2011 September - October: Pheung's DC Visit and Our Trip to NYC and NH

   Toward the end of October, Pheung, my dear college friend and her gang, who were on the US tour, came for dinner. It was wonderful to see her-- however briefly. 

   Early November, my better Haf flew in to Falls Church to finish honeydew list. Together we headed to NY to hitch with Bin. We were cultivated by a night of Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera. The day after, we paid homage to Ground Zero; walked to the Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, Wall Street protesters, and Chinatown. 

   The third day, we rode in a cool Mega bus to Boston where Jon picked us up to his cozy cottage in Concord, NH. After a routine sunset stroll along the Merrimack with Ash and Daisy, we were treated with bonfire and early Thanksgiving. After fixing up few things around the old little cottage, Haf flew back. The rest went on the excursion to Salem, MA. We walked along the spooky trail and viewed a skit on the horrendous witch trial of 1692. After a couple of nights in Manhattan, I flew back to my empty nest to recuperate.

2011 October 28: Panida Jackson's Retirement Pary

After 20 years of work, Ajaan Panida decided to devote her life to her love ones and travel. Who would blame her? She wanted her retirement party to fill with joy and fun. So, we urged participants to loosen up and express our appreciation and talents (however limited like mine) to honor her wishes. Foods, flowers, and friends made up for off-key singing by her spirited colleagues

2011 Looking Back at the Summer : Work, Graduate, Party, and Family

Labor Day 2011 has passed. A decade of 9 11 commemoration dominated the airwaves. After a record heat, scary earthquake, alarming Irene Hurricane/tropical depression, and deadly heavy rains, people wonder what will be next? Now time to reminisce. Summer 2011 has memorable moments. We managed to escape any unintentional harm by Mother Nature. I had opportunities to join all sorts of activities, gather with friends and new acquaintances, spend time with love ones, celebrate a son's graduation, do gardening, and catch up with riveting books in Thai which I had neglected for years.

2011 My Summer Veggie Garden

If not for the record heat and mosquito infestation, it would have been more fun. Anyway, I got a good work out and have been enjoying home grown veggies--almost daily fresh salad. I have proofs.

2011 : Jon in DC before July 4

July 1-3, Jon, Ash, and Daisy came to visit me and several must-see places around DC before joining Bin in NYC for the 4th of July celebration.

2011 June : The boys in Iceland

Our three sons had figured it out it's time to visit their root and their place of birth. So, they got together and went to Iceland. Bin already acquainted himself with Reykjavik a couple of weeks earlier. This time, all three of them had a chance to explore a bit more including reacquainting with the old folks and connecting with the younger generation relatives.