Yesterday's Excitement

The day started with my car covered in ash. Regrettably, Santa Cruz mountains are still having fires. The night before, the smoke has so much reached San Jose skies, that the evening was a burning yellow-orange-red one. It was very eerie.

Next, Karen and I went to Target to buy needed items for the new incoming refugees (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, address book, flashlight, San Jose street map, backpack, etc.). I really appreciated her company and her willingness to help out in this endeavor. The refugees, when they finally are brought to the US, are given nothing more than $400. This backpack is sort of a beginning survival kit for them. (In case you are wondering, Refugees are persons fleeing the chaos of war and persecution; they cannot return to their homelands. Most are women and children. All have lost family, jobs, homes and support systems. Refugees entering the US are persons who were individually selected by the US government for permanent resettlement here. Catholic Charities then welcomes and resettles them.)

After watching an adorable children's production of Alice in Wonderland with Karen, I went home to watch the US Open (golf, duh!) with my dad. It was quite the thrill. So much happened in the last 6 holes of the last two groups. Despite Tiger Woods being in incredible pain (he had knee surgery only two months earlier), he ended the round with 2 eagles and a birdie to put him in the lead. It was truly awesome to watch. The first eagle was a 65-foot putt that cause him to do a two fisted pump for joy. The birdie at the 17th was a spectacular bounce from a shot from the bunker into the hole that left him saying, "You've got to be kidding!" And at the final 18th hole, he made a 40-ft putt that put his score to 3 under par. Go Tiger, go! I have to wonder how he will do today because he was limping so bad at the end yesterday, and it was obvious that he was in extreme pain after his full swings. Maybe he'll dope up on drugs. Regardless, I am looking forward to watching the last round today.

Final word: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!!!

The Run Down Shack

Our adventure at the "run down shack" as we called it.

Mysterious Booth

Our thoughts about the Lick Observatory booth.

Trip to James Lick Observatory

This is part of the windy road we took up to the observatory. I would say I was driving somewhere between 10 and 25 mph, nice and slow (lots of hairpin turns).

My car, enjoying the visit.

The oldest observatory there.

A view to the bay area.

The mysterious booth. What do you think it was used for? We have a video clip to come on our guesses. Shane - do you know???

An old boarded-up house that peeked our curiosity as well. I wanted to crawl in through the basement but then one of the local workers warned us about rattle snakes (I think he was just trying to keep us away from the house).

Cousins-together at last

A view of a few observatories, I think there are nine in total.

Boring Video Blog

But since I made it, why not post it?

It's Been Ages

Okay, really, barely a month since I last posted. I just got busy with school, and then visitors, and then laziness. So whenever this happens, I seem to favors lists, so here we go:

• Did excelente in my two LIS classes, even enjoyed writing the term paper, which at first thought was terrible but turned out to be better than I expected
• Finished up my reference and instruction internship, it was needed practical experience
• Still have plenty to learn about working in SJSU Special Collections
  
• Had some cavities filled at the dentist
• Traveled with my awesome friends to Alcatraz Island (love spending time with them)
  
• Kent ladies, their husbands, and their daughters were all in town for their dad's wedding. Whoo hoo! I got to spend the evening with them at their aunt and uncle's house, trying to keep up with their daughters.
• My cousin, Rachel, made a stop-over in CA on her way back from Kentucky to WA (I'll be posting pictures and videos of our escapades later)
• Discovered that with on and off freeway driving, my car gets about 26.6 mpg, not bad I guess
  
• Saw Iron Man (twice) and Prince Caspian in the theatres
• Watched season finales for Smallville (disappointed), Bones (crushed), and Lost (still confused)

I think that's it. I'll try to be more regular but no guarantees. Here's a couple of pictures from the Alcatraz Trip (taken by Jenn Wu since I forgot my camera):

Alcatraz Island from the ferry

C Cell Block

Alcatraz Island Lighthouse (oldest on the West Coast, I think)

Nice Group Photo with San Francisco in the background

The Ladies (Jamie, Megan, Gina, and Jenn)

The View from the island

The Silly Photo