My friend from college, Esther, is in Fairfield for a few weeks for her residency, so we drove up to meet up with her on Sunday. We decided to visit the famous Jelly Belly Factory that is in Fairfield — I’ve always wanted to go, and this was the perfect opportunity to check it out! 🙂
Dan and Mio in front of the giant Jelly Belly.
We got there a little early, so we snapped a bunch of photos outside the factory.
Jelly Belly sign in front of the building.
This portrait of Ronald Reagan is made of jelly beans!
Meeting up with Esther outside.
I hadn't seen Esther in years, since I'd graduated from Tech. I was so happy to see her again!!!
Inside the Jelly Belly factory at Fairfield
Mio was wide awake the whole time we were at the factory.
Mio while waiting in line for the factory tour to begin.
We got Jelly Belly hats at the beginning of the tour, and even Mio got one to wear!
Her eyes twinkled as she took in all the candy around her. Too bad she can't eat it yet!
Our little family, as we entered the tour.
We weren’t allowed to take photographs during the tour, so I snagged a few online to show what the factory looked like. It was a forty-minute tour with videos, and we got to walk around to view different areas of the factory through glass windows and got to sample the jelly beans from each step of the process. It was really interesting to see all the steps involved in making Jelly Belly’s jelly beans — I never realized it was so involved and that it took over two weeks to make them! I’ve always loved Jelly Bellies, but I have an even deeper appreciation for them now!
The photo that was taken of us during the tour. Mio actually looked at the camera!
We received complimentary bags of jelly beans at the end of the tour, and they gave us one for Mio, too! No worries, Mio -- Mommy will make sure they don't go to waste! 😉
There was a "sample bar" where you could sample the various flavors, but I was not brave enough to try the more adventurous yucky flavors...
After the tour, we shopped around the souvenir shop. I didn't realize Jelly Belly made so much more than just jelly beans!
Mio looks a little overwhelmed by all the candy.
There were even Hello Kitty Jelly Bellies!
A cupcake made out of jelly beans!
My reflection in the funhouse mirror. It shows exactly how I felt when leaving after trying all that candy... Fatty McFat Fat.
With Esther outside the factory.
We had a fun time at the factory, but we were hungry for some real food afterwards so we headed over to get some sushi lunch at Yo Sushi.
Esther holding Mio at lunch.
A bright-eyed Mio meeting Auntie Esther for the first time!
Mio loved her! (Thank you Auntie Hyo for the adorable dress!)
It was wonderful seeing you again, Esther! Thank you for meeting up with us during your busy schedule, and good luck with the rest of your residency! 🙂
Dan and I had a great time going to the ballet for the first time together, as we went to see the Universal Ballet‘s performance of Shim Chung: The Blindman’s Daughter at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco. Dan’s parents bought us tickets to the ballet as an early anniversary gift, and offered to watch Mio while we went out to relax and enjoy ourselves for the night It was so thoughtful of them, and we really had a wonderful time enjoying the beautiful ballet!
The ballet was performed at the opulent War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, and it was our first time there — the venue alone was lovely, a perfect setting for the brilliant ballet we were about to see.
The chandelier at the War Memorial Opera House
The stage with the curtains drawn before the performance.
The ballet Shim Chung is a modern day classical masterpiece that combines a traditional Korean folktale with western classical ballet forms. It’s a beautiful and touching story about how the main character Shim Chung’s devotion to her blind father moves heaven to restore his eyesight, and illustrates ‘Hyodo’ (å), dedication to serve one’s parents, which is considered a great virtue in Korea. I remember reading this story when I was young and was really moved by it even as a child — watching the story come alive in the form of ballet was truly a spectacle.
The acts followed the basic storyline of the folktale — here is a synopsis from the program.
Learning that an offering to the temple will allow her father to regain his sight, Shim Chung accepts a bag of gold coins from a Sea Captain, willingly agreeing to be thrown overboard to protect the captain’s ship from the furies of the Sea Dragon King.
After the ship’s captain takes her to the ship, a storm arises, and Shim Chung, offering a ritual dance and prayer, plunges into the sea to save the ship.
Under the sea, Shim Chung is welcomed warmly by the Sea Dragon King, who asks her to marry him and share his kingdom, but Shim Chung has learned in a dream that her father is still blind, and pleads with the king to send her back.
Arriving back in her homeland, she finds favor with the Korean King, who marries her, but still happiness eludes her until she finds her blind father. Embracing her father, Shim Chung’s tears of joy fall on his face, and he miraculously regains his sight.
The set and costumes were so striking and detailed, offering the audience a visual feast, and I especially enjoyed how they incorporated gorgeous Korean dress into the ballet. The act in the underwater sea kingdom was especially stunning, with a bejeweled set, and the ballerinas dressed in sparkling colorful costumes. Although I know very little about ballet, I could tell that the dancers’ skills and technique was top notch. They were all in sync with each other and the lead ballerina who played Shim Chung, Hyemin Hwang, was so graceful and expressive in her dance as she flitted across the stage almost effortlessly.
(All performance images above are courtesy of the Universal Ballet)
As the performance reached its climax and conclusion as Shim Chung was reunited with her father, I couldn’t help but tear up. The devotion, respect, and love that Shim Chung has for her father is really beautiful and is the epitome of the ideal of filial piety that is so treasured by so many Asian cultures.
Below are a couple photos I snapped at the end, when the performers received a standing ovation.
The Universal Ballet brings together Korean, American and Russian dancers, and its repertory has always mixed Western and Asian styles, with a strong Russian influence. Based in South Korea, is considered to be one of Asia’s leading ballet companies. They are currently on a World Tour, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to watch them perform while they were in San Francisco. It was a very thoughtful and generous gift from Dan’s parents, and we thoroughly enjoyed it! 🙂
We just got back Sunday from an enjoyable three-day, two-night stay with our family at Pembroke Springs Retreat in the Northwestern part of Shenandoah Valley. This bed & breakfast inn is beautiful and set in the tranquil countryside with a beautiful view of the green mountain landscape, but it has a very Japanese style flavor! They have two large Japanese-style indoor baths which are fed by natural spring water (like an onsen), guests enjoy delicious homecooked Japanese meals, and walk around in yukata and slippers after soaking in the baths. There are five guestrooms available, the largest of which is the Sunrise Room which is decorated and furnished to look very Japanese. Our family had the pleasure of staying in two of the guest rooms this past weekend — the Sunrise Room and the Oak Room (since we had seven people including the baby). My parents and sister had been there before, but this was my first time going!
We left early Friday afternoon, and the retreat was only an hour-and-half drive away from our home in Northern Virginia.
Arriving at Pembroke Springs Retreat
The view of tranquil Shenandoah Valley
the porch of the Retreat Guest House
The front steps of the inn. The house has a rustic country feel on the outside.
Bed in the Sunrise Room
Shoji screens open to show the view outside.
Table with chairs on the tatami floor. The floor underneath the table is deep so you can dangle your feet while you sit.
The bed in the Oak Room
Yukata robes laid out for guests.
Snuggling with obaachan upon arriving.
Mio is so excited to be here!
The doors to the two baths.
We soaked in the bath after dinner. It was so relaxing!
I didn't bring my camera into the bath (for fear of getting it wet), but here is a photo of the bath from their site!
Mio with her ojiichan, both in yukata.
Playing board games with the siblings at night.
A delicious Japanese-style breakfast with salmon the following morning.
Some of the family at the breakfast table.
Fresh fruits for dessert!
After breakfast, we took a walk around the retreat property.
Mio needed ample protection from the sun!
There were lots of chickens in the coop.
...and a peacock on the roof!
Miwa and Mio outside the barn.
Afterwards, we drove around the surrounding area and picked up lunch. Mio slept the entire time in her car seat and didn’t wake up until we got back to the inn.
Mio waking up with bed hair... lol.
Dinner was kicked off with a delectable tempura appetizer.
For the main course, we had ginger chicken buffet-style. It was so good, I went back for seconds!
Flan cake with ice cream and berries in Cointreau sauce for dessert!
In the evening, Mio practiced standing up with her auntie. She firmly plants her feet on the ground and attempts to stand up on her feet! We have a feeling she might start standing up on her own before she even learns to crawl.
Fish for breakfast the second morning. All the meals were so colorful!
The ladies of the Yokoyama family
Before leaving the retreat.
We had a really lovely time at Pembroke Springs Retreat, and will definitely be back again! I am hoping that we can go again as a family — this time, with Dan too — perhaps when we are back for the winter holidays. It really was such a perfectly peaceful getaway!
Last Sunday, we spent the afternoon strolling around Lake Chabot with Dan’s parents. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we enjoyed some quality time with the family and got some exercise while walking for about four miles around the lake. (I couldn’t handle the full seven mile trek around the lake, even in flats….)
Mio and Mommy upon arriving at Lake Chabot
Daddy calls her "Chubby Cheeks"
Mio got to spend some quality time with Grandma!
Now that it’s summer, we’re looking forward to getting out more and enjoying the outdoors with our little Mio!
