Japanese food

It's really odd to be in Southern California, yet so far from decent Japanese grocers. Living in the Conejo Valley...
I think we actually fared better in Tacoma, where there were Japanese supplies at the Boo Han Korean supermart on South Tacoma Way. I especially miss those big bags of persimmons this time of year. (Conejo V is in darker green with Malibu below; the rest of LA is off the map; further right and down).

The answer? Online Japanese grocers - our first delivery:
Not fresh stuff, but between Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Albertson's (more Asian food than Safeway, etc) and the occasion run to the Sawtelle district - an historic Japanese-American enclave - near UCLA and the very occasional pilgrimage to the abundant array of stores and shops in Gardena, where I grew up, we will be fine.

BTW, that's a pricey, fuzzy logic rice cooker in the background that keeps rice hot for, well, days. Zojirushi is the high-end maker of Japanese kitchen appliances; definitely an upgrade. My family had Panasonics; we learned to fight over the burnt part at the bottom. None of which Michael and Jack will ever do, since Zojirushi never burns. Sigh.

I drive a nicer car than my dad did; eat at better restaurants; and with "refills"a norm, none of my kids has to settle for the "small" size Coke or asks for just water. A problem? A blessing? I honestly don't know at the moment.

Brothers

Maybe this should've been obvious, but Michael & Jack are very close as brothers. Ex. 1: Jack sometimes prefers a favorite kid's spoon, but it's often gone missing, creating the typical table banter: "Spoon."

"I don't know where your spoon is. Say that in a nice way, please."

"Spoon, please, Mama."

"Spoon!"

More often that not, Michael will jump down, canvass the area, and return triumphantly with Jack's spoon. I think Michael does good deeds mostly to impress us, but it dawned on me that Jack actually goes into his utensil mantra, knowing full well that older brother will fetch it for him.
We noticed some time ago that Michael often signs his pictures as a twosome, "Michael Jack."

M & J on both sides of a birthday cake. Very sweet.

Uncle Jeff's visit

Uncle Jeff came down for a visit from the Bay area - can't believe it's been over a year, so we served-up one of the things SoCal has to offer even in late September: the beach.
The Pacific was unusually warm, after a summer of heat. Drove to Malibu's Paradise Cove - setting for some Gidget movies - to eat lunch. It's overpriced, but you get to park for 4 hours of play with tables on the sand. Something I've not seen outside of Europe, where a table, a parasol, and waiter seem to accompany every scenic spot.

Michael was on a hunt to find starfish.

Since swim lessons, Jack has really taken to water, too.

Everyone loves storytime. My parents rarely read to me (although, like good Japanese [and good Brits] despite only jr high educations, they read a lot - btw, did you know that British vacationers used to pack a trunk of books when heading to the Italian coast), so I'm curious at how much more vivid my children's imaginations may be, comparatively.

We first met Jeff and Jenny, along with Dan and Gena, in Tokyo many years ago and have managed to keep the friendship stoked over the years. Now we're at least in the same state. Friendships - despite easy internet - can suffer after a move; other people fill the void and, well, out of sight, out of mind. After numerous moves, I think we're officially off everyone's Christmas card list.

BTW, I'm old enough now, that my past has become subject to inventory; thus the Fuji shot above. I leave you with this sobering timepiece.

Speaking of sobering, just heard that Pepperdine is laying off some IT staff; cutting corners wherever possible. I remember my first impression of SoCal, where formerly overheard conversations about stock portfolios in 1990s Tacoma was replaced by nonstop giddiness concerning real estate.

What goes up, must come down. But, ouch.

International Pirate Day

International Pirate's Day came to Malibu; two budding mates came dressed for the part. Michael comes to Pepperdine on Friday afternoons for an hour of French with Pierre from Bordeaux. We heard him singing in French all weekend thereafter, and at dinner he tried asking for seconds in French.
Trader Joe's was handing out pirate paraphernalia for the event, although it dawned on me that, in terms of dress, virtually everyday is pirate's day at our South Pacific-themed grocer. BTW, I recommend their truffle brownie mix. Really good.

Jack at the office.

Jack at the pool.

2 weeks with Marjene turned Jack into an amphibian; now we all share a love of the water. The pool remains open until the end of the month.

On the homefront, we've got our kitchen stuff in place after a whopping trip to Bed, Bath, & Beyond (20% off total purchase coupon) and William-Sonoma for knives. Some of our art is up now, too. The boys' bunk beds are assembled. Things are falling into place. Feels kinda homey.

Settling In

We're three weeks into fall term; Pepperdine for me, homeschool & preschool for Carolyn, Michael, and Jack. With the encouragement of friends and statistics, we decided to give non-governmental education a try, although not without misgivings. You feel like you've given up on a certain vision of a world - the "that's not America" variety - so there is definitely a sense of loss, and I hope our goal isn't to produce the most disgustingly talented children on the block armed with every opportunity. So there's a little guilt, too.
Meanwhile, the boys are busy rediscovering all the toys held in storage while away. Jack fancies the trains much more than Michael ever did.

Our driveway proves to be a good scooter ramp.

The big event 2 weeks in planning was the reunion of the Lausanne program with an on-campus BBQ. Fantastic turnout. We've missed each other. Michael has been dying to meet everyone for over 4 months!

Josh (In-N-Out Burger cook), Tim, & Chris work the grill.

Others brought drinks and desserts! The beautifully designed sweatshirts arrived, as well.Carolyn and I certainly loved the opportunity to do "hands on" campus work, added to the teaching. We're all creatively considering how to hang on to aspects of Switzerland, carrying on things we enjoyed without too much nostalgia. Perhaps caravans to our house for an evening.

This grill came PLUMBED TO A GAS LINE! So we're ready to cook.

Local neighbors, although recent movement of coyotes at night suggest that our bunnies may not have long!

A fire broke out and was quickly contained at the top of the canyon. These can spread and wreak havoc, although there is suspicion that last year's fires were also insurance scams, desperate responses to plunging real estate values, such as the famous castle in Malibu...

which sat on the market for years, and then tanked, until...



Locals say the owner showed little remorse.

Lastly, a 9/11 commemorative installation of 3000 flags at Pepperdine's Alumni Park.Can we imagine or express sorrow apart from the nation? At least on the meta-level immediately following 9/11, it seemed to me even the devout primarily derived their comfort from the nation; religious identity seemed secondary.