Hickman Holiday Herald 1999
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas
and much Prosperity in the New Year!
Update: Gerri & Joe
Gerri had a busy summer this year visiting, shopping, yearly doctors visits etc, but some of the best moments were when she and Kathy went to Phoenix, Arizona and spent a week WITHOUT the kids. Wow!! Gerri is into her third year teaching at Singapore American School. She enjoys teaching the Home living courses which just coincidentally are the most popular electives in the Middle School. Alexis is always grateful that her Mom is in theA colourful Joe! Middle School and not up at the High School with her. While chasing after Alexis and coping with Joe and his travel schedule.
Joe's travels have been extensive this year. In addition to all of his usual trips around Asia he has been working on some special work related projects that have taken him to Europe, Australia, South Africa and several trips to the USA. Unfortunately, one of the trips he actually would like to take (back to the USA for Christmas with Alexis and Gerri) is not possible, as Joe must remain in Singapore in preparation for Y2K testing and implementation. When not on the road Joe continues to enjoy working on his home computer system which he upgraded this year. Internet surfing speed is the name of the game these days since he had a 500kb internet connection installed in the house. Now he can watch movies, work on the family homepage, surf the net and do some work without leaving his desk. This does cause some concern for Gerri who is forever trying to get him up and out of the house.
Gerri had a busy summer this year visiting, shopping, yearly doctors visits etc, but some of the best moments were when she and Kathy went to Phoenix, Arizona and spent a week WITHOUT the kids. Wow!! Gerri is into her third year teaching at Singapore American School. She enjoys teaching the Home living courses which just coincidentally are the most popular electives in the Middle School. Alexis is always grateful that her Mom is in theA colourful Joe! Middle School and not up at the High School with her. While chasing after Alexis and coping with Joe and his travel schedule.
Joe's travels have been extensive this year. In addition to all of his usual trips around Asia he has been working on some special work related projects that have taken him to Europe, Australia, South Africa and several trips to the USA. Unfortunately, one of the trips he actually would like to take (back to the USA for Christmas with Alexis and Gerri) is not possible, as Joe must remain in Singapore in preparation for Y2K testing and implementation. When not on the road Joe continues to enjoy working on his home computer system which he upgraded this year. Internet surfing speed is the name of the game these days since he had a 500kb internet connection installed in the house. Now he can watch movies, work on the family homepage, surf the net and do some work without leaving his desk. This does cause some concern for Gerri who is forever trying to get him up and out of the house.
Update: Gerri & Joe
Gerri had a busy summer this year visiting, shopping, yearly doctors visits etc, but some of the best moments were when she and Kathy went to Phoenix, Arizona and spent a week WITHOUT the kids. Wow!! Gerri is into her third year teaching at Singapore American School. She enjoys teaching the Home living courses which just coincidentally are the most popular electives in the Middle School. Alexis is always grateful that her Mom is in theA colourful Joe! Middle School and not up at the High School with her. While chasing after Alexis and coping with Joe and his travel schedule.
Joe's travels have been extensive this year. In addition to all of his usual trips around Asia he has been working on some special work related projects that have taken him to Europe, Australia, South Africa and several trips to the USA. Unfortunately, one of the trips he actually would like to take (back to the USA for Christmas with Alexis and Gerri) is not possible, as Joe must remain in Singapore in preparation for Y2K testing and implementation. When not on the road Joe continues to enjoy working on his home computer system which he upgraded this year. Internet surfing speed is the name of the game these days since he had a 500kb internet connection installed in the house. Now he can watch movies, work on the family homepage, surf the net and do some work without leaving his desk. This does cause some concern for Gerri who is forever trying to get him up and out of the house.
Gerri had a busy summer this year visiting, shopping, yearly doctors visits etc, but some of the best moments were when she and Kathy went to Phoenix, Arizona and spent a week WITHOUT the kids. Wow!! Gerri is into her third year teaching at Singapore American School. She enjoys teaching the Home living courses which just coincidentally are the most popular electives in the Middle School. Alexis is always grateful that her Mom is in theA colourful Joe! Middle School and not up at the High School with her. While chasing after Alexis and coping with Joe and his travel schedule.
Joe's travels have been extensive this year. In addition to all of his usual trips around Asia he has been working on some special work related projects that have taken him to Europe, Australia, South Africa and several trips to the USA. Unfortunately, one of the trips he actually would like to take (back to the USA for Christmas with Alexis and Gerri) is not possible, as Joe must remain in Singapore in preparation for Y2K testing and implementation. When not on the road Joe continues to enjoy working on his home computer system which he upgraded this year. Internet surfing speed is the name of the game these days since he had a 500kb internet connection installed in the house. Now he can watch movies, work on the family homepage, surf the net and do some work without leaving his desk. This does cause some concern for Gerri who is forever trying to get him up and out of the house.
The Hickmans explore Kathmandu
1999 the year of Travel
Travel appears to be the best word to describe the Hickmans 1999 activities. Starting with JR's visit in January, the family headed out for a week in Nepal and Thailand. Kathmandu is a fascinating city! Gateway to the Himalayas and Mt. Everest, home of Buddhism and Hinduism and a cultural experience unlike any other. Shopping played a big part of the schedule and the Hickmans have a couple of hand woven carpets made by Tibetan refugees to prove it. Bangkok was the next port-of-call, great food, wonderful people and of course, the inevitable shopping. $3.00 Polo shirts are just too hard to pass up!
Joe and Gerri had a wonderful get-away in Phuket, Thailand in late spring. If you ever want to experience an incredible resort stay in a spectacular setting they whole-heartedly recommend the Banyan Tree Resort. Individual Thai cottages with private swimming pools scattered throughout incredible tropical gardens. Relaxation, great food and many heated rounds of Canasta were the order of the day.
Kauai, Hawaii also made the itinerary after Joe spent a week with the family in So. California and Las Vegas. Unfortunately, JR could not make the trip because of Disneyland's heavy summer schedule, however Joe, Gerri and Alexis managed to enjoy a great time in Princeville in the comfort of a very large two-bedroom condo over-looking the Pacific. Again, many hands of Canasta were played and much to Joe and Gerri's dismay, Alexis has become a very worthy adversary!
In September, after Joe spent a week at a conference in Beijing, Joe, Gerri and their friends, Dave and Doreen Clifton, hopped on a ferry for a 50-minute trip to Bintan, Indonesia. Banyan Tree Resorts played host again providing Indonesian style villas built on stilts on this tiny island just north of Sumatra.
Next stop, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Gerri and Doreen are plagued with the "been there, done that syndrome" from Joe and Dave who both travel the region extensively. This is one city that none of them had visited before and provided a new and unique travel opportunity. Hundreds of years of internal and external conflict have created a fascinating and sometimes depressing destination. Worth seeing but maybe not a place that will be visited more than once or twice for leisure activity.
1999 the year of Travel
Travel appears to be the best word to describe the Hickmans 1999 activities. Starting with JR's visit in January, the family headed out for a week in Nepal and Thailand. Kathmandu is a fascinating city! Gateway to the Himalayas and Mt. Everest, home of Buddhism and Hinduism and a cultural experience unlike any other. Shopping played a big part of the schedule and the Hickmans have a couple of hand woven carpets made by Tibetan refugees to prove it. Bangkok was the next port-of-call, great food, wonderful people and of course, the inevitable shopping. $3.00 Polo shirts are just too hard to pass up!
Joe and Gerri had a wonderful get-away in Phuket, Thailand in late spring. If you ever want to experience an incredible resort stay in a spectacular setting they whole-heartedly recommend the Banyan Tree Resort. Individual Thai cottages with private swimming pools scattered throughout incredible tropical gardens. Relaxation, great food and many heated rounds of Canasta were the order of the day.
Kauai, Hawaii also made the itinerary after Joe spent a week with the family in So. California and Las Vegas. Unfortunately, JR could not make the trip because of Disneyland's heavy summer schedule, however Joe, Gerri and Alexis managed to enjoy a great time in Princeville in the comfort of a very large two-bedroom condo over-looking the Pacific. Again, many hands of Canasta were played and much to Joe and Gerri's dismay, Alexis has become a very worthy adversary!
In September, after Joe spent a week at a conference in Beijing, Joe, Gerri and their friends, Dave and Doreen Clifton, hopped on a ferry for a 50-minute trip to Bintan, Indonesia. Banyan Tree Resorts played host again providing Indonesian style villas built on stilts on this tiny island just north of Sumatra.
Next stop, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Gerri and Doreen are plagued with the "been there, done that syndrome" from Joe and Dave who both travel the region extensively. This is one city that none of them had visited before and provided a new and unique travel opportunity. Hundreds of years of internal and external conflict have created a fascinating and sometimes depressing destination. Worth seeing but maybe not a place that will be visited more than once or twice for leisure activity.
This has been a busy year for Alexis. In February she was off to the Philippines for her school Interim trip. There she worked with the international organization Habitat for Humanity. Alexis and 20 other Singapore American School students built homes for Filipinos in General Santos City. Jimmy Carter sponsors this organization. Jimmy and his workers arrived shortly after Alexis' group left to carry on with the worthwhile project.
During the year Alexis played on the Volleyball and Softball teams. During the summer she completed her Driver's Training Course, passed the test with 100% and spent hours behind the wheel with her Mom. She also participated in the Laguna Beach HS volleyball camp. When she returned to school in the fall she was once again on the Volleyball team and this year she decided to follow in JR's footsteps and join the swim team. She recently participated in their yearly biathlon, where she swam 1000 meters and ran 2k.
As for her academic pursuits, she decided to join the newspaper staff this year as photo editor. Her list of classes include Advanced Placement US History, ceramics/sculpture, and Mandarin III.
During the year Alexis played on the Volleyball and Softball teams. During the summer she completed her Driver's Training Course, passed the test with 100% and spent hours behind the wheel with her Mom. She also participated in the Laguna Beach HS volleyball camp. When she returned to school in the fall she was once again on the Volleyball team and this year she decided to follow in JR's footsteps and join the swim team. She recently participated in their yearly biathlon, where she swam 1000 meters and ran 2k.
As for her academic pursuits, she decided to join the newspaper staff this year as photo editor. Her list of classes include Advanced Placement US History, ceramics/sculpture, and Mandarin III.
JR Employed by Disneyland
JR spent Christmas '98 in Singapore. During his visit the Hickmans were able to travel as a family to Nepal. What a fascinating country! The best part of the trip however was just being together as a family. After his return to California, he interviewed at Disneyland and subsequently got a job. He has been working there part-time ever since. He works at a food concession stand in Adventureland called the Bengal Barbecue. JR is looking forward to working his way into the fry cook position. Disneyland is great for kids in college as they accommodate their class schedule. His Sophomore year at CSULB is treating him great. His classes are going well and he has a wonderful roommate this year. What a difference that makes!!!
JR spent Christmas '98 in Singapore. During his visit the Hickmans were able to travel as a family to Nepal. What a fascinating country! The best part of the trip however was just being together as a family. After his return to California, he interviewed at Disneyland and subsequently got a job. He has been working there part-time ever since. He works at a food concession stand in Adventureland called the Bengal Barbecue. JR is looking forward to working his way into the fry cook position. Disneyland is great for kids in college as they accommodate their class schedule. His Sophomore year at CSULB is treating him great. His classes are going well and he has a wonderful roommate this year. What a difference that makes!!!
99 Highlights
The Hickmans discover Nepal & Thailand
JR gets part-time job at Disneyland
Alexis paves the way for Jimmy Carter
JR dumps lousy roommate, smooth sailing with replacement
Alexis makes SAS Volleyball & Swim teams
Joe surfs at high speed from home with new 500mhz PC & high speed connection
Joe & Gerri enjoy Phuket, Thailand
Summer in Southern California, Las Vegas & Hawaii
Alexis hits the streets with new driver's license
Gerri heads one of the most popular electives at Singapore American School
Weekending in Indonesia
Joe touches down on most of the world's continents in 1999
Lookout Tiger Woods, Gerri now has clubs and is ready for the links
Joe & Gerri explore Cambodia
Gerri & Alexis heading to USA for Christmas in So. California
Joe fights the Y2K bug
Joe & JR introduce new homepages
The Hickmans discover Nepal & Thailand
JR gets part-time job at Disneyland
Alexis paves the way for Jimmy Carter
JR dumps lousy roommate, smooth sailing with replacement
Alexis makes SAS Volleyball & Swim teams
Joe surfs at high speed from home with new 500mhz PC & high speed connection
Joe & Gerri enjoy Phuket, Thailand
Summer in Southern California, Las Vegas & Hawaii
Alexis hits the streets with new driver's license
Gerri heads one of the most popular electives at Singapore American School
Weekending in Indonesia
Joe touches down on most of the world's continents in 1999
Lookout Tiger Woods, Gerri now has clubs and is ready for the links
Joe & Gerri explore Cambodia
Gerri & Alexis heading to USA for Christmas in So. California
Joe fights the Y2K bug
Joe & JR introduce new homepages
www.JosephHickman.com