Proud Cousin

Here's Bree with Lucas, her youngest cousin. He was born on June 16, 2006.

Bree is the oldest cousin on Mommy's side of the family. After Bree is Luigi, then Miko, and our newest addition, Lucas.

On Daddy's side, Bree is the youngest cousin. There's Eric, BJ, Heather, then Frankie, and Bree of course.

Doesn't she just look like a very proud "Ate" Bree?

Summer is Here!

June 13 - Bree's last day in school
June 24 - Bree and Daddy left for the Philippines for a 2-month trip.
June 25 - Layover in Japan for 1 night. Took a shuttle to downtown Narita and had starbucks.
June 26 - Arrived in Manila at 1pm.

Mommy to follow on July 12th.
Trying to lose some weight first (which will be gained back after the trip).

Edamame

I was craving for some Japanese food today. After picking up Bree from school, we stopped by Kabuki restaurant in Burbank. I was craving for unagi-avocado sushi and some Edamame. Bree and I just love them! Edamame is a green bean vegetable more commonly known as a soybean, harvested at the peak of ripening right before it reaches the "hardening" time. The word Edamame means "Beans on Branches," and it grows in clusters on bushy branches. And as you can see in the picture, it's perfect with beer.

It is so much fun eating edamames. And there are different ways to enjoy them. Bree pops open the pod and shoots the beans into her mouth. While my eating technique is to put the bulky portion of the pod inside my mouth and squeeze it using my tongue and upper teeth.

You should have seen us eating them, just like how you would eat peanuts at a Dodger game, or popcorn at the movies. YOU CAN'T EAT JUST ONE.

p.s. They are a healthy snack, too. Low in fat and cholesterol. But high in fiber.

Encampment 2006

Sabrina's girl scout troop went camping over the weekend. This is the 3rd year they joined Encampment. The first 2 years, i chaperoned the troop. However, this year i wasn't so lucky. There are other parents who wanted to chaperone, so i agreed to not "fight" for a spot. Also, it was not a good weekend for me because it was the weekend that the Blessed Virgin Mary was going to depart from our house (see previous post).

Friday afternoon, Clay dropped Bree off at Ralph's (supermarket) parking lot, which is the meeting place. Bree rode in Denise's car with Denise (or course), Jenny and Kristina. The other girls in their troop were assigned to different cars/chaperones.

Friday evening, Clay and I drove up to McGrath State Beach in Ventura (the campsite) to drop off a tent which the troop asked to borrow. And at the same time, to check that Bree's sleepings bag, duffel bag and camp chair are all set-up. And indeed, they were. When we got there, all the tents have been assembled. All the equipment, food supplies, lanterns and logs of wood for campfire have been organized.

The usual schedule at Encampment is:

Friday - arrival at camp and set-up of tents, etc.

Saturday - breakfast, flag ceremony. Then mid-morning, the girls go to several different activities like: arts and crafts, tie-dying, archery (yes, bow and arrow), tug o'war, obstacle course, relays/race, etc. At night, they have a little program, skit, singing or some other type of presentation. A couple of years ago, Sabrina's troop did an American Idol skit.

Sunday - breakfast, flag ceremony. Sing camp songs. Recap of weekend. Some awarding (like loudest troop, hungriest troop, laziest troop, etc). Then Encampment ends at around 11am.

It looked like Bree was not even gonna miss us.