Aunt Wilma in the Marines

Safiah just posted this amazing article that I hadn't seen before (or had seen and forgotten...). Enjoy!

http://www.kitsapsun.com/northwest-navy-life/whidbey/naval-aviation-link-to-the-past-ep-492386412-357073701.html?d=mobile

Baby Julie

Mom, taken at about 2 months old at her Uncle Dick and Aunt Janette Kampa's home in Klamouth Falls, Oregon. Uncle Dick's sister was a Catholic nun.

Her dad's hand is in the picture above.

Ron and Julie Selfie

Okay, not exactly a selfie, but the photo booth of the past is kind of like the selfie of today, right?

From Mom:

"I think this was on a trip to Portland, Oregon. It was in one of those photo booths. It might have been at Jantzen Beach, which at the time, was an amusement park in Portland. I think I was four, the summer before I started kindergarten. I knew I thought it was really special to get a picture just with Dad. I was still at that age when you have a crush on your dad and your mom, and I thought he was the best thing ever and he took a picture just with me! My dad carried that picture in his wallet for a long time. I have a few memories before this, but this is about the time that my memories begin. We were living on Polk street at that point. We lived in two different houses on Polk street; up the street at 517 or 617, and the owner they were buying from wasn't really reputable, so then my parents were able to go down the street and buy one with more rooms for less money."

Parking Garages and Japan Trips

We were in a parking garage the other day, and I told John that underground parking garages always remind me of going to Japan, because we would stay in the Hilton and leave our car in the garage. The only other parking garage I ever went to when we were little was the one at the mall, but it didn't have that same echo and parking garage smell.

Other memories of Japan trips? Leave comments!

The Family Stories that Bind Us

This is a really cool article posted earlier this year in The New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/the-family-stories-that-bind-us-this-life.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&adxnnlx=1384968298-DwqHlAH7D4YIh/JZFGCwrw

Another reason why I want to keep recording our stories. Help me out?  =)

Obaachan Advice

I found a list I made of items of advice that Obaachan gave me one summer when I was staying with her.

• It is better to have friends that don't live too close. Neighbors can snoop and know your doings, so they don't make good friends.
• Don't lend money. If someone is asking for money, it's because they don't have any, so they won't pay you back.
• Don't marry someone too tall. It looks funny. Better someone about the same height.
• Don't marry someone with a long face. A little face is better.
• Half-Chinese, half-Japanese children are the smartest.
• Don't cut your nails too short; they'll bleed and they are hard to heal.
• Roll your clothes up to pack them. More will fit. That's what Motoyuki does.
• Fold your clothes up and hit them before you hang them to dry. They won't wrinkle that way.
• Run clothes through the washer one or two extra times to get all of the detergent out.
• Don't go for the #1 guy in class, because he'll have a big ego. Go for the #2, because he's still smart but won't think too much of himself.
• Marriage isn't fun. Don't look forward to it.
• Save money. Then you will be happy.
• It is best when the whole family lives close by.
• When you are a big lawyer, hire your mom to run the office. Give Eimi and KJ jobs too.
• Don't let animals sleep in your room. Their hair will get stuck in your throat and lungs.
• Don't eat greasy foods. They'll make you fat, and they'll raise your cholesterol.
• Don't go for handsome guys, because they think they're good-looking. Better one that is a little bit homely.
• Don't tell a guy that you like him. Just find a chance to pay him a compliment.
• Don't walk around barefoot in the house. It will make childbirth more difficult. If you always wear your slippers or socks, the baby will come right out.
• If you go on a trip, always bring back presents to your teachers. They may not show it, but they will like you for it.
• Be polite. People will like you if you learn to be polite, and will be offended if you don't.

Words to live by...

Bored on a Flight.

Since people will be heading to Japan soon, I thought I would share a boredom buster, compliments of my 15-year-old self. I give you, crusty bun man (distant relative of An Pan Man).