Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Cookie Time...

Jack has always had a very 'sweet' tooth but recently we made jello at home and Jack really loved it. We already knew Jack likes cookies, but on the weekend Aya and Jack decided to make some home made cookies.


Jack always wants to help or do it himself:


Yummy for my tummy!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Tanaka Farms Part 3...

There was a small petting zoo at the Pumpkin Patch. JT was much better with the animals. Sometimes he is afraid, sometimes he just wants to watch from afar and sometimes he is mean to the animals. This time he petted them gently...most of the time:

JT doing Uncle Myron's, "Shaka":


Jack liked the pig:
Too bad I didn't get this on camera. We bought food for the animals and these little suckers really know how to eat. They use their hind legs to get upright to try to knock the food out of your hands.

Well, Aya ran out of food and more animals started coming to her, probably about 10 goats. Aya decided to throw her hands up to show she had no more food as she mildly shrieked and ran away from the goats. You had to be there...but it was funny!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Tanaka Farms Part 2...

Jack probably had more fun going on a tractor pulled wagon ride than checking out the pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.



They even had small battery powered John Deere tractors for kids to drive:


A fun day at the pumpkin patch:

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Tanaka Farms Part 1...

Saturday we headed out to Irvine to visit Tanaka Farms.

Jack climbed to the top and then he discovered if he pushed or threw the pumpkins it would roll down. The first few times were funny...then he hit a lady. Not funny.


After this photo, Jack had to scour the patch looking for his ideal pumpkin!



Monday, October 13, 2008

The Mondays...

Not the way I like to start off the week. For the last 3 months, Aya and I have had 3 cars. We parked Aya's car at my parents house. Aya drove my car and I drove the BMW. On Friday, we returned my Mercedes.

Last night, when I drove home from my parents house, I ran over a rock and a hole at the same time. I figured it was no big deal. I got home and oil was pouring out of the car. Put it to you this way, I was leaking so much oil you can literally see my trail from the home to my house.

Good thing I live close. In any case, I had to call the tow truck last night. Schedule a tow to the dealership and now I am waiting for the dealership to call me with the damage report.

I was going to work from home after I got back, but the main server I need to reach is not letting access it remotely. Thus, home AND not going to be paid today. I guess no treat for me today...just tricks. =(


Saturday, October 11, 2008

The German is back...

Right after JD left our house, Sascha was back in town for 2finity business. JT always likes it when Sascha visits. I think JT thinks Sascha lives around the block because JT always asks if Sascha can come over.

Sascha brought over some 'sticky' animals from South Africa.

Darn, South African sticky animals left animals 'stains' on the closet door. Grrr. Totally have my pay back planned for when Sascha and Melissa have kids. I feel bad for Melissa but hey, two can play this game! =)


Friday, October 10, 2008

High School Reunion Part 2...

Okay, before I even start my post, let me get all the short jokes out of the way. I am the shortest. To be fair, I am also the only Asian person, so when you live in the land of giant white people it isn't unreasonable that I am the shortest.

I attended my 20 year high school reunion at the X-Bar in Century City. This is the reason I went, so Brentt, JD, Russ and I could be in the same place at the same time. We have not all been together since high school.

So it was great to see them and just hang out. What is even better is that everyone is doing very well personally and financially and everyone is still really down to earth. Instead of it being 20 years that has gone by it only seems like 20 days and talking to them just comes naturally.

This is my very FIRST friend I ever had...Chris. He lived around the block from me. We went to the same Elementary School and High School. He also ended up going to prison, so we haven't seen each other much since prison. In any case, he is doing well and lives in Maine.

This is pretty much who I hung out with in High School minus 3 other minorities (missing a tall black guy, an Indian dude and a Mexican dude...seriously). Russ, Brentt, Sony and I all went to publiuc elementary school, Jr. High and High School together. JD and I went to private elementary school and High School together.

The highligt of the evening was catching up with the other 6 people I went to elementary school with. I honestly had no idea that we even went to the same high school. We all left our private elementary school at different times and we all went and left high school at different times.

It was very strange because if you asked me who I went to elementary school with I would have no idea. My brain just would not remember. However when I was at the reunion, all the memories of elementary school came back and I remembered everyone!

Jim Cogshell, Soroya, JD, Giana Garcia, Craig Snyder and Chris:


What was even more bizarre was how many people knew me in High School. It was really strange for me when people came up to say, "HELLO" and how good it was to see me when I had a hard time remembering who they were! I honestly, did nothing in high school...I hardly even remember being in class my freshman and sophomore years.

Oh well...good times...and now JD will have to come out to LA and visit more often!

Thursday, October 09, 2008

High School Reunion Part I...

With all the wining and dining it didn't really give Aya and I a chance to just completely veg. It was kind of like being jet lagged. After 3 years, it was odd to just be Aya and I again.

No sooner when Jack was back, JD my old friend from high school came into town for our 20 year high school reunion. Hence, F-A-T Miles continues to get his eat and drink on. JD flew in from Austin, Texas and coincidentially Brentt was just getting back from a business trip in France so we got together that night for drinks and dinner at Rush in Culver City.

The eating and drinking started at noon on 3rd Street. Good thing JD had his blackberry so he could take my picture when I saw Dwight Howard (center for the Orlando Magic for those that do not follow the NBA):


JD, Brentt (taking the pic) and I at Pink Taco in Century City:


I just have to say, you would think it should be mandatory that JD and Brentt drink at least twice the amount considering they are taller than me...but they didn't!

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

While Jack is Away Part 2...

Rub a dub-dub it is time for some grub!! Aya and I started the weekend off by going to
Tokyo 7-7 in Culver City. A total dive restaurant and we wonder how they stay in business by having breakfast for 3 bucks! They also serve "royales" like Kenny's Cafe. The royale's aren't as good as Kennys or my dad's but not bad when we don't feel like cooking!




Can you believe it has been at least ONE year since I have been to my favorite Korean BBQ, Anjin in Costa Mesa? Man, I starved myself all day after breakfast and I just ate and ate and ate. Normally, I stop eating since my mother inlaw is there and I don't want to seem like a total pig. This time it was just me and Aya so I just kept on eating! I ordered seconds and thirds!


Good thing I hurt my knee because now I just tell people I am F-A-T because I can't workout because of a bum knee!

Aya and I headed off the El Cholo's for some margarita's and chips and salsa:



Then we continues our booze-fest and eating binge at Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica. My sister got us a gift certificate for Christmas last year:

Man, that Anjin was so good that I wanted more Korean BBQ but I didn't want to drive out to Costa Mesa so we tried a new place in Culver City, Gyenari:


Aya and I went out to eat 5 nights in a row. It was great. I think we ate more these 5 nights then we did on our Alaskan cruise.

The sad part was this wasn't the end of the eating and drinking for me. Two days later, I had friends come into town...but that is tomorrow's story!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

While Jack is away Part 1...

As the saying goes, "While the cat is away, the mice will play!" Aya and I decided to take full advantage of Jack being gone to Hawaii so we made a conscious effort to go out to dinner every single night Jack was in Hawaii.

Our first night out was with Oscar. We went to Frida's in Beverly Hills:


Yeah, look at boozer Jenny's red face at Fraiche in Culver City:

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Thank you!!!

I just wanted to "THANK" everyone who bought my book so far. Honestly, I had no idea how many books I would sell. I figured if I could sell 20 books then I would consider that to be a success.

As of today, I have sold 30 books!! My sales report does not show who purchased the books or location of purchase. Just a date and quantity. In any case, I really hope those of you who bought the book like the book and can get at least one minute of entertainment value for it. If not, I am sure it can be used to start a camp fire.

I plan to start sending out copies to local media outlets and hopefully one of those can catch on for more sales. I figure my book is like the lotto. I may not win, but I might just have a chance to make some money. Not really...but it has been a fun experience!

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Hawaii Part 2...

Jack rubbing it in and eating my favorite strawberry Guri Guri with Uncle Ted, Grandma, Grandpa and Great Grandpa:


Grandma and Jack:

What the heck is this?? No bed for their only grandson??


Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Hawaii Part 1....

I guess going on one vacation wasn't enough for Jack so my parents offered to take him to Maui last week. That means 6 days of no child for Aya and I...are first extended alone time in almost 3 years....and Jack did not even miss us!

Grandpa and Jack at the beach building sand castles:



Jack and cousin Rylee:


Grandma, Grandpa, Aunty Sandy, Aunty Marion, Sheri, Rylee and Jack all having fun at the beach while Aya and I have to work.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Dwight Howard...

I have loads of updates to write, I just haven’t been able to get in front of my computer for an extended amount of time. Hopefully I will have updates for you during the week.

First off, let me say a big “THANK YOU” to those of you that bought my book and just a regular “thank you” for those that congratulated me. =) I never thought my book would ever be a best seller…and it is FAR from being that but the book is kind of like playing the lotto…you never have a chance if you don’t play.

In any case, the target number I had in my ‘head’ of what I would consider a “successful” book is almost there. Still hundreds of books away from breaking even but it have been lots of fun.

This weekend I was at 3rd Street in Santa Monica and I saw Dwight Howard. He didn’t so tall when I saw him but now that I look at the picture I realize how tall he is!!


Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Book S&H

Okay, so after I myself made the very FIRST order, I realized that the publisher charges a lot of money for shipping and handling. Boo.

Thus, for people that I see in Southern California, if you are interested in a book, I can place a bulk order and you can buy from me so then you can save on S&H.

I didn't think twice about S&H when I was talking to the publisher about book prices. The publisher just said 'normal' shipping and handling costs. I don't think their price is 'normal' but this is just their way of taking more of the pie.

By the way, I get ZERO money from S&H fee's.