My Sister's Quick Trip

My sister, Carol, flew in from Atlanta to spend a few days with me and my family. She and her husband were in Atlanta for almost 6 weeks for her husband's work-related training. I have not seen my sister since her wedding in 2008, so I asked her to come over, even for a few days.

She had been to the Bay Area before with my parents so she didn't have any specific place she wanted to visit. No must see. Only-if-we-can kind a things. No specific plans were made. It was pretty much free for all. It was more like catching up time.

She arrived late Wednesday evening, and we picked her up at the San Jose airport. My wife and I took off from work Thursday and Friday so we can spend some time with her. At first, she wanted to visit Napa, but when I told her how far it was and what was there to do, she changed her mind. Besides, she said, she was isn't into wine-tasting either. Despite that, we took her somewhere closer. We brought her to Concannon Vineyard in Livermore. From there, we went to another winery, Garre Winery, for a late lunch, al fresco.

We also visited James' new school in the fall, Bellarmine College Preparatory, in San Jose. We came as  classes were ongoing, and I took particular interest at what the students were wearing. It is true. Most of the kids wore nothing but Bell apparel, from shorts and sweatpants to t-shirts and hoodies. During break, all we saw was a sea of blue and white -- the colors of Bell.We stopped by the Campus Store to get more stuff for James. My wife had the sweater I bought earlier exchanged for another kind, and bought some more. I did the same and got a warm up jersey. My sister, too, got a Bell shirt for her husband's nephew.

While on this trip, I told my sister that we'd take her to some of our favorite eating places that offered dishes I would think she wouldn't normally have where she lived -- in Dubai. While in Santa Row, we brought her back to Consuelo, a Mexican bistro she had tried on her last visit. We also ate French brasserie, Left Bank, for brunch.

She wasn't much of a burger person, but she did enjoy the burger she split with my wife, and the super nachos with carnitas at First Street Alehouse in Livermore. For a quite unique Japanese treat, we took her to Aniki's Sushi in Fremont for a special sushi roll that's topped with cut-up pieces of deep-fried, battered langostinos (imagine a small, stubby lobster), and super fresh sashimi as well. For her Filipino food craving, we travelled up the Peninsula for a taste of Fort McKinley in South San Francisco.

My sister also had a chance to see her nephew play volleyball during our last 2 games of the regular season last Friday. Yesterday, she watched our first playoff game against St. Leander. Originally, we planned on driving her to the airport immediately after our second game, which I projected would end at 8pm. This would give us enough time to get to the airport by 9pm, for her 10:45pm flight back to Atlanta. But because of the mishap that occurred (the fire alarm went off at the gym), everything got delayed and the schedule pushed back. There was no way we would get out of there by 8. It was a good thing we brought 2 cars in case of any eventuality. And this was when we needed it. My wife ended up taking my sister back to the airport right after our first game. She got back as we were into our first set of the second game.

It was a short trip. I was glad she was able to stop by and visit. I wished she could have stayed longer. Maybe next time.

Fierce Volleyball Playoffs

We just played our playoff games -- two at that. First was against St. Leander. And like all the games we've played against them, this one was not any different. We went 3 sets, losing the first one. It was a scary moment until we got our bearings straightened out.

The boys were a bit tight at the start. Anxious was probably the better description. We should have won the first set, but the set back just made the boys more determined to win the match. And they delivered. Again, another sweet victory. For a bottom-dweller, I cannot understand why they always gave us a difficult time.

With this win, we had to play another match in the quarterfinals. Our next opponent was the winner between St. Bede and St. Felicitas. As expected, it was the latter, but not after their own scare. They had to go 3 sets as well before the final outcome was determined.

Our match against St. Felicitas was not any different from our previous encounters. We pretty much took control of the game from the start. We racked up a sizable lead in the first set, but got a little careless, and allowed them to come close. Really close. Same thing happened in the second set, but we made sure they didn't get too close. We steadily pulled away and kept the distance till the end. We won in straight sets, 2-0.

One highlight of the day was the fire alarm that went off at the gym the games were being played at. The match before us between St. Bede and St. Felicitas were about to begin their 3rd set when the alarm went off. There was no fire, but only smoke from an unattended fryer. But a fire truck arrived and the crew inspected the place. When all was cleared, no one could get back in because the alarm couldn't be turned off  and no one had the key to the fire alarm panel. By the time it was over, everything got delayed and the scheduled was pushed back by at least 40 minutes.

With our quarterfinal win, it set the stage for our semifinal match up against league-leading St. Clements on Friday, May 3rd. This semifinals match is key for both teams. A win or loss will dictate how the championship will be won on Sunday, May 5th. More of that later.

In the meantime, there is more work to be done to prepare for this all-important match against St. Clements.

Work hard. Play even harder. For the win, go Cougars !!!

Regular Season Standings

The last 2 games of our boys volleyball season were played tonight at Holy Spirit. We met both St. Leander and St. Felicitas for the second time. And we beat them both tonight.

The win against St. Leander was extra special because we lost to them in our first outing. This evening, we exacted revenge, but not without a scare. We had to force a third set, after dropping the first. It sure was a sweet victory. As for St. Felicitas, we merely confirmed our earlier dominance over them with a repeat win in straight sets.

With our wins, our final record for the regular season improved to 7-3 for a second place spot. Third place went to St. Felicitas, 6-4, while St. Leander remained in the bottom, with 1-9. Top of the standing is St. Clements, with 9-1.

All 7 teams play in the playoffs, which begins on Sunday. Based on our standing, we play cellar-dweller St. Leander. The playoffs will follow a double-elimination process. This means two losses ends any chances to get to the championship. And the undefeated team needs to loss twice to say goodbye as well. Playoff matches are spread over 3 days, and all played at All Saints.

Congratulations for placing second. Let's win this championship. Go Cougars !!!

Interest in Biking

With spring in the air (feels more like summer though), everyone seems to be getting into more outdoor activities than they normally do. Well, that's what I observe, or I just wasn't paying too much attention. One thing I know, at least in my family, it is true. Suddenly, there is a great interest in biking.

My Specialized Roubaix

Let's just say I started it all. Mine was primarily for health reasons. I needed to get my blood flowing and my heart pumping more than it is right now. Running was out of the question, and walking was the next best thing. But walking was a bit too boring, and it didn't give me too many sights to see. After doing some reading, I realized that biking is a better alternative. It just doesn't get the heart going, but it is also has less impact on the (aging) joints, plus you get to see more sights and enjoy the fresh air.

Of all the types of biking, I chose road biking, or cycling, which is the preferred term. Don't ask me why. I just don't see myself trekking to some off-road trail and riding through dirt and mud. Not me. So the next alternative, and probably the most complicated, is road cycling. At least, I don't need to drive somewhere to ride. I can just open my garage door, and off I go. But there is more to it.

James' Specialized Crosstrail

Once I'm out, my next concern is being and staying safe on the road. As you know, there are a hundred and one maniacs on the streets, and you can never sure. I think that the bike lane is a guide, and it won't protect you from any of these folks. As experience riders would tell you, always assume that the driver DOES NOT see you, so always be aware and be on the defensive. And, follow all road rules, like you would as a driver. Yes, sir!

But first, I must make time and ride. Ain't going to help me if I don't get that Specialized Roubaix on the road. I need to test its strength and durability, and whatever else its maker has promised it to be. I know I have a few more grams to shed to help ease my pedaling, and make it a little more pleasing for others to look at in those spandex and body-huggings jerseys. I need to get going, or nothing will happen.

Wife's Specialized Vita

My son, James, caught the bug, too. At first, he wasn't into it. Never liked it. He'd rather skateboard. There was the scooter, too. As a matter of fact, he wanted me to get him one because his old one broke. I told him I wasn't getting him any, but if he would ride a bike, I would drop everything and go get him one.

It took a while to convince him to let go of the skateboard and the scooter. He was still reluctant about riding a bike. I guess because of his last experience at Santa Barbara, where he fell off the paved trail off the beach. Then, one Saturday, he rode a borrowed bike and did 22 miles. From then on, he was hooked. Of course, my wife got into the action as well.  I teased her that her ol' Townie won't do her any good if she wanted to do some serious riding. If you saw her Townie, all it needed was a basket in front of the handle bar and off you go to pick up flowers or do a little shopping at the farmer's market. The next thing I knew, we were on our way back to my now favorite shopping place, Bicycle Garage.

Townie

After walking around, she set her eyes on a matt black hybrid with purple hand grips. Very much a woman's
bike. She did a quick test ride and was convinced that it was for her. Meanwhile, James tried out a few bikes. First, a mountain bike. Then, a hybrid. He didn't like the mountain bike because it was heavy, and preferred the hybrid instead. He also chose a black bike. Her bike is a Specialized Vita, while his is a Specialized Crosstrail.

Thule 9002 Raceway 3-Bike Rack

In case we needed to bring the bikes elsewhere, I needed to get a bike rack. Since we don't have an SUV, getting the right bike rack for a sedan was quite tricky. After some research, I settled for a 3-bike Thule 9002 Raceway. And as a Prime member of Amazon, I got the rack in 2 days, shipped free. I mounted this beast (this rack is quite big) by the trunk of my car, and hauled the heavy Townie to Bicycle Garage for a possible trade. My car survived and all was good. I think it's an excellent product.

At the moment, my only concern is where to park the bikes because my garage is FULL. In the meantime, all 3 blend quite well among the furniture in the living room.

Let's ride !!!

Freshmen Father-Son BBQ at Bell

Yesterday, my son and I attended the Freshmen Father-Son BBQ at Bellarmine. This is an annual event that the school's Dad's Club puts together for incoming freshmen and their fathers as a way of welcoming them to the Bell family.

I registered for this event online about 3 weeks prior. Our friend, Ben, whose son is James' classmate at St. Joe and also a Bell freshman, chaired this BBQ. He gave me the lowdown of what to expect, including what the menu was.

I had planned on getting to Bell early to avoid the crowd. With about 400 freshmen and their dads, I was expecting a 75% attendance. That's about 600 people. Yesterday morning, I got a call from Chris because he and his son needed a ride to the BBQ. The event was at 11am, and registration was to start at 10:30am. I wanted to get their before then, so I told Chris I would pass by before 10.

We got to Bell at around 10:25. We proceeded to the registration tent and was probably the first to arrive. As a matter of fact, they were still arranging the name tags when we got there. Both son and father received name tags. The "they" were mostly the board members of the Dad's Club, along with some volunteer dads.

We then proceeded to the next tent where our sons got their complimentary t-shirts. It was also at this tent that we were introduced to the Dad's Club, and that, if we were interested in becoming board members, we should apply online. We were given a card which displayed a link to the website for the application form.

The next tent talked about the Booster Club, which is one of the major fund-raising projects of the Dad's Club. The Booster Club is basically a family pass to all the home games of all the sports teams. If you love to watch football or basketball games, this pass is worth it. The club also solicits advertisement to their sports program (brochure) for the school year.

Our next stop was the Bell Store. This is where you get the Bell apparel and accessories you want. Everyone that I spoke with, who had kids at Bell, told me that their sons wear mostly Bell apparel to school. And this goes for practically all the students. So if we were planning on getting our son new clothes for school, we shouldn't look anywhere else, but this store.

I got James a couple sweat shirts and t-shirts, while I got myself a sweat shirt as well. I also bought a couple of car license plate holders for both cars, and a sweater for the wife. We'll probably go back one of these days for more stuff because James wants a pair of sweat pants, too, and maybe a couple more shirts.

Right after shopping, the boys were herded off with some other freshmen. And along with their Big Brothers (a few juniors and/or seniors), they toured the campus and answered any question they may have about the school. Meanwhile, us dads mingled around with the rest.

At around noon, we were all called to proceed to the quad and find a seat among the many picnic tables scattered around. The weather was excellent for an outdoor event, but the sun was just too hot. We were fortunate to sit under a shade. In our table were most of the St. Joe kids and their dads, plus a few Big Brothers.

Lunch was "BBQ" chicken, with sides of potato salad, beans, and a bag of chips, plus a chocolate chip cookie for dessert. Well, it wasn't really a BBQ, and the chicken wasn't cooked on the grill. It looked like it was seared, then baked and probably basted with BBQ sauce, to get that BBQ flavor. If you're serving close to 600 people, then that's the smart way of doing it. Imagine if they actually grilled the chicken, we would have been there all day.

There were speeches before and immediately after lunch, that included the school president, principal, incoming president of the Dad's Club, and a current freshman, among others. As I listened to the speeches, what was evident to me was each speaker's passion and love for the school. You can see it in their faces and hear it from their voices how much they cherished their experience as students, graduates, and volunteers, and even administrators of this all-boys college prep. It reminded me of my days at the Ateneo, and how proud we were then, and now. It's probably the Jesuit way.

Just as the speeches were underway after lunch, I snicked out and went to the Bell Store to get a few more items before the mad rush. As soon as I was done, everyone started coming in. Perfect timing. While everyone else was trying to get into that small store, my son and I were headed to the parking lot for our trip back home.

Luau at the Mission

On Saturday, St. Joseph School presented its very first "Laua at the Mission". The parish hall was transformed into a Hawaiian paradise, complete with palm tree leaves, beach umbrellas, and lanterns, reminiscent of a true outdoor luau.

The event started after the 5:30pm mass. Guests were greeted with a lei around their neck, and were escorted to their tables by the school's 8th graders, who helped serve that evening, as cocktail music was being provided by Makaiwa. Each guest also received a free ticket, which was equivalent to a soda or bottled water.

Although there was no poi or poke, or an actual kalua pig being cooked in an imu, traditional Hawaiian dishes were served by Landeza's Island Catering that included (yes, sir) Kalua pig, teriyaki chicken, green salad, Polynesian vegetables, rolls, white rice, and assorted desserts. There was also a no host bar, which was called Luau Lounge, and it offered beer, wine, and Mai Tai, along with an assortment of sodas and bottled water.

As in all luaus, entertainment is a must. And this event had its share. Hula performances were presented by Kaulana Na Pua O Hawaii. The lively beat of the drummers, the chants and shouts, and the graceful swaying of the hula dancers transported everyone back to the islands, at least, for just a brief moment. Guests participated in an impromptu hula dance lesson. But the loudest cheer was for Fr. Manny, Fr. Jun, and Mr. Brazil, as they tried to outdo each other for the softest hips in town.

Mr. Landeza, the school's Social Studies & Religion teacher, also performed a few of his favorite island hits, including a number featuring his mother doing a hula. In between eating, dancing, and singing, raffle prizes were drawn, while the evening's emcee, Tim C, made sure everyone was having a great time.

The Luau at the Mission replaced the Sister Gonzaga Tea event, which ran for many years, and was one of the school's most popular fundraising event. Mr. Landeza broached the idea of a luau and offered his services. And the luau was born. The proceeds of this event went to the school's tuition assistance program.

As a guest, I thought this first luau went well and was quite successful. For a while, ticket sales were slow, but it eventually picked up. Lower sales may be attributed to the relatively high ticket cost. It was $40 per head, compared to the old Tea event of $25. For a first-time event, it could have been priced $5-10 lower, and would have probably attracted more.

Another sticky issue that had circulated leading up to Saturday, and which also caused some missed opportunities for more attendees, was the beneficiary -- the tuition assistance program. A lot of those I spoke with felt that there were far more important things the school could use the money for other than tuition assistance. And I totally agree.

Overall, it was a good event. Kudos to Mr. Landeza and his team of volunteers.

Mahalo !!!

Volleyball Update

The boys CYO volleyball season is almost over with one more playing day before the 3-day playoff dates. For my 7th/8th grade team, it's been a roller coaster ride. We've had our highs and lows. Really extreme. We've played 8 games so far, with 2 more on Friday, the 26th.

We started the season on fire, with 2 wins on our first playing date. We beat both Holy Spirit and All Saints convincingly in straight sets. We took a two-week break for Holy Week and Easter vacation. And in those two weeks, we only had one practice. The practice schedule, or lack of it, has become an issue. More about that in a bit.

Our 3rd & 4th games were at All Saints on the first Sunday in April. We lost to league-league St. Clements in straight -- a match I thought we should have won. Unfortunately, it was one of those down days where the boys just wasn't into it. We had better luck in the next game against St. Bede, winning a close one, 2-1 sets. This gave us a 3-1 standing.

Games 5 & 6 were played on Friday of the same week, this time at Holy Spirit. We played the host team and won, but not after a little scare. We took a short break before we played St. Bede again for the second time. This time, they got our number, and we lost. Again, another one of those low, low days. It was a heartbreaker, knowing that we bit the same team just a few days earlier.

Two days later, we had our 7th and 8th game at All Saints. We played bottom-dweller St. Leander. And by some odd and strange luck, we lost. Totally devastating. I had never seen the boys play so badly. They just weren't in the game. I couldn't figure out what happened, and the boys couldn't explain it either. After 8 games played, St. Leander only had one win, and that was against us. What's even more surprising was what happened next. We played St. Felicitas and beat them badly in straight sets. And to think that St. Felicitas was  in second place, prior to our game, with a 5-1 record. Talk about strange. This one's for the books!!!

It would have been 11 days by the next time we play -- our last 2 games of the regular season. And that's this Friday. We play St. Leander and St. Felicitas for the second time. It will be our chance to even things up against St. Leander. Currently, we have a 5-3 record, tied for second with St. Felicitas. In first is St. Clements with 7-1. Our goal is end the regular season in, at least, second place, with 7-3. What's even better is a tie for first if St. Clements loses both their games, making them 7-3 as well.

After the regular season, the playoffs begin on April 28th, with all teams playing. With 7 teams in the league, the standings will be used for the playoff pairings, with the first place team having a bye. The two other playoff dates are on May 3rd and 5th, all at All Saints.

As my son would say, "Good days."

First Bell Volleyball Games

Today, we watched our first two Bellarmine boys volleyball games -- one for junior varsity and the other for varsity. And it was against their archrival St. Francis Lancers. Each season, we try to watch as many games as we can, especially between these two protagonists. Their matches are always tight and charged. Today's game was not any different.

Watching the games this evening was a little bit special because, now, my son is officially a Bell, and the affinity is much more personal. In past years, we would watch the games because I had a player from St, Joseph that played for Bellarmine. I got nostalgic and proud whenever I saw this boy on court. I couldn't imagine that this once tall, lanky kid was their starting setter. Of course, I also had grand visions that, one day, I will be watching my son play on that very same court as the starting libero. Who knows?

First to play were the JVs. We knew one of their players. He was James' teammate at their volleyball club team, Endline. The JV coach is the son of one of the after-care assistants at James' school, who was also a St. Joseph alumnus. We hope he stays around for a few more years until James tries out for the team. The JV team defeated St. Francis in straight sets, 2-0.

The next match featured the bigger and more powerful varsity team. Watching these players was just so exciting. If you just sat in the stands and observe the movement of the players on the court, it was as if you were watching a well-choreographed dance routine. The rotation and the positioning of the players on offense and on defense was just one fluid motion. Truly amazing.

The first set was tight. Bellarmine had to catch up to win the set. Second set also went to Bell. Somehow, the Lancers managed to up their game and won the third set. But their efforts weren't enough and lost the fourth. Bell won, 3-1. The match was exciting, and it included a number of long rallies, much to the amusement of the audience. St . Francis had a small contingent, mostly parents of the players, while Bell took advantage of home court with their own lively crowd.

What was unusual this evening was that Bell opened its concession stand just outside the gym. This allowed the spectators a chance to grab a quick bite in between matches. Coincidentally, a friend of ours, who's a Bell dad and father of James' classmate (who also made it to Bell) worked the concession stand. He told us that they haven't opened the stand in a very (very) long time. I guess we came at the right time.

We always have fun watching volleyball matches at Bell, despite the distance. Now that James is a Bell, I guess distance should be an issue. Go Bells !!!

A Piece of My Mind

I believe that all of us make choices in our lives. I stand for whatever I believe in. I view things differently and have varied opinions about certain things. I am passionate about those that are dear and close to me, yet passive and uninterested in those I care less about.

I submit to authority, provided it is legal and moral. I trust and believe in law and order. I offer my services and expertise if I know others will learn and benefit from it. I love what I do. I am focused, and, sometimes, intense.

My primary philosophies are fairness, equality. and justice. I have had my share of victories, but, for the most part, I am disappointed because life is not fair and equitable. And I see it all around. But these are realities I have to live with and accept. I just have to take it in and adjust. Life is too short to be miserable and mad.

No one can tell me I am unfair. I am considerate to a fault. I give everyone the opportunity, sometimes, more than necessary. I don't have to, but I do. But everything has its limitations. Finite.

I am a believer of karma -- what goes around, comes around. Believe me, I have seen it up close. And the view isn't pretty. Not mine, but theirs. Do unto others, what you want others to do unto you. Truly so.

If you don't have anything good to say, keep it to yourself. If you think you are better than anyone else, step up to the plate or wait for your turn. If you have a better idea, say it. Otherwise, shut the front door !!!

A Pleasant 22 Miles

Since I started riding on Tuesday, I have not clocked in as much mileage and time as I wanted to. Time is always an issue, and I shouldn't use it as an excuse. If I really want something, I need to make time. Once laziness steps in, that's it. Time becomes the best excuse.

Prior to Tuesday, my last ride was during my road cycling class. And that was almost two months ago. So everything felt kind of new, and my body parts needed to get used to the punishment. I have had two rides so far, and both were abbreviated, by choice. I knew that I had to suck it up, bear the pain, and stay on for as long I can bear.

On Thursday night, I got a text from my bud, Louie, and he invited me to ride on the Alameda Creek Trail today. It was over 11 miles long, beginning at the Niles staging area. I was familiar with this trail, but have not ridden the full length of it. It was a good time to ride with someone other than myself, so I accepted. He planned to bring his two daughters (Ally & Gelli) with him, and I had to bring mine (James) as well. I just needed to make sure my son was confident enough to ride because, the last time he rode was in Santa Barbara, and he fell off the bike. We set to meet at 9am.

We met at our house, and Louie brought a spare bike for James to use. I believe it was his wife's. While we waited, James took out his mom's Townie for a little spin. He wanted to make sure he was confident enough to ride, especially a bike he has not ridden before, and for a long distance. At half past the hour, we all headed to Niles.

At the staging area, Louie took all 4 bikes off the rack on his SUV and prepped them, while I had to put together the wheels of mine. I didn't have a bike rack so I had to take off both wheels of my mine in order to transport it. The frame went in the trunk, while both wheels were on the floor by the back seat. Before 10am, we were rolling.

The ride was slow and leisurely. We all enjoyed the sights and the fresh air of a Saturday morning. Surprisingly, there weren't as many runners, hikers, and bikers along the trail, as I expected being a weekend. There was room for everyone on the trail. The kids did their own thing and pretty much went on their own pace. Louie and I often trailed, chatted, and made sure the kids ahead of us were OK.

As the ride progressed, the pace of each rider changed a bit. The stronger ones pushed ahead, while the others lagged. Occasionally, we had to split, with one dad keeping pace with the faster riders, while one stayed with the slower one. We did a few stops for a quick rest and water break. The kids also learned some riding etiquette and how to share the road with other bikers, as well as hikers and runners.

In the last few miles, my son just took off, so I pursued him and kept pace until we reached the end of the trail. Well, it looked like the end of the trail because it was the end of the paved trail. The trail continued on a dirt trail to some other point that none of us knew. There was even a rider who asked us if the dirt trail leaded to the Dumbarton bridge. Unfortunately, we didn't know the answer to it. What shocked us was when he told us he rode all the way from Concord. And his bike was even a "fixie" -- a bike with no gears and no brakes.

From where we started, the total distance we rode was about 11.4 miles, one way. The kids were excited and happy they made the entire distance. But then, they remembered that we were only halfway and that we needed to get back to where we started -- another 11.4 miles the other way. It was past 11:30am.

The pace changed again on the return trip. I surged ahead of everyone and tried to maintain a certain pace, while James and Gelli kept each other company behind me. Louie and Ally followed right after. We took lesser stops because we all wanted to get back as fast as we could. The kids were getting hungry, and tired. By a little after 1pm, we were back at the Niles staging area. With all bikes loaded, off we went.

It was a fun ride. Something we can do again. Another trail perhaps?

A Taste of Olea

On Easter Sunday, after hearing mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Assumption, we struggled at where to go for brunch, or lunch, for that matter. My wife and I were not too familiar with San Francisco and the neighborhood we were at, so we had to rely on the next best thing -- the cellphone.

With the help of Yelp, we managed to narrow down the selection to one that offered brunch, then eventually, by the number of stars a restaurant received. There were a few. But one sort of stuck out. So we placed our bet on Olea, in the Nob Hill district.

From the cathedral, Olea was about a mile and a half away. We didn't know what to expect, so when we saw alot of people standing outside, we had a feeling that we made the right choice. It meant the food is probably good.

Challah Toast

The place stood at the corner of California and Larkin. It was small. Really small and quaint. No wonder there were alot of people outside. It just couldn't accommodate everyone at the same time. We were able to find parking across the street, but it meant feeding the meter, frequently.

The wait was long. I think we waited for close to an hour. And while we waited, it rained, and rained. But this didn't stop people from coming. After a while, they had to stop accepting any more sign-ups because they had to close at 2:30pm.

Pulled Pork Sandwich

By the time we got in, it was past 2pm. While we waited, we had a chance to check out the menu, plus got recommendations from the manager (or maybe owner) as well. As soon as we got seated, we placed our orders, and just waited.

The manager suggested 4 popular dishes, which we all tried. My son had their version of a french toast, which was actually challah custard toast with korintji cinnamon sugar topped with fresh mc ginnis farm berries and drizzled with real maple syrup, while my wife at an omelette with fresh crabs and greens. I chose the slowly braised marinated pulled pork sandwich with green cabbage, cilantro and yellow carrot slaw, with a side of fries. And the dish we shared was the straus family farms yogurt with a sprinkle of locally made granola, roasted hawaiian pineapple and berries, and drizzled with organic agave honey. Yum !!!

Yogurt

The challah toast was super light and airy. Despite the sweetness from the maple syrup, you wouldn't consider it sinful. If my son didn't choose it, I would. The omelette with crab was a special for Easter. It was light, fresh, and the side of greens gave the dish a refreshing, earthy look and taste to it.

Orange Juice & Coffee

I'm not a big fan of pulled pork, but I tried it nonetheless. And I'm glad I did. The flavor was rich, but no overpowering. It had a little tangy bite, just enough to give a distinct taste. And the cabbage and slaw balanced it all out. Continuing with the freshness of their dishes, the yogurt was light and quite hearty, with the granola providing the right texture and crunch. The fresh fruits simply made it even more refreshing.

My wife had a mimosa, while my son had freshly-squeezed orange juice. The only disappointment for me was the coffee. They had blue bottle french pressed coffee, which I thought wasn't strong enough for my taste. If you are looking for a dark, bold blend, this certainly wasn't it.

Olea also serves dinner, and from their menu, it looks intriguing and delicious. It's something we could probably try. And their prices a quite reasonable, too.

If you are in the neighborhood, give them a visit. You won't be disappointed.

End of CYO Basketball

As the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." And so did CYO basketball, at least, for my son, and 9 of his teammates. It was officially capped with an awards night at St. Joseph this evening.

James had played CYO basketball for St. Joseph since he was in second grade. From his 8th grade team, there was only one other player who was with him when he started -- Jason, the big man, who played center.

As part of school tradition, all 8th grade players wore a shirt and neck tie during the ceremony. It sort of gave these boys a distinction of being the most senior players in school, and, was, in a way, acknowledging that they were leaving the sports program and moving on to high school next year.

This team was the last to be called to present, and Coach Frank took all the time he needed to tell the story of how this team was created and its journey throughout the season. He recognized each player for their achievements and highlighted interesting information, which gave the audience a good picture of the talent and skill standing before them. All the boys received a personalized trophy for placing first in the league (Mission Valley), and a small plaque for their participation in CYO basketball all these years.

At one part of the ceremony, I presented the championship trophy the team received for winning the St. Bede Christmas tournament in December to Mark, who happens to be the basketball coordinator for St. Joseph CYO, and emcee of the evening.

Coach Frank also thanked the people that volunteered and helped make the season a pleasantly successful one. I was a little surprised when he first acknowledged me for my contributions to the CYO program of the school, as coach, since my son was in 2nd grade, and, more recently, as team parent. He also thanked his two assistant coaches, Paul and Rhyan (who was not present) for sharing their time with the team.

To the boys -- Coby, James, Devin, Andrew, Nick, Justin, Vik, Tanish, Jay, and Jason -- congratulations for a successful season and good luck in high school. And for Coaches Frank, Paul, and Rhyan, thank you for volunteering and sharing your time with these kids. More power.

Go Cougars!

Don't Tap on Your Brakes

From time to time, we hear stories about road rage. And in all cases, there is an instigator. Someone who starts it all. Often, such rages are triggered by someone cutting off another, then the chase begins. Some are caused by drivers not giving way to another when merging into traffic or entering a freeway. But I think the worse, and the dumbest of them all, are the tappers -- the brake tappers.

You'll often run into these tappers on the fast lane on any road because they're not driving fast enough, and they insist on staying on the fast lane because they think that driving at the speed limit is fast enough. Unfortunately, that is not the case. But somehow, by some divine grace, these tappers have taken upon themselves to be the moral police on the road by staying on the fast lane and keeping drivers in check.

And why do I call them tappers? Well, once these faster cars come up close behind them (or tail-gait, if you want to call it that), they tap on their brakes in the hope that the car behind would ease up and back off. WRONG !!! Well, they just pissed them off, and they are now in a much worse situation. What were they thinking???

As I have always said time and time again, it's not rocket science. All you need is just a little common sense. Well, it's difficult if you don't have one, and that's probably why these things happen.

For those who insist on staying on the fast lane and think they're driving fast enough, think twice because there is someone else faster than you and that person is right at your tail. DO NOT make the mistake of tapping on your brakes, hoping to get rid of them. They won't leave, but you just ticked them off, big time. The smartest thing to do is to just move to right, over the slower lane, and let that driver pass by. If you want to continue on the fast lane, then simply change lanes once everything is clear.

Do not be the moral police or speeding guardian by controlling drivers that want to go faster than you and exceed the speed limit. Just move out of the way, and let them deal with whatever the consequences would be, like a speeding ticket, or worse, an accident.

Be smart. Drive smart. Don't tap on your brakes.

Elevator Common Sense

I work in downtown Oakland, in a high-rise building. Don't know if you consider 27 stories a high-rise, but it probably is by Oakland standards. Being in such a structure, I take the elevator twice every single day, at the very least. Once going up to my office in the morning, and once going down at the end of the day. I lived in Manhattan, too, many years ago, and that place is a concrete jungle, with as many elevators as you can imagine.

Because riding an elevator is more on an exception rather than a norm in Oakland, compared to NYC, I guess some people do not really understand the dynamics or etiquette (aka COMMON SENSE) as far as elevator riding is concerned. If you are looking for a book called, Elevator Riding for Dummies, you wouldn't find one. You actually do not need one. All you need to do is use your common sense.

Why do people insist on standing at the front part of the elevator if they know they will be one of the last ones to get out? And vice versa. Why go all the way to the back if you'll be the first to get off?

Holding the door open so someone can get in quickly is fine, but to hold it long enough so your friend who's running from the rest room can make it in is a no-no. What's worse is if you don't even apologize to the rest of the passengers for holding them up.

And what about those who have these bags on wheels for their laptops and other stuff? At the very least, please retract those handles and pull in those bags closer to you so others can get in. For those that insist on getting in with hardly any space left, I suggest you wait and take the next elevator. If you're impatient, take the stairs.

Not all elevator riders left their brains somewhere else. I'd smile when someone offers to press the button when someone else's hands are full, or say "thank you" when the door is briefly held open for a passenger to get in. And there are those who'd step out of the elevator on their own to let those from the back get off.

Riding an elevator is not rocket science. All you need is plain ol' common sense.

A Short Family Visit

My cousin, Joey, his wife, Mel, and their 3 kids, visited us over the weekend. They are here in the US for a 3-week vacation from the Philippines. His oldest son just graduated from college, while his youngest just graduated from elementary. For all 3 kids, it is their visit to the US.

They had a very tight and rigorous schedule, to say the least. It was a road trip that probably I wouldn't even take. They landed in LA, and stayed for a day to see some sights. With their friends (and family), they drove to San Francisco on Good Friday and stayed for a couple of nights. They took in the sights and hit as many notable SF spots as they could. By early evening of Easter Sunday, they arrived at our home.

Dinner that evening was at Yard House in Santana Row. Although all the stores were closed by then, we did a quick stroll on the main strip to give them a sampling of what Santana Row was all about. At the parking garage, they even had an up close look of the high-end electric car, Tesla.

The next day, after breakfast of bagels and yogurts, we took them to Carmel on the 17-mile drive. Weather was fantastic, and, as always, the view of the Pacific Ocean was spectacular. And even for a local like me, I don't get tired of its beauty. Of course, we had to stop by Pebble Beach to admire the beauty of the coast and its surroundings. Since all of them play golf, it was an extra special moment to even set foot on one of the game's most famous course for some photo opportunity. Lunch was at a local favorite on the main drag, A. W. Shucks.

From Carmel, we stopped by the Gilroy Premium Outlet for a little shopping. Before the sun set, we headed off for dinner at Food Talk Cafe for some Taiwanese (or Chinese) cuisine, including their famous Peking Duck.

The next day, Tuesday, was their last day. Well, half a day. The evening before, we were deliberating on where to go. The choices were some wineries in Livermore or Stanford University. They chose the latter. Since spring break was over, college students were back in school. So was Stanford. The entire campus was bustling with activity -- pedestrians and bicycles (lots of them) all over the place. These didn't stop the tourists from taking in the sights. As a matter of fact, it added to the backdrop of this famous private university.

After visiting the campus, you've got to take home a memento, so we went to the Stanford Shopping Mall and took home some goodies from the Stanford store. From there, it was lunch at another popular Palo Alto favorite, Jing Jing, famous for its Sichuan (or spelled Szechwan or Szechuan in the Western world) cuisine.

With that final meal, it ended their whirlwind trip to the Bay Area. Their next destination was Lake Tahoe for a much cooler weather and a little bit of snow.

Safe travels and hope to see you all soon.

Easter Sunday in the City

During Holy Week, and if we were in town, we would participate in the Holy Triduum at our parish, St. Joseph. This included the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, Veneration of the Cross of Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Black Saturday. The culmination of this celebration was Easter Sunday mass. This past Holy Week, we sort of broke from our tradition by missing Easter Vigil services, and attending Easter Sunday mass elsewhere.

We attended Easter Sunday mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco because we wanted to celebrate the mass with San Francisco's recently-installed archbishop, Salvatore Cordelione. Until recently, he was bishop of the Oakland diocese, and held office right behind my office, at the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

Altar

From time to time, I like hearing mass when a bishop (or archbishop) presides, especially during special occasions or Holy Days because of all the ceremonies and "rituals" that a high-ranking priest normally does. I have this fascination for how regal and ceremonial the mass becomes. So if you're looking to sneak in a quick mass between brunch and shopping on a Sunday, then this kind of mass isn't for you.

The mass officiated by the archbishop was scheduled at 11. We got to the cathedral with lots of time to spare. We sat quietly at the front pew, and waited as the crowd slowly gathered behind us. I looked up at the unusually high ceiling of the cathedral and marveled at the huge chandelier (I think it is a chandelier) right about the altar table. The altar itself hardly had any decorations except for some flowers on both sides. But the expanse gave the semblance of simple elegance befitting this grand structure.

Chandelier

Whenever a bishop celebrates mass, he's never alone. Mass is co-celebrated with a few other priests. There
are numerous deacons, altar servers, and other "assistants" that comprise the entire cast. Then, there is the bishop's aide (or assistant), or whatever he's called. His primary task is to ensure that everything is in order for the bishop. He's the advance party, event coordinator, secretary, supervisor, and chief of staff all rolled into one. Archbishop Cordelione has one, and I noticed that his was a higher-ranking priest, more like a "lower-level" bishop, if you'd want to call it that, because of the black robe and red sash he wore, as he stood by the altar before the mass started. His assistant was supervising and directing all activities in preparation for the mass.

True to form, the mass had its share of pomp and pageantry. There was a fairly long procession to the altar of the entire cast, from the bearer of the cross to the archbishop and his assistant and aides, who trailed behind him. The large choir, composed of about 4 school and adult choirs from the diocese, sang beautifully. The high ceilings of the cathedral provided for good acoustics, and this made the singing even better. If you closed you eyes and just listened, you would think you're somewhere in Rome, in one of the old churches, enjoying the wonderful sounds and the blending of voices of sopranos and tenors hitting those high notes with ease.

It was a fairly long mass. More than an hour and a half. But it was typical of such an occasion. Besides, it was Easter Sunday, and the archbishop was officiating.

After mass, we headed off to Olea at the Nob Hill district of San Francisco for brunch. More of Olea in a separate post.