THIS PAGE WILL NOT BE OF INTEREST TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THESE PHOTOS OF ELVIE’S FIRST VISIT TO AMERICA ARE INCLUDED HERE ONLY FOR HER RELATIVES, FRIENDS AND FELLOW GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET IN THE PHILIPPINES.

In other words, the following photos are included only so people in the Philippines can see with their own eyes (via internet) that Elvie is "OK" here in America.

INTRODUCTION (???)

In case any of Skip's friends and/or students are reading this page (for current news about Skip), this is his Elvie -- and their son Chip (born on May 4, 1995).

Elvie and Skip have been together for approximately 5 years. Elvie is currently 23 years old, and she graduated from the University of the Visayas in 1996. She is currently enrolled as a full-time graduate-student at the University of San Carlos, in Cebu City. She will obtain a Master’s Degree, and then a Doctorate, in "Commerce."

Elvie owns a commercial building which is approximately eight blocks from the center of Cebu City, and one block from the Sea of Bohol. In her building, she runs a store that is similar to a Southeast Asian 7-11. She has three full-time employees at the store, so she has plenty of time for studying, taking care of Chip, and taking care of Skip.

Elvie is a "country" girl from a provincial area of the Philippines – which means that she was raised with "old world" values.

Girls from Elvie's community are not allowed to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, go to movies, be alone with a man before marriage, go anywhere without a chaperon, etc.

Before Skip and Elvie were married, her mother wouldn’t even let Elvie sit on the same couch with Skip -- even if there were twelve chaperons in the room. In many ways, the Filipino culture is quite different than our American culture.

In Elvie's case the situation is compounded by the fact that she is Chinese (her last name is Chiong) but she was born in the Philippines -- so we are dealing with two cultures instead of just one.

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ELVIE AND CHIP IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA -- JUST PRIOR TO LEAVING FOR AMERICA.

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WE ARE PACKED, AND READY TO GO TO THE AIRPORT !!!

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Headed for America -- a stop-over in Japan.

This was Elvie's and Chip's first "foreign-country" experience.

Their first picture in America -- at Seattle-Tacoma airport -- riding into the main terminal.

Leaving the Seattle-Tacoma Airport... and venturing out into America.

This is Elvie, gram, uncle Lew and his wife Vernelle, and Skip's son DeWelle -- welcoming Elvie to America.

DeWelle recently graduated from the University of Washington Law School. He graduated Cum Laude, was accepted into the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society, etc., etc. He also graduated from the Apprenticeship Program, and is a Journeyman log house builder.

Uncle Rod, DeWelle, gram, Chip, uncle Fred, and Elvie -- in the kitchen.

Elvie is meeting all of her new friends and relatives here in America.

It was VERY important to Elvie that she get to a Catholic church as quickly as possible.

In the Asia, she goes to church almost every day.

The church was closed and locked -- so we had to sneak in through the back door. Elvie and gram were teaching Chip how to pray with his eyes closed -- so he was practicing when we took this photo.

In the living room of our house.

The dining room at Skip's ranch.

The living room.

Visiting our friends in Tacoma -- Ed and Jennifer Harmick.

Jennifer is from our island in Asia.  She met Ed when he came to visit us. They were married a few days later. She is now 19 years old and going to school in Tacoma.

Gram and her sister, Sylvia. They often stay with us at the ranch. Skip's mom is 94 years of age, and her sister is 87.

Chip's second birthday (May 4, 1998).

A VISIT TO CANADA

This photo was taken at the border between Washington and Canada.

The border is like a park.

This is our first morning in Canada. We are preparing to be tourists.

The waterfront and skyline of Vancouver.

More skyline...

The "tourist" area in Vancouver. Chip was starting to forget he has legs of his own. Elvie hardly ever lets his feet touch the ground.

More downtown.

This is the "Gas-town" (tourist) area of the city.

This restaurant belongs to one of Skip's Kung Fu friends in Vancouver's Chinatown. We are waiting for his friend to arrive.

"Gee mom... I'm actually standing up on my own."

Skip's Chinese friend -- and a very capable martial-artist.

A family thing...

At Stanley Park in Vancouver.

The Lyon's Gate Bridge.

The Park.

A FEW "TOURISTY" TRIPS IN THE SEATTLE AREA

On our way to see snow for the first time.

It's cold up here, mom.

Snow is very weird stuff, mom.

Chip was suspicious...

This would be hard to describe to Elvie's relatives in the Philippines.

Maybe this can be fun after all ???

Wow !!! We can throw this stuff at each other !!!

You can even romp around in it.

And make it into different shapes.

We need to bring some of this stuff back to our tropical island in Southeast Asia.

I think I like the snow now, mom.

But maybe it's time to go home now...

Snoqualmie Falls.

It's fun to be tourists.

At the Seattle Center.

Visiting the Children's Museum

Exploring...

A fountain at the Seattle Center.

Chip is dancing to the music. What a guy !!!

There were many flags here.

Bruce Lee once gave a Kung Fu exhibition for the City of Seattle at this location -- with his students Skip, Jesse, Jim, and LeRoy).

The Space Needle in the background.

We changed clothes -- and will go to the Space Needle for dinner with friends.

It was a windy day.

Getting ready to ride the elevator.

At the top of the Space Needle.

Almost dinner-time.

Posing for a picture after dinner – with our friends from the Philippines (Dr. Chuck Lochner, his wife Laurie, and their daughter Arianne).

The food was excellent – the view was better – and the company was even better.

After dinner

Visiting gram's house with the Lochners.

The logs in our house are not quite this big. Chip is making moves on Arianne.

Elvie and Chip -- taking a tour of the University of Washington campus.

Gothic, man !!!

Chip and Skip -- standing outside of Skip's fraternity house -- Delta Kappa Epsilon -- at the University of Washington.

This is on the front lawn of Skip's DEKE fraternity house.

This is inside the Deke house. Chip is considering joining his dad's fraternity, but he wants to check it out first. He wants to see if these guys really know how to "party."

Getting ready to spend our first night in California -- on the way to Disneyland.

Our first morning in California.

The freeway exit to Disneyland.

The entrance to Disneyland.

Us... on the train. We are the ones third from the left (?)

The main entrance. 

DISNEYLAND -- AT LAST !!!

Our first ride.

We were able to "experience" the entire place in one day. There were no lines for any of the rides, because it was a "school-day" in January. We almost had the entire place to ourselves.

Elvie and Chip on the river-boat.

Chip just gets the car started -- when suddenly this gorgeous young chic rushes over and jumps in beside him. Chip puts it in high gear and heads for New Orleans -- but suddenly this weird looking dude in a Chipmunk suit leaps in front of the car.

What the hell am I supposed to do, dad ???.

We probably walked 20 miles.

A spaced-out machine.

Don't worry, dad. I'll protect mom.

This weird-looking fruitcake is trying to put his arms around me, dad -- which means we must be in Los Angeles.

The "HOLLYWOOD" sign can be seen on the hillside in the background.

It's hard to tell who is having more fun on this vacation -- Chip or Elvie...

A family thing.

Beaches. Just like back home.

What a trip !!!

This is the Guiness Museum in downtown Hollywood -- with a life-size statue of the world's tallest man.

The Chinese theatre.

The wax museum.

These guys are good friend's of Skip's.

Steve (on the left) was Mr. Seattle for two years in a row. He is currently residing part-time in Hollywood -- and acting in movies.

Rory (on the right) is also an actor. He was the body-double for Pierce Brosnan for quite some time, and traveled with Pierce throughout Europe.

We stayed at Steve's house while we were in Los Angeles. His house is within two or three blocks of the CENTER of Hollywood. It is like an oasis in the middle of the city. It used to belong to Charley Chaplin.

Steve gave this photo of himself to Skip shortly after he won a Mr. Seattle contest.

This was the limo we rode in. It was a comfortable ride -- thanks to Lemar (the driver).

[Thanks, Lemar. We enjoyed riding with you. Please stop for a visit if you are ever in one of our neighborhoods. We'll take you for a ride in Skip's Jeep CJ-5.]

ELVIE WANTED TO DRIVE IT.

BACK AT STEVE'S PARKING AREA. HIS HOUSE IS 15' TO THE LEFT.

STEVE'S HOUSE IS IN ALMOST THE EXACT CENTER OF HOLLYWOOD, AND THERE ARE PARTIES AT HIS HOUSE (ACTORS, ACTRESSES, DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS, ETC.) ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.

While in Hollywood, we went to Malibu and had lunch at a very nice restaurant. We also went to Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Marina del Rey, and several of the beaches.

We visited with LOTS of Skip's actor friends -- and lots of his Kung Fu friends.

Everyone in L.A. was very friendly, and we had a lot of fun.

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