Shinkou

It's hard to believe that is is November 29, 2012 already. 2012 has been quite a year of memorable events!
In January we began planning Melissa and Adam's wedding! Engagement photos were taken by our friend Tori in Mendocino in March. At first, we didn't think the weather didn't really cooperate (it was cold, windy and drizzly) but the photos turned out beautifully! The clouds and softer shadows helped emphasize the already romantic moments. The setting describes both Melissa and Adam - rustic, chic, natural, energetic and joyful. You would never know from the photos that it was so cold and damp! And besides the photo shoot, it was just wonderful spending time together.

The end of March/beginning of April marked my second trip to Mexico with the senior high group. I was part of Team ComServ again (Community Services) and we worked at the garbage dump with the homeless, delivered food packages to the different churches and helped wherever needed. The weather cooperated and was warm and dry!

In May, Matt graduated with honors from the University of San Diego with a degree in business administration and minor in biology. We had a great time in San Diego that weekend - celebrating in the balmy sunshine! Matt had already accepted a position at the marketing firm he had interned with over the past few years so the pressure was off him to interview. We dined at great restaurants and just had a great time together!

Matt graduated and a few weeks later, he's off to Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria! This was a trip that was 5 years in the making! Matt had the opportunity to work with Dr. Isichei and his staff for 2 weeks. Having a biology minor qualified him to assist in surgeries, work with HIV testing, etc. Here is the first photo I received from Matt:

I was somewhat shocked to read the text that went with the photo: "Hi Mom. I just delivered a baby today!"

BK, Todd and Matt (wearing his custom made Nigerian shirt)

Yes, he even delivered a baby. That baby girl is less than a few seconds old! I had texted Matt and asked him to describe the people and clinic in 4 words. He texted back: smiles, joy, faith, God. When he returned home I asked him to describe his best experience. He said it was attending church in Jos - a church that had been targeted by extremists. The congregation really appreciated the team coming there to help alleviate the fears. The service was filled with dancing, singing and joy. Matt's next great memory was going to a televised soccer match. In a "bar" there were a few TV screens hanging on the wall and benches set out all over. He sat on a bench with hundreds of Nigerians talking/discussing/arguing soccer. The Nigerians were really impressed with his soccer knowledge!

On his way back from Jos, he had a layover in London - right before the Olympics!

Matt loved the city but was surprised there wasn't much Olympic decorations or hype.

Then in July we hosted a bridal shower for Melissa. She drove out with her friend Mai Linh who was relocating to San Francisco. The theme of the shower - rustic chic Japanese! To make it a bit more special, each guest brought an old tea cup and saucer with their name on the bottom. Cousins Sheri and Kristy sent great Grandmother Kiyo's tea cup! Sandy brought a tea cup from her own wedding china! Cousin Cindy brought great Auntie Bev's tea cup~so special and memorable for Melissa! And the timing was great as Matt had just gotten home from Nigeria to help out!

Wow - that brings us to the end of July where we were sending out wedding invitations, dealing with caterers, flowers, tents, chairs.................. And we helped Matt move into his new apartment in San Diego. Of course since we were moving one of our children, the weather turned unusually hot. It always does when we move Melissa or Matt.

September 08, 2012 - our 37th wedding anniversary and Melissa and Adam's wedding! Of course I am biased so I will describe it using other people's words. "Quite honestly the most warm, comfortable, elegant affair", "that dance floor was hopping so you know everyone enjoyed themselves", "the attention to detail to make us feel important was not overlooked or unappreciated!", "thank you so much for inviting us to the wedding so we could experience such a remarkable feeling". The setting lent itself to the couple's personality; the attention to details can be attributed to my remarkable trio of Bayside ladies (Sandy,Moe and Thelma), and getting it all ready to the Bregar and Kowalke families and friends who worked tirelessly getting it to be perfect! My sister Kim and mom worked so hard on the 1000 origami cranes and origami lotus flowers and Jordan almond napkin ring holders - such details!

The rehearsal dinner was held at the Kowalke's rental house. It was wonderful having so many people hang out there eating savory foods, toasting s'mores over the open flames outside and just paving the road for what was to come the next day!!! In the morning, the bridal party, Paula and I drove into Mendocino and had our hair and makeup done! Paula and her sister Cathy prepared a magnificent picnic basket of delectables!

The 3 things I will always embrace:

1. Pastor Dave Price's sermon. It was casual and spoke from his heart to ours!

2. The dance floor filled with happy guests!!

3. The sunset with Melissa and Adam walking into it on the bluff.

There are only 3 things I would change if I could turn back the calendar to September 07, 2012:

1. Make sure Kim wore flat shoes (she tripped and fell and hurt her knee minutes before the wedding)

2. Put the wedding programs on the chairs instead of at the sign in table

3. Make triple the mojitos!

A quiet moment amid the setup.

Three generations of love!

Part of the bridal bouquet.

Grandma giving her grandson a dance lesson.

The reception.

The gorgeous bride!

Melissa and Adam on Holly's Bluff.

Mr. and Mrs. Kowalke!!

We are still selecting and ordering photos from Tori so I'll be adding more professional photos later. Melissa and Adam spent some time in Napa for their honeymoon before returning to Chicago. A few weeks later, Melissa was back in San Francisco with us for Niki Brock's wedding!

October was catch-up month for us. My USTA team did get invited to play in a tournament at Spanish Bar in Carmel. We won the consolation round (or Lucky Loser??). It was great fun hanging with those ladies.

Regan, Sue, Karen,Yolanda, Vickie and Leslie

The following week we all met in San Diego. Melissa flew in (having flown to Florida, Las Vegas, San Francisco earlier) to meet Claudia and Javier's new son Lucas. Lucas is an absolutely beautiful baby who is so loved by his parents! He is a blessed baby boy! After the visit, we spent the weekend as a family and helped Matt put the finishing touches on his new apartment.

On November 01st, I took off for Cambodia with AIM (Agape International Ministry) and Bayside. We worked in Phnom Penh for 10 days where I worked in the medical clinic and helped out with the Kids Club.Some of the kids in the club probably have been or are being sold at night. It was difficult to comprehend. All the kids just wanted to be acknowledged (high five, hugs,smiles) and laugh! Watching us dance and act goofy brought great joy to them! I loved having lunch at Rahab's each day. I wish I could post photos of them but for safety and privacy reasons, I cannot. The Cambodian meals were delicious and the conversations were even better! I learned so much of their remarkable culture.

A sanctuary in Svay Pak.

ATC Supporters!

The Agape Training Center teaches the rescued girls to sew or braid bracelets. One bracelet station caught my eye - I saw Matt's favorite football team pictured! It turns out that Sam Bradford and his wife support 3-Strands (who market ATC's bracelets)!

While in Phnom Penh, we visited the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng. Sobering experience. This tree photo was especially disturbing.

This pretty much describes the utter depravity and violence.

We spent 2 days in Siem Riep and travel to Angkor Wat. Scratch that off my bucket list - it was amazing despite the stifling heat and humidity and insects. If Angkor Wat was in Europe or the United States, at least 75% of it would be roped off. I was climbing up rocks and boulders that were hand-carved and set in place early in the 12th century!!! I especially enjoyed Bayon Temple. I spent some time walking with monks who took photos of me with iPhone 5 and iPad minis!! And they placed a gold yarn bracelet around my wrist. Perhaps they thought I was Buddhist??? I am constantly assumed to be Korean or Khmer and they are astounded when I say I am from California.

This is Ta Prohm, where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.

My favorite temple - Bayon at Angkor Wat.

The Cambodian Army allowed us to use their shooting range one afternoon. I shot an AK-47 and killed one coconut and nicked another. Surprisingly there was very little kickback from the rifle. Set on automatic, I was shocked how quickly the shell casings shot out!

The sex trafficking is staggering but what is even more staggering than that is the cultural acceptance of it. I got to know some of the young disciples at AIM and an thoroughly impressed with their hope, vision and faith. I would love to return. The disciples encouraged me to try different foods. I ate (and, admittedly, liked BBQ dog), unripe green mango with hot chili paste and salt, fried tarantula (only a bit of the leg), fried cricket (again, only the leg). I absolutely loved dragonfruit, longan and rambutan fruit. I could not tolerate the odor from durian fruit (reminded me of ginkgo fruit - spoiled vomit!). I was told that the taste of durian is delicate and sweet if you could get past the smell.

Sidewalk snack vendors..

Rambutan, durian fruit.

On our flight back home, we stopped off in Seoul, South Korea where we quickly caught a bus to the DMZ. Now that was an experience! I'd love to go back to South Korea and spend time in the city. The countryside reminded me of Champaign, IL in winter - flat brown fields with trees in the background!