At last I can write again! It's because our Union City home is finally in some kind of order. It has been an extremely busy July and August for us. No, I'm not whining, just justifying for not following through on my promise for an update after our son, Phil's, graduation last June.
Well, before I bring you up to date regarding Phil, allow me to complete my justification for my inability to write. I want to say again, I'm not whining. I am very grateful for my fruitful undertakings. The only hint of whining, if any, stems from not being able to write. My justification for it?...OCD. I cannot seem to write until I have some kind of order in my surroundings. It's my obsessive-compulsive-disorder getting in the way.
By now, most of you already know we moved back to our Union City home. And for those of you who do not know, while we were in our Pismo home, our Union City home was home to our very friendly and active teen. In other words, it became a party house (not to mention there were 2 untrained dogs). It was in dire need of some major TLC. So right after our Orlando/Jamaica summer vacation, we tackled home improvements and maintenance at our Union City home. We replaced the upstairs carpeted bedrooms to laminate flooring. All the home improvements and maintenance, including selecting materials, (and looking for a dance school for Isabella) took the rest of July through the first week of August.
After the major work, we took a break and headed to our Central Coast home.
two blissful weeks in Pismo:
8/7 (Fri) - drive to Pismo and made it to Isabella's dance class at CDMA
8/8 (Sat) - company class from 9-11 then off to the beach with Phil and Belle in the afternoon.
8/9 (Sun) - family time at Avila Beach with some of Belle's friends from CDMA
8/10 (Mon) - my adult jazz class
8/11 (Tues) - Santa Maria courthouse to take care of my speeding ticket, Belle's dance classes, Belle's haircut (she wanted bangs); ending with family dinner at Rosa's Italian Restaurant
8/12 (Wed) - Isabella's playdate with friend from school, Adrian
8/13 (Thu) - time with my GFF, Tessie while Isabella enjoyed swimming at their clubhouse
8/14 (Fri) - sleepover with Gabby (one of Isabella's BFFs from CDMA)
8/15 (Sat) - Isabella's dance rehearsal; shopping with Tessie at Costco
8/16 (Sun) - good-bye get-together at home with Belle's dance teachers, Ms. Kathy & Ms. Tara
8/17 (Mon) - another sleepover with Gabby
8/20(Thu) - playdate with Sonja (another BFF from CDMA); dress rehearsal for Pier 39 show
8/21 (Fri) - drive back to Union City
8/22 (Sat) - Pier 39 show; Tessie and Steven visited; ate Edna and family
Back in Union City
8/30 (Sun) - time with my cousin ate Edna and family
dance classes for Isabella at Ballet Petit
8/25 (Tues) - time with one of my BFF's, ate Janette, and her DD, Jaezelle (one of Belle's BFFs)
8/27 (Thu) - playdate with Isabella's BFF, Krystn
As you can very well see, it has indeed been a fruitful couple of months for me. With the "busyness" I made sure that there were plenty of great moments with great friends.
Update on Phil
Thanks to Phil we were able to afford our Orlando/Jamaica vacation from his Oracle project earnings. We all had the time of our lives. It was also a great time for him to deliberate and decide which position to accept. It was a very difficult decision for him. He liked both offers: from the Dept. of Defense as Computer Engineer for NavAir, and as Systems Administrator at Experts Exchange.
It took a long while and in the end he decided to accept the offer from Experts Exchange in San Luis Obispo. He works alongside his proud dad (big consideration in the decision-making process). Russ couldn't be any prouder and any more ecstatic. The other plus is the chance of continuing his Masters degree at Cal Poly, which he plans on pursuing in the very near future. He is enjoying his job and involved in several productive projects.
So there you have it....I finally followed through on my promise for an update. Sorry it took so long...hence the equally long update:)
BTW just to let you know I also went back to taekwondo class yesterday after my 3-yr hiatus. Wish me luck that I can keep it up as I am in desperate need for some physical activity.
After all this long update some of you who do not know why we moved back to Union City are probably wondering just why we decided to move back. Well, I have to take Isabella to dance class now so it's going to have to wait until next post. I'll post pictures too... so just check back... hopefully it won't take as long:)
Ian's 17th Birthday
The day after 4th of July and before our Orlando/Jamaica trip. Our baby boy is now 17. Ian is the youngest amongst our 3 boys. He is taller than I am now but will always be my baby:)
Red Rock Canyon State Park
We have been very busy after Phil's graduation (an excuse for not having been able to blog since). There were the preparations for CDMA's studio show last June 28th and our summer trip to Jamaica (photos from our fantabulous trip available here). In between we managed to take a mini trip to China Lake/Ridgecrest to visit the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division NAWCWD (Phil's prospective employer). On the way back home we were fortunate to chance upon this gem of a state park...the Red Rock Canyon. It was extremely hot but it didn't stop us from taking time for a photo shoot...to admire and capture a magnificent wilderness...and we are grateful.
sharing at The Inspired Room and Sky Watch Friday
sharing at The Inspired Room and Sky Watch Friday
Father's Day 09
We had an extended Father's Day celebration this year. The kids and I visited Russ at work Monday following Father's Day. We had a very nice lunch at Buona Tavola in downtown SLO.
It's Official
We are very proud to present our graduate...
Irving R. Phillips, III (Phil)
Bachelor of Science
Computer Engineering
Magna Cum Laude
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo
Spring 2009
After the main ceremony, we headed to the private reception for the CPE (Computer Engineering) graduates. It was a brief private ceremony as there were only 45 Computer Engineering graduates.
We had time to take a family photo in between the two ceremonies. (photo taken by Krystal)
Photo with Phil's Senior Advisor, Dr. Liddecoat.
Our intimate family celebration at the Dolphin Bay's Lido Restaurant
This is a very momentous day for our family.
Congratulations Phil!
Last Day of School
Isabella - Straight Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance Award
Ian - Best Independent Study Student Award
Announcing....Phil's Graduation
It seems like it wasn't too long ago when we celebrated Phil's highschool graduation back in 2005. Some of you joined in our celebration party at the Mariott Hotel in Newark, CA. I remembered crying while reading a letter I wrote for him inspired by the song "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack.
And boy, dance he did...to the tune of academic excellence.
After four years of hard work, we are very proud to announce his graduation from Cal Poly as Magna Cum Laude in Computer Engineering.
Photo courtesy of Papelle Photographie
There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises."
This is another milestone for our family; one that indeed marks the beginning of yet another chapter. Thank you for being a part of our life. We are very proud of our son, Phil, for his extraordinary achievements.
And boy, dance he did...to the tune of academic excellence.
After four years of hard work, we are very proud to announce his graduation from Cal Poly as Magna Cum Laude in Computer Engineering.
Photo courtesy of Papelle Photographie
There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises."
Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning. ~Orrin Hatch
This is another milestone for our family; one that indeed marks the beginning of yet another chapter. Thank you for being a part of our life. We are very proud of our son, Phil, for his extraordinary achievements.
News highlights on Phil since our Christmas newsletter:
- Tour/interview at The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) last December resulting in a formal job offer. His visit to China Lake was arranged and paid for by NAWCWD.
- Travel to Malta last spring break as part of Cal Poly’s ICEX Team (International Computer Engineering Exchange program). The program is called Malta Cistern Mapping Project. This project was recently featured on a local news station.
- Final senior project for ViaSat, a satellite communications company.
- Currently doing part-time, paid, remote work for Oracle.
- Contemplating on pursuing his Masters.
Phil knew what he wanted from the beginning: he has always had that "sense of wonder" or fascination with computers and robotics (maybe it's the computer flowchart mobile his dad made for him when he was a baby. I was going to say it's from my genes but everyone knows Calculus makes my head spin and smoke:).
His strong interest with computers continued through highschool. He earned a Department Award in Computer Science and Student of the Year award in Computer Programming. He was thrilled when he was accepted at Cal Poly. He knew the moment we toured the campus that it was the school for him. It was our first and last college campus tour for him.
Cal Poly is indeed a perfect fit for him apparent in his continued growth not only in academics but in his character as a whole. The best attributes of Phil are his strong faith and positive outlook. He is a great steward of his blessings. It is evident in the way he cultivates his God-given talents through his diligence, perseverance and constientious efforts. He does his best, and then he leaves the rest to God. I have witnessed this blessed attitude countless times. One recent example I can remember is when he applied for the Malta ICEX program.
Originally, the program can only fund 5 students. He was initially selected as an alternate. I knew how much he wanted to travel to Malta, yet I did not see a hint of disappointment. He felt honored to be selected as an alternate and be able to contribute to the program. For Phil, all he can do is do his best; and the rest is not up to him but HIM who is ultimately in control. He was happy to be part of the technical training in preparation for the trip. They must have seen his wonderful work ethics and this positive outlook I talk about. As it turned out, the program was able to fund 6 students. Moreover, he gained valuable mentorship and sponsorship from the program's Technical Director, Dr. Chris Clark, who recommended him for an Outstanding Graduating Senior award and is encouraging him to pursue his graduate studies.
If my mantra is "too blessed to be stressed", Phil's is "carpe diem", which means sieze the day. To him every day is a blessing and therefore time should not be wasted. I say, he is a great blessing....all that he is....and we are truly grateful.
He has several options/choices in front of him. We will keep you posted of his future plans. Again, we thank you for all your prayers and support and for being a great part of our life.
Cal Poly is indeed a perfect fit for him apparent in his continued growth not only in academics but in his character as a whole. The best attributes of Phil are his strong faith and positive outlook. He is a great steward of his blessings. It is evident in the way he cultivates his God-given talents through his diligence, perseverance and constientious efforts. He does his best, and then he leaves the rest to God. I have witnessed this blessed attitude countless times. One recent example I can remember is when he applied for the Malta ICEX program.
Originally, the program can only fund 5 students. He was initially selected as an alternate. I knew how much he wanted to travel to Malta, yet I did not see a hint of disappointment. He felt honored to be selected as an alternate and be able to contribute to the program. For Phil, all he can do is do his best; and the rest is not up to him but HIM who is ultimately in control. He was happy to be part of the technical training in preparation for the trip. They must have seen his wonderful work ethics and this positive outlook I talk about. As it turned out, the program was able to fund 6 students. Moreover, he gained valuable mentorship and sponsorship from the program's Technical Director, Dr. Chris Clark, who recommended him for an Outstanding Graduating Senior award and is encouraging him to pursue his graduate studies.
If my mantra is "too blessed to be stressed", Phil's is "carpe diem", which means sieze the day. To him every day is a blessing and therefore time should not be wasted. I say, he is a great blessing....all that he is....and we are truly grateful.
He has several options/choices in front of him. We will keep you posted of his future plans. Again, we thank you for all your prayers and support and for being a great part of our life.
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