shirts on! The city of Seattle is very supportive of Obama and it's great to just see so many people caring about this election!

33 days until the election! California people - if you're not registered to vote, you still have 19 days! Get on it now!