California Spring Time

Grandpa and me last Summer

So, the whole reason I was flying Space A was to get to California. Why was I going to California? Well, Hunny's grandpa was diagnosed with Leukemia in January and decided not to go through treatments. They are painful and just drag it out. Grandpa had always been a happy ol' man. Full of life, stories, and jokes. He loved to dance and went as long as he could. Even when he was confined to his bed and mostly slept, when he was awake, he would still tell jokes and stories and was so happy. It was sad to see him go but I was glad that it was quick and peaceful. I am so grateful to have known Grandpa. I learned so much from him and even more at his funeral. I learned the importance of work and how valuable it is. He's was the face of work, and I have developed a new appreciation for work and those he taught it to. Since Grandpa served as a Bishop of a Hmong congregation in California at his internment we got to participate in a tradition of theirs that is to place a scoop of dirt in his grave after he is lowered into it. It is symbolic of one last act of service to the man that had served us so well.

Though he never lived in Utah, his dear wife was from there and he was to be buried there with her. After his funeral in CA we took a road trip to Utah for his internment. Not only have I never been to Utah, but I have never driven on a road trip, nor have I driven a manual on a real road before. I can now check all of those off. ;) I used to be biased against Utah, but now I can see why people live there and how they can be proud about it. I don't think I would mind living there so much myself. I have definitely become a big city girl and one of my favorite things about Seoul is the mountains mingled with the sky scrapers. But Utah mountains going in every direction puts Seoul to shame. I don't know if I could handle the cold though. We will see. :)

Though it was hard for Hunny to not have seen Grandpa before he passed, at least he will remember him how he was before. But he also was able to see all the family that came for the funeral. It is a sad reason to see everyone but when you live in a different country it is good to see as many as you can when you do visit, making the trip even more worth while. I got to meet everyone too and was proud of myself for being able to keep up and make all the connections. Shoot, I think I know his family better than I know mine! :P

Beside the funeral and burial I was able to spend a lot of time with Hunny's family. I love them SO much! I love that he comes from such a big family and that most of them live near each other. So if you know anything about the Pinnegars, there was hardly a dull moment. My first night there two brothers, a girlfriend, and I hit up Walmart and all tried sitting in a buggy. We got frozen yogurt every opportunity I could get it. Swing dance night followed by 1am Denny's, bacon milkshake!! And I tell you what, my cousin-in-law is quite the swing dancer! If he didn't have a girlfriend I would have monopolized him more! But we did get to go out and explore trying to find a tux to rent but instead found a little strip of ole timey shops and split a caramel apple and had In-N-Out on the way home. He is a pretty cool kid. It helps he is a ginge!

I learned how to play Magic the Gathering and have a Vampire deck! I know, you are jealous! But J3 said it best, "You play Magic now...that means you have no social life." Seriously, quote of the entire trip! But that didn't stop me from getting out a bit. He, D4 and girlfriend, and I went to an Electric Run! 3k of glow sticks, black lights, and neon apparel. There were so many people and we had a blast. After, guess where we went?? FRO YO!!! Duh! And when I wasn't running, which was actually more than it should have been, I was walking with Papa. We would walk around the block in the mornings and don't let him fool you, he has some wheels on him. All of those boys do!

Pretty sure I went to two game nights with Magic and I learned to play Dixit, (like Apples to Apples [and Wits and Wagers] but with pictures) and now am bound and determined to get it! V had prom or Senior Ball or whatever you want to call it while I was there. A huge group of us went to ... LEATHERBY'S and we took Bubble Talk and played while we were there. And I'm pretty sure I won... We had to be the loudest group there. And I think we sang Happy Birthday louder than the table with the Birthday girl :) We bring the party! I know.

Lombard Street

Lost Boy, Star Child, Hunny, and I all went and did a day trip to San Francisco. The park and beach was gorgeous, but can you say Ghirardelli Square?! I pretty much died, and got a ton of free chocolate just for walking in... 3 times... Lombard street was pretty fun too.

Humboldt

Star Child and I also did a road trip to Humboldt to pick up her car. I was glad we got to spend that time together. We had a blast and were pleasantly surprised at how well Baby O did on the trip. Six weeks old and a champ road tripper trooper. Spending 6-7 hours straight with Star Child only reinforced my hippy-ness and we went to the bee store. Oh yes, raw honey! and now I know where to get all sorts of soap making supplies when I get back stateside. And what is a hippy without a tree to hug? That's right, you may have heard. I climbed my first tree. I never did growing up. No good trees to climb, that and I was a scaredy. But I was watching D1's children at the park with the help of ever helpful D4 and I saw this tree that was just meant to be climbed. I got started and couldn't stop. There was D4 and I up high in this tree and four kids at the bottom yelling for us to get down saying that we were setting a bad example for them. Oh I could have sat up there all day, or at least climbed higher. But we eventually came down and went and played in the creek. I don't think I could have done it without D4. He was/is super helpful, giving, and oh so happy. Which is why I can't be surprised he got engaged while I was there! Yup! I was there when the ring came in and he told me the date. I was glad I was there for it. Well, not there there but before and after. So California will be seeing me again the end of July! What what!

I am glad I was able to come when I did. I got to see Grandpa before he passed, went to the funeral, and burial, got to see everyone, the weather was beyond perfect, and it was nice to take a break from school and the fast paced life it had been in Korea. I could not have asked for a better hostess. Grandma housed me and was the nicest anyone could be. She was so ready and willing to do ANYTHING to make sure I was happy and comfortable. She is so sweet and feisty! I can't tell how many times she picked on me or slapped my arm. We even sat reading our books together til late and then did yoga in the morning. Gosh! I love Grandma! She is so selfless and fun! You guys have to meet her if you haven't yet! Oh I want to squeeze her just thinking about her!

Grandma after a long day of reading.