Kokochi

off we go!

Rachel

This is woefully delayed, and was initially to be a post about our delicious Thai meal chez Rachel and Cesar's eons ago. She's been taking classes, and we were served some mighty fine dishes. I have to say the appetizer of a sweet shiitake mixture bundled in a boiled dumpling, along with fresh salad sprinkled with fried garlic flakes was fantastic. I'm not good with raw or even semi-raw garlic, but was fine with the fried garlic. Soooo yummy.

Anyway, weeks passed and I still hadn't posted, and now I have a nice opportunity to dedicate a post to Rachel. You see, Rachel is brave enough to join me on my business trip to Tokyo with Tesla this time. Without a traveling partner, I would hesitate to bring Tesla. The trip can be daunting, but since I also need to be alert at work, it's very nice to have a friend, whom Tesla knows, come along to ease the whole trip. I feel very lucky to have friends who sign up to join me in this adventure. Rachel can hopefully enjoy Tokyo while staying chez mes parents, and I can greatly utilize her support and extra hands to care for Tesla.

I'm also excited because I know Rachel will love Tokyo. I envision her eating her way around neighborhoods each day while I'm at work. Unfortunately, I will have little time to spend with her save a few days before work starts, but she will get to see where I grew up, see my old home, my parents, etc. And she will see a life that you can't see when visiting in a hotel.

Nice thing is she can share her memories with Elida, who has already taken this trip. Slowly, I'm bringing my SF friends, who don't really know my former life (like my high school friends do), into my Japanese side. Nice!

eager early parading

Last weekend, for daddy's day, I proposed we go to Dim Sum for brunch. I texted our neighbors, and soon we had a reservation. Dav said there was a parade for us to join afterwards, as long as we brought an instrument and wore a hat. So we all came prepared. After Dim Sum, we walked to the Ferry Building where the Cacophony folks had planned a public parade. As we walked with our hats on, we played our instruments.

But notice the date? We arrived and no one was there. Upon checking his Treo, Dav discovered we were a week early, and 2 hours early! Didn't matter. We continued to play and enjoy our very own parade! Here's Tesla playing the maracas quite well.

my kitties!

While Mika was here, I finally got around to taking some pics of my kitties!

There's been this one bird who comes by everyday, stopping to chirp like mad on our fire escape, fully knowing my kitties live here. In fact, both Dav and I think this bird is taunting them. And although my kitties are interested, they are too old to jump up and bite (they used to be hunters...in their defense). I like having the bird visit, and even Kats and Waka seem to accept him now.

camera action

Beloved Patrick came by the other day to take pics of Tesla since she's close to her 2 year mark. I wish I had more time to personally hang with Patrick, but I get so busy that time zooms by. Luckily, he called to make an effort to stop by and get Tesla at 24 months in all her glory. I can't begin to explain what a gift this is...for a person like Patrick to faithfully document her growth. Soon, Patrick, I promise. I want to have you over for dinner!

He came while Mika was visiting here from Japan, who is also into photography. As usual, I was busy, but she enjoyed SF on her own. We did get one dinner at home just the two of us, and deepened our friendship. In little snippets, I build my relationships. I was thankful she took the time to take snaps of my kitties!

new skill!

Tonight, while finishing up bath time with Tesla, I said, "hai, demasho ne" (alrighty, let's get out now). And to my surprise, she gathered her toys and put it in the plastic bucket I store it all in - all by herself! Granny told me she started teaching Tesla "clean up" but was rather unsuccessful so far. Tesla couldn't have done it better!

What a treat for mama!

fighting a bug

First Tesla got sick...a loooooooong fight where she had a variety of symptoms (fever, rash, coughing), but consistently for 2 weeks + was in the worst mood ever. Lots of crying where nothing would console her, and that drove Dav and me nuts. She got better and she's back to her chirpy, early-waking, playful self. Then granny got sick which meant I had to miss a day at work. Then I got sick and missed 1 day so far, but have felt like crap propped up on drugs for 3 days. And I leave for Tokyo with Tesla tomorrow.

All my energy has been to working and fighting this bug. Hopefully I'll catch up on some cute pictures I've been meaning to post...

special hat

At Ferry Building

new license plates

Dav went ahead and got special tags for our car. Daddy's love!

ohashi girl

My phone cam got wet so the pictures are foggy, but today, out of the blue, Tesla took my chopsticks and started eating with them! Dav got a better picture with his cam phone. Her finger positioning is quite good! She must be observing our every move even when we have no idea.