I Miss Them

I've been tossing and turning in bed for about an hour now, and I've noticed that a lot of my thoughts tonight are about my grandparents. Honest to goodness, one of the reasons I'm up is because I thought I felt Grandma's presence. I don't know if it really was her, but I felt something very Grandma-esque. Then totally by chance, just a second ago, I logged onto Facebook and my most recent update was from my cousin Leanne. She posted an old picture of them and a wrote caption about how they'd be very proud of the way we've carried on their legacy (or something to that affect).

I just miss them. This is my first summer without either of them, and I miss them. You know, I think they might miss me too. Maybe Grandma did come to say hello in spirit tonight. Maybe all the dragonflies I've seen flying around lately are Grandpa. I even got into my car yesterday, and a dragonfly was in there before I was!

I'm so grateful to have had them in my life.

So many fond memories in this house.
I called them so much I still remember the phone number to this house.


This picture cracks me up. It's so cheesy, but Grandpa is so into it.


This is one of my favorite pictures of them. They were always so silly and so affectionate. Look at Grandpa's big old smile, and I can tell Grandma is laughing. I can hear her laugh just looking at it.

I Heart NY

Six down, 44 to go!

Last day of school

Hanging out on Capitol Hill under the sun on the last day of school. School's out for summer! It's time for cousin chill sessions.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Hoping for Dragonflies

I spent the day with the cousins down in Tacoma today. Tan came home from Virginia on Thursday and it being one of the prettiest days of the year yet, we thought we would all get together and BBQ at G's house. Tan was outside on the deck, firing up the grill as always, when I decided to join him while everyone else was cooling off inside. We were sitting talking about his life in Virginia when suddenly a little baby dragonfly came flying between us. I said to Tan, "Dragonflies always remind me of Grandpa because whenever he would see one, he would catch it and show it off." We quickly re-focused the conversations back to Virginia. Then I went inside, helped prepare food, everybody ate, and we watched some TV.

The sun was still shining outside on the deck. Feeling full from all the BBQ, I went to back out onto the deck all alone to bask under the sun. As soon as I sat down, the little baby dragonfly came flying back. It circled around me, and landed on the elbow rest of my chair, its whole body facing me. It made me remember Grandpa again. Then I had a thought. Maybe this is Grandpa coming to say hello. I looked at it for a moment, it had fluttering iridescent wings, a bluish-green body, and copper eyes bulging from the sides of its face. I took the moment in. We sat on that chair under the sun, enjoying each other's company for a few minutes, and when it was ready, it flew away. In my head I thought, I hope I see you again.

Aw, Shucks!

Roycee came into town for a couple of days. (Ardon has been so excited about Royce being here ever since Royce told us he booked a ticket.) Of course he was here to visit family. He arrived on Wednesday and spent the day with my parents, and then we all met him for dinner at the Villas' house. A BIG added bonus was that there were a couple of DJ events that was able to attend with Ardon on Thursday. On Friday, I had to go to work (I have no sick days left after Maui), so Ardon and Royce hung out while I was away. I swear they can hang out all day. They made a little pit stop at Costco where they did some shopping and ate some $1.50 hot dogs. As I was leaving work, I called and they had specific directions for me: "When you get home, look at the island and open the refrigerator." Not knowing what to expect, I rushed home. When I got there, I stood at my front door with bulging eyes and a dropped jaw. I guess they had some fun at Costco, all for me! I have no question that these guys love me. They spoiled me rotten today!

"Look at the island" A Wii Fit! I've been thinking about getting one for so long! Now I have one, and I love it.

"and open the refrigerator." A whole case of Izze Soda, my fave! If you haven't tried it yet, you MUST.


My surprises are so awesome, the perfect end to a wonderful week.
Here are some more Roycee highlights. His stay was way too short!
It's always a treat to have him around.

Mom and Dad picked up Royce at the airport and they went directly to Jollibee.
"Your Jollibee here is so clean!" -Royce.


Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. Ardon and Royce at Skratch Lounge cuttin' it up. Thursday was full of DJ-ing. Classroom by day, Baltic Room by night.

Gatewood Skratch Lounge

Royce, Ardon and his friends Mito, PJ, Beau, Eric, and Simon hauled their turntables, mixers, speakers, and cords galore to Gatewood to teach the 4th and 5th graders the basics about being a DJ. The kiddos learned a little bit of history, some different types of scratches, got to ask their questions, and even got to get on the turntables and try! They were so engaged. For some, it ignited a bit of a spark and, as their teacher, it was truly exciting to see. The part that cracked me up the most was that all the kids went to each of rock star DJs with a pencil and paper and asked for their autographs. It was a win-win situation. This was surely a great day at school.

Here's a little sneak peak of their scratch session.