happy halloween

Happy Halloween!

My brother, Ryan, and I, Halloween at the park, 1989.

Sorry if this offends you.

It was a really fun party.

ryan

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

peter

Happy Birthday, Peter!

abby

Happy Birthday, Abby!

shannon

Happy Birthday, Shannon!

esther

Happy Birthday, Esther!

college shots, 4

It's time to post another college shot.

This picture was taken three years ago today...well, tonight. I remember the evening vividly. It was Mustang Madness, an annual basketball event in college. My whole dorm was dressed in construction worker orange (our dorm color, of course) and we cheered on the the season's basketball teams. Prior to entering the school gym where the festivities were held we were given raffle tickets. During the event, tickets were chosen for students to attempt a half court shot to win $1000 towards our school bill. I had this incredibly funny feeling about my ticket...a weird, gut churning feeling...

Yes, I was "randomly" selected to shoot at half court.

I bombed.

Twice.

It was awful.

But another guy made it and I was really happy for him.

Isn't this a funny shot?

poll, favorite holiday scent

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watercourse foods

While in Denver I stopped at Watercourse Foods for lunch.
I enjoyed Denver. I liked Downtown the most. The trees were different colors, there was a nice breeze and plenty of little thrift shops and cafes. I think I enjoyed Downtown at the fullest when I sat down here at Watercourse Foods, sipped tea and read the latest Onion.
When you get to Denver, check this place out. You might want to try the Jaun Wrap and genmaicha tea...it's good, I should know. You will definitely want to enjoy the people watching (it gets crowded at lunch) and a little reading. If you have some extra time, step inside the nearby Buffalo Exchange for some cool "new" threads...bring some quarters for parking...and a camera, and tell us all about it.

juliet & dustin

Juliet and Dustin are engaged! This is truly heart-warming news. Honestly, I am so excited for them!

southern california fires

Click here to learn more about the fires.

home again

I'm home from Colorado. Where has this month gone...err...where is it going?

Anyway, a few days ago I was remembering this post. I have some thoughts on it and will blog about it soon.

Until then, I am wishing I was more computer web design savvy so I could create my own web page. These blogger templates are beginning to make me crazy.

Also, some new things about me or sort of about me and just good to know:

• I learned Derek Webb put out a new album. Where have I been? Under a rock?
• I have brown hair. Well, it's actually dark spice. I've needed a change.
• This is not really about me: after reviewing previous posts and reflecting on what is the same, different and maybe will change, I noticed I let you in that Rob does not like peanut butter. This is entirely untrue. He loves it (unsalted, natural, crunchy) and seems to only want to eat peanut butter toast for as many meals as possible. This was puzzling but now it's awesome.
• There is this unspoken rule between me and Rob that we won't listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. We've been listening to this on vinly, iTunes and CD and totally don't care about our stupid rule.
• Lately I add cinnamon and ginger to everything.
• There is a race I think I will run in December.
• The Hollywood Church is growing. It's really exciting.

There are other things, but I'll give them their own post.

brian

Happy Birthday, Brian!

mary

Happy Birthday, Mary!

colorado fall colors

This week, I'm remembering what Fall looks like....more to come, hopefully, but these pumpkins are nice to notice for right now. PS - I'm in Colorado...it's beautiful, it's crisp...and I have GPS. I'm thankful.

hollywood church eats lunch

One thing I love about the Hollywood Church is that we eat lunch together every Sunday. Yeah...a full on hot meal each week, thanks to Debbie (upstairs, in this pic). Debbie is awesome. She can cook for a crowd of, oh, I don't know, 200, hands tied behind her back. She serves us weekly and it gives us the opportunity to spend more time together...it's cool...everyone is invited to lunch, every week, so that means you, if you visit sometime. There are so many talented and gifted people at the HC...our little nickname, these days. God has been good to bring us together!

gypsy den cafe

I was in Costa Mesa today for work. Specifically, I was at Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa. My family has visited this church several times and growing up, my church would stop for a Sunday service on our way down to Mexico...so I'm fond of it...for the memories and for Chuck Smith's teaching.

I found some lunch nearby the church at The Gypsy Den Cafe. It could have been called "a place that Sarah Ikegami would really like" and you would have known why. It was good. I lunched on the gypsy rice. If ever in Costa Mesa, give it a try...after church.

poll, favorite transportation

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some hollywood church girls

It has been a huge blessing to get to know the ladies at the Hollywood Church. I'm amazed that God has placed such a diverse yet like-minded group of believers to serve together. Seriously, we are different and the same...kinda like Hollywood...if that makes any sense. We had a blast hanging out the other night. I dig these girls!

From left to right:

DeMecia (getting married to Sam, soon!), Julie (just got baptized, see a previous post), Mary (my kindred spirit for many reasons), Suelynn (future black jack dealer, we just found out), Sarah (wife to Chris and mom to 3, 1 on the way), Helen (DDR Queen)

Debbie (wife to Will, mom to 3, catering powerhouse), Me (well, you know enough about me by now).

the darjeeling limited

Saw in theaters and listening to the soundtrack:
The Darjeeling Limited

rob's 25th

Happy Birthday, Rob!!!

john lennon

Happy Birthday, John Lennon!
(in memory birthday post)

aqua tea cup

I'm glad to be home. I missed Rob. I missed Hollywood. I missed spending time with Rob, in Hollywood, drinking tea...chatting about life and reading The Onion and playing sudoku and things like that.

We got this tea cup, along with a matching tea pot, for our wedding from Alysia's sister, Nicole. We love it and use it alot. Today we drank an Orchid Oolong...a Mighty Leaf loose leaf. It was nice...but we could have been drinking really gross tea, honestly, and it would have been nice...just because we were together...but I guess if that were the case we would just stop drinking tea...so...

florida, etc.

I have been all over the eastern side of Florida...most recently in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Some things I have seen:

• Palm Trees...go figure
• Crazy thunder and lightning storms
• Theme parks...alot of theme parks
• Old people, which I love
• Big cars, which they drive and one day I'll love, too
• Mobile homes
• Dunkin Donuts...I forget if we have these in CA, but they're here in FL for sure
• Swamplands

Surprisingly, I haven't really seen very many bugs and oranges...for some reason I just expected more of these things. Hmm...there's always tomorrow.

Dandelion Communitea Cafe

Enjoyed a delicious meal and tea time at:

Dandelion Communitea Cafe.

Cute name, huh?

Absolutely loved its eclectic tea house charm. Quite possibly the coolest place in Orlando...certainly my favorite.

I lunched on the vegetable bean chili and iced chai tea in a colorful room with mismatched dishes I'm almost positive my grandma uses in her kitchen, comfy oversized couches and hand painted chairs. It was awesome. I wanted to move in...but then I had to get on with my trip...oh, life on the road.

daytona beach

I'm in Florida. All week.

If you know me or my work...you know this time of year my life is kinda like Waldo...or Carmen San Diego (my favorite computer game, growing up...actually, still)...try to catch me if you can...or just check the blog for picture updates.

Yesterday I had an hour to spare and stopped at Daytona Beach. I didn't know, but it's the world's most famous beach...or so some signs said...silly me, I should have known. Yeah, it was beautiful. I did some water watching, people watching and picture taking...a nice break from only the start of a busy week. Had I a quarter, I would have looked through these binoculars.