Shinkou

August 21

Chicago

We decided to attend church at Willow Creek Downtown. Melissa and I had been there a few years ago and enjoyed it. Matt, Melissa and I met my cousin Ray there with his girlfriend Stephanie. It was a good service and Bill Hybels was there speaking because they would be opening a brand new ministry building that day.

After church, Melissa and Matt walked to Melissa's office to get her laptop. Ray, Stephanie and I cabbed it to Water Tower Place to shop and just hang out. Melissa and Matt walked to Nordstrom's and Melissa bought Matt a great new silk tie for his birthday. It matched the new shirt he got yesterday at Banana Republic. Then we all met back at the apartment around 1:30. From there we picked up Adam and all walked to Quartino's Italian Restaurant, about a 6 block walk. We were going to a family reunion!

Auntie Iku took the train and a bus; Patty, Titus and Angel drove in from Justice; Brandon Mita and his fiancee Dorothy Hollingshead walked. It was a nice way to get to meet Dorothy and Stephanie. Unfortunately with long tables, Melissa and Adam didn't get a chance to mingle much with Brandon and Dorothy. They are about the same age and live in the same neighborhood. Hopefully they will connect on their own.

It's hard to believe that we will be leaving in the morning. There is so much more to do and see here. I haven't had the opportunity to contact aunt Lucille. Wat and Yoshiko are in Okinawa now. And I would have liked to connect with some of the Warren/Niles East friends. I guess there is never enough time.

After our late lunch, Adam had to go to another study group. Melissa and Matt started working on projects including Matt taking the Google ad words test. I walked to the store and bought fixings for udon and tea. I came back and starting cooking and packing.