back home, autumn 2014

Fall was an interesting time.  Actually fall began for us in early August, since we returned for our summer trip then.  The kids were in school by then so I consider it autumn.  We were supposed to move in early August, but then we didn't.  Instead life went on.  Sky had her best friend from childhood visit from California, we celebrated two birthdays, including a surprise party for Sky's 18th (yes she was totally surprised), and I flew to a neighbor island to see my brother for a couple of days. I watched him give a medical talk, and for the first time in my life was able to see him as a professional instead of just my big brother.  He was brilliant.

We were deep in the throes of college applications.  It was quite a time.    

summer rock camp

These are some of my favorite shots from last summer's band camp.  All three kids went for a week, and Annabel went for two weeks.  At the end of each week was a performance.  Shawn got to play drums on many songs.  Sky got to play drums, sing harmonies, and be a lead singer.  Annabel was happy to play bass the entire time.

The band was located in the basement of a really cool church, the interior is pictured above.  It was there that I experienced something most extraordinary.  But that's another story for another time.     

stanford

Last summer we spent so much time on campus.  We were staying close by, so it made sense.  Sky did a tennis camp, Shawn did a baseball camp, we did the official college tour of the campus, we ate in the food court, and we walked around campus on my birthday, visiting the Rodin sculpture garden.

Stanford is a special place and there is something magical about a college campus.  It makes me want to do something to reach my potential.  I like that feeling.

last summer

We flew into New York from Europe and stayed there for a few days.  I got very ill in New York for 24 hours, it was a strange experience.  I was so happy to leave the city and fly west.

We landed in northern California where we remained for three weeks. We had a very soft landing, staying in a big beautiful home with a generous host in the countryside.  It had four floors, a beautiful view that backed to open space, a pool room, and an elevator!  It even had a huge music room with piano, guitars, drums.

There we settled in and the kids attended lots of camps -- tennis, baseball, music.  We visited two colleges, saw old friends, made new friends, played music, cooked new foods, and had a wonderful time.  I loved it there and hope we will all live there someday, when it is time to leave our little island.  I found a new small town I could call home.