October 4, 2011 * Day 15

Our flight from Georgia to Los Angeles was a little delayed. It was just 1-hour flight so it was shorter compared to the other flights we have had. Ate Carla was the one who picked us up at the airport. She also drover her aunt to the airport so our flight was just in time for her to pick us up. She was really too kind to be able to do this for us. We love her too much for it!

We were waiting for Ate Carla in the waiting area under the "D"s. I saw her as she passed us. She was driving really fast! Hehehe. Then we texted her right away that she just passed us by. So she had to go around again and this time, we were able to see each other. We catched up a lot in the car though we were also texting non-stop since we parted last September. Many things have changed but still, we were all in this together, staying strong. C'mon!

The Mortero family were picking us up at Ate Carla's apartment around 9PM. So we stopped by Ate Carla's house first to get some of our stuff we left behind. We packed and repacked our things and waited for the Mortero family to arrive. 

I FINALLY GOT MY HANDS ON THE SWITCHFOOT PACKAGES!!! I was so shocked to finally see the packages Switchfoot/Bandfarm has sent me. They have delivered the packages last September 23, 2011 (Wow! At this time, I was spending my 23 with Eloise around Chicago and having a blast). I was holding the whole box in my arm with a backpack on my back and a rollers on my other hand when I made my way out on the streets with Ate Carla and Mom. We were definitely packed.

I super love my FOTF number!

A few minutes later, Tita Cynthia (my ninang), Tito Bong and their son Paul came. They helped us tuck in our bags in their car and we hugged Ate Carla a sweet goodbye. I am feeling a little sad to leave her behind in their apartment alone but I was also looking forward to see her again. I was really hoping she would be my companion in the upcoming Switchfoot concert I'm going to attend in.

The Mortero family was super duper nice. They brought us to Denny's to grab something for dinner. Then we went to their homey home. I was definitely being shy because this was our first meeting time. Last May, Mom and Dad were also very thankful for their last visit in their house. I was happy to know that their children Esther, Paul, Sarah, and Grace were close to my age and very welcoming.

My fear too.

Mom and I slept at Esther's room. When I was unpacking some of my stuff, I decided to open the package Switchfoot has sent me. I finally had the chance to open it! I was totally being a kid unwrapping Christmas presents. I felt like I was having an early Christmas and Switchfoot was the Santa Claus. I couldn't imagine I would be this happy!

I listened to Vice Verses until 2AM. <3

October 5, 2011 * Day 16

Because of staying up late last night, I woke up late today. Again, I surfed the internet for awhile then listened to Vice Verses once again. Mom, Paul, and Esther went out to go to the bank. I haven't eaten breakfast at this time because I didn't know what to do. "Do I just have to go down and eat? Will there be someone eating downstairs too?" were some questions going on in my head. But after several minutes, I went down to eat by myself.
Despite the rain, Esther and Tita Cynthia brought us to JC Penny today. We were geared to shop! Because we were running out of clothes, we bought a bunch for ourselves and for pasalubongs at Charlotte Russe. Gosh, this store rocks! Mom and I went gaga over the style of the clothes and accessories. They were completely for the girly girls! And they weren't that expensive as well. After shopping which seemed like eternity, we went to JC Penny department store wherein I saw some cute flannel shirts for my brothers. We decided to come back for them.

Mom wanted to buy something for the home so we went to JC Penny Home. It was just across the street so we just drove there. It was a little drizzling outside but it stopped eventually. She found an automatic vacuum cleaner for a very low price. It was totally a bargain! It was going to ship to Tita Cynthia's address within a week. 
We went around for awhile and fell inlove with the designs of the curtains and bedsheets. I was inspired to decorate my own future home. Yiiii! 

Going home to rest was our next itinerary. We prepared for a dinner out in the evening with the rest of the family: Tito Bong, Paul, Sarah, Grace, and Dada (grandmother). We dined at Hot Pot wherein we cooked the food that we picked out on a grilling stove. There were two stoves so we had two groups on each side of the table. It was a fun night! The foods were absolutely delicious. especially the green mango with spicy salt that I kept on eating as a dessert. ;)

We, the older kids, with Mom went to West Coast and window-shopped. The Forever 21 store here was so beautiful! I could die of the endless racks of clothes. At the shoe section, I found this very cute leopard doll shoes but there was no price tag. So Esther and I had to ask at the counter for the price. I said I wouldn't buy it anymore because I am still not sure if Mom would allow me to. But Esther paid for the leopard doll shoes!!! I insisted not to buy but she was persistent. I just thanked her wholeheartedly and promised to help her with her clothes so that she can sell it in the Philippines. She was too kind!