Dear Loved Ones,

Pleasant Greetings from SAC, USA! The month passed so quickly with all the hectic summer holiday activities, especially during the visit of Sarah (from NJ) and Max at home (June3 – July 10), including Max’s celebration of his 9^th birthday at our Anatolia clubhouse / Swimming, on July 3, 4 – 9pm, with 55 guests and sumptuous food.

On our SacCatholicForum held at the Radisson Hotel on July 15, we had as speaker Mr. Joseph Pearce – British, Author, Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University – who had with him many books / biographies he wrote.

A one-time skinhead and radical activist, Professor Pearce is now a critically acclaimed biographer of such Christian authors as C.S. Lewis, J. R. Tolkien, G. K. Chesterton, Aleksander Solzhenitsyn, and

William Shakespeare. He discussed the interesting case that the greatest playwright of the English language was not only Catholic, but was himself an activist in the secret Catholic underground of Elizabethan England. I am currently reading his signed book ‘The Quest for Shakespeare’, which is a review / appreciation of my English literature. When I was in Europe in 1982, I thought the country I would love to live is England. Browsing on Shakespeare is helping me live my dream and prepare for the coming 2012 London Olympics, where Sean and I are preparing to attend, God willing!

The hectic early days of July culminated with the 9^th birthday celebration of MAX. It started with our Offertory offering during the 11:15 AM mass at our St. Mel’s church. Since I offered Mass intentions for Max listed in our parish bulletin, I made sure that we were on time. Through God’s special blessing, we were approached by the usher to make the wine offering during Offertory (which I consider God’s special blessing for MAX). Then we proceeded with all the preparations for the Swimming party scheduled late 4:00 – 9:00pm: pick-up the balloons, cake, ordered food, etc.

Other highlights for the month:I am very grateful for the gathering of family and close friends invited: all 55 of them, with their kids who enjoyed swimming, the food, fun; such as my sister’s family – it was our 1^st reunion: Mark, Sheri, and 9-month old daughter

Harper came from San Diego – her 1^st visit to Sac; Tony, Stephanie and son Paolo came from Oakland; and Maria arrived from Berkeley, plus Ate & Nong Nonie (9 of them); I invited 3 of my Opus Dei friends who came with their husbands and children (25); The rest were Sean’s friends and neighbors who had kids, who all came to help MAX celebrate his 9^th memorable birthday. The photos in my facebook album show the fun and surprises we all enjoyed that day!!!

· On July 4, rested after the hectic party, then had lunch and hang out at my sister’s home with all the folks who came to celebrate with Max; then also to celebrate Nong Nonie’s birthday on July

5. Later, Sean and I went to Sunrise grounds for our traditional fireworks display. We encountered a very funny incident involving a Russian family. (Had we captured it on video, it would have won America’s Funniest Home Video!).

· Movies watched for the month included: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part II), Larry Crowne, Capt. America, Friends with Benefits;

· Sean went on leave from office to spend time bonding with Sarah and Max – eating out at various outlets – Japanese, Italian, Chinese, American, Mexican, etc, enjoy daily swimming at our clubhouse, shopping, more shopping, until they left back to NJ on July 10. Now, we are back to our lonesome 2; thus, we are looking forward to our Thanksgiving long week-end in NJ, God willing!

· I am participating in the seminar / workshop our parish is conducting for 6 weeks on the new revisions for the MASS, which will take effect on the 1^st Sunday of this year’s Advent; It is a very enlightening experience in our journey of Faith;

Attached are 4 photos of Max b-day SAC celebration. Let us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG