Tehachapi High School

News from Japan

2011-03-12T23:46:44-04:00

Dear classmates,

Some of you will remember Osamo Nagatomo, or "Sam," who was an AFS student from Japan during our freshman year. We reconnected with him while we were planning for our reunion. I thought of Sam when we learned of the tragic events in Japan and contacted him and fortunately he and his family are OK and he's sent a note, below:

Hi Claudia,
Thanks a million for your email. I am OK as well as my wife and family in Yokohama. Yes, it was some experience. I was at work in the office when it shook, and the shake was so big and long we scrambled underneith the desks with a sense of eeryness that got us very dizzy in the end. The Microsoft office is a new place we moved into about a month ago, erected in a posh business district but has an absorbent system that sways the building like a willow tree. The shake repeated coming one after another and kept us there for a long time, so we got a sense of seasickness and uncertainty if it would really stop before collapsing altogether. I had an experience before of a history-recorded quake when I was a small child in my old home town, but man, this one was much much bigger, although the apparent mess was less due to the technological readiness of the structure. We were in the 26th story and elevators were instantly shut down, so were the public transportation systems. TV and internet were on so we got a clear picture of the whole incident, and decided that we would stay until we know that we would be safe returning home. All told, some 1,500 of Microsoftees were in the building that afternoon, and 500 of us spent the whole night willingly locked in not wanting to attempt walking home in the night. Well, to make a delight of anythign, we had fun drinking light booze on top of the prepared rations and blankets we were served for the possible disaster.
And this morning, after confirming the public transportation resuming the system at its best, I came home, and found everything was OK. While being away, mobile sound-phones was almost dead, but I could smoothly make connections with my family using instant messaging and skype chat. Internet is so great in time of such.
All the devastated scnes are very awful and damage must be so great eventually as it will unfold its values, but we are lucky being a little far away from it and having no casualties of anyone we know. MS will work out some rescue prpgrams for the victims of the disaster before the week stars.
Like or not, Tokyo would have another such incident much closer anytime, as experts would say the history repeats itself by indicating the Great Tokyo Quake we had about 70 years ago.
At any rate we are safe today, and we want to implement some lessons we took away in this hardship. Thank you very much for your thought about me. Martha also sent me an instant mail while I was still "shaking."
Be good. Sam

Favorite Web Site

2010-04-13T19:18:55-04:00

Do you have a favorite web site that you will share? I love to check out safe websites and would like to see what others find interesting.

RE: Summer Plans

2010-04-10T13:50:08-04:00

Hi everyone.

I logged in to wish John S. a happy birthday and then went wandering around the site and wound up here. Haven't been here for awhile.

Becky, if you and Phil do wind up in San Francisco, Ginger & I are one of those folks up north . SF is 90 mi north of us. We'd love to get together for a visit. You could meet our youngest daughter Irene, who is attending SF State. And the fog? Don't let that stop you. Our oldest daughter, Elizabeth, was recently married New Years eve. We met Jay for the first time Christmas Day. The next day we went up to the 'city'. Jay had never been there and wanted to see the sites. We get to the Golden Gate Bridge and it's raining and windy but that's okay, we all get out with our umbrellas and walk out on the bridge. After we get out a ways, Jay stops and asks one of us to hold his video camera. He then proceeds to propose to Elizabeth. He had this all planned out- no one knew what was coming. He didn't let the wether foil his plans. So don't worry about a little fog. Speaking of children, I still have pictures I need to post.

Another thing Becky, Ginger's closest friend is from Ireland and she goes back at least once a year to visit family. There are some possible connections there. Ginger and I have a running invitation but have not made it yet. We'd love to and we will. Speaking of traveling, there are so many places we'd like to go.

Take care everyone,

Dave

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-31T11:16:08-04:00

Nick - that sounds like fun. You had some good father - son time. You know I have a Best of Jackson Brown CD you can have. There are 2 CD. I know you are a fan. There was really only one song I really liked :(

I guess it's San Francisco for our 40th. The kids want to come too and it's a good middle ground between us and the one's who live up north. There is plenty to do and we will be able to watch fire works too (hopefully the dang fog doesn't spoil the plan).

Anyway, thanks for all of the good ideas. Sounds like we have some good trips in our future.

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-29T19:30:43-04:00

Were planning on alot of time by the pool this summer. Went to Hawaii for Christmas so our budget plans include staying home mostly and a trip to the happiest place on earth (VEGAS) for my BD in may!

My sons and I rented Harley Davidsons last weekend.....what a blast! We drovw 175 miles in the Central Coast (wine country and coast line) I highly recommend it 2 or 4 wheels.

Happy Sr\pring to all!

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-25T14:57:50-04:00

Nancy Baxter Garrett wrote:

Hey Everyone! Becky I remember going to your wedding shower at the equestrian center in Golden Hills!! Has it really been that long? Amazing and congrratulations on 40 years!! If Tim and I had gotten together when he married the first time we would be celebrating 40 also!!! I think it took all the previous spouses to get us ready for each other now!!!!!!!! Worth the wait. If I were you Becky, I would look for a warm lonely beach with cute young boys in....whatever......serving margaritas and just basking in the sun.....with a good book of course! (Oh were you planning on Phil going?) Hee! Hee! Whatever you choose will we awesome, I'm sure. Let's see...summer plans.... OH I remember now....DRIVING A TRUCK CROSS COUNTRY....UGH..... Seeing the US through a windshied is not what I would suggest, but we enjoy it. See some awesome country and sunrises and sunsets, they are my favorite. Happy Spring everyone!

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-16T02:29:00-04:00

Hi Becky, Phil, Margo, Donna, and Bill, I don't really have any suggestions for a place to go on vacation... I haven't done much traveling myself. Just wanted to join in an reply and say Hi to you, Hope you're all fine. I was getting emails of comments or profile updates or BDs... it's got me checking to see who has posted any news and putting me very much in memory of our wonderful time together last summer. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at Mikes hopefully this summer. Have a great week guys.

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-16T00:48:57-04:00

Ok, Donna, you asked for a mans ideas, I guess I'll jump in with mine!

Becky, If your thinking of Ireland, why not Denmark and see Anni, maybe she would be your guide for her world ! As far as Alaska-- been there and done that,and LOVED it, did the two week cruise, first week was inland, then the cruise south into Canada and back home, I'll tell you all about it if your interested in it. Just wished I'd know John was there so I could have looked him up.

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-15T20:34:50-04:00

Becky,

What about a cruise to ALASKA. and see Denali and Mt. McKinly. You might be able to say hi to john. I hear Alaska is like NATURE ON STEROIDS!!!

You might be able to take a train? ............margo

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-15T18:50:59-04:00

If Phil should be brave enough to make the flight I've heard that Ireland is delightful.

I subscribe to a small flyer called the Caretake Gazette and I looked under Ireland and found a couple wanting to "House Swap" . Thought I would type it out for you below. Many times people also will swap vehicles. see below:

HOUSE SWAP in Ireland our three bedroom bungalow for your place. We are near busy Galway city in the beautiful west of Ireland, overlooking fields on one side, just three minutes drive into the action of the city or sit in my large garden relaxing in a quiet suburb. We can do a pet swap too - my little two-year-old rescue dog is adorable, loves company, loves walks. He may want to sleep in a bedroon or if you have children he adores them but there is no need to feel obliged as he does have his own bed in my kitchen. We have one five-year-old cat, which sleeps a lot. We can have our animals boarded if you prefer. Oil heating is available for cooler day. My husband and I work from home, so we are flexiable on the house swap dates. Let's talk, as they say. We can email you pictures of our home to you. Please email Suzy and Mike at

aspire2be@ymail.com.

good luck with your plans - Margo

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-13T19:15:51-04:00

I really like New Mexico. Over Memorial Day week-end I think we are going to Santa Fe to check it out. We even thought about selling the condo in Texas and buying something there. The weather is so similiar to Tehachapi though. You know how you want something different from home when you are on vacation???

Anyone have a good suggestion for us to check out? Would be nice if we could drive there instead of flying with 3 or 4 connections Anyway, I think this is the year for a change.

We are still thinking about the 40th anniversary. I like Ireland but not sure if I can get Phil on a plane for that long a flight. We have time.

Anyone whose had a good experience on a trip - please let me know......

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-12T22:24:14-04:00

What amazes me Margo, is how many read the user forums, but don't reply. I always have an opinion on things, don't you? :) Come on guys, if you are reading the forum how about a reply with your thoughts? I for one would love to hear from you.

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-12T21:52:25-04:00

sorry for all the typos, I was having trouble posting on the site, but I still need to proof read

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-12T21:50:50-04:00

Sounds like a plan Becky, you and Phil should definitely celebrate. It you could go anyplace in the "whole wide world", where would it be?

Somebody wants to buy my house. I decided to replace my windows am I really want a change and the installer started talking about really wanting to move back to La Verne and find an older home for just he and his wife. So I said what about mine? They are coming by to see it on Saturday. I was kind of kidding, so now I'm scared, I really hadn't planned on truly getting rid of it yet but if they want it heck, I will sell it and take one heck of a trip around the world next year.

My foreign students that live with me will all be done with graduate school in August so I am committed to staying until them but I could be out of my house by the end of August.

When (or if) I come back, I'll have to figure out where to live. Like you, I am very interested in New Mexico. I have also heard of many Americans buying places in Costa Rica and they love it there.

Where ever you go, take many photos and share.

P.S. I think the female classmates are the only ones that really use the user forums!

RE: Summer Plans

2010-03-10T20:47:35-04:00

I do not have any big plans - not much of a travler. Short trips are more my thing. I definitely think you and Phil should do somethinbg really exciting for that 40th! Wow! what an achievement.

Are we still planning a "mini" reunion with Mike this summer in Austin? I have been practising my salsa dancing! ;) Since we haven't heard anything else about it, maybe we could just all get together and show up on his doorstep - with or without our underwear! What do you say Mike?

Summer Plans

2010-02-25T10:22:23-04:00

I know we have some world travelers in the class. Anyone planning a exotic trip this year they want to share with us? We want to see pictures when you get back too.........

We're planning our 40th wedding anniversary and I think we should do something special - don't you?????

RE: Looking for favorite Holiday Receipes

2009-12-12T06:14:46-04:00

Becky,

I've been making a no bake cranberry sauce for years, much the same. I usually use two bags of fresh cranberries, two whole oranges (peels and all) possibly an apple or sometimes some fresh pineapple. I puree the fresh fruit in a food processor and then add raspberry jello. I boil two cups of water and add a large package of the jello, stir it into the fresh fruit and chill it. My sister always mixes it with cool whip but I prefer the cranberry salad by itself.

I also make a carrot puree soup. Two pounds of carrots, peeled and sliced, a large vidala onion, two cloves of garlic, 1/2 tsp. of fresh ginger, and a tsp. of curry and one large russet potato cut into cubes. I boil for about 20 minutes, let cool, puree, and serve with a spoonful of sour cream and some chives, or grated parmesan and chives. Tastes like pumpkin soup.

This weekend I'll be starting to bake breads, candies and cookies.

I also put together soups or bread mixes in a disposable piping bags and print the instructions for baking and attach to ribbon at the top, closing the bag. I've also made preserves for christmas gifts and this year I'm thinking of putting together a Chili Cheese Beer Bread mix in a piping bag and adding a jar of homemade mexican corn salsa. Probably add a bag of candy.

Margo

RE: Looking for favorite Holiday Receipes

2009-12-08T17:26:24-04:00

Just tried this at Thanksgiving and it was a hit!!

No Cook Cranberry Relish

2 Cups fresh cranberries

2 Tart apples - Granny Smiths are good.

1 orange peeled.

Throw everything into a food processor and chop. Careful not to overdo, otherwise it will be mushy.

Add sugar to taste. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

RE: Looking for favorite Holiday Receipes

2009-11-24T20:52:03-04:00

Hi Donna, I know I'm sending this at the last minute but this is really easy, but you may already have this recipe.

Easy Jello Salad

1 lg Cottage Cheese

1 lg Orange Jello

1 lg can mandarin oranges

1/2 - 1 Cup chopped pecans

RE: Looking for favorite Holiday Receipes

2009-11-11T17:18:44-04:00

Gracie Allen's Classic Recipe for Roast Beef

1 large Roast of beef
1 small Roast of beef
Take the two roasts and put them in the oven..
When the little one burns, the big one is done.