Okay.. no more purchases until next year. Today we seriously bought so many things.. I wouldn't say too many but, alot. God has really blessed Me and Hiroko with lots of goodies. In order to get our hand on all these goodies we camped out with the commune and others at REI. This sale was popular for it had over 20 people by the time we arrived, which was 9:30pm Friday, keep in mind that the sale does not start till saturday at 10am. Our diligence payed off once the clock hit 10. The rush started and we our previous REI used gear training became second nature. Like a samurai master and their katana, we handled the good and shopping bag, with skill. After an hour we walked away with big grins.

Here is a list of our treasure. Retail ~$800 I Paid $97
1) Q-Towers (yakima roof rack)
2) Fairings (yakima roof rack)
3) 58" Cross Bar (Yakima roof rack)
4) Raptor Bike Rack
5) Snow Shovel
6) Snow Probe
7) BD Ice Axe
8) BD Crampons
9) Yakima 6pc Locks
10) OR Gaiters
11) Q Clips
12) Surf Board Strap

Hiroko's List adds on much much more.., but we can't stop there because we then went on to purchase 2 surf boards, 2 wet suits and a boogie board with fins for a total of $150. Me and Hiroko agreed that God really blessed us today with so much material stuff. We must put it to good use. Thank so much God.


This is the night before the REI used gear sale..


Loren, Hiroko, Josh, Me, and Aaron .. urban camping @ REI


This is the Calm Before The Storm.. unfortunately I wasn't able to take pictures of the rush


Camry, 2 bikes, 2 surf boards, 2 wet suits, boogie board, and everything from REI used gear sale


This is wilson wang Mtn Biking.. We went friday afternoon.

Apple Valley was perfect. Sunny with a nice breeze blowing. There was only 4 of us climbing, so we were able to get many climbs done. Victor Gee put up a FA boulder problem rated @ about v4/5ish.. I was excited for him. Hiroko was doing well climbing like a champ. She is getting really good with her techniques. Joshua Echi was also with us. He gave a 10d a very hard go... he wasn't able to finish however he gave it a really good try. He did very well considering the last time he climbed was over month ago.

Hiroko Climbing


Victor Gee on FA of unnamed V4/5


Me redpointing

Not only did I play, but I actually did something productive. Since Hiroko is moving in we must start making space for her things. We also must get a larger bed, not to mention better. My plans were to get a loft bed. But, why buy one? They cost about $300+ and they are flimsy, not to mention always to high to sit up right on the bed. I decided that with my, otherwise wasted time, during spring break to build a bed from scratch. Took only one and a half days to complete it. I also saved well over $150 dollars. The bed is very solid with very little to none swaying motion. And it turned out really well. Me and Hiroko also go a new full size bed with it. We are going to sleep on it for the first time tonight... or actually this morning. Haha. well time to sleep .. night.


This picture was taken right after i finished it. it stands 4' 6" tall


This is the back leg of the bed.


This the slatted top.. i had to use some left over of a broken bench since I ran out of wood.


This is my mom helping us reassemble it in our room.


Us and our bed, in our newly arranged room

Thursdays are now officially get together days with Michael and Diana. Last week Hiroko and I cooked dinner for Mike and Diana. Today we went to their house for dinner. I am hoping that this will become a tradition and that we will get together every thursday. I feel that we must be intentional with our friends as we become busy with our lives. Though right now it is just us two couple, I hope that it will be a time for close friends to catch up with each other over home cooked dinner. Diana and Michael prepared delicious pasta and cream puffs. We enjoyed the food as we spent time talking and drinking. After dinner we played a game of settlers.. Man.. I really enjoy those times together with friends.

On another note... I'm so thankful for Hiroko. She goes to work everyday even though it gives her stress. She smiles when she gets back and give me a hug.. I can't believe I'm so blessed to be married to Hiroko.

Hiroko calls it my "secret training". These last two months I have been spending much time working on my snowboarding skills. Kenny, my brother, blessed me with a new snowboard for my birthday. Since then I have been trying to get better at snowboarding. Thursdays are my "secret training" days. Since I only have one class early thursday morning, I am able to get snowboarding in. Unfortunately Hiroko is at work and unable to join me. Though I normally hit the mountains myself, I have been able to meet people on the slopes. At Mt Baldy I met two lads named Alan and James, and today at Mt High, I met a guy named Josh. Its kinda nice to ride and learn with others. This is my first season, but I logged many hours of ridding. I feel proficient at just ridding and is now working on boxes and small jumps. I will continue my secret training until my skills become better and I feel comfortable with medium jumps and steep terrain.


This is the snowboard my bro got me. Its called the Hybrid Conspiracy by Illuminati. This small snowboard company is based out of famous Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I love this board. It rides really well. Its fast, holds its edge, and light enough to be tossed around for park, though its a free ride board. It also just looks clean.