...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...

It's time for the Japanese Bazaar!!!

Looking for something to do this weekend? Our temple is having their annual Japanese Bazaar this weekend...

There will be both Japanese and American food, games for the kids, BINGO, cultural displays and demonstrations etc.

I'll be working in the Gyoza (potsticker) and Salad booth in the kitchen...swing by and say "Hi!"

The Tri-City Voice Newspaper even wrote an article....here is the link, there are a few mis-spellings...but, he gets an A since he was able to put the article on the front page! (http://www.tricityvoice.com/articlefiledisplay.php?issue=2009-07-08&file=story3.txt)

Here are the details:

Japanese Bazaar
Saturday & Sunday, July 11-12
11 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Sat)11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Sun)
Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church
32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City
(510) 471-2581

Hope to see you there!!!!!

Dilbert and FREE books!

Today is Jordan's last day of classes @ Ohlone for Kids. He really enjoyed both classes, although I don't think they really worked on writing in the Writer's Workshop but, I do know that he love his cartooning class.

I scanned in his Dilbert drawing from yesterday....he did a really good job!
We are not going to church until later this afternoon, so, Neil and I went to Half-Priced Books to turn in his summer reading form. For kids under 12, Half-Priced Books will give them a $3 gift card if they read for a minimum of 15 minutes, 4 days a week...WHAT A DEAL! Neil's book was $2.98, and he didn't even have to pay tax because they deduct the $3.00 before they total the transaction out! I LOVE HALF PRICED BOOKS! If you want your kids to participate...get there quick...the program only goes to July 31st.

Happy Belated 4th!!!

Hi! We have been busy with the SACBC Bazaar preparations...so, this is a little late....Here are some pictures from our 4th of July in Salinas...

The empty fireworks table...this table was FULL of stuff...thanks to Grandpa and Grandma for the ammo...yes, I messed up and didn't take a picture of it when it was full... Uncle Dean helping the kids warm up with some sparklers...

Jordan and Neil playing with their sparklers...it was SOOO SMOKY!

There were these cool glasses in the fireworks box....

This is what it looked like with the glasses on....cool, eh? I'm glad it worked with my camera lens!

Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!!!

Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

It was a great few days...full of friends, family and festivities! My birthday was on Thursday. We ran some errands in San Jose and then met Lori for dinner at the Pruneyard. We ate at Buca di Beppo...a fun Italian place that surprised me with a red, white and green birthday cake slices.



On Friday, we had a pre-4th of July get-together with the Fremont Group...The Nakashimas are in town from Seattle...so, it is always a good excuse to get together and "let" the guys play poker. It was a long day, and ANOTHER BIG THANK YOU to Lori for coming early to help set-up and staying to help clean-up! You totally rock.


Actually, having 30+ people isn't that bad...this group really pitches in with the food, cooking and clean-up...unfortunately, my mother uses it as an excuse to have a large birthday cake...

It is so great to see the kids playing together...and they are all growing so quickly! Here are some pictures from the day...


Neil and Brent (from Seattle)

My friends Brian and Elizabeth with my Mom and Auntie Irene

Me and Mama Baba...I took the picture by stretching out my arm...hee hee
Mrs. Nomura, Jeff's Mom and Cathleen relaxing... Watch out GUYS!!! The Nomura and Matsubayashi girls are out!

Michelle and Betty...all smiles....

The first "baby" in the group...GOSH...Kaitlyn is starting Jr. High in the Fall...I can't believe it...seems like just yesterday she was this little baby bundled up like a football...

Today, we got up "early" and drove down to Salinas. My Dad needed some help, but, he was all done by the time we got to Salinas. One of my Dad's workers had to leave because his father died, so, Dad had to set up the irrigation pipes and etc with a new "kid". My poor brother Gary ended up helping earlier this week...something a Marketing guy from HP is not used to. I heard he had to take Advil that night...Jeff did help Dad put up some sheetrock in the tool house that he is building...and Mom and I bought fireworks to do later tonight.

This is the first year Salinas is allowing fireworks. The Buddhist Temple of Salinas has a booth, so, we bought it there...I'll have pictures of the fireworks in tomorrow's posts.

(I'll update this post when I get home...I can't get Mom's SD drive to work....oh well)