List of Articles.


New Year
December 31 2010

Wild Animal park
December 28 2010

December
December 2010

Joseph J. B-Day
December 12 2010

Adrian Antonio
December 2010

Breakfast at Deanna
November 28th 2010

LA Auto Show
November 26th 2010

Arizona and Utah
November 18th 2010

Mike B-Day
November 5th 2010

Adrian Antonio
November 2010

Mayras B-Day
October 30 2010

Celebrating Marinella B-Day
October 24 2010

Boating with the Saabs
October 10 2010

Bryce and Zion
October 2010

Adrian Antonio
October 2010

Carpinteria with Family
September 25th 2010

Outing with baby
September 18th 2010

Santa Barbara
September 3rd 2010

New Mexico
August 17th 2010

Antonio in August 2010

No sólo el amor es poesía
June 26th 2010

Deanna and Baby
June 21 2010

With Family in Michigan
May 30th, June 2nd 2010

Yosemite NationalPark
May 24th 2010

Deanna Baby Shower
May 23rd 2010

Making Ricotta Cheese
May 20th 2010

Mothers Day
May 9th 2010

Riserva dei Papaveri
27 Aprile 2010

Venezia in California
April 25 2010

Descanso Gardens
April 10 2010

Easter Celebration
April 4 2010

Fishing in M. Beach
March 30 2010

California Science Center
(6) March 21 2010

Sedona, Arizona
(5) March 12 2010

Sequoia national Park
March 1st 2010

Nonna's 90th Birthday
February 20 2010

In San Diego
February 14 2010

Roma, Italy
January 28 2010

Back in Cinisi
January 22 2010

Events and thoughts of the past year
If I had to classify this past year I would give it an eight or nine, it has had many happy events and, at least for my immediate family very few unhappy ones, none worth mentioning. At the top of this years positives has been the birth to Deanna and David of a beautiful healthy baby boy, Adrian. Adrian has enriched our life in ways I had not even thought of, for example I was not aware that a babys big beautiful smile was an instant cure for sadness, exhaustion, depression, bad moods and I might say in the six months he has been around I have not had a cold, back pain, allergy nor any other ailments I used to be afflicted with BA (Before Adrian) on a regular basis. We are also very happy about the engagement of Mark A. to Shanna Koh, a beautiful, intelligent young lady with a great personality. We look forward to other events from these two in the coming months and years. Another thing, we are glad to have met Mary Ogaz, Mike's girl friend who we find is also very friendly intelligent and we have much in common with and by the way also very attractive, we hope to see more of her in the coming years. One other thing I am grateful for this year is that Mayras seems to have recovered complitely from the previous years medical problems she experienced following her fall at the YMCA and has now resumed her activities as before. All in all not a bad year and hope the positive events ot this year continue into the next and next etc...
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LA Auto Show November 26 2010
Today, a trip to the los Angeles Auto Show in the Convention Center of the Staples Center in Los Angeles was made possible by Mark, my son and his GF Shanna who got the tickets, Mayra was not able to go since she was decorating the house for the upcoming Xmas Holydays and was getting help from family friend and great person overall, Nancy Ramos.
Although I have always wanted to go to that yearly event, this is the first tim I was actually able to go. Thank you Mark and Shanna, his girl friend as of today, I have been led to belive that they are to soon upgrade the relationship but that is another story and they are very tight lipped about it, I know more about the plans of William, prince of England and his GF Ms. K. Middleton than my own flesh and blood. Back to the car show, Today I was treated royally by Shanna and Mark, her boyfriend of a couple of years, they took me to see some of the cars I'v dreamed and thought about every time I think about getting a new car, and even when I'm not contempleting new cars. The show included all cars from the small Fiat 500, the Porshe, sporty Mercedes, Mustangs, Camaros, Cadillac, Lexsus etc.. to the more exhotic concept cars made by Lexsus, Cadillac and other car companies. While at the show both Shaunna and her boyfriend Mark made every effort to make sure I had a good time, if I hinted at lunch they became hungry and bought me lunch if they thought I was tired Shanna flopped down and tried to rest, I wish her boyfriend was as considerate. I had a great time and was very grateful to the both of them for including me on this trip to see some of the cars of my dreams.
Thanks Mark and Shanna, I had a very good time.
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Utah and Arizona November 18 2010
Today we are on our way to see Bryce National Park, and Horseshoe Bend, This time I'm going with Mayra who is also interested in some of the sights in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
You would think that since we are both retired we should have the time required to see some of the places we want to see at our leasure. That apparently is not the case since we have a wonderful little guy back in California that needs our time since his mom and dad have taken a much needed vacation in Hawaii, baby with the choi the first couple of days and Chircos the balance of the time.
On the first day of our trip we drove straight to Page AZ, we checked in at the Courtyard by Marriott, which incidentally was been booked by Mark A. at about 8:00 PM, too late for any sightseeing, well other than what passed us at 70 MPH. The first place went to see the next day, November 19th, was Horseshoe Bend which both Mayra and I photographed extensively, I'm sure the site is used to having pictures taken so it posed majestically. the hike to the rim of Horseshoe Bend was easy and about 1.5 miles, neither of us had any problem with the hike.
Next we went to Lower Antelope Valley, it turned out to be very steep and very difficult, sloping down to about 120 feet below the surface, Mayra opted to wait in the car, I think it a wise choice, the hike was beautiful but very difficult to complete, I made it but was the last in our group to get out of the cave. Out last stop is Bryce National Park, we where able to see most of the view points but had to get out of the canyon since a heavy snowstorm was forecast for about the time we where there, a beautiful and breathtaing site none the less, well worth the drive.
On the drive back we went trough Zion National Park and where on our way to Valley of Fire near las Vegas but it started raining so we headed back home a little early. Nice short outing none the less.
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Grandparenting and Thanksgiving November 2010
Many things in life can be time lined to some well known event, BC AC, before 911 and after 911, before internet and after, before the advent of telephone, automobiles etc... all things that changed the way we live, communicate and interact with one another.
I imagine most people have their own personal events: weddings, graduations, children, jobs and retirement, that change the life they live and the plans they make. Not every event is planned and not every plan turns out the way you thought. Even when it does, you often find that it is not what you wanted. One of the events that I had long planned on was my retirement from the company I worked with for many years. I knew what I wanted to do and had planned and worked for that throughout my working years. I wanted to travel, go sight seeing throughout the US and even visit some places in Europe and South America.
About five years after I retired from Diebold I got a present from Deanna and David (her husband ) that completely changed what I thought I wanted to do. It completely changed what my goals were and what I thought was important in my daily routine. The present she gave me on June 21st is named Adrian, my grandson. I started learning from him from the first time I saw him, minutes after he was born. He was helpless but screamed and demanded immediate attention. His arrival became my new marker.
Although I still look forward to travelling and sightseeing, the importance of those activities has been somehow replaced by the needs of this precious, wonderful child who with his simple big enchanting smile rewards and gives joy and happy warm feelings to anyone who gives him a little attention and affection. His needs are apparently not as paramount to others as they should be. OK, Im not suggesting I care more for him than anyone else I am simply saying that I would not leave such a small baby to anybody so that I could go and have fun, not for a day much less for a week. That said I am and will always be happy and look forward to having ADRIAN with us regardless of the reasons why he is brought over.
There are many things we have in common with Adrian, some are obvious, like his mom, his Nonna Tata, Nonna Vita, our love of him sleeping on my shoulders, MILK etc.. Some are somewaht surprising like our love for the T.V. classic programs like SpongeBob SquarePants Mystery with a Twistary, I-Carly, The Nanny and many many other things we share, we have taken trips to Best Buy, Ralphs and Home Depot but we have still many other paces he wants to visit, Frys, Chaco Canyon, Disneyland, Mount Rushmore, LegoLand etc...
Adrian also likes photography and is always ready to pose with a big smile and a happy disposition, lucky for him I like to take pictures of all my grandkids who have a great big smile and a happy disposition and who are also very photogenic.
I am usually not very verbose on an any one itam but I find, to my surprise and others that I enjoy talking about everything we do together, places we see, emotions we share and our plans for his future, It goes without saying it that I yeld to the parents on actual actions to take but that does not mean that I cannot share on events while is with us
One of the things I learned is that I care for Adrian not only because he is my daughter's child but because he is completely dependent for everything on the parents he has and to everyone that makes up his extended family from grandparents to uncles, aunts etc..
On this Thanksgiving day, We are all thankfull for what the Lord has provided us and for being able to give Adrian a strong, supportive and caring family. I wish that every child born could enjoy the same support, care and love that our Adrian enjoys.
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Chaco Canyon August 2010
I'm on the way to see Chaco Canyon National Park, the largest collection of ancient ruins north of Mexico, and one of the United States most unique cultural and historic areas. Between AD 900 and 1150, Chaco Canyon was a major center of culture for the Ancient Pueblo Peoples. Chacoans quarried sandstone blocks and hauled timber from great distances, assembling 15 major complexes which remained the largest buildings in North America until the 19th century. Evidence of archaeoastronomy at Chaco has been proposed, with the Sun Dagger petroglyph at Fajada Butte a popular example. Many Chacoan buildings may have been aligned to capture the solar and lunar cycles, requiring generations of astronomical observations and centuries of skillfully coordinated construction. Climate change is thought to have led to the emigration of Chacoans and the eventual abandonment of the canyon.
I find such sites interesting and am surprised that my interest in what the pre-Colombian civilizations of North America where able to achieve is not shared by more people. The achievement is admirable considering that the Chacoans did not yet have the wheel, a written language, beasts of burden nor had they the acquired the use of iron tools. In Chaco Canyon I Visited the Great Houses of Una Vida, Hungo Pavi, Pueblo Bonito , Pueblo de Arroyo, Casa Rinconada and many petroglyph sites in the area. I found the site interesting and would not mind returning. On the way back I also stopped and Visited Petrified Forest National Park which includes Painted Desert, ancient and colorful land formations and also many petrified logs. I was surprised by the large number of tourists from Northern Europe, France and Italy visiting those sites. The last site I stopped at on my return trip was Lake Havasu and the London Bridge.
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No sólo el amor es poesía June 21 2010
Today we have been invited by our friend, the Bolivian poet Kethy Castedo Z. and her family, to partecipate at the launching ceremony and dinner for her latest book "No sólo el amor es Poesía". Among the guests present was Marco Antonio Cuba, the Bolivian Counsel general, representatives of the Latin American Museum in Pomona and channel 34 UNIVISION was also present to interview Kethy for a spot on the spanish chanel. We where entertained by Kethys beautiful and talented daughter Adriana, Nelson recited some of her poems and others provided music and speeches. One other thing, the dinner was excellent, the guests where all friendly the entertainment fantastic and Kethy and Family, well, Great. I want to thank Kathy Castedo and family for an evening we will not soon forget.
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Conratulations David and Deanna June 21 2010
Congratulations to Deanna and David on the arrival of their first baby, ours and Davids parents first grandchild and Nonna Vita, another great grandson. Today at 9:24, Adrian Anthony Choi was born to Deanna, a beautiful healthy 8 pound 10 ounce, "3,81 Kilogram" 21 inch "53.34 centimeter" baby boy. Present at the arrival was, grandparents Mayra and Tony, uncle Mike, uncle Mark was present through skype via the internet since he was in Korea on work related matter and could not be physically present. Zizi Giuseppe and Marina along with Shana where also present. Later, many other came in bringing good wishes for the new arrival. Mother and baby are doing well and now we enbark on our new life as grandparents, we are happy and look forward to helping and supporting the new parents in whatever way we can. Lets see, Adrian fourteenth emperor of Rome from AD 117 to 138 and known also as the third of Romes "Five Good Emperors". A good name with a great historical background. I am happy for the arrival of our first grandchild and look forward to seeing him grow up into as fine of a young man as I am sure was his father. Today June 22 at about 1:15 pm nonna Mayra and Nonno Nino helped David and Deanna take their new baby ADRIAN ANTONIO home for the first time after which Nonna helped with some food preparation cleaning etc...
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Michigan May 31 to June 2nd 2010
I was planning on visiting Michigan the second week of July, but I found it more appropriate to come now to be supportive to Fanny and kids even if in a minor and non consequential way. As always while I was in Michigan I basked in the company of my nephew Michele his sisters, Valeria, Daniela, Vitina and Antonella who also came to visit from Italy for about 10 days. They all did all they could to make my stay in their home as happy as confortabe as possible even while attending to their own tasks. Another enjoiable event while in Michigan was an evening the whole family spent in Lake Huron at the home of Jane, One of the people helping Valeria and family. And thanks to Michele for a nice dinner at P.F. Chang, I bet that hurt, there where a lot of us an we all tried to help but no, the bill was his and wanted all the credit. Thanks again for that and for the ride to the Airport ad everything else. The return home turned out to be longer than planned, the plane was delayed in Charlotte for about two hours due to a powerful storm that affected part of the east coast, this caused me to miss my connecting flight in Phoenix an so I spent the night there. I took a flight home the next day and I got home some 30 hrs after I left Michigan.
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Yosemite N.P. May 2th 2010
About twenty five years ago I drove through Yosemite National Park with Mayra and kids on our way back from San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, we promised to return when we had more time and this is that time, wait, we don't have that much time this time either, our baby Deanna is having a baby. Well Deanna assured us that it wont happen for another three weeks, Yosemite is not that far and yes, we will be rushing this time also, we plan to be gone for only three days, we are in constant communication with Deanna. Let's see what happens. Well, we left Downey this morning at 10:15AM and arrived at Oakhust, located just south of the parks entrance, at about 4:30 PM, rented a room at Americas Best Value inn where Mayra found Dr. Phil and suddenly was too tired to go to Yosemite for some preliminary exploration. I went solo again and got my much coveted senior citizen lifetime pass for all national parks for only ten Dollars, I then went on to see the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. I returned to the hotel where Mayra was now eagerly awaiting the start of Dancing with the Stars followed by the Bachelor.
May 25 2010 Our first stop today was Tunnel View Point inside Yosemite Valley, that was followed by many other spectacular sites. The only negative negative at the park was the congestion caused by the many cars, that lasted until we decided to take the free shutle that takes people all around the park stopping at the most interesting and popular sites. On Our way back we stopped at Mariposa, where it rained and there was a complite power faulture that effected the entire town. We both enjoied the trip but once again we needed to return due to commitments we had made. next time we'll plan better, again.
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Descanso Gardens April 10st 2010
Today I went to explore with Mark, Descanso Gardens, a property that belonged to newspaper magnate E. Manchester Boddy, who owned the Los Angeles Daily News and ran a commercial camellia garden at the location. The site now has a rosarium, as well as a Japanese tea house, lilac garden, bird sanctuary and many other attractions. Ok, I truly enjoyed the it, father and son out for a day of sightseeing and communicating, we haven't done that for some time.
The curious thing, and maybe it's my suspicious nature, is that he actually was not in a hurry to end the trip, on top of that he insisted on paying for every expense we incurred that day to the point of filling the empty gas tank on my Ford Windstar with premium grade gasoline. (since he was so generous I offered to buy also a Canon 5D Mark II camera but he refused, I understand, generosity has limits) Anyway, my point is, I was suspicious, something was up, did his beautiful and intelligent girlfriend finally wake up and told him to take a hike? Was is it something else? Well by the end of the day I came to realize that my worries where unfounded and he actually wanted to spend the day with his old man, and then take his Canon Rebel XTi camera for a couple of days.
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Sedona March 12st 2010
A visit to Sedona an the colorful area in the Coconino National Forest was a great Opportunity to go see the Tuzigoot National Monument an revisit Montezuma Castle with Mayra, she had not been there before and was interestd in seeing it. Saturday before going home we went to see the petroglyphs at the V bar V Ranch, a large quantity of rock art ( petroglyphs) from around the year 800 to 1300 current era. The surrounding red rock formations around Sedona make it a very colorful, interesting and beautiful city to visit, well worth the five hundred mile drive to and from there.
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Sequoia National Park March 1st 2010
Today I'm going to visit Sequoia National Park which is famous for its Giant Sequoia trees, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth. The park contains five out of the ten largest trees in the world, in terms of wood volume. I went on this trip with my son Mike who was not afraid to brave the chilling temperature present this time of year at that elevation. Mike, thank you very much.
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Rocking Chair time February 25 2010
I'm officially old. The United States Social Security Administration has determined that I am now a senior citizen eligible for social security benefits. I received this information with mixed feelings, heck it's a milestone, I will be getting also a sleuth of other benefits along with the SSA ones. At restaurants I'll be able to order from the senior menu, I can visit any national park for only ten dollars a year. I can now live in a seniors only residence, (Doesen't that sound like fun?). My point is that some things will be easier. I now look forward to Medicare and with that come even more choices as to what I can do with the time I have left and the financial freedom I will enjoy, provided I keep on having health of body and mind. I'd give all of this up if I could be 20 again and fix some of my mistakes, but that is not one of the choices I have at my disposal so instead I'll get the book I got for Christmas (1,000 Places to see before you Die) and the National Park Membership Card and start doing some sightseeing. A lot to see not a lot of time, I'll try for 75 places, let's see how far I get.
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Found someone new February 16 2010
After many years with the same person, it was not easy to say, I don't need you anymore, I found someone better, I myself had doubts. The new dentist I went to: Dr. David Choi and his assistants, secretaries, x-ray technician and his beautiful pregnant wife, Deanna (Chirco) Choi, made me realize that I made a wise decision, the office is clean and well organized, the staff efficient and courteous and Dr. Choi (my son in-law) very professional. I will definitely make Dr. David Choi my permanent dentist after we resolve some billing issues, they even treated me to a great lunch at a Mexican restaurant, now truthfully how many doctors do that for you? I felt like family. Oh! I almost forgot, he did a great job, cleaned my teeth and fixed a cavity.
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Valentine Day
February 14 2010
Saint Valentine day is named after an early Christian martyr named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496AD. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. The truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, but if true it does not speak well of Valentine, Imagine going after the jailers daughter when your life was on the line, not a smart move. Bla bla bla. Today I took my Valentine, Mayra, to San Diego for a romantic dinner and some sight seeing of the area. Balboa Park, Star of India, Foxtrot B-39 Soviet Sub, Midway, Dolphin, San Diego Alcala Mission, San Diego Harbor etc... We where joined on Sunday by Dave and Deanna and we went to dinner with them at Mimmos in Little Italy, we did some sightseeing and then, back home. We all had a great time.
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Trip to Sicily
January 2010
With all that's going on in California right now I should have picked another time to travel, but the plans have been made and are not easily altered plus nothing would change if I remained. At any rate I am once again in Cinisi, this time to deal with some personal matters and at the same time see what Sicily is like in January, something I have not known since 1962. Well, thanks to a wait at Fiumicino airport of several hours I took the train to the Termini station and from there took the Metro to the Colosseum where I spent about 4 hrs touring it, and the surrounding remnants of ancient Rome. I got to Cinisi at about 7:30PM and was greeted there by Gracjan who escorted me to Via Roma where Marinella had prepared a wonderful meal and had furnished my home with fresh fruits and clean linens. After finishing what I needed to do in Cinisi, I returned to Rome one day before my sckeduled return date to California and got to visit St. Peter's Basilica" and the Vatican's Museums. Although the time allotted to this visit was way too little, It was enjoyable and exhausting. I was also lucky that the weather was not as cold as I expected, and while I was there, no rain at all. There where plenty of tourists but no lines and no crowds. According to employees at the Hotel Alimandi, where I spent the night, summer here is a madhouse with long lines everywhere, expensive accommodations and large crowds at any site worth visiting, which in Rome is most sites. Next time I come back it will be in winter again but this time for more than a couple of days.
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Thoughts of 2010
December 30th 2009
As we are not in 2010 yet I have no Idea how it's going to turn out, previous years have seen a combination of happy and not so events, I was able to complete some of my plans and postponed others. Top among happy events this past year was the marriage of Deanna to Dr. David Choi, among the lows was the loss of a friend to cancer and Mayras long and difficult recovery from a fall and the follow up shoulder surgery. I hope and pray that this year brings events we can all be happy about.
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