Kokochi

Back!

I'm not only back from Tokyo, but just back from a 3 day weekend with my high school girlfriends. Sans kids and partners. It was fabulous...being back with my gals who have the same bi-cultural background. We were at a spa, and took advantage of the yoga, hiking, and spa facilities, but we also just loved being in our room catching up. It's good for me and all of us to hang out with old friends as girls...and women (our ages still surprise us). It was like as always. We're in older bodies, but we relate the same as in high school. So COMFORTABLE and so much FUN.

I have lots to catch up on, but enjoyed not blogging : )

Little visitors at SAKK

SAKK has been involved in educational efforts to help people understand what blogs are and how to use them. While Chris and I were at the office last week, Nob and Kaminogoya-san had a mini-seminar for a group of elementary school students. As Nob explained what a blog is, Kaminogoya-san inputted the students' responses and created a newspaper right there for them. They all got to take out a printed version, and when they first saw the print, you could see their eyes light up once they understood how easy it was to publish!

Rachel and Tesla waiting for the train

We arrived at the station to catch the Narita Express (to the airport) about 30 minutes early. Better safe than sorry! Rachel entertained Tesla, and it was very cute for me to see my daughter and dear friend bond even more at this moment and over the past week.

grandparents

Granddaddy hugging Tesla with his leg. Granddaddy trying to hold on to her for a picture as she wiggles away. Grandmother dropping us off as we head to the airport. Note the Hello Kitty doll my mom bought for her because Tesla loved the Hello Kitty dvd this past week. Tesla immediately took to it, and even now back in SF, she keeps it close to her. This was normally Tesla's nap time so she refused to even look at the camera.

Bath time at home

I'm more careful about naked pics of Tesla nowadays, and make them private for the most part. But this series is just too cute. She's in the bath at home, washing Japanese style. She had no idea, but loved the pouring water from the tub part. And once we washed off, she really enjoyed the deep hot water. My parents have an automated bath where you can heat the water (which can be used over a few days since you only soak it in after washing yourself clean) automatically, and the temperature can be preset. Usually we do 42 degrees, but for Tesla, I did 40.

Joy and her apartment

I was pleased to have time to see Joy (high school friend) and visit her apartment. It's in Akasaka, within walking distance of the Six Apart office. Dav and I spent the night there when Joy had just moved to Tokyo a few years ago. She was away on a trip, but kindly gave us keys. Her furniture had not yet arrived so it felt huge (See tiny Tesla stuck in the bean bag?).

Joy has an amazing life, and I love getting updates. This time too, I got some unexpected updates, and look forward to hearing how this chapter unfolds. I am determined some day to stay again in her very central, very swanky apartment with its million dolllar view. Her grandfather is a great potter, and Joy has beautiful pieces. Her most recent addition is this big hanging ball with a speaker in it! I didn't get to hear it, but I got to touch it and semi-hold it. Even without the speaker feature, the thing is pretty awesome as is.

Quackie gift from Eddie

I finally got to see Eddie this time. We first got to know each other when I was living in Tokyo; he contacted me after reading my Tokyo moblog, realizing we lived at the same tiny train station.

This time we met after I finished work, and joined Rachel and Tracey. Sweet Eddie brought a gift bag for Tesla full of items of a cute Duckie character. Since we met in busy Shibuya at 9pm, there was no way Tesla could be with me, so unfortunately, I disappointed Eddie who wanted to see T. When she's a bit older, I hope I can bring her to dinners with friends.

I gave Eddie's bag to Tesla and she immediately dug in, saying "quack quack." Thanks, Eddie!

ballet and Hello Kitty

My dad put on a DVD of ballet for Tesla, and I've never her seen her so mesmerized. Even with kid cartoons, after a while, Tesla will wander away and start something else. But with the ballet, she was glued. She even started dancing, and tried to copy the moves by holding on to the edge of the sofa, raising her leg up high. It looked awkward, but she was trying!

I also bought a Hello Kitty DVD. The theme is about potty, but it's oozing with cuteness, and I thought it'd be good to have this while I'm at work and my mom needed to distract Tesla. In the end, Tesla never had a meltdown so bribing her with Hello Kitty wasn't necessary, but Tesla loves the video and pretty much everyday has made my mom play it.

choo choo train play with auntie

I hadn't seen my auntie and uncle for quite some time, so it was nice to hang out, but by far the best was Tesla. I loved showing her to them, and they loved playing and watching all the funny things she does. Tesla set up her high chair and another chair on her own, and my auntie played with her as if they were on a train.

a glimpse

As expected, it's so good to be here/home! It's still "home," even though my my home is SF too. Anyway, here's a quick post from a lunch my mom hosted for us and my aunt and uncle who came to visit to see Tesla. My mom said she was just making "rice" but it was a beautiful spread. My aunt brought homemade pickles that were delicious too. It was a wonderful way to start my week here in Japan!