I finally did it!

It is sometimes difficult to make decisions in life. It is even more difficult to make a career altering decision. After struggling for 2+months, Julie finally did it today. Just need to have faith that everything will be ok!

Take me out to the ball park~ take me out to the game~

Did I mention we went to a Giant's game back in July?

Yap we went to Giant's game back in July. It was Giant's VS Padres

The Padres scored a home run within the first 5 minutes of the game. But Giant won at the end. This was Julie's first baseball game and she was paying attention to the garlic fries more than the game though.

After the game, the gang went to the famous Chinese chicken wing restaurant in sunset area, San Tung. We finished 3 plates of chicken wings. It was so good.

Then to finish off the day, we went to Creations Dessert in Richmond and had some good mango smoothie.

Eric was very adventurous and tried the drink made with a Chinese herbal jelly called Kwai Ling Ko, which is made from the shells of turtles. Eric said it was very bitter and he had to drink some of Julie's mango smoothie to wash it down.

White Water Rafting in Coloma Valley, CA

Before the back injury, Julie and Eric planned to go white water rafting with their friends in August. So instead of going rafting, Julie and Eric joined everyone for BBQ and camping.

After a great feast that night, it was the battle of the sexes with Taboo. The boys won 100 to 75 *^^* The guesses they always seem to have was " Tom Cruise".

It was great to be in nature... not really nature because it was pretty much a campground with lots of people. But we did get to enjoy the pitter-patters made by the raccoons trying to get into our food that evening. The moon was so round and bright that night you don't really need a flash light to go use the bathroom. But Eric did mention that maybe there will be werewolves -_-

In the morning, Eric woke up super early to cook a hearty breakfast of beacon, eggs, and croissant for the gang that is about to embark on their 10 mile rafting trip.

Since we stayed up late the night before, everyone was a little dazed when they were woken up by the bright morning sun.

But after a nice breakfast, they were ready to conquer the South Fork of the American River.

Here, Andy posed with his waterproof camera and ready to record any exciting moments on the raft!

Shirley and Sung were already rowing on dry land. Andrea holding on to Mike to make sure that she doesn't go over board. If she does, Mike will be coming with her ^_^

Julie tried to sneak in with the girls on the trip... she really really wants to go... but had to stay behind because of her back.

To make up for not able to go on the raft, Eric took Julie to do some gold panning at the historic Marshall state park (where the gold rush started in California) and had great seafood taco for lunch.

Here is a picture of the gang after the raft. (where is Sung? buying ice cream?) Everyone had a great time and vow to return when Julie's back is all better.

More information on rafting: http://www.whitewatervoyages.com/

More pictures from our trip

Amazing view from our window

Not everyone can say that they can see a cruise ship docked in front of their window one week and have a battle ship docked at the same spot few weeks later. Thanks to the Fleet week, Eric and Julie got to see the Blue Angels soar over the sky all week last week and see the US Navy visit the local bars and restaurants. It was hard for Eric to concentrate at work while watching the Blue Angels zoom through the SF skyline.

doodle #3... result of the "staycation"

Great Models

Back in late July, we had 2 little visitors to our humble little apartment in San Francisco. We were there last vacation for the summer break but they were so fun and energetic they became great subjects for Julie to try out her camera.
we made pizza from scratchWe even made brownie ice cream sandwich from scratch
Thanks girls for allowing us to share a great summer vacation with you!

doodle #2 (on a nice sunny afternoon few weeks ago)

The smart economist

Back in July, the girls planned a berry picking trip as our monthly outing. This was a berry picking place a little south of San Jose.

After one hour of hard work packing the berries in our buckets (and stomach), it was time to try the famous lollaberry pie from the orchard. Eric, being the smart economist, proposed instead of having every one buy a slice of pie and a scoop of ice cream, we should just a buy a pie and a tub of ice cream for less. The store owner was even nice enough to let us barrow their ice cream scoop.

At first we thought we would not be able to finish the pie and the ice cream but I am glad to report that we did not let anyone down...

doodle #1

Ok! I know I am not the best artist but you get bored laying on the couch all day. But don't you think he is a very cute Darth Vader. Inspired by watching the Star War episode of the Family Guy. ^_^

Be nice to yourself

I guess this illustration from AAA magazine sums up my experience for the past 2 months. Instead of going on a vacation I had a "staycation". Working 6-days-a-week for 7 months finally took a toll on my back. God has a funny way of telling me it is time to take a break. It all started on July 20 with some tingling of my right pinky then dull ache to my right elbow and slowly to my right shoulder and finally ended right on my mid-back. This break gave me the quiet time that I needed to reflect and prioritize things in my life.

I am really grateful to have such an awsome God to show me the importance of health and to appreciate simple things such as using a pair of chop sticks for dim sum. I am also thankful for all the great and caring friends and family God has placed in my life.

Although my apartment was not my ideal vacation spot, it gave me a lot of time to doodle ^_^ so I will slowly back post some of the blogs ^_^