I had such a great day today. Well today we didn't have any lessons since it was Independence Day in the USA. Since we were all free, while a number of the people from Singapore went to Universal Studios, 4 friends and I decided to go check out Santa Monica Beach.

We set off after lunch and took a bus down to Santa Monica Beach. We stepped off at 3rd Street and shopped a little. I ended up spending $75 on a pair of jeans at Gap, but it was a nice pair. Anyway, we walked to a nearby hotel to use their toilet and ended up asking them where the nearest Krispy Kreme outlet was (because we heard that there's one in Santa Monica), only to find out it's closer to Wilshire Boulevard, on 12th Street. We ended up walking 9 blocks from 3rd Street to 12th Street (it's only 1.4km). We walked all the way down to the 12th Street and finally saw it at the end of the block. Since it was the first time I was seeing Krispy Kreme in 8 months and it was the first time I was buying Krispy Kreme, 5 of us actually bought a dozen!!! I tried the Apple Filled Cinnamon Bun and the Glazed Chocolate Cake. They were heavenly!!! Especially the former. I'm definitely going back another day to try more.

After the doughnuts, we walked back the 9 blocks to the 3rd Street to use the same hotel's toilet (lol!!!) and then walked over to the actual Santa Monica Beach (earlier on, we were shopping at the Promenade). Took off our slippers and walked in the soft sand up to the shoreline. The water was cold!!!!! Played for a little while and walked up to the pier. Interesting thing is, there was a demonstration going on near the pier and the 4 of us got sucked into it (one of us stayed behind to take photos). Best part? I TOOK PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION!!! So illegal if I had been in Singapore, probably my one and ONLY demonstration! I think the demonstration was with regard to America's occupation in Iraq. A cross was erected on the sand for just abt every soldier that has died in Iraq. They needed volunteers to carry mock coffin to another part of the beach as a procession and I actually took part!!

Anyway, when we got on the pier, I did the craziest thing in the last decade or so. I went on 2 rides, one on a Viking Ship and one on a roller coaster!!! I was there screaming my head off on the roller coaster (thankfully one of the girls and one of the guys were screaming away too), yes, despite not being a screamer, I screamed for like 80% (probably more) or the ride. And on the Viking Ship, I would scream for the first 60% of the ride and then compose myself for the last 40%.

After the rides, we had dinner at Bubba Gump, and I got a headache from too much adrenaline that I looked sad throughout dinner (at least 2 people commented that I looked sad). Dinner was good though and we split the bill so it wouldn't cost us a bomb. After dinner, we parted with the other Singaporeans with whom we had dinner with and came back to UCLA. Yup, and that was about it.

We could and still can hear fireworks in the distance but it's so foggy today we can't see any. Anyway I really have to stop. I have a 8.30am lecture tomorrow and I'm still not done reading!!!

Pictures will come soon when I get them.