Dec. 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE and a Happy 20th Birthday to my brother Tyler.

Today is Christmas day and it was a little different this year. I woke up and it was just me, my parents and popo home. Tyler was at Laurens and Court was at Darrens. So, we aren't having christmas morning this year, but instead lunch. Auntie Vera, Kim, Enzo and Greg all get here around the same time Court, Darren and Tyler do. Mom and I were already starting to make the waffles, fry up some bacon and all that. It was actually pretty nice to start later, we had time to relax a bit more and not rush. After our delicious waffles, bacon, sausage and pork belly it was time to open up presents!! Woo.

Tyler and Enzo

Kim and Enzo

Me and Auntie Vera

The Kids

One of my Favorite Gifts. :)

The Yins + 2 Fujikawas

All of our Aprons that Mom made for us this year!

After the Leo's it was going to be time to set up for my Auntie Linda's Family, Jenn's Fam and Kento. Basically round 2 to Christmas day.

Boy Shot!

Matsuoka Cousins!

Cousin Picture!!

Of course the night was filled with tons of food, white elephant, gingerbread houses and of course the dice game. We had even more to celebrate because it was Tyler's 20th birthday and Kent came out from Hawaii, so always a good time with family. ooh how I've missed them! :)

Merry Christmas!! :D

Dec. 24, 2011

Today it is Christmas Eve and our annual Ninja Brunch at Hobbees. It was really nice because I got to see my Ninja buddies, and we've been doing it for the last 6 years! Wow, we are getting older. Mika, Kirian, Lil' Ash, Remi, Rene and Steph were all there. And this year was special because Rene and Steph brought their significant others, Jason and George. It's always nice to see those girls, Mika's in NYC, Kirian's in Miami, Ash is in LA, Remi is in Berkeley and I'm in Hawaii. We have all really traveled since we graduated from High School, and it's a really nice feeling to see us growing up.

After brunch Mom, Dad and I go back home and relax before the Tsukahira's and McGuire girls come over for crab. It was a very nice and chill christmas eve, there was no running around, but just relaxing. Plus Julie, Mali and Noel made me watch the Justin Beieber holiday special.. =/ they are true "Beliebers." haha

Dec 23, 2011

Today I woke up and got ready for our first of 3 Christmas celebrations. But first Mom and I went out to the Orinda area to go visit Auntie Robin because her mom is in the hospital. It was nice to see her and Mrs. Takahashi. She was sleeping when we first got there so, we didn't see her until later. The girls, Mali and Noel were at the house, so we decided to take them out to lunch. We went to a place in Moraga that served Chinese and Japanese food, kind of different but still not bad. After, we dropped the girls off at their home and then went back to Oakland.

Court, Tyler and Lauren were going to meet us at home, before we were going to the Tsukahira's house for our annual get together. I think this would be the 6th or 7th year where we get together before or after xmas to open presents together. This year was at Auntie Janet's house so we head on over. Dinner was really good, Auntie Janet made black cod, brussel sprout salad, agedashi tofu and grilled asparagus. Everything was delicious!

Brussel Sprout Salad

Miso Black Cod

String Beans

Age Dashi Tofu and Asparagus

Because the boys got done eating early, they were watching a picture video,

Dru-Dru kept saying "ALL ABOARD" during the movie, so Jace was getting a little irritated.

After eating we go to open up our presents!! WOoo! :) I think everyone liked their gift, Court had the boys and got them a really cool gift, ANGRY BIRDS. But, it was life-size, they could build their own towers and knock them down with a big sling shot. It was pretty neat, I was impressed.

Check out the angry bird in action, Court video-taped it. I say, it was a pretty successful Tsukahira Christmas 2011! To many more years to come!

Dec 22, 2011

Today I woke up because it's the last couple of days to be Mom's little elf. We start out by going to Costco around 11 and the parking lot was packed! I was somewhat dreading going inside but surprisingly it wasn't as crowded as I thought it was going to be. We picked up a lot of the food for Christmas day, like the meat, veggies and fruits. We also wanted to get wrapping paper (because Costco has the thickest kind) but they were SOLD OUT! I guess you can't wait to buy it only 3 days before xmas. hehe. As we were getting to the end of our list Mom wanted to go to the bathroom and she told me to go get another package of mushrooms, which meant we would have to split up. Not thinking it would be a problem, UNTIL I realized that I had her phone on me as well because the list was on her iPhone. So, when I went back to look for her, she was gone. O.o I think I lost her for about 15 min when I finally decided that I was just going to go to the front and check out. While I was in line she calls me, (I guess she found someone she knew and called her own phone) and we finally met up. O.o I was like OMG, it was like losing Popo in the store. haha. So, we finally check out of costco after being there for over an hour.

The next stop was Target! We really needed to get wrapping paper, especially since Costco ran out, so we head to the next store. And of course we grab some extra things a long the way, like some candy for our gingerbread house contest. :) Luckily, we do not spend more then a half hour at Target before I start getting a little grumpy because I'm hungry. Mom knew that it was time to eat after that so, we head out to her favorite Chinese restaurant, Yummys. We get salt and pepper flounder, string beans and their special "yummy tofu" everything was delicious and the price was even better. After getting some energy back, Mom and I head back towards Oakland, but we wanted to stop at the Golden State Warrior Store to pick up some more gifts. We were definitely on a mission to knock these gifts out...I guess you can say we are some last minute shoppers. :)

We finally get back home around 4:30, after being out most of the day, we were pretty tired. I had a dinner at 6, so I wanted to rest a bit before I went out. Luckily I got to sneak a little power nap while watching "Coming to America."

After my short power nap I head out towards Berkeley to meet up my friend Pearl at Kiraku. She was a little late, so I waited inside until she got there. It was nice to see her again and catch up on each other's life. She is such a married woman now...haha kind of funny. It was also cool because she told me the owners are her husbands good friend and she actually designed the restaurants identity (logo, menus, etc.). We got to try a good amount of food and everything was really really good. Because it was Izakaya style I was very satisfied after our meal.

Kiraku Salad

Fried Fish Cake

Tempura Corn

I think this was Seabass, it was good.

The Chef Diaske brought out a sashimi sampler, super ono

Buta Kim (Kim Chee with Pork and a boiled egg on top)

Ended with a dessert

Overall, everything was REALLY good and the funny thing was that the day before Mom was talking about this place. It is right by Norikonoko, so I always wanted to try it. I think the next place I will have to try is where Pearl and her husband Tada work, Ramen Parlor in San Mateo. I'm going to have to take my family there :)

After dinner, I get back home and finish being my moms little elf. We finish wrapping ALL the presents ( I think), so the next task on our list is going to be cleaning up the house! haha. Only 2 more days til' Christmas day, but Tsukahira Xmas is tomorrow! I can't wait for the 4 days of xmas to begin. :D

Dec 21, 2011

Today I wake up around 8, because Tyler and I have a dentist appointment in Albany. Ooh how I dread the dentist, but I need to go since I've been in Hawaii. It was nice to see Uncle Kenny and the other gals at the office, haven't seen them in awhile. The dentist goes well for me, YAY no cavities...hehe. We also saw Diane Wong, Kim Hom and her brother, it's like they scheduled us all at the same time. :)

Once Tyler was done, we go get gas at costco and then go back home to pick up Mom and Popo for lunch. I really wanted to go to one of my favorite Japanese restaurants, Norikonoko. It's a very small Mom and Pop authentic home style Japanese restaurant that we have gone to since we were little (elementary school?), I mean they still have the tiny origami that we folded there. I was really excited to go; especially since the restaurant was closed for around 6 months because one of the owners had cancer. :( It was so nice to see them though, she was even working! They always remember us too! The owner said, "Ooh Tyler your so handsome now!" She remembers him when he was a young "round" little guy. haha It was also funny because we saw Auntie Lorin at the restaurant too, she was on her lunch break. Remi also called me when we first got there, so I told her to meet us there too. LoL. It was like old times, it made me happy. I got my favorite Udon and a side of gyoza, Tyler got salmon/steak bento, Mom got robata bento and Popo got Gyu-don. Everything was exactly the same, delicious. Going there really made me happy, and I was really glad to see them still open. :)

After lunch we all go back in the car, Remi goes back home, but my family heads out towards Pleasanton. I was planning to see my old co-workers at Nagy Design because I wanted to drop off some chocolates from Hawaii. But before that I drop off Mom, Tyler and Popo at Stoneridge mall to do some last minute shopping and I have some extra time so I meet up with Lorin K to grab coffee and for her a late lunch. We meet up at Zpizza, where we used to go eat when I was still working in San Ramon. HAha...it was nice to catch up. :)

I then go over to my old job, Nagy Design and it was really, really nice to see the girls again. It was just Claudia, Mike and Jessica in the office, it seemed quiet but I think it was because they were getting ready for the holiday. I had a great time catching up with the girls and I think they had a good time listening to my stories of Hawaii. I really do miss working with them, they are such great people. I told them about my adventures and told them that they have to come and visit me soon! :) I showed them my new drivers license and they said that even though my license makes me look really dark, that I got some color. haha. Yay! They even gave me a holiday gift, which was adorable as always. They are so clever there, I couldn't wait to show my family, plus they gave me a bottle of champagne. I really do appreciate them!

The basket was filled with a 6 glass cup set with goodies and sayings, dice to play

"Left, Right, Center," candy, a candle and a cocktail recipe. It was truly creative!

After, I had to go meet up with my family back at the mall to trade cars with my Dad. I was going to meet up some of my Ninja buddies at BJ's in Fremont for dinner, but I had some time to kill so I ventured back to the mall. It was crowded, but not as crowded as Sunday. Auntie Linda and Uncle Al met up with Mom, Tyler and Popo to do some shopping of their own, so I was able to see them before heading to Fremont. I could tell that Mom did some damage at the mall by all the bags that they had, which was good. :) I hung around there until around 6:30 before heading out to meet up my Ninja girls.

Traffic was a little bad, so I was about 10 min late in meeting them up, but it wasn't too bad. It was just Steph and Lil' Ash but it was nice to have a small reunion with just the 3 of us before seeing everyone on xmas eve. We have been doing an annual xmas eve brunch ever since we graduated high school with the whole team and families, so I think it was nice to have our dinner be small. We all caught up on our lives, lil' Ash is in LA, working and just living. I was able to catch them up on my Hawaii life and Steph was able to catch us up on hers. :) I love how we are still able to be friends after graduating, and really catch up on each others lives. I hope this continuous as we get even older.

Today was an eventful day, I guess it sometimes pays off when you wake up before 10am. :) Time to keep being Santa's little helper, gotta finish wrapping some gifts before Christmas day!

Dec 20, 2011

Today I woke up and it was a day of wrapping and organizing the house while Mom was out doing sweatshop for her holiday gifts. So, it was Popo, Tyler and I home by ourselves. I was able to wrap some presents and finish "making" some other ones. Tyler and I didn't leave the house until he had to meet up with Erin. I decided to go with him to keep him company, but that then turned out to be a good thing for me because I got invited to get my nails done with Erin and Lorin at 6. :)

I was in desperate need of a mani/pedi, so of course I said "Yes." It was a nice girls night out, very relaxing to get pampered for a little bit. We got our nails done at #1 Nail Shop on Salano and it was worth it.

Haha, yeah my feet look dirty.

After getting our "nails did" Erin drives me back home and we eat some leftover shabu shabu before she has to go play ball in Alameda.

I stay home and relax with my family, it was pretty nice to just chill at home, haven't done this in awhile. :) But I couldn't stay up too late because I had to wake up early for the dentist in the AM... wah. Goodnight world.

Dec 19, 2011

Today, I woke up and got ready for the day. Tyler and I were going to do iFly, it's indoor skydiving. Our scheduled flight was around 1pm, but they said to be there around 12 to set up and what not. It was going to be a Sister/Brother bonding day. We had to watch like a 10min video before suiting up to get ready to "fly," our instructor was Aaron who was a cool guy. After the video we went to get suited up before lift off!

Yes, yes, we are cool

I think I found my new favorite thing to do.

We each got 2, one minute flights in the wind tunnel. And it was super FUN! haha When I did my first flight, I was already like, man, when can I go back! haha. Definitely a good time of flying and it makes me actually want to go sky diving now! haha. When we were done, we got a photo and video of our flights.

The next thing of brother/sister day was we went to lunch at Texas Roadhouse and I got chicken strips, Ty got a chicken caesar. We then went shopping around there trying to get shop kicks and picking up some last minute gifts. It was a fun day of Bro/Sis bonding. It was pretty fun to hang out with him. We then go back home and bring up all the holiday decorations. Tis' the season to be JOLLY and decorate!

Dec 18, 2011

Today we woke up and relaxed before heading out to watch Jace and Jayden's basketball game. I really wanted to watch them play, since I coached them last year. But before that we had to drop off some cookies at the Beams house because Monica got her PHD! WOO. It was nice to see our good family friends, I went to elementary school with their youngest daughter Sonjha and we have been close ever since.

After we dropped off the cookies we head out towards Concord because we thought that the boys game was there...but when we got to the church the parking lot was empty. Umm, I think we are at the wrong gym, so I call Auntie Janet and she tells us that they did the same thing, but in reality the game was in San Leandro. O.o So, we had to drive all the way back...wahh. We made it to the last 1:30 of the game, but what we watched, they played good. I guess they did well this game because, even though you're not technically supposed to keep score, they won. :) It was nice to see some of the old players and be back in a gym. We hung out at the gym for a little bit and then went to Stoneridge mall with Julie, Auntie Janet and Jayden for a little while. The mall was crazy pack, it was way to crowded for my comfort, but we were able to get a few gifts. Mom and I then went to Ranch 99 to pick up some food to make shabu shabu to take to Auntie Linda's house. I wanted to see them and my cousins since I haven't seen them yet. Shabu shabu was really good, plus we picked up some crabs. I was stuffed and also really happy I got to see Chad, Evan, Mark and Jen. :D I would have to say, this Sunday was a relaxing one!

Dec 17, 2011

Today is the Tsukahira annual Holiday party!! Woo and ALL the Yins plus 2 Fujikawas will be home....WOO. I know my parents are happy about that one. We arrive a little early to the party around 3 to help set up. And of course, there is always BOMB food.

FOOD FOOD FOOD and more food, yup that's how the Tsukahira family does it. And of course lots of laughs, drinks, games and people sleeping before the end of the night. :) I say, it was another successful Holiday party!

I grew up with these gals!

DRU DRU!

Julie, Court and I

Jarred Tsuk Family

Kag Girls and Nana

The only time dad woke up

Good NIGHT!