1967

In 1967, my father shipped off to Vietnam for his 1st tour. I was just a kid, 6 years old perhaps. My sister Liz was 3 and Conny was trying to enjoy her 16th birthday (hard to do during such difficult times). He was gone for what seemed like an eternity for a kid. In 1969, he returned from Vietnam, but that year-and-a-half in between left a big void in our lives.

Dad was my hero in life. I'll always strive to be as good of a man as he was, but it may take several lifetimes. However, because of his sacrifices, I have the opportunity to be the dad to my children that he always longed to be to us.

This picture was taken in a diner somewhere near or in Washington D.C. in November 1967. I miss him still.

Much Love Paison, you are still thought of every day by those who love you.

image credit [Conny Culver]

Johnna's Birthday Pool Party & Feast!

Sunday was Father's Day AND Johnna's Birthday! Johnna is a dear friend of ours. She's charming, creative, the perfect host, and a supermom! Her husband (Scott) and girls (Chanel and Izzy) are simply fabulous too. They became our neighbors several years ago when Scott and Johnna married, but we moved recently and miss seeing them everyday.

Scott put on a pool party and crab feast for Johnna's birthday that was fit for royalty. All the seafood you could eat and some of the best birthday cupcakes you can find anywhere made by another close friend of theirs.

We had a blast at Johnna's party. Grace, Go Go, Kayleigh, Che Kei (Cherry), and I enjoyed the afternoon with all of Johnna's close friends and family. We spent time with Scott's sister Kelly, aunt Karen, and close friend's Able & Tiffany, Tom & Vangie, all their kids and more.

Here are a few pics from Johnna's party:

[all photos by -GK3]

Much Love -GK3

Happy Birthday Go Go!

Our son, Go Go, celebrated his 3rd birthday in style. First, while he was visiting our family in Hong Kong in May, they threw a birthday party for he and "Po Po" (his Grandmother). He scored several Thomas and Friend's trains including: Spencer, Gordon and Edward. Spencer quickly became his favorite. He and Spencer explore the house together everyday with great fanfare.

Since Go Go's actual birthday arrived shortly after he returned from Hong Kong, we scheduled the big party for the weekend. All his favorite people joined us for his big day. Our zainy friends: Scott, Johnna, Izzy and Chanel arrived from Falls Church. Our whacky crew Gary, Olga, Skye and Nathan drove all the way from Southern Maryland and the our Chinese Hip Hop trio: Che Kei, Joanne, and Fai completed the formula for perfect mayhem.

Everyone had a blast, even Go Go. Though he managed to give himself one heck of a shiner when he ran into the corner of our dining room table. Thanks to all our family and friends who made Go Go's day a brilliant one.

[all photos by -GK3]

Much Love, -Dad

Hong Kong Girl

[photo by GK3]

We let the grandparents in Hong Kong give our kids their Chinese names.  While they gave our son a cool name, "Go Go" (short for Go Ming), they couldn't choose a name that matched my daughter's personality. Her English name, Kayleigh, is my favorite Irish name and is inspired by my Irish roots.  

Kayleigh is a happy baby with a charming personality and great determination.  According to Chinese lunar calendar, the time of her birth connects her with four (4) of the five (5) elements associated with all things Chinese (Gold, Wood, Fire, Water and Earth). She needs a stronger association with water, so her Chinese name must have a great connection to the water element.

Hong Kong has long been a great city on the water.  It is the source of great prosperity for all who live there and is the magic that makes Hong Kong so beautiful.  My wife suggested we give her a name that has a connection to Hong Kong.  Hong Kong girl, is the perfect name for Kayleigh and resonates with her wonderful personality.  

The translation for Hong Kong Girl is Gong Yee. It's a name that suits our daughter well and the name we call her by everyday.

Much Love, -Dad

View from the Washington Monument...

[photo by GK3]

A couple of months ago, Grace, Go Go, Gong Yee and I visited the Washington Monument at the heart of our Nation's Capital in Washington D.C.. We reserved the tickets on-line back in December and we hoped for a bright warm day. When we finally arrived at the Washington Monument, we were greeted by a cold, cloudy and windy day. Luckily, we bundled up the kids and brought some blankets.

It was an amazing journey to the top of the Washington Monument. It is the tallest free-standing stone structure in the world (means there is no "mortar" holding the stones together, wow).

It was my first time to the top of the Washington Monument in twenty (20) years or more. There has been an incredible amount of construction within the view from top of the monument. The kids had a great time and were fast asleep when we returned to the car.

Talk about a room with a "view", the observatory at the top of the Washington Monument is spectacular (more so than ever). From the observation deck, we could see the World War II Monument, the United States Capitol, the Smithsonian Museums (Castle Headquarters, Air & Space, Natural History, Science & Technology/American History), the National Gallery of Art, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Ellipse, and the White House. Washington D.C. is a beautiful city. Please enjoy the pictures we took with our Nikon S6 digital camera.

Much Love, -GK3

The White House (nice diggs Mr. O!)
[photo by GK3]

The Reagan Building ( middle)

[photo by GK3]

Museum of Natural history (foreground)

and the National Galleries of Art (next door)

[photo by GK3]

The World War II Memorial (foreground)

and The Lincoln Memorial (background)
[photo by GK3]

The World War II Memorial (foreground)

and The Lincoln Memorial (background)
[photo by GK3]

The Washington "Mall" and the Smithsonian "Castle" (foreground)

and the United States Capitol (background)

[photo by GK3]

The Jefferson Memorial ( most elegant of them all)
[photo by GK3]

The Ellipse (foreground) and the White House

[photo by GK3]

If you have pictures from the top of the Washington Monument, please write a comment and share the URL for your images. Cheers, -G

Have refreshments, will travel...

[photo by GK3]

Little Moto is the coolest guy.  This pic is a couple years old, but it keeps drawing me in. The boy definitely loves his o.j. I can't wait for the family to return from Hong Kong this week.  I love them more than anything.

Hugs,  -Dad

Memorial Day...

[photo by GK3]

Paizon, I think of you every day.  Thank you for everything you sacrificed and all you taught me. Your service in WWII, Korea and Vietnam helped shape the world we have today. From your discovery of the missiles in Cuba to your exposing the CIA's misguided misdirections during the height of the cold war, few will ever understand the burden you carried throughout your life. You were instrumental in keeping the world from nuclear war and championing the cause of freedom around the world.  You would be proud to know that our new president is also a Harvard grad and honored you and all the others who've served our great nation when he spoke today at Arlington Cemetery.

You'd be tickled to know you have five (5) wonderful grandchildren who will discover you through the stories you shared and your extraordinary accomplishments.  You are ever-present in our hearts.

Much love, -GK3

Spring is in the "rear"...

[photo by GK3 © 2009]

Two residents of Portland, Oregon, frolic as springtime fills the air.  These two squirrels are completely undisturbed by our presence and seem to be very much in love. 

/wink /wink /nudge /nudge

The appropriate Shakespearean quote eludes me. ;)

-GK3

Finding the Quantum...

Every year, we make a pilgrimage to Arlington Cemetery.  It's a peaceful place where heroes rest and, if you clear your mind, you can hear them whisper to one another.  

My son is always happy when we visit his grandfather's place here in Arlington Cemetery.  He's calm, and thoughtful, and always brings his favorite toy to share in the experience.  I'm overwhelmed with a sense of encouragement from these restful souls to enjoy every day and cherish all that we have.

Thank you, dad, and all you brave souls, for everything you sacrificed for us and those you love.

-GK3

[photo by GK3]

Elizabeth...

[photo by GK3]

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? 

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, 

And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, 

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; 

And every fair from fair sometime declines, 

By chance, or nature's changing course un-trimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade, 

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st, 

Nor shall death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st; 

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, 

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

[Shakespeare - Sonnet 18]

Little Moto & Nemo

Together, Little Moto & Nemo discuss secrets of the universe...

[photo by GK3]

Everyone loves a funny hat...

While my boy was napping behind the wheel, I crowned him king of the crumb-snatchers  with this lovely hat.  While only a few months old at the time, it might be years before he truly appreciates this picture.

The red pillow is provided by Po Po.  She has to be the happiest woman I've met.  She giggles every time she sees this pic and just celebrated her 82nd b-day.  Her cheer is a gift to us all.

Much love, -GK3

[photo by GK3]

Casually, GK3...

Finally, I have a blog for myself.  

I put this off for WAY to long, and (as my friends probably agree) have plenty to talk about.  I love to talk.  I strike up conversations everywhere I go.  I love people and their stories (especially over a pint or two).  I think it's a passion I picked up from my wonderful father; God bless his happy Irish soul.  I couldn't have inherited a greater gift.

I've always been one for ideas. I love to share them, hear other's, and champion ideas that need an extra voice.  This blog will give me an opportunity share, with you, stories, pictures and ideas I think you will enjoy.

I've been a photographer since I was twelve (12), a musician since I was nine (9), an entrepreneur since I was seven (7), but I've been a talker since the year I was born.  Let's just say, it's before anyone landed on the moon.

I hope you enjoy your visits to my blog.  If you do, please become a follower and invite me to follow your blog too.

Casually, GK3