Sugar Cane

Reminiscing of after school treats from my childhood days in Hawaii. One of my favorites was the rare treats of freshly cut sugar cane (about six inches worth) for a nickel and gnawing on it all afternoon long while hanging out with friends on the sidewalk, shooting the breeze. Such simple pleasures ...

TMI!

I have a facebook friend whose postings within the last couple of days have been about the newly potty trained child. Really? I'm sure that this is a major event for her (as it was for the first three older kids she raised), but I really don't care about her child's bodily functions or said child's ability to now do #1 and # in the proper place ... it'll only make me lose my appetite and the lunch hour is nigh ...

Perfect Lives

Not that I'm reveling in other people's misery, BUT ... I'm glad that when people you think have such perfect lives let you in on the truth and you realize that they have troubles just like you do, that their life/family is as dysfunctional as yours ... and sometimes a little bit worse.

It's so true that whether the glass is half full or half empty depends on whether you're pouring into it or out of it.

Camille

To entertain myself during my road trip this weekend, I borrowed several audio books. One of which was the unabridged version of "Camille" by Alexandre Dumas. I picked out the book mostly because "The Count of Monte Cristo" by the same author is one of my favorite books of all time, so of course I'm curious about his other works. May I just say, WOW! What a great piece of literature! I didn't realize I already knew the story as Camille had inspired "La Traviata" and "Moulin Rouge" -- both of which I am a fan of. I sat in the car for an extra half hour before heading into the house to hear the story's end and cried just as I had when I first saw "La Traviata". What a great way to pass 8 hours this weekend.

A Quick Getaway

The 39 Steps

Took off on Saturday to Cedar City to see a play at the Shakespearean Festival.  I've not gone in a few years and go figure, I wanted to see just about every play they had to offer this year.  However, due to scheduling, I had to narrow it down to a couple of plays. So, I went down on  my own and went to see "The 39 Steps". What a fun and witty comedy! So glad that it was one of my "must see" plays and that I didn't  bend or compromise in seeing it.  The other play, "Macbeth", I will see in a few weekends. Those who have seen it have raved about it and I can't wait.

Lilly and Me

While down in Cedar City, I managed to squeeze in a quick visit with a college friend I've not seen in about 18 years. Lilly lived in Hale 2 with me and we were in the same student ward. Thanks to facebook, I have reconnected with Lilly and it was fun to catch up with her, even if it was only for a couple of hours. I'll plan my trip down there a bit better next time, so I can visit their home and meet her husband.

So, the most important thing I discovered on this trip: I can't sleep without my four pillows. A round pillow for under my neck, a pillow on my left and my right (one o give me some back support and other to hug) and lastly a pillow for my feet or to slide up between my knees. I must have gotten up about half a dozen time last night because of the lack of pillows.  Next time, I'll call for additional pillows ... even if it is in the middle of the night.

Turquoise Sky

I took this picture with my cell phone on the evening of July 3rd at about 8:30 p.m. ... Yes, I can be that specific because with this steel trap of a mind, I clearly remember taking this picture after the army band concert on Temple Square. It was such a beautiful night and we were all in awe at the beautiful sky when we got out.  The sunset was amazing, but alas, my camera phone was ill equipped to take a decent picture of it.  I do like the contrast of the turquoise sky against the temple.

Beans Popsicles

Finally, had some time this afternoon to go back to Super China and take my time shopping there.  Found my green (Mung) beans popsicles, but they were out of the red (Azuki) beans popsicles. I guess you can't have it all. Oh well, a good excuse to go back another day. Mmm ... another treat that reminds me of childhood.

A Homeless Man's Funeral

I got this emailed to me the other day. Just thought I'd share the joke:

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends.  I played like I've never play ed before for this homeless man.

And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up m y bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

Apparently I'm still lost ... it's a man thing.

Motivational Poster Time

Got this from my friend, Dani. I am re-posting the few I liked best that made me ROR.

Other people's facebook photos of ME -- NYC Edition

Ingrid posted these on facebook:

Girls Night Out -- Les Miserables (c. 1994)

Back Row (L-R): Annie Morales, ???, ???, Belinda Vaca, ???, ???, ???
Front Row (L-R): Vivian Aguirre, Me, Ingrid Iturralde

Ingrid's Birthday Party! (c. 1994)

Standing (L-R): Harald Lins, Christine Haryanti, Rob Andrade
Sitting (L-R): Ingrid Iturralde with her two kids and mom, Me, Harry Surya