Lasting memories and thoughts on the year

Deirdre Newman

The international crowd shopping at South Coast Plaza Tuesday had a

variety of impressions about 2003.

The war against Iraq left an indelible impression on the minds of

many.

“It made me appreciate life and how fortunate we are,” said

Phillip Lai, 37, of Chino Hills.

For Young Chang, 40, of Hacienda Heights, getting rid of Saddam

Hussein was a way to rid the world of “evil and darkness.”

Anders Stenbeck, 39, of Sweden said he would remember the murder

of Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh in September. On a lighter

note, he said 2003 was a good year since he got a lot of stock in his

company.

Miguel San Pablo, 62, of Costa Mesa said he is glad the economy is

getting better. His hours had been cut, but now he is back working

full-time, he said.

Others were affected by 2003 in more personal ways.

Boonthien Chua, visiting from Singapore, welcomed his new

daughter, Tsewee, this year.

Paula Murray, 38, moved from Chester, England to Huntington Beach

in May.

“It’s different here, but now I’m settling in,” Murray said.

Brandon Lagunas, 10, and Alex Rulvacaba, 8, of Orange said they

would remember riding their dirt bikes.

Freida McConnell of East Dubuque, Illinois, said she was looking

forward to the end of 2003 because it has been an accident-prone

year. Her two children broke their feet, and her granddaughter’s

dog’s foot was run over by a car.

“I’m hoping for better highlights in 2004,” McConnell said.