Archive for the year 2016
Pando Initiative
Posted on June 20, 2016 by Ching under Events.
We took some fun pics at the Pando Initiative 25th Anniversary Gala at the Wichita Scottish Rite Center. This event was a couple of weeks ago but I’m behind on the blog so I’m just now getting around to posting these.
Here’s a picture of our group.
Misty and Lindsay filled in for Dorian and Liz.
Brian and I were super tired from the day’s activities. I taught a couple of Zumba classes in the morning and then we had the CRC picnic in the afternoon. We were pretty beat but were both glad that we attended.
The event was super fun and included a performance by the world famous illusionist Reza. He was really entertaining and funny. You can check out videos of some of his illusions here.
A couple of instructors from Care to Dance also performed a tango. They started by making a dramatic entrance from the grand staircase and then danced their way to the stage. It was pretty cool.
Brian and I had a blast at the party despite being completely exhausted. I hope Karen invites us to attend again next year.
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First Ever CRC Picnic
Posted on June 17, 2016 by Ching under Events.
Amy and her helpers threw an amazing picnic a few weeks ago at Cessna Park. The most memorable part about it is that I got to play kickball for the first time. Ya’ll know I’m always up for learning and trying new things and so I did. Except, I had no idea what I was doing. I just learned the rules as we went. Every time I would do something that I wasn’t supposed to, they were always quick to tell me and razz me about it.
I was actually worried about playing kickball because the day of the picnic happened to be my first day of teaching my Saturday morning Aqua Zumba. So I had my 8:30 AM Aqua Zumba class, my regular 10:30 AM Zumba class, kickball at the CRC picnic, and then a benefit dinner that same evening. It was going to be a busy day.
I was most worried about being too tired to play kickball, though. I talked to one of my coworkers about it the a couple of days before the picnic.
“I’m worried I won’t have enough energy to run all the way back to home base,” I told her. She reassured me that I wouldn’t have to worry about it because people usually only run one base at a time. She found the idea so absurd that she actually told me that she would pay me $5 if I kicked a double.
She was so right. Home runs were very few and far between. And, I never did make my double. Needless to say, I didn’t get paid. I had a lot of fun though, despite being made fun of the entire time.
My first mistake was when I kicked, ran to first base, and then started walking back to our team dugout because I thought I was out. Carmen was like, “What are you doing? Go back to your base. You’re safe!”
And then there was another time when I ran to second base, touched the base and everything, and then they told me I was out. I guess you are supposed to stay on the base and not run past it. I had no idea. Nick picked on me of course, “How do you not know the rules? You’re almost 40 years old! Have you never watched baseball?”
I have but I guess I never paid attention. I don’t watch baseball on TV for one because I don’t have the attention span for it. And when we watched the Red Sox play at Fenway a few years ago, I just did the fan participation part and didn’t really pay attention to the game (which was fine because they lost).
Brian was quick to join the “make fun of Ching” bandwagon as well. He was completely amused that (true to my geeky self) I was worried about the bases being the correct distance from one another. He was like, “Most people would be worried about tripping, falling, missing the ball, getting hit by the ball, looking stupid. You’re worried about the accuracy of the location of the bases.” I had to explain that the bases needed to be the appropriate distance apart because I stood to make $5 if I kick a double. I may not make it if they’re too far apart. LOL.
As it turns out, I didn’t have to worry about it because I never had the opportunity to run to second base on one kick. Oh, well. At least now I know the rules of the game so I’m ready for it next time.
Here are some pictures from the picnic…
Joe Montiel, who has quickly become the unofficial official photographer of the CRC, took a bunch of amazing photos at the picnic. My favorite one is below.
I love this photo because of the amount of amusement it brought Amy. I walked by her desk when she was looking at the photos a couple of days after the picnic and she was laughing so hard. “What’s so funny?” I asked. Then she shows me my photo. She’s like, “Look at your face!” Then she showed me several other photos of people running to base. In every instance, the runner had a look of fierce determination and her I was just laughing my ass off to base. She found it completely hilarious. I did too because it reminded me of our good ol’ swordfighting days.
Everyone always had this fierce, angry look when they were fighting each other. I was the only one who was laughing and smiling as I tried to beat the crap out of people. So Brian decided to paint a smiley face on my fencing mask. It was so fitting.
I’m a happy person. I can’t help it. LOL.
When my friend Faith and I used to facilitate our Service Mentor training training together and we would role play, I always sucked at pretending to be an irate customer. I always sounded like a cheerful, angry customer. Anyway, we quickly figured this out so, whenever we did training, we always had Faith act out the different customers. She’s a far better actress than me, specially when I have to pretend to be upset or angry.
Speaking of, my project is on hold so I started helping Darcy and her team with testing our automated phone system (IVR). I’m still finishing up some project stuff but I gotta make myself useful somehow. Anyway, I’ve had to do a few tests now where I have to cuss at the IVR. That’s always funny because my cussing is not very convincing.
But I digress… The picnic was super fun. I am truly blessed to work with an amazing group of people who are a lot of fun to be around. I hope you all take the time to check out Joe’s photos. I can’t wait until the next picnic!
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Riverfest Sundown Parade
Posted on June 9, 2016 by Ching under Events, Food and Drink.
Both Westar Energy and the Kansas DUI Impact Center participated in the Wichita River Festival Sundown Parade again this year. Last year Brian and I both walked with Westar. Since the two groups staged right by each other, I actually thought of walking with both — walking with one part of the way and switching to the other the rest of the way. However, I realized that they were actually going to be far apart in order. The Kansas DUI Impact Center was toward the front of the line, while Westar Energy was almost at the very end. Realizing this, we decided to split up.
Brian walked with the Westar group.
My little sister Nickira and I walked with the Kansas DUI Impact Center.
Figured she would like it better because (a) they had a cool ballon arch, bead necklaces, and noisemakers, and (b) they ha fun tailgate with hotdogs and chips. Nickira had some chips but passed on the hotdogs because she said, and I quote, “I’m picky about hotdogs and these have cheese inside.”
Who knew my little had such discerning taste? LOL. 😉
Nickira rode in the trailer, which was completely packed. I walked the route and was starving by the end of it. I opted out of the hotdogs too because I knew, according to the schedule, that Kamayan Truck would be at the ICT Pop-Up Urban Park. I totally underestimated the time it would take to walk in the parade, though. It was almost eight o’clock in the evening by the time we finished. It didn’t help matters any that we started a little late. Though I’m not really sure. Maybe the groups ahead of us just moved very slow. We might have started on time. The only thing I know is that it was almost seven by the time the Kansas DUI Impact Center group started moving.
It was well past eight by the time we got to the park. Lucky for us, the Kamayan Truck was still there and they still had food to sell.
Predictably, Brian got ribs and I got porchetta.
Nickira got the Asian tacos.
And, the mango watermelon salad, which she thought was weird.
And, some watermelon juice.
It’s been mayhem downtown due to Riverfest week so neither Brian nor I have been back. Plus, I was supposed to be in Topeka this week so I didn’t schedule anything with Nickira. Besides that, we actually have something going on just about every night.
Nickira and I pick back up again next week. Until then, I hope you guys enjoyed the photos. (NOTE: The first two are Joe Montiel‘s photos. That’s why they’re good. I highly recommend hiring him if you need family, engagement, senior, or wedding photos. He does an amazing job.)
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Steampunk Day at Old Cowtown Museum
Posted on June 7, 2016 by Ching under Events, Things to Do.
Here are our pictures from Steampunk Day at Old Cowtown Museum…
It was a high-calorie day. We started off with lunch consisting of pizza and wings at Ziggy’s. Nickira had a bonus rootbeer float.
We ended the day at my favorite ice cream joint, Churn & Burn, before taking Nickira back home. I would have felt bad for consuming all of those calories were it not for my Zumba class that morning and all the walking we did while exploring Cowtown in the afternoon. I definitely need to buckle down, though. I’m now about the same size that I was in 2009 (when I was at my heaviest) if not bigger. Yikes!
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Painting Night at Pinot’s Palette
Posted on June 6, 2016 by Ching under Hobbies, Things to Do.
We opted to stay put over Memorial weekend because I didn’t want to have to search for subs for my Saturday and Sunday Zumba classes. Plus, knowing that we were staying in town, I volunteered to teach a class on Memorial Day. Yes, this girl does not take any days off. Everyday that you’re alive is a day worth being productive.
Anyway, since we weren’t leaving town but wanted to do something fun, Brian and I decided to check out Pinot’s Palette. We’d done painting parties at Paint the Towne a few times before but we’d never been to Pinot’s Palette.
We started the evening by having dinner at Sabor, one of our favorite restaurants. We picked it for a couple of reasons: great food and proximity to Pinot’s Palette.
After our delicious dinner, we headed over to Beyond Napa (next to Pinot’s) to pick up a couple of bottles of wine to enjoy for the evening.
Jarrica and her friend Sarah joined us. They’re a couple of Pinot’s Palette regulars.
Obligatory awkward selfie. 😉
I love how they write your name on your designated spot.
Me and Jarrica and Sarah…
Much better selfie…
Here’s a photo of our awesome instructor.
Here’s what we started with…
These are the paint colors we got to play with.
Jarrica watching the master at work. Brian was fixing my shadows.
Here’s what we had about an hour in.
Proof that I painted my own work of art.
My finished piece…
Brian’s finished piece…
Sarah’s and Jarrica’s… they’re pros so they weren’t afraid to deviate from the model.
All four of us with our respective works.
Afterward, Brian and I dropped our paintings off in his car and walked over to Oeno where we met up with Jen and her husband Brian and several others.
Hideki was there in a fancy suit.
Missy, Paula, Andrea (Ketner), Holly, and Meader were there too. It was too dark and I don’t take very good photos. Anyway, Brian and I had to be up early the next day so we didn’t stay late. We only stayed long enough to dance a few songs.
Suavemente usually gets played a few times. We were there for the first round. It was hilarious! If you’ve ever seen the hilarious Suavemente video making the rounds on Facebook a few weeks ago, you’ll understand why this is so funny.
What a fun evening! You all should come join us next time.
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