Friday, June 25th, 2010 
2 Comments
2 Comments
Yesterday I got to be apart of the iPhone 4 release at my local mall. It was a pretty neat experience. In the past I used to think that all those people lining up for a “phone” were nuts, but the same can be said about those who camp out for big movie/book releases. It’s all about the experience.
Initially I wanted to pre-order the phone, meaning I wanted to buy it online and have it delivered to my house (the term “pre-order” has been thrown around so much because some don’t understand the difference between pre-ordering and reserving). As most people know, trying to pre-order last week was an absolute nightmare, mostly thanks to AT&T, so I had no choice but to reserve mine in store.
Dani and I showed up to Arden Fair Mall around 5:45am where the line went from the front of the mall all the way down to Macy’s and around the corner. While standing out there TV crews showed up including Channel 10 and Channel 3 news. Around 6am they let us into the mall 10 at a time where we were forced to go in either a line for reservations or line for buying.
While waiting, the Apple employees handed out free Smart Waters while Dos Coyotes handed out free chicken burritos; the burritos were a God-send considering I hadn’t eaten breakfast. About 10 minutes before the store opened all the Apple employees ran around the mall giving us high-fives and cheering. They were really enthusiastic and it was great to see everyone so excited.
About an hour before I got my phone a lady from News 10 came up to interview me, but it doesn’t look like I made it onto the news or any news articles. At approximately 9:30am I finally got my phone. My battery in my 3G had died 30 minutes prior, and I was desperate to go to the bathroom (after all that water, haha). Needless to say I was very happy to get my phone.
They took us in one at a time, so I literally got my own personal shopper. I asked him a couple questions about the bumpers (I didn’t get one since they only had black in the stores), but within five minutes I got my phone paid for and activated. When I walked out of the store I was trying to call Joshua when a bunch of people cheered and there was a news camera in my face.
I was surprised at how chill everyone was considering my friend (who showed up at 10pm last night) said security guards weren’t letting people line up (even threatened to arrest people); I guess around 3am they had no choice but to let people line up since there were so many. At one point some guys got escorted out of the mall because I think they were trying to be cute and toss a wad of cash at the security guards. Other than that there wasn’t any trouble and all the Apple employees were REALLY nice about everything. Overall it was a lot of fun!
Here are the news articles that featured the mall I was at! My friend/classmate Matt Davis got interviewed twice and featured in the articles.
- More than 500 line up at Arden Fair for new iPhone – Sacramento Bee
- New iPhone – News 10
- Hundreds Line Up For iPhone 4 – KCRA Channel 3 News
Thursday, June 10th, 2010 3 Comments
3 Comments
Wednesday morning around 2:30am Joshua and I awoke to the smell of smoke and the sound of sirens. At first we thought it was the rowdy neighbors behind us, but then we saw the lights coming from the front of the house. My first thought was it was our next-door neighbors: an elderly couple, one of which has dementia. Luckily it wasn’t them but the house 3 down from us. It was a two-story home that has been vacant for quite some time.
Later that day when I drove by the house on my way to school, you’d never known it was on fire unless you were looking for it. I crawled into bed around midnight and as I was trying to fall asleep I heard some yelling outside. Joshua heard it too and woke up to see what was going on. It sounded to me like some neighborhood kids just being loud, so I urged Joshua to come back to bed. About 15 mins later we smelled smoke again and heard sirens.
Yes, the SAME house that caught on fire at 2:30am was now on fire AGAIN! We all came out to see what was going on and once it seemed like the firefighters had it under control we went back to bed.
It’s crazy! I can understand if the first time around it was just some hoodlums being stupid, but to come back a second time seems weird. I haven’t been able to find any news or information regarding this situation. All I hope is that it won’t catch on fire again tonight! 
In other news, my Grandmother’s obituary was published Wednesday morning in both the San Francisco Chronicle and the Marin Independent Journal…
Nonna Nielsen Passed away peacefully in San Rafael, CA on May 27, 2010. Nonna was born August 15, 1917 in Harbin Manchuria. Nonna settled in San Francisco in 1951 and later moved to Marin County with her husband Paul in 1962 where they settled in Greenbrae and raised their daughter Karin. Over the years Nonna was involved with the Russian Orthodox Church throughout the Bay Area and she was active with the Danish Ladies Auxiliary Group at Aldersly retirement community. She and Paul were also active in the Danish Solder’s Club. Nonna is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Paul Nielsen of Greenbrae, her daughter Karin Nielsen Assenza and her husband Anthony J. Assenza of El Dorado, CA. Loving grandmother to Cristina Assenza and her fiancé Joshua Robinson of Sacramento and Danielle Assenza also from El Dorado. Family and friends are invited to attend a prayer service on Friday June 11th , 2010 at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, 102 Ross Avenue in San Anselmo, CA at 11:00 AM. A memorial Gathering will follow at 11:30 AM at Monte’s Chapel Of The Hills, 330 Redhill Avenue also in San Anselmo. Monte’s Chapel Of The Hills San Anselmo 453-8440
So yes tomorrow is the funeral. Joshua, Dani, and I will be heading down early tomorrow and stay for the day. I really cannot wait till this next week is over with. Between final projects for school and Mormor’s death, I am beyond burnt out.
Saturday, May 29th, 2010 5 Comments
5 Comments
The hardest part about this whole situation has been dealing with my grandfather. He’s absolutely beside himself.
All he does it sits in his chair and sobs. He’s said over a dozen times, “I miss Mormor. I miss her so much. I will never see her again.”
My sis and I take turns sitting with him and just holding his hand. Every couple minutes he breaks down crying. It’s absolutely heartbreaking. Someone called the house this morning around 6:30am and since then he was in bed all morning crying and moaning.
My grandma is going to be cremated, so we’re having a small memorial service next Saturday. The future is so uncertain now given my grandfather’s condition (mentally and physically). We honestly don’t know what we’re gonna do at this point.
On a different note, I’d like to thank everyone for their kind words and condolences. It means so much to me and my family. We’re going through a hard time, a little bit harder than two years ago I think.
