Saturday, January 28, 2006

Nyoka On A Quad...

At the beginning of the week, I planned a trip for Nyoka and I to go riding at Octillo Wells. I checked the weather and it was suppose to be beautiful. With high's in the 60's and sunny skies. Last time I went, Heath an I called it a day at about 1100, because the sun started to beat down on us.

We woke up about 0600 this morning and started to get ready. Eat breakfast, feed Dominic, load the bike and gear. We were out the down and on the road by 0700. The drive up was not bad, or me that is. Once we got into the winding roads and the dips, Nyoka got nauseated. I was trying hard not to laugh but I couldn't help myself. Of course she got mad at me for laughing at her. I knew in my mind that something was coming from her direction. I was right a big fist punch to my right shoulder. I told her that I wasn't laughing at her, but rather with her.

The scene was nice. The air was crisp and cold. We hit a little fog going through Lake Henshaw but made it out safe. We were about 30-45 minutes from Octillo Wells, and we were both anxious ride. Nyoka decided that she would lay down and close her eyes for the remaining of the ride to Octillo.

We finally made it there in one piece. I found a place that was easy to unload and load the quad. Got out of the truck and changed over to the riding gear. Nyoka was shocked that I had changed my pants in the wide open. I told her that I do it all the time. I like driving confortable. The riding gear really isn't made for driving for long periods of time in a confined space. Anyways. Unloaded the quad and began the riding adventure.

I took her to an open and flat field. Gave her a real quick class on riding, shifting, breaking, turning, and kick starting of the quad. She had trouble kick starting so I did it for her. The first time riding a clutch, you'll always stall it and thats what she did. After awhile. she got used to it and she was riding like a pro. Of course she never got out of first gear, but she was riding like she's been riding all her life. I am really proud of her.

Heath you shouldn't have been there. We'll have to plan a riding trip once I get back.

  • Nyoka's Quad Riding Adventure



  • Pro Rider Nyoka "The Speedster" Duong

    Admiring and photo with the Pro Rider!!!

    Thursday, January 19, 2006

    San Francisco Trip...

    Well, it was an exciting trip up to San Francisco. The trip all started on a late Friday night. Linh, Jan, Nyoka, Dominic and I, all meet up in Palmdale at our parents house. We started the trip around 2200 hours (10:00 p.m.) The drive was long but we made it to San Francisco in a little over 5 hours. We arrived at the Embassy Suite at a little after 0300 hours (3:00 a.m.).

    Before we left, Linh checked the forecast for the Bay area and there was a storm that was to came in on Saturday. It was a fast moving storm.

    Since we arrived so early in the morning, we were all exhausted and decided to sleep in. Well, I was exhausted from the driving. Dad and Jan had gotten up early that Saturday morning to have a complimentary breakfast that the hotel extends to all the guest. Dad is not much of a sleeper and Jan, well she sleep most of the drive up, so she was well rested. We all eventually got up and ready to go out the door by 1100 hours. We were heading to San Leandro to see Clark, thats just across the bay, a little south of Oakland. Saturday was pretty much wasted, but we enjoyed it.

    Clark took us to eat at a Vietnamese restuarant called, 7 Beef Dish. You get served 7 different dishes of beef. Hence the name. it was really good. Oh yeah, it rained like cats and dogs that day, so outdoor activity was out of the questions. After eating lunch we headed to an indoor outlet mall.

    Sunday was a better day. The girls and Dominic had a little outting and Clark, my dad and I, had a otting of our own. The girls spent a day in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Nyoka, Jan, and mom went on a tour to Alcatraz, while Dominic and Linh stayed behind at the wharf. Clark took us fishing on his new boat that he had to just bought. We were fishing for strip bass. We all caught fish but they were not of legal size. Toward the end of the trip, Clark hooked a 5-6 pounder and dad reeled it in. That was pretty much it for Sunday.

    Monday was the day that we were going to head back down south. But before we left, it is always a must to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, so we did. We also stopped on the other side to take pictures of the bridge. There was also the statue of the lone sailor. Nyoka, Dominic and I had our picture taken with him.

    Heath wish you were therefishing with us. I know you would have had fun fishing for strip bass. Well, we'll have to go fishing after I return from deployment. We'll also have to go riding too.

    Picture's of the trip is in the gallery. Enjoy!!!

    Wednesday, January 11, 2006

    2 Month Check-Up...

    Today was Dominic's two month check-up and shots. Yeap he is getting shots today. Nyoka and I guest his wieght to be aroung 12 pounds. We were almost tright. Only off by a pound. The little guy weighed in at 13 pounds. He was measured at 24 inches long and his head circumference is 44 cm. The doctor said he is in the 75th percentile. He is a growing boy.

    I had bump into a lady in the elevator before Dominic's appointment and she had asked me how old he was. I told her that he is 2 months and 1 week old. She couldn't believe her eyes that he was so big for his age. She had her boy with her and said that he was 6 months old. When I had a look at her son, he was just as big as Dominic was. I guess it's all in the breast milk. Oh, it's probably also in the genes too.

    After the doctor had a look at Dominic, it was time for his shots. The doc told us that he would be getting three shots today. We went back into the waiting area and waited for his name to be called. His name was finally called and we were ready. Of course I had to hold him down. The shots were not that bad. He must of cried for about 1 minute, then he stopped. I can see that he was or is a strong boy. I guess he has high tolerance for pain as well.

    Well, his next check-up and shots will be in be in two months. He'll be four months old. I know I won't be there to hold him down. I just hope that Nyoka can. She just does not want to see him pain. Be strong baby, everything will be all right.

    Monday, January 09, 2006

    Spending Time With The Little Guy...

    Well, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. Nothing is really going on. Just waiting around and getting things ready for deployment. I've just started leave. Thought I would spend time with Dominic while I can.

    I am off work for next two weeks. My time, while I'm off, will be devoted to Dominic and Nyoka. I'll spend the morning and a good part of the afternoon with Dominic and the rest of the night with both Nyoka and Dominic. I love spending time with the little guy. But really, he sleeps a lot. That's ok, he is so peaceful while he is sleeping. I can just watch him and protect him. He is such an Angel. He is starting to be more alert and having more control of his head movement. He is also started to drool alittle. Smiling and grinning more. Laughing and giggling like he understands whats going on. His smile looks so cute. All you can see is his gums. Nyoka calls it a gum smile.

    Well this weekend The Duong Family is taking a trip up to San Francisco and seeing the sights. It'll be Dominic's first long road trip. Hopefully it'll go well. Things on the agenda will be, Alcatraz tour on Sunday, touring San Francisco on Saturday, Fishing trip on Sunday, and more things. Don't know what, but it'll be a fun filled weekend.

    I'm enjoying every moment that I have with Dominic...