Hello! This entry is brought to you by the Apple Store in southern California! It’s gorgeous in here; spacious, roomy, friendly, inviting. Plenty of folks shopping today. It’s all so pretty. I’ve never worked on an eMac before, which is where this post is being typed. Fabulous!

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Let me start by saying that even though we spent 12 hours at Disneyland yesterday, I easily could’ve found more rides to ride and more shows to see if we stayed longer. What a day! We arrived at the park shortly after 9 yesterday morning. Our first ride was the new The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at California Adventure. It’s set in an old, 13-story hotel. You’re seated in a metal cage and dropped every few stories — in total darkness. It’s terrifying and awesome at the same time!

We rode a number of roller coasters, including the Matterhorn and Splash Mountain. Fun! One of my favorites: Indiana Jones Adventure. Our day wasn’t without kid rides, too: ones from Winnie the Pooh, Roger Rabbit and A Bug’s Life. We also walked through Mickey Mouse’s house, which was pretty cute :-)

We also saw a few shows: broadway-inspired musicals from Snow White and Aladdin; and 3-D shows by the Muppets and characters from A Bug’s Life.

I did so much screaming on roller coasters that I hardly have a voice this morning. It’s a good thing we’re spending the day shopping, where I don’t have to talk to much. My legs are sore and a little sunburned, but not badly.

As promised, here are photos from yesterday’s day at Disneyland. Enjoy :-)

See more photos!

We arrived safe and sound in Orange County, Calif., today around 11:30 a.m. PST. The flights weren’t too bad, although I was awake shortly before 5 this morning to get my ass out the door on time. From Omaha to Phoenix, I shared a row with a portly gentleman who snored the ENTIRE three hours. Thank goodness for my iPod.

Today, we did some shopping at IKEA (I got mouse pads for home and work, candles for my house and an ice cream scoop). Later, we went to a local mall, where we stopped at Forever 21, one of my favorite stores. I got a pretty red shirt :-) We got pizza and called it a night.

Tomorrow, it’s off to Disneyland! I’ll post more photos tomorrow. Tonight, here’s a recap from our first day in California.

From left, my sister (Katie) and cousin (Shannon)

California traffic

Shannon’s pretty toes

My lunch at IKEA – Yum!

P.S. I’m picking up two (count ’em: two!) high-speed, wireless networks at my sister’s apartment. Sweetness.

I’ve been doing laundry and packing for the last hour. I’m almost there. I won’t fully finish packing until tomorrow morning, when I pack up my Macintosh, iPod, shampoo, etc.

I’m making macaroni and cheese with skim milk that expired May 7. I hope it’s OK. I won’t use that much, so I don’t think I’ll get sick. Being gone for something like six days, I haven’t done any grocery shopping.

Here’s an “artsy” photo I took last night after work. It’s Jason sitting on the dock, smoking one of the clove cigarettes he loves.

I started at 178th and West Center, and wound up in the Old Market within about 20 minutes. An interview for an article in the City Weekly was moved at the last minute, and wires got crossed. At any rate, I’m working on the article now, after two interviews and a Zio’s lunch with Jason.

Two days until California. Two days!

Showers before bed are absolutely fantastic. Just took one now. Few things help me sleep better than a shower, matched with Dove shampoo. Say it with me now: “Ohm.”

To all those mother’s out there (especially mine), today is your day! Happy, happy to you :-)

Work today, then it’s over to my aunt’s house for a Mother’s Day celebration. We’re grilling burgers, so it should be super tasty. Mmm.

I leave for California Thursday morning. SO VERY EXCITED!

After seven years, Chris Machian graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Friday. Way to go, Machian! We’re proud of you!