The family hasn't taken a vacation in years and it seems that this year is the time to take one... or two. After San Diego and Vegas, we headed for a day to Yosemite. What a truly beautiful place.



Entering Yosemite, this is the kind of view you see along the winding zig-zag road.




The beautiful Bridalveil Falls as seen from a distance.



My kids beside the creek.

more to come

This is what I'm currently knitting, a lace stole (rectangular shawl) for me made with 100% cotton yarn, great for cool summer evenings out.






A picture of the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, where my friend's wedding was held last Saturday. Glad to be home.

Carlsbad, California

Arrived here yesterday after a really bad traffic jam in LA (Sacramento traffic is tame compared to it). A little cold in Carlsbad, cloudy, foggy, and cooold. Hope it lifts up.

On the way here, I've taken some pictures of the beautiful San Fernando Valley, and the reservoir, Vista Del Lago.

We're back from a day trip to San Francisco. Like always, we stopped by Emeryville, at the International market and food court. Ever since Joel took us here years ago, we never fail to stop by for a nice meal. International, I say. I always get Vietnamese spring rolls. Emily goes for the shrimp Udon. It is so amazing since that's what I used to eat when I was pregnant with her. Shrimp Udon was the only one I can hold down when I suffered through morning sickness the entire 9 months of pregnancy with Em.

We headed up to Ghirardelli Square for some chocolates and the wonderful Kara's cupcakes. Her's is the best tasting in California. Spent an hour at the Marina eating the cakes, took some pictures. As always, I forgot my digital camera and used Joel's old one.

Some knitting done but not much. Came home and played Farmtown on Facebook.

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These are images of my latest finished project, the Ishbel shawl, a design by Ysolda Teague. Like what other knitters have stated, this was a very enjoyable knit and very hard to put down. I already gave this one to my mom. I'm off to knit another one for me, out of superwash wool and bamboo blend. yumm.

the 40th day

May 22nd was the 40th day after my Uncle Romy died. My Catholic relatives celebrate this day because they believe that on this day, the soul finally goes up to heaven, after staying here on earth. Or maybe,they believe that the soul of the departed goes to Purgatory, where it's sins are forgiven through prayers of its loved ones still living. Kinda like being given a second chance.

Being a Christian, my beliefs are different. The Bible says that when a Christian dies, "absent from the body, present with the Lord". I have believed all along that Uncle Romy's soul is with my Lord and Savior the very day he died.

We went and visited the cemetery, took some pictures, and just enjoyed the peace and quiet, except for the cemetery workers who decided to have a race with their little golf carts carrying tools, zooming around the tombstones. Total disrespect.





Beside this tall monument and inside the enclosure is my uncle's gravesite.










That's my sister, Nerie, on the left, and me with my kids.

In connection to the Twilight theme, these are what I have been knitting: