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Sunday, March 7, 2010

BurstingThrough.com Is Complete! Please Go To New Website!

This may be the last entry on this blogspot blog. I have created a website BurstingThrough.com which now includes all the old and new blog entries. You can find the direct link to the Bursting Through Blog page there as well. I appreciate you reading this entry, and hope you find your way to the new site soon!


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

One Big Gift

Guess what showed up at my front door today? A gift to myself for my new home. After 4 months of being on backorder, the Panasonic TC-P65V10 television finally came in. I almost feel too spoiled, but it's definitely nice, even for someone who barely watches television.



Tuesday, February 23, 2010

21 Hours in Vegas

Arrive at Las Vegas - 10:15 PM
Dinner at Monagabi at Paris - 1.5 Hours
Sleep at Bally's Hotel - 8 Hours
Walk through KID Show at Ballys - 4 Hours
Lunch at World Buffet restaurant in Rio - 2 Hours
Walk through Magic Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center - 2 Hours
Walk through PROJECT and SLATE show at Mandalay Bay - 1.5 Hours
Gamble at slot machines - 2 Hours
Drive back to Hacienda Heights, stop by Arby's for dinner, and it's home sweet home

Monday, February 22, 2010

Gettin' to the Getty

Valentine's Day was completely unplanned, but worked out well. Though it was a 45 minute stop and go from the freeway to the parking lot entrance, The Getty center was just a beautiful place on this sunny day in California. Using the 2 cameras, we tried to record the atmosphere as best we could. It felt warm and comfortable just to exist in that space. I don't often get that feeling in Los Angeles.

In front of the Restaurant, where we ate a late brunch. I love the lines and patterns in the architecture.
From Getty Center

Fun looking tree with nice little hangings. It made an interesting silhouette.
From Getty Center

I love these trees by the garden! Wish I could have them in my own backyard.
From Getty Center

This very young couple, perhaps only in high school, offered to take this for us. They were very dressed up compared to us.
From Getty Center

I was trying to get the sunlight glow in the children's hair.
From Getty Center

Bee's - fun to look at, but scary to get so close to.
From Getty Center

It's always fun to see which direction your home is in this vast land of Los Angeles.
From Getty Center

Doesn't this image remind you of the Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte painted by Georges-Pierre Seurat with all the folks laying on the grass?
From Getty Center

We got to see the sunset, with helicopters heading deep into the horizon.
From Getty Center

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park Hike

What a fantastic and fun hike. The wildlife, plants, birds of prey, and the view of Los Angeles made this one so much more enjoyable. We got some great photos from Gary's Leica D-Lux 4, and I'm hoping to go on more hikes soon!

Took a while to get this shot right, but I like the composition.
From Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park Hike

This red tail hawk just loved posing for us.
From Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park Hike


I really love this shot. The lighting, the tree, and the model.
From Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park Hike

If I Can Make it Here, I Can Make it Anywhere, That's What They Say

"If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, that's what they say". This is part of the lyrics from Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind, Part II", which I was listening to while trying to run my 5 miles today. Of course, my left knee gave in around 3.5 miles and I had to walk and jog the rest of the way. It's sad what one marathon can do to you. I may have to take swimming lessons soon. Anyhow, I never stopped to listen to the lyrics before, and finally had the chance to today. It really shines a uplifting light to the city of New York, but to me it's simply inspirational, no matter where you are from.


Saturday, February 20, 2010

Old Lady Celebration

This year's birthday I got 2 delicious dinners. Quiet by very nice and relaxing, just the way an old lady like me should be celebrating it.


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Plain 'Ole Fun and Games

 

This day reminds me of the junior high school days. Just plain old fun and games. It goes from dim sum, to golf driving range, to boba tea, to foot massage machine at SoloMar's, to bowling, dinner at Jurassic Restaurant, watching Gary and Patrick's beer match, and hanging at the house. To top it off, I got my personal best score of 160 in bowling, and that was so out of the blue.
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Friday, February 19, 2010

Day 5 in Oahu: Pineapples and the Airport

The bitter sweet last day was about Pineapples and getting to the airport on time
From Oahu Trip

We thought we were going to get to top 5 of the fastest in finishing the maze. Our time was close to 45 minutes, and the top 5 happen to be 15 minutes or faster. We were SO CLOSE!
From Oahu Trip

Yum yum!
From Oahu Trip

Then it's back to LA. Home sweet home. Okay not really....I wish I didn't have to leave the island.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Day 4 in Oahu: The Food, the Beach, the Beach, and the Food

We start our 4th day with the Hawaii Hole in the Wall Food Tour and these were our guides Matthew Gray and Keira Nagai.
From Oahu Trip

Of course it started raining out there, but that made it all the more romantic.
From Oahu Trip

The visit to the rice noodle factory was so cool! Not too many restaurants make the rice noodles by hand anymore.
From Oahu Trip

This was a small market in Chinatown. We saw this same fish when we went snorkeling.
From Oahu Trip

No doubt this was Gary's favorite part of the tour - Char Siu House were they had bbq pork and the 5 layers of heaven (aka roast pork as we know it).
From Oahu Trip

After the tour, we started on the Makapuu point hike and view was spectacular!
From Oahu Trip

And then there was the Makapuu Beach park, which was practically empty. The sand was so wonderful here.
From Oahu Trip

Gary and the woman with the crazy lady hair.
From Oahu Trip

Next we hit Kailua Beach, where the sand is suppose to be softest thing you'll ever touch.
From Oahu Trip

Though we are still stuffed from the food tour, we managed to chow down having the Poi, Kalua Pork, Lau Lau, Salmon Lomi at Ono's Hawaiian.
From Oahu Trip

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Day 3 in Oahu: Hanauma Bay, Malasadas, Poke

Getting to ready to snorkel at Hanauma Bay
From Oahu Trip

Can you see the excitement in Patrick and Amy?
From Oahu Trip

Gary is definitely having a ball
From Oahu Trip

Yay! Sea turtle (Click image below to watch the video of Sea Turtle swimming. Taken by Gary)
From Oahu Trip

Grab some Malasadas at Leonard's Bakery
From Oahu Trip

Then some Poke Bowl from Ono's Seafood
From Oahu Trip

Dinner with Gary's aunties and uncle from Hawaii
From Oahu Trip

Day 2 in Oahu: Hiking, Shaved Ice, and the Beach

We wake up around 5am next morning, while the moon is still peeking out
From Oahu Trip

Hiking up the Diamond Head early morning for our taste of the beautiful view
From Oahu Trip

It's more than spectacular up there.
From Oahu Trip

We refresh ourselves with some Waiola shaved ice at 10am in the morning
From Oahu Trip

Time to relax a bit at the Waikiki Beach
From Oahu Trip

And of course, as I read my new play by the balcony, I get to enjoy the sunset.
From Oahu Trip


Dinner at Sam Choy's for some cooked fish
From Oahu Trip

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Day 1 in Oahu: Just Getting Settled In

City View of Waikiki from the Aston Hotel
From Oahu Trip

Diamond Head view from our hotel
From Oahu Trip

Mistakenly driving through foggy H3, which was 10 miles to the next exit before we could make an U turn. Luckily the view was spectacular!
From Oahu Trip

Our first restaurant stop at Side Street Inn after we pick up Amy and Patrick
From Oahu Trip

Night scene of the Waikiki Beach ocean water front
From Oahu Trip

Enjoying a few Pina Coladas and live cover band at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
From Oahu Trip