Carmageddon

Okay, I couldn't live in the Los Angeles area without commenting on this weekend's shut-down of a 10-mile stretch of the 405 freeway through the Sepulveda Pass.  It's been a huge media event all week long.

I actually got a call this morning from an out-of-state family member asking me if this shut-down was going to affect my life.  (Thanks, Merlene!)  The answer is, no.  But, it's the thought that counts, right?

I personally think this will be one of the great non-events of the year.  So far, life has been uneventful around here.  Most people got the word and are staying home.  It's nice, actually.  Of course, I'm too far east of it for it to immediately affect me. 

30 something hours more to go!  Stay tuned.

Addendum: Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 10:30 pm:

Well, looks like I was right!  It was a huge non-event.  The 405 was back in business by early afternoon today.  As a friend of mine said, "Amazingly, Angelinos can refrain from driving when called upon." 

We should do this once a year.  Think of the benefits!  Think of the cleaner air!

Mr. Bunny

Mr. Bunny

Yesterday, as I left for work, I casually asked Jack where Mr. Bunny was.  "I haven't seen Mr. Bunny around for a few days," I said.  "Where did he go?"

When I came home from work last night - there was Mr. Bunny sitting in my comfy chair, just waiting for me.

Jack and Mr. Bunny playing

 Now, you can't tell me that was just a coincidence! 

I have a smart little kitty!

Jack

Chinese Luncheon

Every year since I've been with my company (an engineering firm in Monterey Park, California), one of our senior engineers takes the whole office to lunch.  He's Chinese, so it's always a Chinese luncheon.  There is a huge Chinese population in Monterey Park, so we have lots of places to choose from.  These, of course, are places I probably would never think to venture into on my own, where they all speak Chinese and many of the dishes are quite foreign.  So, for me, it's rather like taking a vacation to China without leaving home!

For the past couple of years, we've gone to a dim sum place, this time it was a seafood restaurant.

Ben, Jonathan and Frank

The office crew was packed into two round tables and, as you can see, everything was served from a a lazy susan in the middle.

We started with a simple chicken soup.  It probably doesn't look very tasty in this picture, but it was very good!

Danika and Sabrina perusing the menu we really didn't need

Danika and Sabrina are part of the Corporate marketing team.  I'm the L.A. office marketing team.  Yep, just me.

Frank, Barbara and Ulises

Here's the other corner of our table.  Barbara has been such a good friend.  She and Ulises are married and have two delightful little boys.

Eric's nose (sorry, Eric!), Mike, Albert, Gerardo and Edward

You can see how crowded this restaurant is!  It was a little crazy.  I didn't even manage to get pictures of everyone in our group.  But I did try!

Edward, Giuseppe, Steve and Doug (standing)

This is always such an enjoyable outing every year.  I think it's more fun to me because Doug chooses the dishes that are served and there are always a few surprises - things I've never tried before.  Most of it was delightful. (A couple of things are just not in my Western idea of tasty menu items - but just a couple.) I particularly love the vegetables.  There was an eggplant dish in gravy that was really yummy, and perfectly steamed asparagus, spicy chicken, melt in your mouth scallops, delicately seasoned fish fillets and lots of other delights. 

I have such wonderful coworkers.  I count that as one of my great blessings in life.  It's fun to have a lunch with them like this.  Thanks, Doug!

A Couple of Hunks

Parker and Malan Lai

The paparazzi caught up with these handsome fellows at the Baptism on Sunday night.  Parker was good at smiling for the camera! 

The Lais are another great family in my ward.


To me, there is nothing more wonderful than seeing a good Dad in action.  I mean, being a father must be important.  God asks us to call Him "Heavenly Father", doesn't He?  Out of all the titles He can claim, that is the biggy.  All you Dads out there, take a moment to ponder that! 

4 Birthdays & a BBQ

Amazingly, I have two girlfriends with July 6th birthdays, so I was forced to celebrate twice (yes, huge hardship!) last week.  First, Elaine and I enjoyed a birthday cookie with fruit and ice cream.

I promised I wouldn't take her picture, but I managed to get 3 fingers (Yikes, I didn't see her right hand!  Make that 7 fingers) and a thumb in there - ha!  They're cute, aren't they?

Then the next day, Rose and I enjoyed a quiet dinner and lots of talk.  I love my friend Rose.  She's a good lady.

Then as if that wasn't enough, there was the big party with the gang for Elaine, plus Abbie and Jackie.  They celebrated their birthdays with masses of presents and cards.  It was mayhem, I tell you!  Almost too much fun for one week.

 

Maura was a good sport, and carried Barbara - well the iPad that was Barb - around a good part of the evening.  Barbara was participating in this shindig from Virginia via Skype.  God Bless Skype.

Hi Barb! It's great that you can virtually attend our functions.  (Hi Maura, you look great in pink!)

The surprise of the evening was a superb grilled dinner by our personal chef, master barbequer Mark.

A good time was had by all.  Happy Birthday everyone!

Vacationing with the Morfs

My brother's kids all call their Haneberg grandparents by the Swedish Morfar (literally mother's father) and Mormor (mother's mother).  Some time along the way, they became the Morfs, and their car is, of course, the Morf-mobile.  I'm glad the kids have had this wonderful association with the Morfs throughout their lives.  This includes the yearly trip to the Pacific Northwest.

I know where I'd like to be right about now!  (See below!)



Andrew, Christian, Uncle Eric, Kirsti and Morfar



Christian and the beautiful Haneberg women, Kirsti, Britt and Anna

The Morfs celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary while all the kids were together.  I wish I could have been there.

No More Strangers

I got to attend a baptism over at the Stake Center tonight for a young woman named Lilia.  It was a lovely experience.  If you really want to feel of Heavenly Father's Spirit, attend a baptism.

Elder Stout and Lilia take care of the paperwork while Bishop Rodriguez looks on

Elder Smith, Lilia and Elder Stout

Many of our ward members were there.  Here are Elder Ibey and Sister Little.  Brother Little is in the background

Brother Ibey is our ward mission leader.  I really love him.  He's so kind and humble.  He makes our Gospel Principles Sunday School class so much fun.  I get a kick out of his enthusiasm.  He conducted the meeting.

Brother Randall, Sister Balke and Sister Egan with mscellanous Elders in the background

Sister Balke gave a lovely talk on baptism, and Sister Rodriguez gave a very personal and meaningful talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Here is our newest ward member with Bishop and Sister Rodriguez:

Sister Rodriguez, Sister Castro, and Bishop Rodriguez

Welcome to the Ward!

The Apostle Paul said it best:

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,

but fellow citizens with the saints,

and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,

Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22