Last Thursday I got a call from a long time family friend that I haven’t talked to for nearly 3 years. Alice, my friend, called to invite me to her wedding on that coming Saturday. I found that to be a slight surprise. Since I haven’t talk to her for so long, I didn’t even know that she was dating someone. Despite the short notice I was very glad that she invited Hiroko and I. Since the wedding was busy I never had the chance to really catch up with her, but I promised I’ll call her when we are back from our trip to Japan. After the invite I felt bad that I never invited her to my wedding. I just straight up forgot.


Daniel and Alice Swift followed by Mark and Hiroko Otsuka Hsieh.

Yesterday I suffered a grade 3 sprain in a very weird way. The nurse looked at it and said, “This looks bad. It may be a fracture.” Lucky for me god protected me and its only a very bad sprain. Normally climbing sprains are caused by rolling your feet off a pad or its rolling your feet on the landing first landing feet. However, I rolled my left ankle but I landed with my right foot first. Here is the kicker. The fall was no more than 3 1/2 feet. In a week I’ll be heading to Japan. Hopefully by then I will at least be able to walk long distances.


Check out the swelling.

Two weeks ago we had a field experience course. We visited companies and took a tour of the Port of Long Beach. Here are pictures.


Cesar, Jose, and Justin


Very Big Boat.


Our group..

On May 26th my In-Laws touched down at LAX airport. This is their first trip to the US since the they came for the wedding. Since they never really got a chance to be a tourist when they were here Hiroko and I decided to take them on a tour of the Southwest.
Here is the itinerary.

Wednesday 5/26
- Arrive at LAX
- Foot Massage
Thursday 5/27
- Hot Air Balloon Ride in Temecula
- Sight see in Santa Barbara
- Wine Tasting in Solvang
Friday 5/28
- Hiking near Solvang
- Wine Tasting in Solvang some more
- Shopping in Solvang
- Dinner with Familiy
Saturday 5/2999
- Shooting Rifle and Pistols in desert
- Shopping in Vegas Outlet
- Watch O show
Sunday 5/30
- Visit Hover Dam
- Visit Grand Canyon
- Flag Staff
- Get to Sedona
Monday 5/31
- Shopping in Sedona
- Hike to Devil’s Bridge
- Visit Montezuma’s Castle
- Drive to Palm Springs
Tuesday 6/1
- Shopping in Cabazon
- Head home
- Dinner with Family
Wednesday 6/2
- Fly back to Japan.

This tour of the Southwest was approximately 1,600 miles of driving. Close to a full day of driving. Here are the pictures.


After the Champagne breakfast before the baloon ride.
Hiroko Otsuka Hsieh and Kyoko Otsuka


Mama, Hiroko, and Papa Otsuka


Our Pilot prepping the ballon.


Its almost up.






Up and Up into the air.


Otsukas enjoying themselves. Look at our picnic basket in the sky.







Hike near Solvang. What makes this water fall special is that instead of cutting a grove in the mountain. It leaves build up making it protrude out from the face of the fall.


At Grand Canyon.


the Ladies.


Heading into Sedona.


We stayed here. I strongly recommend lodging here. Very great bed and breakfast.


Bubble Bath that went slightly out of control.


Toffee Hsieh


Devil’s Bridge: Mama and Papa


Hiroko, Toffee, Teddy and I


Montezuma’s Castle