Kokochi

post dinner activities

Playing Hello Kitty games on the computer. Man, I had lego. For them, the mouse is second nature...With some frustrated screams over sharing though...And now some dancing with downloaded music from Smash Mouth and Baha Men.

Dinner for the kids

Before we eat since it is quite a production. Whew...Izumi and I are meanwhile sipping some wine...Although she is more busy with their numerous demands.

Tyler

An active Tyler with tons to talk about and tons of toys to show me.

Julia

A very sleepy Julia.

At my brother's

Ian and Izumi last night after I got in...Finally. Warning: I will be posting a lot of my nephew and niece.

How to pass time

I couldn't resist and went to the cafe to check out the card game. They totally were into it; slapping down each card with a stylish throw, praising each other ("that's right man, make him play it"), and showing off their cards to me even though I don't know much and joking that my camera phone was for spying.

Amtrak tidbits

Since the train is nonsmoking, they just announced that we'll be having a smoke break at certain stations. I guess they learned it's best to take such time rather than have irritable riders.

We're not allowed into the dining room unless we have shoes on.

When we get to D.C., we'll have time to stretch and walk around but we must be super careful to keep time as people miss the train all the time!

And now the conductor just announced that they're setting up cards in the cafe for a game of spades and challengers should come by.

Taking the train

I am off to visit my brother and his family in NJ. Raleigh to Trenton: a solid 9 hour ride. Kinda long but I also enjoy this time to read, think, and just sit with myself...

Chapel Hill

Today Dav was at work so I did the tourist thing at Chapel Hill. My, how friendly people are! I spent most of my time at the university's main library. Found a statue scratching his foot, pics of famous dead white men I did not know, their old dinner tables, historic pics (I found most interesting) and a gorgeous library with books too important-looking to touch (most were locked in a cage). I rather liked the town. And I loved the trees.

a few more

Here are all pumkins from tonight's gathering in all the variety and character.