A FITTING TRIBUTE….

…for Jeffrey Isobe at Woodbury University.

If you haven’t been following this story do read the past blogs titled:

‘On The First Day of Spring’ posted March 22nd and…

‘It’s Been Almost a Year’ posted February 3rd

A grand luncheon was followed by the dedication of a plaque honoring the gifting of the beautiful Ginkgo trees that Jeffrey so lovingly planted on campus.

Dr. Nielsen discussing the historical photographs in the Woodbury Boardroom

 

Somehow Dr. Nielsen found elegant gold napkin rings in the shape of Ginko leaves for Mrs Isobe

With Jerry Tracy, Head of Mainterance & Grounds who is quite the knowledgeable arborist, Jeffrey Isobe, Dr. Nielsen and Mrs. Isobe

Jeffrey with Dr. Nielsen and the plaque dedicated to him.

 

The inspiring plaque.

Jeffrey and Jun, his amazing son who is a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering at UCLA and the finest young man one could ever know!

For more information:

www.woodbury.edu

A BEAUTIFUL QUOTE

“Get a life in which you are generous.  Look around at the azaleas and making fuchsia star bursts in spring; look at a full moon hanging silver in a black sky on a cold night.  And realize that life is glorious, and that you have no business taking it for granted.  Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around.  Take the money you would have spent on beers in a bar and give it to charity.  Work in a soup kitchen.  Tutor a seventh-grader.  All of us want to do well.  But if we do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough.”

Anna Quindlen, writer

Excerpt from a lovely little book…GRACE: Quotes & Passages for Heart, Mind, and Soul

Edited by B.C. Aronson

Random House Reference

TRUE HEROES ARE RARE….

…but John Wooden certainly was one as he lived a life worthy of emulation.  Born on an Indiana farm with no electricity or indoor plumbing, he always carried a piece of paper with a message from his father that he lived by:

“Be true to yourself.  Make each day a masterpiece.  Help others.  Drink deeply from good books.  Make friendship a fine art.  Build a shelter against a rainy day.”

Further, his father always told him: “Don’t look back, don’t whine, don’t complain”.

In Wooden’s book, “Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks for a Better Life” there were 15 conceptual building blocks of traits like industriousness, alertness and poise, held together by faith and patience. As he was a religious man, his strongest exclamation was “Goodness gracious sakes alive!”  However, I’ve heard that phrase could make grown men shake.

“Failure is not fatal “ he would say, “failure to change might be”.

More Maxims:

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

“Flexibility is the key to stability.”  (Doesn’t that remind you of the Bamboo that bends and doesn’t break?)

“Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

Which brings me to a party beautiful Lisa Bowman (creator of www.thereligionnetwork.com ) gave for Kristin Rosendahl, her soon to be daughter-in-law (lucky Stephen…lucky Kristin).  I had hoped to go but at the last minute had to phone in my three ‘words/thoughts of wisdom’ that each guest was instructed to supply.

1.  Only speak words of love and encouragement as hurtful words, spoken in anger can never be called back.

2.  When you’re angry or hurt, remember who you married and always return to that loving place.

3.  (And most importantly….)

BEING RIGHT ISN’T WHAT IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE!

SOME RANDOM MUSINGS ON….

…things I hope you don’t miss now that summer is almost here.

The Peonies at Trader Joe’s…just in season for a couple of weeks and just glorious.  Thank you Molly Siple for bringing me such amazing flowers.  It’s really an experience not to be missed.

Did you noticed when the birds really started singing?  Almost a serenade to us but they’re probably squabbling over land rights.  No matter, I love it.

And a must hear is kd langs version of Leonard Cohens ‘HALLELUJAH’ on www.youtube.com Be sure to watch the version with 3,362,333 + views…it’s the best!

For a must watch it’s Elizabeth Gilbert (EAT, PRAY LOVE) on nurturing creativity and Amy Tam on creativity…search on www.ted.com for both.

If you’ve wondered how to paint Butterflies, check out my how-to video on www.youtube.com/nanrae

Wishing you a glorious summer…….enjoy each precious day!!!

ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING…

…Jeffrey began planting the first of 33 trees at Woodbury University.

I first wrote you on April 3rd about our amazing Japanese gardener Jeffrey Isobe and the Ginkgo trees in an older posting titled ‘It’s Been Almost a Year…’ asking for your help in connecting Jeffrey with a city or organization.  Since planting 200 Ginkgo trees in West Covina as a beautification gift, he’s looked for another site to carry on this labor of love.

 

Carol Soucek King made some wonderful suggestions with Woodbury University being at the top of the list.

Now for the amazing part……

Dr. Kenneth R. Nielsen, President of Woodbury University,  has long wanted to plant Ginkgo trees on the campus and when he heard of Jeffrey’s offer it was the perfect confluence of desires.

 

 

One down and 32 to go!!

 

 

Of course Yuki has to supervise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to school for C.L.P. & Yuki

 

 

Bye for now.

Nestled in the Burbank foothills, the lovely Woodbury campus will be enhanced by this labor of love.

Woodbury will be dedicating a plaque commemorating Jeffrey’s gift which will be placed near the courtyard fountain on campus.  So…to be continued.

For More Information:

www.woodbury.edu