High Weekend

I had six weeks of vacation that started right before Christmas and other than visiting Santa Barbara, CA. for New Year's, the rest of them went by rather uneventful. Now that I'm back at work it feels like I don't have time to breathe. But that's how it goes. I will not complain, though, because last President's Day weekend was full of highs and lows, literally. It all started on Friday...

My friend Yesica was in town. She lives up north now, 430 miles away from the place we first met in 2001. It was my second year of college and she was a freshman. The blue-eyed beauty was one of my residents being that I was part of the Residence Hall staff. On our first walk to dinner together, I learned that she too was planning on joining Ballet Folklórico at the university and we built a close friendship from there. Yesica was the one who watched the relationship between Leo, also a folklórico member, and me come into existance. I spent two hours on the phone with him one late December weeknight when the adrenaline of it all took me to Yesica's dorm room down the hall. I told her I had agreed to go out with Leo and we giggled like middle school girls. The problem was that I already had a date for Saturday night. Pablo,* a cocky Cuban swimmer with mismatched ears and shaved limbs, had been pestering me to go out with him for weeks. He was cute but too short for my taste. The real deal breaker, though, was that I thought he was a player; one saw/noticed/learned many things about the residents working at the front desk. When I finally succumbed to his invitation, I clearly stated that nothing was going to happen between us. We were going to have dinner, he was going to teach me how to dance salsa, perhaps get a peck on the cheek, and bring me home. Because I didn't want to go out with Pablo in the first place, it was easy to say yes to Leo who I had been flirting with most of the quarter. I asked Yescia for ideas on how to cancel my plans with the Cuban and floated back to my room in disbelief that for the first (and last) time in my life  I had been asked out twice in one week.
 

Fast forward eleven years into the present: While Leo and I are still dating, Yesica is living up north, became a teacher, got married, got her Master's, and had a baby. When I found out she was going to be in town, I agreed to meet her at her parent's house because we didn't want to disrupt her baby's sleeping schedule. She told me there was fish for dinner and I panicked. I don't eat fish or any of its sea companions. It then hit me that it was Lent. I've never had this problem because my mom doesn't eat fish and therefore never made it. But I told myself that it wouldn't hurt to try it, especially if it was anything like the salmon I tried off another friend's plate a few months ago. I asked Yesica if there were side dishes to go with it just to make sure I would consume something but I didn't receive a response. I freaked myself out imagening a very fishy caldo and when I expressed my concern again, Yesica reassured me that the breaded and baked fish wasn't smelly at all. And she didn't lie. I ate most of it along two helpings of rice.

After filling our stomachs, we relaxed as we chatted for the next four hours since we hadn't seen each other since August. Eventually, Yesica changed her baby into her PJ's while I erased pictures in my camera to make room for new memories. Next thing I knew, Yesica had put her baby down and it was too late to capture my friend and her offspring. I wanted to kick myself for not having taken a picture with them but decided to travel further down memory lane by sharing an old photograph of us instead.

Yesica and me, 2002, outside a club, I hope.

The following morning, Leo and I were en route to L.A. My sister Jackie had also flown in  from Nor Cal to watch P!NK at the Staples Center with me. I bought the tickets in October with the intention of having the sissy and BF act as my posse.

I warned Jackie and Leo weeks before the event that it might be an emotional concert for me. P!NK's latest album, "The Truth About Love," hit very close to home. I've been a huge fan of hers since she came out with "M!ssundaztood" and I resonate with a lot of her songs like Mean, Misery, Leave Me Alone, and Who Knew. I even plan on using one of her songs for my first dance if I ever marry, but I will not disclose that title. Her new songs, especially Try, Just Give Me a Reason, and Is This Thing On, validate my feelings when times are tough. Just knowing that Miss Alecia Moore has had her share of ups and downs when it comes to all aspects of the word LOVE keeps me motivated to bear, tolearate, and remain hopeful for my future.

This was my second time catching P!NK at the Staples Center. She wasn't able to perform all the acrobatic stunts in the program last time because she had pulled or strained a muscle. But all was fair game two Saturdays ago. P!NK has an awesome voice and body. Two days before the concert, Jackie texted me. She said she was listening to the new songs. She admitted that she too might shed a tear during the performance but not because she necessarily related to them but because P!NK was "just that good." If that's not a rave review, I don't know what is.

My idol, P!NK

Me, imitating her make-up and expression

Me and Jackie trying to replicate P!NK but Jackie's says something more like, "Come hither."

It isn't a P!NK concert without a touch of pink.

 

On the patio eating hot dogs after attempts at El Cholo and The Yard House failed.

Nosebleed seats. I was willing to pay lots of money for good seats but they sold out on day two of the presale, the same day I was forced to buy these. Good thing I have an awesome camera.

Ready for the show!



Doin' the "sprinkler."

Singing with so much passion.

Jackie wants those abs.

She spent half of the show in the air and yes, she was singing live.

A true gymnast.

Singing "Just Give Me a Reason." I lost it in the end. Leo handed me hot dog napkins to wipe my tears with. Go cry for yourself below as you indulge in her delectable husband:





Yummy live scene from the video "Try." Watch it here:

My favorite pic. Jackie also wants those thighs. So do I.

I teared up when she sang "Family Portrait."

I think she was singing "Who Knew" here.

She went old school and sang a mix from her first album "Can't Take Me Home." Check out the shoes, Sophia.

Performing one of my faves, "There You Go."

She's the real Tinkerbell!

P!NK flew high over the Staples Center.

People reached out for her and took pics.

This is Leo's favorite shot.

Performing "Glitter," right before she was up in the air again. This one made my lip quiver.

Los callejones.

Don't think, just buy.

Since Jackie spent three times the amount on her flight than I did on her P!NK entrance, I wanted to maximize our Sunday with the family to make her weekend get-away worth her money. My initial plan was to drive to Old Town San Diego. Last year we didn't have time to make the stop on our way back from the Gaslamp District and Seaport Village when we visited in April for my dad's birthday. But since we got up late, the three hour round-trip didn't seem convenient anymore. So I scanned a daily newspaper in Spanish, Hoy, run by The Los Angeles Times and found a free event in Long Beach at MOLAA, the Museum of Latin American Art. There was going to be live entertainment like dancing and music, food trucks, and of course, exhibits. Once me, Jackie, and Leo agreed on this outing, I  shipped Jackie to the shower. By 2:30pm, we were all finally ready to head out. Except that now it seemed too late to go to the museum also since it closed at 5pm. So we spent about thirty minutes searching the web for something we could do close by and I don't know how, but we ended up in the Downtown Los Angeles' fashion district. The last thing I wanted to do was shop. I had shopped for a month searching for the perfect outfit for the concert and I didn't want to waste any more time and money. Yet, there I was, dodging people from all walks of life in the swap meet-like atmosphere. I blamed Leo for the destination and he asked me to just be happy. After considering it, I changed my attitude since Jackie seemed not to mind at all. She ended up finding a blouse and a couple of fashion rings.

But choosing a place to visit wasn't the hardest task of the day. Agreeing on dinner is always the most complicated ordeal for my family. I wish my dad would just surprise us by taking us somewhere nice and different instead of insisting on telling him where to go. My mom never offers opinions either, yet is quick to oppose our suggestions. We sat in my dad's van for another half an hour while Jackie and Leo searched for local eateries on their phones until the batteries died. My mom actually spoke up when she said she didn't want to try any more of Jackie's ethnic food favorites, like pho or Thai, where the only thing she tasted was white rice. This prompted Leo to search for a Korean place.  When he said the word bulgogi, I lost it. I had been so disappointed with the turn of events of that Sunday that in my weakened state I said, "Bulgogi pho thai," to lift my own spirits and laughed so hard that it if felt I had done 100 crunches.

 

After Jackie quit looking for restaurants, my dad spoke up. He mentioned a restaurant called El Pescador and that's where we headed.

This image tells the story of my family.

Jackie's not pretending- I witnessed her finishing off other people's drinks when we were in college.

Jackie and me.



Jackie and me again, without salt.

The waitress told us to ring the button when we were ready to order. I don't think it worked since Jackie rang it three times before we saw her again.

Because my strawberry margarita was so good and only $5.50, I ordered a second one before I even finished the first one.



Thirty minutes later. Ugh. I'm gassy just thinking about it.

 

Leo and I left L.A. around 8:30pm because we were going to be up before the sun on Monday. It was going to be my friend Maria's 31st birthday and we were going to partake in an adventure with her: we were going to ride a hot air balloon over the Coachella Valley!

 

The ride was going to start at surise. Since we live an hour from the departure site, I was up at 3am. I had warned my other friend Susanna the day before that we were going to pick her up by 5am so we could make good time. And everything ran as scheduled. There was dense fog driving to Susanna's but it dissipated once we got on the freeway.

 

Choosing to take part in such an activity with Maria wasn't an easy decision. It's an expensive experience, $150 per person. When Maria shared this information, my automatic response was no. I had dentist and car bills piling up. Plus I wanted to start shopping for a house. If I kept digging into my savings I might never have a place to call my own. But I thought about it. Riding a hot air balloon was something I had considered doing, in contrast to jumping off a place like my sister. Maria's invitation was perfect because I knew I would never go forward with such a plan on my own. Maria and Susanna told me YOLO, which took me a while to figure out, but I knew it was meant to be when a sweatshirt in the alleys of downtown L.A. had the same logo: You Only Live Once.

 

The time of the event was another put off but I told myself that it would be worth the experience. As Leo drove to Palm Desert, I stared at the dark sky imagining the hot air balloon floating up above, with nothing but hot air holding it up and I scared myself. I don't fear heights, just dips and falls, which is why I don't ride roller coasters. So I shook thoughts of the balloon crashing down away like an Etch-A-Sketch  and tried to stay calm, focusing on the sun rays coming up.

 

We arrived at Palm Desert at 6am. The Balloons Above company workers drove us, Maria's family, and another family in town from central California to the departure site. Susanna and I joked that the drivers were going to kidnap us since the van we rode in had no windows. But when we got off, the view was spectacular. Our balloon was inflated half-way. We were told that once it was upright, we'd have to jump in before it took off without us. Everything happened so fast that we didn't have time to think twice about hopping on board. Me, Leo, and Susanna jumped in while Maria and her husband carried their two children into the basket despite the little boys' cries. We posed for a couple of pictures and before we knew it, we were floating 3,000 feet in the air.



This was our sight when we got off the van at the undesignated area.

6:30am never looked better!

Happy Birthday, amiga!

Right before take-off. (Photo: facebook.com/ballonsaboveinfo)

Up in the air, 3,000 feet.

Another balloon over the desert.

Totally worth the early morning wake-up call.

 

Como dijo Maria, this was the best Valentine's Day/Birthday/Anniversary present. Congratulations!

Who designs these neighborhoods?



You wanted one of us in the balloon, Jackie, here you go (Photo: Maria's new camera)

Las tres mosqueteras (Photo: Maria)

The other family rode in this balloon. Bee-you-tee-full!

Flame shot.

Sunrise.

Sigh.

Perfect fields.

Skeleton houses.

BFF's!

Our "captain" pointed out the crooked roads due to earthquakes.

Our shadow!

The landing. Folks on the ground grabbed our basket...

...and floated us over across the road where we touched ground.

The birthday girl parking our balloon.

 



The traditional champagne toast turned into three mimosas at 8:30 in the morning.

Leo told her to do that.

Group pic, courtesy of Balloons Above.

Bday girl and her commemorative glass!





I thought I was going to cross off Hot Air Balloon Ride from my bucket list but I didn't.  I loved it so much that I wanted to do it year after year. I even thought, Wouldn't it be great to get engaged up there? That was until this morning when I heard that nineteen tourists died in Egypt when their balloon exploded. I shouldn't panic over what could have happened--I have to be thankful for our perfect ride thanks to our experienced pilot who calmed our nerves and helped us ride care-free for over an hour. It does sadden me, however, that that group of people wasn't able to enjoy their flight as much as we did. It was relaxing taking in the views as far as the Salton Sea and Big Bear. Maybe I'm not ready to scratch it off completely just yet...
 

After the main event, we gathered at IHOP to continue Maria's birthday celebration. Susanna and I were the happiest we've probably ever been at 9am, but who wouldn't be after champagne for breakfast. The giddiness wore off with the consumption of food which was followed by a food coma on the drive home.

 

I cannot, will not, complain about having to work ever again as long as every weekend is filled with new experiences and people that I love as this one was.

 

*Name has not been changed

Stranded at Camp David

Super Bowl Sunday started like any other Sunday. Actually, it was better because it was sunny in comparison to gloomy Saturday and I felt inclined to take a walk outdoors. But I didn't have time for a stroll because I needed to go to Stater Bros. to buy Lean Cuisine meals to have for lunch at work. I asked Leo if he was willing to walk the long block to the super market with me and he was. I retrieved my large reusable bags from my car and off we went. Sixteen boxes of frozen lunches, other random groceries, and forty-six dollars later, we were on our way back home all in an hour's time.

 

Then we agreed to get ready for mass at 12:30pm. As I did, I called my high school friend and wished her a happy birthday. A while later, we were at church ten minutes early although finding parking had been a pain. After finding a spot a block away, we were sent to an adjacent meeting room with a projector screen because the shrine was full. Mass was running on Mexican time and started fifteen minutes late. Throughout the hour, I craned my neck towards the nearest speaker when children whined and cried and ignoring them didn't work. By 1:30pm we were anxious to leave since we had agreed to meet my friend Sophia at her house at 2:30pm. I started losing my patience when mass wasn't over still at 1:45pm since we had a thirty-five minute drive ahead of us. I asked Leo if we should leave in the middle of the closing announcements and he said yes. I told him God would send us to hell if we did. He said we'd head out if a fifth person had something to say and when she did, we rudely got up with our heads bowed down in shame and walked towards the exit. Leo redeemed himself by helping the folklórico group sitting in the patio with their fundraiser by paying two dollars for a tiny bag of Ricachones they were selling for $1. As we headed toward the car, I reminded him that we hadn't crossed ourselves on our way out. He did so right then and there on the street and told me to do the same. Laughing with embarrassment, I started to but noticed a family in a van staring at us so I stopped. I told Leo that the people were going to think that we were stupid but he insisted I cross myself since we were still walking next to the church. I followed orders as soon as we walked past the van.

At 2:20pm we were finally heading in the direction of Big Bear where my friend Sophia lives. I was consumed with a rush of giddiness thinking about the fun we were about to have. At 3pm, we arrived to Camp David, the name of the cabin, just in time for the game.

I found pure cuteness in that house!

E! channel was in the background while Sophia, her boyfriend, Leo, and I caught up at the island in the kitchen. We were so busy talking that we remembered that the Super Bowl was on just before Alicia Keys cranked out the National Anthem. That's when I loaded up my paper plate with pizza and salad, you know, to balance things out, and Sophia and I took our seats to judge the singer. We agreed that Alicia can sing but cannot always hit her own notes. I personally think she chickened out on the last line of the song and played it safe but did good overall. Since neither one of us cared for the game, Sophia and I retraced our steps back to the kitchen and I stuffed myself over and over again with salad, Doritos galore, Pepsi, and the won tons Sophia had finished frying when we arrived. 

We all congregated around the television to watch the half time show because Sophia is Beyonce's number one fan. I believe this performance was the basis for throwing the party. At first, Sophia couldn't decipher the lights on the screen in the shape of Beyonce's profile. She suggested flowers would have been more creative and I added, "less self-absorbed." Sophia waited for the live rendition of "Countdown" while I hoped to dance in my seat to "Run The World." Instead, we saw speculations of Destiny's Child making an appearance come true as two girls shot up from the ground. But at Camp David, we remained unenthused. The Beyonce-centered show continued with five Beyonces on the stage-- Blue Ivy's mother, two fake ones, and two digital ones-- leaving us dumbfounded as we figured out which one was the real star. Because Sophia was the first one to criticize her idol, I felt comfortable enough to say (without risking our friendship) that I hated the song "Halo" and thought P!NK would've done a better job. Sophia concluded that the show had been a mini-concert rather than a Super Bowl celebration and we all proceeded to reminisce last year's Madonna half-time show instead.  

Immediately following the underwhelming, much anticipated show, Sophia summoned me to the loft where I have modeled vintage clothing for her Etsy shop before (http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaSophia). She made out like a bandit at a thrift store last Friday and wanted to give me a clubbing dress and a teacher one that she bought for half off each. After realizing that one of the zippers had to be fixed, we joined the boys once more.

Sophia and I entertained ourselves with her Ipad while the guys made "oohs!" and "ahhs!" at the plays on TV. Leo was going for the Ravens because of some high school drama with the 49ers' quarter back. Sophia's beau rooted for the red and gold because he's from up north, I think. After the lights came back following the thirty minute black-out, we thought the niners had rigged the game somehow when they started catching up. But the best team won in the end.

The Ravens were declared the winners around 7:30pm. That's when we all gathered around the food again. We were talking and munching when Sophia's mom called at 8:15pm, the same time Leo and I were getting ready to leave. She said the road was blocked and couldn't come home. She asked that we watch the news to find out what was happening. I didn't think there would be any information being that we were far too inland for the metropolitan local stations. But I was wrong. A tour bus had collided with at least one car and rolled over, blocking highway 38. There were thirty-nine passengers and several of them were dead.

 

My initial thought was, Damn, we're going to get home really late. Monday was supposed to be my first day back at work after my extra-long holiday break. I had been preparing by trying to sleep early the week before and waking up earlier than I had become accustomed to. 

 

I asked Sophia if I could borrow her house phone since I had no cell reception. I had told my mom I was going to go to the cabin and knowing that she'd watch the breaking news before going to sleep, I wanted to let her know that I wasn't in any danger. Sophia called her mom back and told her it was best for her to stay at an aunt's house nearby.

 

We sat around the television watching the horrific helicopter shots. The bus was blocking the entire highway and debris was scattered probably hundreds of feet in circumference. Initial reports claimed someone had cut off the bus driver which prompted an infuriating discussion in the cabin. Driving in the mountains takes patience and calculation but a lot of people don't think that curves or speed need to be considered or respected in these areas more so than on freeways. We have all experienced tailgating that can make us believe for a second that we are actually towing the vehicle behind us in that stretch. I recounted how I had the road all to myself that afternoon starting at the intersection where the accident was currently making news. Those had been the most relaxing couple of miles I had ever driven through highway 38. I had driven at my own pace enjoying the views without anybody swerving behind me trying to get me to pull over to let them pass.

 

We were really shaken up thinking that it could have been any of us four colliding with the bus. Leo and I had just driven up. Sophia's boyfriend had picked up the pizza before us. And her mom was out running errands. We were definitely creeped out for a bit.

 

The reporter said that it might take up to 24 hours to reopen the highway. Leo and I shot looks at each other while Sophia and her man laughed at us. How were we supposed to get to work the next day? How were my students going to survive without materials of any kind? I would have to sleep with my contacts which the doctor warned me against along with swimming or showering, or what I call the three s's.

 

Sophia was the first one to declare a sleep over. Leo and I had no choice but to let the idea sink in. I suggested going up and around the mountain as a final option but heard grumbles of it taking fours hours. Leo got up and emailed his business partner that he wasn't going to be in on Monday. I followed by requesting a sub, promising myself that I would check the conditions early in the morning before succumbing to an extra day of vacation.

 

Sophia asked us if we wanted to drive to the scene of the accident since the street wasn't blocked off from the highway. But we had just seen yellow tarps covering the deceased bodies on TV and agreed that we didn't want to be the first ones to discover new ones before the authorities did. But this didn't stop Sophia and me from getting in her car and driving to the highway to see if we could catch a glimpse of lights and sirens. I told the guys to come and find us if we weren't back in thirty minutes  but Sophia quickly changed that to fifteen. As we bundled for the walk to the car, I asked her if bears still roamed the cabin and she said yes. We entered her car and Sophia admitted that she was a little scared. I buckled my seat belt and told her to do the same so we wouldn't be emitted from the car in case we fell off the embankment. She drove up the pitch black road to the highway and snapped at me for being too quiet. My mind was busy with thoughts of work, or lack of, the next day. We saw more darkness when we reached the highway and after a three-point turn, headed back to Camp David.

Forced to spend the night. How terrible.  

Sophia gave me some sweats to change into and the guys grabbed more beers. Meanwhile, Sophia prepared a vodka sunrise to calm me, I'm sure. But I didn't finish it. Not only was I bloated from so much food, but I was consumed by the shakes due to the cold and my rattled nerves. There was no room for a single drink.

 

Around 11:30pm, Leo started dying on me. It was obvious he was coming down with something and I suggested we go to sleep. Sophia grabbed some blankets for us and accommodated us in her mom's room. Although my eyes were burning, I couldn't fall asleep because my mind was running wild. I made a mental note to buy extra cases for my contacts and travel-sized solutions to keep in my cars just in case I was ever stranded again. I had slept in them once after an impromptu sleepover at my friend Maria's house so I knew I'd be fine. I surprised myself when I woke up at 2:19am and could actually read the time on the cable box across the room. It was wonderful to see without reaching for my glasses but I was even more happy for having slept a little bit. It took me about an hour to fall back asleep before I was up again at 6:29am. I woke Leo when I asked him for the remote. It was bitter-sweet when I heard the reporter say that the road was closed indefinitely. I told myself that I'd call the school at 8am to leave instructions and attempted a second round of sleep. 

 

But I failed miserably. I felt like I had been up for 24 hours. At 8am, I went to the office on the other side of the cabin and emailed and called the secretary at the school. I also dialed my mother from Sophia's house phone because I knew she would've called me already since it was around the time I headed to work. Then I went back to the bedroom and surprisingly took a nap.

 

We were all up and about after 9am. The cabin smelled of coffee and Sophia's boyfriend was making waffles. One of the ideas that kept me awake that night was the ability for me and Sophia to walk to the site of the accident and back in the morning to get a work out while her man and Leo worked out in the garage. But we decided that we'd walk off  the waffles together and leave them on the highway.



Empty Hwy 38. Rare. I still feel the burn in my calves.

We came across one of Sophia's neighbors at the beginning of our stroll and he claimed that the accident had happened in front of him. Sophia asked how he'd gotten home and he said he had driven up to Big Bear and down again. Knowing that was our only option, I inquired about the travel time although according to Google, it would take two hours. His estimation was 100 miles but the detail that frightened me the most was that the road had been icy. It was then that I was sure I had made the right decision by spending the night.
 



"Can you feel it," Sophia asked of the climb.





So cool.

The "blocked" road towards the scene of the accident.

Sophia took us to the creek.

By 1pm, we were back in the cabin. Leo and I grabbed our stuff and headed out but not before warning Sophia that we might be back if for some reason they didn't let us out the closure heading to Big Bear. I only had a quarter of a tank of gas which would have easily gotten us home but would now have to fill up when we got to the top.
 

It took us an hour to get to Big Bear. I filled up and finally got a hold of my mom since it was the first time in 22 hours that my phone showed any reception bars. After describing the situation, she told me not to visit Sophia anymore because that road was too dangerous. If that were the case, I'd be off limits from visiting her in L.A. too.

After passing a local Mexican restaurant favorite of ours, Sonora Cantina, Leo and I made a quick stop at McDonald's; neither one of us was in the right mindset for a margarita. I chewed on Chicken McNuggets while Leo chomped on a Big Mac as we watched updates about an abducted boy and a young boyfriend-killer on trial on the flat screen. I also overheard two guests discussing their version of their stranded night before hitting the road again.

Although he claimed to be feeling better after our meal, Leo held on for dear life until we were out of view of that mountain. During one stretch of straight highway, I looked at him and he was holding on to the handle on the roof of the car with his right hand and to his stomach with the other. He said he couldn't stand his headache anymore and breathed in a very calculated manner. I recommended he do it like Becky Katsopolis on Full House while delivering her twins--hoo hoo hee, hoo hoo hee--but he said that he wasn't pregnant. I said, Maybe not with a child but with something else you are. He begged me to drive at the posted speed limit, that's how sick he was since he usually wishes that I stepped on it a little more. But just as I was gaining speed after passing a 45 or 55mph sign, a 35 or 20mph one appeared within a quarter mile, forcing me to slow down quickly and take sharp turns.

I tried talking to him to distract him but it didn't work. If I told him to check out the snow on the mountain side, he would get dizzy. It was a good thing we spotted the frozen lake right after lunch because he was able to catch that view. I only drove over a short patch of ice and realized that I was the luckiest person in the world right then and there. I cringe at the idea of driving in the snow yet there I was, smack in the middle of winter forced to drive through Big Bear. Luckily, the storm had taken place a week before making for dry roads as if it were summer.

SUV blocking my beauty shot.

When I was on the freeway passing the entrance I use to get home from work, I noticed that it was 3:51pm, the exact time I would be heading home had I actually worked. I considered stopping by to prepare some things for the next day but then I remembered that I wanted nothing more than to yank my contacts out. I feared a torn cornea like my cousin suffered last year or an infection. So I let go of the idea and got caught in the normal traffic but at least Leo was feeling better. We arrived at my apartment slightly after 4pm and I was glad that my favorite unassigned parking spot was waiting for me. I told Leo then, Everything is perfect. Things always turn out the way they are supposed to.