Last night I got myself prechecked for my American Eagle flight to San Diego;got info on departure terminal and departure gate,etc. and felt pretty good that I could do this on the computer. Trouble was in transferring this info I also mistakenly told Helice I was arriving in San Diego at 11:30am instead of 12:30pm. She tried to reach me on my cell last night and this morning. I had my cell phone off so she couldn't reach me.She got to the airport an hour early and had a heck of a time trying to find out when I was coming in. Poor Helice!!!
Helice is such a good soul it didn't take her long to forgive me.
We drove along the coast line and stopped to see the seals and pelicans. The temperature is much cooler here than Montebello, upper 60's. The weather was perfect;a gorgeous beautiful clear sunny day.The area is definitely up scale. Helice took me to see her son's newly purchased multi-million dollar house which is being renervated. Her x husband and sons are in real estate and apparently doing very well. The property sits on top of a hill with almost a 360 degree view.
The house is huge. She later took me to an up scale restaurent where we can look down to the ocean. We ordered one salad and one sandwich plate and split it between us which brought the cost way down. Helice rents a cute little house in Carlif near Encinitas. It is walking distance to the ocean (Moonlight Beach)and shopping centers. Close to everything. Very nice area.
Tomorrow we leave at 6am to a place that takes hour and half to drive. She will be doing a presentation to a group of youth at a Country Club and dinner is included. Next day we head to a beautiful beach house for the weekend. One of the perts she gets from her work. She said it is the same place she was able to take Desiree Vea when they visited her in April a year ago.
My journey is already giving me many interesting and varied experiences. I thank God for his many blessings.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
18 June Reflecrions
It has been wonderful. The weather has been beautiful. The Young's have a beautiful family and it appears that they have made a good transition from Hanapepe,Kauai to Montebello, Ca.
Nitaya says Hanapepe Church has trained her well. Something they really enjoy is the Warehouse Super Markets where Thai,Vietnamese, other Asian foods are so easily accessible and cheap and so interesting to visit. They found a nice nursery school for Natasha operated by a Lutherran Church about a mile away. This community is predominately Latino so many of their neighbors are Latinos and so are most of Natasha's classmates and teachers. We walked Natasha to school,and to the banks, post office and markets. I love it. I am getting lots of exercise. It is helping to keep me in shape for my journey around the world.
Tonight they are holding a planning/orientation session for a group of about 14 from the church and community for a Mission Tour to Thailand in August 2007. Nitaya prepared a wonderful Thai dinner for them.
Mitchell and 5 other members of the Church will be attending the 26th UCC Synod in Connecticut leaving June 21, the day after I fly to San Diego. Mitchell has passionately taken on the "God is Still Speaking" initiative of the UCC by having a CD made of the various languages used in our Churches and also have had them printed on T-shirts which he is taking to the Synod to be displayed and sold.
This church has many activities going on every week; Bible study classes ,Ikebana flower arrangement,line dancings,and for the month of July a Youth Day Camp for 5-18 year olds.
I am so glad I was able to visit with Mitchell, Nitaya, and Natasha. Natasha and I practiced dancing "Mele Ohana"several times,but I haven't been able to share Qi Gong with them,yet. I still have one more day.
I spoke with Helice Bridges today. She has lined up a full schedule when I get there on the 20th June. I am looking forward to seeing her. We always have so much fun.
It seems Cindy Chronister and her children are getting settled in my house. And I forgot some very important papers which she put in the mail for me today. I am glad my car was there for her when hers broke down again.
Pastor Olaf and members of my Bible Study class, you recall that my camera wouldn't work and Grace was so happy I couldn't take your pictures? Well,today I received from my son Greg a new camera. Now I need to learn how to use it, and now I should be able to send some pictures to you.
Aloha All & Mahalo Nui Loa. Joanne
Thank you to members of Waimea UCC and Sunday School for the beautiful lei,card,and get
together.
Thank you Barbara Bennett for the lovely dinner send off Friday June 9th. I will be sure to convey your regards to Helice.
Nitaya says Hanapepe Church has trained her well. Something they really enjoy is the Warehouse Super Markets where Thai,Vietnamese, other Asian foods are so easily accessible and cheap and so interesting to visit. They found a nice nursery school for Natasha operated by a Lutherran Church about a mile away. This community is predominately Latino so many of their neighbors are Latinos and so are most of Natasha's classmates and teachers. We walked Natasha to school,and to the banks, post office and markets. I love it. I am getting lots of exercise. It is helping to keep me in shape for my journey around the world.
Tonight they are holding a planning/orientation session for a group of about 14 from the church and community for a Mission Tour to Thailand in August 2007. Nitaya prepared a wonderful Thai dinner for them.
Mitchell and 5 other members of the Church will be attending the 26th UCC Synod in Connecticut leaving June 21, the day after I fly to San Diego. Mitchell has passionately taken on the "God is Still Speaking" initiative of the UCC by having a CD made of the various languages used in our Churches and also have had them printed on T-shirts which he is taking to the Synod to be displayed and sold.
This church has many activities going on every week; Bible study classes ,Ikebana flower arrangement,line dancings,and for the month of July a Youth Day Camp for 5-18 year olds.
I am so glad I was able to visit with Mitchell, Nitaya, and Natasha. Natasha and I practiced dancing "Mele Ohana"several times,but I haven't been able to share Qi Gong with them,yet. I still have one more day.
I spoke with Helice Bridges today. She has lined up a full schedule when I get there on the 20th June. I am looking forward to seeing her. We always have so much fun.
It seems Cindy Chronister and her children are getting settled in my house. And I forgot some very important papers which she put in the mail for me today. I am glad my car was there for her when hers broke down again.
Pastor Olaf and members of my Bible Study class, you recall that my camera wouldn't work and Grace was so happy I couldn't take your pictures? Well,today I received from my son Greg a new camera. Now I need to learn how to use it, and now I should be able to send some pictures to you.
Aloha All & Mahalo Nui Loa. Joanne
Thank you to members of Waimea UCC and Sunday School for the beautiful lei,card,and get
together.
Thank you Barbara Bennett for the lovely dinner send off Friday June 9th. I will be sure to convey your regards to Helice.
Friday, June 15, 2007
13 June Departed Kauai and Arrived California
Friday 15 June 07
This is my second day in Montebello, California. It is a beautiful clear blue sky day and after sleeping all afternoon yesterday I feel I've caught up on lost sleep and feel more normal. The last week on Kauai was very hectic. But God sent me many angels to help me.
6/12Tuesday night my niece Amelia (Amy)packed a lovely picnic basket and while making a toast with wine glasses in our hands we watched the sunset at Kekaha beach. After working all day it gave me the respite I needed to continue working till midnight and all next day.
6/13 I received my last Rabies shot in Eleele,but almost didn't. That's another story. Through misunderstanding the serum was sent back,but someone was kind enough to drive to Lihue to retrieve it. I forgot my phone was cut off so they couldn't contact me. God sent Elaine Ganeko to me. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have gotten my needed third shot.
Mary Mulhall helped me finish packing and clean up before heading to the airport. We left one hour later than planned but we still had enough time to enjoy a last dinner together at Barbeque Inn where Jennie Yukimura was waiting patiently for us.
As soon as we reached the airport Puna Kalama Dawson's husband who works at the airport came to the car and helped me with my luggage and helped me through the whole process. Somehow I couldn't think straight and was doing all kinds of crazy things.
Marissa Uehara who now works for TSA and who I had dinner with 3 nights ago when Desiree Vea returned from 3 months in Korea,rushed up and gave me a big hug; that had a calming affect on me.
The beautiful leis from Mary and Jennie gave me special attention and the check in agents sent me to a different line and I was fast tracked and didn't have to stand in the long line.
A good friend of Irene Kennett,Arnold Meister and Carol Yotsuda sat next to me on the flight to Los Angeles. Victor whoes wife is Jodi and English and I had a wonderful time learning about mutual friends and travel. I had intended to sleep,but the conversation was wonderful.
We arrived at 6am. Mitchell Young looked half asleep waiting for me in the baggage area.
I am so glad I live on Kauai. The traffic is something else.
It has been great visiting with Pastor Michell,Nitaya, and Natasha Young. They moved almost two years ago to Montebello Congregational Church from Hanapepe UCC. I traveled to Thailand with them three years ago. They introduced me to Kay and Mike Killar of Bangkok,Thailand. I wil be doing a short term mission with them in December/January 2008.
Yesterday we ate at a small Armenian eating place. I told them about Gevorg. The cook said,"Armenians are great talkers." I had to agree with him.
Aloha,Mahalo Nui Loa, and Malama Pono to all, Angels, family and friends.
This is my second day in Montebello, California. It is a beautiful clear blue sky day and after sleeping all afternoon yesterday I feel I've caught up on lost sleep and feel more normal. The last week on Kauai was very hectic. But God sent me many angels to help me.
6/12Tuesday night my niece Amelia (Amy)packed a lovely picnic basket and while making a toast with wine glasses in our hands we watched the sunset at Kekaha beach. After working all day it gave me the respite I needed to continue working till midnight and all next day.
6/13 I received my last Rabies shot in Eleele,but almost didn't. That's another story. Through misunderstanding the serum was sent back,but someone was kind enough to drive to Lihue to retrieve it. I forgot my phone was cut off so they couldn't contact me. God sent Elaine Ganeko to me. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have gotten my needed third shot.
Mary Mulhall helped me finish packing and clean up before heading to the airport. We left one hour later than planned but we still had enough time to enjoy a last dinner together at Barbeque Inn where Jennie Yukimura was waiting patiently for us.
As soon as we reached the airport Puna Kalama Dawson's husband who works at the airport came to the car and helped me with my luggage and helped me through the whole process. Somehow I couldn't think straight and was doing all kinds of crazy things.
Marissa Uehara who now works for TSA and who I had dinner with 3 nights ago when Desiree Vea returned from 3 months in Korea,rushed up and gave me a big hug; that had a calming affect on me.
The beautiful leis from Mary and Jennie gave me special attention and the check in agents sent me to a different line and I was fast tracked and didn't have to stand in the long line.
A good friend of Irene Kennett,Arnold Meister and Carol Yotsuda sat next to me on the flight to Los Angeles. Victor whoes wife is Jodi and English and I had a wonderful time learning about mutual friends and travel. I had intended to sleep,but the conversation was wonderful.
We arrived at 6am. Mitchell Young looked half asleep waiting for me in the baggage area.
I am so glad I live on Kauai. The traffic is something else.
It has been great visiting with Pastor Michell,Nitaya, and Natasha Young. They moved almost two years ago to Montebello Congregational Church from Hanapepe UCC. I traveled to Thailand with them three years ago. They introduced me to Kay and Mike Killar of Bangkok,Thailand. I wil be doing a short term mission with them in December/January 2008.
Yesterday we ate at a small Armenian eating place. I told them about Gevorg. The cook said,"Armenians are great talkers." I had to agree with him.
Aloha,Mahalo Nui Loa, and Malama Pono to all, Angels, family and friends.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
My World itinerary.
Dear Family and Friends,
I have been trying to create a Blog and finally a Blog has been created by my daughter,Shari.
Thank you Shari. So if you are interested it is: www.joannewatanabe.blogspot.com
I was finally able to update my itinerary so that it reflects closer to the dates that I will be actually in the various countries. The airlines could not book anything beyond Nov.07 when I ticketed in Feb. However, the OneWorld ticket requires that I have my routings set and it recommended not having open segments so bogus dates were put in.
The whole process of planning a years' trip has been difficult but a great learning experience.
I tried but could not find a good travel agent who was willing to tackle this project so I decided to do it myself. I started in Oct. and still haven't completed it. Besides the travel plans,there is umpteen things to take care of before leaving home for a year.
Yesterday Saturday June 2 was a very sad day for Sarwat Murtaza,my exchange student from Karachi,Pakistan. She bursted out in tears as soon as we got to the airport. However, just before she had a very happy lunch time with good friends Gevorg and Georgie at Pizza Hutwho also helped her repack her luggage at the airport. Also I was able to escort her to the waiting room where we found Ms Holi,Waimea High School librarian who was also going to Las Vegas where Sarwat was making her connection to Houston Texas. She will be spending a week with relatives on her mothers side who she has never met before going on to Washington D.C. where all the YES exchange students will spend couple days of debriefing before being sent home.
Here is my itinerary: Depart Kauai June 13th Lihue/Los Angeles at 9:30pm on American 286.
June 13-20 Staying with Pastor Mitchell Young,wife Nitaya,and daughter Natasha. They were with Hanapepe UCC and now with Montebello Congregational Church in California.
June 20-26 with Helice Bridges,Founder of The Blue Ribbon"Who I am Makes a
Difference,blue ribbon acknowledgement program and "Making Dreams Come True"
June 26-July 1 with Hailing Liu,formerly executive secretary for Hawaii Behavior Health Service when it came to Kauai soon after Hurrican Iniki. Hailing now works for Social Security in New York and studying to became a tax lawyer.
July 2 - 25 Spain. Staying for a week with Eduardo Sanchiz and family in Madrid. Then traveling by Euro Railway to Santiago de Compostella,back to Madrid,Seville,then to Algeciras port city to catch the ferry to Tanger(Tangier) Morocco.
July 25-2 August. Plan to visit cities Rabat,Fes,Marrakesh, and Casablanca. My contact person is Laila Ammach,a friend of Joy Tamaribuchi of Kekaha.
August 2-3 Fly on British Airway from Casablanca, Morocco to London (stay overnight)
August 3 Fly to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to visit with Rakhat Sharshembaev,exchange student who lived with us and attended Waimea High School year 2005-6. Rakhat's dream was to visit Turkey so he is incharge of planning our trip to Turkey - last week of August and first week of September.
September 9-30 In Greece. Plans are still in the making.
September 30-Oct.14 Flying from Athens,Greece to Cairo,Egypt to hitch on to a 15day Intrepid Tour,(small group max 12 people)"Discover Egypt"booked through STA,Student Travel Agency US office in Arizona and partners all over the world.The itinerary looks fabulous.
Oct. 14-Nov. 27 Fly from Cairo to Nairobi Kenya. My contact person from UCC Global Missions is Rev. Phyllis Byrd. My purpose here is to meet Alex Muga who will be 13 in August. Through Tony Campolo's urging at Hawaii Island Ministeries began supporting Alex 6 years ago through Compassion International. Since my search for contacts in Kenya have been able to make contacts with with Lillian Falque, a native of Kenya living in Kekaha,Paula a R.N. living near Mombasa,and friend of Jean & Boyd Thompson of our church and a professor at the University of Nairobi through friend Dr. Ray Chuan of Hanalei.
While in Kenya hope to be able to visit Mauritius Island which is located on the other side of Madagasca.
Nov. 28 - Dec 18 Fly to Karachi, Pakistan from Nairobi,Kenya and visit with Sarwat and her family.
Dec 18-Feb 5,2008 Fly to Bangkok, Thailand from Karachi to visit with Mike and Kay Killar and two children. I hope to volunteer with their "Women at the Well' mission. I attended their wedding when I traveled with Pastor Mitchell Young and family to Thailand several years ago. Many from Kauai remember Kate and her brother Kong and friend Jeep who spent three months on Kauai at Hanapepe UCC.
Feb 5-March 10,2008 Fly to Shanghai, China from Bangkok and stay with Sandra Lee who I worked closely with at Child and Family Service on Kauai. I visited with her in Zhuhai,China about 6 years ago. Sandra works at Peace Center, Language School. She is helping to open a branch in Hanzhou, near Shanghai. I hope to volunteer at the school for a month.
March 10-13 2008 Fly to Hong Kong and perhaps stay for 3 days. I hope to make contact with a young boy,Andy Lee Cho Hang,who helped me when I got lost in Hong Kong 6 years ago. We used to e-mail each other but have lost track of him. I have his home address so I hope I can re-establish contact with him.
March 13- 27 2008. Fly to Tokyo,Japan from Hong Kong. My main purpose is to visit with Shun Kobayashi,Rotary exchange student hosted by Teri and Ken Sakai and attended Waimea High School 2005-6. Shun's address is Kusatsu, Shiga which I believe is in Muriyama Perfecture.
Through my hula kumu Doris Yaris became friends with Isoko Asami of Tokyo who has been on Kauai many times. I also stayed with her 6 years ago. If I get to Hiroshima may get in touch with two dear ladies Miwako Tanaka and Atsuko Hirata who were my guides at the Hiroshima Atom Bomb Center 6 years ago.
March 27-April 17 2008. Fly to Sidney,Australia from Tokyo,Japan. I will be visiting with Emily Cousins and her family. Emily was an exchange student at Waimea High School and staying with Sarwat and I from two months,Dec,06-Jan. 07.
April 17-April 25. Fly to Auckland, New Zealand. I hope to rest and give myself time for debriefing. I may stay longer. The airlines could not make reservation beyond the 25th. Laurel Brier who lives in Wailua and an old friend has offered to let me stay in their place in New Newland. ONEWORLD ticket does allow me to make changes on dates and time without cost.
I can travel for a year but I plan to be back in May. Reverse Mortagae requires that I do not stay away more than a year.
Aloha & Malama Pono,
Joanne
I have been trying to create a Blog and finally a Blog has been created by my daughter,Shari.
Thank you Shari. So if you are interested it is: www.joannewatanabe.blogspot.com
I was finally able to update my itinerary so that it reflects closer to the dates that I will be actually in the various countries. The airlines could not book anything beyond Nov.07 when I ticketed in Feb. However, the OneWorld ticket requires that I have my routings set and it recommended not having open segments so bogus dates were put in.
The whole process of planning a years' trip has been difficult but a great learning experience.
I tried but could not find a good travel agent who was willing to tackle this project so I decided to do it myself. I started in Oct. and still haven't completed it. Besides the travel plans,there is umpteen things to take care of before leaving home for a year.
Yesterday Saturday June 2 was a very sad day for Sarwat Murtaza,my exchange student from Karachi,Pakistan. She bursted out in tears as soon as we got to the airport. However, just before she had a very happy lunch time with good friends Gevorg and Georgie at Pizza Hutwho also helped her repack her luggage at the airport. Also I was able to escort her to the waiting room where we found Ms Holi,Waimea High School librarian who was also going to Las Vegas where Sarwat was making her connection to Houston Texas. She will be spending a week with relatives on her mothers side who she has never met before going on to Washington D.C. where all the YES exchange students will spend couple days of debriefing before being sent home.
Here is my itinerary: Depart Kauai June 13th Lihue/Los Angeles at 9:30pm on American 286.
June 13-20 Staying with Pastor Mitchell Young,wife Nitaya,and daughter Natasha. They were with Hanapepe UCC and now with Montebello Congregational Church in California.
June 20-26 with Helice Bridges,Founder of The Blue Ribbon"Who I am Makes a
Difference,blue ribbon acknowledgement program and "Making Dreams Come True"
June 26-July 1 with Hailing Liu,formerly executive secretary for Hawaii Behavior Health Service when it came to Kauai soon after Hurrican Iniki. Hailing now works for Social Security in New York and studying to became a tax lawyer.
July 2 - 25 Spain. Staying for a week with Eduardo Sanchiz and family in Madrid. Then traveling by Euro Railway to Santiago de Compostella,back to Madrid,Seville,then to Algeciras port city to catch the ferry to Tanger(Tangier) Morocco.
July 25-2 August. Plan to visit cities Rabat,Fes,Marrakesh, and Casablanca. My contact person is Laila Ammach,a friend of Joy Tamaribuchi of Kekaha.
August 2-3 Fly on British Airway from Casablanca, Morocco to London (stay overnight)
August 3 Fly to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to visit with Rakhat Sharshembaev,exchange student who lived with us and attended Waimea High School year 2005-6. Rakhat's dream was to visit Turkey so he is incharge of planning our trip to Turkey - last week of August and first week of September.
September 9-30 In Greece. Plans are still in the making.
September 30-Oct.14 Flying from Athens,Greece to Cairo,Egypt to hitch on to a 15day Intrepid Tour,(small group max 12 people)"Discover Egypt"booked through STA,Student Travel Agency US office in Arizona and partners all over the world.The itinerary looks fabulous.
Oct. 14-Nov. 27 Fly from Cairo to Nairobi Kenya. My contact person from UCC Global Missions is Rev. Phyllis Byrd. My purpose here is to meet Alex Muga who will be 13 in August. Through Tony Campolo's urging at Hawaii Island Ministeries began supporting Alex 6 years ago through Compassion International. Since my search for contacts in Kenya have been able to make contacts with with Lillian Falque, a native of Kenya living in Kekaha,Paula a R.N. living near Mombasa,and friend of Jean & Boyd Thompson of our church and a professor at the University of Nairobi through friend Dr. Ray Chuan of Hanalei.
While in Kenya hope to be able to visit Mauritius Island which is located on the other side of Madagasca.
Nov. 28 - Dec 18 Fly to Karachi, Pakistan from Nairobi,Kenya and visit with Sarwat and her family.
Dec 18-Feb 5,2008 Fly to Bangkok, Thailand from Karachi to visit with Mike and Kay Killar and two children. I hope to volunteer with their "Women at the Well' mission. I attended their wedding when I traveled with Pastor Mitchell Young and family to Thailand several years ago. Many from Kauai remember Kate and her brother Kong and friend Jeep who spent three months on Kauai at Hanapepe UCC.
Feb 5-March 10,2008 Fly to Shanghai, China from Bangkok and stay with Sandra Lee who I worked closely with at Child and Family Service on Kauai. I visited with her in Zhuhai,China about 6 years ago. Sandra works at Peace Center, Language School. She is helping to open a branch in Hanzhou, near Shanghai. I hope to volunteer at the school for a month.
March 10-13 2008 Fly to Hong Kong and perhaps stay for 3 days. I hope to make contact with a young boy,Andy Lee Cho Hang,who helped me when I got lost in Hong Kong 6 years ago. We used to e-mail each other but have lost track of him. I have his home address so I hope I can re-establish contact with him.
March 13- 27 2008. Fly to Tokyo,Japan from Hong Kong. My main purpose is to visit with Shun Kobayashi,Rotary exchange student hosted by Teri and Ken Sakai and attended Waimea High School 2005-6. Shun's address is Kusatsu, Shiga which I believe is in Muriyama Perfecture.
Through my hula kumu Doris Yaris became friends with Isoko Asami of Tokyo who has been on Kauai many times. I also stayed with her 6 years ago. If I get to Hiroshima may get in touch with two dear ladies Miwako Tanaka and Atsuko Hirata who were my guides at the Hiroshima Atom Bomb Center 6 years ago.
March 27-April 17 2008. Fly to Sidney,Australia from Tokyo,Japan. I will be visiting with Emily Cousins and her family. Emily was an exchange student at Waimea High School and staying with Sarwat and I from two months,Dec,06-Jan. 07.
April 17-April 25. Fly to Auckland, New Zealand. I hope to rest and give myself time for debriefing. I may stay longer. The airlines could not make reservation beyond the 25th. Laurel Brier who lives in Wailua and an old friend has offered to let me stay in their place in New Newland. ONEWORLD ticket does allow me to make changes on dates and time without cost.
I can travel for a year but I plan to be back in May. Reverse Mortagae requires that I do not stay away more than a year.
Aloha & Malama Pono,
Joanne
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