Because we took the wrong route, it took us almost two hours to get to Napa. As usual, this post will talk a lot about food. 🙂 The first night we ate at Bistro Don Giovanni. Here is the pretty trifle that D’s parents split:

In the morning, D and I made a short trip to Yountville to check out Bouchon Bakery, owned by Thomas Keller of French Laundry fame. D had a mocha and a croissant, and after much debate, I had an unsweetened chai tea latte and a citrus brioche (pictured below). We also bought a baguette to take home for D’s family.


After we returned, the whole family went hiking in a state park just North of Calistoga. D planned the trip but we weren’t sure what to expect. The trail was kind of steep in places and there was a lot of loose gravel and slippery leaves. We didn’t make it to the top, but at least we got some exercise. (D also woke up at 5:30 that morning to run to Yountville–crazy). Next, we did a little shopping in Calistoga and ate at All Seasons Bistro.

For dinner, D’s parents, D and I went to Rutherford Grill, which is part of the same restaurant group that owns Houston’s and Bandera. D ordered the ribeye, which he enjoyed, but he particularly liked the side of tomatoes and blue cheese. (The steak was actually bigger than it appears here).

Monday morning D and his parents went to the driving range at Vintner’s golf course, while I watched. We ate breakfast at the Lakeside Grill. After that, we headed home, with full stomachs. Good times.

L and I drove up to Napa to visit my parents. We drove up in my Mazda 6 and stopped by Berkeley. It has changed a lot since we last visited. I was excited about the new Student store. There are two levels of clothes & gifts.

I was like a kid in a candy store. I bought a Cal football t-shirt and a fleece vest. Telegraph has also changed quite a bit. For example, C’est cafe was replaced by a Subway restaurant. Also the GAP closed, and has yet to be replaced. The $1 Chinese food place is now $1.49! There is no more Bath and Body Works, but there is Addidas. You can still have your name written on a grain of rice, too. I believe that Telegraph could use some gentrification.

Cody’s Books is shutting down 🙁

Notice the ironic “Drug Free Zone” sign–haha.

In addition, the Units have changed a lot. There are new dorm buildings built close to the old buildings to allow for more student housing.

The dining commons were moved to a new super DC.

As you can see, more construction is still in progress.

We also had fun strolling the campus and noticing the changes. This building, which Reni says reminds her of a bathroom*, is on the North Side of campus, by Hearst Mining Circle.

Here’s the new Music Library, which I thought looked kind of cool.

Some buildings are overdue for a change. This monstrosity is the “Environmental Design” (architecture) building, of all things!

We ate at Cafe Intermezzo and it was delicious as always.

*Edit–swimming pool, not bathroom (that’s Soda Hall–haha).

A couple of Sundays ago, the LA Times published their annual Restaurant Issue (my fave). Here is the (short) list of the restaurants I’ve been to (D has also been to those marked with a “D”).

Lawry’s The Prime Rib
Ciudad (D)
Empress Pavillion
The Original Pantry
Philippe the Original (D)
Traxx Restaurant
Papa Cristo’s Greek Town Taverna (take-out)
Loteria Grill (D)
Saladang Song (D)
The Counter (D)
Father’s Office (D)
Spark Woodfire Grill (D)

Lately, D has become obssessing about going to Houston’s, so we’ll probably be going sometime soon…must make the most of our child-less state while it lasts!

Happy 1st day of summer. After we made our announcement, all of our friends with kids told us to enjoy our last months of freedom. So, I’m trying to plan some fun activities for this summer. Please let us know if you’re interested in joining us! Also, let us know of any other fun summer activities you hear about.
OC Fair: 7/7-7/30
Tribute to Rod Stewart (free concert in the park, Cypress): 7/8
US Open of Surfing (Huntington Beach): 7/22-7/30
Tom Kubis (free outdoor concert, Huntington Beach): 8/27
Nisei Week (August)
K-Town

If you’re just now reading your “Big News” e-mail, this is not the “Big News”–please see previous post. This is the Cherry Garcia ice cream cake my mom made last weekend for Father’s Day/Sister’s B-day/Brother-in-Law’s B-day. I really like Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt. D just discovered Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies ice cream (vanilla ice cream, fudge brownies, raspberry swirl) and has declared it his new favorite.

It’s true. We found out on our 2nd wedding anniversary (April 17th). It’s exciting to enter into this next stage of our lives.

We know it would be better to tell everyone in person, but this is just so much more efficient. Here are some anticipated FAQs:

Q: When is the baby due?
A: 12/22/06

Q: How far along is L?
A: A little over 12 weeks.

Q: How is L feeling?
A: She gets “afternoon/night sickness” (general nausea) rather than morning sickness.

Q: Are you having a boy or a girl?
A: We will find out in a couple of months.

Q: Do you have names picked out?
A: We like Nathan for a boy, not sure about a girl’s name yet. Suggestions welcome.

Q: How is D feeling?
A: That depends. If the baby turns out to be like little D back in the 70’s and 80’s then we have a problem. However, if it turns out like little L, then we should be good.

I work at Mazda North American Operations in Irvine, and was going to wait to announce it when I got my new 2007 Mazda 3 five door by showing a picture of it with me posing (think AKL Berkeley frat guys). However, I have worked for about 2 months and it will probably 2 more months before I get it. I am currently driving a 2005 Mazda 6 V6. It is a loaner car before I get my Mazda 3. It has good acceleration and great handling. It also has a spoiler which is new to me because none of my prior cars had one.

History of my cars…
#1 1992 – 1993; 1989 Jeep Cherokee Limited – V6 – Charcoal
#2 1993 – 1999; 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo – V8 – Green
#3 1999 – 2006; 1999 Toyota Camry LE – V6 – Green (we still have it – L drives it)

The Jeep’s that I drove were cool to go to Tahoe, however they were not reliable. I had major problems with them. However, it didn’t really matter because my parents paid for most of the repairs until I started working. So then when I was paying $000’s in repairs my parents decided that I should get a reliable car. So they paid the majority of my new car and I ended up with a Camry. It was reliable but did not have the cool factor and it was hard to find my car in a parking lot. So now with the Mazda 6, things are looking up. However, I am really looking forward to the Mazda 3, since the fuel economy will be better.

I started out my Saturday running, however, I didn’t get to the track till after 6:30. It was already not that cool. I had prepared for my long run today by drinking 8 glasses of water yestersay. I told L that I usually don’t drink that much water, probably usually 2 glasses a day. And she got mad at me and said that I am going to get kidney stones. I also drank 2 glasses of water before I ran. I forgot my watch, so I decided that I would turn on my car and check the clock and then walk over to the track and then subtract 2 minutes off my time. (1 minute to get there, and one minute to get back). I ran 6 miles, slowing down (walking) to drink and rest twice (after every 2 miles) and finished the run in about an hour. (less than 1 hr and 2 minutes) I felt sluggish my first couple of miles, and then my last 2 miles my right calf hurt. I am glad I drank a lot of water.

Yesterday D got a haircut during lunch at Fantastic Sam’s. It isn’t too short, but he has a fade in the back. I told him he looked like Max Headroom, and he had no idea what was I talking about. So, I looked him up online, and his hair isn’t exactly how I remembered. D’s hair doesn’t look like this in the front/top, so I guess I was wrong about the similarity.

We just got bck from the Pasadena Summer Fest at the Rose Bowl. We didn’t stay too long because it was too hot. They had different booths set up for “A Taste of Summer” and we had a Jamaican chicken kebab, pad thai, and a peach italian ice. All of the seating was on the grass and it was bring your own blankets/lawn chairs which I always think is fun. We heard the Pasadena City College Studio Jazz Ensemble:

Their band leader sang on one of the songs, which I thought was strange. They also played a Gordon Goodwin tune, which D and I recognized from the Gordon Goodwin concert we went to a couple months back.
We also heard a little bit of Afro-Cuban Timbre Jazz:

Here’s D reading Business Week (again!), trying not to roast.