I Have a Library Card!

Aloha Everyone,

I am so excited to get a library card today. Motivated to do a better job on counting carbohydrates, I dropped by Whitney Library, the closest of 18 public libraries located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The appearance of the building was not at all inviting that J.J. even tried to discourage me from going in.

Once inside, the facility is very clean, user friendly and spacious. Within a matter of a few minutes, I was following a helpful librarian who led me to the section where I can find the subject I was looking for. His next suggestion was totally unexpected. “Why not get your library card so you can check out books today?” Still incredulous that a non-resident could obtain a library card, I approached the customer service desk.

Within less than 10 minutes, I was issued a library card, shown how to check out books and given guidelines of their services: maximum of 50 books with a 3 weeks rental period.

The library card has a bar code that contains my personal information. After the machine recognizes it, I place the book(s) I am borrowing on the scanner; Input my personal pin code; press the upper section of the monitor as indicated; then a paper receipt is issued.

I even got to select the card design. Going back to Whitney Library as well as exploring other public libraries where I understand, there are yoga classes will be now among our “things to do” list in Las Vegas.

Aloha -- Cathi

Effects of Violence, Tragedy on Media & Mitigating with Walking Meditations

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I read news using our mobile devices. It means that we can customize our input and quickly glance the headlines to read those stories that are of interest. This past week has been an extraordinarily disturbing period in America. Three senseless terrorist attacks taking the lives of innocent people and leaving their families, friends and communities stunned, angry, saddened with each horrific act. J.J. and I extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences.

The two of us were asked by a teenage girl in Cuenca, Spain why there are so much violence in the United States. Why people hate those who are different from each other. She left us searching for an appropriate answer. This girl lives with her parents and a younger sister in a quaint hill town located in the mountains of east-central Spain. The people know everyone and within a week, we were exchanging greetings with our neighbors.

In some societies, news focus on factual data. Does our society put too much emphasis on the entertainment value and sensationalism of the news?

I find my refuge during my walking meditation. Focusing on each steps, listening to my favorite Kundalini yoga chant gives me peace and serenity.

Here is an interesting article on violence, the media and how it adversely affects the brain.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/reading-between-the-headlines/201309/violence-the-media-and-your-brain?am

Aloha -- Cathi

Brandon

Aloha Everyone,

While our laundry was in the dryers, J.J. and I visited Brandon. He retired after working 34 years at IBM as a 

Systems Engineer. Brandon and his wife have a home in Colorado where he spends six months. The remainder, when it is cold, he stays at the KOA Sam’s Town RV Park in Las Vegas.

Brandon loves Hawaii and he hopes to find a suitable rental as he wishes to trade his Las Vegas desert winter home for a tropical paradise.

During my walks, I occasionally encounter Brandon riding his moped. He expresses his love for Hawaii by wearing T-shirts that have a Hawaiian design.

According to Brandon, his wife, who works in Colorado as an real estate attorney, does not want to retire. She joins Brandon by flying in one week every month. He sounded happy that she will be here for Thanksgiving.

The couple seem to have found a happy compromise wherein he can enjoy his retirement while she continues to remain active in her profession

Aloha -- Cathi

Feasting on a Chinese Roast Duck

Aloha Everyone,

Our son’s recommendation is that I should know exactly how much carb I am consuming in each meal. We made calculations based on my size and the level of physical activities. I am now trying to monitor my carbohydrates, protein and calories.

In addition to striving to be consistent with my daily walking of 10,000 plus steps, I also modified my diet by eating lean meat or fish on M-W-F. The remaining 4 days, I get my protein from other sources such as egg whites, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, nuts and Quinoa.

The two of us are back at KOA Sam’s Town in Las Vegas. Today was my meat day. For lunch J.J. and I feasted on a perfectly prepared roast duck at a restaurant in Las Vegas Chinatown.

Aloha -- Cathi

Zumba & Yoga, Time Spent with my Granddaughter

Aloha Everyone,

The two of us had an absolutely delightful time in La Jolla. I joined my daughter-in-law to two yoga practices plus a Zumba class at the YMCA where she is a member.

My granddaughter and I went birding, read a chapter of Jules Verne’s classic novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. This is the book she is reading as her English class assignment.  When I read the novel in school, I had a hard bound book. My granddaughter switched on her iPad, picked up where she had left off previously. She highlighted the sections where she would like to review with different colors in order of priorities. She also looked up new vocabulary words and placed electronic sticky notes. My granddaughter accomplished all these without giving much thought. I was impressed.

I also went to her flute rehearsal with a professional pianist and on a different day, watched her Tang Soo Do belt testing.

The last night of our visit, we watched the Fantasy/Adventure film, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them based on the screen play by multi-talented J. K. Rowling.

Our granddaughter is persuasive. With her super busy schedule, she managed to get permission from her parents to challenge me in pillow fights. The latter is an ongoing activity which began when she was in pre-school. About 2 years ago, I started to use our pillow fighting sessions to teach her Japanese vocabulary such as parts of the body, left-right, up-down, front-back and “I’m sorry.  Are you alright?” 

“Grandchildren restore our zest for life, and our faith in humanity.” - Unknown

Aloha -- Cathi

Sumptuous Home Cooked Meals

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I truly appreciate home cooked meals. Time and again, our daughter-in-law prepares our favorite dishes for us, but we also enjoy taking over her kitchen. These are some of the dishes we enjoyed during our recent visit to La Jolla.

And who am I to resist the delectable chocolate cake when it had my name on it :-)

Aloha -- Cathi

Back in California

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I returned to California to visit my Mother for several days followed by a visit to our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in La Jolla.

Aloha -- Cathi

Eating Healthy

Aloha Everyone,

Since our appointment with Dr. Codiga 11 days ago, I have stepped up my exercise routine by trying to reach the goal of 10,000 steps a day. So far I have been able to attain it 7 out of 11 days! Actually, walking in Kanarraville even in light rain and here at KOA Sam’s Town where the early morning and late afternoon temperature ranges from 66-72 is pleasant.

Here are some of the meals we’ve been having dining in and dining out. I believe it’s easy to distinguish which ones are J.J.’s.

Aloha -- Cathi

Crazy Rich Asians, Movie

Aloha Everyone,

The film version of Crazy Rich Asians, based on a 2013 novel by Kevin Kwan is interesting and entertaining.   The cinematography is beautiful, and the music is excellent. If I do more in-depth search, these individuals must be top in their fields. The film exceeded the book in its execution. If Kevin Kwan’s intention in writing the novel was to "introduce a contemporary Asia to a North American audience", he certainly succeeded in showing a very narrow upper crust of society.

The film was largely a travelogue showing off iconic sites, cuisine and the sounds of Singapore.  

J.J. and I found it personally interesting as we have actually known “some of the main characters” in the film. Their main goals in life is to attend parties and be the best dressed among the guests. When money is no object, they seek after the rarest jewels to add to their never ending collection.

With a few exceptions, most of the casts, especially the young women all looked alike in hairstyles, clothes and make-up. It was confusing trying to remember character names with faces.

Overall, it was a very good entertaining film.

Aloha -- Cathi

From Kanarravilie, UT to Las Vegas, NV

Aloha Everyone,

We left rainy and cold Kanarraville where it was 39 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Beautiful drive as we covered our familiar route to KOA Sam’s Town Las Vegas. It is sunny in Las Vegas with a 77 high.  

Our plan is to attend to some of Honu's deferred maintenance issues.

Aloha -- Cathi

Eye Exams

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I had our comprehensive eye health and vision examination. J.J. was seen by Steven C. Taggart (OD, Doctor of Optometry) who is at the Walmart Vision Center in Cedar City during weekdays. James Michael Leigh (OD) is a professor in the Biology Department at Dixie State University at St. George, UT. He works at the Walmart Vision Center in Cedar City on Saturdays. It was fortuitous that I decided to have my eyes examined during the weekend.

First of all, I must say that this was the first most thorough eye exams I’ve ever experienced. I used to have my eyes checked by an Ophthalmologist and also had my reading glasses fitted twice. None could compare with the thoroughness of tests and attention given to my eyes.

I think my experience with having Dr Leigh do my eye exam is best summed up in his Linked In profile where he had written: “My favorite part in every eye examination I perform is where I can discuss the various ocular principles surrounding the eye conditions we encountered and see that, "a-ha" moment in the patient's expression when I know they understand.”

With help from Linda and Jenny, J.J. and I selected frames for our new glasses. The eye exam cost was $64 each.  My reading glasses will help mitigate exposures to LED lights and UV light when I use mobile devices. Likewise my driving glasses will also be sunglasses with UVA and UVB protections.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2324325/Do-environmentally-friendly-LED-lights-cause-BLINDNESS.html

Aloha -- Cathi

Kanarraville Historical Society

Aloha Everyone,

The Kanarraville Historical Society had their annual cemetery walk event which started at 5:45 pm this evening. Locally prominent pioneers are portrayed by costumed guides from the Kanarraville Historical Society.  

There will be campfire, hotdogs and hot chocolate and I am sure interesting anecdotes about past Kanarraville residents whose names are familiar to many of the attendees.

J.J. and I spent the day in Cedar City.  Anticipating that we would miss this curious event, the two of us drove by the cemetery earlier to take photos. 

A restored 1940’s era gas station with a sign “Mechanic on Duty” is located on the Main Street. This location was once a gathering place where people stopped for 35 cents a gallon gas and 10 cents Coke.

In 1995, Randy and Elaine Cartwright purchased the dilapidated gas station. With help from the Kanarraville Historical Society, the restored gas station attracts visitors who stop and take photographs.

Aloha -- Cathi

Dramatic Changes in Education

Aloha Everyone,

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor’s degree holder working full-time typically earns 66.7% more than an individual with only a high school diploma.

Based on a report done in 2015 by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, there is a difference of $3.4 million in lifetime earnings between the highest and lowest paying college majors.

Some of our friends have children or grandchildren who are college age. In addition to choosing the right college to attend, selecting the right major would have a profound impact on one’s life and career.

Technological improvements have definitely changed all aspects of college experience from enrollment, class studies and individual counseling of students.

Online learning once looked down by more traditional higher institutes are now fully acceptable. About 30% of undergraduates and graduate students frequently take a portion of their classes online. Field of education today is at an exciting crossroad starting with MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses), Coursera, edX, Futurelearn and other reputable providers in a wide range of subjects.

Here is a couple of informative articles in the related topic:

https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/8-reasons-to-get-your-masters-degree-in-cyber-security/

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T012-S001-worst-college-majors-for-your-career-2017-2018.html

Aloha -- Cathi

Kanarraville

Aloha Everyone,

Kanarraville Town Hall is located just adjacent to the Red Ledge RV Park. It is within the square block where I do my walking.  

David Ence is the Town Clerk and he warmly welcomed me to his office ready to answer my questions.

1). Majority of the residents of Kanarraville used to be farmers and ranchers.  It is now a bedroom community.

2). Children are bussed to Cedar City as there is no public school catering to the total estimated population of 380.

3). Aside from the Red Ledge RV Park which remains open year around, there is Libski’s Grill & Hotel which opens for the season (it snows during the winter.)

4). Library and museum are located in the same building as the Town Hall, accessible by appointment only.

 

5). There is no radio station or newspaper for Kanarraville.  

6). There is no police and David stated that there is no crime. Should they require law enforcement, the county sheriff is contacted.

7). Kanarraville has its own fire department.  Volunteer firemen, all 13 of them, are fully trained to combat structure and wild fires.

8). Two major events in Kanarraville are the 4th of July and 24th of July.  The latter, Pioneer Day, is celebrated throughout the state of Utah.

Aloha -- Cathi

Our Annual Health Check Up

Aloha Everyone,

The two of us had our annual health check up in Saint Grorge, Utah today. The overall results were good. No major decline regarding our health. That means we could continue to enjoy our RV lifestyle.

Aloha -- Cathi