A Life Well Lived

My grandmother (Oma in Dutch) passed away yesterday at my parents home, where she had been living the past 6 years. She was 91 years old and lived a long, eventful life.

While it was definitely sad yesterday, there were also times of bittersweet hapiness as we looked over Oma's photo albums, choosing pictures for her memorial. My dad and his sister reminisced over the pictures, trying to remember names and places in the photos. Here are just a few of the photos I scanned yesterday:


Oma on the right, at 16, in Indonesia


Oma in her 20s, sometime in the 1930s, in a sarong in Indonesia.


Oma and Opa with me and my brother Tason in 1976

More to come.

post by David

A Congratulations is in Order

David got another raise at work.

We are so proud of you honey! You deserve it.

We thank God for blessing our family!

Happy Lunar New Year!

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, I took a bunch of inspirational pictures and posted some old ones I took around the same time a few years ago.

I visited Bolsa last week on my day off and took pictures among the exotic orchids being sold at an open-air market.

The Asian Garden Mall in Bolsa, Westminster.

Gigantic potted orchids were displayed inside the jewelry stores.

This small arrangement was so gorgeous!

David, hint...hint...Valentine's is a couple of weeks away. 

Red lanterns inside Green Farm Market.

I just love the colors of these gelatins from Green. I wonder if it tastes as good as it looks?

I made Vietnamese spring rolls for dinner for the first time (with chicken instead of shrimp or pork). Doesn't it look delish? e-mail me for the recipe.  

An unusual yellow lantern with tassels hangs above a flower shop. The Lunar New Year was eye candy amidst the gray clouds that lingered. I hope your year will be as colorful! 

A visit to the Cerritos Library

The more that you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go.
--Dr. Seuss

Thanks to my cuz Justine for recommending this library!

A large aquarium at the entrance.

Our future astronaut checks out his ship.

A T-rex keeps you company inside the children's library.

Glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly above the entrance of the main library.

A floral sculpture garden and fountains near the parking lot.


The entrance to the Cerritos Sculpture Garden stands next to the library.

Visual Acoustics

For our 100th post, we present Visual Acoustics, a documentary film about Julius Shulman, famed photographer of modern architecture. Many of the famous images of modern architecture in Los Angeles and across the world were photographed by him. Here is the trailer:


post by David

I Don't Like Mondays

Monday, February 19 was an exception. Because of the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday, the Nix family had nice day off and a chance to exercise our freedom to choose. First we had planned on going to the free family event at LACMA in LA, however, after a minor change of plans we headed south to San Clemente to have a picnic at the park and walk on the shore next to the pier.

A park on Linda Lane with a view of the waves and trains heading south.

Alex loves having Mommy & Daddy all to himself.

Won't you come and join us on our adventures?

The loves of my life..."It's a beautiful day...don't let it get away."

Old timers catching a wave with their kayaks.

Ready...set...wet! It's a good thing we brought extra clothes.

On the way home we stopped by the SC Art Supply Store. It's a house, a store and a classroom all in roof.

Got some new markers to use for my fashion illustration class I am taking at Art Institute of CA. Yes! I am back to college to finish what I started. I am also taking a fashion manufacturing class and starting my first sportswear collection - better late than never! (blog to follow soon).

Small Town America

Small main streets have become more like ghost towns because of the economy. We love them for their ambience, uniqueness and hometown charm. One of my favorites is Main Street Garden Grove, CA. Apparently there is a Save Historic Main Street GG group that is trying to revive this area.

Our favorite gourmet market is here - Zlakets.

It's been there since 1927 (off of Euclid & GG Blvd.) - that's 82 years folks! Pay attention big business - this company is doing something right!

By the way, Zlakets has a small cafe with delicious deli products and sells old-fashioned, glass bottled, soda pops. I think I'm gonna buy some Crush soda for Valentine gifts.

Main Street Cafe is a fifties style restaurant also on Main Street. We hear there will be a new seafood joint opening up next door in a few weeks.

My parents, aunt and uncles after some grub at the cafe.
Zlaket's is closed on Sundays ; (

Alex and my niece Jasmine enjoy spinning on the vintage bar stools.