Before the game

Jimmy Fredette

Oh Say Can You See?

Here we are at the Oakland Coliseum just before singing the National
Anthem at the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings NBA game.

With It Dudes

This is a typical car for the "with it" "dudes" in Oakland. Older
Buick with great big tire rims and skinny tires. The paint on the
rims matches the paint on the car. And of course modified doors and a
shake the roof sound system. Those who have a car like this are black
or Hispanic, mid twenties, with no visible means of support. This
particular owner was visiting the local liquor store while we were at
the ice cream shop next door.

PS

I just can't believe how much fun my new iPad is!!!

Busy! Busy!

Our big news this week was Daniel and Riki's visit. They came in on
Thursday night and we went to a bar/restaurant that is just around the
corner from the apartment that has really good food. We visited and
visited until we were tired and went to bed. On Friday we caught the
ferry to San Francisco. It was cold, and a little rainy, but we had
umbrellas. We took the city tour around town and got off at Union
Square where all the high priced shopping is, like Saks Fifth Avenue,
Neiman Marcus, Tiffany, etc. A fur coat was 19,000.00, a plain denim
jacket was 2300.00, and a purse was 1500.00. There were actually
people shopping there. I got brave and did ask for a shopping bag for
Riki and I, then we carried it around so it looked like we had
actually bought something expensive. Every store had a stand with
plastic bags to put your wet umbrella in so that you wouldn't drip in
the store. We asked where a good place to eat was, and they directed
us to Loris Diner which had American food, breakfast and lunch. Then
we caught the bus again to ride across the Golden Gate and tour the
town. We ended up in Chinatown and shopped the main street. Lots of
tiny shops with lots of stuff, reminds me of a cruise. We caught the
bus again and went back to the wharf and bought kites before getting
on the ferry again. San Francisco had light rain most of the day, but
Oakland had heavy rain. We went to dinner at the Chinese place near
us.

This is a picture of us at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The next day we went to the Farmers Market in San Leandro where we bought fresh strawberries, asparagas, apples, and palmieres. Then we took some clothes to Jesus in Hayward who runs a secondhand shop. Then we went across the San Mateo bridge to Half Moon Bay. It was cold and windy, but the ocean was pretty with big waves.

We drove on up the coast, stopping at a place "Where the locals like to eat", so that Daniel could have his crab feast. It was very good food.

Then we drove on up until we got to the Golden Gate. It really is a magnificient sight each time we see it.

We drove on through the city, down Lombard Street which was fun going down, then Daniel and Riki wanted to go to an Italian place they had been to before. We forgot it was St Patricks Day, so we were in the middle of lots of revelers, some drunk, some smoking something and lots of weirdo running around. Our parking spot turned out to be up the street from 2 nude bars. Everyone was out partying, even at 6:00 pm. I never thought I'd say it, but it felt good to be in the relative safety of Oakland.
The next day we went to church and then Dan and Riki flew home. It was a great visit!! After they left I went to a practice of "Lamb of God". It is an oratorio with a 100 voice choir, an orchestra, and VERY good soloists. I have enjoyed singing in the choir a lot. We sing at the Catholic Cathedral on Palm Sunday and on Temple Hill on Easter weekend.
This week is transfers, so it is pretty busy. Saturday we get to sing the National Anthem at an NBA game, which will be great. The senior missionaries get to stay for the basketball game, but the young elders and sisters have to get back to work.

What a great evening!