Despite Keba and my efforts to rid the backyard of weeds, we also didn’t do a good job (or any job, for that matter) of keeping the ground covered so that new weeds wouldn’t pop up. As a result, check this out:

See the corner where the ivy has taken over? That area used to be weed-free!! The last time Jon was over, he had battled with a blackberry bush in that corner and had helped to clear the area out. *sigh* At least they aren’t blackberries, and I think they should be *fairly* easy to remove–especially since they don’t have thorns! It can be quite discouraging looking out into the yard, though. I never thought I wouldn’t like the sight of so much green!!

On a brighter note, last night, we got to hang out with ET and Wayne, my old buddies from Sacratomato. Wayne is in town for a conference for teachers who teach AP classes (I can’t believe my cousin Kara was one of his students!!), and ET is along for the ride. ET’s on a mission to watch baseball games at all 30 major league baseball stadiums. On Tuesday night, he was able to check one more off his list.

At one point in high school, Kris and I walked up to ET and Wayne one night at youth group and declared, “You guys are going to be our stunt doubles.” For whatever reason, we felt we needed stunt doubles, although I can’t recall any times when we’ve had to actually utilize one another. But if we did, we would call out, “Double on the double!” (I think Dorc and Emeebrain ended up being doubles, too, right?) Anywhoo, I usually only see these guys during holidays when we’re all back in Sac, so it was fun to just hang out during a nonholiday occasion.

We ate dinner at Kallaloo (fried fish, mac and cheese, steamed greens, etc.), and then ended up hanging out back at our house. We couldn’t end the night without some sort of dessert, so I suggested going for dessert at Dilettantes or going to get boba in the International District. It was already after 10 p.m., and Wayne had to be ready by 7 a.m. the next morning. But when he gave us the OK to keep the night alive, we headed out to the ID. This will just show how old we’re getting, but as we headed out (in pouring rain, might I add), I felt excited that we were going out “late,” like we were young again. I told the guys, “If we were back in Sac, we’d be going to Shari’s!” (Actually, we have Shari’s in Seattle!)

Anyway, we went out, feeling young and rebellious (”We have to wake up early tomorrow, but WE DON’T CARE!”). We enjoyed boba. We watched and laughed over some crazy obstacle course show (Ninja Warriors?). We played a few informal rounds of Taboo. And then the night came to an end. Reality called, and so were our beds. Back to our adult life. *sigh* But the night and the good times with old friends were fun while they lasted.

Since we were back in LA for Sarah’s grad, it was a good time to meet up with family and friends…and also to bring back Matt’s baby–his 1989 Honda Civic that had been sitting in front of his parents’ house for the past year. After talks of shipping it to Seattle, Matt opted for us to fly back for the graduation and then drive back to Seattle. “Are you serious?!” was my first reply. “That thing has NO A/C and NO RADIO! That’s going to be a loooong drive!” On top of that, there was a lot of concern (mostly on the part of our parents and me) about safety. But Matt was persistent and even had Kevin install a radio, because hearing me sing a capella for two days is probably more painful than forking over $150 for a new radio.

Within four hours of landing in Burbank, we had already gotten burgers at In n Out (our first of two visits during our time back) with Matt’s family and chili cheese fries at Tommy’s with Kevin. As much as I always talked about wanting to leave LA, there is a level of comfort that comes from driving around your old neighborhood and seeing familiar haunts. “There’s my old grocery shopping place!” I said, as we passed Von’s. (To which Matt responded, “YOUR grocery shopping place? Don’t you mean OUR?” which sparked a semi-long discussion about how I said “MY” place because I would always go grocery shopping after work because I got off work right at 5, and Matt didn’t get home till 7:30. So I usually went shopping alone, although I would go for OUR groceries, but still, it was MY grocery shopping locale. Whoo, tangent…)

I grew up in a city with terribly hot summers (I still remember summer tennis practice sessions in 100+ degree weather), and then lived in the San Fernando Valley where summers were equally unpleasant, but I never adjusted nor liked the heat. Having been in Seattle for a year, I’ve become even more intolerant to any temperatures above 85 degrees. So you can imagine my discomfort every time I walked outside or sat in Matt’s AC-less car.

We spent some time with immediate family, extended family, and fortunately got to see Grandpa Kujawa in the hospital. I never like seeing people in the hospital because they seem so frail and helpless, and it just makes me sad, but I was relieved to hear that he was doing better. Had Sarah’s celebratory dinner and cake (which read “Happy Congratulations”), where Matt nearly got his jingle balls kicked by Jen’s foot in a sibling photo. Got to see some friends…had a late-night chat with Melanie while Matt and the guys hung out in the hot tub, as usual. Honestly, when we’re back for such a short time, one-on-one or small group chats are so much better than getting together with large groups.

On Friday morning, we set off in the Civic, pointed north on I-5 toward Sac. As we drove through dry, hot Central California, the windows were rolled down to the max. I wore a tank top and a skirt made of sweatshirt material, that I had hiked up to my thighs. Every time a trucker drove by, I’d pull it back down, but otherwise, my goal was to have as little touching my skin as possible.

We made it to Sac safe and sound, and in time for dinner with my fam and all four grandparents. Every time I’m back, I make a mental note to improve my Cantonese, but I forget that note as soon as I leave. I feel like my relationships with the grandparents could be so much richer if my Cantonese improved. It was good to see them all again, even for a short time around the dinner table at Far East. The rest of the evening after dinner was spent in my old room, going through stuff in my old closet. I actually got rid of a few things, but couldn’t bear to toss other things, even a box of photo negatives. You just never know, right?

One day, I’d like to have all that stuff with me, but I don’t know how feasible it is to bring it up without making another road trip. But I’m proud of myself…I only brought back an old bed frame, an autographed Lisa Loeb poster, my yearbooks, and a street sign that I snagged years ago off the street. If it were up to me (and if we had more room), I would have brought back my binders full of old letters, box of sentimental items, and maybe even old mix tapes (because hearing old recordings of DJ Jazzy Raph and MC Mikey Mike–Raphael being Trish and Michaelangelo being me–and our fake radio shows would brighten up any day).

Our time in Sac ended Saturday morning with Na and me visiting the nursery where dad works. He got me a coral bark Japanese Maple as a housewarming gift from him and mom. Yippee! Thank goodness for employee discounts! After that, we loaded up the car once again and continued north. We took the Oregon coast back, which lengthened the trip, but provided us with beautiful scenery of rocky beaches and lush state parks. I would love to go back and camp there one day. I really miss seeing those rocky, overcast beaches where you see more caves and tidepools than sunbathers. We stayed overnight in Coos Bay and then continued through more tiny coastal towns before stopping in Astoria, where “Goonies,” “Kindergarten Cop,” among other movies were filmed. We tried to find the Goonies house, but couldn’t recognize it even when we found the right block.

We pulled up to our driveway around 9 p.m. Sunday night, safe and sound. The drive was not as long as it sounds, and really, the drive through Oregon was enjoyable (not to mention all the chapters of Harry Potter that I read through!). Matt and my car rides are pretty quiet…I am usually snoozing (or trying not to) or reading, although I try to find music that we can both sing along to. But here we are–back in the good ol’ Evergreen State. July is going to be a crazy month for us with a slew of visitors and activities…yippee!

I recently brought my yearbooks back from Sac and had a good laugh going through them…hilarious comments from friends who knew my goofy side (“I see a booger in your picture”), cordial comments from acquaintances (“you’re quiet as a mouse but a good dancer”), pictures of various school activities, and reminders that, yes, it really has been 12 years since graduation.

This truth was made even more evident when we flew back to LA to attend Sarah’s high school graduation. The graduating class of 2007 numbered 800 students! (Is that the norm nowadays? I think Valley’s class of ’95 was only a couple hundred, which dwindled throughout my four years there.) It’s a strange feeling to know that someone you thought of as being so young at first is now attending college. When I first met Sarah, she was just graduating from jr. high. This year, one of my cousins also graduated from high school and will be moving down to Irvine for college (one of two cousins there!). I don’t even know if I’ve seen my cousins drive cars, and I still remember them being so little and carrying them in my arms.

I also remember my own high school graduation, which was held in the Community Center. We sat on stage, looking out over our family and friends, keeping an eye out for the light in back that told us when to stand and sit. I also remember forgetting my CSF sash at home, and how my mom dashed home and brought it back to me. I remember being just about to file into the auditorium when my mom came running up (probably in dress shoes!) with the sash. It’s amazing that she made it from downtown to Elk Grove and back, found parking, and found me in time. It didn’t mean a whole lot for me to graduate wearing that gold sash, but it meant a lot to me that she would do that for me.

I also was reminded about the giddiness of high schoolers and the pride that comes with everything you do. Three girls behind us who were obviously best friends gave a running commentary throughout the graduation. When the speaker at the podium recognized two students who had died during the school year, the girls chattered, “Oh how sad!! I don’t know what I would do without you guys!!” I didn’t turn around to look, but I’m almost positive they hugged each other tightly at that point. Or when individuals were called to receive their diplomas, the girls would say, “There’s Ashley! GO ASHLEY! Aw, she’s so cute! This is probably the last time we’ll see her,” followed by a collective, “Aaawwww…” And at the end of the commencement ceremony, they excitedly talked about how one day, they would all be graduating together. “Class of 2010!!” one of them called out.

As I sat through Sarah’s graduation, one thing I did NOT remember was the optimism and hope that comes with youth and graduation. You’re embarking on adulthood and taking on a whole different level of education that brings you one step closer to being in the “real world.” Three students gave speeches, and they all had the same hope-filled theme of having the power to do anything, to make a difference, to use their lives to do good in the world. Being in the class of 2007, one girl gave her speech a “007” theme, saying that they–as secret agents–have been equipped with tools to go out and fight poverty, find the cure for HIV, stop global warming.

Part of me wanted to stand up and applaud the optimism and cheer loudly for the students to YES, go out and DO GOOD! I was reminded of my room as a high schooler–memorabilia about saving the earth, positive Bible verses, inspirational quotes (OK, and the Eddie Furlong posters above my bed). But the other part of me wanted to shake my head and warn them about the real world. “Real world” being the reality that your boss may not always be a good person, that companies do care more about money than their employees, that having a real job can mean emotional stress, and that your idealistic dreams often will get shot down by people around you. But the hopeful side of me won. If everyone kept that positive attitude throughout life and believed in that can-do spirit, I believe the world really would be a better place.

Over the past week, Keba and I have been documenting the world travels of our co-worker Nath’s trophy. We even set up an e-mail account for it so that the trophy could keep Nath informed about where it was. Here are the pictures from her trip around the world. (And for you Photoshop pros out there, I don’t want to hear any comments about my shabby skills–after all, I am a writer, not a graphic designer!)

Here’s the first e-mail that we sent, accompanied with photos around the office: 

First of all, don’t worry. I’ll just be gone for a few days. But the reason I’m gone is because I was getting pretty lonely in your cube since you weren’t letting anyone touch me. I think people were pretty scared to even look at me, and I was not really enjoying cube life. I really want to see the rest of the World Vision office and the world. The map in your cube gave me wanderlust, so I’m heading off tonight.

I’ll keep in touch throughout my trip, though, and I will send you pictures and e-mails to let you know how I’m doing. For starters, here are a few pictures that I took around the World Vision office. I had no idea the office was so full of nice people and fun things to do. You really should let me get out more often–or at least let people come to visit me.  

Love,  

Your trophy  

I won’t post all the e-mails, but you can get an idea what the rest were like, based on the first e-mail. 

Checking out the office…

And then hopping on a plane to: California and the East Coast… 

The next stop: Macchu Picchu in Peru and Egypt…

North to Europe and Jerusalem…

The Great Wall of China, and finally, aloha Hawaii!

Here’s the e-mail that accompanied this last photo:

I was so hurt by your last email. [Nathalie had e-mailed the trophy and told it not to return.] I phoned my counselor and she told me that often people who are hurt respond with apathy, but that it isn’t how they truly feel. So, don’t worry, I know that you secretly miss me and want me to come home. You can dry your eyes. It will be a comfort to you that I think I’ve found a flight that will bring me back to you in less time than I originally thought.

Not that I want to leave. I’m currently on the beautiful beaches of Oahu, Hawaii! I’ve been experiencing nothing but warm breezes and amazing turquoise waters for the past half day or so. The atmosphere is so laidback and relaxing. If you and my other World Vision friends were here I’d never want to leave!  

This morning I tried snorkeling, but sank like a rock (or a heavy crystal statue). But I did see some amazing fish and sea turtles as I was sinking. I think I’m a little too chicken to try surfing because without any toes, it’d be hard to hang ten. I also hiked up Diamondhead and took in the sunset over the ocean and Waikiki Beach.

The beach is amazing, and I think I look pretty amazing in my new bikini. But still, I am feeling a bit homesick. I’ll be home sometime soon with a killer tan.

Aloha,
your troph

While the trophy was out and about, Nath replaced it with this one:

Today, a few of us went to Chipotle, and we arranged this to be the final stop for the trophy. When Nath went up to the counter, the girl at the register pulled out the trophy, placed it on the tray, and said, “I think this is yours.”

On an unrelated note, tomorrow is Keba’s last day at World Vision. I know we’ll still hang out a lot, but I will still really miss having her drop by my cube, our occasional walks, mid-morning (and afternoon) snacks, and chats in the hallway. :(

The clock is counting down to 07/07/07 when the new Seven Wonders of the World will be announced in Lisbon, Portugal. If you haven’t already, VOTE for your favorites!

A previous voter quoted on the website says, “Christ is the best choice for this and for everything,” referring to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio. I have to admit I voted for it merely for sentimental reasons and my affinity for anything Brazilian. :) You get to choose seven candidates, so I also voted for the Great Wall and Macchu Picchu–both truly amazing landmarks in the world. I’ve been to the Great Wall, but not to Macchu Picchu…yet. The Eiffel Tower is one of the candidates, but I was not very impressed with that when I saw it, so it didn’t get my vote.

P.S. Operation Amelie ends today, so I’ll be posting up pics from our prank soon!

A co-worker of mine recently received this award for her 10 years of service at work. I’ve always liked clear trophy-type things like that, so I hope they still have those awards around when I reach my 10-year mark. Anyway, my co-worker has been giving me a hard time about keeping my fingerprints off of her award. She even posted this sign on the award:

Since she works from home on Fridays, I took this picture and e-mailed it to her:

But Keba and I have something up our sleeves that we will implement next week. I have dubbed it “Operation Amelie.” It will drive my co-worker NUTS. I won’t divulge any info here, but you may be able to guess what we will be doing based on the project name.

About 10 years ago, I started my first blog (talk about sensory overload!) and updated it with this description after I graduated from college in 1999: “My dream is to travel from country to country, helping wherever is needed, writing about missionaries who are doing God’s work overseas, and working on the novel that I intend to finish within my lifetime.”

I can’t say much about that novel or about traveling from country to country, but I would say that I’m pretty on target with writing about missionaries (well, people) who are doing God’s work overseas. For seven years after graduation, I worked for several magazines, but as much as I enjoyed my work, there was always that nagging in my heart to do something more meaningful. This desire eventually led me to writing/editing/translation work in Brazil in 2002. That was three years after I wrote my career goal on my blog.

Four years after Brazil, I landed a job that doesn’t take me out to different countries (unfortunately), but I’m at least able to write about what is going on around the world and hopefully write documents that can raise money to help others. It’s interesting where life’s journeys take us.

I was reminded of all this when Keba e-mailed me a summary of Jim Wallis’ recent commencement speech at Georgetown. Here are the parts that I especially like:

In that regard, I would encourage each of you to think about your vocation more than just your career. And there is a difference. From the outside, those two tracks may look very much alike, but asking the vocational question rather than just considering the career options will take you much deeper. The key is to ask why you might take one path instead of another — the real reasons you would do something, more than just because you can. The key is to ask who you really are and what you want to become. It is to ask what you believe you are supposed to do.

You do have great potential, but that potential will be most fulfilled if you follow the leanings of conscience and the language of the heart more than just the dictates of the market, whether economic or political. They want smart people like you to just manage the systems of the world. But rather than managing or merely fitting into systems, ask how you can change them. You’re both smart enough and talented enough to do that. That’s your greatest potential.

Ask where your gifts intersect with the groaning needs of the world — there is your vocation.

The antidote to cynicism is not optimism but action. And action is finally born out of hope. Try to remember that.

The key is to believe that the world can be changed, because it is only that belief that ever changes the world. And if not us, who will believe? If not you, who?

(Read the complete speech here.)

Rachel totally made my day yesterday by sending me a press release announcing plans for a Harry Potter theme park within Universal Studios in Orlando. I immediately sent it off to my fellow Harry Potheads, and now, Melanie, Abby, and I already are scheming to take a trip out there when the park opens in 2009. Dust off your uniforms, ladies, we are going to have some fun!!

Matt thinks we will look ridiculous and that people will think we’re employees because we’ll be the only adults dressed up, but I doubt that. There are a lot of older crazy Potheads out there, just like us. Matt’s just stuck in the world of Muggles and doesn’t know any better.

Check out these sketches…

I can’t wait!!! Until then, we can look forward to next month–a huge month for Potheads with the 5th movie coming out on July 13 and the last (booo hooo) book being released on the 21st.

I snagged this from Keba’s blog and wanted to prove once and for all that Seattle is not even in the top 10 rainiest cities in the country! I’m not sure how we got that stereotype, but I can speculate on why Seattleites continue telling people it’s true…  

The top 10 rainiest cities in the U.S. by amount of annual rainfall include:

1. Mobile, Ala.: 67 inches average annual rainfall; 59 average annual rainy days
2. Pensacola, Fla.: 65 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
3. New Orleans, La.: 64 inches average annual rainfall; 59 average annual rainy days
4. West Palm Beach, Fla.: 63 inches average annual rainfall; 58 average annual rainy days
5. Lafayette, La.: 62 inches average annual rainfall; 55 average annual rainy days
6. Baton Rouge, La.: 62 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
7. Miami, Fla.: 62 inches average annual rainfall; 57 average annual rainy days
8. Port Arthur, Texas: 61 inches average annual rainfall; 51 average annual rainy days
9. Tallahassee, Fla.: 61 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
10. Lake Charles, La.: 58 inches average annual rainfall; 50 average annual rainy days

The study ranked 195 cities in the contiguous 48 states by the amount of rainfall they received annually over a 30-year period.