Category: Family and Friends

  • Leaving Hangzhou

    Leaving Hangzhou

    As usual, I woke up early yesterday. Packing occupied most of the morning. Then, Cai Hongxin came to my apartment and we chatted for a little bit. He brought me and my parents to tour the other bank of Qiantang River, along the new developments. We had a wonderful time visiting the Nine Creeks and Longjing regions and the Liuhe Pagoda. His wife and daughter joined us for lunch amidst the tea plantations.

    The area remains the same as I remembered. The last time in this region, it was during my rotation here as a resident, and some of the young adults from the local church brought me here on a bike ride. There seems to be more people, though, and more cars fight for the right of way now. But, the neat rows of cultivated tea plants along terraced hills are timeless.

    From there, Cai Hongxin and I went to the West Lake Guqin Association, and his wife took my parents shopping. I bought some strings and an instrument case. After leaving the stuff in his car, we climbed up the nearby peak for a few of the lake.

    Drs. Shi Peihua, Gary Botimer, Zhao Xing and his wife, my parents and Cai Hongxin’s wife joined us for dinner at a quaint restaurant set in a rennovated section of old town.

    This morning, I saw my parents off on their flight to Hong Kong and finished packing. Rain poured down on the streets, cleaning the dust-laden air. I have my usual breakfast of toast, tea eggs, cereal with milk, and coffee. My driver picked me up at 8:00 and we headed to Shanghai Pudong Airport. Security seemed less stringent than previous years.

    Now in flight, I found an open seat at the bulkhead, both the window and aisle unoccupied. It’s nice to have room to stretch out. Having just gotten over jet lag, it’s time to experience it again; but this time, it will be at home.

  • Church at MeiLiZhou

    Church at MeiLiZhou

    The MeiLiZhou Church is beautiful. After all, the name means “beautiful isle.” Sleek modern lines make up the contemporary campus, and stark natural maple decorate the inside. Engraved Ten Commandments hang on the front wall, illuminated by sunlight streaming in from the windows.

    Located as part of a resort, the church lies an hour away from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. Feng JinE took us there. The young preacher gave a meaningful sermon about the Lord’s Prayer.

    From church, we had lunch and then visited the Liang Zhu museum. Here, archeologists discovered a primitive civilization, dating to the dawn of Chinese culture. Some of the early written characters, societal organization, and obsession with jade have made their way through history.

    Traffic was really bad on the way back, and we finished the evening off along the night markets of Hefang Street.

  • Ancestral Chaozhou

    Ancestral Chaozhou

    Sunday morning, on my first full day here, my dad and I walked around town and visited some of our relatives’ businesses. My mom’s older cousin is in the toy industry, and the younger runs a bicycle shop. It’s good to see that their business is really successful.

    My older uncle took us around town. We had lunch at a vegetarian restaurant by the canal which leads to the nearby ocean. From there, he showed us various places, where things had been, where old homes were torn down to make roads. The now bike shop sits right at the location of the old community well where my mom was born.

    Dinner was another huge family reunion.

    Having gone to the market with my dad yesterday, I made breakfast yesterday morning. It was plain oatmeal with several dishes of stir-fry eggs, vegetables, tofu.

    From there, the younger uncle took us to Chaozhou. This town lies about a half-hour by car, upriver from our town. Chaozhou is the ancestral town of this entire prefecture. In ancient time, it served as the administrative center for the surrounding nine counties. The most notable feature is the Guangji Bridge.  Many towers dot the span, and near the middle is the world’s oldest floating drawbridge (as claimed by the sign). Originally built in 1171, the bridge consists of a series of rafts joined by collapsable gangways that is operated by cables.

    Then, we visited old town. The Kaiyuan Temple sits near city center. Old streets, lined with tourist-trap shops, still exude that old-world charm.

    The trip to my hometown concluded with a lazy morning, walking through parts of town center and visiting the shops owned by my mom’s cousins. I am happy to see their success. The city, although bustling with growth activity and breakneck-speed construction, has many areas of decay as well. Trees gradually take over sidewalks and consume the city a little at a time.

  • China Reunion

    China Reunion

    Between leaving home and arriving at my destination in China, the journey has taken 42 hours.

    It started off with a shuttle to LAX, leaving at 8:00 Thursday morning. I arrived in plenty of time, checked in, and had Panda Express for brunch. The plane, which looks like it has a perpetual frown, was full for all but a few seats. I got an aisle seat. The girl in the window seat next to me came with two friends to sat behind. Their conversation continued unceasingly throughout two-thirds of the flight, with the girl turning around and yelling most of the time, sometimes along the windows, and sometimes into my ear. I managed to get about an hour of shut-eye.

    A representative greeted me in the jetway and saw me through immigration and customs. Because of the overnight transit, they arranged for a stay at the Peach Blossom Castle, which is actually a dive. I was happy to leave the next morning.

    From there, another shuttle took me to the domestic airport across town. Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport is newly renovated. At the Starbucks, I discovered that they’ve never seen a mobile payment app before; I didn’t get anything.

    China Eastern Airlines’s computer system needs upgrading. I realized that problem during my flight. My request for a vegetarian meal did not transfer over, and the flight attendant told me that I had to confirm this separately for each leg of the flight. At the arrival terminal, I went up to ticketing to make this request, and they were all confused and told me to call the company reservation line and tell them when I make my flight confirmation.

    The Shantou airport lies an hour from my hometown Chenghai. Getting there was no problem. Every time here, everything is different. There are many more cars, and people have moved into high rises; each family owning five to six story buildings.

    Now, 42 hours after leaving home, it is so good to see everyone—my mom’s cousins, their mom, wives, children, and grandchildren. We have dinner, got caught up with how they’ve done over the past few years, and sit around sipping tea. It’s worth the trip.

  • Salt Creek Beach Barbeque

    Salt Creek Beach Barbeque

    After church, we had a lunch barbeque at Dana Point’s Salt Creek Beach. On the menu were Grillers burgers and salt & vinegar chips. Many friends brought specialty dishes as well.

    The water was warmer than usual, and the climate was perfect. I went for a run along the beach and took pictures of seagulls for the video of my most recent guqin piece.

    The barbeque lasted through dinner, finishing with vegetable kebabs and quinoa pilaf in lettuce cups.

    We stayed until just after sunset when fiery red clouds painted the sky.

  • Bergamot Station with Stuart Green

    Bergamot Station with Stuart Green

    Today’s excursion took my brother and me to Bergamot Station to visit Stuart Green’s show. This exhibit highlights some of the key points of color theory. Dr. Green’s self-directed study of color theory—much influenced by Feininger, Itten, Albers, and faculty members of the Bauhaus School of Design—led him to take use photographs to illustrate such color concepts.

  • Jobes’ Bees

    Jobes’ Bees

    Chris readies the smoke to subdue the bees. He dons the bee suit, and I put on the head and face protection. We head over to the grove. Chris injects some smoke into the hive, and we crack the lid open. The bees suddenly become very active, but we’re both in nearly full body armor. Chris explains that the bees tend to build closer to the center of the hive. Several combs are heavy with wax and honey. We remove them, chase the bees with more smoke, and drop them into the large trash bag. In the section beneath the queen excluder, we find one cell with a pupa. This we replace, thinking that there may be more pupae among the other cells.

    We bring the three combs inside. Chris shows me how to scrape them into the large baking pan. Then, he sets up a series of three sieves to strain the honey from the wax. We get nearly a gallon of honey! Citrus blossoms with a hint of lavender.

  • Forty Years Ago

    Forty Years Ago

    Forty years ago, at this time of the year, my parents spent their honeymoon in Japan. We brought them for Japanese food to relive their memories.

  • Garden Harvest and Courtyard Barbeque

    Garden Harvest and Courtyard Barbeque

    It’s almost the Fourth of July, and our vegetable garden has overgrown this year. Much of the produce for the menu came from the yard: field greens, broccoli, green beans, beets, onions, rosemary, lemons, and limes. With all the vegetables, we made:

    • Roasted beet salad with goat cheese and field greens in balsamic vinaigrette
    • Grilled vegetable platter of garlic encrusted beans, zucchini, eggplant, and broccoli
    • Potato salad with dill and cracked black pepper
    • Corn on the cob with lemon garlic butter
    • Assorted smoothies and desserts

    We celebrated with a group of friends. Ramiz, Sona, and Hannah brought me an apron that read, “King of the Grill.”

    After dinner, we took a tour of the vegetable garden and citrus grove.

  • Inland Koi Society at the Nyiradys

    Inland Koi Society at the Nyiradys

    Steve and Laura Nyirady invited me over to their home for the Inland Koi Society potluck and general meeting. The guest speaker gave a presentation on koi herpes virus and how to vaccinate against it. I didn’t know such a virus exists. As usual, the Nyiradys’ garden is beautiful, with several ponds fed by waterfalls and a meandering brook.

  • 2012 Fathers’ Day

    2012 Fathers’ Day

    Just after getting back from the Western Orthopaedic Association, our family went to celebrate with Dad. Happy Fathers’ Day!!!!

  • Canada Trip Conclusion

    Canada Trip Conclusion

    On this last day in Canmore, we make comfort food for breakfast, mainly out of leftovers. The rice became zhou (porridge); and the eggs, deli slices, ginger, garlic, and green onions became toppings and condiments. Also, we have the rest of the pancakes with syrup.

    We arrive at the airport in good time and return both cars. I send everyone off as we part ways. I’ll be in Portland, Oregon, for the next several days for a conference.

    * * * * *

    Everyone agrees that this has been one of the best group vacations. The lodging was beautiful and convenient; it felt like home but away. Spectacular views popped up all around during our daily excursions, and we experienced a little of spring, winter, and summer, all in one trip. A lot of it is about making memories, and the ones made here will stay for a very long time.

    « Yoho and Icefields Parkway
  • Yoho and Icefields Parkway

    Yoho and Icefields Parkway

    The leek asparagus quiche that Andy worked on last night, served with breakfast patties on a bed of romaine and topped with fresh salsa, turns out to be amazingly good.

    The trip today takes us to Yoho National Park and Icefields Parkway. Enroute, we stop at an overlook to take pictures of aptly-named Castle Mountain.

    In Yoho, after a long stretch of construction, our first stop is at the Tunnel Spirals viewpoint. It’s mind-boggling to think about the engineering feet to dig the spiral tunnels.

    Even though Takakkaw Falls is closed, probably because of the recent runoff from record snowfall, the Meeting of the Waters turns out to be a highlight. Cloudy water from the Yoho River meet the clearer water of Kicking Horse River. Patchy clouds diffuse the harsh sunlight for a lot of our pictures.

    We have grilled vegetable wraps for lunch at the picnic area of Emerald Lake. This place, with the little bridge to a restaurant called Cilantro, is quaint and picturesque.

    Icefields Parkway is grand, with towering peaks of the Continental Divide to the west and patches of glaciers along the drive. Bow Lake is still a mosaic of ice. Further along, we stop at the Bow Summit parking lot and hike up the snow-covered drive. From the summit, a short descent brings us to the overlook for Peyto Lake. Apparently, it’s the lake with the best blue tint in the entire Rockies.

    That concludes our tour of the Canadian Rockies. From there, we head back to Solara Resort & Spa after stopping by Safeway. We decide to make dinner instead of the original plan of eating out. First, we snack on crackers, brie, pear, and walnuts. Tonight for dinner, it’s rice with mushroom tofu soup, sweet and sour vegetarian chicken, green chili tofu, and garlic spinach mushroom stir-fry.

    We’re on vacation, but we can’t get away from our offices. Wired and wireless.

    The cloudiness of most the trip cleared, and we glimpse the sunset from our deck. As the sun slips away, the clouds turn a bright orange, silhouetting the layers of mountain peaks.

    « Kootenay National Park
    Canada Trip Conclusion »
  • Kootenay National Park

    Kootenay National Park

    This morning, we have tater tots, scrambled eggs, and fruit. Again, it’s more like brunch, rather than breakfast.

    Most of the snow melted off during the night. At the entrance to Banff National Park, there are two snowman, looking like what witches might look like when they’re splashed with water.

    The Alberta, Canadian, and British Columbia flags greet us at the Continental Divide snaking through Vermilion Pass.

    The highlight of the day is at Marble Canyon. Here, glacial runoff carve slots along the limestone walls while we tour from boardwalks above. I spot another golden-mantled ground squirrel; this one is a little more shy than the one we encountered by the Lake Agnes Teahouse.

    After lunch at Numa Falls, we drive all the way to Radium Hot Springs. Near the park boundary, there are young bighorn sheep and black bears.

    Back at the Solara Resort & Spa, we have noodle soup and perogies for dinner. Andy starts on breakfast for the next morning, and I grill some vegetables for tomorrow’s lunch.

    In honour of the carbon neutrality this resort boasts, the parting shot today is of the fake fireplace, which looks surprisingly real, at least in the picture.

    « Around Banff
    Yoho and Icefields Parkway »
  • Around Banff

    Around Banff

    Now, it’s apparent why the resort advertised heated indoor parking. Last night, what was light rain turned into a mild snowstorm, and it’s getting heavier while we have pancakes and French toast for breakfast.

    Soon after breakfast, which is more like brunch, we peek outside to see that everything is covered in fresh fluffy blankets.

    The first stop today is the Banff Upper Hot Springs, which would end up being a really neat experience. At first, some of us weren’t sure about going in. We get in line, check in, change, and took the plunge. It’s really nice. Then, it starts to snow, and the pace picks up. The lifeguards are bundled in multiple layers while everyone else is soaking in the hot springs.

    After the relaxing dip and a simple lunch of hummus vegetable wrap, we ride the gondola up during a whiteout. While the view isn’t as most people would have liked, it was a nice experience as well.

    Back in town, the Vermilion Lakes, which are more like marshland, are clear mirrors that reflect Sulphur Mountain and the surrounding peaks. Then, we loop up through Tunnel Mountain and around Two Jack Lake. The day concludes with a drive along Lake Minnewanka.

    To start of dinner, Andy makes lime and soy sauce tofu salad, and wonton soup warms us after a wintry day.

    « Lake Louise and Surroundings
    Kootenay National Park »
  • Lake Louise and Surroundings

    Lake Louise and Surroundings

    I’m the first to get up. Daylight hours are long here, and although a cloud layer covers the dawn sky, it’s already bright outside. I make coffee and take in some early morning fresh air from our balcony. Everyone sleeps in.

    For breakfast this morning, we have omelettes stuffed with onions, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and broccoli. There’s also vegetarian Polish sausage for the side.

    Last night, the resort staff advised me to take the 1A, or Bow Valley Parkway, to Lake Louise, rather than go on the Trans-Canadian Highway. she said that there’s usually a lot of wildlife along the slower, meandering road. Well, she’s right. Shortly after turning onto 1A after passing Banff, an elk family stop traffic, with everyone getting out of their cars to take pictures. Further along, we meet another lone elk. Then, a roadside grizzly bear feasts on wildflowers and herbs. People who got out of their cars get chased back in by a ranger.

    Lake Louise is as touristy as expected. We follow the throng up the Lake Agnes Trail, but we lose the crowd about halfway up the mountain. It starts to rain, and after passing Mirror Lake, fluffy snowflake clusters coat everything. Some of us drenched, we warm up at the Lake Agnes Teahouse and have a light lunch. The trip down is slippery to start with, but the lower level is easier to walk along. Through clearings, we glimpse the emerald blue of Lake Louise. Before leaving, we take a walk through the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

    Then, we take the spur road to Moraine Lake. Half of the lake is covered in white, and snow blankets the background mountains. This turns out to be a great photo opportunity.

    Hungry, we pick up some ingredients for dinner and make Asian-style noodle soup to warm us up.

    « To Calgary and Canmore
    Around Banff »
  • To Calgary and Canmore

    To Calgary and Canmore

    It’s yet to be bright outside, but we’re all wide awake. I’m the first to have breakfast, and a few of us skip it for the time being. We all met up by the pond and load up the Expedition, ready to head to the airport. This is going to be a relaxing type of vacation to Calgary and the Canadian Rockies.

    The check-in agent at the airport surprises us. Alice’s seat was apparently reserved, confirmed, but “not ticketed,” she says. We stand there in disbelief, because I had reserved and paid for her ticket in April, and she got an e-mail saying that the ticket will be issued shortly. That second e-mail, she never got.

    Everything works out, despite the schizophrenic departure arrangements—the flight is delayed by an hour, then by more than that; oh, it’s back on time again. The chain of Canadian Rockies, like a long spine rising from the vast flatness to our east, greets us as we descend into Calgary.

    We get our cars and drive non-stop to Canmore, a charming little town nestled against the Rockies. The first order of business is a visit to the grocery store. We plan our menus while browsing the aisles.

    The Solara Resort & Spa is a beautifully furnished complex with a private theater, gym, pools, and manicured paths. We fall in love with the place the minute we step into our unit. In the spirit of green living and carbon neutrality, the heat-radiating fake fireplace matches the modern decor.

    Dinner begins with the blessing. Then, we have a salad of field greens with balsamic vinaigrette topped with chopped walnuts. With the side of steamed broccoli, the main course is whole wheat penne with mushrooms, sliced olives, onions, and lots of garlic. Now, we’re all too full to move.

    Lake Louise and Surroundings »
  • Andy’s Birthday at the Huntington

    Andy’s Birthday at the Huntington

    For Andy’s birthday, we all went out to the Huntington. First, the trip took us through the cactus garden, then desert ponds and down the Australian trails, leading us to the entrance to the Japanese section. The new area was open, and much more landscaping had been finished since the opening ceremony. Then, we found our way down to the pond and around the moon bridge. After resting under the wisteria trellis, we stopped by the Chinese garden, visited the conservatories and galleries, and finished our day seeing the Gutenberg Bible. Here, we parted ways, as the group to the Griffith Observatory and the Stinking Rose, and I attended Dr. Patzakis’s tribute dinner.

  • Jonathan and Tina’s Wedding

    Jonathan and Tina’s Wedding

    It was around 2:30 this afternoon when we walked into the beautiful Vibiana, located at the center of downtown Los Angeles. After the Northridge earthquake and subsequent restoration, The Cathedral of St. Vibiana became simply The Vibiana. Extended family came first, to get group pictures taken with the bride and groom.

    The actual ceremony started at 4:00 with Ariana playing Bach cello suites and concluded an hour later with the pastor introducing, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Hechanova. Then, there was a cocktail hour with an open soda bar and passed hors d’oeuvres. Everyone went back inside for dinner, and the spotlight entree was the baked salmon, caught by Tina and Jonathan.

    We all enjoyed the beautiful and elegant event.

    Congratulations, Jon and Tina!

  • Birthday Surprise

    Birthday Surprise

    It turned out not to be the Aprilia Primero Fullery model that everyone was expecting, as judged by all the Facebook comments.

    * * * * *

    “Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you…” I hear singing coming from the outside as I open the garage door. Why are Alice and my parents there? Andy and I are about to get in my car and drive down to pick them up and go out for dinner.

    Just a few seconds prior, Andy pointed to the trunk of my old car of sixteen years, “Hey, what happened to your car?”

    The planning had been going on for weeks. We’ve been discussing the fact that my car has been patched up so many times; it’s probably time to update and upgrade. Even my friend and colleague, Barth, asked me when I was going to get a new car and what kind it will be. “Maybe something eco, like a Volt or the Leaf,” I said.

    “You can’t do that!” Barth exclaimed, “You just can’t do that!”

    Then, my siblings also kept asking me about my car color preference—not that it mattered, because I wasn’t planning on buying one soon. Andy made several trips to the dealership and arranged to have it picked up on April Fools’ Day. Apparently, the plan was to have the car picked up on the Thursday before, but that would risk me discovering it.

    Yesterday, Andy, Alice, and I drove out to lunch for Jayce’s birthday with a group of friends, and afterwards, I went to the gym to do a leg and abs workout. It was good, and I came home mid-afternoon. In the meantime, Andy went to the dealership, picked up the car, and drove it home, all the while checking to see what I was up to. I happened to be busy futzing with my camera’s autofocus settings. Then, we planned to go out for dinner, like an early birthday meal. I wanted coffee first, and while I was making the French press, my dad drove the car and positioned it outside the closed garage door, right behind my old car.

    After coffee, my parents and Alice went out and asked to be picked up down the driveway, while Andy and I would get into my car first. Andy had to get his shoes, which was a stall tactic. By the time we made it to the garage, Alice and my parents were already outside next to the new car, ready to sing.

    “Hey, what happened to your car?” Andy says, pointing to the trunk corner.

    I lean over, not really seeing what he is supposedly pointing at, “What?”

    Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I turn back, open the driver’s door, and click the garage opener. Suddenly, there’s singing. Then, “Surprise!!!!!”

    We drive out to dinner in this car that has eco settings, and as we wait for our table at Niko Niko Sushi, I hear about all the scheming that was going on over the last several weeks. Thank you to Andy and Alice! What an early birthday surprise!

  • Samantha and Adam’s Wedding

    Samantha and Adam’s Wedding

    Samantha got married to Adam this afternoon in the beautiful setting of Edward-Dean Museum and Gardens. Low clouds diffused the sunlight, and the whole place was gently lit. The actual ceremony was short and sweet. Afterwards, there were appetizers, an elegant buffet dinner, and dancing.

    It was nice to see some of the orthopaedic family as well: Jacklyn and Gary Botimer, Wayne Cheng, Gary Frykman; and Ray, Zach, Alan, and Jason.

  • Thanksgiving Reunion

    Thanksgiving Reunion

    Relatives came into town several days ago to join us for Thanksgiving. My aunts and uncles—Julia and Wilmer and Nipa and Vincent—arrived from Smith River in the northwesternmost corner of California. Uncle Joe and his family, being local, drove over today, as did my cousins who could make it.

    My morning, though, started in a really lazy way. I had a late breakfast, and afterwards, my dad and I spent some time doing stuff in the yard. After all, it’s fall planting season. We had gotten a lot more trees from the nursery in anticipation for this weekend’s planting activities.

    The late lunch and dinner sort of flowed together. There wasn’t one real food theme, but the menu was more like a jumble of all sorts of comfort food. It was good to have everyone over, eating too much, and then napping too long. Now, the girls are off shopping—maybe until tomorrow afternoon.

  • Flat Max by the Pond

    Flat Max by the Pond

    On this beautiful fall day, the irregular cloud layer obscures much of the sun’s rays, but I can still peek at the blue sky like looking through windows from within a marshmallow. Autumn colors against a background of mostly dark green brighten up this overcast day. I take Flat Max on a walk in the garden. Last week, he had a tour of the operating room. Today, he has his photo shoot in front of the two bridges over the pond.

  • Flat Max in the OR

    Flat Max in the OR

    Yesterday, I got a letter from my friend, Max, who sent himself in a flat form to spend some vacation time in California. His mom, Sarah, had called me last week and told me to expect the package in the mail, since this is part of Max’s school project. The kids had just finished reading Flat Stanley, and now, it’s their turn to travel in a flattened state.

    So, I brought Max with me to the operating room. He got a front row seat to watch all the surgeries. And, he had a good time with the nurses. Being carried around on an IV pole part of the time, he spent most of the day with the best view of what was happening. We even put a cast on his right leg so he could feel what it was like to be all bandaged up.

    There will be more trips to look forward to before he has to go back to Arizona.

  • Olive and Wine Faire

    Olive and Wine Faire

    This afternoon, we drove out to the Highland Springs Resort for their first annual Olive and Wine Faire. The main reason for going was to see how olive oil is made. They had a dry demonstration using The Cub olive oil press, which takes about 10 lbs of ground up olives to make around a pint of oil. This was all very interesting. Also, there were different types of olive oil to sample. Nearby, there was an olive tasting booth.