Oh Tommy's....oh my tummy....

Jeff was home by 1:30 p.m. today, and we were on the road by 2 p.m.!!! Yeah!!!! It was a fairly smooth ride down to LA...except....I know you must use a hands-free device for your phone...and there is a new law about texting and driving....but what about PLAYING WITH YOUR MP3/iPod while driving? OMG, there must have been three people driving about 50 in the fast lane while playing with their iPod! I think I have a new pet peeve!!!

Jeff has been talking to the boys about Tommy's Original Hamburgers...the first time Jeff took me to Tommy's it was memorable....I'll let you guess why...actually, I didn't eat all of the chili this time....the boys actually liked the hamburger and chili dog....although, Jordan wanted a triple burger...Jeff said "No".

Here is a picture of Jeff and Jordan's hamburgers...amazingly, the boys didn't get any chili on their clothes...I am still in shock ...

Just another Catch Up Day

Last weekend we went to Salinas to help my parents at the Salinas Obon. The boys helped Grandpa at the Information Booth...um, Dad REALLY should have worn his hearing aid...but, hey, it gave him an excuse not to answer those tough religious questions. hee hee...I helped my Mom in the Pastry booth. It was fun seeing everyone from Salinas....next year I told Mom that I will help again....

On Wednesday, we met Michelle, Riley and Makaela at Chuck E Cheese in Dublin...actually, they picked us up....the girls were too scared to take a picture with Mr. Cheese....and Jordan is way too cool to be in a picture with a Mouse...so, that left Neil...

One of the reasons why I haven't updated my blog...is I have been busy washing clothes/ sheets/etc, packing and making snacks for our trip to San Diego/LA/Universal Studios. Jeff has a reunion with his college buddies...that should be a lot of fun....I haven't seen some people in years! Two guys are flying in from Japan, and Suzy is coming from Hong Kong...it should be a great time! They have a Padres game, UCSD campus tour, lunch, (slideshow has been canceled), and bowling social....

We will also be visiting the Santiagos, going to Universal Studios (the boys and my first time), Jeff is meeting with some clients and we get to meet Isaac...when we have dinner with Nick, Jazel, Burt, Joni and Kallyn.

The main reason why I have been "checked-out" is that we finally fixed my floor in the craft room...but, this entailed taking EVERYTHING out of the room...and putting it in the garage...remember my dilemna with the water heater? (we decided to get the water heater replaced before I put all my paper/fabric/magazines in the garage on the floor...Murphy's Law would mostly like occur)...so, I had to move my 350Z out of the garage...Since we were leaving this weekend for San Diego, I had to get everything out of the garage to put my car back in.

Fixing the floor was quick....it took quite a while to get everything back in the room....I am not showing you the floor, because it is still packed with stuff...I may have to part with some purses....AUGH! I also got rid of my desk...so, now I need a new desk...that may need to wait because I also re-did the closet...see below...Don't you just love the border? My friend June found it online for me...about 5 years ago...for 5 years I only had 1/3 up....my furniture was in the way and I never finished....but, since everything was moved out I was able to do the entire room...yippee...the wall below cause a lot of problems...I had a bookshelf on this wall...but, since I moved it, I had to patch the wall and I couldn't get the paint to match...so, I had to repaint the entire wall...sigh...it didn't take long...but, I made a few trips to Lowe's.

Speaking of Lowe's, I really hate/like them. I went to go buy the supplies for my closet...I asked for help 3 times...I finally left and bought the supplies at Home Depot. (Hey, I just realized that the paint they gave me was wrong....double disappointed in Lowe's). But, isn't it pretty? much better than what I had before...which is currently in the middle of my family room...I'll deal with that when I get back. (I have a whole shelf of yarn...plus two tubs below the shelves....I didn't want to scare you that much!)

Our next post will be from the road!

Obon Odori practice has started!

Tonight was the first Obon Odori Practice. Obon is one of my FAVORITE Buddhist/Japanese Holidays. Here is an article about the Obon Festival that was held in Monterey. Salinas is having there festival this Sunday....I'll be there working in the pastry booth for my Mom. I hope we can stay for the dancing...but, that will be up to Jeff since he has to work on Monday.

Here is a picture of Neil, Jeff's Mom and Jordan with their fans....luckily it wasn't that hot...some nights we really work up a sweat!

I was surprised, Jordan did really well and Neil is doing better. Unfortunately, we will be missing this year's (and next year's) festival...I guess we will have to go to the other temple's!

Sunday already?

Today we got up early and drove down to Salinas. My brother Dean has had a lot of pain...and since he had the bout with colon cancer, Mom thought it would be best that he have another colonoscopy...which was scheduled for today, SUNDAY, at 7 am. Can you believe it? On a Sunday...so, Jeff and I thought it would be nice to drive down and see how he is doing. I got up at 7 am and made some of the strawberry manju to take to my Uncles and parents. I don't know if I like the way it turned out...I always have a problem when I make a half batch...but, oh well! Uncle Sam was up and out of his truck quickly when I told him it was in the house.

On the way down, I worked on flower petals and leaves for some thank you cards. Since I can hand deliver Jeff's mother and grandmother's cards, I thought I would make these flowers...esp. since I am late because I was busy with the Bazaar. I like the way it turned out!

We left Salinas at 1:30 and drove straight to the church gym. Neil and Jordan had a basketball camp...and we made it! Phew...just in time. Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice dinner with the Jangs and Nomuras...just like the old days, except the guys aren't whining about how sore they are...and there was no cards.... We can't make the next two sessions, but the boys will be there for the last session.

Tomorrow night: Odori practice @ 7:30!!! Yippee...but, unfortunately, we will not be able to make it to Obon....second year in a row...so sad :(

...and they are off!!!

It was the annual Program Management day at the Alameda County Fair Races...okay, so, there is only one Program Manager left attending...but, we had a good showing anyways!

I picked up a teenager at the "Rent a Teen" booth...just kidding, this is Megan. I used to work with her mother at Documentum. Sigh....when she first popped into my cube to add a bit of artwork on my whiteboard...she was 5....this fall she will be a Junior at American High School... amazing how some things don't change...she still wants to be a lawyer....but, no longer wants to be president...

It was FANTASTIC having Megan and Auntie Irene go with us to the fair....they actually took the boys to the carnival area while I spent a few races with the "gang"...I lost both races I bet on...David on the other hand won 2 out of 3 races....and Lily won at least 2 races also...and it was her first time...BEGINNER'S LUCK!


Megan, Auntie Irene, Neil and Jordan were a little tired after the carnival...

We ALL needed a foot massage by the end of the day...actually, we were busy eating our funnel cake.

There's a New American in our midst!!!

Hello everyone! So, yesterday was a historic day in American History....1000+ people were sworn in as new Americans.

Luckily for us, we know one of these "lucky" people....yup, remember those posts of shoes? My friend Lori, the Canadian took her oath as an American citizen. This was a much quicker process than her green card....I know, because I lived through that process as well!

But, anyways, congratulations Canada....and I SOOO want to tell people what you wore...but, I won't...let's just say you can take the Canadian out of Canada...but she will always be a Canadian to the skin....hee hee hee....

Here is a picture of the Congratulations gift I left on her doorstep...

Didn't Steve at "The Flower Shop" in Fremont do a great job? I had a nice chat with him...although I was concerned that Yuki, Doreen's (Steve's sister who is on vacation) dog, was so depressed...poor baby....his tail was down and he wouldn't come out until I called him. He usually is always ready to greet me!

Anyways, I told Steve that I would mention his shop if he would let me take his picture...but, it didn't come out that nice...so, I will just say, GO VISIT STEVE for your FLORAL NEEDS! He's great...and say hi to Yuki!

It's is over!!!

This past weekend was our temple's Japanese Bazaar...it was a lot of work..but, hopefully we did well, since this is our major fundraiser of the year.

While Jeff and I were busy with our duties, Jeff was cutting up the chicken, and I was in the Salad/Udon (noodles)/Gyoza (potsticker) booth, the boys had their shifts in Duckpond (Neil) and Demon Smash (Jordan).I am amazed that this picture came out...Jordan is NOT happy that Mom is trying to take a picture!

Kevin and Tet are looking so happy to be in the game ticket booth....

Here is Kaitlyn standing in line with her sister at the Duck Pond....she doesn't look thrilled that I took her picture either...

Of course, Kristen is always ready to pose for the camera!

That's all for this year....oh, and there were no bids on my necklace :( I think I need to go simplier next year...