2013 March 23-31 Khim Saengchai and Salta Visit

My niece--Khim who is spending one year in high school as an exchange student in Shakopee, MN, came to visit during her spring break. Salta--her exchange student friend from Almaty, Kazakhstan joined in. I took a couple of days off to show them around DC (The Mall, Fenwick Museum, Pentagon Memorial, The White House, the Aquarium, the Zoo etc.). Winter briefly sneaked up. We also went up to NYC. Bin was enjoying his break in CA and Sedona, AZ. So we invaded his place in upper east side Manhattan. I served as a tour guide. We have managed to go to tourist destination spots--Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Staten Island, Ground Zero, Time Square, and up on the Empire State Building. A city adventure for us all. I hope they had fun. I did even though it's getting tough to keep up with two 17 years old girls.

  

2013 Orchids

A sign of blooming emerged during cold winter days. By mid March, Poof!
Rows of light and deep purple with plain, spray paint, and vein designs on large and small petals exploded their delicate beauties!  I am not even an amateur.

2013: John Kerry's Visit to FSI

On March 15, 2013, we welcome our Big Boss. Flattered by a visit in his early tenure, all were touched by his pensive comments and commitment. 

A Surprised Birthday

What a wonderful surprise!  I don't remember the last time I had something like this. How thoughtful of my gentle folks to have made me feel special--at this (st)age. 

I will keep the fresh colorful bouquet in the front office so that others can enjoy. 

It was a tough act, let alone a training quiz, to follow after a satiated meal. My Indonesian colleagues  helped pull it through.

Here is a glimpse of memorable time courtesy of my dear gentle folks.

With heartfelt appreciation.