San Francisco Photos

On the way to Santa Cruz. Unbelievable breeze from the ocean. 60 miles of this view!!


There were many public beaches along the way.


An interesting view of the Golden Gate.


Golden Gate Bridge.


Napa Valley here we come! Here is a driveby of a vineyard on the way to Sterling.


Sterling Vineyard. Great view from the top.


These were really sweet.


These are champagne bottles in a cave. Bottled and aged for 6 years. Process seemed very complex and percise. Definitely gave me a more appreciation for champagne and wine making.


Beautiful day at sausalito.


Found a road up the mountains filled with million dollar properties with billion dollar views.


Another beautiful view.



For Dinner, I had their Alaskan Halibut with ratatouille. The fish was perfectly cooked. Moist and flaky in the inside.


You are looking at some calamari for appetizer.


Some Riesling and bread to start dinner off.


Here is Brix's garden where they actually grow and serve some of their fresh veggies.

First Home Remodel

Here is the house that we bought in December in perfect village. Well, these pictures are long due. I was really holding them on because I wanted to have the finished product to showcase along side with other images from the start. Well 4 months later. I couldn't wait longer.


Fast forward 4 months later, here is what we did to the exterior. We bought some hollies and other plants to dress up the front of the house. We spent all day gardening today. Nice to be out after long months of winter.


Steph's design. We reuse some rocks for the border. By the way that is one big Holly tree there. Have no idea how long it has been there.


Here is our original kitchen. Definitely needs some updating. So here goes. Our plan is to have granite tops, tiled floor, updating cabinet doors, painting, new sink....and much much more.


Okay here is Matthew and I tearing down the kitchen.



It was not as hard as I thought but still it was time consuming.


Here is the floor after some tiling job. Much better!!!


So here is what we have so far. It took us three months to get here. Well, not bad for our first time. Well obviously it isn't done yet. But more pictures will come. Just a couple of more doors and drawers to put on and picking out our back splash tiles, we will be done.

Christmas Trip

Here are a couple of shots on the way to Sublette, Kansas.


Sunset was pretty amazing.






In the morning, the day after Christmas, it was cold and frost was a great sight. I have never seen such formations before.


Heres a close up.


We stopped by Wichita to visit Carmen and her family. We had such a great time just doing nothing. Here we are at dinner at one of the best buffets i have ever had in the states and it happened to be in Wichita, Kansas. It was really a fancy chinese buffet restaurant.


Heres Kenji and Ethan.


Not ready yet for a kid. LOL.


This fells really did liked me for some reason. Must have been my cologne.

Bowling at Legends

New Commission

Rought sketch as i prepare to transfer onto the canvas.

This is a scene of our busy 39th street by KU Medical center. Known for its variety of restaurants, it has been a popular spot for food lovers. Anyway this will soon be a painting to highlight KU Med's new addition in the background.

Champions

Well last night was another great night. Mariya and I took First Place in a local Salsa Competition held in Isle of Capri Casino in Kansas City, MO. Above are pictures during our performance. More pictures to share.

What an exciting journey coming to close. We started out with one choreography and ended up coming up two additional choreography in less than two months. It took two people and a great coach to make something like this happen in our partnership.

Last night was filled with excitement, anxiety, friends, family supporting their favorite couple. The last five couples standing after a month long competition get to dance their last dance last night.

You know, finishing a triathlon, successful exhibitions, and other personal challenges, winning a dance competition is the next best thing. The process taught me alot. It required me to be patient, adapt, listening, helping ea. other through mentally drained moments during practices, overcoming personal pride, and while all those struggles arise out of nowhere, dealing with it as professional as possible while staying focus of winning the competition is a GREAT CHALLENGE! Friendships and partnerships are tested.

In the end, we were determined, we wanted to win and we earned it. Our coach Josh Hernandez is the one who believed it us and we made him proud.

Although being the best salsa dancer in the world isn't my priority, the desire is there. As long as i know that I always work hard, follow through and continue to be a winner in everything i do, I hope to inspire others to do the same.

Thank you all for your support and for being there to cheer us on. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Matthew and Allison's Wedding

Fall is here and almost gone!


My beautiful Stephanie. Taken outside the church.


Here is during the wedding ceremony.


Stephanie's host brothers.


Stephanie's host family picture. Shes definitely the black sheep of the family. But they treated her like one of their own daughters.


They are Steph's uncle and aunt.


Steph and I at the reception.


Here I am trying to Tango.


All the single ladies!!!! REady!!!!!


Steph's host brother Jeremiah and girlfriend.


Steph's host Mom and Dad doing their thang!!!


Caleb and Steph.

Stephanie's host family brother's wedding was last wedding. We had a great time at the reception. Here are some pictures to share.

So you think you can SALSA

It was a night of all the best Salsa dancers including myself showing off their skillz on the dancefloor. It was a fun night. 5 dancers faced off for the first round. Winners move on to the finals. I have much work to get done to be ready for the finals but I made it through with flying colors.

Here Mariya and I receiving feedback from judges.


Mariya, me, Fanny and Hugo.


J and Silvino having a blast competing as well. I was very proud of them. They did well.


Samantha and Nik. It was so much fun to watch them dance.


Heres the crowd with DJ Rumbero in the house.


Casino Rueda group of Kansas City representing and having a blast.


One of my all time favorite dancer Yolanda and Issel.