Woman in Gold (Movie, 2015)

This film portrays the true story of Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren) the refugee niece and heir of a prominent Jewish family in pre-WW II Vienna. Maria's best known relative was her Aunt Adele, whose portrait, Gustav Klimt painted in 1907, titled "Woman in Gold". This painting along with many other art treasures owned by Maria's family were stolen by the Nazis and wound up in Austrian museums, such as Vienna's famous Belvedere Gallery. 

Woman in Gold was a beautiful movie about an ugly period in history...unfortunately "man's inhumanity to man" continues around the world today.

My floral arrangement: Moribana style

Kingsman: The Secret Service (Movie, 2015)

Adapted from the acclaimed comic book, "The Secret Service", and directed by Matthew Vaughn, the movie tells the story of a super secret spy organization, where veteran Kingsman agent, Harry Hart (Colin Firth) recruits Eggsy Unwin (Taron Egerton), the unrefined but promising son of a former agent who saved his life. 

It has sort of a graphic novel brought to the screen, with cartoonish choreographed violence, spy gadgets and a preposterous James Bond like plot.

Free Style

IAI Conference in Sacramento and Redwood Trip

https://picasaweb.google.com/105315051989778304257/Sacramento_082015?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOCVls27xaCTuQE&feat=directlink

This is the Centennial International IAI (International Association of Identification) Education Conference held in Sacramento. Of course you won’t miss this gala ceremony. Two years after our last visit, this city is quieter, empty, great HOT weather, and still relaxed me.

2 August 2015

Home, Carl’s Jr., Best Western Plus Sutter House in Sacramento

Hubby insisted on driving all the way up to our destination. It might be the best as a person suffering from motion sickness. Sadly driving through brown, yellow or gold “Dust Bowls”, one can imagine how farmers cry for the rain. You can spot numerous boards along the way, e.g., “Is growing food wasting water?” Severe drought really impacted California farmers! It took us 6.5 hours!

Best Western is very well situated near hubby’s meetings at the Convention Center. This hotel was quiet, and all the rooms were arranged around a central courtyard with a pool. We happened to be placed on the first floor with a patio door going right thru to the pool. Breakfast was typical continental breakfast. Unfortunately, hubby got bed bug bites the third night and he realized that “bed bugs” are not fiction!

3 August 2015

IAI 100^TH Opening Ceremony, Mother, Osaka

I had the honor of joining IAI’s opening ceremony with the expectation to hear the keynote speaker John Walsh, who is a world-renowned anti-crime activist and celebrity speaker. He’s currently the host of the new CNN series The Hunt with John Walsh. Walsh talked about being the victim of crime and shared insights based on what he’s experienced, learned and investigated since he lost his son in 1981 and the personal viewpoint. Walsh deserves praise for seeking a responsible approach to solving, preventing and punishing crime. The fact that he survives a devastating, personal loss underscores the importance of his work. 

4 August 2015

John Freeman Park Farmers Market, Capitol Park, State Capitol, Andy Nyuen

The tour guide gave us a great tour! I got to see the interior of the capitol, plus I saw all of the past California state governors’ self-portrait paintings including Arnold Schwarzenegger's. By the way, they added a new Ronald Reagan’s bronze statue. I enjoyed the tour and always learned something new about the people and culture of California. The California State Capitol houses the Bicameral State Legislature, offices of the Executive Branch, a pretty Rotunda area, interesting historical displays, and 70s-era office suites. The California Senate Chamber was closed today. The California Assembly Chamber is located at the opposite end of the building. Its green tones are based on those of the British House of Commons (the lower house).  Along the cornice appears a quotation from Abraham Lincoln in Latin: "Legislatorum est justas leges condere (It is the duty of legislators to pass just laws). We also walked under the Rotunda, viewed the historic Governor's Office Suites, and wandered the ornate hallways outside the Legislative Chambers. It's all fascinating stuff and definitely worth a visit and for an intriguing civics experience.

We enjoyed a vegetarian Vietnamese dinner with hubby’s friend Phan Ho.

5 August 2015

Cesar Chavez Park Farmers Market, Thai @12

A relaxed day strolled in the park. Browsing all the amazing produce, flowers, plants, even artists in the Farmers Market is always a charm.

6 August 2015

California History Museum, Indo Café, Thai @12

Nowadays, it’s hard not to be bitten by the bed bugs in the hotel room during travel. No wonder Phan brought her own sheets. We will, next time.

The tour showed us how the villagers raised their city 8 feet to keep the town from flooding. When you visit you will see how the folks lived back in the 1860s. This tour takes you into the basements of some of the Old Sacramento buildings.  It has completely changed the way I see Old Sacramento.  The history of Sacramento is not complete without this tour to learn about the growth of the town, the flooding by the local rivers, and the changes the town’s people made to stay here.  And of only $3 more, we enjoyed the Sacramento History Museum at the end of the tour. 

7 August 2015

“Mission Impossible, The Rogue Nation”, Asuka, IAI farewell Banquet

Ethan Hunt: "Desperate times, desperate measures." This fifth film in the Mission Impossible movie franchise, again starring Tom Cruise, is one of the best...that's what they say. I don't know how long he can keep this up, but at 53, Cruise is still the action hero star without equal, doing many of his own stunts. 

IAI banquet started with official stuff, going away and coming up presidents, appreciation for all dedicated passed members, wishes for the next centennial, etc. At lease, I had my vegetarian dish. They did invite a show group to play Japanese style Taigu drums which was a little bit too loud for this occasion. Finally they drew a complete period for this 1800 participants’ event!

8 August 2015

Clear Lake, Lucerne, 和利Buffet at Willits, Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree in Legget, Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay in Eureka, Pho

Boy Voyage, Sacramento! We started driving north toward our next destination, Redwood Park.

Clear Lake is Unique. Clear Lake is the largest, natural freshwater lake in California with 68 square miles of surface area. Lakes have existed at the site of Clear Lake for at least 2,500,000 years, possibly making it the oldest lake in North America. We passed by this quite town of Lucerne which has the name of “Switzerland of America” and strolled by the lake.

Arrived the famous Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree and waited in line for about 45 minutes to get through it. Our stop was brief because we had to get to our hotel in Eureka. Not as appealing for an adult but worth the $5 none the less. We used our iPad to take some pictures.

We arrived at the second Best Western hotel. Their breakfast is always fully stocked and extremely clean and don't forget the Pool and Oasis Grotto. Hotel is within walking distance of Old Eureka and waterfront. We walked to the pier and had a Vietnamese Pho dinner.

9 August 2015

Shrine Drive-Thru Tree at Meyers Flat, Woodley Island Marina, Café Marina, Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

This was our 2nd drive through tree. It costs $6 and this price also includes the Drive-On Log, which is, yep, you guessed it, a log that you drive on top of. It is the only one where you drive through a natural cleft in the tree instead of a man-made tunnel which is neat. They also have a couple big tree trunks that have been carved into little houses--with windows, doors, and stairs in one. 

We visited Carson Mansion in Eureka. Very interesting.....beautiful....amazing.... too bad that the inside is not open for viewing. The rich maintain it and the rich control it! This is one of the most ornate Victorian mansions we ever see. It is now a private club, so we can only take pictures from beyond the surrounding fence. 

Woodley Island Marina is a nice area to walk around and see loads of fishing & recreational boats.  We came at day time so activity was nil, but still enjoyed walking out on the docks.  A statue on the end of the island is erected in memory of fisherman lost at sea.  We had lunch at the Marina Cafe...sat at a table overlooking the marina.  Food was mediocre...couldn't beat the view though. Nice folks and pleasant (but simple) atmosphere!

We walked on the Samoa dunes for a while. Then made our way down to the shore. There were a lot of sea shells to be found. It’s a beautiful beach!

10 August 2015

Mendocino, 和利Buffet at Willits

Coming home was a big chore because it took us totally 14 hours due to the congestion on I-580 and I-5. Thank God we were safely home!

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015, Movie)

Ethan Hunt: "Desperate times, desperate measures." This fifth film in the Mission Impossible movie franchise, again starring Tom Cruise, is one of the best...that's what they say. I don't know how long he can keep this up, but at 53, Cruise is still the action hero star without equal, doing many of his own stunts. 

It's wonderful under IMAX.