the practice garden

treats for kitties

The cat mint and cat nip plants grew back and the kitties are having a fun time with them. There are now six plants and generating enough leaves for me to also dry and send them to friends and the kitties back home. Pepper sleeps in the middle of them and they bounce back easily. Greykat prefers to roll around in them and his weight ends up smooshing the leaves.

The weather is beautiful. The garden has been neglected lately with all the work deadlines. I took the opportunity to start the weeding process. The hill still needs some work though. But it can wait until next week. 

The green pepper, tomato and onion seeds are in pots now. I look forward to seeing them sprout in a few weeks. 

I am running out of room for the jade plants and others. I am hoping to take several pots to work this week and share them with my co-workers. But I need to get better looking pots. Hmm... perhaps time to expand the garden?

over oceans, over seas

My friend is across the ocean. It has been awhile since we've seen each other. I came across an old song from the Escape Club. A simple song that fits the situation. I like the lyrics...

Over mountains, over trees, over oceans, over seas; Across the desert, I'll be there

In a whisper on the wind; On the smile of a new friend; Just think of me, And I'll be there

Don't be afraid, oh my love; I'll be watching you from above

And I'd give all the world tonight; To be with you; Because I'm on your side; And I still care...

On the edge of a waking dream

Over rivers, over streams; Through wind and rain, I'll be there

Don't be afraid, oh my love; I'll be watching you from above

Then I give all the world tonight; To be with you; Because I'm on your side; And I still care

I may have died; But I've gone nowhere

Just think of me; And I'll be there....

tiger year

Today is the first day of the lunar new year. They say how you start the first day of the year signifies how the rest of the year will be. So far, the year feels as if it will move in the right direction. This year, my goal is to minimize... minimize work, unimportant distractions and aimless meetings. The other goal is then to focus. I have several countries and cities to get to this year.

I spoke to a good friend on New Year's Eve. Time goes by so quickly when there is so much to say. Even after an hour, there was still so much left unsaid. But that may be best because we always pick up where we left off... and some anticipation in a relationship seems healthy. Meaningful relationships and friendships are unusual like that. 

It took a long time for me to realize that choosing people you want around is really that - a choice. Which brings me to the second lesson learned last week. Needing to create boundaries. Boundaries of what to accept for work; boundaries for people not to cross; and most important, boundaries of what I choose to include in my life. 

They say the year of the tiger is filled with adversity and tension. Oddly enough, for people like me, we have the endurance and perseverance to see the year through. I think it will be a good year.

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?