Waiting....

*click the top image, it'll come out clearer


57 Freeway Closed between Pathfinder and Lambert.
I'm really nervous and worried about our condo since Lambert Road is literally our street address. Although the Brea fires are somewhat small compared to the Corona/YorbaLinda/Anaheim fires, we've seen how devasting and quickly it could start sweeping through the cities. Currently we're in Corona by chance of luck being that today was my work day at Kaiser Riverside and Ron was at a study group in Chino Hills. As silly as it sounds, we're gonna try to head back to collect some important items from our home. We called our neighbors and they've assured us that no evacuation orders have yet been initiated. But just about 4 miles down our street, they've already mandated evacuation for those residents off of Lambert and Brea Blvd (the periwinkle blue colored areas on the map). It doesnt help also that the Santa Ana winds also heading west.... My parents' two houses in Corona were both spared since the Corona fires started around the Green River exit (more west and close to Yorba Linda). Currently my parents are literally stuck on the 91 Freeway because the police have closed the freeway after the 55 junction. So far, all I know is that it's going to be a long night. It's 8pm here and so far we've heard that All the fires are at Zero Containment.. *sigh*


From http://calfire.blogspot.com/

New Start south of Olinda Landfill, Yorba Linda - Carbon Canyon area.
This may become a major fire and merge with the "Freeway fire".

Update: 15:00hrs - Fire heading into La Habra Heights, North of Lambert west of 57 Freeway
Update: Fire has crossed Hwy 57 to the west side
Update: 13:00hrs -Now a Major fire also known as "Brea Fire"

Immediate structure threats
Location: Near city of Brea - 3 miles to the Northwest of Yorba Linda.
IC: Landfill IC - IC staging at Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Comms: Command on 5F [TG:2992]
Cause: Uknown.

Changeling

Now, I'm an avid movie watcher (If you've meet my dad, you'd know why), but there's only a select few that come across as my top favorites. Changeling is now one of them. The plot of the movie IS a true story rather than being *based* on a true story (I looked up all the facts after I got home! And I STILL can't believe all these events went down!). The director, Clint Eastwood did such a phenomenal job captivating my interest and emotions all together. My heart was pounding during certain scenes! And all these actors/actresses were so convincing! I was literally glued to my seat, sympathetic with Angelina Jolie's character, Christine Collins, hateful towards the LAPD, and fearful of the real *bad guy*. What made the story even more compelling was how close it hit to home-- with the mentioning cities of Los Angeles, Riverside, Hesperia, and "Wineville." Wait til you find truth out about Wineville. Anyways, I'd hate to hype up a movie only to disappoint any of you, so I'll leave it at that and just strongly suggest that you watch it. It is a long movie (over 2 hours) and it does start out kinda slow, but it was definitely worth watching! Also just to add, I was never aware of the *changeling events* prior to watching the movie, so that probably played a big factor, since I didn't know exactly how everything was going to turn out! So my advice-- try watching the movie first before researching the story behind Changeling =P

Election Day!

Ever since I was old enough to participate in an election vote four years ago, I made it my privileged right and duty to vote in person, whenever I could. There was something deeply patriotic about physically walking into a polling location and casting my vote behind a screen. This year I knew had to resort to an absentee ballot because Tuesday was a school day. A looong school day at that. But for some unknown reason, I never got my absentee ballot. As a normal Tuesday routine, Ron and I left La Habra at 5:00am to beat the LA traffic. My last class didn't end til 7pm and my home polling place was said to close at 8pm. I asked my instructor for permission to leave at 6:30pm and she gladly urged that I do so. Despite the earlier departure from UCLA, Ron and I made it home 10 minutes before our polling place closed. All that scrambling to exercise my right and let my voice be heard!! And yet, I still ponder as to why many Americans could care less about voting when only a few decades ago, this very right was denied to all women and minorities... Again, voting isn't an obligation nor a right, it's a privilege!! But I'll get off that soap box now that the election is over...

In all honesty, I didn't vote for Barack Obama (although I didn't have a doubt that he'd win). With a militaristic family of uncles and grandpa, I had strongly been influenced to be a Republican all my life. But I can say that I am quite impressed with the man. Although I was very skeptic about his experience, I must credit him for being a charismatic orator, whose very image yells out "hope," dreams," and of course, "change." It's amazing to think how far America has come and "grown up," and to also realize that we all witnessed a day that would be told in school teachings and government class from this day forward.

As for John McCain, I feel bad for the man-- but I generally feel bad for anybody that loses. I remember that feeling of losing in an ASB election in 7th grade, and although I was only a pip-squeak, losing really just sucks. McCain's concession speech was very heart felt. You can't help but toss your hat up in respect for a man who served and loved his country the way he did.

Anyways, Barack Obama is obviously entering the White House during a bad time-- inheriting two wars and a financial crisis is to say the least! I am optimistic to all his new and fresh ideas in reshaping America. I just hope that he's able to do it all and fix the mess that was left for him.