Last Week's Highlights

We are seriously having so much fun here and filling every waking minute with activities that I can't keep up with this blog thing like I thought I would.  So, here are the highlights with pics to follow:

We all headed down to Merced last Saturday for Havi's soccer games.  It was a long drive, and I wasn't into doing it with just me and Havi.  Thankfully, we all went and had a fine day.  After the games, we headed back home and grabbed a quick dinner before our first City guests arrived!! 

Steve had discovered that the YMCA in Chinatown was hosting a 5K/10K run as a fundraiser to ring in the Chinese New Year.  Because we've witnessed Gaige's cardio capability recently, Steve thought that Gaige might want to run.  Clearly there is no way that Steve or I can keep up with him; so Steve called Gaige's sensei to ask if he'd like to come and race with Gaige.  Jose was into the idea, and his son, Forrest, wanted to run, too.  So, the whole family came over Saturday night to get some sleep here before heading to China town bright and early. 

Chantilly, Jose's wife, and the girls and I took the cable car over to Chinatown and met the guys who had dealt with registering earlier.  It was very exciting to see the streets of Chinatown filled with runners...about 1500 people!!  When I got there and found out that Gaige had decided to do the 10K, I was a little shocked, but Sensei Jose said that he'd stay with him, and off they went ;)

Steve, Chantilly, the girls, and I tried to drive, park, and meet up with them somewhere along the course, but we were concerned that they might have already passed that spot, and then we could miss them at the finish line.  In the end, we made it to the finish line and saw them headed our way shortly after.  Gaige and Forrest, a high school senior, ran through in about 54 minutes, and Jose followed them 7 minutes later. 

We hung around Portsmouth Square for the awards ceremony and were thrilled to discover that Gaige had taken second place in the youth division (under 14 years).  Gaige was SOOO happy that he had done the 10K, and seriously, without any sort of real training or even truly RACING, it was very cool for him to place.  We saw the kid who came in ahead of him and I had guessed that he was about fourteen.  He was about a minute and a half ahead of Gaige, and both he and the kid who took third were there with their coaches (which made us all feel even more impressed with Gaige's run).  BTW, Jose called The Union Democrat, our local Tuolumne County paper, and they are doing a little article on Gaige's "win."

We all cruised Chinatown together after that and got to see some of Sensei Jose and Sensei Chantilly's favorite places, experience some fun food, and the kids even got to get their "chop."  That's their Chinese name on a stamp basically.   Very cool (Havi has been signing her homework with it ever since).

We went home for a breather and showers, then headed to the beach to hang out.  While the rest of us played at the beach, Gaige and his sensei had an impromptu class on the lawn of Victorian Park.  We had some In N Out at the park, and then in a very cool beachside ceremony, Gaige was promoted to green belt.   He had tested for this belt right before we left to come here, but he missed the promotion ceremony that followed a week or so later due to our trip.  He was beyond excited to receive it here and in this way.  It was a first for any Mountain Storm student.

We ended the evening with an amazing authentic dinner at La Mexicana in Oakland with the Ortizes.  It's a restaurant that his family has been going to for generations, and it was really a treat.  After a really great day, we said good bye and headed toward Dublin.  Steve dropped us off with my parents who were on their way to see us that night in SF, and Steve continued to Sonora for his work days. 

Here are some pics from the weekend.  I'll have to finish my weekly highlights tomorrow when I'm more awake.  Honestly, 1:00 a.m. comes around so quickly!

Havi headed in for a big kick.  It was a beautiful, sunny day.

Ellery made it across the monkey bars (a long set with turns) three times!

Chantilly and Ellery near the starting line

Sunday, February 13th just before the start of the race

Gaige, Forrest, and Jose

Crossing the line

Victory!!

Jose's finish line judo roll ;)

Gaige, Forrest, and Jose after the race and getting their goodie bags

Steve and Gaige just after receiving his award for 2nd

Ellery and a new friend at Portsmouth Square

The crew enjoying (or not) their "bubble tea"

A lesson sans ghi

Chantilly, Ellery, and Forrest on the beach at Aquatic Park

Promotion ceremony

It's tradition to be thrown by your senseis after receiving a new belt

Bowing to your Sensei

And throw #2

I love this picture.  The green belt test is extremely tough, and
getting this belt something that Gaige is very proud of.  It's an "adult" belt
by the way.  When we return, Gaige will be 13 and in the adult classes!!!

Havi and her dolphin sand sculpture