food+coffee+books+travel+dogs+music=my life
it has been a bit cold and raining. Very wet. Of course I decided to travel to north from central Kyoto. There is a small zen temple called “Shisendo” and this place is famous for its garden. There are 2 rooms you can sit or meditate facing well-maintained and cared garden. I sat there for about 30 minutes just to enjoy the garden, hear birds, feel the breeze. Just to be.
I am just proud to be Japanese especially today.
13.5miles. I walked 13.5 miles today. My feet and legs are a bit sore but I’m planning to walk around the city today again. This is my friends’ first time to visit Kyoto and they wanted to visit Rokuonji (Kinkakji). Not my favorite but yet still impressive. My highlight of my the day was to visit Ryoanji zen Templar for the 4th time. This is my another chapter of my life started. I’m forever grateful for that. This is cherry blossom at Ryoanji.
It’s just before 7 in the morning. Let’s see what’s waiting for me to explore in this amazing city.
4.9.2015 Kyoto vacation started. The first stop is Honolulu, HI. Waiting for my flight to Kansai Airport. I am sitting under the shade and enjoying the sun and lovely Hawaiian breeze. Not a bad start at all đ
âMy wife and I are divided about whether it was inevitable, or if something caused it, but we do have video of Jackson at 18 months, coming up to the camera and talking. But soon afterward his language stopped developing, and eventually he lost the language skills he already had. He stopped responding to his name. You could even bang pots and pans behind him, and he wouldnât respond. But when we tested his hearing, it was fine. People would say: âBoys develop later.â Or âDonât worry, my daughter didnât begin talking until she was three.â But we knew it was something more. This was twenty years ago, so the doctors didnât even know what to tell us. The head of pediatrics at Columbia met with us, and said: âLet me do some research on autism and Iâll get back to you.â We started to worry that Jackson might never progress. Around this time, I overheard some acquaintances worrying that their four-year-old son might be gay. It made me so mad. I thought: âGive me a fucking break. You know that your child can grow to be happy, independent, and fall in love. Iâd trade anything for that knowledge, and youâre freaking out that your son might be gay.ââ
I saw someone was writing what 5 thing that make her happy on her blog. I was inspired by her and here are 5 things make me happy at this moment, 10:56am on April 7th Tue (it changes slightly & often J)
The fact that my longtime friend Rika will be joining me in Kyoto this next week for 1.5 days. I havenât seen her since December 2008. She is such a caring, kind, classy and beautiful (inside and out) person. When I was younger, I always wonder why I didnât grow up like her. She has my highest regards.
Going to visit Kyoto in 1.5 days. I am not completely excited yet but it makes me happy when I think about all these food I can eat (I will pig out when I am there!) and temples I visit just spend some time with myself.
Oh my god, I canât believe I am writing about this. This Japanese TV show called âDr. Koto Shinryojoâ is actually making me happy? Yes it is. Donât judge. It is a great human drama. This one young genius surgeon arrived this small little farthest West island of Japan where takes 6-hour ferry ride just to get to the main land from the huge and prestigious hospital in Tokyo. The island has a population of only 1,500 people and they have never had an established clinic with quality medical staff and services. He struggles hard at first because people living on that island donât trust him. They are very resistant and not welcoming. Because of his never-give-up personality, chill-ness and his talent, gradually he starts to earn everyoneâs trust. I did a Dr. Koto marathon this past weekend and watched 13 episodes in 2 days. I feel like such a loser but what can I say? Season 2 is waiting for me when I go home tonight (crap, I will have to pack for the trip!). Again, please do not judge.
My Ginger. Especially when she leans over in my bed and starts to snore. She is almost 10 years old, stubborn and independent. She loves corn kernels and white rice. She also farts a lot.
Archie. My best friend, my person and partner in crime.
I lead a very happy life.
Ethan Stowell is beloved, down to earth kind of guy. He owns 9 restaurants and 1 pizzeria all in Seattle. He will be opening 3 more this year. Yes, he is beloved and down to earth kind of guy, but he is also crazy.
He is crazy about food. He is crazy about connection and relationships between food and people who eat his food. Most of his restaurants are intimate settings. Some have community table and some only seat 30 people or so. Kitchens are not hidden, usually open. Today is April 4th and it is a special day for me. Archie was successful not to disclose where he was taking me this last Saturday night until we were almost there.
Here is mkt.in Meridian neighborhood near Green Lake in Seattle. When I opened the door, first thing you see is an small and open kitchen with 5-seat counter. Very close to people sitting next to you. We were seated right in front of Alvin. Perfect. I was able to see what he was cooking and how he prepares the meal. His expression and his voice. I was feeling his and his crewâs energy flowing through this intimate restaurant. They use Pacific Northwest Ingredients. Alvin puts lots of care and just right amount of Jaconsen Salt and care. American fare without any pretentiousness. Great balance of boldness and sensitivities.
My favorite restaurants always have great balance of 3-pillars, chef, service crew, food.  This place has food and chef covered. OK, service crew. Awesome. Seth was our crew who tended to our  table and he was so much fun, cracking jokes, laughing with us, fist-bumping us, and cursing appropriately (yes, we curse a lot). He is one of those people you actually want to eat dinner and share a bottle of red wine with.
 
I am happy to say I found another excellent Seattle eatery that I want to go back many times more. My April 4th was fulfilled with joy.
Sweet tooth Sunday was filled by Twice-baked Almond Croissant and Chocolate Croissant from local bakery, Bakery Nouveau. Â When Archie brought them, they were still warm and flaky. Â Just dreamy.
Perfect start of April 4th 2.0.
I’m overwhelmed with happiness when I am with you. I am so madly in love with you. I wish there was a better way to say it. I am not the most eloquent when saying this but I know what I feel. When I think about you or about us, the emotion build up inside and spill out. It’s embarrassing at times but I like the feelings that I feel for you. My favorite times with you are just being near you. It could be a rainy day at home or walking through the park or a lovely dinner for the two of us or traveling to some new exciting place, it doesn’t matter I just want you near me. Forever. I love you so much – Jeff M.
I don’t like Wednesdays because it feels like my week lasts for eternity. Â I don’t mind Mondays and my favorite is Friday eve (=Thursday). Â Usually I am exhausted on Fridays and all I want to do Friday evening is to vegetate but it is fun to think that the weekend is coming soon.
So, here is some good news for you. Â Your weekend is near đ
We all need to know this.
“You are all lovely”
Have a wonderful day, everyone.
Have you eaten? 