Conferences are always fun....back in the days...do you remember those WYBL conferences? How about trying to sneak out to go shopping during the workshops and then dressing up for the conference dances?
Well, the BWA (Fujinkai) Conferences are sort of the same...well, at least this year....it all started with driving to Sacramento with Grace, Karen and Jeff's mom, having lunch at Mel's...and then realizing I left my wallet in my gym bag. Jeff drove up that night and brought my wallet.
After dropping Karen off at the hotel, Grace, Mom and I went to Arden Fair Macy's for some shopping...before heading back to the hotel for the Representative Meeting. Grace and I were "Official Delegates"....whoo hoo...
After the meeting, the Northern California District had goodies in the hospitality room. Unlike those WYBL days, I was able to visit the room and partake in the food and "beverages"...there was also an Udon "bar" that lasted about a foot into my hotel room. Jordan answered the door with a "is that for me?"....Jeff and the boys stayed at the hotel and then spent the day visiting the sites and having dinner with Obachan (Jeff's paternal grandmother), aunts, uncle and cousins. Neil even took a dip in the pool before we left on Sunday.
This is Grace's plate....like I said, my noodles were gone in less time than it took me to walk back to my room...btw: Jordan said they were quite yummy...
Karen, Joyce (who drove up with Jeff and the boys), and Mom waiting to hear the keynote speaker. Rev Diane Jishin Johnson-Van Parijs, was ordained in Kyoto and with her husband founded the Myokoin Temple and White Lotus Center for Shin Buddhism in Anchorage Alaska. She spoke about her life and how she discovered Shin Buddhism when she was working in a hospice.
Mom, Karen, Joyce and some ladies from the Palo Alto temple at lunch. We had a wonderful salad with chicken, bleu cheese, nuts, cranberries, raisens and yummy poppyseed dressing.
Rev and Mrs Matsubayashi at lunch. Rev Matsubayashi was at SACBC (Union City) when I first moved to the Bay Area. Their sons are good friends, and two of their granddaughters are in the area and participate in both Dharma School and other church activities.
Three of the ladies from Japan with Grace. Our district has a "sister district" exchange with the Hopo-Fukuoka district in Japan. This year four ladies were able to make the trip and participate in the conference. Our chapter was responsible for them during the conference. One lady was not feeling well, and actually had to go to Kaiser for an IV and other tests. She was released later in the afternoon and actually made it to the banquet later that night. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to join us on a special outing....remember I mentioned sneaking out to go shopping? Well, we left the banquet entertainment program a little early in order to go to Red Hawk Casino. The lady on the second from the right, Chigusa, took me by the arm and told me that I was her "teacher"....Teacher taught her well....she won $70...$45 from a penny machine....it was so fun! And, she took home a "player's card" with her name on it for a souvenier.
As always, Daisy, my mother's cousin, was at the conference with the Oakland chapter. It's always so nice to see her at these events.
Here is Chigusa again. She is in for another treat. I heard that the ladies from Oakland were going to take them to River Rock for "lunch"...they didn't think that they would want to gamble...NOT! I hope Chigusa goes home with some winnings....
For some reason, both Jeff's Mom and me were put into the "Make and Take, Asian Card" workshop, twice! But, that's okay...I was able to make one set and then keep the other set for measurements. The workshop presenter turned out to be Garret Murai's mother. Garrett is a member of SACBC, our temple. Unfortunately, this prompted a trip to Michael's today...sigh....
I really like the lining. There is some extra material...so, I think I will make a tissue holder or something to go in the purse....
My next project is a baby quilt for one of Neil's former teachers. Hopefully, I can finish it before she goes into labor...she thinks she will be early...or she hopes she is early! It should be fairly easy, it's a Cuddly Quilt Kit from Joann's. Emphasis on "Kit"...
She is a tree topper for my Christmas Tree. I collect the "dated" Precious Moments ornaments
Of course, we can't use spiders and witch's hats for Christmas, so, here is a new batch for Christmas!
Luckily, we are blessed with many friends...so, I also made some generic charms for those "non-holiday" get-togethers. Although, I am thinking of getting some patriotic charms for Independence Day.
On a follow-up to my last post: Today's President Cup results: The United States took 3 1/2 points in Thursday's foursomes matches to take a 3 1/2 - 2 1/2 lead over the International side after day one of The Presidents Cup. Hmm...I never really watched a golf tournament before... but, it is so much more exciting when you actually walked the course. This may get addicting! 
Jeff and I went to the President's Cup that is being held at Harding Park in San Francisco. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! We got there about 9:30 and scouted out the course...food and shopping...hee hee...like my new hat? I could never find a hat that I am happy with...too hot, too small...etc...this one fit nicely. Jeff also got one...(see below), minus the bow in the back of the hat!
We saw Tiger! Today was a practice round...so, we were allowed to take pictures...although we couldn't take our cell phones into the course. Amazes me...some people still smuggled in their phones, and they didn't put it on MUTE! AUGH!
The International Team were wearing the blue shirts...Greg Norman (in a sling), Ernie Els, and Mike Weir.
Anthony Kim, teeing off at the 15.
AND SURPRISE!!!! LOOK WHO IS WITH TIGER....MICHAEL!!! 
Don't you just love Jordan? Sigh....I think he is sticking his tongue out...hee hee...we were more excited to see Michael than to see most of the golfers....sigh....after all who is our oldest son named after? Hint: It is NOT for King Hussein....of JORDAN....although he did pass away right before Jordan was born....and we told Jeff's basketball team that it was in memory of King Hussein....and some of the kids believe us....sigh.....
Here is the end result...I think he needs to make a minor adjustment...and since we will be gone this weekend...he will have to do it sometime later this month.
I also received my Fire Mountain Beads shipment. Now I can try to make that Honu charm... and package up some crystals for the strawberry charm. I'm getting it ready for the Girl's Vegas Trip....everyone is going to learn how to make a Strawberry.....I think the pineapple might be easier....I guess I will give them a choice.
Yes, the crowds were a little dead and there were no Club 200 activties for the boys. We gave our tickets to some friends...and then another friend called and said she had 4 seats. So, we decided to go as a family. So, after a nice dinner at Rocky's...thank you Andi and Jeff T. ...we met up with them at the game. Our seats are in the next section from 2 of the 4 seats. Jeff and Neil sat in Mrs. Fujii's seats in the upper level. It was a nice night, and we were able to see our friend Lucy, she sat next to us last season, and Eric, who just moved back from Canada, and happens to be Andi's cousin-in-law....small world, eh?
