Halloween in the Bay Area is a little strange. Today boats are sailing in the bay. I find myself in my backyard in my sleeveless shirt having brunch with some friends, while basking in the warm sun. Tonight, the air is still a little warm. Mind you, I am not complaining. It sure beats trick-or-treating while worrying about frost bites.
Mercy did not persevere in the household. This afternoon, I find a mini pumpkin firmly gripped in the jaws of the giant one, while the remaining mini looks on in horror. It is Halloween after all.
With teenagers, there seems to be a 2 year period where they are too big to trick-or-treat. Then, the revert to dressing up and hanging out again. Aya, who is in the 2-year period, agrees to chaperone her younger siblings in their outfits in return for "community service" hours. She takes her pillow case, just in case. Julien, on the other hand, is beyond that, and has gone to "hang out" with his friends in the dark.
Back at home, high up on the hill, where no kids venture for candy, my husband and I sip our cups of tea, and remember the days when we frantically kept head count of our kids on Halloween.
The two pre-teens and Aya call for a ride back up the hill. As I pull into the store parking lot, I see a vampire, a wolf and a teenager checking out their loot on the sidewalk. Turns out Aya made the vampire and wolf say their little sister was at home sick so that people would give extra candy. Cunning.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Day 65: Kids
The Bay Bridge is still down. Traffic is bad, so I decide to stay in my village as much as possible. But, on the main boulevard, traffic is stalled. The local school K ~ 2nd grade is off to their Halloween parade. I see fairies, and ninjas, witches and oversized Poohs and Tiggers (over-zealous parents) cross the street, all 500 or so of them.... By the time the cars start moving, I am so into the parade, that I don't really want to go.
This afternoon, I help carve a jack-o-lantern complete with a third eye - totally Marin.The original theme was to have a gigantic pumpkin swallow up reluctant tiny pumpkins, but mercy got in the way, and now big and small are smiling next to each other. We roast the pumpkin seeds and munch. The third eye reminds me of this morning's yoga. My yoga teacher probably watched Jane Fonda's aerobics last night. I empathize with the lady who sticks her neck out of the window mid-way and heaves oxygen in and out.
Two of our kids are out and about this evening, and with one in college already, that leaves two at the table. In four years, two more will be off to college and the house will be like this every day. Sad. I wonder if it's harder to be an empty nester if you start off with more kids than average.
This afternoon, I help carve a jack-o-lantern complete with a third eye - totally Marin.The original theme was to have a gigantic pumpkin swallow up reluctant tiny pumpkins, but mercy got in the way, and now big and small are smiling next to each other. We roast the pumpkin seeds and munch. The third eye reminds me of this morning's yoga. My yoga teacher probably watched Jane Fonda's aerobics last night. I empathize with the lady who sticks her neck out of the window mid-way and heaves oxygen in and out.
Two of our kids are out and about this evening, and with one in college already, that leaves two at the table. In four years, two more will be off to college and the house will be like this every day. Sad. I wonder if it's harder to be an empty nester if you start off with more kids than average.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Day 64: Funny
Until 5 minutes ago, I thought I was pretty funny. Now, I change my mind. Julien shows me a blog website called mylifeisaverage.com. My tummy muscles are stronger now from laughing.
Day 63: Poof
I am writing a day late, because my wise son said something to me last night that was really powerful and worthy of mentioning. I was too tired to get out of bed and write it down. And now, POOF! it's gonzo. Cannot remember even a morsel.
A couple of years ago, I had a great idea. My husband tells me it was his idea, but I cannot recall, which is the beauty of selective memory. I even secured a website called GoPoof.com. It has expired so go grab it now. Anyway, it was how you could erase negative information about yourself from the internet. I was told it doesn't work. Now, there is a company called reputation something or other that does exactly that.
I realize that tenacity is not my strong suit. I am easily swayed. When I have notions, but someone says "no", I give up quite easily on most things. There are few things that I insist on. Among those few are basic table manners - don't eat with your mouth open, don't hold your fork like a pitchfork, don't start eating before everyone at the table is served , etc. etc. , and treat everyone equally - don't grovel, don't condescend.
A couple of years ago, I had a great idea. My husband tells me it was his idea, but I cannot recall, which is the beauty of selective memory. I even secured a website called GoPoof.com. It has expired so go grab it now. Anyway, it was how you could erase negative information about yourself from the internet. I was told it doesn't work. Now, there is a company called reputation something or other that does exactly that.
I realize that tenacity is not my strong suit. I am easily swayed. When I have notions, but someone says "no", I give up quite easily on most things. There are few things that I insist on. Among those few are basic table manners - don't eat with your mouth open, don't hold your fork like a pitchfork, don't start eating before everyone at the table is served , etc. etc. , and treat everyone equally - don't grovel, don't condescend.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Day 62: Hair
A good friend tells me that I have "LOTS OF GREY HAIR, which makes me look OLD". Another good friend tells me that I have typical old Japanese lady hair. I may need to change the definition of "good friend" on them one day, but I take their comment to heart. I have a theory that one should age gracefully, and not obsess about youth. I like women with well coiffed grey hair. It makes them look wise and elegant. My husband says it makes them look old.
This morning, I drive to Japan town to get a new look. Two and a half hours later, I emerge with seaweed black hair and a "wanna look young" hairdo, which I immediately destroy by re-shaping into old Japanese lady hair. I lunch with a friend who politely says I look great.
Once home, I approach my daughter, Aya, who is still recovering from a bout of tummy bug. "Whoa!", she says. "It looks really black." Upon further interogation on whether that is supposed to indicate good or bad, she says, "Well, you did it. It's not like you have much choice now." I marvel at the power of words. How much more eloquently can one say "bad" without using the word?
The other kids come home, too. Camille says "Whoa, what did you do to your hair?". Julien says "It looks PURPLE, like a rock star." The only one who says it looks nice maybe too often, is Maxime. I remember now the hairdresser saying I could always change the color next time. My husband is wonderful. He comes home and says "It looks great. You look young and cute, just like when I met you." Even though I know this is stretching the truth a little, I am humored into thinking it's not so bad after all.
This morning, I drive to Japan town to get a new look. Two and a half hours later, I emerge with seaweed black hair and a "wanna look young" hairdo, which I immediately destroy by re-shaping into old Japanese lady hair. I lunch with a friend who politely says I look great.
Once home, I approach my daughter, Aya, who is still recovering from a bout of tummy bug. "Whoa!", she says. "It looks really black." Upon further interogation on whether that is supposed to indicate good or bad, she says, "Well, you did it. It's not like you have much choice now." I marvel at the power of words. How much more eloquently can one say "bad" without using the word?
The other kids come home, too. Camille says "Whoa, what did you do to your hair?". Julien says "It looks PURPLE, like a rock star." The only one who says it looks nice maybe too often, is Maxime. I remember now the hairdresser saying I could always change the color next time. My husband is wonderful. He comes home and says "It looks great. You look young and cute, just like when I met you." Even though I know this is stretching the truth a little, I am humored into thinking it's not so bad after all.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Day 62: Cold
Just as I had predicted yesterday, my joints are aching, my head throbbing and my tummy hurting. Three of the four kids stay home sick today. The good news is that this cold appears to work swiftly and then simply moves on. What is also good is that the kids know the drill. It's not like the old days when you had to cuddle them and stay with them, while feeling like death yourself. We each retire to our rooms and sleep. Once in a while, someone would fix something to eat, and then retire again. Overall, it's a very unexciting day.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Day 61: Tank top
How many people spent the day in a tank top today? I bet you there are not many. This is what I love about the Bay Area. While my friends in Japan are suffering from a typhoon, and New York is getting cold and depressing, I am walking around all day in a Calvin Klein tank top (3 for $19) and an $8.97 pair of pants bought at the Gap.
But, the swine flu is active. Half of my kids' class are out sick. I have a couple of kids that have succumbed, too. Seasoned parent that I am, I know it's a matter of time before I get it (although it may just be a stomach bug). Just in case, I infuse my body with alcohol, put ginger in every meal, and drink a lot of fluid.
A long time ago, when we lived in Toronto, I remember not catching a single cold. Rumor has it that it's too cold for the viruses.
But, the swine flu is active. Half of my kids' class are out sick. I have a couple of kids that have succumbed, too. Seasoned parent that I am, I know it's a matter of time before I get it (although it may just be a stomach bug). Just in case, I infuse my body with alcohol, put ginger in every meal, and drink a lot of fluid.
A long time ago, when we lived in Toronto, I remember not catching a single cold. Rumor has it that it's too cold for the viruses.
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