My parents summer 2024 visit

This happened last minute. We talked last Monday and they were here by last wed and stayed until Wed :-). Was lucky to get a very good deal on direct flights with miles.

Very happy that my parents were able to visit me and escape from the heat of houston. They walked everyday on the Embarcadero 5k steps at least. We also had yummy Chinese breakfast in Chinatown once and dim sum for lunch once plus lots of cooking and learning at home.

A nice long weekend north of SF

We had a nice long weekend north of San Francisco. We stayed at a great airbnb in occidental /camp meeker and went to three places nearby

- on the way, we went to Point Reyes lighthouse - it was very windy and take 0.4 miles hike plus 313 steps to get there but was beautiful
- went to bodega bay for a nice lunch at fisherman's cove and went to schoolhouse beach. That was full with beautiful pebbles instead of sand. Kids had fun and collected a full jar of them to be used for an art collage later
- lastly went to monte rio beach and did some paddleboarding by Russian River. Only 10 min from our airbnb and a nice 85 degrees

On the way back we stop at sushi tri for a late lunch in Novato. Everyone loved it. And also found a great mango fruit and shaved ice stand to get some desserts

Overall a lovely trip with pretty nice weather.

Split Croatia june 27- July 1

This was us in split, croatia. We did many things there and really loved it. Our Airbnb was very convenient - two minute Walk to the promenade.

We did
- walking tour of Dalmatian Palace
- Full day trip to the krka waterfalls including swimming and wine tasting
- a luxurious speedboat trip to blue Lagoon and trogir
- fun night outings with dancing on a boat and meeting young Irish travelers at shotgun bar

Overall, we loved split. Food was also good and had high variety. 😋

3rd day in Rome - Vatican City tour

Our third day in Rome started with great street food. Trapizzinos for 5 euros each. Amazingly crispy bread yummy fillings.

We then did an exhausting. Skip the line Vatican city Museum tour. Was manic full of people and way too much art. Sistine chapel was a dark boxy place. I imagine it full of light and it was not. We did enjoy a few of the guides stories but for the most part was a rushed ordeal.

Day2 evening in Rome

We went to a rooftop bar on day 2 and then had dessert before a nice seafood soup and pasta dinner

Walking tour of Rome

Today started with a nice breakfast for 12 euros and then a walking tour of Rome. We went to the famous Trevi fountain and a few other hidden and main sites. All in all a great morning on our second day.

Coliseum tour in Rome.

Our expensive tour of the coliseum was worth it. Learned a lot of history of this brutal place and enjoy our tour with 20 other people. We rest after by having a light dinner of beef carpaccio, and burrata plate with fresh focaccia bread plus three drinks. Overall an excellent afternoon and evening of our first full day in Rome.

First lunch in Rome

Our first day in Rome started with fresh pomegranate juice and fresh cut watermelon then a classic lunch of veal prosciutto meatballs, carbonara and a salad in a nearby restaurant. You can literally run into a good Italian pasta or pizza place any direction we walked. I usually check Google to make sure it's at least 4 stars rating. This one was Osteria la Quercia 4 min walk from us and delicious. We then walked around our area after lunch to see some nearby site. Nap was in order before our 4 pm tour of the coliseum. That's the next post

TAP Portugal business class

First time flying TAP Portugal business class with layflat bed and very good food and snacks. It was a bit turbulent but I slept at least 4-5 hours out of the 10 hour journey

Lei’s pride dance show June 2023

This is from last June.  We are performing a different one this year in June. Wish me luck. 

Dance performance for pride june 2023 youtu.be

Sent from my iPhone

Alexis’ poetry

Alexis wrote all these poems on her own and based on learning from school. My favorite one is the last one on love. I am so in awe of her creativity. So proud of her. ❤️

Happy Mothers Day to me

Mother's Day was Sunday. I was busy taking Alexis to soccer but did end up taking her to lunch and going out to dinner with the family. Also watched a rom com called Upgraded with Alexis. It was very cute. Isabel made the first card below first 4 photos. Alexis made the second one in canva photos 5-7. Last one is bought by daddy. Jaime writes the best cards. 🥰. I am blessed.

Our 17th wedding anniversary

Jaime and I celebrated our 17 year wedding anniversary today. Alexis and isabel made this card for us. It's so creative and pretty. We celebrated with jaime cousins family yesterday at Dimsum and today over pizza. Yaya also made amazing egg Benedict for breakfast today for us. 😋

Isabel 16th birthday sleepover

Isabel turned 16 and had an amazing long weekend with her friends sister house with four of her other friends. They went to six flags amusement park and also had delicious dinners - teriyaki chicken, hot pot and carnitas tacos for three different nights. Alexis made the card by hand for isabel below and we also go the chance to post the art she made on the skateboard while she was away. Isabel is such a big girl now. So glad she found a group of nice and smart friends.

Happy 80th to my dad

Happy 80th bday to my dad. We took a bunch of his friends to lunch today to celebrate. Two cakes, flowers, balloons and an all you eat buffet lunch. Salmon sashimi was the best followed by warm sesame ball dessert.

For dinner we had the traditional long life noodles and yummy sauce my mom makes. I definitely gained a few pounds. Glad I can come this weekend and surprise my parents for his birthday.

Alexis won this on Monday

She got this In front of the whole school. She is one of two in her class.

Alexis art project on legacy

She thought to create footsteps as symbols of legacy. Pretty creative.