March 31, 2003

isn't this cool



dropped by ruby room to see Tatsuo and look what I got! So sweet! Thank you :-)

Posted by Mie at 09:07 PM | Comments (9)

March 30, 2003

Hara Museum 2



Posted by Mie at 01:00 PM | Comments (5)

@ Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Shinagawa



There is a modern painting/calligraphy exhibition. The work is by Toko Shinoda - she's 90 years old and says she's still in her experimental stage. She paints with sumi ink on handmade paper. She learned traditional calligraphy as a child, but didn't like the stifling conventions and started creating her own style. My dad started crying when he entered the room.

Posted by Mie at 12:40 PM | Comments (5)

おはし ohashi



I went to Tokyu Hands to buy chopsticks and a carrying case.My friend Scott carries around his own chopsticks so he can avoid using the disposibles @ restaurants.Makes total sense & you can buy carrying cases everywhere.I bought one for myself and for Dav. I mean if we recycle paper why not this? It's one of those lost traditions that should be revived. Then I saw this bizarre display of cherry blossom viewing costumes to use when you are completely drunk and want to make a fool of yourself.The last 2 pics are of various things to decorate your cell phone with. 2 aisles! I thought I'd get a little something for my hardworking phone but nothing jumped out except this piglet cover which would be a bit too much.

Posted by Mie at 12:17 PM | Comments (4)

March 29, 2003

a live show @ Hachiko in Shibuya.


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Not bad...

Posted by Mie at 09:01 PM | Comments (2)

Trying to find a dress



I am attending a wedding next weekend and thought I'd buy a dress.The fashion now is a bit too frilly for my taste. I did find one I liked but it was over 60000 yen! I wandered around Parco since they always have funky stuff. Here are random pics.

Posted by Mie at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)

guy I passed on my way home...


at least it's rather safe and it's warm tonight

Posted by Mie at 01:51 AM | Comments (2)

March 28, 2003

Friday 'n wine @ Enoki



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Finished a busy week.Went home to feed cats and change into jeans (ahh...). Now meeting w/ Ayako in Shibuya to wind down.Actally I want to congratulate her on something but I should first check that I can post it. (^_^)

OK got permission- Ayako passed an exam and will be posted to Sri Lanka for 2 years to work for Minirtry of Foreign Affairs! I am super happy for her but another cool girlfriend leaves...あ‐あ

Posted by Mie at 10:57 PM | Comments (2)

March 26, 2003

proof of spring



Went out to dinner w/ good friend Scott to Ebisu's Good Honest Grub where they serve healthy tasty food. Shared genmai paella & vege lasagna. Then went to hidden bar w/ no sign and were only ones there to enjoy wine, mellow quiet time and good conversation. B4 going in, we discovered a sakura cherry blossom tree just beginning to bloom. Ahead of any other I've seen. What a splendid gift!

Posted by Mie at 11:35 PM | Comments (9)

this might be just for me...




Several things have been going on and I haven't posted for quite some time. The war threw me off more than I realized. I felt a pretty deep sadness and wasn't quite sure how to process it. And work has been absolutely crazy...especially since I was called back from my business trip and was scrambling to rearrange everything. I *think* most is settled now and I feel much better. I also admit to really really missing Dav : )

It's strange because I missed posting...Blogging does change how I view things and it gives me a certain focus - as in "what shall I post today?" Being consumed by work, I let go of blogging and doing so simply emphasized all the more that I was just going to work, going home, going to work, going home.

Well, today I received the most beautiful gift and I couldn't wait to post it. Now that the pics are up, I realize it's hard to see what it is and this posting may be more for my pleasure than yours. Indulge me. My nephew Tyler drew these...or wrote these? I can't tell. From an adult point of view, they are scribbles on pink paper. But from an aunt's point of view, they are fabulous symbols of innocence, glee, and love.

If you've been reading Kurt's postings about his new baby and 親ばか (oyabaka; parent crazy about their kid), well, I'm a おばさんばか (crazy aunt). I don't know how my brother and his wife are able to be so humble about their kids. Ian has a blog going and I LOVE looking at the pics! I've already showed everyone in the office Tyler's art.

Posted by Mie at 07:15 PM | Comments (5)

March 21, 2003

My grandparents




おじいちゃん と おばあちゃん (Ojiichan and Obaachan)
Their house in Wadamachi, Yokohama. Where my first memories of Japan come from. Had sushi lunch with them.

Posted by Mie at 06:23 PM | Comments (5)

Cemetery II




Nearby our tombstone, we passed a very old looking one. Much more humble looking, but also rather uncared for. Upon inspection, we found it was from the Meiji era.

At the exit of the cemetery, there are 2 public tombstones - one for miscarriages, and one for unidentified people. It's touching because everyone always pays their respect to these and leaves little food items or flowers.

Posted by Mie at 06:07 PM | Comments (4)

Family cemetery




Today is a holiday celebrating the middle of spring. It's also a day to go visit the cemetery. Paying respects to my ancestors is something I've done since I was a kid, and most Japanese holidays are related to Buddhist rituals. It's just a part of me. I don't analyze it and I don't create my morals based on it, but it's important to me to visit my ancestors, let them know what I'm doing/feeling, and give them water and incense. When I lived in the U.S., I actually had some ashes from the family alter with me and I gave incense when I felt the need to. It helps me feel connected.

Today I went with my mom. My mom's maiden name is Yaginuma. Technically, since she married and is taken out of the family registration, she wouldn't be able to have her ashes put here. My mom told me today how my grandfather had the family tomb made when he was 22. He was poor but saved and was very proud to be able to have it ready at such a young age. We noted how during the bubble economy, people started buying rather flashy tombs (ohaka, お墓). I like ours. Nice and simple.

Posted by Mie at 06:02 PM | Comments (4)

March 19, 2003

11 more hours


Just finished watching the news here in Tokyo.Going to bed wondering what kind of a world I am going to awaken to.I feel very unsettled.

Posted by Mie at 11:12 PM | Comments (2)

Flew to HK for Dim Sum




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Now I really can't believe this. So I flew to HK as scheduled on route to Cambodia. Then, with the war situation and the outbreak of the SAR health alert, the organization I work for officially banned travel for 'non-essential' missions and I was called back to Tokyo. Essentially, I got into HK late at night and went right back the following afternoon. Even met the same flight attendant.

I'm exhausted and am scrambling to rearrange all my work since my travel and everyone else's schedule has suddenly shifted.

At least I got to meet up with my college friends Kit and Terry in HK.

Posted by Mie at 07:33 PM | Comments (6)

March 16, 2003

and a homemade dinner


exactly what I needed.Kinmedira fish in dashi sauce, miso soup, genmai rice, & tofu.ごちそうさま

Posted by Mie at 07:00 PM | Comments (0)

My Parent's House




Since I'll be away all next week for work, I'm at my parent's house now to drop off my 2 tigers. They're getting used to being here so it's a rather easy transition and they get a lot more space to run around than my tiny closet of an apartment.

Here are a few pics of their orange house...my dad's favorite color. My dad wanted orange, but my mom thought a gray would be more appropriate. Then last summer, she broke her leg and was in the hospital for 6 weeks. My dad seized the opportunity - had the paint specially mixed so it was just the right hue, got some brushes and began painting away. He did a good job for the first floor, but couldn't reach the second, so in the end professionals were hired. But since my dad got the first crack at it, the house remains orange.

My dad was also seriously tempted to adopt a pug while my mom was trapped in the hospital. But knowing my mom would not be amused, I had to rein him in at that point.

They have a nice balcony. But the traffic from the road can be noisy and the views are of rooftops. It's what you get used to living here though. The last pic is a painting by my grandmother Laura who lives in Virginia.

Posted by Mie at 03:49 PM | Comments (2)

March 15, 2003

@Nadine's Blog class



Sponsored by Digital Eve. Since Dav is the one who set me up, I actually need to learn the basics.It's great - the room is packed! Lots of bloggers to come (*^_^*)

Posted by Mie at 03:25 PM | Comments (9)

March 14, 2003

Comments



I've been wanting to comment about the whole Iraq situation...it's been weird to be simply posting about my wanting to be in SF or the meals I've had. The reality is, however, I've been so buried in my work that I have to admit this war is not #1 on my radar screen at this moment. It's totally sad and I don't feel good about it. Yet this week, I've been barely able to keep track of my own life.