Fair

Today we are going to the Alameda County Fair.

I don't really want to go for some reason. I just want to eat their food. I won't go on too many rides.

Anyway, that is all.

Edit

I edited my previous post.

Hi

Hey, I realized that I didn't write about what I actually did today.....

Well, my horse had just been used in a previous lesson, so I think she was pretty tired. We just walked around and trotted a little. I worked on my posting and getting on the right diagonal. I also worked on the two-point position. Sorry if you don't know what that means. :)


It felt really good when I first mounted Gracie. I had forgotten what it feels like to be on a horse. It was a little awkward because you always have that feeling that you are going to fall off. I don't know the last time you were on a horse, but maybe you know that feeling. Ironically, the trot feels more stable than the walk. I mean that you feel more connected to the horse when she's trotting (moving faster than the walk). Even though your butt is off the saddle half the time when you are trotting (that's called posting, when you sit up and sit down in a rhythmic fashion). If you are on the wrong diagonal you have a double bounce when you sit down, but if feels more comfortable when you are on the right (correct) diagonal. I used the right diagonal some times and sometimes not. It's hard to find it at first.

The two-point position is when you sit up and lean forward, like a jockey sits on a race horse. You are in this position when you jump. Can you picture it? You reach all the way out to your horse's ears.

The other arena they have has a bunch of competition style jumps. High jumps. That is very advanced. Yes.

Anyway, it was only a half hour. It was really fun.

But boy, I am out of shape! I was winded after doing five minutes of posting. Seriously.

If you have the chance, watch the equestrian events during the Olympics. That is what I am studying. I could do it in miniature fashion, like mini golf. Haha.

My next test will be cantering. That's the most fun but also the hardest. It feels much better than the trot. Some horses love to canter, and some are lazy and prefer just to walk. Gracie liked walking, but she was tired.

Anyway, that is all. Maybe you (Grammy) can come to one of my lessons some day, so you can see what I am talking about. Mom has little interest in going for some reason.

Also, it wasn't too hot today. It felt really nice actually.

So.... I think that is all. Yes. Bye!

Neigh!

Hey!

Well, I'm home now. It went great!

My horse's name was ......... Gracie. Yes, seriously. Haha.

My instructor was Heather. She went to Las Po. She was really nice.

Anyway..... I signed up for another lesson next Saturday. Yay!

Good morning.

Wow, that article is really sad..... I have seen several animals die at the zoo. Two goats and one pig. But another animal was born there too - a giraffe.

I have also seen animals pacing in their enclosures. I remember seeing the hyena pacing along the fence, probably looking for food. I have seen the tigers do the same thing.

I know that Alan likes to feed his animals a LOT. The lemurs get a lot of food. Maybe it is too much, I don't know, but they are definitely not underweight.

Anyway, yes, zoos are sad places in general. But when the animals are not properly cared for, it's even worse. I think that the Oakland Zoo is a very nice place, if I do say so.

On a better note, my riding lesson is at 1:00. My dad is going with me. He wants to start up too. However, I am going to take private lessons, without him. I don't mean to be mean, but I would like the one on one thing. He can still do it too, just at a different time.

It is now 7:36. Yesterday I slept in till 10:41!!!!! But everyone is still asleep right now. Haha.

Take a look at my pics below.

Pictures continued

The baseball game pics are sort of blurry, but we were really close to homeplate.

Pictures continued

Caliente is on the top, Khodicrome is in the middle, and Bandito is on the bottom. She has fly spray on her face, that's why is looks funny.

Pictures continued

Pictures

Hey, here are some pics I took in Arizona.

Hey!

Well, I'm home now.

I got to the Oakland Airport twenty minutes early. But mom was stuck in 3.5 hours of traffic. So I sat at baggage claim for 4 hours.

It was 99 degrees in Tucson when I left, and it was 60 degrees in Oakland. Haha.

Today I went to the Horizon's East Equestrian Center, where I will go tomorrow for lessons. It is small, but very nice. The horses there are very, very big. They are the kind made for jumping. They are also very clean. I found one in his pen and gave him scratches and there was no dirt on my hands. The horses in Arizona were very dirty.

So.... I am excited. It is an easy drive to get there. There were two people there today. There must be more people on the weekend or how else would they do group lessons? I saw a little girl on a little horse getting a lesson.

Mom recommends that I take private lessons. They cost ten dollars more than group lessons. That's not very much. So I probably will do that. That sounds really good actually.

Anyway, that is all. Tomorrow at 1:00 is my first lesson. Yay!

Early morning

Hey!

I fell asleep fine at 8:00 last night. Then I woke up at 4 am. I got up at 5 and watched tennis until Grandma got up.

She asked if I wanted to go for a walk with her and her friend Fran. Fran is the mother of Brooke, a girl I used to see there when I was 7-11, 12. She is really nice. 

Now I am home again. We leave at 8. Yes.

Ok, I will see you soon! Bye.

Weird

Hey!

Yes, the scorpion was very small, like a big spider. But I could see it's little tail.

But, you guys won't believe what happened today/yesterday.

Last night we went to eat at Tucson McGraw's Cantina at 8:30. We got home at 9:30.

So I went right to bed. I couldn't sleep, so I went into the living room. I went back into my room at 4:00 am and fell asleep.

.... Now it is 4:00 pm and I just got up. Yes. I just woke up.

I still have to pack all my stuff!! And I am tired. I still to have watch this movie that I rented (10,000 BC).

So.... while sleeping I had the most vivid dreams I have EVER had in my entire life. I only remember a part of one of them. 

Anyway, this sort of sucks. I have to go to bed again in about 5 hours. I lost the whole day! I don't even know why. 

I have gotten up at 3 or 4 before. But that happened when I went to bed at 11, 12, or 1. Last night I went to bed at 9:30.

......Gah. I am now going to go pack and then watch this movie, which no one else wants to see.

Oh, yeah. One of my many dreams was about riding. I did something wrong and was told to go home. Then I had tea with Linda Parelli. Haha.

.... I will see you (mom) tomorrow!

Itchy

Hey!

Let me remember what I did yesterday....

Oh yeah.

Grandma and I went to get a pedicure by some Vietnamese ladies! The woman who did mine painted a little white flower on my toes. It is really cute.

Then we went to the mall. Grandma only wanted to buy stuff that was 75% off. That didn't leave too much stuff. But I found a nine dollar shirt.

I wanted to look for summery dresses. I didn't really find any that I liked. Then I looked at the jammie section. I found two nightgowns that I really liked. They are very nice, but naturally I have to wear a slip underneath. Haha. I want to wear them as regular dresses. Haha.

Then at 6 we went to a yoga class. It was two hours long. The first hour was pretty hard. The teacher really helped me though. She was very cool.

We spent the second hour resting with the lights off. That's all we did. For an hour. Then I came home and went to bed. 

So yesterday was a lot of fun. Today we are going to the club again. Grandma is going to do water aerobics and I will use the treadmill. 

So, that is all. Something bit me four times near my left elbow the other night. And I found a scorpion in the toilet. It was alive, but I flushed it. Haha. That's better than the time we found a tarantula climbing on the wall in the living room..........

Bye!

Gah

Well, we went to Church today. 

They always have a moment where people can offer up prayers. Grandpa told everyone that he was happy I am here.

I wore this really nice dress, but it made me sweat so much. I have never sweated that much before. I ruined my dress.

Grandpa and I went to In-n-Out after church. It was packed. There were so many people that I just sweated more, so I sat in the car while Grandpa waited for our order to be ready. We just got home. He had wanted to eat there. 

Sooo... I am really frustrated right now. Once again my body just ruined things for our day.

Ok, now I am done feeling sorry for myself.

Yum

Good news: my throat feels completely fine!! My nose is still a little stuffy though.... but yay!

Right now Grandma is making a smoothie with frozen fruit and yogurt... yay! She is always so nice to me.

She said that she feels bad because her work is really consuming. I told her that it's ok, I understand. Her job makes it so you never know what will happen next. 

But we still have time to go to the fitness club (even though I can't keep up in water aerobics. Haha.) 

Anyway, nothing new to report. I don't know what we will be doing today. 

I love all of you!!!!!!!111!!!

Ah...

Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate them. 

Well, Grandma told me that Grandpa has bipolar disorder. Ya think? Yeah. I think he skipped his pill today. 

It's so funny. This morning he and I went out to get hay and we went to Starbuck's. He was actually unusually.... happy. He was singing and joking around. Seriously. So then his other personality came out later I guess. 

Anyway, he is out with the horses now. I don't know what we'll do when he comes in. 

Bad day

Well, today sort of sucks. 

We were all watching TV and a couple movies. Then I wanted to watch Hardball and Grandpa basically told me that I am a spoiled brat and that I am only happy as long as I get everything I want..... yes, he said that to me.

Now, why do they even bother asking me to come here if I annoy them so much?

Do you feel the same way about me? If you do I might as well kill myself and rid all of you the shit that I bring to your lives.

Thanks, Grandpa. 

So let's see... I have no friends, I have no life, I have no job, I don't go out, I am not going to a UC like everyone expected me to. Yeah, that's right, I get everything I want, all the time. Idiot.

..... I want to go home.

.......

Hey, I forgot to mention....

Today my nose is all stuffed up, so I guess I am sick for real this time. Boo.

And I saw a story on Yahoo about a Bengal tiger that was beaten to death in Bangledesh because it had killed three people. The people in India are all f#cked up. I hate them.

TV troubles

Well, after a couple smoothies, water, two cups of tea, and hot chocolate, my throat felt pretty good yesterday. So I have decided to go on a liquid diet. Yes. 

And.... Grandpa is sort of getting on my nerves. He doesn't like any of the shows I watch. I tried to watch So You Think You Can Dance, and he got really angry. He says shows that feature judges and not so nice feedback are "wrong" and that it's "not right." So.... I didn't watch it. 

Then I tried to watch Dr. G: Medical Examiner, and he hated that. I know it is a weird show and most people probably don't like it, but couldn't he just have gone in his room or something?

He also doesn't like watching MSNBC or any political shows. And I watch a lot of political shows, as Grammy knows. 

Now, this really shocked me. He says he probably won't vote in November. He doesn't like either candidate. He says he doesn't care who gets elected. He says is doesn't matter because nothing will change. I said that's sort of a pessimistic attitude, and he said no, it's realistic. 

So.... what the heck? Nothing will change? I didn't ask him of he cares about the war. He probably doesn't. Well, he's right that nothing will change if McCain is elected. But what about Obama? He says he doesn't like Obama because he has no experience. 

I have a feeling Grandpa might be one of those people who think Obama's a "secret Muslim" as Stephen Colbert likes to say. 

I don't watch Keith Olberman, The Daily Show, or the Colbert Report because those shows are too liberal for him. 

Anyway, I have pretty much given up on watching TV when he's home, which is all the time. He would rather watch the intensely annoying Rachel Ray. Heh.

...... If he doesn't like shows with judges, he probably won't like Nashville Star. Mom and I thought he might like that, as he listens to country music in his truck.

Then.... I suggested that we give the horses a bath, because they are extremely dirty. But he didn't seem to like that idea. Even though it might be a nice break for them from the heat. I guess he knows that afterwards they would just roll in the dirt. 

I guess the conclusion is that he is very unpredictable. Sometimes he likes what I do, sometimes he doesn't. Whatever.

I got really frustrated last night and went to bed at 7:22. Luckily I have been falling asleep quickly. Grandma said that a few minutes after I went to bed one night, she came right up to my face and said my name, but I didn't wake up. Haha.

...... today I have no plans, I think. I brought a lot of clothes thinking I would leave the house and do stuff, like run errands, but for the most part I have been staying home in my jammies. 

We just have three more Parelli DVDs to watch. That is something both Grandpa and I like to watch. Yes. 

Anyway..... that is all. Bye!

(Ok, now I am going to watch a Dr. G that I taped while Grandpa is outside.)

Edit

Edit: I just had some hot chocolate and my throat feels immensely better. Yes. Maybe it just needs to be lubricated???? I dunno. 

And, Joellymo, how advanced are your students? Maybe you could share with them some of Paul's books. Like "Where the Wild Things Are" (Although, does that book have a lot of made up words?) 

Also.... Grandma keeps the fridge completely stuffed. Last night I opened the fridge and a bottle of apple juice fell out and broke and spilled all over the floor!!!! Ah. I had to use three big bath towels to clean it up. Haha.

Baseball game

Well, the game was great! They won 2-1. There were 11 hits between the two teams. 

But.... OMG OMG, we had the best seats EVER!!!! Right between third base and home plate in row twenty six..... the closest I have ever been to home plate.

Justin Upton of the D-backs hit a homerun. 

Grandpa bought a score card so that I could track the game. It was really fun. 

-----

Ok, my throat is on fire this morning. I am going to ask if we can go to the doctor. Just to make sure. Yes.

That is all for now. I think today we are going to have lunch at the fitness club La Mariposa, and swim. 

I don't want to go to water aerobics any more, as I had a little panic attack last time. First of all, I was dead tired. We were using the noodle, and I just couldn't go on. I couldn't keep up with all the old ladies. Haha.

So I got out and went to the locker room. I just sat there waiting for Grandma to come find me. I was thinking about things, like quitting the zoo, and getting sunburn, etc. 

I waited for a long time and I didn't see Grandma (or anyone else), so I went into the main lobby. Then she came in and said, "there you are!" She had been looking for me the whole time. She looked through the entire club, and took a drive outside to see if I had taken a walk. 

Apparently the ladie's locker room was closed for construction. I did notice some men working in there.... haha. (For some reason that wasn't a clue). So Grandma didn't even think to look in there.

Anyway, she was laughing all the way back to the car.

Peppy, a really nice boy from Colombia, is visiting Grandma's Colombian friend. We saw him at the pool, and Grandma asked him to join in the water aerobics. She asked him to get out and look for me, but he couldn't find me, obviously. I felt so bad.

Then..... Grandma called Peppy to ask if he wanted to play tennis with me that night. Peppy's friend answered and said she would have Peppy call back. Well, I changed my mind about playing tennis (actually I didn't want to in the first place, but Grandma has a way of signing me up for things without really asking). But... Peppy didn't call back. So his friend called us and asked if Peppy and I were at the club. Apparently Peppy had been waiting at the tennis court for an hour and a half.....! Wow, we felt bad. But he didn't call us back.... to confirm the plan. Oh, well.

Anyway, that is all. Bye!

Ohayou Gozaimasu!

Joellymo, please tell Maki-san that I really want to work on my Nihongo while I am with you guys in January..... thanks!!! 

How have you been doing with your Japanese??

----

I forgot to tell you about my lunch date with Grandma's mom and aunt. It was her mom's 79th birthday. She is sooo funny. She recently lost most of her sight, but she could tell that I dyed my hair. Haha.

But man, she cannot stop talking. At the restaurant, Denny's, she told me all about her various medical conditions. Four heart by-pass surgeries, diabetes, blindness, etc. She kept saying, "I can't see, Diane!" Haha.

Anyway, she walks very slowly. Grandma's aunt uses a cane. They are both very nice and they like me a lot. 

But.... I had to witness her mom test her blood sugar. Oi. It made me sick. I hate the thought of pricking your finger to get blood. I never want to get diabetes. Never. 

Anyway, her mom had a really hard time deciding what to order at Denny's. She got really confused. It probably took her fifteen minutes. 

So.... it was an fun experience, just because Grandma's relatives are so funny. 

I think that is all.... let me think.... yes. Bye!

Oh, Grandma had to take a friend to the airport yesterday in her friend's little two door convertible. Then we drove it to her mom's apartment. I really like that car. But... her mom and aunt had a horrible time getting in and out. Both are overweight. 

Ok, bye!

Hey!

Well, we will leave for the baseball game at 9:15. 

My throat is just getting worse. I've been told it is just the "dry weather." This never happened before when I was here. I don't have any other cold symptoms, except sometimes my stomach hurts a little. I can't tell if it's hunger or something else. Everyone knows what hunger feels like, but this feels a little different. So... I don't know what it is.

Yes, I have been reading. Not very much, but at night before I fall asleep. I really like the book (Team of Rivals).

I could tell that Grandpa was really impressed that I am taking my Indian history class. He gave me a book about the Indian Cochise to read. It's often hard to tell if he likes something or if he is surprised or what. I like making him happy with the things that I do and know. For example, he is very pleased that I am interested in his Parelli videos and riding again. 

Also, yesterday I helped him clean out the horse stalls. He was again impressed that I knew how to do it. I told him it's because that's what I did at the zoo. Heh. 

So... I have not really been keeping up with politics. I don't think their are any new developments. MSNBC has just been talking about Tim Russert. I am of course sad that he died (even though I didn't watch his show), but I think they need to move on. Sorry if that's a little cold hearted.

And... no, I have not been riding here. Maybe I will. But I don't know. I would ride Khodi, who's sort of a handful. But I see him every night. He runs over to me so I can scratch him on his face and neck. Then he turns around so I can scratch his hindquarters. Then he turns around so I can get his other side. Haha. Linda and Pat Parelli say that the most important thing you can do with your horse is build a warm relationship. You want your horse to really want to be with you and love you. You do that by scratching and giving treats, etc. You do that by walking around with him on the ground. After you do that, your riding experience will be much much more rewarding. 

I don't think my dad will be taking lessons with me. Maybe he will in the future. But Mom says I should just do this for myself. 

Did I mention that Grandma gave me a load more clothes for my birthday? Well, she did. That's why she told me to bring an extra bag. I really like all the stuff she gave me. She also gave me a giant stuffed animal frog. But I have the exact same frog at home in my room! Haha. 

I am very much looking forward to the game today. The stadium is indoors and is air conditioned. They also have a giant floating Pepsi bottle. haha. I really like the Diamondbacks, even thought they are rivals to the Giants. If they played the Giants, I would root for the Giants. Yes.

So... I think that is all. Bye!

Yay!

I woke up today at 5:36 and my throat was killing me. I hate that. I don't know if maybe I am getting sick. 

Well, you guys will never guess what I did yesterday.......

I signed up for lessons at a riding stable!!

The stable specializes in English jumping. That's what I had started before. I really like jumping. It is fun!

It is located right next to Las Po!! In the hills. Isn't that cool? I didn't know it existed. 

The stable is called Horizon's East Equestrian Center. 

I have a half hour private lesson on the 28th. That's how you start out. Then you move on to either group or private lessons for one hour. Each lesson is $50. 

So..... that is all I wanted to say. 

I am very sad that I will stop going to the zoo. It makes me want to cry. I will miss my lemur friends. But I can always go back, on a day other than Saturday. 

I am also excited, though. I could have done this years ago. The stable is so close. But oh, well. I'll start again now. 

-------

Yes, "they fired Willie." Willie Randolph. He was the manager of the New York Mets (baseball). The team isn't doing so hot, so the general manager Omar Manaya fired Willie. Stupid, stupid decision. Mom and I are very upset. It's not his fault!!

And, the best pitcher for the Yankees is out for six weeks!! Chien-ming Wang. He is an awesome pitcher. He hurt his ankle running the bases, something American League pitchers do when  playing inter-league games. It is horrible!!! Pitchers don't run!!! Gah. 

Anyway, I don't know how the Indians are doing as I can't watch too many games here. Only the ones on ESPN. 

But.... Grandpa and I are going to a Diamondbacks game tomorrow!! 

------

Also, Grandma and I went to flooring stores yesterday. She wants to install new flooring in her rental house so she can sell it. We finally ended up at Home Depot. The process of selecting took several hours, actually. Very boring. Haha.

Now, I am going to water aerobics.

Bye!

Neigh!

Hey!

Grandma is out playing tennis. It is 7:38 am. I don't know why I got up so early. But I did go to bed early, at 8. I don't know why. 

Anyway, it's still warm even now. 

I watched a Linda Parelli DVD yesterday. She showed her method of riding, which she calls fluidity.

It is absolutely amazing. She gets the horse to go, stop, and turn without using the reins. She just uses her body. I didn't know it was possible to get your horse to turn or stop without using the reins to pull him along. When you want your horse to go faster, you just "bring up your energy" and make your arms move in a way that imitates your horse's desired gait. 

She is really genius. I wish I had her as my personal trainer. Haha. 

So.... that is all. I don't know what we will be doing today. Yesterday I didn't do anything. 

Tomorrow I am going with Grandma to visit her mother. Her mother has diabetes, and she recently went blind. We are going out for lunch. 

Ok... that is all. If I do anything today, I will let you know. 

Hello

Hello from Tucson!

Well, it is still 109 degrees. Yes. But I am inside in the air conditioning.

Right now the grandparents are at a dentist appointment. There is a birthday cake in the oven that I must take care of... now it is done.

I am using Grandma's little mac laptop. It is very cute.

They have a cat named Stormy. He's big and fat like Bernie, and he has a stub tail like Posey. He is the scarediest cat ever. He won't let me touch him. When I first saw him the other day, he hissed at me. I just said hello. Now he just sits and stares at me. He lets me get close, but I still can't touch him. Heh. He is very cute though. 

Yesterday we went on a church picnic to Mt. Lemmon, which is practically in our backyard. It was only 80 degrees up there. It felt very nice.

Not too many people showed up. Pastor Bill, who I've known for quite a while, is a really nice guy. He is real red with bright red hair. His two sons have red hair too. One of them, Parker, is a senior in high school. He drove his little old style convertible to the picnic. He took me for a ride in it around the mountain. When we got back Grandpa said, "I thought you eloped." I thought that was really funny. Parker is a really nice guy. Really nice.

Then we had a little service. It was very short. Pastor Bill said he had just gotten home from "doing work in New Mexico" on the Navajo reservation the previous day. He brought a piece of petrified wood that he had bought there. The theme of his sermon was "petrification." What do you do in your daily life to avoid petrification? Grandpa volunteered to say that working with his horses every day keeps him feeling good. 

We sang about ten little songs, like "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", etc. We didn't have any music, but this one lady knew all the tunes.

Pastor Bill asked me to participate in the service. Grandma was in it too. We just had to read this little script to everyone. I said things like.... let me get it...."For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Things that don't make any sense like that. Haha. 

Why did I do this? Because I was asked to. I didn't want to say no. 

Everyone at their church is very nice. They are very accepting and loving. They know I am an atheist but they don't care. (Pastor Bill doesn't know.)

But I met this new minister that they have now. Her name is Heather. She is very... large. She's young, like in her twenties. I didn't really like her. Grandma introduced me and Heather didn't really care. She didn't even look me in the eye. 

Parker brought his adorable lab Henry. He is such a cool dog. We fed him hot dogs and watermelon. I think he is an atheist too. Heh. 

Yes, I had two hot dogs and a cheeseburger. And two sodas. I ate more than I really could. So that's all I ate for the day. 

Anyway, lots of little kids running around. It was very nice. I had a good time. 

So.... now I am home alone. I am writing this. 

Happy Father's Day to everyone. That was yesterday. 

Also, I got major sun burn on my back, even though we were in the shade in the mountains. Oh, well.

Tonight is yoga. Last time it was really hard. Hopefully this time it will be easier. Maybe we can go swimming again. Or use the treadmill. 

Ok... that is all. I will talk to you later.

Oh yeah, I forgot.

Grandpa has been showing me his Pat Parelli DVDs. Parelli is a genius guy who created his own way of training horses. It's amazing what he can do with the craziest horses. In one day he can make them totally great and easy to work with. Grandpa has been playing with his horses using Parelli techniques. (Parelli likes to call training "playing with horses.") It is very cool.

Pat rides western. His wife Linda, from Australia, rides English. She teaches things in theses DVDs as well. I used to ride English so I like watching her. 

Anyway, I have been doing some thinking. Cali is getting really big. He's still skinny though. Khodi is doing good and Bandi is still hanging in there. I think I mentioned this back last year, but it's coming up again. 

I sorta kinda want to start riding again. Taking lessons on Saturdays I mean, at home. Well, not at home, but you know what I mean. At Sunset Riding Academy. 

Yes. This would mean I would have to stop working at the zoo. I have finished my six month commitment. 

So, I don't know. I did it for a year. I was getting good at jumping. I had my favorite horse, Dakota. I wonder if he is still there. 

Anyway, that is what I have been thinking about lately. 

I really want my dad to see these Parelli videos. As you know, he took lessons with me. I think he enjoyed it even more than I did. Really. He would really like these videos. 

Ok..... now that is all. I will shut up. 

Hello

Well, I am here in Arizona. It is very hot.

I got here at 6 yesterday. 

Today I went with Grandma to her fitness club thing. We did water aerobics and yoga. Heh. I am really bad at yoga. 

Anyway, that is all for now. I don't know what I will be doing in the future. 

Hey!

Hey guys!

Yes, I will definitely blog in Arizona. But I will have to do it secretly, because I don't want my grandparents to know about it. Haha.

I will take pictures of the horses, birthday cake, landscape, etc. I will post them when I get home.

So.. now I am packing. I always bring a ton of stuff. Grandma said to bring an extra bag as she will give me a lot more clothes. Heh.

Oh yeah. Mom and I went to a baseball game last night! The Yankees were in town. They won 3-1 and Melky Cabrera hit a home run. Yay!

That is all. I hope you are having a good day.

And Grammy, I didn't realize the tree fell in your yard! How sad that your pool is gone!! I love that pool. Good memories.

Tennis

Well, A'amna invited me to her "18th BIRTHDAY and Graduating High School Successfully Extravaganza!!!!!!!"

Unfortunately I will be in Tuscon. I have to think of a gift to give her, though.

And, Roger Federer lost to Nadal in the final. The score was 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. I don't believe Fed. has ever lost a set 6-0 before. It was extremely sad and terrible. What happened to him???? He just gave up, I guess.

Also, Ana Ivanovic won the women's final. I was rooting for her. Their pictures are above.

.......

I totally forgot to mention that Barack Obama won the nomination!!!! Now he can finally, finally focus on bringing down McCain. Yay!

All of us feel that McCain will just flap around like a little fish. I mean that he is not quick on his feet and Obama is. The debates won't be good for him.

McCain is a nice guy. I just happen to not agree with any of his values.

He's a horrible speaker and speech writer. I hate the way he says "my friends" and the way he winks and smiles after everything he says. Ugh.

So, that is all. Ok.

Home now

Well, I am home now.

I am watching one of the men's semifinals between Nadal and Djokovic. I heard the outcome at Grammy's house, unfortunately. (Nadal wins).

I finished The God Delusion. It was very good. The author Richard Dawkins focused a lot on the evidence of evolution and Darwin, etc. to prove there was no intelligent design. He said that religion really sickens him because it deprives people of the joys of science.

Also, he says there is no such thing as a Catholic child, only a child with Catholic parents. He goes on to say that bringing up children to believe a certain way is a form of child abuse. Harsh words, but probably true.

He made up his own "Ten Commandments" that include treating others how you wish to be treated, respect people, don't interfere with other people's sex life; etc.

So... I was thinking he would go more into how different religions define sin (like how the Pope makes up sins out of the blue). He did say a lot about how atheists can be moral too. Sin, morals, same thing. He said how many adults he meets that still have nightmares about their preachers scaring the crap out of them as children talking about sin and Hell. That really is sad.

He says in the intro that be designed this book to convert religious people. I don't know how many religious people even have the courage to read it, but it certainly makes atheists feel good about themselves (but not the religious world around them).

Dawkins also includes various hatemail that he receives. It's pretty hilarious what some people right. One person went on and on about the fact that Dawkins is certainly going to Hell and ends his rant by writing "Merry CHRISTMAS!!" Haha. I thought that was funny.

Anyway, I recommend it.

Also, I started the book Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. It is very interesting so far.

I really like reading non-fiction, if you couldn't tell. I don't know why I don't read too many novels. I don't know.

So, tomorrow is the Belmont Stakes. Hopefully Big Brown will win. Today we got a package from UPS and they gave us little pins that say "Go Big Brown!" Haha. Very random.

So... that is all. Bye!

Well, we almost died today.

Grammy came over and we all went out to a nice Japanese restaurant in Livermore called Kawa Sushi.

On our way back we were two seconds away from being hit head on by a car going 50 mph while we were stopped at a light.... it would have been very bad. We would have been in bad shape.

Anyway, now I am in Sonoma and we are watching Montana and South Dakota Primary Coverage on MSNBC. Obama needs 11 more delegates to win the nomination. There is no reason to think that wouldn't happen in a couple hours.

So... I am continuing to watch tennis. Maria Sharapova, the number one women's player, lost last night to Dinara Safina. Now someone new will win. I was hoping for that.

Also, I will be reading The God Delusion in English. I am going to start reading it now. (It is a very big book.) It should be very relatable (to me.)

That is all. I am happy to be alive. Heh.