May 2001 Update

 
 

What a busy month!  Early on, we went to Yucca Valley (north of Palm Springs) to meet sculptor, John Fisher, who has set up a number of his pieces in the natural desert setting.  Completely self-taught, he says he just starts chipping away at a block of stone and sees what reveals itself.  He finds astounding things there. Fisher-gathering.jpg

 
Looking-for-Tom-3.jpg Later in the month we accompanied Tom and Mary Kitagawa to the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles.  In addition to a powerful display on the internment camps (featuring Mary's camp), there is also a memorial to the 442nd "Go for Broke" Regiment.  Comprised solely of Japanese-Americans, including then-lieutenant, now-Senator, Dan Inouye, it was the most highly decorated unit in the Army.

After some searching, we found Tom's name on one of the panels.


 
 
Mid-month, I was given a couple of honors.  At our annual luncheon to honor students, I was puzzled to hear a colleague making an apparent introduction that began sounding more and more like me, and I began wishing Sheila were there to hear it.  When she introduced one of my favorite students, flown in from Kentucky, I figured it was a big deal.  When she said my family was there, also, I was delighted to see Sheila walking into the room and astounded to see my mother, Aaron, Ara, Evie, and our niece, Jessica.  Once I got my hands on Evie (see right) I don't remember much else that was said, but I think it was mostly positive.

Later, I was named the Hazel Pack Marshall - Dr. Sam Lewis Cambell Professor of Behavioral Sciences.  That, too, was a complete surprise and deeply appreciated, but Evie didn't come for that one.

Smiley-Evie-closeup.jpg
Now, the semester is over, the grading is done, and I am starting to do the writing I was supposed to do during the Spring.  Better get started.