Cramp of the Century

I am always proud to brag about my high tolerance for pain. I'm usually the one to tell people to "suck it up" or "it doesn't sound that bad". But this morning when I woke up, I had the world's worst leg cramp. I'd never had leg cramps before being pregnant, so I wonder why I get them so frequently now. But this morning was the worst. It was my usual routine: after Anthony gets out of the shower, he wakes me up so I can take my shower. I cry for a little bit (I absolutely hate waking up early in the morning), then realize that I can stall no longer, so I stretch and get up. But this time, the cramp from demon-land stopped me. It was like someone was pulling my leg muscle with all their strength and as the seconds went by, the pain worsened. I started sweating and tears started forming. Anthony tried to help by stretching my foot and massaging my calf, but nothing was working. Finally it went away, but with the pain subsiding came a realization:

If I can't even survive a leg cramp, how the hell am I going to go through labor pains?

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I feel the earth move under my feet. I feel the sky tumbling down.

Never has Carole King's song ring more true than it did today!

An earthquake rumbled across the Southern California today registering 5.4 on the Richter scale. The shaker was centered in Chino hills, about 20 miles from Rancho Cucamonga. Although it wasn't the biggest rocker in history, Kate Hutton (seismologist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California) dreams about days like these.

Annie was at work in Universal and felt the tremble of her building hard enough for her to wonder if she should get under her desk or not. She didn't, but if needed, she was prepared. Sure the emergency disaster team was nowhere to be found until one man made a quick walk through to ask if everyone was ok. Sure people in her building were getting conflicting reports whether to evacuate or not. Rest assure, Universal Studios is on top of things. On a side note, Ziggy rode out his/her first seismic activity without any worries :)

I was enjoying my day interning at Sequoia Middle school in Fontana and felt the earth thrust beneath my feat with such force and intensity. We all looked at each other for confirmation that what we felt was indeed an earthquake. All agreed it was and continued our task to pull schedules for students. Some old teacher in the office had to make his joke loud enough for all to hear. "Well this is a great way to start this school year with a bang!" I did not laugh.

All families have been accounted for and everyone seems to be ok! Word has it that Bennie heard the rattle of bottles and instinctively ran to his safe zone...under the computer desk.

The slip in plate tectonics appeared to have hit some places far worse than others. As one eyewitness described on the news, "It was anarchy in the office." Not sure what he meant by that, but it sounds scary!

The aftermath of such a catastrophic event is always the toughest part. I came home to a substantial amount of damage. It's amazing they didn't condemn the building. I think my pictures speak for themselves.

Ok maybe this last picture wasn't caused by the earthquake. Truth be told, the babies room is still under construction. However, now I can blame the mess on the devastating rupture of the fault.

Notice the vast array of words and phrases I've used to describe today's earthquake. All taken from the over dramatic news reports for the day.

Just another day in California. It may take weeks, it may take years, but we will overcome! The clean up begins!

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Fieldwork begins!

So I just finished my first week of fieldwork at Sequoia Middle School in Fontana and I must say I had a blast. At times it was a little boring stuffing folders for their AB1802 students who are in danger of not passing, but the training on their computer system was well worth it. I got to do my first scheduling for some students and learned more about Zangle. Everyone complains about the new computer system, but I like it. Looking forward to next week when school starts.

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Happy Birthday Annie!

Today is Annie's birthday and I just want to wish her a day filled with love and happiness. Although today is her actual birthday, today marks the end of her birthweek. Lots of fun and relaxation was had.

I'll fill you in on the details later but just know the quote to this weekend's activities was..."Annie's worth it!"

I love you Annie! Happy birthday.

**Update**

We headed off to Indian Wells this past weekend to enjoy a stay of relaxation and pampering at the Miramonte resort and spa. Annie's proud of herself because she got such a great deal on the room. Nevermind the insane price it was for our massage. Actually I'm happy Annie got one! She was treated to a maternity massage which was much needed on her part. I on the other hand could have done away with my massage from Kerry...my male masseuse!

Although it was very hot and humid outside we did venture out to try some of Palm Springs finest restaurants. First stop, "The Nest". Billed as a french cuisine restaurant, this place was anything but french. More Italian then anything else. It's safe to assume we were the youngest people in that place. Average age of their guests had to be 50...maybe 60. Food, not so great! Although Annie did enjoy the bean soup which came in a cool looking kettle(Something easy for their elderly guests to eat)The piano lounge singer added interesting entertainment for the night. Those people know how to shake a leg!

Saw Mama Mia that night at the local cineplex. I was quite impressed with their outdoor shopping complex called "The River" Nice river flowing throughout the complex. Movie theater was crowded with teenagers. I guess they have nowhere else to go and nothing else to do.

We went back to "The River" the next night and ate at some sushi place that was less than thrilling. Of course, when you've had the best at "Kens", it's hard to like anything else. Saw a cool BBQ place I wouldn't mind going back to visit and eat at. Called "Babes" Annie was not amused.

We continued Annie's birthday extravaganza back home with a Mass for her. Went out eat with the fams at "BJ's". One would think this would bring Annie's birthday to a close...nope! Ate came over in the evening and of course we had to celebrate with her, so the family headed off to the "Melting Pot" Love their cheese and chocolate fondue! Mind you, we had reservations for 6:30pm and we did not leave until 10:30pm! It takes a long time to eat fondue.

Regardless of how much I tease about the extended birthday celebration and the cost of this entire weekend, in the end, I guess "Annie's worth it!"

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Happy second heart Birthday!

Today my dad turns 2! Today marks the second anniversary of my dad's life saving heart transplant. Today marks another year I am grateful my dad is still around and better than ever.

It still feels like yesterday when Annie and I received an early morning wake up call that my dad was on his way to UCLA to receive his new heart. I can still remember clearly my dad being wheeled down the hallway after we said our goodbyes. I can remember the countless prayers Annie and I said in the waiting room. I can recall the gift from God and Our Lady of Mount Carmel when the doctor came out and said everything went just fine.

So many countless memories I still have and many more to look forward to. One being this December, the day I see my dad hold my child in his arms.

Happy Birthday Dad. We love you!

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Baby "Ziggy's" Debut!

Baby "Ziggy" is very frustrated with his/her living space!

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The Art of Racing in the Rain

So I've taken up some summer reading. Actually is happened by mistake but I'm glad it did. You see here I am in Starbucks with Andrew buying a tall mocha frap, and while I wait for my drink to arrive in my hands I see a book on display. So naturally with nothing else to do but wait, I pick it up. Now I'm not usually a reader but I do like to read when given the right book.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is one of those books! For any dog lover, this book is for you. A philosopher and man's best friend, this book is narrated by Enzo, a Labrador retriever who is obsessed with opposable thumbs and race car driving. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes the reader back through his life and recalls his ups and downs.

One can't help but read this book and look at your dog a whole new way. You begin to wonder what your dog is thinking inside his/her head.

As Annie and I get closer to the arrival of our baby, we often think how Bennie is going to react. Her parents tell us that Bennie will not be allowed in the house when the baby is inside. However, we want Bennie to love our baby and we want Bennie to be a part of his/her life. granted we would never leave Bennie alone with our baby but we definitely want our baby to grow up with Bennie. Nevermind the fact my dog ran away when I was born and my family still teases me about the loss of Fritos to this day.

This brings me to a part in the book where I'm given hope that Bennie will love our baby. So Enzo's owner, Denny, just came back from a race (He's a race car driver) but he missed the birth of his daughter, Zoe. Hanging out with friends for a celebration, Denny isn't all that into celebrating given the fact he knows he did wrong by not being there for the birth of his daughter.

"I don't care about that," Denny said. "I should have been there."

"She came early. You can't know what's going to happen before it happens."

"Yes, I can," Denny said. "If I'm any good, I can."

"Anyway," Mike said, lifting his beer bottle, "to Zoe."

"To Zoe, " Denny echoed.

To Zoe, I said to myself. Whom I will always protect.

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