Matsuri: A Festival of Japan! ~ February 2008

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From February 23-24, 2008

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Matsuri: A Festival of Japan! ~ February 2008

On the 23rd and 24th of February of 2008, Matsuri, the 24th Anniversary Celebration of Japan in Phoenix, Arizona took place. It is a two day festival that that celebrates and features the culture of Japan.  In 2008, the event was at the Heritage and Science Park. It was held at this location for several years. The festival appears to have grown since then, as it is now at Steele Indian School Park. For more info, go to https://azmatsuri.org/

If memory serves me right, this was the first time that I attended this festival. Because I forgot my camera, I only have the images of the flyer with info for the event and also had a PDF of the program. The first image is the same as the first image of the program.  

Original short blog about it: https://elkirbster.blogspot.com/2008/02/matsuri-festival-of-japan.html

Audio: "Imperial Forces" by Aaron Kenny from the YouTube audio library.

Brunch at home today!

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From March 24, 2024

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Brunch at home today!

Smoked Salmon, tomato 🍅, capers, cream cheese, dill, but instead of on a bagel on Low Carb 🍞

Audio: "Brunch Cafe" by Record Market.

4th Annual HRC Arizona Dinner Gala! ~ February 09, 2008

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From February 09, 2008

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4th Annual HRC Arizona Dinner Gala! ~ February 09, 2008

This is a collection of photos and images from the 4th Annual HRC Arizona Dinner Gala that took place on the 9th of February of the year 2008 at the Phoenix Convention Center. 

For this event we volunteered with setup, directing guests to the proper area (greeters), and the silent auction. It was a great evening that I still remember fondly. 

You can read more about our participation from when I originally wrote about it on the blog: https://elkirbster.blogspot.com/2008/02/4th-annual-hrc-arizona-dinner-gala.html

Audio: "Target Fuse" by French Fuse from the YouTube audio library.

Aurora Wish Bottle & Crystal Sun Catcher

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From March 21, 2024

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Aurora Wish Bottle & Crystal Sun Catcher

This Aurora Wish Bottle with a Resin Cabochon Pendant and Sun Catcher with Emeralds, Jade, Tiger's Eye, Czech Bicones, & Swarovski Crystals, are the most fabulous presents I've received for my birthday.

They were handcrafted by the talented artisan #Armandzraven

Audio: "Ostara (spring Equinox)" by Sebastian Sanchez-Botta.

Ostara Blessings!

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From March 21, 2024

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Ostara Blessings!

May your Spring Equinox have been a good one. 

#Ostara

#SpringEquinox

#AIArt

#AIArtGenerator

Audio: "Spring is Coming" by Han Seung Wook.

Ice on Car ! ~ February 05, 2008

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From February 05, 2008

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Ice on Car ! ~ February 05, 2008

It was  a very cold early morning on the 5th of February of 2008! So cold that there was ice on the vehicle that I had at the time. Here's the couple snaps and very dark mini vid (tried to brighten with no great result).

The photos originally posted on: https://elkirbster.blogspot.com/2008/02/ice-on-car.html

The mini vid also previously shared: https://youtu.be/OMnIFCJTjMA?si=535h_FUByPXZsz0w

Audio: "Almost A Year Ago" by John Deley and the 41 Players from the YouTube audio library.

Had a lovely birthday 🎂🎈

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From March 20, 2024

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Had a lovely birthday 🎂🎈

PS: Need to be better at taking photos with people and not just the stuff and food 😀

Audio: "Smooth Jazz Guitar" by Geno.

Dream In Color ~ Celebrate African American Heritage

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From February 2008

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Dream In Color ~ Celebrate African American Heritage

In 2008, for African American History Month, we took inspiration from the Dream In Color theme that Target had and created this informational about African American Heritage.

Audio: "Images of Tomorrow" by Unicorn Heads from the YouTube audio library.

Early birthdays celebration with Prima Alondra!

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From March 17, 2024

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Early birthdays celebration with Prima Alondra!

Audio: "Little Happiness" by Oneul.

Target Volunteers at Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon!

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From January 13, 2008

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Target Volunteers at Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon

In 2008, I was one of the Target Volunteers for the Target sponsored water station at the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon. That year the event itself was sponsored by P.F. Chang's and so the full name was P.F. Chang's Rock N' Roll Arizona Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. 

The Target volunteers included Target Team Members from the Target Stores, Distribution Center, and Target Tempe HQ site. The Target Temp HQ site is where I worked at the time. In addition to passing out water during the marathon at the water station, I also got to be the one who inflated the balloons. Back when Target still used latex balloons. 

One photo originally posted on: https://elkirbster.blogspot.com/2008/02/pf-changs-rock-n-roll-arizona-marathon.html

Some of my favorite memories during the time lived in the Phoenix-metro area and working at the Target Tempe HQ site in Tempe, Arizona, were the various volunteer events that I was able to attend and/or participate in. 

#Target

#Arizona

#TargetVolunteers

#RockNRollArizona

Audio: "Target Fuse" by French Fuse from the YouTube audio library.

Japanese New Year Activity ~ January 2008

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From January 11, 2008

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Japanese New Year Activity ~ January 2008 

When working at the Target Tempe location of Target Financial & Retail Services, (Target Financial Services Tempe - TFST at the time of this activity), which I believe goes by a different name now, I was part of the Diversity Council from April 2006 - March of 2020. It too went through various name changes with Target Tempe Diversity & Inclusion Business Council being the name it had when I was last part of it. 

As a member of the Target Tempe Diversity & Inclusion Business Council I provided support in the implementation, creation, communication, leading and co-leading of Diversity & Inclusion events for the Target Tempe Contact Center HQ site. I also managed the internal social media platform used for employee engagement.

So you'll see many D&I type of activities and events from those particular years. 

This specific activity was for the 2008 Japanese New Year. An informational with a word search puzzle. 

#JapaneseNewYear

#TargetTempe

#Inclusion 

#Diversity

Audio: "Imperial Forces" by Aaron Kenny from the YouTube audio library.

Navajo Blues Pie from Sacred Hogan in Arizona ~ July 2012

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Taken July 17, 2012

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Navajo Blues Pie from Sacred Hogan in Arizona ~ July 2012 

On the 17th of July of 2012, we went to eat at Sacred Hogan and for dessert ordered a slice of the Navajo Blues Pie. It's made with blue corn, blueberries, and then dressed up a bit. 

Originally posted an image on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/NM5MSmOj1x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 

It appears that, as of 2015, their physical location is no longer as per their Facebook, however does appear that they participate occasionally at events.

#Navajo

#NavajoEats

#Arizona

#SacredHogan

#BlueCorn

Audio: "Natural Light" by Chris Haugen from the YouTube audio library.