September 2014 (1) Candygrams

Trojan Candy purchased several items from the Coop (bookstore) at both universities for my children and grandchildren. My son-in-law Zac graduated from M.I.T., and my daughter Kelly and son-in-law Gen graduated from Harvard. While in the Harvard Coop, we saw several Trojans shopping also. USC Director of Reunions Laura Capo and her husband Mike came by to say "Hello."

For dinner, Pat, Dudley and Trojan Candy made our way to a new restaurant near Boston University. We were meeting our first cousin Corinne Chan Carus there. Corinne works at the Belmont Library in Boston.

Corinne knows Margaret Li, who is the owner of the Mei Mei Restaurant which specializes in "creative Chinese American" food.

Corinne was born in Honolulu and for several years was the cello back-up for singer Don Ho. She still performs in the Boston area. Corinne has also traced the genealogy of our Chan Family. Thank you, Corinne, for such a precious gift!

Here are pictures of two of our delicious dishes. Mmmm!

What a good shopping day with a delectable dinner!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014---Boston's Freedom Trail

Being a history buff, Trojan Candy started to walk the Boston Freedom Trail today. My sister Pat and brother-in-law Dudley joined me. We rode the train into the station at Boston Commons.

Our first stop was the Massachusetts State House, the oldest building on Beacon Hill.

Gateway to State House

We went on a self-guided tour. This is the golden dome viewed inside from the lobby area. The dome is the official location of Boston to mapmakers.

The main lobby.

The Hall of Flags was quite colorful. The flags were returned by Massachusetts soldiers from every war.

Next, we walked up these "Grand Stairs" to the House of Representatives.

Unfortunately, the chamber of the House of Representatives was closed today because they were preparing for the 9/11 ceremony tomorrow. I did meet two new friends. Raymond Amaru has been the House Sergeant of Arms for 56 years! He gave us some sightseeing tips. Michael Izzo, who is an administrative assistant and Boston College fan, posed with Raymond. Michael is a member of the Pike's Peak Club and is also a hockey fan. An honorary FIGHT ON to Michael and Raymond!

Luckily, the Senate Chamber was open. There's a bust of Lincoln on the left and Washington on the right.

Notice the "Sacred Cod" above the Senate Chamber chandelier.

After we left the Massachusetts State House, we walked to the Old South Meeting House. On December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party started here.

Faneuil Hall was next on the tour. It has a marketplace on the first floor and meeting hall on the second floor.

This painting inside Faneuil Hall depicts Daniel Webster making his famous "Liberty and Union, Now and Forever" speech on January 26, 1830.

Our last stop was the Granary Burying Ground. Buried here are John Hancock,

September 6, 2014---USC vs. Stanford

Trojan Candy went to the USC-Stanford football game with my sister Pat, brother-in-law Dudley and my eight year old grandson Zane.

Zane, Pat and Dudley Poon, and Gary and Rosalee Pechersky

We met friends Gary and Rosalee Pechersky along the way.

As we walked further around the stadium, we saw three more friends---Mary Pashley, Margee Harris, and Mike Pashley.

We finally made it to the Fan Fest. Zane loved the Geico football toss game at the Fan Fest.

Then he played the Geico Stanford trivia game.

There it was...the new 2014 Football Championship Trophy. Wouldn't that trophy look nice in Heritage Hall!

From the Fan Fest, we went to our seats in the stadium. Our Spirit of Troy serenaded our team as they warmed up.

Then, they performed on the field.

The theme of the Stanford Band was "Conserving Water."

Let the game begin!

Our first touchdown!

We would lead 7-0!

In the second half, our defense blocked a Stanford field goal attempt. The score remained Stanford 10 and USC 7.

Now it was our turn. Andre Heidari (9/8/2011) made the tying field goal. FIGHT ON, Andre!

At the 2:30 mark, Andre kicked a 53 yard field goal!

It put us ahead and we beat Stanford! FIGHT ON, USC Football Team!

Trojan Candy met even more friends as Pat, Dudley, Zane and I walked around the stadium to our car. We visited with the Hanchera family (front row: Candy, Georgia Hanchera, Zane; back row: Lauren Hanchera Duff, Brandyn Duff, Doyle Hanchera, Dudley and Pat)

The Spirit of Troy was entertaining the happy USC fans.

Finally we saw our friends, the Flores Family.