2010_01_31 Zach's Calligraphy

Care to guess what Zach's favorite kanji is?
So one night we decided to do calligraphy together.

"What's your favorite kanji, Zach? Which kanji would you like to write tonight?"
"Niku (meat)!!!"

Of course! I was almost certain that he would say "Katana (sword)" and was properly ashamed that I almost failed to remember his the favorite thing.. Meat! Then I remembered..

During a trip to Japan in March, 2009, we went to temples in Kyoto. And at one of the temples I got a wooden plague for Zach to write his wish.

His wish: "I wish I could eat a lot of meat."

His wish was fulfilled very soon when we had "sukiyaki" at my best friend's house the night. His wish was delivered and processed in the most efficient manner!!!

Back to calligraphy...
Zach dipped the brush in the ink.. and here is his first work!

Think, juicy, delicious 16 oz. Rib Eye

On the left is his third work - 24 oz. New York Steak

2010-01-30 Zach and his new sword umbrella

My Christmas present for Zach has finally been delivered! The Sword umbrella from ThinkGeek.com!! And now Zach and an umbrella are practically inseparable! Because it looks so much like a real sword, and because Zach does seem (and is!) an eccentric guy, people on the street, at a restaurant, and at work look alarmed, staring at him whenever he carries his umbrella.

The umbrella came with a thing (sheath?) to be carried on your back. Look how smoothly the umbrella can be unsheathed!

Yes, it IS an umbrella!!!

2010-01-11 Nice Catch!!!

"Yatta----!!!"

2010-01-11 Ritsuko's wedding

On January 11th, 2010, my elder sister Ritsuko and Tomohiro were married at Geihinkan which was built to welcome distinguished guests from all over the world to World Expo in 1970's. Kadomatsu, a pair of traditional Japanese decorations of the New Year, were placed in front of the building, which emitted an air of festivity in the air.




When we walked in the building, the reception table was set to the left.




On the table, we found the cats we made!!! (We finished sewing the cats and applied the last touch a few hours before the wedding... Phew!)



As we waited for the rehearsal to start, Zach and I took a walk around the building. Everything was neatly arranged, and the light coming though the glass ceiling was beautiful. Ritsuko, who has been known as "雨女（Pronunciation: ame-onna, Translation: rain woman / rain bringer)" did not bring rain but beautiful light.



Members of the wedding choir seemed very busy, running in and out of the chapel. But as soon as they noticed us taking photos, they tried to hide themselves or ran past us looking very apologetic. So we decided to wander off to where we wouldn't be obstacles of anyone...

Soon Ritsuko in gorgeous wedding dress showed up with a little nervous-looking Tomohiro. Ritsuko looked radiant!





My bridesmaids and I made bouquets for my wedding. So I know how difficult it is to arrange flowers! The bouquet she requested for the day was simply beautiful! The colors of white, pink and green, and the flowing line of them was very gentle just like Ristuko.




30 minutes before the ceremony! Ohh, Tomohiro looks nervous!



Ritsuko is gracefully walking down the aisle with her arm around Dad's.














We all cried seeing Ritsuko so happy...


Our Zach didn't doze off this time! Good job!












Tomohiro is(?) or acts like(?) a sweet brat.

餓鬼大将 - Brat

餓鬼大将とロン毛の子分(?) - Brat in White and Brat in Black

When Ritsuko and Tomohiro went to change their dresses, they requested escorts from the guests. Guess whom Tomohiro requested???


A new couple was born today!!!



























To my dear sister Ritsuko,

"りっちゃん、今日はとても綺麗だったよ！りっちゃんの幸せ一杯の笑顔が見れて私も涙、涙でした。しっかり者でオタクでやんちゃな旦那と生まれてくる赤ちゃんと一緒に幸せな家庭を築いてください！"