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View of Catalina Island



Japanese Version here(under construction)

Even though there were wars,terrorism,crimes and natural disasters throughout the world. We were fortunate to have enjoyed a quiet, happy and peaceful 2006. We hope that the coming year will be a better one for all the people around the world.

Here is how we enjoyed the month of ...
if you click photos below,you can see larger photos or more photos and interesting stories.....
palm springs February...Flew a radio-controlled model airplane in palm Springs.
 Long-awaited radio-controlled model plane...I flew it, dreaming of a nice and smooth flight over the California Desert. The result...crash!! Even got a bruise on my finger by turning propeller. I'll take on the challenge again.
bach collegium March...Bach Collegium Japan came to Los Angeles
E.Nakamichi Foundation, for which I have been a director for over 15 years, supported the world-renowned Bach Collegium Japan's visit to Los Angeles at UCLA. Ayako and I pictured with Mr.Masaaki Suzuki(founder and conductor)and Ms. Liliko Maeda (baroque flute virtuoso).

Mother's Day May...Happy Mother's Day
Our daughter brought dinner to our house for Mother's day this year. From the left are Lisa(analyst),Naomi(veterinar student at Western University) and Terry (district manager for truck rentals). A very happy day!
Dinnerplate Hybiscus

May...huge flowering Dinnerplate Hybiscus
The diameter of this flower is sometimes over ten inches! It is in the Hybiscus family. This stalk is more than several years old, yet blooms every year like this different from Japanese old saying "Beauty dies young".


Alaska
June...Alaskan sea and land tour
A long-cherished desire, our Alaskan cruise and land tour...spectacular glaciers and midnight sun! In the fjords we heard thunder-like roaring when the ancient glaciers melted,glided, calved the rocks and collapsed into the sea water.


monterey

July...Monterey: Bach and Golf
We attended the annual Carmel Bach Festival which also E.Nakamichi Foundation has been supporting for years. We enjoyed baroque music at the Sunset Concert Hall in the City of Carmel by the Sea performed by musicians from all over the world.
On our way home we played a round of golf at Moro Bay Golf Course.


naomi & branden SPECIAL!!
September...Naomi and Branden engaged! Our younger daughter and Branden Barns were engaged! We celebrated the happy occasion. Naomi will complete her education and become a veterinarian first. Pictured here with their cat Daphne...a cheerful family!


birds

October...White finch came for my birthday.
We had so many colorful feathered friends visit us this year. Look at these finches and orioles. A very rare white finch(lower left) visited us on Shunji's 76th birthday, september 15. Hundreds of canadian geese also arrived in Friendly Hills earlier than usual...they must have foreseen the severe winter this year.


piano December...Mother and daughter play piano! At the family birthday party for Lisa in December the mother and her daughter enjoyed (or practiced) four handed performance at the piano.
We would like to challenge to playing better golf next year- Shunji to hit less than 85, Ayako less than 100 all the time. We will strive to play piano and keyboard better, revive Shunji's model-making, keep up our homepage on internet, make trips to Hawaii,Tahiti,etc,etc... we definitely need much more time! We have to be healthy above all!
Happy New Year! Shunji and Ayako


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