DEATH OF MY DOG

Snowball came into my life when I was about 7 years old. He's a big, white, Great-Pyrenees, and one of the sweetest dogs I've ever had. Not to say I love him more than my other pets, or that my other dogs aren't sweet, no, it's just Snowball was one of those dogs who almost always had a smile planted on his face, even when he was in pain, and the type of dog who wouldn't hurt a flea. He would lay down outside and let the birds jump on him and pluck his fur to make a nest with. That was the first time I had ever seen a white nest of fur! And when one of our dogs would try and pick a fight and bite him, he never fought back. Snowball would just sit there. And no matter how much pain he was in, he would fix it wit a smile. He was kind-hearted, gentle, and popular amongst my friends - they couldn't get enough of him. I wish he didn't have to go, but all lives must come to an end...

My Thanksgiving began in many laughs and smiles, but ended in many tears. Today I had to part with my Snowball. We had 13 years of memories, love, and fun. He had to be put to sleep tonight, which is something I've always feared. I never wanted my pet's death to result in that. I've always prayed they would just pass on their own. But for months now he could barely walk, as he has arthritis in his hips and legs, and he's lost about 30 pounds just within the past year. And over the past couple of days blood has been coming out his mouth from an unknown source. We couldn't tell where the blood came from - whenever he would bleed, his whole mouth would be bloody and blood would be all over the floor and on him. Snowball would look like he had just been shot in multiple places. On Thanksgiving, it was just too much blood and we had to take him to the vet, and the decision between my step-mom and father had been made. Today was one of the hardest days of my entire life. My step-mom, dad, and sister Brianna, and myself was in the room with Snowball when the vet laid him to rest (my brother Alphonse couldn't make it and my sister Kuyuki thought it would be too hard to witness). Seeing the life come out of Snowball's eyes while he's laying on me, and the doctor saying he has passed, was just heartbreaking. It was such a quick process. One second he was here and the next, gone from this world and into the next.


I love you SO much Snowball, and I always will. Words can't even describe the love I have for my pets. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful God put Snowball in my life, and that I got to be a part of his... ♥

ORANGE EMPIRE RAILWAY MUSEUM

Being a fan of trains, I really wanted to visit the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris. I was a bit disappointed driving all the way there to find not many trains (the whole reason I wanted to go). Turns out, the best time to go is a weekend, where there are people to take you on a tour and all their trains and whatnot are accessible. So I guess I need to go back again on a Saturday or something.

For the holidays though, they're having train rides around town, where they have Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the elves riding aboard the train, and everybody sings Christmas songs and drinks hot chocolate. For some reason it reminded me of the Polar Express. I would probably go if it was free, but I don't know if I want to pay $15 for that. Maybe one day...

While I was at the museum, I did take a few pictures around I thought I'd share. I though it was neat to see the benches where people would wait for their train back in the day. In 1912, it was only $3.50 for an 150 mile round trip, traveling to Los Angeles, San Bernadino, and Redlands. I also saw a car in the parking lot I wanted - and old, white 1960 Ford Falcon with a big white steering wheel and pastel blue seats.

Sprouts Farmer's Market | TOUR OF MY FAVORITE GROCER

I live in a place called Hemet, a small town in southern California with nothing much to do. I've lived in Hemet about half my life, so I've seen all there is to see, eaten at all the restaurants, and been to all the stores. But one place I love to go to time and time again is Sprouts. Sprouts is a health food store, just around the corner from our house, that my mom, sister, and I love to go to, and it's where we get most of our food.

I love going to Sprouts because it's obviously filled with nothing but health food items, and the prices are cheap, so it's a great place to get started on a healthy diet. I also love Sprouts because the employees are so happy, ready to inform you on new items, and eager to let you try anything you want. A couple weeks ago, an employee cut open a passion fruit for us as he overheard my mother and I saying how we wonder what they taste like. I mean, he just came over, grabbed one, and cut it open for us to try! That's something that doesn't happen at WalMart. Turns out passion fruit is now my second favorite fruit, with red grapes being my first.

Some things I'm loving in Sprouts right now is all their fall and Christmas decorations and items. Their dark chocolate peppermint bars are delicious and their holiday candles smell divine, especially the sugar cookie candle! I wish I could eat it.

They not only have food but vitamins, protein powders, supplements, healthy cookbooks, and the like. Sprouts just fulfills all my needs as a "healthy-living" junkie. 

RIVERSIDE NATIONAL CEMETERY

Every October growing up, my family and I would go to the graveyard and carve pumpkins...because you know, carving pumpkins in your kitchen is too mainstream. It was probably from then that I've had a fascination with cemeteries. 

I recently found out that my grandpa and aunt both like cemeteries too, so the three of us went to the National Cemetery in Riverside. It's a cemetery for those who served in the navy, military, army, and the like - hence the reason why all the American flags are put above every single stone for Veteran's Day. 

Cemeteries to me are peaceful. I love to look at the dates and read what's put on the headstones. They're also quiet places to walk around and think. Is that weird?