When was that? A while ago, yet just a bit ago. Was a quick and wonderful trip, and I took Aila with me. Her first international trip. Since she is so attached to me, I was worried about leaving her all day with my parents while I worked, but she was a charm. My mom had a wonderful although fatiguing time since Aila doesn't nap much. Totally worth it. I've taken Tesla so many times, that I am glad Aila got a chance.
Here is the moment when Aila saw daddy at the airport after a week. Happy girls we were.
I didn't take many photos while there, but do like this one I took the day I left. My mom's calligraphy shuji brushes. Amazing no?
And the lovely site of Tesla's room with me gone for a week. I dislike being such a mom, but I made Dav and Tesla clean up pretty quickly ; ) Secretly, I see this and smile, knowing how much fun she had.
After a week in Japan with Aila, I still feel a wave a jet-lag in the afternoon. Also since coming back, it's been non-stop go go go, so recovering has been incremental. Aila was a gem on the flight to Japan and back, and also with my parents. I myself loved having focus time with her too.
Until I have time to blog, here is Miss Cutey Pie Smiley Face.
This week, Tesla is Star of the Week, where she gets to share with her class about herself. She has pictures of her family (I made sure Wakame and Katsuo were included), and added a few of herself at Burning Man and Camp Tipsy. She brought favorite books & her fancy princess things.
For what she wants to be when she grows up, she drew herself as "mama" with a baby named Aila. Apparently different from her sister, but she will have a baby named Aila. For her favorite thing to do, she said, "making splashes in puddles," and for why she is special, she said, "because I can make origami."
She was so excited to put it up with me this morning, as was I. I love Tesla!
This is an old postcard I bought many years ago as it caught my eye. I never sent it to anyone as it's a bit unique. I had it in my "letter writing" box, and the other day, Aila (newly nicknamed as Grabby), happened to pull it out.
Perfect. I realize I will probably never send this to anyone, but bought it for myself. I have always loved and been intrigued by historical photos, of real life situations that you can relate to on one hand, but it's contextually so different on another.
This scene is post-war Japan, still poor and emerging from a devastating war experience. A bride is heading to her wedding, in this case quite humbly, but with full celebration and wonder by the neighborhood kids. Her wedding attire, however, is full on. Would be fancy by even today's standards. She has the 角隠し (tsunokakushi), traditional Japanese wedding headwear.
This is traditionally worn to veil the bride's horns of jealousy, ego and selfishness. It also symbolized the bride's resolve to become a gentle and obedient wife. (Wikipedia)
There is something not so cool about that, but honestly, I almost find it tongue in cheek, seeing the horns not about bad characteristics, but strength. A bride with horns is powerul, and the groom may not know about the horns, but he will learn to understand, and if smart, appreciate.
I also am drawn to this picture because of the haircuts of the girls, the short bobcuts. My mom had a cut like that, and I can almost picture her being one of these young girls. I wish I could peek into her world back then.
Came across this awesome site of Joel Sartore, a contributor to National Geographic. He "documents endangered species and landscapes in order to show a world worth saving."
I plan to purchase some of his photos (wouldn't they be nice gifts?), but for now, enjoy!
There are many things I never noticed til I was a mama. The joys and difficulties of breastfeeding and pumping are one. Thanks KQED for airing this: http://www.kqed.org/a/perspectives/R201201250735
I still am not used to saying "kids" as in, "I'll pick up the kids if you buy cheese." Or, "I have 2 daughters," when introducing myself to someone. Incorporating Tesla into my life/identity was one thing, but having kids is more of a shift. Maybe because the majority of my life now really is about raising these 2 little spunky ones.
I don't mind it; as tired and busy as I am, I love all the little moments with them. I love seeing them interact (Tesla is an awesome and caring big sister), and love how Aila is such a smily girl and is super attached to me (even though I definitely need breaks from her). Whenever I remember to, I focus on the moment, the now, since Aila and T are growing so fast. I observe myself carrying Aila, holding Tesla's hand as we go somewhere, like remembering for a future self when years from now these moments will be SO precious to me.
And it's the mundane everyday that is so sweet. I try to capture these moments however I can.
Here we were at the downtown ice skating rink on a Sunday late afternoon.
Aila standing more and more, as her proud sister watches. Happy Aila, wearing her grandmother's sweater, Dav's adoptive mother who raised him (whose middle name is Tesla's middle name).
Tesla on Friday, when she doesn't have to wear the school blue/white color uniform. She goes all out when she can, and I actually love watching her figure out her style. She likes pink and fluffy, can you tell? But she also has a goofy part to her which is a good balance.
Wearing her raincoat in Golden Gate park (from Mieko-san).
Sisters. In the bath. They are so cute together, but I won't plaster the internet with the gazillion pics I keep taking ; )
Together watching a recent Chinese Lunar Festival performance in which T partipated (see video below). T loves having Aila with her at public events. See how tightly T is holding A?
T playing music she "wrote." At the Regenbogens.
I used to do a butt series of Tesla. I do still with Aila, but don't post em much.
Aila learning about give and take, with Thurston. Cute!
T's doremi performance at the Chinese Lunar Festival.
Recent Comments