Something to keep on going

I feel...

2009-05-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

I feel sad, there's less than 50 days.
It's inevitable, I know...
But I kinda don't want to get back with the usual lifestyle.
I'm currently gloomy.

Straightener

2009-05-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

After school I decided to go to look for FeDex on the really close street that I live on. I saw it Birdseye on the website that it is there, however, every time I go home from school and walk through that place I have never located where FeDex is. So, I decided to do a scavenger hunt for FeDex earlier. Yes I did found it and got all the shipping info I've looked for, I was happy.
On the way walking home I noticed that I have my wallet and inside there, my debitcard with me. Usually I never take my wallet to school because of some securities problems as you all know, I know, even in America it's not safe to leave your belongings in class. I had to take out some money for prom limo in the morning since the bank is located on the way to school. The story is I walk back supposedly wanted to head home but... I thought of something, a demand. I am always someone who has to get her demand whatever it is. If I want it, I'm getting it no matter what. On that store section there's Rite Aid pharmacy which sells a lot of things to do with health, beauty and snacks and Ice cream. About almost 2 months ago I went in there and saw this Remington hair straigthener for only $46.99 on sale, of course. The normal price is about $60ish I believe. I want that straightener so bad but I didn't have the money to afford it, so I decided that I could buy it later. So today my evil angel whispered to get into Rite Aid and get that. So I did went in, and looked around, and found it yay! It's the same brand but there's only one left. I looked at the price and its reduced to $49.99, I thought, 'Oh well, I don't need to buy a straigthener again and don't have to worry to have this curlish straight hair on some random days.' So I took that and I noticed that there's this product that goes with the straightener is on clearance, the price is reduced 75% from normal price. I think it's about $12.99, and I thought, 'I wish the straigthner is $12.99'
So I head up to the cashier to pay for my straigthner, I was about to take a deep breath to waste $49.99 on a straighner in a broke budget. The cashier lady is this chinese woman who barely speaks english, she has a really thick chinese accent for sure. I gave that to her and she does whatever thing she does for me to make a payment. She slides the barcode on the scanner and she said with her thick chinese accent, 'Oke, so total is $13.45 please' and I was confused of course. I am ready with my debitcard to slide and waste $49.99 and the price is only $13.45??? I was shocked compeletely but I figured that I just shut up or else I'll have to pay $49.99 plus tax. So I slide it and waste only $13.45.
I head home and went straight to my room, I opened it and tried it on after I pull out my loosen hair bun. It was pretty good and it didn't burn my hair. As I was about to throw out the box I saved some papers in it and of course, the receipt. I looked at the receipt and found out that the thing is on sale! So thank God my demand makes me want to buy that thing ;)

Skept

2009-04-25T22:40:00.001-07:00

Please keep it shut because I'm very skeptical

Peace

2009-04-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

I am currently doing a junior thesis about The controversy between John Lennon and the US Govt for my history class. I saw the documentary movie about it ,'The US vs. John Lennon (2006)' and I'm really astonished by what they did, what John Lennon did at his time. They inspire people with no plagiarism at all. I adore people like that, I wish he's not dead now.

And by the way an idea of a British guy dating an Asian lady back there was so engaging. People were so enthusiastic by segregation and color separation. I am just amazed that they could capture the whole image of blending white and yellow declaring peace.

Ti voglio bene

2009-04-25T21:52:00.000-07:00

On the right is an image which supposedly portraying meditation. Instead, I was playing around while she's trying to concentrate humming ohm to fly out of the water.

So this is me and my best friend Silvia. The first time I met her I thought she was cold and not friendly, at all. Despite all that I actually thought, 'crap, why am I with this cold girl.' Apparently as the time goes by, we actually find each others comfort zone and be able to determine the status that we are best friends. It's a cheesy saying I know, but somehow it is true. I love her, I will miss her much much when we get back. How she always come to my house everyday and walk to school together. And of course her accent and says, 'Fitra, if I don't pull you, you'll die!' because I was messing around when we crossed the street one day. This the what I want to say to her in her way, "Ti voglio bene Silvia,Mancherò voi ed il vostro accento sveglio. Verrò di sicuro e visitarlo voi ed andrà alla discoteca in Mazzara perché come voi dica, ' ci sviluppiamo in su sullo street' "

-

2009-04-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

My background of being a spoiled girl who gets pretty much whatever she wants is here again.
My year's experience pretty much have changed me about 95% of who I really was.
This spoiled little girl now have 4 little siblings.
This girl who sits around watching TV, yells for food is now actually cleaning the toilet.
This girl who had extremely low self-esteem is now speaking up and volunteering.
This girl who despised her nation and kneeling to live in another country is actually realizing,'oh my home is in Jakarta.
This girl who wanted long straight hair and clothes that's in the mainstream is now actually creating an indulgence look carelessly.
This girl who seemed (and yes also) snobby, ignorant and derogate others is now asking people and people always say 'oh I never talk to you but you're really nice'

These images of sentences I see of the before and after portrays how many changes I've made and will make later. I flashed a video in my head when I was 5, I went up to my granpa after he came home from work and asked him to buy me a barbie doll. He got me one and the next day I kept begging for more. Another video flashed when I was maybe 12, I don't know I can't remember. I was asking my mom a raise for my allowance. My mom said no because she thought that I've had enough, maybe more for every single day. I screamed an threw away my phone until parts are scattered all over the place pieces by pieces. I cried loudly and guess what happened? My mom gave me that. And videos came along flying in my brain, remembering how spoiled I was because I get everything I want, and if I don't get it I have to get it whatever it takes, means crying, trash up the house, and etc.

I've always believe that God gives a reason behind everything. Maybe this is why He got me here for my exchange year. I've learned a lot and yes I've changed a lot too. This is not some type of a cheesy bullshit moment but yes it's really true. I don't know yet about my plans after going back. I want to be active and yes I want to travel. I don't want to take my parents money because I've been such a cat here in the US. Yes I'm wishing that I could go spend some money on plane ticket to Italy and stay there for a month in Silvia's house. Also after I did the walk for 'Invisible Children', I want to go to Uganda and help them. I have enough and probably more compare to them. I actually want to do something that will inspire people.

Easter

2009-04-13T23:31:00.000-07:00

I'm hunting easter eggs! Okay soo, question...

Does this look fat to you? Or fatter?

Be honest, or you'll get bunny poop!

Stuff

2009-04-12T14:59:00.001-07:00

Okay, the thing is I was so sick and got bored. Since I just got my new camera so I took pictures of my room. I am pretty much sharing :)

That is my closet, next to it is Taylors' (my host sister's)

Those are all my jackets and dresses. My winter formal dress is supposed to be there too, but Kelly hasn't return it since she went to the Grammys.

Down to it are my shoes and my hamper. My hamper is full, I haven't done my laundry in like 2 weeks :p But I know, I have too many pairs of shoes too.

That is my underwear drawer. I put my scarfs and pads and bathing suit in there too.

My tops drawer, not a lot because I haven't done my laundry :)

My Pants (bottoms) drawer. There's not a lot too because I haven't done my laundry. There are tights and pantyhose too.

My miscellaneous drawer. There's tea, souvenirs, envelopes and some clothes too. Unorganized, I know.

Where I put my documents :)

My bags, purses and pretty much throw anything there haha.

This is like a drawer too but not really. Where I put stuff.

Where I put stuff too, medicines,lotions, deos, etc.

Trash can. Full of snouts and garbage. I'm sick, come on...

Where I put my school stuff. Projects, books, documents, and its located beneath my bed ;)

The wailing wall! next to my bed of course. Filled with pictures and some postcards from people I love :D

My super cool accommodation certificate from the Los Angeles City Hall. Woot woot!

My bed, there's ipod, tissue, daisy that I got for Christmas and my cell.

So that's pretty much it :) I don't know how am I going to pack again later in June. Agh!

Hair

2009-04-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

My hair is black, but not literally all shiny super black. But the sun in Cali turns it into this...

All I say is 'crap, I wanna dye my hair.'
Is brown black a good one?

Legal

2009-04-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

Yay I'm 18 and legal now in USA. Means that I could go to a club, hookah bar, etc of course legally. But one thing I noticed about being 18, I am, of course, yes, 100% feel older. But everytime I go out to people and say, 'hey, i'm 18!' they go, 'You sure?'

Yes because I am asian, I technically look smaller than whites, black, browns, olives, etc. I'm yellow, face it and happy with it :D

And I'm 18 yaaayyy!!

My dress went to Grammys but I didn't

2009-02-09T22:22:00.000-08:00

Yep my winter formal dress went to Grammys, I lent it to one of my friend because she's already 18. I know, it's a bummer...

Regret

2009-02-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

I went to Disneyland for ASB (Associate Student Body) today. We had lectures until like 2 pm and then we're free to run around in the park. It was a youth leadership thingy but it was fun, hey afterall, it's Disneyland. It was my second time there. So after Splash Mountain, we were free to run around. Me and Silvia took the road like a U-turn. We went to Indiana Jones, Big Thunder and Space Mountain right after Splash Mountain. After we got out from Space Mountain we saw some people who were with us earlier. We separated to groups of 2-3-4 or whatever. Me and Silvia talked with some people and then I saw Jawhara, Michael, and Cindy talking to a guy, and then they took a picture with him. I saw them but I don't want to be impolite and ask who was him, and I also thought that maybe he's just a friend of them. After they finished the guy left and I went to them.

'Why did you take a picture with him?' I asked.

'He's an actor.'

'Really?'

'Yea, have you seen Napoleon Dynamite? That's the guy who play it, Jon Heder.'

'No I haven't seen it, dammit! I wanna picture with him!'

And I turned around and tried to look for him and he was nowhere. Fuck! I was kind of mad. Damn! Well, I thought, 'I don't even know him' but oh well, still, he's famous. I don't care if I don't know him. He's the first famous people I met in California, I want to meet more! And take pictures!!! Please God :)

Silvia and I loves Mickey ♥

Kiddies

2009-01-22T21:12:00.000-08:00

My (host) sisters are soo cute. In the red is Ashlyn, she's 5 and in the pink, the baby is Rachel, she's 1. Rachel's trying to grab my iPod earlier and I gave her only the earphone instead. I played Candyman-Christina Aguilera and she kept on pulling the earphone. Then Ashlyn came curiously and started listening too. So I hurried and grab my camera and took a very cute picture of them :D

Mormon

2009-01-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

My hostfamily in Long Beach here is Mormon. It's a new word that I heard since I came here. I didn't know what it meant until my (host) sister explains that they are a part of Christian. I was like 'Oh okay' because I didn't know what it really meant until some other people like my school friends, AFS people and other people told me what it really is and what they see from them.

Truly from the deepest bottom of my heart, I HATE going to that church, alot. And believe it or not they're going 8 times a month?! I choose to only go like 2 times a month by giving a lot of nagging, pretending to be sick and somewhat else. Yesterday was Sunday, and they as usual woke me up at 7 in the morning, I was pissed and didn't want to go out of bed. The 5 year old one keeps on counting until I yelled at her, 'Ashlyn! okay, stop! I'm up now!' I really didn't want to go and listen to people's testimonies which I never listen to it anyways. I went to church and sacrament(where people tell their testimonies and they eat the blessed bread and water). All I did was as usual, chew gum with my arms folded and my legs crossed. After it's over, as usual I have to go to this Sunday classes which is really pointless for me. I always go to the little kids class because I have no interest to be in a class with people my own age-since they are really religious and there're very few of them. But yesterday, they kicked me out and sent me to that class, I was halfly listening and read some scriptures from the Book of Mormon (their holybook) since they asked me to do it. I've no problem at all because it's only reading. After that class I have to go to another class which is call 'Young Womens', it's the class where all the girls ages 12-17 gathered up together and do what they call 'fun' stuff. Usually they talked about things thats been happening the past week or the things that will happen the next. Believe it or not, there are like only 15 people in there and I'm the oldest 'Young Women'. It's weird because in all Christian churches, they have a lot of people in youth group my age and they make activities with no spiritual, religious things involved so it's fun to go to. This church is filled with a bunch of old people and kids and babies. Anyways, in this class today they were separating into groups which was, laurel (age 16-17), mia maids (14-15) and beehives (12-13). The laurels were only 2 people which was me and this girl named Katie who is 16. We had one teacher in that class, but I forgot her name.

The teacher asked, 'Would you like to give us an opening prayer Fitra?'
I replied, 'I'm not a Mormon'
'You're not?'
'Yes, I'm a foreign exchange student, I'm a Muslim.'
'Okay then I'll say the opening prayer and Katie could to the closing.'

And then she taught us about the examples of Jesus Christ. I just said random things from National Ideology that Jesus is tolerance, open, blablabla. But I felt weird, she kept attacking me with question about Mormon such as,

'So you've been here for 6 months, how do you feel coming to this church?'
'Excuse me?'
'I mean, I'm not trying to do anything to you but I'm just curious, like what do you feel? For example, Katie, how do you feel when we pray and going to church?'
Katie said, 'I feel that Heavenly Father (their God or whatever) and Jesus loves me and always be with me every single time.'

Strike! I'm really in doubt of how to answer that, then she kept on asking,

'So do you feel like you find a way or something when you hear us pray?'
'Umm, well it's different.'
'Well, how about your faith? Is it like us?'
'No, I pray 5 times a day and I don't pray to Jesus.'
'Exactly, so coming here do you feel like it?'
'.........'
'I don't want to get to you but I'm just curious. You know what, I love you!'
'huh!?'
'Yes I love you, the fact that you're here wants to learn and be open like Jesus Christ. Although you don't realize it but you're being like Jesus Christ now. Open and tolerance, you know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ loves us and I'm sure He loves you too.'

In my heart I go, what the fuck? I don't want to convert, don't try and giving me tricky questions that makes me feel bad about not answering it. And she goes again,

'So yea, how do you feel?'

She and Katie kept looking at me, I wish the time went faster so I could get out of that room even quickly. And then I finally said...

'Well, it's just different. I come here for an exchange to learn new things. Coming here to church,I learn a lot of new things that I never would have think of. My home country is not as diversed as it is here. So I just took it as a subject and share it with other people although I'm not a part of it.'

I kind off babled a lot, and I do made up my answer. And she goes again,

'You know something, Heavenly Father loves you. And do you have the time?'
I smiled and said, 'No I don't have it, but I think it's already 12.'
'Perfect then, Katie, say the closing prayer.'

And I finally got out the room. I felt so pissed going to that church yesterday. Hey! I like my faith alot, I don't want to convert and I'm true to my faith. Just google Mormon if you'd like to. A little info is that they don't drink caffeine, even tea and coffee, and alchohol. They don't smoke, and they're very family based. They like having a lot of kids and live their life simple. They also have a task as a missionare when they reach a certain age, they go to other state/country and spreading the Mormon religion to people there in nice suits with bicycles. They'll come door to door with their bikes carrying the Book of Mormon. I know, it's truly odd. Furthermore, just google them.

Exchange Students

2009-01-17T20:47:00.000-08:00

So I just had my Winter get-together with the AFS LA exchange students, and we talked alot about things that had happened for the past 6 months. The thing is, that I just quite realized... that the most incredible thing that had happened to you so far is the numerous people you've met. Where the person comes from, how do they work, how do you actually get along with them. That gives me such an incredible thought because they are actually the ones that you met first. When your english was very poor, and so were theirs. When you have no friends and you're alone here, so were they. They were the ones who you might pick up as someone who got your back.

Anyways, yes I do love them alot! They are also the ones who understands what you've been through because yes, they been through quite the same as you do. Making American friends here in Southern California is actually kind off hard. Because for them, you're not interesting at all. The diversity is very high, it makes people get used to the difference. So making friends with Americans you just have to stand up and say 'Hi!' and create questions to keep the conversation going.

At the orientation today, 2 more students from Switzerland and Austria arrived for the semester program. One of my friend from Germany said, 'the Switzerland guy is really cute but his english is sooo bad.' and then my dear Italian friend said, 'well we were just like that too 6 months ago.' It's true though, and you just realized that you've been through alot this past 6 months. My Italian friend said that we have about 164 days more here in USA. For me, I'll be having more because after I leave CA I 've to go to DC. But I just can't believe that the time went extremely fast, I still have a list of places that I've to go here in LA.

Almost all of us said that we have problems here either with family or school. It's just a natural thing that you have to fit in and be 'in' the American culture. You can't expect coming here to be exactly the same and as easy as your life in your own natural country. For welcoming our new 2 students we have to pretend that we are students (American students) in a class, having them the newbies to how American class will work. Of course we all have been through it, so we know exactly how it was like. We were asking dumb questions such as, 'you live in France? cool! do you speak French?' or 'you're from Egypt right? do you live in a pyramid?' or 'you're from where? Indonesia? is it near Austria?' like we were asked 6 months ago by trully Americans. I know, their geography is terrible also their knowledge of the world. I asked the Switzerland guy ,'do you speak Switzerland?' and of course there is no such thing as the language 'Switzerland' but it was a lot of fun. They were asked alot of questions by us though, it's just funny.

So yes, the point is... being an exchange student really makes you be the better of yourself and others. You can't believe that the number of people you've met is uncountable, the experience you've been through and etc. It's definitely a recommendation for you all.

I give you some info about my chapter : http://www.afsla.org/

Independence travel

2009-01-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

My plan for today was actually going to go see "Bride Wars", but since I couldn't get a hold of my friend then I get really pissed because I'm booooreeeeeddddd...... So I just randomly talk to my turkish friend, John. He's a really unique guy if you ask me, I think people kind off misjudged him including myself. Well anyways, I talked to John about how bored I am, and then I remembered that he promised me to take me to a Zippo store to get a lighter for my beloved friend. Since he's already 18 and looks like 28, USA is not really a free country actually haha. And then he said, 'well, do you have time today? We could go now after I'm taking a shower.' He lives up in Sierra Madre where all the rich people are, I know, he's fuckin lucky. And I just found out that the school where he goes to gives him $100 every month. I was like, what the fuck?! But he's not graduating although he's a senior so I think there's some pros and cons of course.

Anyways, I bravely encouraged myself to independently travel alone, using the public transportation which I've never take alone with a hideous sense of direction. My (host)mom wouldn't ever let me travel alone especially using public transportation, they're kind off posh. So I told her that I'm going to see 2 movies at once and be back a little later. She dropped me off at the town center where the cinema is and I waited for like 5 mins then I head straight to the bus stop which is super close to the town center. I saw the 'longbeachtransit guide' and it said that there's going to be a bus at 1.53pm, I looked at the time at crap! I missed it, it's 2.00pm! So I waited like 30 mins for the next bus to come. Sadly, the bus was like 8 mins late, I told John that I'm going to meet him at Union Station LA at 2.45pm. I texted him and he replied,'I'm running late too so it's no problem.'

I got on that bus and there was a man wearing a stick with a black sunglasses came in. He said some un-nice words. I just DGAF, but this black girl started to argue back and the black guy behind her started to defend her. I was like FUCK! I was praying intensely for them not to shoot guns or whatever. My imaginations started to run wild, the man with the stick sat in front of me and I was scared as hell! He started putting his hand in his pants pocket like he was going to pull out something. I prayed to myself, 'please don't be a gun'. They were cussing intensely and the bus stopped since the bus driver got pissed and she almost call the cops. I was texting John and tell him what had happened. But then, the guy got off like 2 stops after that, it made me relieved soooo much! After that I was just looking at the roads. I got to the metro station and waited for the train to LA. I called Unet while waiting and told him what had happened. I finally got on the train. I was like already 40 mins late, I already texted John so he didn't mind waiting. Then it was time for me to switch trains, I got on it and finally get to Union Station, I took so long then John texted me, 'you're very late, are you sure you're going the right way? my girlfriend is coming soon, so if she arrives before you do we'll have to leave without you.' I felt so bad for John so I texted him,'it's okay, sorry for taking your time.' And about 10 mins after that I got to Union Station, there was no signal since it's underground so I couldn't check if John was still there or not. I walked outside and thank God! John was still there, he thought I was lost. It was 4.20pm he was waiting for almost 2 hours. I felt sooo bad for him. Soon after that his girlfriend came and we went to the Zippo store. I bought my friend this really cute I <3 LA lighter I found. The store sells only Zippo lighters, it was all soooo cute. The price is like from $15-$300! I wish I could have them all but I don't need it :p

After that I hung out with John and his girlfriend, Jameela. We went and grabbed a bite to eat and then we walked around little Tokyo a little. Jameela promised me to take me to Hollywood and see, I mean really see the parts of it. I was happy! She's really nice. It was like 6.30pm and I'm going home by public tranport myself at nightime. Hey, I don't want to be raped. So Jameela dropped me and John at Sunset Blvd and took metro from there. John was so nice, he offered himself to rode with me back to Long Beach then he rode back to Sierra Madre himself. I told him that he didn't have to do that but he insisted. He said, 'I'll ride with you after what had happened.' He was super nice. It took longer that I thought to rode back to Long Beach. He looked tired so I said, 'if you want to get out now and catch the train from here it won't be that far.' he replied,'no it;s okay.' then we sat there and talked. I actually get to know him better, he seems like the guy who drinks, smokes, hooked up with different girls every night but actually not really. Well, he does that but he reads, and judge people from their heart. We talked about things such as AFS, trips, money, religion, girls, boys, hostfamilies, families, friends, etc.

At the PCH Long Beach station he walked with me to the bus stop and I said, 'I'm okay now, thank you.' he said, 'I'll wait for you until the bus came.' He was really sweet. The bus took a while and it was at 8 something but he waited. When the bus came, I gave him a big big hug and he went back to the train. I arrived home safely at like 9.20pm, the bus stop is super close to my house so I didn't mind walking in the dark. I forgot my keys so I knocked on the door. Michelle was still running on the treadmill, I said to her that I saw 'Bride Wars' and 'The Unborn' and gave a little summary about the movie which I saw on the trailers. I felt kind off bad lying but I won't be having fun and really experience. Besides that, independece travelling is astonishing also you'll learn, again that you just have to sit there and talk with a person and then judge them.

That's the Zippo lighter I got for him, cute eh? :D

Masks

2009-01-09T23:46:00.000-08:00

Here's the question, are you wearing one?

I was offered to do an extra credit by giving photograph that decribes identity. I asked some of my friends to do it for me tonight but unfortunately they can't. Instead, we went to a party and I bought that mask. We were taking random pictures but it was pretty boring.

Back to the topic, are you wearing a mask? And if you do, will you take it off? Personally sometimes I feel like I'm wearing one. I could be a thousand people in front of any person (I think) the way I react to the is just slightly different, but I feel like I have one. I'm really not in the mood to write actually, oh well...

A good feeling

2009-01-05T21:24:00.000-08:00

♥

Last Saturday I kind off made my (host) mom pissed. I, well actually my (host) sister acidentally dyed the bathroom curtain since we were tie dyeing. So I decided to just be silent for the day and act normally. Anyways, one of my beloved friend called me at about 6pm and we talked a lot as usual. I wasn't worrying that much because I have no plans for the night and both of my parents were gone. They went to see 'Benjamin Button', I love that marvelous movie! Brad Pitt is like super hot!

Anyways, I talked on the phone and my siblings was on the computer and doing something else they like to do. My hair was really wet since I just washed my hair then, I was in a white shirt with dyed stain drops since I was tie dyeing, and my batik pajama pants. It was about 7.30pm and I was still on the phone. Someone knocks on the door, my siblings are not allowed to answer the door to people so I got out of my bed and head straight to the door with my phone and my headset on and that hideous looking. I peeked through the glass and there were my friends! Picking me up to invite me to one of my friends house. I was super happy so, my friends all went in and talked to my siblings, my friend on the phone also talked to one of my friends here and I rushed to the room, changing into jeans and chocolate turtle neck and then heading to the bathroom to blowdry my hair. I grabbed my coat and say bye to all of them in the house.

So we went straight to Megans house, and we played 'Taboo' real quick. Jaden and Kevin suddenly showed up but they left about at 9-ish, the situation got kind off awkward but we didn't mind. After that we went into Megans room and the closet and got dressed up! She have a lot of dance costumes and cool stuffs to play dress up. And then we were dancing in the tv room since it's quite spacey, plus she only lives with her brother so we turn up the music and had a little of a dance party. Also, we made a movie video and took crazy pictures. It was hillarious, one of the humorous night here so far. We sweat, danced, taking pictures and have fun there until like after midnight. My friend drove me home. I said bye to one of my friend, I hugged her and said, 'thanks for kidnapping me' and she said ,'no problem, we won't be kidnapping you if you're always on the phone' and smiled kind off evil-ish.

Today I saw my friend's myspace, the 'who I want to meet' part is different. She changed it into our picture from the party and the caption is 'My bestfriends, they know who they are'. That feels so good, have you ever feel like you're accepted that much even though you're compeletely different? It's just an amazing feeling to have and you also feel really needed and wanted and accepted after all the struggles you've done. I just love them, I like people ♥

Here are some of the pictures I got, sad that I didn't bring my camera :(

Stereotyping

2009-01-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday one of my friend whose also an exchange student from Germany message me on facebook. He just got back from New York and he's already bored so he invited me out to do something tomorrow-which is today, he called me at night and we decided that I will go to his house then we'll figure out what're we going to do.

Today my dad drove me to his house at about noon. The thing is, his host family is a gay family, so there're 3 guys living under one roof and 3 cats. I knocked on the door and rang the bell, Max-the German guy answered and I met one of his hostparents. I already knew him so we hugged and chit chat a bit. Then me and Max walked about maybe 1 mile to second st.(a street that has rows of restaurants and boutiques, etc in Long Beach) We walked passed the beach and talked a lot, he's a nice guy. So on we had sushi for lunch, it's interesting to see how Europeans eat raw fish. Most of them just hate it and he actually likes it, he also said that back in Munich he ate sushi like a pig. After sushi lunch we hung out at second st. walking from the end to the other end then we walked by the beach and spent some time there also. The beach in Long Beach is not pretty, there's plenty of oil in it because it is used for oil industry and there're a lot of helicopters but walking there is pretty fun, at least the sand is still white and clean.

Anyways, I found out that my dad couldn't pick me up so I have to get a ride. I decided to take a bus but Dale-Maxs hostparent could give me a ride home as soon as Ken-the other hostparent got home. Dale suggested that we should go see a movie at 4th st-which is a very artsy area in Long Beach while waiting. So Max and I both walked to 4th st, it was also about a mile. The area was so unique, the cinema we got into is a very old cinema, it's like what you see in the movies and it only plays 1 movie in the cinema. So we watched 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' there at 3.40pm. It was incredible! I really recommend you to see it, but it's almost 3 hours long.
When we got out the theatre it was already dark, we walked back home and when we arrived, Ken was already home. He offered me if I want to join them for dinner, I said 'sure'.

First of all it was really awkward having dinner with a gay couple and a guy and 3 cats. But turns out that they are really fun, we talked a lot and I gotta tell you they make really astonishing dinner and they're all homemade! Even the coleslaw and the bread. My (host)family mostly eat out of cans and boxes, so it is marvelous to eat homemade dishes. It was coleslaw, deep fried juice orang keppel fish, roast potatoes with cheese and some kind of dressing, and a homemade bread. Oh and the dessert was very mouth drooling, it was cube chocolate brownie with hot chocolate fudge and vanilla ice cream, they are also home made except for the ice cream.
After that we watched tv with the cats. We watched southpark and little britain-an England rated X comedy for like an hour and a half and Ken drove me home.

The thing is sometimes we always judge people by how people stereotype them. Like gays for example, you'll be scared as hell to be under a roof with them especially boys. Well it turns out they are really good people and very humble to talk with. Maybe they are just the nicer gays but I don't know but I do know that they're good people. Judge people from their hearts, first impressions do you bad. Just have a sit with them and talk for while, find your common and different things to start with. You might learn some new interesting facts about something you would never think of. Like, they said gay people can tell by eye contact to other people and tell whether they're gay or staright. For example, here there's a French boy who used to be hosted with only one man. The French guy switched family because he's having some issues with him, and Ken&Dale told us that Steve-the guy who used to host the French guy that he's actually gay. Well we don't know the truth though but it's still an interesting fact to stick it on your brain :)

Charlie the French guy, Max the German guy and me

And this is how the French guy stereotypes American teenagers

Oh-nine, welcome!

2009-01-01T22:29:00.000-08:00

So here's a little excitement on the first day of the year.

December 31st, 2008 my host-sister (as usual) woke me up in the morning. I wasn't that pissed because we were going to the snow! It's going to be my first time there so I was all excited. Then, I found out that we were going to the snow at 11.00am, I could've wake up at 9.00am and made it but oh well. We drove up with the Dobards and had a memorable 'first time seeing snow' and stunning time. And I found out that the snow is not actually that cold, I was too over-dressed :p

Here's the mountain, it's called Mt.Baldy. It's in Sounthern California of course.

So we drove back home and arrived maybe at 4.40pm. Took shower and everything clean ourselves up and get ready to go to my (host) grandma and grandpa's house to spent new years eve there. Here's the thing, my friends texted me and maybe tried to call me to invite me and asking if I needed a ride to go to a new years eve party at my friend's house. I ignored them since I thought I was going to spend new years eve at grandparents house. We ate really good Swedish dinner there and played a game that's called 7-11. It was fun! I got a lot of prizes, mostly I grabbed all the AVON stuff hehe. Anyways, at 9.40pm my (host) family were getting ready to leave home. I was so pissed! We arrived home at 10.00pm and I tried to call every single one of my friend to give me a ride to the party. They all didn't answer, at all. Michelle (my host mom) asked me if I'm going anywhere tonight I just said 'I don't think so' and I asked permission to go to the party if I'm getting a ride. They were okay with it and warn me to be home at 1.00am, because after 1.30am there'll be a lot of drunk drivers on the road plus my (host) dad also warned me about gunshots.

So I got home and still can't reach my friends, I was desperate and think 'my new years gonna be fucked!' so I called one of my friend which is also an exchange student and told her what's been happening. We talked until at 10.50pm, it ends because the signal died so I was just staring at my computer looking through facebook. After like 3 minutes of boredom, someone knocked on the door. I slide my chair and took a peek, it's Emily! I was sooo intense when I saw her, she kidnapped me from my house. I was still in my snowflakes pijama pants and a beige sweater. I changed super quick, DGAF-ing what my hair and make-up looked like. So we got in Jaden's car and go to Megans house-where the party was.

I opened the door at Megans and everyone was soo happy to see me, they were hugging and shouting my name so it made me feel really accepted. Then we danced-since it was a dance party and 30 minutes before the clock strikes midnight, Megan started out to bring out little bottles of Martinellis, pans, confetti's, fork and gave it to all of us. We counted down and hugged each other saying 'Happy New Year!' so we went out, drank our bottles and hit the pans with the forks to make some noise. My friends showed their asses to the streets and cars passing by, some of them also jumped into the truck and danced. It was really foggy, so we couldn't see fireworks but it was still fun!

They were laying on the road, and if a light approach they'll get up and run and after the car passed by, they'll lay there again lol.

It was really foggy, but you could still them acting crazy :p

After that, we had a couple songs and danced and had some fun. Then my friend gathered us up since he was giving rides to people. In the car we talked about our 2009 resolutions. I heard that Jaden wants to actually read the bible and Ally wants to get a record deal, etc. I said, 'I'll be a better person' it was so random and a bit odd but then Ally said, 'You're already awesome' it made me feel so worthy.

Well, my 2009 started out excellent. I hope the rest of the year will go impeccable as well, AMEN! :)

Hello

2009-01-01T22:27:00.000-08:00

Since it's the first day of the year I want to keep track of myself by creating a blog (again).