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Places
- Walnut Creek, California
- Los Angeles, California
- Walnut Creek
- Austin, Texas
- San Antonio, Texas
- Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek
June 10, 2010 – June 15, 2010
After an unexceptional trip from Hong Kong, I fell back into the rhythm of my parents’ house. I reconnected with my nephews, who had grown since the last time. Local prices had also grown on me, too, or maybe that was just the currency. I had a bunch of paperwork waiting for me, and a list of errands, including scheduling a blood test and trying to remember my dentist’s name. I also hung out with friends in Walnut Creek, Oakland, and San Francisco. It was cool to see everyone again.
It was also cool to see the remainder of my material goods safe in my storage containers, but I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the local dim sum. Another disappointment was when Po and I tried to go to Swan Oyster Depot and finding they were closed for a short summer break. But all the other food (including mom’s home cooking) were satisfying.
Los Angeles
June 15, 2010 – June 19, 2010
Joe and Kristin couldn’t make it up this time, so I flew down for a short while. It felt a little weird to be in an airplane without my passport. The visit was pretty low key. I mostly tagged along with Joe while he went about his day, including a photo shoot. Of course, there was food, more food, and sushi at K-ZO. Kristin made an interesting observation on the tackling of beverages. Speaking of which, I also had elective colon hydrotherapy, which was quite interesting.
Walnut Creek
June 19, 2010 – June 25, 2010
I made it back to Walnut Creek, just in time for a cousin’s daughter’s red egg and ginger party. Later that day, I attended Elaine’s 70th birthday party, a real bash with people flying in from all corners of the world. Hey, like me!
I followed through with my blood test, wandering down memory lane. Nephew Gabriel was obsessed with the Monopoly board game, so I would sometimes play with him. We often altered the rules at will to liven things up. Gabriel was a stickler for the rules, even the altered ones!
More dinners with friends, like Sichuan in Chinatown, and Creole cuisine in Berkeley, and then it was off to Texas to visit people.
Austin, Texas
June 25, 2010 – June 27, 2010
I flew into Austin late in the evening. While I waited for my friend Hyock to make the drive down from Dallas, I walked around downtown Austin, visiting the Texas State Capitol building, the gentrified Warehouse District and surrounding areas, and the Keep Austin Weird festival by the river. Later that evening, Hyock and I had dinner at a highly-rated Mexican place south of the river, then engaged in, uh, late-night “gentlemanly pursuits”.
The next morning, Jerry and Eveline drove up from San Antonio. We had lunch at a place they had seen on a Food Network show. Hyock drove back up to Dallas, and I rode with Jerry and Eveline to San Antonio.
San Antonio, Texas
June 27, 2010 – June 29, 2010
Jerry and Eveline had just relocated to San Antonio, with nearby Air Force assignments. They were still unpacking, though they had all of the big things squared away. Jerry was shortly taking command of an operation (not sure what to call it – a group? unit? organization?), and I was in town to represent the family. Plus, I hadn’t seen the two of them in over a year!
As in Los Angeles, I just tagged along as they went about their business. Eveline was already neck deep in her work. Since Jerry hadn’t taken command yet, he still had some free time to get settled in. It was still really interesting watching Jerry moving around base, getting briefings from different personnel and getting saluted by most everyone around. The transfer of command ceremony was pretty cool. Eveline and I got to sit in the front row along with other family members and high-ranking officers. Too soon, it was time to fly back home.
Walnut Creek
June 29, 2010 – August 3, 2010
I ended up extending this visit beyond my original departure date. United nicely refunded the flight change fee. I had to postpone the start of my Japanese lessons, but the school was able to accommodate my change. The extension also let me attend my high school graduating class’s 20-year reunion, which was fun and interesting.
Somewhere in there, I may or may not have had a b-day. Po and I finally got to Swan Oyster Depot. I started to do a lot of walking again, during shopping runs to REI and other retailers. I decided to turn in my passport to get a new one, since my current one was going to expire in early 2011. There was plenty of time until then, but many countries require at least 3 months’ validity of the passport, beyond the date of entry, so I would be forced back home sooner than later. It was a little hairy, but I successfully picked up my new passport on the way to the airport.
After posting some last-minute notes, I was off to Hong Kong again.
