More things I know for sure...

1) It didn't take as long as I thought for us to be in an accident! I saw the whole thing! We were in the parking lot backing out and this orange van (neatly parked in its own space and stationary as the Statue of Liberty) just jumped right out and rammed into the back of us. True story. Any further elaboration on the subject may result in familial tension lasting up to 3 years. But, shhh!...I wasn't the one driving.

2) If you don't have flip flops or sandals...you don't need to be here.

3) It's really not necessary to wear 6 inch heels to the beach. Seen it at a festival dozens of times. Enough said.

4) It's best to keep your eyes and mouth shut when you're on the beach and the winds kick up. Sand does not discriminate what orifices it wishes to inhabit.

5) It's unreasonable to wear a jacket, gloves, hat, and jeans when it's pushing 90 degrees. Seen it. Still don't believe it.

6) You really can get the gist of a Japanese children's show even when you don't know what they're saying.

7) If you bow and smile a lot...everything will be okay.

8) Pasta dishes are the only good things that come out of a hotel kitchenette. There'll be no gumbo-making day during this stay! Spaghetti with Ragu...Hamburger Helper... The only thing that would make cooking more difficult in this room is if I had to make my own fire with flint rock and a hatchet. I feel like I'm taking Pioneer Cooking 101: Kitchenette Kuisine - no prerequisite required. During this course you will learn to feed your family...one noodle at a time.

9) I'm glad we got out of L.A. before the earthquakes hit. Whew!

10) When we're awake...you're SLEEPING!