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Southern CA Visit, April 3-8, 2012
Went to CA this time without Merle as she was saving her time off for her June trip to the Philippines.
Before going to see a Woodbridge High School performing arts exhibition at which cousins Emily and Andrew were performing, we grab a bite at Mimi's Cafe before the show (Arthur, Gloria, Brenda, Steve, and mw)
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Time for a quick picture before taking our seats on the bleachers.
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Andrew was part of a percussion ensemble that was truly amazing: no conductor, but all the performers were super tight, with changing tempos and crescendo ending.
The audience gave a standing ovation...they rocked!!
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Afterwards, Andrew explains how they coordinated the performance and rehearsed multiple times. Notice that from the residual amazement of the performance, my eyeballs are still glazed over!
Here a quick picture with Emily who did great in several dance numbers.
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Next morning, I had a chance to meet up with friend from elementary school through high school, Diane Bucka (previously Diane Crane). It was great to catch up and talk with a kindred spirit. What's thirty years between friends!!
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Then, after strong encouragement from a friend of mine, and lacking a good answer to the question of "what am I waiting for?" I was off to the Apple store to finally get a proper smart phone. Woo hoo!
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After Apple store at the Irvine Spectrum, had a quick visit with Nikki who works in the O.C.
Next morning, I had a chance to visit with Marta in Culver City,
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Lisa and Michael in Venice,
and Prachit for lunch in Marina del Rey,
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and then "jet" off quickly (1.5 hrs to go 10 miles) to visit with Mimi and her husband Greg at their new house in the Hollywood Hills, with a view of the Hollywood sign!!
Next am, I had a chance to visit with Nathan, friend from Mississippi, who was also in the Valley, for some basketball (turned into a walk as the courts were too crowded), and the lady who took our picture said, "okay, now look like you're in love!"
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Got to reconnoiter (although can't recall the first connoiter) with my sister Lori, her kids Eli and Emily, and my mom.
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And then we had the culmination of the trip: the Passover seder at Aunt Michele's and Uncle Ronnie's...here with Alexis showing off her winning smile!
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then back to Albany....
Apologies to anyone I didn't have a chance to call :(
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