A Day of Ronald’s Life - May 25, 2012

Getting Up and About

It was 9:43 AM when I woke up today. Well-rested unlike my other Senior brothers who had just come back from Grad Night a couple of hours ago. I was still feeling groggy. As the sun pierce through my window, I was able to recover from my daze. I looked at my side, my phone rang. A text received, multiple texts received. I realized that I told my girlfriend that I’d wake up as early as I could. A disappointment on my part. But I wouldn’t disappoint her anymore. I’d read the Hunger Games and finish it as I promised. I managed to find the book after I had forced myself out of bed. I began to read. I’d warm myself some OK Chinese leftovers and I was set. Home alone wasn’t so exciting. The only things that I could have done between the time I woke up to the time I saw my girlfriend were read, play video games, and sleep. I ended up doing a little bit of reading, video game playing, and sleeping added with the texting of my girlfriend. I had to find a way to kill time. I missed my girlfriend a whole lot and was anxious to see her today. I finally received a reply from my girlfriend as I left to pick up my brother from school. The day seemed to go by pretty fast. Then comes the next part.

Hope Dinner and My Girlfriend

As soon as I knew that my girlfriend was getting ready and would be on her way to our usual Friday community service, known as Hope Dinner, I found myself taking a quick shower and dressing up appropriately for the occasion. I ended up arriving at the location at 3 PM, but waited in my car for 30 minutes as I waited for my girlfriend to come. I finished reading the Hunger Games as I was anticipating the arrival of Catching Fire from my girlfriend. It ended up being too hot in my car and I decided to go into the dining hall to set up tables, chairs, and tableware. It was cool as the AC was on; however, I did start to sweat. I was worrying about my girlfriend about half an hour into fixing the tables, I texted her and I was reassured to have the reply that she was on her way. She looked absolutely lovely today, her outfit, her face, the ring that was around her finger, and her eyes seemed to glow today. We hugged and talked and went about our usual business at Hope Dinner. We always end up making each other smile, laugh, and happy. It’s always nice to be around her and it’s amazing how we share the same love to serve others by feeding the homeless. Our bond has grown more and more every Friday. Luckily, our time together did not end at Hope Dinner, but continued after as we made our way to Corner Pizzeria. It has been a few weeks since we’ve eaten at Corner. It is usually our Friday date spot. Nothing much has changed in the restaurant; however, we did notice that our waitress, whom we were served by countless times, seemed a little bit stressed and uneasy. We got our order of french fries, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and a slice of pepperoni pizza with Coca Cola. We were full by the end of our meal, we talked about how long we’ve been together and about our physical features. We ended up taking a nice stroll outside on our way to the spot where her grandma would pick her up. We discovered that there is a lost dragon wandering around Eagle Rock, which was hilarious as we saw a a drawing of it posted on a store window. We sat down, talked some more, took pictures, it was beautiful. I just love being around her. I am grateful to spend so much time with her. I want to just be with her as much as I can until I have to leave for LMU. At that point, I won’t be able to see her as much or talk to her as much, but I know that we’ll get through and end up being together until the end of our lives. Anyway, I now spend my time on Facebook and Skyping with my girlfriend. We were having a poke war where she’d win. I wait patiently now as she has left our Skype chat to do something. I hope everything is okay. I love her.

Note to Self:

Get productive. Find a job. Do something this summer to keep yourself occupied. Your girlfriend is getting her stuff together. Stop being lazy. Start networking. 

January 4, 2012

Today is January 4, 2012 as stated above. 

How did my day start off? My mom woke me up early in the morning. I don’t know if it is considered early for most people. But I woke up around 6 AM. I took a shower, I brushed my teeth, I got all dressed up in shirt and tie. First day of the Senior Service Project for my school, Loyola. 

I drove alone. I was expecting to carpool with a friend, but he overslept and I obviously did not wait for him to get ready (Don’t worry, he made it in time). It was a quiet drive except for the radio tuned to 105.9 FM. The highways and roads were practically clear, not that much traffic today surprisingly. I arrived at school safe and sound. 

It felt surreal getting out of my car and walking on campus for the first time this year. I had time to reflect by myself while sitting on one of the planters and eating a bacon burrito with chocolate milk as a drink. I knew that after this day, I’d be off again to immerse myself in my service site that is St. Ignatius School in Highland Park. I don’t expect much because I wouldn’t want to lose the “creature.” I just hope that I’ll be a role model to the youth of St. Ignatius. Other than reflecting about what lies in the near future, I found myself thinking about how I’d be leaving Loyola very soon in order to attend a college/university (hopefully). I don’t know what lies ahead, but I’m hoping for the best (doesn’t everyone hope for the best?). 

When all the seniors were gathered in Xavier Center for the Opening Ceremony, I discovered who was in my reflection group, and we were all able to share a little bit about where we are serving at. We heard testimonials from the principal and alumni/teachers who explained their experience with the service project. We had mass led by Father Santarosa of the Jesuits from Dolores Mission. He was very enlightening. After mass we had a snack, a terrible snack - saran wrapped sandwiches are no bueno. The group was divided and we were sent to Virtus training, which ended up to be longer than it was supposed to be because of immature egotistic snobs. Then we were all sent off to spend the rest of our days doing whatever we wanted.

As I arrived home, I was able to text my girlfriend while I watched my brother play MW3. I missed my girlfriend so much. I was happy to know that I’d be seeing her later today for a confirmation meeting (and she’d buy me boba, I will add). I ended up going to the tennis courts to rally with my father for an hour or so, and I let my girlfriend know in advance that I would. She’s so understanding, but I was worried about her because she’s having issues with a friend-turned-enemy. 

I was able to shower, get dressed, and eat dinner before going to confirmation. I wore the jacket that my girlfriend gave me, a white shirt, black corduroys, and some Nikes. I was ready for the first day of Confirmation class of 2012. It was an interesting class led by an amazing individual. I like the style of his talks compared to others (I’m not hating on any of the adult leaders). After class, I was able to talk to my girlfriend personally and listen in on a conversation between her and her friend. She gave me boba before she left, and I waited with my brother to get picked up by my father.

This day is really loaded with events that may seem typical to others, but they, the events, are special to me. I write these posts as journal entries. I want to be able to look back at these posts in order to get in touch with the memories I will have making this year. 

I want to add that I wrote this post while on the phone with my girlfriend. Although, there was silence between the two of us, I still felt as though she were right next to me, never straying away from me. However, my girlfriend needs her rest, so now she is sleeping; hopefully, she’s having sweet dreams, but I reminded her that I’d be here if she were to wake up from a nightmare. She’s the best honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without her. I always thought that I’d be forever alone until I met her. Anyway, Goodnight, my peeps and whoever reads this. Big day tomorrow. 

January 3, 2012

So I promised myself that I’d continue posting about my day each and every day for this year. Well, here it goes.

I woke up early today, 8 AM. That’s kind of early being that it’s winter break and all. It doesn’t feel like winter at all though except for when it’s the evening. It was sunny out. The sun was burning high in the sky. I didn’t think there’d be snow on Mt. Baldy by the time we’d arrive (we being my father, brother, and I).

After scaling the cliffs in our van and taking the ski lift, we made it to the lodge. I saw more dirt than snow, but there was enough snow to snowboard on the beginner slope. Disappointed. But I had to make due with what I had. Either way, I had to touch up on my skills. I haven’t went snowboarding in 2 years. I wanted to see what I remembered.

Even after many falls and tumbles, I managed to get myself back up and continue on riding down the slope. I practiced my turns, breaking, and speeding up. I remembered everything. I felt as though I can take on any slope. I don’t know, maybe not… I need more practice. I just feel confidence (or over-confidence) in my abilities.

After snowboarding, eating lunch, and returning the rented boards, I was on my way home. I missed my wifey so much the whole time. She was in school for most of the day and I was glad to start our texting conversation on my car ride home. Our conversation would last until the evening, it lasted for hours. Even when we’re not saying anything to each other on the phone, I still feel a sense of closeness with her. Our conversation was ended when we both fell asleep around 11ish.

I’d wake up from a nightmare shortly after sleeping. I texted my wifey instinctively to tell her about my nightmare and even though I woke her up from here sweet dream, she’d still comfort me. She said this lullaby to me thru text:

“Rock a by, hubby. On his bed top. When the moon smiles, his nightmares will stop.
When the sun rises, the stars will fall. And good things will come, smiles and all.”

I thought it was the sweetest thing she’d done for me coming out of a nightmare.

Well, time to sleep, big day tomorrow (tomorrow starts when I wake up). Goodnight, peeps.