transfer of blogsites

This blog will be continued together with my husband at www.graceandisaac.com.

Please join us as will start our new journey with a baby boy!

Day 1 Mexico

My Mexico journey started with a new adventure I have never taken before.  Nathan and I left together from the San Bernardino airport on his dad’s 4 seater airplane.  I was expecting the ride to be quite scary.  When I sat in the back, there was room for two and enough height that I didn’t feel claustrophobic.   Furthermore, since we were below the clouds it was really cool to see everything from up top.  I saw the Loma Linda pagoda and my neighborhood as well.  It was pretty cool to see the border too.  There was no great difference on either side of the border.  The flight was slightly bumpy but I did not get nauseous and I enjoyed the ride.  Maybe I was better prepared after watching Batman from the 4^th row. 

 

Nathan and I were picked up by Sandy, a local volunteer from Yugo Ministries, the organization we are building through.  Before we joined the group to build, we ate at a amazing taco stand that had fresh grilled meat, homemade tortillas and grilled green onions to complement our dishes.  Yummy!

 

When I got to the building sight, I was impressed with how much the group had already built.  Most of the house was put together, and they were in the process of building the window frames and mudding the house.  Everyone was covered with plaster and sweat on their clothes and hair.  The family we are building for was joining on the grounds getting their hands dirty as well.  The mother and her boys were building benches with some scrap wood pieces. I couldn’t believe how good she is with the tools and how strong she is.  The woman is half my size and her face is worn with stories of hardship and struggle.  I’m sure that raising 6 children isn’t the easiest thing for her at the age of 35.  Furthermore, I couldn’t believe how adaptive and independent her children were.  The infant and toddler both knew how to entertain themselves and walk around without their mom right by their side.  Both of them were covered by dirt from head to toe and literally rolling on the ground.  They were adorable and it was rewarding for me when I got them to open up and smile, talk and laugh.  My first challenge was accomplished so I moved into the house to learn the basics of mudding.

 

I have only been here for a day, and I have been tremendously blessed by the sacrifice I have witnessed.  The sacrifices of our own team members, the sacrifices of the local missionaries, the sacrifice of the mother of the family, and witnessing poverty not only on the streets, but on the faces of the children got to my heart.  I feel vulnerable being involved in a mission building project that is not my element.  I feel vulnerable but I am so grateful to able to soak up and be empowered by God’s love. 

 

as i turned 27, i was lingering on the thought that i am getting older and i should act more mature. since my b-day is in the summer, i never had school (other than dental school), i was bummed that i had to work on my b-day. i could have chose to get the day off, but i am planning to take time off for a mission trip so i was trying to limit my days off.

after a week of 12 hr work days, i was even more bummed to start my b-day at 7am. luckily the day went quickly, i got a beautiful flower arrangement from my husband and an awesome cake from my office and before i knew it was time to go home. when i was going to walk out, i found my husband at the door. he said he came by to say hello. i thought nothing of it because my husband comes to visit once in awhile on the way to an errand or church. we went into our separate cars, and i noticed some mess on the passenger seat. i didn't remember seeing the stuff their earlier. so i grabbed it to see what it was and i found a letter from isaac explaining that he had planned a progressive birthday surprise. there were four envelopes with addresses and times and i was to correspond to each location and time to open the envelope. i started to cry because i was moved by the thoughtfulness that my husband took time to present his gift. each envelope also had a letter written and the day ended with a beautiful dinner with friends at mission inn. actually the b-day weekend continued with parties on sat & sun with more friends...

i just wanted to announce to the world that i have the best & most thoughtful husband in the world. it was like the sweetest thing isaac had done for my b-day and i will never forget it.

* thanks to all my lfriends that came out to celebrate and i appreciate all the cards, gifts, and giftcards!!! love ya lots

my b-day wish

every year i try to be the humble person and ask all of you not to get me a present or to donate money for a worthy cause. however, since my friends are too nice and don't meet that request, always get me a present, i thought i can help to make it easier this year. furthermore, couple of you have already asked me what i want so here it is.

i really would appreciate giftcards at:
1. victoria secret (i really love the angels memory foam collection!!)
2. sephora (i need perfume, eyeshadow, foundation, etc)
3. starbucks (i need this to survive at work)

love you girls!

Day Five in Italy

Saturday was our last day in Cinque Terre. We had a massage schedule as part of our Sabbath experience. We checked out and went to the town #4 to get our massage. Our masseuse was an English lady who moved to Italy and ended up starting a family. We did a little walking on the trail and enjoyed a stroll on the harbor. For lunch we enjoyed the best minestrone soup ever at Capotola. We had best and only shopping done in Vernazza. We found local products such as pesto, olives, olive oil, jams and soaps. Then Grace lost her wallet on the way somehow and Isaac was so sweet on his way of handling this matter. Our trip cost a little more than we expected due to this unfortunate experience. Isaac was also generous to replace Grace's lost wallet (her first real wallet from 5th grade) with a purple Prada wallet from the flagship store in Milan.
We found a direct train from Cinque Terre to Milan. We arrived and checked into our Hotel Florida. It was a clean and comfortable hotel a block from the Milan Central Station. We had a little ordeal trying to get our room because we arrived a day early. Online we had noticed many rooms but the hotel stated they had none. So we found free wifi at another hotel and booked a room at Hotel Florida. We went back and got the room and checked in. For dinner we went to a thai/Chinese: Shangai la restaurant that was recommended in Fodor’s Milan book. Their portions were tiny so we had to order like 5 dishes and pay over $80. ouch. It was a very expensive day we spent.

day four: Cinque Terre

We journeyed to cinque terre on Friday. We left Bellagio on the 6:40am ferry and made our way to Varenna to catch the train to Milan. On the train, we met a wonderful gentleman that was our on board friend, concierge, and caretaker. We actually never even got his name. We chatted about travel, work, family, and lots about Italy. Once we got to Milan, he was our defender from urban outdoorsman. He went with Grace downstairs at the train station to ensure that we purchased the correct tickets with the best connections. After boarding our train we separated to our respective seats but he came and found us to ensure we got off at the right station to make our next connection.
It poured rain during a thunderstorm as we entered into Cinque Terre. As we exited the station we found a small bakery and enjoyed the most tasteful foccacia bread while waiting for our room agent. We waited for our room while trying another regional specialty; anchovies, olive oil, salt, and lemon juice. Grace enjoyed the appetizer while Isaac only had a taste.
After our little snack we were allowed to finally make our journey up to the heavens. We winded through cobblestone side streets and little alleyways with a million steps. Then we approached the old lookout tower and ascended up through the tower. As soon as we reach the top of the stairs our apartment was right there. The view was a majestic although we cannot say the same for our bed or the cleanliness of the bathroom.
As we ascended into the heavens to reach our room the rain began to lift and the sky cleared allowing the sun the beam through. Cinque terre is an area tof 5 fishing villages that are connected hills of farmland. The villages are filled with faded pastel homes with bright primary color doors, crabbing baskets & boats blanketing the uneven cobblestone streets. The smell of salty foccacia and anchovies make your tastebuds water. As you walk through these villages you feel free as the laundry swinging against the Liguariuan wind. From Manarola, we strolled through the via dell’ amore that connected to the next village Riomaggiore. The views along the trail were breathtaking. The crystal clear aqua waves crashing violently against slate stones have caused layers of texture and patterns on the rocks. There’s a section of the trail where there is a tunnel of writing and locks of lovers. We took lots and lots of pictures. We did this path three times! In the evening we visited another town, Monterosso, the resort of the five fishing villages, making three for the day and were able to capture from great pictures as the sun went down.

Third day in Italy

Thursday was our first real taste of italy day as we were heading off for a cooking class to learn how to make our own pasta and sauce from an Italian chef. We were left Bellagio again via ferry and this time we went to another picturesque town, Varenna which is about a 15-20 minute ferry ride. The town is the most beautiful lakeside town because the town is bursting with flowers and the layout of the homes and stores has perfect colors and textures of stone. There are less hotel signs and tour souvenir shops. From the moment the ferry lands, you walk through a fairytale land. There is less hotel signs and stores than Bellagio. We arrived at the town square to find that our chef for our cooking class was involved in an accident so we were not able to have our cooking class. But we made the best of it. The local café barista was our informative guide. He shared the ins and outs of Varenna.
After the best cup of cappuccino, we attended Mass at the local cathedral which is something that Isaac wanted to do. Isaac-There is special meaning for me to be able to worship with such ceremony and tradition. Even though I don’t speak Italian or Latin, it was a spiritual experience for me. Grace even participated in the Eucharist, she was more appropriately dressed than Isaac who was in his usual (shorts and chacos). Grace-I tried to use my hands and the priest moved his hand in my mouth. This was an interesting experience. The bread tasted like watered down glue stick. The cathedral had a beautiful bell tower and clock. Adjacent to the cathedral had a really cool sundial.
After Mass we took a short walk over to Villa Montesario and gardens. This garden looked amazing against the turquoise waters of the lake. Grace really enjoyed the view of Villa Cipressi from Villa Montesario and also there was so much green ivy that made everything looked luxurious. There was a civic engineering conference at the villa when we were visiting. What a place to have a conference! We ate lunch at a delightful waterfront crepe café, Nilus Bar, (recommended in Rick Steve’s Italy 2008) that had wonderful view of the lake. The nutella banana crepe was absolutely delicious.
After resting about half an hour in Bellagio, we left on ferry to the reason why Grace wanted to visit Lake Como. Villa Balbinello in Lenno is where star wars and james bond were shot. From Lenno, we paid more money 12 eu for a 5 min. water taxi to the villa. The villa’s entrance had a beautiful black iron gate with lots of ivy. We had a tour of the villa inside where the last resident was the 1st Italian to explore the north pole and mt. everest. Though it rained this afternoon, it was so romantic to set eyes on this villa. The outiside of this building really is something, my dream house!
For dinner, we had Trattoria San Giacomo, for local fresh fish, pasta, caprese, and the best tiramisu.