Done

I finally finished Zelda: The Wind Waker. My friend let me borrow it and the game cube, I played it on. I will have to give it back soon, so, I had to get on with it and finish. He was so right about me liking this game. After I started playing this, I started looking for Zelda games that I could play on my DS Lite. I had left the country for the summer, so I wasn't able to play Wind Waker until I got back a few weeks ago. So, whilst on vacation, I borrowed The Minish Cap from my friend and I bought, A Link to the Past on ebay. Those two are actually made for game boy advance but they work on DS Lite. The Zelda game for DS Lite won't come out until December. I wonder why they would wait so long to release it. Wii hasn't been out so long and already there is a Zelda game for it.

Myydään

This brings me to selling my current vehicle. It is a 1993 Mitsubishi MacroCab Pick-up truck. I am the original owner. I brought it with me from California back in 2003. It is really very impractical for most city driving. The Finns coworker said it was the type of car that the men who collect bull sperm use. Hmmmm. Well, it has served me well. We just want a car now, a vehicle that will easily seat 4 people. Now, the poor thing has a bunch of little nicks all over it. I can't believe how the people suck here. Who does that? Scratches or dents somebody elses car and not leave a note. Such bastards. How do people not see this when they are parking or whatever. Dickheads. One year when I was about to leave for a trip to Europe, I parked it in my grandmother's back yard. That involved squeezing in at an awkward angle. Despite my high driving skill, I actually scarped the side on the brick wall. I was shocked. I soon forgot about it though when I was traipsing across Europe. Well, it is listed in www.huuto.net. The price is around3,500€. Hey, I gotta have some money for a downpayment on a new car.

Give me a fag any day

We want to buy a car. So, we were in Vantaa looking at the Citroën cars, when as we walked to the back lot (which was a joke) and saw this building across the street. I thought it highly amusing. I mean, I guess all the cars were inside the showroom. I am used to auto lots that contain hundreds of cars which one might potentially go home in that day they visit the dealer. This is a totally new concept... that one would go to a dealer talk about the car you want with the specs you want and then order it. One would have to pay the price given, no bargaining and then one would have to wait some time before the auto would arrive in the country. Anyway, it turns out that this company makes ball bearings, ok so the website says 'rolling bearings'. Ball bearings sounds better. So, there you have it. One day soon, I hope to have a new car.

Scarinen

So, I am on this island fortress and the Chicana in me is deep
down freaking out because I am afraid I might see dead people. Or if not that; then feel a chill which would then lead me to believe a spirit of some dead soldier had passed through me. Anyways, we were finally in this one area of Suomenlinna where there are these storage area fortification looking things and I snapped a picture of myself. I get home and upload the photo to my computer and when I am looking them I totally freak out. I mean, it is obvious, isn't it? What is that blue thing on my face. If you look closely which I was doing in Picasa, it looks like a face. Scared of that!

On the sea

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

So, after a long vacation in sunny Southern California I decided I could no longer last without some quality sunglasses. That and knowing I was coming back to Helsinki, where the sun seems so much fucking brighter. You know what? No, it isn't ihana weather when there is no rain and the sun is boiling my retinas inside my eyeball fluid. I love the darkness, the winter, the cold, and the rain; among other things. Anyways, I have had contact lenses and I have quite decent sunglasses, I just haven't been wearing them because I thought they made me nauseous. It turns out, as I found out on a recent trip to Instrumentarium, that those contacts were the correct prescription. What an idiot girl, I've been. So, I went home wearing a pair of contacts and my nice big sunglasses and my eyes felt great.
We had sorted it out that I would get an eye exam for eyeglasses next month or so, but when some well intentioned tinkering went awry, it was determined that I had to buy some this month. I took the arm off and couldn't screw it back on. Finally, the tension pin broke and now that arm swings wildly the wrong way. Well, my glasses should be ready in a few weeks. In the meantime, when I went out with my school mate and the Finn to Suomenlinna, it was all the more better enjoyed behind the darkened lenses of my Raybans.

Porvoo '07

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Entonces, we took this boat to Porvoo. It was, as the theme song goes, a three hour tour. So, the ship docked at the town and we went walking about. We had lunch and walked up to the burn church. It was all covered in scaffolding but one could smell the burnt timbers. It was bloody hot there, at the time and we were meandering around looking for a cafe to get a cup of kahvi. Well, we ended up deciding to make our way to the train, instead. We wanted to get a good seat. Yeah, we decided to take the train back because we didn't want to spend another 3 and half hours on the same boat. I mean, the boat ride was fun, actually. Pero, guess what? The train ride sucked ass. It was horrendous. First of all we were having an argument. Second of all, it was hot, Third of all, somebody picked a crappy seat. All the seats on the shady side were already taken. There was a loud ass family of yapping Italians. Then, to top it off, three obese people squeezed on the bench across from us and the temperature rose by 10 degrees. I was like, no way. I think the worse thing was the loud talking people. So, I went to find a quieter place. Then I rang the Finn to come over. It was still on the sunny side but, at least there were no noisy or fat people. We sat by ourselves. It was like sardine can and we sat there on the track for 30 or more minutes baking. Finally, the vehicle moved but there was no breeze whatsoever as the windows did not open, nor was there any ariconditioning, as it was a vintage train. Holy fuck, madre de dios, I was dying. It was the most miserable ride in all of my life. I hated every minute of it. We vowed never ever again to do that again. At some point, a smart little girl decided to monitor the door and keep it open so the wind could blow in. When we finally arrived at Pasila we ran to the little K market and breeched it eventhough it was closing. We bought water and energy drinks. I've never felt so refreshed. That is until I got home and stood under the shower for a half an hour.

The Rolling Stones

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

So, I have been back in Helsinki for a day, or something, when I found out that the Rolling Stones were playing at Olympic Stadium. Reading from Hesari the Finn told me that Mick Jagger waved out of his window at the Hotel Kämp to fans below. Well, we went out on errands the next day. I went to pay my jäsenmaksu and get my sticker on my student card. As we were on the tram, I suggested we get off my the Swedish theatre so I could go peek at Hotel Kämp. We did and there were a few people sitting on benches across from the hotel. Something just told me I should do the same. The Stoneses luggages were being loaded into a big truck. It was kind of cool to see some instruments. After awhile, a back up singer, Blondi Chaplin came out. Then later some cars showed up and meanwhile the crowd had positively grown exponentially. Finally, after we had been sitting there a few hours, the Stones came out. There was Mick, Charlie, and Ron. Noticeably, absent was Keith. Apparently, he played the gig drunk and fell over or something. We had seen a car driving around into the inner courtyard of the hotel. One can only surmise that it was going after Keith. Sitting out there, waiting was well worth it.

@ LAX

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

And so it came to the moment of my departure... My mom and sister took me to the airport. My brother met us there. My sister and I had just seen Transformers, which I thought was pretty funny. It was fun when they mentioned Nokia phones and Finland. Then, there were some scenes from Hoover Dam which I had just driven through during my time there. Of course, it was sad to part ways, esp since I don't think I will go back for a few years.

Cousin's Bday

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

So, it was my cousins bday and we went over my grams with his cake, lunch and gifts to find him gone. Nobody knew where he was. When he finally came home he was all pedo. So, for awhile everything was really weird and awkward. Finally, after my mom made him eat his lunch he started snapping out of it.

Onion Volcano

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

My aunties wanted to take me out to eat one last time before I left L.A. They took me to Shogun. It was very tasty food. So, as you can see it is like a Benihana style Japanese food restaurant, where the chef cooks with much humour and theatrics.

Deathly Hallows Release

First of all, yes I dressed up for the Harry Potter release at Borders in Hollywood. Oh, and my flight leaves at 9:20pm, today Monday July 30th. Dang. How many times do I have to answer that. Probably, two more times. Santa Maria. So, anyway, here is a video from TJay's very own La Coacha. I have a brief scene, one line. I was mostly repeating what she had said and the rest of what I said didn't make the cut. Well, I am pretty radical in my thinking.

Viva Mexico

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

I love this place. My sister and I took a day trip to TJ. Honey, we parked in San Diego and walked across the border. We didn't stop walk there either. We didn't take a taxi, rather we walked all over the place; to Revoluccion to Los Heros to the CECUT, the Zona Rio Mall and back again. I was so sore the next day, but it felt good to walk so much.

Angels vs. Athletics

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

My aunt, who has Angels season tickets, let my sister and I have a pair. It was really fun. It was one of the things I wanted to do. I think the Dodgers are still my team, but I have big affection for the Angels.

Dinner at Il Forno Cafe

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

MMMmmmm, this was some good food. They are totally remodeling downtown Azusa. It is looking cute. It used to be such crap when I was in high school.

Hairspray

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Man, this movie was really good. I thought it was so funny. I haven't had the opportunity to ever see the musical so I had no idea. I loved the original version, and didn't realize an alternative edition would be so great. I went with my sister and brother and we saw it at the arclight.

Tattoo Expo

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

This is the most awesome photo from that trip. I went with my sister and cousins to the Tattoo Expo at the Pomona Fairplex. They all have tattoos, I don't. It isn't that I wouldn't want one, but I have just never gotten around to it. I love the look on this guys face and the cute sarong.

The Deathly Hallows

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

It was another day where I could dress up in my Hogwarts uniform. More importantly, the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series was released. I met tribe folks again at the Arclight for dinner and then we walked to Border's to get the book. I was busy during the weekend, so I didn't finish it until Sunday.

Robinson Bros

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

So, my sister told me about this date she had where they were walking around Pasadena and suddenly turned around to find these giant heads. They are of Jackie Robinson and his brother. They are right by the city hall. Speaking of city hall, as we were walking through, I had my camera out and was taking photos when a security guard told me that it was painting day and I couldn't take photos. Well, darn it. That is exactly why I went there. I am so sure. It wasn't like I had a tripod out.

Seeing OOTP in IMAX

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Dinner and a movie with more folks I met on tribe. IMAX 3d is awesome, even though loads of things were left out of the film or change.

Requiescat in pace

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

My step great grandmother passed away. We attended her funeral in Riverside, California. Cecilia Reyes Ahumada, November 18, 1903 - July 4, 2007.

Meeting a friend

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

I had a chance to meet some totally funny chick who I have become friends with in tribe. My cousin said she was funny and knew everything.

Downtown Disney

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

After the film, we came out in time to see some of the fireworks going off at Disneyland.

Thank you Bobby Jean

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

My sister's friend hooked me up with tickets to a special screening of Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix. It was at Downtown Disney on July 10th, a day before it showed to the general public.

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Driving by Magic Mountain on the way home from the wedding. It has been too long since I've been there.

C&Me 024

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

I had to go see my best friend, in Berkeley. Man, my uncles was driving to th eOakland airport. I thought it would be faster to catch a ride with him and have him drop me off at the stadium. However, it didn't work out that way. I guess he wasn't really sure of how to get back without me. Darn it. I had to go to the airport with him and take fricken AirBart to the stadium. It took a hella long time. The Bart trip back was really quick and I had the Hilton shuttle pick me up from the station.

Wedding2 010-1

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

This wedding was an experience. It was all in Spanish, even though the bride speaks English. There were mariachis playing the church songs. They followed to the reception. Then a norteño band played and finally a banda group. My sister caught the bouquet, again. It took a scary turn when parents progressively forgot about watching their children and let them run wild through the hall.

To Concord 012

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Mom, Sis & I drove up to Concord for a cousin's wedding. That isn't us on those bikes, of course. We were in a car. I fell asleep soon after this and woke up sporadically along the way.

Santa Barbara 175

Santa Barbara 175
Originally uploaded by gema fova

When I first went to university, I only applied to UC Santa Barbara because I just felt I was going to live there. So, I did for a year. My aunts had lived here for awhile and I always had such fond memories of it. It was delightful to make a trip up there with them.

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Fireworks. Bang.

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

My cousins and I at my mom's house for the fourth.

LaVerne 010

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

It was fun to spend the evening with my family.

PCH

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

I used to drive this Highway going to work nearly everyday. It is quite nice.

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Sunset Beach is the most awesome beach for hanging out. It is really mellow.

QueenMary-1

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

After driving across the desert, it was really nice to visit the beaches. We started with Long Beach, the city we last lived in. We wanted get some grub from Golden Burger on 4th. It was still tasty, got to love those fried zucchini. We ate them at the beach below that grass across from Bixby Park.

Desert Hwy

Desert Hwy
Originally uploaded by gema fova

So, on the way back from Laughlin, I was telling the Finn about how there was lava laying around from a long since blown volcano, when I started to wonder if I was telling the truth. Were those rocks really black lava? I mean, my dad used to tell me this when I was little and we would be driving back home from the High Sierras or Utah or somewhere. Luckily, when we finally were able to pull off the highway, the rest stop had a sign which did indeed explain about nearby volcanic activity and we got to stand on the lava rocks.

Desert Hwy

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

I love rental cars.

Laughlin

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

As if driving in the dark from the Grand Canyon through this area with a bunch of whirlwinds wasn't scary enough, not to mention driving without a map, or finding a live hopping cricket in your room; then, waking up in the morning walking out of the hotel to find it is not only hotter than hell but that there are big ass scary looking fishes in the water. I can't believe I ever floated in that water. It was decades ago and i was with my mom and her friends in and inner tube race. Yikes.

GrandCanyon, Most Popular Shot

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

As I said, we went to the Grand Canyon. We didn't really have a plan. I think we were sort of thinking about finding this glass platform and walking out on it. However, as soon as we got there we went to the first ledge we could find and forgot about the whole idea. Then we went to the little village area and hopped on the bus to the last point. We got out looked around hopped back on the bus to some Mohave point or something. They kept talking about sunset and it suddenly became our new plan to walk from Mohave point to Hopi point to watch the sunset. Ok, So after spotting magnificent condors, musing how it just seemed so impossible to comprehend the magnitude of what we could see and near misses with yellow jackets, not to mention skirting way way too close to the edge with no guard rail, we managed to find a good spot to sit and watch the sunset.

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam
Originally uploaded by gema fova

We drove from Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Ok, next time leave Vegas much much earlier. It took forever to get there and I didn't bother to fill up the tank before entering the park. I was like a git driving out of it in the pitch black, shook up from near misses with wild life running near the road and the ominous gas indicator near E.

Favorite shot from Vegas

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

We thought we were going to miss the white tiger. We ran from the Imperial Palace to find that we still had a half an hour till the let the old beast in. He was magnificent.

Las Vegas

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

The obligatory trip to Vegas. Ok, it was the Finns first time. It was quite nice.

Calico 080

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Ok. Many a year, I have driven passed that Calico ghost town sign. Finally, I had to stop. I was traveling with a willing passenger so we mosied on into town.

Union Station

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

It is a pretty awesome looking building.

Olvera Street

Olvera Street
Originally uploaded by gema fova

What a wonderful concept. I miss my little dog. I had horchata here. Yeah, I skipped the churro.

Dim Sum

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Hell yeah. Well, this was number 5 or so on my list. Sushi was before this but I haven't even had that yet.

Duarte

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

My grandmother lives in Duarte. I really need to spend more time there next week.

Azusa

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

I spend most of my time at mom's in Azusa. They are really trying to fix it up.

MomsBday

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Originally uploaded by gema fova

Happily, I was finally in town on my mom's birthday. My brother and them went to see Wicked. I knew he would have bought me tickets too, but I felt bad. So, we just went to dinner with them in Hollywood.