Flying to Europe

We got lucky and got bumped to business class especially when we had a 4 hour delay due to smoke in the galley. The Luftansa flight had to fly back to Canada to fix the problem. I was able to put my swollen foot up (sprained my foot in Carbondale at a playground) and we were all able to stretch during this long flight. When we got to Europe, we picked up our new car lease - a Peugeot Trenday five door diesel car which we leased through Auto Europe. It was cheaper than renting a car - it included full insurance, unlimited mileage, roadside assistance, and very convenient pick up and drop off. If you need a car for more than 17 days, this is the way to go. The catch is you have to lease it while you are still in America. Different lease price for other countries.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin - Last stop before Europe

Brianna's highlight at Lake Geneva was when Rob Duboe took us tubbing with his girls, Bailey and Lauren. She loved it. Jim had a go too and got thrown off a couple of times. It was also nice to catch up with Rob and Aileen. Bailey and Brianna hit it off and we hope that it won't be another five years till we meet again.

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St Louise and the Lincoln Museum in Springfield

The Magic House, the Zoo, the Botanic Garden and the City itself were so much fun for me and Brianna. There were so many things to see and do and we found the people very friendly. We never knew St Louis had so many educational and at the same time fun things to see and do and in close proximity to Washington U. The City was pleasant with all the brick buildings and Washington University campus was very impressive. I hope to see the dog museum the next time we visit the city. One museum that I think is a must see for children is the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Brianna was into the story of Lincoln - the way the whole place was presented brought the past alive. It is a new way of doing museums - telling a story and making history interesting to the kids as well as the adults. It is a must see if you are passing by the area.

Carbondale Illinois

It was heartwarming to see Jim visit his home town of Carbondale. Being at the Burn's was like going home to family. Brianna loves Mrs Burns. She enjoyed her time with her - sleepover and talking till midnight, popcorn and Harry Potter, and girl talk (on fashion, jewelry, etc...). She tells everyone about Mrs. Burns and how she was called Barbie before Barbie was even invented (this is the doll that Brianna uses as a door stop).

Jim also attended his 30th High School Reunion which was well attended. I think they all had fun catching up with old friends. He even visited old neighbour Craig Bardo and his family, who still call him with his Chinese name Hou-Fu. The reunion made Jim happy, but the state of his old town made him feel sad. All things change with time. He found it was nice to share 30 years of life in a nutshell of a few minutes, to see how people turned out. Craig was the basketball star of Jim's high school but his days of dunking are over. He is happily married with kids and is lucky enough to see his brother and sister and parents often. Another old classmate Philip Cochrane was not so lucky: he was fighting cancer, but grateful for every reprieve medicine could give him.

We hope and pray to be at the next reunion in ten years. God bless everyone.

More Pictures of Chicago

July 6th at Linda Skitka's house

A nice night at Linda Skitka, Bill and Christina's place in Chicago.. Jim and Linda talked shop (that is Psychology research), while Brianna watched Mama Mia with Christina and Bill did some of the cooking. The weather was wonderful. Too bad the fireflies are camera shy. Linda's and Bill renovated their wonderful house with antiques and wooden furnitures. I love her kitchen especially with the stove faucet that folds right next to the stove on the wall. Great for filling up that big pot for cooking big meals. What a great idea not to carry the big heavy pot from the sink to the stove. Must have been a woman who thought of this. We enjoyed the patio fire by making smores (graham cracker, hershey chocolate bar with melted marshmallow sandwich) -perfect on the summer night.

Millenium Park

This is the first time we have seen this park. It was very pleasant walking around with the big sculptures, the water features, the botanic section and the big open theater (Jay Pritzker Pavilion). I love the big bean. Brianna enjoyed the giant water feature with the faces spitting water to get the kids wet while they play. I heard the apartments around the area cost around five million.

Museum of Science and Industry July 6th

The Museum was fun for Brianna and the adults. There was a Harry Potter Exhibition just before we saw the new Harry Potter movie. We are in front of the flying car and Brianna got to wear the sorting hat. I got sorted in the Slytherin. Cunning Gal I am.

July 5th Chicago

Jim and Mike Blue are catching up at Mike's house in Chicago. We get to see them once every five years. He still looks the same except for his kids look older and a lot taller from when we last saw them. Brianna was two and a half when we last saw them.

4th of July with family and friends at Mark and Nancy's

We enjoyed the soak in the pool on this hot day. It was a perfect send off for us. We even had someone play the bagpipe for us by the pool. My sister and her family and my mom was there to complete my day. I am happy that they were able to make it to Mark and Nancy's that day.

I had moving pics too big for downloading but I have Mark and Nanc captured for our home video. California has it so good in terms of weather.

Universal Studios - July 3rd

Universal Studios have added a lot of things the last 17 years. It has more rides now and exciting ones too. The children loved it but it also scared them especially Brianna with the earthquake one. This is Hollywood with the glamour, the excitement and stimulation overload. Chuck and Jen with Nolan took us there for our last hooray before we left for the midwest. I loved that I saw the set of "Desperate Housewives"

Carter Family- July 2nd visit

It was wonderful to catch up with Jerome and Tracy, and of course their kids. This two are blessed to inspire young minds and spirits to be the best they can be. It is true for my friends that if you follow your bliss everything else will follow and they have been blessed. Power to inspiring the spirit. We love your poems - we will be sure to share it with our friends in New Zealand.

Venice Grass

Jim was surprised to see this in Venice. It is the right place for it and great to see it legalised for medical purposes.

July 1st Venice Beach

Hanging around the old haunts in West LA was great. We love going to music store on Pico, strolling down Venice Beach, and spending time with Karen, Ben and Jeff at Santa Monica Promenade. It is always nice to be home.

The playground kids June 28th

Here are the kids. They were able to stand still for a few seconds and off they went again. We did miss the family of Gemma, Dennie, Arlie and Ed. Hope to see them next year though.

From the back:

Brianna, Ruanne, Nolan, Lucas, MJ, jason, Carly

UCLA Gang Reunion

A visit to LA won't be complete without seeing my UCLA friends. Alan and Sharon with Lucas, Art and Rose, Ben, Terry, Jim, Belinda, Jen Chuck, Bernie and Robin. It was hard to get the kids out of the playground so we took a picture of the kids at the playground. See the next photo for the picture of the kids. It was lovely having the get together at Calabasas park - the got to play basketball, tennis and the kids played waterbombs and ran around at the playground. The food was also great. Thanks for showing up guys. Always a pleasure to see everyone healthy. Jen will be having the baby in September. Wish we can be there.

Play Play Play

Brianna, Ashley, RL and Ino played and played all day. I wish I had their energy. Ino was so sweet that Gina wanted to keep him. Kiwi Kids are sweet but especially Ino. He offered to put Ashleys plate away she has eaten. What a gentleman. Ashley was a great host too and took us to the beach and played with the kids on the sand and got wet. What a lovely day for Jim's birthday.

Uncle Gabby and Auntie Genni

Jim and I with my mom and Dee's family visited the Gembica's. It was nice to see our godparents. Uncle Gabby is still making us laugh and Auntie Genni is still as sweet and lovely as ever. We love them.

Redondo Pier

Jim's birthday we spent on the pier eating crabs and fish. Dee was with us and the kids but you can't see Dee on the picture. Brianna was happy to have her New Zealand buddies with her. Afterwards we went to see our godparents in Redondo.

Escondido visit June 25th

We went to visit my Auntie Kuring at Kuya Kits house in Escondito. It was fun cause Kuya Ding, Beth, John, and the kids were there too. We picked oranges, talked and ate the whole time we were there. I think I gained weight again. I hope my Aunt will be blessed with good health until we meet again next year. The drive is not that bad on a weekday and I am glad to have seen my relations again before we headed out.

Miriam Green

Have you heard spiritual inspiration - you have to watch Miriam Green sing at the Agape Church in Culver City. I am so proud of her. The church was also inspirational, especially the minister. If you want to experience a soul awakening service, please hear the songs and the words in this church and I am a catholic girl through and through but you have to experience this even once in your life. We went to a 6:00 AM service and it lifted my heart. God Bless Miriam for inviting us to her church and everyone in it.

Montana De Oro

Jim and I use to camp here in our younger days. We remembered the racoons that would bother you at night. The pelicans and the sea birds here were a sight to see and the dolphins jumping out of the water was just a treat. The first time we were here (before Brianna was born) an otter swam close to shore by the rocks to look at Jim and me. We didn't see any otters this time but I think I saw seals. I am glad we got to bring Brianna to this wonderful State Beach Park.

Monterey Aquarium

It was great to see Monterey Aquarium again. They added a lot of new attractions in there. You can easily stay there the whole day. Million gallon tank was awesome, the seahorses and the jelly fish were my favorite. Brianna was however saddened because they take away the penguin egg and disposed instead of having the parents raise the baby penguins. Not enough room they said. It was magical and we loved the volunteers that tell you all about the animals. A great place for kids.

Jeff Rivera in San Francisco

After ten years, we finally found Jeff Rivera and his family again. I lost touch of him because they moved house. Love the new house but I think they still want to get "biggering and biggering". Americans like to have things big. Wish we had longer in San Francisco to catch up with everyone but we had to head home the next day. Glad to have seen Jeff again though. Looking great after all these years.

Brianna's Uncles

Brianna got to see Dan and Jeff before we headed down to LA. It was nice to catch up.

We got to watch the first "Glee" episode and Brianna loved it. Hope we get it in New Zealand. We love your Appa and hope we can find a stuff toy just like it. Yipyip. We definitely will watch the Avatar when it comes out. Uncle Jeffrey got us hooked on it.

Hangin with Karen June 28th

We stayed at Karen's place - loved it - so close to everything - especially to Berkeley which is our old haunt. I think I spent a lot of time at the Amoeba buying used CD's for a dollar. Jim and Brianna hit the use bookstores and I explored the different markets around Karen's area in Oakland. Jim's brother Jeff and his partner Dan were close by too.

Karen's friends, Mia and her family, were so nice to invite us to their bbq. The food was fav and the weather was excellent. I love Northern Cal. Wish I can afford to live up there. But we are fortunate to have friends up there and see a glimpse of their life. Karen is a sweetheart and so great with Brianna. No wonder she is a pediatrician.

Visiting Ricky and Family

We enjoyed visiting Ricky, Angie and the kids. Jim enjoyed listening to all the symbolism in UP. We have to watch it again and again when we get the video. We loved the movie and we have to tell you - we both cried when we saw it. It is a must see friends. Oh, Brianna's blog has more pictures of our visit to Ricky and Angie and more. Check it out - www.briannasdiaryblog2009.blogspot.com

Visiting the Wongs

We were in Folsom to visit Cedric and Jen's family. Brianna liked playing with the kids. The last time we saw them was fifteen years ago in Texas. They have a big beautiful family now and Ced is now an orthopedic surgeon in the Sacramento area. We hope it won't be another fifteen years to our next reunion. He took us fishing at Folsom Lake and caught a couple of fish. We threw one back because Brianna and Christopher was feeling sorry for the small one. They threatened to be vegetarians - at least until the next trip to MacDonalds. May you find the biggest fish as you fish Cedrick. Thanks for the great visit.

Yosemite

Visiting the Yosemite brings back old memories of when we lived in California. It was nice to show Brianna places that we love and treasure. The weather was just perfect and the flowers were out. Despite the crowd, we still love walking around and visiting the waterfalls around the valley.

June 15 Pure Joy in the Forest of the Giants

Jim and Brianna had fun walking and climbing around in the Forest of the Giants. These Sequoias are so magnificent. It is pure joy to share that time with Jim and Brianna. These are a must see in ones life time. These trees shared the air Jesus was breathing when he was on earth. What a previlege to be there to be touched by them.

June 14 Sequoia National Park

Visiting the National Park was wonderful and uplifting. Seeing these trees makes you feel so small but at the same time awakens this feeling of reverence for the life and a certain kind of timelessness. A feeling of "awe" is what people experience. Beholding trees that were alive for thousands of years makes me feel so alive in the briefness of my time.

I held them, hugged them, and I could not encompass their years, their life, their peace and stillness. I shared this time with Brianna and Jim and hope that this sliver of time reminds them of how nature can touch you and how important it is to look into the past -alive amongst the giants.

Hopefully Brianna will remember these Gentle Giants and bring her children to see them when she is a mother. These cathedrals are the work of God and they are magnificent. It is with our love and with great pleasure that we take Brianna to see these ancient trees. Walk in Beauty!!!

Fallen Monarch

The high tannin content of the sequoia keeps it from decaying fast. This one is hollow in the middle and you can walk right through it like a tunnel. Brianna is sitting right on the root of the big giant. Go visit and walk amongst the trees......

So many has stopped to ponder or walk in the sinew of its trunks. The life it had, the substance it shared is calming, is enriching, is amazing. Live forever the forest of our dreams. Be there when we walk no more and be there when our spirit swirls around your being.

Marry Me A Little

We saw the a musical at East West Players in Los Angeles, thanks to Uncle Jeffrey. We enjoyed watching the Jennifer Paz and Michael Lee. And when we visited Jeff Rivera in San Francisco, we found out that his brother John directed it -- Small world really. Jennifer Paz was in Miss Saigon - we were thrilled to be able to catch her at this more intimate theater. My daughter stayed awake and enjoyed the evening as did her parents and Auntie Janet.

Cavite High School 60 year reunion

In California, the Cavite High School 60 year reunion was celebrated by a few classmates. Most of them are from California. There is a bigger reunion in December that most of them are thinking of going to. My mom is in the back, fourth from the left. They were still dancing, making jokes and catching up on news on what is happening in their life. More power to the oldies. They all looked Happy.