Overheard in NYC: #1

This is actually something that Paul overheard while at the gym the other day...

[Setup] Crowded loud Bally's Gym, midtown Manhattan.

The music playing over the loudspeakers stop abruptly as a voice interrupts with this very firm command:
"Shawna. Please come to the front desk. And I am NOT playing..."

Dear Architects...

I wish I could take credit for writing this but I can't.

California Dreamin'

Now that I'm back in the US, the updates won't be as regular, but I'll try to keep them still interesting and worthwhile!

SO, first off... pics.

1) The cutest girl in the world: my 15 month old niece Kayla.

2) At the Asian market near my parents' place: all kinds of food from China, Korea, the Philippines, and of course... Japan. Lots of packaged goods like miso, mochi, fruit jellies, etc....

3) The "western" packaging of the Japanese drink "Calpico", which sounds a lot better than "Calpis".

4) Planning a garden bridal shower for our friend Tiffany (center) was over- whelming, but so much fun. It went off without a hitch!

5) Paul and I were finally reunited when he came to California for a week...
He met the rest of my family (my dad and brother) and many of my friends. Everyone got along swimmingly!!! We played a lot of tennis and ate lots of Chinese & Mexican food.
You just can't beat the California beaches! (San Gregorio State Beach, south of Half Moon Bay)

BACK in the USA

I'm back safe and sound in the land of the free, land of the "huge", the land of the bountiful... no more bugs and typhoons, but also no more rice fields and friendly Japanese old ladies....

my passport was impatiently stamped by a non-friendly immigrations officer who never once smiled or even looked me in the eye, and found one of my suitcases was ripped and had a missing handle!!! Yay...

first day back consisted of sleeping and trying to unpack.

second day back consisted of sleeping, going to Walgreens, getting Mexican food with my mom (yum!!!), visiting my adorable niece, and catching up with Velba!

third day back- a visit to Peet's for some Major Dickason's Blend, a stroll down Burlingame Avenue, and a little bit more sleeping.

another week or two of this gorgeous sunny California weather and then back to muggy NYC with Paul!

OK, fresh sweet plums and California grapes and a glass of wine is beckoning me...