Go Apolo!

The summer of 2006, we were having lunch in Hawai'i at a hole-in-the-wall cafe I found on the internet.  Ono Hawaiian Foods on Kapahulu Street in Honolulu is a local favorite (non-touristy) that serves authentic, simple Hawaiian dishes in a tiny, disorderly, nondescript eatery.  (Ono, in the Hawaiian language, means delicious).

We were eating when I recognized My Guy!  I know His Face!  (I've been following him since his first Winter Games). He quietly came into the room with four other people and sat down.  Their order quickly arrived and they started lunch.

I was leaning out of my seat, sorely straining my neck to get a better view of the US Olympic short track speedskater.  Kirk rolled his eyes.  He told me it can't be him, not here, and asked me not to bother them while they were eating. 

So ... I got up and introduced myself to Apolo Anton Ohno.  His handsome face flashed that familiar, bright toothy smile.  I knew it!  I asked for a couple pictures after he finished eating, but he said, "It's okay.  We can do it right now."  He's polite and gracious, too!  Yay!

As it turns out, Apolo was with the Honolulu Advertiser, so I was interviewed and pictures were taken for the local paper.  Apolo was in on his first visit to Hawai'i to receive a Victor Award.  The newspaper thought it would be fun heading with a play on words, "Ohno eats lunch at Ono!"

Lauren with Apolo

Apolo with the sun-burned brown Zenimuras

Apolo invited us to the Victor Awards later that day (where we met more athletes).

We're rooting for Apolo.  To date, he's currently tied with Bonnie Blair for the most medals (six) won by an American in Winter Games competition.  He has three more events in the Winter Games so we're cheering for him to win more medals.  Go Apolo! Go USA!

Heart Surgery

I need heart surgery.  I woke up and felt heartache and a deep emotional groaning.
My youngest daughter turns 18 next month.  Graduation.  College.  Boyfriend.

Today is Senior Parents Night at Bullard High. 
We're meeting to go over the senior activities (and empty the checkbook). I looked over the senior packet (announcements, cap/gown, grad trips) and I was fine ... yesterday.

I thought I was well-prepared for this phase.  Nope.  I'm hopelessly sappy. 
Truly, I'm happy for her future.  But, the sap has taken over today.
When did my naked-screaming-little-baby-wanting-attention grow up?  
When did she and I switch positions?  Seems she's the one comforting me now, saying
"Awww, things will be alright" while I'm screaming for attention, afraid to be left behind. 

I have an appointment with The Ultimate Heart Surgeon.
I'll need to be a compliant patient.  Is there a pill for this?

Life is just as it should be.
My girl's living her destiny.
Her mama will get well. 
Soon.

Mama's Arm (edited my head in ... ha!)                              Spencer's Arm (original shot)

Preschool                                                                         High School Senior

Do all mamas go through this? Ahhh.  [*sigh*]

Happy Birthday (New Year), Kirk!

It's become a tradition to get Chinese Baos from ABC Bakery on Kirk's birthday (New Year's Day). We celebrated in Sacramento at Alex & Lani's. It's great starting the year together. Baos and birthday cake (cupcakes) find a place on the table today! Happy Birthday, Kirk!

Gotta love anything in a pink bakery box.

Boxes of siopao (aka baos).  Teddy ordered barbeque pork (char siu), chicken, and dessert baos.

Kirk found the baos

Barbeque pork. Yum!

Kirk and his girl

Birthday cupcakes

Lani made the cupcakes and I helped frost the two varieties (chocolate and lemon). Double stack!

A prayer for the Kirk's birthday and the New Year. Love it.

Chocolate cupcakes lit!

Make a wish!  Happy Birthday!

Christmas Tree Lane

Kirk, Norman & I walked Christmas Tree Lane. Lauren usually walks with us but chose to walk with her friends tonight. It was a comfortable evening and took us over two hours to walk the 4+ miles from Bullard High to the entrance at Shields then back again). Lots of people and animals dressed in holiday regalia. We enjoyed it all ... the walk, the music, the lights, the people and the cute animals.

This house (near the Shaw exit) draws crowds of people. Lots of lights and flashing displays.

I was happy to see Ryan Yamaoka at a home near the entrance. He's such a talented jazz musician. This trio is known as FYD (letters comprised of each musician's surname initial) and is available for hire. Great music, guys!

Lights strewn from trees hanging over the Van Ness Blvd.

I prefer lights a little blurry (bokeh is nice....)

Santa poses with a family

Lighted sign at the front of the Shields Avenue entrance (I like this blurry version).

A sign commemorating this event.

I always look for this trio of snowmen.

Nativity scene

High school holiday performers

This is the sign at the exit. Goodbye, Christmas Tree Lane. I'll be back next year!

Lunch with Norman

Norm's birthday is 12/14, but he chose to celebrate the next day. Panera Bread in Fresno just opened so he chose lunch here. After, we stopped at See's for something sweet and walked around Riverpark before heading back to work. I still need to make him a birthday cake (that's coming) ... Happy Birthday little brother!

I chose half a Caesar salad and a half a Smokehouse Turkey sandwich. Yum.

Norm's sandwich

Kirk's three-cheese turkey panini

I convinced Kirk and Norman to get into Santa's unoccupied sleigh.

Before we left, we listed to some holiday music from a local high school

Rice Krispies

Lauren frequently requests homemade snacks to share with her teammates. Sometimes it's brownies, or cookies, or caramel popcorn. It's basketball season so she's been asking for Rice Krispies lately. I'm happy to oblige. Now that she's a high school senior, these snack days will be coming to an end.

A tray of uncut Rice Krispies

A plate set aside for Lauren's Pop.

Back to cutting up the two trays.

Cut, wrapped with non-stick parchment, ready to be bagged up for today's hungry female athletes.

Alex & Lani

Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary!

My brother, Alex, married Lani at The Inn at Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach, CA eight years ago today.  She has been a blessing to our family and happy addition.  I'm glad I have another sister and hope to celebrate their 50th anniversary!

Love you both!

Three Little Cakes

We spent a couple days in Sacramento visiting my brother, Alex, and his wife, Lani. They surprised me with a birthday treat of three little cakes.

A carrot cake.

Tiramisu and German chocolate

Three treats. Thank you, Alex & Lani.

Branden. One.

Branden's First Birthday Party was last Sunday (10.11.09). I haven't seen this little one since he was born and a year has quickly passed. To make up for lost time, all these pictures were shot within one hour because he and his Mom Chanel were leaving to get ready for his big party. He's the apple of his Ama Lani's eye and Apa Alex (my brother) can't wait for him to come over and play.

I think he's going to be a musician. Look at his happy expression as he strums this guitar.

Ama Lani pulls him away from the guitars, but he crawls right back to them.

As soon as the front door opened, he squealed and ran out the door. He's too fast for me!

I was laying on my back on the floor and had Branden propped on my legs (he's holding on to my flannel pajamas on the left). He has such an expressive face.

He really loves this car. He was laughing, talking, and squealing down the sidewalk.

Lovely smile. Infectious laugh.


Happy First Birthday, Branden.
You have a wonderful life ahead of you.

Triangle Drive-In

Lauren asked to have Sunday dinner here (our Small Group barbeque was cancelled a few hours earlier). Yesterday was my first time here - we picked up a strawberry milkshake and a drink enroute to Uncle Sam's graveside service.

For no particular reason, Kirk hasn't stopped here for years. I like the old neon signs and 1960s-architecture of this roadside eatery (at the 99 and Belmont exit). This place opened in 1963 and was so surpringly clean and tidy (no papers strewn either inside or out, no dirty tables, and the cement floors were shiny). Today's fast food splurge was fast, reasonable and tasty (we're not here for healthy fare). Tonight, Kirk and Lauren were in the mood for seafood (fish & chips and clam strips & fries).

Triangle Drive-In's neon sign against the evening sky (approximately 7:10pm)

I liked this big neon with a bygone era font. This eatery was so neat and tidy.

1960s era sign. The blueness of the twilight sky is beautiful

I was eyeing someone's ice cream order on the counter

Triangle's window sign

Kirk and Lauren chat while waiting for their order.

Dedication sign by the front door

This eatery was so tidy (no rubbish outside and the cement floors were so shiny)

There are 3 windows: Fountain Drinks, Pick-Up, and Order

Lauren's basket of clam strips and fries

Kirk's basket of fish and fries with tartar sauce

Part of the inside wall menu. Burger next time?