99% chance of rain

It's raining today in Tampa... "sheets and sheets," as Freddy Einsford-Hill told Eliza. Isn't it crazy how California can burning with dry weather while we students wade through inches-deep running puddles in our rubber flip-flops? It's crazy.

I love this type of weather, even though it never fails to remind me of the afternoon I finished my first AP exam: brain-spent, sister and I settled down in the living room amid the sound of pouring rain on the roof to watch Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun." BIG mistake! If you want to be depressed, or just need to find a reasonable tear release excuse, watch that movie. You won't leave without fulfilling your wish.

But, despite Spielberg's attempts to ruin the fun of pitter-patter days, rainy forecasts still make me want to curl up in the home living room with Mom's Guilford Historical Society afghan, a cup of tea (don't forget the easily accessible full accompanying pot!) and a journal. Now that's a list of ingredients worthy of allrecipes.com! Unfortunately, home is miles away and the afghan with it; the journal's been replaced with a reflection essay a la for Dr. Madrigal, and Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" -- recently voted the song of the day by my room-mate -- is playing in the background. The latter ain't a bad point since it fits the wet note of today.