the practice garden

sunset in san diego

I am in San Diego attending a work event. The new hotel is modern, with glass, wood and simple art pieces. Unfortunately, the conference area is not designed very well, with rooms hidden in corners. The rooms are not in any order, jumping from Salon L to Salon P. During these conferences, the best times to meet and chat with people are in the bar and lounge areas. Conference attendees would congregate in these areas and jump from one sitting area to the next, networking and catching up with friends. In this hotel, the bar and lounge area contains walls and barriers, making it difficult to connect.

San Diego has a charming area called Gas Lamp Quarters. I had the opportunity to roam the six block area filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. There is a Borders there with a nice cafe area to catch up on work. We had dinner in the area tonight at an Asian fusion restaurant that was recommended by a friend. My trips to San Diego are always too short.

ginger and honey

Too many late nights and too much work...I am sick.  Nothing soothes the throat like hot water, honey and ginger.

My mom told me that the bookstore back home closed down. I used to work at the bookstore during my high school and college days.  The bookstore was inside the local mall. It was really fun working there. My friends would stop by during my breaks and we would hang out for awhile. 

I remember when I interviewed for the job. I think the manager broke down and gave me the job after I called him twice in one day. I really wanted that job.

Each employee was assigned a section and was responsible for keeping it clean and alphabetized. I remember having the kids section. It was a nightmare to keep clean. But there were some perks too. I had access to all the books and could borrow them - my own private library almost. We also had a great discount package and everyone received books during holidays and birthdays.  

My love for books grew the longer I stayed there. I feel sad that such an important piece of my teenage life is now gone. Time changes so much.

stir-fry dungeness crab

loving the idea of a new decade

A new decade and a new beginning....I welcome it with arms wide open.

Today is 01 02 2010.  In reverse: 01 02 2010. 

It is my very, special friend's birthday. I am more excited about his birthday than he is, I think. For me, it means double the opportunity and success of our new venture. I think 2010 will be the year to move the business forward. All is aligned.

My other friend is in an intense custody battle. I am amazed at how resilient and determined he is in making things right and standing by his family. I think this type of character is very unique and difficult to find. In the new year, I hope he is able to resolve the issues and close this difficult chapter in his life. 

Finally, I look forward to spending more time with my family and kitties....hopefully in the garden.

first meow

I have held two kitties as they left me.  The pain of their absence and the thoughts of them swirl into my heart and takes hold of me every time I think about them.

Our first kitty-kat is now gone.  Her presence still felt...She used to lay with me on the downstairs couch while I feel asleep doing my homework.  My brothers would see us in the morning and kept saying how cute she looked, snuggled in my arms like a baby.... our baby kat.

cinnamon rolls for breakfast

Nothing welcomes the day after Christmas than homemade sticky, cinnamon rolls and freshly ground coffee brewed from a coffee press.

The kitties are outside sitting on the fence, teasing our neighbor's dog. Sunny decides he wants to play with it and jumps over. Sunny thinks he is a dog.

christmas in san francisco

Christmas was so much fun when I was a kid. Perhaps it had to do with all the lights, music, snow and decorations we made in school.  This year, Christmas seems a little off.  We have not had time to put up the lights and decorations yet.  Maybe this weekend....

When I walk out the elevator and into our building lobby, I feel as if I am in Vegas. The building owner must really want to bring some cheer to his tenants. He brought in six large trees and decorated them in crazy lights.  The elevators are wrapped in different colors of neon lights too. The two columns in front of our building are also wrapped in bright red cloth with lights.  While the colors and lights are beautiful, somehow, it still didn't feel Christamssy at all...I wonder what Christmas will be like in Asia next year?

rain and purple orchids

I was waiting for a friend in the lobby of the W Hotel on Lakeshore in Chicago.  It was raining hard outside and the lake was covered by the fog.  This floral piece caught my attention.  It is not the best example but it reminded me of ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arranging.

Ikebana is really an artistic creation in which nature and humanity are combined.  Ikebana emphasizes shape, line and form.  The focus is organic materials and minimal use of them.  The structure is based on a scalene triangle that is delineated by three points that symbolize heaven, earth and man.

enticing moments

There are some days that just starts in a crazy rush and it gets worse.  Fortunately, there are some days that start in a crazy rush, gets worse and then finishes perfectly. 

A beautiful bride, a beautiful sunny day, and a large, happy family.  It all leads to such a magical - simple moment.

Once the endurance and concentration of daily life breaks, it is hard to get it back again.  Interruptions like this weekend's magical moments make many other issues trivial.  I had forgotten about the simple elegance of just being. 

The tidal waves come now and it is just pure exhaustion to make it through all the tasks.  A friend says he is trying to keep above water.  I think I may be drowning this week.  I keep longing for the next week and then the week after, thinking that there really is an end to all the distractions.  But I know it doesn't exist unless something changes....

stink happens

Perfection.....

Until stink happens....