The year 2021 was not quite the dumpster fire that 2020 was. There’s a lot that I am thankful for about this year – my supportive family, good friends, my health, meaningful employment, quad skating, baked goods, and so much more! Here’s some of the best bits. Rik to Riki This year, among my friends…
Search Results for: disneyland
Ricky the Mouseketeer?
I have an odd memory of visiting Disneyland as a kid where a family asked me if I was a Mouseketeer. I didn’t even know there was an Asian Mouseketeer at the time. Apparently Curtis Wong was on the late 1970s revival of The Mickey Mouse Club. I have to admit, upon comparing photos, there…
2020 in Review: Skating, Fasting, Connecting Virtually
The year 2020 was one that no one could have anticipated. A global pandemic grinds normal life to a halt. Horrible acts of violence against Black people lead to a painful but necessarily national reckoning with the systemic racism in our society. A contentious presidential election results in (hopefully) a peaceful transfer of power. I…
Bucket List: DisneySea Theme Park in Tokyo
Among the many things I geek out on, Disney theme parks is toward the top of the list. From as early as I can remember, I have had a fascination with Disneyland in Anaheim. Here’s me with my mom and sister there when I was around ten years old. That fascination with Disneyland, and later…
2019 in Review: Turning 50, Disney Fun, Changing Jobs
I have a lot to be thankful for in 2019, most notably turning 50, getting a fantastic new job, and surviving my first scooter accident. Here’s some of the highlights of the past year. The Big Five-Oh The biggest milestone of 2019 was turning 50 years old in July. I don’t know what I was…
Strolling Down Buena Vista Street with Minnie!
This weekend was my latest trip to Disneyland. I spent all of Sunday at the Disney California Adventure theme park, which I have grown to love, almost as much as the magic kingdom. There were a lot of special moments throughout the day: A delicious chile relleno meal at the Paradise Garden Grill. Really tasty,…
Five Decades of Rik
I made this cover photo for Facebook, some of my favorite pics of me from the past. In order: Yosemite, 1978 Disneyland with Cori and Mom, 1982 School photo, 1987 Lindy hopping with my friend Nina, 2001 Lindy Focus 2015 (by Jess Keener)
2018 in Review: on Sabbatical, Dancing for Fun and Profit, Baking Incessantly, Asia-hopping
Well 2018 was QUITE the year for me. Certainly not what I expected the year to be about. Quick 2018 Stats Jobs Lost: 1 Countries Visited: 2 Dance Competitions / Showcases Entered: 4 Dance Competitions Won: 1 Theme Parks Visited: 2 Parties Thrown: 3 Number of Pastries Baked: MANY Losing my job was certainly not…
Disney, Cultural Connections and Common Ground
Last night I was flying back from my latest trip to Disneyland, tired but happy. Our small commuter plane wasn’t able to hook up directly to the terminal at SFO, so we had to walk down the stairs to a waiting bus. The bus took quite a long time to get to our final terminal,…
Fun Times at Disney California Adventure
I have long thought of Disney California Adventure (DCA) as the inferior little brother to Disneyland. I grew up going to Disneyland Anaheim. It has layers and layers of history, tradition, and memories for me. That is hard to top. In contrast, California Adventure has only been around since 2001. I never thought of it…