On Friday, June 21, Jordyn headed out to New Brighton Beach in Capitola, CA to camp out over the weekend. As an incoming Freshman this fall this
would be her first ever YBA activity. Over the weekend she was able to participate in Iron Chef, play games, and got to know some of the older
YBA members. Most of all, she came home with memories she'll never forget.
This was Jordyn's second YBA Camping trip. Just like last year they cooked, slept, and ate in the great outdoors. It was a little more tiring than before though.
This camping trip is always scheduled right in the middle of Nakayoshi Gakko. Since Jordyn is an NG Sempai, she was already tired before she got to the
campsite. When she returned, she was more than exhausted. Still, she had a great time and won't soon forget all the fun she had.
Out-going advisers and the YBA.
July 26-28, 2014
From campouts to overnight trips, YBA continues to provide the most fun and memorable trips for Jordyn during her high school years. This summer,
in a first, the YBA went to Disneyland. Two days of running between the two California parks riding rides and hanging out provided many unforgettable
memories. Here is just a taste of what Jordyn did.
In early September the Central Coast Jr. YBA invited the Mountain View YBA to participate in their annual Volleyball Mixer. It's actually a pretty quick trip, but
a lot happens from beginning to end. It all starts out with an early pre-dawn drive from the Mountain View Buddhist Temple to Fresno. Once they get there they have
breakfast so they can meet the other participating chapters from around California. Next, they break the chapters up so they can form mixed teams. All the teams
participate in a Round Robin tournament to determine seeding for a competitive tournament after lunch. After the tournament, all members check in to their hotels
to shower and prepare for dinner. After dinner the players reunite with their teams to play little table games to get to know one another better. Finally, the next day
everyone wakes up for the early morning drive back to Mountain View. It was quick, but it was a lot of fun!
Every year around mid-November, the Mountain View Buddhist Temple YBA heads down to Fresno for the Central California Jr. YBA Conference.
This year was no different with about 17 members in attendance. The overnight trip allows the MVBT YBA members to meet with other YBA kids
from all over Central California and beyond. It also includes a talent show, dinner, and dance. This was Jordyn's 3rd trip to Fresno and she
always says how much fun it was.
Every year the Mountain View Buddhist Temple YBA holds a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to help pay for all the conferences and activities they
participate in. This year was no different, except Jordyn was in charge. She started planning months in advance and formed committees for all the
various duties that needed to be performed. Every YBA member (and parent) helped out in some capacity to make this fundraiser a success!
Moms putting together the utensils.
Dads prepping the bread.
Need lots of tomato sauce.
Gotta chop garlic too.
Chopping onions.
Putting together salads.
Isn't this the way spaghetti sauce is made? You know, in a wok.
Starting to brown.
Sauce is done!
Can't forget the jello.
Now that it's cool, we need to transfer it into a pot.
The morning of the dinner begins with a group of YBA dads meeting in the YBA Hall kitchen to cook noodles. This takes about 4 hours to cook and
cool all the pasta. Later in the day, YBA members and parents begin the prepping of Sangha Hall. Tables are set up, chairs are put out, decorations
are displayed, the buffet line is assembled, and the bingo game with prizes is set up. In the kitchen, the sauce is taken out of the refrigerator and
heated, garlic bread is toasted, and donated desserts are readied. There are a lot of other things that have to happen as well and it takes a lot of
manpower to pull it all off. Fortunately, everyone comes together and everything goes off without a hitch. It's a credit to Jordyn, all the YBA
members, the parents, and especially to the YBA Advisers who help in every facet along the way.
First batch of pasta ready to be rinsed.
After rinsing, the pasta needs to cool.
Last batch of pasta ready to be rinsed.
Here is Mrs. Hirotsu whose "secret" spaghetti recipe the YBA uses every year.
Mmm, desserts!
The crowd can't wait for dinner!
The buffet line.
After dinner, Jordyn thanks the membership for a job well done!
Every other year the Bay District invites the Mountain View Buddhist Temple YBA to it's semi-annual conference. This year's conference was held at the
Palo Alto Buddhist Temple where former Mountain View minister Koyama Sensei now resides.
Every June the MVBT YBA heads out to New Brighton State Beach in Capitola for a weekend of camping and fun. Jordyn looks forward to this YBA activity every
summer. I imagine it's at the top of her "fun things to do" list. All these kids work so hard during the school year. I'm sure they have a great time just being together
hanging out with no responsibilities for a few days.
Here's our YBA with the graduating seniors seated in front!
Every two years the Coast District YBA has a conference. This year, in order to defray costs, instead of having the conference at a hotel, it was decided to host
everything at the Mountain View temple. Planning started over a year and a half ago when committees were formed and a theme was chosen. From there things
started to take shape when ideas for workshops, activities, and decorations were decided. Finally, when the big day arrived, everyone was ready. Delegates from
all over the state participated in a day's worth of fun and learning. They had kids from as far away as Orange County and L.A. to Fresno, Fowler, and Sacramento
participate. And, just like past conferences, a dance was held for all the kids to enjoy at the end of the evening.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, Jordyn participated in the Bay District Volleyball Tournament held in Alameda. All participating YBA's mixed their memberships to
form both competitive and non-competitive teams. Jordyn decided to play in the non-competitive bracket so she could goof around more. She was glad she did
because she had a lot of fun and her team came in second place in Pool C.
Every senior in Dharma School is asked to give a speech to the Sangha about their experiences at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple. Every year I'm always amazed
at how mature and thoughtful each graduate is. Their composure and insight always bely their lack of years. This is a credit to their families, teachers,
advisers, and most of all the Mountain View Buddhist Temple Sangha.
