2023

Archive for the year 2023

Shock N’ Clause 2023

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Ching under Community.

Brian and I participated in our friends’ annual Shock N’ Clause breakfast. It’s basically a breakfast where each participant brings $50 in cash. We pool all the money together and, after paying for the group’s meal, everything else goes to the server. It’s something that our travel group started in 2019 and has become an annual tradition around the holidays. Brian and I don’t always get to attend but we are always glad when we do.

Our friend Marc Shook organizes the event and this year he chose Doo-Dah Diner. Naturally, I had to take a pic with their iconic Wichita flag mural.

We usually shoot for about 20 people but we ended up with 17 total on this most recent one. Because of the size of our group, it took a while to be seated. They had to wait for enough people to leave from the same part of the restaurant so we could all sit together. Brian and I knew most of the people but we had never met some of them. We had a nice time visiting in the waiting area while we waited.

They ended up seating us at three different tables in the section in front of the bar and kitchen area. Here are pics of our three tables:

There are no assigned seats so you just pretty much find a vacant seat and sit there. Couples usually try to sit together, though. It’s easier that way when it’s time to pay. I ended up sitting next to Justin and Tina Huntington. I love these two and I hardly got to see them at all the last couple of years so it was perfect.

Here’s a picture of our group with the beneficiary (in black, between Alicia and Kirk Short) and her mom (next to Kirk in the red shirt).

Normally, we would tell the restaurant what we are doing and then the owner selects an employee who is most in need of the financial blessing and our group gets put in that server’s section so they end up getting the large cash tip. It’s a complete surprise and the employee has no idea what is going on. This year proved a little tricky. The restaurant owner Timerie had chosen Autumn Armendariz, a deserving employee who has been through a lot this year, to be our beneficiary but, because of Timerie’s husband’s illness and a staffing shortage, Autumn had to work the kitchen line calling tickets that day. It is a lead position that not just anyone can do. Timerie said Autumn is so good at it that she is even better than her husband at performing this role. The downside for Autumn is that she wouldn’t make as much as she would serving tables, specially on a holiday weekend. But, there is no one else who can do the job better. Autumn was obviously not thrilled about this turn of events but was taking one for the team because she knows the success of the entire day depends on her stepping onto the line.

Timerie ended up assigning Autumn’s mom, who is a tenured employee at Doo-Dah, to serve our group that day and she agreed to give all the tips from our group to Autumn because of everything that Autumn has been through and everyone agreed she is most deserving of the financial blessing.

I think, after Marc calculated everything, our group gave about $800 to Autumn. Brian and I ended up giving $20 separately to Autumn’s mom because she’s the one who actually served our table and she was excellent. I think Marc gave her $25 and I think Summer gave her $20 also. That was just at out table. I think if others did the same, I’m guessing Autumn’s mom maybe could have earned $200 or so in tips from our group. It was a win-win all around.

Here’s a photo of our three separate tables which, although separate, we still felt kind of together because people were able to be up and about and visit. Here’s a highlight video I made of our this year’s Shock N’ Clause breakfast:

I am really glad that Marc choose Doo-Dah because, not only is it owned and ran by good people, their food is excellent. Here are some pictures of our food:

I didn’t get pictures of everything because some people had already started eating before I could get to them, specially the folks at the first/far table. Also, ironically, I remembered to take pictures of everyone’s plate but mine. I had the pork belly and grits special which was amazing. Everything looked delicious and, if the other dishes were anything like mine, they probably tasted even better than they looked.

I was glad Brian and I could be part of another successful Shock N’ Clause. Not only does it give us opportunity to spend time with friends who we don’t always get to see but it is a truly heartwarming and rewarding experience for all involved. Can’t wait to do it all again next year!

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Bigloo at Nortons Brewing Company

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Ching under Life.

We had a lovely time having dinner with friends in the Bigloo at Nortons last night. The Bigloo is the largest igloo at Nortons and it accommodates 10 people.

Above is a short video I made with some highlights from the evening. Nortons is super festive this time of year. I highly recommend checking it out before the season is over. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!

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Jingle with the Belles

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink, Things to Do.

We had so much fun at Snow Globe at River City Brewery a couple of weeks ago that I’ve decided to make it my mission to check out as many holiday pop-ups as I can. This week I hit Jingle (Public at the Brickyard’s holiday pop-up) with my some of my favorite pickleball ladies.

Clockwise from left: Susie Ternes, Jenny Corley, Kendra Wicks, Angie Meyers, and Colby Fugit.

We had a lovely time enjoying good food and trying some of the festive drinks.

Check out this fun video I made from the pics we took that night.

I can wait to go back with another group of pickleball friends tomorrow!

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Lunch at Prost

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink.

Brian and I had lunch with our friend Chris Townley at Prost this week. Prost is probably my most favorite German restaurant in town. I just love their schnitzel and the portions are HUGE! Here are some food pics…

I’m so glad we ordered a slice of this cake because it’s freakin’ amazing. The layers are deliciously decadent, specially the bottom raspberry layer. The icing is the best whipped icing I’ve ever had and the outside texture reminds me of Sans Rival cake we used to have in the Philippines growing up. I found out from our server that you can order an entire cake for $45 so I ordered one for us to have on Christmas Eve. I am absolutely obsessed with this cake and I can’t wait for my family to try it.

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Pickleball Christmas Party at the Pickle Club

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Ching under Events, Pickleball.

The ladies’ pickleball group that normally plays on Wednesdays at the Pickle Club decided to have a Christmas party and gift exchange on Monday night. Here are some pics from that fun event.