In May, I attended a National Conference for State Legislatures in Washington D.C. for leadership across the country (i.e. Speaker, Vice Speaker, Majority Leader, Senate President, Senate Vice President).
In June, my dad, mom, sister Mia, sister Lara, and I vacationed in California. We went to Yosemite National Park where Mia, Lara, and I climbed to the top of the Half Dome, a mountain. The hike was about 17.2 miles. Later we went to see the huge Sequoia trees at Sequoia National Park. Finally we went to Disneyland and celebrated Mia's graduation from her residency program in pediatrics. She is now in a three-year fellowship for child trauma care in Loma Linda.
In July, I went to Las Vegas with my friends. The highlight was watching Celine Dion perform and winning $300 in $25 minimum bet black jack at the Playboy Club at the Palms Hotel.
From August 4 to 10, I attended the 2007 Annual National Conference for State Legislatures in Boston. I attended seminars regarding dispute resolution, ethics, and international trade.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 