Kokochi

My cousin Sherry

Second night Karen made the best crab cakes I've ever had. No breadcrumbs and 100 times better than restaurant attempts (I got the recipe, of course).

My cousin Sherry joined. I haven't seen her for ages either and really enjoyed catching up. I didn't get the chance to meet her and get to know her until after I was living in the States (meaning, not until my mid-20s). Growing up in Japan, I missed hanging out with my dad's side of the family, and totally appreciate being able to reconnect now. I am very grateful that everyone is so warm and loving...AND fun and cool ;)

At my uncle Peter and aunt Karen's

Dav has met my uncle David and aunt Ollie in TN, but not my dad's other brother Peter and his wife Karen who live in Virginia close to DC. Finally, we had the chance. I've been looking forward to introducing them to each other as Peter and Karen are a hoot, and I knew they'd dig Dav.

I was really happy to also show Peter and Karen's house to Dav as they are quite the art collector. Their house is full of amazing, colorful, quirky and beautiful art. I took some pics, but Dav's are better (check out the pictures of the wooden hanging clothes).

First night there, uncle Peter cooked a ton of scallops with baked sweet potato and a yummy salad. Thanks!!

Dav's friend in DC

We visited Michael, Dav's friend with whom he lived in New Orleans. Michael also first taught Dav to surf! I had heard of their adventures, and was glad to finally meet him. Michael and his wife, Heather, just had a baby 5 months ago named Evelyn. She is adorable...but we couldn't help noticing, "my gosh, that'll be us in 7 months!"

After inundating Dav with my high school friends and all the baby talk we did, I was relieved that Michael gladly also talked baby stuff. It's not just us girls ; )

Dav's lunch

Fried clam strips with apple sauce and turnip greens. I am having salad as according to a scale this morning, I have gained like 5 lbs these past days. No wonder my back and ribs hurt like hell. Don't worry, I am eating well...Just not the fried stuff.

My first ice hockey game

Will got us club level tickets so we got pretty good seats although high up. Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffulo Sabres. The home team...well, they sucked. I guess they normally are good but last night we left early as Will couldn't stand to watch. Lots of other fans left when we did. Still, it was fun...inspite my aching back.

Ele and Will get their marriage license

Yay!

Devastation

Click to see video.

We drove thru some neighborhoods that were heavily damaged by Katrina. Still completely vacated, and there were gutted houses everywhere. Very eerie and sad...

Reunion galore

Another high school classmate, Karen, happens to live in New Orleans. She and I used to play field hockey together. She was forward, and I was mid-field behind her. Gosh, I miss playing together!

Anyway, she *just* had baby Jack 3 weeks ago! So we all piled in a car and headed to visit her. I forgot that I hadn't set my clock to local time, so thinking I was arriving at 3pm well before dinner time, we actualy bombarded her at 5pm. Sorry abou that, Karen : )

It was so nice seeing her. This visit to New Orleans has been a mini walk down memory lane. Poor Dav (and Joie's new hubby, and Karen's hubby Joe)...we again, talked non-stop but baby stuff, and our own shared memories. Heh.

Joe just got a job as a professor in Austin, TX, so they'll be moving on soon. They've been remodelling a cute old house that had high ceilings and gorgeous wood work. I'm glad I got to see their home before they moved. They desccribed Katrina, and how they stayed in Austin for 9 weeks before being able to come back. And they consider themselves extremely lucky as they had to property damage.

I feel so lucky to have reunited with good 'ol friends.

Happy Easter Parade!

	Click to see video.

As we waited for a table for brunch Sunday morning, an Easter Parade rolled by on Bourbon street. I don't celebrate Easter other than appreciate the decor stores bring out, so it was great to see the parade, complete with necklaces thrown at us Mardi Gras style. I can tell folks here love good fun done in style!

Joie & Billy get married

The wedding was fantastic. Beautifully set, but simple and fun. Dr. Seuss was the theme, and the vows were all in Seuss-like rhyme. Lots of laughter and love. Us girls were way in the back, snapping pictures, giggling, and cheering. Friends of Billy (the groom) were the band and played a Whiskey Town song that made Dav stop and say, "hey, that's so cool they're playing this song..." instantly winning approval points for Billy and Joie.

By far, the best was just hanging out as a group together during the reception, eating, and yes, lots of drinking. I was sober, of course. We all just loved catching up, and pretty much huddled in our own little group. We didn't mean to be anti-social, but it was so special to be all together again! None of us have really changed...except for conversations now evolve heavily around pregnancy and babies. My golly! It was non-stop. We sounded like a group of older women that I never thought we'd become. Oh well. I actually immensely enjoyed sharing my pregnant belly, and hearing advice, stories, and encouragement from them.

I'd love to share the intimate details of our bantering, but a lot involves silly things we laughed over that is just too embarassing here. It was so nice to be that way again, like breathing in familiar air. I'm very happy Dav got to join me - even though I'm sure he's sick of baby talk!

See more pics from Dav.