Kokochi

At Chilln Anniversary

Saturday was our huge date night out. We had a plethora of events to attend to (well, I over estimated, and Dav luckily focused on just one which made our night saner), but I really wanted to stop by very briefly at the Chillin 9th Anniversary Party to see Garth (from work) and Eme. It was basically a giant space with a DJ and bar with tons of local fashion designers and artists selling their stuff. Never found Garth, but found Eme, and Dav bought a shirt. The shirt had a design on it created by a local artist (left of Dav), and Eme incorporated it into the shirt. I'm having Eme make me an eco-green costume for this year's BM. We also were pleasantly surprised to find Patrick there. He had great pics beautifully printed and framed. Dav and I think we'd like to get one... Sorry we missed ya, Garth!

Ranger Training

I spent all Saturday in a training session to become a Ranger at Burning Man. Dav and I have wanted to do this for quite some time, and are finally doing it (about time as this year will be my 6th and Dav's 7th)! A big push was our friend Sean who is a Ranger. He let me know that BM badly needs Japanese-speaking Rangers as there was only 1 last year who worked all the time due to demand. With Tesla, I may not be able to do the full expected shifts, but will most likely be on-call a bunch for any situations where Japanese is needed. Beau, my co-worker, was there too. I still have to do 2 shifts with a mentor before officially becoming a Ranger. But I liked what I saw & heard during training, and feel I will dig being a Ranger. The training went over the roles and philosophy behind Rangers, how they fit into the highly organized system that supports the BM community, and communication skills. We did role-playing and practiced non-confrontational ways to approach a situation. There was emphasis on letting the people themselves find solutions instead of the Rangers directing or telling folks what to do. I'm inspired to be part of this dedicated & giving group. I was amazed at how detailed and well conceptualized the system is. It has to be with 40,000 folks running around. I look forward to learning more about the behind-the-scenes of BM.

Barely noticed the giant dog

Outside a cafe this morning. I thought Tesla would be mesmerized. Neither dog nor Tesla seemed to really care. Come on!

5 days in the woods is good

Been out of contact as we went on a mini-family vacation from last Thursday ~ Monday to the Strawberry Music Festival near Yosemite. With Tesla, it takes so much time to prepare and even more time to unload/clean-up! I loved it. It was relaxing, beautiful, and the most kid-friendly happy place I've been! The vibe - in terms of enjoying life, appreciating families, and being open to everyone, reminded me of Burning Man. It was just very hippie. We took our Yaginuma Moving Castle RV, parked next to the coolest elderly couple who graciously accepted us with Tesla and our Regenbogen friends. We actually sandwiched this couple between our RV and the Regenbogen tent so we all were constantly running back and forth. We were touched when this couple said that of all the years they've been coming to the festival, they loved this year in particular because they got to enjoy our families. How sweet! And I was worried about bothering them. Dav bought a cool handmade sculpture. We've bought paintings and other artwork before, but a sculpture is a first. And - almost the best part for me - I finally started painting the RV. I've been dying to do this ever since we got that old brown box with wheels. It'll take time and will continue to evolve as we want friends to contribute to painting if they wish, but at least it's a start with colors and design both inside and out. My goal is to make it half of what I want by Burning Man. Seriously, any time I was in there, my mind was thinking of what I wanted to change. So as Dav and Tesla went off to hear blue grass music, I got out my paint! Anyway, check out the pictures.

Then Genki's 1rst birthday

Cathi and I were classmates at ASIJ, but she lives in San Diego now, and her 1 year younger sister lives here. I love them both. The whole Vajda family is incredibly welcoming and fun-loving to the extent that their old house in Tokyo was called "hotel vajda," and Dav and pregnant me causally showed up at their parents house on Christmas Eve to join the festivities. A very warm bunch. Anyway, Patty gave birth to her 2nd baby Genki just a few months before me. Genki...that is an awesome name. Really. Tes and I showed up, and Tes promptly enjoyed loads of attention from Mrs. Vajda. She also went straight for the beer stash...even standing on a pack of beer to reach!! Sheesh. I don't like beer. This must be from daddy. p.s. that pink dress she's wearing? Very cute. First time she's wearing it and she can barely fit into it. Last time, I think. Must be quick with baby clothes!

Nico's 3rd birthday

Nico's b-day was this past Saturday. Dav was in Portland for an amazing Ruby on Rails Conference (I love the legs and pompoms!!), and Tes and I had 2 b-days to go to. I rather liked the whole kid-focused Saturday we had planned. And I enjoyed she and I gathering our presents to give with pleasure. My personal adventure was that in addition to a book for Nico, I decided to get him an inflated balloon. I don't like balloons. I texted Dav that I bought and had a big balloon in the car...he texted back, "Ha!!" Nico's party was in Tilden Park. I had no idea how many beautiful tucked away picnic sites there are! It was lovely. Mama Lani woke up at 4am to cook gorgeous plates for us to munch on. Thomas-the-train themed, and when the pinata was broken...mayhem! Too bad Tesla is still too young to really participate. She was highly curious and observant. I can tell in due time, my hands will be full!

Tesla dancing!

She knows how to change the volume too, which makes it hard to turn music on and leave...

Tesla dancing!

Serious eating

For the 1st time today she refused to be spoon fed. Wanted finger food only. OK! And yes, she has bits on her forehead!

Pleix

I just discovered Pleix, a beautifully simple site where digital artists post their latest creations. Check out GROOVE ARMADA, but also E-BABY. Found via Eddie, whose design taste I love. Thanks, Eddie!

Singing lullabies

An "OMG, I'm Tesla's mother" moment. She had a hard time falling asleep tonight. Rather needy. So after several attempts giving her space to put herself to sleep which did not work, I went in her room, got her out of the crib, held her and swayed as I sang a Japanese lullaby. There is a huge closet mirror in her room. So as she slumped over me, sucking her thumb, and I sang to her, I caught a glimpse of myself (then walked to the living room to get my phone so I could capture the moment). I saw myself as Tesla's mother. She needed me tonight. I held her and sang to her. Her eyes got droopy. She fell asleep in my arms. I am needed to provide comfort and love to her. I am her mother, and my desire to provide what she needs to be happy and secure is strong. I love it.