Kokochi

Joie de Vivre

Met up with Joy, an old Tokyo high school friend. She lived in SF when I first arrived here, then went to Tokyo via her law firm for a few years, then came back reluctantly when her firm asked her to. I knew how much she enjoyed living in Tokyo as an adult, and how she felt she fit there more than here. But she came back for her career...even though it didn't feel quite right.

I'm happy and proud to say that she landed the most awesome job that will now take her back to Tokyo, as a Partner in her new law firm no less. Joy kicks ASS! She will be one of the very few woman litigation lawyers in Tokyo!! And she's getting a mighty sweet ex-pat deal to boot. She deserves this, and I'm so excited for her.

Dav and I plan to go back to Tokyo in September. I'm already planning on leaving Gargle with my parents for a night so we can enjoy Tokyo night life and hang out in what I'm sure will be a swanky central Tokyo apartment where Joy will live. Wohooo.

Beautiful objects

I've had the pleasure to get to know mlle a., first via her comments on Kokochi, then through a shared love for our furry family members, then by following her flickr stream that showcases her many beautiful handmade hair pins and sashes that are gorgeous, and oftentimes very Japanese. I love her style sense.

A while ago, I assisted her in ordering some special kanzashi pins from Japan. I was more than happy to help with her artwork that I so admire. She used the kanzashi in this nice bridal piece. In return, I received the cutest matching pin and hairpin. I've been using them with delight, and have been meaning to showcase her here. She has an Etsy shop too so you can order her work. Her presentation/wrapping of the items is beautiful too, so I highly recommend for gifts. Thank you, mlle a.!

A non-baby-shower shower

Rachel and Toni organized a lovely non-baby-shower shower, meaning it was a grand gathering of friends and family, but with minimum traditional shower activities. It basically was a gourmet-food-filled afternoon of fun and laughter, with a supportive speech from Rachel and my dear brother Ian. Our Burning Man Campalicious crowd, old friends from when I worked at another company in SF years ago, and even a Tokyo high school friend I hadn't seen in ages joined. With 4 kids mixed in, it was full of running around and lots of catching up.

I really appreciated all the effort made to put on the production (big hugs to Rachel and Cesar for hosting us all), and loved seeing everyone before we enter the "parent club." I do feel very supported, and know that we'll still have our community of fun-loving friends even though we'll be in diaperland with sleepless nights. It's encouraging to know this transition is welcomed by all.

I loved having my brother and his family there too. After spending so much time apart (he in the US while I was in Japan or vice versa), I'm still surprised that he actually can show up and share such moments. He has some pics too.

As the evening approached, we got a yard fire going, snuggled up and continued to chit chat 'til quite late. I can't believe that so soon it won't be just Dav and I chilling with friends, and we'll have to consider a Miss Somebody's schedule...

Slanted Door with Kimi

Kimi's birthday is around the corner, and knowing I'm gonna be mighty busy soon, I coaxed her into having an early b-day dinner with me at the Slanted Door. I love their food, and was excited to get to go with Kimi to catch up and savor the food together.

Sure enough, it took us forever to decide what to get, but we finally settled on a scallop/caviar appetizer, baby pork rib appetizer, 5-spice duck legs, and a whole fish plate (yes, we love to eat!). Our waiter took it upon himself to give us string beans as we forgot to balance our choices with a vege dish. Frankly, I dug the string bean dish the most...although all was absolutely fantastic. We had a rice pudding dessert with a ginger sauce. Yum indeed!

Then we went home, lounged on the sofa with Dav, and rubbed my belly all together as Gargle swam around digesting the food.

preparation

Here's a snippet from that Saturday baby cpr class we took, instead of enjoying a late night peaches christ/mexican wrestling match.

My awesome handyman husband

That's Gargle's crib...

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Wohoo! Went to see Mikhail Baryshnikov with Rachel. I had seen the ad for the performance, and had wanted to go, but promptly forgot about it. Luckily, Rachel had the same idea and called me, although by then we had to scramble for tickets. Rachel came through with tickets though! Our seats were initially seperated, but a seat was open next to her so we got to be together. Yay!

I've seen Baryshnikov once before in San Diego. That time, and this time, the venue was intimate and totally worth it. I didn't dare take pictures during the dances, but still got snippets of him bowing...Granted Baryshnikov is not in his prime, he still gracefully and beautifully danced. His solo piece was with videos of his old self dancing in the background. He danced with himself, playfully acknowledging that he was getting old and couldn't keep up. Giving up on his old crazy steps, or patting his aching back as he sauntered off stage brought laughter.

I really enjoy getting out to see dance. It's such a different art form, and I've always loved modern dance (did a tiny bit myself when living in France and got to go to Prague as part of a student troop). It was nice to also have a little one-on-one time with Rachel...been a while. I picked her up downtown, and she shared some Japanese snacks she bought for us. Once we got to the venue, she brought out amaziing chocolates (see the giant chocolate I devoured?). She's so good to me - thanks Kitten!

My wacky world that I love

Elida invited a group of us to a movie that is part of the Frameline Festival. She described the movie as:

!El Presidente!

Friday, June 16 10:30pm, The Roxie (Valencia & 16th)

It's about a Mexican wrestler in Cabo San Lucas, El Homo Loco, who runs for election. It sounds like a wonderful campy film, and it is hosted by "Peaches Christ" who does the Midnight Mass cult movies here in SF. Anyway, she'll be doing some sort of live thing including mexican wrestling, and her short film parodying Truth or Dare will be previewed first.

Dav responded: "wow, sounds like fun! but i've got a baby CPR class at 9am, so i'll pass. that's right, i'm skipping mexican wrestling and peaches christ for baby cpr. sigh."

To which Sean responded: "Dav you're being pretty stubborn and inflexible here. Why not move your

baby cpr class to the peaches christ/mexican wrestling venue?"

Where else would such a conversation occur?? I love it!

Marin Street Art

Still working full-time (I do enjoy my work!), and also running against the biggest "deadline" ever with tasks to do and people to meet as if we're about to depart to the moon, so I'm slack at updating kokochi. Here's a fun snippet though from Sunday when Dav and I headed to Marin to meet up with his bio-sis Colleen at the annual Street Painting Festival. It was quite impressive, and I'd recommend it once. Apparently, after Sunday evening, they wash it all away...sorta like Burning Man where just have to let go of beautiful art.

The last pic is of Dav peering into Colleen's magificent sporty chariot for her 9 month old Maria-Rose. We're studying all this baby paraphernalia with more intent nowadays...

Another cutie pic

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