Updated with pictures: Pizza and More...

Last night was the "informal get-together" at my fellow classmates restaurant, Casa Sorrento Pizzeria Wine and Spirits. Ok, to be honest, I didn't know if I really wanted to go to the Friday social...it was one of those things...you don't always remember everyone....sigh....but, it was a fun time....should be...we left after 10 p.m. and the event was officially over at 8! But, there was a band there that played pretty good music etc...so, it was fun seeing everyone.

The funny thing is, there were a lot of people that Marsha (my friend we visited in San Diego) and I knew from Grammar School. The owner of the restaurant Mike Hackett, Jim Innocenti, Sandy Nelson, Kim Anders, Jeff Lopez, Marsha and I have know each other for 30+ years....sheesh, we must be getting old! I thought it was bad enough that we were going to our 25 year High School reunion!

On a sad note, when I got to my parents' house, they handed me a newspaper clipping....never a good thing....our leadership advisor/teacher had passed away from brain cancer earlier this month. Mr. Kunas was a wonderful person....I will always remember him in his hawaiian shirts and birkenstocks! So sad....

Tim Castro (not to be confused with his "evil" twin George), myself, Leonard and the long-lost Jude Ureta are posing for a picture.

I hitched a ride with Elizabeth and Mr. Armstrong to the social. Elizabeth lives off of 101 in Prunedale, so, Jeff thought it would be faster for him to drop me off there...I quickly changed and refreshed at her house, and Mr. Armstrong drove us to Casa Sorrento.
The ole "El Gobble Gobble" crew....El Gabilan...I think our mascot was a turkey. In this picture is Marsha, Jeff Lopez, Jim Innocenti, Sandy Nelson and me!

Hair is done...ready to go to the Ball!

So, I was due for a haircut...so, I scheduled it for today since tomorrow is my 25 year class reunion...WHOO HOO....I think most of us are in shock that it has been 25 years!

Anyhoots, this is Tiffany....she is AWESOME and has a great personality! If you are looking for someone to do your hair...go see Tiffany at Visual Image! I love her!!!!!

Back to the reunion....tonight is an informal social followed by the reunion tomorrow at Paraiso Vineyards.

Funny thing is, Gary also has his reunion...his 21st....it's a 3 year combined event....and then Dave has an Academic Decathalon reunion on Sunday! Crazy, huh!

I almost forgot....check out this blog: http://hachiko-dog-story-movie-trailer.blogspot.com/ . Looks like one of my favorite Japanese tales is being brought to the big screen...with Richard Gere in the lead....should be interesting...it makes me want to get an Akita...or Shiba-inu....

Color Me Mine!!!

For our Wednesday outing...we went to Color Me Mine with Kaitlyn, Kristen, Riley and Makaela. At first Jordan said that he didn't want to do it...then he saw a dragon....it was a cool dragon, but it's wing was broken so he settled for a T-Rex....Neil, is still missing Kiku...so, he painted her! Blue eyes and all! Riley painted a mermaid....and Kristen (with Kathy's help) painted a red and purple ladybug.

I think Kaitlyn's piece is going to turn out GREAT! She painted a dolphin on a wave....Makaela painted a castle switch plate....too cute!

Ok, so, I got in the mood...and since the boys are more or less self-sufficient....I painted a utensil container...of course its a light purple (more mauve) with purple flowers....

Here are our final pieces before it gets fired....yes, the T-Rex is multi-colored...I dunno...Kathy and I are talking about going back sans kids....and having a Girl's Day...Michelle wants us to go on a Wednesday and then she will join us...hee hee...

Nomura's 10th Wedding Anniversary

Tonight we went to dinner with Darren and Michelle to celebrate (belatedly) their 10th Wedding Anniversary! Since I had switched purses, I didn't have my camera...but, I do have their wedding picture that they gave us...hee hee...

Happy Anniversary you two!!! Here's to many more anniversaries in the future!!! (hiccup....I really enjoyed that wine tonight....too many typos...I'm keeping this short!)

I am so SORRY!!!! UCSD Reunion

Opps....I thought I had posted pictures from the reunion, but, I guess I didn't....here is some background: Jeff went to UCSD...his dorm, Dana Hall, had a reunion at the beginning of the month....very special group of people....a lot of people travelled from Northern California, but people also flew in from Houston, Hong Kong and Japan! It was a great time...some people we haven't seen since our weddings....

The day started off with a campus tour...most of which was new for everyone...the campus has grown in 25 years. After the tour, we had box lunches, pictures and then "entertainment". During that first year, there were various incidents that included "Dana Hall Songs" (there is a link in my FB videos), practical jokes and someone mentioned a party that was broken up by the police...something about a punk rock band playing at the hall??? dunno...never really got the full story....and of course, Jeff knows nothing about any of this...he must have been studying in the library....

Here is a group picture of the Dana Hall group...can you believe they even have an "Official 25 year Reunion SHIRT"?

This picture includes all of the families...the youngest "child" is 4 months old (although someone couldn't make the reunion because she is due anyday....so, Sheridyn may no longer be the youngest), and the oldest is a sophmore in high school...(of course about 5-6 people are taking pictures...)
Adrienne and I are eating our sandwiches....she is married to Sean who instigated the reunion. They now live in Houston with their baby Sheridyn. It has been years since we have been able to talk...she is SOOO SWEET! We have seen Sean over the years, but, he usually doesn't bring Adrienne on his business trips. The last time he was visiting, I told him he couldn't come back unless he brought her....he hasn't been back...SEAN, I was kidding!!!!

Would you believe that Jeff's roommate, Kee, lives in Newark? Maybe 5 minutes away? Crazy, eh....
After the tour, lunch and singing...the group met downtown for dinner and bowling....one of the guys drove down from Carmel just to go bowling...he couldn't leave until Saturday morning, but once he saw who was coming, he "had" to drive down for the night...

Like I said, it was a great group! They are talking about the next reunion being in Greece....I dunno....Hawaii was a 2nd choice runner-up....

More reunions...and Obon Odori!

On our way home, we stopped to see/meet Lynn, Fred and their daughter Lauren! Lynn was Jeff's 2nd year Resident Advisor...and we had hooked up via FB. Coincidentally, Fred is a cousin of someone we know in Fremont. His aunt didn't believe that we had lunch with him on Sunday....hee hee....gotta be careful..."you never know who is related to who".... After lunch, we made it home in time for Obon Odori @ SACBC! It was a beautiful night, and although we were exhausted (we drove into our driveway at 6:05...service was at 6:30 and dancing started at 7:00!), the boys and I survived the evening! Jeff stayed home to unload the van and start the laundry....such a good husband!

I was so happy to see Yumi and Mike at Obon! I dragged out Yumi....she had a good time...really she did...maybe I can get her to dress up with me next year....(if we are in town)....I was too tired from the trip to drag out my yukata....

This is one of my favorite people @ SACBC...Dr. Hashimoto. He was all decked out and ready to dance....he is such a nice man!

Brother Ray also dressed up....doesn't he look nice? He is so in the spirit!!!

Our niece Megan is all dolled up...

And little sis Rachel is just SOOO CUTE!!!!

Dustin, Brett, Jordan and Neil in their hapi coats! Jordan's coat is looking a little small...I might need to pick up a new one for next year!

This afternoon we celebrated Preston and Auntie Irene's birthdays at Claimjumpers. Everyone had a good time...with everyone's schedules, it seems like the "birthday lunches" are the only time we see each other. :(

One of the presents we got Preston was a Popcorn Popper for the campfire. He and Gary go camping...I thought this would be fun!

Jeff and I decided that if my necklace didn't "sell" at the Silent Auction, I should give it to Auntie Irene. I have been wanting to make her one...so, maybe it was fate that no one bid on it at the Bazaar....she kinda knew she was getting it...it looked great on her!

Rev Abiko,the "Peace Bell" and Baby Isaac!!!!

Today was our last full day in Southern California. We head back tomorrow...Jeff changed the schedule on us a little, and we found ourselves in LA Japantown. On a whim, we decided to visit Rimban Abiko at the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. He has been assigned to LA Betsuin since February, so we thought we would surprise him with a visit! It was nice chatting with him and the boys enjoyed seeing a huge oniijin (sp?) (altar)...next time we have to plan this a little better and maybe take him to lunch! Rimban Abiko was a good friend of my Grandfather's. I was happy to hear that Rimban Abiko's father is doing well and will be 100 years old next month....WOW! After visiting with Rimban Abiko, we met Burt for lunch at Koraku...wonderful Ramen and fried rice...yum...I was happy to hear that there is a Koraku @ Stateline's Primm Outlets...we might have to go there during the Girl's Trip.

Burt took us on a sightseeing trip around downtown Los Angeles....we saw the Staples Center... ...ooohhh, ahhhh, that's where the Lakers play....Angel's Flight and Burt also told us that they film Shark in his building....ohhhh, ahhh....

Did you know that there was a "Peace Bell" in San Pedro? I didn't, but, Jeff took us there....here are the boys doing something very "un-peaceful"...sigh....boys....

The day ended at the Abang's house! We finally got to meet baby Isaac!!! He was the little one born on Jeff's birthday....here is Dad (Nick) with Isaac...

Isaac looks bored with Uncle Jeff....hee hee...(it's my Blog and I can write what I want....)

He was such a good baby....he even stayed with me! Of course I handed him to Jeff when he got a little fussy...but, that was only once during the evening.

After a wonderful dinner...we celebrated Kallyn's birthday...it was last week...with a Guava Cake from King's Hawaiian...yummmmy!!!!

Here is a picture of the kids together...Isaac kept looking at Jordan....probably sizing him up for when he gets older!

Thanks Jazel and Nick for a wonderful dinner and company!!!!