Grandma

I really wanted to put this in a family spot, but I realized, that I didn't have a family blog...

So, the dilemma was WHERE to put family photos?

so, this is where this is going to go...

This was taken around 1936. The little boy is my dad. He's probably around 2. The picture is as follows from the left where my dad is.

My grandpa, Rokuro Watanabe, my grandmother, Katsuye, my dad's uncle on Pierce, Jukichi (sitting) and then Tomio. (standing) I can't remember the other uncle's name (except, I think he's the one that lived on Pierce St in Sylmar)...geesh..see, why you need to write down names? All except my dad are gone now. Tomio-san, passed away last year in August. My dad started writing down his biography, and I can see why he has started. The memories are all we have left now...

This is my grandparents, My dad is next to my Grandpa, and My uncle Kinjiro is next to Grandma. Grandma is holding Uncle Bob, and Uncle Yosh is standing in front of my grandpa. Uncle Takeshi passed away in camp, so this must have been taken after they got out of the Internment camps at Manzanar.

Las Vegas August 10-11-12

I forgot to put anything about this trip!

We went to Las Vegas, and drove a PRIUS to the sin city in the desert. We stayed at South Pointe hotel, which is the first casino you get to after you go over the hill.

It was fun. They had bowling and gambling and a movie theater..(12 screens, I think)

Tori had a tournament at a high school and it was hot in the gym...in fact they wouldn't let the girls drink any water inside....

But the rooms were nice and clean, and spacious!

Of course, you can't get away from the reason why they call VEGAS "sin city"......we saw this at a store as we were stopped for a traffic light...Tori took the photo out the window....

Los Angeles Tofu Festival August 18-19

Welcome to the LA 2007 Tofu Festival!

It was a hot day in Downtown LA, and it was crowded...I did hear complaints, but, I hope it was good overall.

Uncle Yosh said it might be the last year that they will have it.

The Lot that they were having it in, was being torn up for a high rise rental/condo/apartment complex and the businesses were not happy that the streets surrounding their businesses were block from traffic. (it is a pain to drive around there anyways, but I didn't see it as a problem!)

It was hot, and no where to sit down and relax this time like in previous years. It also helps that the Nisei week is around the same time, and that tonight is the parade...next week is Nisei week celebrations.....

http://www.niseiweek.org/

I hope the Tofu Festival goes on next year..... http://www.tofufest.org/

If you are interested, write to them and tell them you want it to continue!

Entertaining.....Taiko

This year, because of the location..in the street, they did not have much entertainment. But, I was pleased to see the taiko drummers and musicians on the street..... There was even a white guy HAKUJIN playing the japanese guitar instrument....shamisen (http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/instrument.shtml) which is a 3 string guitar like instrument. He was pretty good, but I didn't take a photo of him...

I took this photo of the t shirt that one booth was selling. It seems that the Japanese war flag is getting more popularity....It was popular when I was growing up....

Journey to Los Angeles...Sushi Maker

So, here we are at the TOFU festival in downtown Los Angeles........It was hot (about 95 degrees or MORE!) and just direct sun beating down on us.....

The crowds were there, and even with the parking at 15.00, and the entrance fee lowered, it was still expensive. I think that it was pretty good. This lady was making SUSHI Nori Maki

http://www.makisushiki.com/

This tool was making Sushi rolls using this plastic object that forms the rice into a long roll, and then you use the top part to make a divot in the rice, to place the cucumber, or other vegetables or sashimi inside. Then you roll the Nori over the rice and Voila! you have a sushi!

Cow-a-bunga- dude!

Well, today we were at the OC Fairground! And the first thing we see is SAND ART! wow...is someone talented or WHAT!!!