Summer 2015

I enjoy the summers primarily because I get a break from school.  The start of school means the start of homework, and quite frankly, I don’t like homework.  I recognize its importance, but still, I don’t like it, and as a parent, I spend many hours monitoring their academic progress. I’m not looking forward to the return of school, and the long evenings of homework.

We did not have any trips this summer because our vacation will be taken in November.  The summer was filled with camps for Brandon and Mia.  Brandon did the Nike Basketball camp for one week while Mia participated in a week long softball camp.  Dylan spent the summer working at the recreation center and impressively saved most of his income.  Lance and Dylan coached Brandon, Mia, and a team to be the Recreation Center Division C champs.   Lance spent several weekends working on the boat.  We celebrated his 57^th birthday quietly with a family dinner at Buca Di Peppo Italian restaurant.  I took the kids swimming a few times to escape the exhausting heat.  We spent two days at Disneyland and California Adventure.  Dylan and I were able to spend a day at a fitness expo. I also got to have a girls' night out, which is something I don't get to do that often.  The kids and I participated in two 5k races (Camp Pendleton and the OC Fair).  Other than that, Lance and I just worked while the kids spent a lot of time at their Dad’s house.

Here are some photo highlights from this summer:

DISNEYLAND DAY 2:

Brandon drives a car

I love the sweetness of this photo. 

Brandon in front of Space Mountain

FITNESS EXPO:

LANCE'S 57TH BIRTHDAY:

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT:

BRANDON'S FRACTURED WRIST:

POOL TIME:

DYLAN'S NEW JOB:

CAMP PENDLETON MUD RUN:

It has been a great summer, and I'm sad to see it end, but I'm also excited for the upcoming months because India is only 2.5 months away. Can you believe that? 

A Day at the "Happiest Place on Earth"

Disneyland is my absolute most favorite park so it is surprising that the last time I paid a visit to the ‘happiest place on earth’ was over six years ago.  Mia was barely two, and Brandon was not quite four.  They have no memory of the place.  As much as I love Disneyland, what has deferred frequent visits is the astronomical cost.  For all of us to go for a day, it is probably close to $700 or $800.  I just can’t justify that.  However, one of the benefits of being military is they offer discounted tickets.  Since we did not do anything this summer, I purchased the tickets through the military, and we were able to finally visit.  In fact, our tickets are good for three days until mid-December 2015, and we will go again next week and then again in December. I've always wanted to see Disneyland at Christmas.

 

Disneyland opened up a new theme park called California Adventure, and I had never been here.  We spent the majority of our day at California Adventure.  Unfortunately, we did not get to ride the very popular Cars ride because every time we went there, it broke down.  It will be first on our list next week.  I didn’t really like California Adventure Park much.  The kids shared my sentiments.  Since we had park hopper tickets, we went to Disneyland around 5 p.m.  I was so tired, and lately the temperature in Southern California has been in the high 80s, which only elevated our exhaustion.   We went to see a great show of Aladdin, and it was so nice to be in an air condition building that I allowed my eyes to close and fall into a light sleep. Brandon glanced over at me in the middle of the performance and yelled, “Mommy!!!!”, which jerked me awake.
 

not that crowded yet. We were there by 8 a.m.

wearing our cool 3D glasses for the Toy Story ride

Calfiornia Adventure

California Adventure (by the way, I HATED that ferris wheel.  Not only does the ferris wheel go around, but you swing as you do it.  It made me sick.  You couldn't pay me to go on that again.)

Look how happy Mia is to meet Anna and Elsa. 

 

I recall the days when the average wait time for a ride was one to two hours.  They must have revamped the way things are done because now the average waits were between 15 mins to an hour.  I also realize that all the rides that jerk you around are not to my taste.  I simply like just sitting there and marveling at the displays. 

I’m a real trouper.  We arrived at Disneyland right when the gates opened at 8 a.m. and we left at 10:45 p.m.  15 hours in the park.  I didn’t make it to midnight, which is what I intended to do, and the kids made sure I was well aware that I didn’t meet my goal. We did get to see parts of the electric light parade and the fireworks, but not the entire show since we were in a line.  When we go next week, I want to see the show.

Mia and Dylan in the red car.

 

Space Mountain

 

stopped by to get coffee to reenergize

 

I love spending the day with the kids. They were easy going and didn’t complain about how hot it was or how tired they were.  However, the next day, we all felt it.  It was still blistering hot, but we trekked over to the OC Fair.  I didn’t realize it was the 125^th anniversary of the fair.  The fair is even more expensive than Disneyland.  How can anyone afford it? We went on Friday where all rides and games were $2 each before 4 p.m.  If you went any other time, the rides and games can be anywhere from $5 - $10 dollars. Are you kidding me?  I gave each kid $20 to spend as they like.  Of course, they all won playing the basketball game.  We visited some of the exhibits and booths, which is my favorite part of the fair.  We also ate, and Dylan had to have frog legs.  They have some nasty stuff at the fair.  I think they just invent stupid stuff for the novelty. When we returned home, the kids took a nap.  Exhausting.

holding all their prizes

early in the fair before the crowds arrived

Caviar Twinkies for $125 dollars? It goes to charity but gross!

Dylan likes his frog legs. 

It took me a few days to recover from Disneyland. I didn’t feel energetic until Sunday.  Next week, we go again, but I doubt we will stay for 15 hours.  I would love to get annual passports to Disneyland.  There is something magical about that place.  It reminds me of my parents. When we first came back to the states after being stationed in Seoul, Korea, we went to Disneyland.  I remember seeing the firework show with them.  I also remember certain rides like Space Mountain, where my sister cried.  The ride is still operating.  There is also a ride through Storybook land, and there is actually a photo of me at age 11 riding that ride.  Good memories.

 Lance didn’t go with us, because he couldn’t miss work.  We missed him.

 

2015 OC Fair 5k Run

Orange County, California.  This little county I live in is not so little.  It is the third most populous County in the State of California and the sixth most populous county in the nation.  In fact, it is more populous than 21 states. 

Every summer, like many other counties across the nation, we have our annual fair.  The fair is quite a spectacular event and takes place over a four-week period.  I always take the kids every year.  To coincide with the fair, the fair directors usually hold an annual 5k run.  For the first time and probably the last time, the kids and I participated.

 

at the start line

Inside the gigantic fairgrounds

Brandon, with his cast, uses Jayson as a chair before the race

 

It was a fun, family race where runners run through the fair with several ‘fun’ detours available along the course.  There are two games that runners can play – basketball and break the plate.  There is a giant slide runners can slide down.  There is also a brief stop at the Pacific Amphitheater where for a brief moment, runners get the experience of being on the stage.  Not every person chooses the detours. Some run for time, an option available to all.

Fair Characters During the Course

Mia about to play a game during the race detour

we ran by the animals near the roadeo stage

Cotton Candy

running down the ampitheater

Rocking it on stage

 

The kids and I did all the detours, and our time reflected that.  We completed the 5k race in over an hour.  I also won the basketball hoop and plate game.  Mia won the plate game.  It was a fun, cute event.  While running, I saw several friends.  One commented after seeing Brandon’s cast, “you are having him run with a cast?” My reply, “it’s just a 5k.”

This race is for families.  There were so many strollers and walkers on the course.   I am ashamed to admit that my arrogance left me annoyed.  I’m more of a competitive runner, and this event is just not suited for me.  The kids have inherited my competitiveness, and they shared the same sentiments, and that is why this will be our first and last time to run it.

Showing off our medals in front of this awesome sand statue

I brought my nephew who impresses me with his running potential.  He is 13 years old and averaged an 8:38 mile. He avoided all the detours except the slide, and because of the line, it must have added at least 3 or 4 minutes to his time. 

We did receive free fair tickets so this Friday, we will be spending the day eating junk, playing games, looking at exhibits, and riding rides. 

Mia showing off her and my prizes that we won during the race.

BLING!!!  All done and ready to eat a yummy breakfast at Dennys
 

We are the Champions!

After four seasons and four teams, we did it! We , the Gryphons, were finally declared the season champions for Fountain Valley Recreation Center Division C (ages 9 – 10 year old)! 

 

 

With three games left in the season, Brandon fractured his wrist.  He was not doing anything exciting or dangerous.  He just walked from his room to his brother’s room one morning, and he tripped over his own feet.  I received a call from Mia while at work, and all I could hear was Brandon screaming in the background.  Brandon and Mia stay with Dylan in the morning for a few hours.  This allows them to sleep in a bit while we leave for work by 7 a.m. every morning.  Dylan wakes up, feeds them a bowl of cereal, and walks them to my sister’s house.  I didn’t know what was going on, and I had Mia put a very drowsy Dylan on the phone.  I asked Dylan if he thought I needed to come home or was Brandon’s injury a dramatization? Dylan said it looked bad.  I went home, and it was very swollen.  A visit to the ER later, and it was determined he had fractured his wrist. 

Brandon is our 2^nd best basketball player in terms of skill.  However, in terms of leadership, maturity, and strategy, he is the best player on the team.  Losing him created an uphill challenge.  He gave the team balance and leadership. With Brandon on the team, we won every game by 10 points or more.  In fact, we had to slow the games down because our lead was too high.  Without Brandon, we barely won two of the games, and our undefeated record was broken because we lost our first game.  Since Dylan is an employee at the Rec Center, he told me it was the BIG Talk of the day by all the other players.  The Gryphons lost! There was disbelief and shock.  When Brandon walked into the gym with a cast on, one of the coaches of the team we were versing had a huge smile on her face.  Yes, she could not hide her excitement that she may possibly win now without Brandon.  Normally, this coach is just nasty, but she was all smiles at the beginning of the game. (They lost by one point.)

Even with the loss, we were the Division C champions, and we received our first place trophy. 

Champions, Division C - Gryphons

three girls on the team

proudly showing their trophy

Lance with his first place trophy and his appreciation trophies for previous years

This is the first and only time that the entire family was able to participate.  Mia is too young to play with Brandon, and she will never play again with him.  The Recreation Center made an exception this one time.  Mia never scored a basket in the season even though we tried to give her as many assist as possible.  I remind her that she isn't supposed to be playing yet, and that these kids are two years older than her. 

 

Dylan and Lance will continue to coach Brandon. There are three divisions at Fountain Valley: Division C, B, A.   I love Dylan’s analogy.   Dylan said, “I’m going to coach Brandon until he retires.  Division C is high school basketball.  He is moving now to college basketball, Division B, before he hits Division A, the NBA.”  

 

We didn’t plan on it, but this basketball has become a huge, fun part of our family. We enjoy the Friday night and Saturday morning games.  We enjoy the pizza parties. We enjoy the new friends we make and the kids we see grow.  Lance has become known in the community by parents and childre.  Several kids have told us that they are going to request him as a coach next year.  We have already discussed recruitment for our next team.  Dylan has enjoyed coaching and he loves his job.  He has started to referee games.  Some of the girls on the Gryphons developed crushes on Dylan.  At the end of every season, they have a coaches vs. staff game, and though Dylan wears both hats, he played on the staff team.  He was so aggressive. I didn’t even recognize him.  It was the best I had ever seen him play.

 

It is sad that the season ended, but I’m looking forward to January when winter season begins.  It is much more competitive, and the winter league champions continue in playoffs against other cities.  Hopefully, we can keep our title.  Go Gryphons!

 

 

When Marriage is Right

 

Lance,

 

I love you.  I love how you make me feel.  I love how all my troubles and burdens are lightened with the knowledge that you are by my side.  Our marriage isn’t perfect.  We do argue, but overall, 90 percent of the time, I’m in an unearthly bliss.  I never thought marriage could be this wonderful or that life could be this happy.  I don’t want to take things for granted, and I don’t want to take you for granted. 

You and I are very similar. On the outside, it may appear that we are so different, but you and I are the same.  We are sensitive and passionate people. W are untraditional, quirky, kind of f**ked up but in that whirlwind of unconventionality  and sensitivity is a profound understanding and unconditional connection.  We were made for each other.  There is no doubt in my mind that you were specifically made for me and I for you.

You love me unconditionally.  You support my endeavours.  You calm my fears.  You comfort my tears.  You laugh with me. You share my dreams and goals.  You partner with me in our family.   You understand my mental issues.  Your love is an incomparable gift that I treasure, but the greatest thing that you have ever done for me is you bring me closer to God, Lance.  I cannot help but feel an insurmountable gratitude to God for you.   The more I love you, the more I get closer to God. 

I found this anonymous quote, and to me, it is you.

 Marry someone who makes you fall in love with God every single day.

 I did. I married someone that makes me fall in love with God every single day.  You make me fall in love with God every day, and I truly thank you for that.

 

Someone once asked me if this was all taken away tomorrow, would my feelings change towards God? Truthfully, it wouldn't.  I have been blessed.  I know one day things will change, but I also know that the greatest joy in life also comes with the greatest pain. 

I love you Lance.  I love you in a very, very deep way.