Sunday, June 30, 2019

One Year Anniversary of #JanelleGetsRich





Hello dear friends and family,

Can we all agree that time flies so quickly that we blink and it's already a year down the road? Indeed, though we wanted to take a moment to THANK YOU for all your kind notes and phone calls this weekend. Yes, we celebrated our one year #JanelleGetsRich anniversary last Sunday and wow oh wow did time fly.


Richard and I are deeply thankful that we've made it through a full four seasons and even more thankful to have you walking alongside us (literally and in spirit) through it all. While we may not get to see each other as often as we'd like, you're definitely on our hearts and minds often.


Many, many belated thank yous for joining us at The Ruby Street one year ago to celebrate our union and MANY BELATED THANK YOUS for blessing us with gifts and love abounding. Your generosity was appreciated through our numerous visits to Target, Amazon, and saving for a home, which we continue to scour the region for! We also continue to learn a ton about - and from - each other every day...and may even prove it by playing another scintillating round of Grace's trivia game again!


Since then, we have experienced seasons of joy and challenge. Janelle's dad, Papa John Hu, was diagnosed with what turned out to be very advanced stage four pancreatic cancer just weeks before our wedding day. Even so, dad and Janelle boogied for our father-daughter dance, dad met his grandson RJ (my brother Patrick's and Hana's son), and celebrated his 76th birthday. Dad passed peacefully four days after his birthday, free from pain, surrounded by loved ones, and confident in his love for the Lord. Sounds like a good way to go. Can we get an amen?!?!?


We are enjoying time with our doubly large family and are especially relieved that Richard's mom, Veronica, has been stable and remained out of the ER in recent months. Phew! We're also celebrating the incredible news of Richard's father, Charlie, who was also diagnosed with advanced stage four lung cancer last year. After multiple rounds of chemo and battle with immunotherapy, his test results just revealed that he's now cancer free. Yesssss, cancer free! We heard from the nurses and doctors that his case is an absolute miracle. They shared that they have never seen a patient - or anyone they know - go into full remission after battling stage four lung cancer. For this, we praise the Lord and are incredibly thankful...especially when a few of our dear family and friends have been waging their own battles this year. Most continue to fight on, though a few have succumbed. We continue to pray for and love into them and their families. We welcome your prayers for them, as well. 


Also, many of you know that we started a food truck @TacosLaTehuanita, which has recently grown to include a few more, Tehuanita2.0 and now @RockinHotChickun. Suffice it to say, life has been a sleepless blur. Nevertheless, we've been fortunate that folks throughout the southland enjoy Richard's scrumptious offerings. In fact, some have driven from Santa Barbara, San Bernadino, Simi Valley, Victorville, and San Diego for his tacos and vegan fried chicken sandwiches. We have a few regulars who live in Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago, and Paris (yes, Paris!) who make it a point to visit when they come to town. We're so proud of Richard, as is Roy Choi (pictured above), who served as a celebrity judge during last year's Best Vegan Taco contest, for which we made 1,100 chile relleno con mole tacos. Richard won the "Judge's Choice" honor from a blind taste test and we are still beaming with pride given all the hard work everyone put into the event, and into this business, every day. Every. Dang. Day. We work day and night to build something meaningful...and we humbly thank everyone who has visited the trucks / contests / festivals and supported a dream of bringing love and cheer to people through delicious food.


Janelle continues to work with Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice-LA), though she recently shifted from serving on the grants team to supporting individual donor development and events. Pictured here, you see her and fellow Advancing Justice-LA teammates donned in blazing “Advancing Justice-LA” orange t-shirts at the LA City Council meeting where Councilman Ryu proposed a designation of September 21 as Advancing Justice-LA Day! While we celebrate these honors, we also recognize the many leadership and staffing changes taking place in our office. Change is good, and while change can be challenging, we know these shifts will help the organization grow stronger through it all. One fun fact is that Mama Hu visits the office every week...as a volunteer! She has been keeping busy her mind sharp by working, and our Advancing Justice-LA team is incredibly thankful for it all. Thanks, Mama Hu!

Ollie (left) finished his first year at Pomona College, where he received a full scholarship (thank the Lord). He kept busy with cross country and track, studying for exams, adjusting to college life and crept in a few scares as he was rushed to the ER two times last year for pneumonia and an allergic reaction (which we learned, was to seafood...who knew!?!). Between these trips and visits for our parents, we have been racking up the miles at our local hospitals. If only we got a free punch card for each visit, we'd probably get an emergency department named after us! Eddie (right) plowed through Junior year of high school and is continuing his music pursuits. He has been writing songs, rocking out with his band, and enjoying guitar lessons from one of our friends who promised to teach Eddie in one year what took him four to learn at CalArts. We'll take the tuition savings, thank you!


Finally, we thank Mama Hu for all her support through the wedding process and all our friends who helped us pull off the most beautiful party we've ever thrown. We couldn't have celebrated without your sweat equity and assistance!

Lastly, for anyone who might be interested, we have a video to share! Feel free to take a looksie here https://vimeo.com/279184315 and thank you to @evanrogersfilm for capturing our special day! 

Additionally, if you'd like to take a look at (or download any of) the wedding photos, please feel free to go to our friend Josh's @premakemyday photo library: https://joshpremako.pixieset.com/janelleandrichard-1 
You'll need a PIN to download photos, which is 2145. 


Please know that we love you, miss you, and hope to see you soon!!!


Sunday, March 09, 2014

East to the Best Coast Adventures



East to the Best Coast Adventures (March 2014 Edition)

Dearest friends and family,

I am writing you by moonlight from the Metropolitan Water District’s Gene Village, which sits along the Colorado River Aqueduct, sandwiched south of Lake Havasu and north of Parker, AZ.  The stars are brightly dancing amidst the pitch black sky, wind breezing at a hefty 15 knots, and power generators humming in the distance.  Suffice it to say, a lot has happened in the six seven months since I wrote you last.

In honor of celebrating last year and ringing in the year of the horse, I’ll share with you my 

13 Most Memorable Moments of 2013

Digest Ditty:

13.  Rounding out summer with a final push to clear out Hu home clutter
12.  Starting a new job with Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (formerly APALC)
11.  Leaping head first into the Coro Fellowship
10.  Returning to the pool
9.  Healing from a fairly serious dog bite
8.  Spraining my left ankle…four times
7.  Fixing my ‘lil car Virgil (again!) and tending to whiplash after getting hit on the 710 freeway
6.  Recuperating from retinal puncture, which required an emergency procedure to fix mine eye
5.  Plugging into a vibrant community group with Pacific Crossroads Church
4.  Enjoying the company of Patrick and his trusty wonder dog Homer
3.  Helping mom, who’s living it up now that her previously fractured ankle healed
2.  Worshipping with Papa Hu for the first time
1.  Relishing in the simple moments

Down & Dirty Details:

13.  Rounding out summer with a final push to clear out Hu home clutter - How do I begin to explain how much, um, history my family has accumulated over the years?  I almost can’t, except maybe to say that nearly 2/3 of my parent’s home was covered in, over, under decades of treasure.  Some of my favorite finds: taser posing as cell phone that ignited upon my opening the box (no worries, I don’t think I got zapped too severely), DMV records for the first car my parents owned (the one I remember driving around in as a child!), red glittered and ruffly black velour prom dress withering away in the back of a closet.  Let’s say this.  I am whittling away the belongings I have held on to personally and so thankful that my parents’ home is clearer, walkable, and ready for guests!

12.  Starting a new job with Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (formerly known as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC)) - After summer, I started on as the health program manager at Advancing Justice – LA, the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI).  Our team assists with Affordable Care Act (yes, Obamacare!) implementation, helping community based organizations execute outreach, education, and enrollment campaigns to ensure AANHPI and underserved communities through California gain access to affordable health coverage.  The pace of work has been grueling (I regularly pull all-nighters), but entirely worthwhile to know that hundreds of thousands of lives are changing because of our work. 

11.  Leaping head first into the Coro Fellowship - I decided to pursue the executive fellowship with Coro, a public affairs, professional development program that brings together professionals from around the southland from various industries and fields.  We are learning tools, strengthening skills, and identifying ways diverse stakeholders solve complex policy problems.  We’ve built our leadership and followership skills through an edgy ropes course, tested different communication styles while undertaking logic studies of low income LA neighborhoods, and gathered data on California’s water crisis, which leads me to explain why I was visiting the Colorado River Aqueduct.  (Yes, was.  Started this note last month…better late than never, right!?)

 10.  Returning to the pool - After a two-year hiatus, I’m baaaack…in the pool and swimming along.  I’ve been so fortunate to befriend a few fish from my church fellowship who flock to the pool roughly three times a week.  Waves lapping past me as I pant through short sprint sets, this is one of the few times during the week that I can relish in peace and quiet; no cell phones, computers, calls, or distractions.  It’s my favorite time to think and pray, truth be told, and I frequently wonder how to squeeze in more time to do so.  Now that our swimming crew has grown from two to four and maybe even six, I’ll have more friends to play in the pool (I mean) work out with!

9.  Healing from a fairly serious dog bite - Did I mention that I was bit on the hand by a dog in November?  I was walking down a narrow sidewalk after breakfast with a friend and we passed this [seemingly] docile border collie mix.  Yes, yes.  I said hello to the dog.  I put my hand out to let him sniff my palm (like all cautious dog petters do) and when I slowly turned my hand over (while its tail was wagging), CHOMP!  In shock, I saw my skin torn, muscles and nerves exposed, and thought, “Hmm…ok… time to find out if this dog is caught up on his shots.”  Thankfully the answer was yes.  After a quick conversation with the owner (who knew her dog’s tendency to lunge at strangers and still leashed him to a tree on a busy sidewalk) and a trip to the ER, I have healed without complication…except experiencing a little PTSD when anxious or hyper dogs approach me on the sidewalk.  Such a bummer, really, because I never used to hesitate greeting my furry friends (perhaps that’s the lesson here).  And I was banned from the pool for over two weeks while my wounds healed.

8.  Spraining my left ankle…four times - In an effort to off-set the lost swimming time, I took to walking in the neighborhood.  So, while walking on a crisp autumn evening in the full moonlight down the mean streets of San Marino (think Asian Beverly Hills), I somehow sprained my ankle.  No idea what happened.  There wasn’t a dog chasing me.  Or even a squirrel for that matter.  I was literally waiting for a light to turn green and, whomp, my ankle turned on itself.  My friend blames me for wearing toy shoes from Old Navy (in a moment of hasty desperation, I ran to the Old Navy before going to my Coro ropes course because I didn’t have any athletic-ish shoes on hand to grab kicks for the occasion).  Then, after the ankle started to heal, I twisted it again (twice in one morning) while stomping through piles of super crunchy leaves that apparently covered hidden branches ripe for ankle rolling, and again last month when I tripped on a new feature of my parent’s remodeled floors.  Doh!  It was a stark reminder to slow down and watch my footing; perhaps a lesson that could be employed in many areas of my life.  Rest assured, however, my ankle regained nearly all its strength and is carting me around town fairly expediently.

7.  Fixing my ‘lil car Virgil (again!) and tending to whiplash after getting hit on the 710 freeway - I was driving to a work-related meeting during busy rush hour traffic the morning of December 2nd when I saw a car screeching to a halt in the fast lane.  I slowed down and continued to drive in the 2nd lane when a car pulled out from the fast lane and clipped my left rear tire.  The impact sent me fishtailing down the 710 freeway for two hundred yards at 45-50 miles in 8am traffic.  Thankfully and prayerfully, I didn’t hit anyone and nobody else hit me, and I didn’t sustain any serious injuries.  One woman in the seven car fast lane pile up broke her leg literally in the same spot mine broke in 2012 (go figure!).  However, now three months later, my neck left shoulder is tense, left arm tingly and numb, and the pain doesn’t seem to subside.  At this point I’m starting to wonder, “What’s going on here, Big Guy!?  Can’t a sister get a break!?!”  After a trip to urgent care, physical therapy treatments, and handful of massages, I’m on the mend, but wow oh wow I definitely don’t wish this sort of discomfort on anyone.

6.  Recuperating from a retinal puncture, which required an emergency procedure to fix mine eye - I was convinced by friends and family that Lasik will change my life, so I set an appointment for mid-December.  And guess what?!  This routine, pre-surgery eye exam revealed a puncture in my left retina that appeared to have healed on its own a while back.  Referred to the Kaiser ophthalmology department to get a second opinion, the soonest appointment was over a month away.  Thankfully, one my brother’s closest friends from medical school also happens to be an ophthalmologist, so I trekked out to his clinic and got a very thorough exam, which revealed that I actually had a recent puncture in my right eye.  Unlike my left eye, the right puncture hadn’t healed and was leaking vitriolic fluid (think eye jelly and aka no bueno land).  If left untreated or if I suffered another trauma (who knows, I’d already been bitten by a dog and hit by a car the month prior), I could have potentially lost my eyesight permanently, so another “Praise the Lord!” for catching this leak before something else crazy happened!  Two emergency laser and cryo treatments later, I’ve been cleared for LASIK at the end of May.  Stay tuned!

5.  Plugging into a vibrant community group with Pacific Crossroads Church - After overcoming dog bites, car accidents, and throbbing laser/cryo eye treatments, reconnecting with old friends and making new friends through the USC and Ross fellowships has been incredibly fun and fulfilling.  But even more life-changing is the fellowship and friendships I’ve been able to develop since visiting Pacific Crossroads Church this summer.  The Lord has brought astounding clarity in this area of my life, developing deep friendships and fondness among people who are singing, praising, praying, crying, and even swimming alongside me every day.   I’ve even been blessed to call one, Judy, my new roomie in Alhambra!  Friends swing by regularly to enjoy impromptu dinners, vibrant story time and spirited prayer sessions.  Seriously, it’s like a slumber party every day!

4.  Enjoying the company of Patrick and his trusty wonder dog Homer - Patrick, although busy in his last year of residency as chief, has made a point to visit with the ‘rents and me monthly.  We’ve bonded over the craze of house clearing and parsing through the maze of caring for our parents.  I’ve also admired how he’s seized professional growth opportunities by working in Lyon France this month.  Homer brings levity and laughter to our family as he bounds up and down the staircase upon entry to Mama Papa Hu’s or when Patrick readies to take him from the “ranch house” to his apartment in Orange County (The OC).  Homer’s earnest stares, face cocked at a 25 degree angle, clearly display his yearning for snuggles, treats, and play time.  I truly love them so and thank God we’ve been able to spend more time together.

3.  Helping mom, who’s living it up now that her previously fractured ankle healed - Since summer, mom’s been out of her boot/cast thing and mirroring the same strengthening exercises in my post-broken leg repertoire.  In fact, Mama Hu’s currently on a two week cruise taking her from Rio to Buenos Aires.  In her absence, I’ve been helping dad run errands (though sometimes I feel like a drug pusher as sausage mcmuffins, chips, and diet pepsi frequent the top of his shopping list), sort through family bills (mom runs a tight, well-oiled, and calendared machine), and chauffeuring pops to his doctor appointments (praying he doesn’t explode during our neurology appointment on Thursday).  I’m glad to be of service and lighten mom’s load a bit.  I think she’s long overdue for a break (of the R&R variety, that is), even if she is still shaking off the bug she got upon arrival in Rio! 

2.  Worshipping with Papa Hu for the first time - After friends and family have been praying for Papa Hu for decades, Mama Hu tells me that he accepted Christ on October 1 (same day as Covered California’s first open enrollment period!  Ok ok, I digress).  Thank you dearests!   I know that dad still carries more than his share of frustration and anger at numerous circumstances in the world and sometimes scoffs at the idea of who Jesus is to him, but I was tremendously encouraged by a visit from Mama Papa Hu last month.  They joined me at Pacific Crossroads.  Instead of napping in the car, dad came in for the sermon and even stood with me during the last song of the evening.  I’ve never worshipped like that alongside pops; there’s a first for everything, right?!

1.  Relishing in the simple moments – Last but definitely not least, are the cherished, simple stolen moments; dad’s crooked dentured-laden smile, mom’s psychedelic spandex leggings as she jaunts off to ballroom dancing class, Homer’s pitter patter as he sprints across the room to snuggle with me on the couch, and Patrick’s googleglass article in the local paper: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/glass-595753-medical-garson.html.  I’m relishing in the fact that I’ve been able to amass these new memories since living across the country for 14 years.

So, dear lovelies, thank you for reading through this journal entry.  In special appreciation to those who’ve finished (or at least scrolled through) the note, anyone who emails me with zippididoodah and your preferred address will receive a hand written note!  =)

Xoxox,
Janelle 



East to the Best Coast Adventures (July 2013 Edition)

Hi there.  Long time no see/hear/talk/etc,

I can’t believe that it’s already been four months since I moved from DC to CA.  Time has literally flashed with a blink of an eye.

Hu Family Honeymoon
After the whirlwind, cross country trip from DC to CA, I decided to move in temporarily with the ‘rents in Diamond Bar.  When I arrived, Mama Hu had just gotten out of her cast, which resulted in a slow and steady rehab.  She diligently took to her physical therapy, spelling out the alphabet with her feet (why not strengthen both legs while she’s at it!?) and complied with her requisite stretching routine.  This month she started up dancing at the senior center a few hours a week.  Papa Hu continues on with his regular schedule of watching Chinese movies and sneaking into the garage to eat ice-cream while thinking we’re not paying attention.  (Of course we notice, pops.)

Springtime Excursions to the Land of Jamón
I spent the first month back assisting with mom’s health and business matters as well as networking in SoCal and pounding the job searching pavement.  By mid-May, I was ready for my long-awaited break to Europe for a trip through Italy, Spain, and Portgual (legions of photos on FB, but if you want to see others, lemme know). 

The trip was amazing, of course.  The towns we visited in Italy were so different.  I slurped up delicious Roman beer, climbed through the colosseo (phenomenal to think they made such an architectural feat two thousand years ago), and admired the Sistine Chapel amidst the whispering tourists (since the chapel is still observed as a reverent venue where voices are kept to a minimal decibel level).  In Cinque Terra, we enjoyed breathtaking hikes (literally, I had bronchitis and stopped to catch my breath every 1/3 mile or so!) with vistas full of crops climbing up mountains.  Of course, we lapped up gelato every chance we could get.  Last but certainly not the least of Italy, Florence.  I fell in love with Florence, gazing for nearly an hour at the terracotta rooftops and winding roads from atop the Duomo, pined for a bicicleta to tour the town, but mostly enjoyed a fun evening with locals.  We drowned ourselves in a scrumptious home-cooked meal and the talent of local musicians who, ironically (or not) played a near-complete set of American chart-toppers.  Even the cab drivers in Rome were singing the latest from Taylor Swift (omg!) and JT (fo’ real!).

The best of the best, was our stop in Spain.  The culture is rich, people gorgeous, and food incredible.  Barcelona was most luxurious, where we enjoyed a royal suite at Hotel Neri, which was tucked away in the back alley near the Cathedral.  I could have literally spent my whole trip there on the rooftop patio, lounging in the hammock while listening to the children one building over squealing in their play yard.  My favorite meal was at Bar Pinotxo en La Boqueria, though there were a number of close seconds.  I’ll have to say that ham will never be the same, even prosciutto, b/c Spain’s jamon iberico is just divine.  At one spot in Madrid, we saw a little, pet piglet prancing in front a shoe store.  Smiling at us with a hot pink bow tied around her neck, I cooed and ensured her that her cousins were all feeding the masses with their savory, scrumptious bliss.  What can I say, I’d do well on a cave person’s diet!

USC Real Estate Program (eek, yes I might be a quasi-Trojan, now!)
In June, I attended University of Southern California’s Ross Minority Program in Real Estate, where I was able to gain a high-level perspective about the ins and outs of real estate development.  The certificate program was a great way to reintroduce me to Los Angeles neighborhoods, the surrounding development expected in southern California, and meet talented and experienced professionals in the field.  Classes lasted from 8am-8:30pm for four weeks, where we strengthened excel skills, learned how to draft pro formas, and prepared development proposals for a distressed property near the LA River.  Beyond providing a crash course on the A to Zs of the housing and real estate process, the Ross program introduced me to dozens of real estate experts who I have had the opportunity to speak and network with.

Virgil My Ever Trusty, But Horribly High Maintenance, Wonder Car
While I made it back to southern CA without a major hitch, poor little Virgil started flashing his engine light in TX.  I was relieved to learn that he would make it back to CA, but when we finally made it home, it was apparent Virgil was really sick.  Like $2,000 sick.  Then he fell ill, again.  I thought it might have been the cross country drive, my numerous trips up to San Francisco (e.g., in June I even drove up and back twice in one week), or the long commute from Diamond Bar to various parts of the southland, but apparently he’s just getting old and crotchety.  Last month he needed to be sent in for a $400 repair and last week my airbag light came on.  Thankfully, he doesn’t appear to need an immediate repair, but please, dear God please, say that’s enough for now.  Can a sister get a break (not a broken car), please?!?!

Real World, Diamond Bar: Chaos Ensues­
But the car woes haven’t been the worst of my challenges.  Mom and dad continue to battle out the world war Hu of stubbornness.  I “grounded” myself in July to help focus on clearing out the house of clutter, and it has been a tremendous whirlwind.  Dad’s still reluctant to give up his electronics (if you count type-writing word processors and ten year old karaoke machines) and all his “paperwork” (from the drama of home life, getting plugged in to a church.

Aaand…Back to Life (and the Chinese phone books from 1990 onward).  Once we attempt to help him, he becomes bombastic and territorial.  No help wanted.  No assistance accepted.  Even to the point of asserting that he’d rather have all his things than me in his life.  Suffice it to say, it’s been a horrible struggle, but I do have hope.  I realized quickly that I needed to spend more time doing things for myself, taking a break Job Search

I still feel tremendously blessed to be here and know for certain that this is where I’m supposed to be.  Of course, some of you have gotten my wayward, rambling phone calls when I’ve doubted myself and this decision to return home, but whether you believe in the Lord or not, your encouraging and supportive words have pointed me back to Him and my faith.  For that I’m eternally grateful.  I can’t thank you enough for your prayers, positive thoughts, and phone calls.  I’m thankful to wake up each day, bask in the CA sunshine, and pound the pavement.  I’m still interviewing, connecting with folks, and started to consult on small projects here and there.  It’s been a journey, to say the least, but I know the jobs that I’ve turned down – and been turned down from – have not been the right fit.  The search continues as I’m meeting with a few lawyers from the CA DOJ office tomorrow and am excited about this second round interview with a nonprofit downtown.  

I’ll keep you posted.  Please do the same.  I’d love to hear how things are going with you.
Talk to you soon,
Janelle




East to the Best Coast Adventures (April 2013 Edition)

Dear friends and family,

Greetings from sunny CA!

I made it to LA last week, after which point I rested and decompressed for a few days.  Yes, days.  Admittedly, I didn’t realize how much I’d been chug, chug, chugging along for months through this transition, so the rest and recuperation were overdue…things that my body rightfully took from me.

That said, I’m so glad that I was able to make my way through the last portion of my trip from NM to AZ then CA.  This cross-country drive taught me, and confirmed, a few things:

1)      Bring a friend.  Traveling cross-country (and everywhere else, for that matter) with friends (and family) is totally fun and THE way to go!  Many excursions, feasts, hikes, and visits with amazing people later, I’m incredibly thankful that T and C were each able and willing to take a week out of their busy DC schedules to hang out and trek across the country with me.  Weee!  Their companionship was especially critical on the loooonger drives and when I wasn’t at my best (see below).

2)      Take time to wander.  I’m typically a planner, but I decided to cut across my usual grain and leave some details to work out on the fly.  I enjoyed a few , last minute excursions because of it.  Like driving through the astonishing painted desert and petrified forest.  Or enjoying a relaxing day at the Hyatt in Scottsdale, where I lounged poolside as the warm, AZ sun set.  Or hiking at high noon in Tucson’s Sabino Canyon to reach the waterfalls.  I must remember not to pack my days soooo full that I can’t veer off to an unexpected venue here and there.

3)      Don’t be afraid to say something…especially when you get food poisoning, as I did in Knoxville.  Do yourself (and the restaurant a favor) by letting them know.  If the restaurant is not following proper food handling and storing procedures, things should be corrected so someone else doesn’t get sick.  Ugh.  Gut wrenchingly sick.  When you do call, don’t expect to be greeted with the open arms, but be prepared to inform them about your circumstances and, if you’re feeling bold, ask for your money back.  That’s right.  Why should I pay someone to make me sick?  Oh so many punchlines with this question, but I’m walking away.  From the joke and Trio Café at Market Square.   (Thanks for taking care of me in the aftermath, T.)

4)      Hydrate…especially after being sick…and definitely before going on a hike at high noon in Tucson.  OK.  So I was forewarned by A that we would need sufficient water to hike and in her infinite generosity, she bought C and me two huge bottles each of Smart Water.  Sabino Canyon was amazing, full of cacti admiring, creek forging, boulder scrambling, and Smart Water drinking.   But what I didn’t expect (hmmm, maybe I should rethink the “play it by ear” advice) was that the hike was eight miles.  Oops.  Didn’t do the math (thought the hike was only two miles) and didn’t realize that I was still so dehydrated from the bout of food poisoning.  Thus, for future road trips, I’ll risk numerous bathroom  stops in order to fend off the possibility of heat exhaustion.  (Thanks, A and C, for forcing me to drink copious amounts of G2, water, and sit with ice on my neck so my blood wouldn’t boil.)

5)      Keep looking forward.  As much as I loved the past thirteen years in DC, and as much as I recognize plenty of loved ones remain on the East Coast that I’ll visit soon enough, I’m glad that I’ve made the trek Westward to spend more time with Mama and Papa Hu.  In the week that I’ve been here, I’ve been able to chat with pops more, spend quality time with mom, and lunch with Patrick.  This week I’ll be accompanying mom to her doctor appointments, which I look forward to because she was informed by her orthopedist last week that her bone has healed.  She’s starting to walk without her boot and drive here and there, which I know she appreciates since she’s such an independent woman.

Well, that’s it for now.  I’ll be lunging toward the adventure ahead.  Applying for great job opportunities, meeting with friends old and new, finding a church, and attending a one month certificate program at USC in June to learn more about real estate finance and economic development (a trajectory I was pursuing before ending up in election law). 

I hope you and yours are well and look forward to seeing and talking with you soon.

Xoxox,
J



East to the Best Coast Adventures (March 2013 Edition)

Hello dear friends and fam.  Long time no see for some. 

In case we haven’t chatted within the last few months, I’m moving back to CA to be closer to family and seek out new job opportunities.  I decided to enjoy a cross country driving journey, something I’ve always aspired to accomplish, and am 70% of the way there, thanks to the help of two incredible friends!  One came to help with the bulk of front end trekking from DC to ABQ (Thanks, T.  Glad you got back safely.), and another will arrive Monday for the last portion (where Chanthizzy and will hike through AZ then drive on to SD and LA).

T and I left DC on Sunday evening, when we drove four hours through the eye of a nasty snowstorm to Roanoke (thanks for your hospitality, John!).  We marched on through VA to TN, where we made a pit stop in Knoxville.  The Knoxville Visitor Center features a live performance of blue grass/country bands every day at noon, and thankfully we caught the tail end of The Judy Chops.  After their gig, we grabbed a quick lunch, much to my demise.  I caught nasty food poisoning, which did not sit well with me.  At all.

Thankfully, we made it safely to Nashville, where I was able to rest (when I wasn’t wrestling with stomach pains).  Though we planned to hang in Nashville for a few days, I didn’t expect to ride the food poisoning tour.  Nevertheless, we were able to fly by the Opry, Fisk, and downtown Nashville, where we enjoyed lively honkey tonk music at Robert’s Western World on Broadway.

On Wednesday, we made our way to Memphis, where we toured Graceland (a must, since Elvis is one of Papa Hu’s faves) and Lorraine Motel (RIP Dr. King)/National Civil Rights Museum.  We then raced to Little Rock, where we were given a VIP tour of the President Clinton’s Library (thanks, Vida!) and dropped by Central High School (first integrated HS after the Brown v. Board of Education SCOTUS ruling).  We were on a roll, so we jammed over to Hot Springs, the town where Billy Clinton grew up.  The sleepy town was certainly ready for two wearied travelers.

Early Thursday morning, we strolled by the actual hot springs and hiked up the Dead Chief’s (super steep) trail to the observation tower, where we soaked up the breathtaking 360 degree view of town.  I definitely didn’t know that gangsters, celebrities, politicos, and society all vacationed there regularly.  On our way out of the town, we stopped by the National Baptist Sanitarium (HS’ segregated bath house).  T drove us the entire 5.5 hours to Ovilla, just south of Dallas, where we paid a visit to his family.  Nice pit stop, just in time for delicious bbq and a viewing of Scandal (what a show!).

Friday’s eleven hour quest northwest, through TONS of flat TX country and NM desert, was slow but steady.  We landed at Kim and Peter’s in Albuquerque, just in time for a family feast and introduction to The Beckett Lokke.  Such a cutie pie at ten weeks old!  After an evening of R&R, T and I drove up to Sandia Crest before sending him back to DC.  Then Kim and I caught up, lounged a bit, and hung out with Mama Dee.

Tomorrow (He is risen!) I head back out onto the open road for my (only) solo stint to Phoenix.  I’ll pass through the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, which I can’t wait to see!   I’m posting photos regularly on FB, so be on the lookout for a few more in the evening.

Thanks for thinking about, praying for, and journeying with me.  Talk to (and see many of) you soon.

Xoxox,
J