Amanda OHS Ballroom Competition 2009

Look forward . . .

Look to the right . . .


Make a silly face.

This is why I have a camera- to be able to capture moments and expressions of my kids and grand kids to view over and over again. The many pictures and videos taken is why my Hunny bought me an external hard-drive. Because my external hard-drive is full is why he bought a cute little red one (hard-drive not dress, silly) for himself. My girls and I are gradually burning Cd's of the vast amounts of files stored on my external hd to clear up space for more pictures. Remember awhile back when I was surprised at myself that I hadn't taken my camera with me to a few events? That was when I couldn't take anymore pictures cause I didn't have computer space to clear off my memory cards. So for every picture I took I had to decide on one to delete. Not a fun task.

And don't ask how many memory cards I have-

I still own more shoes.

Maybe not in gigabytes, but definitely in the number individual memory sticks. :)

Ballroom Friends

Amanda and Souji

danced the Samba Rumba together.
Amanda and Paul
went to Homecoming together.

Amanda and Bekah
look similar.

I really wanted to post a video of Amanda performing the Waltz,

but being computer and software illiterate

has made that impossible so far.

So in your mind visualize her waltzing

in a beautiful light blue dress.

Perfect!

Now that was easier for me than attempting to

upload a video to a blog that doesn't want a video.

,

Shopping Mall in Japan

Amber, Thomas and I stopped in a

fabulous little shopping Mall located

across the street from the coolest beach.

Pictured below is the shirt

I SHOULD HAVE purchased for Bruce.

How was I supposed to know he

would actually like how it looks?

The two of us have only been married for 25 years-

certainly not enough time to have figured out all of his tastes.

Each shop was separated by . . .?

You just had to know where one shop ended and another began.

They each had their individual cashiers, shopping bag logos,

merchandise mix and sales help.

Here we are holding up a tiny shoe
to Thomas' tiny feet as he sleeps.

This is how the Mall looks like from the parking lot.

The beach is behind us and across the street.

On the second floor looking down on the first floor shops.

It appears to be one large department store,

in actuality it is a MALL with many different stores.

Looking from one shop into the next one.

So many clothing racks to search through.

I had to take a picture of the sales help.

One thing I recall being impressed by is how

the sales person would hold my credit card in both

hands and offer it back to me, along with a nod of the head

at the end of each transaction. So polite and courteous.

That made me feel important.

So much merchandise displayed in every possible place.

I LOVE Suzy's Zoo!

Care Bears!

I had to look at EVERYTHING!

At least everything on the lower floor . . .

time was running out by the time we

got to the top floor so quick glances had to suffice.

Zipped by this display,

but I was quick enough to snap a photo.

Cool stuff I didn't have to buy-

the memory of it will be enough.

Beautiful beading, but look at the price!

I didn't bring this one home for my daughters.

Shoes for 5 bucks.

All in size 4-6.

Didn't bring this one home, either.
Awesome fabrics!

A bit of Kauai

This is from the north side of Kauai,

looking northeast from the Kilauea lighthouse.
This is the church building my family
and I attended when I was just 3 years old.


Richard, Yvonne, Aurelia. Ben, myself and Bruce.



The river I fell into when I was barely three.
My brother called me a BIG FISH.
The fence was not there then.


Kilauea Lighthouse
Photo taken by a very friendly and informative
park ranger who is also a retired Marine.

No Title (continued)

The photo I had hoped to add is not post worthy. It is blurry. But let me tell you about it anyway.
For the next two months my Thursdays have been promised to Andi in preparation for her wedding. I have arranged to not work on Thursdays and Andi has arranged to go into work early in the morning so that she will have the afternoon free after her classes. Last Thursday the two of us had created a fairly sizable list of places we wanted to go and things we wished to find. We spent an amazing two hours at Hobby Lobby in SLC. First time we had been there and now we know why Becky LOVEs that store. We found more than what was on our list- go figure? Yet the brown 4" x 6" pillar candles (sole purpose of making the trip) were not to be found.
After rejuvenating our bodies with food we were heading home when we noticed the Ikea store off in the distance. Months ago when Ikea had opened their massive store to the greater SLC masses I had considered that I might be able to go my whole life without gracing their doors. For no reason other than the fact that Ikea is just another retail store and "Why should I follow the crazed crowd?"
When a person is planning a wedding, priorities may change. Silly me- here I was ready to actually enter an Ikea in search of brown 4" x 6" candles. Surely a home decor store of their enormous size would have what I was in search of. Andi took a picture of me entering Ikea's doors for the first (and possibly only) time. The blurry pic which I'm not posting. We only had 15 minutes to explore before they were to close the doors for the day. Alas, no brown candles. We did purchase an ice cream to share. And we visited the restrooms before making our drive back home. Thus the previous picture of me and my very tall black companions. How could I resist a picture with such stately people? Besides- the pic was Andi's idea.

The Price of Sushi in Japan

I would not feel safe

transporting eggs home in this fashion.

A person could find fresh looking
Sushi in EVERY grocery store.
In case you are wondering-
I do not crave raw fish...at all!



I have no idea what surprises
can be found in these colorful packages.



Fun colors- but it still doesn't look appetizing to me.

Visiting Aaron and Amber in Japan was amazing.

Everywhere I looked I beheld beautiful colors,

flowers, food, clothing, and people.

Just felt like sharing a couple of picture with you today.

Am I the only person who snaps vacation travel pictures in a grocery store?

No Title

So- what would YOU name this blog entry? This photo is part of a story, but I need the picture that was taken about fifteen minutes previous to this one before I tell anything. Anyone recognize this place?
2B continued . . .