Erika Bonham dot com

September 19, 2002

Another week has flown by. It started with a visit from our dear friend Matt. He came up for a few days. I think it was pretty boring up here for him. We went to Pismo Beach and played a lot of games. He left at noon today and at one o'clock, my grandparents, "ZiZi" and "Bob Bob" came to visit. They go camping every summer and stopped here in Oceano for a few days. We showed them our house and then went out to lunch. Every time I see them, it seems they are getting a little bit older. It is easy to find things to complain about and to make it seem like it would be easier to not get together with them, but I truly appreciate the time I do get to spend with them and cherish it, knowing there might not be too many opportunities left to do so. They got lost on their way to our house, again. Granted, it is a different house this time, but really, they always seem to get lost. My grandma threw a right turn into her directions instead of a left and they ended up in the middle of no where.

I found out a few things today. My dad's name is Stephen Russell Klicka. He's always gone by Steve and if you asked him, he would pronounce his name as "Steven" even though it is spelled with a "ph" instead of a "v." When we went to visit a few weeks ago, this came up in conversation as my dad was having my mom call him by his new nickname "Steph" and I asked him whether his name was Stephen or Steven. He said he didn't know. It made me laugh. I decided I would ask my grandparents when I saw them. So, I asked today. Apparently they named him Stephen with the "ph" pronunciation, after Saint Stephen who was somehow important in Czechoslovakia. (The Klicka's are of Czech decent. I think my grandpa is 50% Czech or so. I am pretty much Czech in name only, truthfully...and not even that anymore). My grandma said that they called him Stevie and Steve and that she always thought Stephen was a little snooty sounding. I think the whole thing is a little funny.My grandpa also told us this afternoon that my dad wished his name was Emil when he was little. How very cute! I don't know if he even remembers that. I will have to inform him on the correct pronunciation of his name the next time I talk with him and clear things up.

I had a good few days at work. I am tired, but all went well and it was good to be there. I get a few days off now to spend with my sweetie before it's back to work and to school for Shane. Three more quarters and he'll be done. It will be over before we know it.

♥