RETURNING TO THE USA: February 2007
Our purpose of returning to California was to celebrate Judy’s father’s 90th birthday and her mother’s 88th birthday. The entire Chan Clan traveled to the Portola Valley home to share a few meals, play a little mah-joong, and share stories.
Our nephews had grown into gentlemen and our nieces into strong women; all of them smart, quick- witted and considerate adults. My parents were delighted to have their four daughters, son-laws and grandchildren for the weekend. The highlight was when Theodore Mock, photographer, arrived to shoot the family photo. The weather had been stormy during the week and rain was predicted all weekend, but as luck favored us, the rain stopped precisely when he was set up to shot our family. A backdrop of the oak woodlands and the slightly overcast lighting conditions, lent for the perfect setting for the gathering of the three generations and the snapping of memorable family photos.
For the next four weeks, we were on a mad dash to run down a long “To Do List”. Our time unfold something like this:
- Visited the Amber family.
- Obtained visa permits from the French Consulate, which went smoothly, but took several trips to SF to finalize matters.
- Renewed the girls’ passports, a process which was a bit of a hassle as both parents were required at the renewal office, with the children, thus requiring several trips to SF.
- Bought steel and forged the sleeve tool for removing the cutlass bearings. Great appreciations to Alan, for the use of his shop and machines.
• Ordered boat parts on-line from the WiFi-Internet at the Menlo Park public library. Applause for Public Libraries!- Brought Mom Amber together with Helen Rooney for a lunch and an afternoon visit in Vacaville. Helen is John’s mother’s best friend from nursing school. They have known each other for over 60 years and only get to see each other about once a year, less frequently as they have aged.
- Deliberated on whether to purchase a freshman high school-home school program or design our own course outline. Decided to design our own. Then, we had to buy books for Gaby’s freshman year of school (Fall 2007). All done in consultation with Sequoia Union High School counselors and friends in the education field.
- Bought Sami’s schoolbooks from Calvert Home school program (Fall 2007).
- Found on the Internet and purchased provisions needed for the next 6 months where we will be living in the South Pacific Islands. We are told items are expensive or unavailable (e.g. powdered eggs and canned butter.) Thanks for the coaching from s/v Carmelita who were there a few seasons ago.
- Hosted a teen’s girlfriend, sleep over.
- Arranged for Gaby to “shadow” at a local Public School. She attended Woodside High School for a day. Public school is nothing like her home school experience. Shouting from across the classroom came this, “Hey Shadow: where the fuck do you go to school?” The story needs to be told through her perspective, as it was a day full of surprises for her.
- Brought my father his afternoon hot cup of tea and listened to his stories of life, the wonder of his successes, the pride he has for his family and the love he holds for his wife.
- Bought $5,000 or more, worth of spare parts for s/v Encanto. The Federal Express and UPS man definitely knows my parent’s address.
- Spent plenty at our favorite stores…REI, Redwood City Trading Company, Target, Costco, Orchard Supply, Home Depot, Feldmann’s Books, Keplers, Whole Foods, Peet’s Coffee, and many more.
- Viewed, The Pursuit of Happiness, on Valentine’s Day wth Auntie Adie, in a theatre with popcorn. Great flick!
- Listened to tales on Valentine Day, of Gung-Gung’s life as a young man (Gaby and Sami’s 90 year old maternal grandfather.).
- Spent Valentine’s Evening, just the JJ, at our favorite Mexican Restaurant in Palo Alto. Just couldn’t stay away from the Latina culture.
- Enjoyed fresh Dungeness crab in Half Moon Bay.
- Organized all the materials we would need to do our IRS Taxes (Federal and State).
- Received the wrong boat parts. “oh, no” or worst said, in sailor’s tongue.
- Received broken boat parts. Reordered ‘em.
- Devoured a baker’s dozen Krispy Kreme and then compared them to Chuck’s Donut Shop in Redwood City. Chuck’s are better.
- Made over two-dozen trips over the Bay Bridge to shop at Svenvsen’s, West Marine, and Boats US.
- Watched tons of Cable TV, especially the teens of our crew.
- Watched several SHARKS game on Cable TV. Great move to snag, Billy Guiren!
- Sat on the deck of my parent’s home and finished a book.
- Watched the bloom of abundantly beautiful daffodils in my mother’s yard.
- Helped friends and family with projects that needed us (cleaned an apt, shopped for computers, set up computer.)
- Updated our Trust, Will and Dual Power of Attorney papers.
- Tussled with family members and in the end, hug ‘em with love and respect.
- Ate more and more Chinese food.
- Visited the Monterey Aquarium and the delights of Pacific Grove.
- Visited Casa Cocoa Loco.
- Visited our old favorite Ice Cream Parlor-Fenton’s in Piedmont and discovered a new one, Mitchell’s in SF. Verdict is still out as to which is better. Need a re-test.
- Delighted in the visit of our friends, Marianne & Andrew, s/v Soy Libre, who had just flown in to SF from Panama.
- Called or visited as many friends as we could possibly fit in during our short stay. We missed some of you, so we’ll try and catch you on the next pass through.
- Caught mild cold viruses and had to down a ton of Echinacea to stave off the virus.
- Sat with my mother, our toes under her bedcovers, as we enjoyed afternoon tea and chatted aimlessly, while the TV babbled in the background.
- Packed to the limit. Filled 8 duffle bags with 400 lbs of stuff to bring back Ecuador. Left about 100 lbs that could not accompany us.
And this is the partial list of accomplishments. It was a very busy five weeks in California. We thank everyone for their help and loving support.