Beatrice Le

In the midst of my summer adventures, I found myself in Fresno, CA – a place that holds a special significance for my family. It’s where my uncle Geoff, his wife, and my cousin reside, and it also holds the location of the Fresno house, a cherished home steeped in family history. This house was more than just a physical structure; it served as the gateway to a world of imagination and nostalgia.

I vividly recall the echoes of hollering and the resonating stomps within those walls. 2009 marked the last time the joyful presence of the cousins reverberated through the house. This structure became a museum of our imaginations. The grand bathtub in the master bedroom transformed into a cascading waterfall, transporting us into deep ocean exploration fantasies and serving as a vessel for our joyous bubble parties. The backyard, a forbidden territory safeguarded by a decomposing durian shell, was a topic of contemplated between the adults to replacing the dried weeds with lush fruit trees. Meanwhile, the hallway balcony, which overlooked the Elmer glitter glue stained carpet, became our strategic Nerf base, providing us with advantageous positions for epic battles. But as time passed, the captivating adventures of my childhood gradually gave way to the exciting undertakings of adulthood.

Day 1: The New Graduate  

June of 2023 marks a significant milestone in our family as my younger cousin, Kevin, graduated from high school. It was a momentous occasion that inspired us to revisit the Fresno house. It felt like a last hurrah before Kevin embarked on his journey into collegiate town, and my brother and I were determined to create even more moments with him.

After a 3.5-hour drive through scenic farmland and a crochet project, we finally arrived at the legendary Fresno house.

Our mission for the start of the trip was crystal clear: to capture a perfect frame-worthy photograph of Kevin, honoring his accomplishments and celebrating his bright future. A milestone! Bedecked in vibrant leis and proudly wearing his valedictorian regalia, Kevin stood as a beacon of accomplishment. The sight was truly awe-inspiring, etching itself as an unforgettable #ProudFamilyMoment accompanied by an #OverTheMoonMother.

Look at how cute we are! The outfit I had chosen for the occasion bore a striking resemblance to a carrot. My brother did not let me forget as he reminded me with his playful taunts; Look at how happy my uncle and my mom are as we waited for the ceremony time to start! 

The commencement ceremony itself was a symphony of uncontrollable hoots, balloon shakes, and countless snapshots capturing radiant smiles. The sun dipped below the horizon meant it was time for the night sky to become alive with illuminating bursts of fireworks, serving as a grand finale to this momentous day.

As the night wound down, the afterparty commenced with laughter and boba. We immersed ourselves in a Christmas-themed memory game, resurrecting long-forgotten cards. And when the moment arrived for the exhilarating 5-player Codenames game, the youngsters’ faces were flushed with a mix of amusement and embarrassment as they attempted to hide their grins, while the parents, oozing confidence, convinced themselves to choose unrelated words, leading to uproarious mix-ups and endless entertainment. As the night wore on, words morphed into mumbles, and weary eyelids succumbed to the weight of exhaustion, mirroring the heaviness of the leis that adorned Kevin’s neck earlier in the day.

Day 2: My Newfound Aesthetic + Firsts!

Filled with lingering excitement from the previous day, we eagerly gathered to preview Kevin’s graduation photos. As we went through a slideshow (thanks to Google Photos), the soul-stirring melody of ‘Joy,’ composed and sung by my talented uncle Coby, resonated through the room. Requests for other songs were met with unwavering loyalty, as we replayed the Chinese version of ‘Joy.’ Talk about relentless fans!

After 225 photos and 8 plays of “Joy,” the ladies embarked on an exploration of Fresno while the younger bros hit the gym! The last time we visited Fresno, it was mainly undeveloped land. More than a decade later, it had transformed with the rapid construction of shopping malls and attractions.

One of the highlights on our itinerary was a visit to Ross and HomeGoods stores to find treasures for my apartment. The absence of a HomeGoods store in my residential area heightened my excitement. Inspired by the vibrant color scheme of carrots, I embraced a “grocery store” theme in my decor. At Ross, my eyes were captivated by a unique orange bed set that evoked visions of the orange taproot. However, it was the enchanting aisles of HomeGoods that truly bewitched me. Stepping foot into this place,  I found myself wishing I had more apartment rooms to fill. The store boasted an array of unique pieces, from pineapple and mushroom-themed items to other whimsical treasures that perfectly matched my grocery store-inspired vision. Despite being playfully shamed for my overpriced faux moss ball purchase, it brought me immense joy, much to the amusement of those around me. Who could resist the happiness this giant ball exuded?

To cool down from our shopping spree, we engaged in a spirited game of Wii Tennis, featuring the remarkable skills of our very own all-city 3rd place singles player, Ms. Charmaine! Laughter echoed through the air as we swung virtual rackets and reveled in the joy of friendly competition. Following our energetic matches, we rewarded ourselves with a delightful seafood feast and indulged in the sweet pleasures of ice cream, savoring each spoonful.

Our day wouldn’t be complete without an exhilarating escape room experience. Amidst the chaos and fun, we witnessed the unwavering determination of our parents, who gracefully navigated mid-game bathroom breaks, Uncle Geoff’s unwavering commitment to his jacket, sporadic letter-counting, and even a touch of unnecessary parental PDA. Though our victory eluded us by a mere 20 minutes, we reveled in the shared sense of accomplishment and joy 🙂

The adrenaline rush continued as we rolled our way to victory in a series of exhilarating bowling matches. You could say we were all winners here!

Day 3: Yose-MIGHTY Geoff

As the first rays of daybreak illuminated the horizon, we embarked on our long-awaited journey to Yosemite National Park. It was my first National Park trip! Fueled by steaming coffees and savory breakfast sandwiches and our backpacks laden with freshly baked goods, we set forth on an adventure, donning vibrant attire, sparkling tiaras, and a clean car, ready to conquer Yosemite’s awe-inspiring terrains.

Amidst a few amusing misdirections from our quirky guide, “General” Geoff, we finally found our way to Yosemite Park. Towering trees greeted us with their verdant splendor as we embarked on our hike through the enchanting Mariposa Grove.

While Yosemite is renowned for its cascading waterfalls and picturesque trails, my senses were captivated by the intricate textures and mesmerizing patterns adorning the trail. As I ventured through Mariposa Grove, I found myself momentarily enchanted by the unexpected presence of decomposing orange peels, momentarily mistaking them for curious frogs. The cool air carried unwelcome companions in the form of snowmelt-bred mosquitoes and beetles, landing on our shoulders uninvited. Yet, amidst these moments, I couldn’t help but marvel at the majestic Carpenter ants (Camponotus laevigatus) and the delicate beauty of shrubby florals, showcasing the thriving biodiversity within Yosemite.

After traversing the trail not once, but twice, we returned to the comfort of the Fresno house, celebrating our triumphs with delectable skewers and a mouthwatering s’mores dip. The flavors mingled with laughter and shared stories, forging cherished memories in Fresno.

Our trips to the Fresno house holds so much more than Yosemite’s grandeur. It is a time of heartwarming family celebrations, discovering new aesthetics, and immersing ourselves in the beauty of nature. As we left for home, our trunk overflowed with the abundance of sweet peaches, symbolizing the fruitful moments. Amidst the joy, we couldn’t help but recall the hilarious quotes from our lovely General Geoff and the laughter that echoed within the walls of the Fresno house. The memories of the Fresno house will forever hold a special place in our hearts.