Sunday April 19, 2010
Malibu, California
Glorious Sunday
My sister was in town this week while I was in Vegas for a mini reunion with her co-workers from the company she retired from. I was glad to be able to catch up with her after my Vegas shindig albeit only for a couple of days. We had a fabulous time though. It's been a long time since I hung out with just my sister. I also got to meet some of her friends from her former company over great appetizers from Chaya Brasserie in LA. It's one of my sister's favorite restaurants. But we were able to enjoy one on one time at Nobu's Malibu where we had a selection of our favorites (stay tuned for a blog on Nobu's). My sister lives in Boulder so can't get good Japanese food. She left on Saturday with a suitcase filled with Japanese food and presents for her boys.
On Saturday, I attended a reunion for folks who attended international schools in Japan. It was a blast! It was held at the new Miyako hotel in Torrance and it was fun to meet some folks who I have not seen in about 30 years!! Also, it was nice to be one of the youngest there as most of the attendees graduated the international schools during the 1950s. Some amazing stories about living in Japan during those times. One gentleman was from Macau and his father was a silk trader in Japan. He grew up in Japan, had to leave during the War and came back as his father then worked for the American Occupation of Japan. Interesting times. Anyhow, I caught up with my BFF Linda and also with Toni. And also finally saw Elizabeth! Gosh, last time I saw her was in the 1970s. She is a few years older than me (but looks younger than me) and she and her sister Theresa were role models for us. And their mother and mine were best friends for a long time. Can't wait until the next one and next time we agreed to bring the yearbooks.
Chaya Brasserie on a Friday Night
My sister's very cool friends from her former company
Saturday was reunion time with folks who went to International Schools in Japan. Toni, Linda and I were the youngest members for a change.
Lunch was Makunouchi bento and wine
From left to right: Nancy , Kathy, me, Toni and Linda. Toni and Linda were in the same class as me. Nancy and Kathy were a couple of years ahead of us.
The 1970s gang
We are now Sisters!! Toni, Elizabeth, me and Linda
Had a great weekend after a tough week in Vegas but got very sick on Sunday. Fever, headache and swollen joints. I think I just need to rest for the whole day so there goes the plan to clean, get the office organized and do emails! It's about 630pm on Sunday now and I do feel better but best to take it easy this week. My sister got me hooked on The Good Wife so off to seeing more episodes of that fabulous show on iTunes while downing some more Advil. Have a good evening everyone.
I must agree, it was such a fun experience, mingling with international school graduates spanning across 30 years — class of ’52 to ’80. Age and ethnic background didn’t matter. Everyone joined by the common experience of attending high school in Yokohama, educated in English in a Japanese speaking culture. Still speaking in chan-pon (mixed) English and Japanese amongst everyone at the luncheon. If I just passed by many of these folks somewhere, I’d never expect to hear them speak Japanese. There were quite a selection of documentaries/movies to be made there.