"Where you going? Hogwarts?

My mommy's sister apparently arrived at around midnight last night to pack some things for us to "mule" - as video/computer gamers call it - to the Philippines. I slept in my bed for the first time in eleven months as my overly superstitious mommy hasn't let me done so, claiming that the location of my room was a designated "bad luck location" for me during this time period.

I woke up and went to Jamba Juice for one last $1 Oatmeal Wednesday. I had tried all the toppings by now and went with what I've decided was my favorite one: Berry Cherry Pecan.

I stopped by Barnes & Noble and bought my Christmas presents to myself: 1) The Men's Health Big Book of Food and Nutrition, 2) Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Anansi Boys as one thick book, and 3) C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia as one thick book.

I walked by Hot Topic. Carissa was working. She was bobbing her head to whatever music was playing. Her hair was cute - tied back, bangs combed to the left. It's so nice to renew a regular in the database in my final hours in the country for this year.

Lastly, I stopped by the gym to freeze my account for one month.

EMPLOYEE: That's a snazzy tie.
RYAN: Thanks. It's Harry Potter.
EMPLOYEE: I know. I was gonna say, "Where you going? Hogwarts?"

Now it's time to finish packing as Uncle Oca has arrived to help.