Tamaki Adorns Our Family

Meet the newest member of our Family, Tamaki Kutsuwa. Tamaki is from Hiroshima, Japan. She arrived in the United States only a few weeks ago and will be living with us during the next year as she studies to improve her skills with english at the ACL AOI College of Language in Irvine.





Though Tamaki made an earlier trip to the U.S. to visit San Francisco, this will be her first long term stay in America. But having lived in Australia and travelled extensively in Asia, Tamaki is no novice to adventure. Still, she was nervous in the weeks and moments leading up to our first real introduction, shown here with Cathy, Arik, Julia, and Makiko, the language school's liaison, at the Red Roof Hotel in Santa Ana only one day after a jet-lagged Tamaki set foot on American soil.




We considered Tamaki a member of our family even before she'd arrived, but we hoped and prayed she would like us and feel at home. I think that she does. Already we have formed a great affection for Tamaki. Arik and Julia treat her like their big sister. Tamaki has also been a great help to Cathy in managing the house and chores of daily living.

Moving to a foreign country is always a huge endeavor, and Tamaki will be busy this year adjusting to a new culture, studies at the language school, learning the Southern California freeway system, and making new freinds. But one thing is sure, she now has a new family who cares for her to help make the transition easier.

Here Tamaki is pictured during a Sunday brunch standing beside Mark's Mother, Jeanne, Julia, Mark's sister Kathy, her husband Mark, Cathy, newphew Jerry and Arik.




Tamaki, welcome to the United States!

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A Reception To Remember

A view of the ocean from the reception hall at the Ritz



Two weeks ago we were invited to the wedding of our neighbors' daughter Audrey. Her parents, Siswanto and Lenny, are from Jakarta, Indonesia but spend a good part of the year here in the U.S. Sparing no expense, the reception was hosted at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel. All I can say is, "What An Evening!" Siswanto really knows how to through a party. The food, the music, the views, the dancing, it was all so perfect. Here are some of scenes from a wonderful night.

Arik, Cathy, Mark, and Juju at our table (which we shared with our other neighbors and friends).


Cathy getting a dance with Arik while another girl waits in the wings.


Since Arik was the only available Male under the age of 25 to dance with, Juju tried her best to keep them all occupied as the waited in line for Arik.


"Dad, can we come back here for my wedding?"


Audrey and Chris during their first dance as man and wife.

Learning to Read

As any parent knows, there's great satisfaction when you see your child begin to really enjoy learning to read. While Arik has been a pro for a awhile, Julia (13 months his junior) is making up for lost time. Like her big brother, Juju enjoys reading (as compared to looking at the pictures) books before lights out at bedtime. Very often we'll catch her writing her own cards and notes and asking, "Daddy, how do you spell...?

Here's shot of Juju getting a little help with one of her library books.



Arik has advanced to reading the newpaper. OK, its mostly the funnies but you have to start somewhere. Here he's decided he needs a closer look.