shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
Earlier this month, our family spent a few days in Southern California. While there, we visited Disney's California Adventure. We'd been to DCA many times before, but on this trip we made it a point to spend some time at the Lamplight Lounge, a Pixar themed restaurant at the park.
Andrew had heard that there was a spot in the restaurant that had caricatures of Pixar employees, including one of himself. We weren't sure where exactly to find this location, since we didn't see any such drawings by simply looking at the artwork on the walls around the restaurant. So we were willing to accept that the drawings might not be there after all.
However, we decided to ask one of the hostesses if she knew anything about what we were looking for, that hostesses's name just happened to be Cindy. We immediately took that as a sign that we were going to be successful in finding the drawings.
Cindy said she would speak to another employee (a manager, I think) about our request, and asked us to come back in about a half hour. We were more than happy to do so. When we returned, the manager we spoke with was named Veronica.
Both Cindy and Veronica were so kind and accommodating. Veronica knew exactly what we were talking about, and took us to a private dining room dubbed "the vault". It was given this name because the door was similar to that of a bank vault. Inside was a dining table for one party, and on the walls were small frames with the caricatures we had been seeking.
So we spent a few minutes in "the vault", just soaking it in, and spent some time chatting with Veronica about the room, and Pixar in general. It was a lot of fun, and we had quite a sense of accomplishment for successfully finding the drawings. I have no doubt that Cindy had a hand in our success, guiding us along from above.
Monday, July 22, 2019
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
thoughts of mystery movies
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
Last weekend, our family watched the Netflix film, Murder Mystery, starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. It was a fun, somewhat goofy movie, that we all enjoyed. I believe it was inspired by the classic film, Murder on the Orient Express, which is actually one of Cyn Cyn's favorite movies (the recent remake version).
After the movie, we told the girls about how the movie had typical elements of Adam Sandler movies, specifically hints of silliness. And since Cindy enjoyed Adam Sandler movies (and also his music, as described in a previous post), watching the movie reminded me of her.
It's always heartwarming when a movie or song makes me think of Cindy, and especially when I'm reminded of her silly side. I always appreciate any and all of the little things that spark fond, fun memories of her.
Last weekend, our family watched the Netflix film, Murder Mystery, starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. It was a fun, somewhat goofy movie, that we all enjoyed. I believe it was inspired by the classic film, Murder on the Orient Express, which is actually one of Cyn Cyn's favorite movies (the recent remake version).
After the movie, we told the girls about how the movie had typical elements of Adam Sandler movies, specifically hints of silliness. And since Cindy enjoyed Adam Sandler movies (and also his music, as described in a previous post), watching the movie reminded me of her.
It's always heartwarming when a movie or song makes me think of Cindy, and especially when I'm reminded of her silly side. I always appreciate any and all of the little things that spark fond, fun memories of her.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
thoughts of family dogs
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
This weekend, our family spent some time in Santa Cruz. As we were walking up toward the main entrance to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, there was a family taking photos with their dog.
The dog was an adorable, little Siberian Husky puppy, who looked exactly like Cindy's dog, Nanook. It felt like another instance of Cindy sending us a quick "Hello" from above.
This weekend, our family spent some time in Santa Cruz. As we were walking up toward the main entrance to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, there was a family taking photos with their dog.
The dog was an adorable, little Siberian Husky puppy, who looked exactly like Cindy's dog, Nanook. It felt like another instance of Cindy sending us a quick "Hello" from above.
Sunday, June 2, 2019
thoughts of hair traditions
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
This weekend, our sweet niece/cousin Penelope got a haircut. It wasn't just any haircut, but it was actually having her hair shaved off by her Dad, Josh. She of course looks beautiful!
Having your hair shaved sometime between the ages of one and two years old is a bit of a family tradition for Rabuy children. Although only a handful of Rabuy kids have taken part in this tradition, it's a very memorable event. And it makes me think of Cindy.
Among our five sisters, Cindy was the only one who had her hair shaved as a toddler. I have a distinct memory of a photo of Cindy with her fuzzy head, post-shave. Her mouth and eyes were open wide, with her eyebrows raised, as if to say, "Hey, look at me!"
Andrew and I decided to shave both Cynthia's and Ava's hair, just after their first birthdays. I know part of our motivation was to honor Cindy. And it's a fond memory that I will always treasure.
So thank you Theresa, Josh and Penelope for keeping the tradition alive, and for sharing your lovely photos with all of us.
This weekend, our sweet niece/cousin Penelope got a haircut. It wasn't just any haircut, but it was actually having her hair shaved off by her Dad, Josh. She of course looks beautiful!
Having your hair shaved sometime between the ages of one and two years old is a bit of a family tradition for Rabuy children. Although only a handful of Rabuy kids have taken part in this tradition, it's a very memorable event. And it makes me think of Cindy.
Among our five sisters, Cindy was the only one who had her hair shaved as a toddler. I have a distinct memory of a photo of Cindy with her fuzzy head, post-shave. Her mouth and eyes were open wide, with her eyebrows raised, as if to say, "Hey, look at me!"
Andrew and I decided to shave both Cynthia's and Ava's hair, just after their first birthdays. I know part of our motivation was to honor Cindy. And it's a fond memory that I will always treasure.
So thank you Theresa, Josh and Penelope for keeping the tradition alive, and for sharing your lovely photos with all of us.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
thoughts of bruin family
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to attend our cousin Bernadette's graduation from UCLA Law School. Our whole family is so proud of her achievement, and are excited for all that she'll accomplish in the future.
I hadn't been back to UCLA in a few years. It's always very nostalgic being back on campus, and bittersweet as well. There's countless fond memories, but also sadness knowing that Cindy didn't get the chance to move on to the next stages of her life after completing her degree.
After the graduation ceremony, a few of us walked down the hill to the middle of campus, to visit the meeting room that had been named in Cindy's honor. A previous entry describes when Andrew and I took the girls to see it back in 2016.
I was happy that more of our family members had a chance to also visit the space. And it's touching to know that Cindy's memory and spirit are kept alive in a special spot on the UCLA campus.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to attend our cousin Bernadette's graduation from UCLA Law School. Our whole family is so proud of her achievement, and are excited for all that she'll accomplish in the future.
I hadn't been back to UCLA in a few years. It's always very nostalgic being back on campus, and bittersweet as well. There's countless fond memories, but also sadness knowing that Cindy didn't get the chance to move on to the next stages of her life after completing her degree.
After the graduation ceremony, a few of us walked down the hill to the middle of campus, to visit the meeting room that had been named in Cindy's honor. A previous entry describes when Andrew and I took the girls to see it back in 2016.
I was happy that more of our family members had a chance to also visit the space. And it's touching to know that Cindy's memory and spirit are kept alive in a special spot on the UCLA campus.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
thoughts of what's in a name
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
Cyn Cyn is part of a new club volleyball team this season, and one of my fellow team parents recently asked me whether she had any nicknames. My initial, short answer was that we typically call her Cyn or Cyn Cyn.
Then I went on to also tell him about how she was named after her aunt, who went by Cindy, but that we don't call her Cindy. I also explained how we usually call Cyn Cyn "Até," so it's easiest to say "Até, Ava," when we're calling out for both girls.
The moment just made me appreciate that Andew and I made the choice to name our first child after Cindy. I remember a time when we had joked about our child being named either "Cynthia" (for a girl) or "Cynthio" (for a boy).
Before Cindy passed away, the girl's name we had picked out was Naomi. I have a vivid memory of Andrew and I driving to the hospital while I was in labor. I had a little notepad and pen in my hand, and I was writing down "Cynthia Naomi Beall" and "Naomi Cynthia Beall," just to see how the names looked.
I'm glad we ended up with Cynthia Naomi Beall, and I'm pretty sure Cyn Cyn is happy with it too. Having her named after Cindy is a lovely tribute and constant reminder of my beautiful sister.
Cyn Cyn is part of a new club volleyball team this season, and one of my fellow team parents recently asked me whether she had any nicknames. My initial, short answer was that we typically call her Cyn or Cyn Cyn.
Then I went on to also tell him about how she was named after her aunt, who went by Cindy, but that we don't call her Cindy. I also explained how we usually call Cyn Cyn "Até," so it's easiest to say "Até, Ava," when we're calling out for both girls.
The moment just made me appreciate that Andew and I made the choice to name our first child after Cindy. I remember a time when we had joked about our child being named either "Cynthia" (for a girl) or "Cynthio" (for a boy).
Before Cindy passed away, the girl's name we had picked out was Naomi. I have a vivid memory of Andrew and I driving to the hospital while I was in labor. I had a little notepad and pen in my hand, and I was writing down "Cynthia Naomi Beall" and "Naomi Cynthia Beall," just to see how the names looked.
I'm glad we ended up with Cynthia Naomi Beall, and I'm pretty sure Cyn Cyn is happy with it too. Having her named after Cindy is a lovely tribute and constant reminder of my beautiful sister.
Monday, April 22, 2019
thoughts of the small stuff
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
Sometimes April is a little more bittersweet than other months, since it's the month of Cindy's Heaven Anniversary. Time also just seems to fly by faster every year, and I'm sad to say that it's become harder to recall new memories of Cindy, that haven't already been shared.
However, I remember her and think of her everyday. It's the daily, random, sometimes so minor, reminders that keep Cindy's memory alive. The girls play a big role in providing regular reminders of Cindy.
This month, those small reminders included...
... baking blondies, for guests, for a potluck, and just for fun
... Cyn Cyn helping Ava put together an outfit, hairstyle and make-up look for a "Rock Star" birthday party she attended
... belting out Broadway songs both in the car and around the house
... watching A's baseball
... Ava holding and comforting Fiona at a recent visit to the vet
... watching the youngest family members enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard
... shopping for spring clothes at Old Navy
... Cyn Cyn working on friendship bracelets
... Ava taking a bath, using the "bath bombs" that she and a friend had made
... watching Friends reruns
I cherish all the memories I have of Cindy, and am so grateful to have reasons and instances that remind me of her everyday.
Sometimes April is a little more bittersweet than other months, since it's the month of Cindy's Heaven Anniversary. Time also just seems to fly by faster every year, and I'm sad to say that it's become harder to recall new memories of Cindy, that haven't already been shared.
However, I remember her and think of her everyday. It's the daily, random, sometimes so minor, reminders that keep Cindy's memory alive. The girls play a big role in providing regular reminders of Cindy.
This month, those small reminders included...
... baking blondies, for guests, for a potluck, and just for fun
... Cyn Cyn helping Ava put together an outfit, hairstyle and make-up look for a "Rock Star" birthday party she attended
... belting out Broadway songs both in the car and around the house
... watching A's baseball
... Ava holding and comforting Fiona at a recent visit to the vet
... watching the youngest family members enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard
... shopping for spring clothes at Old Navy
... Cyn Cyn working on friendship bracelets
... Ava taking a bath, using the "bath bombs" that she and a friend had made
... watching Friends reruns
I cherish all the memories I have of Cindy, and am so grateful to have reasons and instances that remind me of her everyday.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
thoughts of celebration and remembrance
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
Today is Cindy's heaven anniversary, which is always a bittersweet day for our family. It's been 16 years since Cindy went to heaven, and we miss her every day.
My Dad and I attended mass at the Cathedral in Oakland; one of our aunts had offered the mass in Cindy's memory. It was a lovely mass, with a kind and caring priest celebrating, who also happened to pronounce our family's last name correctly during the mass intentions.
After mass, I lit a candle, and knelt for a few minutes in one of the little prayer alcoves on the side of the church. As I looked down, I saw an image on the decorated wall that looked like an intertwined "C" and "R". Although I don't know the religious significance of the image, it undoubtedly made me think of Cindy.
Later in the afternoon, we went to the cemetery, and Fiona tagged along for the first time. As I was driving home, I had a random thought, which connected back to the "C and R". It may sound a little cheesy, but the words "celebration and remembrance" came to mind. And celebrating Cindy's life and always remembering her is what I'll keep doing every day.
Today is Cindy's heaven anniversary, which is always a bittersweet day for our family. It's been 16 years since Cindy went to heaven, and we miss her every day.
My Dad and I attended mass at the Cathedral in Oakland; one of our aunts had offered the mass in Cindy's memory. It was a lovely mass, with a kind and caring priest celebrating, who also happened to pronounce our family's last name correctly during the mass intentions.
After mass, I lit a candle, and knelt for a few minutes in one of the little prayer alcoves on the side of the church. As I looked down, I saw an image on the decorated wall that looked like an intertwined "C" and "R". Although I don't know the religious significance of the image, it undoubtedly made me think of Cindy.
Later in the afternoon, we went to the cemetery, and Fiona tagged along for the first time. As I was driving home, I had a random thought, which connected back to the "C and R". It may sound a little cheesy, but the words "celebration and remembrance" came to mind. And celebrating Cindy's life and always remembering her is what I'll keep doing every day.
Friday, March 22, 2019
thoughts of video rental returns
shared by VJ Rabuy, her sister
One distinctive memory I have from high school is that of returning videos to Time Video (a much smaller version of a movie rental store like Blockbuster) on the day the video was due, sometimes a mere hour or two before the store closed.
Back in the late 90’s, before streaming movies was a thing, people used to rent movies, primarily on VHS tapes.
Cindy and Linh would often have one video each week, and we had two to three nights to view it. For the newer releases, we might only have one night to view it before the due date, since these movies were in higher demand.
Every so often, a video would be due, but Cyn wouldn’t be home to return it. In those cases, she got a hold of me, most probably on our home phone, and arranged for one of her friends to pick me up from the house to return the video.
So I got to ride with a friend who was a senior, to the video store and back, after nine o'clock at night. There was always a small victory in being able to tell her that we got the tape in on time.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
thoughts of tying knots
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
Cyn Cyn and I were driving home from her practice one day and we were enjoying some snacks in the car. I had just finished eating a granola bar, and she had finished snacking on some apple slices that she had packed in a plastic sandwich bag.
I asked if I could put my wrapper in her now empty bag, and if that could become our "trash" bag. She didn't respond yes or no, but rather just held up the bag, which she had already tied into a little plastic knot.
I think I've written about this before, but Cindy had a habit of tying used wrappers and bags into knots. It didn't have to be just a single serving bag or wrapper, it could also be jumbo or family sized, as well.
Today, I think all of our family members may be "knot tie-ers" when it comes to wrappers and such. Cyn Cyn said she does it all the time, with just about every kind of wrapper-like item. It's a fun, sweet, endearing reminder of Cindy.
Cyn Cyn and I were driving home from her practice one day and we were enjoying some snacks in the car. I had just finished eating a granola bar, and she had finished snacking on some apple slices that she had packed in a plastic sandwich bag.
I asked if I could put my wrapper in her now empty bag, and if that could become our "trash" bag. She didn't respond yes or no, but rather just held up the bag, which she had already tied into a little plastic knot.
I think I've written about this before, but Cindy had a habit of tying used wrappers and bags into knots. It didn't have to be just a single serving bag or wrapper, it could also be jumbo or family sized, as well.
Today, I think all of our family members may be "knot tie-ers" when it comes to wrappers and such. Cyn Cyn said she does it all the time, with just about every kind of wrapper-like item. It's a fun, sweet, endearing reminder of Cindy.
Friday, February 22, 2019
thoughts of toddler fun
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
Cindy loved kids, but she would often say that she wasn't too interested in babies until they were at least one year old, when they could interact with you more. Although I enjoy both infants and toddlers, I do agree with the idea that kids from ages one to three are super fun.
The girls and I have been lucky enough to regularly spend time with friends' kids who are in that fun toddler stage. When I've been with them over the past week, it's made me think of Cindy.
Our friend Kenzie, who is three, had Ava and I playing in her fort, pretending to sleep. Our other friend, Ripley, who is two years old, always makes us smile when she says, "Papa and I are vegan, and Mama is an omnivore."
I feel blessed to have these fun little ladies to spend time with, and brighten our days. Whenever we are with them, I have a feeling that Cindy is watching over us, and smiling down on us too.
Cindy loved kids, but she would often say that she wasn't too interested in babies until they were at least one year old, when they could interact with you more. Although I enjoy both infants and toddlers, I do agree with the idea that kids from ages one to three are super fun.
The girls and I have been lucky enough to regularly spend time with friends' kids who are in that fun toddler stage. When I've been with them over the past week, it's made me think of Cindy.
Our friend Kenzie, who is three, had Ava and I playing in her fort, pretending to sleep. Our other friend, Ripley, who is two years old, always makes us smile when she says, "Papa and I are vegan, and Mama is an omnivore."
I feel blessed to have these fun little ladies to spend time with, and brighten our days. Whenever we are with them, I have a feeling that Cindy is watching over us, and smiling down on us too.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
thoughts of continued thoughtfulness
shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister
In a previous blog entry from 2012, I described how incredibly thoughtful Cindy was, and how she had a knack for making others feel loved through both random acts of kindness and just unselfish generosity. I recently realized that Ava has inherited this same extraordinary trait from her Tita Cyn; and it's so heartwarming to still get to experience that special type of kindness and thoughtfulness.
Ava's "Cindy-like" thoughtfulness is exhibited in countless ways, but one of the most apparent is through her gift giving. For every birthday and Christmas, Ava spoils us with her thoughtful presents. This past Christmas, she gave Cyn Cyn a collage of photos of the two of them from outings and moments throughout the past year.
On previous occasions, Ava has gone online to search for quick arts and crafts projects, new origami ideas, or other types of homemade gifts to make. Creating homemade gifts is yet another similarity between Ava and her Tita Cyn. One Christmas, I received a homemade "snowman in a jar." For another Christmas, Andrew, Cyn Cyn and I all received mini clay creations of some of our favorite foods.
Several blog entries from December 2010 were written by family members and friends, and describe gifts that they were lucky enough to receive from Cindy.
I love being able to identify ways that Cyn Cyn and Ava are similar to their Tita Cyn. Sharing stories with them about memories that describe ways that the girls remind me of her, helps to keep her memory alive for all of us.
In a previous blog entry from 2012, I described how incredibly thoughtful Cindy was, and how she had a knack for making others feel loved through both random acts of kindness and just unselfish generosity. I recently realized that Ava has inherited this same extraordinary trait from her Tita Cyn; and it's so heartwarming to still get to experience that special type of kindness and thoughtfulness.
Ava's "Cindy-like" thoughtfulness is exhibited in countless ways, but one of the most apparent is through her gift giving. For every birthday and Christmas, Ava spoils us with her thoughtful presents. This past Christmas, she gave Cyn Cyn a collage of photos of the two of them from outings and moments throughout the past year.
On previous occasions, Ava has gone online to search for quick arts and crafts projects, new origami ideas, or other types of homemade gifts to make. Creating homemade gifts is yet another similarity between Ava and her Tita Cyn. One Christmas, I received a homemade "snowman in a jar." For another Christmas, Andrew, Cyn Cyn and I all received mini clay creations of some of our favorite foods.
Several blog entries from December 2010 were written by family members and friends, and describe gifts that they were lucky enough to receive from Cindy.
I love being able to identify ways that Cyn Cyn and Ava are similar to their Tita Cyn. Sharing stories with them about memories that describe ways that the girls remind me of her, helps to keep her memory alive for all of us.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
thoughts of fun breakfast food
shared by VJ Rabuy, her sister
While we were growing up, Cindy and I liked to make this specific breakfast dish called "eggs in a frame". You take a piece of bread and use the opening of a small cup or glass to cut out a perfect circle in the middle of the bread. The "bread circle" is just put to the side, or eaten separately.
Then take the bread slice and toast it in a pan on the stove for a couple of minutes. Next you take an egg and crack it open into the hole. Once the egg has cooked for a bit, you carefully flip over the bread, and let the egg/bread cook a little more. That's it!
We learned how to do this from one of those Klutz brand, arts and crafts, kids' books, that had different kid-friendly recipes and cooking ideas.
I recently had a chance to make the dish again a couple of times, when visiting Marlo's house for breakfast over the last couple of weeks. Cyn Cyn and Ava were kind of impressed!
Although they weren't interested in taking a bite of the "egg in the frame" (since neither of them prefer eggs cooked that way), it was fun to share another little tidbit about Cindy with them.
While we were growing up, Cindy and I liked to make this specific breakfast dish called "eggs in a frame". You take a piece of bread and use the opening of a small cup or glass to cut out a perfect circle in the middle of the bread. The "bread circle" is just put to the side, or eaten separately.
Then take the bread slice and toast it in a pan on the stove for a couple of minutes. Next you take an egg and crack it open into the hole. Once the egg has cooked for a bit, you carefully flip over the bread, and let the egg/bread cook a little more. That's it!
We learned how to do this from one of those Klutz brand, arts and crafts, kids' books, that had different kid-friendly recipes and cooking ideas.
I recently had a chance to make the dish again a couple of times, when visiting Marlo's house for breakfast over the last couple of weeks. Cyn Cyn and Ava were kind of impressed!
Although they weren't interested in taking a bite of the "egg in the frame" (since neither of them prefer eggs cooked that way), it was fun to share another little tidbit about Cindy with them.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
thoughts of on repeat
shared by VJ Rabuy, her sister
I’ve been listening to Sam Smith’s “Baby, You Make Me Crazy” non-stop for the past week and a half. I happened to stumble upon an acoustic version of it, and ever since then, I’ve been hooked.
It reminds me of the time when Cyn made a tape of one of her favorite songs, using both sides of the cassette, and listened to it endlessly. The funny part about it, was that neither she nor I, ever got tired of it.
The song was Hi-Five’s “Never Should Have Let You Go” which was featured on the Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit soundtrack. She recorded it again and again; it must have been recorded 10 or 12 times on each side.
That tape must have been around for a few years, with all of my sisters having listened to it. I'm fairly certain that any one of us could still sing along today.
I’ve been listening to Sam Smith’s “Baby, You Make Me Crazy” non-stop for the past week and a half. I happened to stumble upon an acoustic version of it, and ever since then, I’ve been hooked.
It reminds me of the time when Cyn made a tape of one of her favorite songs, using both sides of the cassette, and listened to it endlessly. The funny part about it, was that neither she nor I, ever got tired of it.
The song was Hi-Five’s “Never Should Have Let You Go” which was featured on the Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit soundtrack. She recorded it again and again; it must have been recorded 10 or 12 times on each side.
That tape must have been around for a few years, with all of my sisters having listened to it. I'm fairly certain that any one of us could still sing along today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
