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.
A year before I met Dav, when I was living in Tokyo, loving my very own apartment and relishing a Tokyo lifestyle as a single woman, I bought a very nice piece of furniture for myself. It was an antique Meiji era chest of drawers with some unique elements not commonly seen, such as sliding doors between the drawers. The right side with drawers behind the locked door is also a nice detail. It was a significant purchase, solidified by my mom's approval with her excellent taste.
But then I met Dav, and although we discussed him moving to Tokyo, it made more sense for me to move to S.F., and I left my beloved tansu with my mom, then at my aunt's house, for all these years. I was waiting for a friend with an expat deal to move to CA so I could tuck my tansu in their shipping container. Having inquired the cost to do it myself, it was not worth shipping unless without some special arrangement.
Last year when my mom was here for Aila's birth, we happened to visit Kiku Imports near Japantown. My mom brilliantly simply asked if the owner, with his frequent importing, would be willing to help me bring my tansu over. He was very kind, and offered to do so at cost only (about $200) which is very generous. I still can't believe he did this for me!
Here is my tansu, and I can't be happier to be reunited. It was a bit weird to initially see it in my "American" home, almost like by having the tanus over here, it means I am rooted and settled here even though a part of me still identifies with living in Japan. Slowly but surely my life is building here, and it makes me a tad sad since my parents are in Japan...But it is so nice to everyday get to see my tansu.
We took on a lot this year, but it was for good, and I am so happy and in love with my family. Got lots of support from friends and family during some challenging times - really appreciated that. I look forward to recharging and enjoying 2012. I wish you a great New Year!
Recent Comments