Kokochi

So far...

Already half my stay here has zoomed by. Unlike most my visits, I didn't have a busy work schedule, so Tesla and I got to lounge around the house but this seemed to extend jet-lag as both T and I crashed early in the evening only to continue to wake up super early in the morning. Even after I was somewhat normal, T fell sleep before dinner several times (I kept a banana by the bed that she woke up and ate around 4am).

During the day, T and I walked around the neighborhood and went to local parks. I was trying to find kids for her to play with but everyone was in school. After some hunting around, my mom and I got T into a local kindergarten for just 2 weeks which is exactly what I wanted - T to play and have fun with Japanese kids, and be immersed in Japanese. The school kindly provided a uniform to borrow.

The day is 9am until 2pm only, so isn't too long. So far, everyday I've picked her up, she is extremely tired, barely making it home before crashing into a deep nap. Her brain must be on overdrive all day with new language.

The first day I stayed until noon, the 2nd day just for an hour. T adjusted so quickly; she was the one to tell me I could leave. The teachers are very attentive so this helps, but I think at this age, kids don't really need 100% to "get" each other. They just look at each other and smile. I was told T cried once because they were all doing an art activity that she didn't understand so felt left out, but once others started, she was able to copy them. So far, she hasn't cried for me, and is eager to get to school everyday.

I was put into a Japanese elementary school in the same way, but at 9 years old. Very interesting to watch Tesla as she adjusts to this new rhythm. She gets that she has to take her shoes off and put on indoor shoes (wabaki). She gets that she has to bring her own hand towel everyday. She gets that she has an attendance booklet she must put stickers in everyday. Even within a few days, we could see a difference in her Japanese.

Below is the kindergarten head teacher introducing Tesla. I was worried that 2 weeks would be disruptive to the other kids, but so far the other parents seem really happy T's there since T is apparently "teaching" English to them. 2nd pic is T's teacher - very kind and supportive.

Anyway, the whole kindergarten business is keeping me busy. Getting her uniform cleaned and ready everyday, making her cute bentos like everyone else, and picking her up at 2pm doesn't leave much time. It would be hard to be a working mama here.

Below are snippets before kinergarten started. T practicing hiragana (now that she sees it everywhere, she's motivated), and a photo-op with our neighbor's giant chrysanthemums 
that he saved for our arrival (and trimmed the next day).

For the first few days being here, coincidentally, my cousin Scott from Indiana was visiting. He's a professor in Chinese politics and was lecturing in Tokyo. We took a long walk and boat ride around Yokohama - something I haven't done in years since I'm always busy working in Tokyo. Right pic is of Intercontinental Hotel where I used to work - one of my very first bilingual jobs in the "cost control" department.  Wow, so much has happened since, but what I learned there set me on my path ; )

I feel I'm getting into the rhythm here vs. feeling like a foreigner in a country I call home. More on that later...for now, I'm about to head out to meet a few friends from my Tokyo high school. My first "night out" although I plan to come home on the early side. My parents will babysit : )

Heading to Tokyo

With Tesla for a bit more that 3 weeks. Will miss Dav and my kitties, and De Haro!

Last day at Six Apart

Today was Six Apart's last day. It became Say Media this afternoon. And end of an amazing company, and a start of a new one.

A colleague said Six Apart was sort of like college. We all worked and played together, and over the years, we started bumping into alum around the city working at new ventures. We are still a group, and are having a big alum gathering later in January to all come together.

Current Six Aparters will be with Say Media, but many of those I have worked with, especially from the very early years, have already moved on. This year in particular already felt like Six Apart was morphing into a new company, and there were only a handful from the "old school days." I knew my time at Six Apart, and the great experiences I gained, were past. I am happy to say I am starting a new job in January. I'll help launch an online service in the Japan market, and am excited for this opportunity.

In January, it would have been 7 years at Six Apart, pretty much a record only a few have. I probably should have left earlier, but I was so comfortable. Six Apart provided a perfect balance between work and family responsibilities. But even more pulling was just Six Apart. I can't imagine a better work experience - being at the very beginning, stumbling through the start-up hectic days, figuring out everything as we went along, becoming incredibly close to a bunch of dedicated brilliant people, and gosh, having fun. I got to work with Japan which was a huge plus. By the time Six Apart settled into a more mature stage, it was family, my second home. I got married and had a baby while at Six Apart. I had never experienced work where I could be completely honest about who I am, including Burning Man & other crazy habits. And I was exposed to a cool world of tech which I think I'll stay in.

My last day was Six Apart's last day. It was by coincidence since the final merge date wasn't clear. How apt though; to have been there from the start, and at its very last day.

It feels right. I need something new, and I also need confidence that I can be useful at other companies. Being at Six Apart so long, I wasn't sure how to market myself, so getting positive job responses has been good for me. Still, leaving today was hard. Saying good-bye to my colleagues who are just awesome people was hard. Sure we're all online, but it's not the same as working together.

I have so many more feelings, but not sure what to say. Basically a big thank you to everyone I worked with, to the people who gave me a very unique opportunity, and to good 'ol Six Apart.

Realities of California

I stumbled upon these documentary videos from a link via Joi Ito whose sister, Mizuko, appears in a segment. I ended up watching them all -  stories about how California's economy is affecting people.

Luckily, Dav's and my life have not changed with this economy, and we work in the tech industry that is pretty much booming. I sometimes feel this is luck and timing, so my heart goes out to those who are struggling. It's hard to comprehend how we can carry on as usual in our S.F. life while the fabric of society is unraveling elsewhere. Not sure what to do, but watching the videos provides better insight to the situation.

I like how the documentarist includes the positive: how these circumstances are bringing people and communities together, creating new ways of living that is less about stuff and money, and more about connections and meaning.

California Dreaming 1/4

California Dreaming 2/4

California Dreaming 3/4

California Dreaming 4/4

December in Tokyo

I have several updates but letting them bake before I share them just yet. Quite a few exciting changes on the horizon, and I've been focusing on those. One thing I do know is that Tesla and I will be heading to Tokyo for a good chunk of December. While she'll be out of school, the plan is to immerse her in Japanese, and have general Tokyo fun. It's been long since I've been back, so I'm really looking forward to this. And it'll be more than my usual business trip week, so I can really relax and enjoy.

p.s. We toured another kindergarten this morning - Rosa Parks near Japantown. Loved it, and got a great feeling from the building & classes, teachers, and parents. Our #1 choice : )

Halloween warm-up...

T's preschool did their annual Halloween parade through Japantown, visiting a retirement home, delighting the elders living there. T's group made Muni Trains, complete with Muni hats and a pass. OMG, all of them together was so cute!!

Later this evening is the preschool haunted house (I'm working there this year ...as a zombie. So excited). Dav will take T as a spider (I'm rather pleased how it came out). Tomorrow is the Regenbogen's famous Haunted House, then Sunday is the real deal. This the best Halloween weekend, and I'm totally getting into costume for this one! Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rainy windy day

As we walked home from lunch (the only time we ventured out yesterday), Dav captured this. She was in a grumpy mood dealing with the wind, insisting on keeping her umbrella up even though the rain had lightened, but I thought she looked very cute.

Sports Day at Preschool

I took an hour off from work to watch Tesla and the kids do mini-races and group games for Sports Day. In Japan, this is 運動会 (undokai), and is a big deal with schools. Days of practice, all parents come to watch, and it's a full day event. There is a red and white team, and everyone competes for points for their team. I have fond memories of 運動会 - lots of excitement, and serious effort.

At preschool it was pretty low-key, and the kids didn't really know what they were supposed to do. At the first running race, when 4 kids were lined up and told to go, pretty much half of the whole class got up to run too until all the teachers ran after them yelling, not yet!!

For me, it was just neat to see my baby, er daughter, run, and well, just look like a big girl. Pics.

 

 

 

My grandmother's memorial

It was beautiful and perfect for the family. I am so happy we went, and got to share this special moment together. It was a sad occasion, but really a celebration of her life. From everyone's stories at the memorial, we all marveled at how she lived larger than life, was glamorous, independent, continously working on artistic projects, and just amazing. She had a great life, and we were glad to be part of it.

We were also just happy to be together. My dad's side of the family is from the east coast (upstate NY), and most still live on the east coast, so for me to hang out with them is special. I feel a family bond, and cherish my relationship with them. 

Here are a few pics: my grandmother's family grave, the Miller family. She joins her siblings, uncles/aunts, and parents. And then Tesla playing with her little cousin Sammy. They hadn't met, but it just seemed like they knew they were related, immediately bonding.

 

On the steps of my grandmother's childhood house. It was huge and beautiful. I could totally imagine her there, and how she expected life to just continue to be as grand.

It's now owned by Jim Ivory of Merchant Ivory Productions, but we were able to get a tour. Tesla now can say that she pooped in Jim Ivory's house ; )

I learned that Franklin D. Roosevelt had a campaign party here when he ran for governor of New York, and when he was running late, my grandmother, still a child, sang for the attendees. She also apparently later sat on his lap!

 

 

 

 

 

Another view of the house. Since a group of us toured, while most were still inside, all the kids came out and ran around the large yard. I remember my early years in Connecticut, loving the long evenings where us kids could go outside after dinner, playing games in the yard. Made me really want a nice big yard for Tesla, and to be close to a bunch of cousins for constant family play...

 

As my uncle sifts through her stuff and our family history, we have discovered videos of when my dad was young (very cool to see my dad as a youngster running around), all her manuscripts and copious boxes of notes and memories. I found out that my great x? grandfather (makes me 8th generation or something) fought in the 1776 Revolution at the age of 15. Heh.

I love my family, both Japanese and American. Very glad to be in touch with both sides...

 

East Coast Fall

I grew up in Connecticut before we moved to Japan. I fondly remember Autumn with the colors, the chill, and the sweaters. Tokyo has a fall, but is such a city you don't see those colors. Forget the Bay Area for any sense of fall. So I've always missed east coast falls.

Tonight we fly to Massachusetts to visit dear friends Rachel, Cesar, and baby Zev (who will have his 1st birthday while we're there!). The main reason, sadly, is for my grandmother's memorial that will take place in Claverack, NY. We can drive there from Rachel's. I'll see family members I don't see often, share a special moment, enjoy the fall, and also get to see Rachel & fam.

I'm looking forward to this trip...except for the midnight flight. Hopefully I'll see some colors and smell a whiff of autumn.