Kimiko

It has been awesome having Kimi here these past few days.

Sunday we went to Six Flags and had a good time. Of course the first thing we rode was Goliath, then Scream, then Batman, then Riddler, then Viper and then Scream one more time just because we could.

Photo courtesy of Kimi because I forgot my memory card for my camera...

Yesterday we rode the new Sprinter train to Oceanside. It was quite an adventure seeing that we had no idea where we were when we got off the train. So we just followed the Coast Highway until we saw a sign that said "Coastal Access". Yeah! Until we walk and find out that part of the path is closed because of construction... So we walk up a dirt path. Then we see a sign that says "Railroad property. No trespassing." Oops... There isn't any other way so we cross over the railroad tracks and Look! it's the ocean.

We walk down the beach to the pier so that I actually have some idea where we are. We walk down the pier and then back down and get some lunch and eat on the beach. About half an hour later we walk back to the train station and head back home.

And now, in about half an hour, we will leave for the airport and Kimi will go back home.

I'm going to miss her but I'm glad we had this time to see each other again and I can't wait for the next time.

And Matt, we miss you and wish you could have come! Next time for sure.

I love the beach

Sunday I was finaly able to make it to the beach! It was a beautiful day, the water was warm and there were all kinds of sea creatures to admire.

There is definitely a plus to living in Southern California.

More pictures here.

Africa Update:

Everything is turned in! Now I am waiting to get fina clearance from AIM and I can book my trip to New York. I am so excited!

Home Again

I've been back for a week and so far it's been good times. I've done a lot of sleeping (a LOT of sleeping), eating, reading and a little shopping. I've already hit all the major necessary food places like Alberto's, In-N-Out and Panda Express. All of which do not exist in Virginia. It's been too cold to go to the beach yet but this week is suppose to be in the 80s and 90s so I will be getting my beach fill soon enough.

Africa Update:

I still need $800 by last Friday but it is ok because I know God will provide the money. I get the rest of my shots tomorrow and the medical forms I left on my desk in Virginia are on their way to me (thank you Josh) so I can finish them and send them to AIM. And I almost have everything planned for my arrival in New York for my briefing.

Your prayers are appreciated. And if you want to give financially please e-mail me at steph.rice22@gmail.com.

I will let you know how I do after my shots tomorrow night. Supposedly they have the potential to make me sick so let's pray that is not the case.

Thanks!

Fire Update

My family is doing well and did not have to evacuate. Yeah! Much of Escondido has been able to go back to their homes and there were houses and buildings damaged and destroyed but a small number considering the fact that most, if not all, of Fallbrook was consumed by the fire.

According to the New York Times there is still high risk of the fires burning more homes but Escondido is safe right now.

Thank you for your concern and your prayers! I keep praying that no one else is hurt by these fires and that they will no longer be a danger.

San Diego Fires

First of all, my family and house are okay as of right now. My parents have been told they may need to evacuate and they are ready to leave if they need to but so far that has not had to happen. When I talked to them last night they said the winds had died down and the smoke had cleared. While they can see the fire from the house on roughly three sides, the fire has stayed in a "C" shape around Escondido (said Mommy and Daddy). Some of southern Escondido has been burned and through e-mails from friends I have learned that many people have been evacuated but no word on anyone I know personally losing their home.

So my family is safe for now but this fire is very unpredictable so please keep them in your prayers! I will try to update when I can.

Here are some maps courtesy of Google and KPBS (I'm probably violating some copyright laws here...).

The general area. The white info bubble is on Escondido High School which is a few miles from my house and is being used as an evacuation center that is now at full capacity. The Witch Fire is what is the biggest problem for Escondido right now, its on the lower right. The Witch Fire has burned over 164,000 acres and is 1% contained according to an article in the New York Times this morning.

A closer view. The info bubble is directly over my street.

To Grandmother's House We Go: Part 1

California to Arizona

So here's the first part of Mommy's and my journey to Grandmama's house in Virginia. We had a good trip today. It went by pretty quickly. I guess after being on an airplane for eleven hours at a shot six times you get used to it...

First things first, new hair! I had my hair re-straightened this morning so we have to do a before and after picture. I had the product the hair stylist gave me in Japan and it worked just as well as the first time.
Before

After

Yeah! I love my new hairdo! It took about two and a half hours but it went by quickly. Yolanda and I go way back so we just talked and talked until she was done.

Okay, back to the trip!

Mommy drove for the first part of the trip and we just talked and listened to music. I almost fell asleep a few times. I drove from Yuma to Sun Lakes. And that was how exciting the trip was. At least is was uneventful meaning nothing bad happened...

We did see some cool clouds.

And we had some fun trying to catch the "Welcome to Arizona" sign. But we got it! The state line sign I didn't see coming but when Mommy was like, "Take it!" I pushed the button and BAM! I got the picture! It was good times.


And of course there is the row of billboards that anyone playing the Alphabet game loves.

We arrived at Aunt DiDi and Uncle Earl's house about 4:30pm and had dinner, sat around and played a little guitar and now we're sitting in the kitchen talking away. Ah, good times.

Aunt DiDi is my daddy's oldest sister who we have been visiting every Thanksgiving since I was born. I missed last year with being in Japan and will miss this coming year so its really nice to see them.

Mommy and I with Uncle Earl

Mommy and I with Aunt DiDi

Cupcakes!


And tomorrow we'll be off to the Grand Canyon!

Tune in next time. Same bat time, same bat channel!