RIP Daisy

Yesterday, 7/15/09, we lost one of our beloved Scottish Terrier, Daisy (full name: Please Don't Eat the Daisies). We loved her very much and she was one of the happiest dogs you would come across. She was always up for giving kisses, having Anthony use her as a pillow, and just to brighten up your day when you are feeling a little low.

We adopted Daisy in Texas almost 15 years ago from Jerry's Pet Store at some mall in Ft. Worth, Texas. We saw her in the window and went to go to see her. We just happened to be looking for a playmate for Lizzie our first Scotty. The clerk took her out, her name was Mauvis back then, and let us play with her. We fell in love instantly and did not care that she did not have papers, we knew she was the right fit for our small family of 2 cats and 1 dog. So, I negotiated her price and we took her home.

On the way home, she was so skittish that she rode on the back of Ross' neck the whole way, kinda like a doggy scarf. It was adorable. She and Lizzie got along fairly quickly and the rest is history. We have so many fond memories of Daisy, from the long car drives from Texas to California, to her first plane ride, to riding on peddle boats on the lake, to just cuddling up on the couch. She also loved to play catch, was often found sleeping with one of her stuffed animals, she loved to give kisses, loved to roll around in either horse or cow poop, and always had a smile on her face. I will miss so many things about her. Dogs definitely love you unconditionally, and Daisy most definitely did.

Last week we had taken her to the vet for checkup because she was breathing funny and the doctor said that she had water in her lungs from pneumonia and she thinks maybe heart disease. Ross brought Lizzie in this week because of her eyes and again told him that another doctor had looked at Daisy's x-rays from last week and he also concurred that the enlarge heart was heart disease. They prescribed her some medication but I guess it did not work. Daisy did have a big heart (not in the same way the doctors said)...and it showed. I wish we (I) had done more. I should have done more. I regret not doing more. But...I just sat back thinking that it will all work out okay and that she would just get over it and get better. Frankly, I was more concerned about Lizzie dying sooner than Daisy.

I remember looking at her as I left the house yesterday and she just kinda gave me a look of I will miss you (or maybe it was do something)...so before leaving I looked back to her and said Goodbye Daisy, I love you. Didn't realize it was the last time I would say that. Ross found her dead, looked like she was sleeping peacefully, when we came home from work last night. He stopped me at the door and told me to take Anthony upstairs, so I did. As Anthony watched TV upstairs, we called to local animal hospitals to find a way to cremate and discard of her body. Ross said she felt very cold already and he wanted to say goodbye, but knew it was no longer her. She was really loved and she will be missed.

We told Anthony what had happened in the best way we could. He cried for about 15 minutes cuddling up to us and saying how Daisy will not be with us anymore and how much he wants her there. He will miss his playmate and sometimes pillow. We all will.

So...RIP Daisy, you have left an impact here on earth and we will miss you but never forget about you.

-Percy

Top Photo by Gloria Plunkett and Middle Photo by Ross Beardsley

Yummy to my Tummy...The Burger Bus

If you live in the Santa Barbara area, don't walk run after The Burger Bus. I had the incredible opportunity to eat there today and had the totally scrumptious CB&J (Cheeseburger and Jelly). They have 5 locations that they service in the SB/Goleta area, each day in a different location. For their locations, please visit their Website.

The Burger Bus features products from local companies such as:
















I'm telling you this is my new favorite burger joint. Check out the schedule of locations and try it out.

-Percy

Photos from The Burger Bus

New Guilty Pleasure

I watched the pilot of the show Glee last night on Fox and I have to say that I think this is going to be my new favorite show...my new guilty pleasure.

Glee is a mix between the original Fame TV show meets High School Musical. The characters all seem really interesting and I think it's going to make for good TV. I hope they don't cheese it up too much.

The premise is a high school music teacher torn between doing what he loves and making more money to support his wife and the lifestyle she thinks they should have. Than there's the other teacher who is secretly in love with the music teacher. The football stud turned Glee Club geek, after the music teacher basically fabricated a story to get him to sing in the group and finally you have your Glee Club geeks who are just a great group of of folks with awesome voices. I can't wait for the season to start. If you missed the pilot, you can watch it in full here.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

-Percy

Photo from Fox

Mini Lake Tahoe Vacation - Snow in April?

Ross, Anthony and I were able to have a little vacation with my mom, dad, and my brother and his family in Lake Tahoe. We stayed at a wonderful time share condos, Village at Northstar, and it was the perfect accommodations. Even though "the shopping village" and all the restaurants attached to it was closed until June.

We went to see my niece, Amanda, play volleyball with her team. It was some mega tournament with teen girls competing with each other. It was a little crazy because we walked into a convention center filled with volleyball courts! Seriously there were 60 courts in that place. At any rate it was interesting to see how club sports have evolved since I was in high school.

We arrived Thursday evening at 10pm, after a long ride from Santa Barbara, 10 hours to be exact. Thank goodness that the condo was relaxing and inviting and we didn't have to worry about sleeping on the floor (Asian households someone always has to sleep on the floor event when on vacation), though family friend Tommy had to sleep on the couch. After a Japanese takeout dinner with the family we went to sleep.

I woke up around 6pm, not sure why, but I thought I would look outside and figure out what to do with the kid that day. I opened up a bathroom blind (so I would not wake up Anthony and Ross) and to my surprise it was snowing. I was hoping there would be some snow left so Anthony can feel real snow compared to manufactured snow brought in at the Santa Barbara Zoo, but snowing heavily was a big PLUS!

I was so excited that I had to wake up Ross and Anthony so they could look out, both could care less and went back to sleep. They finally woke up and Anthony got so excited after seeing the huge down pour and large flakes, that he was the first one dressed ready to play in it. I told him that he had to eat breakfast first. So we did and then ventured out to take some initial photos in the snow.

After taking these photos we went back up to the condo to see if everyone else was ready to go and venture out in the snow. My brother and I wanted to take the kids sledding since it was the first time the young ones were ever in snow. Once everyone was dressed as warmly as possible, most of us brought spring clothes including my mom who only brought sandals...she had to borrow a pair of my dad's socks. We ventured out to a little hill just behind our place. Once we were out the kids thought it was a perfect time for a snowball fight. Luckily we brought some winter coats and long pants.

Anthony decided to catch snowflakes on his tongue, I asked him where he saw people doing that and he said, "The Polar Express." I asked him what it tasted like and he said, "Apple Juice."

When the kids saw the hill they were amazed at the amount of snow and just ran into it...no hesitation what so ever. They were amazed at how white and pristine everything was.

After getting adjusted to this white cold stuff, we ventured up the hill to go sledding. All the kids had such a great time, until Anthony's hand got to cold from the snow...no gloves, no place to buy...so he started to cry and yelling COLD COLD COLD. So we took him back to the room to get him warmed up, dried, and showered. All in all he loved it and told us next time to make sure we get him gloves and other water proof stuff so that he can play in it longer. But he had a great time sledding!

The first time in the snow for Anthony was great. We had a wonderful time with the family. I can't wait to do it again and maybe get him into ski lessons so we can go skiing as a family...which means I need to brush up and get fit to do those slopes again. We can't wait for winter again!

-Percy

Susan Boyle Dreams her Dream - Yeah for the Underdog!

I know you all have been inundated with this video, but it is so good, I cry every time I watch it, because Susan represents the underdog (and at some point we all have been underdogs). She may not look like a superstar, but should looks determine that? How about true talent? I'm a fan!

It goes to show to never underestimate anyone, because you never know how they will surprise you! Additionally, I love this song from Les Miz and she is an inspiration!

-Percy

Video from YouTube