Tokyo Central Specialty Market

Aloha Everyone,

This new mega supermarket occupies space where Best Buy was located on Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance. 

J.J. and I spent about 40 minutes familiarizing ourselves. Overall available interior space is large but the placements of ready-made and fresh produce, Japanese cosmetics, kitchen appliances and even t-shirts and other clothes are random and confusing. My sister had mentioned to us that one can also find hot prepared foods which you can box yourself.

The two of us purchased sufficient food for 8 meals including Daifuku Japanese rice cake treats.

Aloha -- Cathi

Medical Appointment with OPTUM

Aloha Everyone,

The two is us first had to choose a new Primary Care Physician. The receptionist then made appointments for us in May. Prior to that we have to have lab work done. As always, our schedules are tight, but we are optimistic we get them accomplished.

Our Enterprise Rental Car for these two weeks is a SUV with Tennessee license. Because it rides higher than normal sedan, I have challenges climbing in and out of the vehicle.

Aloha -- Cathi

Problems with Parking Near TESLA

Aloha Everyone,

There was a Tesla parked at the Trader Joe’s parking lot. J.J. read that people are so mad about seeing Teslas. They try to vandalize by spraying paint. The others are replacing their Tesla logo with Toyota, Nissan or KIA.

I asked J.J. to avoid parking next to a Tesla so we don’t get into any situation.

Aloha -- Cathi

Getting Mexican Pesos for ur Cruises

Aloha Everyone,

Second time is not necessarily a charm. We had a new teller in training who had to consult an experienced bank teller. For just a little over US$200 required minimum foreign currency exchange, we had to have two visits to our bank. Confusing that there were four customer service representatives eager to assist us, but each with limited jurisdictions.  

At a branch located within a supermarket in La Jolla, a single individual used to handle and answer your questions competently. All this preparation maybe a moot point. 

The latest news of US retaking over the Panama Canal could impact our relaxing 32-days back-to-back cruising from San Pedro, CA through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale, and back. Trump wants military contingency planning for a possible hostile takeover.

Received a family update from friends who reside in Baltimore, Maryland. Aside from their news on children and grandchildren, an upcoming 6-days cruise to the Bahamas is their big news. The four of us met on a cruise nearly 10 years ago. Ours is a friendship made on a cruise ship.

Aloha -- Cathi

Flight Back to California

Aloha Everyone,

Twelve hours direct flight sounds doable but in reality, you have to leave the hotel to get to the airport 5 hours prior to departure.

Getting wheelchairs to help us navigate the confusing departure process including Philippines immigration and customs. 

We had 2 hours to relax at the airport lounge before going through more checkpoints. I might have dozed off on the aircraft after declining the constant food that were offered to us.

Back to Extended Stay America. Our room wasn’t ready, so we walked to Urban Table, a vegan restaurant to get a healthy meal.

Aloha -- Cathi