This weekend was originally set for me to move, however since I am staying six more months at the place I am at, the plans changed to go up to northern Arizona, near Payson where a friend of a friend has a house near the forest. Then that changed since that friend had some other things to do.
So what to do with extra days off... I thought of driving to Texas, but for that I would want a bit more days than the ones I have. So it seems these will be some veg days and some road trip days. Friday, Sept 26th was a veg day for the most part aside from doing some chores. I guess not a total veg out day... Yesterday, Sat. Sept 27th was a road trip day. Aaron drove me all over northern AZ for the day. We stopped at Dinosaur tracks(petrified poop, footprints, algae) and a few other places.
Today, Sunday, Sept 28.. like most Sundays should be a kick back day. Might go a few places around town.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
HAPA
On Sunday, September 21, 2008 I attended the HAPA concert at the Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona. My goodness that theater is beautiful. If you live in AZ you have got to go.
If I get a hold of a scanner I'll scan the event info to post. No photos inside as not allowed.. took a couple when walking to the theatre.
According to the info on the program, in the Hawaiian language, hapa is defined as meaning "portion," "fragment," "part," or fraction." A modified borrowing of the English word "half," and is used in a variety of forms to mean mixed together.
There are four in the group, Barry Flanagan, Nathan Kawai Aweau, Charles Ka'upu, and Malia Ann Kawailanamalie Petersen. It was a real nice afternoon.
Hope you all are having a great week!!
If I get a hold of a scanner I'll scan the event info to post. No photos inside as not allowed.. took a couple when walking to the theatre.
According to the info on the program, in the Hawaiian language, hapa is defined as meaning "portion," "fragment," "part," or fraction." A modified borrowing of the English word "half," and is used in a variety of forms to mean mixed together.
There are four in the group, Barry Flanagan, Nathan Kawai Aweau, Charles Ka'upu, and Malia Ann Kawailanamalie Petersen. It was a real nice afternoon.
Hope you all are having a great week!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Can't think of a title...
Do all these really need a title?!?!.... anyways just wanted to post on the WNBA game I went to on 9/3/08 Phoenix Mercury vs Minnesota Lynx, that their mascot fell on top of me... If you look at the photos you see the thing coming up, getting closer, then it falls on me gets up and continues going up...
On other things.... With it being Hispanic Heritage Month there's tons of events going on, hoping I can go to at least one if time permits.. Either way at work a group of us put together a small event where we gave churros, had traditional music, and info on Hispanic Heritage Month. We did this on 9/17/08. I'll put up the few photos I took in a few..
Yesterday, 9/20/08, went to a friend's get together. Last one of summer... There was food, music, Karaoke, etc... forgot to take cam so no photos....
Anyways ya'll have a great week!!
On other things.... With it being Hispanic Heritage Month there's tons of events going on, hoping I can go to at least one if time permits.. Either way at work a group of us put together a small event where we gave churros, had traditional music, and info on Hispanic Heritage Month. We did this on 9/17/08. I'll put up the few photos I took in a few..
Yesterday, 9/20/08, went to a friend's get together. Last one of summer... There was food, music, Karaoke, etc... forgot to take cam so no photos....
Anyways ya'll have a great week!!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Reventon Superestrella - August 9, 2008
On August 9th I went to Reventon Superestrella. It is an annual all afternoon/evening concert with the most current Latin Singers. I went with a group of friends. The day before we drove to Anaheim, where we would stay for 2 nights. The day we arrived we went to Downtown Disney had lunch and checked into the hotel/resort and then did a bit of shopping. At night we went around town, a few went to a club the others to a dinner and a nightcap.
The day of the concert we woke up, went for some breakfast and some last minute shopping. Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the concert. The concert was Awesome!!! It was long and I was tired and ready to sleep by the time it ended but so worth it.
We drove back the next day :)
Here's a list of the singers in order of appearance at the concert:
- Playa Limbo
- El Reencuentro
- Banda Machos
- Akwid
- La Factoria y Eddie Lover
- Julieta Venegas
- Amanditita
- Juanes
- Alejandro Fernandez
- Beto Cuevas
- Belanova
- Don Omar
The day of the concert we woke up, went for some breakfast and some last minute shopping. Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the concert. The concert was Awesome!!! It was long and I was tired and ready to sleep by the time it ended but so worth it.
We drove back the next day :)
Here's a list of the singers in order of appearance at the concert:
- Playa Limbo
- El Reencuentro
- Banda Machos
- Akwid
- La Factoria y Eddie Lover
- Julieta Venegas
- Amanditita
- Juanes
- Alejandro Fernandez
- Beto Cuevas
- Belanova
- Don Omar
Memphis Trip - August 5th & 6th
So the last 2 days of my Memphis Trip were the volunteer days. The night before I met the the other 34 volunteers(had drinks with some at Stax) and Bullseye, who would make an appearance at Target House later.
August 5th:
So after breakfast we all went to St Jude and saw the preparations that were already taking place at the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion, where the festival, themed Pajama Jam, would take place the next day. We were to take a tour of St Jude and afterwards help with the setting up of the event. We had a couple of hours before the tour guides would arrive. During this time we had the chance to go to the St Jude store, where all the proceeds go right back to the hospital, and the garden around the Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden, which is right behind the pavilion. After a quick visit to the store and the garden, there was a lot of time, so some of us started with the preparations, and soon after all volunteers were putting something together before we even took the tour.
Once the tour guides arrived, we were split into 3 groups. We were allowed to take photos inside only making sure we weren't taking pictures of children unless permission was obtained by the parent or guardian. I chose to not take photos inside the hospital. The hospital is HUGE!
After the St Jude tour we went back to the pavilion to continue with the setup and to sign up for the station each of us wanted to help out during the event. I chose the craft section.
We then headed to Target House. We met the house mama, who took us on a tour of Target House. Dinner with parents and their children followed. We helped with the remaining setup of a craft table. It was an informal dinner gathering where we got to know some of the parents and children. Some of the children at Target House would be going to the Pajama Jam the next day.
A silly string fight was to follow. It would be a free for all fight including the children and volunteers who wanted to participate. It was so much fun!
Back to the hotel after this. Several others were going to meet up to go to Beale. I had been there already each day i had been there, so this time I opted to go to sleep early as the next day would be an early and busy long day with the Pajama Jam and then flying back to Phoenix.
August 6th:
After an early breakfast we all headed to the ALSAC Pavilion at St Jude to rap up the last of the setup before the festival was to start. We took group photos and the festival started. The craft section consisted of 3 crafts, door hangers, rainmakers, and dream catchers. I helped with the rainmakers. I spent quite a bit of time in the rainmaker section, after which I was replaced so I could go have lunch. I really really wanted to go to the Guitar Hero section. So after lunch instead of coming back to the rainmaker section I went to the Guitar Hero station and helped children play and i myself played against one kid who beat me at all but the last game. I was so enthralled in this station that I didn't notice the festival had ended and everyone was tearing down the event while that one kid and I played Guitar Hero. Eventually they told us that it was time to stop since the event was over and they were putting away the games and what not.
I did a quick stop and shop as the St Jude store. We were then driven back to the hotel, from which we would then be driven to the airport come our flight time. Everyone had different flight schedules depending on where they were flying back to. My flight was scheduled until around 7pm, so Robin and I went to the Peabody and an early dinner at PaPa Pia's.
Our flight back was smooth except for the last 20 minutes or so where we experienced turbulence. It was probably the most turbulence I have experienced on a flight.
Now:
Now I am working on a small presentation for work on the trip :)
... Updated 02/14/2010, added link to PaPa Pia's http://www.papapias.com
August 5th:
So after breakfast we all went to St Jude and saw the preparations that were already taking place at the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion, where the festival, themed Pajama Jam, would take place the next day. We were to take a tour of St Jude and afterwards help with the setting up of the event. We had a couple of hours before the tour guides would arrive. During this time we had the chance to go to the St Jude store, where all the proceeds go right back to the hospital, and the garden around the Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden, which is right behind the pavilion. After a quick visit to the store and the garden, there was a lot of time, so some of us started with the preparations, and soon after all volunteers were putting something together before we even took the tour.
Once the tour guides arrived, we were split into 3 groups. We were allowed to take photos inside only making sure we weren't taking pictures of children unless permission was obtained by the parent or guardian. I chose to not take photos inside the hospital. The hospital is HUGE!
After the St Jude tour we went back to the pavilion to continue with the setup and to sign up for the station each of us wanted to help out during the event. I chose the craft section.
We then headed to Target House. We met the house mama, who took us on a tour of Target House. Dinner with parents and their children followed. We helped with the remaining setup of a craft table. It was an informal dinner gathering where we got to know some of the parents and children. Some of the children at Target House would be going to the Pajama Jam the next day.
A silly string fight was to follow. It would be a free for all fight including the children and volunteers who wanted to participate. It was so much fun!
Back to the hotel after this. Several others were going to meet up to go to Beale. I had been there already each day i had been there, so this time I opted to go to sleep early as the next day would be an early and busy long day with the Pajama Jam and then flying back to Phoenix.
August 6th:
After an early breakfast we all headed to the ALSAC Pavilion at St Jude to rap up the last of the setup before the festival was to start. We took group photos and the festival started. The craft section consisted of 3 crafts, door hangers, rainmakers, and dream catchers. I helped with the rainmakers. I spent quite a bit of time in the rainmaker section, after which I was replaced so I could go have lunch. I really really wanted to go to the Guitar Hero section. So after lunch instead of coming back to the rainmaker section I went to the Guitar Hero station and helped children play and i myself played against one kid who beat me at all but the last game. I was so enthralled in this station that I didn't notice the festival had ended and everyone was tearing down the event while that one kid and I played Guitar Hero. Eventually they told us that it was time to stop since the event was over and they were putting away the games and what not.
I did a quick stop and shop as the St Jude store. We were then driven back to the hotel, from which we would then be driven to the airport come our flight time. Everyone had different flight schedules depending on where they were flying back to. My flight was scheduled until around 7pm, so Robin and I went to the Peabody and an early dinner at PaPa Pia's.
Our flight back was smooth except for the last 20 minutes or so where we experienced turbulence. It was probably the most turbulence I have experienced on a flight.
Now:
Now I am working on a small presentation for work on the trip :)
... Updated 02/14/2010, added link to PaPa Pia's http://www.papapias.com
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Civil Rights Museum, Meet & Greet, and Bullseye ! - August 4, 2008
I wanted to post these faster but for one thing or another it did not happen that way... Anyways here's Monday.
So, Monday, August 4, 2008, I wake up have breakfast and check out of my hotel. Robin picks me up we go get Starbucks and then drive a bit before heading to the Civil Rights Museum. We took about 2 hours for the Lorraine Motel portion of the museum. The other half of the museum is across the street.
Instead of going right at it, we headed to the Madison Hotel and checked in, dropped our bags. The rest of the volunteers were all starting to arrive at the Madison. We dropped a few off at Graceland, then Robin and I headed to drop off her rental vehicle since transportation would be provided for the rest of the trip.
After getting back from dropping off the rental vehicle we had lunch and then took the trolley back to the Civil Rights museum to finish the remaining portion of it, another 2 hours. :) Some people just flew by the museum but we took our time. I know I read most everything and saw almost all the videos they had.
We took the trolley back to the Madison went to our room and relaxed for a few minutes before heading down to meet the rest of the volunteers. It's evening at this point. We do introductions the Bullseye the Target dog came out. We learned some interesting info on how the eye gets colored in and about the trainer. Once all introductions including Bullseye's we had dinner that was catered by the Madison Hotel.
After dinner a group of us met to go down and walk on Beale St. I had a slushy during the walk that got me nice and relaxed :) We sat by a band that was playing, which was actually the band that Billy Bob had played with the night before, then we walked down to a place called Stax for drinks. We went back to the Madison after this.
The next two days would be the tours of Target House, St. Jude, and the events that came with them.
So, Monday, August 4, 2008, I wake up have breakfast and check out of my hotel. Robin picks me up we go get Starbucks and then drive a bit before heading to the Civil Rights Museum. We took about 2 hours for the Lorraine Motel portion of the museum. The other half of the museum is across the street.
Instead of going right at it, we headed to the Madison Hotel and checked in, dropped our bags. The rest of the volunteers were all starting to arrive at the Madison. We dropped a few off at Graceland, then Robin and I headed to drop off her rental vehicle since transportation would be provided for the rest of the trip.
After getting back from dropping off the rental vehicle we had lunch and then took the trolley back to the Civil Rights museum to finish the remaining portion of it, another 2 hours. :) Some people just flew by the museum but we took our time. I know I read most everything and saw almost all the videos they had.
We took the trolley back to the Madison went to our room and relaxed for a few minutes before heading down to meet the rest of the volunteers. It's evening at this point. We do introductions the Bullseye the Target dog came out. We learned some interesting info on how the eye gets colored in and about the trainer. Once all introductions including Bullseye's we had dinner that was catered by the Madison Hotel.
After dinner a group of us met to go down and walk on Beale St. I had a slushy during the walk that got me nice and relaxed :) We sat by a band that was playing, which was actually the band that Billy Bob had played with the night before, then we walked down to a place called Stax for drinks. We went back to the Madison after this.
The next two days would be the tours of Target House, St. Jude, and the events that came with them.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Memphis, Little Rock, and Billy Bob! - August 3, 2008
What a Day!...So on Sunday, August 3, 2008 I wake up and get ready with no set plans for the day, except to meet a few other co-workers from other locations in the world for dinner at around 7pm. So I figured I would just let the day play out as it may until the evening... I thought maybe I would take a cab to Beale St as several tours depart from that area. Some city tour companies did hotel pick up. Or maybe I would have the front desk arrange it for me.
First things first though, I needed come coffee, but I didn't want to make the one in the hotel room. So, as soon as I was ready I went to the lobby area to see about getting some coffee and continental breakfast. The coffee was mediocre but it would do. The continental breakfast was non-traditional in that aside from the normal continental fare, there were biscuits, eggs, sausage and gravy... Must be a southern thing, I thought. I opted for a biscuit with jam.
Since I slept through the evening instead of going out to dinner with Mariah and Robin, I decided to text Robin to see what their plans were. She called me back and said that she was driving Mariah back to Sherwood, Arkansas where she lives. Count me in for the drive. Sherwood is right around the corner from Little Rock, Arkansas, so we would drop Mariah at her house and then do a brief drive into Little Rock and then head back to Memphis.The drive to Sherwood was awesome!!! It must be because all I see in Phoenix is desert that I loved all the lush green on the highway. I'm sure to the locals green and lush is just meh, the norm. I took another pic of The Pyramid Arena from the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge. While driving to Sherwood there was a truck towing part of a plane. The houses in Sherwood are so pretty with their red bricks. The drive itself was about 2 hours.
After dropping Mariah off at her house in Sherwood, Robin drove to Little Rock, Arkansas. I took a picture of a HUGE Pentecostal Church. It looked neat... :) Once in Little Rock, we drove by the William J Clinton Presidential Library. I would have loved to go inside, but we had to get back to Memphis as we wanted to go to the Civil Rights Museum. We did however stop for a coffee at Andina Cafe loacated in the River Market District right down the street from the library. We then started heading back to Memphis, but Robin was hungry so she stopped by a Wendy's to get 2 baked potatoes. I got a kids meal and it came with a glow bird from the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth. :)
On the drive back from Little Rock to Memphis I saw a sign from TEXACO. Must be one of the last ones.Once back in Memphis we headed to the Civil Rights Museum. Took some photos of the outside and then checked that we had slightly less than 2 hours before it closed, so we decided we would go back the next day when we would have more time to take the time to go through the museum.
It was still fairly early so we drove around for a bit then right before 5pm we headed to the river where the riverboats were. We got there just in time as rain started to fall. The sightseeing cruise was to depart at 5pm. So we got our tickets and got in the riverboat slightly wet from the rain. The cruise ended at 6:30pm, perfect timing to go meet my co-workers for dinner. Robin decided not to go nor meet them since she had som homework to finish and turn in so she dropped me off at the location we were to meet at. There I met Cheryl our trip coordinator and organizer, Amy from Seoul, Korea and Naomi from Minneapolis, MN.
We headed down to Beale St. and had dinner at Blues City Cafe. As we were headed out there were 2 other co-workers, Shawna and Tony from MN, having dinner there too, super coincidence. So we all headed out after dinner down Beale St stopped at shops, bars, etc. We stopped at the Beale Street Tap Room where Billy Bob Thornton was playing the drums with a local band.After this Amy, Naomi, Cheryl, and I had a night cap at The Peabody. I slept really good this night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)