Descanso Gardens, 4/2/24

Three out of four college roommates were able to get together. Our other roommate, Mary, is from Mountain View and it would have been an eight hour drive for her. Our roommate, Maria from Maryland came to visit relatives and later to stay at my place. Although it would have been cool to see the California state flower - poppies in Antelope Valley - Lancaster - they were not in "super bloom". Thank you Vicki and Tommy for driving 2 hours to get to Descanso Gardens. Thankfully, I only had to drive 35 minutes.

Since, I haven't been using my Canon camera, I practiced with the plant outside my building.

We agreed to enjoy Descansco Gardens in Flintridge La Canada. We enjoyed an outdoor picnic table lunch from Magnolia. As everyone was trying to figure where to go looking at the map, I saw this and had to capture it.

I can assure you this looks better in person at the Japanese Garden, hopefully you can see how the gravel has been raked to create a "Zen Garden".

This one and the next one, I struggled with the focus.

Although the COVID pandemic,  was a bummer, it did allow Zoom or other platforms similar to that to bring us together for a weekly chat. This get together was definitely a plus.

I enjoyed my short time with Maria - we went to La Brea Tar Pit, Sister Pasta, Vicky's, DoorDash - Miz La La - Mediterranean. I truly appreciated her eye in rearranging my furniture to create a cozy living room. I know my grandson is happy here when he visits me.

Snippets since December 6, 2021

I have now been in Los Angeles for 2 1/2 years (September 16, 2021)

December 2022, I joined the Culver City Senior Center: membership $20.00/year and parking $5.00/year. This center has so many activities for us seniors. Needless to say I enjoy this place. I have been doing Zumba 3/week from 8-9, $4.00/class. It is the only thing I have to pay for. I also do Dance Fit, Improv, Acting, and see Movies on Tuesday and Sunday- which are all free. There are so many other classes such as Ceramic, Water, Pastel, Hula, Crochet, Knitting, etc. - not sure what their cost are. They also have Ping Pong, and Billards.

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Today, I made it priority to do this blog. 

December 6, 2021

Just under 4 months

15th month check, November 22, 2022

I like to do comparisons

 June 26, 2023

Alan Suemori is a friend of mine, a history teacher at Iolani School. Long story short, I have been reading this story to him. I left out words while reading and he filled them in. Listen to the video, his favorite word is Kalakaua.

September 28, 2023

I forgot where the family was going. I was happy to capture this iconic building at LAX.

October 31, 2023

December 2, 2023

Jon had a solo show with 18 oil paintings. I am so proud of him with his creativity and his perseverance.

December 30, 2023

The school's Christmas show. 

I chose to focus on him. I am glad, I didn't clap after the performance because I got his cute expression at the end.

December 25, 2023

December 31, 2023

New Year's Eve 

January 2, 2024

January 9, 2024

Really enjoy his talking

January 26, 2024

January 29, 2024

Decided to put things in his pick up trucks

Sweet moment

February 2, 2024

I did not realize how close we are to downtown Los Angeles. This is not from where we live but about 4 miles away.

February 12, 2024

The Chinese jacket my grandson is wearing was mine when I was 3 years old - I was a small 3 year old.

February 15, 2024,

As you can see, he likes to line up his toys. Notice his couch? I was able to get it free from Facebook Buy Nothing group.

February 17, 2024 

Hip Hip Hooray, his room and the roof took 4 weeks to complete due to leaks and mold. It disrupted their lives as they lived in an Airbnb for 3 weeks and then another Airbnb for another week. This change affected him; he regressed with his toilet training.

March 1, 2024

He is learning Spanish and Mandarin at his Montessori school. It was hard to capture his Mandarin, because I didn't do it when he first said it. You know how it is when you ask anyone to repeat, it is not the same as the first time. I think he is saying "red"

March 9, 2024

When Jon came to pick him up, he got the perfect moment.

March 15, 2024

Getting ready for picture day

My trip back to Hawaii, the island of Oahu, 7/8-7/21/22

Knowing, I would have 13 days here, I preplanned my get togethers.

Friday, 7/8

I arrived at 1 pm, (thank you Sandy for picking me up) the day of our 50th reunion - yes class of '72. I went to  Hawaii School for Girls later known as La Pietra. We had 34 graduates. Although this a small group of us, we enjoyed our reunion and saw at least 5 on Zoom.

We are giving a side view to show off the earrings our friend, Cynthia, in France made for us but was unable to attend. She was so thoughtful to make us earrings.

Saturday, 7/9

Early lunch-  at Margaret's with her husband and Ruth.

Tonight was the all class reunion.

After, I went to Bourbon Street to join Glenn's group for some dancing.

I usually don't see the sunsets in LA. This was so pretty, miss these.

Sunday, 7/10

Breakfast at Zippy's with Ann. She was my walking buddy at the condo. 

My photo friends gave me a party. The guys and I have been taking photos since 2009 so we have bonded. About 2 years ago, I met Natalie at the Koko Head Botanical and included her in this group.  As you can see from this photo, it was pretty fun. Thank you Curtis.

Monday, 7/11

Met Larry at 5 am at Ala Moana Beach Park. He is such a wonderful person greeting walkers. I think in 2021, Evelyn suggested we walk due to the Pandemic, we felt uncomfortable about going to the gym. Evelyn, Dee Dee, Fran and I would meet 5 am. Larry and Sam was always there, I think they were there at 4:30. This morning, I was happy to see the guys.

After, I walked over to Ala Moana shopping center where I met Glenn. He drove me to the North Shore and enjoyed lunch at this place - one of my favorite stops.  I really enjoy their Sweet Lady of Waiahole dessert (warm kulolo and haupia ice cream)

5:30 pm - Mahina and Suns - with Melinda

Tuesday, 7/12

8:45- Foster Gardens - made photos at here with the guys then lunch at Nikos' - yay, local food

4:00 pm - Ann and I walked in the neighborhood

6:00 pm - Zippy - Kamehameha Lions Club General meeting (thank you Sandy for driving me there)

Wednesday, 7/13

6:00 am - Starbucks with Ruth, Anne, Fran and Evelyn

9:45 am-  Sweet Es with Sandy and SN

5:00 pm - Assagio with Carol O.

Thursday, 7/14

4:30 am - Ala Moana Beach Park - Dee Dee and Evelyn (thank you Fran for picking me up)

11:00  - Song - hairdresser, color and trim (thank you Fran for driving me there)

1:40 - Fooki and later Dunk'n Doughnuts - Pauline and Joy 

6:00 - Tadashi - Sharon

Friday, 7/15

4:30 am - Ala Moana Beach Park - Dee Dee and Evelyn (thank you Evelyn for picking me up)

The Coffee Crawlers - it was fun to meet them in person. We later played Hanafuda

Sakura Terrace - celebrated my older son, Michael's birthday - 41 years old. It is also his uncle Gary's birthday.

Saturday, 7/16

Thank you Evelyn, for going out with me.   

Tiny Pyramid - Dawn, Ali, Donna, Melvina, Brenda 

6:00 pm - Peitro - Eiko

Sunday, 7/17

Suntory - Royal Hawaiian Center - Kathy and Karen

5:30 pm - Kahala Country Club with my cousins on my dad's side.

Cecilia, Lori, Cookie

Gene, Sid

Monday, 7/18

8:15 - Ann, went to various places

10:00 - Main Library to see Eyes of Hawaii photo exhibit. Island Brew - Melinda

6:00 pm - Gyotaku - Carol B. D. and Melinda

Tuesday, 7/19

4:30 am- Ala Moana Beach Park - Fran

5:30 pm- Akira, forgot to take photos - Diane, Annette and Linda

Wednesday, 7/20

5:30 pm - Hy's - my appreciation for Melinda for having me at her place during this vacation.

Thursday, 7/21

5:45 am - Harry's - Evelyn, Fran and Dee Dee

Noon- Legend - Kathy

2:00 - Cousin Wayne Wai, gave him family photos 

flight: 9:25 pm (thank you Dennis and Mike for taking me to the airport at 6pm)

This was a long post, but I really wanted to remember this awesome vacation.