Tower of Terror. We timed the poses because we’re good like that.

Last Saturday, during a scorching heat wave, some of my friends and I decided to cool down with a swim. Thanks to triple digit temperatures, swimming in the pool was akin to bathing in a lukewarm tub, albeit a rather large one. After the quick dip, we all spontaneously decide to trek to Disneyland’s California Adventure. With my friend Edward’s Silver Pass, we could also get into the park for free, something any penny-pinching college student would accept.

Just to give some background, I am rather scared of heights and hate anything that makes my stomach drop. So of course when we get to the park, the first ride we gravitate towards is the Hollywood Tower of Terror. If any of you have been to Disneyworld, you’ve probably been on this ride where you ride up 13 stories in an elevator, and then proceed to plummet straight down. Then back up, and then back down. Both fears are embodied in this ride, and having only a lapbelt to strap your body to the seat doesn’t help either. [Cue me holding onto the sidebars for dear life and blowing out my friend Eric's eardrum.]

Next up, the ferris wheel. Finally, something calm and relaxing unless you opt for the freeswinging pagoda (yes, they are called pagodas). The three amigos (Eric, Edward and Karen) sitting opposite from me decide to augment the pendulum-like swinging with their added hip swings to the point where the pagoda could have flung out into the cement filled “lake.” [Cue me holding onto the sidebars for dear life and blowing out my friends Jennifer's (we have the same name) and Peggy's eardrums.]

With no signs of letting down, my fear-loving friends decide to ride an old favorite: the California Screamin’ roller coaster, complete with two sizable drops and a loop. Jennifer, being a great friend, once again graciously volunteers to sit next to me, guaranteeing ringing ears until bedtime. [Cue me holding onto the sidebars and blowing out Jennifer's eardrum, except for this ride, she can't hear me as well because the ride is so loud.] After getting off the roller coaster, my hair shapen up and throat dry, we head over to Soarin’ Over California, an IMAX hangliding ride complete with orange and pine scents. The last ride we manage to squeeze in is a kid-friendly Monsters, Inc. ride. Think “It’s a Small World” sped up and the tiny people replaced with Monsters and Monstropolis. We leave the park in high spirits and empty stomachs.

For the record, the Sonic Drive-in chain is amazing. I had my first encounter with Sonic in Las Vegas with a family friend. Between Melissa, my brother Robert, and I, we managed to slap down 15 bucks on some greasy goodness topped with sundaes and limeades. Sonic has something that satiates any midnight craving: shakes, mozzerella sticks, burgers/hotdogs, sundaes, anything over 500 calories. They also deliver food to your car in rollerblades, the epitome of American lethargy, but I digress. Sonic impressed me so much that after my Vegas encounter, I proceeded to search for the nearest location from my house: Anaheim, home to Disneyland as well as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (mind you that Anaheim is actually in the OC).

With this, I convince Edward and Co. to drive and find the elusive Sonic. This trek turns out to be our version of Harold and Kumar. Every gas station, we were met with confused gas attendants that had never heard of Sonic. Then, a flash of hope: a customer overhearing our hunger pains. His girlfriend knew of this Sonic, and tells us to go “ALLLL the way down this street, make a right on (insert street), and then make a left.” Sounds simple enough. So we surge forward on Harbor ALLLL the way until we end up in Fullerton. Miffed, but still hopeful, we ask a man in uniform. Officers always tend to have a unmatched sense of direction, and he tells us that we passed the street seven intersections ago. Two of the troops have fallen to the gods of sleep. We turn around and retrace our route, and after numerous turns and circles, we are met with the shining Sonic sign.* Total searching time: 45 minutes. Total miles traveled: I’ll have to ask Edward.

We load up on our order: mozzerella sticks, chili dogs, Sonic blasts and limeades, sundaes. We wait. Total waiting time: 30 minutes. Finally, the server, without rollerblades (bummer), delivers our hard-earned food, and we head on home. We had left California Adventure at 10 pm. We arrive back in good old San Marino at 1 am. Three hours devoted to food, that’s how we roll. Next time, all we have to do is print out directions, and we’re golden.

*Advice to Disneyland goers: the Anaheim Sonic Drive-in is located on Orangethorpe and Lemon.