Family Trip to Asia

In June my parents and younger sister Anna came to visit me in Indonesia. They got to see where I lived and worked this past year. They met my house helper Ibu Lilis and tried some Indonesian food. We enjoyed learning how to play the Angklung and visiting the volcano with family friends. They also got to see my new house and tour the new school.

Then we all went to Thailand together. We traveled to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. We enjoyed seeing many temples, eating yummy Thai food, and meeting new people. We loved the elephants and getting a chance to ride them through the jungle. We also enjoyed learning how to cook traditional Thai food at Thai cooking school. In Phuket we had a chance to just relax and rest on the beach. We loved the delicious seafood and beautiful sunsets.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. Scroll down to the bottom for the link to view all the pictures on my Picasa WebAlbum.
















To see all of the many pictures from our trip click on the following link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/clauson.emily/FamilyTripToAsia

Dear Grandpa

Dear Grandpa,

We all have many memories of growing up in the Clauson family. Sharing the kids table
at Birthday dinners, opening presents on Christmas Eve, camping in Carpentaria, and
sitting on the scaffold to watch the Rose Parade... to name a few. Spending time together
was always an important family tradition.

You were not a just a distance grandfather who would send the occasional card in the
mail. You were actively involved in all of our lives. From graduations and baseball
games, play performances and swim meets, you and grandma were always there, supporting
us and showing your strong sense of pride in the accomplishments of your grandchildren.

Your presence in our lives can also be seen through the many construction projects you
helped to build.  All of our childhood homes carry a mark of your hand. You had an
amazing talent for your trade and were always dedicated to using your skills to help
others.

As the head of the Clauson family, you not only made us laugh with your jokes,
entertained us with your stories, and impressed us with your sense of style and rhythm,
you also set an example for all of us. You and grandma have instilled in us a strong
sense of family, hard work, and compassion for others. Thank you for showing us how much
you cared and loved us throughout our lives. Thank you for welcoming Eddie and Esther
into our family. Thank you for being determined to change where you came from and build a
better life for your children and grandchildren.

We all cherish the memory of the times we spent with you and the Clauson family
traditions we shared. We hope to continue to make you proud as we start our own families
and carry on your legacy.

We love you Grandpa,
Heather, Eddie, Scott, Esther, Sarah, Emily, and Anna

Carl Robert Clauson

CLAUSON-Carl Robert Clauson "Bob", passed away on July 10, 2008 at the age of 83, surrounded by his loving family. Bob, a lifetime resident of Pasadena, is survived by Doralyn, his wife of almost 58 years, and their children and spouses, Barbara Clauson and Dennis Hanhi (Albany, Or), Carl and Sharon Clauson (Altadena, CA), Donald and Laura Clauson (Sierra Madre, CA), and Paul and Akemi Clauson (Chino Hills, CA). He has 5 grandchildren, Heather, Sarah, Scott, Emily, Anna, and 1 great grandchild, Kody Paul. Bob served in the Navy (Construction Battalion) during World War II. His work with the CB's was something he always remembered and loved to reminisce about. He was a master carpenter and his legacy remains in his craftsmanship of many fine homes and buildings throughout the Pasadena area, including Pasadena First United Methodist Church, where he was a faithful member. Bob will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his many stories, and his love and dedication to his family and friends. He was always available to help his family and friends with building projects or home repairs. During his retirement years, he enjoyed square dancing, lawn bowling, and Dixieland jazz. A memorial service will be held in his honor in the chapel at Pasadena First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA, on Saturday July 19, 2008 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flower, kindly send memorial gifts to Vitas Hospice, 598 S. Grand Avenue, Covina, CA 91724 or the First United Methodist Church "Preschool Fund".

Finding my home

I can't decide if I hate airports or love them. They certainly give me mixed feelings.

I hate them because things are bound to not go according to plan. You have to plan on your plan not working out. This past week I spent 7 hours in the Hong Kong airport unexpectantly because I missed my connecting flight by only minutes. My flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong got delayed a couple of hours and I got into Hong Kong around 4 pm. My flight was supposed to take off at 4:15 pm but instead I got booked on the 11:30 pm flight from Hong Kong to LA.

As I sat in the Hong Kong airport I had a long time to think about airports. I sat there looking around and realized nothing about the airport made me feel like I was in Hong Kong. Perhaps that is what I love about them- airports seem country-less. Yes, there are slight differences between the LA airport versus Jakarta. But for the most part they remain constant, indistinguishable. In all airports you find people wandering around aimlessly; people looking lost and staring at signs that point them in the direction they need to go; and people running to their gate barely making it in time before their plane takes off, like in the movies. There are announcements going off overhead in various languages, but invariably also in English. And the more I fly the more I come to know what to expect in the airport.

Perhaps that is what I love- the consistency that I find. But I think I also have come to love this sense of being in a place that feels country-less.

As I sat there I felt more aware than ever that I was sitting in between two worlds. Two very different worlds, both of which have made their way into my heart. The world of the east that I was coming from... a world of adventure, challenge, and friendships. The place where I recently set up my new home and spent the last year learning to adjust to. The world of the west that I was going to... where I find my roots, my family and friends. The place that I will always consider home and where I find solace.

But then I am reminded of the verse from 1 Peter 2 that says "Friends this world is not your home, so don't make yourself cozy in it." Sitting in the airport that day I did not feel cozy. I felt tired and just wanted to go home. But I gained a new understanding that nowhere on this earth is my home and that is just as it should be. My citizenship is in heaven and that is where my heart should belong and feel at rest.