Alaska Trip Recap
Posted on June 14, 2017 by Ching under Travel.
Brian and I usually take advantage of Memorial weekend to escape to somewhere fun and exciting. This year one of our goals is to go somewhere neither of us had ever been so we planned a trip to visit our friends in Alaska over the holiday weekend. The best part about traveling over Memorial weekend is we don’t have to use up much vacation time. I only had to take three days of vacation (Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) for this trip. It worked out great.
There is no Uber in Anchorage but Sheryll was nice enough to pick us up from the airport and then take us to our hotel to check in and freshen up. Our hotel was conveniently located only about ten minutes away from their place.
After our hotel pit stop, we spent the rest of the evening with the Orbases. We met their dog Maya and Brian made a new friend.
We also got to watch the Orbase boys, Steffano and Cameron, play basketball on our first night in Anchorage. What a treat!
After the game we went back to their place and enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Clayton. Sam helped by staying home and keeping an eye on the potatoes while the rest of us were at the basketball game.
Clayton served up smoked salmon that was the best we’d ever had.
He baked the salmon skin in the oven until it was crispy like bacon.
The next day we all went for a nice hike at Thunder Bird Falls.
Here are some pictures that we took along the trail.
We got to see the most beautiful sights along the way.
Steffano is kind of a ham and wanted to be photographed a every turn.
Here’s a view of the waterfall from afar.
Obligatory waterfall photo.
After getting a photo with the waterfall as our backdrop, our group decided to go down for a closer look.
The Orbase kids: Sam, Steffano, and Cameron.
Another picture of Steffano.
Sheryll’s adorable daughter, Sam.
Here’s a picture of Sheryll taking a picture.
Brian and I couldn’t resist taking a few selfies at the base of the waterfall.
Thunder Bird Falls up close.
Here’s a picture of Brian taking a photo of Steffano and Sheryll.
Me.
Sam, Sheryll, and me.
Group selfie.
The kids.
Here’s a car selfie on the way to the Moose’s Tooth. More on that later.
Our next hike was in Seward, which was a bit of a drive.
At least it was scenic.
We passed by several waterfalls like this one along the road.
Here’s a selfie that Brian took with Maya on the way there.
This is a panoramic photo of the beach in Seward which is unlike any beach that we’d ever seen. The black sand is not really sand. It’s more like really fine rocks.
Our beach selfies.
Sheryll took a picture of us taking selfies.
It was a beautiful day for exploring.
And also taking fun panoramic photos.
Pictures of our Caines Head Trail hike.
Trail selfie.
Panoramic in the woods.
Group selfie at Caines Head Trail.
What a beautiful view!
We had a great time hanging out and hiking with the Orbases. It was way more hiking than Brian had ever done or ever expected to do. LOL. He was a good sport about it, though. And, the best part about hiking in Alaska – no ticks!
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15th Service Anniversary Lunch
Posted on June 14, 2017 by Ching under Food and Drink.
I had the good fortune of celebrating my fifteenth service anniversary with some wonderful people a few weeks ago. We ended up going to the Kitchen, a new restaurant that opened at the old Union Station. Well, it’s not that new but I hadn’t been there before until then.
Here are some pictures of our food.
As you can tell from the numerous food pictures, we had a large party. I don’t think they were quite prepared for us because the food and service that day was subpar. I have no complaints about the company, though.
Anyway, we ended up celebrating on May 25, ahead of my actual anniversary date of May 28 for a couple of reasons. First, May 28 fell on a Sunday this year. Secondly, Brian and I were leaving for Alaska on Friday, the 26th, and I wouldn’t be back in the office until June 1.
A couple of people weren’t able to make it but it worked out well otherwise. What made my service anniversary celebration even more special is that Ginger and Michelle had received approval for my new job earlier that day so I officially transitioned to my new role. Ginger announced it at lunch.
I knew it was in the works but had no idea it had been approved. Michelle joked that I’d probably come back from vacation to a new job and boss. However, it was approved sooner than expected. I was amazed at how quickly everything happened.
Anniversary celebration lunches are always nice but what makes this one all the more memorable for me is that I got to celebrate with both my old and new bosses. That doesn’t happen very often.
I’ve learned a lot over the last fifteen years. I feel like I’ve matured a lot as well. I’m thrilled to embark on adventures in my role. I have really enjoyed working with Michelle the past few months and am grateful to have her as my new boss. I feel blessed that I’ve gone from one awesome boss to the next.
I am grateful and blessed to achieve this milestone and look forward to many more years of service. Here’s to more milestones ahead!
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Fun Zumba Pics
Posted on June 12, 2017 by Ching under Zumba.
I think these were taken one night after Charis’ class.
I love my Zumba time and my Zumba family. And, now that I’m in Wichita more, I’m actually getting to sub classes. Last Monday I had the opportunity to fill in for Charis and tonight I filled in for Francie.
I’m actually teaching three classes at the Andover YMCA this summer. I have an Aqua Zumba class on Saturday mornings from 8:45 am to 9:45 am and Zumba classes on Saturday at 10:30 am and Sunday at 2:00 pm. I hope you guys can join us sometime. We love meeting new people and making new friends!
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Ritual and Desire: WAM Summer Opening Party
Posted on June 11, 2017 by Ching under Events.
Here are some pictures from the Wichita Art Museum‘s summer opening party: Ritual and Desire. The exhibit showcases contemporary glass art by Beth Lipman, Cassandra C. Jones, and Lauren Fensterstock. The exhibit will be on display from now until September 10.
The summer opening party is one of our most favorite events that signify the beginning of summer. We love being able to preview the exhibits right as they open.
They usually have live music, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. Brian and I love checking out the exhibits at the art museum but there is no better time to check them out than at the summer and fall opening parties.
Fly By Night provided fun music as people milled about and socialized.
One of the Fly By Night band members, Joe Stumpe, is my friend on Facebook by way of Twitter and Wichita Eagle. Another, Cianna (or Cynthia), works for Accuweather and works in my office building so I see her all the time in the elevator. I had no idea that she’s part of the band until that night.
Brian and I tend to keep to ourselves at these events but we did have good conversation with two women.
I think they found us, and our propensity for selfies, amusing.
Here are some pictures of the colorful and yummy hors d’oeuvres at the party.
They also had chicken and pineapple skewers which I did not photograph. I thought the food was pretty good. Brian didn’t enjoy the offerings as much as I did. Naturally, he was starving.
We ended up bailing so we could get him fed. We ended the evening at the Hill, one of Brian’s favorite restaurants. Yes, we still go there despite everything. The food is that good. But I digress… Go check out Ritual and Desire when you get a chance. It’s pretty cool.
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Our New Dentist
Posted on June 3, 2017 by Ching under Reviews.
Brian and I recently switched dentists. The old place just wasn’t cutting it any more. We’d been wanting to switch for a while but hadn’t pulled the trigger until now.
Here are a few pictures of the new dental office.
This is their expansive waiting area with floor to ceiling windows.
I’m not a fan of waiting (I prefer to be in and out) but this comfortable waiting area at least makes the wait, no matter how long or short, more bearable.
They have a cute waiting area for kiddos also.
This was our initial appointment with the new dentist. However, Brian had already been there a few days prior for emergency dental work when he broke a tooth.
I don’t think they did all of the new patient stuff at that time though, because they asked to take pictures on this visit. I think they just took care of his issue.
Each dental station has huge windows with fabulous views.
Brian’s view (above) vs. my view…
But the best view is of your hilarious husband trying to entertain you while your teeth are being cleaned.
Nice offices aside, the real reason we moved to this dentist was to follow my favorite dental hygienist who left our old dentist when she moved to this office about three years ago. She is amazing. I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to follow her.
When we posted pictures of our new dentist’s office on Facebook a few weeks ago, we found out that a bunch of our friends go to the same place. People from all over town (even West-siders) are making the trek. They must be really good to be worth the drive. Brian and I concluded that we made the right move.
Our experience has been really good so far. Everyone we’ve met has been very nice and accommodating. They even made it so that my old hygienist worked on my cleaning, even though she wasn’t originally available at the time we made the appointment. I’m super impressed. Here’s to a fruitful new relationship!
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